WO2016094582A1

WO2016094582A1 - Safe, wireless, integrated audio device for helmets

Info

Publication number: WO2016094582A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/064835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacob H. EPSTEIN
Original assignee: Epstein Jacob H
Priority date: 2014-12-10
Filing date: 2015-12-09
Publication date: 2016-06-16

Abstract

An audio system and method integrated with a protective helmet (63) is disclosed, which may comprise an outer shell (60) and a protective shock absorbing inner liner (61) intermediate the outer shell and a head of a wearer, and in contact with the head of the wearer, which may comprise a first sound vibration generator (72) imparting sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner (61) and positioned to simultaneously impart sound vibration through the inner liner (61) in the vicinity of a first ear (64) of the wearer, whereby bones of the middle ear of the first ear (64) of the wearer receive the same sound vibrations via bone conduction through the head of the wearer and via the external acoustic canal of the first ear (64). The system and method may further comprise the inner liner (61) extending below a terminal edge of the outer shell (60) in the vicinity of the sound vibration generator.

Description

SAFE, WIRELESS, INTEGRATED AUDIO DEVICE FOR HELMETS

RELATED CASES

[0001 ] The present application claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional

Patent Applications Nos. 62/090,269, filed on December 10, 2014, entitled Wireless Audio Device for a Helmet and 62/172,817, filed on June 9, 2015, entitled Wireless Audio And

Intelligent Control Device for a Helmet and 62/238,908, filed on October 8, 2015, entitled Safe, Wireless, Integrated Audio Device For Helmets, the disclosures of each of which are

incorporated herein by reference fully and completely as if duplicated in the present application, and for all purposes whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to wireless devices with audio, and in particular devices with audio which are mounted into or on, and produce sound through, a helmet, and communicate wirelessly to digital computing devices.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Efforts to stay permanently connected to smart devices have led to the integration of communication mechanisms into a wide variety of wearable devices such as headphones, eyewear, wristbands and watches. However, the functionality of these devices is extremely limited when participating in activities such as industrial, outdoor, and sporting activities, that require specialized clothing and equipment due to the harsh environments in which they are typically performed. Many of these environments also require the user to be aware of their surroundings making obstructions to participant's ears with speakers dangerous.

[0004] Santori, United States Patent No. 3,787,641 , issued on January 22, 1974, discloses a speaker mounted inside a helmet to contact the head of the wearer. White shows an audio transducer mounted in an exterior cushion or interior padding to contact and vibrate the helmet body. Hofer, et al., United States Patent No. 5,345,509, issued on September 6, 1994, shows a bi-directional speakerphone having a transducer and vibrating sound plate mounted in or in contact with a mold for insertion into the ear passage of the wearer to contact the mastoid bone. The transducer may be mounted on a helmet and coupled to the vibrating plate in the ear mold. Wilcox, United States Patent Application Pub. No. 2008/0304680, published on December 14, 2008, shows a speaker with a transducer driving a vibrating plate ("lower wall section 54") activated by a transducer to vibrate a "panel" contacting the vibrating plate, to which the assembly containing the vibrating plate is removeably or semi-permanently (as by an adhesively attached transducer housing) attached in order to vibrate the "panel". The "panel" could be the body of a helmet. The semi-permanent attachment may be by use of a mounting bracket receptacle that itself is attached permanently to the helmet or by "straps, magnetic attraction, hook and loop ["Velcro"] fasteners, and so on." Pieker, EP 0062163, shows a microphone (and possibly a speaker) attached by a spring-loaded bracket to a helmet and extending along the side of the face of the wearer. Parmley et al., EP Pub. App. 1341362, discloses a sound unit that can be "conveniently incorporated into an existing [safety] helmet and transferred between helmets with little inconvenience." This included an "exciter capsule" and a "means for mounting the exciter capsule to a shell of a helmet." The exciter capsule is placed on a resonant surface to make the surface act as a speaker. Such means can include "peelable adhesives, clips, bayonets, screws, Velcro™, magnetism and suction."

SUMMARY

[0005] There is therefore a need for a wearable device for connecting a user to a mobile device while participating in an activity, which requires a helmet, such as, snowboarding or bicycling. There is also a need for a device, which communicates to/from a user without causing significant distraction, such as obstruction of hearing, which could be dangerous while participating in an activity such as outdoor winter sports. There is also a need for a device which can be easily controlled in environments where the participant may be wearing gloves, such as snowboarding, or controlling handlebars, such as biking. Because of consumer preference and cost considerations in equipment, there is also a need for an embodiment, which can be fitted to a wide variety of equipment vendors' products to augment those existing products with "smart" behavior, including audio. One advantage to the disclosed subject matter is that it provides a persistent two way communication channel from the wearer to smart devices while safely participating in an activity which requires a helmet such as winter sports. Another advantage is that one embodiment may be easily added (and removed) from existing and new equipment from a wide variety of equipment vendors. Another advantage is that the disclosed subject matter may be controlled quickly and easily in a sporting environment using a single gloved finger or head gestures, or both together.

[0006] According to aspects of the disclosed subject matter a wearable wireless audio device (hereinafter "disclosed subject matter apparatus") described in this disclosure is provided which allows helmet manufacturers to integrate technology into a protective helmet, such as, an outdoor sporting helmet which facilitates 2-way communication with a smart device through a wireless protocol, such as a Bluetooth™ protocol, and is hidden from view, non- disruptive to the wearer, and easy to control in a variety of protective and sporting environments.

