Abstract:
An integrated personal electronic device designed to be worn around the back of the head and is supported by resilient elastomeric material which surrounds a ductile wire forming a headband. The headband contains a series of adjustable sinusoidal bends. An electronic signal processor in the form of a small lightweight nodule fits at the back of the head in the occipital region. Earphones are located on either side and at the forward ends of the headband supported by ear surrounds. The ear surrounds fit between the ear and head. The nodule is worn in the occipital region of the head.

Description:
[0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/469,892 filed Sep. 4, 2006 which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/642,244, now abandoned, filed Aug. 16, 2000 which claimed priority to provisional application No. 60/149,243, now expired, filed Aug. 17, 1999. Application Ser. Nos. 11/469,892, 09/642,244 and 60/149,243 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The invention relates to integrated electronic personal devices in the form of headsets in which the headband members and main electronic components are rear mounted on the back of a user&#39;s head. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The integrated personal electronic device according to the present invention comprises a flexible, adjustable, wrap-around headset forming an integrated personal electronic device which fits on the back of a user&#39;s head above the neck. My invention is generally comprised of a left headband member comprising a length of elastomeric material surrounding a ductile wire and an electronic signal transmission means. The headband member having a occipital terminus end and an ear terminus end, said left head band member extending along the left temporal region of a user&#39;s head generally following along a line extending from the occipital region of said user&#39;s head to the ethrnoid region of said head and said left headband member terminating in a region proximal to said user&#39;s left ear. My invention further comprises a right headband member comprising a length of elastomeric material surrounding a ductile wire and an electronic signal transmission means, said headband member having a occipital terminus end and an ear terminus end, said right head band member extending along the right temporal region of a user&#39;s head generally following along a line extending from the occipital region of said users head to the ethmoid region of said head and said right headband member terminating in a region proximal to said users right ear. An integrated electronic signal processor having left and right ends is connected to the corresponding occipital terminus ends of said left and right headband members. My device also provides means for connecting said processor to said occipital terminus ends of said left and right headband members. 
         [0004]    At least one means for converting a signal from said processor into frequencies audible to said user attached to said terminus end of said headband member. This is usually an internal speaker or earphone which is placed in a users ear. These internal speakers frictionally reside in the users auricle and extend into the users internal auditory meatus. Other speaker types may be used such as an external ear covering speaker or a smaller speaker that fits in the middle part of the user′ auricle. 
         [0005]    My invention provides means for attaching said converting means to said terminus end of said headband member. These attachments are small audio phono jacks. Other attachments could be used with my invention, such as a USB type connector, fire-wire, or any other suitable connector that is % inch or smaller. 
         [0006]    I have also included an electronic signal transmission means for conducting electronic signals between said processor and said converting means. In my preferred embodiment I use conductive metal wire to transmit electric energy throughout my invention. Fiber optic strands are also applicable to this purpose. 
         [0007]    The electronic device is contained in a small, lightweight nodule. The headset further comprises a pair of adjustable headband members that spans a distance forward from each side of the nodule along the temporal region of a user&#39;s head terminating in an ear support end which substantially surround a user&#39;s ear. Controls, earphones, antennae, at least one battery or other power source, and wiring are embedded within the headset. Further embodiments include input and output jacks for communicating with additional media. Examples of such media are MP3 players, WiFi, Blue Tooth, cell phones, compressed digital audio player, satellites, and memory sticks. The embedded parts are not exposed to damage or to snagging on foreign objects or to injuring a user. An ear surround contacts the lower back of the ear, then substantially loops around the ear and curves back in, at the front of the ear, with the attached earphones, on ear side of a user&#39;s head. The attached earphones are worn partially within a user&#39;s ear, From the ears, trailing back toward the back of the head, the wrap-around headset is further comprised, in the preferred embodiment, of sinusoidal bends that provide both non-slip fit and adjustability. The sinusoidal bends are either compressed or extended by a user to adjust fit of the headset. 
