Headphones with interactive display

• US 9,756,414 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2016
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: King Hei Liu, Ronald Pong
• Original Assignee: King Hei Liu, Ronald Pong
• Inventors: Pong, Ronald, Liu, King Hei
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Paul S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yu, Norman
• Application Number:
  US15/263,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20160381451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 381 74, 381300, 381370, 4555691, 455 413, 4555751, 4555752, 4555756
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1008 Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1058 Manufacture or assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1066 Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/07 Use of position data from wide-area or local-area positioning systems in hearing devices, e.g. program or information selection

Abstract

A novel headphone system includes a first speaker assembly, a second speaker assembly, and an interactive visual display system. The interactive visual display system includes a display operative to output visual contents according to interaction with a user. In a more particular embodiment, the headphone system includes an external device interface that enables a user to interact with the contents displayed from the screen via an external device or via the Internet. In another embodiment, the interactive visual display system is removable from the rest of the headphone system and can optionally be installed in another compatible non-headphone device.

Claims

1. A headphone system comprising:

a frame having a first region, a second region, and a headband extending between said first region and said second region;

a first speaker assembly coupled to said first region of said frame;

a second speaker assembly coupled to said second region of said frame;

a display coupled to said frame;

a user interface operative to receive input from a user;

memory for storing data and code;

a controller coupled to said frame, responsive to said input from said user and operative to execute said code and display images on said display based at least in part on said input from said user; and

a first detachable display unit removably coupled to said frame, said first detachable display unit incorporating said controller, said memory, and said display and including a communication interface operative to facilitate communication of data and control signals between an external device and said first detachable display unit, said control signals based at least in part on said input from said user; and

wherein

said controller is operative to provide control signals to said external device via said communication interface;

said external device includes a camera system; and

said controller is operative to send camera control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

2. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said communication interface is configured to communicate with said external device via a wired connection.

3. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said communication interface includes a wireless system configured to communicate with said external system.

4. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said controller is operative to control said headphone system based at least in part on control signals received from said external device via said communication interface.

5. The headphone system of claim 4, wherein said communication interface is configured to receive audio data and audio control instructions from said external device.

6. The headphone system of claim 4, wherein said communication interface is operative to receive display control instructions from said external device.

7. The headphone system of claim 4, further comprising a camera system, and wherein said communication interface is configured to receive camera control instructions from said external device.

8. The headphone system of claim 4, wherein said controller and said communication interface facilitate real-time control of said headphone system by said external device.

9. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein:

said communication interface is configured to receive audio signals from said external device; and

said first speaker assembly is operative to output sound indicative of said audio signals in real-time.

10. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to:

receive digital audio data via said communication interface; and

store said digital audio data in said memory.

11. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein:

said communication interface is configured to receive display signals from said external device; and

said controller is configured to display images on said display based on said display signals in real-time.

12. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to:

receive display data via said communication interface; and

store said display data in said memory.

13. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said controller is operative to send audio control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

14. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said controller is operative to send display control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

15. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said controller and said communication interface facilitate real-time control of said external device by said headphone system.

16. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein said first detachable display unit is adapted to mount to said first speaker assembly.

17. The headphone system of claim 16, wherein said first speaker assembly includes a first electrical contact, and said first detachable display unit includes a complementary second electrical contact, said first electrical contact and said complementary second electrical contact being adapted to electrically contact one another.

18. The headphone system of claim 17, wherein:

said first detachable display unit is adapted to rotate relative to said first speaker assembly about an axis when said first detachable unit is attached to said first speaker assembly;

one of said first electrical contact and said complementary second contact includes a substantially annular electrical conductor formed at least partially about said axis, said annular conductor being adapted to slidably engage the other of said first electrical contact and said complementary second electrical contact while said first detachable display unit is being rotated with respect to said first speaker assembly; and

the other of said first electrical contact and said complementary second electrical contact is a conductive biasing member adapted to exert force on said annular conductor, said force being sufficient to maintain electrical contact with said annular conductor while said first detachable display unit is being rotated with respect to said first speaker assembly.

19. The headphone system of claim 18, wherein said first speaker assembly includes a first thread set and said first display unit includes a complementary second thread set, said first thread set and said second thread set facilitating the engagement of said display unit with said first speaker assembly.

20. The headphone system of claim 1, further comprising a second detachable display unit having a second display.

21. The headphone system of claim 20, wherein said display and said second display are cooperatively controlled by said controller.