[0007] According to aspects of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, an audio system and method integrated with a protective helmet is disclosed, which may comprise an outer shell and a protective shock absorbing inner liner intermediate the outer shell and a head of a wearer, and in contact with the head of the wearer, which may comprise a first sound vibration generator imparting sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner and positioned to simultaneously impart sound vibration through the inner liner in the vicinity of a first ear of the wearer, whereby bones of the middle ear of the first ear of the wearer receive the same sound vibrations via bone conduction through the head of the wearer and via the external acoustic canal of the first ear. The system and method may further comprise the inner liner extending below a terminal edge of the outer shell in the vicinity of the sound vibration generator. The system and method may further comprise a second sound vibration generator imparting sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner and positioned to simultaneously impart sound vibration through the comfort liner in the vicinity of a second ear of the wearer, whereby bones of the middle ear of the second ear of the wearer receive the same sound vibrations via bone conduction through the head of the wearer and via the external acoustic canal of the second ear. The system and method may further comprise a second sound vibration generator imparting sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner and positioned to simultaneously impart sound vibration through the inner liner in the vicinity of a second ear of the wearer, whereby bones of the middle ear of the second ear of the wearer receive the same sound vibrations via bone conduction through the head of the wearer and via the external acoustic canal of the second ear. The shell may comprise a relatively rigid material and the inner liner may comprise a layer of a relatively compressible cushioning material. The first sound vibration generator may comprise a transducer driving a sound plate to vibrate the inner liner and air in the vicinity of the first acoustic canal of the wearer. The second sound vibration generator may comprise a transducer driving a sound plate to vibrate the inner liner and air in the vicinity of the second acoustic canal of the wearer. A method of integrating an audio system with a protective helmet is disclosed, which may comprise an outer shell and a protective shock absorbing inner liner intermediate the outer shell and a head of a wearer, and in contact with the head of the wearer, in which the method may comprise providing a first sound vibration generator imparting sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner and positioned to simultaneously impart sound vibration through the inner liner in the vicinity of a first ear of the wearer, whereby bones of the middle ear of the first ear of the wearer receive the same sound vibrations via bone conduction through the head of the wearer and via the external acoustic canal of the first ear.

[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The advantages of the embodiments described herein, together with further advantages, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are largely schematic and not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a disclosed subject matter apparatus architecture.

[0011 ] FIG. 2 is a top schematic representation of the integrated version of a disclosed subject matter apparatus.

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a schematic partially cut away view of a version of the disclosed subject matter apparatus suitable for mounting on an outer layer of a protective helmet.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a representation of standard protective helmet layers.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a representation of a transducer mounted to solid material suspended in free space.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a representation of how vibrational energy can reach the human ear anatomy.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a front view of a disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component mounted to a helmet.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a front view of two integrated disclosed subject matter apparatus sound components mounted to a helmet. [0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component detail.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a modified embodiment of the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component detail of FIG. 9.

[0020] FIG. 1 1 is a schematic view of a modified embodiment of a disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component detail of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a symbolic view of an example of the disclosed subject matter apparatus motion sensing.

[0021 ] FIG. 13 is a side view of a removeably attachable disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a side view of a removeably attachable disclosed subject matter apparatus removeably mounted on a helmet.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a side view of an attachable disclosed apparatus removeably attached to a helmet.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a removeably attachable disclosed subject matter apparatus.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a side view of a removeably attachable disclosed subject matter apparatus attached to a goggle strap of a helmet.

[0026] FIG. 18 shows an arrangement of an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter apparatus in relation to the positioning of helmet layers.

[0027] FIG. 19 shows an arrangement of an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter apparatus in relation to the positioning of helmet layers.

[0028] FIG. 20 shows an arrangement of an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter apparatus in relation to the positioning of helmet layers.

[0029] FIG. 21 is an inner side view of an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[0030] FIG. 22 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 21 of the disclosed subject matter. [0031] FIG. 23 is a front view of an embodiment of FIG. 21 of the disclosed subject matter.

[0032] FIG. 24 is a top view of an embodiment of FIG. 21 of the disclosed subject matter.

[0033] FIG. 25 is a bottom view of an embodiment of FIG. 21 of the disclosed subject matter.

[0034] FIG. 26 is a side view of an embodiment of FIG. 21 of the disclosed subject matter mounted on a snowboard helmet.

[0035] FIG. 27 is a top view of an embodiment of FIG. 21 of the disclosed subject matter mounted on a helmet.

[0036] FIG. 28 is a front view of a user mobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The disclosed subject matter apparatus can be, e.g., a wireless audio device, which can be, e.g., designed to be integrated into or attached to a helmet and can be, e.g., further adapted to facilitate bi-directional communication between a wearer and a mobile device. The present application describes both an integrated disclosed apparatus and a removeably attachable disclosed apparatus. Audio communications to the user can occur when a sound transducer converts electrical signals into sound vibrational energy, which vibrates, e.g., the outer helmet rigid layer or the inner helmet foam structure(s), or both, which in turn the wearer can hear through a mix of both air and bone conduction.

[0038] The disclosed subject matter apparatus can provide quality reliable sound inside of a helmet, e.g., through bone conduction, and, e.g., at the same time, to the ear canal of the user, through sound conduction through the surrounding air. This sound or audio information can be communicated from a mobile device such as a smart phone using a wireless communications protocol such as the Bluetooth™ protocol. The communication can also be wired such as through a headphone cable. As used herein, communications can be any communications a smart phone is capable of conveying to a user through sound or otherwise including audible notifications from applications such as Email, social networking, SMS, etc. The communications can also be sound from audio applications such as music, statistics, news or audio books, and all other data which can be conveyed audibly. The communications can also be phone rings or other alerts.

[0039] A high level symbolic view of the disclosed subject matter apparatus architecture is illustrated, by way of example, in FIG. 1 . The disclosed subject matter apparatus architecture can have six basic elements. The connection to a mobile device can be, e.g., made through a wireless connection, e.g., an antenna 103 and its circuitry. A processor 102 can facilitate the connection to the mobile device and process all of the input and output between user and mobile device. The mobile device may send audio data to the user which is output to the user via the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound generation component 100. The user may send audio data back to the mobile device through the disclosed subject matter apparatus microphone component 101 . The user may control the disclosed subject matter apparatus or send input back to the mobile device using motion sensing instrument(s) 104 and/or button(s) 105. Not all of these elements are required in all embodiments. The disclosed subject matter apparatus can be implemented such that all or most of the entire architecture is integrated into the helmet design. In this embodiment each piece of the architecture may be spread throughout the helmet design and connected with conducting connectors or wirelessly.

[0040] A symbolic example of an integrated disclosed subject matter apparatus embodiment is shown as a top view in FIG 2. FIG. 2 also indicates possible relative locations throughout the structure of the helmet 63 for the elements 100, 101 , 104 and 105.FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic partially cut away view of a version of the disclosed subject matter suitable for mounting on an outer layer of a protective helmet 63 . The sound generation component 100, which may include a transducer 50, driving a vibrating sound plate 52, may be included in a housing 210. The housing 210 may be conveniently adapted to be mounted on or otherwise placed in contact with an outer surface of a protective helmet 63, illustrated in FIG. 22, or, alternatively, e.g., the inner foam layer 62 structure, as explained elsewhere. The housing 210 may be formed, as also explained in more detail elsewhere, to have a slot 230 to receive a removeably attaching apparatus, e.g., a strap 21 on a pair of goggles to hold the apparatus 100 against the structure of the helmet 63.