         [0008]    The headset flexes in any direction, thereby conforming to the shape of a user&#39;s head. When adjusted correctly, the headset fits a user firmly and resists movement such that virtually any activity does not cause the headset to move or bounce. 
         [0009]    The headset may be adjusted to fit any size head. Movement of the headset is further resisted because the headset does not rest on a user&#39;s neck but it, instead, is held above the neck, at the back of the head. Additionally, the light weight and small size of the headset provides for using a hair clip to further constrain the device. The soft elastomeric material of the headband surrounds the ductile wire, or other appropriate material, such that the headband is non-permanently shaped to fit a user&#39;s head and neck. Additionally, the soft elastorneric material provides a frictional interlace with skin or hair, further enhancing position retention. The memory of the ductile material within the headband provides shape retention until changed by a user, Speaker wires are housed within the elastomeric material, along with the ductile element. Speaker wires thereby internally connect the earphones with a nodule at the back of a users head. 
         [0010]    The nodule is located centrally between the two earpieces. The nodule is a small, compact, substantially oval-shaped housing, continuous with the elastomeric material of the headset, The integrated electronics are contained within the nodule. Speaker wires emanate from each speaker and terminate within the electronic nodule. The nodule contains the electronic circuitry necessary for function of the personal electronic device. 
         [0011]    The nodule may be equipped with jacks for transmitting and receiving. With the nodule located as it is, further comfort and placement retention is provided. 
         [0012]    The substantial ear surround of the device fits between the ear and the user&#39;s head. As such, the wearing of glasses, goggles, hat, helmet, or other such devices is not negated nor interfered with, thereby providing even greatly utility for the device. 
         [0013]    The construction of one embodiment of my invention is seamless, such that it is waterproof for use in any active involvement including rain, swimming activities or the like. As the elastomeric material is both soft and durable, the headset is riot prone to breakage or damage. Dropping abusing, or stepping on the headset is of little concern. This durability feature further ensures the capabilities of the invention in virtually any activity. In one embodiment, the invention includes a remote transmitter. In a further embodiment, a microphone for transmitting is embedded within the invention. 
         [0000]    The personal electronic device can be worn with glasses or hat or virtually any type of headgear. The invention includes hair clips which are used to further anchor the headband to hair or headgear. 
         [0014]    In yet another embodiment of my invention, the electronic components may be selectively removed for interchangeability with other players, decoders, transceivers, analog processors, digital processors, headphones, earphones, cell phones microphones, digital satellite transceivers or any other miniature electronic processor 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Attention is now directed to several illustrations that show features of the present invention: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the personal electronic device worn by a user. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the personal electronic device worn by a user. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the personal electronic device worn by a user. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a back view of  FIG. 3   
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is back view of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a back perspective view of an alternative embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a straight back view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
       [0025]    The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1  the integrated personal electronic device  10  fits at the back of a head  31  of user  50 , above neck  32 . The device  10  includes earphones  15  located on either side and at the forward ends of headband members  14 , which include a right headband member  14   a  and a left headband member  14   b . Speakers  15  removably fit within user&#39;s ears  33 . Headband  14  further includes an ear surround  11  for each of the right and left headband members  14   a ,  14   b . Ear surround  11  terminates seamlessly at speakers  15 . From speakers  15  ear surround  11  loops first forwardly, with respect to ear  33 , then begins to loop upwardly around front of ear  35 . From thence, ear surround  11  smoothly transitions to loop over top of ear  34 , then behind back of ear  36 . Ear surround  11  ideally fits between user&#39;s ear  33  and head  31 . Each of the right and left headband members  14   a ,  14   b  has a respective first length and second length of elastomeric material surrounding a ductile wire  18 . Posterior to ear surround  11 , each of the right and left headband members  14   a ,  14   b  then begins a plurality of sinusoidal bends  13  disposed along the respective first and second length that terminates seamlessly into electronic nodule  12 . In some embodiments, there is only a partial sinusoidal bend. 
