And Microphone Patents (Class 381/375)
  • Patent number: 11849276
    Abstract: A throat headset system includes an element configured to be arranged at least partially around a user's neck, at least one microphone being connected to the element and configured to be in contact with a user's throat or neck skin when the headset is worn and connected wireless or by cable to the microphone and configured to be connected to a communication device, in a wireless manner or via a cable, and at least one earphone connected to the cable or in a wireless manner to a communication unit. The microphone is a microphone of the type that does not require power or electric energy of a power source for detecting sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: PATENT HOLDING I NYBRO AB
    Inventor: Bo Franzén
  • Patent number: 11711647
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for detecting voice commands from a user of an ear-based device. The ear-based device may include an in-ear facing microphone to capture sound emitted in an ear of the user, and an exterior facing microphone to capture sound emitted in an exterior environment of the user. The in-ear microphone may generate an inner audio signal representing the sound emitted in the ear, and the exterior microphone may generate an outer audio signal representing sound from the exterior environment. The ear-based device may compute a ratio of a power of the inner audio signal to the outer audio signal and may compare this ratio to a threshold. If the ratio is larger than the threshold, the ear-based device may detect the voice of the user. Further, the ear-based device may set a value of the threshold based on a level of acoustic seal of the ear-based device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Daniel Wayne Harris, Carlo Murgia, Taro Kimura
  • Patent number: 11696086
    Abstract: An auditory wearable device management system for supporting effective use of an auditory wearable device shared by a collection of people (hereinafter abbreviated as an auditory device) is provided. An auditory wearable device management system for distributing audio information from one or more information sound sources to an auditory device worn by each wearer constituting a collection of people and acting collectively includes wearing information holding means that associates the wearer with a wearing status of the auditory device worn by the wearer as wearing information, audio information distribution control means that outputs distribution control information for designating the wearer, the wearer being a distribution destination of the audio information from each of the one or more information sound sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Nagano
  • Patent number: 11363365
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a loudspeaker apparatus. The loudspeaker apparatus may include a circuit housing, an ear hook, a rear hook, a loudspeaker component, and a magnetic connector. The circuit housing may be configured to accommodate a control circuit or a battery component. The ear hook may be connected to one end of the circuit housing and at least partially covered by a first protective housing. The rear hook connected to another end of the circuit housing and at least partially covered by a second protective housing. The magnetic connector may be configured to absorb a charging interface of an external power source to establish an electrical connection so as to charge the loudspeaker apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongjian Li, Haofeng Zhang, Fen You
  • Patent number: 11265638
    Abstract: A low-profile earbud is disclosed that sits securely within an ear of a user. The earbud includes a protruding portion that passes through a channel defined by the tragus and anti-tragus of the ear. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can take the form of a cable configured to supply power and transfer data to the earbud. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can provide additional space for electrical components and sensors supporting the earbud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker, Ethan L. Huwe, Craig M. Stanley
  • Patent number: 11159899
    Abstract: An electronic device according to various embodiments includes a housing including an acoustic channel and a nozzle portion having an opening formed therein for connecting the acoustic channel to an outside of the electronic device, and an eartip detachably engaged with the housing through at least a portion of the nozzle portion. The eartip includes a first area, at least a portion of which is formed of an elastic material and comes into contact with an object, and a second area, at least a portion of which is formed of an elastic material and surrounds at least a portion of the nozzle portion. The second area includes a first portion having a hole having a first size and a second portion having a second size larger than the first size, and a protrusion is formed at an end of the second portion in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeonyeong Jeong, Kyeongcheol Yoon, Seeyoun Kwon, Hansol Kim, Haekeu Park, Sunghoon Cho, Jonghyuk Cho
  • Patent number: 11102589
