Particular Support Structure Patents (Class 381/374)
  • Patent number: 8116501
    Abstract: A headset comprising a body portion including a microphone section, a receiver section, a battery section and a wireless communication section, all provided in a case having a substantially flat surface, and a projecting portion projecting from the substantially flat surface, is arranged such that the ear pad of the receiver section attached to the tip of the projecting portion is inserted into the external auditory meatus. A portion coming into resilient contact with the inner wall of the cavity of the concha on the inside of a tragus and an antitragus is provided at the projecting portion closer to the body portion side than the ear pad, wherein the ear pad is of an earplug type deformable elastically to ensure a close contact with the inner wall of the external auditory meatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kusuda, Yoshito Fujimoto, Hiroyoshi Shinozuka
  • Patent number: 8111859
    Abstract: A headgear assembly is provided with an integrated music or other sound player supportable therein. The headgear assembly includes a headband or cap with pouches therein for various portions of the music player. In particular, a left speaker pouch is provided for a left speaker, a right speaker pouch is provided for a right speaker and a player pouch is provided for a sound player. A wire harness is also provided to preferably removably attach the speakers to the sound player. The headband or cap with the pouches therein holds the player and speakers directly adjacent a head of the user, and with the speakers directly over ears of the user. Controls on the player are accessed through a window in an outer panel of the headband or cap to allow user access. The player, wire harness and speakers are all substantially concealed within the headgear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Aaron M. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8103040
    Abstract: An adjustable, dual speaker element earphone. One of the speaker elements is sized to fit into the cavum concha of the listener's ear and the other element (is not. A hinged joint may allow the larger speaker element may be rotated about a vertical axis of the hinged joint so that the larger speaker element can be rotated towards or away from the listener's ear. The speaker elements may be connected such that sounds produced by both speaker elements emanate from different respective sound openings defined in a surface of the smaller speaker element. Also, one or both of the speaker elements may be operably connected to a hanger bar that is sized and configured to rest on an upper portion of the listener's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Pelland, Ronaldo J. Santiago, James J. Potter, Mandy M. Johnson, Allan G. Mlodzikowski, Michael J. Koss
  • Patent number: 8098872
    Abstract: In a headphone having a headband and two speaker units respectively pivotally mounted on the two distal ends of the headband, each speaker unit includes a speaker eccentrically positioned therein, an ear cushion covered on the front side of the speaker and having an eccentric opening, and a soft front covering the ear cushion and defining with the eccentric opening a sound chamber for enhancing the sound produced by the speaker and having sound holes for output of sound from the sound chamber to the user's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Chi-Tsan Chang
  • Patent number: 8098873
    Abstract: In headphones in which headphone units are worn on the head via a headband having a predetermined urging force, a substantially constant urging force is always obtained without being influenced by a difference in width and shape of the user's head. In headphones 100 including a headphone unit 200 in which an electroacoustic transducer is incorporated in a housing 210; and a head wearing means (for example, a headband 110) for supporting the headphone unit 200 via a hanger member, the headphone unit 200 being held at the ear position of the head in a state of being urged by the head wearing means, the hanger member is a support frame 120 arranged around the housing 210 of the headphone unit 200, and the headphone unit 200 is supported on the support frame 120 via a plurality of constant force spiral springs 130.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventors: Okitsugu Furuya, Yosuke Sato, Mitsuo Miyata
  • Patent number: 8094857
    Abstract: A microphone speaker system includes a base having a speaker, a stand extending between a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the base, a performance interface coupled to the second end of the stand, and a microphone support coupled to the performance interface. The performance interface is configured to removably retain a music storage/playback device that electrically connects with the speaker through the base. The microphone support is coupled to the performance interface and configured to adjustably support a microphone that electrically connects with the speaker through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Adriana G. Upham, Joshua K. Goldstein, Kuni Goda, Raul Febles, Jayson Pegler, Tom Kwon, Matthew Paprocki
  • Patent number: 8094845
