Head-mounted device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a head-mounted device. The head-mounted device comprises a head-mounted device body and a first sound emitting unit detachably arranged on the head-mounted device body, the head-mounted device body is provided with a body first sound outlet hole, the body first sound outlet hole is in communication with the external environment, when the first sound emitting unit is arranged on the head-mounted device body, the first sound emitting unit is in communication with the body first sound outlet hole, and the first sound emitting unit is configured as an in-ear type.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of head-mounted devices that enable private voice communication. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of near-eye display technology and wearable devices, wearable electronic products are gradually entering the consumer market. Among them, smart glasses or Bluetooth audio glasses such as AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality), and XR (Extended Reality) have attracted the attention of different customer groups, bringing great convenience to people's lives and enriching their interactive experience between virtual and reality. Extended Reality includes various forms such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). In other words, XR is actually a general term that includes AR, VR, and MR. XR is divided into multiple levels, from virtual worlds with limited sensor input to fully immersive virtual worlds. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the following are provided:

[0004] A head-mounted device includes a head-mounted device body and a first sound-emitting unit. The first sound-emitting unit is detachably disposed on the head-mounted device body. The head-mounted device body has a first sound outlet hole that is connected to the external environment. When the first sound-emitting unit is disposed on the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit is connected to the first sound outlet hole. The first sound-emitting unit is configured as an in-ear type.

[0005] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first sound-emitting unit is disposed on the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit is configured to emit diffuse sound waves;

[0006] When the first sound-emitting unit is removed from the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit is configured to emit convergent sound waves.

[0007] Optionally, according to one embodiment of this disclosure, the head-mounted device is a smart glasses, the head-mounted device body includes temples and a frame, and the first sound-emitting unit can be arranged on the temples.

[0008] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the temple is provided with a groove, the first sound-emitting unit can be sealed into the groove, and at least a portion of the first sound-emitting unit and the groove are left with a first space.

[0009] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the temple includes an auricle contact portion for contacting the user's auricle when the user wears the head-mounted device, and the first sound outlet of the main body is opened in the auricle contact portion.

[0010] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the head-mounted device body includes a second sound-emitting unit disposed within the temple, the temple also having a second sound outlet hole of the body, the second sound-emitting unit communicating with the second sound outlet hole of the body, the second sound outlet hole of the body communicating with the external environment, and the second sound outlet hole of the body being arranged closer to the frame than the first sound outlet hole of the body.

[0011] Optionally, according to one embodiment of this disclosure, when the first sound-emitting unit is arranged on the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit and the second sound-emitting unit emit sound simultaneously, or the first sound-emitting unit does not emit sound while the second sound-emitting unit emits sound, or the first sound-emitting unit emits sound while the second sound-emitting unit does not emit sound; when the first sound-emitting unit is removed from the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit emits sound while the second sound-emitting unit does not emit sound.

[0012] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first sound-emitting unit is configured as a sound-emitting unit with a diameter of 5 to 15 mm, a height of 1 to 5 mm, and a power of 1 to 15 mW.

[0013] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the head-mounted device body includes a detection device configured to detect whether the first sound-emitting unit is disposed on or removed from the head-mounted device body, the detection device including a photoelectric sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.

[0014] Optionally, according to one embodiment of this disclosure, the sound pressure level difference between the first sound-emitting unit and the second sound-emitting unit is less than 10 dB, or

[0015] The sound pressure level difference between the first sound unit and the second sound unit is greater than or equal to 10dB, and the first sound unit does not emit sound when it is arranged on the head-mounted device body. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the above and other features of this disclosure will become apparent, wherein,

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a head-mounted device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 2A schematic diagram of wearing a head-mounted device in external speaker mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of wearing a head-mounted device in privacy mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a temple of a mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view is shown of a first sound-emitting unit installed in the body of a head-mounted device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 6 An exploded view of the structure of a first sound-generating unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 7 An audio transmission link for a head-mounted device in speaker mode and privacy mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0024] Figure 8 This illustration shows another audio transmission link for a head-mounted device in speaker mode and privacy mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 9 The acoustic profile of a head-mounted device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] It is readily understood that, based on the technical solutions of this disclosure, those skilled in the art can propose various interchangeable structural methods and implementations without altering the essential spirit of this disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed embodiments and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative examples of the technical solutions of this disclosure and should not be considered as the entirety of this disclosure or as limitations or restrictions on the technical solutions of this disclosure.

[0027] The directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, top, and bottom mentioned or possibly used in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the accompanying drawings. These are relative concepts and may therefore vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and similar expressions are used for descriptive and distinguishing purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying the relative importance of the corresponding components.

