Hook Over Ear Or Spectacle Patents (Class 381/381)
  • Patent number: 10009873
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a transceiver configured to communicate with at least one wearable device and receive, from the at least one wearable device, status information indicating whether the at least one wearable device is currently being worn; and a processor configured to determine whether to send a notification request to the at least one wearable device based on the status information received by the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-hyun Ryu, Han-joo Chae
  • Patent number: 10003879
    Abstract: An earphone apparatus includes at least one sound broadcasting device. Each of the sound broadcasting device includes a main shell, a plurality of first electrodes, a speaker device and an expanding speaker device. The main shell has a first connector. The speaker device is disposed in the main shell, and receives a sound signal through a signal transmitting wire coupled to the first electrodes. The expanding speaker device has a second connector, and the expanding speaker device is detachably connected to the first connector through the second connector. When the second connector is connected to the first connector, the expanding speaker device is electronically connected to the first electrodes, and receives the sound signal transmitted by the signal transmitting wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Hsiu-Po Yang
  • Patent number: 9918152
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for an improved peripheral speaker. The peripheral speaker includes an exterior casing enclosing one or more drivers. The exterior casing further has a channel formed therein such that the channel is sized to removably secure an electronic device. The exterior casing is equipped with a connector lead which partially defines the cavity and that connects the one or more drivers to a port of the electronic device. The one or more drivers output audio according to an audio signal transmitted from the electronic device via the connector lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Michael Daley
  • Patent number: 9894430
    Abstract: The present specification discloses an incoming/outgoing-talk unit having an ear-hook unit, a cartilage conduction vibration unit that makes contact with ear cartilage in a state where the hook unit is hooked to the ear, an outgoing-talk unit, and a unit for performing short-range wireless communication with the mobile telephone. Further disclosed is an incoming-talk unit having an ear-hook unit, and a cartilage conduction vibration unit for transmitting cartilage conduction from outside of ear cartilage in a state where the hook unit is hooked to the ear. Also disclosed is an incoming-talk unit having a three-dimensional viewing adjustment unit, a temple having a unit for adjusting contact of eyesight-adjusting eyeglasses with the temple when the unit is superposedly mounted on the eyesight-adjusting eyeglasses; and an audio information output unit provided to the temple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: Rohm Co., Ltd., Finewell Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hosoi, Yoji Hosoi, Masashi Morimoto, Masahide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9881600
    Abstract: A headphone includes an electroacoustic transducer and a support structure for suspending the transducer adjacent to a user's ear when worn by the user such that the headphone is acoustically open. A first microphone is coupled to one or more of the transducer and the support structure such that the first microphone is located in a substantially broadband acoustic null of the transducer. A processor is coupled to the headphone. The microphone receives sound pressure waves and outputs a related electronic signal to the processor. The processor uses the electronic signal to operate the transducer to reduce targeted sound pressure waves at the user's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Mihir D. Shetye, Ole Mattis Nielsen, Ryan C. Silvestri
  • Patent number: 9872101
    Abstract: A system for sound capture and generation via nasal vibration is described. In embodiments the system includes eyeglasses that include at least a frame that is wearable by a user. Sensing circuitry is mounted to the frame, and a device is incorporated into the frame. The sensing circuitry includes at least one sensor, wherein the sensor can passively sense voice vibration induced in the user's nose, and/or which may actively induce audio vibration in the user's nose based on audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hector A. Cordourier Maruri, Paulo Lopez Meyer, Willem M. Beltman, Jose R. Camacho Perez, Julio C. Zamora Esquivel, Alejandro Ibarra Von Borstel
  • Patent number: 9813795
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to techniques (300) and apparatuses (100, 500) for implementing a flexible transducer for soft-tissue audio production. These techniques (300) and apparatuses (100, 500) enable an audio-production device (102) having a flexible transducer (116, 402) conformed to a person's pinna to create audio within the person's external ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Michael Daley
  • Patent number: 9814017
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a transceiver configured to communicate with at least one wearable device and receive, from the at least one wearable device, status information indicating whether the at least one wearable device is currently being worn; and a processor configured to determine whether to send a notification request to the at least one wearable device based on the status information received by the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-hyun Ryu, Han-joo Chae
