Portable audio devices

Abstract

The components of a portable personal audio system include first and second audio signal source devices, such as an MP3 player ( 14 ) and telephone ( 16 ). These are connected via respective leads ( 12 ) to a control and switching stage ( 22 ), and from there to left and right audio output devices ( 26 ). User input to effect operation of the control and switching stage ( 22 ) selectively directs audio signals from one or both of the signal source devices ( 14, 16 ) to a selected one or ones of the left and right audio output devices ( 26 ).

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . A garment comprising: 
 a control device that is configured to control coupling between/among a plurality of audio source devices and one or more audio output devices, and includes a control interface at an exterior surface of the garment that is superficially accessible to enable a user to effect control of the coupling, and    a communication network that is configured to provide the coupling.    
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein 
 the control interface is situated on a sleeve of the garment.    
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein 
 the control device includes one or more predefined coupling configurations between/among the plurality of audio source devices and audio output devices, and    the control interface is configured to facilitate selection of the one or more predefined coupling configurations.    
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 14 , wherein 
 the one or more audio source devices includes a playback device having a plurality of output signals,    the one or more audio output devices includes a plurality of speakers, and    at least one of the predefined coupling configurations includes a coupling of the plurality of output signals to the plurality of speakers.    
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 15 , wherein 
 the control interface is configured to facilitate control of the playback device.    
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 14 , wherein 
 the one or more audio source devices includes a telephone,    the one or more audio source devices includes a microphone, and    at least one of the predefined coupling configurations includes a coupling of the microphone to an input of the telephone and a coupling of an output of the telephone to at least one of the one or more audio output devices.    
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 17 , wherein 
 the control device is configured to automatically select the corresponding coupling configuration upon receipt of an incoming call to the telephone.    
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 17 , wherein 
 the control interface is configured to facilitate dialing the telephone.    
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein 
 the control interface is configured to enable to user to selectively control coupling to each of the one or more audio output devices.    
     
     
         21 . The garment of  claim 12 , including 
 one or more pockets that are configured to hold one or more of the audio source devices.    
     
     
         22 . The garment of  claim 21 , wherein 
 at least one of the one or more pockets includes a connector for coupling the corresponding audio source device to the communication network.    
     
     
         23 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein 
 the plurality of audio source devices includes one or more audio input devices.    
     
     
         24 . The garment of  claim 23 , wherein 
 the plurality of audio source devices includes at least one audio device having an input and an output, and    the control device is configured to control coupling between the one or more audio input devices and the input of the audio device, and between the one or more audio output devices and the output of the audio device.    
     
     
         25 . The garment of  claim 23 , including 
 the one or more audio input devices.    
     
     
         26 . The garment of  claim 12 , including 
 the one or more audio output devices.    
     
     
         27 . The garment of  claim 12 , including 
 one or more of the plurality of audio source devices.    
     
     
         28 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein 
 the communication network includes conductors that are embedded in the garment.    
     
     
         29 . The garment of  claim 28 , wherein 
 the communication network is configured to communicate power from a power source to one or more of the plurality of audio source devices or to the control unit.    
     
     
         30 . The garment of  claim 28 , wherein 
 some or all of the conductors are embedded in a section of the garment that is detachable from the garment.    
     
     
         31 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein 
 the control device is detachable from the garment.