Reproduction of ambient environmental sound for acoustic transparency of ear canal device system and method
First Claim
1. An ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal, comprising:
- an earpiece housing configured for placement within the external auditory canal of the individual;
a processor disposed within the earpiece housing;
at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing, wherein the at least one microphone is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound; and
at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing;
wherein the ear piece is configured to detect ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone;
wherein the processor is further configured to modify the ambient environmental sound based on shape of the external auditory canal such that audio perception of the ambient environmental sound is as if the ear piece was not present; and
wherein the at least one speaker is configured to reproduce the ambient environmental sound.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal includes an earpiece housing configured for placement within the external auditory canal of the individual, a processor disposed within the ear piece housing, at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing wherein the at least one earpiece is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound, and at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing. The ear piece is configured to detect ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone and reproduce the ambient environmental sound at the at least one speaker within the earpiece housing. The processor is further configured to modify the ambient environmental sound based on shape of the external auditory canal such that audio perception of the ambient environmental sound is as if the ear piece was not present.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal, comprising:
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an earpiece housing configured for placement within the external auditory canal of the individual; a processor disposed within the earpiece housing; at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing, wherein the at least one microphone is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound; and at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing; wherein the ear piece is configured to detect ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone; wherein the processor is further configured to modify the ambient environmental sound based on shape of the external auditory canal such that audio perception of the ambient environmental sound is as if the ear piece was not present; and wherein the at least one speaker is configured to reproduce the ambient environmental sound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13)
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11. A method for an ear canal device, the method comprising:
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providing an ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal, the ear piece comprising an earpiece housing configured for placement within the external auditory canal of the individual, a processor disposed within the earpiece housing, at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing positioned to detect ambient environmental sound, and at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing; detecting ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone; modifying the ambient environmental sound based on shape of the external auditory canal of the individual; and reproducing the ambient environmental sound at the at least one speaker within the earpiece housing to provide audio transparency. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification