Patent Application
20240251194
This disclosure relates to electronic devices, particularly wearable electronics, that can send and receive data and are capable of being adjustable and modular.
Out-of-ear hearable devices are an emerging category of wearable smart devices. Earbuds placed below the cheekbones adjacent to the ear have gained adoption for uses in scenarios where being able to hear around you improves personal safety and situational awareness. Audio sunglasses are getting good adoption in the marketplace because they are a familiar form factor. Another familiar form factor can be wireless hands-free audio devices that provide functionality for music, podcasts, and telephony. Out-of-ear form factors may be able to prevent uncomfortable feelings, poor fitting, hearing damage, and other safety concerns that can result from wearing earbuds inside an ear canal or pressing on the concha cartilage around it. “Smart” earrings have entered the marketplace in the past few years; for example, Pearl earrings by Nova Audio, and Teqnizan's Audio Earring.
The problem with audio earrings anchored to the earlobe piercing via a post, or as a clip-on, is that the speaker is located too far from the ear canal and not pointed directly towards the ear canal. Sound from such earrings is often not loud enough to be adequately audible. Additionally, there is sound leakage, meaning that others near the user can hear the sounds emitted from the device, thereby impairing the privacy of the user, and possibly disturbing others around them.
Further issues can arise from a smart earring's weight, which can make it uncomfortable to wear because the earring's weight rests on the soft tissue of an earlobe. For many users, traditional earrings weighing more than 7 grams each can be painful or uncomfortable when hanging from a post or a hook in an earlobe piercing. Additionally, early users reported a sense that the earring might tip or fall out or swivel out of position.
Moreover, there is a high degree of variability in the human outer ear's size, shape, and structure. The earlobe area itself varies significantly. An individual's earlobes can be small, large, long, nearly absent, fleshy, thin, attached, or unattached. In addition, a piercing location on an earlobe is highly variable and can move over the life of the individual as a result of wearing heavy ornamentations, loss of skin elasticity, or growth over the life of the individual (a 40-year old's ear may have grown 20% larger from the time when they were an 18-year old.)
The morphology of the ear, right above the earlobe and outside of the ear canal, has an antitragus (bump) and an intertragical notch or incisura. The size and shape of the antitragus and the intertragical notch are highly variable. The variability of the human ear, and the criticality of the location of the sound producing speaker, make this a technical problem requiring invention to specifically solve the audibility and sound leakage issue for the majority of the human population.
Additionally, there may be a desire for changeable aesthetic or fashionable expression via ear ornamentation. Some may desire to change such aesthetic presentations daily, or even multiple times a day.
This disclosure relates to adjustable wearable devices for securing to an ear, where in some embodiments the device may include an adjustable device that may have a first attachment module that can be structured and configured to engage with an earlobe; a second attachment module that may include a hanger, wherein the hanger can be structured and configured to mount an external portion of an ear above an earlobe. In such embodiments, the first attachment module may also further comprises a post or a first clip, wherein the post or the first clip may be structured and configured to attach to the earlobe.
Also, in such embodiments, there may be at least one ornamentation that can be disposed on the first attachment module. Additionally, in such embodiments the first attachment module may further comprises an extension, wherein the extension can comprise an auxiliary attachment for at least one ornamentation; or in such embodiments there can be at least one length adjustment mechanism, wherein the length adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust the distance between the first attachment module and the second attachment module.
Other embodiments may include the hanger that may further have a stem disposed between a head and the second attachment module, wherein the hanger can be structured and configured to attach to a portion of the ear from an antitragus to a tragus of the ear. In such embodiments, there may also be a stem that can include a second clip. Any of the above embodiments may also include an electronics module.
Such embodiments, that include an electronics module that can be made from an assembly selected from a group consisting of wireless antenna, UI/UX interface, microphone, speaker, circuitry, battery, charging conduit, biosensor, haptic sensor, environmental sensors, transducer, computing processor chip, storage chip, and combinations thereof. Additionally, the embodiments can include a hanger that may also have a speaker and that speaker may also be configured to communicate with the electronics module.
In another embodiment, there may be an adjustable device for securing to an ear that can have a first attachment module that may be structured and configured to engage with an earlobe via a post or a first clip; a second attachment module that can have a hanger, wherein the hanger can be structured and configured to mount an external portion of an ear above the earlobe, and further wherein the hanger can include a head and a stem; an electronics module; at least one length adjustment mechanism, wherein the length adjustment mechanism can be configured to adjust the distance between the first attachment module and the second attachment module; a first ornamentation-attachment site that may be disposed on the electronics module; and a second ornamentation-attachment site that may be disposed on the first attachment module.
