Ear Insert Or Bone Conduction Patents (Class 381/380)
  • Publication number: 20120039502
    Abstract: A film-type audio output apparatus includes an audio output device, at least one speaker unit, and at least one film. The at least one speaker unit is positioned at any side of the audio output device. The speaker unit can be an embedded speaker unit. The at least one film can be positioned at any or more places of an inner side and an outer side of the audio output device. When the speaker unit of the audio output device releases sound, the film positioned on the audio output device can get vibration of the sound so that the inside of the audio output device can generate resonance. Thus, the audio output apparatus can generate softer undertone and wider diapason.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Liang-Tan TSAI
  • Patent number: 8116501
    Abstract: A headset comprising a body portion including a microphone section, a receiver section, a battery section and a wireless communication section, all provided in a case having a substantially flat surface, and a projecting portion projecting from the substantially flat surface, is arranged such that the ear pad of the receiver section attached to the tip of the projecting portion is inserted into the external auditory meatus. A portion coming into resilient contact with the inner wall of the cavity of the concha on the inside of a tragus and an antitragus is provided at the projecting portion closer to the body portion side than the ear pad, wherein the ear pad is of an earplug type deformable elastically to ensure a close contact with the inner wall of the external auditory meatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kusuda, Yoshito Fujimoto, Hiroyoshi Shinozuka
  • Patent number: 8116502
    Abstract: A multi-driver, in-ear monitor is provided that is coupleable to an external audio source, for example via a source input cable or a wireless receiver. A circuit, for example comprising a passive or active crossover circuit, receives the electrical signal from the external audio source and provides separate input signals to the drivers contained within the in-ear monitor. A plurality of sound delivery tubes acoustically couple the audio output from each of the drivers to the acoustic output surface of the in-ear monitor. The in-ear monitor may be configured as a custom fit IEM or configured to accept a removable eartip. The plurality of sound delivery tubes may be comprised of a pair of concentric tubes; a pair of concentric tubes and a discrete tube; or three concentric tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Logitech International, S.A.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Saggio, Jr., Medford Alan Dyer
  • Patent number: 8111860
    Abstract: A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention uses commercially available transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University
    Inventors: Sheldon M. Retchin, Martin Lenhardt
  • Patent number: 8111861
    Abstract: An earphone projects sound into an ear having an acoustic meatus, a tragus, an intertragic notch, an anti-tragus and a canal. The earphone includes a base that is positioned proximate an outer surface of the tragus and anti-tragus when the earphone is mounted to the ear. A speaker housing at least partially contacts the acoustic meatus of the ear and includes a speaker cover positioned proximate the canal when the earphone is mounted to the ear. First and second tragus lobes extend from the base generally toward the speaker housing. The first and second tragus lobes are spaced from and positioned on generally opposite lateral sides of the speaker housing. The anti-tragus being held between the first tragus lobe and the base when the earphone is mounted to the ear and the tragus being held between the second tragus lobe and the base when the earphone is mounted to the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Auria LLC
    Inventor: David Lowry
  • Publication number: 20120027242
    Abstract: An earphone comprises an inner shell, a stem and a pivot connection. The inner shell has a generally circular periphery shaped to at least partially fit in a user's concha. The stem is mounted to the inner shell at a position spaced from a rotational center of the inner shell and supports a wire leading to the inner shell. The inner shell and the stem are rotatable relative to each other by the pivot connection to configure the earphone to fit the user's ear with the shell member positioned at least partially in the user's concha and the stem positioned exteriorly along an intertragic notch of the ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Ho Son, Gregory G. Jones
  • Patent number: 8107647
    Abstract: A ring transducer comprising an outer metal ring and an inner ceramic ring provides a device for the conduction of ultrasonic signals directly in the ear canal, thereby providing an efficient means for the conduction of such signals. In an alternate embodiment, stacks of piezoelectric film, optionally shaped into a ring, may be used for placement in the ear or outside the ear, such as on the ends of eyeglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Biosecurity Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin L. Lenhardt
  • Patent number: 8107648
    Abstract: A bone conduction earphone in which a large magnetic force can be generated and which can achieve improvement of sound quality and reduction of power consumption is provided. A vibration part 3 is provided to include a first magnet 32 and a second magnet 34, which coaxially secure a voice coil 2 on an inner surface 12a of an upper wall 12 of a cylinder-shaped frame 10 having an open lower part and are located in an inner side region and an outer side region of the voice coil 2, and a diaphragm 36 which connects the first magnet 32 and the second magnet 34 to the frame 10. A vibration transmission cushion 5 is provided to a lower part of the frame 10 in order to transmit a vibration of the voice coil 2 and the vibration part 3 to a human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cosmogear Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidenori Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8107665
