Ear Patents (Class 181/129)
  • Patent number: 10365493
    Abstract: A head-mounted display that is modular and configured for securement to an item of headwear is provided. The head-mounted display may comprise a selection of components that are desired for a particular application, such as a display boom, camera, microphone, position-tracking component, etc., and may include an attachment mechanism for securing the selection of components to the item of headwear. The head-mounted display may include a display module having a corresponding display characteristic that provides a visual display and/or display functionality that is appropriate for a particular application. The display module may include a micro display that is non-transparent and/or a waveguide optic that is at least partially transparent, and may be configured to provide an augmented reality display for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: RealWear, Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen A. Pombo, George Henry Hines, Christopher Iain Parkinson, Andrew Michael Lowery, Kenneth Lustig
  • Patent number: 10362380
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headphone including a housing defining a back chamber on a back side of a speaker unit. A headphone includes a speaker unit and a housing defining an internal space provided on an acoustic emission side as a back side of the housed speaker unit and an air chamber provided separately from the internal space. The housing includes a first housing member provided with a first hole allowing communication between an exterior and the air chamber, a second housing member attached to the speaker unit and coupled to the first housing member to define the internal space and the air chamber, and a third housing member fixed with the third housing member being sandwiched between the first and second housing members and provided with a second hole allowing communication between the air chamber and the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Ito, Takashi Ouchi
  • Patent number: 10362381
    Abstract: Earpieces and methods of forming earpieces for radio frequency (RF) mitigation are provided. An earpiece is configured to be inserted in an ear canal. The earpiece includes an insertion element and a sealing section disposed on the insertion element and configured to conform to the ear canal. The sealing section is configured to substantially mitigate radio frequency (RF) transmission and to substantially isolate the ear canal from an ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, Gideon Duvall
  • Patent number: 10334351
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for headsets, such as multi-source audio amplification and ear protection devices, are provided herein. In certain configurations, protection headset system includes a removable growth band that fills the gap of the user and a headband of the device. The device may optionally have at least one microphone that generates an ambient sound signal based on detecting ambient sound, at least one speaker, and an electrical system that controls sound outputted by the at least one speaker based on amplifying the ambient sound signal and a secondary sound source signal. The electrical system receives a user-controlled volume signal that is operable to control an amount of amplification provided to the ambient sound signal, and/or an amount of amplification provided to the secondary sound source signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Team IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Boyer, Timothy D. Schnell
  • Patent number: 10299028
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for a headset with force isolation, where the headset comprises a headband having two upper headband sections coupled by a center block and two ear cups, where each ear cup is coupled to one of the two upper headband sections. The two upper headband sections may include side support strips between which a movable strip may be placed utilizing a slider knob, thereby increasing the rigidness of the headband when fully extended between the side support strips utilizing the slider knob. The rigidness of the headband may decrease when the movable strips are retracted from between the side support strips and into the center block utilizing the slider knob. The side support strips may be plastic and the movable strip may be metal. The center block may be more rigid than the side support strips. The center block may be plastic. The headband may include headband endcaps at lower ends of the headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Cochran, Tim Wiley, Andy Logan
  • Patent number: 10277275
    Abstract: According to an aspect, an apparatus may include a media streaming device including electronic circuitry configured to receive media content wirelessly from a media content source, and an audio output cord segment having a first end portion configured to be coupled to an audio input port of the media streaming device, and a second end portion configured to be coupled to an audio rendering device, where the electronic circuitry is further configured to transmit audio content through the audio output cord segment to the audio rendering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Micah Thomas Collins, Michael Jon Sundermeyer, Kristen Beck, Wenson Chern, Philip Lee Ly, Colleen Mischke, Robert Jason Rose
  • Patent number: 10271124
    Abstract: An earphone including a housing, a first speaker and an audio outlet is provided. The housing includes an insertion end and a main body. The insertion end is into the entrance of a user's ear when worn by the user, and the main body extends from the insertion end and defines an auricle contact surface and an external connecting surface opposite to the auricle contact surface. The auricle contact surface faces the user's auricle and the external connecting surface communicates to the external environment when the earphone is worn. The first speaker is contained within the main body to divide into a front chamber and a first rear chamber. A part of the first rear chamber is adjacent to the auricle contact surface. A sound output surface of the first speaker faces the external connecting surface. The audio outlet is formed in the insertion end to let out the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Merry Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Chung Lin, Yun-Chun Wu
