Abstract:
An audio lanyard audio device provides a number of advantages not seen with earlier devices, including, (1) a pair of soft openings to accept the ear pieces of conventional eyewear in a manner that supports and engages several inches of the ear pieces of conventional eyewear with sufficient surface area and friction to hold the conventional eyewear securely, (2) provision of a length of softer foam material for fitting both the lanyard and convention eyewear ear pieces between the ear and head, (3) formation of a balanced combination when worn with conventional eyewear, and (4) the location of the controls and main electronics and battery at the rear for balance and easy reach by a user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to personal listening equipment and appliances and more particularly to an integrated audio lanyard which can be utilized with conventional eyewear having ear supports, which has a more water tight design, and which can be used as a conventional eyeglass lanyard.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A number of personal audio systems have been developed for use by active persons. One of the best examples is an audio headset having two ends joined by a flexible support. The electronics for operation are located adjacent the ends of the flexible support, which typically extend to and perhaps may derive support from the user&#39;s ears. The flexible support may be worn in positions ranging from an upper position across the users skull, to a rearward position across the back of a user&#39;s head.  
         [0003]     There are several disadvantages from this design. The first is the bulkiness of locating the electronics in housings outside the ears. Typically this causes two compensating aspects of the design, namely the articulation of the housing with respect to the ear supports and/or the independent articulation of the supported speaker portions. Further, where the audio appliance is used during sports activities, the bulky, outboard electronics and speakers may be damaged from racquet balls, tennis balls, or from the arms and hands of the user.  
         [0004]     A second problem is that for “headphone style” designs, the bulk of the weight of the electronics and speakers are borne by a strap or other support (typically adjustable) over the head. Where the adjustability can slip, the user must continually re-adjust the electronics and speakers in alignment with the ear opening, especially when jogging. Where the design depends solely upon the ears for vertical support, the outer ears bear the total vertical support for the weight of the device, making it uncomfortable to wear the device for long periods.  
         [0005]     A third problem, especially for eyeglass wearers, is the competition for the area between the upper external ear and skull. Conventional eyewear ear supports occupy the area between the upper ear and skull. Where the audio appliance is “headphone like” and presses the ears inward, skin bruising or painful compression can occur. Where the audio appliance depends from the ears alone for support, the audio appliance and glasses compete for the space between the ear and skull. If both structures are present, the ears are bent outward and the need for downward support from the ear is compromised. If the structures are stacked and the conventional eyewear support is on top, the eyewear is tilted and does not fit properly. If the structures are stacked such that the conventional eyewear support is on bottom, the audio appliance may not fit properly or may move to the outside of the eyewear and worsen the discomfort to the user.  
         [0006]     In terms of conventional eyewear alone, most lanyard devices can cause discomfort. Where the lanyard device is near the front of the eyewear, the lanyard device can get in the way and snag the users hands any time that movement near the hanging, drooping lanyard is engaged. A lanyard attached near the distal ends of the ear pieces is much more likely to form an unwanted irritation for the user. Further, where a loop lanyard is attached to an area at the distal-most area of the conventional eyewear supports, it may likely fail to prevent the eyewear from striking the ground as the lanyard attachment loop may become weak and/or slip to the point of disengagement.  
         [0007]     Further, conventional lanyards can be distracting. The user can see forward mounted lanyards move when the head moves, and rearwardly connected lanyards can bunch and tangle near the collar to cause an annoyance for the user. Where the user is not wearing a collar, a lanyard trailing from conventional eyewear can cause further annoyance.  
         [0008]     Lastly, most conventional lanyards typically have a bare minimum structure in order to be as universally utilizable as possible. This minimalist structure is typically cheap, intended only to provide minimal restraint should the eyewear become dislodged, and does little to increase the user&#39;s comfort. Because the conventional lanyard is meant for use with different sized heads and different types of eyewear, restraint upon the eyewear dislodgement from the user&#39;s head is the only function which can be realistically achieved. In cases where the eyewear is heavy and becomes dislodged from the user&#39;s head frequently, the lanyard may fail or damage may still result in damage where the eyewear can strike a table top. Further, most conventional lanyards do nothing to increase the user&#39;s comfort.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     An audio lanyard audio device provides a number of advantages not seen with earlier devices. First, the audio lanyard has a pair of soft openings to accept the ear pieces of conventional eyewear in a manner that supports and engages several inches of the ear pieces of conventional eyewear with sufficient surface area and friction to hold the conventional eyewear securely. Second, the audio lanyard, by engaging a significant length of the conventional eyewear, provides a length of softer foam material for fitting both the lanyard and convention eyewear ear pieces between the ear and head in a more body shape accommodating manner, in essence padding the conventional eyewear ear pieces against the ear and head.  