In such embodiments, there may also be an electronics module which can have an assembly selected from a group that can consists of wireless antenna, UI/UX interface, microphone, speaker, circuitry, battery, charging conduits, biosensors, haptic sensors, environmental sensors, transducers, computing processor chips, data storage chips, and combinations thereof.
Other embodiments may include a head that may have an electronic component disposed therein, and wherein the electronic component may be in communication with the electronics module. Or they may be an embodiment that can include a first length adjustment mechanism that can be a spring-loaded clip and may be disposed on the hanger. Additional embodiments may include a stem that may have a second clip.
A method of attaching an embodiment of an adjustable device to an ear may include the steps providing an adjustable device that can have a first attachment module that may be structured and configured to engage with an earlobe via a post or a first clip; a second attachment module that may have a hanger, wherein the hanger may be structured and configured to mount an external portion of an ear above the earlobe, and further wherein the hanger can include a head and a stem;
an electronics module; at least one length adjustment mechanism, wherein the length adjustment mechanism can be configured to adjust a distance between the first attachment module and the second attachment module; a first ornamentation-attachment site that may be disposed on the electronics module; and a second ornamentation-attachment site that may be disposed on the first attachment module.
The next step may be a determining of a distance from a connection point on the earlobe to the external portion of the ear above the earlobe. That may be followed by a step where using the at least one length adjustment mechanism may be adjusted to the distance between the first attachment module and the second attachment module from the distance determined from the connection point on the earlobe to the external portion of the ear above the earlobe. Once adjusted, the next steps may be to attach the first attachment module to the earlobe; and then hanging the hanger onto the external portion of the ear above the earlobe.
In such a method, there may also be an electronics module that can be made from an assembly selected from a group consisting of wireless antenna, UI/UX interface, microphone, speaker, circuitry, battery, charging conduits, biosensors, haptic sensors, environmental sensors, transducers, computing processor chips, storage chips, and combinations thereof.
Other such embodiments of the method may include a head that may include a speaker disposed therein, and wherein the speaker may be in communication with the electronics module. Additionally, such embodiments of the method may include a first length adjustment mechanism that may be a spring-loaded rail and may be disposed on the hanger; or where the stem may include a second clip.
The above summary is not intended to describe each and every example or every implementation of the disclosure. The description that follows more particularly exemplifies various illustrative embodiments.
The following description should be read with reference to the drawings. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description with respect to various examples in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present disclosure relates to wearable electronics, and, more particularly, relates to wearable electronics with at least one replaceable ornamentation that can be structured and configured to attach to a user's ear in at least two locations. Various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals may be used to represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the systems and methods disclosed herein. Examples of construction, dimensions, and materials may be illustrated for the various elements; those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized. Any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the systems and methods. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover applications or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Out-of-ear hearable devices are an emerging category. Earbuds placed below the cheekbones adjacent to the ear have gained adoption for use scenarios where being able to hear around you improves personal safety and situational awareness. Such audio devices are getting good adoption in the marketplace because of the wireless hands-free audio functionality for music, podcasts, and telephony. Out-of-ear form factors may prevent the uncomfortable feeling, poor fit, hearing damage, and safety concerns that can result from wearing earbuds inside the ear canals or pressing on the concha cartilage around it, primarily because there is only one attachment point in the existing devices.
Users may have a desire for a changeable aesthetic or fashion expression via ear jewelry and ornamentation. An important factor that can be a user's desire to have jewelry or embellishments that are customizable for personal expression. The desire to change earrings daily, or multiple times during the day, conforms to existing earring wearing behavior for millennia.
The embodiments can be presented herein can describe location and anchoring methods of the earring Base Frame or plate (attachment modules), and the audio/electronics module, to secure the assemblies to each other as well as to an ear in multiple locations. This approach may allow for the positioning of the audio/electronics module correctly for comfortable all-day wear for the user. The positioning and secure anchoring of the audio/electronics module can deliver optimized audio function with the sound source directing sound emissions to the ear canal in a safe and clearly audible fashion. The ornamentation attachment points can provide endless jewelry and embellishment attachments for personalized aesthetic expression.
