Abstract:
A system for facilitating the instructional training of a swimmer wherein the system is further operable to provide object detection to the swimmer of an object within the general movement path of the swimmer. The system further includes a transmitter wherein the transmitter is configured to broadcast at least two audio signals. A receiver is operably coupled to the transmitter utilizing a wireless frequency. The receiver further includes a left earpiece and a right earpiece that have intermediate therebetween two headbands for releasably securing the receiver to the head of the swimmer. The receiver further includes a plurality of sensors mounted to the first headband that are configured to generate and receive sound pulses in order to detect an object within the general movement path of the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an instructional facilitator for producing audio signals, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an audio headphone device designed to be submersible in water and receive at least one type of audio signal from a wireless transmitter utilizing a 900 mhz frequency. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Millions of individuals engage in various physical activities for exercise to improve their cardiovascular condition. Additionally, athletes on a professional or amateur level compete in a variety of sports that wherein the participants utilize coaches or facilitators to provide guidance and/or motivation. Once such sport that utilizes coaches is swimming. Swimming is a popular sport across all age groups and is participated in at a competitive as well as an amateur level either for recreational exercise therapy or at a competitive level. 
     While engaged in swimming, participants typically will practice for at least an hour utilizing various strokes in order to traverse themselves across the surface of the water of the pool. Additionally, during some maneuvers such as starts and turns, individuals will be completely submersed underwater. To perfect strokes and increase their ability, athletes utilize coaches who can observe the athletes strokes while standing adjacent to the pool. It is routine for coaches to attempt to communicate with the athlete during their practice in order to provide better training or correction of an observed opportunity for improvement. Routinely coaches will either yell or utilize a megaphone or other similar device in order for the athlete to be able to hear the instructions since it is common for the athlete to be in a position where at least one of their ears is underwater. This conventional routine makes receiving the coaching instructions by the athlete difficult and routinely the athlete may stop their stroke in order to inquire about instructions received from the coach. 
     Athletes in swimming will often engage in a swimming practice that can last an extended period of time. It is common for athlete that engage in monotonous activities such as running, cycling or swimming to utilize devices such as MP3 or other audio players to listen to motivational instructions and/or music to assist them during the duration of their routine. Currently these type of audio device can not withstand being submersed in the water and must often be carried in water proof pouches that are cumbersome to a swimmer and provide unwanted drag in the water. 
     Casual athletes also have been shown to have accidental contact with either another swimmer in a crowded pool or with a wall of the pool when engaged in swimming. Certain conditions arise such as turbulent water, fogged swimming goggles or other conditions that temporarily inhibit the vision of the swimmer, which can result in a collision with another swimmer or an impact with the wall of the pool. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be worn by a swimmer in the water that does not increase the swimmer&#39;s drag resistance that has the ability to receive audio signals from a transmitter in order to facilitate the receipt of instructions from a coach or receipt of audio such as music or motivational instructions. Additionally, the device should be able to detect the presence of an object generally in front of the swimmer wearing the device and provide an audio warning to the swimmer that an object is proximate the swimmer so as to avoid a collision. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a waterproof listening device that is releasably secured to the head of a swimmer in order to receive audio signals. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide waterproof listening device that is releasably secured to the head of a swimmer that receives audio signals from a transmitter that is adjacent the body of water in which the swimmer is located. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof listening device that receives the audio signal from the transmitter utilizing a wireless transmission having a frequency of 900 mhz. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water-proof listening device that further includes a detection system that alerts the swimmer when an object is in the swim path of the swimmer and a collision with the object is imminent. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof listening device that further includes a detection system that utilizes and audio signal to alert the swimmer of an impending collision with an object in their swim path. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof listening device that further includes a detection system that utilizes an audio signal having increased signal production as the distance between the swimmer and the object decreases. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a left perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a right perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an individual wearing an embodiment of the present invention while engaged in swimming in a pool of water; and 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a headphone  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 1  the headphone  100  further includes a left earpiece  5  that has generally a modified triangular shaped body  10  being designed to substantially cover the left ear of a user. The body  10  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to Kevlar or graphite or a combination thereof. The body  10  is shaped in a modified triangular shape so as to reduce the drag from the headphone  100  when being worn by a user in a pool. The body  10  has a leading corner  35  the directs the water around the upper edge  40  and the lower edge  45  so as to substantially reduce the drag of the headphone  100  when a user is traversing across a pool of water. The upper edge  40  and lower edge  45  are concave in shape so as to further reduce water drag. The rearward edge  46  is formed in the same manner. Additionally, the leading corner  35  is rounded in shape with the other two corners  36 , 37  of the body  10  being constructed in a similar manner. The body  10  is manufactured to be lightweight as well as having an exterior surface  15  that is impermeable to water. Circumferentially disposed around the perimeter  20  of the body  10  is a sealing edge  25 . The sealing edge  25  is manufactured from a flexible resilient material such as but not limited to rubber. The sealing edge  25  functions to substantially inhibit water from propagating into the cavity  30  during use when engaged with the head of the user. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the sealing edge  25  could be manufactured in numerous different thicknesses and from numerous different types of materials so as to accomplish the intended function as described herein. 
