Sound outputting device

• US 9,105,261 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2012
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Horii, Seiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kurr, Jason R
• Application Number:
  US13/479,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20120300956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 381/333, 381/334, 381/87, 381/91, 381/71.6, 381/151, 345/8, 351/158
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17821 characterised by the analysis of the input signals only
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17823 Reference signals, e.g. ambient acoustic environment
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/1783 handling or detecting of non-standard events or conditions, e.g. changing operating modes under specific operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17837 by retaining part of the ambient acoustic environment, e.g. speech or alarm signals that the user needs to hear
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/1785 Methods, e.g. algorithms; Devices G10K11/1781, G10K11/1783 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17857 Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17873 using a reference signal without an error signal, e.g. pure feedforward
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1081 Earphones, e.g. for telephones, ear protectors or headsets
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3028 Filtering, e.g. Kalman filters or special analogue or digital filters
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• 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 17/00 Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/01 Hearing devices using active noise cancellation
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/43 Electronic input selection or mixing based on input signal analysis, e.g. mixing or selection between microphone and telecoil or between microphones with different directivity characteristics H04R25/407 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/55 using an external connection, either wireless or wired
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/606 acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 : Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 : Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

According to an aspect, a sound outputting device includes a front unit, a first side unit, a second side unit, a sound transmitting portion, and a piezoelectric speaker. The first side unit is coupled to one end portion of the front unit. The second side unit is coupled to another end portion of the front unit. The sound transmitting portion is provided in the first side unit for transmitting a sound via cartilage conduction. The piezoelectric speaker vibrates the sound transmitting portion.

Claims

1. A sound outputting device, comprising:

a front unit configured to be arranged in front of an eye of a user;

a first side unit configured to be coupled to one end portion of the front unit and to extend adjacent to one ear of the user;

a second side unit configured to be coupled to another end portion of the front unit and to extend adjacent to the other ear of the user;

a sound transmitting portion provided in at least one of the first side unit and the second side unit and configured to come in contact with the user; and

a piezoelectric speaker for vibrating the sound transmitting portion so as to transmit a sound to the user,

wherein

the sound transmitting portion is detachable from and replaceable with respect to the piezoelectric speaker associated with the first or second side unit where the sound transmitting portion is provided,

the sound transmitting portion is configured to be in contact with a cartilage of one of the ears of the user from outside of the ear, and

the sound transmitting portion is movable alternately to a first direction approaching the ear and to a second direction separating away from the ear.

2. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, further comprising

a sound signal generator provided in at least one of the first side unit and the second side unit for generating a sound signal to be supplied to the piezoelectric speaker.

3. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein

the piezoelectric speaker has a rod-shape configured such that a direction where the piezoelectric speaker extends substantially coincides with a direction where the first or second side unit in which the piezoelectric speaker is provided extends.

4. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein

the piezoelectric speaker is configured to move the sound transmitting portion alternately in the first direction toward the user and in the second direction away from the user so as to vibrate the sound transmitting portion.

5. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein

at least one of the first side unit and the second side unit has, at a side far from the front unit, an end portion having a shape configured to be branched into two parts at a position anterior to the ear,

one of the part is provided with the piezoelectric speaker, and

the other part is configured to be supported by the ear.

6. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein

the sound transmitting portion is a region configured to come in contact with the cartilage around an external auditory canal of the ear, and

the piezoelectric speaker is configured to transmit a vibration to the cartilage by vibrating the sound transmitting portion, so as to transmit the sound to the user via cartilage conduction.

7. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cushioning member provided between the sound transmitting portion and the first or second side unit in which the sound transmitting portion is not provided.

8. The sound outputting device according to claim 7, wherein

the cushioning member is configured to reduce transmission of vibration of the first unit to the second unit.

9. The sound outputting device according to claim 7, wherein

the piezoelectric speaker is configured to move the sound transmitting portion alternately in the first direction toward the user and in the second direction away from the user so as to vibrate the sound transmitting portion, and

the cushioning member is configured to reduce transmission of vibration of the sound transmitting portion in the first direction or in the second direction.

10. The sound outputting device according to claim 7, wherein

the piezoelectric speaker includes a vibrator, and a stator configured to secure the vibrator and control vibration with piezoelectricity, and

the vibrator is directly sandwiched between the cushioning member and the sound transmitting portion.

11. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, further comprising

a microphone provided in an end portion at a side of the front unit of at least one of the first side unit and the second side unit, the microphone being arranged to face an opposite side of the user.

12. The sound outputting device according to claim 11, further comprising

a noise cancelling controller configured to perform a noise cancelling process in which a sound signal of a sound obtained by the microphone is supplied to the piezoelectric speaker in an opposite phase.

13. The sound outputting device according claim 1, further comprising:

a display unit provided in the front unit and configured to display an image;

a signal generator configured to generate an image signal; and

a display controller configured to control a display of an image on the display unit based on the image signal generated by the signal generator.

14. The sound outputting device according to claim 13, wherein

the display unit is configured to display an image on a screen provided in the front unit.

15. The sound outputting device according to claim 13, wherein

the display unit includes a translucent member or a transparent member.

16. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein

the piezoelectric speaker is coupled to a part of a circuit provided inside one of the first side unit and the second side unit.

17. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a notification switch to control on and off of a phone call.

18. A sound outputting device, comprising:

a front unit;

a first side unit configured to be coupled to one end portion of the front unit;

a second side unit configured to be coupled to another end portion of the front unit;

a sound transmitting portion provided in the first side unit for transmitting a sound via cartilage conduction; and

a piezoelectric speaker configured to vibrate the sound transmitting portion,

wherein

the sound transmitting portion is detachable from and replaceable with respect to the piezoelectric speaker associated with the first side unit,

the sound transmitting portion is configured to be in contact with a cartilage of one of the ears of the user from outside of the ear, and

the sound transmitting portion is movable alternately to a first direction approaching the ear and to a second direction separating away from the ear.

19. The sound outputting device according to claim 18, wherein

the sound outputting device has an eyeglass-shape, and

the piezoelectric speaker has a rod-shape configured such that a direction where the piezoelectric speaker extends substantially coincides with a direction where the side unit in which the piezoelectric speaker is provided extends.

20. The sound outputting device according to claim 18, further comprising:

a cushioning member provided between the sound transmitting portion and the second side unit.

21. The sound outputting device according claim 18, further comprising a display unit provided in the front unit for displaying an image.

22. A sound outputting device, comprising:

a front unit configured to be arranged in front of an eye of a user;

a first side unit configured to be coupled to one end portion of the front unit and to extend adjacent to one ear of the user;

a second side unit configured to be coupled to another end portion of the front unit and to extend adjacent to the other ear of the user;

a sound transmitting portion provided in at least one of the first side unit and the second side unit and configured to come in contact with the user; and

a piezoelectric speaker for vibrating the sound transmitting portion so as to transmit a sound to the user,

wherein

the sound transmitting portion is detachable from and replaceable with respect to the piezoelectric speaker associated with the first or second side unit where the sound transmitting portion is provided,

the sound transmitting portion is configured to be in contact with a cartilage around an external auditory canal of one of the ears of the user from outside of the ear without covering an ear hole of the ear, and

the sound transmitting portion is movable alternately to a first direction approaching the ear and to a second direction separating away from the ear.