Aural Device with White Noise Generator
An aural device to be worn over the ear of a user during sleeping hours which generates white noise.
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Sound conditioners are known which camouflage undesirable noise in the environment by generating white noise or background sounds such as the sound of ocean surf, rain, a rain forest, or a heartbeat. These devices are stand-alone units and usually sit on a night stand or the like for use by individuals at night to aid sleep.
Other mechanisms for avoiding exposure to unwanted sounds include passive mechanisms such as ear plugs or ear covers with noise-absorbing qualities. Active noise cancellation techniques are also known, and involve the use of a microphone for receiving external sounds which are converted into an electrical signal, after which an opposing-phase signal is generated. This opposing-phase signal is then supplied to a speaker in a headset and serves to cancel at least some of the external sounds by destructive interference.
SUMMARYThe present invention comprises an aural device, in particular one for use by a user during sleep, that reduces a user's experience of undesirable environmental noise. The device includes a housing, a structural element projecting away from the housing, and a battery connected to the structural projection. The housing is configured for placement adjacent to the ear canal of a user without covering the pinna and includes a transducer in the interior of the housing; circuitry in electrical communication with the transducer for generating sound; a conduit for conducting sound generated by the transducer from the interior of the housing to the exterior of the housing; and an elastic rim adjacent to the distal end of the conduit for covering the ear canal of a user. Preferably the circuitry of the device includes a white noise generator. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic rim of the housing portion of the device is an eartip and comprises a distal surface which is spherical in shape. The lateral end of the housing also preferably comprises a substantially flat surface for greater user comfort. In addition, the medial end of the housing preferably projects downward with respect to the substantially flat lateral end at an angle of less than 90°.
The projecting structural member is connected at a proximal end to the housing and at a distal end to a battery, and includes an electrical connector which places the battery in electrical communication with circuitry within the housing. The projection further comprises a substantially flat lateral surface and a substantially flat medial surface to provide greater comfort and wearability. In one embodiment, the projection extends from the concha of the ear of a user around the ear and forms an earhook.
The battery of the device is in electrical communication with the circuitry and transducer in the housing through the electrical connector of the projection. The battery is preferably contained in a battery housing having a substantially flat lateral surface and a substantially flat medial surface for greater user comfort. The proximal end of the battery housing in one embodiment is removably securable to the electrical connector, in which case the battery is preferably rechargeable.
The present device can be used in conjunction with a container that not only protects the device when not in use but also allows the battery to be recharged. The container in this embodiment includes both a compartment for enclosing the aural device and a receptacle in the compartment for receiving the proximal end of the battery housing. The receptacle includes an electrical connector that places the battery in electrical communication with a power source. In this embodiment the container further includes circuitry for charging the battery, including LED lights for indicating the charging status of a battery contained in the receptacle.
As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used.
“Concha” refers to the concave portion of the pinna adjacent to the ear canal.
“Coronal plane” refers to a plane which passes through the longitudinal axis of the body which divides the body into dorsal (back) and ventral (front) sections.
“Earhook” refers to a structural element connecting the earpiece of the present device with a battery having a curved shape and extending around the pinna of a user's ear between the skull and the medial side of the pinna. An earhook extends between a ventral portion of the pinna and a dorsal portion when worn by a user.
“Earpiece” refers to a portion of the present device that houses an electro-acoustic transducer for converting electric signals into sounds and that is placed directly outside of the ear canal of a user, without fully covering the pinna of the ear. Typically the earpiece fits within the outer ear bowl (concha) of the ear of a user and covers some or all of the concha.
“Eartip” refers to a structural element attached to the earpiece for conducting sound from the earpiece to the ear of a user and/or for facilitating placement of the earpiece in the outer ear bowl (concha) and/or the ear canal of a user.
“Lateral” refers to a direction or orientation away from the midsaggital plane of a user of the present device.
“Medial” refers to a direction or orientation toward the midsaggital plane of a user of the present device.
A “microcontroller unit” (“MCU”) is a device on a single integrated circuit consisting of a relatively simple CPU combined with support functions such as an I/O interface.