         [0010]     Third, the audio lanyard forms a balanced combination when worn with conventional eyewear. The rear part of the lanyard contains all of the electronics necessary for operation, and helps counterbalance the conventional eyewear. Although the audio lanyard is flexible, it has a shape meant to fit around the rear of the human head and helps lighten the burden of supporting the conventional eyewear. This counterbalancing, combined with the lack of excess length, enables the audio lanyard and conventional eyewear combination to be worn in a more secure, balanced and stable manner.  
         [0011]     Fourth, the controls and main electronics and battery for the audio lanyard are located at the rear and are easily reachable by the user. A simple control bar can provide for volume control, music and station selection, and more. Because the outer housing is preferably made from a polymeric material, it is flexible and waterproof. Because of the location of the electronics, the audio lanyard will not get in the way during physical activities such as weight lifting, jogging, racquetball, and more.  
         [0012]     Because the audio lanyard can further isolate an external battery acceptance cavity from the internal electronics, the moisture from either the environment or sweat cannot enter and degrade the electronics. A much wider array of controllability and programmability is achievable by providing programmability and downloadability either through an infrared or electromagnetic port. As with other devices, battery rechargability can be had with electrical connection or electromagnetic induction. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective predominantly rearward view of the audio lanyard of the invention shown attached to eyeglasses and in a position worn on the head of a wearer, and seen in juxtaposition to a programming appliance optionally controlled by a computer;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a view looking into one end of the audio lanyard seen in  FIG. 1  with the eyeglasses removed and illustrating the eyeglass ear piece opening and ear phone;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the audio lanyard of claims  1  &amp;  2  and illustrating the an access door and showing one possible orientation for battery location;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is an expanded sectional view of the left side arm of the audio lanyard of  FIGS. 1-3  and illustrating an accommodation bore for interfit with an ear piece, and further illustrating one possible configuration for conductor placement; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the electronics housing section and illustrating one possible configuration for the space occupied by a circuit board and switch controls. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]     An audio lanyard  11  includes a main continuous housing  13  having a control area  15  which is shown as including a raised manual touch bar  17 . Other structures could be used to manually register the user to the specific controls of the control areas  15 , including raised buttons structures, triangular structures and the like. For example, where the audio lanyard  11  is a radio, the manual touch bar  17  could have its middle area indicate a change in station, while the outer area to either side indicate up and down volumes. Where the audio lanyard  11  is a mp3 player, the manual touch bar  17  could have its middle area indicate a change in music selection, while the outer area to either side indicate up and down volumes. Other more specific controls are possible.  
         [0020]     A light emitting diode (LED) port  19  is a possible structure which can be used to indicate an on or off condition, as well as to be used to perform infrared file transfers and programming information data. Other light ports are possible. Further, for runners, the LED port  19  can be used as a safety signaling light. As can be seen from the outline of the bulk of the middle portion of the audio lanyard  11 , most of the electronics are expected to be mounted within this electronics housing section  21 , unless more volume is needed. The internal area occupied by the electronics is not limited to the section  21  but may extend completely throughout a left side arm  23  and a right side arm  25 .  
         [0021]     The view of  FIG. 1  is taken with respect to the rear of a user  31  wearing of conventional eyewear  33 , also known as an eyewear set, eyeglasses set, or sunglasses set. Conventional eyewear  33  typically includes a front frame  35  and a right ear piece  37  and a left ear piece  39  which is typically hingedly attached to the front frame  35 . The left ear piece  39  is seen extending into the distal portion of the left side arm  39  while the right ear piece  37  is seen extending into the distal portion of the right side arm  25 .  
         [0022]     Ideally, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , the side arm  23  is seen extending over the user&#39;s left ear and for a short distance forward of the left ear to insure that the padding of the side arm  23  helps protect and comfort the user  31  left ear. The shape of the side arm  23  will be seen to conform generally to the distal end of the left ear piece  39 . For example, where the left ear piece  39  curves more severely about the ear of a user  31 , the side arm  23  will curve downward more to form fit to the left ear piece  39 , before curving back toward the electronics housing section  21 .  
         [0023]     Note however, that the side arms  23  and  25  are expected to hold the right and left earpieces  37  and  39  quite securely so that the user  31  need not have to limit himself to eyewear  33  that hooks around the ears. Further, because the fit is so secure, the user  31  can vary the fit of the side arms  23  and  25  along the lengths of the right and left ear pieces  37  and  39  to control the level of play in the side arms  23  and  25 . This in essence controls the overall surrounding fit of the combination of the conventional eyewear  33  and audio lanyard  11 .  
