WO2012127197A2 - Improvements in headphones - Google Patents

Improvements in headphones Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012127197A2
WO2012127197A2 PCT/GB2012/000478 GB2012000478W WO2012127197A2 WO 2012127197 A2 WO2012127197 A2 WO 2012127197A2 GB 2012000478 W GB2012000478 W GB 2012000478W WO 2012127197 A2 WO2012127197 A2 WO 2012127197A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
headband
integral
headphone
status
status feedback
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2012/000478
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2012127197A3 (en
Inventor
Jeremy Saunders
Alan Mark Crawley
Geoffrey Kennedy
Kieran Lee RUSS
Original Assignee
Jeremy Saunders
Alan Mark Crawley
Geoffrey Kennedy
Russ Kieran Lee
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jeremy Saunders, Alan Mark Crawley, Geoffrey Kennedy, Russ Kieran Lee filed Critical Jeremy Saunders
Publication of WO2012127197A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012127197A2/en
Publication of WO2012127197A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012127197A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1041—Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2420/00—Details of connection covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
    • H04R2420/07—Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2420/00—Details of connection covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
    • H04R2420/09—Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/033—Headphones for stereophonic communication

Definitions

  • Patent Number 3,906,160 teaches an FM stereo receiver in the form of a headphone comprising two phone cases and a headband bridging said two phone cases, said headphone having accommodated therein a tuner including an antenna for receiving FM stereophonic broadcasting, an IF amplifier, a discriminator, an FM stereo signal demodulator, left and a right audio frequency amplifiers and a power source means for supplying electric power to said respective elements, so that FM stereophonic broadcasting may be received solely by said receiver without connecting the receiver with external apparatus.
  • a tuner including an antenna for receiving FM stereophonic broadcasting, an IF amplifier, a discriminator, an FM stereo signal demodulator, left and a right audio frequency amplifiers and a power source means for supplying electric power to said respective elements, so that FM stereophonic broadcasting may be received solely by said receiver without connecting the receiver with external apparatus.
  • an infrared receiver for a radio headphone comprising a data receiving circuit for receiving data transmitted from an external transmitting circuit, a demodulator for dividing the data received by said data receiving circuit into separate frequency channels, an envelope detecting circuit for detecting envelopes of respective channel data, and an output circuit for outpurting an output signal from said envelop detecting circuit as an analog sound signal so as to allow a user to listen to noiseless sound through a headphone.
  • U.S. Patent Number 5,210,791 teaches an all-in-one headset worn on the usei's head, comprising a headband, a first housing arranged at the headband, a communication unit having selectable at least two communication channels and selectable at least two communication modes, an operating panel mounted on the outside wall of the first housing for selecting one communication channel and one communication mode, an ear-speaker mounted on the inside wall of the Clear housing, a microphone, a second housing for housing the microphone, and a boom member for supporting the second housing to the first housing and with an indicating unit for indication of the selected communication channel and the selected communication mode.
  • U.S. Patent Number 7,062,059 teaches a telephony headset microphone boom that includes a hollow rubular member with a reflective interior surface, A light disperser is coupled to the hollow rubular member at one end and a light emitting device is coupled to the hollow tubular member at the other end. Light is transmitted from the light emitting device through the hollow tubular member ro the light disperser. Sound waves are simultaneously transmitted from an acoustic port through the hollow tubular member to a microphone,
  • Telephony headsets broadly defined as comprising bi-directional audio channels in that they have at least one or more integral speakers for audio received by the telephony headset and an integral microphone for audio tiansmitted by the telephony headset, and
  • Head mounted speaker headphones broadly defined as comprising a single-direction audio channel in that they have at least one or more integral speakers for audio received by the head mounted speaker headphone,
  • This specification addresses head mounted speaker headphones only, that is headphones that do not comprise an integral microphone in a telephony-style headset configuration.
  • Head mounted speaker headphone reception of one or more audio or audiovisual channels can be broadly classified into four distinct groups;
  • translucent slide may equally be substituted with; film strip, printed film, printed transparency or any other derivative denoting a translucent or semi-translucent layer that has any form of printing thereon that may alter the transmission of light through the slide in any way that is apparent to those versed in the art.
  • the object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention is to overcome some of the disadvantages with the existing apparatuses or methods, or to at least provide a useful alternative choice.
  • an interactive headphone with status feedback comprising at least one or more integral buttons that mav be user activatable, at least one or more integral speakers, a-headband with at least one or more integral iUurnination devices, means of receiving at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual channels in the form of transmissions from at least one or more integral and/or remote transmitting sources and means of transmitting headphone status feedback to at least one or more remote receiving sources, and whereby whenever die status of any parameter within the headphone with status feedback may change by means of tlie user activation of the one or more integral buttons and/or whenever the status of any parameter within the headphone with status feedback may change over time due to a change in operational conditions outside of die control of a user, the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be displayed locally as status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or hue of the one or more illumination devices integral to the headband and/or the parameter status and/or the change of parameter status may be
  • An interactive headphone with status feedback may provide user activated status feedback that may include, but is by no means limited to:
  • the patterns, shapes or forms or combination of patterns, shapes or forms printed, embedded or embossed as part of any one or more separate translucent slides may include, but is by no means limited to, any form of graphical lettering, shapes, icons, logo's, patterns and colours, whether regular or irregular or any combination thereof, that is apparent to those versed in the art.
  • the one or more separate translucent slides may be any shape or size, whether regular or irregular or any combination thereof.
  • An interactive headphone with status feedback may have at least one or more integral transrrutting sources that includes, but is by no means limited to:
  • the means of communication may include a polling or networking structure to facilitate only one interactive headphone with status feedback communicating at a time.
  • Remote transrnitting sources and remote receiving sources may be:
  • An interactive headphone with status feedback may have at least one or more user accessible controls that include, but are by no means limited to:
  • One or more user viewable displays that enable a user to view a list of the stored audio and/or audiovisual tracks
  • the headband of an interactive headphone with status feedback may be constructed from any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency materials and may include any combination of integral and/or non-integral and separately attached surfaces, whereby each separate and individual surfaces may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency in order for the headband to illuminate, fluoresce and/or glow as effectively and efficiently as possible thereby providing headphone parameter status feedback.
  • Figure 3 shows a three dimensional view of the interactive headphone with status feedback of Figure 1 with a logo and labelling on the headband according to the same first preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone with status feedback arrangement;
  • Figure 6 shows a three dimensional view of an interactive headphone with status feedback with means of receiving audio and/or audiovisual transmission from integral and/or remote transmitting sources and user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/ or 3 dimensional visual effects according to a third preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone with status feedback arrangement;
  • the at least one or more speakers 3 may enable a user to listen to at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual channels that may be available from at least one or more integral and/or remote transmission sources.
  • Radio-active light sources are provided.
  • additional three-dimensional surfaces 12 may be an integral part of the headband 1 1.
  • the at least one or more lUuminanon devices 4 that axe integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 1 1 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's 9 or additional three-dimensional surfaces 12 may at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband with status feedback information that includes, but is by no means limited to:
  • At least one or more labels 6 may be attached to the interactive headphone with status feedback 3 in any location or combination of locations desired, The at least one or more labels 6 may be located adjacent to the at least one or more illumination devices 4 in order to direct oi deflect the radiated light in order to better illuminate the headband 1 1 and thereby better provided interactive headphone status feedback.
  • At least one or mote labels 6 may be attached to the interactive headphone with status feedback 1 ⁇ in any location or combination of locations desired.
  • the at least on or more labels 6 may be located adjacent to the at least one or more iuumination devices 4 in order to direct or deflect the radiated light in order to better illuminate the headband 11 and thereby better provided headphone status feedback.
  • An interleave headphone with status feedback 16 may have a headband 11 with at least one or more illumination devices 4 that at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband exterior surfaces whereby the headband exterior illumination surfaces may be:
  • An interactive headphone with status feedback 6 may have at least one or more user viewable displays 17 that enable a user to interact with the stored tracks, including but by no means limited to:
  • a long-distance wireless connection such as radio frequency transmissions (not shown),
  • the at least one or more remote receiving sources 20 that may be in close proximity to an interactive headphone 16 and that may integrally comprise at least one or more illuminations devices 21 for means of providing additional interactive feedback may include, but are by no means limited to:
  • An interactive headphone with status feedback has thereby been provided that may locally display status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or hue of one or more illumination devices integral to the headband, mav in close proximity display status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or hue of one or more illumination devices integral to at least one or more close proximity remote receiving sources, the headband and/or the parameter status and/or change of parameter status ma)' be transmitted as status feedback to a remote receiving source, or any combination thereof.
  • the remote receiving source may be in close proximity to the interactive headphone and may comprise any combination of illumination features of the interactive headphone, including removable and replaceable translucent slides and integral and/or removable and replaceable surfaces as a means to further extending the viewing range of interactive headphone feedback,

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Abstract

A headphone with status feedback (1); comprising at least one or more integral buttons (5) that may be user activatable, at least one or more integral speakers (3), a headband (2) with at least one or more integral illumination devices (4), means of receiving at least one or more audio or audiovisual channels by means of transmissions from at least one or more integral and/or remote transmitting sources and means of transmitting headphone status feedback to at least one or more remote receiving sources, and whereby whenever the status of any parameter within interactive die headphone with status feedback (1) may change by means of the user activation of the one or more integral buttons (5) and/or whenever the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback (1) may change over rime due to a change in operational conditions outside of the control of a user, the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be displayed locally as status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or hue of the one or more illumination devices (4) integral to the headband (2) and/or the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be transmitted as status feedback to a remote receiving source. The interactive headphone may include an integral transmitting source that allows a user to store, retrieve, change the order of play, delete or play audio and/or audiovisual tracks. The interactive headphone may include one or more user viewable displays.

