Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for capturing sound for communication by mounting one or more intra-oral microphones to capture sound; and mounting a mouth wearable communicator in the oral cavity to communicate sound with a remote unit.

Abstract: A bone conduction transducer comprising a first seismic mass and a second mass connected to each other by a first spring suspension, and where the first mass and the first spring suspension creates a first mechanical resonance f1 in the low frequency range, and that a second mechanical resonance f2 is created in the high frequency range by interaction between the second mass and a second spring compliance that is introduced between the second mass and the skull.

Abstract: Actuator systems for oral-based appliances utilizing transducers which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such oral appliances may be a custom-made device which receives incoming sounds and transmits the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element. The transducer element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric transducer mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.

Abstract: An electronic device and a sound capturing method are described. The electronic device includes at least one first bone conducting unit, which is operable to detect vibration produced by an object in contact with the first bone conducting unit, and to generate an alternating current signal based on the detected vibration to capture a sound produced by the vibration; and a processing unit, which is operable to receive the alternating current signal and to perform an audio processing on the alternating current signal.

Abstract: Briefly, as an example, embodiments of methods, apparatuses, systems or the like are disclosed to be used for multimedia auditory augmentation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described which control blood pressure and nervous system activity by stimulating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors and/or nerves, the present invention reduces blood pressure and alters the sympathetic nervous system; thereby minimizing deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature and other organs and tissues. A baroreceptor activation device or other sensory activation device is positioned near a dermal bone to provide the treatment.

Abstract: A floating mass transducer for a hearing implant includes a cylindrical transducer housing that is attachable to a middle ear hearing structure and that has an outer surface with one or more electric drive coils thereon. A cylindrical transducer magnet arrangement is positioned within an interior volume of the transducer housing and includes a magnetic pair of an inner rod magnet and an outer annular magnet. Current flow through the drive coils creates a coil magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic fields of the transducer magnet arrangement to create vibration in the transducer magnet which is coupled by the transducer housing to the middle ear hearing structure for perception as sound. Opposing magnetic fields of the transducer magnet arrangement cancel each other to minimize their combined magnetic field and thereby minimize magnetic interaction of the transducer magnet arrangement with any external magnetic field.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described which control blood pressure and nervous system activity by stimulating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors and/or nerves, the present invention reduces blood pressure and alters the sympathetic nervous system; thereby minimizing deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature and other organs and tissues. A baroreceptor activation device or other sensory activation device is positioned near a dermal bone to provide the treatment.

Abstract: A head-mounted electronic device and an audio processing method includes a fixing unit, by which the head-mounted electronic device can be worn on the wearer's head; a processing unit, provided in the fixing unit and configured to perform audio processing and output a first audio signal; a first bone conduction unit, provided on the inner side of the fixing unit, configured to generate vibrations according to the first audio signal, so that the wearer can hear the first audio through the generated vibration, wherein the inner side of the fixing unit is the side which is closer to the wearer's head when the head-mounted electronic device is worn on the wearer's head, and when the head-mounted electronic device is worn on the wearer's head, the first bone conduction unit contacts the wearer's head, so wearer can sense vibrations generated by the first bone conduction unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone conduction device for enhancing a recipient's hearing. The device may include an input configured to receive sound signals and generate a plurality of signals representative of the sound signals, an electronics module configured to receive the plurality of signals and having a first control setting configured to control a first characteristic of at least one of the plurality of signals and a second control setting configured to control a second characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of signals, a vibrator configured to receive the plurality of signals representative of the sound signals and transmit vibrations to the recipient's bone, and a user interface having a first interface control configured to interface with the first control setting and alter the first characteristic and a second interface control configured to interface with the second control setting and alter the second characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the combined application of a transcutaneous electrical stimulus to the surface of a portion of the human ear and emission of an acoustic signal into the auditory canal of the ear, wherein the device has at least one electrode head with at least one electrode for the application of the electrical stimulus, a loudspeaker and an output channel for acoustic signals into the auditory canal, a control device by which the application of the electrical stimulus and the emission of acoustic signals can be controlled. In order to achieve improved treatment of disorders using electrical stimulation, in particular tinnitus, the invention provides that the at least one electrode head which carries it is designed to allow it to be arranged in the Cymba conchae of the ear.