  • Patent number: 9807493
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide for an improved attachment apparatus for attaching the attachment apparatus to an ear of a user using a hook body. The hooking body may be secured to the user's ear, such as in response to receiving a deforming force from the user that causes the hooking body to deform in conformity with at least a portion of the root of the user's ear. In some embodiments, the hooking body may be coupled to the attachment body via the bridging member of the attachment body. Accordingly, the hooking body may be configured to secured the attachment apparatus to the user's ear. In some embodiments, a sealing body may be coupled to the plate member of the attachment body, and the cover body may form at least a partial acoustic seal around the user's ear while the hooking body is secured to the attachment apparatus to the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Human, Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Willis, Adam Abraham Jossem, Stephen John Minarsch, Dae Il Kwon, Francesca Alyssum Quaglia, Lea Martin
  • Patent number: 9729959
    Abstract: Apparatus comprises adapter and speaker system. Adapter is configured to plug into port of personal digital audio player. Speaker system is in communication with adapter, and comprises multiple acoustic transducers, programmable processor circuit, and wireless communication circuit. In first operational mode, processor circuit receives, via adapter, and processes digital audio content from personal digital audio player into which adapter is plugged, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the received audio content from the personal digital audio player. In second operational mode, wireless communication circuit receives digital audio content from a remote digital audio source over a wireless network, processor circuit processes the digital audio content received from remote digital audio source, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the audio content received from the remote digital audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: KOSS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Koss, Michael J. Pelland
  • Patent number: 9723397
    Abstract: A wireless audio accessory that is adapted to removably attach to an item of clothing or eyewear. The wireless audio accessory has an elongated, flexible main body with fasteners disposed along a length thereof. The fasteners comprise main body fasteners fixed to the main body and article fasteners adapted to attach to the item of clothing or eyewear. One or more sound generation units attached to the flexible main body are adapted to provide audio to a wearer of the wireless audio accessory. The wireless audio accessory includes a control unit that controls audio output aspects of the sound generation units. A short-range wireless receiver electronically coupled to the control unit receives short-range wireless signals and transmits audio signals to the sound generation units via the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Four Seasons Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikh Nobouphasavanh
  • Patent number: 9648408
    Abstract: Disclosed is a headset and an ear hook for a headset, the headset comprising a housing portion and a microphone component, the microphone component comprising a microphone boom, the microphone boom comprising a wire, wherein the ear hook comprises: a first end structurally connected to the housing portion; a second end comprising a wire holder configured for detachable retention of the wire from the microphone boom; and where a portion of the ear hook between the first end and the second end is configured for attaching the ear hook to an ear of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventors: Camilla Korch-Haahr, Stig Holbek, Peter Ulrik Kann
  • Patent number: 9616222
    Abstract: A system for providing non-invasive neuromodulation to a patient includes a mouthpiece and a controller. The mouthpiece includes an elongated housing, a printed circuit board, control circuitry mounted within the elongated housing, and a cable for connecting to a controller. The controller includes an elongated u-shaped element, an electronic receptacle, and a microcontroller. A method for providing non-invasive neurorehabilitation of a patient including connecting a mouthpiece to a controller, transmitting a numeric sequence to the mouthpiece, generating a first hash code, transmitting the first hash code to the controller, generating a second hash code, comparing the second hash code with the first hash code, enabling electrical communication between the mouthpiece and the controller only if the first hash code matches the second hash code, contacting the mouthpiece with the patient's intraoral cavity, and delivering neurostimulation to the patient's intraoral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Neurohabilitation Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Guarraia, Adam Muratori, Justin Fisk, Aidan Petrie, Jeffrey M. Wallace, Daniel P. Smith
  • Patent number: 9525929
    Abstract: An adjustable occlusion headphone includes a housing having a face, a resilient seal member on the housing, adapted to surround the user's ear, and with the face of the housing form a chamber enclosing the user's ear. A speaker communicates through the face of the housing to provide sound to the user's ear. There is at least one port in the face of the housing. A passage extends from each port to the exterior of the housing. A valve member associated with each passage, is operable between an open position and a closed position, and an operator for operating each valve member between its open and closed position to control sound communication from outside the housing to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth D. Burgett, Michael Joseph Spenner