Description

PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
IMPROVEMENTS IN HEADPHONES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to improvements in headphones. In one or more preferred embodiments, the invention relates to interactive headphones that include at least one or more audio or audiovisual inputs from at least one or more integral and/or remote transmitting sources, an output to at least one or more remote receiving sources, at least one or more single or multicolour illumination devices in the headband and one or more user activatable buttons, and whereby any button activation by a user may be interactive or any change in headphone parameter status may be interactive by means of providing status feedback that alters in any way the illumination of the one or more illumination devices in the headband and/ or may be transmitted as status feedback to at least one or more remote receiving sources. The status feedback to the headband may include any combination of single or multiple illumination device colours that may indicate current audio channel selection, battery level status, interactive headphone theft status, colour variations at least substantially synchronous with an audio signal and the like, The status feedback to a remote receiver source may include audio and/ or audiovisual channel selection changes, volum level changes, on and off status changes, interactive headphone theft status and the like. One or more remote receiving sources may be other objects with means of lUumination in close proximity to the interactive headphone. The interactive headphone may include an integral transmitting source that allows a user to store, retrieve, change the play order of, delete or play any of one or more audio and/ or audiovisual tracks. The interactive headphone may include one or more user viewable displays. The interactive headphone may have transparent slides to accentuate headband illumination.
BACKGROUND
There are any number of methods taught in prior art relative to the construction of headsets and headphones.
One feature taught in prior art provides for bi-directional audio communications in wireless telephony headsets. As by example of this genre of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 3,122,847 teaches an improved electronic teaching aid comprising the combination of a plurality of self- powered student stations linked by radio means with an instructors console. An instructor may thereby communicate with students by means of a first radio link and speakers in the telephony headset and the students may thereby communicate back with the instructor by means of a second radio link and a microphone in the telephony headset. Another feature taught in prior art provides a headphone that can receive multiple transmitting channels and whereby a user can select on the headphone which channel they wish to listen to. As by example of this genre of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 3,906,160 teaches an FM stereo receiver in the form of a headphone comprising two phone cases and a headband bridging said two phone cases, said headphone having accommodated therein a tuner including an antenna for receiving FM stereophonic broadcasting, an IF amplifier, a discriminator, an FM stereo signal demodulator, left and a right audio frequency amplifiers and a power source means for supplying electric power to said respective elements, so that FM stereophonic broadcasting may be received solely by said receiver without connecting the receiver with external apparatus.
Yet another feature taught in prior art provides the passive monitoring of headphone usage by means of detecting when a user is wearing the headphones for TV usage monitoring purposes. As by example of this genre of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 4,626,904 teaches a meter for passively logging the presence of TV viewers including circuitry for disabling the audio of a TV set, a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the audio to a plurality of headphones, a circuit responsive to the headphones presence upon die head of a viewer for transrnitting a headphone ID signal to a monitor, a receiver in the monitor for logging the fact that particular headphones are activated, and a time of day clock in the monitor for logging the period of time particular headphones are activated.
Yet another feature taught in prior art provides an indicator light in a telephony headset to indicate when a telephone operator is on-line. As by example of this genre of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 5,210,791 teaches a telephony headset on-line indicator using a light errurting diode located on a microphone boom of a telephony headset to indicate that the user is on-line with another telephone. Circuits are described for use with conventional telephones, electronic telephones and PBX telephone base units.
Yet another feature taught in prior art provides a multiple channel digital headphone based on infrared transmission to die headphone. As by example of this genre of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 5,483,367 teaches a transmitter and receiving apparatus for a headphone, comprising a demodulating circuit for demodulating a received broadcasting signal into multichannel data, a modulating circuit for frequency-modulating each channel of the multi-channel data, with a different carrier frequency, said carrier frequencies being selectable by the user to avoid local interference, and an infrared txansmitting circuit for transmitting output data from said modulating circuit externally. There is also provided an infrared receiver for a radio headphone, comprising a data receiving circuit for receiving data transmitted from an external transmitting circuit, a demodulator for dividing the data received by said data receiving circuit into separate frequency channels, an envelope detecting circuit for detecting envelopes of respective channel data, and an output circuit for outpurting an output signal from said envelop detecting circuit as an analog sound signal so as to allow a user to listen to noiseless sound through a headphone.
Yet another feature taught in prior art provides a telephony headset with two selectable channels and a channel indicating light located adjacent to the microphone boom. As by example of this genre of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 5,210,791 teaches an all-in-one headset worn on the usei's head, comprising a headband, a first housing arranged at the headband, a communication unit having selectable at least two communication channels and selectable at least two communication modes, an operating panel mounted on the outside wall of the first housing for selecting one communication channel and one communication mode, an ear-speaker mounted on the inside wall of the Erst housing, a microphone, a second housing for housing the microphone, and a boom member for supporting the second housing to the first housing and with an indicating unit for indication of the selected communication channel and the selected communication mode.
Yet another feature taught in prior art provides on/off and volume control of a remote computer monitor by means of an infrared wireless headphone. As by example of this genre of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 6,041 ,225 teaches a computer monitor controlling circuit and method using wireless headphones to control computer monitor power and computer monitor audio volume.
Yet another feature taught in prior art provides an indicator light in a telephony headset whereby the indicator light and sound waves are transmitted through a hollow tubular microphone boom member. As by example of this genie of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 7,062,059 teaches a telephony headset microphone boom that includes a hollow rubular member with a reflective interior surface, A light disperser is coupled to the hollow rubular member at one end and a light emitting device is coupled to the hollow tubular member at the other end. Light is transmitted from the light emitting device through the hollow tubular member ro the light disperser. Sound waves are simultaneously transmitted from an acoustic port through the hollow tubular member to a microphone,
And yet another feature taught in prior art provides for batter}' charging contacts mounted in the headband of a wireless headphone. As by example of this genre of prior art only, U.S. Patent Number 5,210,7 1 teaches a wireless headphone having charging contacts in the headphone headband and at least one magnet in the headphone headband. There is also provided a charging station for a corresponding wireless headphone with bars as an electrical feed line for charge contacting of a wireless headphone. Headphones can be broadly classified into two distinct groups:
• Telephony headsets, broadly defined as comprising bi-directional audio channels in that they have at least one or more integral speakers for audio received by the telephony headset and an integral microphone for audio tiansmitted by the telephony headset, and
• Head mounted speaker headphones, broadly defined as comprising a single-direction audio channel in that they have at least one or more integral speakers for audio received by the head mounted speaker headphone,
This specification addresses head mounted speaker headphones only, that is headphones that do not comprise an integral microphone in a telephony-style headset configuration.
Head mounted speaker headphone reception of one or more audio or audiovisual channels can be broadly classified into four distinct groups;
• Communications by means of a hard wired cable system,
• Communications bv means of electromagnetic frequency transmissions in the
electromagnetic freque cy range above the audio range and below infrared light, and
• Communications by means of electromagnetic frequency transmissions in the
electromagnetic frequency range from infrared light and above.
• Communication by means of direct connection to an integral storage and transmitting source of audio and/or audiovisual tracks,
This specification addresses head mounted speaker headphones within all four broad classifications,' Within the ge re of head mounted speaker headphones that comprise multiple audio and/or audiovisual channels that a user may select from, there is a need as with telephony headsets for indicating to remote persons or sources as to which channel a user may be listening to at any given time, however head mounted speaker headphones do not incorporate microphone booms for the mounting of indication devices. Some head mounted speaker headphones in the market do incorporate a small indicator light adjacent to a speaker, but in an environment where multiple people are grouped together and the majority are using head mounted speaker headphones at one time, such small indicators in such difficult to view locations are ail but ineffective when being viewed by a remote person,
Equally within the genre of head mounted speaker headphones that comprise multiple audio and/or audiovisual channels that are either integral to the head mounted speaker headphone or are incoming from a remote tiansrrutting source such that a user may select from channel to channel, and particularly when in an environment where multiple people are grouped together and whereby many are using head mounted speaker headphones at one hme, as bj' example only when a DJ is broadcasting one or more channels in a disco-style environment, there is a need for the feeding back of status information from the head mounted speaker headphones to at least one or more remote receiving sources, such as by example only, head mounted speaker .
headphone, status feedback to a DJ which may include but is by no means limited to:
• What specific channels are of interest to listeners on a track by track basis,
• When listeners may switch away from a specific channel if they do not like a specific audio or audiovisual track,
• When a head mounted speaker headphone is powered off or on, particularly for theft prevention purposes as by example only in an environment where head mounted speaker headphones may be rented,
• What audio volume on a track by track basis listeners may be selecting,
• Feedback in at least substantial correlation with an audio and/or audiovisual signal, and
• The incoming transmission signal strength to the head mounted speaker headphone and the like.
There is therefore a need for such interactive feedback to be direcdy emanated from a head mounted speaker headphone so it may be viewed locally to a head mounted speaker headphone and /or for such interactive feedback to be transmitted to remote receiving sources so that it may be viewed remotely from the head mounted speaker headphone. Relative to interactive feedback from a head mounted speaker headphone that may be viewed locally, and using as by example only a DJ in a disco environment interested to know which users are listening to which channels at any given time by means of glancing out across a dance floor, an interactive feedback source in the headband provides the location with die highest viewability. No prior art can be found that teaches a head mounted speaker headphone headband as a location for such interactive feedback.
Relative to interactive feedback from a head mounred speaker headphone that may be fed back to remote receiving sources, and using as by example onlv a DJ in a disco environment interested to know when users change channels or what audio volume they may select for any given track and the like, a feedback communication channel to lemote receiving sources provides a usable solution. No prior art can be found that teaches a head mounted speaker headphone providing such interactive feedback to remote locations. Equally, no prior art can be found providing such interactive feedback by means of remote receiving sources in close proximity that themselves have one or more integral iHumination devices in order to provide additional interactive feedback.
Whenever the wording "head mounted speaker headphone" is used in this specification, it may equally be substituted with; earbud, earphone, ear piece, ea plug, electro-acousti transducer, headphone, stereo phone, or any other derivative denoting an electro-acoustic transducer for converting electric signals into sounds and which is held over or inserted into at least one ear that is apparent to diose versed in the art. Whenever the word "button" is used in this specification, it may equally be substituted with; adjuster, dial, knob, on/off, power switch, switch, toggle, tuner, or any other derivative denoting a control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit that is apparent to those versed in the art. Whenever the words "audio" or "audiovisual" are used in this specification, they may equally be substituted with; audio plus video, video or any other derivative denoting a combination of sound and/or sight to present information in a track by track format that is apparent to those versed in the art.
Whenever the words "translucent slide" are used in this specification, they may equally be substituted with; film strip, printed film, printed transparency or any other derivative denoting a translucent or semi-translucent layer that has any form of printing thereon that may alter the transmission of light through the slide in any way that is apparent to those versed in the art.
Whenever the abbreviation and/or acronym "LED" is used in this specification, it may equally be substituted with; 3LCD, DILA, DLP, LCD, LCOS, OLED, Plasma, RD LCD, SED or any other abbreviation, term, phrase, acronym word or any combination thereof denoting a device capable of light emission, light reflection, light diffraction and/or capable of changing its optical properties in any way or by any means in order to present visual information that is apparent to those versed in the art, All subsequent references in this specification to "head mounted speaker headphone" will be abbreviated to the more succinct wording "headphone", whether incorporating one or more speakers only or one or more speakers plus one or more user viewable displays,