[0028] Currently, the coupling methods between the sound-generating device in head-mounted devices and the wearer's ear canal can be divided into two types: in-ear and open-ear. In-ear coupling means the sound-generating unit directly contacts the user's outer ear canal, and the emitted sound enters the inner ear directly through the outer ear canal, stimulating the user's auditory nerve and thus producing hearing. Open-ear coupling means the sound-generating unit does not directly contact the outer ear canal, but there is a certain distance between them. The sound generated by the sound-generating unit can be received by the wearer's ear canal, but it can also radiate into the surrounding environment, resulting in sound leakage. In-ear coupling offers higher acoustic privacy, but prolonged wear can compress the auricle, causing discomfort. Furthermore, the in-ear structure isolates external sounds from entering the wearer's ear canal, preventing the user from perceiving changes in the external environment, posing a certain security risk. Open-ear coupling is simpler and more comfortable to wear than in-ear coupling, and does not cause ear discomfort even after prolonged wear. Wearers can still perceive sounds from the external environment while receiving sound from the head-mounted device, offering higher safety. However, the disadvantages of open coupling are also obvious: greater sound leakage, which is detrimental to personal privacy.

[0029] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 The following diagrams illustrate a structural schematic of a head-mounted device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wearing schematic in external speaker mode, and a wearing schematic in privacy mode.

[0030] The head-mounted device 1 includes a head-mounted device body 11 and a first sound-emitting unit 12. The first sound-emitting unit 12 is detachably arranged on the head-mounted device body 11, and the head-mounted device body 11 has a first sound outlet hole 111. The first sound outlet hole 111 is in communication with the external environment. When the first sound-emitting unit 12 is arranged on the head-mounted device body 11, the first sound-emitting unit is connected to the first sound outlet hole of the body. The first sound-emitting unit 12 is configured as an in-ear type.

[0031] It goes without saying that head-mounted devices should be interpreted broadly, referring to any device that can be worn / worn over a user's head and supports audio playback. For example, head-mounted device 1 may include glasses or a helmet. Glasses may include AR glasses, VR glasses, or other smart glasses, or Bluetooth audio glasses, etc. Similarly, helmets may include AR helmets or other smart helmets. In this document and accompanying drawings, smart glasses are used as an example; however, those skilled in the art should understand that various head-mounted devices, including the examples above, can utilize the various technical solutions of this disclosure.

[0032] It should also be clear that the head-mounted device body refers to the main part of the head-mounted device, such as the parts excluding the first sound-generating unit. For example, in the case of smart glasses, the head-mounted device body refers to the assembly of components such as temples, frames, and lenses. Therefore, the head-mounted device body 11 includes temples 112 and frames 113, and the first sound-generating unit 12 can be arranged on the temples 112. The lenses can be traditional lenses such as myopia lenses, hyperopia lenses, or plano lenses, or lenses with image display functions, such as Micro OLED displays, Micro LED displays, LCD displays, OLED displays, etc. Furthermore, the connection between the temples and the frames can be a fixed connection, meaning the connection position between the temples and the frames is fixed, forming a fixed wearing angle. The connection between the temples and the frames can also be a movable connection, for example, through a pivot, spring clip, hinge, etc., so that the opening angle of the temples relative to the frames is adjustable. Here, the fixed or movable connection between the temples and the frames does not particularly limit the structure of the temples themselves.

[0033] Based on the above technical solution, it should be understood that the first sound-emitting unit can be considered a detachable sound-emitting unit. Detachable means that the sound-emitting unit can be installed on or removed from the head-mounted device. The term "sound-emitting unit" broadly refers to any device capable of emitting sound and is not specifically limited. Similarly, regarding the wireless connection method between the first sound-emitting unit and the device body, it should be understood that there are various connection methods. For example, the two can transmit data via wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth / Wi-Fi. Bluetooth is characterized by its globally universal operating frequency band, strong security and anti-interference capabilities, good compatibility, short transmission distance, and high propagation quality and efficiency. Wi-Fi is characterized by its wide bandwidth, strong radio frequency signal, low power consumption, and improved security. Those skilled in the art can select the appropriate method based on the actual application scenario and requirements, or choose other wireless communication methods.

[0034] According to the above technical solution, when the first sound-emitting unit is arranged on the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit can transmit the emitted sound to the first sound outlet of the body, and the first sound outlet of the body can then transmit the sound to the external environment, achieving the effect of external playback mode. Figure 2 When the first sound-emitting unit is removed from the head-mounted device body, the sound is ultimately emitted directly from the first sound-emitting unit. Therefore, this technical solution gives the entire head-mounted device multiple possibilities for sound generation. Users can use different sound generation methods in different application scenarios or conditions as needed, improving the compatibility and flexibility of the head-mounted device.