  • Patent number: 9338539
    Abstract: An in-ear-canal headset assembly includes an accommodating housing, a speaker unit, a fixing unit, an in-ear unit and a microphone unit. The accommodating housing has a resonance chamber, a sound chamber in air communication with the resonance chamber, and an outer cover covering the resonance chamber. The resonance chamber receives a socket therein. The speaker unit is received in the sound chamber. The fixing unit has a ring portion disposed around the sound chamber and a hooking portion connected to the ring portion. The in-ear unit has a covering lid covering the sound chamber, a wave-guiding tube extending from the covering lid, and a flexible tip fixed on the wave-guiding tube. The microphone unit has an arm, an earphone plug, a microphone disposed on an end of the arm, and a connecting cord arranged on the arm for electrically connecting the earphone plug to the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: DEXIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yi-Shun Chen
  • Patent number: 9307311
    Abstract: An audio device (100) provides an on-ear speaker housing (110), an adjustable shaft (120), and a malleable ear loop (130) coupled to the adjustable shaft. The adjustable shaft (120) controls vertical movement of the malleable ear loop (130). The malleable ear loop (130) can be fit about a user's ear with its height being adjusted by the adjustable shaft 120. The adjustable shaft further controls rotation of the on-ear speaker housing (110). The rotation of the on-ear speaker housing (110) allows for user adjustable left ear mounting or right ear mounting with a single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Chi T. Tran
  • Patent number: 9237395
    Abstract: Modular audio systems comprise two speaker assemblies and a wiring system. Each speaker assembly may comprise a speaker and an audio jack integral to each speaker assembly. The wiring system comprises a first wiring assembly comprising two audio jacks configured to connect to the audio jacks of the two speaker assemblies and two wires connected to the two audio jacks at first ends of the two wires. Headphone assemblies may comprise two speaker assemblies and a headband configured for removable attachment to the speaker assemblies. Each speaker assembly may comprise an attachment structure configured for attachment to another device or structure, wherein the attachment structure of each speaker assembly of the two speaker assemblies comprises a frustoconical surface and two first attachment features comprising elongated features on the frustoconical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Sze, Zack Leader, Jon Lee Anderson, Peter M. Kelly, Tetsuro Oishi, Thomas C. Burton
  • Patent number: 9210498
    Abstract: A wearable electronic band configured to contain a plug to engage a power source, and one or more earbud charging receptacles. The band also contains its own rechargeable battery electrically connected to the receptacles and a power source, such as an external source or an induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Alpha Audiotronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Everett Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9210493
    Abstract: A wireless earpiece may include a local memory for storing audio files that can be played back by the user. The wireless earpiece may fit entirely within the user's ear canal. Audio files, for example music files, may be loaded on the wireless earpiece by docking the wireless earpiece with a mobile device, which includes a larger memory storing the user's library of music files. The wireless earpiece may also be charged while docked with the mobile device by receiving power from the mobile device's larger battery. To provide stereo sound, two wireless earpieces may be worn by the user and docked separately with the mobile device. Each of the two wireless earpieces may store a single channel of an audio file, which is separated by the mobile device during synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 9167334
    Abstract: Adjustable single-ear headsets or earpieces have an earplug portion to be inserted in the user's ear canal, a body portion to rest in the user's outer ear, and an adjustable securing loop to encircle the user's pinna, the loop adjusted by a rotary mechanism to change the size or shape of the loop and hold the earpiece securely in the user's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick R. Triato
  • Patent number: 9106997
    Abstract: A behind-the-ear mountable earphone includes a generally C-shaped ear support. The support has a first section extending between a first end and the top of the ā€œCā€, adapted to fit behind the user's ear, and a second section extending from the top of the ā€œCā€ to a second end. The second section is in a plane different from the first section, so that when the first section is behind the user's ear, the second section extends over the front of the user's ear. An earphone is telescopingly mounted on the second end of the C-shaped support. The earphone comprising a generally circular face adapted to be received in the concha of the user's ear, the generally circular face disposed at an angle with respect to the first section of the generally C-shaped support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Seth D. Burgett, Aaron Gorga, Effrosini A. Karayiannis