In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in die art,
The object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention is to overcome some of the disadvantages with the existing apparatuses or methods, or to at least provide a useful alternative choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of; that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification which include "comprising", the features prefaced by this term in each statement all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in similar manner.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interactive headphone with status feedback; comprising at least one or more integral buttons that mav be user activatable, at least one or more integral speakers, a-headband with at least one or more integral iUurnination devices, means of receiving at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual channels in the form of transmissions from at least one or more integral and/or remote transmitting sources and means of transmitting headphone status feedback to at least one or more remote receiving sources, and whereby whenever die status of any parameter within the headphone with status feedback may change by means of tlie user activation of the one or more integral buttons and/or whenever the status of any parameter within the headphone with status feedback may change over time due to a change in operational conditions outside of die control of a user, the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be displayed locally as status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or hue of the one or more illumination devices integral to the headband and/or the parameter status and/or the change of parameter status may be transmitted as status feedback to a remote receiving source. An interactive headphone with status feedback may have one or more user viewable displays.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may provide user activated status feedback that may include, but is by no means limited to:
• Whenever any one or more integral buttons on an interactive headphone widi status feedback may be activated by a user at any time for whatever reason,
• The time stamping of integral button activation for whatever reason,
• When an interactive headphone with status feedback is powered on,
• When an interactive headphone with status feedback is powered off,
• The audio volume level a user may select for any given channel at any given time,
• Whenever a user changes from one channel to another,
• Feedback in at least substantial correlation with an audio and/or audiovisual signal,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any other user activated feedback status apparent to those versed in the art.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may provide status feedback due to a change in operational conditions outside of the control of a user that may include, but is by no means limited to:
• The incoming broadcast transmission signal strength from any given remote
transmission source,
• When an interactive headphone with status feedback is powered by battery power, the power level remaining in the one or more batteries,
• The presence or absence of one specific and predetermined channel,
• Anv combination thereof, or • Any other status feedback due to a change in operational conditions outside of the control of a user apparent to those versed in the art.
For interactive headphone with status feedback usage in the likes of a rental environment, the powered on and powered off status feedback and/or the presence or absence of one specific and predetermined audio or audiovisual channel may separately or in combination be part of theft prevention measures.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have at least one or more integral and user acuvatable buttons that may be of any known shape or form and may be located anywhere on the interactive headphone with status feedback in any single location, in multiple locations, in one or more grouped locations or any combination of single, multiple and/or grouped locations.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have a headband with at least one or more integral illumination devices, and whereby the construction material of the headband may be:
• Fully opaque,
• Partially translucent,
• Fully transparent,
• Of variable transparency,
• Of a single material layer,
• Of one or more laminate layers of any one or more materials with layer bonding of any means known to those versed in the art,
• Of laminate layers of any one or more materials with any one or more objects, devices, films, printed circuit boards, cables or labels sandwiched between and/or embedded within the laminate layers, or
• Any combination thereof across the full extents of the headband.
An interactive headphone widi status feedback may have an illuminated headband widi at least one or more lamination layers such that at least one or more lamination layers may be predisposed towards headband structural integrity and at least one or more lamination layers may be predisposed towards the piping of light around die headband and the illumination of the headband, The one or more lamination layers may be of any combination of alternate materials suitable for their predisposed intent. The at least one or more illumination devices Integra] to a headband may be suitable for subdued lighting environments such that they may:
• Radiate directly out from the headband without causing the suiiounding headband material to illuminate, fluoresce or glow,
• Radiate dirough at least one or more hollow interior sections of the headband and thereby at least partially cause the headband material to illuminate, fluoresce or glow,
• Radiate directly through the headband material and thereby at least substantially cause the headband material to illuminate, fluoresce or glow, or
• Anv combination thereof.
The at least one or more illumination devices integral to a headband may be suitable for brightly lit environments such that they may;
• Reflect at least a portion of received light by means of changes in optical properties such as changes in transparency, colour or hue,
• Mount directiy on to or near to the surface of the headband,
• At least substantially cover the surfaces of the headband,
• Have means of backlighting to augment reflected light, or
• Any combination thereof.
The at least one or more illumination devices integral to a headband may be any combination of being suitable for subdued lighting environments and/or being suitable for brightly lit environments.
The headband of an interactive headphone with status feedback may have a constant translucency across the whole of the headband, or variable translucencv so diat at least some parts or surfaces of a headband may illuminate, fluoresce or glow more effectively than others. This may be in order to better facilitate remote viewing of the illumination devices and thereby remote viewing of headphone status feedback.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have a headband with at least one or more illumination devices that at least substantially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband across all of its exterior surfaces, or at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow across some of the headband exterior surfaces whilst at least some of the headband exterior surfaces may only minimally illuminate, fluoresce or glow or may be full}' opaque so that they do not illuminate, fluoresce or glow at all. The means of headband surfaces being at least substantially opaque so that they at least minimally illuminate, fluoresce or glow or do not illuminate, fluoresce or glow at all may include, but is by no means limited to:
• Variable opacity of the headband material,
• Exterior or imbedded labels, whether located across or adjacent to the at least one or more illumination devices or located anywhere else on the headband,
• A coating such as paint or the like, whether located across or adjacent to the at least one. or more iUumination devices or located anywhere else on the headband,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any means of minimising or fully blocking illumination apparent to those versed in the art,
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have a headband with at least one or more illumination devices that at least partially iUuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband extenor surfaces, and whereby the exterior surfaces of the headband may include, but are by no means limited to:
• One or more two-dimensional and/ or three-dimensional surfaces,
• One or more geometric and/or non-geometric surface,
• One or more symmetrical and/or asymmetrical surfaces,
• Any one or more known logos, icons, characters, character-ware, animate or inanimate objects, shapes or forms or the like,
• One or more surfaces of any kind that arc on die same level as the mean exterior
surface of the headband, recessed inwards from the mean exterior surface of the headband or protruding outwards from the mean exterior surface of the headband, t One or more separate translucent slides with any pattern, shape or form or combination of patterns, shapes or forms printed, embedded or embossed thereon that may be attached to the surface of the headband to accentuate, alter, change, selectively block or vary the colour of the illumination in any way or form,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any exterior surfaces or combinations of exterior surfaces apparent to those versed in the art.
The patterns, shapes or forms or combination of patterns, shapes or forms printed, embedded or embossed as part of any one or more separate translucent slides may include, but is by no means limited to, any form of graphical lettering, shapes, icons, logo's, patterns and colours, whether regular or irregular or any combination thereof, that is apparent to those versed in the art.
The one or more separate translucent slides may be any shape or size, whether regular or irregular or any combination thereof.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have a headband with at least one or more iUuminatic devices that at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband exterior surfaces whereby the headband exterior illumination and/or translucent slide surfaces may be:
• An integral part of the headband,
• One or more separate and individual elements, components, parts or surfaces that may be integrally attached to the headband,
• One or more separate and individual elements, components, parts or surfaces that may be attachable and removable from the headband as desired for personal customisation,
• Or any combination thereof,
Any separate and individual elements, components, parts or surfaces that are integrally attached to the headband may themselves be opaque, at least partially translucent or fully transparent, of variable transparency or any combination thereof.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have a headband with at least one or more iUumination devices that at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband wherebv the at least one or more illumination devices may be located anywhere on die exterior and/or interior surfaces as deemed suitable or appropriate for any given design or configuration.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have a headband with at least one or more illumination devices that at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow a headband whereby the at least one or more illumination devices may include, but are by no means limited to:
• I.ED light sources or any derivative of LED-based lighting devices such as OLED,
• Chemi-luminescent light sources,
• Incandescent light sources,
• Radio-active light sources,
• Any material with the ability to absorb light during high lux enviionments then rc- radiate light during low lux environments, • Any material exhibiting fluorescence of any form,
• An LCD device of any kind,
• Any device capable of changing its optical properties by whatever means,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any other source of iUumination apparent to those versed in the art.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have a headband with at least one or more illumination devices that at least partially iUurninate, fluoresce or glow a headband whereby the at least one or more illumination devices may be, but are by no means limited to:
• Of a single lumination colour,
• Of constant transparency, colour or hue,
• Of variable transparency, colour or hue,
• Of at least one or more multiple illumination colours or combinations of multiple illumination colours,
• Of continuous illumination intensity and/or colour hue,
• Of variable illumination intensity and/or colour hue over time, whether changing
upwards or downwards, and whether in any random or periodic pattern,
• Of variable ulurnination intensity and/or colour hue in at least substantial correlation with an audio and/or audiovisual signal,
• Of any combination of multiple colours, intensities and/or colour hues to thereby create at any location or combination of locations over the one or more surfaces of the headband any combination of known logos, icons, characters, numbers and letters of any known alphabet, character-ware, animate or inanimate objects, shapes or forms or the like,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any combination of iHumination variation apparent to those versed in the art.
The preferred source of illumiiiation for the at least one or more illumination devices that are integral to a headband is at least one or more single, bi-coloux or tri-colour LED's, at least one or more LCD devices, or any combination thereof.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have a headband w th at least one or more illumination devices that at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow 2 headband with status feedback information that includes, but is by no means limited to: • When the power supply level to an interactive headphone with status feedback may have dropped below a preset level,
• When the incoming broadcast transmission to an interactive headphone with status feedback may have dropped below a preset level,
• When a user activates one or more integral buttons on an interactive headphone with status feedback for whatever reason,
• Illumination feedback at least substantially in correlation with an audio and/or
audiovisual signal,
• Promotional information and/or imager]',
• The indication of which channel an interactive headphone with status feedback may be utilising or playing at any given time,
• As a means of theft prevention,
• Anv combination thereof, or
• Any other headphone status feedback apparent to those versed in the art.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have means of receiving at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual transmissions from at least one or more integral and/or remote transmitting sources. The interconnection between an interactive headphone with status feedback and at least one or more transmitting sources may include, but are by no means limited to:
• A wireless connection by any wireless means apparent to those versed in the art,
• A hard wire-connection,
• A single channel of communication,
• Multiple channels of communication,
• One remote transmitting source to one interactive headphone with status feedback, with or without means of full error correction and/or means of forward error correction,
• One remote transmitting source to many interactive headphones with status feedback, with or without means of forward error correction,
• Direct connection to at least one or more integral transmitting sources,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any interconnection means apparent to those versed in the art. An interactive headphone with status feedback may receive one-only audio and/or audiovisual transmission from any given integral and/or remote transmitting source or multiple audio and/or audiovisual transmissions from any one given integral and/or remote transmitting sources.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have at least one or more integral transrrutting sources that includes, but is by no means limited to:
