US5151944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Headrest and mobile body equipped with same
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1989-09-21
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Granted: 1992-09-29
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Expires: 2009-09-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a headrest (1C, 2C) in which a bone-conduction microphone (1B, 2B) is mounted in such a position as to be in contact with the back side of the head of the operator. The invention also provides a mobile body comprising the headrest (1C, 2C) as a constituent member and characterized in that the output of the bone-conduction microphone is used for a telephone voice or for speech recognition control of a device such as one installed on a vehicle. The invention further provides a mobile body comprising the headrest as a constituent member and characterized in that sleep of the operator is detected by the output of the bone-conduction microphone (1B, 2B).
Inventors
- 👤 Souhei Yamamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/037; B60R16/0373; B60R11/00; B60R11/02; B60R11/0247; H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/46; B60R2011/0001; B60R2011/0003; B60R2011/0012; B60R2011/0017; B60R2011/0042; B60R2011/0043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A headrest comprising a bone-condition microphone mounted thereon in a position so as to be in contact with a back side of the head of the operator during use and a power switch mounted on said headrest adjacent said bone-conduction microphone, said switch having a contact which is turned on substantially simultaneously with positive pressing of the bone-conduction microphone, such that said switch detects contact between the back side of the head of the operator and said bone-conduction microphone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A headrest comprising a bone-condition microphone mounted thereon in a position so as to be in contact with a back side of the head of the operator during use and a power switch mounted on said headrest adjacent said bone-conduction microphone, said switch having a contact which is turned on substantially simultaneously with positive pressing of the bone-conduction microphone, such that said switch detects contact between the back side of the head of the operator and said bone-conduction microphone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An operator headrest comprising a bone-conduction microphone and a power switch, said bone-conduction microphone being adapted to be in substantial contact with a back side of an operator's head when said headrest is in use, said power switch being activated by said substantial contact of the back side of the operator's head to activate said bone-conduction microphone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
An operator headrest comprising a bone-conduction microphone and a power switch, said bone-conduction microphone being adapted to be in substantial contact with a back side of an operator's head when said headrest is in use, said power switch being activated by said substantial contact of the back side of the operator's head to activate said bone-conduction microphone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An operator headrest as set forth in claim 2, wherein said power switch is pressure activated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An operator headrest as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bone-conduction microphone provides signals for use in a mobile telephone system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An operator headrest as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bone-conduction microphone provides signals for use in speech recognition control of an installed device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An operator headrest as set forth in claim 2, wherein said operator headrest further comprises operator sound recognition means for detecting absence of an operator generated sound.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
An operator headrest as set forth in claim 6, wherein said operator sound recognition means is connected to said bone-conduction microphone and comprises a buzzer activated by an absence of a signal supplied thereto and a signal detection circuit connected to said buzzer, said signal detection circuit comprising means for activating said buzzer after a predetermined time delay when no operator generated sound from said bone-conduction microphone is detected by said signal detection circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
An operator headrest as in claim 2 further comprising a sound detection circuit, an amplifier, a time delay circuit and a buzzer, said bone-conduction microphone being connected to said sound detection circuit and said amplifier, an output of said amplifier being connected to said time delay circuit, said time delay circuit being connected to said buzzer, said buzzer being activated after a predetermined time delay when said sound detection circuit detects an absence of sound signals from said bone-conduction microphone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
An operator headrest as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a sleep prevention starting switch connected in parallel with said headrest power switch, said sleep prevention starting switch being activatable when said headrest power switch is activated, said sleep prevention starting switch, when activated, maintaining power to said operator sound recognition means even when said headrest power switch is deactivated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-29 | 1996-03-30 | 1996-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-29 | 2000-03-30 | 2000-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-29 | 2004-03-30 | 2004-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |