Apparatus and methods for altering the appearance of wearable devices

• US 9,936,273 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2016
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taction Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taction Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Biggs, Silmon James
• Primary Examiner(s): ISLAM, MOHAMMAD K
• Application Number:
  US15/002,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20160212515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 381374, 381162
• 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 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/28 Transducer mountings or enclosures modified by provision of mechanical or acoustic impedances, e.g. resonator, damping means combinations of transducers with horns, i.e. front-loaded horns H04R1/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2420/01 Enhancing the perception of the sound image or of the spatial distribution using head related transfer functions [HRTF's] or equivalents thereof, e.g. interaural time difference [ITD] or interaural level difference [ILD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/00 Indicating arrangements; Control arrangements, e.g. balance control

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for altering the appearance of wearable device are disclosed. The apparatus may statically or dynamically alter the appearance of the wearable.

Claims

1. A wearable device, comprising:

an ear cup;

one or more visual features that displays a representation of one of an intensity of sound in the ear cup and a vibration of the ear cup;

wherein the one or more visual features comprise a mass-spring system that amplifies motion of the ear cup, wherein the mass-spring system comprises;

at least one flexure mechanically coupled to the ear cup housing; and

at least one mass suspended from each of the at least one flexure; and

wherein the at least one mass comprises at least one of;

a plate with passive visual features that visually amplify the movement of a transparent oscillating plate with Moiré

patterns; and

an oscillating plate with lenticular printing.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said plate with optical features comprises an outermost surface of said wearable device and is at least partially transparent or translucent.

3. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein spring constants of the at least one flexure are chosen to establish one or more resonant frequencies of the mass-spring system in the 15-200 Hz range.

4. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said plate with passive visual features comprises an outermost surface of said wearable device and is at least partially transparent or translucent, and is removably attached to said wearable device.

5. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said plate with passive visual features comprises an outermost surface of said wearable device, and said plate is removably attached to said wearable device with a mechanical coupling, said mechanical coupling comprising at least one of:

a snap fit coupling;

a twist lock fit coupling; and

a screw-on coupling.

6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said plate with passive visual features comprises an outermost surface of said wearable device, and said plate is removably attached to said wearable device with a mechanical coupling, said mechanical coupling comprising at least one of:

metal or plastic snaps;

one or more hook and loop fasteners; and

one or more magnets.

7. A wearable device, comprising:

an ear cup;

one or more visual features that displays a representation of one of an intensity of sound in the ear cup and a vibration of the ear cup;

wherein the one or more visual features comprise a mass-spring system that amplifies motion of the ear cup, wherein the mass-spring system comprises;

at least one flexure mechanically coupled to the ear cup housing; and

at least one mass suspended from each of the at least one flexure; and

wherein the wearable device comprises at least one of;

a plate with passive visual features that visually amplify the movement of said transparent oscillating plate with Moiré

patterns or

an oscillating plate with lenticular printing.

8. The wearable device of claim 7, wherein said plate with passive visual features comprises an outermost surface of said wearable device and is at least partially transparent or translucent.

9. The wearable device of claim 7, wherein spring constants of the at least one flexure are chosen to establish one or more resonant frequencies of the mass-spring system in the 15-200 Hz range.

10. The wearable device of claim 7, wherein said plate with passive visual features comprises an outermost surface of said wearable device and is at least partially transparent or translucent, and is removably attached to said wearable device.

11. The wearable device of claim 7, wherein said plate with passive visual features comprises an outermost surface of said wearable device, and said plate is removably attached to said wearable device with a mechanical coupling, said mechanical coupling comprising at least one of:

a snap fit coupling;

a twist lock fit coupling; and

a screw-on coupling.

12. The wearable device of claim 7, wherein said plate with passive visual features comprises an outermost surface of said wearable device, and said plate is removably attached to said wearable device with a mechanical coupling, said mechanical coupling comprising at least one of:

metal or plastic snaps;

one or more hook and loop fasteners; and

one or more magnets.