  • Patent number: 10257599
    Abstract: An assembly is provided including a flexible conduit and a device connectable to a generally central portion of the flexible conduit. The device includes a base. Movement of the base relative to an adjacent surface is restricted. At least one biasing assembly is attached to the base. The generally central portion of the flexible conduit is connected to the at least one biasing assembly. The at least one biasing assembly is configured to deform when a force is applied near a first end of the flexible conduit such that the force is not transmitted to a second end of the flexible conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wiren D. Becker, Marc H. Coq, Milnes P. David, Ryan N. Elsasser, Syed F. Hossain
  • Patent number: 10244162
    Abstract: A directionality control system includes: a camera; a microphone provided as a separate body from the camera; a display that displays video data captured by the camera; and a processor that computes a sound collection direction, which is directed from the microphone toward a sound position corresponding to a designated position in the video data. The processor computes the sound collection direction by using parameters including: a first height of the camera from a reference surface, a second height of the microphone from the reference surface, a third height of a computation reference point from the reference surface, the computation reference point being positioned in the sound collection direction at a position different from the sound position, a direction which is directed from the camera toward the sound position, and a fourth height of the sound position from the reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Sawa, Toshimichi Tokuda, Shinichi Shigenaga, Shuichi Watanabe, Shojiro Matsuo, Takashi Hirabara, Tadashi Maki, Hisashi Tsuji, Teppei Fukuda, Akitoshi Izumi, Shintaro Yoshikuni, Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Kazunori Hayashi, Kosuke Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 10244304
    Abstract: Systems and methods for attaching or joining a personalization accessory to headphones, earphones, ear buds and listening devices that produce, enhance and/or cancel acoustics and go in, on, and/or over the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Parng
  • Patent number: 10219066
    Abstract: A headset system for interchangeable wearing styles is disclosed. A retention element is detachably coupled to an earpiece, allowing the headset to interchange between a headband, ear loop and neckband wearing style. The retention element comprises a security element that prevents rotation of the earpiece when coupled, providing a stable and ergonomic wearing experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Gougherty, John Kelley, Erik Tews
  • Patent number: 10207152
    Abstract: A waterproof audio system having an audio plug electrically connected to a y-adapter, a left coiled wire having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said y-adapter and said second end connected to a left ear bud speaker; and a right coiled wire having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said y-adapter and said second end connected to a right ear bud speaker, wherein said left coiled wire is releasably affixed to a left section of a stretchable goggle cord and said right coiled wire is releasably affixed to a right section of said stretchable goggle cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey Wade Schermerhorn
  • Patent number: 10200777
    Abstract: A system for securing headphone transducers is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the system comprises a first transducer device having a first mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A first coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the first mechanical housing of the first transducer device. A second transducer device has a second mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A second coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the second mechanical housing of the second transducer device. The first coupling device is coupled to the second coupling device when in close proximity to each other, such that the inner surfaces of the first and second mechanical devices are opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: KADDAN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Sean Harper
  • Patent number: 10057674
    Abstract: A headphone system includes a headphone body and a signal source device. The headphone body includes a connection kit, a first earmuff module, a second earmuff module, a connection port, and a processor. The first earmuff module is connected to a first terminal of the connection kit. The first earmuff module includes at least one first pressure sensor and a first speaker. The second earmuff module is connected to a second terminal of the connection kit. The second earmuff module includes at least one second pressure sensor and a second speaker. The connection port is used for receiving an audio source signal from the signal source device. The processor receives a plurality of pressure values detected by the at least one first pressure sensor and second pressure sensor and sets at least one set of equalizer gains of the first speaker and the second speaker according to the pressure values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Toong In Electronic Corp.
