headset

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of earphone, microphone can not hinder the output signal of driver, and can reliably obtain response signal based on the output signal from driver using microphone.The earphone of the present application has: shell (1), is worn in the ear of user;And the tubular external auditory canal insertion part (10), is part of shell (1), and is arranged in the part of shell (1) on the side of external auditory canal.In the interior of shell (1), it is equipped with the driver (4) for signal output.The earphone has: microphone (5), is arranged more rearward than the signal output surface of driver (4), and obtains the response signal in the front of driver (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a headset. Background Technology

[0002] For a long time, earphones and headphones have been developed as electroacoustic transducers that convert electrical signals into sound signals. Earphones are primarily earphones worn inside the ear canal, while headphones combine earphones with a headband. Furthermore, a device that incorporates a microphone to collect the user's voice into earphones or headphones is called a headset. Thus, headsets include both earphones and headphones. One type of headset is known to have a driver internally housing a sound signal generation source, and an insertion point into the ear canal on the eardrum side of the driver.

[0003] However, when wearing this type of headset, the entrance to the external auditory canal is partially blocked, thus altering the sound characteristics within the canal. Specifically, when no object is worn, the external auditory canal is only closed on the tympanic membrane side, transmitting sound through open-tube resonance of the air column. On the other hand, when this headset is worn, both the tympanic membrane side and the entrance side of the external auditory canal are closed, resulting in closed-tube resonance of the air column. Therefore, there are issues such as changes in the sound characteristics at the tympanic membrane position due to wearing the headset.

[0004] Regarding the changes in sound characteristics within the external auditory canal caused by wearing such headsets, there are techniques to address these changes by controlling the output characteristics of the drivers within the headset, thereby correcting the sound characteristics within the external auditory canal. In order to accurately correct the sound characteristics using the drivers, a microphone known as a feedback microphone is typically integrated into the headset. While the headset is worn, the feedback microphone collects sound from within the external auditory canal, and the driver is controlled based on this sound information.

[0005] In recent years, as shown in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, a noise cancellation technique has been proposed that generates a sound with a phase opposite to the noise in order to reduce external ambient noise, thereby eliminating noise near the eardrum. In this noise cancellation, the driver's output control is also implemented based on the sound reception information from the feedback microphone as described above.

[0006] Recently, as shown in Patent Document 3, a method for biometric identification has been disclosed that identifies an individual by assigning characteristics to the sound properties of the external auditory canal. When this technology is applied, a driver and a microphone for collecting sound signals are also used.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: US Patent No. 10021478

[0010] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 4734441

[0011] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-509575 Summary of the Invention

[0012] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0013] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a microphone is arranged between the driver and the tympanic membrane, so the sound output from the driver is hindered by the microphone and the desired sound characteristics cannot be obtained.

[0014] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a microphone is positioned outside the ear canal, and a sound guide tube is arranged from the tympanic membrane side of the earpiece to the microphone, thereby collecting sound from within the ear canal. According to the technique in Patent Document 2, the sound output from the speaker is not obstructed by the microphone, and only the necessary signal is obtained. However, the sound tube used in Patent Document 2 needs to be designed to be very thin without affecting the sound characteristics, and the assembly of the sound tube becomes complex, resulting in poor manufacturability and high cost. Furthermore, miniaturizing the headset is difficult when the microphone is positioned outside the ear canal as in Patent Document 2.

[0015] This invention is proposed to address the problems of the prior art as described above. The object of this invention is to provide a headset in which the microphone does not interfere with the driver's output signal, and a response signal based on the driver's output signal can be reliably acquired using the microphone.

[0016] Technical means to solve the problem

[0017] The headset of the present invention has the following structure.

[0018] (1) Outer shell, worn on the user's ears.

[0019] (2) A tubular external auditory canal insertion part is part of the outer shell and is located on the external auditory canal side of the outer shell.

[0020] (3) A driver for signal output is located inside the housing.

[0021] (4) A microphone is located further back than the signal output surface of the driver to acquire the response signal in front of the driver.

[0022] The following structure can be adopted in this invention.

[0023] (1) The driver is disposed in the external auditory canal insertion portion.

[0024] (2) The microphone is located behind the driver inside the housing.

[0025] (3) The microphone is disposed in the external auditory canal insertion portion.

[0026] (4) The driver and the microphone are located inside the housing further back than the external auditory canal insertion portion.

[0027] (5) Inside the housing, there is a sound channel that extends from the front of the driver, bypassing the driver, to the microphone.