         [0024]     From a point just forward of the user&#39;s ear, a short flexible cord  41  extends to an insertable ear phone  43 . Ear phone  43  will preferably have a replaceable foam or polymeric pad  45 . The short length of flexible cord  41  should be long enough to accommodate different users  31  and yet enable them to position the ear phone  43  in a comfortable position. More pliable and more dense pads  45  enable the user to place them into the ear in a position where outside sounds will be eliminated. More open cell and less dense pads  45  enable the user to place them into the ear in a position where outside sounds will be admitted, in addition to sounds from the ear phones  43 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  also illustrates a programming appliance  51  in optical communication with the light emitting diode (LED) port  19 . The programming appliance  51  may have a series of buttons  53  which communicate with an internal microprocessor (not shown) which is in further communication with a light emitting diode (LED)  53 . LED  53  can optically communicate with LED port  19  and enables programming appliance  51  to be used to program the electronics within the electronics housing section  21 . Programming for either a radio or mp3 player may include a user  31  specifying their sound quality, volume range, reverberation level, and more. Programming for a radio may include favorite stations, the order in which they are scanned, multiple scanning for certain stations, the skipping of undesired stations, local versus more sensitive reception, and fm stereo versus fm mono, and AM or FM bands. Programming for mp3 may include song order, multiple plays of certain songs per cycle, segregation of songs into selectable groups, and the programmable assignment of functions to other button areas in the control area  15 .  
         [0026]     The programming appliance  51  can exist as a stand alone appliance or it may be connected via any type of connection  55  to a computer  57 . Having the programming appliance  51  work with a home or personal computer  57  will enhance the ability of users to control both content and programming to better control the audio lanyard  11 . The elimination of messy connections further eliminates the likelihood of moisture invasion through a connection jack opening.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a view of the audio lanyard as it would appear lying flat on a table is seen. The left side illustrates side arm  23  as having an eyewear ear piece admission opening  49 . The opening  49  is seen as small as it is shown in the relaxed state and would stretch to accommodate ear piece  39  and hold earpiece  39  snugly.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a bottom view of the audio lanyard  11  illustrates a panel door  61  which can be used for component change out. The panel door  61  is located on the underside and preferably slightly recessed to shed moisture. At minimum the panel opening is expected to be used for battery change out, and a pair of batteries are shown in dashed line format as batteries. Further, the panel door  61  can also be used for complete interchange of components. An AM/FM radio module could be substituted for an mp3 player module, for example.  FIG. 3  also illustrates the use of an ear phone  43  with an inner ear conforming structure  65  especially useful where the user wishes to block out all sounds but the sounds being received through the audio lanyard  11 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 4  an expanded sectional view of one possible arrangement for the left side arm  23  is seen. The opening  49  is seen to lead into a bore  67  having a blind end  69 . Two conductors will typically lead to the ear phone  43 , of which one conductor  71  is seen. The conductor types possible include a pair of separated conductors each embedded within the volume of the material from which side arm  23  is made, or the two conductors could be joined side by side within the volume of the material from which side arm  23  is made, or the two conductors could be co-axial within the volume of the material from which side arm  23  is made, and have an independent covering sheath or may depend upon the insulating characteristics of the material within which it is embedded.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , one possible realization of the inner volume within the audio lanyard  11  is illustrated. A circuit board  73  may be formed to fit within a space  75  within the electronics housing section  21 . Where the material from which the audio lanyard  11  is made is particularly flexible, the opening covered by the door panel  61  may be stretched and the circuit board  73  added. Both the conductor  71  and matching conductor  79  may be connected to the circuit board  73  by connectors  81 , as is the case for conductors  83  and  85 . In this manner, the audio lanyard  11  body can be formed, complete with short flexible cord  41  and insertable ear phone  43 , and the circuit board  73  added and connected later.  
         [0031]     On the circuit board, a series of switches  91  are seen which can be manipulated through or outside of the control area  15 . Also seen are a pair of electronic components  93  which may be memory chips or radio circuits. The batteries  63  may be accommodated behind the lower edge of the circuit board  73 .  
         [0032]     While the present invention has been described in terms of an audio lanyard, and especially having water proofed structure and structure which minimizes control complexity during use and provides for maximum controllability during programming, the present invention may be applied in any situation where isolation of components is to be combined with maximum programmability, and particularly where a structure such as the lanyard structure stabilizes and counterbalances another structure worn on the body.  
         [0033]     Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.