Speaker systems for head-worn computer systems

• US 10,757,495 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2017
• Issued: 08/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC (Magic Leap, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC (Magic Leap, Inc.)
• Inventors: Osterhout, Ralph F., Lohse, Robert Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sniezek, Andrew L
• Application Number:
  US15/722,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20180167707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03542 Light pens for emitting or receiving light
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1008 Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2811 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/11 Aspects relating to vents, e.g. shape, orientation, acoustic properties in ear tips of hearing devices to prevent occlusion

Abstract

Head-worn computers include a front frame mechanically adapted to secure a see-through computer display and an arm, secured to the front frame, mechanically adapted to secure the front frame to a head of a user. The arm includes an internal speaker system, enclosed by the arm, wherein the internal speaker system comprises a speaker having a first side and an opposing second side and a first cavity positioned along the first side of the speaker, the arm further comprising a vent positioned to vent the first cavity and a second cavity positioned along the second side of the speaker.

Claims

1. A wearable head device, comprising:

a front frame;

a see-through display coupled to the front frame; and

an arm coupled to the front frame and configured to attach the wearable head device to a user'"'"'s head,

wherein;

the arm houses a first internal speaker system and comprises a vent;

the first internal speaker system comprises;

a speaker configured to project sound in a first direction,

a first cavity including;

a proximate cavity positioned adjacent to the speaker and in a second direction from the speaker, the second direction opposite the first direction, and

a distal cavity acoustically coupled to the proximate cavity, and

a second cavity positioned adjacent to the speaker and in the first direction from the speaker;

the vent is positioned to place the proximate cavity of the first cavity in air communication with the distal cavity of the first cavity, such that the proximate and distal cavities of the first cavity are acoustically coupled; and

the proximate cavity of the first cavity is coupled to an outside environment.

2. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the proximate cavity of the first cavity is configured to be positioned in front of a user'"'"'s ear.

3. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the proximate cavity of the first cavity is configured to be positioned above a user'"'"'s ear.

4. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the proximate cavity of the first cavity is configured to be positioned behind a user'"'"'s ear.

5. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a temple portion and an ear-horn.

6. The wearable head device of claim 5, wherein the temple portion comprises a battery compartment.

7. The wearable head device of claim 6, wherein the speaker is configured to be positioned closer to the user'"'"'s ear than to the battery compartment.

8. The wearable head device of claim 5, wherein the temple portion comprises the proximate cavity of the first cavity and the second cavity.

9. The wearable head device of claim 5, wherein the ear-horn is configured to be placed above a user'"'"'s ear.

10. The wearable head device of claim 5, wherein the temple portion comprises a tubular portion.

11. The wearable head device of claim 1, further comprising a second arm coupled to the front frame, the second arm configured to house a second internal speaker system.

12. The wearable head device of claim 1, further comprising an audio connector configured to connect to an external speaker system.

13. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the first and second cavities are configured to enhance a frequency response of the internal speaker system.

14. The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the first cavity has a first shape and the second cavity has a second shape different from the first shape.

15. A wearable head device, comprising:

a front frame;

a see-through display coupled to the frame; and

an arm coupled to the front frame and configured to attach the wearable head device to a user'"'"'s head,

wherein;

the front frame houses a first internal speaker system and comprises a vent;

the first internal speaker system comprises;

a speaker configured to project sound in a first direction,

a first cavity including;

a proximate cavity positioned adjacent to the speaker and in a second direction from the speaker, the second direction opposite the first direction, and

a distal cavity acoustically coupled to the proximate cavity, and

a second cavity positioned adjacent to the speaker and in the first direction from the speaker;

the vent is positioned to place the proximate cavity of the first cavity in air communication with the distal cavity of the first cavity, such that the proximate and distal cavities of the first cavity are acoustically coupled; and

the proximate cavity of the first cavity is coupled to an outside environment.

16. The wearable head device of claim 15, further comprising an audio connector configured to connect to an external speaker system.

17. The wearable head device of claim 15, wherein the first direction is parallel to the arm.

18. The wearable head device of claim 15, wherein the arm is coupled to the front frame at a first location and the speaker is proximate to the first location.

19. The wearable head device of claim 15, wherein the first and second cavities are configured to enhance a frequency response of the internal speaker system.

20. The wearable head device of claim 15, wherein the first cavity has a first shape and the second cavity has a second shape different from the first shape.