SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ILLUMINATING A HEADPHONE TO INDICATE VOLUME AND/OR BEAT

A system, apparatus and method for illuminating a headphone to indicate the volume and/or rhythm of an audio signal emitting from the headphone through a flashing illuminated pattern of light emitting diodes visible to an observer. The pattern and synchronization of the illumination pattern provides an instantaneous, graphical indication of the volume, rhythm, intensity, and frequency of the audio signal. The invention includes a headphone. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) operably attach to the headphone(s). The LEDs form a pattern in, or on, the headphone(s) that is efficacious for prominently displaying the illumination. Various pattern shapes can be utilized. The illumination produced by the LEDs is efficacious for signaling the different variances of the audio signal. A USB cable may provides power and data signals for the headphone(s). A battery may provide power. A heat sink helps dissipate heat from the LEDs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to headphones, and more particularly relates to a method and system for illuminating a headphone as a function of a volume and a rhythm for an audio signal.

BACKGROUND

Description of the Related Art

By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that headphones may include a pair of small loudspeakers that are designed to be held in place close to a user's ears. Headphones either have wires for connection to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player, portable media player or mobile phone, or have a wireless receiver, which is used to pick up signal without using a cable.

Typically, volume is referred to as the loudness of the sound. Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through some medium such as air or water, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing. Sound that is perceptible by humans has frequencies from about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Often, third-party observers cannot determine if a user wearing a headset is listening to an audio signal or if the headset is silent. This is because the sound emitting from the headphones is indiscernible by the observer. Consequently, it is often difficult to determine if the user can hear any external noises, comments or questions.

In many instances, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be utilized to signal an event. LEDs offer very long service life, extreme vibration resistance, and can permit considerably shallower packaging compared to most bulb-type assemblies.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional headphone illuminating systems and methods are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a system and method for illuminating a headphone with a pattern of flashing light emitting diodes that indicate the volume and rhythm of an audio signal. Beneficially, such a system and method would provide a plurality of features and components efficacious for indicating to a user and an observer the status of an audio signal, including, power, volume, rhythm, and intensity.

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available products. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a system and method for illuminating a headphone with light emitting diodes as a function of volume and rhythm to indicate the status of an audio signal emitting from a headphone that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the system for illuminating a headphone is configured to indicate the volume and rhythm of an audio signal emitting from a headphone through a flashing illumination pattern of light emitting diodes. The pattern and synchronization of the illumination pattern provides an instantaneous, graphical indication of the status of the audio signal. In some embodiments, the system comprises at least one headphone, including, without limitation, ear buds, a headset, and an in-ear monitor configured to output an audio signal. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be operably attachable to an external or internal surface of the at least one headphone. In some embodiments, the LEDs may detach from the at least one headphone. In this manner, the color of the illumination may be interchanged, and damaged LEDs may be replaced. In some embodiments, the LEDs form a pattern in the at least one headphone that is efficacious for prominently displaying the illumination. The illumination produced by the LEDs is efficacious for signaling the different variances of the audio signal. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize LEDs present many advantages over incandescent light sources including, without limitation, lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, improved physical robustness, smaller size, and faster switching.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the LEDs are configured to operate as a function of a volume and a rhythm of the audio signal, wherein the intensity and frequency of the LEDs is variable. The LEDs may also vary in conjunction with intensity and a frequency of the audio signal. In this manner, the volume and intensity of the audio signal is visually indicated on the at least one headphone. For example, without limitation, the LEDs may flash in accordance with a musical beat of the audio signal. In some embodiments, the configuration and shape of the LEDs on the at least one headphone forms an illumination pattern. The illumination pattern may form, in essence, a volume meter that is visible to a third-party observer. The LEDs forming the volume may be affixed exteriorly to the headset, or in the preferred embodiment, recessed into the headset and visible through a transparent polymeric bubble or convexly-shaped piece of glass overlaying the LEDs and forming part of the external housing of at least one headset. The illumination pattern may include various shapes and configurations, including, without limitation, a series of dashed lines, semi-circular, straight line, V-shaped, square, pyramid, diagonal line, text, and a graphical depiction. In yet another embodiment, a secondary illumination pattern may display on the at least one headphone to indicate a bass and a treble of the audio signal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a controller regulates the audio signal, and related functions of the system. The controller may operate remotely. In some embodiments, a USB cable is configured to transmit signals and/or power to the system. In this manner, the system may join with portable electronic devices, including, without limitation, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, portable music players, and computers. In some embodiments, The LEDs generate a considerable amount of heat within the housing. A heat sink may be efficacious for dissipating the heat generated by the LEDs.