[0041 ] As shown in FIG. 4, a typical sporting helmet 63 can be viewed to consist of three layers: a hard smooth rigid outer layer 60, which may be constructed of a relatively rigid plastic material such as polyvinyl-chloride ("PVC") or the like, an inner relatively less rigid, but still hard collapsible foam layer ("foam layer") 61 , which is typically used to absorb impact forces, and which may be constructed of a foam material, such as an expanded rigid polystyrene plastic, e.g., "Styrofoam", or the like, and an inner "comfort layer" 62 which can consist of relatively softer material, e.g., a soft foam, such as a soft filler foam, or a similarly suitable fabric, such as felt or wool, or a combination of the two. In some helmets the comfort layer 62 may be an adjustable plastic strap which is used to adjust the head-band size of the helmet 63.

[0042] Many sporting helmets will leave the user's ear 64 open to the outside, semi-open to the outside or covered, e.g., by a softer thermally insulating material. This can, e.g., allow the user to easily perceive surrounding noises which are critical to operating safely in an environment such as riding a bicycle in the city, or skiing on a crowded trail or working in a construction zone.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, a sound vibration energy producer and transmitter 72 can send vibrational energy 70 directly into material 74. This vibrational energy 70 can then become audible sound energy waves 71 passing through the material, 74 e.g., when the material 74 is allowed to vibrate in free space. The more the vibrational energy 70 is converted to movement by or within the material 74, the more sound is made. For example, sending the energy 70 into a paper cup would produce more sound than say a block of granite.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, an effect known as "bone conduction" can occur when vibrational energy 70 is directly sent into the human body, usually on or near the skull bone. Bone conduction occurs when the vibrational energy 70 directly vibrates the ear anatomy 80, most notably the ear drum. This can allow a user to perceive audio through the ear(s) anatomy 80, which is not arriving through the classic vibrations through the air. It is worth noting that in the process of vibrating the entire ear anatomy 80, some small amount of sound wave energy 71 is produced as pieces of the human body vibrate in free space.

[0045] The entire explanation of bone conduction is outside the scope of this application, but should be noted to be a well-known phenomenon which is used in a variety of applications. It should also be noted that because of the bone/body medium, the user can perceive slightly warped frequencies compared to the same vibrational energy in the form of air conduction of sound wave energy 71 . Bone conduction, e.g., is why we perceive our own voices as slightly lower frequencies than those we are talking to. [0046] As shown in FIG. 7, a version of the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound generation component 100 can, e.g., leverage the inner structure of the helmet 63, e.g., the hard collapsible foam layer ("foam layer") 61 and/or the inner "comfort layer" 62, to send audio to the inner ear of the wearer though a mixture of air and bone conduction. The sound generation and transmission apparatus 72 can be mounted onto the denser and, therefore harder and more rigid foam layer 61 inside the smooth outer helmet shell layer 60 relatively close to a user's ear. The sound energy vibration generation and transmission apparatus 72 can, e.g., utilize the foam layer to conduct vibrational sound energy 70 into the human body producing a bone conduction audio effect. In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 it can be seen that the sound vibration generation and transmission apparatus 72 can be mounted below a terminal edge of the outer rigid layer 60 of the helmet 63, and/or outside of the layer 60, such that, e.g., a sound plate in the element 72 is not in direct contact with the outer layer 60, and, therefore, does not transfer much, if any, sound vibration energy directly into the rigid outer layer 60 of the helmet 63.

[0047] In FIG. 7, it is also shown that some portion of the foam layer 61 , and materials that may be in contact with that portion of the foam layer 61 , e.g., an inner comfort layer 62 can begin to vibrate the surrounding air in the vicinity of the ear canal of the ear 64 of the user, and produce sound energy 71 which is audible to the user through standard air conduction. Since the sound energy generation and transmission element 72 is mounted close to the user's ear, the air conduction sound energy 71 can be most favorably perceptible to the user. Effectively, some portion of the helmet 63, as an example, a small piece of foam 61 and/or 62, close to the user's ear, is turned into a speaker.

[0048] It can be seen in FIG. 6 that a user can perceive three outside sources of sound when using the disclosed subject matter apparatus: bone conduction effect from the mounted transducer 50 of the sound vibration energy generator 72, e.g., through one or more of the rigid outer layer 60 and softer but still hard and relatively rigid inner foam layer 61 , and the still softer comfort layer 62, air conduction sound 71 from the helmet structure moving in free space around the user's ear 64, and all other noise 90 from the user's surroundings such as a passing car 91 .

[0049] It is these three sources of sound wave vibrational energy, which can be used to create a high quality audio experience for the user, but yet also a safe environment where users may be aware of their surroundings. The users may perceive some portion of audio from the generator/transmitter apparatus 72 completely independent of the surrounding noise 90 environment through bone conduction 70. Bone conduction 70 can then also be augmented with air conducted sound energy 71 , e.g., sourced from the sound energy generator/transmitter apparatus 72 which travels to the ear canal 64, which is close by. This air conducted sound energy 71 can, e.g., reproduce more true frequencies of the source audio and mix naturally with the outside environment sound energy 90. Finally, these outside noises 90 of which the user should be aware, such as cars or passing skiers, are able to travel to the ear 64 unobstructed so the user may perceive and react to those as well.

[0050] It can be seen in FIG. 8 that since the audio effects described above are greatest around the area of the disclosed subject matter apparatus audio component(s) 100, this localization phenomenon can be capitalized upon to send audio into each ear 64 of the user, using two sound energy generation/transmission apparatus 72, one on each side of the helmet 63. Utilizing this characteristic, one can send one channel of stereo audio to one ear 64 and the other channel of stereo audio to the other ear 64, with very little stereo channel overlap. It can be seen that more than two disclosed subject matter apparatus audio components 100 also be employed (such as a third center speaker or subwoofer) for an even richer audio experience.

