Patent Application
20240022858
The invention relates to a moveable element for a transducer, said moveable element being arranged to be moved indirectly or directly by a driving means of said transducer, said moveable element being arranged for outputting acoustic energy or for moving an outputting means for outputting said acoustic energy that is operatively coupled to said moveable element.
Such a moveable element for a transducer is known per se. In particular said moveable element may be intended and/or designed for an in-ear transducer for an in-ear device, such as a hearing aid, hearing device, hearable, earphone, earbud and the like. Such a moveable element may for example be a membrane or armature.
It is an object of the current invention to improve said known moveable element for a transducer and/or give it more functionality.
This object is met by a moveable element for a transducer according to the preamble, wherein said moveable element is characterised by comprising at least one sensor for sensing at least one parameter of the moveable element and/or of a volume defined by a housing of the transducer.
Said at least one sensor may provide the advantage that at least one parameter or characteristic of the moveable element and/or of the volume defined by said housing may be sensed. Said sensed parameter may be used in any suitable way, for example, but not limited thereto, for providing information and/or for providing a warning signal and/or recommendation.
Said parameter may be any suitable characteristic and/or parameter of the moveable element and/or said volume. This will be explained in further detail below.
As described, said at least one sensor may sense a parameter of the moveable element itself, or of said volume defined by the housing of the transducer. Said defined volume may in particular be a volume enclosed by the housing of the transducer. More in particular, said volume may for example be a volume enclosed by said housing located above, i.e. in front of, and/or below, i.e. rearwards of, said moveable element, also referred to as a front volume and/or back volume, respectively. In this respect it is noted that said sensor may be arranged on either side of the main plane of the moveable element, i.e. at the front or rear side. It is noted that said front side and rear side of the moveable element may also be referred to as a first side and second side respectively, and that the volumes may be referred to as a first volume and second volume, respectively. In this text back and front volume is used, for these are well-known terms to the skilled person.
Said sensor may be comprised by said moveable element in any suitable way. For example, said sensor may be attached to and/or embedded in and/or incorporated in said moveable element.
Said sensor may in particular be an integral part of said moveable element.
In an embodiment of the moveable element according to the invention said moveable element comprises or is defined by a printed circuit board, which printed circuit board comprises said at least one sensor.
An advantage of said printed circuit board is that the printed circuit board may further comprise other electronic components.
For example said printed circuit board may comprise a memory for storing said signal of said at least one sensor.
Said moveable element may for example comprise a flexible and/or thin layer printed circuit board arranged on said moveable element. Such a flexible and/or thin layer printed circuit board may provide the advantage of not interrupting the movement and optionally thereby the sound production of the moveable element.
Alternatively said printed circuit board may be a rigid and/or stiff printed circuit board and may thereby define the moveable element itself.
Said at least one sensor may be any suitable sensor.
Because said moveable element may in particular be intended for an in-ear transducer it is advantageous if said at least one sensor is relatively small. For example, said at least one sensor may be a micro-electromechanical sensor (MEMS) or a micromechanical sensor.
In an embodiment of the moveable element according to the invention said at least one sensor is chosen from the group comprising a (differential) microphone, pressure sensor, an accelerometer, an optical sensor, a strain sensor, a capacitive displacement sensor, a magnetic flux sensor, a Hall-effect sensor, a resistance sensor, a deformation sensor, an induction loop, an electrical current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor.
If more than one sensor is provided different or the same sensors may be provided, for example chosen from said above described group.
Each type of sensor is arranged for measuring a respective parameter. Said (differential) microphone may be arranged for measuring sound pressure. Said pressure sensor may be arranged for measuring either absolute or relative pressure, e.g. the pressure difference between a first volume and a second volume. Said accelerometer may be arranged for measuring acceleration. Said optical sensor may be arrange for measuring displacement or velocity. Said strain sensor (for example resistive or piezoelectric) may be arranged for measuring strain. Said capacitive displacement sensor may be arranged for measuring displacement. Said magnetic flux sensor may be arranged for measuring magnetic flux. Said Hall-effect sensor may be arranged for measuring magnetic field. Said resistance sensor may be arranged for measuring resistance. Said deformation sensor may be arranged for measuring deformation. Said induction loop may be arranged for measuring an electromagnetic field. Said electrical current sensor may be arranged for measuring electrical current. Said voltage sensor may be arranged for measuring voltage. Said temperature sensor may be arranged for measuring a temperature. Said humidity sensor may be arranged for measuring humidity.
