US5757929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio interface garment and communication system for use therewith
Assignee: Interval Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1996-09-11
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2016-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A personal communications apparatus using a garment-based audio interface includes a garment member worn on the upper torso of a person, wherein the garment member includes a neck opening which allows extension therethrough of the neck of the person. An audio output device capable of producing hi-fidelity spatialized 3-D sound aiming in selected directions is located adjacent the neck opening of the garment member. A receiver capable of receiving at least one transmitted signal and producing an audio signal based thereupon is coupled to the audio output device. An audio input device capable of capturing spatialized 3-D sound from selected directions is located adjacent the neck opening of the garment member. The audio signal from the audio input device is provided to a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal in dependence upon the audio signal. Embodiments of the garment member include a shirt and a necklace.
Inventors
- 👤 Weijia Wang
- 👤 Daniel A. Shurman
- 👤 Margaret Diane Rezvan Minsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:31
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R5/00; H04R5/02; H04R5/023; G; G02; G02C; G02C11/00; G02C11/06; G02C11/10; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/3827; H04B1/385; A; A41; A41D; A41D1/00; A41D1/002; A41D1/005; H04B1/06; H04B1/08; H04B1/086; H04B2001/3855; H04R1/00; H04R1/08; H04R1/083; H04R2201/00; H04R2201/02; H04R2201/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
For use with a communication device which includes a receiver capable of receiving at least one transmitted signal and producing a first audio signal based thereupon, and a transmitter capable of transmitting a second signal in dependence upon a second audio signal, an audio interface apparatus comprising: a garment member to be worn on the upper torso of a person, the garment member including a neck opening with a collar extending therearound allowing extension therethrough of the neck of the person; an audio output device disposed within the collar so as to be hidden from ordinary view, the audio output device coupled to the receiver to produce sound waves representative of the first audio signal; and an audio input device concealed by the collar so as to be hidden from ordinary view and coupled to the transmitter to provide the second audio signal representative of sound waves received thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
For use with a communication device which includes a receiver capable of receiving at least one transmitted signal and producing a first audio signal based thereupon, and a transmitter capable of transmitting a second signal in dependence upon a second audio signal, an audio interface apparatus comprising: a garment member to be worn on the upper torso of a person, the garment member including a neck opening with a collar extending therearound allowing extension therethrough of the neck of the person; an audio output device disposed within the collar so as to be hidden from ordinary view, the audio output device coupled to the receiver to produce sound waves representative of the first audio signal; and an audio input device concealed by the collar so as to be hidden from ordinary view and coupled to the transmitter to provide the second audio signal representative of sound waves received thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the garment member comprises a shirt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the audio input device includes a plurality of microphones at least two of which are located on generally opposite sides of the neck opening so that sound received by the at least two microphones is similar to that received by two ears of a wearer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input device captures a spatialized audio input indicative of a spatial relationship between various sound sources and the input device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the input device captures audio inputs only from selected directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the audio output device comprises a plurality of speakers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein at least two of the plurality of speakers are located on generally opposite sides of the neck opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the audio output device provides a spatialized audio output by controlling amplitude and phase of the audio output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the audio output device provides an output in a selected direction electronically controllable by a wearer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |