Patent Application
20200204901
Bone conduction may be used for the transmission of sound through the cranial bones of the skull. A transducer of bone conduction headphones may generate mechanical vibrations that are transmitted to the internal ear of a listener by the cranial bones. Good mechanical contact of the transducer with the cranial bones and through tissue improves the quality of the sound transmission. Accordingly, headphones may apply a certain level of a clamping force to press the transducers against the skull.
In general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to bone conduction headphones. The bone conduction headphones include a transducer configured to convert an electrically provided audio signal into mechanical vibrations, a neck band including a curved base section and two leg sections extending from the curved base section, providing a substantially U-shaped space to accommodate a listener's head between the two leg sections. The transducer is disposed on the neck band at a distal end of one of the leg sections, and the neck band applies a clamping force on the listener's head, the clamping force establishing a mechanical interface for transmission of the mechanical vibrations from the transducer to a cranial bone of the listener's head. The bone conduction headphones further include a clamping force adjuster enabling an adjustment of the clamping force of the neck band.
In general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a clamping force adjuster for bone conduction headphones. The clamping force adjuster includes a removable stiffening brace installable on a neck band of the bone conduction headphones to increase a clamping force applied on a listener's head by the neck band.
In general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a method for adjusting a fit of bone conduction headphones. The method includes receiving, from a listener and by a clamping force adjuster of the bone conduction headphones, an adjustment input, and based on the adjustment input, adjusting spring-like characteristics of a neckband of the bone conduction headphones to modulate a clamping force of the neck band. The neck band establishes a substantially U-shaped space to accommodate a head of the listener, the neck band applying the clamping force to the head to establish a mechanical interface for transmission of mechanical vibrations from a transducer of the bone conduction headphones to a cranial bone of the head.
Other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.
In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any noun in the application). The use of ordinal numbers is not to imply or create any particular ordering of the elements nor to limit any element to being only a single element unless expressly disclosed, such as by the use of the terms “before”, “after”, “single”, and other such terminology. Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between the elements. By way of an example, a first element is distinct from a second element, and the first element may encompass more than one element and succeed (or precede) the second element in an ordering of elements.
Further, although the description includes a discussion of various embodiments of the invention, the various disclosed embodiments may be combined in virtually any manner. All combinations are contemplated herein.
Bone conduction may be used for the transmission of audio signals, i.e. sound, via the cranial bones of the skull. A transducer of bone conduction headphones may generate mechanical vibrations that are transmitted to the internal ear of a listener via the cranial bones. Good mechanical contact of the transducer with the cranial bones may support the transmission of decent quality and/or amplitude audio. Good mechanical contact may be particularly desirable because tissue including skin and/or muscle between the transducer and the cranial bone may attenuate the mechanical vibrations to be transmitted.
One or more embodiments are directed to adjustable bone conduction headphones to apply a selectable level of clamping force to press the transducer(s) against the skull. The level of force selected may depend on multiple factors, such as the listener's comfort with the applied force, the need or desire for a particular amplitude and/or quality of the audio signal, and other such factors. For example, a listener may adjust the clamping force based on personal preferences and/or based on environmental conditions. A listener may prefer a tighter fit of the bone conduction headphones when requiring particularly good audio quality, and/or when performing activities that could result in movement of the headphones, such as while physically exercising. On the other hand, in a static, quiet environment, the listener may prefer a looser fit for comfort. In one or more embodiments of the invention, a neck band of the bone conduction headphones is adjustable to enable a listener to vary the clamping force applied to the listener's head by the headphones.
Turning to
The transducer(s) (120) is an actuator that translates audio signals provided as an input signal, such as speech or music, into mechanical vibrations. For example, the transducer may be an electromechanical or piezoelectric actuator, or any other type of actuator capable of translating electrically provided audio signals into mechanical vibrations. The transducer may be placed on the surface of the temporal bone (192) of the listener (190), in front of the ear, as illustrated in
The neck band (140), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, forms a clamp surrounding the listener's head, as discussed in detail below with reference to
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A clamping force (250) may be provided by the neck band (214) to press the transducers (280) against the listener's head (290). The clamping force (250) may be a result of the neck band (210) or one or more sections of the neck band having spring-like characteristics. As shown in
Assume, for example, that in a neutral state, the leg sections (214) of the neck band are parallel, such that the leg sections have zero divergence. To put on the headphones, the leg sections (214) would be bent outward, thus increasing the divergence (224) of the leg sections, and thereby producing the clamping force (250). Different clamping forces may be generated by adjusting the divergence (224) of the leg sections (214) of the neck band (210) in the neutral state. If the leg sections (214) are diverging outward in the neutral state, rather than being parallel, less outward bending of the leg sections is necessary to accommodate the listener's head, thus reducing the clamping force (250). In contrast, to obtain an increased clamping force (250), the divergence (224) of the leg sections (224) may be negative with the leg sections (214) point inward, when in the neutral state. Additionally, or alternatively, the stiffness of the neck band (210) may be varied. A neck band (210) with a higher stiffness may produce a higher clamping force (250) than a neck band with a lower stiffness.