[0028] (6) The sound channel is formed by a sound channel groove formed on the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the driver.

[0029] (7) The sound channel is formed by a sound channel groove formed on the outer surface of the driver and the inner surface of the housing.

[0030] (8) The sound channel is formed by a sound channel groove formed on the inner surface of the housing and a sound channel groove formed on the outer surface of the driver.

[0031] (9) The channel groove is arranged in a spiral shape on the inner surface of the housing and / or the outer surface of the driver.

[0032] (10) Multiple channels are provided on the inner surface of the housing or the outer surface of the driver.

[0033] (11) The front portion of the acoustic channel groove on the external auditory canal side of the external auditory canal insertion portion includes an inlet portion extending outward from the central axis of the driver.

[0034] (12) The inner wall surface of the curved portion of the sound channel is formed by a curved surface.

[0035] (13) The microphone has multiple sound channels.

[0036] (14) A plurality of said microphones are provided, and a sound channel is provided to each of said microphones.

[0037] (15) Inside the outer casing, there is a sound channel that serves as a resonance space.

[0038] The effects of the invention

[0039] According to the present invention, a headset can be provided in which the microphone does not interfere with the output signal of the driver, and a response signal based on the output signal from the driver can be reliably acquired using the microphone. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of the first embodiment.

[0041] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the driver, microphone, and front housing portion according to the first embodiment.

[0042] Figure 3 This is an enlarged perspective view of the external auditory canal insertion portion according to the first embodiment.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of the second embodiment.

[0044] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the driver, microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the third embodiment.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the driver, microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the third embodiment.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the third embodiment.

[0047] Figure 8 This is a frontal perspective view of the external auditory canal insertion portion according to the third embodiment.

[0048] Figure 9 This is an exploded perspective view of the driver, microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment.

[0049] Figure 10 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the driver, microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment.

[0050] Figure 11 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment.

[0051] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment.

[0052] Figure 13This is a frontal perspective view of the external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment.

[0053] Figure 14 This is an exploded perspective view of the driver, microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fifth embodiment.

[0054] Figure 15 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the driver, microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fifth embodiment.

[0055] Figure 16 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the microphone, microphone block, and external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fifth embodiment.

[0056] Figure 17 This is a frontal perspective view of the external auditory canal insertion portion according to the fifth embodiment.

[0057] Figure 18 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant of the fifth embodiment, in the case of having two microphones.

[0058] Figure 19 This is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0059] Explanation of symbols

[0060] 1: Outer shell

[0061] 1a: Main shell

[0062] 1b: Front shell

[0063] 2: Cover

[0064] 3: Printed wiring board

[0065] 4: Driver

[0066] 5, 5': Microphone

[0067] 6: Battery

[0068] 7: Battery cushioning pad

[0069] 8: Battery cover

[0070] 9: Outer shell rubber

[0071] 10: External auditory canal insertion point

[0072] 10a: Opening

[0073] 11: Positioning Department

[0074] 12: Ear support mounting groove

[0075] 13: Ear support

[0076] 13a: Close contact part

[0077] 13b: Cylindrical section

[0078] 13c: Fitting part

[0079] 14: Lead wire

[0080] 15, 15': Microphone baseboard

[0081] 15a, 16a, 17a: Opening

[0082] 16: Microphone Block

[0083] 16a': Microphone block opening

[0084] 16b: Inner peripheral wall portion

[0085] 16c: Protrusion

[0086] 17: Pressure-sensitive adhesives

[0087] 18, 18': Channel slots

[0088] 18a: Introduction Section

[0089] 18b, 18b': Through holes

[0090] 18c: Middle part

[0091] 18d: Step

[0092] 18e: Radial part

[0093] 18f: Curved face

[0094] 18g: Connecting part

[0095] 19: Front Cover

[0096] A, B: Audio tract Detailed Implementation

[0097] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the tympanic membrane side of the external auditory canal is defined as anterior, and the inlet side or auricle side of the external auditory canal is defined as posterior, as per the claims.

[0098] [1. First Implementation Method]

[0099] [1-1. Structure]

[0100] like Figure 1 As shown, the headset of this embodiment has a housing 1 that houses various functional parts inside. The housing 1 is formed by fitting a main housing 1a and a front housing 1b together.

[0101] The main housing 1a is a hollow, cylindrical component, with its rear opening blocked by a cover 2. Inside the main housing 1a, a printed circuit board 3 is disposed facing the opening. The printed circuit board 3 is a board that encapsulates the electronic components required to control the headset. For example, depending on the purpose or condition of the headset's use, it controls output signals from the driver 4 (described later), adjusts the sensitivity or input frequency band of the microphone 5, adjusts the noise cancellation frequency band or level, and performs various controls for situations where the headset is used for biometric authentication.

[0102] A battery 6 is disposed in front of the printed wiring board 3 via a battery buffer pad 7 and a battery cover 8.

[0103] like Figure 1 As shown, a housing rubber 9 is provided on the outer periphery of the main shell 1a. The housing rubber 9 is a cylindrical elastic member embedded in the outer periphery of the main shell 1a, which cushions the contact with the ear and prevents water from entering the housing 1.

[0104] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the front shell 1b is configured to block the opening at the front of the cylindrical main shell 1a. The front shell 1b is generally shaped like a truncated cone, with a portion of its periphery slightly bulging towards the tympanic membrane.

[0105] At the front of the front shell 1b, there is an external auditory canal insertion portion 10 protruding from the top of the truncated cone toward the tympanic membrane. The external auditory canal insertion portion 10 is cylindrical in shape and located as part of the front shell 1b, with openings at both the front and rear, allowing communication between the inside and outside of the front shell 1b. Inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, there is a driver 4 comprising a cylindrical housing. Therefore, a positioning portion 11 with a flange-like shape of the driver 4 is provided near the front opening of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, and the driver 4 is fixed to the inside of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 by the front end of the driver 4 abutting against the positioning portion 11. In the positioning portion 11, there is an opening 10a through which the output signal from the driver 4 passes and is transmitted to the user. The rear end of the driver 4 is arranged in a manner that extends to the vicinity of the rear end of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. The driver 4 outputs, for example, not only sound signals but also biometric signals at non-audible frequencies. The driver 4 includes a magnetic circuit, a diaphragm, etc., for generating the output signal within the cylindrical housing, and a suitable, well-known structure can be used.

[0106] like Figure 2 As shown, a lead 14 is arranged from the rear of the driver 4. The lead 14 is connected to the printed wiring board 3.

[0107] The headset of this embodiment includes a microphone 5, which acquires response signals arriving at the front of the driver 4. The microphone 5 is located near the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 within the front housing 1b, i.e., behind the driver 4. The microphone 5 is suitable for the functions of the headset, such as noise reduction, biometric authentication, pulse wave detection, etc. For example, it can be used as a microphone that collects sound within the external auditory canal, such as a noise-reducing feedback microphone, or as a vibration sensor that measures vibrations, pressure changes, etc., in audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal. Furthermore, the microphone 5 can be a micro-electro-mechanical system microphone (MEMS microphone) or an electret condenser microphone (ECM), etc.

[0108] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the microphone 5 is encapsulated in a microphone substrate 15. The microphone substrate 15 is fixed to a microphone block 16. The microphone block 16 is a block-shaped component that supports the microphone 5 and the microphone substrate 15. The microphone substrate 15 and the microphone block 16 are provided with openings 15a and 16a in such a way that vibrations within the ear canal can reach the microphone 5.

[0109] Pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 is disposed between microphone 5 and microphone block 16, and between microphone block 16 and front shell 1b, respectively, to fix the two together. The pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 has an opening 17a in a manner that does not block the opening 15a of the sound channel A or the microphone substrate 15.

[0110] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a vocal tract A is provided inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, along the axial direction of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. Furthermore, Figure 3This is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 in the ear support mounting groove 12. The channel groove 18 is formed in the shape of a square groove on the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, and the channel A is formed by the space formed between it and the outer surface of the driver 4. The channel groove 18 opens into the opening portion 10a in the front portion of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, and includes an inlet portion 18a extending in the peripheral direction from the central axis of the driver 4. Moreover, the middle portion 18c of the channel groove 18 is formed in the shape of a square groove on the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, facing the outer surface of the driver 4, and is formed along the axial direction of the driver 4 from the outer peripheral end of the inlet portion 18a. The rear end of the channel groove 18 has a connecting portion 18g formed along the inner surface of the front shell 1b, which communicates with the opening portion 16a of the microphone block 16. The sound channel A extends from the opening 10a at the front end of the external auditory canal insertion part 10 through the inlet part 18a, the middle part 18c, and the connecting part 18g to the opening 16a of the microphone block 16 fixed to the front shell 1b.

[0111] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an ear support 13 is fixed to the outer periphery of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. The ear support 13 is also referred to as an eartip, ear pad, or ear cap, and may be an elastic component, such as silicone rubber. At the top end of the cylindrical portion 13b, which is embedded into the outer periphery of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, the ear support 13 has a hemispherical contact portion 13a that meets the external auditory canal wall. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an ear support mounting groove 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. On the other hand, as... Figure 1 As shown, a fitting portion 13c is provided on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 13b of the ear bearing 13. The fitting portion 13c engages with the ear bearing mounting groove 12, thereby fixing the ear bearing 13 to the external auditory canal insertion portion 10.

[0112] [1-2. The role of the implementation method]

[0113] The headset in this embodiment is used with the earpiece 13 worn at the entrance of the user's external auditory canal.

[0114] The following describes the case where the headset of this embodiment has a feedback noise reduction function. Noise generated when using the headset, which leaks from the outside into the ear canal, reaches the microphone 5 through the sound channel A formed by the sound channel slot 18 in the front shell 1b. The noise reaching the microphone 5 is converted into an electrical signal by the microphone 5. The converted electrical signal corresponding to the noise is input to the control unit of the printed wiring board 3 to generate an inverse noise reduction signal. Noise reduction is achieved by converting the noise reduction signal into an audio signal and outputting it from the driver 4.

[0115] In this embodiment, when the headset has biometric authentication functionality, for example, by utilizing the differences in the shape of the external auditory canal, a signal containing non-audible frequencies is output from the driver 4, and a response signal containing non-audible frequencies generated within the external auditory canal is acquired using the microphone 5. Then, the control unit performs frequency analysis on the response signal acquired by the microphone 5, thereby capturing its characteristics and authenticating the individual. In this way, by acquiring a response signal that also contains non-audible frequencies, highly accurate information can be obtained.

[0116] [1-3. Effects of the Implementation Method]

[0117] (1) By placing the microphone 5 further back than the output surface of the driver 4, the microphone 5 does not obstruct the output signal of the driver, thus eliminating adverse conditions such as the inability to obtain the required response characteristics.

[0118] (2) The driver 4 is disposed inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, thereby reducing the volume of the front surface side of the driver 4. The volume of the external auditory canal varies from person to person, thus causing deviations in high-range characteristics depending on the user. In this embodiment, the volume of the front surface side of the driver 4 can be reduced, thereby suppressing the attenuation of high-range characteristics within the external auditory canal. Especially when the volume within the external auditory canal is large, there are problems such as significant attenuation of high-range characteristics within the external auditory canal. However, according to this embodiment, by reducing the volume of the front surface side of the driver 4, high-range characteristics can be improved, thereby providing high-quality sound.

[0119] (3) By placing the microphone 5 further back than the driver 4, the driver 4 can be positioned inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. By effectively utilizing the space inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, the space for setting the driver 4 inside the housing 1 can be reduced, thereby achieving miniaturization of the headset.

[0120] (4) By providing a sound channel A in the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 that bypasses the driver 4 and reaches the microphone 5, vibrations in both audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal can be transmitted to the microphone 5, thus bypassing the driver 4. As a result, even though the microphone 5 is behind the driver 4, reflected sounds and other response signals generated in front of the driver 4 from the tympanic membrane side can propagate reliably within the sound channel A and be transmitted to the microphone 5. Thus, various functions utilizing the microphone 5, such as noise reduction, biometric authentication, and pulse wave detection, can be effectively performed.

[0121] (5) A channel groove 18 is formed on the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. The channel groove 18 is combined with the outer peripheral surface and the front surface of the driver 4 using the outer surface of the driver 4 to form a channel A, thus eliminating the need to separately form or assemble a complex micro-channel tube. Moreover, by forming the channel A using the outer surface of the driver 4, the radial size of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 can be reduced compared to the case where a separate channel tube is provided. In this way, the channel A for transmitting response signals to the microphone 5 can be easily formed in the limited space of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, which can reduce manufacturing and assembly costs and provide a small headset with excellent production efficiency.

[0122] (6) Figure 1 As shown, the channel B (opening 10a) of the driver 4 is connected to the channel A of the microphone 5, thus these channel spaces can be flexibly used as the resonance space of the driver 4 to improve the mid-to-high frequency characteristics. Moreover, by ensuring a certain volume of channel A, the microphone 5 can be used to acquire vibrations in both audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal, and to suppress abrupt pressure changes within the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 when wearing the headset.

[0123] (7) The microphone 5 is placed inside the housing 1, so that a waterproof, drip-proof and dustproof structure can be easily achieved when wearing it.

