Audio output devices with user-based adjustable contact components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11223893-B2
Application number	US-201916258997-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 28, 2019
Priority date	Aug 15, 2014
Publication date	Jan 11, 2022
Grant date	Jan 11, 2022

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for audio output devices with user-based adjustable contact. Information, relating to a user of an audio output element having at least a portion in contact with the user, may be obtained, and conditions affecting outputting of audio signals via the audio output and/or the contact between the audio output element and the user may be assessed based on the obtained information. Adjustments applicable to the audio output element may be determined, based on the assessment of conditions, with at least one adjustment applying to positioning of the at least a portion of the audio output element relative to the user, and with the determining including configuring the at least one adjustment to account for and/or counteract effects of the conditions on one or both of the outputting of the audio signals and the contact between the audio output element and the user.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
obtaining information relating to a user of an audio output element that outputs audio signals, wherein:
the obtained information comprises sensory information generated by one or more sensors configured for generating information relating to the user; and
at least a portion of the audio output element is in contact with the user;

assessing based on the obtained information and user preferences, one or more conditions affecting one or both of outputting of the audio signals and the contact between the audio output element and the user;
determining based on the one or more conditions and user input, one or more adjustments applicable to the audio output element, wherein:
at least one adjustment applies to positioning of the at least a portion of the audio output element relative to the user; and
the determining comprises configuring the at least one adjustment to account for and/or counteract effects of the one or more conditions on at least the contact between the audio output element and the user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more conditions comprise one or more of: ambient noise, user input, user prcfcrcnccs, and one or more characteristics associated with at least one component of the audio output element that is used in controlling the contact.

3. The method of claim 1 , comprising applying the one or more adjustments in response to one or both of a particular trigger and the user input.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the one or more adjustments comprises modifying one or more characteristics associated with one or more positioning components of or coupled to the audio output element.

5. The method of claim 4 , comprising modifying characteristics of the one or more positioning components using force generated based on activities of the user.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more positioning components comprise at least one inflation component.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the characteristics comprise inflation, and comprising modifying inflation of the at least one inflation component to affect the contact with the user.

8. The method of claim 6 , comprising injecting air into and releasing air from the at least one inflation component, and modifying inflation of the at least one inflation component by adjusting one or more both of the injecting and releasing.

9. A system comprising:
an audio output element that is operable to output audio signals, wherein at least a portion of the audio output element is applied directly to or is in contact with at least a portion of an ear of a user of the system;
one or more sensors configured for generating sensory information relating to the user; and
at least one circuit that is operable to:
obtain information relating to the user, wherein the obtained information comprises sensory information generated by the one or more sensors;
assess based on the obtained information and user preferences, one or more conditions affecting one or both of outputting of the audio signals and the contact between the audio output element and the user; and
determine based on the one or more conditions and user input, one or more adjustments applicable to the audio output element, wherein:
at least one adjustment applies to positioning of the at least a portion of the audio output element relative to the user; and
the determining comprises configuring the at least one adjustment to account for and/or counteract effects of the one or more conditions on one or both of the outputting of the audio signals and at least the contact between the audio output element and the user.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the audio output element comprises one or more of: headphone, headset, in-ear headphone, and earbud.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one circuit is configured to determine and/or cause applying the one or more adjustments in response to one or both of a particular trigger and the user input.

12. The system of claim 9 , comprising one or more positioning elements configured to apply the at least one adjustment to the positioning of the at least a portion of the audio output element relative to the user.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein at least one circuit configures the at least one adjustment based on one or more characteristics associated with at least one of the one or more positioning elements.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the one or more positioning elements comprise at least one inflation component.

15. The system of claim 14 , comprising an inflation adjuster that is operable to adjust inflating of the at least one inflation component.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one inflation component is operable to apply the determined one or more adjustments based on modifying of inflation of the at least one inflation component.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one inflation component is operable to enable continual injection and releasing of air, and the modifying of inflation of the at least one inflation component comprises adjusting one or both of the injecting and releasing.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the one or more positioning elements is incorporated into the audio output element.

19. The system of claim 12 , comprising an adjuster configured to generate a force for adjusting one or more characteristics associated with at least one of the one or more positioning elements based on the at least one adjustment.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the adjuster is configured to generate the force based on activities of the user.

Assignees

• Voyetra Turtle Beach Inc

Inventors

• Kulavik Richard
• Church Christopher

Classifications

• H04R29/00

  Monitoring arrangements; Testing arrangements {(for hearing aids H04R25/30; detection of loudspeaker connection H04R5/04; sound-field adaptation dependent on speaker detection H04S7/308)} · CPC title

• H04R1/1041 Primary

  Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H) · CPC title

• H04R1/1016

  Earpieces of the intra-aural type · CPC title

• H04R25/656

  Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal · CPC title

• H04R1/1008

  Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type · CPC title