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an insert earphone assembly. The insert earphone assembly may comprise a housing and a transducer located in the housing. The transducer may be for converting electrical signals received into sound energy. The insert earphone apparatus may further comprise an insert element. The insert element may be at, least partially integrated within the housing. The insert element may also comprise a main sound channel for communicating the sound energy from the transducer to a user. In certain embodiments, one or more of the body and the insert element may comprise one or more auxiliary ducts and one or more auxiliary volume spaces. The one or more auxiliary ducts and one or more auxiliary volume spaces may be separated by one or more auxiliary dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Haapapuro, Viorel Drambarean, Mead C. Killion
  • Patent number: 8103014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing protector for use in magnetic resonance systems. The hearing protector comprises a pad that is to be inserted in the ear and is provided on an adapter. A sound generating device is provided on or in the adapter or a sound transmitting device leads into same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Porzelt, Günter Schnur
  • Publication number: 20120008814
    Abstract: An earphone assembly for an in-ear listening device is disclosed. The earphone assembly has an inner housing comprising a nozzle, configured to receive a sleeve for placement into a user's ear, and a balanced armature motor assembly. The balanced armature motor assembly is mounted in the inner housing so as to form an acoustical seal between the inner housing and the balanced armature motor assembly. The earphone assembly also includes an outer housing configured to receive the inner housing. The inner housing can comprise a recess for receiving a paddle of the balanced armature motor assembly. Alternatively, the outer housing can be formed with a nozzle for receiving a sleeve for placement into a user's ear canal, and the inner housing can comprise a spout, which is received in a recess in the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SHURE ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Alwicker, John P. Devlin, Mark Bui Breneman
  • Publication number: 20110317864
    Abstract: Solution Means: Earphone 10 possesses an outer ear canal insertion member for which at least a portion can be inserted into the outer ear canal, housing 11 onto which the outer ear canal insertion member can be installed and removed, and driver unit 41 which is disposed within housing 11 and which generates sound, and driver unit 41 is maintained within the interior space of the support member by the rigid support member being installed within housing 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Tomonari KANEKO, Yoshimi AOYAGI
  • Publication number: 20110305361
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an acoustic device. The acoustic device includes an enclosure and a speaker enclosed by the enclosure. The enclosure includes a magnesium based composite material. The magnesium based composite material includes a magnesium based metal matrix and nanoparticles dispersed therein. The present disclosure also relates to an earphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: WEN-ZHEN LI, HWANG-MIAW CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110293130
    Abstract: An earphone comprises a trumpet unit, a hollow shield, and a guide sound tube: the shield is hollow to receive the trumpet, has a sound chamber and an opening, and the opening inclines an acute angle from the trumpet unit; the guide sound tube is disposed at the opening with an end communicating with the sound chamber and another end extending to the opening. The earphone is capable of presenting the high and low pitches completely and providing a better sound quality by way of the acute angle between the opening and the trumpet unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Comaxtech International Limited
    Inventor: Cheng-Houng Huang
  • Publication number: 20110293105
    Abstract: An earpiece for providing an audio signal to two ears of a user, includes an audio interface for providing the audio signal, a bone conduction speaker coupled to the audio interface for outputting an output signal, an adaptive filter with an adjustable impulse response to provide a filtered signal that once played to the second ear of a user, by an in-ear speaker, reduces an audio effect of the leakage signal on the second ear of the user, an in-ear speaker coupled to the audio interface for providing an in-ear audio signal to the second ear of the user, in response to the filtered signal and the second input signal, an in-ear microphone for sensing a sensed audio signal, and a processor for updating an impulse response of the adaptive filter in order to reduce a contribution of the leakage signal to the sensed audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Heiman Arie, Uri Yehuday
  • Patent number: 8068633
    Abstract: A flat, ribbon-like headphone cable having a unitary cable section, a splitter, and two split cable sections for connection to earpieces. The unitary and split cable sections each have substantially flat cross-sections wherein the width is substantially greater than the thickness. The split cable sections are oriented such that their widths are substantially perpendicular to the width of the unitary cable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Monster Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Noel Lee, Kevin Lee, Jacky Hsiung
  • Publication number: 20110286621
    Abstract: The present invention provides an earphone line, an earphone line take-up apparatus, an earphone assembly and a mobile terminal. The earphone line comprises a bullet-proof fibre, insulated conductive wires and an earphone line skin, wherein: the earphone line further comprises conductors; the insulated conductive wires are wound around the bullet-proof fibre in a spiral fashion; the earphone line skin is attached to and wrapped on a surface of the insulated conductive wires to form a layer of super-thin, flexible and wear-resistant earphone line skin; and the conductors are at two ends of the earphone line and are to be connected to output and input ends of a signal connecting apparatus and of the earphone respectively during use. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing the earphone line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: XINJIANG TIANDI GROUP