It is noted that in particular a combination of the following sensors is advantageous: a displacement sensor, a magnetic field sensor such as the Hall-effect sensor or a magnetic sensor such as a coil, and a pressure sensor. It is preferred to use a magnetic field sensor such as the Hall-effect sensor, because this provides information about distortion of sound or magnetic saturation in the armature, or to use the magnetic sensor such as the coil which can be used for measuring the AC magnetic flux in the armature and hence provide information about the magnetic saturation in the armature, and not necessarily moveable element displacement only. It might be preferable to be able to obtain information about the magnetic static field from the magnets or the AC magnetic field in the moveable element, for instance.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, said at least one sensor allows for detecting the occurrence of a condition in said transducer.
Examples of such conditions may be, but not limited thereto: clogging, leakage, change of acoustic load, magnetic saturation, material deformation and/or displacement.
For example if clogging is detected, it may be recommended to clean the in-ear audio device. For example, if material deformation and/or displacement is detected it may be recommended to have the device repaired.
It will be described in further detail with respect to the method according to the invention how such a condition can be detected.
Said moveable element may in particular have a fixed end zone by means of which the moveable element is held by and/or attached to the housing. Said fixed end zone may in particular be a longitudinal end zone of the moveable element. The other end zones, in particular the lateral end zones and the other, opposite longitudinal end zone, may be free end zones, i.e. not held by and/or attached to the housing. As such, the moveable element is able to move in a reciprocating manner with respect to the fixed end zone. Because the moveable element is attached to the housing with only the fixed end zone thereof, it is possible that due to a shock the moveable element moves out of its normal position or plane. For this reason it might be advantageous if a said displacement sensor is provided, such that it is possible to detect any displacement of said moveable element out of its normal position or plane. Such displacement may for example occurs after dropping the transducer comprising the moveable element.
The invention also relates to a transducer, for example an in-ear transducer for an in-ear device, such as a hearing aid, hearing device, hearable, earphone, earbud and the like, said transducer comprising a housing, said housing at least partly accommodating:
Advantages and/or embodiments and/or features of such a transducer and in particular the moveable element thereof are described above with respect to the at least one moveable element.
As described above, said housing may define said front and/or back volume located at the front and/or rear side of the moveable element, respectively.
In an embodiment of the transducer according to the invention said transducer further comprises a memory operatively coupled to said at least one sensor for storing at least one parameter as sensed by means of the at least one sensor, said memory for example being comprised by said at least one moveable element or arranged at any suitable location within said housing.
In an embodiment of the transducer according to the invention said transducer comprises:
wherein said at least one moveable element that comprises said at least one sensor is defined by said moveable membrane and/or said moveable armature.
It will be thus clear for the skilled person that either said membrane may comprise said at least one sensor, or said armature may comprise said at least one sensor, or both said membrane and said armature may comprise said sensor.
It is noted that different types of transducers are known. In a first type said transducer comprises said armature as the drivable moveable element, wherein the armature drives the moveable membrane. A driving pin may be provided that connects the armature to the membrane. In this first type it is the membrane that produces the acoustic energy. In this first type of transducer either said membrane may comprise said at least one sensor, or said armature may comprise said at least one sensor, or both said membrane and said armature may comprise said sensor. In a second type of transducer the membrane is combined with the driveable armature as one single element that produces the acoustic energy. In this second type it is the armature that comprises the sensor.
The invention also relates to an in-ear device, for example a hearing aid, hearing device, hearable, earphone, earbud and the like, said in-ear device comprising:
Advantages and/or embodiments and/or features of such an in-ear device and in particular the transducer and/or moveable element thereof are described above with respect to the transducer and/or the at least one moveable element.
Said processor may be arranged at any suitable location in or on the in-ear device, for example in a housing of the in-ear device and/or in the housing of the transducer and/or on the printed circuit board of the moveable element.
As described, said processor may be arranged for processing said at least one parameter, in particular as stored in and received from said memory.