    Inventors: Teng-Sung Tseng, Chi-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 10051357
    Abstract: An earphone includes an acoustic transducer and a housing that includes a first acoustic chamber acoustically coupled to a first side of the acoustic transducer and a second acoustical chamber acoustically coupled to a second side of the acoustic transducer. The housing further includes a port acoustically coupling the first acoustic chamber and the second acoustic chamber. Acoustic resistive material is positioned proximate the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan C. Silvestri, Joseph H. Cattell
  • Patent number: 10021487
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a headset, comprising a headband-like component, one or two external ear pieces, and one or more external speakers. The headband-like component comprises a first end and a second end. Each ear piece of the one or two external ear pieces covers one ear of a user and is connected to one of the first end and second end of the headband-like component. Each external speaker of the one or more external speakers has a predetermined design and each external speaker is mounted on the headband-like component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Axent Wear Inc.
    Inventors: Wenqing Yan, Victoria Hu
  • Patent number: 9986328
    Abstract: Apparatus including: an acoustic transducer, and a sound channel coupled to the acoustic transducer, the sound channel including an element having a shape that is electrically controllable, wherein the shape of the element is electrically controllable to change the acoustic properties of the sound channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Veli Aimo Suvanto, Koray Ozcan
  • Patent number: 9949007
    Abstract: An earphone device includes a housing having a driver unit, and a sound guide tube mounted on a front surface of the housing to protrude from the front surface, in which the sound guide tube is disposed at a position deviated from a center position of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Matsuo, Takashi Ohta, Koji Nageno, Tomohiro Ito
  • Patent number: 9942648
    Abstract: Intra-concha earphones are disclosed. In an embodiment, an intra-concha earphone includes a housing having a rear space divided into a back volume, a bass duct, and a vent chamber between a driver and a rear wall. The vent chamber may be acoustically coupled with the back volume through both an acoustic port and the bass duct. Furthermore, the vent chamber may be acoustically coupled with a surrounding environment through a vent port, which may be a sole acoustic opening in the rear wall. Thus, sound emitted by the driver may propagate through the acoustic port and the bass duct to meet in the vent chamber before being discharged through the vent port to the surrounding environment. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yacine Azmi, Esge B. Andersen, Jonathan S. Aase, Michael B. Howes
  • Patent number: 9902127
    Abstract: A composite foam cushion for a sound control device. The cushion includes a core formed of a polymeric foam material and a polymeric coating overlying at least a portion of the core of polymeric foam material. The polymeric coating includes an outer coating layer and an inner polymeric coating layer bonded to the core of polymeric foam material. The inner coating layer may provide the cushion with strength, while providing a high degree of flexibility and suppleness to closely conform around contours and obstructions. The outer coating layer may provide the cushion with enhanced abrasion resistance and/or chemical resistance while having an aesthetically pleasing feel and appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hearing Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin C. Peskar, William L. Parish
  • Patent number: 9889301
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved fitting and training system for a visual prosthesis. Fitting a visual prosthesis through automated means is challenging and fitting a visual prosthesis manually is tedious for clinician and patent, and provides great opportunity for error. A hybrid of computer controlled and manual fitting provides effective, efficient and controlled fitting process. The process includes testing a group of electrodes in random order by providing a prompt followed by stimulation and the patient responding if they saw a percept. After each set, a maximum likelihood algorithm is used to determine the next stimulation level, or if further stimulation is needed for each electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessy D Dorn, Arup Roy, Robert J Greenberg, Avraham I Caspi
  • Patent number: 9877125
    Abstract: A measurement device (10) is for evaluating an acoustic device (100) that allows sound to be heard via vibration transmission by having a housing (101) provided with a vibrating element (102) be held by a head including a human ear. The measurement device (10) includes an ear model unit (50) modeled after a human ear, a model of a human body that holds the acoustic device (100), and a vibration detector (55) disposed in the ear model unit (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9864406
