Patent Publication Number: US-2005135633-A1

Title: Audio system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims priority through U.S. Provisional Application 60/531,298 filed Dec. 19, 2003 for an “Audio System for Use During Surfing.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates generally to audio systems and, more specifically, to a system for capturing ambient sound and verbal communication while surfing. Upon capturing the sound, the apparatus transmits audio signals representing the captured sounds for receipt by a remote unit. The remote unit is able to receive and reproduce the audio signals. The audio signals may be output to local speakers connected to the remote unit. Also, the remote unit is able to distribute the audio signals across at least one of a telecommunications, cable and satellite network for use in audio-visual broadcasting of surfing competitions.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Numerous types of audio capture and transmission systems exist in the prior art. Many sporting events include portable microphones which are affixed to players in order to capture any sound related to the participation in the sport. Examples of these can be seen in football whereby a microphone is attached to a player and is able to capture any sound which occurs during his play on the field. These sounds may include verbal discussion between players as well as the ambient sound of the players on the football field. Another example of these systems is found in auto-racing whereby microphones and transmitter devices are affixed to a driver and are able to transmit voice data and ambient audio sounds.  
      In both of the above described examples, the data is able to be transmitted from an individual player/participant so that spectators either in the stands or those watching a broadcast of the event are able to actively listen to what is occurring during the event. This allows the people watching the event to feel closer to the action and provides insight as to what it is like to be a player/participant.  
      However, while systems like this exist for the above described sports, no such systems are available to capture the sounds of surfers while they are surfing in the ocean. The prior art systems are not able be fully immersed in water, nor are they resilient enough to handle the stress caused by the waves of the ocean. While these systems may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.  
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to audio systems and, more specifically, to a system for capturing ambient sound and verbal communication while surfing. Upon capturing the sound, the apparatus transmits audio signals representing the captured sounds for receipt by a remote unit. The remote unit is able to receive and reproduce the audio signals. The audio signals may be output to local speakers connected to the remote unit. Also, the remote unit is able to distribute the audio signals across at least one of a telecommunications, cable and satellite network for use in audio-visual broadcasting of surfing competitions.  
      A primary object of the present invention is to provide an audio system which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.  
      Another secondary object of the present invention is to provide an audio system including a wearable harness having a microphone for capturing at least one of ambient sound and audible conversation. The present invention further includes a transmitter for transmitting the captured audio signals to a remote unit for reproduction thereof.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide an audio system wherein the microphone and transmitter are contained within a housing for protection thereof. The housing is preferably formed from a dense plastic material that is waterproof for preventing damage to each of the microphone and the transmitter contained therein. Furthermore, the housing should be able to withstand extreme pressures associated with wave force as well as direct impact on the water&#39;s surface or on the surfboard.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a garment for use with the present an audio system. The garment preferably is worn on the torso of a surfer and includes a pocket for receiving the housing of the system therein. The garment also includes a microphone patch positioned thereon for retaining an external microphone therein. The garment aide in providing protection for each of the external microphone and the housing while allowing the system to fully capture all ambient sounds associated with surfing.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an audio system including the remote unit for receiving signals representing at least one of ambient sound and audible conversation from the transmitter. The remote unit includes an output device for outputting the audible sound signals.  
      An even further object of the present invention is to provide an audio system wherein the output device includes at least one of speakers connected to the remote unit and means for distributing the audio signals over a network. Preferably the audio signals are broadcast over a television network. However, the distributing means may distribute the audio signals over at least one of a cable network, satellite network, a communications network and the Internet.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an audio system including a transceiver within the housing as well as a microphone and a speaker connected thereto for selectively transmitting and receiving audio signals from a mobile unit. Preferably, the mobile until is positioned on or made integral with a mobile aquatic craft such as a jet ski. The user wearing the audio system is able to selectively communicate via the microphone to a second person driving the mobile aquatic craft. This is particularly useful when the mobile aquatic craft is towing a user on a surfboard through rough aquatic conditions.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio system that is preferably used during surfing. However, the audio system may also be used during participation in any aquatic sports including but not limited to jet skiing, water-skiing, wake-boarding, parasailing, wind-surfing, and swimming.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide an audio system that is simple and easy to use.  
      Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an audio system that is inexpensive to manufacture and use.  
      Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.  
      The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.  