[0035] Because the first speaker unit is designed to be in-ear, users can place the first speaker unit in their ear while wearing the headset (just like wearing in-ear headphones), thus achieving the effect of privacy mode. Figure 3 It should be understood that the external speaker mode corresponds to open coupling, which means that the sound emitted by the speaker unit can be received by the wearer's ear canal and will also be radiated into the surrounding environment, resulting in sound leakage; the privacy mode or private mode corresponds to closed coupling, similar to over-ear headphones or in-ear headphones, in which the sound emitted by the speaker unit is almost entirely transmitted into the wearer's ear canal and rarely leaks into the surrounding environment.

[0036] Therefore, as can be seen from the above technical solution, this head-mounted device can conveniently support users to switch between privacy mode (or private mode) and external speaker mode as needed. For example, when the user is in a relatively private environment or when privacy requirements are not high, the user can choose external speaker mode, in which case the coupling method between the first sound unit and the user's ear canal is open. When the user is in a noisy environment or when privacy protection is required, the user can choose privacy mode, in which case the coupling method between the first sound unit and the user's ear canal is in-ear. Thus, this disclosure provides the head-mounted device with diverse functionality and flexible environmental adaptability, solves the technical problem of sound leakage in head-mounted devices, and improves voice privacy and security.

[0037] Furthermore, the first sound-emitting unit 12 can be wirelessly connected to the head-mounted device body 11, or it can be connected via a data transmission cable. For example, when using a data cable connection, the data cable between the first sound-emitting unit and the head-mounted device body should have a certain length to allow the user to remove the first sound-emitting unit and insert it into their ear while wearing the head-mounted device. The data transmission cable can be guided within the temple. Optionally, a cable hub and cable pull device are provided inside the temple to help maintain the cable's shape and prevent tangling when the user reattaches the first sound-emitting unit to the head-mounted device body, keeping the cable neat. The cable hub can be implemented by creating a groove inside the temple. The data transmission cable is used for data transmission with the head-mounted device body. When the first sound-emitting unit is detached from the head-mounted device body, the data transmission cable is in an unfolded state. When the first sound-emitting unit is fixed to the head-mounted device body, the data transmission cable is collected inside the head-mounted device body by the cable hub inside the temple. When adopting a wireless connection design, the need for a hub or similar storage component for the data cable can be eliminated. It also eliminates the need for additional cable management components, such as a cable puller, when the first speaker unit is removed. Furthermore, the distance between the first speaker unit and the headset is not limited by the length of the data cable, making wearing the headset more flexible in privacy mode. Those skilled in the art can choose the appropriate connection method based on actual needs or application scenarios.

[0038] Therefore, this disclosure provides a novel solution and device that combines in-ear and open-ear designs. Headsets using this solution can freely switch between open-ear and in-ear modes according to actual needs. Users can choose open-ear modes in more private environments and in-ear modes when privacy is required.

[0039] In some embodiments of this disclosure, when the first sound-emitting unit is disposed on the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit is configured to emit diffuse sound waves; when the first sound-emitting unit is removed from the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit is configured to emit convergent sound waves. It should be understood that diffuse sound waves refer to the sound emitted by the first sound-emitting unit radiating outwards, for example, propagating in all directions based on the direction of the sound output portion of the first sound-emitting unit, thereby enabling the sound to propagate widely and sufficiently within the head-mounted device body to the first sound output hole of the body; convergent sound waves refer to the sound emitted by the first sound-emitting unit propagating along the direction of the sound output portion of the first sound-emitting unit, with little or no sound leakage around it. This is because, in this case, the first sound-emitting unit is inserted into the ear during use, therefore, the convergent propagation of the sound is beneficial for its concentrated radiation into the user's ear canal, thereby obtaining a clear and interference-resistant sound effect. Those skilled in the art will know that the desired diffused or convergent sound wave guiding effect can be achieved, for example, by designing the internal structure of the earpiece or front and rear shells of the first sound unit (these components will be described below).

[0040] For example, the switching between these two modes and the power switch can be performed according to the control design of the head-mounted device itself. This can be achieved through a mobile phone connected to the head-mounted device, the head-mounted device's own operating system or hardware, or automatic control via sensors on the head-mounted device. It should also be understood that the audio source played by the head-mounted device of this disclosure can be an audio file stored in its own memory, or an audio file input from an external device (such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or other local device) via wired or wireless means.

[0041] In this regard, the head-mounted device body 11 may include a detection device configured to detect whether the first sound-emitting unit 12 is disposed on or removed from the head-mounted device body 11. Thus, when the detection device detects that the first sound-emitting unit is on the head-mounted device body, it sends a signal to the head-mounted device to switch to external speaker mode; when it does not detect that the first sound-emitting unit is on the head-mounted device body, it enters privacy mode. Alternatively, a sensor may be designed on the first sound-emitting unit to detect whether the sound-emitting unit is inserted into the user's ear. If so, privacy mode is entered; otherwise, if not, and no position of the first sound-emitting unit is detected on the head-mounted device body, the wearable device is put into external speaker mode, standby, or powered off.