    Abstract: A strap system for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The strap system includes a rigid segment and a cylindrical structure to couple the rigid segment to the head-mounted display. The strap system also includes a flat circuit within the rigid segment and the cylindrical structure, to couple to the head-mounted display through the cylindrical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Lesley Ribble Magrath, Peter Wesley Bristol, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9854348
    Abstract: Headphones designed for comfort have a flexible, deformable armature which supports speakers. An elastic strip attached to the armature biases it into a curved shape. The armature and speakers are surrounded by a fabric sheath. A layer of flexible, resilient material such as polyester foam is interposed between the armature and the sheath for cushioning. The speakers are held in pockets positioned in the sheath at opposite ends of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Nikola Taisha Naylor-Warren
  • Patent number: 9807494
    Abstract: An in-ear earphone including a housing, a speaker unit and an earpad is provided. The housing has a tube portion. The speaker unit is disposed inside the tube portion. The earpad has a connecting portion and a wrapping portion connected to the connecting portion. The connecting portion is assembled to an audio outlet end of the tube portion. The connecting portion and the speaker unit are surrounded and wrapped by the wrapping portion. Only the tube portion exists between an annular sidewall of the speaker unit and the wrapping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Cotron Corporation
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Patent number: 9800963
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a resonant cabinet, a speaker unit and an inverted tube. The resonant cabinet is installed inside a device casing. A speaker chamber is defined between the resonant cabinet and the device casing and communicates with a plurality of first outlets formed on the device casing. The speaker unit is disposed inside the speaker chamber and for emitting a sound. A part of the sound is emitted from the plurality of first outlets by a first frequency via the speaker chamber. The inverted tube connects the resonant cabinet and the device casing. An inverted chamber is formed inside the inverted tube and communicates with the speaker chamber. Another part of the sound emits by a second frequency via the speaker chamber and the inverted chamber, wherein a peak value of the second frequency is smaller than a peak value of the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Feng-Ming Liu, Jia-Ren Chang
  • Patent number: 9794674
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ear-mounted sound-output device with a position-adjustable sound-output unit, wherein the ear-mounted sound-output device comprises: a ‘C’ shaped body; a first connection cable; a sound-output unit coupled to one end of the first connection cable, wherein the body is stretched via application of an external force thereto, to allow the outer ear of the user to be inserted between both ends of the body, and the body is secured around the outer ear with the body being restored via withdrawal of the external force, wherein the first connection cable is configured to move through the accommodation space and the hollow portion depending on a usage environment of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Seung Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 9794681
    Abstract: A headphone includes a housing defining an enclosed volume, an electro-acoustic transducer dividing the enclosed volume into a front volume and a rear volume, a first port in the housing coupling the front volume to an ear canal of a user, a second port in the housing coupling the front volume to space outside the ear, a third port in the housing coupling the rear volume to space outside the ear, and an ear tip configured to surround the first port and seal the ear canal from space outside the ear. The second port has a diameter and a length that provide an acoustic mass with an acoustic impedance with a high reactive component and a low resistive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin P. Annunziato, Jason Harlow, Ian M. Collier, Michael Monahan, Roman Sapiejewski
  • Patent number: 9774962
    Abstract: A shell (10) for a hearing device, and a method of producing the same. The shell (10) comprises a sub-shell (11) produced by a generative method, and a thermoformed hull (12) covering the subshell (11). The sub-shell (11) comprises lateral openings (13) covered by the thermoformed hull (12) so as to render the shell (10) more flexible in the region of the openings (13), and thereby to relieve pressure exerted by the shell (10) due to dynamic changes in the shape of the wearer's ear canal during jaw movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Matthias Stadler, Thomas Winkler, Markus Mueller, Daniel Probst
  • Patent number: 9774943
