Headphone responsive to optical signaling
US9609416B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R1/1083
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical sensor may be integrated into headphones and feedback from the sensor used to adjust an audio output from the headphones. For example, an emergency vehicle traffic preemption signal may be detected by the optical sensor. Optical signals may be processed in a pattern discriminator, which may be integrated with an audio controller integrated circuit (IC). When the signal is detected, the playback of music through the headphones may be muted and/or a noise cancellation function turned off. The optical sensor may be integrated in a music player, a smart phone, a tablet, a cord-mounted module, or the earpieces of the headphones.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.