[0042] Specifically, the detection device may include a photoelectric sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. It should be understood that photoelectric sensors and ultrasonic sensors can detect the presence of obstacles within their range, thus this characteristic can be applied to the position detection of the first sound-emitting unit and the determination of the aforementioned relationship. For example, the photoelectric sensor can be disposed on the inner wall of the temple end where the first sound cavity is located, and includes a transmitter and a receiver for receiving the transmitter signal. When the first sound-emitting unit is disposed in the first sound cavity, the first sound-emitting unit blocks the transmitter and receiver, allowing it to enter an external playback mode; when the first sound-emitting unit is removed from the first sound cavity, the light signal emitted by the transmitter is received by the receiver, allowing it to enter a privacy mode. Therefore, the position of the first sound-emitting unit can be determined based on the signal received by the receiver, and subsequent mode determination can be performed. The specific arrangement of the ultrasonic sensor can be interpreted similarly.

[0043] Among them, photoelectric sensors are characterized by long detection distance, fewer restrictions on the detected object, short response time, high resolution, non-contact detection capability, color discrimination capability, and ease of adjustment; ultrasonic sensors are characterized by high frequency, short wavelength, minimal diffraction, good directionality, and the ability to propagate as rays in a directional manner. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can select and adjust the sensor placement or use other types of sensors according to actual needs.

[0044] As previously stated, this disclosure uses a head-mounted device constructed as eyeglasses as an example. Here, the head-mounted device body 11 includes temples 112 and a frame 113. The first sound-emitting unit 12 can be arranged on the temples 112, for example, inserted into the side of the temples. In this document, the frame refers to the front part of the eyeglasses, i.e., the part that houses the lenses, and the temples refer to the part that can pivot relative to the frame. Of course, depending on the different designs of the eyeglasses, the structure and positional relationship between the frame and the temples can also be varied. In this technical solution, in the retracted state (external playback mode), the first sound-emitting unit is arranged on the side of the temple. Therefore, the installation of the first sound-emitting unit can utilize the existing space of the temple, and the design of the first sound-emitting unit does not affect the original structural design of the temple. Thus, the first sound-emitting unit of this disclosure can be applied to various types of eyeglasses. Furthermore, since the first speaker unit is mounted on the side of the temple, for example, inserted into that side, with part of it inside the temple and part exposed outside, users can easily remove the first speaker unit and insert it into their ear when needed, and conversely, they can easily reinstall it back onto the side of the temple. With practice, users can even install and remove the unit and switch between privacy and external playback modes without needing to look directly at the head-mounted device or the first speaker unit. Although not explicitly described in this disclosure, other placement designs for the first speaker unit are also applicable, and can be flexibly designed according to the installation space available for the head-mounted device. For example, the first speaker unit can also be installed at the rear end of the temple, without affecting the overall structure of the glasses or their storage and unfolding, and is also convenient for users to install and remove.

[0045] Feasibly, the temple is constructed with a groove 1124, the first sound-emitting unit can be sealed and inserted into the groove, and at least a first space 1125 is left between the first sound-emitting unit and the groove. It should be understood that this sealed insertion does not require there to be no space between the first sound-emitting unit and the groove, but rather that there is at least one sealing point between them. For example, the first sound-emitting unit and the groove are sealed relative to the external environment, thereby ensuring that the sound emitted from the first sound-emitting unit does not leak out. Furthermore, the first space may optionally be located between the sound outlet of the first sound-emitting unit and the bottom side of the groove. Figure 5 The space between the inner walls (on the left side) provides space and room for sound propagation for the first sound-producing unit to emit sound. As will be described later, this sealed snap-fit ​​can be achieved by the snap-fit ​​between the rear shell of the first sound-producing unit and the recessed opening.

[0046] from Figure 2 and Figure 3It can also be seen that when a user wears a head-mounted device, their auricle needs to support the device. To address this, the temple 112 of this disclosure may include an auricle contact portion 1121 for contacting the user's auricle when the user wears the head-mounted device 1, and the first sound outlet 111 of the main body is located at the auricle contact portion 1121. Therefore, by placing the first sound outlet at the auricle contact portion, the sound emitted from the first sound outlet can be transmitted to the user's ear at a relatively close distance. This ensures the clarity and fidelity of the sound while maintaining external playback mode, and also achieves a certain energy-saving effect, avoiding excessive impact of volume on the external environment. Those skilled in the art should understand that although the first sound outlet is located at the auricle contact portion, its position should avoid direct contact with the user's auricle during use, to prevent the first sound outlet from being blocked by the user's auricle.

[0047] Feasibly, the ear contact portion can be constructed as a bevel, thereby dividing the temple into a multi-segment structure. The beveled structure allows for a better fit to the user's ear, improving wearing comfort and facilitating the creation of sound holes. The ear contact portion can also be further configured to match the shape of the part that contacts the user's ear. Furthermore, considering that users may have different head shapes, various sizes of glasses or temples can be designed, or telescopic parts can be added to the temples to accommodate users with different head shapes. This ensures that the ear contact portion fits snugly against the user's ear when worn, thus achieving the aforementioned technical effects of the sound holes.