    Abstract: A hearing aid and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the hearing includes a body that at least partially conforms to the contours of an external ear and is sized to engage therewith. Various electronic components are contained within the body, including an electronic signal processor that is programmed with a respective left ear qualified sound range and a right ear qualified sound range. Each of the left ear qualified sound range and the right ear qualified sound range may be a range of sound corresponding to a preferred hearing range of an ear of the patient modified with a subjective assessment of sound quality according to the patient. Sound received at the hearing aid is converted to the qualified sound range prior to output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Texas Institute of Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Laslo Olah, Grigorii Sokolovskii, Sergey Losev, Ekaterina Sokolovskaya
  • Patent number: 11095992
    Abstract: A hearing aid and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the hearing includes a body that at least partially conforms to the contours of an external ear and is sized to engage therewith. Various electronic components are contained within the body, including an electronic signal processor that is programmed with a respective left ear qualified sound range and a right ear qualified sound range. Each of the left ear qualified sound range and the right ear qualified sound range may be a range of sound corresponding to a preferred hearing range of an ear of the patient modified with a subjective assessment of sound quality according to the patient. Sound received at the hearing aid is converted to the qualified sound range prior to output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Texas Institute of Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Laslo Olah, Grigorii Sokolovskii, Sergey Losev, Ekaterina Sokolovskaya
  • Patent number: 10878798
    Abstract: An earphone (1) comprising an earphone housing (2), a speaker unit (3), the speaker unit (3) comprising a diaphragm (4). A front chamber (29) is defined in the earphone between a front side (31) of the diaphragm (4) and the user (7), when the earphone (1) is worn. A rear chamber (27) is defined between the earphone housing (2) and a rear side (32) of the diaphragm (4). The earphone (1) comprises an active noise cancelling feedback microphone (9), which is arranged in the rear chamber (27) and which comprises a microphone opening (11). The diaphragm (4) comprises a cylindrical part (14), to which a voice coil (12) is attached, and an outer ring part (15) extending from the cylindrical part (14) in a direction away from a centre axis (30) of the diaphragm (4). The feedback microphone (9) is arranged farther from the centre axis (30) than the voice coil (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: GN AUDIO A/S
    Inventor: Jacob Reimert
  • Patent number: 10749561
    Abstract: The utility model belongs to the technical field of headphones, and discloses a headphone transmitting and receiving signals through a feed plate antenna with an L-shaped probe, which comprises a wireless circuit board, a panel, a probe, a plate and a PCB. The bottom of the said PCB is provided with a wireless circuit board, the said PCB is electrically connected to the probe, the top of the said PCB is provided with a panel, and the other end of the said probe is electromagnetically coupled with the plate. The utility model may render different geometric shapes with respect to different designs, and its different characteristic designs may support multiple frequency bands, providing high directivity, so that the headphone product itself transmits and receives signals better. In addition, the antenna can be made part of the appearance, which enables the headphone product itself to transmit and receive signals better.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ACOUSTIC INNOVATION (HUIZHOU) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Chee Kit Yuen, Wai Yin Mung, Ka Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 10542358
    Abstract: An earpiece for a hearing device, includes: an earpiece housing comprising an ear canal portion and an outer ear portion, the ear canal portion extending along an ear canal axis for positioning in an ear canal of a user, the ear canal portion having a first end; a first microphone for detecting ambient sound via a first input port in the earpiece housing; a second microphone; and a receiver for providing an audio output signal to the ear canal when the earpiece is inserted in an ear of the user; wherein the first microphone is arranged at a first distance from the first input port, wherein the first distance is at least 2 mm when measured parallel to a main plane having a main plane normal parallel to a main axis, the main axis forming a first main angle that is less than 30 degrees with the ear canal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventor: Erik Alan Lindberg
  • Patent number: 10425712
    Abstract: A portable audio input/output device may include one or more openings that extend through a cover of the device and allow acoustic signals outside a housing of the device to reach a microphone disposed within the housing. The opening(s) may be illuminated by a light guide disposed within the housing, which scatters light emitted from lights disposed within the housing. In some instances, a hole may pass through a printed circuit board to allow acoustic signals to be received by the microphone disposed below the printed circuit board. An input/output (I/O) interface module with multiple buttons and inputs may be installed in the hole. The multiple buttons and I/O ports of the I/O interface module may be aligned along an axis vertical relative to the housing and centered with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Mann Chamberlin, Chia Hung Kuo, Jacob William Beatty, Duane Everard Whyte, Adrian Roy Ramiscal Santos, Isabella Talley Lewis
