Open audio device

Abstract

To provide an open audio device that allows an ear canal to remain open to receive speech and environmental sounds.SOLUTION: An open audio device 10 comprises a body 40 that has an inner surface that is located behind an outer ear of a user and in contact along a length of the body 40 at multiple locations of at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate to the intersection of the head and the outer ear. The inner surface of the body 40 extends generally along a decaying helix. An acoustic module 20 is carried by the body 40 and is located against the outer ear 80 above an ear canal opening 86.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 952,873, filed December 23, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to audio devices configured to be worn on the ear.

[0003] Wireless headsets deliver sound to the ear. Most wireless headsets include earbuds that are placed in the ear canal opening. The earbuds can suppress or prevent the user from hearing speech and ambient sounds. The earbuds also send social cues that the user cannot interact with others. Summary of the Invention

[0004] All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0005] In one aspect, the open-type audio device includes a body having an inner surface configured to be positioned behind a user's outer ear and to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head at multiple locations along a length of the body proximate an intersection of the head and the outer ear, the inner surface of the body extending generally along the damping spiral. There is an acoustic module supported by the body and configured to be positioned against the outer ear above the ear canal opening.

[0006] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In some examples, the body is configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head along a majority of the length of the body, proximate an intersection of the head and the outer ear. In one example, the body has a free distal end configured to be located proximate a lower end of the ear's helix, and the body is configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate an intersection of the head and the outer ear, proximate an upper end of the helix, as well as the free distal end of the body. In one example, the open-type audio device is configured to contact the ear and the head at contact locations including contact of the acoustic module with the ear above the ear canal and contact of the body with at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate an intersection of the head and the outer ear, proximate an upper end of the helix, as well as the free distal end of the body. In one example, these contact locations collectively define vertices of a triangle, such that the contact locations help stabilize the open-type audio device on the ear and the head. In some examples, the acoustic module comprises an inner surface configured to contact both the outer ear above the ear canal opening and the portion of the head immediately anterior thereto.

[0007] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In some examples, the body includes a bridge depending from and coupled to the acoustic module, and a housing distal from the acoustic module relative to the bridge. In one example, the acoustic module includes an inner surface configured to contact the outer ear above the ear canal opening. A first plane can be defined that is at least partially coplanar with the inner surface of the acoustic module. A second plane can be defined that bisects the bridge. In one example, the two planes intersect at an acute angle. In one example, the acute angle is approximately 30 degrees. In one example, a line representing the contact axis of rotation of the bridge is angled relative to the first plane at obtuse angles on two of three axes from a normal vector of the first plane. In one example, the obtuse angles are approximately 165 and 115 degrees, with a tolerance of approximately +10 and -0 degrees.

[0008] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In one example, the bridge is thinner than the housing. In some examples, the housing has inner and outer curved surfaces. In one example, the inner and outer curved surfaces of the housing have approximately the same radius of curvature. In one example, the inner surface of the bridge has a smaller radius of curvature than the inner surface of the housing. In one example, the housing has a generally teardrop cross-sectional shape. In one example, the housing has a thickness of about 6 mm to about 12 mm.

[0009] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In some examples, the acoustic module includes an audio driver that emits sound from both the front and rear, and the acoustic module has a sound emission nozzle that emits sound from the front and a low-frequency dipole opening that emits sound from the rear. In one example, the nozzle is configured to be closer to the ear canal opening than the low-frequency dipole opening. In one example, the acoustic module further includes first and second microphone openings configured to conduct sound pressure to first and second microphones, the microphone openings generally extending within about + / - 30 degrees of an axis intersecting the expected position of the user's mouth. In one example, the body is a single-piece molded plastic member. In one example, the acoustic module is configured to seat against the fossa of the outer ear and a portion of the head adjacent to and anterior to the fossa.