Abstract: A bone conduction hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component including a transducer that is carried by the ITE component and positioned in the concha of the ear when in use. A vibrationally conductive structural member of the ITE component conducts vibration produced the transducer into the ear canal and such vibrations are transferred through a housing of the transducer. From there, the vibrations are transferred to a cochlea of the user by way of the mastoid bone, enabling enhanced hearing perception in patients with hearing loss.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.

Abstract: A wireless headset is adapted to communicate with a sound source such as a music player or a cell phone or a suitable audio or sound communicated through a one-way or two-way communication device. The headset includes a mouth wearable communicator; and a linking unit coupled to the mouth wearable communicator, the linking unit adapted to communicate with the sound source.

Abstract: A bone conduction transducer for a wearable computing system is provided. The bone conduction transducer includes a magnetic diaphragm configured to vibrate in response to a time-changing magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic coil operated according to electrical input signals. The magnetic diaphragm is elastically suspended over the electromagnetic coil to allow excursion toward and away from the coil by a pair of cantilevered leaf springs projected from opposing sides of the transducer to connect to opposing sides of the magnetic diaphragm. The bone conduction transducer is included in the wearable computing system to be worn against a bony structure of the wearer that allows acoustic signals to propagate to the wearer's inner ear and achieve sound perception in response to vibrations in the bone conduction transducer.

Abstract: A custom in-ear headset. The headset includes a housing having a proximate housing portion and a distant housing portion. The distant housing portion is shaped and sized to fit inside an ear canal of a user. The headset includes a miniature speaker that is acoustically coupled to a sound outlet in the distant portion of the housing for conveying sound pressure to an ear canal of the user. The headset further includes any one or more of: (a) a microphone with a sound inlet in the proximate housing portion, (b) a bone conduction microphone arranged in the distant housing portion, or (c) a microphone with a sound inlet in the distant housing portion. The headset further includes at least one ridge projecting from and circumscribing the distant housing portion.

Abstract: A sound system, the sound system including: (a) a signal processor that is adapted to generate a first sound signal and a second sound signal, to provide the first sound signal to a loudspeaker; and to provide the second sound signal to a bone conduction speaker; and (b) the bone conduction speaker that is adapted to transduce the second signal to a bone conductible sound signal that is carried in a bone of a user.

Abstract: There is provided a chair and multimedia player comprising a sound transmission apparatus performing human-body communications. The chair and multimedia player comprise at least one sound transmission apparatus, wherein the sound transmission apparatus is disposed in a surface of the chair and multimedia player to allow a user to hear a sound signal when the user is in contact with or adjacent to the surface, and the sound transmission apparatus generates a composite signal including a sound signal and a demodulation signal restoring only the sound signal from the composite signal and outputs the generated composite signal and demodulation signal into a human body in order to restore the sound signal within the vicinity of the ears of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in treating tinnitus, employs a sound processing unit, a tactile unit, and an interface therebetween. The tactile unit comprises an array of stimulators each of which can be independently actuated to apply a tactile stimulus to a subject, and an input for receiving a plurality of actuation signals from the interface and directing individual actuation signals to individual stimulators. The sound processing unit receives an audio signal at an input, analyses the signal with a digital signal processor to generate the actuation signals which are representative of the audio signal, and provides the plurality of actuation signals to the interface. In a preferred embodiment the digital signal processor divides the audio signal into a series of frames in the time domain, performs a transform on each frame to generate a set of coefficients representing said frame, and maps the set of coefficients to a set of actuation signals to be applied to the array.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a headset for performing simultaneous two-way communication or alternate two-way communication, which has excellent sound insulating properties such that external noise is not possibly mixed even when used under high noise conditions. A pair of bowl-shaped housings 1 each having an annular pad 2 attached to the rim of an opening portion are connected together through a headband 3, an acoustic speaker 5 supported by a buffer material 4 is arranged in at least one of the housings 1, and a bone conduction microphone 6 supported by the buffer material 4 such that the distal end is brought into abutment against the ear or the portion around the ear when a user wears the headset is arranged in at least one of the housings 1.