22. The headphone system of claim 20, wherein:

said first detachable display unit is adapted to engage said first speaker assembly;

said second detachable display unit is adapted to engage said second speaker assembly; and

said headphone system further includes a third display unit having a third display, said third display unit being removably coupled to said headband.

23. The headphone system of claim 22, wherein said display, said second display, and said third display are cooperatively controlled by said controller.

24. The headphone system of claim 23, wherein:

said display is coupled to said frame via said first speaker assembly;

said second display is coupled to said frame via said second speaker assembly; and

said third display is removably coupled to said headband.

25. The headphone system of claim 1, wherein:

said user interface includes an input sensor coupled to said frame; and

wherein said controller is operative to control said headphone system based at least in part on input from said input sensor.

26. The headphone system of claim 25, further comprising:

a camera system; and

wherein

said controller controls the operation of said camera based at least in part on said input from said input sensor.

27. The headphone system of claim 25, wherein said input sensor is a sound sensor.

28. The headphone system of claim 25, wherein said input sensor is an orientation sensor.

29. The headphone system of claim 25, wherein input sensor includes a motion sensor.

30. The headphone system of claim 25, wherein said input sensor is a manual user input device.

31. The headphone system of claim 25, wherein said input sensor and said display are integral parts of a touchscreen display.

32. The headphone system of claim 1, further comprising a location determining device.

33. A headphone system comprising:

a frame having a first region, a second region, and a headband extending between said first region and said second region;

a first speaker assembly coupled to said first region of said frame;

a second speaker assembly coupled to said second region of said frame;

a display coupled to said frame;

a user interface operative to receive input from a user;

memory for storing data and code;

a controller coupled to said frame, responsive to said input from said user and operative to execute said code and display images on said display based at least in part on said input from said user; and

a first detachable display unit removably coupled to said frame, said first detachable display unit incorporating said controller, said memory, and said display and including a communication interface operative to facilitate communication of data and control signals between an external device and said first detachable display unit, said control signals based at least in part on said input from said user; and

wherein

said controller is operative to provide control signals to said external device via said communication interface;

said first detachable display unit is adapted to mount to said first speaker assembly;

said first speaker assembly includes a first electrical contact, and said first detachable display unit includes a complementary second electrical contact, said first electrical contact and said complementary second electrical contact being adapted to electrically contact one another;

said first detachable display unit is adapted to rotate relative to said first speaker assembly about an axis when said first detachable unit is attached to said first speaker assembly;

one of said first electrical contact and said complementary second contact includes a substantially annular electrical conductor formed at least partially about said axis, said annular conductor being adapted to slidably engage the other of said first electrical contact and said complementary second electrical contact while said first detachable display unit is being rotated with respect to said first speaker assembly; and

the other of said first electrical contact and said complementary second electrical contact is a conductive biasing member adapted to exert force on said annular conductor, said force being sufficient to maintain electrical contact with said annular conductor while said first detachable display unit is being rotated with respect to said first speaker assembly.

34. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said communication interface is configured to communicate with said external device via a wired connection.

35. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said communication interface includes a wireless system configured to communicate with said external system.

36. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said controller is operative to control said headphone system based at least in part on control signals received from said external device via said communication interface.

37. The headphone system of claim 36, wherein said communication interface is configured to receive audio data and audio control instructions from said external device.

38. The headphone system of claim 36, wherein said communication interface is operative to receive display control instructions from said external device.

39. The headphone system of claim 36, further comprising a camera system, and wherein said communication interface is configured to receive camera control instructions from said external device.

40. The headphone system of claim 36, wherein said controller and said communication interface facilitate real-time control of said headphone system by said external device.

41. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein:

said communication interface is configured to receive audio signals from said external device; and

said first speaker assembly is operative to output sound indicative of said audio signals in real-time.

42. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said controller is configured to:

receive digital audio data via said communication interface; and

store said digital audio data in said memory.

43. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein:

said communication interface is configured to receive display signals from said external device; and

said controller is configured to display images on said display based on said display signals in real-time.

44. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said controller is configured to:

receive display data via said communication interface; and

store said display data in said memory.

45. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said controller is operative to send audio control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

46. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said controller is operative to send display control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

47. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said controller and said communication interface facilitate real-time control of said external device by said headphone system.

48. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein said first speaker assembly includes a first thread set and said first display unit includes a complementary second thread set, said first thread set and said second thread set facilitating the engagement of said display unit with said first speaker assembly.

49. The headphone system of claim 33, further comprising a second detachable display unit having a second display.

50. The headphone system of claim 49, wherein said display and said second display are cooperatively controlled by said controller.