[0048] refer to Figure 4 The image shows a cross-sectional view of a temple of a mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 4 The main purpose is to show the structure and arrangement of the sound-generating unit located inside the temple, as well as the corresponding sound outlet. As can be seen from the figure, the head-mounted device body 11 includes a second sound-generating unit 114 arranged within the temple 112. The temple 112 also has a second sound outlet 1122, which communicates with the second sound-generating unit 114. The second sound outlet 1122 is open to the external environment, thus enabling it to transmit sound to the outside environment. The second sound outlet 1122 is arranged closer to the frame 113 than the first sound outlet 111. Furthermore... Figure 1 The dashed rectangle schematically marks the second sound-emitting unit 114.

[0050] In this example, the second sound-emitting unit is constructed in a cuboid shape, thereby achieving a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and ease of installation and disassembly while maintaining the required sound performance. Correspondingly, the shape of the second sound outlet of the main body can also be designed as rectangular to match the second sound-emitting unit. However, it should be understood that the various sound outlets mentioned herein can be constructed into the desired shapes according to actual needs, such as rectangular, square, circular, elliptical, and other hole designs. Similarly, the various sound-emitting units mentioned herein can also adopt shapes other than cuboids, such as prisms, spheres, ellipsoids, cones, or irregular shapes, depending on actual needs. Furthermore, an exemplary structure for the first sound-emitting unit will be described below.

[0051] As can be seen from the above technical solution, in addition to the first sound-emitting unit (which can also be considered a movable sound-emitting unit), the head-mounted device also employs a fixed second sound-emitting unit within the temple, in order to provide users with more sound production possibilities in external playback mode. Specifically, it can provide multi-channel, multi-frequency band possibilities, and a more immersive surround sound effect. Furthermore, this technical solution also limits the position of the second sound outlet, placing it between the frame and the first sound outlet. Additionally, the second sound outlet is located on the left side of the ear contact portion of the temple. The purpose of this design is to ensure that it is relatively close to the user's ear during use, achieving a similar technical effect, and can also be superimposed or supplemented with the first sound outlet to achieve multi-dimensional sound effects (such as sound frequency propagation). Therefore, the second sound outlet can be arranged adjacent to the first sound outlet.

[0052] Therefore, in some embodiments of this disclosure, it is feasible for the first sound-emitting unit to be arranged on the head-mounted device body, with the first sound-emitting unit and the second sound-emitting unit emitting sound simultaneously, or the first sound-emitting unit not emitting sound while the second sound-emitting unit emitting sound, or the first sound-emitting unit emitting sound while the second sound-emitting unit not emitting sound. All of these operating modes can achieve an external playback effect, and those skilled in the art can activate the sound enhancement or multi-dimensional effects achievable by multiple sound-emitting units, or the energy-saving single-sound-emitting effect, as needed. When the first sound-emitting unit is removed from the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit emits sound while the second sound-emitting unit does not, so as to economically achieve a private mode sound effect. Thus, when the first sound-emitting unit is arranged on the head-mounted device body, the head-mounted device can enter an external playback mode; when the first sound-emitting unit is not arranged on the head-mounted device body, the head-mounted device can enter a private mode. Therefore, this headset offers two sound output modes: an external speaker mode and a private mode. When the wearer is in a relatively private environment or does not have high requirements for voice privacy, the external speaker mode can be selected first to improve wearing comfort and does not hinder the wearer from perceiving the sounds of the external environment, thus improving the safety of use. When the wearer needs to make private voice calls, the in-ear scene mode can be selected to prevent sound from leaking into the external environment, thereby improving the privacy and information security of voice interaction between the user and the headset.

[0053] It should be understood that the second sound outlet and the second sound unit can be original sound outlets and sound units of the head-mounted device, or they can be additional sound outlets and sound units added (e.g., for sound quality purposes). It is also feasible to arrange the second sound outlet further away from the frame than the first sound outlet, but still close to it. The specific design position can depend on the actual structure of the temples and the user's head shape. The number, shape, and layout of the sound units and corresponding sound outlets can also be modified according to actual needs and the actual structural shape of the head-mounted device.

[0054] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The figures show a cross-sectional view of a first sound-emitting unit installed on the head-mounted device body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and an exploded view thereof.

[0055] In this example, the first sound-generating unit 12 includes a housing 124, a sound-generating system 125, a battery 126, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 127, an earplug 128, and an earplug sound outlet 1281 formed on the earplug 128 for radiating sound generated by the sound-generating system to the outside. The housing is exemplarily constructed as a two-piece unit, including a front shell 1241 and a rear shell 1242 (the front is the direction in which the earplug is inserted into the head-mounted device body facing the frame). The sound-generating system 125, the battery 126, and the printed circuit board 127 are protected within the housing, and the earplug is fitted onto the housing.

