Recreational bone conduction audio device, system

• US 7,310,427 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Original Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Inventors: Retchin, Sheldon M., Lenhardt, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ni, Suhan
• Application Number:
  US10/628,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20040062411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 381/151, 381/312, 381/326, 381/376, 381/378, 381/380, 220/9, 290/5
• US Class Current: 381/380
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/60 Apparatus used in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 33/004 comprising two separate lenses joined by a flexible bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1066 Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/023 in a chair, pillow
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention preferably uses transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user.

Claims

1. An audio device for providing music to a user, comprising:

a) transducers for generating the music from musical signals; and

b) a support for holding the transducers in vibratory contact with a user'"'"'s head, wherein each of the transducers is positionable at multiple locations on the support, wherein the support includes a band structure that fits around the user'"'"'s head.

2. The audio device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing means for housing each of the transducers which includes a waterproofing polymeric material which covers each of the transducers.

3. The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the musical-signals are produced in multiple frequency channels.

4. The audio device according to claim 3, wherein the multiple frequency channels include:

a) a low frequency channel, corresponding to music signals at frequencies in a range of 40 to 1,000 Hz;

b) a mid frequency channel, corresponding to music signals at frequencies in a range of 250 to 6,000 Hz; and

c) a high frequency channel, corresponding to music signals at frequencies in a range of 5000 to 20,000 Hz.

5. The audio device according to claim 4, wherein a volume of the music from the low frequency channel is adjustable.

6. The audio device according to claim 4, wherein a volume of the music from the mid frequency channel is adjustable.

7. The audio device according to claim 4, wherein a volume of the music from the high frequency channel is adjustable.

8. The audio device according to claim 4, wherein the music generated from the mid frequency channel has a fixed maximum volume of 90 dBa.

9. The audio device of claim 4, wherein a volume of at least one of the multiple frequency channels is independently adjustable from a volume of another of the multiple frequency channels.

10. The audio device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the transducers is an ultrasonic transducer.

11. The audio device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the transducers is a vibrotactile transducer.

12. The audio device according to claim 1, further including at least one amplifier coupled to one or more of the transducers for amplifying the musical signals.

13. The audio device according to claim 1, further comprising attachment features which attach the transducers to the band structure.

14. The audio device according to claim 13, wherein that attachment features are attachment features selected from the group consisting of slide positioning guide features, hook features, snaps features and hook and loop fabric features.

15. The audio device of claim 1, wherein the audio device transmits the music at high fidelity frequencies of 40 KHz or more.

16. The audio device of claim 15, wherein the transducers include an ultrasonic transducer.

17. The audio device of claim 15, wherein the transducers include a vibrotactile transducer.

18. The audio device of claim 15, wherein the audio device includes a volume control for adjusting a volume of music with high fidelity frequencies of 40,000 Hz or more.

19. The audio device of claim 15, wherein the support includes goggles.

20. The audio device of claim 1 further comprising a sound source for providing the musical signals to the transducers.

21. The audio device of claim 20 wherein the sound source provides the musical signals to the transducers through a wire connection.

22. The audio device of claim 20 wherein the sound source provides the musical signals to the transducers through a wireless connection.

23. The audio device of claim 20 wherein the sound source attaches to the support.

24. The audio device of claim 20 wherein the sound source is selected from the group consisting of an MP3 player, a tape player, a radio, an audio transceiver, and a disc player.

25. The audio device of claim 1 wherein the band is connected to a pair of swimming goggles, and the transducers are positionable at multiple locations along a length of the band.

26. A recreational audio device, comprising:

a) transducers that include a polymeric waterproofing cover and that produce an audio output; and

b) a band which fits around a user'"'"'s head and holds the transducer in contact with a plurality of locations around the head of the user, wherein the transducers are movable to different locations on the band, and wherein the transducers generate an audio output transmitted to the user through transcutaneous bone conduction.

27. The recreational audio device according to claim 26 wherein at the least one transducer can slide to different locations on the band.

28. The recreational audio device of claim 26 further comprising a sound source for providing audio signals that generate the audio output through transducers.

29. A method for a user to listen to music via transcutaneous bone conduction, comprising the steps of:

a) supplying musical signals from a source to transducers each of which include a water proof housing at least partially formed from a polymeric material;

b) contacting the transducers at positions on the user'"'"'s head using a band that goes around the user'"'"'s head; and

c) transmitting music through the user'"'"'s head by transcutaneous bone conduction through the polymeric material while the user'"'"'s head is under water.

30. The method recited in claim 29, further comprising a step of tuning the music.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein tuning the music comprises changing one or more of the positions of the transducers on the user'"'"'s head.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the musical signals are divided among multiple frequency channels.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein changing the one or more of the positions of the transducers on the user'"'"'s head includes changing a position of one or more of the transducers on the band.

34. The method of claim 29 comprising adjusting a volume output of one or more of the transducers.

35. The method of claim 32 further comprising limiting an output of music from one or more the multiple frequency channels.