• At least one or more audio and/or audiovisual tracks stored integrally within the integral transmission source,
· At least one or more audio and/or audiovisual tracks stored in a separate storage device that may be interconnected and disconnected with the integral transrrutting source as required,
• Or any combination thereof. An interactive headphone with status feedback that has at least one or more integral transmitting sources with integral audio and/ or audiovisual track storage may receive at Least one or more audio and/or audiovisual tracks for storage and for subsequent user access as and when required from at least one or more remote storage sources by communication means that include, but are by no means limited to:
· A wireless connection by any wireless means apparent to those versed in the art,
• A hard wire-connection by means of an external cable,
• A hard wire-connection by means of an external track storage device which many be plugged as and when required into an integral transmitting source,
• Any combination thereof, or
· Any interconnection means apparent to those versed in the art.
An interactive headphone with status feedback that has at least one or more integral transmitting sources with integral audio and/or audiovisual track storage may be instructed to start, pause, stop, replay, fast forward or fast rewind at least one or more audio and/ or audiovisual tracks at any time by means that include, but ar by no means limited to:
• Instructions via a wireless connection from a remote transmitting source,
• Instructions via a hard wire-connection,
• Instructions by means of integral buttons,
• Any combination thereof, or
· Any means of instruction apparent to those versed in the art, Transmitting sources located integral to an interactive headphone as well as any possible remote storage sources may be:
• Partially recessed inside the interactive headphone,
• Fully recessed inside the interactive headphone, or
• Any combination thereof.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have means of transmitting status feedback to at least one or more remote receiving sources, The interconnection between an interactive headphone with status feedback and a remote receiving source may include, but are by no means limited to:
• A wireless connection by any wireless means apparent to those versed in the art,
• A hard wire-connection,
• A single status feedback channel of communication,
• Multiple status feedback channels of communication,
• One remote receiving source to one interactive headphone with status feedback, with or without means of full error correction and/or means of forward error correction,
• One remote receiving source to many interactive headphones with status feedback, with or without means of forward error correction,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any interconnection means apparent to those versed in the art.
Where there is more than one interactive headphone with status feedback Uansmitting status feedback to a remote receiving source, the means of communication may include a polling or networking structure to facilitate only one interactive headphone with status feedback communicating at a time.
Remote transrnitting sources and remote receiving sources may be:
• Individual and separate sources,
• Grouped together such that at least one or more remote tiansmitting sources and/or at least one or more remote receiving sources are together in a single integrated unit, or
• Any combination thereof. The means of communication between an interactive headphone with status feedback and either of an integral transmitting source, remote transmitting source or remote receiving source may be by means that include, but are by no means limited to:
• A hard-wired connection,
• AM radio frequencies,
• FM radio frequencies,
• Analogue signal techniques,
• Digital signal techniques,
• Electro-magnetic transmissions below infrared,
• Electro-magnetic transmission including and above infrared,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any means or combination oi means of conimunicanon apparent to those versed in the art.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may be:
• Remotely powered by means of a physical wire connection,
• Battery powered,
• Solar powered,
• Powered by means of any mechanical action or movement, or
• Any combination thereof,
An interactive headphone with status feedback that is powered by batter}' means may be:
• Powered by batteries that need to be replaced once exhausted,
• Powered by batteries that may be recharged, or
• Any combination thereof.
An interactive headphone with status feedback that is powered bv batter}' means may incorporate an integral battery charger.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have at least one or more user accessible controls that include, but are by no means limited to:
• On/ off power controls,
• Audio or audiovisual channel selection controls,
• Audio volume controls. • User access to an integral transmitting source with Integra! audio and /or audiovisual track storage in order to store, retrieve, rearrange the order of, delete or play selected tracks,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any user accessible controls apparent to those versed in the art.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have at least one or more user viewable displays of any shape or form and in any one or more locations in order to provide better user accessibility for the storage and retrieval of stored audio and/or audiovisual tracks as and when required by a user The at least one or more user viewable displays may include, but are by no means limited to:
• One or more user viewable displays that enable a user to view a list of the stored audio and/or audiovisual tracks,
• One or more user viewable displays that enable a user to select the audio and/or audiovisual track to be played and/or the order in which tracks are played,
• One or more user viewable displays to enable a user to view video content in any audiovisual tracks stored in a 2 dimensional format,
• One or more user viewable displays to enable a user to view video content in any audiovisual tracks stored in a 3 dimensional format such as by means of left eye and right eye shutters synchronised to the video content of the track,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any display usage apparent to those versed in the art.
In a first preferred embodiment, there is provided a wireless interactive headphone with status feedback; comprising at least one or more integral burtons that may be user activatable, at least one or more speakers, a headband with at least one or more integral LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based illumination devices, means of receiving at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual channels in tlie form of transmissions from at least one or more remote transmitting sources by me ns of electro-magnetic radio frequencies and means of transmitting headphone status feedback to at least one or more remote receiving sources by means of electro-magnetic radio frequencies, and whereby whenever the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may change by means of the user activation of the one or more integral buttons and/or whenever the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone w th status feedback may change over time due to a change in operational conditions outside of die control of a user, the parameter status and/ or change of parameter status may be displayed locally as status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or' hue of the at least one or mote integral LED-based, OLED-based and/ or LCD-based devices in the headband and/or the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be transmitted as status feedback to a remote receiving source. A wireless interactive headphone with status feedback may have one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects. A wireless interactive headphone with status feedback mav have one or more integral transmitting sources.
The at least one or more LED-based, OLED -based and/ or LCD -based devices integral to die headband may be of single colour, of multiple colours, or any combination thereof.
A wireless interactive headphone with status feedback may be battery powered.
The headband of a wireless interactive headphone with status feedback may be constructed from any combination of opaque, at least parbally translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency materials and may include any combination of integral and/or non-integral and separately attached surfaces, whereby each separate and individual surfaces may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/ or of variable transparency in order for die headband to illuminate, fluoresce and/or glow as effectively and efficiently as possible thereby providing headphone parameter status feedback.
In a second preferred embodiment, diere is provided an interactive headphone with status feedback; comprising at least one or more integral buttons that may be user activatable, at least one or more speakers, a headband with ac least one or more integral LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based illumination devices, and means of receiving one audio and/or audiovisual channel in the form of transmissions from at least one integral and/or remote ttansmitting source, and whereby whenever the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may change by means of the user activation of the one or more integral buttons and/or whenever the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may change over time due to a change in operational conditions outside of the control of a user, the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be displayed locally as status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/ or hue of the at least one or more integral LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based devices in the headband. An interactive headphone with status feedback may have one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and /or 3 dimensional visual effects. The at least one or more LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based devices integral to the headband may be of single colour, of multiple colours, or any combination thereof.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may be battery powered.
The headband of an interactive headphone with status feedback may be constructed from any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent, and/or of variable transparency materials and may include any combination of integral and/or non-integral and separately attached surfaces, whereby each separate and individual surfaces may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency in order for the headband to illuminate, fluoresce and/ or glow as effectively and efficiently as possible thereby providing headphone parameter status feedback.
The means of connection to an integral and/ or remote tiansrnitting source ma be by means that include, but are by no means limited to:
• A wireless connection by any wireless means apparent to those versed in the art,
• A hard wire-connection by means of an external cable,
• Direct internal connection to an integral txansrriitting source,
• A hard wire-connection by means of an external audio and/ot audiovisual track storage device being plugged as and when required into an integral transrrutting source,
• A short-distance wireless connection such as bluetooth,
» Any combination thereof, or
» Any short distance means of connection apparent to those versed in the art. In a third preferred embodiment, there is provided an interactive headphone with status feedback, comprising at least one ot more integral buttons that may be user achvatable, at least one or more speakers, at least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects, a headband with at least one or more integral LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based lUumination devices, and means of receiving audio and,/ or audiovisual channels in die form of transmissions from integral and/or remote transmitting sources, and whereby whenever the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone, with status feedback mav change by means of the user activation of the one or more integral burtons and/or whenever th status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may change over time due to a change in operational conditions outside of the control of a user, the parameter status and /or change of parameter status may be displayed locally as status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or hue of die at least one or more integral LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based devices in the headband.
The at least one or more LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based devices integral to die headband may be of single colour, of multiple colours, or any combination thereof.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may be battery powered.
The headband of an interactive headphone with status feedback may be constructed from any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency materials and may include any combination of integral and/or non-integral and separately attached surfaces, whereby each separate and individual surfaces may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency in order for the headband to illuminate, fluoresce and/or glow as effectively and efficiently as possible thereby providing headphone parameter status feedback.
The means of connection to an integral and/ or remote transmitting source may be by means that include, but are by no means limited to:
• A wireless connection by any wireless means apparent to those versed in the art, · A hard wire-connection by means of an external cable,
• Direct internal connection to an integral transmitting source,
• A hard wire-connection by means of an external audio and/or audiovisual track storage device being plugged as and when required into an integral transmitting source,
• A short-distance wireless connection such as bluetooth,
· Any combination thereof, or
• Any short distance means of connection apparent to those versed in the art.
An interactive headphone with status feedback may have at least one or more user viewable displays of any shape or form and in any one or more locations in order to provide better user accessibility for the storage and retrieval of stored audio and/or audiovisual tracks as and when required by a user. The at least one or more user viewable displays may include, but are by no means Limited to:
• One or more displays that enable a user to view a list of the stored tracks and interact with the stored tracks in any way, such as deleting tracks, reordering track play lists, renaming tracks, retrieving tracks and the like, One or more displays that enable a user to select the track to be played and/ or the order in which tracks are played,
One or more displays to enable a user to view video content in any audiovisual tracks stored in a 2 dimensional format,
One or more user viewable displays to enable a user to view video content in any audiovisual tracks stored in a 3 dimensional format such as by means of left eye and right eye shutters synchronised to the video content of the track,
Any combination thereof, or
Any display usage apparent to those, versed in the art.