  • Patent number: 10340872
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to audio signal filtering components for an audio signal as it passes through an audio cable from source to loudspeaker, but receives interference from a nearby electrical current. This electrical current includes those from electronics commonly found in cell phones, electrical lines in vehicles, or electrical lines from any nearby source that emits a magnetic field that is then picked up by the audio cable and produces a high-pitched ringing sound. The apparatus described audibly reduces the interference from this electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: John Francis Masek
  • Patent number: 10284937
    Abstract: A sound output and pickup device is provided with a speaker system, a microphone, and a housing. The housing includes inside the speaker system, the microphone, and a wall that divides a space in which the speaker system is stored and a space in which the microphone is stored. The wall has a through hole. The distance from the through hole to the outside of the housing is shorter than the distance from the through hole to the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakatsukasa
  • Patent number: 10129668
    Abstract: An earmold for an ear canal of a user, the earmold having an earmold shell and extending along an axis, the earmold shell having a tip end, the tip end facing a tympanic membrane of the user when worn by the user, the earmold includes: a first microphone connected to a first microphone opening for receiving sound in the ear canal, wherein the first microphone opening is arranged in a first position at a first distance from the tip end of the earmold shell; and a receiver opening for providing sound in the ear canal, wherein the receiver opening is arranged in a second position at a second distance from the tip end of the earmold shell; wherein the first position is different from the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventor: James Robert Anderson
  • Patent number: 10067734
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for detecting a wearing status of a wearable device, the wearing status indicating whether a user is wearing the wearable device and sending wearing status data to a companion communication device to control a behavior of the companion communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Watson, David John Shaw, Arun Dhyaneshwar Chawan, Matthew Gillette, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Jeffrey Chandler Moore, Patrick Ian Bernhard, Baek San Chang, Patrick Lee Coffman, Jonathan Anderson Bennett, Anthony Guetta, Jahan Christian Minoo, Keith Walter Rauenbuehler
  • Patent number: 10045108
    Abstract: An earphone device is provided. The earphone device includes a pair of earphone modules. At least one of the earphone modules includes a microphone, a speaker, and a housing configured to accommodate the microphone and the speaker in an inner space thereof. The housing includes a path hole to allow the inner space to communicate outside of the housing to facilitate sound outside of the housing to enter the microphone or sound generated by the speaker to travel outside of the housing, and a partition element to partition the path hole of the housing into a first passageway and a second passageway, the first and second passageways being isolated from each other. The microphone or the speaker is housed inside the partition element. The speaker is spaced apart from the microphone at a predetermined interval and arranged to be side by side with the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: CRESYN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Bae Lee, Se Hong Oh
  • Patent number: 9642574
    Abstract: A biometric sensor assembly measures biometric data of a wearer of a hardhat. The biometric sensor assembly includes a suspension harness to be removably secured to the hardhat. A biometric sensor is attached to the suspension harness in a way that allows direct or indirect contact with the wearer to enable measurement of the biometric data. The biometric sensor assembly also includes an electrical connection of the biometric sensor and the hardhat for data and power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GuardHat, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Zhavoronkov, Gerrit Reepmeyer, Saikat Dey
  • Patent number: 9613614
    Abstract: A noise-reducing headphone includes a headphone housing, a speaker unit, and a microphone. The headphone housing includes an accommodating space and a sound output hole. The accommodating space is communicated with the sound output hole. The speaker unit is positioned in the accommodating space. The speaker unit includes a speaker unit housing and a diaphragm disposed on the speaker unit housing. The diaphragm faces toward the sound output hole and includes a central through hole and an annular vibrating portion around the central through hole. The diaphragm produces sound waves toward the sound output hole by vibrations of the annular vibrating portion. The microphone is disposed on the speaker unit housing and is positioned in the central through hole. The microphone is coaxial to the central through hole. One face of the microphone faces toward the sound output hole and the other faces toward the inner of the headphone housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Jetvox Acoustic Corp.
