# US 8,480,401 B2 · Multi-user headset teaching apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,480,401 B2 - Document ID: US8480401B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/201,080 - Filed: 2010-03-02 - Published: 2011-12-29 - Granted: 2013-07-09 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-02 - Assignees: Harebrain, Inc - Applicants: Steven Swain; Jeffrey Waffensmith - Inventors: Steven Swain; Jeffrey Waffensmith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8480401B2 ## CPC - G09B 19/00: Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass (teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26) - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract Acoustical voice-feedback systems include headsets connected through a connector or central hub for vocalizing and sound formation assistance. A user's voice is conveyed directly into his or her own ear as well as the ears of each connected user. A central hub allows selective connection of one or more headsets to each other, or allows an instructor to selectively connect an instructor headset to one or more instructee headsets. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multiple unit audio vocalizing assist system, comprising: at least two acoustic headsets each having a body, a listening opening in the body, a speaking opening in the body, a port at one end of the body; and an acoustic connector connected between the at least two acoustic headsets to transmit sound directly therethrough between the acoustic headsets, wherein the port has an opening through which sound is passed to and from the acoustic connector and from the speaking opening to the listening opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic connector further comprises: a central hub with connector tubes, the central hub having a valve for selectively allowing use of one or more acoustic headsets connected to the connecting tubes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the central hub further comprises: an interior chamber selectively openable to each of the connector tubes; and a selector valve to selectively connect two of the acoustic headsets or to connect all of the acoustic headsets through the interior chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the selector valve further comprises a valve handle and a valve body, the handle operable to control the valve to cut off acoustic access to one or more of the connector tubes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the central hub further comprises: an instructor connector opening open to an interior chamber of the central hub; and a plurality of instructee connector openings selectively connectable to the interior chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises: a T-shaped body having a plurality of openings therein and connectable to a port of an acoustic headset into each of the plurality of openings. ### Claim 7 An audio vocalizing assist system, comprising: an acoustic central hub unit; and a plurality of acoustic headsets, each acoustic headset connected to the acoustic central hub unit with a connector, the acoustic central hub unit having a valve for selectably connecting at least two of the plurality of acoustic headsets directly and acoustically to one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein each connector is a flexible tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein each acoustic headset has a body, a listening opening in the body, a speaking opening in the body, a port at one end of the body, the port having an opening through which sound is passed to and from the connector and from the speaking opening to the listening opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the acoustic central hub further comprises: an instructor connector opening open to an interior chamber of the acoustic central hub; and a plurality of instructee connector openings selectively connectable to the interior chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the acoustic central hub further comprises: an interior chamber selectively openable to each of the connector tubes; and a selector valve to selectively connect two of the headsets or to connect all of the acoustic headsets through the interior chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the valve further comprises a valve handle and a valve body, the handle operable to control the valve to cut off acoustic access to one or more of the connector tubes. ### Claim 13 A method of acoustical voice feedback instruction, comprising: providing a plurality of acoustic headsets for a plurality of users, the headsets each having a body, a listening opening in the body, a speaking opening in the body, and a port at one end of the body; connecting the plurality of acoustic headsets with a connector; selectively connecting two of the plurality of acoustic headsets for individual instruction between the connected two of the plurality of acoustic headsets; and connecting all of the plurality of acoustic headsets for group instruction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein selectively connecting two of the plurality of acoustic headsets further comprises operating a valve in a connector to selectively connect the two of the plurality of acoustic headsets. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein connecting all of the plurality of acoustic headsets further comprises opening a valve to connect all of the plurality of acoustic headsets.