There were two non-Apple patents revealed today by the US Patent & Trademark Office that were filed by two distinct inventors clearly developing headgear that could incorporate various styled iPod’s from Apple. One such inventor by the name of Aaron M. Phillips of Granite Bay California, states that his headgear invention will either accommodate an iPod Shuffle or Nano. The headgear is generally engineered to appeal to athletes who are used to wearing headbands and/or caps. The second patent, by inventor Marcio Mar Abreu of North Haven Connecticut, is far more elaborate and encompasses eyewear or video goggles. Abreu’s patent has over 200 illustrations that cover everything from incorporating their headgear into football helmets with thermal cooling, into cowboy hats, baseball caps and a host of both fascinating and insanely off-the-wall applications. Abreu’s patent mentions Apple’s iPod in conjunction to a few of his imagined applications.

An iPod Shuffle Headband

Aaron Phillips describes his invention by stating that “with this invention, headgear is provided along with an integrated music player and associated speakers which are all concealed within head girding headgear of either a headband or cap variety. The headgear assembly includes a headband or cap which includes a left speaker pouch for a left speaker, a right speaker pouch for a right speaker and a player pouch for supporting a sound player. Each of these pouches are oriented within the headband or cap for convenient operation of the headgear assembly. In particular, the speaker pouches are provided in locations which place them directly over ears of the user when the headband or cap is appropriately worn. The player pouch is preferably provided at a convenient location adjacent one of the temples of the user, with controls on the player accessed through a window in the pouch, such that only the controls of the player are exposed.”

In patent point number 47, Mr. Phillips patent points out that the MP3 player noted in his patent Figure 2 under point number 60, is an iPod Shuffle from Apple. The patent goes on to state that the MP3 player pouch noted as point 50 in the illustration, could be modified to accommodate an iPod Nano specifically. In general, the patent states that the pouch could accommodate cell phones as well, the iPhone isn’t singled out. Patent Figure 4 noted above is that of the iPod Shuffle.

Video Googles for iPod

According to Marcio Mar Abreu’s patent Figures 12 and 12A, the preferred embodiment includes longer wires of the DEP (detachable electronic package) for connecting the detachable electronic eyeglasses of the invention with commercially available devices, such as digital music players as an iPod of Apple Computer.

Specifically, FIG. 12A shows detachable electronic eyeglasses system 625 comprised of detachable electronic eyeglasses 620 and DEP 618 worn by user 614, with said DEP 618 including electronic package 634 such as an iPod, which may be removably mounted on the DEP 618 with said electronic package 634 electrically connected by wire 632 with end portion 623 of temple 616 through electrical connector 628 at free end 630 with said electrical connection allowing transmission of sound to ear bud 624 by coiled wired 622 with said ear bud resting on ear 626 of user 614. In this embodiment, as seen in FIG. 12A, electrical connector 628 faces downward for better positioning of cord 632 across the neck and shoulder for holding an electronic package such as an iPod.

The iPod is once again noted under patent point number 613: “Similar to FIGS. 175A and 175B, the storage cord has three portions. The front portion however has been replaced by a screen and the mid-portion includes a microphone and ear bud. This embodiment can function with a plurality of different electronic devices including a digital viewing system or a cellular phone with a display. The system may also include a camera. It is also understood that a digital imaging device, such as an iPod of Apple, Inc., can be housed in the storage cord, with the visual signal conveyed to the screen secured to the bill of the visor and the audio signal conveyed to the ear bud. Although the system is shown as a removably mounted system, it is also understood that the storage cord viewing system of the invention can be integral with the wearable article, such as head mounted gear, and permanently affixed to the wearable article, with the electronics package being permanently attached or removably attached to the back portion of the storage cord.”

Too Many Ideas

Sometimes patents get too ahead of themselves. While you could appreciate their enthusiasm, the fact remains that some ideas are just too off the wall to ever come to market. Marcio Mar Abreu’s patent has some very thoughtful applications as are those connected to the iPod. Some applications like the example of the wide brimmed hat (or cowboy hat) or even the gaming application appear to have some appeal. However, with over 200 illustrations, the patent goes a little off into La-La Land with thermal cooled football helmets and extremely complex systems, like the examples found in patent Figures 45A and 46 noted below. In addition, the patent never explains the intended market target this would be applicable to. Perhaps stock traders who want their hands free at times to signal a buy, but in general, it’s difficult to imagine working with so much gear strapped to yourself. Furthermore, why would anyone lying down, as is illustrated in patent figure 46 below, want to have so many contraptions interconnected when the same task could likely be accomplished using a mini notebook? With that said, Mr. Abreu’s patent is very lengthy and contains over 200 illustrations to review. If you’re up for the task, and like to see futuristic ideas, then check it out here.

The Race is On

The race is certainly on to get visual headgear out to the marketplace over the next few years and Apple has already revealed their clear intentions of doing so regarding an iPod visual head-display system. But Apple isn’t alone on that front. It appears that Brother Industries Ltd. has a clear head start with their intent to commercialize their retinal scanning display in 2010. Their system is noted in the illustration below and for details, their press release is here.

The good news in my view however, is that Apple has some new developers and inventors that are incorporating Apple’s iPod into their projected products and Apple themselves are in hot pursuit of this next great iPod peripheral – video goggles. And if Apple has taught us anything thus far, it’s that being first to market doesn’t always matter. At the end of the day, it’s more about delivering a product that has a cool design matched with very thoughtful software that counts. I’m not too sure that Brothers will be able to match Apple on the software front. In fact, the new patents that have surfaced today from both Mr. Phillips and Abreu actually attest to the fact that they have a great idea for peripherals that Apple’s iPod could take advantage of. Now that’s progress – and sweet.

NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent applications and/or grants should be read in its entirety for further details.

Written and researched by Neo.