Open audio device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11653144-B2
Application number	US-202117231166-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 15, 2021
Priority date	Aug 28, 2019
Publication date	May 16, 2023
Grant date	May 16, 2023

Abstract

An open audio device includes an acoustic radiator that emits front-side acoustic radiation from its front side and emits rear-side acoustic radiation from its rear side, a front acoustic cavity that receives front-side acoustic radiation, and a rear acoustic cavity that receives rear-side acoustic radiation. At least one sound-emitting opening is acoustically coupled to the front acoustic cavity or the second acoustic cavity. The open audio device also includes a removable accessory that includes an acoustic transmission line that is acoustically coupled to the at least one sound-emitting opening when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An open audio device, comprising:
an acoustic radiator that emits front-side acoustic radiation from its front side and emits rear-side acoustic radiation from its rear side;
a front acoustic cavity that receives front-side acoustic radiation;
a rear acoustic cavity that receives rear-side acoustic radiation;
a first sound-emitting opening acoustically coupled to the front acoustic cavity;
a second sound-emitting opening acoustically coupled to the second acoustic cavity; and
a removable accessory comprising:
an acoustic transmission line portion comprising a tube with a first opening at a distal end, wherein, when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device, the acoustic transmission line is acoustically coupled to the first sound-emitting opening enabling the front-side acoustic radiation to exit from the first opening at the distal end of transmission line; and
a sleeve portion arranged at a proximal end of the acoustic transmission line and defining a cavity, a second opening at one end of the cavity, and a third opening at an opposite end of the cavity, wherein the second and third openings are sized to receive the open audio device,
the sleeve portion further defining a fourth opening, wherein, when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device, the fourth opening is acoustically coupled to the second sound-emitting opening enabling the rear-side acoustic radiation to exit from the fourth opening.

2. The open audio device of claim 1 , wherein when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device, the acoustic transmission line is configured to locate acoustic output of the at least one sound-emitting opening proximate but not in the ear canal opening.

3. The open audio device of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic transmission line comprises a resistive element.

4. The open audio device of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to:
provide audio signals to the acoustic radiator; and
detect attachment of the removable accessory to the open audio device.

5. The open audio device of claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured to modify the audio signals based on whether the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device.

6. The open audio device of claim 1 , wherein the removable accessory comprises an elastic material.

7. The open audio device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sound-emitting opening comprises:
a first front sound-emitting opening acoustically coupled to the front acoustic cavity; and
a first rear sound-emitting opening acoustically coupled to the rear acoustic cavity,
wherein the acoustic transmission line is acoustically coupled to the front acoustic cavity and the first front sound-emitting opening when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device, and
wherein the removable accessory comprises an opening that is acoustically coupled to the rear acoustic cavity and the first rear sound-emitting opening when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device.

8. The open audio device of claim 7 , wherein the opening is sized and shaped to substantially match a size and shape of the first rear sound-emitting opening.

9. The open audio device of claim 7 , wherein the removable accessory is configured to cover at least a portion of the first rear sound-emitting opening when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device.

10. The open audio device of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic transmission line is sized and shaped to substantially match a size and shape of the at least one sound-emitting opening.

11. The open audio device of claim 1 , wherein the removable accessory comprises a baffle.

12. The open audio device of claim 11 , wherein the baffle extends around the perimeter of the acoustic transmission line portion of the removable accessory.

13. The open audio device of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic transmission line has a length and is curved along its length.

14. The open audio device of claim 1 , wherein the open audio device comprises audio eyeglasses.

15. The open audio device of claim 14 , wherein the removable accessory extends at an angle relative to a temple piece of the audio eyeglasses.

16. The open audio device of claim 1 , further comprising a set of removable accessories of different sizes, each comprising an acoustic transmission line that is acoustically coupled to the at least one sound-emitting opening when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device.

17. A removable accessory for an open audio device comprising:
an acoustic transmission line portion comprising a tube with a first opening at a distal end and configured such that, when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device, the acoustic transmission line is acoustically coupled to a first sound-emitting opening of the open audio device; and
a sleeve portion arranged at a proximal end of the acoustic transmission line and defining a cavity, a second opening at one end of the cavity, and a third opening at an opposite end of the cavity, wherein the second and third openings are sized to receive the open audio device,
the sleeve portion further defining a fourth opening configured such that, when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device, the fourth opening is acoustically coupled to a second sound-emitting opening in the open audio device.

18. The removable accessory of claim 17 , further comprising a third opening in the sleeve portion.

19. The removable accessory of claim 18 , wherein when the removable accessory is attached to the open audio device:
the acoustic transmission line is acoustically coupled to a first sound-emitting opening of the open audio device; and
the third opening in the sleeve portion is acoustically coupled to a second sound-emitting opening of the open audio device.

20. The removable accessory of claim 19 , wherein the acoustic transmission line is sized and shaped to substantially match a size and shape of the first sound-emitting opening, and the third opening is sized and shaped to substantially match a size and shape of the second sound-emitting opening.

21. The removable accessory of claim 17 , wherein the acoustic transmission line comprises a resistive element.

22. The removable accessory of claim 17 , wherein the removable accessory is formed of an elastic material.

23. The removable accessory of claim 17 , further comprising a baffle.

24. The removable accessory of claim 23 , wherein the baffle extends around the perimeter of the acoustic transmission line portion.

Assignees

• Bose Corp

Inventors

• Van Hook John
• Gelberger Michelle
• Baker Daniel Patrick
• Mucaria Christopher Scott
• Vecchiarino Kyle A
• Dick David Avi
• Roberts Cory
• Struzik Ryan C

Classifications

• H04R1/1066

  Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support (earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335) · CPC title

• H04R2460/09

  Non-occlusive ear tips, i.e. leaving the ear canal open, for both custom and non-custom tips (H04R2460/11 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04R2460/11

  Aspects relating to vents, e.g. shape, orientation, acoustic properties in ear tips of hearing devices to prevent occlusion · CPC title

• H04R1/38

  in which sound waves act upon both sides of a diaphragm and incorporating acoustic phase-shifting means, e.g. pressure-gradient microphone · CPC title

• H04R1/2849

  for loudspeaker transducers · CPC title