“Midsaggital plane” refers to a plane which passes vertically through the midline of the body along its longitudinal axis, dividing the body into left and right halves of approximately equal proportion (with reference to bilateral symmetry).
“Pinna” refers to the externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear.
“Transducer” refers to a device for converting an electrical signal into sound waves.
“White noise” refers to a sound or sounds that are random in character, such as sounds derived from a random signal, and in particular to noise signals containing equal power within a fixed bandwidth at any center frequency. White noise can sound like a rushing waterfall or wind blowing through trees. White noise can have different characteristic statistical properties corresponding to different mappings from a source of randomness to the concrete noise. Power distribution in the frequency spectrum is a property which can be used to distinguish different types of white noise. For purposes of the present definition, white noise includes white, pink, blue, and black noise as defined in the Federal Standard 1037C Telecommunications Glossary unless otherwise indicated.
As used herein, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.
Aural DeviceAn embodiment of the present device 10 is illustrated in
The housing 110 of the earpiece 100 of the present device 10 preferably includes both the transducer 150 for generating sound and an MCU 160. These components are contained in an interior portion 111 of the housing 110, which is in communication with a conduit 130. The conduit 130 extends from the interior portion 111 of the housing 110 to the exterior 113 of the housing 110, and is preferably attached or otherwise secured to the housing 110. In some embodiments, the conduit 130 can be integrally formed with the housing 110.
A proximal end 132 of the conduit 130 is positioned adjacent to the outlet of the transducer 150, i.e. the opening the transducer 150 in communication with the diaphragm of the transducer from which sound is emitted. The conduit 130 transmits sounded generated by the transducer 150 from the interior 111 of the housing 110 toward of the ear canal of a user when the present device 10 is worn by a user. At a distal end 134 of the conduit 130, the conduit 130 is connected to a rim 145 which is preferably formed from an elastic material, i.e. a material which conforms to the shape of a more rigid material with which it comes into contact, and which is capable of resuming its original shape after stretching or compression. The rim 145 contacts the concha and/or the outer portion of the ear canal of a user when the present device is worn by a user and preferably helps to position the present device 10 in a user's ear. The use of an elastic material for the rim 145 is preferred for applications of the present device designed to mask external sounds, such as during sleep. By conforming to the shape of the portion of the user's ear with which the rim 145 comes into contact, the rim 145 can create a seal around that portion of the ear and thereby help to block the passage of the external sounds into the ear canal of the user.
In the embodiment of the present device 10 shown in the
An eartip 140 can be secured to the remainder of the earpiece 100 in a variety of ways known to the art. For example, the eartip 140 can be permanently secured to the earpiece 100 with a chemical adhesive. Preferably, however, when an eartip 140 is used in the present device 10, the eartip 140 is reversibly secured to the remainder of the earpiece 100. In this way, if it is damaged or contaminated in some way, it can be removed from the remainder of the device 10 and replaced.
In the embodiment shown in
The distal end 144 of the eartip 140 is preferably shaped so as to help seal the ear canal of a user when the present device 10 is in use. The distal surface 149 of the distal end 144 of the eartip 140 surrounding the distal opening 148 of the eartip conduit 141 preferably extends outwardly and tapers away from the distal end 144. In one embodiment, the distal surface 149 is spherical in shape and tapers in the manner of a mushroom.
One of the advantages of the present device 10 is that it is configured to be worn comfortably by a user during sleep. Many individuals sleep some or all of the time on their side, in which case the ear (pinna) of the individual contacts a pillow or other surface. In view of this, the lateral surface 118 of the housing 110 preferably does not include projections which might extend beyond the points of contact between a user's ear and the surface on which the ear rests during sleep. More preferably, the lateral surface 118 is substantially flat, with the surface oriented roughly parallel to the user's midsaggital plane (within 30° or less).