    Abstract: The invention concerns a mobile terminal with at least two transducers (LSm, LSs1, LSS2) used simultaneously as loudspeakers for stereophonic effect. According to the invention, one of said transducers is a main transducer (LSm) with a main working frequency band (Bm) corresponding to at least the phone frequency band, while the other transducer is a secondary transducer (LSs1; LSs2) with a secondary working frequency band (Bs1; Bs2) band different from said main frequency band, the lowest frequencies of said secondary working frequency band (Bs1; Bs2) being greater than the lowest frequencies of said main working frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Imerj, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard Douhet, Stephane Dufosse, Alain Guillotin
  • Patent number: 8094859
    Abstract: An earphone antenna device operable to be connected with a wireless communication terminal device includes: earphone cables, connected with earphone sections, respectively, for supplying audio signals; an audio cable one end of which is connected with the wireless communication terminal device and the other end is connected with the earphone cables; and a coaxial cable one end of which is connected with the wireless communication terminal device and the other end is connected with a pair of string-shaped antenna elements integrated with the earphone cables. The earphone cables are insulated from the antenna elements and the audio cable is insulated from the coaxial cable. This provides a dipole antenna device and an earphone antenna device hardly influenced by noises from the wireless communication terminal device and noises transmitted via the audio cable. Further, a wireless communication terminal device to be connected with the antenna devices is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Suematsu, Miyoshi Yamauchi, Motofumi Yamaguchi, Mitsuhiro Noboru
  • Patent number: 8094852
    Abstract: A headset for using an electronic device worn on a head, includes an ear clip formed to have a shape conforming to and wearable on a root of auricle. The ear clip includes a core that can plastically be deformed according to a difference between shapes of the root of auricle and a protecting material that covers the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michihito Ikuma, Yasuhisa Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8073180
    Abstract: Headset includes a signal interface configured for receiving and forwarding electrical signals, a bending-resistant, bendable retaining member, and a functional device attached to the retaining member. Retaining member being bendable and held in a bent position without a restoring force, and is connected to signal interface for positioning functional device. Electrical signal lines provided in retaining member, and running between signal interface and functional device. Fixing element which can be placed on retaining member in various longitudinal positions to secure retaining member. Retaining clip, which can be bent into position, extends between signal interface and fixing element; and. Rear section of retaining member, signal interface, retaining clip, fixing element form a loop, the size of loop being adjustable and changeable by displacing fixing element along retaining member, in use, and loop being configured for receiving an auricle of a user and running at least partially behind auricle, is use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Bruckhoff Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventor: Henning Bruckhoff
  • Patent number: 8068633
    Abstract: A flat, ribbon-like headphone cable having a unitary cable section, a splitter, and two split cable sections for connection to earpieces. The unitary and split cable sections each have substantially flat cross-sections wherein the width is substantially greater than the thickness. The split cable sections are oriented such that their widths are substantially perpendicular to the width of the unitary cable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Monster Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Noel Lee, Kevin Lee, Jacky Hsiung
  • Patent number: 8059851
    Abstract: A hearing protection and/or loudspeaker element (1) is provided which includes a carrier part (2) arranged on a protective helmet (5) and a module (4) which can be actively connected to an outer ear of the wearer to act as a hearing protection and/or loudspeaker module. The carrier part (2) and protective helmet can be fixed to the head of the wearer. The module (4) which acts as the hearing protection and/or loudspeaker module can be adjusted in relation to the loudspeaker part (2) and shifted from a position of rest to a position of use. The module (4) itself is like a plug and is embodied as a part that covers the entrance of the human outer ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Anton Pfanner
  • Patent number: 8059845
    Abstract: An in-ear stabilizer with a compression strut securely holds an in-ear communications device within the human ear. The in-ear stabilizer comprises an in-ear device housing which fits into the human ear and has a receiver and speaker. Attached to the in-ear device housing is a compression strut which extends, when in the human ear, across the crus of helix and fits securely under the antihelix in the upper concha of the ear. The housing of the in-ear device fits into the lower concha of the human ear. The compression strut exerts outward pressure when compressed, comfortably holding the in-ear device in place through pressure on the lower and upper concha of the human ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Joshua R. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8055005