    Abstract: An ear bud stabilizer (1) that is worn on an individual's head over a pair of ear buds (18) to prevent the ear buds from falling out of the wearer's ears and to provide better sound quality from the ear buds. The ear bud stabilizer has a substantially C-shaped band (2) with ear covers (7A, 7B) each having a mesh covering (8) located thereon. The C-shaped band is preferably constructed from a resilient material that pushes the ear covers toward each other, thereby providing an inward pressure on the user's ears. The mesh coverings allow air circulation within the user's ears while performing activities, thereby preventing sweat from collecting in the user's ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: BPLUGZ, LLC
    Inventor: Jason M. Weitzner
  • Patent number: 9756412
    Abstract: A convertible earcup for a headphone. The earcup includes an earcup frame, a driver positioned within the earcup frame and an earpad coupled to the earcup frame. The earpad is operable to be converted between a first configuration in which the earpad comprises a first diameter and a second configuration in which the earpad comprises a second, different diameter. A convertible headphone system including a set of earcups. Each earcup within the set of earcups includes a speaker unit and an earpad, and the earpad is convertible between a first diameter and a second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Cedrik Bacon
  • Patent number: 9736565
    Abstract: A protection assembly for an ear-mounted sound-output device, the assembly comprising: one pair of sound-output unit covers, each cover having an inner space formed therein and a first open end to allow a sound-output unit of the ear-mounted sound-output device to be received in the inner space, and a coupling hole defined at a second closed end of the cover, wherein the first and second ends are opposite to each other; and one pair of connection lines, each line coupled to each of one pair of the ear-mounted sound-output unit covers at the second end of the cover, each line having a first end passing through the hole, each line having a stopper received in the inner space at the first of the line, each line having a loop at a second end of the line to allow a sound-transfer cable connected the sound-output unit to slidably pass through the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Jonggi Lee
  • Patent number: 9712909
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for a headset with force isolation, where the headset comprises a headband having two upper headband sections coupled by a center block and two ear cups, where each ear cup is coupled to one of the two upper headband sections. The two upper headband sections may include side support strips between which a movable strip may be placed utilizing a slider knob, thereby increasing the rigidness of the headband when fully extended between the side support strips utilizing the slider knob. The rigidness of the headband may decrease when the movable strips are retracted from between the side support strips and into the center block utilizing the slider knob. The side support strips may be plastic and the movable strip may be metal. The center block may be more rigid than the side support strips. The center block may be plastic. The headband may include headband endcaps at lower ends of the headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Voyetra Trutle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Cochran, Tim Wiley, Andy Logan
  • Patent number: 9683884
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to providing an at least one audio source to at least one user. Certain aspects relate to selectively modifying an at least one first sound source to be provided to the at least one user, wherein the at least one first sound source is combined with an at least one second sound source, and wherein the selectively modifying is performed relative to the at least one audio source based at least in part on at least some specific information of the at least one first sound source. Other aspects relate to selectively modifying the at least one first sound source to be provided to the at least one user relative to the at least one second sound source based at least in part on at least some specific information of the at least one first sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, William Henry Mangione-Smith, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9635448
    Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second electroacoustic output transducers, first and second cables each including conductors electrically coupled to inputs of the corresponding first and second electroacoustic output transducers, a third cable including conductors, and a joint housing. The conductors of the third cable are electrically coupled to corresponding conductors of the first and second cables inside the joint housing. Each of the first, second, and third cables is physically retained to the joint housing. The first and second cables exit the joint housing at a distance of at least 10 mm apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Monahan, Andrew D. Dominijanni, Kyle DeCubellis
  • Patent number: 9628888