Abstract: A system for processing sound, the system including: (a) a processor, configured to process a first input signal that is detected by a first microphone at a detection moment, a second input signal that is detected by a second microphone at the detection moment, and a third input signal that is detected by a bone-conduction microphone at the detection moment, to generate a corrected signal that is responsive to the first, second, and third input signals; and (b) a communication interface, configured to provide the corrected signal to an external system.

Abstract: A personal audio device has a bone conduction pickup transducer, having a housing of which a rigid outer wall has an opening formed therein. A volume of yielding material fills the opening in the rigid outer wall. An electronic vibration sensing element is embedded in the volume of yielding material. The housing is shaped, and the opening is located, so that the volume of yielding material comes into contact with an ear or cheek of a user who is using the personal audio device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A thin film bone-conduction transducer for a head-mountable device is provided. In one example, the head-mountable device may include a head-mountable display that is configured to provide bone-conduction audio using one or more bone-conduction transducers. The head-mountable display may include at least one thin film piezoelectric vibration transducer that is configured to vibrate at least a portion of the head-mountable display based on the audio signal. The vibration transducer may be at least partially enclosed in, fully enclosed between, or a portion of an outer surface of the frame of the head-mountable display such that when the head-mountable display is worn, the head-mountable display contacts one or more surfaces of the wearer's head and provides information indicative of the audio signal to the wearer via vibration of a bone structure of the wearer.

Abstract: A digital audio player device can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form an intraoral MP3 player. In another embodiment, the device provides an electronic and transducer device that can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a DAP. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated from a thermal forming process utilizing a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

Abstract: An electronic and transducer device can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a two-way communication assembly. The device contains a motion sensor to detect external forces imposed on the user such as an explosion, for example. The information is stored for medical treatment, among others. In another embodiment, the device provides an electronic and transducer device that can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a medical tag containing patient identifiable information. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated from a thermal forming process utilizing a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for capturing sound for communication by mounting one or more intra-oral microphones to capture sound; and mounting a mouth wearable communicator in the oral cavity to communicate sound with a remote unit.

Abstract: Actuator systems for oral-based appliances utilizing transducers which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such oral appliances may be a custom-made device which receives incoming sounds and transmits the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element. The transducer element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric transducer mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.

Abstract: A footwear device for enhancing an entertainment experience in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a first actuator mounted in the footwear device and operable to impart a vibration to the footwear device based on an indication of reproduced sound included in the entertainment experience. A vibration signal is provided to drive the vibration of the footwear device and may be based on reproduced audible information and/or enhanced information optimized to maximize vibration. The present application also relates to an entertainment system for use with the vibrating footwear device.

Abstract: A hearing protection system with talk-through having a pair of rigid earcups enclosing a microphone, amplifier and speaker. A concha simulator, having a volume simulating that of the concha of a human ear, is acoustically coupled to the microphone, and also to the outside through an opening in the earcup. By coupling the microphone to the concha simulator, instead of directly to the outside, the acoustic response of the talk-through more accurately represents the hearing of a user.

Abstract: Hearing losses caused by deficiencies in a person's outer or middle ear may be compensated for by converting received sounds to vibrations and transmitting the vibrations to the skull bone (2). Bone-conduction hearing devices (27) may transmit such vibrations transcutaneously or percutaneously. In both cases, a precise determination of the magnitude of the vibrations applied to the skull bone (2) is needed for determining the person's bone-conduction hearing thresholds as well as for calibrating the hearing devices (27). The present invention provides a device (1, 27, 37) and a method, which allow determination of the applied vibrational force with better precision than prior art devices and methods. This is achieved by placing an accelerometer (21) on the countermass (11) of the vibrator (1) that generates the vibration signal.