    Abstract: A Bluetooth earphone and a lanyard structure thereof are provided. The Bluetooth earphone includes an earphone body and a lanyard structure. The lanyard structure includes a lanyard and a clip element. The lanyard is disposed on the clip element. The clip element includes two hooks gripping the earphone body for combining the lanyard structure with the earphone body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsin Liu, Chung-Chun Wu, Jui-Chi Liao
  • Patent number: 8055006
    Abstract: A foldable headphone set in which the earphones of the headphone set may rotate between a folded (or closed) position and an unfolded (or open) position due to a torsion- or spring-loaded hinge associated with each earphone. The headphone set may be held in the folded position by way of a magnetic latch. Also the user may adjust the amount of rotation by the respective hinges so that the earphones rotate to the user-defined limit position. The user could set the user-defined limit position to a comfortable position for the user. That way, the earphones will unfold to the user-defined limit position every time (until the user-defined limit is readjusted). In addition, a friction grommet in the hinge may provide for a slow, controlled, smooth opening of the hinge. In at least one embodiment, a hinge is provided for use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventor: Ronaldo J. Santiago
  • Patent number: 8050444
    Abstract: A headphone, headset, or ear protector incorporating adjustable clamping pressure and providing configurable distribution of headband pressure. In one embodiment, the headphones, headsets, or ear protectors include a headband or neckband and at least one earcup coupled to the headband or neckband. The headphone, headset, or ear protector further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the headband or neckband and the at least one earcup that provides continuously variable adjustment of clamping pressure provided by the at least one earcup to the head of a user. In another embodiment, the headphone, headset, or ear protector include a headband or neckband, a first earcup coupled to the headband or neckband and a second earcup coupled to the headband or neckband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Dale Trenton Smith
  • Patent number: 8036413
    Abstract: A remote controller having an echo function is disclosed, which comprises an echo circuit which includes an echo IC and an echo volume switch, with the echo IC being designed to amplify and circulate voice signals for generating echo, and with the echo circuit being connected with the microphone driving unit, the voice amplifier and the mixer circuit, respectively. In the remote controller, a user's voice and an external sound from an audio apparatus are outputted based on an echo effect when a user practices language or singing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Bong Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 8005251
    Abstract: A portable waterproof equipment includes a body configured for containing articles therein, a sealing structure, a cable and a sealing device. The body has an opening configured for providing an access for the articles entering into the body. The sealing structure is configured for sealing the opening of the body. The cable passes through the body and has an inner end located within the body. A plug is provided at the inner end of the cable and configured for connecting with phone jacks of the articles. The sealing device is arranged between the cable and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Andie Lam Chan
  • Patent number: 7995783
    Abstract: To assist headphones and headphone cords from becoming tangled, a connection source is made part of a first speaker enclosure and a connection target is made part of a second speaker enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Ledbetter, John Ikeda, Josh Maruska, Steve Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7991178
    Abstract: A headset is disclosed. The headset includes an earpiece, a voice conducting and connecting system and a microphone connected to the voice conducting and connecting system, the microphone being capable of operating in a directional configuration and in an omnidirectional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching Shyu, Osman K. Isvan
  • Publication number: 20110176699
    Abstract: An earphone with a fixed function includes an earphone housing having a holding portion and an earplug sleeved around the holding portion. The earplug has a sleeved portion, a fixed portion and an abutting portion. The fixed portion extended from a periphery of the sleeved portion has a bent portion and a jamming portion. One end of the bent portion is fixed on the sleeved portion and the other end of the bent portion is bent and extended to form the jamming portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: PI-FEN LIN
  • Patent number: 7978870