The bone conduction headphones (200) includes a clamping force adjuster (not shown) that is configured to provide a selectable level of clamping force. The clamping force adjuster enables an adjustment of the clamping force of the neck band. Specifically, in one or more embodiments, the clamping force adjuster is a mechanical device that is configured to mechanically change the clamping force in response to user action. Example clamping force adjusters are described below with reference to
While the neck band (210) is described as U-shaped, those skilled in the art having benefit of the disclosure will appreciate that deviations from a U-shape are possible without departing from the invention. For example, as shown in
Various materials may be used for the neck band. In one or more embodiments of the invention, materials that are flexible are used, for example certain polymer, metals, and/or composite materials, including fiberglass.
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The bone conduction headphones (300) include a neck band (310). The structure of the neck band (310) may be substantially similar to the configuration discussed with reference to
In one or more embodiments of the invention, the headphones (300) include a clamping force adjuster (320), enabling the listener to adjust the clamping force (350A, 350B) by modulating the spring-like characteristics of the neck band (310). The clamping force adjuster (320), in one embodiment of the invention, includes a stiffening brace (322A, 322B). The stiffening brace (322A, 322B) is a component that may be installed on top of the neck band (310) to increase the clamping force. The clamping force may be increased by (i) increasing the curvature of the neck band (see
The stiffening brace may be designed with a curvature that is substantially similar to the curvature of the neck band before a listener dons the headphones. Such a stiffening brace would provide additional stiffness to the neck band (310). Additionally, or alternatively, the stiffening brace may be over-curved, with a curvature exceeding the curvature of the neck band. Such a stiffening brace would not only provide additional stiffness to the neck band, but would also increase the curvature of the neck band, thereby producing an additional clamping force when donned by the listener. The effect of the stiffening brace may further be modulated based on the length of the stiffening brace. While a relatively long stiffening brace, covering most of the neck band, is shown in
Various designs of the stiffening brace may produce the additional clamping force. For example, a stiffening brace with a U-shaped cross section as shown in
Bone conduction headphones (300) may be provided to a listener with one or more of the above described stiffening braces. Different stiffening braces may have different mechanical characteristics. The listener may, thus, select one of the stiffening braces to obtain the desired clamping force.
Turning to
The bone conduction headphones (400) include a neck band (410). The structure of the neck band (410) may be substantially similar to the configuration discussed with reference to
In one or more embodiments of the invention, tension cables (422) are used to modulate the clamping force. A released cable configuration (430A) results in a reduced clamping force (450A), whereas a tightened cable configuration (430B) results in an increased clamping force (450B).
A first end of a tension cable (422), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is attached to the neck band (410) at a cable attachment point (426). The cable attachment point may be placed on the interior of the U-shape of the neck band (410), as illustrated in
Tension on the tension cable (422) results in an inward flexion or increased curvature of the neck band (410), causing a decreased aperture (452B) of the U-shape of the headphones, thus reducing the space enclosed by the U-shape of the neck band (410). This may result in an increased clamping force (450B). Releasing the tension cable (422) may result in a return of the neck band to an initial state with a reduced curvature and increased aperture (452A). To facilitate the inward flexion, the neck band (410) may be equipped with pivot points (428). A pivot point may be a region of the neck band (410) with an increased flexibility. A pivot point (428) may be a result of a cutout in the neck band (410), with the resulting reduced thickness of the neck band (410) at the cutout causing the increased flexibility.
Tension on the tension cable (422) may be increased by the listener pulling on a second end of the tension cable (422). The tension cable (422) may be routed from the attachment point (426) on the interior of the U-shape of the neck band (410), via a cable passthrough (424) forming an opening in the neck band, to the exterior of the U-shape of the neck band (410), where the second end of the tension cable (422) may be accessible for operation in a central region of the neck band, as illustrated in
In one or more embodiments of the invention, locking clips (432) are provided to keep the tension cable (422) under tension, once tightened.