         [0027]    The sinusoids  13  are substantially in a vertical plane. Nodule  12  is worn at back of user&#39;s head  31  above back of user&#39;s neck  32 . Nodule  12  is substantially oval-shaped with flat front and back sides. Nodule  12  contains the necessary electronic circuitry for the various functions of device  10 . Headband  14  is elastomeric and contains ductile wire (not shown) within. Shape retention and conformation to user&#39;s head  31  are thereby temporarily provided until a user  50  changes that shape. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , headband  14  of alternate embodiment of invention  10  is shown. Flexible, shape-retaining headband  14  further comprises ear surrounds  11 . The function and appearance of invention  10  remain substantially the same as in  FIG. 1 . A single sinusoid  17  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The preferred embodiment,  FIG. 1˜discloses  a plurality of sinusoidal bends  13 . Bends  13  are located about midway between ear surrounds  11  and nodule  12 . Nodule  12  is centrally and symmetrically located between earphones  15 . Hair clip  40  further anchors headband  14  to the hair of user  30 . Hair clip  40  is also used to anchor invention  10  to a hat (not shown), headgear (not shown), or goggle strap (not shown). 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , flexible, memory-retaining substantially straight headband  14  locates nodule  12  at back of user&#39;s head  31  and above user&#39;s neck  32 . Functionality and material structure of device  10  remain, Headband  14  is comprised of ear surrounds  11  which curve backward from back of ear  36  of user&#39;s ear  33 . 
         [0030]    Surrounds  11  from thence smoothly and seamlessly transition into posterior headband members  16 . Members  16  seamlessly terminate rearwardly in nodule  12 . 
         [0031]    In use, in  FIG. 1 , user  50  flexibly spreads device  10  sufficiently for earphones  15  to fit within user&#39;s ear  33 . Ear surrounds  11  are looped substantially around ears  33 . Sinusoidal bends  13  of headband  14  progress backward to locate nodule  12  at back of user&#39;s head  31 . User  50  then slightly compresses headband  14  by compressing sinusoidal bends  13  such that memory of headband  14  shape is retained and invention  10  remains snugly in place. Flexibly compressed device  10  thereby conforms to user&#39;s head  31 . Earphones  15  are placed in user&#39;s ears  33 , and, when pushed gently inwards, retaining their positions. Ear surrounds  11  loop substantially around user&#39;s ear  33  to further insure placement retention. Ear surrounds  11  are flexed to conform to ears  33 . Placement retention is further insured by locating nodule  12  to best fit against user&#39;s head  31 . Hair clip  40  is used to further locate and secure invention  10  to user&#39;s hair  30 . Removal of device  10  comprises a removal of hair dip  40  and openly flexing device  10 . 
         [0032]    Referring to use in  FIG. 2 , user  50  performs the same functions as for the embodiment of  FIG. 1  but does so with compression of a single sinusoidal bend  13 . Removal is identical to that of the embodiment in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a user  50  openly flexes invention  10  to allow insertion of earphones  15  into user&#39;s ears  33 . Device  10  is then compressed inwardly to conform to user&#39;s head  31 . User  50  then flexes headband  14  at juncture  16  of ear surrounds  11  and headband member  16 . Juncture  16  is flexed forward to further surround ear  33  thereby increasing ear surround  11  drawing nodule  12  snugly against back of user&#39;s head  31 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows a back perspective view of a alternate embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has a single part of a sinusoid on each side which loops up to a circular portion that surrounds the ear. The sinusoids give the headphone stand-alone stability with no need for attachment to eyewear, molding to the head and supporting a media device securely in the back. Being flexible, the headphones move with the user and not against the user so they stay on, and do not pull out and off. 
         [0035]    This embodiment works with the Apple SHUFFLE™ 4th generation. The invention includes a waterproof BLUETOOTH™ module the same size as the SHUFFLE which, when inserted, makes the headphone a fully functioning Bluetooth headphone. It is also waterproof so a user can swim with it. The earpieces can be interchangeable allowing for the customizing to the users desires. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a straight back view of this embodiment, while  FIGS. 8-9  shows a side and top view respectively. 
         [0037]    Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One with skill in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.