    Abstract: A headset apparatus having a headwear member (9) e.g. an ear shell, possessing a surface formation to which a separate attachment device (1) is reciprocally shaped to attach by a push-fit (e.g. by sliding, slotting or clipping) into engagement with the surface formation. In this way the attachment means may be fitted to the surface formation on the headwear member without requiring the use of through-holes passing through the body of the headwear member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Racal Acoustics Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Derek Cozens, Timothy Robert Burnham
  • Publication number: 20110135134
    Abstract: A headset with side support is provided, where a speaker module is coupled to a side support by means of an elongate resilient spring such that the speaker module and the side support are placeable at each their side of a users head and where the spring provides a holding force which presses the speaker module and the side support in a direction towards each other wherein the spring comprises a metal core and this core comprises a re-enforcement at the side support which extends transversely to the length direction of the elongate spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SENNHEISER COMMUNICATIONS A/S
    Inventors: Mohamad ESSABAR, Peter Vestergaard VAERUM, Dennis W. HANSEN, Peder Hesselbjerg PEDERSEN, Lars Elliot NYEGAARD, Christian WANG
  • Publication number: 20110110552
    Abstract: A headphone having reduced tendency to tangle comprises an input portion for receiving electrical signals from an output device, an output portion for providing audio signals to a user in response to the electrical signals, a plurality of wires coupled to the input portion and the output portion for providing the electrical signals to the output portion, and a restraint mechanism coupled to the plurality of wires and cable of being repositioned along the plurality of wire, wherein the restraint mechanism is for physically receiving insertion of at least a portion of the input portion and for physically restraining movement of the portion of input portion with respect to output portion when the portion of the input portion is physically inserted into the restraint mechanism, wherein a temporary and removable closed loop of wire is formed from the plurality of wires, until a sufficient separation force is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen Ying Fang Pang, Jeffrey Pang, Caroline Pang, David Pang
  • Patent number: 7940947
    Abstract: According to the invention a headphone set comprises a hoop band, to each of the two ends of which is fixed a respective acoustic transducer and which extends arcuately in a plane, with at least one joint for folding the ends of the hoop band inwardly in the plane and an elastic region for resiliently expanding and narrowing the hoop band is either characterized in that the fixing of each of the transducers to the ends of the hoop band has a joint for pivoting the transducers into the plane and that arranged in the region of the two ends of the hoop band is a respective connecting structure which can be connected to each other and which then in co-operating relationship hold the folded-in ends of the hoop band in a crossed position or that the one joint for folding the ends of the hoop band inwardly is arranged at the apex of the hoop band, that the headphone set is of mirror image symmetry about a plane and that the fixing of each of the transducers to the ends of the hoop band has a joint for pivoting the t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaulfuss, Axel Grell
  • Patent number: 7936895
    Abstract: The present invention provides an earphone storage structure comprising a necklace, two fasteners formed in the two ends of the necklace respectively and a stopper formed in the necklace. The size of the fasteners is less than the size of the stopper and the size of the earphones. Therefore, the earphone may couple with the necklace with the fasteners fastening the earphones. Moreover, the stopper and the fasteners may together determine the extendable distance of the earphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Wang, Yi-Shen Wang
  • Patent number: 7916888
    Abstract: An earphone includes a first acoustic chamber including a reactive element and a resistive element in parallel, a second acoustic chamber separated from the first acoustic chamber by an acoustic transducer, and a housing to support the apparatus from the concha of a wearer's ear and to extend the second acoustic chamber into the ear canal of the wearer's ear. A cushion includes a first material and a second material and is formed into a first region and a second region. The first region defines an exterior surface shaped to fit the concha of a human ear. The second region defines an exterior surface shaped to fit the ear canal of a human ear. The first and second regions together define an interior surface shaped to accommodate an earphone. The first material occupies a volume adjacent to the interior surface. The second material occupies a volume between the first material and the first and second outer surfaces. The first and second materials are of different hardnesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Roman Sapiejewski, William W. Tice, Jason M. Harlow, Ian M. Collier, Kevin P. Annunziato, Pericles Nicholas Bakalos, Michael J. Monahan
  • Patent number: 7903833