The medial surface 116 of the housing 110 is likewise configured for user comfort, and is therefore preferably shaped to conform to the curvature of the outer ear bowl of the ear of a user. The medial surface 116 of the housing 110 therefore preferably projects at an angle with respect to the substantially flat lateral surface 118 of the device 10. Preferably, the angle is less than 90°, and more preferably is between 45° and 60°.
EarhookThe present device 10 also comprises a mechanical projection which extends from the housing 110 to the battery assembly 300 of the present device 10. In the embodiment of the present device shown in
Preferably, the attachment between the housing 110 and the earhook 200 is a permanent attachment, i.e., it can not be reversed without damaging the housing 110 and or the earhook 200. The connection between the battery assembly 300 and the earhook 200, however, is preferably a reversible securable connection. As shown in
As shown in
One of the advantages of the present device 10 is that it is designed for comfort during sleep. One of the features providing such comfort in the embodiment of
The present device 10 is preferably powered by a source of stored energy so that no wired connection is necessary to power the transducer 150 and other electrical components of the present device 10. Preferably the power source is a battery 330, i.e. an electrochemical cell that can provide electrical power. In one embodiment the battery 330 can comprise one or more single-use batteries 330, in which case the battery housing 310 comprises a reversibly securable opening for retaining such batteries 330. In this context “reversibly securable” means that an opening can be changed from an open state to a closed state a plurality of times without compromising the mechanical structure of the battery housing 310. Preferably, however, the power source comprises one or more rechargeable batteries 330.
In embodiments in which the battery 330 is rechargeable, recharging can be accomplished in ways known to the art. For example, power from an external power source can be provided to the battery 330 through an electrical lead 340 extending from the power source to an electrical contact of the battery 330. The battery or batteries 330 can in this embodiment be rechargeable lithium ion, lithium ion polymer, nickel metal hydride, nickel-cadmium, or lead acid batteries, for example.
The battery 300 of the present device is preferably provided in a battery assembly 300 as shown in
As shown in
A variety of types of transducers known to the art can be used in the present device. These include dynamic or moving coil types, which generally comprise a diaphragm connected to a central voice coil that moves within a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet, and balanced armature types, which consist of a moving magnetic armature that is pivoted to move in the field of a permanent magnet. Other types of transducers can also be used, such as isodynamic, electrostatic, and electric type transducers.
MCUThe MCU of the present device controls the generation of white noise, controls the volume of the white noise, and control the state of the device (on or off).
The sound generator in the present device preferably generates white noise, which can be produced in ways known to the art. Preferably, the white noise generator is a dedicated integrated circuit, which can be under the control of the MCU 160 of the present device 10. Alternatively, the MCU 160 can be programmed generate white noise. For example, an eight-pin Microchip PIC12C508 controller (available from Chandler, Ariz., USA) can be programmed to generate pseudorandom noise at its output pin. In a further alternative, the sound generator can comprise a noise cancellation circuit for generating an opposing-phase signal, in which case the present device further comprises a microphone for receiving external sounds, the microphone being in electrical communication with the noise cancellation circuit.
Storage CaseIn a preferred embodiment, the present device 10 is stored in a protective case 400, shown in
In order to protect the present device 10 from shock and damage when contained in the case 400, the case 400 and its structural components are preferably formed from a suitably rigid material, such as polypropylene. A compartment formed by concave portion 455 is also preferably provided in the case 400 for securely receiving and retaining the device 10. If needed, further supports 457 can be provided in the case 400 in order to prevent or limit the movement of the device 10 within the case 400.
In the embodiment shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the present case 400 further comprises components needed to recharge the battery or batteries 330 of the present device 10. Such components include a circuit board 440, which in the embodiment shown in
In order to place the battery assembly 300 in electrical communication with a source of common current, the circuit board contacts 441 are positioned in a receptacle 451 formed in the insert 450. The proximal end 312 of the battery assembly 300, which retains the electrical contacts 340, is configured to be received by and retained within the receptacle 451 when fully inserted into the receptacle 451. The electrical contacts 340 of the battery assembly 300 are also placed into physical contact with the electrical contacts 441 of the circuit board 440 when the insert 450 is positioned over the circuit board 440.
