VARIABLE OUTPUT EARPHONE SYSTEM

• US 20070098202A1
• Filed: 10/26/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Etymotic Research Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Etymotic Research Incorporated
• Inventors: Killion, Mead, Viranyi, Steven, Stewart, Jonathan, Wilson, Donald, Villchur, Edgar
• Application Number:
  US11/553,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20070098202A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/380
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/041 Adaptation of stereophonic signal reproduction for the hearing impaired
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/005 For headphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/00 Indicating arrangements; Control arrangements, e.g. balance control

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an earphone that allows for individual adjustment of different audio levels produced out of a first and second speaker to compensate for hearing impairment in one or both ears. The earphone may include a jack plug that is configured for insertion into an audio source that has a first volume control for setting the audio volume level produced by the first speaker. The earphone may also include a second volume control having an inlet and an outlet the inlet being operably connected to the jack plug. The second volume control may be configured to adjust the audio volume level produced by the second speaker. The maximum audio volume level of the second volume control may be approximately the same as the audio volume level set by the first volume control. The minimum audio volume of the second volume control may be inaudible.

Claims

1. An earphone apparatus, comprising;

a first earphone speaker and a second earphone speaker;

a jack plug communicatively coupled to said first earphone speaker and said second earphone speaker, said jack plug configured for insertion into an audio source and for receiving at least one control signal for setting a first audio volume level produced by said first earphone speaker; and

volume control circuitry communicatively coupled to said jack plug and said second earphone speaker, said volume control circuitry configured to set a second audio volume level produced by said second earphone speaker,

wherein said second audio volume level is set independently of said first audio volume level.

2. The earphone apparatus of claim 1, wherein a maximum level for said second audio volume level is approximately the same as said first audio volume level.

3. The earphone apparatus of claim 1, wherein a minimum level for said second audio volume level is being at least almost inaudible.

4. The earphone apparatus of claim 1, wherein said volume control circuitry comprises an inlet and an outlet, said inlet operably connected to said jack plug through an earphone wire, said outlet operably connected to said second earphone speaker.

5. The earphone apparatus of claim 1, wherein said volume control circuitry comprises at least one variable resistor coupled to a first signal path and a second signal path within said volume control circuitry, said first signal path and said second signal path coupled to a switch for selecting between said first signal path and said second signal path during said setting of said second audio volume level.

6. The earphone apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first signal path comprises at least a first resistor, and wherein said second signal path comprises at least a second resistor.

7. The earphone apparatus of claim 5, wherein said second earphone speaker generates a flat frequency response, if said first signal path is selected via said switch.

8. The earphone apparatus of claim 5, wherein said second earphone speaker generates a bass boost response, if said second signal path is selected via said switch.

9. The earphone apparatus of claim 5, comprising a capacitor coupled to a neutral terminal of said jack plug and said second signal path within said volume control circuitry.

10. The earphone apparatus of claim 9, wherein said capacitor is coupled to said second signal path within said volume control circuitry via a resistor.

11. An earphone apparatus, comprising;

a first earphone speaker and a second earphone speaker;

a jack plug communicatively coupled to said first earphone speaker and said second earphone speaker, said jack plug configured for insertion into an audio source and for receiving at least one control signal for setting a first audio volume level produced by said first earphone speaker;

a frequency boost circuit communicatively coupled to said jack plug and said first earphone speaker;

volume control circuitry communicatively coupled to said jack plug and said second earphone speaker, said volume control circuitry configured to set a second audio volume level produced by said second earphone speaker,

wherein said second audio volume level is set independently of said first audio volume level.

12. The earphone apparatus of claim 11, wherein said frequency boost circuit comprises a switch coupled to a first signal path and a second signal path within said frequency boost circuit.

13. The earphone apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second signal path comprises a resistor and a capacitor.

14. The earphone apparatus of claim 12, wherein said frequency boost circuit increases sensitivity of said first earphone speaker to high-frequency sounds, if said second signal path is selected.

15. The earphone apparatus of claim 12, wherein said frequency boost circuit reduces sensitivity of said first earphone speaker to low-frequency sounds, if said second signal path is selected.

16. The earphone apparatus of claim 15, wherein said sensitivity of said first earphone speaker to said low-frequency sounds is reduced by approximately 15 dB, if said second signal path is selected.

17. The earphone apparatus of claim 11, comprising an amplifier coupled to said second earphone speaker and said volume control circuitry.

18. The earphone apparatus of claim 17, wherein said amplifier is configured to increase a dynamic range of sound signal communicated to said second earphone speaker.

19. The earphone apparatus of claim 17, wherein said amplifier comprises a battery-operated amplifier.