    Inventor: To-Teng Huang
  • Patent number: 9532126
    Abstract: Earbud headphones configured for use with a portable media player that include a main body portion with an extended curvature configuration. In one example implementation, the earbud headphones include a speaker housing and an extension that form a gap between the speaker housing and the extension. A user can secure a portion of the user's outer ear in the gap (i.e., between the extension and speaker housing), such that the earbud is securely and comfortably held in place within the user's ear. Additionally, the earbud headphones can include interchangeable components, such that a user can customize the size, fit, and style of the earbud headphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Kelly, Richard P. Alden
  • Patent number: 9426554
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a headset comprising a first earphone with a first face facing the head of a user wearing the headset, a headband attached at a first end to the first earphone and a microphone arm rotatably attached to the first earphone. The microphone arm can rotate about a first axis essentially perpendicular to the first side, whereby the microphone arm can be rotated into to a rest position, where it extends along the headband. The headband comprises a first magnetic holding element and the microphone arm comprises at a co-operating second magnetic holding element, whereby the microphone arm can be magnetically adhered against the headband in the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventors: Daphi Dai, Jeremy Wu, Silas Zhang
  • Patent number: 9402119
    Abstract: A communication system provided with a voice vibration adapter and microphone housing of electronic components, for respiratory protection equipment or the like, provided with means of transmission and reception, both connected either wired or wireless, in charge of allowing voice transmission fluently and clearly, in places of high acoustic index and of hazardous polluting emissions, preventing the worker from removing the protective equipment to communicate, characterized by means of voice vibration adapter (3), consists of a prismatic hollow outer body with lateral grooves (8) and a front oblong perimeter protrusion (9), inside which there is an isolating cavity (10) for receiving a microphone (1), followed by another smaller cavity (11) for acoustic resonance, which is connected to another cavity greater than the above (12), for electronic components' plate housing (2), also said voice vibration adapter (3), has an output duct (13) of a two-channel connection cable channels (14), which connects with the h
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: INGENIERIA, COMPUTACION Y COMUNICACIONES SOLUNOVA LTDA.
    Inventors: Mauricio Andrés Contreras Hernández, Jorge Ignacio Morales Undurrage
  • Patent number: 9301065
    Abstract: A hearing device comprising a battery compartment including a metal-air battery and a microphone assembly arranged nearby or coupled to the battery compartment, the battery compartment and/or the microphone assembly in protected using an elastic polymer membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Andi Vonlanthen
  • Patent number: 9161116
    Abstract: A headphone includes a pair of acoustic reproduction units, a supporting member connecting the pair of acoustic reproduction units, and a soft member configured to be rotatable relative to the supporting member and arranged on the side opposite to the head of a person wearing the headphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 9036849
    Abstract: A headset comprises a headband for supporting the headset on a user's head, an earpiece including an audio driver and a microphone boom including a microphone. The microphone boom is rotatable when the headset is located on a user's head from an operative position in which the microphone boom is directed towards the user's mouth to a stowed position in which the microphone boom is at least partially received in a recess defined in the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E Thompson, Manoj Mistry, John B Ledingham, Matthew E Kramer
  • Patent number: 9020164
    Abstract: Two ear cups are coupled by a flexible member. Each ear cup includes a speaker mounted on an internal portion thereof and is configured to form an air pressure seal around an ear of a user when the apparatus is placed on the user. The flexible member couples the two ear cups and ijs configured such that, when the apparatus is placed on the user, each ear cup completely covers an associated ear of the user and forms an air pressure seal around the associated ear. A microphone is electrically coupled to the speaker in each ear cup for transmitting ambient sound to the user when the apparatus is placed on the user. An indicator light may be provided which is configured to turn on when the microphone is active. The microphone and/or the indicator light may be mounted on the flexible member or on one of the ear cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Tamar Silberman, Gabriel Silberman
  • Patent number: 9002025
    Abstract: Disclosed is a headset, and a method of switching a first input signal for a left ear and a second input signal for a right ear of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Marten
  • Patent number: 8976984
    Abstract: A microphone includes a polar piece contacting with a first magnetic pole of a first permanent magnet, a yoke body annularly arranged around the polar piece through a magnetic gap G with a predetermined width, a magnetic circuit unit including a tail yoke connected to the yoke body and contacting with a second magnetic pole of the first permanent magnet, and a diaphragm unit provided with a voice coil arranged to vibrate in the magnetic gap. The second magnetic pole of the first permanent magnet contacts with one side of the tail yoke, a first magnetic pole of the second permanent magnet is disposed to contact with other side of the tail yoke, a magnetic path is produced between the second magnetic pole of the second permanent magnet and the yoke body, and the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are polarized in the same sense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 8976957
