In-ear hearing device and broadcast streaming system
First Claim
1. An in-ear audio device comprising:
- an enclosure having a sound transducer and being open into a user'"'"'s ear canal,a vent path through the enclosure from the exterior to the ear canal,the size of the vent path being variable to permit variation of the amount of venting, anda flexible compliant membrane within the enclosure for alleviating the effects of changing pneumatic pressures in the ear canal, and wherein varying the cross section of the vent path through the enclosure varies the pneumatic pressure on the flexible compliant membrane.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved earbud design providing for full modularity; improved and variable hearing protection, sound quality, comfort, fit, aesthetics, and signal connectivity; and the ability to maintain environmental sound directionality comprised of a multitude of new features with variable vents and membranes which dilute the harmful pneumatic effects of sound while improving its acoustic quality. A location-based transmission system provides event attendees to mix live sound with streamed sound through Ambrose Earbuds for reduced hearing risk and no quality detriments due to timing gaps, occlusion or ear tip spectral broadening, and enables noise pollution-free musical performances. A displacement-based digital compression algorithm caps maximum output air displacement as well as sound pressure level. Thus, an earbud is provided that through adjustments and modularity can act as a personal listening device, a hearing protection device and as a personal aesthetic statement with customized fit and comfort.
62 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An in-ear audio device comprising:
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an enclosure having a sound transducer and being open into a user'"'"'s ear canal, a vent path through the enclosure from the exterior to the ear canal, the size of the vent path being variable to permit variation of the amount of venting, and a flexible compliant membrane within the enclosure for alleviating the effects of changing pneumatic pressures in the ear canal, and wherein varying the cross section of the vent path through the enclosure varies the pneumatic pressure on the flexible compliant membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An earbud comprising:
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a back end cap having an exterior side and an interior side, the interior side of the back end cap rotatably engaging a back of a control unit, a front end cap having an exterior side and an interior side, the interior side rotatably engaging a front of the control unit, the exterior side of the front end cap having an opening for communication with a user'"'"'s ear canal, wherein the back end cap, the control unit and the front end cap are connected together for rotation independently of each other and about a common axis. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An earbud comprising:
a back end cap having a vent opening on an interior surface thereof, a front end cap having a vent opening on the interior surface thereof, of the same size and shape as the vent in the back end cap, a control unit between the two end caps which has a cylindrical surface with open arches on the exterior thereof, and the two end caps and the control unit all being rotatable relative to each other and independently about a common axis to provide variable vent paths into the interior of the end caps. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An earbud comprising;
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a top end, a side and a lower end, the top end open to the exterior and including a pair of overlapping baskets, each basket having vent openings, the top baskets being rotatable relative to each other to vary the amount of the air passing through their vent openings, the side including a pair of overlapping baskets, each having vent openings, the side baskets being rotatable relative to each other to vary the amount of air passing through their vent openings, a transducer below the top baskets, a flexible compliant membrane below the transducer, the sides baskets being located below the flexible compliant membrane, and the lower end having an opening to communicate with the user'"'"'s ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. An earbud comprising:
- an elongated member having an outer end and an inner end, the inner end being locatable at the user'"'"'s ear canal, wherein the earbud tapers inwardly from the outer end to the inner end,
the elongated member having a transducer therein and a flexible compliant membrane closing the earbud between the transducer and the lower end, a first structure being located between the outer end and the transducer and providing variable venting of external air into the transducer side of the flexible compliant membrane, and a second structure being provided along the side of the tapering elongated member and providing variable venting of the external air into the side of the flexible compliant membrane facing the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (26)
- an elongated member having an outer end and an inner end, the inner end being locatable at the user'"'"'s ear canal, wherein the earbud tapers inwardly from the outer end to the inner end,
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27. An earbud in the form of an in ear monitor which includes a transducer in communication with the user'"'"'s ear canal,
a tube connected between an outer end open to the exterior and the user'"'"'s ear canal, the tube having a flexible compliant membrane therein, a vent path from the exterior end to the flexible compliant membrane, the vent path being variable in size to control the pneumatic pressure exerted on the flexible compliant membrane, and the vent path including a flow path through the tube which is constricted to close off exterior air to the flexible compliant membrane and open to permit exterior air to flow to the flexible compliant membrane.
Specification