Abstract: Apparatuses that provide a bone-conduction speaker arranged to be located behind the ear are described herein. An exemplary apparatus may include: (a) a glasses-style support structure comprising a front section and at least one side section; (b) at least one bone-conduction speaker; and (c) a member having a proximate end and a distal end, wherein the proximate end is attached to the at least one side section, and wherein the at least one bone-conduction speaker is attached to the member at or near the distal end; wherein the member is arranged on the at least one side section such that when the glasses-style support structure is worn the member: (a) extends to the anterior of the at least one side section and (b) locates the bone-conduction speaker posterior to an ear.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of transmitting sound and vibrations to a user is described. The apparatus may also generate an electromagnetic field sufficient to stimulate the user's energy system. The apparatus includes a support structure configured to support at least a part of the user's body; a transducer coupled to the frame of the support structure in a manner which allows the transducer to move in relation to the frame; and an audio signal source for transmitting audio signals to the transducer. The transducer is capable of receiving and responding to audio signals having a wide range of audio frequencies when the apparatus is in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the design and optimal placement of transmitting and receiving directional antennas, a priori, as used in intra-oral to extra-oral (or visa versa) wireless electronic systems regardless of the type and purpose of the data transmitted between the antennas (intra-oral and extra-oral). Systems related to the invention transmit data via electromagnetic radio waves or through an inductive loop coupling such as in stimulating the human hearing nerve (inner ear) via dental bone conduction pathway when operating in “receive mode”. “Send mode” systems related to the invention transmit non-acoustic information or voice data from inside the mouth to a receiver located outside the mouth.

Abstract: A vibrator for generating vibrations in a bone conducting hearing device, i.e. a hearing device of the type in which the sound information is mechanically transmitted via the skull bone directly to the inner ear of a person. The vibratory movements are provided by a piezo-electric or magneto-elastic element arranged to transfer the vibrations via the skull bone from the area behind the outer ear to the inner ear. The piezo-electric or magneto-elastic element is arranged to be at least partially implanted in a surgically drilled hole directly into the mastoid bone behind the outer ear so that the vibrations are transferred directly from the element to the bone and transferred in the skull bone to the inner ear. The element is encapsulated with a bone integrating material, such as titanium or various biocompatible ceramic materials or coatings and is disc shaped and acts with a radial expansion upon electrical stimulation so that longitudinal sound waves are induced into the skull bone.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of continuing a telephone call, even in a case in which power is received from a battery charger while the telephone call is made. The electronic device includes a power receiving unit and a speaker unit. The power receiving unit receives power from the battery charger by electromagnetic waves. The speaker unit outputs sound in a first mode or a second mode. The first mode is a sound output mode when the electronic device is made proximate to a user's ear. The second mode is a sound output mode when the electronic device is separated from the user's ear. In a case in which the power receiving unit is receiving power, the speaker unit outputs sound in the second mode.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a piezo beam device that is configured to excite vibration in a pinna of an ear of a listener to generate audio for the ear. In some embodiments, the piezo beam device is mounted to one or both temple arms of a pair of eyeglasses to enable the piezo beam device to generate audio for one or both ears of a wearer of the pair of eyeglasses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a MEMS directional sensor system capable of determining direction from at least two microphones to a sound source over a wide range of frequencies is disclosed. By utilizing a stiff beam stand-off architecture that relies on a unique manufacturing technique in a MEMS device, such as described herein, a very small set of microphones, on the order of a few micrometers, can be designed with unsurpassed ability to detect a sound source location.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to bone conduction. One disclosed apparatus includes a support structure and a bone-conduction transducer (BCT). The support structure includes a front section and a side section. The side section includes a recessed structure and at least one member that extends from the recessed structure. The BCT includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is in contact with the at least one member such that at least one gap is defined between the BCT and the recessed structure. When the support structure is worn, the second portion is in contact with a wearer so as to transmit a target vibration of the second portion to a bone structure of the wearer. The at least one member is configured to transmit a vibration of the first portion of the BCT to the recessed structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a main board and a bone conduction speaker electrically coupled with the main board. When the portable electronic device is used in a high-noise environment, the main board drives the bone conduction speaker for enabling its user to perceive the sound wave.