A method of the present invention is also presented for illuminating the headphones. The method may include an initial Step of adorning the at least one headphone. The at least one headphone is configured to be operable to position on the head, whereby onlookers may observe the status of the audio signal being played in the at least one headphone.

In some embodiments, a next Step604includes actuating an audio signal with the controller. The controller may control various functions, including, without limitation, power, volume, balance, bass, and treble. The controller may also regulate the intensity of the illumination.

A next Step may include illuminating the LEDs. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the LEDs utilize electroluminescence to generate light. When LEDs power on, electrons recombine with holes within the LEDs, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence and the color of the light, corresponding to the energy of the photon, is determined by the energy band gap of the semiconductor.

The method may then proceed to a Step of forming an illumination pattern as a function of a volume and a rhythm of the audio signal. The illumination pattern may comprise predetermined spaces where the LEDs position. The synchronization of the LEDs in the predetermined spaces forms a volume meter.

A final Step includes varying the illumination pattern as a function of an intensity and frequency of the audio signal. The intensity and frequency of the audio signal may also dictate the illumination pattern. The type of audio signal may be indicated in this manner. For example, music playing over the headphones may be indicated by short, blinking illumination, while a talk show or speech patterns may be displayed with longer durations of illumination of the LEDs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5depict a system100for illuminating a headphone as a function of a volume and a rhythm through the illumination of a plurality of light emitting diodes104(LEDs). The system100is configured to display the volume and rhythm of an audio signal emitting from at least one headphone102through a flashing pattern of LEDs104. The system100comprises at least one headphone102, including, without limitation, ear buds, a headset, and an in-ear monitor configured to output the audio signal. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the at least one headphone102may include a pair of small loudspeakers configured to be held in place close to a user's ears. The at least one headphone102either has wires for connection to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player, portable media player or mobile phone, or have a wireless receiver, which is used to pick up signal without using a wiring system (FIG. 1).

In one embodiment, the at least one headphone102comprises a pattern and synchronization of LEDs104that form an illumination pattern200. The illumination pattern200is efficacious for providing an instantaneous, graphical indication of the status of the audio signal. The LEDs104operably attach to an external surface of the at least one headphone102. In some embodiments, the LEDs104may detach from the at least one headphone102. In this manner, the color of the illumination may be interchanged. In some embodiments, the LEDs104form an illumination pattern200in the at least one headphone102that is efficacious for prominently displaying the variances of the audio signal. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the LEDs104comprise of solid state light sources having a long life, and generating an intense source of illumination. LEDs104present many advantages over incandescent light sources including, without limitation, lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, improved physical robustness, smaller size, and faster switching. The LEDs104may detach separately from the at least one headphone102, as referenced inFIG. 2, or as a complete set, as referenced inFIG. 3.

The LEDs may partially circumscribe the perimeter of the headphones. The LEDs may be configured to change illumination color in response to audio signals exceeding a predetermined threshold such as 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115 or 120 decibels. In various embodiments, the LEDs vary in size and/or luminescence across the illumination pattern.

