Sound Induction Ear Speaker for Eye Glasses

Abstract

An eyewear sound induction ear speaker device includes an eyewear frame, at least one speaker including an audio channel integrated with the eyewear frame and an acoustic duct coupled to the speaker and arranged to channel sound emitted by the speaker to an ear of the user wearing the eyewear frame. A method of providing sound for eyewear includes receiving an audio signal at a speaker integrated with an eyewear frame, inducing the speaker to produce an acoustic sound, and channeling the sound through an acoustic duct to be presented to a user wearing the eyewear frame. The eyewear can include microphones and at least one of a receiver and a transmitter that are integral to the eyewear frame and electronically linked to the at least one speaker. The microphones can be employed in noise cancellation.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 839,227, filed on Jun. 25, 2013. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 780,108, filed on Mar. 13, 2013. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 839,211, filed on Jun. 25, 2013. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 912,844, filed on Dec. 6, 2013.[0002]This application is being co-filed on the same day, Feb. 14, 2014, with “Eye Glasses With Microphone Array” by Dashen Fan, Attorney Docket No. 0717.2220-001. This application is being co-filed on the same day, Feb. 14, 2014, with “Eyewear Spectacle With Audio Speaker In The Temple” by Kenny W. Y. Chow, et al., Attorney Docket No. 0717.2229-001. This application is being co-filed on the same day, Feb. 14, 2014, with “Noise Cancelling Microphone Apparatus” by Dashen Fan, Attorney Docket No. 0717.2216-001.[0003]The en...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention has many advantages. For example, the eyewear spectacle of the invention is relatively compact, unobtrusive, and durable. Further, the device and method can be integrated with noise cancellation apparatus and methods that are also, optionally, components of the eyewear itself. In one embodiment, the noise cancellation apparatus, including microphones, electrical circuitry, and software can be integrated with and, optionally, on board the eyewear worn by the user. In another embodiment, microphones mounted on board the eyewear can be integrated with the speakers and with circuitry, such as a computer, receiver or transmitter to thereby process signals received from an external source or the microphones, or to process and transmit signals from the microphone, and to selectively transmit those signals, whether processed or unprocessed, to the user of the eyewear through the speakers mounted in the eyewear. For example, human-machine interaction through the use of a speech recognition user interface is becoming increasingly popular. To facilitate such human-machine interaction, accurate recognition of speech is useful. It is also useful as a machine that can present information to the user through spoken words, for example by reading a text to the user. Such a machine output presentation facilitates hands-free activities of a user, which is increasingly popular. Users also do not have to hold a speaker or device in place, nor do they need to have electronics behind their ear or an ear bud blocking their ear. There are also no flimsy wires, and users do not have to tolerate the skin contact or pressure associated with bone condition speakers.

Problems solved by technology

However, the aforementioned techniques all have drawbacks, namely, they are either bulky, cumbersome, unreliable, or immature.

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