[0056] In this regard, the shape of the earplug can match the contour of the user's ear canal to provide a comfortable wearing experience, especially during prolonged wear, to reduce the feeling of foreign objects. For example, this disclosure uses an earplug with an arc-shaped outer periphery and a circular earplug sound outlet on the front side of the earplug. The sound system, battery, printed circuit board, and housing are generally presented as relatively flat cylinders, which are easy to manufacture, cost-effective, and do not occupy a large structural space. Thus, the first sound unit can be inserted into the temple using its earplug until the front shell is inserted, while the rear shell is exposed to the external environment for protection and to prevent the entire sound unit from slipping into the temple. For this purpose, the size of the rear shell can be constructed to be larger, and the interior of the temple can be designed with a stop 1123 to hold the rear shell of the sound unit in place. It should be understood that other forms can be used to mount the first sound unit onto the head-mounted device body according to actual needs or requirements.

[0057] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first sound-generating unit 12 may further include a central processing unit 121, an audio digital signal processor 122, and an audio power amplifier 123 connected sequentially to each other. These three components are mounted on a printed circuit board 127. A wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth / Wi-Fi signal transmission chip 129, can also be arranged on the printed circuit board to provide the first sound-generating unit with signal communication and processing capabilities. This wireless communication device can communicate with a wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth / Wi-Fi signal transmission chip, on the head-mounted device to receive voice signals emitted from the temples and ultimately transmit them to the sound-generating system inside the first sound-generating unit. After receiving the voice signal, the sound-generating system can convert the electrical signal into a sound signal and generate sound through the earpiece's sound outlet. A battery 126 provides power for the operation of the first sound-generating unit, and a housing 124 forms the external enclosure of the first sound-generating unit. It should also be understood that the head-mounted device may also be equipped with a central processing unit to process the wireless signals of the first sound-generating unit and to transmit and receive wireless signals. To this end, a wireless signal power amplifier can also be provided, for example, a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi power amplifier can be placed downstream of the Bluetooth / Wi-Fi signal transmission chip to amplify or enhance the wireless signal. After amplification, the first sound-generating unit processes the signal to ultimately produce sound. Furthermore, compared to the first sound-generating unit, since the second sound-generating unit is fixedly installed inside the temple and can be electrically connected to the audio power amplifier inside the temple, its internal structure can be configured to include only the sound-generating system and the housing, without containing a central processing unit, audio digital signal processor, and power amplifier for processing audio signals, thus simplifying the structure and reducing cost and size.

[0058] It should be understood that the central processing unit (CPU), as the core of computation and control, is used for information processing, signal transmission and reception, and the operation of the operating system and applications. It can be a component originally integrated into the head-mounted device or an optional component. The audio digital signal processor (ADSP) is used to process the digitized audio signals, such as through tunable algorithm processing, to meet application requirements such as improving sound quality, matrix mixing, noise reduction, echo cancellation, and feedback cancellation, including the previously mentioned frequency division processing. If necessary, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) can be placed downstream of the ADSP to output single or multi-channel analog signals. The audio power amplifier is used to increase the audio power to reconstruct the input audio signal, especially ensuring that the reconstructed signal has ideal volume and power levels—faithful, effective, and with low distortion. In this example, two first sound units and two second sound units are respectively set up, and two audio power amplifiers are set up, one for each of the first and second sound units, to allow for more targeted signal processing for the corresponding sound units. Of course, it is also possible, for example, due to production costs or structural space constraints, to use only one audio power amplifier for all sound units. It should also be understood that in some embodiments of this disclosure, a separate circuit board is provided on each of the left and right temples, with the central processing unit located on one of these circuit boards, and power amplifiers are provided on both circuit boards. Although not described in detail in this disclosure, it is also possible to place the central processing unit, audio digital signal processor, and audio power amplifier on the same circuit board, which is arranged within the head-mounted device body. Since the structure of the sound-generating unit is not the focus of this disclosure, it will not be described in detail.

[0059] Regarding the specific forms of various sound-generating units, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the first sound-generating unit 12 may include a moving-coil sound-generating unit, a balanced armature sound-generating unit, a piezoelectric ceramic sound-generating unit, or a MEMS sound-generating unit. The second sound-generating unit can also be designed similarly. Among these, moving-coil sound-generating units have excellent low-frequency performance and low cost; balanced armature sound-generating units have excellent high-frequency performance, low power consumption, and small size; piezoelectric ceramic loudspeakers have excellent mid-to-high frequency timbre, typically a thinner profile, and lower power consumption; MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) sound-generating units are small in size, low in cost, low in power consumption, highly reliable, and easy to integrate. Those skilled in the art can select the type of sound-generating unit according to actual needs or requirements.