    Inventor: Daqing ZHENG
  • Patent number: 8059845
    Abstract: An in-ear stabilizer with a compression strut securely holds an in-ear communications device within the human ear. The in-ear stabilizer comprises an in-ear device housing which fits into the human ear and has a receiver and speaker. Attached to the in-ear device housing is a compression strut which extends, when in the human ear, across the crus of helix and fits securely under the antihelix in the upper concha of the ear. The housing of the in-ear device fits into the lower concha of the human ear. The compression strut exerts outward pressure when compressed, comfortably holding the in-ear device in place through pressure on the lower and upper concha of the human ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Joshua R. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20110274296
    Abstract: An ear tip for a sound device. The ear tip has an asymmetrical arrangement which more closely aligns with a user's ear canal. The ear tip includes an ear tip base, ear tip shaft, and a first group of low-profile flanges. The ear tip is arranged along an ear tip central axis. The ear tip has a sound tube connection and a sound channel which extends through the ear tip base and ear tip shaft. The first group of low-profile flanges are spaced along an ear tip shaft axis, and extend radially from the ear tip shaft in perpendicular alignment to the ear tip shaft axis. A first flange, a second flange and an intermediate flange are provided. Each flange is constructed of a flat roof with a downwardly transitioning radial wall. There is a space between each of the flanges. The flanges seal against the ear wall to attenuate sound and reduce resonance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Victor Kingsun Wai
  • Patent number: 8055005
    Abstract: A Bluetooth earphone and a lanyard structure thereof are provided. The Bluetooth earphone includes an earphone body and a lanyard structure. The lanyard structure includes a lanyard and a clip element. The lanyard is disposed on the clip element. The clip element includes two hooks gripping the earphone body for combining the lanyard structure with the earphone body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsin Liu, Chung-Chun Wu, Jui-Chi Liao
  • Publication number: 20110268308
    Abstract: A partially occluding ergonomic earbud adapter is formed from low durometer materials. The exterior of the adapter is frustoconical and tear-drop shaped and formed with several fluted recesses which set apart finger-like flanges extending from an open base toward the tip of the adapter. The ergonomic flanges grip the inside of the ear canal as a result of elastic restoring forces of the flanges against each other and against the ear canal to form an ergonomic seal partially occluding sound from the ear canal while providing isolation. The inside wall of the adapter is formed to enclose and secure the earphone in a parabolic concavity formed by an undercut rib at the base. The cavity is abutted by a cylindrical channel extending through the adapter to an orifice at the tip to deliver high fidelity audio into a user's ear canal from the headset or another audio listening device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Rafael Vasquez
  • Patent number: 8050438
    Abstract: The manufacture of housing parts of a hearing apparatus and in particular a hearing device is to be simplified. To this end, provision is made to also efficiently use a so-called tumbling process for the surface treatment of housing. On account of this, a closure element is proposed for closing openings of housing parts for a hearing apparatus of this type during a tumbling process. The closure element has a disk-like center part, a first column section, which protrudes from the one side of the disk-like center part and has a first swelling on its free end, and a second column section, which protrudes from the other side of the disk-like center part and has a second swelling on its free end. A closure element of this type allows openings of housing parts, which are attached to the column sections, to be closed and protected for a tumbling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Nikles, Erika Radick, Benjamin Schmidt, Christian Schmitt, Erwin Singer, Cornelia Wiedenbrüg
  • Publication number: 20110261988
    Abstract: An earphone device (1) comprising a main body (14) to be inserted in to the outer ear (28) of a user. The main body (14) has a first side (5) that faces the user's head when inserted, a cavity (13) and a sound opening (2) connecting the first side (5) with the cavity (13). The main body (14) further comprises an ear canal protrusion (3) to be inserted into the ear canal (7). The cross section of the ear canal protrusion (3) is smaller than the cross section of the ear canal (7) and the ear canal protrusion (3) is having a first side (8) adapted to lie against the ear canal wall (10) and a second side (9) lying opposite the first side (8) and beside the sound opening (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Per Kromann, Tommy Le
  • Publication number: 20110255729
    Abstract: There is provided an in-ear earphone having a housing (50) for receiving an electroacoustic transducer and an expansion adaptor unit (20) which is coupled to the housing (50) of the in-ear earphone. The expansion adaptor unit (20) has an expansion unit (20) with an upper portion (26) having a curvature for fitting into a crus inferius anthelicis, an anti-helix and/or a concha of an ear of a user. The expansion adaptor unit further has at least one coupling element for coupling the upper portion (26) to the housing (50) of the in-ear earphone, wherein the expansion unit (20) has at least two flexible legs (22, 25) as coupling elements, wherein one leg (22) is coupled to a first end (28) of the upper portion (26) and a second leg (25) is coupled to a second end (29) of the upper portion (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Chee Keong Tan, Yuen Shen Wong