    Abstract: Open-air earbuds and methods for making the same are disclosed. The earbud has a neck, which is open to the ambient environment in order to improve bass response. In order to prevent debris from entering the interior of the earbud, a filter is incorporated into the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Y. Hayashida
  • Patent number: 9625540
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with optimizing sounds produced during nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with a patient to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The parameters are varied in different acquisition blocks to facilitate matching sounds produced in response to the acquisition blocks to a desired set of sounds. The desired set of sounds may be a musical piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mark Griswold, Yun Jiang, Dan Ma
  • Patent number: 9621977
    Abstract: The present invention provides an earphone including a speaker unit, a rear cavity of the earphone, an audio signal wire and an extension tube which connects to the rear cavity of the earphone and accommodates the audio signal wire. The earphone also includes a sound guide tube which is located in the extension tube and extends in the same direction as the extension tube and connects the rear cavity of the earphone with the exterior space of the earphone. The audio signal wire is separate from the sound guide tube. The earphone of this structure can improve the low frequency characteristics of the earphone effectively and upgrade the low frequency sound effect of the earphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventor: Zongbao Hu
  • Patent number: 9615162
    Abstract: The earphone with inverse sound waves includes an earphone housing, a high frequency driver, and a low frequency driver. The earphone housing includes an inner space, a sound output portion, and a reflecting portion. The reflecting portion receives a passive diaphragm. The high frequency driver produces high frequency sound waves and has a sound output direction toward the sound output opening. The low frequency driver is mounted in the inner space of the earphone housing by a mounting brace. The low frequency driver is located between the high frequency driver and the passive diaphragm. A sound transmitting portion is formed between the mounting brace and the earphone housing. The low frequency driver produces low frequency sound waves and has a sound output direction toward the passive diaphragm. The passive diaphragm reflects the low frequency sound waves to the sound output opening via the sound transmitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Jetvox Acoustic Corp.
    Inventors: Ying-Shih Huang, To-Teng Huang
  • Patent number: 9578427
    Abstract: A simple hearing enhancement device that takes the normally adequately loud sound levels and optimizes selective frequency gain of the patient's ear passage to improve speech comprehension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9578419
    Abstract: In general, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for estimating spatial content of a soundfield at a desired location, including a location that has actual sound content obstructed or distorted. According to certain aspects, the present invention aims at presenting a more natural, spatially accurate sound, for example to a user at the desired location who is wearing a helmet, mimicking the sound a user would experience if they were not wearing any headgear. Modes for enhanced spatial hearing may be applied which would include situation-dependent processing for augmented hearing. According to other aspects, the present invention aims at remotely reproducing the soundfield at a desired location with faithful reproduction of the spatial content of the soundfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Abel, Agnieszka Roginska
  • Patent number: 9549236
    Abstract: An assembly for a condenser microphone capsule, the assembly comprising: a plate having opposing planar surfaces and one or more tabs extending laterally from a peripheral region, at least one tab being adapted to receive an electrical connector; and a mount affixed around at least a portion of the peripheral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FREEDMAN ELECTRONICS PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Luke John Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9516403
    Abstract: An earphone with stand-alone high-frequency driver includes a casing, a low-frequency driver, a high-frequency driver, and a protecting cover. The casing defines a sound-guiding passage and a separating wall. The separating wall is formed on a side surface of the sound-guiding passage and defines a sound port, which is in communication with the sound-guiding passage. The high-frequency driver is disposed next to the separating wall and defines a sound-outputting direction. The protecting cover is mated to the casing and covers the high-frequency driver. The sound waves generated by both low- and high-frequency drivers are delivered externally through the sound-guiding passage. The earphone allows structural modifications and assembling the high-frequency driver and the protecting cover after a half-finished product (casing and low-frequency driver) is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: JETVOX ACOUSTIC CORP.