      The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
      In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surfer using the audio system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the audio system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the housing and harness of the audio system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is front view of an alternate embodiment of the audio system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is illustrative external view of a surfing shirt for use with the audio system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is an illustrative internal view of a surfing shirt for use with the audio system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the pocket of the surfing shirt a for use with the audio system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is an illustrative view of the microphone patch positioned on the surfing shirt for use with the audio system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is an illustrative view of a person inserting the audio system into the surfing garment;  
       FIG. 10  is an illustrative view of an alternate embodiment of the audio system of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram of the alternative embodiment of the audio system of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims.  
      Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views.  FIGS. 1 through 11  illustrate the audio system, hereinafter known as “the system” of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 .  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surfer using the audio system of the present invention. A user  2  is shown standing on a surfboard  4  surfing a wave  6 . The surfer  2  is wearing the system  10  of the present invention. The system  10  is secured to the surfer  2  by a harness  12  having straps  14  extending therefrom. The straps  14  are preferably positioned around the chest and shoulders of the surfer  2  and are secured by a securing device as shown in  FIG. 3 . However, any form of harness able to be securely attached to a user&#39;s body may be used. Preferably, the harness  12  is formed from a lightweight, breatheable and pliable material such as mesh or micromesh. It is important for the harness  12  to be formed from this material because mesh or micromesh allow the surfer  2  freedom of movement with minimal restriction as well as not absorbing an excess amount of water while the surfer  2  is surfing thereby weighing down the surfer  2  and altering the surfer&#39;s balance. While the harness is described as being formed from mesh material, the harness  12  may be formed from any material that is lightweight, breatheable and pliable. The harness  12  further includes a pocket  16  for securing a communication unit  18  therein.  
      The communication unit  18  includes a housing  20 . Positioned within the housing  20  is a microphone  26  and a transmitter  22  as is shown in  FIG. 2 . The microphone  26  is able to capture at least one of ambient sound and audible conversation occurring within a predetermined distance thereof. The function of the microphone  26  and transmitter  22  will be discussed hereinafter with specific reference to  FIG. 2 . The housing  20  is preferably formed from a hard plastic material that is waterproof. Ideally, the housing  20  is able to withstand the force exerted by at least one of crashing waves, direct impact with the surface of the water and direct impact with the surface of the surfboard  4 . While, the housing  20  is described as being formed from hard plastic, the housing  20  may be formed from any material that is lightweight, hard and waterproof so that it may protect the components contained therein.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the audio system of the present invention. The system  10  includes the communication unit  18  and a remote unit  30  for receiving data therefrom. The communication unit  18  includes a first processor  24  and the transmitter  22  and microphone  26  connected to the first processor  24 . A power source  28  is also connected to the first processor  24  and provides power to the communication unit  18 . Preferably, the power source  28  is a rechargeable power source that can be quickly recharged for multiple uses thereof. The remote unit  30  includes a second processor  34  and an antenna  32  and output device  36  connected thereto. The output device  36  is at least one of speakers, a means for distributing audio signals and a means for broadcasting audio signals. Preferably, the means for broadcasting audio signals is able to broadcast the signals over at least one of a television network, cable and satellite network. Also, it is preferable that the means for distributing audio signals is able to distribute those signals over at least one of a telecommunications network and the Internet. The transmitter  22  is able to transmit an audio signal as indicated by reference numeral  38  for receipt by the antenna  32 . Preferably, the audio signal  38  includes but is not limited to data representing ambient sound captured during surfing and verbal communication from the surfer captured by the microphone  26 . Additionally, the transmitter  22  is able to transmit at least one of analog and digital data to the remote unit  30 . The antenna  32  is able to selectively receive at least one of analog and digital data signals received thereby.  
       FIG. 3  an exploded view of the housing and harness of the audio system of the present invention. The harness  12  includes a plurality of straps  14  for securing the harness  12  to a body of a surfer. Preferably, the harness  12  is secured to the back of the surfer. Each of the plurality of straps  14  includes a fastening device  15  positioned at an end thereof. When the harness  12  is secured to the surfer, the fastening devices contact each other and fasten the straps together thereby securing the harness  12  to the surfer. Preferably, the fastening devices are snap fit clips. However, the fastening devices  15  may be formed from any fastening device able to withstand the force exerted by a large wave generally associated with surfing. The harness  12  includes the pocket  16 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the housing  20  of the transmitter unit  18  is selectively positionable within the pocket  16  of the harness. The transmitter unit  18  is secured within the pocket  16  by a locking device  17 . Preferably, the locking device  17  is at least one of buttons and zipper. However, any method of locking contents within a pocket  16  may be used.  
