Earphone system, apparatus, and method for enhancing personal safety
OwnerSteve Marguliesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An earphone system, apparatus, and method enables a user to simultaneously receive auditory stimuli from an earphone-based source and at least one secondary source thereby enhancing a user's personal safety while listening to earphone-based auditory stimuli. At least one primary earphone device having a loudspeaker is positioned adjacent the user's ear so as to allow aural perception of other, non-earphone-based auditory information or stimuli. In a preferred embodiment, an earphone device is both removably fastened and adjustable relative to underlying support structure so as to more properly direct earphone-based auditory stimuli toward the user's ear.
Claims20
A system for enabling a user to simultaneously receive auditory stimuli from an earphone-based source and at least one secondary source, said system for enhancing a user's personal safety while listening to earphone-based auditory stimuli, said system comprising, in combination:
- at least one primary earphone device, each primary earphone device comprising a loudspeaker for converting electrical signals into earphone-based auditory stimuli, the earphone-based auditory stimuli being receivable via a user's ear;
- and
- earphone positioning means for enabling the user to position each primary earphone device adjacent a respective user's ear, said means thus enabling auditory stimuli from at least one secondary source to be simultaneously and unobstructedly received by the respective user's ear for enhancing the user's personal safety while receiving earphone-based auditory stimuli.
An apparatus for enabling a user to simultaneously receive auditory stimuli from an earphone-based source and a secondary source, said apparatus for enhancing one's personal safety while listening to earphone-based auditory stimuli, said apparatus comprising:
- a primary earphone device, the primary earphone device comprising a loudspeaker for creating earphone-based auditory stimuli, the earphone-based auditory stimuli being receivable via a user's ear;
- and
- earphone positioning means for enabling the user to position the primary earphone device adjacent the user's ear, said means enabling auditory stimuli from at least one secondary source to be simultaneously and unobstructedly received by the user's ear for enhancing the user's personal safety while receiving the earphone-based auditory stimuli.
A method for enhancing personal safety while receiving earphone-based auditory stimuli, said method comprising the steps of:
- outfitting a primary earphone device with earphone positioning means, said earphone positioning means for positioning the primary earphone device adjacent a user's ear;
- positioning the primary earphone device adjacent the user's ear via said earphone positioning means;
- simultaneously directing auditory stimuli toward the user's ear from both the primary earphone device and at least one secondary auditory source;
- and
- simultaneously receiving unobstructed auditory stimuli from the primary earphone device and at least one secondary auditory source by the user's ear, the simultaneously received auditory stimuli for enhancing the user's personal safety while receiving earphone-based auditory stimuli.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.