In a fourth preferred embodiment, there is provided an interactive headphone with status feedback; compnsing at least one or more integral buttons that may be user activatable, at least one or more speakers, at least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects, a headband with at least one or more integral LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based illumination devices, and means of receiving audio and/or audiovisual channels in the form of transmissions from integral and,/ or remote transmitting sources and means of transmitting headphone status feedback to at least one or more remote, receiving sources, and whereby whenever the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may change by means of the user activation of the one or more integral buttons and/or whenever the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may change over time due to a change in operational conditions outside of the control of a user, the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be displayed locally as status feedback by means of a change in iHumination, colour and/ or hue of the at least one or more integral LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based devices in the headband, or remotely by means of at least one or more remote receiving sources.
The at least one or more LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based devices integral to the headband may be of single colour, of multiple colours, or anv combination thereof An interactive headphone with status feedback may be battery powered.
The headband of an interactive headphone with status feedback may be constructed from any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency materials and may include any combination of integral and/or non-integral and , separately attached surfaces, whereby each separate and individual surfaces may be any
combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency in order for the headband to illuminate, fluoresce and/or glow as effectively and efficiently as possible thereby providing headphone parameter status feedback.
The illuminated headband may have one or more translucent slides attached onto the headband in any one or more locations as a means of providing patterns, shapes or forms or combination of patterns, shapes or forms printed, embedded or embossed thereon that may accentuate, attenuate, alter, change, selectively block or vary the colour of the illumination in any way or form.
The one or more translucent slides may be permanently attached to the illuminated headband or removable and replaceable thereby providing means of personal customisation.
The means of connection to an integral and/or remote transmitting source and/or remote receiving sources may be by means that include, but are by no means limited to;
• A wireless connection by any wireless means apparent to those versed in the art,
• A hard wire-connection by means of an external cable,
• Direct internal connection to an integral transmitting source,
• A hard wire-connection by means of an external audio and/or audiovisual track storage device being plugged as and when required into an integral transmitting source,
• A short-distance wireless connection such as bluetooth,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any short distance means of connection , apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more remote receiving sources may be in close proximity to the interactive headphone and may themselves have at least one or mor illumination devices for means of displacing interactive feedback and may have one or more, translucent slides permanently attached or removable and replaceable thereby providing means of personal customisation.
The at least one or more remote receiving sources that may be in close proximity to an interactive headphone and that integrally comprise at least one or more illuminations devices and may have one or more translucent slides for means of providing additional interactive feedback may include, but are by no means limited to:
• Sunglasses
• Jeweller}' or adornments of any shape, size or variety,
• Mobile devices such as phones, tablets, notebooks and die like, • Lapel badges and die like,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any close proximity remote receiving source apparent to those versed in the art. All references in this invention to illumination devices and material transparency equally applies to any close proximity remote receiving device.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many alternate combinations of a headband with at least one or more integral LED-based, OLED-based and/or LCD-based LUumination devices will be apparent that may comprise any combination of at least one. or more integral buttons that may be user acuvatable, at least one or more speakers, as least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/ or 3 dimensional visual effects, at least one or more translucent slides, at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual sources from at least one or more integral and/ or remote transmitting sources and means of communication with at least one or more remote receiving sources capable of receiving headphone status feedback. All illumination features of the interactive headphone may equally apply to any one or more remote receiving sources in close proximity to the interactive headphone.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein arc purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Examples of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a three dimensional perspective view of an interactive headphone with status feedback, including a headband with at least one integral illumination device, at least one speaker and at least one user activatable button according to a first preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone with status feedback arrangement; Figure 2 shows a two dimensional cross section view of the interactive headphone with status feedback of Figure 1 in wireless format and including at least one batter}' and a headband with at least one integral illumination device according to the same first preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone, with status feedback arrangement;
Figure 3 shows a three dimensional view of the interactive headphone with status feedback of Figure 1 with a logo and labelling on the headband according to the same first preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone with status feedback arrangement;
Figure 4 shows a three dimensional view of an interactive headphone with status feedback with additional headband surfaces according to the same first preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone with status feedback arrangement;
Figure 5 shows a three dimensional view of an interactive headphone with status feedback with means of receiving audio transmission from one-only remote transmitting source and means of local transmitting only of headphone status feedback according to a second preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone with status feedback arrangement;
Figure 6 shows a three dimensional view of an interactive headphone with status feedback with means of receiving audio and/or audiovisual transmission from integral and/or remote transmitting sources and user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/ or 3 dimensional visual effects according to a third preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone with status feedback arrangement; and
Figure 7 shows a three dimensional view of an interactive headphone with status feedback with means of receiving audio and/or audiovisual transmission from integral and/or remote uansmitting sources, at least one or more translucent slides, at least one or more close proximity remote receiving device and user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects according to a fourth preferred embodiment of an interactive headphone with status feedback arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It will be appreciated that terminology "upwards", "downwards" etc used in this specification refer to the orientations shown in the drawings. The terms are used to indicate relative orientations, but should not be considered to be otherwise limiting,
Referring to Figure One, an interactive headphone with status feedback 1 is depicted in three dimensional perspective view including a headband 2, at least one speaker 3, at least one or more illumination devices 4 integral to the headband 2 and at least one or more user activatable buttons 5. The headband 2 may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/ or of variable transparenq' materials and may include any combination of integral and/ or non-integral and separately attached surfaces, whereby each separate and individual surfaces may be any combination of opaque, at least partiallv translucent, fully transparent and/ or of variable transparency in order for the headband to illuminate, fluoresce and/or glow effectively and efficiendy thereby providing headphone parameter status feedback.
The headband 2 may be of a single material layer, of one or more laminate layers of any one or more materials with layer bonding of any means known to those versed in the art, or of laminate layers of any one or more materials with any one or more objects, devices, films, printed circuit boards, cables or labels sandwiched between and/or embedded within the laminate layers.
The at least one or more speakers 3 may enable a user to listen to at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual channels that may be available from at least one or more integral and/or remote transmission sources.
The at least one or more illumination devices 4 that are integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 2 may include, but are by no means limited to:
· LED light sources or any derivative of LED-based lighting devices (as depicted},
Chemi-luminescent light sources,
Standard incandescent light sources,
Radio-active light sources,
Any material with the ability to absorb light during high lux environments then re- radiate Light during low lux environments,
Any material exhibiting fluorescence of any form,
An LCD device of any kind,
Any device capable of changing its optical properties by whatever means,
Any combination thereof, or
· Any other source of illumination apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more illumination devices 4 that are integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 2 may be, but are by no means limited to:
• Of a single illumination colour,
• Of constant transparency, colour or hue, • Of variable transparency, colour or hue,
• Of at least one or more multiple illumination colours or combinations of multiple iUumination colours,
• O continuous illumination intensity and /or colour hue,
· Of variable iUumination intensity and/or colour hue over time, whether changing upwards or downwards, and whether in any random or period pattern,
• Of variable illumination intensity and/ or colour hue in at least substantial correlation with an audio signal,
• Of any combination of multiple colours, intensities and/or colour hues to therebv create at any location or combination of locations over the one or more surfaces of the headband any combination of known logos, icons, characters, numbers and letters of any known alphabet, character-ware, animate or inanimate objects, shapes or forms or the like,
• Any combination thereof, or
· Any combination of illumination variations apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more illumination devices 4 that are integral to -and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 2 may at least partialis illuminate, fluoresce or glow die headband with status feedback information that includes, but is by no means limited to:
· When the power supply level to an interactive headphone with status feedback may have dropped below a preset level,
• When the incoming broadcast transmission to an interactive headphone with status feedback may have dropped below a preset level,
• When a user activates one or more integral buttons on an interactive headphone with status feedback for whatever reason,
• Illumination feedback at least substantial in correlation with an audio and/ or
audiovisual signal,
• The indication of which channel an interactive headphone with status feedback may be utilising or playing at any given time,
· As a means of theft prevention,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any other interactive headphone status feedback apparent to those versed in the art. The at least one 01 more user activatable buttons 5 may enable a user to interact with the interactive headphone with status feedback providing user accessible controls that include, but are by no means limited to:
• On/off power controls,
• Audio and/ or audiovisual channel selection controls,
• Audio volume controls,
• User access to an integral transmitting source with integral audio and/or audiovisual track storage in order to store, retrieve, rearrange the order of, delete or play selected tracks,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any user accessible controls apparent to those versed in the art.
At least one or more labels 6 may be attached to the interactive headphone with status feedback 1 in any location or combination of locations desired. The at least one or more labels 6 may be located adjacent to the at least one or more illumination devices 4 in order to direct or deflect the radiated light in order to better illuminate die headband 2 and thereby better provided headphone status feedback.
Referring to Figure Two, the interactive headphone with status feedback 1 of Figure One is depicted in two dimensional cross-sectional view 7 including a headband 2, at least one or more illumination devices 4 integral to the headband 2 and at least one or more batteries 8.
The at least one or more iHumination devices 4 integral to the headband 2 may:
• Radiate directly out from the headband 2 without causing die surrounding headband material to illuminate, fluoresce or glow (not shown),
• Radiate through at least one or more hollow interior sections of the headband 2 and thereby at least partially cause the headband material to illuminate, fluoresce or glow (not shown),
• Radiate directly through die headband material (as depicted) and thereby at least substantially cause the headband material to illuminate, fluoresce or glow, or
• Any combination thereof.
The at least one or more illurnination devices 4 integral to a headband may be suitable for brightly lit environments such that they may: • Reflect at least a portion of received light by means of changes in optical properties such as changes in transparency, colour or hue,
• Mount directly on to or near to the surface of the headband,
• At least substantially cover the surfaces of the headband,
• Have means of backlighting to augment reflected light, or
• Any combination thereof.
The at least one or more illumination devices 4 integral to a headband may be any combination of being suitable for subdued lighting environments and/or being suitable for brightly lit environments,
The interactive headphone with status feedback 1 of Figure One as shown in cross-sectional view 7 may be:
• A hardwire connection to the remote transmitting and /or remote receiving sources, or
• A wireless connection (as depicted).
The interactive headphone with status feedback 1 of Figure One as shown in cross- sectional vie 7 may be:
• Remotely powered by means of a physical wire connection,
· Barter)' 8 powered (as depicted),
• Solar powered,
• Powered by means of any mechanical action or movement, or
• Any combination thereof,
Referring to Figure Three, the interactive headphone with status feedback 1 of Figure One is depicted in three dimensional perspective view including a headband 2, at least one or more illumination devices 4 integral to the headband 2, at least one or more user acrivatable button and at least one or more headband surfaces 9 in the form of a protruding logo,
An interactive headphone with status feedback 1 may have, a headband 2 with at least one or more illumination devices 4 that at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband exterior surfaces, and whereby the exterior surfaces of the headband 2 may include, but are by no means limited to: One or more two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional surfaces,