[0124] (8) The microphone 5 is constructed in such a way that the opening of the channel A is not directly visible from the external auditory canal side, so the small opening of the channel A is not easily blocked by foreign objects.

[0125] [2. Second Implementation]

[0126] The second implementation method is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, a driver 4 and a microphone 5 are located further rearward than the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 of the front shell 1b. A microphone block 16 is configured to surround the front surface and sides of the driver 4, and the microphone 5 is disposed on the side of the driver 4 via the microphone block 16. A sound channel A is provided in the microphone block 16, extending from the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 to the microphone 5. Other structures are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0127] (1) In the second embodiment with this structure, a microphone 5 is provided on the side of the signal output surface of the driver 4. Therefore, the microphone 5 does not obstruct the signal output of the driver 4.

[0128] (2) By setting the microphone block 16 to the channel A of the microphone 5 from the front to the side of the driver 4, avoiding the driver 4, the vibrations of the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the external auditory canal can be smoothly transmitted to the microphone 5.

[0129] (3) The outer surface of the driver 4 is combined with the channel groove 18 formed in the microphone block 16 to form the channel A. Therefore, compared with the case where a channel tube is set separately, the microphone block 16 can be miniaturized, and the headset with the microphone block 16 can be miniaturized.

[0130] (4) In addition to the effects described above, it has the same effects as the first embodiment (especially those described in (6) to (8)).

[0131] [3. Third Implementation Method]

[0132] The third implementation method is as follows: Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the vocal tract A is arranged in a spiral shape inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. Figure 5 As shown, an ear support mounting groove 12 is provided in front of the outer periphery of the external auditory canal insertion part 10. A driver 4 is provided inside the external auditory canal insertion part 10.

[0133] Behind the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, a microphone block 16 is fixed by fitting or gluing. The microphone block 16 is a generally circular plate with a through hole in the center, and has a rectangular protrusion 16c that supports the microphone 5 and the microphone base plate 15. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the microphone substrate 15 and microphone block 16 are provided with openings 15a and 16a such that vibrations in both audible and inaudible frequency bands within the ear canal can reach the microphone 5. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the microphone block 16 has an inner peripheral wall portion 16b along the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. The driver 4 is clamped between the inner peripheral wall portion 16b of the microphone block 16 and the positioning portion 11 of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10.

[0134] like Figure 6 As shown, a positioning part 11 is provided at the front of the external auditory canal insertion part 10. The positioning part 11 has an opening 10a through which the output signal from the driver 4 passes and reaches the user. Furthermore, as... Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the positioning part 11 is provided with a through hole 18b that guides the vibrations of audible and inaudible frequency bands in the external auditory canal to the microphone 5.

[0135] like Figure 7 As shown, the vocal tract groove 18 is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical external auditory canal insertion portion 10 by a groove with a semi-circular cross-section, such as... Figure 6As shown, the sound channel A is formed by blocking the opening of the sound channel groove 18 using the outer surface of the driver 4. Furthermore, the shape of the sound channel groove 18 is not limited to a semi-circular shape; it can also be semi-elliptical, square, etc. The middle portion 18c of the sound channel groove 18 is formed in the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, facing the outer surface of the driver 4, and is spirally formed along the axial direction of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 from the through hole 18b to the opening 16a of the microphone block 16. Figure 5 As shown, the rear portion of the channel slot 18 is formed into a square-shaped step 18d, which communicates with the opening 16a of the microphone block 16.

[0136] Vibrations in both audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal pass through the through-hole 18b, through the sound channel A formed by the spiral middle portion 18c to the stepped portion 18d, through the opening 16a of the microphone block 16 and the opening 15a of the microphone substrate 15, and reach the microphone 5. Other structural aspects are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0137] (1) In the third embodiment with this structure, a channel groove 18 is provided in a spiral shape on the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. Therefore, by adjusting the length of the channel groove 18 according to the purpose of the microphone 5, the spatial volume of the channel A can be easily adjusted. The purpose of the microphone 5 is not limited to noise reduction, but can also be used as a pressure sensor. By setting the channel groove 18 in a spiral shape, the spatial volume of the channel A can be adjusted to suit the pressure sensor.

