Two-way voice communication device having external acoustic noise reduction

• US 7,551,940 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2004
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Etymotic Research Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Etymotic Research Incorporated
• Inventors: Stewart, Jonathan K., Paulson, Mary, Haapapuro, Andrew J., Killion, Mead C., Schulein, Robert B., Drambarean, Viorel
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang; Wen W
• Application Number:
  US10/755,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20040165720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,993 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/570, 455/575.2, 455/575.6, 455/575.1, 455/556.1, 455/575, 455/556, 381/370, 381/375, 381/380, 379/430
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/44 Transmit/receive switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/19 Arrangements of transmitters, receivers, or complete sets to prevent eavesdropping, to attenuate local noise or to prevent undesired transmission; Mouthpieces or receivers specially adapted therefor circuit arrangements for preventing eavesdropping H04M1/68; telephone cabinets E04H1/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

A two-way voice communication device which provides a high-level of acoustic noise reduction is disclosed. A resilient ear tip provides acoustic isolation and secures the earphone within the ear canal of the user. The ability to rotate the earphone within the ear canal allows the user to easily position an attached microphone. The audio signals may be conveyed by an included radio frequency receiver and radio frequency transmitter, or the earphone may be connected to an electrical audio device using a multi-conductor cable. Audio signals may be conveyed to one or both ears of a user. A switch to mute the audio signal from the microphone, or for supporting a push-to-talk mode of operation, may be included in the earphone housing, or on the cable.

Claims

1. A two-way voice communication device comprising:

a receiver for transducing a first electrical signal into sound;

an ear tip for insertion into an ear canal of a user, wherein the ear tip is rotatable in the ear canal of the user, the ear tip, upon insertion into the ear canal, uses the ear canal to provide support of the device, thereby securing the device in an operable position on the head of the user without requiring use of additional attachment to the user, the ear tip providing a reduction of external acoustic noise of at least 7 dB; and

a microphone for transducing speech of the user into a second electrical signal, wherein the microphone is positionable relative to the mouth of the user by rotating the ear tip in the ear canal of the user.

2. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1 wherein the reduction of external acoustic noise comprises 36 dB.

3. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1 further comprising a boom for supporting the microphone.

4. The two-way voice communication device of claim 3 wherein the boom is a flexible boom that is deformable to allow adjustment of the distance between the microphone and the mouth of the user.

5. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1, further comprising a switch for canceling the second electrical signal.

6. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1, further comprising a switch supporting a push-to-talk mode of operation.

7. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency receiver for demodulating a first radio frequency signal into the first electrical signal.

8. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a second radio frequency signal, wherein the second radio frequency signal is modulated to carry the second electrical signal.

9. The two-way voice communication device of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the radio frequency communication is compliant with the Bluetooth radio frequency communication standard.

10. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1 further comprising a cable having a plurality of electrical conductors for carrying at least the first and second electrical signals, the cable having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the earphone and the second end for connection to an electrical audio device.

11. The two-way voice communication device of claim 10, wherein the cable has a coiled portion nearest the first end for reducing the audible effects of physical contact of objects with the cable, the coiled portion having a spring constant of between approximately −

6 nt/m and approximately −

22 nt/m.

12. The two-way voice communication device of claim 10 wherein the cable further comprises a switch for canceling the second electrical signal.

13. The two-way voice communication device of claim 10 wherein the cable further comprises a switch supporting a push-to-talk mode of operation.

14. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1 further comprising:

a second receiver for transducing a third electrical signal into sound; and

a second ear tip for insertion into a second ear canal of a user.

15. The two-way voice communication device of claim 14 wherein the first electrical signal and the third electrical signal are the same signal.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the ear tip comprises a plurality of flanges that, upon insertion into the ear canal, compress, thereby securing the device.

17. A two-way voice communication device comprising:

a receiver for transducing a first electrical signal into sound;

an ear tip for transmitting the sound into the ear canal of a user, wherein the ear tip is rotatable in the ear canal of the user, and wherein the ear tip, upon insertion into the ear canal, uses the ear canal to provide sole support of the device, thereby securing the device in an operable position on the head of the user without requiring use of additional attachment to the user; and

a microphone for transducing speech of the user into a second electrical signal, wherein the microphone is positionable relative to the mouth of the user by rotating the ear tip in the ear canal of the user.

18. The two-way voice communication device of claim 17 further comprising a boom for supporting the microphone.

19. The two-way voice communication device of claim 18 wherein the boom is a flexible boom that is deformable to allow adjustment of the distance between the microphone and the mouth of the user.

20. The two-way voice communication device of claim 17 further comprising a switch for canceling the second electrical signal.

21. The two-way voice communication device of claim 17 further comprising a switch supporting a push-to-talk mode of operation.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the ear tip comprises a plurality of flanges that, upon insertion into the ear canal, compress, thereby securing the device.

23. A two-way voice communication device comprising:

a receiver for transducing a first electrical signal into sound;

an ear tip for insertion into an ear canal of a user, wherein the ear tip is rotatable in the ear canal of the user, and wherein the ear tip, upon insertion into the ear canal, uses the ear canal to provide sole support of the device, thereby securing the device in an operable position on the head of the user without requiring use of additional attachment to the user;

a microphone for transducing speech of the user into a second electrical signal, wherein the microphone is positionable relative to the mouth of the user by rotating the ear tip in the ear canal of the user; and

the device providing a reduction of external acoustic noise of at least 7 dB.

24. The two-way voice communication device of claim 23 wherein the reduction of external acoustic noise comprises 36 dB.

25. The two-way voice communication device of claim 23 further comprising a boom for supporting the microphone.

26. The two-way voice communication device of claim 23 further comprising a radio frequency receiver for demodulating a first radio frequency signal into the first electrical signal.

27. The two-way voice communication device of claim 23 further comprising a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a second radio frequency signal, wherein the second radio frequency signal is modulated to carry the second electrical signal.

28. The device of claim 23, wherein the ear tip comprises a plurality of flanges that, upon insertion into the ear canal, compress, thereby securing the device.

29. A two way voice communication device comprising:

a receiver for transducing a first electrical signal into sound;

an ear tip for insertion within an ear canal of a user, wherein the ear tip is rotatable in the ear canal of the user, the ear tip, upon insertion within the ear canal, uses the ear canal to provide support of the device, thereby securing the device in an operable position on the head of the user without requiring use of additional attachment to the user;

a microphone for transducing speech of the user into a second electrical signal, wherein the microphone is positionable relative to the mouth of the user by rotating the ear tip in the ear canal of the user;

a housing arranged to contain at least the receiver and having a passageway for directing sound from the receiver to the ear tip for transmission into the ear canal; and

a cable for carrying at least the first and second electrical signals.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the device comprises a boom for supporting the microphone near the mouth of the user.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein the boom is a flexible boom that is deformable to allow adjustment of the distance between the microphone and the mouth of the user.

32. The device of claim 29, wherein the housing comprises a switch for user control of the second electrical signal.

33. The device of claim 29, wherein the cable comprises a cable portion adjacent to the housing, the cable portion having a spring constant in a range effective for reducing audible effects of physical contact with the remainder of the cable.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the cable portion has a spring constant of between approximately −

6 nt/m and approximately −

22 nt/m.

35. The device of claim 29, wherein the device, upon insertion of ear tip within the ear canal of the user, provides a reduction of external acoustic noise of at least 7 dB.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the reduction of external acoustic noise is at least 36 dB.

37. The device of claim 29, wherein the ear tip comprises a plurality of flanges that, upon insertion into the ear canal, compress, thereby securing the device.