It is noted that the in-ear device can be any type of in-ear device, for example any one of the examples listed above or any other type of device not explicitly described. In-ear is a well-known term for the skilled person and can at least be understood to be a device that is at least partly inserted into the ear in use of the device, in particular at least partly into the ear canal. More in particular for example the transducer may be inserted into the ear, for example as part of a so-called receiver in canal (RIC) or receiver in ear (RIE).
In an embodiment of the in-ear device according to the invention said processor is arranged to perform the steps of:
Advantages of such an in-ear device will be provided below with respect to the method according to the invention.
Said further memory may for example be a memory of the in-ear device.
Said processor may further be arranged to perform any one or more of the additional steps as describe below with respect to the method according to the invention. Further examples, explanations, details of the method according to the invention as described below may apply to the in-ear device as well in an equivalent manner as will be clear for the skilled person.
The invention also relates to a method for determining the occurrence of a condition in a transducer of an in-ear device, such as a hearing aid, hearing device, hearable, earphone, earbud and the like, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
Said driving signal in step a) may for example be a driving voltage V or driving current I. In use of the transducer, i.e. when a sound pressure is to be outputted by said transducer, said driving signal may be provided substantially continuously to said transducer in order to generate said output. Said at least one parameter sensed in step b) may be any suitable parameter, examples of which are described above with respect to the moveable element according to the invention. By determining the driving signal to parameter transfer function based on said parameter sensed in step b) and the driving signal at that time, an optional change or deviation in the driving signal to parameter transfer function can be determined by comparing this driving signal to parameter transfer function with the stored driving signal to parameter transfer function. Based on this comparison and in particular based on said optional change or deviation in the transfer function with respect to the stored transfer function it is possible to determine if a condition, and in particular a disturbing condition, has occurred. In other words, a said change or deviation in the actual transfer function with respect to the stored transfer function may indicate that a said condition has occurred.
Said steps can be performed in any suitable order and preferably in the order a) to e). If desired said method may comprise further or intermediate steps.
Said sensor as used in step b) may the sensor that is comprised by the moveable element of claims 1-6.
Said parameter as measured in step b) may be stored in the memory of the transducer, which memory may be operatively coupled to the processor of the in-ear device as described above.
Detection that said condition has occurred may be used in any suitable way. For example as information provided to the user, manufacturer, maintenance person or any other relevant person or company. Alternatively or additionally detection of the occurrence of said condition may result in a warning signal and/or a recommendation being provided.
It is noted that the transfer function that is determined in step c) may also be stored in said memory as a further transfer function. By storing said further transfer function, in particular said further transfer functions if the method according to the invention is performed more than once, an optional degradation in said transfer function can be detected.
In an embodiment of the method according to the invention said stored transfer function is obtained by sensing said at least one parameter at default transducer conditions and by determining said transfer function of the driving signal to said at least one parameter at said default transducer conditions, and by storing this transfer function in said memory.
The driving signal to parameter transfer function determined at said default conditions may for example be referred to as a default or reference driving signal to parameter transfer function.
Said reference transfer function to be determined and stored in said memory may be a typical transfer function for the design of the system and thus for a certain type of transducer. Obtaining and storing the reference transfer function may thus not need to be performed for each individual transducer, but may be performed for a typical transducer and then stored, i.e. programmed, in the memory of each individual transducer or in-ear device.
Alternatively said reference transfer function may be determined for each individual transducer after manufacturing, wherein the components of the transducer are tested in a standardized test setup and the individually determined transfer function may be stored in the memory of that individual transducer or in-ear device.
Alternatively said reference transfer function may be determined for each individual user for the transducer as built in the device of that user and the individually determined transfer function may be stored in the memory of that individual transducer or in-ear device.
In an embodiment of the method according to the invention at least one threshold value is defined and wherein it is determined in step e) that said condition has occurred when said deviation between said transfer function and said stored transfer function is equal to or exceeds said at least one threshold value.
In this embodiment a small deviation in the transfer function with respect to the stored transfer function, i.e. below said at least one threshold value, may be deemed acceptable and no disturbing condition is determined. If said deviation is equal to or exceeds said at least one threshold value it is determined that said condition has occurred.