[0138] (2) By making the channel groove 18 spiral, compared to forming the channel groove as a straight line along the axial direction, the spatial volume of the channel A can be increased, thereby reducing abrupt pressure changes when wearing the headset and preventing damage to the diaphragm inside the driver 4. In this case, a larger spatial volume of the channel A reduces pressure changes, so the spatial volume of the channel A can be maximized using the shape of the channel groove 18. For example, the depth of the channel groove 18 can be increased, or the length of the channel groove 18 can be extended, thus increasing the spatial volume of the channel A. On the other hand, even with slight pressure changes, the microphone 5 can acquire the signal. Therefore, by ensuring a certain level of spatial volume in the channel A, the microphone 5 can acquire the signal, and abrupt pressure changes when wearing the headset can be suppressed.

[0139] (3) When using channel A as the sound port of driver 4, an optimal length is required. If the resonance is well adjusted, the resonant frequency can be adjusted to the mid-high range. For example, to optimize the length and area of ​​channel A, by forming the channel slot 18 into a spiral shape, the channel space can be flexibly used as the resonance space of driver 4 to improve the frequency characteristics of the mid-high band. The resonance of the port effect can also be optimized in the vibration band required by microphone 5.

[0140] (4) The microphone 5 and the driver 4 are integrated in the external auditory canal insertion part 10 via the microphone block 16, thereby reducing deviations during assembly. Moreover, by providing the channel slot 18 in the housing 1, the number of parts can be reduced, making the assembly operation easier.

[0141] (5) A microphone 5 can be placed near the external auditory canal, thus providing excellent shielding against external environmental noise, including wind noise, and effectively acquiring vibrations in both audible and inaudible frequency bands transmitted through the external auditory canal. In particular, the acoustic channel A formed in the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 can be used to directly acquire signals from a shielded state, which is beneficial for applications such as bio-information acquisition.

[0142] (6) The driver 4 and microphone 5 are arranged inside the housing 1, especially inside the external ear canal insertion part 10, thereby improving the waterproof, drip-proof and dustproof performance when worn.

[0143] [4. Fourth Implementation Method]

[0144] The fourth implementation method is as follows Figures 9 to 13 As shown, multiple sound channels A are provided inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. (As indicated...) Figure 9 As shown, the basic structure of the driver 4, microphone 5, microphone block 16 and external auditory canal insertion part 10 is the same as that of the third embodiment.

[0145] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, a front cover 19 is provided between the positioning part 11 of the external auditory canal insertion part 10 and the driver 4. The front cover 19 is an annular part formed along the outer peripheral surface and front surface of the outer surface of the driver 4, and is disposed between the driver 4 and the positioning part 11 of the external auditory canal insertion part 10. In addition, in this embodiment, the front cover 19 is set as a different part from the external auditory canal insertion part 10, but it is more ideal to be integrated.

[0146] like Figure 11 As shown, the radial portions 18e, which constitute the inlet portion of the channel groove 18 forming the vocal tract A, extend radially outward from the opening portion 10a. The middle portion 18c of the channel groove 18 is formed in the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, facing the outer surface of the driver 4, and forms along the axial direction of the driver 4 from the outer peripheral end of the radial portions 18e. Furthermore, regarding the number of the middle portion 18c and the radial portions 18e of the channel groove 18, five are provided, but it is not limited to five and can be appropriately varied. Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, a stepped portion 18d is provided at the rear end of the channel slot 18, forming a channel A between it and the inner peripheral wall portion 16b of the microphone block 16. The rear ends of each intermediate portion 18c communicate with the stepped portion 18d, and the channel A communicates with the opening portion 16a of the microphone block 16 via the radial portion 18e, the intermediate portion 18c, and the stepped portion 18d.

[0147] like Figure 13 As shown, the positioning part 11 is provided with an opening 10a. Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, vibrations in both audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal travel from the opening 10a through the radial portion 18e, through the intermediate portion 18c, through the stepped portion 18d, and then through the opening 16a of the microphone block 16 and the opening 15a of the microphone substrate 15, reaching the microphone 5. Other structural aspects are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0148] (1) In the fourth embodiment with this structure, in addition to having the same effect as the third embodiment, it is configured such that the opening of the microphone 5 channel A cannot be directly seen from the external auditory canal side. Therefore, the small opening of the channel A is not easily blocked by foreign objects.

[0149] (2) In the fourth embodiment, by providing multiple channels A connected to the front surface side of the driver 4, the spatial volume of the channels A can be increased. Moreover, pressure changes can be distributed across multiple channels A, thereby reducing the sharp pressure changes when wearing the headset and preventing damage to the diaphragm inside the driver 4.