[0051 ] FIGS. 18 and 19 show a detailed schematic view of how a disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100 can be constructed to further improve the above-described effects. The disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100 can, e.g., can be in contact with the foam layer 61 of the helmet 63. Also, as seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, the sound vibration/generation unit 100 can reside in a small chamber 160, which can be formed, e.g., under the smooth outer layer 60 of the helmet 63. The helmet 63 can have a small contour or bump on the outside to allow this the chamber 160 to be present where the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100 resides. The chamber 160 can provide space for the sound energy generation/transmission apparatus 72 to be mounted, e.g., abutting the foam layer 61 , i.e., internally of the rigid outer layer 60. In addition the chamber 160 can provide some headroom 161 to ensure the sound energy transmission apparatus 72 does not contact the smooth outer rigid layer 60 of the helmet 63 while in use. The chamber 160 can also be constructed such that in the event of a crash by the user for which the helmet 63 is meant to protect the user, there is enough head room 161 for the foam Layer 61 to collapse as designed and, e.g., not be obstructed by the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100. [0052] FIG. 18 also shows that the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100 can employ a semi-rigid vibrating sound plate 162, composed, e.g., of metal, plastic or other suitably stiff material, e.g., to help couple the vibrations from the transducer 52) of the sound energy transmission apparatus 72 into the foam -layer 61 . The foam layer 61 , typically a relatively softer, but still somewhat rigid material (like a "Styrofoam" layer), does not necessarily conduct sound vibrations very efficiently. This characteristic is good for localizing the sound energy vibrations and the resultant sound, as perceived by the user, but can be poor for coupling sound vibrational energy into the system from the sound energy

generation/transmission apparatus 72 transducer 52. Therefore, applying a semi-rigid sound plate 162 between the transducer 52 and the foam layer 61 may serve to effectively pre-amplify and expand the vibrational waves before being transmitted into the foam layer 61 . The semirigid sound plate 162 can be composed of aluminum, plastic, or any other harder material which will more efficiently propagate vibrational energy from the transducer 52, than can the foam layer 61 alone. An isolating cut 165, e.g., formed in the layer 61 , and e.g., only partially forming an isolating separation from the portion of the layer 61 in the general vicinity of the

generator/transmitter element 72, can serve to localize the sound vibration energy to a region near the ear of the user. As shown in FIG. 18 separate isolating layer 163 can be formed between the inner foam layer 61 and the hard rigid outer layer 60 of the helmet, e.g., to reduce or prevent sound vibration energy from entering the outer rigid layer 60.

[0053] FIGS. 19 and 20 show that in some embodiments, a separate isolation layer 163 can also be added between the section of the foam layer 61 through which sound energy transmission is occurring and the remainder of the foam layer 61 internal to the smooth relatively more rigid outer shell 60 of the helmet 630. This isolation layer 163 may, e.g., be composed of a soft thin material which is poor at propagating vibrational energy such as a cushioning fabric like wool or felt or the like or a foam like that which may be utilized in the comfort layer 62. The isolated portion(s) 190 of the foam layer 61 can form a unit separated from the entire rest of the surrounding layer 61 , while contacting this isolated portion 190 in the vicinity of the sound vibration energy generator/transmitter 72. This isolated region 190 can actively have sound vibrational energy 192, e.g., being generated by the transducer 52 of the sound vibrational energy generator/transmitter 72, being pumped in to it, and send that sound vibrational energy 194 into a similarly isolated portion of the inner comfort layer 62, but also possibly transmitting sound energy into the outer shell, 60 which can be wasteful, but also can similarly cause the smooth outer shell 60 to radiate sound and vibrations around the helmet 63. This could occur, e.g., through the connection of the outer layer 60 to the foam layer 61 . This, in turn might, e.g., interfere with the desired effect of localizing the sound vibrational energy.

Therefore, by also inserting the sound vibrational energy insulating layer 163 between the foam layer 61 and outer shell 60 a helmet manufacturer can reduce the amount of sound vibrational energy "leaks" into the outer shell 60. The insulating layer 163 can be composed of felt, silicone, or other thin material which is poor at propagating sound vibrational energy.

[0054] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inner foam layer 61 and the inner comfort layer may be abutting but not attached to each other, so that, as an example, the isolating layer 163 need not separate the portion of the comfort layer 62 adjacent to the separated portion 190 of the inner rigid layer 62 and the surrounding region(s) of the comfort layer, while still preserving essentially the same advantages of the construction of the disclosed subject matter apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The inner comfort layer can receive the sound vibration energy from the portion 190 of the foam layer 61 vibrating in free space and abutting the inner layer 62. It will be understood, therefore, that the isolation layer 163 may simply separate the portion 190 of the layer 61 from the surrounding layer 61 , allowing this portion 190 to vibrate with sound energy transmitted by the transducer 50, with the vibration of the rest of the layer 61 at least being significantly damped. This vibration of the portion 190 can be transferred to the scull of the wearer and/or the surrounding air by the abutting portion(s) of the comfort layer 62.

[0055] FIG. 18 also illustrates two types of cuts 164 and 165 in the foam layer 61 that can be used in some disclosed subject matter apparatus embodiments to tune the overall audio experience. A separation cut 165 is shown in FIG. 18 which can add some degree of mechanical isolation to the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100, as noted above. The separation cut 165, whether or not an isolating material is placed in the opening formed by the cut 165, can be used to help reduce the amount of vibrational energy which travels into the rest of the foam layer 61 and the rest of the helmet 63, including the outer layer 60. The separation cut or cuts 165 can be made thin such that the separated portion of the foam layer portion 61 inside of the cuts 165 largely collapses in the same manner as a non-separated portion of the foam layer 61 , i.e., not in the vicinity of the respective apparatus 100, therefore not compromising the overall safety of the helmet 63.

[0056] FIG. 18 also shows an example of, e.g., a sound focus cut 164 which can be designed positioned and shaped to focus sound energy vibrations radiating through the foam layer 61 , e.g., directing the vibrational energy 71 towards the user's ear 64. Although the user can hear the audio, e.g., due to the entire portion of foam layer 61 to create sound through air conduction, shaping the foam in this region of the foam layer 61 can focus the sound energy into a more optimal sound energy wave, and directionally focused toward the ear 64 of the user. It will be understood there is some tradeoff between sound focus cut(s) 164 and the amount of vibrational energy 70, 71 which makes it to the user ear and or bone.