    Abstract: The present arrangements relate to a microphone boom assembly. A first microphone can be positioned proximate to a first aperture defined in a first side of the microphone boom through which acoustic signals propagate to the first microphone, and a second microphone can be positioned proximate to a second aperture defined in a second side of the microphone through which the acoustic signals propagate to the second microphone. The first microphone can be connected to a first side of a flexible printed circuit at a first location and the second microphone connected to a second side of the flexible printed circuit at a second location, the flexible printed circuit mounted into the microphone boom with a bend in the flexible printed circuit positioned between the first location and the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Peter Pavlov, Peng Jiang, Ryan Patrick Rye
  • Patent number: 8958571
    Abstract: A personal audio device, such as a wireless telephone, includes noise canceling circuit that adaptively generates an anti-noise signal from a reference microphone signal and injects the anti-noise signal into the speaker or other transducer output to cause cancellation of ambient audio sounds. An error microphone may also be provided proximate the speaker to estimate an electro-acoustical path from the noise canceling circuit through the transducer. A processing circuit uses the reference and/or error microphone, optionally along with a microphone provided for capturing near-end speech, to determine whether one of the reference or error microphones is obstructed by comparing their received signal content and takes action to avoid generation of erroneous anti-noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Kwatra, Jeffrey Alderson, Jon D. Hendrix
  • Patent number: 8948412
    Abstract: A system for adjusting an audio setting for a headset, comprises a communications device, a detachable headband containing a detectable element that can be coupled to the communications device, a sensor coupled to the communications device configured to determine whether the headband is coupled to the communications device and a processor configured to adjust the audio setting for the headset to a headband mode when the headband is coupled to the communications device. The processor may also adjust the audio setting of the headset to a non-headband mode based on the sensor detecting the headband being disconnected from the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Lee, Ching Shyu
  • Patent number: 8938080
    Abstract: A method for generating engine acoustic emissions including the steps of providing a loudspeaker configuration (100) based upon the configuration of said engine, and feeding the said loudspeaker configuration (100) with signals for providing desired engine acoustic emission. Also a device, a computer program and a computer program product for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Ragnar Glav, Manfred Klopotek Von Glowczewski, Adam Wikström, Ola Jönsson, Bror Tingvall, Roger Johnsson
  • Publication number: 20140363012
    Abstract: An audio headset is disclosed. In examples, the audio headset is linearly and rotationally adjustable about multiple axes to ensure optimal fit over a user's ear and optimal audio quality. The audio headset further includes a microphone for accepting audio from the user. The microphone is also rotationally adjustable about multiple axes to ensure optimal positioning and comfort for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Monika Wolf, Austin Porter, Eric J. Wahl, Aditha May Adams, Patrick Gaule
  • Patent number: 8908897
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for acoustic waveguides are disclosed. In one example, a method for constructing an acoustic waveguide includes forming a first acoustic waveguide component having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, where the first inner surface includes a first groove and a second groove. The method includes forming a second acoustic waveguide component having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, where the second inner surface includes a third groove and a fourth groove. The first acoustic waveguide component and the second acoustic waveguide component are bonded together so that the first groove and the third groove are arranged to form a first acoustic channel and the second groove and the fourth groove are arranged to form a second acoustic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry J Lee, James F Bobisuthi, Bradley Yearous
  • Patent number: 8897459
    Abstract: An audio communication system includes a headset with a microphone having two electrical outputs and a first electro-acoustic driver. The system includes first and second differential amplifiers, and a first electrical conductor for electrically connecting an output of the first differential amplifier with a first audio source device. A second electrical conductor is provided for electrically connecting an input of the driver with the first audio source device. A third electrical conductor is provided for electrically connecting an output of the second differential amplifier with a second audio source device. A fourth electrical conductor is provided for electrically connecting an input of the driver with the second audio source device. One electrical output from the microphone is electrically connected to a positive input of each of the differential amplifiers. The other electrical output from the microphone is electrically connected to a negative input of each of the differential amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Paul G. Yamkovoy
  • Patent number: 8897479
    Abstract: A headset for voice communication is provided, the headset has a first earphone housing being rotatable about a first rotational axis, and a pickup unit comprising at least one microphone arranged on the earphone housing. The earphone housing comprises an earphone housing circuit, a first speaker for receiving a speaker signal from the earphone housing circuit, and at least a first ring of electrically conductive material formed annularly about the first rotational axis and mounted in electrical contact with the earphone housing circuit. An earphone housing connector part comprises at least a first set of contact members mounted in the earphone housing connector part so as to provide electrical connection between the at least first set of contact members and the at least first ring, to thereby connect the at least first set of contact members to a second speaker and/or an electronic circuit for processing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Patent number: 8879722