In the present disclosure, an embodiment of an adjustable device 100 for securing to an ear, as illustrated in
In other embodiments, for example, adjustable device 800, illustrated in
In this particular embodiment, an ear lobe extension 116 has been provided to lower an second ornamentation attachment point 118; here, the attachment point is at a greater distance from the top of the adjustable device 100, in other embodiments, there may not be an ear lobe extension; for example, in
Also in the embodiment of
The electronics module 150 can include within its confines a plethora of electronic components. For example, speaker 152 can be in electronic communication with an assembly; where the internal assembly may include a group consisting of wireless antennas, UI/UX interfaces, microphones, circuitry, batteries, charging conduits, biosensors, haptic sensors, environmental sensors, transducers, computing processor chips, storage chips, and any combinations thereof.
The speaker 152 can have an optimized location to provide for a customized fit and position for the production of the sound outside of the ear canal. In some other embodiments, the speaker can be either inside the intertragical notch or just outside the intertragical notch, all without insertion into the ear canal.
An important feature of providing a first and second attachment module in the present innovation is to improve the weight distribution, security, and comfort via multiple attachment points. By attaching the adjustable device 100, and other embodiments with two attachment points, to the intertragical notch (or incisura) or over the antitragus bump area of the ear weight distribution and a user's sense of stability and security of the adjustable device 100 can be improved. A variation on the second attachment point can be a clip for non-pierced earlobes, or for user's who may prefer a clip over a post attachment. It may be possible to use an earring clip-on method to anchor the device to the bottom of the earlobe. Weights up to 12 grams when using a 2-3 point attachment method at the intertragical notch or antitragus cartilage can be tolerated better by users.
The adjustable device 100, and other embodiments with two attachment points, can provide a personalized fit to accommodate the unique physiology of each user's outer ear. This can be achieved through adjusting the distance between the hanger 138 and the post 112 by using the length adjuster 114 where a different groove of the series of iteratively place grooves interacts with the tabs 132 on the second attachment module 130. Using higher or lower grooves and tabs the distance between the hanger 138 and the post 112 can be increased or decreased to accommodate the variation in the distances of a user's intertragical notch or antitragus bump, and their ear lobe piercing (or ear lobe when a clip is utilized versus a post). Other consideration can be taken into account for the distance requirement of the hanger 138 and the post 112; for example, a custom fit that accommodates the variability of the distance from the ear opening to the user's piercing, the size and length of the earlobe, and the size and shape of the intertragical notch or antitragus bump.
A modular, personalization-enabled design is one of the driving factor for the present innovation. Configuring the design in a unique way that uses adjustable modular and attachment enabling industrial and mechanical design features to address the issues of weight distribution, speaker positioning and orientation, customized fit, more secure attachment, and embellishment customization. This unique approach can include modular parts for embodiments of devices that may be made up of two to three subassemblies which can together to create a whole, intact unit when assembled by the user. This can allow for adjustability of sizing for the user as well as optimal placement of the speaker proximate to the ear canal. The outside-of-ear canal, jewelry-oriented audio module can encase electronics, it may also presents as ear jewelry, and it may provide for all-day wear, including passive audio and other user-interfacing capabilities. This is all possible because of the unique attachment features can enable additional embellishments and jewelry ornamentations by users.
Illustrated in
Other embodiments of the first attachment module 110 and the second attachment module 130, are illustrated in
In an additional embodiment of the adjustable device, there may only be a single attachment module, for example, in
Further variations of a single attachment module are illustrated in
Other embodiments may comprise two components to provide an adjustable device. For example, in
Additionally, the attachment module 410 can include length adjuster 414, which can be a series of iteratively placed grooves that interact with an attachment point on the electronics module 450, similar to the one illustrated in
Also provided in attachment module 410 is a second ornamentation attachment point 418. In some versions, this device may also include an ear lobe extension similar to the one provide in the embodiment of
Any of the embodiments described above may include a stem that includes a spring. For example,
The electronics module described in the previous embodiments can be uniquely suited as both a functional jewelry piece on its own and has the added advantage of accommodating user personalization and aesthetic expression. It may contain high-performance wireless audio/transducer circuitry. It can have additional functions such as heart rate sensing, biosensing and/or emotion detection via additional transducer data, and/or hearing aid functionality.
Persons of ordinary skill in arts relevant to this disclosure and subject matter hereof will recognize that embodiments may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described by example or otherwise contemplated herein. Embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of ways in which various features may be combined and/or arranged. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. Furthermore, it is also intended to include features of a claim in any other independent claim, even if this claim is not directly made dependent to the independent claim.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63481196 | Jan 2023 | US |
