Abstract:
A headset data disk player having a head assembly for securing to the head of a user, with a data disk reader and at least one housing, including a speaker, coupled to it wherein the data disk reader communicates with each of the speakers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a portable compact disk player, and more particularly, to a headset with a data disk reader and a speaker coupled to it.  
           [0003]    2. Related Art  
           [0004]    Portable compact disk players are favored mechanisms for listening to audio such as music while walking, running or doing any other sort of activity that requires movement. The typical compact disk player reads information from a compact disk, a mini disk and other forms of data storage devices. The players are typically compact and portable/hand-held.  
           [0005]    The body of a portable compact disk player is usually made from a mold that is tooled and/or shaped to correspond to the size that is needed to encompass the elements for the electronic parts and the compact disk. The materials used to make the body of the compact disk are usually a form of polyurethane, polyethylene or the like. The body is made to be light, strong and resistant to elements like moisture, sweat and dirt.  
           [0006]    Unfortunately, currently available compact disk players suffer from a number of disadvantages. For instance, when using existing players, it is necessary to have a set of headphones with wires attached to a separate compact disk player to hear the music. The wires dangle and constantly interfere with movement while doing any activity requiring motion. The dangling wires are also unsafe when participating in any activity requiring movement. It is very easy for the wire to get entangled around a stationary object and place the user in danger.  
           [0007]    Another disadvantage of currently available compact disk players is that the compact disk player has to be carried. While participating in any activity requiring movement, it is beneficial to have the hands free of any object.  
           [0008]    Another disadvantage of currently available compact disk players is that the player has to be held or attached to the body by a clip of some sort. The player can be destroyed by accidently dropping it or from the clip breaking, having the player drop to the ground.  
           [0009]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a headset with an attached data disk player.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    In a first aspect of the invention is provided a headset comprising a head assembly for securing to the head of a user; at least one housing, including a speaker, coupled to the head assembly; and a data disk reader coupled to one of the head assembly and the at least one housing. The data disk reader communicates with each speaker.  
           [0011]    In a second aspect of the invention is provided a headset having a head assembly for securing to the head of a user, the headset comprising at least one housing, including a speaker, coupled to the head assembly, a data disk reader coupled to one of the first assembly and the at least one housing that communicates with each speaker, and at least one power source that provides power to operate the data disk reader.  
           [0012]    In a third aspect of the invention is provided a headset comprising a first assembly for securing to the head of a user, at least one housing, including a speaker, coupled to the first assembly, a second assembly coupled to one of the first assembly and the at least one housing, and a data disk reader coupled to one of the first assembly, second assembly and the at least one housing that communicates with each of the speakers.  
           [0013]    In a fourth aspect of the invention is provided a portable data disk reader for use with a headset having a head assembly for securing to the head of a user and at least one speaker. The data disk reader comprises means for reading a data disk, means for attaching the means for reading a data disk to the head assembly, means for communicating the means for reading a data disk to each of the at least one speakers, and means for supplying power to the means for reading a data disk.  
           [0014]    In a fifth aspect of the invention is provided a headset having means for securing the headset to the head of a user and at least one speaker. The headset comprising means for reading a data disk coupled to the means for securing the headset on the head of a user, means for communicating the means for reading a data disk with each of the at least one speaker, and means for supplying power to the means for reading a data disk.  
           [0015]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    Various embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a front view of a headset data disk player according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the first embodiment showing a first housing with a control panel coupled thereto;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is another partial side view of the first embodiment showing a second housing with a data disk reader coupled thereto;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a rear view of a second embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a side view of a third embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]    Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is illustrated a headset  10  including a head assembly  11 , a data disk reader  12 , a control panel  14  for controlling operation of the data disk reader  12 , a first housing  16 , including a speaker  18 , with control panel  14  coupled thereto, and a second housing  20 , including a speaker  22 , with data disk reader  12  coupled thereto.  
         [0023]    As illustrated, headset  10  is portable and adapted to be secured to the head/neck area of a user. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the teachings of the invention are not to be limited to just portable data disk headset players. Additionally, while two speakers are illustrated, it should be recognized that a similar headset comprising a single speaker can also be used. Finally, it should be known that some or all of the housings described below are not required to implement the invention.  
         [0024]    In a first embodiment, shown in FIGS.  1 - 3 , control panel  14  is coupled to first housing  16  using a control panel coupler  15 . It should be recognized that control panel  14  may be permanently or detachably coupled to head assembly  10 , or housings  16  or  20 . Numerous mechanisms for coupling control panel  14  are possible, including a slot, hinge, compartment, hook and latch fasteners, clips, glue, buttons, buckles, snaps, screws, etc. Control input devices  21 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  32  provide an interface for control panel  14  allowing a user to control the operation of data disk reader  12 .  
         [0025]    A power source housing  34  is shown located in first housing  16 . A hinged door  36  may be provided to gain access to power source housing  34 . As shown, hinged door  36  is attached to first housing  16  by a hinged fastener  38 . It should be recognized, however, that other door mechanisms as known in the art are also possible with the invention, e.g., a retractable door system, detachable door, etc. Additionally, it should be recognized that power source housing  34  may be located in control panel  14 . A power source  40  may be a dry cell type of power source but other power sources known in the art are also possible with the invention, e.g., corded adaptor plugins, solar cells, nuclear capsules, etc. Power source  40  is contained in power source housing  34 .  