[0057] The inner comfort layer 62 of the helmet 63 shown in FIG. 18 can be designed to transmit as much sound vibrational energy from the harder foam layer 61 as possible. Soft foam, as noted above, may be used, since it compresses when in use and effectively becomes a denser material. But other denser and more energy efficient materials, such as rubber and other elastomerics, and the like, can be considered to replace or augment the soft foam of comfort layer 62. It will be understood by those in the art, that this compression of the relatively much softer comfort layer 62, by virtue of the user placing the helmet on the head of the user, makes this layer 62 a relatively effective transmitter of the sound vibration energy from the foam layer 61 to, e.g., the scull of the wearer. On the other hand this same material can be a damping agent when surrounding the isolated portion 190 of the layer 61 , as discussed above. In helmets with a relatively more rigid size-adjusting strap inside the helmet, with or without an additional comfort layer 62 actually contacting the scull of the wearer, the strap does not have to be compressed to effectively transmit sound vibrational energy to the scull.

[0058] FIGS. 19 and 20, as noted, illustrate a modified embodiment of FIG. 18 where multiple separation cuts 165, e.g., surrounding an entire portion of the foam layer 61 in the area occupied by the footprint of the sound energy generation/transmission apparatus 72 can be used to completely isolate such a section 190 of the foam layer, e.g. from the

surrounding layer 61 . In addition to simply making the separating cuts 165, the isolated section 190 of the foam layer 61 can be isolated from the foam layer 61 , e.g., using a very soft reduced or non-vibration conducting material 163 such as a soft foam or felt or wool surrounding all or some portion of the region 190. The isolated portion 190 of the foam layer 61 may be held in place by the reduced or non-sound energy conducting material 163 and/or by being affixed to the inner comfort layer 62. This embodiment can, e.g., reduce radiated noise by allowing minimal vibrational energy to travel into the rest of the helmet 63. Accordingly this embodiment can optimize the bone conduction energy transfer 70 into the user and increase the stereo effect by keeping the sound vibration energy highly localized. For these reasons the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 can form a preferred embodiment of the disclosed subject matter apparatus and the sound energy generation element 100 incorporated therein.

[0059] The disclosed subject matter apparatus microphone 101 can consist of single microphone or multiple microphones mounted in or on the helmet 63. Multiple

microphones 101 can have the additional benefit of being able to pick up a user's voice while eliminating background noise, when processed by the processor 102. An example of the disclosed subject matter apparatus microphone 101 is shown in FIG. 2 with two microphones 101 which are placed in the front of the helmet 63 near the user's face in order to be closer to the user's mouth.

[0060] The disclosed subject matter apparatus can also contain one or more buttons 105. An example of two buttons 105 on the rear of the helmet 63 is shown in FIG. 2 on a disclosed subject matter apparatus. Buttons 105 may be used to control local functions, such as volume or mute. The buttons 105 may also be used to issue protocol commands to the mobile device 250, such as Bluetooth™ profile commands. The buttons may also be used to send data back to an application running on the mobile device 250 to trigger an action within that application, which, e.g., can be displayed on the mobile device screen 252.

[0061 ] The disclosed subject matter apparatus buttons 105 can be relatively large so that the user may easily locate and depress them even with gloves on, such as on a ski slope. The buttons 105 can also be placed anywhere on the integrated disclosed subject matter apparatus allowing for easy access to both hands. Disclosed subject matter apparatus buttons 105 can also be oversubscribed such that a different number of clicks, or a different amount of depression time issues different commands. An example would be a single button 105 which may, e.g., be clicked to start music and held for 2 seconds to launch, e.g., a Siri™ app.

[0062] The disclosed subject matter apparatus can also contain motion sensing devices 104, e.g., as shown schematically in FIG. 2, to offer further convenience to users who otherwise have their hands occupied. The disclosed subject matter apparatus can contain, e.g., a gyroscope or accelerometer(s), which can be contained within a micro-chip, which can monitor head angular motion, as shown schematically, e.g., in FIG. 12. This angular motion can be translated by the processor 102 into head gestures and used as user input. This user input can be used in the place of or in conjunction with button 105 presses, and/or other existing conditions. For example, as the disclosed subject matter apparatus rings with an incoming phone call, the user's shake of the head "no" may silence the phone ring or "yes" in order to answer the phone. Another example is that users could shake their head "yes" in the absence of an incoming phone call to start playing music. This head gesture can, e.g., functionality allow the user to continue to safely participate in their activity, e.g., without using their hands to interact with their mobile device and/or to activate audio input through the helmet 63.

[0063] As noted, another motion sensing device 104 the disclosed subject matter apparatus can contain is an accelerometer. The accelerometer may, e.g., further qualify button 105 clicks by measuring the user's head position, e.g., relative to earth. For example, if the user is looking down and presses a single volume button 105, the volume may go down.

Alternatively, if the user is looking up and presses the same single volume button 105, the volume may go up. By using an accelerometer to qualify button 105 clicks, the disclosed subject matter apparatus can use less, but larger, buttons 105 which are more conveniently accessed, especially with gloves on. The accelerometer can also be used, e.g., to gather data on collisions and activate an app or emergency call in the event of an accident.

[0064] In some embodiments, the user can send commands back to the mobile device 250 by, e.g., knocking on the helmet 63 thereby creating measurable electrical signals in the sound transducer 52 or contact microphone 101 . The processor 102 can interpret these electrical signals and send corresponding commands back to the mobile device 250. For example, one knock on the helmet 63 could be interpreted as a command to "pause" the audio and two knocks interpreted as a command to "play" the audio.

[0065] The disclosed subject matter apparatus can also receive data beyond audio which is useful, e.g., in the sporting application that the user is participating in using a disclosed subject matter apparatus. The disclosed subject matter apparatus can contain lights, alarms, displays or other electromechanical devices which can be controlled by a smart device over a Bluetooth™ wireless system. For example an app could flash a light when the participant is in some sort of danger (such as approaching an intersection), or when a friend is attempting to find the user in a large group.

[0066] FIG. 1 1 shows a more detailed schematic of another embodiment of an integrated disclosed apparatus sound component 100, which facilitates the bone conduction effect by mounting the transducer 52 in the sound vibration energy generation/transmission unit 72 as close as possible to the user's head, e.g., just outside the inner comfort layer 62 of the helmet 63. Some air conduction sound 71 can thereby be created as the comfort layer 62 vibrates, but much of the vibrational sound energy 70 will be coupled in to the user's head creating a more dominant bone conduction effect. One example of when this may be a preferred embodiment is when the helmet inner comfort layer 62 is a helmet head-size adjustable plastic strap. In this example, the plastic strap is not only intended to be tight against the user's head, but is also flexible enough to vibrate in free air producing some air conducted sound. FIGS. 9 and 10 show similar embodiments where the sound generation/transmission unit 72 can be mounted on the outside of the rigid outer shell layer 60 (FIG. 9) or just inside this layer 60 and on the outside of the foam layer 61 (FIG. 10).