    Abstract: A headworn listening device includes a right ear assembly and a left ear assembly interconnected by a headband. The headworn listening device is preferably comfortable to wear and provides high-quality audio and flexible signal processing features without requiring customized fitting. The listening device includes a signal processor with programmable signal processing characteristics and a memory storing a plurality of user-selectable signal processing settings. For example, there may be signal processing settings for different environments, such as a first setting for a quiet environment and a second setting for a noisy environment. In operation, a user actuates a user-operable control coupled to a microcontroller to select a desired signal processing setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hearing Enhancement Group
    Inventors: Jack Goldberg, Randy L. Houk, Michael J Stern
  • Publication number: 20110026754
    Abstract: An earphone assembly includes a casing, at least one secondary cable, at least one earphone, and at least one reel mechanism. The casing includes an assembly chamber. The earphone electrically connects to the casing by the secondary wire. The reel mechanism is received in the assembly chamber, and controls a length of the secondary cable extending from the assembly chamber. A portable electronic device using the earphone assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: JIAN-HUI LI, ZHI-XIANG WANG
  • Patent number: 7873177
    Abstract: An ear-hanger headphone apparatus includes ear hangers each having a predetermined shape, housings integrally attached to the ear hangers, respectively, and driver units attached to the housings swingably relative thereto so as to closely overlap with ear conches without clearance, respectively, when the headphone apparatus is worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Okamura, Naoki Watanabe, Naotaka Tsunoda
  • Publication number: 20110007926
    Abstract: A headphone device includes: a driver unit held in the vicinity of the external acoustic meatus of an ear; and an arm in a predetermined shape formed integrally with the driver unit and extending from the driver unit, wherein an end of the arm is kept abutting on a part of the auricle near the base the auricle on a back side thereof to support the device at two support points provided by the driver unit and the end of the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Katsunori Murozaki
  • Publication number: 20110002497
    Abstract: A headphone device is provided which includes a housing including a speaker unit, and a band formed of a series of links and connected to the housings at an end of the band, each link being connected to one another by a joint. The each link includes an angle limiter for limiting a rotation angle between the each link and an adjacent link to the each link, and the band has an elastic force in a direction in which the housing presses an auricle by limiting the rotation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yohei Fukuma
  • Patent number: 7853035
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pair of headphones that includes a head band having a pair of support arms and a pair of housings angularly movably mounted on the support arms, respectively, by pivots in confronting relation to each other. Each of the housings has a presser disposed therein near the pivot and projecting substantially perpendicularly to an outer surface of the housing, the presser having a head held against one of the support arms under resiliency, the head having a step engageable with the support arm for limiting angular movement of the housing with respect to the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naotaka Tsunoda, Keitaro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7848512
    Abstract: A personal audio device accessory includes a collar having a semi-circular back portion and two side members extending from the semi-circular back portion. The side members form an opening to enable the collar to be placed around a user's neck. An adjustable mounting clip is coupled to the semi-circular back portion to removably retain a personal audio device behind the user's neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Kurt Eldracher
  • Patent number: 7841446
    Abstract: A hearing protection device and method of use intended for a human ear. A plug member caps or enters ear canal, and may be shaped to conform to the external auditory meatus. The plug member may be part of a replacement assembly. The device is biased at least in part by a pressure pad to provide some force against the plug member. An optional handle may be provided to assist with temporarily pulling the plug member away from the ear canal or providing adjustment. An optional bow member clips about the pinna. The device may be adapted for use as an ear phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Waihong Leong, Steven Craig Gehling
  • Publication number: 20100284559
    Abstract: There is provided an under-chin band headphone set comprising two earpiece bands (OB) and two earplugs (OS) which are respectively secured to an ear-side end (OB1) of the two earpiece bands (OB). A respective ball joint (K) is provided at the ear-side end (OB1) of the earpiece bands (OB) in such a way that a first end of the ball joint (K) is arranged movably at the ear-side end (OB1) of the earpiece band (OB) and the second end of the ball joint (K) serves to receive the earplugs (OS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Joachim Scholz, Christoph Greger
  • Patent number: 7831058