  • Patent number: 9084054
    Abstract: An audio device worn in a piercing in an ear of a user. The audio device extends through the piercing and includes a wireless communications unit disposed at a first end and a sound-production unit coupled to an opposite second end thereof. The signal path from a master device to the sound-production unit for producing audio outputs thus passes through the pinna of the ear. The sound-production unit may include an ornamental cover such that the device can be worn as jewelry. The speaker and the wireless communications unit may be removable from a body of the device to enable the body to be worn alone as jewelry and to allow replacement of the wireless communications unit with a wired connection. The device may include a control surface useable to provide inputs to the master device coupled to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventors: Barrett Prelogar, Patsy Prelogar
  • Patent number: 9036854
    Abstract: Audio equipment comprising a signal generating module (26) arranged to output signals to a pair of speakers (20), wherein the speakers (20) are mounted upon respective housings (18), adapted to be carried by a glasses frame unit (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Marcus Lewis
  • Publication number: 20150131838
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a sound outputting device includes a front unit, a first side unit, a second side unit, a sound transmitting portion, and a piezoelectric speaker. The first side unit is coupled to one end portion of the front unit. The second side unit is coupled to another end portion of the front unit. The sound transmitting portion is provided in the first side unit for transmitting a sound via cartilage conduction. The piezoelectric speaker vibrates the sound transmitting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Seiji HORII
  • Patent number: 9031275
    Abstract: A headset (1) comprising an attachment device (2) for attaching the headset (1) to the head of a user and a speaker housing (3). The speaker housing 3 is connected slidable along and rotatable about a first axis (X) to the attachment device (2), such that it can be placed into a selected longitudinal and angular position within a longitudinal interval (LI) and an angular interval (AI). The longitudinal interval (LI) comprises a first zone (Z1) and a second zone (Z2), and the speaker housing (3) can rotate through a first angular interval (AI1), when in the first zone (Z1) and through a second angular interval (AI2), when in the second zone (Z2). The first angular interval (AI1) is larger than the second angular interval (AI2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Brian BrĆødsgaard
  • Patent number: 9020168
    Abstract: An apparatus including an air-conduction transducer and a bone conduction transducer. The air-conduction transducer is configured to convert a first frequency band component of an electrical audio signal into acoustic energy to be delivered to an ear canal of a user. The bone conduction transducer is configured to convert a second, at least partially different, frequency band component of the electrical audio signal into mechanical energy to be delivered to a skull of the user. The apparatus is configured to deliver both forms of the energies to the user at a substantially same time to provide a combined audio delivery result to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Karkkainen, Lance Williams, Peng Xie
  • Patent number: 9008341
    Abstract: A system and method for identification of a peripheral device is provided. A system and method for automatic parameter adjustment of a destination device based on the identification of a peripheral device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: James Ryan
  • Patent number: 8983109
    Abstract: A wireless ear-hook headset includes a flexible tube, a receiver and a transceiver. The flexible tube has a cable, a first fixing binder fixed on one end of the cable, a second fixing binder fixed on the other end of the cable, and an outer layer. The cable has at least one shapeable metallic wire, a plurality of signal wires and an insulating cover layer. The outer layer has two ends which are fixedly connected with the first and second fixing binders respectively and fully covering the cable. The receiver is connected to the first fixing binder of the flexible tube. The transceiver is connected to the second fixing binder of the flexible tube. The present invention also discloses the flexible tube structure and a method for manufacturing the flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited, Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Ming Wang, Che-Cheng Chang
  • Patent number: 8983110
    Abstract: A headphone device including a driver unit, and an ear-hook hanger of a loop shape that is integrated with the driver unit and supports an entire circumference of an ear capsule is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keitaro Fujiwara, Katsunori Murozaki
  • Publication number: 20150071479
    Abstract: An audio apparatus including a housing and a piezoelectric transducer mounted in the housing so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna. The transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear. The apparatus further including a coupler coupling the transducer to the housing with the coupler approximating to a simple support for the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: NVF TECH LTD.