[0067] It can be seen that material selection for an integrated disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100 can be important, regardless of the embodiment described above that is used. The materials between the transducer 52 and the user's head must efficiently conduct vibrational energy, otherwise the bone conduction effect can be limited. Very soft materials would be a poor choice since the vibrational energy would be dispersed. It is worth noting that the inner comfort lining layer 62 may be composed of a relatively softer material, but since the user compresses this material when wearing the helmet, the material may effectively become more dense, which can facilitate the conduction of sound vibrational energy and, thus, also the bone conduction effect.

[0068] In any of the embodiment of the integrated disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100 described above, the materials which vibrate in free space producing sound can be controlled to ensure a more pronounced local effect. A possible goal of the integrated disclosed apparatus sound component 100 is not to vibrate the entire helmet producing a giant speaker. Choosing material and density, and, e.g., making focusing cuts into the material can be important to keeping the produced sound focused around the user's ear. Inevitably, sound leaks out to the rest of the world and to the other ear. A goal is to reduce that as much as possible.

[0069] A removeably attachable version of the disclosed apparatus, including a sound generation element 100, can incorporate all of the functionality above into a removable device or devices which can be applied to sporting helmets 63, e.g., using a strap 21 . In this removeably attachable embodiment the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound component 100 can be, e.g., designed to emulate the behavior shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, e.g., by being attached to the outside of the smooth outside layer 60 of the helmet 63. The removeably attachable disclosed apparatus sound component 100 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, with the sound energy transmission apparatus 72 and the sound energy generation transducer 50 mounted to drive a "bullet" 202 which conducts vibrational sound energy from the transducer 50 to the outer rigid layer 60 of the helmet 63, and, as noted, also through the inner foam layer 61 and comfort layer 62. The bullet 202 may be made from metal, plastic, ceramic or some other relatively very rigid material which conducts vibrational energy extremely well. The bullet 202 may, e.g., be insulated from the rest of the housing 2 of the removeably attachable disclosed apparatus, e.g., using a rubber grommet 201 . This grommet 201 may be composed of rubber, plastic or any other very flexible or soft material which does not conduct sound vibrational energy well.

[0070] In FIG. 14 there is shown a cross-sectional side view of the attachable disclosed apparatus sound energy generation and transmission unit 100, e.g., as shown in FIG. 13, applied to the classic helmet 63 structure. In a similar way to the integrated disclosed subject matter apparatus, the removeably attachable disclosed apparatus sound component 100 can, e.g., transmit sound energy through the helmet 63 structure to create bone conduction effect with vibrational energy 70 and air sound energy 71 from the layers 60, 61 , 62 of the helmet 63. Since there is little or no control over helmet material selection in the removeably attached disclosed subject matter apparatus embodiment as illustrated schematically in FIG. 14, the precise mix of air sound energy 71 and vibrational energy for bone conduction 70 can be difficult to predict, compared with an integrated disclosed subject matter apparatus, described in this application.

[0071 ] The removeably attachable disclosed subject matter apparatus sound generation unit 100 may attach to the helmet 63 using a flexible strap, such as a goggle strap 21 (FIGS. 15 and 26). In FIGS. 15, 16, and 22 it can be seen that the removeably attachable disclosed subject matter apparatus can have a slot 23 which is intended for the strap 21 to be fed through. The slot 23, which, e.g., as shown in FIG. 16 may be formed by extensions 260 of the housing walls 262, may be adapted to receive the flexible strap 21 to mount the removeably attachable disclosed apparatus sound generation unit 100 and hold and depress the

removeably attachable apparatus against the helmet 63. A button(s) 105 can also be present on the removeably attachable disclosed apparatus (FIGS 16 and 17). The button(s) 105 may reside on the top, bottom or outside of the disclosed subject matter apparatus. Because of the flexible and elastic nature of many sporting straps, such as ski goggles, the user may press a button which is on the outside of the disclosed subject matter apparatus by, e.g., pressing through the strap 21 . This configuration, by way of example, is shown in FIG. 17. The advantage of adding one or more large buttons to the outside of the disclosed subject matter apparatus is that they can be large and be able to be pushed by a gloved finger.

[0072] FIG. 21 shows an inner side view of an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter apparatus which is adapted to be attached to a helmet using a goggle strap 21 , as illustrated in FIG. 26, or other method of attachment, and is further adapted to facilitate bidirectional communication between a wearer and a mobile device. Communications to the user occur when the sound generation/transmission unit 72 with its transducer 50, as described further above, converts electrical signals into vibrational energy which, e.g., vibrates the helmet 63, e.g., the outer rigid layer 60, which in turn the wearer can hear, e.g., via one or the other or both of air and bone conduction.

[0073] As is further shown in FIGS. 21 , 22, 23, 24 and 25, the disclosed subject matter apparatus, e.g., a wireless audio device, can include a housing 202, two feet 204, a grommet 203, and at least one sound generation/transmission unit 72 in vibrational

communication with one or more of the possible sound energy transmission structures of the helmet 63. The disclosed subject matter apparatus may also include electronics to communicate to a mobile device, such as a smart phone, using wireless technology, such as Bluetooth™ technology. The sound energy generation/transmission device 72 can be housed entirely within a larger package or can be mounted slightly more prominently such that only the

generation/transmission device 72 contacts, e.g., an external surface of the helmet 63 when the disclosed subject matter apparatus is mounted. In some embodiments, the

generation/transmission device 72 can be, e.g., part of, or the entirety of, an outer surface of the disclosed subject matter apparatus. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter apparatus can be constructed such that the entire device acts as a sound generator/transmitter 72. The housing 202 can comprise different geometric shapes and be constructed of materials that are weather proof and allow for vibrational energy to be conducted through the surface or point where the sound energy generation/transmission device 72 contacts material comprising the helmet 63.