Turning to
The bone conduction headphones (500) include a neck band (510). The structure of the neck band (510) may be substantially similar to the configuration discussed with reference to
In one or more embodiments of the invention, neck band (510) includes a casing (526) and sliding cores (528) that may slidably engage with the casing (526) to varying degrees by sliding into and out of the casing (526), as illustrated in
In one embodiment of the invention, the sliding cores (528) are curved. In
A tension cable (522) may be used to control the sliding of a sliding core (528) inside the casing (526). A first end of the tension cable (522) may be affixed to the sliding core (528), thus resulting in an inward movement of the sliding core (528), into the casing (526), when the tension cable (522) is pulled by the listener on a second end of the tension cable. Sliding of the core (528) out of the casing (526) may be achieved by the listener pulling the core out of the casing.
The tension cable (522) may be routed inside the sliding core and may exit the sliding core in a central region of the casing (526), as illustrated in
In one or more embodiments of the invention, locking clips (532) are provided to keep the tension cable (522) under tension, once tightened.
Turning to
The bone conduction headphones (600) include a neck band (610). The structure of the neck band (610) may be substantially similar to the configuration discussed with reference to
At least a part of the neck band (610), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, has spring-like characteristics, thus producing a clamping force (650A, 650B), when worn by a listener. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the headphones (600) include a clamping force adjuster (620), enabling the listener to adjust the clamping force (650A, 650B). In the configuration shown in
In one or more embodiments of the invention, the overlap of the halves (622) of the neck band is adjustable by the clamping force adjuster (620). More specifically, the clamping force adjuster (620) may include an adjustment knob driving a pinion (624), and the overlapping halves of the neck band (610), in the region of the overlap, may be equipped with gear racks (626). The pinion (624) may engage with the racks (626), such that turning the adjustment knob in one direction increases the overlap of the two overlapping halves (622) and turning the adjustment knob in the reverse direction reduces the overlap of the two overlapping halves. As illustrated in
In one embodiment of the invention, the overlapping halves (622) are curved. In
Turning to
The bone conduction headphones (700) include a neck band (710). The structure of the neck band (710) may be substantially similar to the configuration discussed with reference to
In one or more embodiments of the invention, tension cables (722) are used to modulate the clamping force. A released cable configuration (730A) results in a reduced clamping force (750A), whereas a tightened cable configuration (730B) results in an increased clamping force (750B).
A first end of a tension cable (722), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is attached to the neck band (710) at a cable attachment point (726). The cable attachment point may be placed on the exterior of the U-shape of the neck band (710), as illustrated in
Tension on the tension cable (722) may be increased by the listener pulling on a second end of the tension cable (722). The tension cable (722) may be routed from the attachment point (726) on the exterior of the U-shape of the neck band (710) via cable guides (724) to a central region of the neck band, where the second end of the tension cable (722) may be accessible for operation, as illustrated in
In one or more embodiments of the invention, locking clips (732) are provided to keep the tension cable (722) under tension, once tightened.
Turning to
In Step 802, based on the operation of the clamping force adjuster, the clamping force of the neck band adjusts. The components involved in the adjustment and the execution of the adjustment of the clamping force depends on the configuration of the headphones as previously described with reference to
In Step 804, one or more transducers of the bone conduction headphones provide mechanical vibrations, representing an audio signal, to the listener wearing the bone conduction headphones. The mechanical vibrations may be transmitted, via the cranial bones to the inner ear of the listener, where the mechanical vibrations may be translated into a neural signal allowing the listener to perceive the audio signal. The quality and amplitude of the transmission may be affected by the level of clamping force. Generally speaking, a higher clamping force results in a better mechanical coupling of the transducers to the cranial bones, thus providing a higher amplitude and/or higher quality audio signal.
Those skilled in the art having benefit of the disclosure will appreciate that the steps described in
Various embodiments of the disclosure have one or more of the following properties. Unlike conventional non-adjustable bone conduction headphones, bone conduction headphones in accordance with one or more embodiments reduce or eliminate the tradeoff between wearing comfort and quality and/or amplitude of the audio signal provided to the listener wearing the bone conduction headphones. More specifically, bone conduction headphones in accordance with one or more embodiments may be tightened by the listener to provide a superior transmission of the audio signal and may be loosened to increase the wearing comfort, as desired. Embodiments disclosed herein may result in an increased versatility of bone conduction headphones and may qualify bone conduction headphones for applications that would otherwise not be feasible. For example, bone conduction headphones in accordance with one or more embodiments may be worn in situations that require a particularly tight fit, for example, during physical exercise, and/or when superior audio quality is a necessity while still allowing the same bone conduction headphones to be adjusted for wearing comfort.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