One or more geometric and/or nan-geomecric surface,
One or more symmetrical and/or asymmetrical surfaces,
Any one or more known logos 9, icons, characters, character-ware, animate or inanimate objects, shapes or forms or the like,
One or more surfaces of any kind that are on the same level as the mean exterior surface of the headband, recessed inwards from the mean exterior surface of the headband or protruding outwards from the mean exterior surface of the headband, Any combination thereof, or
Any exterior surfaces or combinations of exterior surfaces apparent to diose versed in the art.
Referring to Figure Four, an interactive headphone with status feedback 10 is depicted in three dimensional perspective view including a headband 1 1 , at least one or more iUurnination devices 4 integral to the headband 11 , at least one or more user activarable buttons 5, at least one or more headband surfaces 9 in the form of a protruding logo and at least one or more additional three-dimensional surfaces 12.
An bteractive headphone with status feedback 10 may have a headband 11 with at least one or more iuuminatioh devices 4 that at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband exterior surfaces whereby the headband exterior illumination surfaces may be
• An integral part of the headband, as depicted by the logo 9,
• One or more separate and individual elements, components, parts or surfaces 12 that may be integrally attached, clipped or fastened by any known means to the headband.
• Or any combination thereof.
Equally, additional three-dimensional surfaces 12 may be an integral part of the headband 1 1.
Referring to Figure Five, an interactive headphone with status feedback 13 is depicted in three dimensional perspective view including a headband 1 1 , at least one speaker 3, at least one or more illumination devices 4 integral to the headband 1 1 , at least one or more user activatable buttons 5 and means of connection 14 to one-only remote audio :ind/or audiovisual transmitting source. The headband 1 1 may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/ or of variable transparenq- materials and may include any combination of integral 9 and/or non-integral and separately attached surfaces 12, whereby each separate and individual surface may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency in order for the headband to illuminate, fluoresce and/oi glow effectively and efficiently thereby providing interactive headphone parameter status feedback.
The at least one or more speakers 3 may enable a user to listen to one audio and/or audiovisual channel that may be available from an integral and/or remote transmitting source. The connection to th transmitting source may be by means that include, but are by no means limited to:
• A hard-wired connection 15 with an audio and/or audiovisual plug 14 as depicted,
• A short-distance wireless connection such as bluetooth (not shown),
• Direct internal connection to an integral transmitting source,
• A hard wire-connection by means of an external audio and/or audiovisual track storage device being plugged as and when required into an integral transmitting source,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any short distance means of connection apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more illumination devices 4 that are integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow die headband 1 1 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's 9 or additional three-dimensional surfaces 2 may include, but are by no means limited to:
LED light sources or any derivative of LED-based lighting devices (as depicted), Cherru-lurninescent light sources,
Standard incandescent light sources,
Radio-active light sources,
Any material with the ability to absorb light during high lux environments then re- radiate light during low lux environments,
Any material exhibiting fluorescence of any form,
An LCD device of any kind,
Any device capable of changing its optical properties by whatever means,
Any combination thereof, or
Any other source of illumination apparent to those versed in the art, The at least one or more iUiimination devices 4 that are integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 11 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's 9 or additional three-dimensional surfaces 12 may be, but are by no means limited to:
• Of a single illumination colour,
• Of constant transparency, colour or hue,
• Of variable transparency, colour or hue,
• Of at least one or more multiple illumination colours or combinations of multiple. iUurnination colours,
• Of continuous illumination intensity and/ or colour hue,
• Of variable iUumination intensity and/or colour hue over time, whether changing upwards or downwards, and whether in any random or period pattern,
• Of variable illumination intensity and/or colour hue in at least substantial correlation with an audio and/ or audiovisual signal,
• Of any combination of multiple colours, intensities and/or colour hues to thereby create at any location or combination of locations over the one or more surfaces of the headband any combination of known logos, icons, characters, numbers and letters of any known alphabet, character-ware, animate or inanimate objects, shapes or forms or the like,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any combination of illumination variatio s apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more lUuminanon devices 4 that axe integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 1 1 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's 9 or additional three-dimensional surfaces 12 may at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband with status feedback information that includes, but is by no means limited to:
• When the power supplv level to an interactive headphone with status feedback may have dropped below a preset level,
• When a user activates one or more integral buttons on an interactive headphone with status feedback for whatever reason,
• IUumination feedback at least substantial in correlation with an audio and/or
audiovisual signal,
• Promotional information and/ or imagery, • Any combination thereof, or
• Any other headphone status feedback apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more user activatable buttons 5 may enable a user to interact with the interactive headphone with status feedback providing user accessible controls that include, but are by no means limited to:
• On/ off power controls,
• Audio volume controls,
• Jsei access to an integral transmitting source with integral audio and /or audiovisual track storage in order to store, retrieve, rearrange the order of, delete or play selected tracks,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any user accessible controls apparent to those versed in the art. At least one or more labels 6 may be attached to the interactive headphone with status feedback 3 in any location or combination of locations desired, The at least one or more labels 6 may be located adjacent to the at least one or more illumination devices 4 in order to direct oi deflect the radiated light in order to better illuminate the headband 1 1 and thereby better provided interactive headphone status feedback.
An interactive headphone, with status feedback 13 may have a headband 1 1 with at least one or more illurnination devices 4 that at least partially lUuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband exterior surfaces whereby the headband exterior illumination surfaces may be:
* An integral part of the headband, as depicted by the logo 9,
· One or more separate and individual elements, components, parts or surfaces 12 that may be integrally attached, clipped or fastened by any means to the headband,
• Or any combination thereof.
Equally, additional three-dimensional surfaces 12 may be an integral part of the headband 1 1 ,
An interactive headphone with status feedback 13 may be batter)' powered. Referring to Figure Six, an interactive headphone with status feedback 16 is depicted in three dimensional perspective view including a headband 1 1 , at least one speaker 3, at least one or more illurninabon devices 4 integral to the headband 1 1 , at least one or more logo's 9, at least one or more additional thxee-di nensional surfaces 12 as an integral part of the headband 1 1 , at least one or more user activatablc buttons 5, at least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects 17 and 1 , at least one or more interconnectable track storage devices 18 and means of connection 14 to a remote audio transmitting source.
It will be apparent to those versed in the art that many combinations of the elements depicted in Figure Six may be combined together to form any number of combinations of interactive headphone with status feedback.
The headband 1 may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent and/or of variable transparency materials and may include any combination of integral and/or non-integral and separately attached surfaces, whereby each separate and individual surfaces may be any combination of opaque, at least partially translucent fully transparent and/or of variable transparency in order for the headband to illuminate, fluoresce and/ or glow effectively and efficiently thereby providing headphone parameter status feedback.
The at least one or more speakers 3 may enable a user to listen to one or more audio and/or audiovisual channels that may be available from one or more integral and/or remote, ttansmitting sources (not shown), The connection to any transmitting source may be by means that include, but are by no means limited to:
• A hard-wired connection 5 with an audio and/or audiovisual plug as depicted,
• A short-distance wireless connection such as bluetooth (not shown),
• A long-distance wireless connection such as radio f equency transmissions (not shown),
• Direct internal connection to an integral transmitting source (not shown),
• A hard wire- connection by means of an external audio and/ or audiovisual track storage device 18 being plugged as and when required into an integral transrmtting source,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any means of connection apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more illumination devices 4 that are integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 11 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's or additional three-dimensional surfaces may include, but are by no means limited to:
• LED light sources or any derivative of LED-based lighting devices (as depicted),
• Chemi-luminescent light sources,
• Standard incandescent light sources,
• Radio-active, light sources,
• Any material with the ability to absorb light during high lux environments then re- radiate light during low lux environments,
• Any material exhibiting fluorescence of any form,
• An LCD device of any kind,
• Any device capable of changing its optical properties by whatever means,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any other source of illumination apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more illumination devices 4 that are integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 11 and any one or more integral oi separately attached logo's or additional three-dimensional surfaces may be, but are by no means limited to:
• Of a single illumination colour,
• Of constant transparency, colour or hue,
• Of variable transparency, colour or hue,
• Of at least one or more multiple illumination colours or combinations of multiple illumination colours,
• Of continuous illumination intensity and/or colour hue,
• Of variable illumination intensity and/ or colour hue over time, whether changing upwards or downwards, and whether in any random or period pattern,
• Of variable illumination intensity and/or colour hue in at least substantial correlation with an audio and/or audiovisual signal,
• Of any combination of multiple colours, intensities and/or colour hues to thereby create at any location or combination of locations over the one or more surfaces of the headband any combination of known logos, icons, characters, numbers and letters of any known alphabet, character-ware, animate or inanimate objects, shapes or forms or the like,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any combination of illumination variations apparent to those versed in the art, The at least one or more lllurninahon devices 4 that are integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband 1 1 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's or additional three-dimensional surfaces may at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband with status feedback information that includes, but is by no means limited to:
• When the power supply level to an interactive headphone with status feedback may have dropped below a preset level,
• When a user activates one or more integral buttons on an interactive headphone with status feedback for whatever reason,
• Illumination feedback at least substantial in correlation with an audio and/or
audiovisual signal,
• Promotional information and/or imagery,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any other headphone status feedback apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more user acrivatable buttons 5 may enable a user to interact with the interactive headphone with status feedback providing user accessible controls that include, but are by no means limited to:
» On/off power controls,
• Audio and /or audiovisual track volume controls,
• User access to any stored audio and/ or audiovisual tracks enabling a user to store, retrieve, chance the order of play, delete or play any track as and when required,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any user accessible controls apparent to those versed in the art.
At least one or mote labels 6 may be attached to the interactive headphone with status feedback 1 ό in any location or combination of locations desired. The at least on or more labels 6 may be located adjacent to the at least one or more iuumination devices 4 in order to direct or deflect the radiated light in order to better illuminate the headband 11 and thereby better provided headphone status feedback. An interleave headphone with status feedback 16 may have a headband 11 with at least one or more illumination devices 4 that at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow the headband exterior surfaces whereby the headband exterior illumination surfaces may be:
• An integral part of the headband, as depicted by the logo 9,
· One or more separate and individual elements, components, parts or surfaces 12 that may be integrally attached, clipped or fastened by any means to the headband,
• Or any combination thereof.
Equally, additional three-dimensional surfaces 12 may be an integral part of the headband 1 1.
An interactive headphone with status feedback 16 may be battery powered.
An interactive headphone with status feedback 16 may have at least one or more integral transmitting sources (not shown) that provide for the storage, retrieval, and plaving of at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual tracks as and when required by a user.
An interactive headphone with status feedback 6 may have at least one or more user viewable displays 17 that enable a user to interact with the stored tracks, including but by no means limited to:
• Viewing the audio and/or audiovisual tracks that are integrally stored,
• Retrieving, deleting and/or storing any track,
• Playing any track,
• Change the play order as and when required,
• Any combination thereof, and
• Any user interaction with the stored tracks that is apparent to those versed in the art.
