WO2003009637A2

WO2003009637A2 - Articulated reversible headpiece

Info

Publication number: WO2003009637A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/022693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adithya Padala; Vidya Sagar Rao; Jeffrey R. Wyatt; Mark H. Olson; Gary Holland; Mitchel Pergola; Ethan Imboden; Timothy F. Roberts
Original assignee: Umevoice, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-07-18
Filing date: 2002-07-17
Publication date: 2003-01-30
Also published as: AU2002324510A1; WO2003009637A3

Abstract

A headpiece for supporting a speaker and microphone on a wearer's head consists of two detachable components. The first component is a hanging assembly which fits around a portion of the ear, and the second is a communication assembly in which the speaker and microphone are mounted. First and second coupling structure provided on the hanging and communication assemblies permit decoupling of the assemblies in order facilitate placement and removal of the headpiece on the head, and reversing headpiece configuration such that it can be worn on the right ear or left ear.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

ARTICULATED REVERSIBLE HEADPIECE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §§119 and/or 365 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/306,499 filed July 18, 2001, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention related to headpieces worn on an operator's head and supporting a microphone and a speaker which are in electrical communication with an audio device.

2. Description of Related Art

Headpieces, or more generally, headsets, are known in the art. Most of these are dedicated for use with one ear - either the right ear or the left ear - of the user. Others are designed for use with both ears, and comprise a pair of speakers, one for each ear, which are mounted on a head support which also includes an extension for supporting a microphone. The devices of the prior art suffer from various disadvantages, including being cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear, and lacking versatility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an articulated reversible headpiece is provided, the headpiece having a boom, a first coupling structure rotatably mounted to said boom, a hanging portion mounted to the book and shaped to conform to at least part of the base of the human auricle, and a communication assembly which includes a speaker, a microphone, and a second coupling structure adapted to removably engage the first coupling structure in right-wear and left-wear positions such that the headpiece can be worn at the right ear or left ear of an operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Many advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art with a reading of this specification in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals are applied to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of an articulated reversible headpiece in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is another view of the articulated reversible headpiece of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of a hanging portion of the headpiece of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another view of the hanging portion of the headpiece of Fig. 3

FIG. 5 is a view of the boom as seen from line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a more detailed view of rod segment 30 extending axially from boom 24 of the headpiece of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the coupling arrangement of the mounting assembly and the communication assembly of the headpiece of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a view of the second coupling structure of headpiece of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the microphone and noise control device of the headpiece of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the microphone and noise control device of the headpiece of FIG. 1 taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an articulating reversible headpiece 10 in accordance with the invention. The headpiece 10 comprises two portions: a mounting assembly 20 and a communication assembly 40. The mounting assembly 20, shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, has a support structure 22 which is generally triangular in shape and which includes a boom 24. Pivotably mounted at one end of boom 24 is a hanging portion 26 such that relative rotation between the boom and hanging portion is possible, in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 3), and generally in the plane of the boom and hanging portion. Rotation is about a pivot point 28, generally at one end of boom 24.

A coupling system 29 comprises a first coupling structure 29a and a second coupling structure 47 . The coupling system 29 is adapted to removably couple the boom and the communication assembly to one another in right-wear and left-wear positions such that the headpiece can be worn at the right ear or left ear of the operator.

Boom 24 has mounted, at an end opposite from pivot point 28, the first coupling structure 29a which includes a rod segment 30 extending axially from boom 24. Rod segment 30 is rotatable about its major axis, relative to boom 24, as indicated by arrow B (FIG. 3). The first coupling structure 29a also includes, mounted transversely, and preferably orthogonally, to rod segment 30 an extension 32 which supports thereon a male portion 34 such that the male portion can swivel with rotation of rod segment 30 relative to boom 24. (FIGS. 3 and 6)

Hanging portion 26 comprises a generally arcuate section 36 designed to conform to the shape of the base of the human auricle, between the auricle and the head, to thereby provide the main interface between the wearer's head and the headpiece 10 and to support the headpiece in place. The pivoting arrangement of hanging portion 26 about pivot point 28 is provided in order permit opening the mounting assembly 20 to get around the ear, when the headpiece 10 is being worn. Once in place, the mounting assembly 20 is closed about the ear, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.

Hanging portion 26 also includes a stem 38 which protrudes from arcuate section 36. Stem 38, like arcuate section 36, is of a malleable material which can be shaped by the wearer to conform to his/her head and ear for a snug and comfortable fit, and is designed to rest against the wearer's head and provide a counter-force to help maintain headpiece 10 in place during wear.

Communication assembly 40 includes a generally elongate housing 42 having at one end a speaker mount 44 and at the other end a microphone 46. As seen in FIG. 7, near the speaker mount end, a second coupling structure 47 including a female member in the form of a cup 48 is provided, the cup protruding preferably orthogonally from the housing 42 and adapted to matingly receive therein male portion 34 of the first coupling structure 29a of mounting assembly 20. A biasing means, preferably in the form of a magnet 49 (FIG. 4), is disposed either at the tip of male portion 34 or in the bottom of cup 48, and provides sufficient attractive force between the male portion and the cup to keep mounting assembly 20 and communication assembly 40 together during wear. The two assemblies, however, can be readily decoupled by the wearer, for instance when the headpiece is first being worn, or when it is being removed after use.

