Method and apparatus for bone sensing

• US 6,754,358 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Incorporated (Iowa State University)
• Original Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Incorporated (Iowa State University)
• Inventors: Boesen, Peter V., Roberts, John A., Whitty, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDLETON, DIONNE
• Application Number:
  US09/902,153
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 600/528, 600/529, 600/536, 607/27, 607/62, 381/313, 381/312, 381/322, 381/324, 381/326, 381/328, 381/114, 381/151, 381/329, 381/162, 381/380, 381/361, 381/173, 340/853.2, 340/426.24, 340/463, 340/539.22, 340/539.23, 340/545.2, 340/391.1
• US Class Current: 381/326
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0256 wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Abstract

The invention discloses an improved bone conduction sensor capable of use within a voice sound transmitting apparatus. The bone conduction sensor is adapted for placement in the external auditory canal of the user in a nonocclusive fashion. The bone conduction sensor has a contoured surface adapted-to fit against a wall of the external auditory canal increasing the surface area contact between the bone conduction sensor and the wall of the external auditory canal. The bone conduction sensor may also be associated with one or more contact sensors adjacent the bone conduction sensor for determining contact between the bone conduction sensor and the wall of the external auditory canal. In addition, the invention provides for the bone sensing element to be separated from the circuit portion of the bone conduction sensor so that the circuitry may be removed to the behind the ear portion of the earpiece.

Claims

1. A bone conduction sensor for placement in an external auditory canal comprising:

a bone sensing element having a contoured surface adapted to fit against a wall of the external auditory canal increasing the surface area contact between the sensing element and the wall of the external auditory canal;

at least one contact sensor adjacent the bone sensing element for determining contact between the bone sensing element and the external auditory canal; and

a circuit portion electrically connected to the sensing element and the at least one contact sensor for determining whether the bone sensing element is in proper position and compensating for the position of the bone sensing element when not in proper position.

2. The bone conduction sensor of claim 1 wherein the circuit portion is physically adjacent the bone-sensing element.

3. The bone conduction sensor of claim 1 wherein the bone sensing element is a piezoelectric element.

4. The bone conduction sensor of claim 1 wherein the bone sensing element is adapted to fit against the posterior superior wall of the external auditory canal.

5. An earpiece for nonocclusive placement in an external auditory canal comprising:

a housing;

a bone conduction sensor mounted to the housing for nonocclusive placement in the auditory canal having a contoured surface adapted to fit against a wall of the external auditory canal increasing a surface area contact between the bone conduction sensor and the wall of the external auditory canal;

an air conduction sensor adapted for nonocclusive placement in the auditory canal mounted in the housing;

at least one contact sensor adjacent the bone conduction sensor for determining contact between the bone conduction sensor and the wall of the external auditory canal;

a circuit portion disposed within the earpiece and electrically connected to the bone conduction sensor, the air conduction sensor, and the at least one contact sensor; and

the circuit portion adapted for determining whether the bone conduction sensor is in proper position based on a state of the at least one contact sensor.

6. The earpiece of claim 5 wherein the at least one contact sensor includes a first contact sensor and a second contact sensor amounted adjacent the bone conduction sensor.

7. The earpiece of claim 5 further comprising a separation layer attached to the bone conduction sensor and adapted to be fitted directly to the wall of the external auditory canal and capable of conveying vibrations at the wall to the bone conduction sensor.

8. The earpiece of claim 7 wherein the separation layer comprises a material selected from the set including rubber, plastic, film, metal films silicone, and an electrical insulator.

9. The earpiece of claim 7 wherein the separation layer has a surface area adapted for contacting the wall of the external auditory canal greater in size than the surface area contact of the bone conduction sensor.

10. The earpiece of claim 5 further comprising a sound processor electrically connected to the bone conduction sensor and the air conduction sensor and disposed within the housing.

11. The earpiece of claim 5 further comprising a processor electrically connected to the bone conduction sensor and the air conduction sensor and disposed within the housing;

and the at least one contact sensor electrically connected to the processor.

12. A method of bone conduction sensing comprising:

transmitting a bone conduction vibration signal at a wall of the external auditory canal through an insulative conductive layer;

sensing a bone conduction vibration signal at the insulative conductive layer with a sensing element;

conveying the sensed bone conduction signal to a position removed from the external auditory canal;

monitoring the position of the bone sensing element using at least one contact sensor;

selectively processing the sensed bone conduction signal based on a state of the at least one contact sensor.