       FIG. 4  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the audio system of the present invention. The harness  12  including the communication unit  18  is secured to the back of a surfer  2 . The communication unit  18  is positioned within the pocket  16 . The harness  12  includes a shoulder mount  40  positioned on one strap  14 . The shoulder mount  40  allows for selective mounting of a microphone  22  thereon. The microphone  22  is connected to the communication unit  18  via a connection cord  42 . Preferably, the microphone  22  and the connection cord  42  are waterproof thereby allowing the audio signals captured by the microphone  22  to clearly pass through the connection cord  42  for transmission by the transmitter  26  which is shown in  FIG. 2 . By positioning the microphone  22  externally on the shoulder mount  40 , the microphone is kept at a predetermined and desirable distance from the water and is thus able to capture at least one of ambient sound and audible conversation for transmission to and reproduction by the remote unit  30 . Thereafter, the remote unit  30  is able to selectively broadcast the received audio data over at least one of a television network, cable network, and satellite network. The remote unit  30  is also able to selectively distribute the received data over at least one of a communication network and the Internet.  
       FIG. 5  is illustrative external view of a surfing shirt for use with the audio system of the present invention. Another embodiment for retaining the system  10  of the present invention is shown herein. A garment  50  which is preferably a shirt for use during surfing. The garment is described as being useful for surfing for purposes of example only. The garment  50  may be selectively used during the participation of any aquatic activity. The garment  50  has an external surface  52  shown herein and an internal surface  64  as shown and described hereinafter with specific reference to  FIG. 6 . The garment  50  includes a front side  54  and a rear side  56 . The front side  54  has nothing positioned thereon in order to allow at least one of a competition identifier and advertising to be positioned thereon. The rear side  56  of the garment  50  shows stitching  60  which secures a pocket  58  to an interior surface  64  of the rear side  56  of the garment  50 . The pocket  58  selectively retains the housing  20  of the system  10  therein, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Also positioned on the rear side  56  of the garment  50  is a microphone patch  62 . Preferably the microphone patch  62  is positioned substantially where a shoulder meets the neck line of the garment  50 . The microphone patch  62  could be selectively positioned by either the left or right shoulder of the garment. The microphone patch  62  will be discussed further hereinafter with specific reference to  FIG. 8 .  
      The garment  50  is preferably formed from lightweight material that does not absorb water. Additionally, the material must be durable and strong in order to maintain the housing  20  of the system  10  within the pocket  58  thereof. Also, the material used in forming the garment should not be easily stretched thereby preventing any deformation of the garment by the system  10  of the present invention. Ideally, the garment is formed from neoprene.  
       FIG. 6  is an illustrative internal view of a surfing shirt for use with the audio system of the present invention. As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 5 , the garment  50  includes the internal surface  64  having the front side  54  and the rear side  56 . The rear side  56  of the internal surface  64  includes the pocket  58 . Preferably the pocket has width of 150 mm and a height of 270 mm. However, the pocket  58  may be any size that is able to accommodate the housing  20  of the system  10  therein. The pocket  58  is secured to substantially the center of the rear side  56  of the garment by the stitching  60  which extends around the perimeter of thereof. The pocket  58  includes the flap  59  for covering an opening  61 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , thereof and securing the housing  20  of the system therein. The flap  59  is secured by additional stitching  60  to the rear side  56  of the garment  50  thereby causing the opening  61  to appear as a slit.  
      The microphone patch  62  is also shown positioned at substantially the point where a shoulder section meets a neck section of the garment  50 . The internal side of the microphone patch  62  allow the microphone to be secured thereunder. The manner in which the microphone is secured will be discussed hereinafter with specific reference to  FIG. 8 .  
       FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the pocket of the surfing shirt for use with the audio system of the present invention. As shown herein, is an enlarged view of the internal and external sides of the pocket  58 . The internal side  64  of the pocket  58  shows the flap  59  positioned at a first end thereof. The opening  61  is positioned immediately below the flap  59  and is able to receive the housing  20  of the system therein. Alternatively, the flap  59  is hingedly connected to the garment so as to pivot about an axis thereby covering the opening  61  of the pocket  58  and securing the housing  20  therein. The stitching  60  extends around the perimeter of the pocket  58  and the flap  59  so as to secure the pocket  58  to the rear side  56  of the garment  50 . Also shown in  FIG. 7  is a view of the external surface  52  of the pocket  58 .  
       FIG. 8  is an illustrative view of the microphone patch positioned on the surfing shirt for use with the audio system of the present invention. An internal surface of the microphone patch  62  is shown in  FIG. 8 . The microphone patch  62  as shown in  FIG. 8  is the actual size thereof. Stitching  68  extends in a square around the patch  62 . X-shaped slits  70  extend through a portion of the patch  62  within the square stitching  68 . The slits  70  form  4  triangular flaps  72  which pivot about the stitching  68 . The flaps  72  are selectively pivotable and reveal a second layer (not shown). Preferably the flaps are stiff material that is able to return to their original position as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
      When securing the microphone within the microphone patch  62 , the flaps  72  are selectively pivoted about the stitching  68 . The microphone is positioned adjacent to the second layer. Thereafter the flaps  72  are released and return to their original position thereby securing the microphone against the second layer and within the patch  62 . The second layer adds additional level of protection for the microphone by preventing water from directly coming in contact therewith. Because the flaps  72  are stiff material they keep the microphone securely in position in the flap. It is important to maintain the microphone and any connection wires in a constant position in order to maintain the integrity of the sounds being captured thereby. By minimizing the movement of the microphone the present invention eliminates errors caused by a faulty connection between the wires and the microphone.  
       FIG. 9  is an illustrative view of a person inserting the audio system into the surfing garment. As shown herein a surfer  2  is wearing the surfing garment  50  as described hereinabove with specific reference to  FIGS. 5-8 . A second user  8  is shown assisting the surfer  2  in securing the housing  20  of the system therein. The second user selectively inserts the housing  20  into the opening  61  of the pocket  58  thereby securing the system therein. Upon securing the system therein, the external microphone connected to the housing  20  is secured under the patch  62 . Once the microphone is secured in the patch  62 , the surfer is able to paddle out and begin surfing. The system  10  of the present invention is able to selectively capture any ambient and/or conversational sound associated with surfing.  
       FIG. 10  is an alternate embodiment of the audio system  10  of the present invention. The embodiment as discussed hereinafter refers to an audio system that allows for two way communication.  FIG. 10  shows the surfer  2  surfing on the surfboard  4  while being pulled along the water  6  by a mobile aquatic craft  74 . The surfer  2  is wearing the garment  50  as described hereinabove with specific reference to  FIGS. 5-9 . Positioned within the pocket  60  of the garment is the housing  20  which retains the audio system  10  of the present invention therein. The housing  20  includes a speaker  72  positioned thereon for outputting sound received thereby. The garment  50  includes the patch  62  for retaining the microphone  26  therein. The microphone can selectively capture ambient and conversational audio sounds for transmission thereof.  
      The mobile aquatic craft  74  is shown in  FIG. 10  towing the surfboard  4  via a tow-line  73 . The craft, as depicted herein, is a jet ski being driven by a driver  78 . However, the craft  74  may be any craft able to selectively move about in an aquatic environment. The craft  74  includes a mobile unit  76  which is connected to a headset  80  via a connection wire  77 . The headset  80  includes listening means for listening to audible sounds output thereby and capturing means for capturing audible sounds for transmission thereof.  
      As shown in  FIG. 10 , the craft  74  is towing the surfer  2  on the surfboard  4 . Each of the driver  78  and the surfer  2  can selectively communicate with each other. The driver  78  and surfer  2  can speak to one another using the headset  80  and the microphone  26  and speaker  72  respectively. The conversation between the driver  78  and the surfer  2  is transmitted as a signal  82  between the housing  20  and the mobile unit  76 . This embodiment will be described in more detail hereinafter with specific reference to  FIG. 11 .  
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram of the alternate embodiment of the audio system of the present invention used as a two way communication device. The housing  20  includes the processor  24  being powered by the power source  28 . The microphone  26  and the speaker  72  are connected to the processor through an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  25 . The speaker  72  as described herein is used as a general term for a device able to output audio data therefrom. A transceiver  84  for selectively transmitting and receiving data is also connected to the processor  24 .  