An interactive headphone with status feedback 16 may have at least one or more hard wire- connection means, whether external or recessed internally, for means of interconnection with external track storage devices 18 which many be plugged as and when required into the integral transmitting source to provide access to additional audio and/or audiovisual tracks. Audio and/or audiovisual tracks may be transferred either way between an integral transmitting source and any one or more external track storage devices 18. An interactive headphone with status feedback 16 may have at least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects 19 that enables a user to view the video content of audiovisual tracks. There may be one single video display (as depicted) or any number of multiple video displays in any configuration, position or format.
The at least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects 19 may create 3 dimensional visual effects by means of at least two shutters synchronised to the video content of the audio visual signal, or by any other means apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects 1 and/or at least one or more user viewable displays 1 7 that enable a user to interact with stored tracks may be at least one or more;
t LCD displays,
• OLED displays,
• LED displays,
• Plasma displays,
• DLP displays,
· LCOS displays,
• 3LCD displays,
• RD LCD displays,
• SED displays,
• DILA displays,
· Any combination thereof,
• Or any suitable display format and/or technology apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensionaJ and/or 3 dimensional visual effects 1 and/ or at least one or more user viewable displays 17 that enable a user to interact with stored tracks ma}' be located anywhere as desired on an interactive headphone with status feedback including as an integral part of the headband. Referring to Figure Seven, an interactive headphone wit status feedback 16 is depicted in three dimensional perspective view including a headband 1 1 , at least one speaker 3, at least one or more illumination devices 4 integral to the headband 11 , at least one or more logo's 9, at least one or more additional three-dimensional surfaces 12 as an integral part of the headband 1 1 , at least one or more user activatable burtons 5, at least one or more user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects 17 and 19, at least one or more interconnectable track storage devices 18 and means of connection 14 to a remote audio transmitting source, and at least one or more remote receiving sources in close proximity 20 that are in themselves capable of providing interactive, feedback,
The connection to any close proximity remote receiving source 20 may be by means that include, but are by no means limited to:
• A hard-wired connection (not shown),
• A short-distance wireless connection such as bluetooth 22 as depicted,
• A long-distance wireless connection such as radio frequency transmissions (not shown),
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any means of connection apparent to those versed in the art,
The interactive headphone widi status feedback 16 may be instructed to start, pause, stop, replay, fast forward or fast rewind at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual tracks stored on the at least one or more interconnectable track storage devices 18 at any time by means that include, but are by no means limited to:
• Instructions via a wireless connection from a remote Uansmitting source 22,
• Instructions via a hard wire-connection 14,
• Instructions by means of user activated buttons 5,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any means of instruction apparent to those versed in the art.
There may be at least one or more, illumination devices 21 inregral to and may at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow a close proximity remote receiving source 20 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's or additional three-dimensional surfaces (not shown). The illumination devices 21 may include, but are b no means limited to:
• LED light sources or an)' derivative of LED-based lighting devices (as depicted),
• Chemi-lurninescent light sources,
• Standard incandescent light sources, • Radio-active light sources,
• Any material with the ability to absorb light during high lux environments then re- radiate light during low lux environments,
• Any material exhibiting fluorescence of" any form,
• An LCD device of any kind,
• Any device capable of changing its optical properties by whatever means,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any other source of iUumination apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more illumination devices 21 that may be integral to and at least partially iUurninate, fluoresce or glow a close proximity remote receiving source 20 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's or additional three-dimensional surfaces (not shown) may be, but axe by no means limited to:
• Of a single lUumination colour,
• Of constant transparency, colour or hue,
• Of variable transparency, colour or hue,
• Of at least one or more multipl illumination colours or combinations of multiple illumination colours,
• Of continuous illumination intensity and/or colour hue,
• Of variable illumination intensity and/or colour hue over time, whether changing
upwards or downwards, and whether in any random or period pattern,
• Of variable illumination intensity and/ or colour hue in at least substantial correlation with an audio and/or audiovisual signal,
• Of any combination of multiple colours, intensities and /or colour hues to thereby create at any location or combination of locations over the one or more surfaces of the headband any combination of known logos, icons, characters, numbers and letters of any known alphabet, character-ware, animate oi manimate objects, shapes or forms or die like,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any combination of illumination variations apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more illumination devices 21 that may be integral to and at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow a close proximity' remote receiving source 20 and any one or more integral or separately attached logo's or additional three-dimensional surfaces (not shown) may at least partially illuminate, fluoresce or glow with interactive headphone status feedback information that includes, but is by no means limited to:
• When the power supply level to an interactive headphone with status feedback may have dropped below a preset level,
· When a user activates one or more integral buttons on an interactive headphone with status feedback for whatever reason,
• lUumination feedback at least substantial in correlation with an audio and/or
audiovisual signal,
• Promotional information and/or imagery,
· Any combination thereof, or
• Any other headphone status feedback apparent to those versed in the art.
The at least one or more remote receiving sources 20 that may be in close proximity to an interactive headphone 16 and that may integrally comprise at least one or more illuminations devices 21 for means of providing additional interactive feedback may include, but are by no means limited to:
• Sunglasses,
• Jewellery or adornments of any shape, size or variety'' 20 as depicted,
• Mobile devices such as phones, tablets, notebooks and the like,
· Lapel badges and the like,
• Any combination thereof, or
• Any close proximity remote receiving source apparent to those versed in the art,
The illuminated headband Π and /or the at least one oi. more remote receiving sources 20 may have one or more translucent slides 23 attached in any one or more locations as a means of providing patterns, shapes or forms or combination of patterns, shapes or forms printed, embedded or embossed thereon the translucent slides 23 (not shown) that may accentuate, attenuate, alter, change, selectively block or vary the colour of the illumination in any way or form.
The one or more translucent slides 23 may be permanently attached to the illuminated headband 1 1 and/or the at least one or more remote receiving sources 20 or removable and replaceable thereby providing means of personal customisation. It will be apparent to those versed in the art that many combinations comprising at least one or more of the elements depicted in Figures One through Seven may be combined together to form any number of alternate combinations of interactive headphone with status feedback, with or without remote receiving sources in close proximity to the interactive headphone.
An interactive headphone with status feedback has thereby been provided that may locally display status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or hue of one or more illumination devices integral to the headband, mav in close proximity display status feedback by means of a change in illumination, colour and/or hue of one or more illumination devices integral to at least one or more close proximity remote receiving sources, the headband and/or the parameter status and/or change of parameter status ma)' be transmitted as status feedback to a remote receiving source, or any combination thereof.
The remote receiving source may be in close proximity to the interactive headphone and may comprise any combination of illumination features of the interactive headphone, including removable and replaceable translucent slides and integral and/or removable and replaceable surfaces as a means to further extending the viewing range of interactive headphone feedback,
The above describes prefened embodiments only and modifications may be. made, thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. An interactive headphone with status feedback; including at least one or more integral buttons that may be user activatable, at least one or more integral speakers, a headband with at least one or more integral iUurnination devices, means of receiving at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual channels by means of transmissions from at least one or more integral and/or remote transmitting sources and means of transmitting headphone status feedback to at least one or more remote receiving sources, and whereby the status and/or change of status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may be locally and/or remotely viewable.
2. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claim 1 wherein the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may change by means of the user activation of the one or more integral buttons.
3. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claim 1 wherein the status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may change over time due to a change in operational conditions outside of the control of a user.
4 An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be displayed locally as status feedback by means of a change in illumination, intensity, colour and/ or hue of the one or more iBumination devices integral to the headband.
5. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein the parameter status and/or change of parameter status may be transmitted as status feedback to a remote receiving source.
6. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein the headband may be opaque, at least partially translucent, fully transparent, of variable transpaiency or any combination thereof across the full extents of the headband.
7. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein the one or more integral illumination devices in the headband may radiate directly out from the headband without causing the surrounding headband material to illurriinate, fluoresce or glow, may radiate thiough at least one or more hollow interior sections of the headband and thereby at least partially cause the headband material to illurninate, fluoresce or glow, may radiate directly through the headband material and thereby at least substantially cause the headband material to illuminate, fluoresce or glow, may change its optical properties by any means or any combination thereof.
8. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein the one or more integral iUurnination devices in the headband may illuminate, fluoresce or glow any one or more of the headband surfaces, and whereby the at least one ox more headband surfaces may be integral to the headband, sepaxate and individual surfaces that are attached to the headband, at least substantially level with the mean surface of the headband, recessed inwards from the mean surface of the headband, protruding outwards from the mean surface of the headband, or any combination thereof.
9. An interactive headphone with status feedback; comprising at least one or more integral buttons that may be user activatable, at least one or more integral speakers, a headband with at least one or more integral iUurnination devices, means of receiving at least one or more audio and/or audiovisual channels by means of transmissions from at least one or more integral and/or remote teansmitting sources and means of transmitting headphone status feedback to at least one or more remote receiving sources, and whereby the status and/ or change of status of any parameter within the interactive headphone with status feedback may be locally and/or remotely viewable.
10. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 9 with means of theft prevention.
11. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 10 wherein there may be one or more integral iUurnination devices in the headband that may illurninate, fluoresce or glow any one or more of the headband surfaces in any way, and wherein there may be only one audio and/or audiovisual channel and one integral and/or remote teansmitting source and only locally viewable status feedback.
12. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 11 wherein there may be means of interconnection such that least one or more external track storage device may be plugged into an integral transmitting source to provide access to additional audio and/or audiovisual tracks.
13. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 12 wherein there may be one or more integral user viewable displays capable of 2 dimensional and/or 3 dimensional visual effects for the display of the video content of audiovisual tracks and/or to provide user access in conjunction with the one or more buttons such that a user can store,
5 retrieve, change the play order, delete and play stored tracks as require.
14. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 13 wherein there may be one or more remote receiving sources in close proximity wherein the remote receiving sources may have one or more integral illumination devices for means of displaying
10 interactive headphone status feedback, and may comprise any or more of the iHumination
features of the interactive headphone as a means of extending the view range of interactive headphone feedback.
15. An interactive headphone with status feedback and/or a remote receiving device in
] 5 close proximity as claimed in claims 1 to 14 wherein there may integral and/or removable and replaceable translucent slides as a means of accentuating, attenuating, altering, changing, selectively blocking or varying the colour of the iUurnination in any way or form as a means of personal customisation of interactive headphone feedback.
20 6. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein any one or more audio and /or audiovisual tracks stored on at least one oi mote integral and/ or interconnectable track storage devices may be instructed to start, pause, stop, replay, fast forward or fast rewind but any integral or remote means.
25 17. An interactive headphone with status feedback as claimed in claims 1 to 16 wherein headband may be of a single material layer, of one or more laminate layers Of any one or more materials with layer bonding of any means known to those versed in the art, or of laminate layers of any one or more materials with any one or more objects, devices, films, printed circuit boards, cables or labels sandwiched between and/or embedded within the laminate layers.
30
18. An interactive headphone with status feedback substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.
PCT/GB2012/000478 2011-03-24 2012-05-28 Improvements in headphones WO2012127197A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1104924.4 2011-03-24
GBGB1104924.4A GB201104924D0 (en) 2011-03-24 2011-03-24 Improvements in headphones