Abstract: A bone conduction device configured to couple to an abutment of an anchor system anchored to a recipient's skull. The bone conduction device includes a housing and a vibrating actuator movably suspended in the housing and configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the bone conduction device The bone conduction device further includes a coupling apparatus configured to attach the bone conduction device to the abutment so as to deliver to the recipient's skull vibrations generated by the vibrating actuator, and a travel limit apparatus configured to limit a range of travel of the housing relative to the coupling apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication terminal having a bone conduction function. To this end, the present invention provides a communication terminal having a bone conduction function equipped with a bone conduction vibration receiver/speaker (300) for converting a sound signal (electric signal) into a vibration, so as to enable sound reception from the entire front surface of the communication terminal when the communication terminal closely contacts the face, and having at least one thereof attached to the rear surface of an inner liquid crystal screen (401) or liquid crystal panel (402) of the communication terminal (example: smartphone, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Phone, cellular phone, PDA, MP3, iPhone, iPad, walkie-talkie, et cetera) (400).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a dental patch are disclosed herein. The patch assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded intra-orally on a tooth or oral tissue. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

Abstract: An earpiece (100) and a method (300) personalized voice operable control can include capturing (302) an ambient sound from an Ambient Sound Microphone (111) to produce an electronic ambient signal (426), delivering (304) audio content (402) to an ear canal (131) by way of an Ear Canal Receiver (125) to produce an acoustic audio content (404) and capturing (306) in the ear canal an internal sound (402) from an Ear Canal Microphone (123) to produce an electronic internal signal (410). The electronic internal signal includes an echo of the acoustic audio content and a spoken voice generated by a wearer of the earpiece. The Method also includes detecting (312) the spoken voice in the electronic internal signal in the presence of the echo, and controlling (314) a voice operation of the earpiece when the spoken voice is detected.

Abstract: A bone conduction device configured to couple to an abutment of an anchor system anchored to a recipient's skull. The bone conduction device includes a vibrating electromagnetic actuator configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the bone conduction device, and a coupling apparatus configured to attach the bone conduction device to the abutment so as to impart to the recipient's skull vibrations generated by the vibrating electromagnetic actuator. The vibrating electromagnetic actuator includes a bobbin assembly and a counterweight assembly. Two axial air gaps are located between the bobbin assembly and the counterweight assembly and two radial air gaps are located between the bobbin assembly and the counterweight assembly. No substantial amount of the dynamic magnetic flux passes through the radial air gaps.

Abstract: In order to be appropriately usable as an electric device for vibrating a panel attached to a housing, an electronic device including a piezoelectric element; a housing having a first principle plane having the piezoelectric element fixed thereto and a second principle plane opposite to the first principle plane; and a lid member having a joint portion for removably joining to the second principle plane; causes the housing to generate sound transmitted by vibrating a part of a human body, such that the piezoelectric element is provided on a first side in a first direction parallel to the first principle plane, and a joint position of the joint portion is provided on a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction.

Abstract: Apparatuses that provide a bone-conduction speaker arranged to be located behind the ear are described herein. An exemplary apparatus may include: (a) a glasses-style support structure comprising a front section and at least one side section; (b) at least one bone-conduction speaker; and (c) a member having a proximate end and a distal end, wherein the proximate end is attached to the at least one side section, and wherein the at least one bone-conduction speaker is attached to the member at or near the distal end; wherein the member is arranged on the at least one side section such that when the glasses-style support structure is worn the member: (a) extends to the anterior of the at least one side section and (b) locates the bone-conduction speaker posterior to an ear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a speaker system. The speaker system includes a multimedia unit including a plurality of speaker units, a resonance medium for supporting the multimedia unit, a number of low frequency vibrators assembled with the multimedia unit and located between the multimedia unit and the resonance medium, a driving unit for providing high frequency audio signals to the speaker units and low frequency audio signals to the low frequency vibrators. A resonance member is formed by the low frequency vibrators and the resonance medium for producing low frequency sound.

Abstract: An earphone comprises: a magnetostrictive element which is composed of a magnetostrictive material and has a column-like shape, the magnetostrictive element expanding and contracting due to magnetostrictive effect; a coil wound around the magnetostrictive element, the coil converting an electrical signal into a change in magnetic field; and an elastic portion which is composed of an elastic body having magnetism, the elastic portion including: a first elastic portion to which one of ends of the magnetostrictive element is joined; a second elastic portion to which the other end of the magnetostrictive element is joined; and a beam portion having a column-like shape and being provided in parallel to the magnetostrictive element between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion and being integrally formed with the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion.