Back to results
US 6,301,367 B1Granted
Wearable audio system with acoustic modules
AssigneeInterval Research Corporation
InventorsJames H. Boyden, Wayne Burdick, Lorna Ross-Brook, Tricia L. Wright, Daniell Hebert, Simon Gatrall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Acoustic modules adapted to be worn on the head of a wearer, such as with a headband, or fastened to a hat or eyeglasses, are provided. The modules are situated on opposite sides of the wearer's head, adjacent the ears, and each contains a transducer, an outlet port and a vent port. The audio system is connected to, or in communication with, a conventional source of audio signals, such as a radio, tape player, CD player, cellular telephone, or the like.
Claims44
An audio system for wearing on the head of a wearer, said system comprising:
- a headband member;
- a first acoustic module attached to said headband, said first acoustic module having a first transducer, a first acoustic outlet opening and a first acoustic vent opening;
- a second acoustic module attached to said headband, said secured acoustic module having a second transducer, a second acoustic outlet opening and a second acoustic vent opening;
- and
- means for supplying audio signals to said first and second transducers;
- whereby when said system is worn on the head of a wearer with the first acoustic module being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering one of the wearer's ears, the second acoustic module being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering the other of the wearer's ears, the first and second acoustic outlet openings being positioned adjacent the ear canals of the wearer's ears, and the first and second acoustic vent openings being positioned at a distance further from the wearer's ears than the respective first and second transducers, the system provides a low frequency response which approximates that provided by conventional headphones and earphones that cover the wearer's' ears and significantly block external sounds to the ears.
3 more elements
An audio system for wearing with a pair of eyeglasses on the head of a wearer, said eyeglasses having a front frame member and first and second earpiece members, said system comprising:
- a first acoustic module having a first transducer, a first outet port and a first vent port, said first outlet port and said first vent port being positioned substantially on opposite sides of said first transducer;
- a first fastener member for attaching said first acoustic module to said first earpiece member;
- a second acoustic module having a second transducer, a second outlet port and a second vent port, said second outlet port and said second vent port being positioned substantially on opposite sides of said second transducer;
- a second fastener member for attaching said second acoustic module to said second earpiece member;
- and
- means for supplying audio signals to said first and second transducers;
- whereby when said system is worn on the head of a wearer with the first acoustic module being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering one of the wearer's ears, the second acoustic module being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering the other of the wearer's ears, the first and second outlet ports being positioned adjacent the ear canals of the wearer's ears, and the first and second vent ports being positioned at a distance further from the wearer's ears than the respective first and second transducers, the system provides a low frequency response which approximates that provided by conventional headphones and earphones that cover the wearer's' ears and significantly block external sounds to the ears.
4 more elements
An audio system for wearing on the head of a wearer in combination with a hat or cap, said audio system comprising:
- a first acoustic module having a first transducer, a first outlet port and a first vent port, said first outlet port and said first vent port being positioned substantially on opposite sides of said first transducer;
- a first fastener member for attaching said first acoustic module to said hat or cap;
- a second acoustic module having a second transducer, a second outlet port and a second vent port, said second outlet port and said second vent port being positioned substantially on opposite sides of said second transducer;
- a second fastener member for attaching said second acoustic module to said hat or cap;
- and
- means for supplying audio signals to said first and second transducers;
- whereby when said system is worn on the head of a wearer with the first acoustic module being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering one of the wearer's ears, the second acoustic module being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering the other of the wearer's ears, the first and second outlet ports being positioned adjacent the ear canals of the wearer's ears, and the first and second vent ports being positioned at a distance further from the wearer's ears than the respective first and second transducers, the system provides a low frequency response which approximates that provided by conventional headphones and earphones that cover the wearer's' ears and significantly block external sounds to the ears.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.