Abstract:
The inventions disclosed and claimed herein relate to a family of cable assemblies which are adapted for use with personal headphones. Various configurations of the assemblies are disclosed herein, each of which provide some combination of many diverse features, including: (1) capability for converting a passive headphone into an active noise reducing headphone; (2) capability for converting a personal stereo headphone for use with a mobile phone; (3) capability for integrating two audio sources for use with a single set of headphones; and (4) capability for wireless communications between the cable assembly and any one or more of the audio sources and headphones.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS  
       [0001]     The instant application is based on Provisional Application No. 60/756,297 filed on Jan. 4, 2006.  
         [0002]     The inventions described herein relate to cable assemblies for personal listening and/or communicating devices. In particular, this invention relates to a family of circuited cable assemblies which allow a listener to easily convert an existing personal stereo headphone for alternative uses, such as into an active noise reducing headphone, into a cellular/mobile phone headphone, and/or into a headphone with capabilities for toggling between alternative audio sources.  
         [0003]     The use of noise reducing (or canceling) headphones has increased dramatically in recent years. Noise reducing headphones reduce unwanted noise, typically through the use of active noise canceling circuitry, at least one microphone (and usually two microphones) and a driver. The microphones capture the unwanted external noise and transfer a corresponding signal to the circuitry. The circuitry processes the external noise signal to create a noise canceling signal which is transferred to the driver for delivery to the listener. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,774, which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0004]     The use of active noise reducing headphones is typically recognized as preferred over the use of passive headphones, especially in high noise situations, such as on commercial aircraft. While noise canceling headphones provide many benefits, there are some drawbacks. First, noise reducing headphones are typically very expensive. For example, the Bose® QuietComfort® headphones retail for $299. See www.bose.com. Second, noise reducing headphones incorporate the noise reducing circuitry and microphones into the headphones. Because most portable music players are sold as a package with passive headphones (or ear buds), a purchaser must abandon the previously purchased passive headphone in order to obtain noise canceling capabilities. Therefore, there is a need for a device which will provide a cost effective method for converting passive headphones into noise canceling headphones.  
         [0005]     In recent years, mobile phones and portable electronic music players have also become very popular. There is a recent trend to minimize the size of such devices to improve portability. Manufacturers have been so successful in minimizing the size of such devices that many people routinely carry around both a mobile phone and a music player at the same time. However, there is one problem with such devices that manufacturers have thus far failed to solve; mobile phones and music players typically utilize different types of headphones. Mobile phones typically incorporate a 2.5 mm jack for use with an assembly having a single ear bud and a microphone while music players typically incorporate a 3.5 mm jack for use with ear buds or headphones. Accordingly, a user must typically carry around two sets of ear buds or headphones in order to use both devices (if hands-free communication is desired). Therefore, there is a need for a device which will provide a cost effective method for converting existing personal headphones into a mobile phone headphone to improve portability of communication and music playing devices. Additionally, there is a need for a device which integrates a mobile phone and a music playing device with a single personal headphone to allow a user to easily toggle between the two devices.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS  
       [0006]     The present inventions relate to a family of circuited cable assemblies which solves the problems of the prior art. Generally, the cable assemblies of the present invention are adapted to enhance a passive stereo headphone, such as Apple Ipod buds, Sony Walkman headphones, Koss Stereophones, etc. The cable assemblies of the present invention are intended to be modular; i.e., a listener need only purchase one cable assembly for use with a multitude of headphones.  
         [0007]     One such embodiment of the present invention comprises a cable assembly which converts a passive headphone into an active noise canceling headphone. The noise reducing cable assembly preferably comprises the microphones and circuitry necessary to convert the passive headphone into a noise canceling headphone, wherein the headphone acts as the driver to deliver the noise canceling signal to the listener. It is contemplated that the noise reducing cable assembly will generally comprise a pod for housing noise canceling hardware (i.e., the microphone(s) and the circuitry) and a plug-in jack for receiving the plug from the headphone. The plug-in jack may be incorporated into the pod. The noise reducing cable assembly may also include a plug for plugging into an audio source, such as a mobile phone or music player. In the event that the noise reducing cable assembly is adapted for use with a mobile phone, the assembly will also include an additional microphone for capturing the voice of the user. The communications microphone may also be incorporated into the pod. Accordingly, the noise canceling cable provides an inexpensive method for converting a passive headphone into a noise canceling headphone.  