Decoupling is also advantageous in order to effect reversibility of headpiece 10, such that it can be worn at either the right ear or the left ear of the wearer, according to preference. Cup 48 is provided with a pair of notches 48a and 48b, corresponding to the right-wear and left-wear positions. The notches are adapted to receive an indexing protrusion 34a provided on male portion 34 of mounting assembly 20. In the right- wear position, the indexing protrusion fits in one of the notches 48a and 48b, while in the left-wear position, it fits in the other of notches 48a and 48b. Thus, to reverse the headpiece configuration from the right-wear to the left-wear positions, the wearer switches the registry of indexing protrusion from the first of notches 48a and 48b to the second of notches 48a and 48b, and also rotates rod segment 30 axially 180° relative to boom 24. Preferably, notches 48a and 48b are about 90° apart and are symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of elongate housing 42, such that in the right-wear and left- wear positions boom 24 and mounting assembly 20 are at opposite, complementary positions relative to housing 42.

Alternatively, if the user wishes to reverse the headpiece configuration from the right- wear position to the left-wear position the user can do so by switching the registry of indexing protrusion 34a from the first of notches 48a and 48b to the second of notches 48a and 48b, without decoupling the communication assembly 40 from the hanging assembly 20, and rotating rod segment 30 axially 180° relative to boom 24. In other words, the wearer rotates rod 30 approximately 180° about the axis of the boom 24 (as shown by arrow B) and separates the first coupling structure 29a from the second coupling structure 47 sufficiently to disengage the indexing protrusion 34a from notch 48a or 48b and rotates the communication assembly 40 approximately 180° about the axis of first coupling structure 29a and the second coupling structure 47 (as shown by arrow C), without decoupling the two coupling structures from one another, and then fully re-engages the coupling structures with the indexing protrusion 34 a locked in a notch 48a or 48b.

Central portion 50 of housing 42 is made of a malleable material which can be shaped by the wearer to conform to his/her head, such that microphone 46 can be brought to a comfortable and effective position in the vicinity of the wearer's mouth. Housing 42 may contain electronic components associated with the microphone 46 and speaker mount 44, and includes conductors for conveying signals between these components and a main audio device, such as cellular telephone (not shown). A portion of these conductors is indicated at 52, which portion protrudes from housing 42 for suitable connection to the main audio device using a standard pluggable jack configuration (not shown).

Speaker mount 44 contains a speaker (not shown) which converts electrical signals from the main audio device to sound waves which are picked up by the wearer's ear. Speaker mount 44 is attached to housing 42, and may be pivotable thereon in order to more comfortably and effectively mate with the wearer's ear. A cover 44a (FIG. 8), of suitable, preferably elastic cloth or foam material, may be provided over speaker mount 44 for protection and acoustic enhancement.

In the preferred embodiment, microphone 46 operates in conjunction with noise control device 54 mounted at the end portion of housing 42, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Noise control device 54 operates to efficiently direct the wearer's voice to the microphone while appreciably attenuating background noise, thereby enhancing overall intelligibility and performance. Such a device is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,009,184, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The above are exemplary modes of carrying out the invention and are not intended to be limiting. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications thereto can be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS

1. An articulated reversible headpiece for wearing by an operator, comprising: a) a boom; b) a hanging portion mounted to said boom and adapted to engage an ear of the operator; c) a communication assembly including a speaker and a microphone; and d) a coupling system adapted to couple said boom and said communication assembly in right-wear and left- wear positions such that the headpiece can be worn at the right ear or left ear of the operator.

2. The headpiece of Claim 1, further including a stem attached to the hanging portion.

3. The headpiece of Claim 2, wherein the stem comprises a malleable material

4. The headpiece of Claim 1, wherein the hanging portion comprises a malleable material.

5. The headpiece of Claim 1, wherein the communication assembly further includes a housing having a speaker end portion, a central portion, and a microphone end portion, at least the central portion comprising a malleable material.

6. The headpiece of Claim 1, further comprising a speaker mount pivotably supporting the speaker in the communication assembly.

7. The headpiece of Claim 1, wherein the communication assembly further includes a noise control device.

8. The headpiece of Claim 1, further comprising a cable to which the speaker and headphone are electrically connected, the cable being attached to the communication assembly.

9. The headpiece of Claim 1, wherein the hanging portion if pivotably mounted to said boom.

10. An articulated reversible headpiece for wearing by an operator, comprising: a) a boom; b) a first coupling structure mounted to said boom; c) a hanging portion mounted to said boom and adapted to engage an ear of the operator; and d) a communication assembly including: a speaker; a microphone; and a second coupling structure adapted to removably engage the first coupling structure in right-wear and left-wear positions such that the headpiece can be worn at the right ear or left ear of the operator.

11. The headpiece of claim 10 wherein the first coupling structure is rotatably mounted to said boom.

12. The headpiece of Claim 10, wherein the first coupling structure includes one of a male member and a female member, and the second coupling structure includes the other of the male member and the female member.

13. The headpiece of Claim 12, wherein the male member and the female member are magnetically coupled to one another.

14. The headpiece of Claim 12, wherein one of the male member and female member is provided with an indexing protrusion, and the other of the male member and the female member is provided with a pair of notches for receiving the indexing protrusion, the first notch of the pair of notches corresponding to the right-wear position and the second notch of the pair of notches corresponding to the left-wear position.

15. A process for reversing the wear-position an articulated reversible headpiece comprising a hanging portion adapted to engage an ear of the operator, a communication assembly including a speaker and a microphone, and a coupling system adapted to couple the boom and the communication assembly in right-wear and left-wear positions such that the headpiece can be worn at the right ear or left ear of the operator, the process comprising: a) rotating the communication assembly relative to the coupling system approximately 180° about a first axis , and b) rotating the communication assembly approximately 180° about a second axis which is approximately orthogonal to the first axis.