    Abstract: An apparatus is a wireless communication earpiece. The wireless communication earpiece includes an earmount portion that is capable of positioning the apparatus at an ear of a user, a movable portion that is movable to one of a plurality of positions with reference to the earmount portion, a position sensor that detects a selected position of the plurality of positions of the earmount portion, a plurality of microphones, and a digital signal processing function. The digital signal processing function selects one of a plurality of digital signal processes in response to the selected position and uses the selected one of the digital signal processes to process audio signals from the plurality of microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Dennis D. Wang, Vijay L. Asrani
  • Publication number: 20140321688
    Abstract: The present technique relates to an earhole-wearable sound collection device, a signal processing device, and a sound collection method for realizing sound collection at a high S/N ratio, with noise influence being reduced not by a noise reduction process. In the earhole-wearable sound collection device, a microphone that collects emitted speech voice is provided in a space that is substantially sealed off from outside and connects to an ear canal of the wearer (the speaker). With the microphone being located in the space sealed off from outside, emitted speech voice that propagates through the ear canal of the wearer is collected. In a sound collection signal obtained through the ear canal, the emitted speech voice component is dominant over the noise component particularly at low frequencies. Therefore, the S/N ratio of an emitted speech voice collection signal can be improved by extracting the low-frequency component of the sound collection signal with the use of a LPF, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Asada, Shinpei Tsuchiya, Daizen Kobayashi, Koji Nageno
  • Patent number: 8861766
    Abstract: A headphone set has at least one speaker section. The speaker section includes a baffle having at least one sound emitting hole, a surrounding wall formed on the baffle so that the surrounding wall protrudes from the baffle and surrounds the sound emitting hole, a speaker unit installed within the surrounding wall and having a first surface to face the sound emitting hole and an opposite second surface, a unit case provided as touching the surrounding wall and covering the second surface of the speaker unit, a first cavity existing as enclosed by the unit case and the second surface of the speaker unit, and a housing provided as touching the baffle and covering the unit case, a second cavity existing as enclosed by the housing, the unit case, and the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Ouryouji
  • Patent number: 8861743
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatus, systems and means for determining a type of microphone button of a headset plugged into a device jack are described. In some embodiments, a type of microphone button or headset is determined from a plurality of button or headset types based on whether or not a headset plug is detected in a headset jack of a device and whether or not a signal received at a first contact of the headset jack includes overcurrent or an undercurrent. In some embodiments, the behavior of the device may be controlled based on the type of microphone button or headset determined. For example, a predetermined circuit, a predetermined algorithm, or a predetermined process may be selected to signal process the audio signal of the microphone, based on the type of microphone button or headset. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Achim Pantfoerder, Hugo Barnabas Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes
  • Patent number: 8842871
    Abstract: Headsets are provided with integrated switch assemblies. An integrated switch assembly can include a switch hidden from view by a housing. The switch can be activated when a user applies pressure to the housing. The housing may include a flexible housing cover that, when depressed, may engage the switch contained within the housing. When engaged, the switch may move or snap to a switch activation position within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventors: M. Evans Hankey, Eric B. Daniels
  • Publication number: 20140241560
    Abstract: A headset includes an enclosure holding a speaker and a microphone. The enclosure includes: a main body portion which holds the speaker and in which an earphone portion attached to an ear is provided; a microphone holding portion which holds the microphone; and a coupling portion which couples the main body portion to the microphone holding portion. When a side where the earphone portion is provided is a front surface side of the enclosure, in a side surface portion of the microphone holding portion, a sound hole communicating with the microphone is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Noriyuki SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 8774443
    Abstract: An enclosure which provides a storage of mobile phone headset cables as well as a means to extend and retract said headset cables is disclosed. The enclosure allows the headset cables to be wound internally onto a large diameter reel while a mobile phone connecting cable is wound onto a smaller spool, thereby allowing a greater length of headset cables to be extended. A button enables said cables to be retracted to eliminate slack while the device is in use, or to completely retract the cables when the device is disconnected from the phone. The retracted cable portions may be contained within the enclosure which further comprises a plurality of nests along external surfaces for the storage of ear buds, a microphone, and the phone connection plug in a flush manner, thereby avoiding the entanglement of exposed loose cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: John C. Anderson, Benjamin Anderson