         [0008]     A second such embodiment comprises a cable assembly for converting a headphone for use with a mobile phone. It is contemplated that any headphone, including passive or active noise canceling headphones, can be used with the mobile phone cable assembly. The mobile phone cable assembly preferably comprises a plug for plugging into the mobile phone, a jack for receiving a plug from headphones, a microphone for capturing the voice of the user, and a switch (or button) for answering and hanging up the phone. These components are interconnected by cables and can be housed in a single pod, if so desired. For users who wish to use passive headphones, but desire the benefits of active noise cancellation, it is contemplated that the mobile phone cable assembly can include the active noise canceling components described above, i.e. the active noise canceling circuitry and microphone(s). Accordingly, the mobile phone cable assembly provides an inexpensive method for converting a passive headphone into a mobile phone headphone.  
         [0009]     A third such embodiment comprises a cable assembly for converting a headphone for use with multiple audio sources, such as a mobile phone and a music player. The integrating cable assembly preferably comprises a plug for plugging into the first audio source, a plug for plugging into the second audio source, a jack for receiving the plug from a headphone (passive or otherwise), and a switch for allowing the user to toggle between the two audio sources. In the event that one of the audio sources is a mobile phone, the cable assembly will also comprise a microphone for capturing the voice of the user and a button for answering and hanging up the phone. Like the mobile phone assembly briefly described above, the integrating cable assembly can include noise canceling hardware for converting a passive headphone into a noise canceling headphone. Accordingly, the integrating cable assembly provides an inexpensive method for allowing a listener to selectively use two audio sources without the hassle of having to unplug the headphone from one device and plug the headphone into the other device (or having to carry two sets of headphones).  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     These and other features, aspects, objects, and advantages of the inventions described and claimed herein will be become better understood upon consideration of the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first embodiment of the cable assemblies of the present invention for converting a passive headphone into a noise canceling headphone;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the microphone pod of the first embodiment;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the present inventions for converting a stereo headphone for use with a mobile phone;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a third embodiment of the present inventions for integrating two audio signals for use with a single headphone;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present inventions for converting a passive headphone into a noise canceling headphone and for integrating two audio signals for use with the single headphone; and,  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the present inventions incorporating wireless connections to convert a passive headphone into a noise canceling headphone and to integrate two audio signals for use with the single headphone. 
     
    
       [0017]     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the inventions described and claimed herein or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the inventions described herein are not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.  
         [0018]     Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar parts from Figure to Figure in the following description of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]      FIGS. 1 and 2  generally depict one of the preferred embodiments of the present inventions: a noise canceling cable assembly for converting a passive headphone into an active noise reduction headphone. A plan view of a noise canceling cable assembly  2  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The noise canceling cable assembly  2  preferably comprises a microphone pod  4 , a battery pack (or circuit pod)  6 , and a plug  8 . The pod  4 , the battery pack  6 , and the plug  8  are preferably interconnected by cables  30  and  32 , wherein cable  30  interconnects the pod with the battery pack  6  and cable  32  interconnects the battery pack  6  with the plug  8 .  
         [0020]     The plug  8  is adapted for plugging into a jack  42  on an audio source  40  such as a music playing device or a mobile phone. The audio source  40  includes any audio source, such as home stereos, televisions, audio jacks on airline armrests, etc. The plug  8  can be any type of plug, including a 2.5 mm plug for mobile phones or a 3.5 mm plug for music players. The body  10  of the plug preferably also includes a jack  12  for receiving a plug  52  from a headphone  50 . Alternatively, the jack  12  for receiving the plug  52  can be disposed on the battery pack  6  or the pod  4 . Note that the headphone  50  can be embodied as headphones (as shown) or as any other type of headphone, including ear buds.  
         [0021]     The circuit pod (or battery pack)  6  is adapted to house the active noise cancellation circuitry (not shown) and a battery (not shown) for powering the active noise cancellation circuitry (not shown). The noise canceling assembly  2  of the present invention can, for example, incorporate the noise cancellation technology of Andrea Electronics Corp., Melville, N.Y. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,456 which is incorporated herein by reference. However, any of several alternative noise cancellation technologies (known or unknown at the time of filing this application), size permitting, could be incorporated into the noise canceling assembly  2  of the present invention. Although depicted as a separate housing, the battery and/or the circuitry can be incorporated into the microphone pod  4  or the body  10 , if so desired. Also, as discussed above, the circuit pod  6  can include a jack for receiving the plug  52  for headphones  50 .  