[0074] In order to, e.g., isolate vibrational energy within the disclosed subject matter apparatus, the sound energy generation and transmission device 72 can be mounted inside of a surrounding rubber grommet 203. The rubber grommet 203 can, e.g., allow the generation/transmission device 72 to produce large amounts of sound vibrational energy but dampen those energy waves, e.g., before they are transmitted into other components making up the disclosed subject matter apparatus, e.g., the entire helmet 63. This can provide a more efficient and stable focal point for the sound vibrational energy and also prevent noise from "leaking" from, e.g., the housing 202 when vibrated.

[0075] It can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14 that the sound generation and transmission device 72 can be comprised of an electromechanical transducer element 50 and a vibrating sound plate 52 internal to the grommet 203. The sound plate 52 can, e.g., transmit vibrational energy from the transducer element 50 to, e.g., one or more desired portions of the structure of the helmet 63, e.g., through the "bullet" protrusion 202. This approach can allow for separation from the internal electromechanical functionality and the external mechanical connection to, e.g., the helmet 63.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 22 the disclosed subject matter apparatus can have a channel 23 in the center which may be used, e.g., to attach the disclosed subject matter apparatus sound generation unit 100 to a strap such as a goggle strap 21 (FIGS. 26-27). As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, when the apparatus 200 is attached to a goggle strap 21 (e.g., by passing the goggle strap 21 through the channel 23) with the sound energy transmission device 72 facing inward, the elasticity in the goggle strap 21 pushes the transmission device 72, e.g., into the user's helmet 63, thus making solid contact between the helmet 63 surface and the sound transmission device 72, e.g., the vibration sound plate 52. The channel 23 can serve to ensure the apparatus 200 stays in place on the goggle strap 21 and in the desired contacting relation to the helmet 63. The channel 23 in conjunction with the elasticity of a goggle strap 21 can allow a user to very quickly and easily attach the apparatus 200 to, e.g., a ski or snowboard helmet 63, or the like, and immediately hear quality sound inside the helmet 63. In some embodiments, the channel 23 can be replaced or augmented by a mechanical device (e.g., a spring clip, Velcro™ strap, a pin which goes through the goggle strap, epoxy, etc.) which can serve to reliably affix the disclosed subject matter to the goggle strap 21 .

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the facing surface 215 of the apparatus

200 that faces the material of the helmet 63, when the apparatus 200 is mounted, can be crafted as a tripod configuration with the two feet 204 near the bottom of the housing 202 of the apparatus 200, and the transmitting apparatus 72 acts as the single large third foot near the center or top of the housing 202 in the vicinity of the grommet 203. This configuration can, e.g., ensure that the transmitting apparatus 72 always makes contact with a desired portion of the helmet 63, e.g., an outer surface of a curved outer helmet rigid shell portion 60, regardless of small variations in helmet 63 surface curvature and the mounting position on the strap 21 . The transmission apparatus 72 and rubber grommet 203 combination can also provide some tolerance to the acceptable mounting force and position. The ability to slightly push in and out and rotate with regards to the flat surface 215, can, e.g. allow the sound energy vibration generation/transmission apparatus 72 to make more consistent mechanical contact with a curved helmet surface than would otherwise be possible.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 23, the upper portion of the apparatus 200 can include one or more buttons 105 which face outward when the disclosed subject matter apparatus is mounted, and allow the user to send information back to a mobile device 250 (FIG. 28). In some embodiments, the buttons 105 provide the ability to send information directing the mobile device 30 to start or stop a song or phone ring. Each button 105, or button 105 combination, can have multiple functions depending on how many buttons 105 are pressed and for how long. Utilizing button combinations for singular tasks, allows the fewest amount of buttons necessary on the front surface 216 which has limited space and is likely controlled by a hand wearing a bulky glove. The button 105 area may instead consist of a rocker switch or switches, joystick or other physical switch device. The button 105 area may also be a non-mechanical touch pad. FIG. 24 illustrates that buttons 105 may be placed on the top region of the apparatus 200. The top region may have less surface area than, for example, the side portion 216, therefore maximum button 105 size may be smaller than that of the buttons 105 on the back side portion 216. Here too, combinations of button presses, possibly in conjunction with bottom portion buttons 105, may be used to perform singular tasks, expanding the number of actions that may be conveyed beyond the simple number of buttons.

[0079] In some embodiments, the user can send commands back to the mobile device 250 by knocking on the helmet 63, thereby creating measurable electrical signals in the sound transducer or other contact microphone. A processor or microcontroller inside of the disclosed subject matter apparatus can interpret these electrical signals and send

corresponding commands back to the mobile device 250. For example, one knock on the helmet could be interpreted as a command to "pause" the audio and two knocks interpreted as a command to "play" the audio.

[0080] In some embodiments, the removeably attachable apparatus 200 can, e.g., attach to a helmet 63 without a pre-existing strap such as a bicycle helmet, skateboard helmet, industrial hard hat, etc. In these embodiments, the disclosed subject matter apparatus may be affixed to the helmet 63 by means of a separate system such as a strap using Velcro™ straps, snap, magnets, fasteners, screws, glue etc. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter apparatus can reside on a pre-existing or mounted "landing pad" for the disclosed apparatus which uses magnetics, a friction based "snap in" system, screw threads, snaps, Velcro™, etc. Depending on the mounting type, the strap channel 23 and flexible attachment strap 21 can be unnecessary.

[0081 ] The disclosed subject matter apparatus can also receive data beyond audio which is useful in the sporting application one is participating using disclosed subject matter apparatus. The disclosed subject matter apparatus can contain lights, alarms, displays or electromechanical devices which can be controlled by a smart device over a Bluetooth™ wireless system. For example an app could flash a light when the participant was in some sort of danger (such as approaching an intersection), or when a friend was attempting to find them in a large group.