    Inventors: James East, Neil Simon Owen
  • Patent number: 8958589
    Abstract: An In-The-Ear (ITE) device is disclosed. This ITE is adapted for connection to a cable from a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) device, the ITE device including a releasable mechanical retention device for the cable, such that the cable may be customized in length and may be attached to the retention device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Slobodan Ilic, Phillip Stallard, Thomas Hunkeler, Olivier BlƤttler
  • Publication number: 20150030197
    Abstract: A device (400) includes a device hook receiver (503). The device hook receiver defines a port (707) to an acoustic chamber (1103) disposed within the device. An ear hook (403) includes a device hook (502). The device hook attaches to the device hook receiver and at least partially visibly obscures the port. The device hook also provides separation between an outer surface (1303) of the device hook and the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Peter M. Pavlov, Sean N. Davie, Peng Jiang, Ryan P. Rye
  • Patent number: 8934654
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices, audio devices, and communication devices for facilitating the presentation of personal audio. More specifically, disclosed are an apparatus and method to form directional audio personal to a user in a non-occluded manner. In one embodiment, a personal audio and communication devices can include a first directional speaker disposed at a first mounting region of a first support member. The first support member is configured to position the first directional speaker adjacent a first ear in substantial alignment with the first ear. Also included is a second directional speaker disposed at a second mounting region of a second support member. The second support member is configured to position the second directional speaker adjacent a second ear in substantial alignment with the second ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: AliphCom
    Inventor: Scott Fullam
  • Publication number: 20140334658
    Abstract: A wireless ear-hook headset includes a flexible tube, a receiver and a transceiver. The flexible tube has a cable, a first fixing binder fixed on one end of the cable, a second fixing binder fixed on the other end of the cable, and an outer layer. The cable has at least one shapeable metallic wire, a plurality of signal wires and an insulating cover layer. The outer layer has two ends which are fixedly connected with the first and second fixing binders respectively and fully covering the cable. The receiver is connected to the first fixing binder of the flexible tube. The transceiver is connected to the second fixing binder of the flexible tube. The present invention also discloses the flexible tube structure and a method for manufacturing the flexible tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED
    Inventors: CHUNG-MING WANG, CHE-CHENG CHANG
  • Patent number: 8885859
    Abstract: A semi-permanent hearing device is adapted to be inserted completely into the ear canal of a user. The semi-permanent hearing device comprises a first part and a second part each of which comprises at least one of the following electrical components: a microphone, a sound processing unit, a receiver and a battery. The first part and the second part are detachably connected to each other. In an alternative aspect of the invention, a hearing device comprises a microphone and a wax filter arrangement arranged to cover at least one audio canal through which sound propagates from a position outside the hearing aid and into the microphone. The wax filter arrangement comprises a wax filter and the wax filter arrangement is adapted to allow different parts of the wax filter to cover the at least one audio canal at different points in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland BV
    Inventor: Aart Zeger van Halteren
  • Patent number: 8867771
    Abstract: The invention discloses a kind of portable vibration speaker that is composed of an upper cover, a lower cover, and a vibrating tone generator and a control circuit (the both are fitted inside the lower cover). The inside of the upper cover is fitted with a speaker. The improvements include a blow-molded spring; one end of the blow-molded spring is connected to the upper cover, and the other end is connected to the lower cover in rotating mode; inner wall of the upper cover is provided with a buckle, and a buckle flute is arranged in a position on the lower cover corresponding to the buckle. A blow-molded spring connects the resonant sound unit and speakers into one piece so as to avoid the flaws such as poor sound effects and narrow volume range of pure resonant sound unit or conventional compact sound unit. Music of different sound quality may be given with superior sound quality effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Qingkai Mei
  • Patent number: 8867774
    Abstract: There is provided a portable audio output device that can be stably hooked over a user's external ear. A cord 2 is curved so as to be hooked over a user's external ear A. A speaker unit 10 has a holding unit 13 that holds the cord 2. The holding unit 13 holds the cord 2 in a position on the cord 2 away from an end 2a such that the cord 2 is curved between the end 2a and a portion thereof held by the holding unit 13. The holding unit 13 is configured such that the cord 2 can move relative to the holding unit 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Taichi Nokuo