In various embodiments, each LED is recessed separately from one another into a shell or outer housing of the headphone(s). The LEDs may collectively be recessed into a single concave opening in the shell or outer housing; and, in some embodiments, that opening may be covered by a transparent or semi-transparent glass or polymeric material.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the LEDs104are configured to operate as a function of a volume and a rhythm of the audio signal, wherein the intensity and frequency of the LEDs104is variable. The LEDs104may also vary in conjunction with intensity and a frequency of the audio signal. In this manner, the state of the audio signal is visually indicated with flashing LEDs104. For example, without limitation, the LEDs104may flash in accordance with a musical beat of the audio signal. In some embodiments, the configuration and shape of the LEDs104on the at least one headphone102forms an illumination pattern200. The illumination pattern200may form, in essence, a volume meter that is visible from an external surface of the at least one headphone102(FIG. 4). The illumination pattern200may include various shapes and configurations, including, without limitation, a series of dashed lines, semi-circular, straight line, V-shaped, chevron, square, pyramid, diagonal line, text, and a graphical depiction, as referenced inFIG. 5. In yet another embodiment, a secondary illumination pattern200may display on the at least one headphone102to indicate a bass and a treble of the audio signal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a controller202regulates the audio signal, and other related functions of the system100. The controller202may operate remotely. In some embodiments, a USB cable204is configured to transmit signals and/or power to the system100. In this manner, the system100may join with portable electronic devices, including, without limitation, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, portable music players, and computers. A battery206may provide an internal source of power for powering the audio and illumination components of the system100.

In various embodiments, the headphones each contain an internal power source, such as a removable or fixed battery. In various other embodiments, the headphones are powered by power relayed via USB cable. In these embodiments, the headphones may be interchangeable with a personal computer, laptop, or other data-processing device (DPD). In various embodiments, a portable music playing apparatus, such as an iPhone® or smart phone is adopted to interface via USB with the headphones.

In some embodiments, the LEDs104generate a considerable amount of heat within the at least one headphone102. A heat sink positioned within the at least one headphone102may be efficacious for dissipating the heat generated by the LEDs104.

In one alternative embodiment, a headphone band that contours the head may illuminate in conjunction with the at least one headphone. In yet another alternative embodiment, the illumination may comprise an incandescent light source. In yet another alternative embodiment, an audio device in the at least one headphone102emits audio signals that synchronize with the illumination pattern200.

InFIG. 6, a method600for illuminating a headphone102with the LEDs104as a function of volume and rhythm to indicate the status of the audio signal emitting form the at least one headphone102is described. The method600in the disclosed embodiments substantially includes the steps necessary to carry out the functions presented above with respect to the operation of the described system100.

The method600may include an initial Step602of adorning the at least one headphone102. The at least one headphone102is configured to be operable to position on the head, whereby onlookers may observe the status of the audio signal that display in the at least one headphone102. The at least one headphone102may include, without limitation, ear buds, a headset, and an in-ear monitor.

In some embodiments, a next Step604includes actuating the audio signal with a controller202. The controller202may control various functions, including, without limitation, power, volume, balance, bass, and treble. The controller202may also regulate the intensity of the illumination. In some embodiments, the controller may control numerous functions, including, without limitation, power, volume, bass, treble, and illumination intensity. A volume meter may display to indicate the volume and rhythm of the audio signal.

A next Step606may include illuminating the LEDs104. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the LEDs104utilize electroluminescence to generate light. When LEDs104power on, electrons recombine with holes within the LEDs104, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence and the color of the light, corresponding to the energy of the photon, is determined by the energy band gap of the semiconductor.

The method600may then proceed to a Step608of forming an illumination pattern200as a function of a volume and a rhythm of the audio signal. The illumination pattern200may comprise predetermined spaces where the LEDs104position. The synchronization of the LEDs104in the predetermined spaces forms a volume meter.

A final Step610includes varying the illumination pattern200as a function of an intensity and frequency of the audio signal. The intensity and frequency of the audio signal may also dictate the illumination pattern200. The type of audio signal may be indicated in this manner. For example, music my comprise short, blinking illumination, while a talk show may display longer durations of illumination.