  • Patent number: 8761427
    Abstract: A dynamic microphone unit includes: a diaphragm vibrating in response to received sound waves; a voice coil fixed to the diaphragm and vibrating in cooperation with the diaphragm; a magnetic circuit generating magnetism in a magnetic gap, the voice coil being disposed in the magnetic gap; a first air chamber defined adjacent to the reverse of the diaphragm; and a second air chamber defined behind the voice coil, the second air chamber being in communication with the first air chamber, an elastic thin-plate acoustic resistor being disposed in the second air chamber while having tensile force applied, at a position where the acoustic resistor limits the volume of the second air chamber and comes into contact with the voice coil within a maximum displacement of the voice coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20140169609
    Abstract: A communication eyewear assembly is configured to identify a zone of safety about a wearer and to notify the wearer and/or others of same. A frame assembly is worn to maintain at least one transparent eye panel in front of the wearer's eyes. A processor coupled to the frame assembly receives incoming data from at least one data source. Utilizing the received data, the processor generates zone of safety information in least one spatial dimension relative to a hazardous area. The assembly can also determine existence of extraordinary circumstances based on changes or lack of changes in the data, and notify the wearer and/or others of same, particularly with regard to the status of the wearer. In accordance with the monitoring of the wearer and/or the communication eyewear itself, a unique ID is assigned to the communication eyewear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Tom Rickards
  • Patent number: 8743533
    Abstract: Electronic device assemblies may have multiple parts. A first electronic device assembly structure may be attached to a second electronic device assembly structure using a locking member. The locking member may include a tip portion that is inserted into a guiding channel in the assembly and a disposable portion that breaks away from the tip portion during assembly. Barbs on the locking member tip may resist retraction of the tip following assembly. A cam locking structure may help hold the first and second structures together. Locking features may resist longitudinal motion between the first and second structures. Snap features may provide a fail-safe mechanism to prevent disassembly of the assembly following an accidental dislodgement of the tip portion. The tip portion and assembly structures may be configured to resist bowing in the assembly structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Stanley
  • Patent number: 8744113
    Abstract: A communication eyewear assembly is configured to identify a zone of safety about a wearer and to notify the wearer and/or others of same. A frame assembly is worn to maintain at least one transparent eye panel in front of the wearer's eyes. A processor coupled to the frame assembly receives incoming data from at least one data source. Utilizing the received data, the processor generates zone of safety information in least one spatial dimension relative to a hazardous area. The assembly can also determine existence of extraordinary circumstances based on changes or lack of changes in the data, and notify the wearer and/or others of same, particularly with regard to the status of the wearer. In accordance with the monitoring of the wearer and/or the communication eyewear itself, a unique ID is assigned to the communication eyewear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Telecom, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Rickards
  • Patent number: 8737666
    Abstract: A headset (10) for audio communications comprising a speaker housing (11) and a boom (12) for a microphone (41, 51), the headset arranged to provide a retracted state and an extended state, wherein the boom is arranged to be wrapped around the speaker housing in the retracted state and be unwrapped from the speaker housing in the extended state. The headset may be used as a hands-free unit for a telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Sami Saila, Mikael Jaakkola
  • Patent number: 8724825
    Abstract: A headset (1) for voice communication comprising a housing (2) and a pickup unit (8) rotatably connected to the housing via a joint (7). The pickup unit (8) comprises at least a first microphone (5), which is electrically connected via at least a first electrical connection to an electronic circuit for processing signals from the first microphone (5). The electronic circuit is arranged in the housing (2). The first electrical connection comprises a first sliding contact (20, 70), which comprises a housing side and a microphone side. The two sides are mutually rotatable about a rotational axis (26). One of the housing side or the microphone side of the sliding contact comprises a first annular ring (50) arranged so that the ring (50) is positioned around the rotational axis (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20140105431
    Abstract: An ear unit for stably fitting in an ear includes a first surface facing inwardly toward the ear, a second, opposite surface facing outwardly from the ear and an outer circumferential surface formed between the first and second surfaces. The outer circumferential surface is shaped as a decremental curve. The distance between the ends of the decremental curve is approximately equal to the distance between a first cavity formed under the tragus of the ear and second cavity covered by the lower node of the antihelix of the ear. The first surface is provided with a curvature that provides a contact surface that substantially conforms to the concha, providing an improved attachment, thereby enabling the ear unit to fit closely against the concha when the ear unit is positioned into the ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Freebit AS
    Inventor: Richard Steenfeldt BERG