Microphone mask

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11266184-B2
Application number	US-202016838219-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 2, 2020
Priority date	Apr 2, 2019
Publication date	Mar 8, 2022
Grant date	Mar 8, 2022

Abstract

A mask is worn to cover a mouth of a wearer, and includes a mask main body made of a cloth-like material, a microphone arranged on the mask main body, and configured to collect voice of the wearer, a cord connected to the microphone, and a support portion that supports the microphone. The support portion is joined to a peripheral portion of the mask main body and higher in rigidity than the mask main body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mask capable of covering a mouth of a wearer, the mask comprising:
a mask main body made of a cloth-like material;
a microphone arranged on the mask main body, and configured to collect voice of the wearer;
a cord connected to the microphone; and
a support portion configured to rest on the nose of the wearer and support[s] the microphone,
the support portion being higher in rigidity than the mask main body,
the support portion being arranged along a channel across the full length of the upper end of the mask body, and
at least a part of the cord being arranged in the channel.

2. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein
the cloth-like material is made of paper or contains synthetic fibers or natural fibers.

3. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein
an image or a picture is printed on the mask main body.

4. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein
the mask further includes a strap portion to be put over an ear of the wearer, and
the strap portion forms an elastic loop.

5. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein
the mask further includes a strap portion to be put over an ear of the wearer, and
the cloth-like material is connected to the strap portion and the cord is connected to the cloth-like material in the vicinity of a position where the cloth-like material is connected to the strap portion.

6. A method of manufacturing a mask, the method comprising:
obtaining a cloth like material having an upper end;
obtaining a microphone connected to a cord;
obtaining a support portion for resting on the nose of a wearer of the mask, the support portion having higher rigidity than the cloth like material;
attaching the microphone to the support portion;
arranging a the support portion, microphone, and cord along the upper end of the mask; and
forming a channel across the full length of the upper end of the cloth like material, the channel surrounding the support portion, microphone, and cord.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
attaching a strap to the upper end of the cloth like material; and
attaching the cord to the strap in the vicinity of the position where the strap is connected to the cloth-like material.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
printing an image on the cloth like material.

9. A method of wearing a mask having a support portion and a microphone attached to the support portion and a cord, the support portion, microphone, and cord being arranged within a channel at the upper end of the mask, the method comprising:
positioning the mask to cover the nose and mouth of a face with the support portion resting on the nose;
positioning at least a portion of a strap above the ear to hold the mask against the face; and
positioning at least a portion of the cord over the ear,
wherein the cord is adapted to connect to an audio device below the ear.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein,
the mask has an image printed on it that indicates which side of the mask should face outward from the face.

Assignees

• Soundhound Inc

Inventors

• Mcmahon Kathleen Worthington

Classifications

• A41D13/1161

  Means for fastening to the user's head · CPC title

• A41D1/002 Primary

  adapted to accommodate electronic equipment (patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085) · CPC title

• A41D13/11 Primary

  Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres (eye-masks A61F9/04 {; hoods affording protection against heat or harmful chemical agents A62B17/04}) · CPC title

• A41D1/005

  with embedded cable or connector · CPC title

• A42B3/30

  Mounting radio sets or communication systems · CPC title