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Advanced communication earpiece device and method

a communication earpiece and advanced technology, applied in the field of earpiece devices, can solve the problems of not taking into account the resting or recuperation of the human ear, the noise environment in our industrial society is a health hazard to numerous workers, and the estimated integration does not take into account the fact that the human ear rests, etc., to achieve more accurate calculation of the total noise dose, improve the occlusion of the ear canal, and improve the effect of the total sound dos

Inactive Publication Date: 2016-04-28
EERS GLOBAL TECH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Provides accurate noise dose measurement, reduces hearing risk by adjusting audio levels based on ear fatigue and ambient noise, and improves voice transmission clarity by filtering out ambient noise and enhancing natural speech quality.

Problems solved by technology

The noisy environment in our industrial society is a health hazard to numerous workers as well as to people engaged in recreational activities generating loud noises, or simply listening to music with varying volume settings from individual digital music players such as an Ipod™, MP3 players or the like, via a set of earphones or the like.
Furthermore, these estimated integrations do not take into consideration the fact that the human ear rests, or recuperates from auditory fatigue over time, especially when the sound pressure level or the ambient noise is relatively low.
In such cases, the users essentially become acoustically disconnected, at least partially, from surrounding ambient sounds and / or noises, which could cause dangerous situations.
In order to be in hearing contact with the environment, the users need to either significantly reduce the sound or playback volume of the PMP or remove at least one of the two headphones, which might become annoying, especially if that kind of situation occurs frequently.

Method used

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  • Advanced communication earpiece device and method
  • Advanced communication earpiece device and method
  • Advanced communication earpiece device and method

Examples

Experimental program
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embodiment 10

[0099]Referring now in more detail to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown simplified schematic bloc diagram of an embodiment 10 of an advanced communication earpiece device, as a sound or music dose limiter device, and a method for using the device in accordance with the present invention. The noise and music dose limiter (MDL) 10 typically includes a controller unit 12 connected to at least one, preferably a pair of custom-fitted in-ear devices 14 (only one being shown), such that the respective outer ear canal 15 of the user is essentially occluded thereby (snugly fit), for connection to an audio output of an audio source 16 such as a personal music player (PMP) or the like, or any electronic device adapted to send an audio signal to the speaker 18 of the each in-ear device 14, typically left and right devices.

[0100]In addition to the speaker 18, each in-ear device 14 includes an internal microphone 20 (Min) for measuring the sound / noise level inside the ear occluded canal 15, between t...

embodiment 110

[0107]Now referring more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown simplified schematic bloc diagram of an embodiment 110 of an advanced communication earpiece device, as a push-to-hear device, and a method for using the device in accordance with the present invention. The push-to-hear (PTH) device 110 typically includes a controller unit 112 connected to at least one, preferably a pair of custom-fitted in-ear devices 14 (only one being shown), such that the respective ear canal 15 of the user is essentially occluded thereby, for connection to an audio output of a personal music player (PMP) 16 or the like, or any electronic device adapted to send an audio signal to the speaker 18 of the each in-ear device 14, typically left and right devices.

[0108]In addition to the speaker 18, each in-ear device 14 of the PTH device 110 includes at least an external microphone 22 (Mout) for measuring the external ambient sound / noise reaching the corresponding ear or the user. The controller un...

embodiment 210

[0113]Now referring more specifically to FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B, there is shown simplified schematic bloc diagram of an embodiment 210 of an advanced communication earpiece device, as an inside-the-ear microphone device, and a method for using the device in accordance with the present invention. The in-ear microphone (IEM) device 210 typically includes a controller unit 212 connected to at least one custom-fitted in-ear device 14, such that the corresponding outer ear canal 15 of the user is essentially occluded thereby (snugly fit).

[0114]In addition, the in-ear device 14 includes an internal microphone 20 (Min) for measuring the sound / noise, and also the user's voice inside the ear canal 15, between the in-ear device 14 and the tympanic membrane, and an external microphone 22 (Mout) for measuring the external ambient sound / noise reaching the corresponding ear or the user. These internal and external measured noises, from internal 20 and external 22 microphones, of the in-ear device 14 ...

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PUM

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Abstract

An earpiece device (10, 110, 210, 210′) provides advanced communication to the user thereof, for controlling a total sound dose (TND), including an audio output from an audio source (16) reaching an ear of the user occluded at the outer ear canal (15) by an in-ear device (14), for allowing an external ambient sound to be heard by the ear of the user, and for allowing a voice (NSV) of the user to be transmitted to a telecommunication transmission link (TTL). The present invention also contemplates a method of operation of the earpiece device (10, 110, 210, 210′).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a divisional application of pending patent application Ser. No. 13 / 991,258 filed on Sep. 16, 2013, which is a national phase entry of PCT application No. PCT / CA2011 / 001312 filed on Dec. 1, 2011, which claims priority benefit of provisional application for patent No. 61 / 344,977 filed on Dec. 1, 2010, all of which being incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to earpiece devices and is more particularly concerned with an earpiece device providing advanced communication to the user thereof, and method of operation thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The noisy environment in our industrial society is a health hazard to numerous workers as well as to people engaged in recreational activities generating loud noises, or simply listening to music with varying volume settings from individual digital music players such as an Ipod™, MP3 players or the like, via a set ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H04R29/00H04R1/10H04R3/00
CPCH04R29/004H04R3/007H04R2410/01H04R2460/05H04R1/1016A61F11/08H04R1/10H04R3/00H04R1/1041H04R2430/01H04R1/1083H04R5/04H04R2201/107H04R29/001H04R2460/01H03G3/20G10L21/0216H03G3/32
Inventor VOIX, JEREMIELAPERLE, JEAN-NICOLASMAZUR, JAKUBBERNIER, ANTOINE
Owner EERS GLOBAL TECH