If desired multiple threshold values could be defined, wherein detection of the occurrence of the condition may result in different actions based on which threshold value is met or exceeded. For example, if said deviation is equal to or exceeds a first, relatively low threshold value, said detection of the occurrence of said condition may be presented as mere information. For example, if said deviation is equal to or exceeds a second, higher threshold value, said detection of the occurrence of said condition may result in a warning signal being provided or optionally a first type of warning signal and/or in the recommendation for preventive or corrective maintenance. For example, if said deviation is equal to or exceeds a third, highest threshold value, said detection of the occurrence of said condition may result in a second type of warning signal being provided and/or the recommendation of immediate preventive or corrective maintenance. For example said first type of warning signal could be an orange light and the second type of warning signal could be a red light. It will be clear for the skilled person that any suitable and/or desired number of threshold values could be defined and any suitable and/or desired results and/or actions therefrom, and that the above examples are only explanatory and not limiting.
In another embodiment of the method according to the invention the method comprises a further step f) of determining which type of condition has occurred based on the degree of deviation between said transfer function and said stored transfer function and/or the frequency range where the deviation occurs and/or the amplitude range where the deviation occurs.
An advantage of determining which type of condition has occurred may result in providing specific information and/or a specific recommendation to the user, manufacturer, etc.
Examples of said types of conditions may be, but not limited thereto: clogging, leakage, change of acoustic load, magnetic saturation, material deformation and/or displacement. For example if clogging is detected, it may be recommended to clean the in-ear audio device. For example, if material deformation and/or displacement is detected it may be recommended to have the device repaired.
In another embodiment of the method according to the invention a signal from the sensor and/or the driving signal is/are subjected to signal conditioning, such that only signals within a certain frequency range and/or within a certain amplitude range are used to determine said transfer function.
This may provide the advantage of increasing the accuracy and/or liability of the method.
Performing the method according to the invention may be battery consuming for the in-ear device. It is therefore intended to perform said method at suitable occasions and/or timing, in particular only at said suitable occasions and/or timing. For example, performing the method may take place at any one or more of the following occasions:
It will be clear for the skilled person that even though these occasions are suitable and/or well-chosen occasions for performing the method, said method may be performed at any other suitable occasion or time.
A starting trigger may be provided for starting the method according to the invention.
Said regular time intervals may be chosen as desired, for example daily, weekly, monthly, or any other desired time interval.
In an embodiment of the method according to the invention said method comprises the further steps of:
Based on said driving signal and measured parameter a driving signal to pressure, i.e. sound pressure, transfer function may also be derived. Such a transfer function is a function indicative of the sound pressure that results from a certain driving signal. In accordance with the invention this driving signal to pressure transfer function may also be determined and stored at said default condition and/or determined using said at least one parameter as obtained in step b) and the actual driving signal of step a).
The invention will be further elucidated with reference to figures, wherein:
1
1D show a first embodiment of a transducer according to the invention, wherein
In the
As described above, the armature 8 is the moveable element part that is driven by said driving means and the membrane 3 that is connected to the armature 8 moves together with the armature 8. In a similar manner as the membrane 3 the armature 8 comprises a fixed end by means of which it is held by the housing, such that the armature 8 is able to move in a reciprocating manner with respect to the fixed end zone thereof in a similar manner as described above with respect to the membrane 3.
It is noted that as a result of a shock the membrane 3 and/or armature 8 may move, i.e. displace, out of their normal planes into a respective displaced normal plane, which displaced normal plane will be the plane in which the membrane 3 and/or armature 8 extends at rest after the shock. This displacement from the normal plane to the displaced normal plane may be measured by said sensors 6, in particular for example by a displacement sensor.
It is noted that the sensors 6 are shown to be on the upper side of the membrane 3, but could alternatively or additionally be arranged on the lower side of the membrane 3. It is further noted that two sensors 6 are shown, but that it will be clear for the skilled person that any desired number of sensors 6 could be provided. It is further noted that the armature 8 of this exemplary embodiment does not comprise any sensor, but alternatively or additionally the armature could comprise at least one sensor 6.
The membrane 3 of
The transducers 1 of any of the three embodiments shown in
Said starting trigger 31 may for example be provided at the replacement of a battery of the in-ear device and/or when the in-ear device is powered up and/or- on regular time intervals and/or at the request of a host device, and/or at the request of the user or any other person.
Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the system of the invention, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The discussed exemplary embodiment shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiment is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims to this exemplary embodiment. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodiment.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027119 | Dec 2020 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/085955 | 12/15/2021 | WO |