    Abstract: A microphone positioning structure is connected to an audio output device, and is composed of a sound tube, an end of which is connected with the audio output device; an earplug part which is located at a tail end of the aforementioned sound tube; an ear-hook part, an end of which is connected with the aforementioned sound tube. An end of the sound tube is plugged into the audio output device such as a trumpet or a loudspeaker, the ear-hook part is hung on a user's auricle for positioning, and the earplug part is inserted into the user's ear. In addition, while listening, the ear-hook part is hung and fixed on the user's auricle; therefore, the earplug part will not be subjected to a force, and it will not be fallen off due to a force of gravity and a shaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: JDI Jing Deng Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 7813698
    Abstract: A modular wireless headset includes wearable earpiece(s) and wearable microphone(s), where the earpiece and microphone may be physically separate devices. The wearable earpiece renders inbound radio frequencies received from a host device audible. The wearable earpiece may include a receiver module, data recovery module, and speaker module. The receiver module may convert inbound RF signals into low intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The data recovery module recovers audio signals from the low IF signals. The speaker module renders the audio signals audible. The wearable microphone converts received audio signals into outbound RF signals, where the outbound RF signals are transmitted to the host device. The wearable microphone includes an audio input module and a transmitter module. The audio input module is operably coupled to convert received analog audio signals into digital audio signals. The transmitter module is operably coupled to convert the digital audio signals into the outbound RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nambirajan Seshadri, James D. Bennett, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Publication number: 20100254563
    Abstract: A system for securing headphone transducers is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the system comprises a first transducer device having a first mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A first coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the first mechanical housing of the first transducer device. A second transducer device has a second mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A second coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the second mechanical housing of the second transducer device. The first coupling device is coupled to the second coupling device when in close proximity to each other, such that the inner surfaces of the first and second mechanical devices are opposed to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Patrick Sean Harper
  • Publication number: 20100254562
    Abstract: A bowl-shaped cover (1) with a hole at the bottom replaces the cover with a sound hole of the conventional earphone, thus creating a constant space. The earphone sound vibrates the cover (1) by beating the inside of the cover (1) and then the vibration is transmitted to a rubber drumhead (vibrating membrane) (2) which is attached onto the cover (1). The rubber drumhead (vibrating membrane) (2) of the earphone works as a soft earmuff and makes wearing feel soft and comfortable. The present invention relates to the earphone that converts sound into vibration and also isolates sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Youn Young KOO
  • Publication number: 20100183183
    Abstract: Provided are a headset for a user specific audio service and a method for a user specific audio service using the same. The headset for a user specific audio service includes: a sensing unit sensing whether or not the headset is put on; an information collecting unit determining whether or not the headset is put on by the sensing unit and collecting current situation information of a user when the headset is put on; and an information processing unit generating a user profile based on the current situation information of the user, and controlling an audio signal output of a digital audio device based on the generated user profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chang Seok Bae, Jong Ho Won
  • Publication number: 20100158301
    Abstract: An earphone, a headset, and an ear pad for an earphone. The ear pad may having the sealing integrity guaranteed. The headset may have portions with different degrees of softness or firmness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: SENNHEISER ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jan Peter Kuhtz, Olav Nisse, Olaf Leske, Steffi Beier
  • Patent number: 7738671
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide headphones having no headband in which left and right driver units are connected by a cord passed behind the neck, wherein the headphones will not slip off if hung on the shoulders when not being used and are intended to improve fashionableness; in headphones 10 having no headband in which left and right driver units 2L, 2R are connected by a cord 4 passed behind the neck, the middle part of this cord is inserted into a cylindrical belt 11a, and also end members 12, 12 which fix the cord 4 and this cylindrical belt 11a are provided at both ends of this cylindrical belt 11a to form a belt-like strap portion 11; and further this cylindrical belt 11a is provided with a print or decoration which is pliable and flexible when being bent, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ito, Rumi Nakano, Tomomi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20100135515