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012127197A2 true WO2012127197A2 (en) 2012-09-27
WO2012127197A3 WO2012127197A3 (en) 2013-01-24

Family

ID=44013060

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2012/000478 WO2012127197A2 (en) 2011-03-24 2012-05-28 Improvements in headphones

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB201104924D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2012127197A2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140126740A1 (en) * 2012-11-05 2014-05-08 Joel Charles Wireless Earpiece Device and Recording System
WO2014197674A1 (en) * 2013-06-05 2014-12-11 Gee Beyond Holdings, Llc A method, system and apparatus for communicating media signals to a system user

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3122847A (en) 1961-06-27 1964-03-03 Robert H Redfield Electronic teaching device
US3906160A (en) 1968-03-19 1975-09-16 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Headphone type FM stereo receiver
US4626904A (en) 1985-11-12 1986-12-02 Control Data Corporation Meter for passively logging the presence and identity of TV viewers
US5210791A (en) 1990-12-13 1993-05-11 Michael Krasik Telephone headset on-line indicator
US5483367A (en) 1990-12-31 1996-01-09 Goldstar Co., Ltd. Transmitting and receiving apparatus for a radio headphone
US6041225A (en) 1996-10-28 2000-03-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Monitor control circuit using wireless headphones and method therefor
US7062059B1 (en) 2004-06-25 2006-06-13 Plantronics, Inc Multi-function microphone boom with on-line indicator

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080260169A1 (en) * 2006-11-06 2008-10-23 Plantronics, Inc. Headset Derived Real Time Presence And Communication Systems And Methods
JP2010157896A (en) * 2008-12-26 2010-07-15 Sony Corp Playback apparatus and headphone apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3122847A (en) 1961-06-27 1964-03-03 Robert H Redfield Electronic teaching device
US3906160A (en) 1968-03-19 1975-09-16 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Headphone type FM stereo receiver
US4626904A (en) 1985-11-12 1986-12-02 Control Data Corporation Meter for passively logging the presence and identity of TV viewers
US5210791A (en) 1990-12-13 1993-05-11 Michael Krasik Telephone headset on-line indicator
US5483367A (en) 1990-12-31 1996-01-09 Goldstar Co., Ltd. Transmitting and receiving apparatus for a radio headphone
US6041225A (en) 1996-10-28 2000-03-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Monitor control circuit using wireless headphones and method therefor
US7062059B1 (en) 2004-06-25 2006-06-13 Plantronics, Inc Multi-function microphone boom with on-line indicator

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140126740A1 (en) * 2012-11-05 2014-05-08 Joel Charles Wireless Earpiece Device and Recording System
WO2014197674A1 (en) * 2013-06-05 2014-12-11 Gee Beyond Holdings, Llc A method, system and apparatus for communicating media signals to a system user

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201104924D0 (en) 2011-05-04
WO2012127197A3 (en) 2013-01-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9906851B2 (en) Wireless earbud charging and communication systems and methods
US9641926B2 (en) Modular communication device and system
US9832554B2 (en) Magnetic floating loudspeaker
KR101195885B1 (en) Audio output apparatus in wireless terminal, audio output system in wireless terminal comprising the same and control method thereof
US20060148405A1 (en) Bluetooth audio relay
US20080187162A1 (en) Headset having wired/wireless sub-earphohe
US9462109B1 (en) Methods, systems, and devices for transferring control of wireless communication devices
US20090245549A1 (en) Identification of earbuds used with personal media players
US9143595B1 (en) Multi-listener headphone system with luminescent light emissions dependent upon selected channels
EP1435190A2 (en) Magnetostrictive actuator
US7767893B2 (en) Method of operating one or more individual entertainment display devices supported by spectators at a spectator event and an individual entertainment display device therefor
CN112425081A (en) Mobile device cover for host mobile device
US10805440B1 (en) Light-emitting-diode (#LED#) system and method for illuminating a cover for a portable electronic device commensurate with sound or vibration emitted therefrom
KR100786225B1 (en) Hand-free System for Mobile Phone
WO2012127197A2 (en) Improvements in headphones
US20070257808A1 (en) Remote control for a multimedia player
US20050280550A1 (en) Modal light-emitting device for mobile signal output devices methods and systems
WO2003047131A1 (en) Communication system by terminal with no power supply
TWI823094B (en) Earphone charging box and projection control method thereof
KR20160147498A (en) Detachable mono earset
JP2004200815A (en) Audio information support system
KR101520772B1 (en) Free transformable bluetooth speaker
CN103312365B (en) Stage communication equipment
KR20160116555A (en) Speaker mounted by headset and headset assembly having the same
US20130250185A1 (en) Head Mounted Display

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 12737319

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct app. not ent. europ. phase

Ref document number: 12737319

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2