  • Publication number: 20110249856
    Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker unit, a housing that covers a rear surface of the speaker unit, and a bushing having a cord holding portion that holds a cord that carries an audio signal to the speaker unit and is running to the outside of the housing. The bushing also has an extended portion that is extended into the housing and spread along an inner surface of the housing. The inner surface of the housing faces the rear surface of the speaker unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki Takei
  • Publication number: 20110249849
    Abstract: A device for in-ear sound generation comprises a sound determining unit adapted to determine a first sound signal, a sound collecting unit exposed to the ear canal and adapted to collect a second sound signal, a sound correction determining unit adapted to determine a third sound signal, and a loudspeaker exposed to an ear canal and adapted to emit the third sound signal The third sound signal includes the first sound signal and a correction component, the correction component essentially corresponding to a weighted and phase-inverted signal. The phase-inverted signal is obtained by phase inversion from a difference signal essentially corresponding to a difference between the second sound signal and the first sound signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Heimo Guth, Carsten Merkle
  • Publication number: 20110249855
    Abstract: An earphone has a main body, a first tube portion that protrudes from the main body in a first direction, a speaker unit provided at a protruding top of the first tube portion, and a second tube portion that protrudes from the main body in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The second tube portion communicates with the first tube portion through the main body. The speaker unit is provided with a space at one side thereof. The space is formed in the first and second tube portions and extends from the protruding top of the first tube portion to a protruding top of the second tube portion through the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. a corporation of Japan
    Inventors: Shinji Tamura, Kazunori Ishizaka, Makoto Gondo
  • Publication number: 20110245585
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system for the optimization of sound production so as to achieve limbic and cortical arousal, comprising a resistance-controlled (or partially mass-controlled) woofer system, a mass-controlled (or partially resistance-controlled) midrange system, and a resistance-controlled tweeter system. This system may further comprise crossover networks of a particular configuration. By use of unsymmetrical networks of low order, it is possible to obtain a complete system which exhibits flat delay response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: J. CRAIG OXFORD
  • Patent number: 8032191
    Abstract: A speaker with an earphone function comprises a main body, magnet, washer, voice coil, diaphragm, front cover, rear cover and sound tube; it is characterized in that a conventional earphone housing is integrated with a housing of a speaker unit used in an earphone to enable the main body to be used as the speaker housing concurrently so as to save the production material and cost of a speaker housing, and a speaker assembly and the an earphone assembly can be completed at one time so as to reduce the earphone assembly cost. Furthermore, a diameter of a diaphragm can be relatively increased and a length of an earphone front chamber in front of the diaphragm can be shortened so that the bass quality can be elevated and the alt loss can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Jen-Han Yang
  • Patent number: 8031894
    Abstract: An ear module with an interior lobe (200) housing a speaker (58) and adapted to fit within the Concha (103) of the outer ear, and an exterior lobe (300) housing data processing resources, includes a compressive member (202) coupled to the interior lobe (200) and providing a holding force between the anti-helix (101) and the forward wall (108) of the ear canal (102) near the tragus (104). The interior lobe (200) extends into the exterior opening (110) of the ear canal (102), and includes a forward surface (210) adapted to fit against the forward wall (108) of the ear canal (102), and a rear surface (211) facing the anti-helix (101). The width of the extension (201) (in a dimension orthogonal to the forward surface (210) of the extension (201)) between the forward surface (210) and the rear surface (211) from at least the opening of the ear canal (102) to the tip (203) of the extension (201) is substantially less than the width of the ear canal (102), leaving an open air passage (250).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sound ID
    Inventors: Rodney Perkins, Andy P. Atamaniuk, Caslav V. Pavlovic, Nicholas R. Michael
  • Patent number: 8031900
    Abstract: An eartip that includes at least one acoustic material filled port is provided. The port and the acoustic material contained therein provide the eartip with a controlled acoustic leakage path, thus allowing the user to tailor the performance of the earphones to which the eartips of the invention are attached. The provided eartip is attachable to a standard, generic earpiece, for example through the use of interlocking members (e.g., channel/lip arrangement). At least one port, in addition to the central opening by which the eartip is attached to the earphone, extends through the eartip. The port can have a circular cross-section, arcuate cross-section, or other shape. If desired, for example to increase the port area, the eartip can be designed with multiple ports surrounding the central opening. Within the port is an acoustic material with the desired acoustic impedance. The eartip can be coded to allow identification of the acoustic qualities of a particular eartip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Logitech International, S.A.
    Inventors: Medford Alan Dyer, Jerry J. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20110235843
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a system configured to occlude an ear canal. The system comprises a support structure, an expandable device, a housing, a resilient reservoir, and a threaded device. Resilient reservoir resides within housing and is filled with a medium. The threaded device couples to a threaded region of support structure. Threaded device fits in an opening of housing. Rotating threaded device reduces an interior volume of housing thereby transferring the medium from resilient reservoir to expandable device. Threaded device is rotated to displace sufficient medium within resilient reservoir to expand expandable device to occlude the ear canal. Resilient reservoir is passively filled when expandable device is in an un-expanded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: PERSONICS HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventors: John P. Keady, Gary Hoshizaki
  • Publication number: 20110228963
    Abstract: An earpiece is provided containing a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer, the thermal activator layer being separated from the tympanic membrane of the user's ear by an air gap, and an acoustical reflector layer, containing a second polymer and pigment particles, adjacent to the thermal activator layer. The earpiece may be produced by sequential introduction of various liquefied components in layers within the ear canal, with the components being cured to provide the thermal activator layer and the acoustical reflector layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: PERSONICS HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Goldstein, John Patrick Keady, Paul Calvert
  • Publication number: 20110228964
    Abstract: An ear device having a bubble for placement approximate a user's ear canal and capable of inflation and deflation is disclosed. An inflation tube for delivering inflating air to the bubble during inflation of the bubble and an inflation source, such as a diaphonic valve, cause the bubble to extend automatically into the user's ear canal during inflation and retract from the user's ear canal during deflation. The bubble is substantially cylindrical and is comprised of a plurality of adjacently adjoined inflatable chambers. The bubble may also comprise at least one non-inflatable section interspersed therein. Where the ear device is used to convey sound to the user's ear, the device includes a sound tube positioned within the cylindrical bubble. At least one resilient member attached to a portion of the bubble, which may be a non-inflatable section of the bubble, is used to retract the bubble automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Asius Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein
  • Patent number: 8014553
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for providing flexible audio communication solutions using ear-devices utilizing, e.g., electrode transducers with one or more sensors comprising a surface resonator cavity sensitive to a predetermined acoustic frequency range for using, for example, in headsets and hearing aids. The ear-device can be configured for inserting it into a human ear for a handsfree operation and the sensors can be configured to detect human tissue vibrations using the surface resonator cavity. The acoustic communication solutions with these ear-devices may include: providing two-way communications in normal conditions as well as in noisy conditions, providing protection of hearing, recording the true sound field bin-aurally, providing a playback capability, providing volume enhancement and equalization for persons with hearing defects, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Zoran Radivojevic, Matti Hämäläinen, Lauri Wirola, Ville Myllylä, Shinya Terasaki
  • Publication number: 20110211723
    Abstract: A cushion includes a first material and a second material and is formed into a first region and a second region. The first region defines an exterior surface shaped to fit the concha of a human ear. The second region defines an exterior surface shaped to fit the ear canal of a human ear. The first and second regions together define an interior surface shaped to couple the cushion to acoustic elements of an earphone. The first material occupies a first volume adjacent to the interior surface. The second material occupies a second volume between the first material and the first and second outer surfaces. The first and second materials are of different hardnesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin P. Annunziato, Ian M. Collier, Michael Monahan, Roman Sapiejewski, William Tice
  • Patent number: 8005249
    Abstract: A method of converting electrical signals into mechanical vibration by means of a transducer in the human ear, an ear canal transducer and a headset wherein a sensation of hearing is achieved by exciting the tissue of the ear canal directly with said transducer, whereby the vibrations propagate to the tympanic membrane and into the human sound sensing organs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Lauri Wirola, Leo Kärkkäinen
  • Patent number: 8000491
    Abstract: The invention concerns a transducer device and assembly. A transducer device and assembly according to the invention comprise sheet of electrical insulator covering connection pads of a transducer component. The sheet of electrical insulator has on its surface connection pads that have galvanic contacts with the connection pads of the transducer component. Inside or on a surface of the sheet of electrical insulator there are electrical conductors connected with the connection pads of the sheet of electrical insulator. With the aid of the sheet of electrical insulator equipped with the connection pads and electrical conductors the transducer component can be mounted to a wiring board in a desired orientation, i.e. the connection pads of the transducer component do not need to be against the wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Panu Brodkin, Tapio Liusvaara