[0082] According to aspects of the disclosed subject matter apparatus a helmet with sound transducers embedded in the lining of a helmet outside of the crushable foam layer, but inside the smooth rigid outer layer, can be mounted near the user's ear(s). The sound transducers do not directly touch the user's head for both safety and comfort reasons, e.g., a direct impact could drive a transducer in to a user's skull. The user's head is able to contact a foam rather than a hard plastic or metal. The transducers contact a foam material which does not conduct vibrations as efficiently as the hard outer layer. This can allow placement of, e.g., stereo transducers over each ear. This can either be done through material selection or by cutting out a chamber in the foam to mechanically isolate it. The sound transducers can conduct audio to a user's ears through a mixture of bone and air conduction. The helmet can have an open ear design to allow outside noise in for safety. This is as distinguished from the prior art which may include modular devices which attach to a helmet and offer neither the performance, nor convenience, nor aerodynamics, of an integrated version described above. Examples of these include sound conduction devices such as headsets, modular straps and headsets which couple bone conduction devices directly to a user's head, and thus can be unrelated to helmets, recreational device strap, which may go inside of a helmet, protective helmet straps, e.g. for a welding helmet and helmets that do not allow external sound inside. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter can include an audio system integrated with a protective helmet comprising an outer shell and a protective shock absorbing inner liner intermediate the outer shell and a head of a wearer, and in contact with the head of the wearer, which may comprise a first sound vibration generator imparting sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner and positioned to simultaneously impart sound vibration through the inner liner in the vicinity of a first ear of the wearer, whereby bones of the middle ear of the first ear of the wearer receive the same sound vibrations via bone conduction through the head of the wearer and via the external acoustic canal of the first ear. The system may further comprise the inner liner extending below a terminal edge of the outer shell in the vicinity of the sound vibration generator. The system may further comprise a second sound vibration generator imparting sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner and positioned to simultaneously impart sound vibration through the inner liner in the vicinity of a second ear of the wearer, whereby bones of the middle ear of the second ear of the wearer receive the same sound vibrations via bone conduction through the head of the wearer and via the external acoustic canal of the second ear. The shell may comprise a relatively rigid material and the inner liner may comprise a layer of a relatively compressible cushioning material.

[0083] The disclosed subject matter may further comprise a method of integrating an audio system with a protective helmet comprising an outer shell and a protective shock absorbing inner liner intermediate the outer shell and a head of a wearer, and in contact with the head of the wearer, which may comprise providing a first sound vibration generator imparting sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner and positioned to simultaneously impart sound vibration through the inner liner in the vicinity of a first ear of the wearer, whereby bones of the middle ear of the first ear of the wearer receive the same sound vibrations via bone conduction through the head of the wearer and via the external acoustic canal of the first ear.

[0084] One skilled in the art will realize the embodiments described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the embodiments described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An audio system integrated with a protective helmet (63) comprising an outer shell (60) and a protective shock absorbing inner liner (61 ) intermediate the outer shell (60) and a head of a wearer, and an inner comfort liner (62) in contact with the head of the wearer, comprising:

a first sound vibration generator (72) positioned to impart sound vibration

simultaneously through bone transmission and air transmission, by being positioned to impart the sound vibration to the head of the

wearer through the inner liner (61 ), and

by being positioned to impart the sound vibration to a first ear (64) of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ) near the first ear (64).

2. The audio system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the inner liner (61 ) extending below a terminal edge of the outer shell (60) near the sound vibration generator (72).

3. The audio system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second sound vibration generator (72) positioned to impart sound vibration simultaneously through bone transmission and air transmission, by being positioned to impart the sound vibration to the head of the

wearer through the inner liner (61 ), and

by being positioned to impart the sound vibration to a second ear (64) of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ) near the second ear (64).

4. The audio system of claim 2, further comprising:

a second sound vibration generator (72) positioned to impart the sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ), and

to a second ear (64) of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ) near the second ear (64).

5. The audio system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the shell (60) comprising a relatively rigid material, and

the inner liner (61 ) comprising a layer of a relatively compressible cushioning material.

6. The audio system of claim 2, further comprising:

the shell (60) comprising a relatively rigid material, and

7. The audio system of claim 3, further comprising:

the shell (60) comprising a relatively rigid material, and

8. The audio system of claim 4, further comprising:

the shell (60) comprising a relatively rigid material, and

9. The audio system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the first sound vibration generator (72) comprising a transducer (50) driving a sound plate (52) to vibrate the inner liner (61 ) and air near a first acoustic canal of the wearer.

10. The audio system of claim 3, further comprising:

the second sound vibration generator (72) comprising a transducer (50) driving a sound plate (52) to vibrate the inner liner (61 ) and air near a second acoustic canal of the wearer.

1 1 . An audio system integrated with a protective helmet (63) comprising an outer shell (60) and a protective shock absorbing inner liner (61 ) intermediate the outer shell and a head of a wearer, and an inner comfort liner (62) in contact with the head of the wearer, comprising:

a first sound vibration generation means (72) for imparting sound vibration

simultaneously through bone transmission and air transmission, by imparting the sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ), and

by imparting the sound vibration to a first ear (64) of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ) near the first ear (64).

12. The audio system of claim 1 1 , further comprising:

the inner liner (61 ) extending below a terminal edge of the outer shell (60) in the vicinity of the sound vibration generation means (72).

13. The audio system of claim 1 1 , further comprising:

a second sound vibration generating means (72) for imparting sound vibration simultaneously through bone transmission and air transmission, by imparting the sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ), and

by imparting the sound vibration to a second ear (64) of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ) near the second ear (64).

14. The audio system of claim 12, further comprising:

15. The audio system of claim 1 1 , further comprising:

the shell (60) comprising a relatively rigid material and

16. The audio system of claim 12, further comprising:

the shell (60) comprising a relatively rigid material and

the inner liner (62) comprising a layer of a relatively compressible cushioning material.

17. The audio system of claim 13, further comprising:

the shell (60) comprising a relatively rigid material and

18. The audio system of claim 14, further comprising:

the shell (60) comprising a relatively rigid material and

19. The audio system of claim 1 1 , further comprising:

the first sound vibration generating means (72) comprising a transducer (50) driving a sound plate (52) to vibrate the inner liner (61 ) and air near a first acoustic canal of the wearer.

20. The audio system of claim 13, further comprising:

the second sound vibration generating means (72) comprising a transducer (50) driving a sound plate (52) to vibrate the inner liner (61 ) and air near a second acoustic canal of the wearer.

21 . A method of integrating an audio system with a protective helmet comprising an outer shell (60) and a protective shock absorbing inner liner (61 ) intermediate the outer shell and a head of a wearer, and an inner comfort liner (62) in contact with the head of the wearer, comprising:

providing a first sound vibration generator (72) to impart sound vibration simultaneously through bone transmission and air transmission, wherein said providing further comprises:

positioning the first sound vibration generator (72) to impart the sound vibration to the head of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ), and

positioning the a first sound vibration generator (72) to impart the sound vibration to a second ear (64) of the wearer through the inner liner (61 ) near the second ear (64).