  • Patent number: 8848957
    Abstract: A hearing aid retainer accessory to be used together with a hearing aid is provided having a housing with a relatively large diameter longitudinal end face portion and a relatively smaller diameter hook-end to which a hook is attached. The hearing aid retainer accessory comprises an elongated string with a first end portion and a second portion, a first attaching means connected to the first end portion and a second attaching means connected to the second portion, wherein the first attaching means is attachable to a hook of a hearing aid, the second attaching means is attachable to a longitudinal end face portion of a housing of a hearing aid, such that a retaining ring is formed of both the geometry of a hearing aid and the elongated string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Morten Friis Karlsen
  • Patent number: 8848958
    Abstract: A hearing aid retainer accessory is provided for use with a hearing aid having a housing with a longitudinal end face portion comprising a mechanical connection terminal and an electrical connection point. The hearing aid retainer accessory comprises a retainer element with a first end face portion having a first mechanical connection means configured to be engageable to a mechanical connection terminal of a longitudinal end face portion of a housing of a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Morten Friis Karlsen
  • Patent number: 8842870
    Abstract: Audio apparatus comprising a housing and a piezoelectric transducer (12) mounted in the housing (10) so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna whereby the transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear characterised by comprising a coupler (14) coupling the transducer (12) to the housing (10) with the coupler (14) approximating to a simple support for the transducer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: NVF Tech Ltd.
    Inventors: James East, Neil Simon Owen
  • Publication number: 20140270317
    Abstract: A behind-the-ear mountable earphone includes a generally C-shaped ear support. The support has a first section extending between a first end and the top of the ā€œCā€, adapted to fit behind the user's ear, and a second section extending from the top of the ā€œCā€ to a second end. The second section is in a plane different from the first section, so that when the first section is behind the user's ear, the second section extends over the front of the user's ear. An earphone is telescopingly mounted on the second end of the C-shaped support. The earphone comprising a generally circular face adapted to be received in the concha of the user's ear, the generally circular face disposed at an angle with respect to the first section of the generally C-shaped support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Verto Medical Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Seth D. Burgett, Aaron Gorga, Effrosini A. Karayiannis
  • Publication number: 20140270316
    Abstract: An eyewear sound induction ear speaker device includes an eyewear frame, at least one speaker including an audio channel integrated with the eyewear frame and an acoustic duct coupled to the speaker and arranged to channel sound emitted by the speaker to an ear of the user wearing the eyewear frame. A method of providing sound for eyewear includes receiving an audio signal at a speaker integrated with an eyewear frame, inducing the speaker to produce an acoustic sound, and channeling the sound through an acoustic duct to be presented to a user wearing the eyewear frame. The eyewear can include microphones and at least one of a receiver and a transmitter that are integral to the eyewear frame and electronically linked to the at least one speaker. The microphones can be employed in noise cancellation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KOPIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dashen Fan
  • Patent number: 8837766
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the ear-loop earphone comprises a main body, an ear-loop base and an ear-loop. The main body has a surrounding side, a front side, and a back side, wherein the front side is opposing to the back side, the front side has a plurality of sounding apertures for outputting an audio, and the surrounding side surrounds and connects to the front side and the back side. The ear-loop base is fixed on the surrounding side of the main body in a rotatable manner, and rotates with respect to a first axis. The ear-loop is fixed on the ear-loop base in a rotatable manner, and rotates with respect to a second axis different from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Hsin Liu, Shu-Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 8818012