  • Patent number: 7995783
    Abstract: To assist headphones and headphone cords from becoming tangled, a connection source is made part of a first speaker enclosure and a connection target is made part of a second speaker enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Ledbetter, John Ikeda, Josh Maruska, Steve Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7991179
    Abstract: An insert high fidelity earphone is provided in which a hollow housing is connected to two tubes. A first tube is connected to the hollow housing on one side, and on the other side is inserted into an ear tip that ensures substantial sealing of the ear canal. A second tube is connected to hollow housing on one side and houses a cable that connects circuitry in the hollow housing to an audio source. The first tube comprises a damping assembly. The first tube comprises grooves on the inside wall that ensure that the damping assembly only fits in one orientation, which is the correct orientation. The damping assembly may be easily replaceable, without having to replace the entire earphone. The earphone may have a curved shape providing a comfortable and nearly invisible fit into the ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Viorel Drambarean, Andrew J. Haapapuro, Mead C. Killion
  • Patent number: 7991180
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to earphone apparatus having a first earphone and a second earphone. The apparatus also includes a distinguishing mechanism for distinguishing the first earphone from the second earphone by the touch of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Eric E. Moon
  • Publication number: 20110182457
    Abstract: An in-ear earphone with a capacitive sensing function is provided. The earphone includes a case, a speaker, a circuit board, and a capacitive sensing unit. The case has an extension tube and an accommodating portion. An ear tip is sleeved on the extension tube. The accommodating portion accommodates the speaker, the circuit board, and the capacitive sensing unit. A sound emitting surface of the speaker faces the extension tube. The circuit board is electrically connected to the speaker, and a sensing chip is disposed on the circuit board. The capacitive sensing unit includes a sensor and a conducting element. The sensor is electrically connected to the sensing chip through the conducting element. When the extension tube is inserted into an ear canal of a user, the sensor returns a sensing signal to the sensing chip, and the sensing chip sends a control signal to control sound output of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Chiu-Yun Tung, Hui-Yin Liang, Ju-Mei Tsai, Yu-Huan Yen, Chien-Cheng Yang, Ming-Hung Tsai, Shi-Pan Ho
  • Patent number: 7986803
    Abstract: An ear bud earphone having an outer portion, which may be a microphone or sound input or a contact for wires or acoustic tubes, a central body portion, an ear canal main body and a tab. The ear canal main body of the earphone has flexibility to conform to the ear anatomy. The ear (pinna) has a helix, an anti-helix, a concha including the anatomical elements of a cymba and a cavum, and an ear canal. The ear canal main body is partially inserted into the concha and ear canal opening, with the tab resting on or under the anti-helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick P DeKalb
  • Publication number: 20110176700
    Abstract: An earphone device includes a case main body, a sound conduit, and an ear tip. The sound conduit is formed in a substantially tubular shape and protrudes from the case main body. The sound conduit has a flange disposed at the end on the opposite side from the case main body, and a first restrictor disposed between the flange and the case main body. The ear tip has a ring part formed of a resilient material and configured to be engaged to the sound conduit. The ear tip is configured to be in a first state in which movement in the direction of removal from the sound conduit is restricted by the flange, and is configured to be in a second state in which movement in the direction of removal from the sound conduit is restricted by the first restrictor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7983437
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a first speaker which emits sound, a second speaker which emits sound, and a device which connects the first speaker and the second speaker. The device may connect the first speaker or front speaker, and the second speaker or rear speaker, so that the device can be attached to an ear of a person so that the first speaker lies near the middle of the ear while the second speaker lies at a location between an ear lobe of the ear and a mastoid of a skull of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventors: Hammond Wong, Lap Shun Hui
  • Patent number: 7983433
    Abstract: Disclosed is an earset assembly that has a housing having a microphone port and a speaker port. A microphone is enclosed by the housing and has first and second input ports. The first input port is acoustically coupled to the microphone port to detect air pressure changes of the ear of a user. A speaker is enclosed by the housing and has an output port acoustically coupled to the speaker port to broadcast sounds to the user. The output port is acoustically coupled to the second input port of the microphone so that the microphone cancels at least a portion of feedback from the sounds broadcast by the speaker and detected at the first input port of the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Think-A-Move, Ltd.