         [0022]     The microphone pod  4  preferably comprises at least one microphone, an on/off switch  16  for the active noise reduction circuitry, and a volume control  18  for the audio source  40 . Preferably, the microphone pod  4  comprises dual, omni-directional microphones. The microphones  14  of the microphone pod  4  serve to capture the unwanted external noise for processing by the active noise canceling circuitry. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pod  4  also includes a clip  20  for attaching the pod to the listener&#39;s shirt (not shown), preferably on the lapel of the shirt. Alternatively, the pod  4  could include a strap or a band for attaching the pod  4  to a listener&#39;s arm, pants, or belt. It is contemplated that a clip  20  (or its alternatives) could be added to any of the pods for any of the embodiments of the present inventions described herein.  
         [0023]     Incorporating the microphone(s)  14  for the noise reduction system into the pod  4  assembly is contrary to accepted wisdom. As discussed above, existing noise reducing headphones all incorporate microphones into the headphones near the listener&#39;s ears with the aim of accurately capturing the unwanted noise which is subjected to the listeners ears. Conversely, the pod  4  is intended to be disposed on a listener&#39;s shirt (or other part of the listener&#39;s body; i.e., arm, wrist, waist, etc), slightly distancing the microphone(s)  14  from the listener&#39;s ear. It is believed that any reduction in noise reduction capability due to the location of the microphone(s)  14  would be slight and would be acceptable in light of the beneficial modular capabilities of the assembly  2 . Additionally, the use of noise reduction headphones is most prevalent on airplanes where the ambient noise to be cancelled (i.e. the jet engine noise) is essentially the same whether detected at ear level, at the chest level, at the wrist level, or at the waist level.  
         [0024]     A second embodiment of the present invention, a mobile phone cable assembly  102  which converts a stereo headphone (or ear buds)  150  into a headphone for a cellular phone  140 , is depicted in  FIG. 3 . The mobile phone cable assembly  102  preferably comprises a microphone/control pod  104  and a plug body  110 , which are interconnected by cable  130 . The plug body  110  preferably comprises a plug  108  for plugging into the cellular phone and a jack  112  for receiving the plug  152  of a headphone  150 . The plug  108  is preferably a 2.5 mm plug but can be any other plug as necessary to be compatible with the female jack  142  on the mobile phone  140 . The jack  112  is preferably a 3.5 mm Stereo jack. The microphone/control pod  104  preferably comprises a microphone  124  for capturing the voice of the user, a button  122  for answering and hanging up the phone, a switch  116  for turning the cable assembly  102  on and off, and a volume control  118  for adjusting the volume of the signal delivered to the headphone  150 .  
         [0025]     It is contemplated that the active noise reduction components of the first embodiment described above can be incorporated into the mobile phone cable assembly  102 . This would likely require the addition of a battery/circuit pod (not shown) in cable  130  for processing noise captured by at least one microphone (not shown), which would be incorporated into the pod  104 . If the noise reduction components were added to the assembly  102 , the switch  116  would be modified to allow the user to toggle between phone mode and noise reduction mode. When in the noise reduction mode, it is contemplated that the assembly  102  could be modified to automatically interrupt the noise reduction mode to notify the user of an incoming call.  
         [0026]     A third embodiment of the present invention, an integrating cable assembly  202  for integrating sound signals from multiple audio sources  140 ,  144  for listening with a single headphone  250 , is depicted in  FIG. 4 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the cable assembly  202  is adapted to integrate two audio sources wherein the first audio source  240  is a mobile phone and the second audio source  244  is an electronic music player. However, the invention is not limited as such. Indeed, the present invention can be adapted for use with virtually any audio source and can be adapted to integrate more than two audio sources.  
         [0027]     The integrating cable assembly  202  preferably comprises a microphone/control pod  204  and a cable junction  210 . The cable junction  210  preferably comprises a jack  212  for receiving the plug  252  of the headphone  250  and two plugs  208 ,  209 , the first plug  208  for plugging into a first audio source  240  and the second plug  209  for plugging into a second audio source  244 . The first plug  208  is preferably a 2.5 mm plug to be compatible with a mobile phone  240 , the second plug  209  is preferably a 3.5 mm plug to be compatible with an electronic music player  244 , and the jack  212  is preferably a 3.5 mm jack to be compatible with a stereo headphone  250 . However, the plugs  208 ,  209  and jack  212  can be modified as necessary to be compatible with any other devices. As depicted, the plug  208  and the jack  212  are integrated into a single housing while the plug  208  is attached to the housing by a cable  236 . A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the junction  210  could be modified to incorporate the plugs  208 ,  209  and the jack  212  into a single housing, or separate one or more of the components  208 ,  209 ,  212  by cables.  