      The mobile unit  76  also includes a second processor  86  that receives power from a power source  90 . An analog-to digital converter  88  and a second transceiver  92  is connected to the processor  86 . The headset  80  includes capturing means  83  and output means  81  which are both connected to the analog-to-digital converter  88  via the connection wire  77 .  
      The operation of this embodiment of the audio system  10  as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  will now be described. When the driver  78  desires to communicate with the surfer  2 , the driver  78  speaks into the capturing means  83  of the headset  80 . The processor directs the captured analog audio to be transmitted along the communication wire  77  wherein the signal is converted from analog to digital form by the second A/D converter  88 . Thereafter the second processor  86  provides the digital data representing the captured audio sound to the second transceiver  92  which transmits the data as the signal represented by reference numeral  82 . The first transceiver  84  positioned in the housing  20  receives the signal  82 . The first processor  24  directs the transceiver  84  to provide the digital data signal  82  to the first A/D converter  25 . Thereafter the processor  24  directs the A/D convert  25  to provide the analog signal to the speaker  72  for listening by the surfer  2 .  
      The surfer  2  can selectively choose to respond to the driver  78 . The surfer  2  speaks and the audible conversation is captured by the microphone  26 . The first processor  24  directs the analog sound captured by the microphone  26  to be converted by the first A/D converter  25  and also directs the converted data to be provided to the transceiver  84  for transmission thereof. The signal  82  is transmitted by the first transceiver  84  for receipt by the second transceiver  92 . The second processor  86  directs the second transceiver  92  to provide the received digital data  82  to the second A/D converter  88  for conversion into analog format. The converted signal is transmitted along the connection wire  77  to the headset  80  for output at the output means  81 . Upon the signal being output, the driver  78  is able to hear what the surfer  2  is saying.  
      Alternatively, upon the signal  82  being received by either the first or second transceiver  84 ,  92 , the processors  24 ,  86  can selectively provide the digital signals to each respective output  72 ,  81 . Thus, the audio system of the present invention can output digital audio signals at each output  72 ,  81  thereby reducing the need to convert the digital data representing the captured audio back into analog form.  
      The manner in which the system  10  of the present invention is used will be described below with references to the Figures. Prior to the surfer  2  mounting the surfboard  4 , the communication unit  18  is positioned and locked within the pocket  16  of the harness  12  using the locking device  17 . The harness  12  is then positioned on the back of the user and the fastening devices  15  on each strap contact one another thereby securing the harness  12  to the surfer  12 . The surfer  2  then mounts the board  4  and begins to surf. While surfing, the microphone  26  captures at least one of ambient sound and audible conversation from the surfer occurring within the predetermined distance thereof. The first processor  24  directs the transmitter  22  to transmit the audio signals  38  to the remote unit  30 . The antenna  32  of the remote unit  30  causes the audio signals to be reproduced by the output device  36 . As discussed above, the output device  36  causes the audio signals to be reproduced by speakers connected to the remote unit  30 . Also, the output device  36  may cause the audio signals to be broadcast over at least one of a television, cable and satellite network. When the audio signals are being broadcasted, the audio signals can be matched with video data representing images of the surfer  2  surfing the wave  6 . The video data is not part of this invention and will not be further discussed. Additionally, the output device  36  can distribute the audio signals across at least one of a telecommunication network and the Internet.  
      The system of the present invention provides viewers and listeners with additional insight into the sport of surfing. The ambient and conversational sound that is selectively captured by the system, which is then selectively broadcast and distributed over at least one of the television network, cable network, satellite network, communication network, and the Internet, allows for a more immersing viewing and listening experience. This system provides the additional entertainment benefit to viewers, listeners and fans of the sport of surfing while not disturbing the surfers in any way. The garment or harness used to retain the system to the surfer will not change the manner in which the surfer surfs. But, the system will provide additional entertainment value thereby potentially increasing the notoriety of the surfer as well the popularity of the sport.  
      While the above system is shown and described for use during surfing, the audio system  10  of the present invention is designed for use during any aquatic activity and/or sport. This includes but is not limited to jet skiing, water-skiing, wake-boarding, parasailing, wind-surfing, and swimming.  
      It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.  
      While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.  
      Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.