The circuit board 440 is electrically connected to a source of common current by means of an electrical connector 430 comprising a wire 431 having a distal end 434 adapted to be placed through an opening 421 in the receiving portion 420 of the present storage case 400 which is placed in electrical communication with the circuit board 440. A distal end 432 of the electrical connector 430 is then adapted to be placed in electrical communication with a source of current. In the embodiment of
The use of an insert 450 in the present storage case is not required. However, the use of such an insert is an advantage in manufacturing the present device, as the electronic components, including the circuit board 440 and electrical connector 430, can be retained between an interior surface 424 of the receiving portion 420 and a lower surface 454 of the insert 450. When suitably rigid materials are used to form both the receiving portion 420 and the insert 450, the foregoing electronic components of the storage case 400 are thereby protected from damage in view of being enclosed between the receiving portion 420 and the insert 450. In order to stabilize the circuit board 440 in such an embodiment, lower structural posts 423 and one or more upper structural posts 443 are provided below and above the circuit board 440, respectively.
A further advantage of the design shown in
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. An aural device comprising:
- (a) a housing configured for placement adjacent to the ear canal of a user without covering the pinna, the housing comprising an interior and an exterior;
- (b) a sound generator supported by the housing;
- (c) a conduit for conducting sound from the sound generator to the exterior of the housing; and
- (d) a projection configured to be supported by the pinna, the projection comprising a proximal end connected to the housing, a distal end, a substantially flat lateral surface and a substantially flat medial surface.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein the sound generator comprises a white noise generator.
20. The device of claim 18, wherein the device comprises a transducer.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein an elastic rim is adjacent to the distal end of the conduit for covering the ear canal of the user.
22. An aural device comprising:
- (a) a housing configured for placement adjacent to the ear canal of a user without covering the pinna, the housing comprising an interior and an exterior;
- (b) a sound generator supported by the housing, the sound generator comprising a dedicated integrated circuit;
- (c) a microcontroller unit in electrical communication with the sound generator;
- (d) a conduit for conducting sound from the sound generator to the exterior of the housing; and
- (e) a projection configured to be supported by the pinna, the projection comprising a proximal end connected to the housing, a distal end, a substantially flat lateral surface and a substantially flat medial surface.
23. The device of claim 22, wherein the microcontroller unit is programmed to generate white noise.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein the microcontroller unit is configured to control the generation of the sound by the sound generator, the volume of the sound, and the state of the device.
25. An aural device comprising:
- (a) a housing configured for placement adjacent to the ear canal of a user without covering the pinna, the housing comprising an interior and an exterior;
- (b) a conduit for conducting sound to the exterior of the housing;
- (c) a projection configured to be supported by the pinna, the projection comprising a proximal end connected to the housing, a distal end, a substantially flat lateral surface, a substantially flat medial surface, and an electrical connector;
- (d) a battery assembly reversibly secured to the projection, the battery assembly arranged to support a rechargeable battery; and
- (e) a sound generator supported by the battery assembly.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the sound generator comprises a white noise generator, the white noise generator generating noise selected from the group consisting of white noise, pink noise, blue noise, and black noise.
27. The device of claim 26, wherein the sound generator comprises a noise cancellation circuit for generating an opposing-phase signal.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein the noise cancellation circuit comprises a microphone for receiving external sounds, the microphone being in electrical communication with the noise cancellation circuit.
29. A system comprising:
- (a) the aural device of claim 25; and
- (b) a container for the aural device, the container comprising: (i) a compartment for retaining the aural device; (ii) a receptacle in the compartment for receiving the rechargeable battery and placing the rechargeable battery in electrical communication with a power source; and (iii) circuitry for charging the rechargeable battery.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 12, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 29, 2011
Applicant: SAVANNAH MARKETING GROUP INC. (Palm Springs, CA)
Inventors: Yi-Cheng Yuan (Keelung City), Ching-Sheng Yu (Taipei City), Stuart Cochrane (Palm Springs, CA)
Application Number: 13/229,968
International Classification: G10K 11/16 (20060101);