    Abstract: A headphones arrangement comprising an ear piece arranged to accommodate at least a part of an audio player and storage device therein along with a loud speaker, the housing incorporating a peripheral seal as an effective moisture barrier to ingress of moisture within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MI-SPORT GLOBAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Duncan Christopher Walsh
  • Patent number: 7708110
    Abstract: A hearing protection device and method for a human ear. A plug member caps or enters ear canal, and may be shaped to conform to the external auditory meatus. The device is biased at least in part by a pressure pad to provide some force against the plug member. An optional handle may be provided to assist with temporarily pulling the plug member away from the ear canal or providing adjustment. An optional bow member clips about the pinna. The device may be adapted for use as an ear phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Waihong Leong, Steven Craig Gehling, Scott M. Belliveau, Sean S. Corbin, Keith Grider, Anne Clare Moser, Aleksey Pirkhalo, Abby Elizabeth Sturges, James Wolford
  • Patent number: 7699664
    Abstract: A multipurpose accessory having a multipurpose connection mechanism is provided. The multipurpose accessory of the present invention includes a case, a multipurpose connector extruded at one side of the case for electrically connecting a multimedia device to the multipurpose accessory, an audio connector extruded near the multipurpose connector for connecting an audio output of the multimedia device to the multipurpose accessory, a first cord extended at an opposite side of the case and connected to the audio connector, a second cord extended at the opposite side of the case and connected to the audio connector and having a USB connector at a distal end, and a pair of earpieces electrically connected to the first and second cords for outputting audio signals in the form of audible sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Yungs Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Seok Kim, Han-Ho Maeng, Young-Woong Han, Myung-Hoon Jung
  • Patent number: 7697709
    Abstract: A sound direction/stereo effect 3D adjustable earphone in one aspect contains an adjustable headband clip to hold the left and right earphone parts. An adjustable holder is at the left and right ends of the earphone and at the topside of an ear cup. The ear cup contains a 3D adjustable ear speaker at the center of the earphone for delivery of sounds from the earphone to a user. A 3D direction adjustable unit works with the ear speaker. The adjustable unit contains a connector such as a little ball at one end to fit in a corresponding connector such as a hole at the holder and another connector such as a little ball to fit into another corresponding connector such as a hole at the speaker. In this way, the ear speaker can be freely pushed out/pulled in and pulled/pushed/rotated adjustably in X-Y-Z or three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Cyber Group USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mei, Jin-Xia Bao, Si Ping Bao
  • Publication number: 20100086165
    Abstract: The invention discloses a universal earbud adapter apparatus comprised of a wire frame and coating, and including an earbud stem support loop, earbud cradle and earslide component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Dwayne Wilson
  • Patent number: 7693295
    Abstract: A system for securing headphone transducers is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the system comprises a first transducer device having a first mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A first coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the first mechanical housing of the first transducer device. A second transducer device has a second mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A second coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the second mechanical housing of the second transducer device. The first coupling device is coupled to the second coupling device when in close proximity to each other, such that the inner surfaces of the first and second mechanical devices are opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Patrick Sean Harper
  • Publication number: 20100054491
    Abstract: A headset for use by a child, such as an infant or small child. The headset includes a front headband sized and shaped to fit over a front portion of the head of the child and a rear headband sized and shaped to fit over a rear portion of the child's head and coupled to the front headband. The headset also includes a first ear cover attached to one side of the front headband and a second ear cover attached to an opposite second side of the front headband. The ear covers each include a noise-canceling earpiece. The headset is positioned over the head of the child and the ear covers are position over the ears of the child to provide noise cancelation to the child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Alexandria R. Griffin