    Inventor: Guerman G. Nemirovski
  • Patent number: 7983431
    Abstract: The object is to provide a bone conduction device and its tympanum, wherein the bone conduction device can be efficiently mounted without generating a dead space in a case having a limited installation space such as a cellular phone's case having a large display screen. A magnetic sound converter device has an outer magnetic structure wherein a voice coil (3) is mounted on a center magnetic pole (2) of a yoke (1) and a magnet (4) is arranged on the outer side of the voice coil (3). The yoke (1) and the center magnetic pole (2) thereof are vertically long, the magnet (4) is arranged on the short side edge parts on the both sides of the yoke, and a tympanum fixing part (6) is arranged on the outer side of each magnet (4) on a magnet arrangement axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Temco Japan Co., Ltd,
    Inventor: Mikio Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20110170730
    Abstract: A safe in-ear earphone for radiation protection, comprises earplug heads (1A, 1B), sound cavities (2A, 2B), acoustic wave transmission channels (3A, 3B), a main body (4), a conductor (8) and a plug (9), the channels (3A, 3B) are set between the sound cavities (2A, 2B) and loudspeakers (5A, 5B), the acoustic wave concentrated orifices (10A, 10B) are between the loudspeakers (5A, 5B) and the acoustic wave transmission channels (3A, 3B), assembly of the loudspeakers (5A, 5B), the acoustic wave concentrated orifices (10A, 10B) and the acoustic wave transmission channels (3A, 3B) are sealed to form a sealed small boxes (11A, 11B) in the main body (4). the shape of acoustic wave concentrated orifices (10A, 10B) is inversely conical. The acoustic wave is transmitted to the two acoustic wave channels (3A, 3B) via the acoustic wave concentrated orifices (10A, 10B) and then is provided to the ears plugged by two earplugs to listen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Aidao Zhu
  • Publication number: 20110164777
    Abstract: An earphone 1, which adopts the drum air power system the invention, includes at least a drum 5 composed of a drum-shaped casing 2, a front head 3 located on the front part of the casing 2, a rear head 4 located on the rear part of the casing 2, an inner-drum space 5a defined by the casing 2, the front head 3, and the rear head 4. Earphone 1 also comprises a driver unit 6 installed inside the drum 5 and equipped with an external sound conducting part 6a and an internal sound conducting hole 6b. The front head 3 and the rear head 4 resonate in response to driving by the driver unit 6 so that the low pitch sounds B and C are output in addition to the full range sound formed from the external sound conducting part 6a. This structure lowers the minimum resonance frequency and increases the sound pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FINAL AUDIO DESIGN OFFICE K.K.
    Inventor: Kanemori TAKAI
  • Patent number: RE42602
    Abstract: An in-ear earphone for providing high fidelity sound to the ear and having a housing with a receiver bay, at least one speaker positioned in the receiver bay, a flexible acoustical seal configured for insertion into the user's ear canal, a removable treble stem having a stepped opening therethrough configured for receipt of a filter for treble adjustment and positioned on one side of the receiver bay between the receiver bay and the acoustical seal, a cavity on the opposed side of the receiver bay remote from the stem that is configured for receiving removable plugs for bass adjustment, a strengthening and stabilizing member adapted for securing the housing around the speaker and which when optionally removable allows easy access to the speaker within the receiver bay, and a removable coaxial cable connector positioned to communicate with the receiver bay and which allows movable cable connection for user comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sleek Audio, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Krywko