         [0028]     The microphone/control pod  204  preferably comprises a toggle switch  216  for toggling between audio sources, a volume control  218  for adjusting the volume of the audio, a button  222  for answering and hanging up phone calls, and a speaker  224  for capturing the voice of the user. The toggle switch  216  could have two or more positions, wherein the toggle switch would activate the phone mode in a first position and activate the music mode in a second position. Additionally, the toggle switch  216  could have a third position which would deactivate the cable assembly altogether (i.e., off). When the assembly  202  is in the music mode, it is contemplated that the assembly  202  could be configured to interrupt the music mode to alert the listener by sound of an incoming call.  
         [0029]     A fourth embodiment of the present invention, a noise reducing/integrating cable assembly  302 , is depicted in  FIG. 5 . The noise reducing/integrating cable assembly  302  is adapted to not only convert a passive headphone  350  into a noise canceling headphone, but also to integrate two audio signals from two audio sources  340 ,  344  for use with a single headphone  350 . The assembly  302  is preferably comprised of a cable junction  310  for connecting to multiple audio sources and for connecting to a passive headphone  350 . As depicted, the cable junction is connected to two audio sources, a mobile phone  340  and a music player  344 . Although not shown, it is contemplated that the cable junction will comprise a first plug for plugging into the mobile phone  340 , a second plug for plugging into the music player  344 , and a jack for receiving the plug of a headphone  350 . Furthermore, the cable junction  310  can be embodied as a housing or as a “web” of cables.  
         [0030]     The cable junction  310  is preferably interconnected with a battery/circuit pod  306  by cable  332 . The battery/circuit pod  306  preferably houses the active noise reduction circuitry and a battery for powering the active noise reduction circuitry. The battery/circuit pod is preferably interconnected by cable  330  to the microphone/control pod  304 . Although not depicted in  FIG. 5 , it is contemplated that the pod  304  includes at least one (and preferably two) microphone for capturing unwanted noise; a microphone for capturing the voice of the listener; a volume control for adjusting the volume of the audio source; a switch for toggling between phone mode and music mode; and a button for answering and hanging up a phone call.  
         [0031]     Note that any of the cables  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  130 ,  134 ,  230 ,  234 ,  236 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334  could be replaced by wireless connections, such as Bluetooth, as depicted in  FIG. 6 . Accordingly, a fifth embodiment is described herein to convert a passive, wireless headphone into a noise canceling headphone. For example, a wireless assembly  404  for reducing noise and integrating multiple audio sources is contemplated which would wirelessly receive a first input signal  436  from a first audio source  440  and a second input signal  438  from a second audio source  444 . Note that it is contemplated that the wireless assembly  404  could also be configured to receive only one audio signal or additional wireless (or wired) input signals in the event that there were more than two audio sources. The depicted assembly  404  would include a toggle switch for selecting between the audio sources  440 ,  444  and a volume control for controlling the volume of the audio source  440 ,  444 . Accordingly, the appropriate audio signal would be wirelessly transmitted  434  to the headphone  450 .  
         [0032]     The assembly  404  would also include active noise reduction circuitry and at least one microphone for capturing unwanted noise. Along with the audio signal, the assembly  404  would wirelessly transmit  434  a noise canceling signal to the headphone  450 . To enable phone communications, the assembly  404  would also include a microphone for capturing the voice of the user and a button for answering and hanging up the phone. Signals from the microphone and button would be wirelessly transmitted  439  back to the phone  440 .  
         [0033]     Note that the above described embodiments, that include active noise reducing circuitry and are adapted for use with a mobile phone, preferably use three microphones, two for active noise reduction and one for communications. However, in the preferred embodiment, the active noise canceling circuitry is deactivated when the toggle switch is set to phone mode. Therefore, it is contemplated that a single microphone could be used for both active noise cancellation and for communications. In an alternative embodiment, the noise canceling circuitry is active when the toggle switch is set to phone mode.  
         [0034]     Although the inventions described and claimed herein have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventions described and claimed herein can be practiced by other than the preferred embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. In addition, any feature described with reference to any single embodiment can by applied to any of the other embodiments. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.