[0150] (3) In the fourth embodiment, the channel space can also be used as a sound port. Multiple channels A can be used to optimize the resonance of the port effect in the vibration band required by the microphone 5. Moreover, in the fourth embodiment, multiple channels A are combined into one in the step 18d, but it is also possible not to combine all channels A and to form a channel for a different purpose than the microphone 5. For example, four of the five channels A in the fourth embodiment can be combined and connected to the microphone 5 using the step 18d, and the end of the remaining channel can be blocked to form a closed channel space. In this case, the closed channel space can be used to form the resonance space of the driver 4.

[0151] (4) In addition to microphone 5, the headset may also include other microphones, temperature sensors, or other sensors. By assigning multiple channels A to the microphones or various sensors, various information can be acquired. For example, by connecting the temperature sensor to the channel, the temperature inside the external auditory canal can be acquired. At this time, by combining multiple channels, the air volume can be increased, thereby improving the temperature detection accuracy.

[0152] (5) Furthermore, the number or combination of channels, and the combination of various sensors are not limited to the embodiments described above. Moreover, the channel slot is not limited to a slot shape with a uniform cross-section, and the slot shape can be changed midway.

[0153] [5. Fifth Implementation Method]

[0154] Fifth implementation method as follows Figures 14 to 17 As shown, a sound channel A is provided inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, parallel to the axial direction of the driver 4. (As indicated...) Figure 14 As shown, the basic structure of the driver 4, microphone 5, microphone block 16 and external auditory canal insertion part 10 is the same as that of the third embodiment.

[0155] In this embodiment, such as Figure 14 As shown, the vocal tract groove 18 is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical external auditory canal insertion portion 10 by a groove with a semi-elliptical cross-section. Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, the inlet portion 18a of the channel groove 18 is formed in a straight line, and its front end is connected to the curved portion 18f. Figure 16 As shown, the curved surface 18f is a smooth curved surface that opens significantly at the front surface of the positioning portion 11 of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, extending to both the left and right sides, and is smoothly connected in a streamlined manner to the inlet portion 18a facing the front portion of the sound channel and the sound channel groove 18. The sound channel A extends in a straight line from the inlet portion 18a through the curved surface 18f, through the middle portion 18c, to the opening portion 16a of the microphone block 16. Therefore, as Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, the vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal propagate in a straight line inside the vocal tract A and reach the microphone 5.

[0156] Thus, vibrations in both audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal reach the microphone 5 via the curved surface 18f, the middle portion 18c, the opening 16a of the microphone block 16, and the opening 15a of the microphone substrate 15. Other structural details are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0157] In the fifth embodiment with this structure, in addition to the same effects as the third embodiment, the vibrations of audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal pass directly through the vocal tract A via the smooth curved surface 18f, and thus smoothly reach the microphone 5. Therefore, unwanted resonances or reflections in the vibrations of the audible and inaudible frequency bands to be acquired can be reduced, and a highly accurate response signal can be obtained.

[0158] [6. Other Implementation Methods]

[0159] As described above, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. As listed below, various other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made. Furthermore, these embodiments, combinations thereof, and variations thereof are included within the scope or spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. The following are examples of embodiments included in the present invention.

[0160] (1) The driver 4 and microphone 5 may also be configured inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. The location of the driver 4 and microphone 5 is not limited as long as the microphone 5 is configured to be positioned to the side or rear of the signal output surface of the driver 4.

[0161] (2) The outer shell 1 is not limited to being formed by the front shell 1b and the main shell 1a, as long as it houses the structural parts of the headset. Its shape, material and size are not limited.

[0162] (3) Microphone 5 is not limited to acquiring response signals for noise reduction and biometric authentication. Microphone 5 can also detect pressure changes in the external auditory canal and is widely used for pulse wave detection, etc.

[0163] (4) The channel slot 18 is not limited to being provided on the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10. It can also be formed by forming a concave and convex shape on the outer surface of the driver 4 housing, thereby forming a channel between the outer surface of the driver 4 and the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10, which connects the microphone 5 and the front of the driver 4. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape (semi-circular, square, star, etc., the shape is not limited) or the number and arrangement of the channel slot 18 can also be appropriately changed.

[0164] (5) The headset is not limited to wireless headsets that do not require cables between the headset and a mobile phone or other information communication device or between the left and right headsets, but can also be a headset with a cable. Moreover, the headset can be either for use in both ears or for use in one ear. Furthermore, the headset is not limited to canal type, but can also be inner ear type.