         [0026]    Referring to FIG. 1, a first end  41  of head assembly  11  is coupled to first housing  16 , and a second end  43  of head assembly  11  is coupled to second housing  20 . Conductive material  42  is shown included within head assembly  11 . Conductive material  42  is used to transmit data between the data disk reader  12 , control panel  14  and speaker(s)  18 ,  22 . Conductive material  42  may be comprised of copper wire, ceramic material, etc. Data disk reader  12  and control panel  14  can be either directly connected to conductive material  42 , or conductive material  42  may be connected to similar conductive material within housings  16  and  20  which then connects to control panel  14 , data disk reader  12 , and speaker(s)  18 ,  22 . While conductive material  42  is shown, it should be recognized, that other materials and transmitting devices as known in the art are also possible with the invention, e.g., infrared red sensors, fiber optics, lasers, etc.  
         [0027]    Data disk reader  12  is shown coupled to second housing  20  using a reader coupler  17 . It should be recognized that data disk reader  12  may be permanently or detachably coupled to head assembly  10 , or housings  16  or  20 . Numerous mechanisms for coupling data disk reader  12  are possible including a slot, hinge, compartment, hook and latch fastener, clips, glue, buttons, buckles, snaps, screws, etc. A data disk compartment  45 , formed in a side of data disk reader  12 , is provided. A data disk  44  (shown partially inserted) may be placed in a data disk holder  46 . A positioning post  48  can be used to keep data disk  44  centralized. A locking tab  50  holds data disk holder  46  in place. When it is necessary to remove data disk holder  46  from data disk compartment  45 , locking tab  50  may be pressed and data disk holder  46  is released. It should be recognized, however, that other locking mechanisms as known in the art are also possible with the invention, e.g., a hinged or retractable door system may be used to secure and protect data disk  44  with or without data disk holder  46 . A power source compartment  52  may be provided in second housing  20 . A hinged door  54  may be provided to gain access to power source compartment  52 . As shown, hinged door  54  is attached to second housing  20  by a hinged fastener  56 . It should be recognized, however, that other door mechanisms as known in the art are also possible with the invention, e.g., a retractable door system, detachable door, etc. Additionally, it should be recognized that power source compartment  52  may be located on data disk reader  12 . A power source  58  may be a dry cell type of power source but other power sources known in the art are also possible with the invention, e.g., corded adapter plugins, solar cells, nuclear capsules, etc. Power source  58  is contained in power source compartment  52 .  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of a headset  100  is disclosed. This embodiment includes: a first assembly  102 , a first housing  104  coupled to a first end  105  of first assembly  102 , a second housing  106  coupled to a second end  107  of first assembly  102  and a second assembly  110  with a first end  113  coupled to first housing  104  and a second end  115  coupled to second housing  106 . A speaker  120  is located within first housing  104  and a speaker  122  may be located within second housing  106 . A panel  112  is shown coupled to second assembly  110  using a coupler  111 . Panel  112  includes a data disk reader  114  and controls  116 . However, data disk reader  114  and controls  116  may be placed on separate panels. Panel  112  may be coupled to housings  104 ,  106 , first assembly  102  or second assembly  110 . Mechanisms for coupling panel  112  include a slot, hinge, compartment, hook and latch fastener, clips, glue, buttons, buckles, snaps, screws, etc. Second assembly  110  contains conductive material  118  that allows the data disk reader  114  to communicate with speaker(s)  120 ,  122 . Additionally, conductive material  118  may provide power from a power source  124  and an optional power source  126  to controls  116  and/or data disk reader  114 . It should be recognized that power source  124  and power source  126  may be placed in the same housing. Alternatively, a single power source may be used and may be placed on panel  112 . Volume controls  128  are shown on first housing  104 , and communicate with data disk reader  114  through conductive material  118 . It should be recognized that volume controls  128  may be placed on housings  104 ,  106 , panel  112  or on a second panel coupled to assembly  102  or  110 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 displays a third embodiment of a headset  200 . This embodiment includes: an assembly  202 , a housing  204  coupled to a first end  206  and second end  208  of assembly  202 . Housing  204  is shown coupled to assembly  202  using hinges  209 , allowing for the independent movement of housing  204  and assembly  202 . A speaker  210  is located within housing  204 . Assembly  202  is formed to secure headset  200  to the ear of a user and placing speaker  210  over the ear. A panel  212  is shown coupled to housing  204  using two screws  214 . Panel  212  includes a data disk reader  216  which communicates with speaker  210 . Mechanisms for coupling panel  212  include a slot, hinge, compartment, hook and latch fastener, clips, glue, buttons, buckles, snaps, screws, etc. Power source  218  is shown as part of panel  212 . Power source  218  provides power to data disk reader  216 . Controls for controlling the operation of the data disk reader  216  are remote from the headset  200 .  
         [0030]    In the above embodiments, housings  16 ,  20 ,  104 ,  106  and  204  are made from the same material, e.g., a form of polyurethane, polyethylene, etc. Of course, other synthetic and natural materials having similar structural characteristics may also be utilized if desired.  
         [0031]    With regard to the data disk holder described above, it should be recognized that a door may be used to protect the data disk, e.g., hinged door assembly, retractable door system, etc. Additionally, it should be recognized that the data disk is smaller than a CD, and data disks of sizes other than that shown are possible. With regard to the data disk, any portable, removable data storage means now known or later developed can be used in conjunction with the present invention.  
         [0032]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not to be intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a skilled person in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.