    Abstract: An adjustable, dual speaker element earphone. One of the speaker elements is sized to fit into the cavum concha of the listeners ear and the other element is not. A hinged joint may allow the larger speaker element may be rotated about a vertical axis of the hinged joint so that the larger speaker element can be rotated towards or away from the listener's ear. The speaker elements may be connected such that sounds produced by both speaker elements emanate from different respective sound openings defined in a surface of the smaller speaker element. Also, one or both of the speaker elements may be operably connected to a hanger bar that is sized and configured to rest on an upper portion of the listener's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Pelland, Ronaldo J. Santiago, James J. Potter, Mandy M. Johnson, Allan G. Mlodzikowski, Michael J. Koss
  • Publication number: 20140198943
    Abstract: A headphone device including a driver unit, and an ear-hook hanger of a loop shape that is integrated with the driver unit and supports an entire circumference of an ear capsule is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keitaro FUJIWARA, Katsunori MUROZAKI
  • Patent number: 8767997
    Abstract: A headphone device including a driver unit, and an ear-hook hanger of a loop shape that is integrated with the driver unit and supports an entire circumference of an ear capsule is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keitaro Fujiwara, Katsunori Murozaki
  • Patent number: 8744113
    Abstract: A communication eyewear assembly is configured to identify a zone of safety about a wearer and to notify the wearer and/or others of same. A frame assembly is worn to maintain at least one transparent eye panel in front of the wearer's eyes. A processor coupled to the frame assembly receives incoming data from at least one data source. Utilizing the received data, the processor generates zone of safety information in least one spatial dimension relative to a hazardous area. The assembly can also determine existence of extraordinary circumstances based on changes or lack of changes in the data, and notify the wearer and/or others of same, particularly with regard to the status of the wearer. In accordance with the monitoring of the wearer and/or the communication eyewear itself, a unique ID is assigned to the communication eyewear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Telecom, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Rickards
  • Publication number: 20140140567
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a wearable electronic device having an audio port and a headset having at least one earbud, at least one physiological and/or environmental sensor, and circuitry that processes signals produced by the at least one physiological and/or environmental sensor and transmits the processed signals to the electronic device via the audio port. The headset may include a microphone in audio communication with the electronic device via the audio port, and the circuitry modulates audio signals produced by the microphone and signals produced by the at least one physiological and/or environmental sensor for transmission to the electronic device via the audio port. The circuitry may power the at least one physiological and/or environmental sensor via power supplied by the electronic device through the audio port and may include a processor that coordinates collection, modulation, and/or transmission of signals produced by the at least one physiological and/or environmental sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: VALENCELL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer
  • Publication number: 20140098983
    Abstract: A wearable wireless communication device is provided, including a behind-the-ear main electronics enclosure housing wireless communication electronics, a main electronics enclosure mount engaging the behind-the-ear main electronics enclosure, an ear mount fitting the main electronics enclosure mount, and a decorative mount including a speaker. The decorative mount attaches to the ear mount which is configured to fit over an ear of a wearer. Signals are transmitted from the main electronics enclosure to the main electronics enclosure mount, to the ear mount, and to the speaker in the decorative mount. Audio from the speaker is provided to the ear of the user. Pierced ear and non-pierced ear versions are provided, wherein the ear mount for the non-pierced ear version includes a clip that clips to the wearer's ear lobe. The pierced ear version includes a conductive post that passes through a piercing in the wearer's ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Keith Allen Clow
  • Patent number: 8654987
    Abstract: A standalone, earhook style headset interface and control apparatus that plugs into and engages a micro audio player, particularly, a micro MP3 player, used as an integral part of an ear supported, recorded audio device player or headphone. The earhook headphone system combines player controls, speaker and speaker controls, and headphone jack to plug in a second headphone for stereo listening of programmed audio while securing the MP3 player on, behind or about the ear during vigorous activity. An auxiliary jack also functions as the programming and recharging interface for the audio player device. A selector control switch for single/duplex single ear channel listening is located on the housing. A spring tail earhook of flexible soft silicone material, functions as the gripping and stabilizing element of the earhook headset, securing the unit behind or near the ear. All control functions of the audio player are integrated into the earhook headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis Palma