     Although not illustrated specifically in  FIG. 1 , the left earpiece  5  has disposed therein a conventional lithium ion battery that supplies power to the headphone  100  for operation. The conventional lithium ion battery is accessed and replaced through the hatch  50  and is replaced as needed by the user. Disposed within the left earpiece  5  is a conventional speaker  98  that is used to project the audio signals received by the antenna  55 . The speaker  98  is a conventional waterproof speaker as is known in the art and is adjacent the user&#39;s ear subsequent the user engaging the headphone  100  with their head. Also mounted within the left earpiece  5  and right earpiece  1  but not illustrated herein is a conventional central processing computer chip that functions to receive, process, store signals that are received from the antenna  55  and the sensors  65 . 
     Operably coupled to the left earpiece  5  is the right earpiece  1 . The right earpiece  1  is manufactured in an identical manner as the left earpiece  5  as described herein. A first band  70  and a second band  71  are intermediate the left earpiece  5  and the right earpiece  1 . The first band  70  and the second band  71  function to couple the left earpiece  5  and the right earpiece  1 . The second band  71  further includes a tension mechanism  44  that functions to provide the user the ability to adjust the length of the second band  71  in order to provide a higher bias force of the left earpiece  5  and right earpiece  1  against the user&#39;s head. The first band  70  and the second band  71  are integrally secured to the left earpiece  5  and right earpiece  1  using suitable durable methods. The first band  70  and second band  71  are manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to neoprene and/or nylon. The first band  70  and the second band  71  have a resilient quality such that subsequent a user engaging the headphone  100  with their head, the first band  70  and the second band  71  bias the left earpiece  5  and the right earpiece  1  against the user&#39;s head so the sealing edge  25  has sufficient pressure thereon to substantially inhibit water from propagating into the cavity  30 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the first band  70  and the second band  71  could be manufactured from numerous different materials and still perform the intended function as described herein. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the headphone  100  could have as few as one band in place of and/or in conjunction with the first band  70  and the second band  71 . 
     Integrally mounted within the body  10  of the left earpiece  5  is a switch  60 . The switch  60  is a conventional waterproof switch as is known in the art and functions to transition the headphone  100  from a first mode to a second mode. In a first mode, the headphone  100  functions to receive audio signals from the transmitter  99  as shown in particular in  FIG. 4 . The transmitter  99  is a conventional audio signal generator that generates audio signals and broadcasts the signals utilizing a wireless frequency. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the transmitter  99  is configured to broadcast audio signals utilizing wireless frequencies of 900 Mhz, 2.4 Ghz or 5.8 Ghz. The antenna  55  receives the audio signals and transmits the audio signals to the speakers  98  within the left earpiece  5  and the right earpiece  1 . The antenna  55  is a conventional antenna that is manufactured from a suitable flexible material and is operably coupled to the speakers disposed within the left earpiece  5  and the right earpiece  1 . 
     As shown in particular in  FIG. 4 , the switch  60  when moved to its second position places the headphones  100  in their second mode. In their second mode the headphones  100  function to provide a user engaged therewith object detection capabilities. Disposed along the antenna  55  within the first band  70  are a plurality of sensors  65 . The sensors  65  are operably coupled to the antenna  55  and function to generate and receive sound pulses outward from the first band  70 . The sensors  65  are conventional active sonar sensors that function to provide a method of detecting an object within the general movement path of the swimmer such as but not limited to another swimmer or an approaching wall. The sensors  65  transmit the sound pulses and further function to receive the reflection of the sound pulses reflected from any object generally within the movement path of the swimmer wearing the headphones  100 . The conventional central processing unit disposed within the left earpiece  5  is operably coupled to the antenna  55  and sensors  65 . The conventional central processing unit processes the amount of time between transmission of the sound pulse from the sensor  65  and the reception of the reflected sound pulse from an object in the general movement path of the swimmer and determines the distance between the object and the user engaged with the headphones  100  using a programmed algorithm. The central processing unit subsequent to detecting an object in the general movement path of the user will then send an audio warning signal to the user via the speakers  98 . In the second mode the sensors  65  constantly monitor the movement path of the swimmer utilizing sound pulses. Subsequent to an object being detecting by the sensor  65  and a first audio warning signal being sent to the speakers  98 , the ensuing audio warning signals sent to the user increase in frequency of generation as the distance between the user and the object decreases. This method is utilized to alert the user of the headphones  100  of an impending collision with an object that is within their general movement path. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of sensors  65  could be disposed along the first band  70 . It should be further recognized that the location of the sensors  65  could be altered and still perform the function as described herein. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 2 , the right earpiece  1  further includes a volume switch  80 . The volume switch  80  is integrally mounted into the lower portion  81  of the right earpiece  1  and is a conventional waterproof rotary style switch that functions to provide an interface to the user to control the volume of the audio signals in either the first mode or second mode of the headphone  100 . A power switch  90  is integrally mounted into the right earpiece  1  proximate the upper portion  82 . The power switch  90  is operably coupled to the conventional lithium ion batteries that are disposed within the left earpiece  5  and right earpiece  1 . The power switch  90  is a conventional waterproof toggle style switch that functions to supply power to the headphone  100  when moved from it first position to its second position. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 4 , a schematic diagram of the transmitter  99  is illustrated therein. The transmitter  99  is a conventional audio transmitter that functions to produce a plurality of audio signals and broadcast the audio signals to the headphone  100  utilizing the wireless frequencies referenced herein. The transmitter  99  includes a conventional power source  11  that is operably coupled to a conventional AC power outlet. The power source functions to provide the power required for the transmitter  99  to operate. Disposed within the transmitter  99  is a conventional central processing unit  12  that contains the necessary electronics to receive, process and broadcast audio signals. The transmitter  99  further includes an audio input interface  13 . The audio input interface  13  is a conventional interface that allows a device such as but not limited to a conventional microphone to be operably connected to the transmitter  99 . Utilizing the audio input interface  13  allows a user of the headphone  100  to receive audio signal such as but not limited to instructional information from an individual while engaged in a swimming stroke. The transmitter  99  further includes a conventional mp3 player  14  and a compact disc player  17 . The mp3 player and compact disc player  17  function to play recorded sound tracks to be broadcast by the transmitter  99  and received by the headphone  100 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of recorded audio players could be incorporated into the transmitter  99 . It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the transmitter  99  is placed proximate the pool in which the swimmer is engaged with the headphone  100 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that utilizing the different frequencies referenced herein would allow the transmitter  99  to be utilized at different distances from the pool. 
     Referring in particular to FIGS.  2 , 3  and  4  a description of the operation of the headphone  100  is as follows. In use, a user will engage the headphone  100  with their head  67  such that the left earpiece  5  and the right earpiece  1  are adjacent and substantially covering the left ear and right ear respectively. The user will adjust the second band  71  so as to alter the bias force of the sealing edge  25  against the head  67  in order to provide sufficient bias force wherein the sealing edge  25  substantially inhibits the water  77  from propagating into the cavity  30 . The user then ensures that the transmitter  99  is operably coupled to the required power source prior to entering the water  77 . The user engages the power switch  80  to activate the headphone  100 . The user will engage switch  60  to operate the headphone  100  in either a first or a second mode. When the switch  60  is placed in its first position the headphone  100  will operate in its first mode wherein the headphone  100  functions to receive audio signals from the transmitter  99  that is being produced by either the audio input interface  13 , mp3 player  14  or compact disc player  17 . In the first mode the transmitter  99  broadcasts an audio signal via a wireless frequency such as but not limited to 900 mhz. The antenna  55  receives the audio signal and transmits the audio signal to the speakers  98 . The volume of the audio signal can be adjusted by the user utilizing the volume switch  80 . If the switch  60  is placed in its second position, the headphone  100  will operate in their second mode. In their second mode, the headphone  100  function to provide object detection of any object that is within the general movement path of the swimmer  33 . In its second mode, the headphone  100  utilizes the plurality of sensors  65  disposed along the first band to generate and receive sound pulses. Subsequent to an object being present within the general movement path of the swimmer  33  the sensor  65  will receive the reflection of the sound pulse from the object within the general movement path of the swimmer  33 . A central processing unit disposed within the left earpiece  5  and operably connected to the sensor  65  by suitable methods calculates the distance between the swimmer  33  and the object within the swimmer&#39;s  33  general movement path. The central processing unit generates an audio warning signal to the user via the speaker  98  to alert the swimmer  33  that an object has been detected within their general movement path. In the second mode, the headphone  100  will increase the frequency of the generation of the audio warning signal as the distance between the swimmer  33  and an object within the swimmer&#39;s general movement path decreases. While it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the headphone  100  will operate in the first and second mode as described herein independently, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the headphone  100  could be operated in a third mode. In the third mode the headphone  100  would be operable to perform the functions as described herein of the first mode and the second mode simultaneously. Additionally, while the preferred embodiment described herein is utilized for providing at least one audio signal to a swimmer  33 , it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the headphone  100  and transmitter  99  could be utilized to provide audio signals to other athletes engaged in other sports. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.