51. The headphone system of claim 49, wherein:

said first detachable display unit is adapted to engage said first speaker assembly;

said second detachable display unit is adapted to engage said second speaker assembly; and

said headphone system further includes a third display unit having a third display, said third display unit being removably coupled to said headband.

52. The headphone system of claim 51, wherein said display, said second display, and said third display are cooperatively controlled by said controller.

53. The headphone system of claim 52, wherein:

said display is coupled to said frame via said first speaker assembly;

said second display is coupled to said frame via said second speaker assembly; and

said third display is removably coupled to said headband.

54. The headphone system of claim 33, wherein:

said user interface includes an input sensor coupled to said frame; and

wherein said controller is operative to control said headphone system based at least in part on input from said input sensor.

55. The headphone system of claim 54, further comprising:

a camera system; and

wherein

said controller controls the operation of said camera based at least in part on said input from said input sensor.

56. The headphone system of claim 54, wherein said input sensor is a sound sensor.

57. The headphone system of claim 54, wherein said input sensor is an orientation sensor.

58. The headphone system of claim 54, wherein input sensor includes a motion sensor.

59. The headphone system of claim 54, wherein said input sensor is a manual user input device.

60. The headphone system of claim 54, wherein said input sensor and said display are integral parts of a touchscreen display.

61. The headphone system of claim 33, further comprising a location determining device.

62. A headphone system comprising:

a frame having a first region, a second region, and a headband extending between said first region and said second region;

a first speaker assembly coupled to said first region of said frame;

a second speaker assembly coupled to said second region of said frame;

a display coupled to said frame;

a user interface operative to receive input from a user;

memory for storing data and code;

a controller coupled to said frame, responsive to said input from said user and operative to execute said code and display images on said display based at least in part on said input from said user; and

a first detachable display unit removably coupled to said frame, said first detachable display unit incorporating said controller, said memory, and said display and including a communication interface operative to facilitate communication of data and control signals between an external device and said first detachable display unit, said control signals based at least in part on said input from said user;

a second detachable display unit having a second display; and

wherein

said controller is operative to provide control signals to said external device via said communication interface;

said first detachable display unit is adapted to engage said first speaker assembly;

said second detachable display unit is adapted to engage said second speaker assembly;

said headphone system further includes a third display unit having a third display, said third display unit being removably coupled to said headband; and

said display, said second display, and said third display are cooperatively controlled by said controller.

63. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said communication interface is configured to communicate with said external device via a wired connection.

64. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said communication interface includes a wireless system configured to communicate with said external system.

65. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said controller is operative to control said headphone system based at least in part on control signals received from said external device via said communication interface.

66. The headphone system of claim 65, wherein said communication interface is configured to receive audio data and audio control instructions from said external device.

67. The headphone system of claim 65, wherein said communication interface is operative to receive display control instructions from said external device.

68. The headphone system of claim 65, further comprising a camera system, and wherein said communication interface is configured to receive camera control instructions from said external device.

69. The headphone system of claim 65, wherein said controller and said communication interface facilitate real-time control of said headphone system by said external device.

70. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein:

said communication interface is configured to receive audio signals from said external device; and

said first speaker assembly is operative to output sound indicative of said audio signals in real-time.

71. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said controller is configured to:

receive digital audio data via said communication interface; and

store said digital audio data in said memory.

72. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein:

said communication interface is configured to receive display signals from said external device; and

said controller is configured to display images on said display based on said display signals in real-time.

73. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said controller is configured to:

receive display data via said communication interface; and

store said display data in said memory.

74. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said controller is operative to send audio control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

75. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said controller is operative to send display control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

76. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said controller and said communication interface facilitate real-time control of said external device by said headphone system.

77. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein said first detachable display unit is adapted to mount to said first speaker assembly.

78. The headphone system of claim 77, wherein said first speaker assembly includes a first electrical contact, and said first detachable display unit includes a complementary second electrical contact, said first electrical contact and said complementary second electrical contact being adapted to electrically contact one another.

79. The headphone system of claim 78, wherein said first speaker assembly includes a first thread set and said first display unit includes a complementary second thread set, said first thread set and said second thread set facilitating the engagement of said display unit with said first speaker assembly.

80. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein:

said display is coupled to said frame via said first speaker assembly;

said second display is coupled to said frame via said second speaker assembly; and

said third display is removably coupled to said headband.

81. The headphone system of claim 62, wherein:

said user interface includes an input sensor coupled to said frame; and

wherein said controller is operative to control said headphone system based at least in part on input from said input sensor.

82. The headphone system of claim 81, further comprising:

a camera system; and

wherein

said controller controls the operation of said camera based at least in part on said input from said input sensor.