[0060] In some embodiments of this disclosure, when the second sound-emitting unit and the first sound-emitting unit operate simultaneously, the first sound-emitting unit can serve as a supplementary enhancement to the second sound-emitting unit. Considering the acoustic performance, power consumption, and size of the actual sound-emitting unit, the sound-emitting system of the second sound-emitting unit can be selected from large-size, high-power, high-performance devices, such as a cuboid unit with a length of 8mm, a width of 15mm, a height of 3mm, and a power of 20mW. The sound-emitting system of the first sound-emitting unit can be selected from smaller-size, low-power, and slightly lower-performance devices. For example, the first sound-emitting unit 12 can be constructed as a sound-emitting unit with a diameter of 5 to 15mm, a height of 1 to 5mm, and a power of 1 to 15mW; specifically, it can be constructed as a cylindrical unit with a diameter of 14mm, a height of 3mm, and a power of 10mW. It should be understood that the cylinder is merely an example; any shape with diameter and height dimensions can be used as a reference for design, including regular or irregular shapes, and the diameter shape can be only a part of the overall shape of the sound-emitting unit. For example, a cylindrical structure that meets some or all of the above-mentioned dimensional requirements can be combined with other regular or irregular structures to form a corresponding sound-generating unit. In addition, although not explicitly detailed in this disclosure, a frustum structure can also be applied.

[0061] When the second and first sound-generating units operate simultaneously, the first sound-generating unit serves as a performance supplement to the second sound-generating unit. According to the principle of sound pressure synthesis, when two sound sources with sound pressure levels L1 and L2 are superimposed, if L1 is greater than L2, then L1 = L2 + n (where n is the difference in sound pressure levels between the two sources). Therefore, the total synthesized sound pressure L0 = L1 + ΔL, where... Therefore, it can be seen that when n=10, ΔL=0.4. That is, when the sound pressure level difference between the first and second sound units is less than 10dB, the sound pressure generated by the first sound unit can play a good supplementary role. Furthermore, when the first sound unit is arranged on the head-mounted device body, if the user selects an economical single-sound-unit output mode, for example, the first sound unit does not emit sound, the sound pressure level difference between the first sound unit 12 and the second sound unit 114 can be greater than or equal to 10dB, without affecting the individual sound output effect of the second sound unit.

[0062] In addition, in in-ear scenarios, the second speaker unit does not work, and only the first speaker unit works.

[0063] Considering that in an in-ear design, sound is concentrated in the ear canal and does not radiate outwards like in an open-ear design, the first speaker unit does not need to use a lot of power to produce sound that meets the listening requirements. For example, the cylindrical unit mentioned above with a diameter of 14mm, a height of 3mm, and a power of 10mW can be reduced to 1mW. This ensures the listener's listening needs while reducing power consumption and increasing standby time.

[0064] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The diagram illustrates two audio transmission links for a head-mounted device according to embodiments of the present disclosure in speaker mode and privacy mode. It should be understood that the transmission link diagram only represents the communication relationship between components for audio transmission and does not represent the positional relationship between the components.

[0065] It should also be understood that since the specific shapes and connection methods of each component are not the focus of this disclosure, for the sake of clarity and simplicity, all these components are schematically shown in the form of structural modules. Those skilled in the art can choose appropriate module shapes and connection methods based on the guidance of the link diagram. Furthermore, the given link diagram is one embodiment of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications without departing from the spirit of this disclosure after referring to the link diagram. These modifications should also be within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0066] refer to Figure 7 As shown, this is an audio transmission link for the head-mounted device, which can be divided into two usage scenarios: open-back (represented by solid lines) and in-ear (represented by dashed lines). The open-back scenario is suitable for situations where voice privacy is less critical; the first speaker unit is mounted on the temple of the glasses. The in-ear scenario is suitable for situations requiring private voice communication; the first speaker unit is separate from the temple and worn independently on the user's ear. In the open-back scenario, the audio signal is transmitted from the central processing unit to the audio digital signal processor (ADSP), which then splits it into two links: one via audio power amplifiers 1, 2, and 3 to the second speaker unit, and the other via a Bluetooth / Wi-Fi chip and a wireless signal power amplifier to the first speaker unit. In this case, both the second and first speaker units work together to produce sound. In the in-ear scenario, the second speaker unit is not active; the audio signal is transmitted from the central processing unit to the ADSP, which then transmits the signal through the Bluetooth / Wi-Fi chip and a wireless signal power amplifier to the first speaker unit, which operates independently to produce sound.

[0067] When the second and first sound units operate simultaneously, there are four independent sound units on both sides of the temples, capable of receiving four independent audio signals generated by the audio digital signal processor. Traditional head-mounted devices, on the other hand, mostly have only two sound units, receiving only two audio signals. In contrast, this embodiment achieves better spatial stereo sound and a superior acoustic experience when the second and first sound units operate simultaneously.