[0165] (6) The structure of the sound channel A can be appropriately modified. For example, the sound channel A can be made into a bent structure as in the first embodiment, or into a spiral shape as in the third embodiment; its shape is not limited. Furthermore, the sound channel A up to the microphone 5 is not limited to the arrival path of the aforementioned embodiment. For example, the outer surface of the driver 4 is not limited to the outer peripheral surface or the front surface; the sound channel A can also be formed using the space of the rear surface of the driver 4. Furthermore, the inner wall surface can be formed as a curved surface in any part of the sound channel A (the curved portion of the spiral or radial sound channel A, such as the connection portion between the inlet portion 18a and the middle portion 18c of the sound channel groove 18, the connection portion between the inlet portion 18a and the through hole 18b, the opening edge of the through hole 18b, etc.). Moreover, the bottom of the sound channel groove and the corner portion of the wall surface of the sound channel in which the sound channel groove is formed can also be formed as curved surfaces.

[0166] (7) The microphone 5 has a channel A that is not limited to one. Multiple channels A can be formed, and one or more multi-purpose paths can be added. The combination of these can be freely set. Moreover, the cross-sectional area of ​​channel A is not fixed. For example, the middle of the channel groove of channel A can be deformed to form a space that is larger or smaller than the end opening of the channel groove 18.

[0167] (8) Multiple microphones 5 can also be provided. Furthermore, sensors other than microphones, such as temperature sensors, can also be provided. Moreover, it is not limited to configuring microphones only inside the housing 1; multiple sensors can be configured by combining microphones or other sensors inside the housing 1. In this case, a sensor can be provided for each channel A, or the channels A can be combined and connected regardless of the path. For example, it can also be as follows... Figure 18 As shown, in addition to the microphone 5 that acquires information about the closed space between the microphone and the tympanic membrane in the external auditory canal, a microphone 5' that acquires information about the external environment through the sound channel A and a microphone substrate 15' are also provided. At this time, the microphone 5 can acquire vibrations in both audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal via the sound channel connected to the opening 10a, and the microphone 5' can acquire information about the external environment via the sound channel groove 18' that connects to the microphone block opening 16a' from the through hole 18b' extending to the external space. Therefore, the difference between the two signals can be used to improve the sound quality during transmission. Furthermore, the external environment information can be used to implement external sound import or feedforward noise reduction. In addition, Figure 18 In one embodiment, a channel (channel slot 18) is provided corresponding to microphone 5, and a channel (channel slot 18') is provided corresponding to microphone 5'. However, the channels can also be used interchangeably by branching each channel and connecting it to various sensors.

[0168] (9) In the case of multiple sound channels A in the fourth embodiment, the front end or opening 10a of the radial portion 18e, which serves as the inlet portion, can be smoothly formed by a streamlined curved surface shape. By setting the inlet portion 18a to a streamlined curved surface shape, the vibrations of audible and inaudible frequency bands within the external auditory canal can be smoothly guided.

[0169] (10) In the first embodiment, the microphone 5 is fixed to the housing 1 via the microphone block 16, but it can also be done as follows: Figure 19 As shown, the microphone 5 is directly fixed to the outer casing 1.

Claims

1. A headset, comprising: The outer shell is worn on the user's ears; The tubular external auditory canal insertion portion is part of the outer shell and is located on the external auditory canal side of the outer shell; A driver for signal output is located inside the external auditory canal insertion portion; as well as A microphone is located to the side or rear of the signal output surface of the driver within the housing. The microphone acquires the response signal from the front of the driver through the sound channel. Within the housing, a sound channel is provided that extends from the front of the driver, bypassing the driver, and reaches the microphone. A vocal tract groove is formed on the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion. The channel is formed by the combination of the channel slot and the outer and front surfaces of the driver.

2. The headset according to claim 1, wherein, The microphone is disposed within the external auditory canal insertion portion.

3. The headset according to claim 1, wherein, The sound channel is formed by a sound channel groove formed on the outer surface of the driver.

4. The headset according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The channel groove is arranged in a spiral shape on the inner surface of the housing and / or the outer surface of the driver.

5. The headset according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The vocal tract groove is provided with multiple grooves on the inner surface of the external auditory canal insertion portion.

6. The headset according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The front portion of the acoustic channel groove on the external auditory canal side of the external auditory canal insertion portion includes an inlet portion extending outward from the central axis of the driver.

7. The headset according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The inner wall of the curved portion of the channel groove is formed by a curved surface.

8. The headset according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The microphone has multiple sound channels.

9. The headset according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The device is provided with a plurality of microphones and a sound channel reaching each of the microphones.

10. The headset according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Inside the outer casing, there is a sound channel that serves as a resonance space.

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