83. The headphone system of claim 81, wherein said input sensor is a sound sensor.

84. The headphone system of claim 81, wherein said input sensor is an orientation sensor.

85. The headphone system of claim 81, wherein input sensor includes a motion sensor.

86. The headphone system of claim 81, wherein said input sensor is a manual user input device.

87. The headphone system of claim 81, wherein said input sensor and said display are integral parts of a touchscreen display.

88. The headphone system of claim 62, further comprising a location determining device.

89. A headphone system comprising:

a frame having a first region, a second region, and a headband extending between said first region and said second region;

a first speaker assembly coupled to said first region of said frame;

a second speaker assembly coupled to said second region of said frame;

a display coupled to said frame;

a user interface operative to receive input from a user;

memory for storing data and code;

a controller coupled to said frame, responsive to said input from said user and

operative to execute said code and display images on said display based at least in part on said input from said user; and

a first detachable display unit removably coupled to said frame, said first detachable display unit incorporating said controller, said memory, and said display and including a communication interface operative to facilitate communication of data and control signals between an external device and said first detachable display unit, said control signals based at least in part on said input from said user, said communication interface including a port that is accessible when said first detachable display unit is coupled to said frame; and

wherein

said controller is operative to provide control signals to said external device via said communication interface; and

said input sensor and said display are integral parts of a touchscreen display.

90. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said communication interface is configured to communicate with said external device via a wired connection.

91. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said communication interface includes a wireless system configured to communicate with said external system.

92. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said controller is operative to control said headphone system based at least in part on control signals received from said external device via said communication interface.

93. The headphone system of claim 92, wherein said communication interface is configured to receive audio data and audio control instructions from said external device.

94. The headphone system of claim 92, wherein said communication interface is operative to receive display control instructions from said external device.

95. The headphone system of claim 92, further comprising a camera system, and wherein said communication interface is configured to receive camera control instructions from said external device.

96. The headphone system of claim 92, wherein said controller and said communication interface facilitate real-time control of said headphone system by said external device.

97. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein:

said communication interface is configured to receive audio signals from said external device; and

said first speaker assembly is operative to output sound indicative of said audio signals in real-time.

98. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said controller is configured to:

receive digital audio data via said communication interface; and

store said digital audio data in said memory.

99. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein:

said communication interface is configured to receive display signals from said external device; and

said controller is configured to display images on said display based on said display signals in real-time.

100. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said controller is configured to:

receive display data via said communication interface; and

store said display data in said memory.

101. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said controller is operative to send audio control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

102. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said controller is operative to send display control instructions to said external device via said communication interface.

103. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said controller and said communication interface facilitate real-time control of said external device by said headphone system.

104. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein said first detachable display unit is adapted to mount to said first speaker assembly.

105. The headphone system of claim 104, wherein said first speaker assembly includes a first electrical contact, and said first detachable display unit includes a complementary second electrical contact, said first electrical contact and said complementary second electrical contact being adapted to electrically contact one another.

106. The headphone system of claim 105, wherein said first speaker assembly includes a first thread set and said first display unit includes a complementary second thread set, said first thread set and said second thread set facilitating the engagement of said display unit with said first speaker assembly.

107. The headphone system of claim 89, further comprising a second detachable display unit having a second display.

108. The headphone system of claim 107, wherein said display and said second display are cooperatively controlled by said controller.

109. The headphone system of claim 107, wherein:

said first detachable display unit is adapted to engage said first speaker assembly;

said second detachable display unit is adapted to engage said second speaker assembly; and

said headphone system further includes a third display unit having a third display, said third display unit being removably coupled to said headband.

110. The headphone system of claim 109, wherein:

said display is coupled to said frame via said first speaker assembly;

said second display is coupled to said frame via said second speaker assembly; and

said third display is removably coupled to said headband.

111. The headphone system of claim 89, wherein:

said user interface includes an input sensor coupled to said frame; and

wherein said controller is operative to control said headphone system based at least in part on input from said input sensor.

112. The headphone system of claim 111, further comprising:

a camera system; and

wherein

said controller controls the operation of said camera based at least in part on said input from said input sensor.

113. The headphone system of claim 111, wherein said input sensor is a sound sensor.

114. The headphone system of claim 111, wherein said input sensor is an orientation sensor.

115. The headphone system of claim 111, wherein input sensor includes a motion sensor.

116. The headphone system of claim 110, wherein said input sensor is a manual user input device.

117. The headphone system of claim 89, further comprising a location determining device.