[0068] Considering the actual size and power consumption of the sound-generating unit, compared to previous technical solutions, in this embodiment, the first sound-generating unit can be a smaller, lower-power unit, such as a cylindrical unit with a diameter of 8mm, a height of 3mm, and a power of 1mW. In this case, the first sound-generating unit can provide some enhancement and supplementation to the second sound-generating unit, while its acoustic performance can still meet basic audio requirements under in-ear wearing conditions.

[0069] refer to Figure 8 The diagram illustrates the audio link for the open-ear (solid line) and in-ear (dashed line) scenarios in this embodiment. When the wearer is in a relatively private environment or where voice privacy is not a primary concern, the open-ear mode can be prioritized to improve wearing comfort without hindering the wearer's perception of external sounds, thus enhancing safety. In this mode, although the first speaker unit is connected to the temple, it is not powered on; only the second speaker unit operates. Alternatively, the first speaker unit can also operate simultaneously. When the wearer needs to engage in private conversations, the in-ear mode can be selected to prevent sound leakage to the external environment, improving the privacy of voice interaction between the user and the headset. In this mode, the first speaker unit is separated from the temple and worn alone on the user's ear; the second speaker unit is not operational, and only the first speaker unit works.

[0070] It should also be noted that, considering the wireless communication of the first sound unit, the device itself can also have a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi power amplifier, which can be set before the corresponding sound unit and after the Bluetooth / Wi-Fi signal transmission chip in the link diagram, and can be physically set on the Bluetooth / Wi-Fi signal transmission chip.

[0071] refer to Figure 9 The diagram illustrates the acoustic curves of a head-mounted device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. These curves represent the acoustic characteristics of a second and a first sound-emitting unit that can mutually reinforce each other. Solid lines represent the combined sound pressure level of the second and first sound-emitting units, denser dashed lines (starting from the middle of the vertical axis) represent the acoustic curve of the second sound-emitting unit, and looser dashed lines (starting from the bottom of the vertical axis) represent the acoustic curve of the first sound-emitting unit. It is evident that, with the sound-emitting units employing the above-described implementation, the first sound-emitting unit can supplement the performance of the second sound-emitting unit.

[0072] It should be understood that all the above preferred embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive, and various modifications or variations made by those skilled in the art to the specific embodiments described above under the concept of this disclosure should be within the legal protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A head-mounted device, characterized in that, The head-mounted device includes a head-mounted device body and a first sound-emitting unit. The first sound-emitting unit is detachably disposed on the head-mounted device body. The head-mounted device body has a first sound outlet, which is connected to the external environment. When the first sound-emitting unit is disposed on the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit is connected to the first sound outlet. The first sound-emitting unit is configured as an in-ear type. The head-mounted device is a smart glasses. The head-mounted device body includes temples and a frame. The first sound-emitting unit can be disposed on the temples. The head-mounted device body includes a second sound-emitting unit disposed within the temples. The temples also have a second sound outlet, which is connected to the second sound outlet and is connected to the external environment. The second sound outlet is arranged closer to the frame than the first sound outlet. When the second sound-emitting unit and the first sound-emitting unit work simultaneously, the sound pressure level difference between the first sound-emitting unit and the second sound-emitting unit is less than 10 dB. The sound pressure level difference between the first sound unit and the second sound unit is greater than or equal to 10 dB, and the first sound unit does not emit sound when it is arranged on the head-mounted device body.

2. The head-mounted device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first sound-emitting unit is disposed on the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit is configured to emit diffuse sound waves; When the first sound-emitting unit is removed from the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit is configured to emit a convergent sound wave.

3. The head-mounted device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temple has a groove, the first sound-emitting unit can be sealed into the groove, and at least a portion of the first sound-emitting unit and the groove have a first space between them.

4. The head-mounted device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temple of the glasses includes an ear contact portion for contacting the user's ear when the user wears the head-mounted device, and the first sound outlet of the main body is opened in the ear contact portion.

5. The head-mounted device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first sound-emitting unit is arranged on the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit and the second sound-emitting unit emit sound simultaneously, or the first sound-emitting unit does not emit sound while the second sound-emitting unit emits sound, or the first sound-emitting unit emits sound while the second sound-emitting unit does not emit sound; when the first sound-emitting unit is removed from the head-mounted device body, the first sound-emitting unit emits sound while the second sound-emitting unit does not emit sound.

6. The head-mounted device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sound-emitting unit is configured to have a diameter of 5 to 15 mm, a height of 1 to 5 mm, and a power of 1 to 15 mW.

7. The head-mounted device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The head-mounted device body includes a detection device configured to detect whether the first sound-emitting unit is disposed on or removed from the head-mounted device body, and the detection device includes a photoelectric sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.

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