    Inventor: To-Teng Huang
  • Patent number: 9497533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of headphone technology and provides a fine tuning structure for headphones, configured for tuning an angle between a head band and an audible unit of the headphone, the fine tuning structure includes an upper assembly connected to an end of the head band and a lower assembly connected to the audible unit, the upper assembly and the lower assembly are hinged together, the upper assembly is provided with a limiting step, the lower assembly is movably connected to a limiting part, an end face of the limiting part is provided with a limiting curved surface abutted against the limiting step and configured for limiting an angle of the lower assembly relative to the upper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN GRANDSUN ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haiquan Wu, Ruiwen Shi, Jiugao Peng, Xin Yu
  • Patent number: 9479855
    Abstract: A headphone ear cup includes a composite cushion and a cover wrapping around the composite cushion. The composite cushion has an annular body and an air-permeable portion arranged at the outer periphery of the annular body. The air-permeable portion is made of a porous material having a porosity higher than that of the annular body. Because the annular body made of the material having relatively high density can maintain the sound output performance of the earphones, and the air-permeable portion made of the porous material having relatively low density can provide better heat dissipation effect, the headphone ear cup has excellent air-permeable property and improved acoustic field effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MERRY ELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Yi Huang, Chih-Feng Chao, Yu-Jen Cho
  • Patent number: 9473844
    Abstract: [Problem] To prevent sound leakage through gaps between the wearing surface side of ear pads and areas around the ears when headphones are worn and used by a user. [Solution] For headphones that have ear pads which are attached to the surfaces of housing sections, each having a built-in speaker driver for outputting an audio signal as sound, which come in contact with the ears of a listener, convex sections in the form of gradually curved surfaces are provided in the wearing surface regions of the ear pads that come in contact with an upper anterior side of the head of the listener and a lower posterior side of the head of the listener, whereby the ear pads are shaped to fit well to the areas around the ears of the user without forming any gaps when the ear pads are worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: D&M Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Osamu Horikawa
  • Patent number: 9462403
    Abstract: A package-integrable high sound quality voice coil loudspeaker structure includes a metal shell, and a diaphragm, voice coil washer, magnet, T iron and PCB packed integrally inside the metal shell; the metal shell has a cylindrical side wall and bottom wall, and a sound output is opened on the bottom wall, with a lengthened cylinder in communication with the first sound output being projected outward integrally from the bottom face of the bottom wall. Therefore, the present invention utilizing the metal shell to pack all components integrally simplifies the assembly process, and has a good waterproof performance. In addition, the configuration of the lengthened cylinder improves the sound quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: TRANSOUND ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tseng-Feng Wen, Huming Zheng, Hui Xue, Sen Deng
  • Patent number: 9438980
    Abstract: A headphone ear cup for mounting on a surface of a speaker unit of a headphone includes an annular cushion having a sound hole at a center thereof, and a composite cover having a ventilative layer and an air-tight layer. The composite cover wraps around the annular cushion and defines an inner-side portion, an outer-side portion and an ear-abutting portion. The ventilative and air-tight layers are respectively formed by the outer-side portion and a composite of the inner-side and ear-abutting portions or by a composite of the outer-side and ear-abutting portions and the inner-side portion. Therefore, the ventilative layer and the annular cushion form a good heat dissipation path to have excellent air-permeable property, and air-tight layer provides an improved acoustic field effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: MERRY ELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Yi Huang, Chih-Feng Chao, Yu-Jen Cho
  • Patent number: 9426559
    Abstract: A hearing protection device for use in magnetic resonance devices is provided. The hearing protection device has a first hearing protection unit for disposal on a first ear of a patient and a second hearing protection unit for disposal on a second ear of a patient. The first hearing protection unit and/or the second hearing protection unit has a fluid cushion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Yvonne Candidus, Hubertus Fischer
  • Patent number: 9414154
    Abstract: A water-repellent earphone is formed of a main body and a water-repellent breathable member. The main body includes a receiving space for accommodating a speaker. The speaker partitions the receiving space to make a rear chamber. The main body includes a drainage tunnel communication with a first opening and a second opening, both of which are located on an external surface of the main body. The main body further includes a venthole communicating with the drainage tunnel and the rear chamber. The water-repellent breathable member is formed and located at the venthole. In light of the structure mentioned above, the drainage tunnel can help the earphone quickly expel the moisture to prevent the moisture from damage to the speaker and to boost the frequency response and acoustic performance within the low-frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MERRY ELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chiu-Yun Tung, Fang-Chang Hsieh, Yu-Chang Fan, Chien-Cheng Yang