[0010] Various aspects of at least one example are discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. These drawings are included to provide illustration and further understanding of various aspects and examples, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the drawings, identical or nearly identical components shown in various figures may be labeled with like letters or numerals. For clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open-back audio device designed for the right ear. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a front view of an open-back audio device designed for the right ear. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 is a rear view of an open-back audio device designed for the right ear. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an open-back audio device designed for the right ear. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an open-back audio device designed for the right ear. [Figure 1F] FIG. 1 is a top view of an open-back audio device designed for the right ear. [Figure 1G] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an open-back audio device designed for the right ear. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is an enlarged side view of a representative right ear. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the ear of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] 2A and 2B are dorsal views of adjacent areas of the head. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a side view of the open-back audio device of FIGS. 1A-1G attached to the right ear. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1C is a rear view of a mirrored version of the open-back audio device of FIGS. 1A-1G configured to be worn on the left ear. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates the angles between different parts of an open-back audio device. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates the angles between different parts of an open-back audio device. [Figure 4C] 1 illustrates aspects of the radius of curvature of the bridge and housing of an open-type audio device. [Figure 4D] 1 is a plot of the radius of curvature (mm) along the length of the body of an open-back audio device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Disclosed herein is an open-type audio device, such as a wireless headset, that delivers sound near the ear canal opening but does not block or obstruct the ear canal. The open-type audio device rests on the ear and the portion of the head adjacent to the ear. The open-type audio device is configured to be positioned to lightly and comfortably clamp onto the upper ear and position the acoustic module against the ear above the ear canal, so that the ear canal remains open to receive speech and environmental sounds. The open-type audio device engages with the ear so that it remains in place even when the user moves their head.

[0013] An exemplary open-back audio device 10 is depicted in Figures 1A-1G. The open-back audio device 10 is specifically designed to rest on the right ear. An open-back audio device for the left ear is a mirror image; see Figure 3B for an example. The right ear and adjacent head region are shown in Figures 2A-2C to help understand how the open-back audio device engages with the ear and head.

[0014] The open-type audio device 10 is supported by the outer ear 82 and portions 112 and 114 of the head 110 that are behind and immediately in front of (i.e., adjacent to) the ear, respectively, as further described elsewhere herein. The open-type audio device 10 includes an acoustic module 20 that houses an electro-acoustic transducer or audio driver (not shown). The acoustic module 20 is configured to position a sound-emitting opening 22 over an ear canal opening 86 that is behind (i.e., generally below) the tragus 84. The acoustic module 20 has an inner surface 26 and an opposing outer surface 28. In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1G , surfaces 26 and / or 28 are generally flat. Advantageously, positioning the acoustic module 20 over the ear canal opening 86 leaves the ear canal opening unobstructed when viewed from both the side and the front, which visually signals to others around the user that the user is open and able to interact with their environment. In one example, acoustic module 20 has opening 24 for emitting a second sound that is farther from the ear canal than opening 22. Openings 22 and 24 can emit sound from opposite sides of the audio driver (e.g., the front and back), so the sounds are out of phase. Out-of-phase sounds tend to cancel in the far field, so the openings act like low-frequency dipoles. However, opening 22 is close enough to the ear canal that much of the sound is not canceled before reaching the ear. In one example, acoustic module 20 carries at least two microphones. FIG. 1A illustrates openings 33 and 34 that lead to microphones (not shown, located inside acoustic module 20). In one example, the axis through both microphone openings is within approximately + / - 30 degrees of the expected location of the user's mouth, so that the microphones can be arrayed / beamformed, as known in the art.

[0015] Audio device 10 further includes a body 40 configured to be worn or rest against outer ear 82, such that body 40 contacts the outer ear and / or a portion of the head immediately behind and resting against the outer ear at two or more distinct, spaced-apart contact locations. As described in more detail below, audio device 10 is configured to gently grip the outer ear, a portion of the head immediately in front of (in front of) the ear, and a portion of the head immediately behind the back of outer ear 82.

[0016] 2A-2C illustrate aspects of the ear 80, particularly the outer ear 82 (sometimes referred to as the pinna), and adjacent portions of the head that are useful for understanding the open-type audio devices of the present disclosure and their engagement with the ear and head. The outer ear 82 includes the helix 88 (with an upper end 89 that meets the head), the antihelix 90, the fossa 92, the concha 94, the crus helicalis 95, the tragus 84, the ear canal opening 86, and the earlobe 85. A line 102 represents the intersection of the outer ear 82 with the head 110. The intersection 102 has an upper end 96, referred to as the superior fundus point, and a lower end 100, referred to as the inferior fundus point, with the posterior-most portion 98 of the intersection 102 referred to as the posterior fundus point. The intersection 102 typically presents an arch 106 between an area 107 near the superior fundus point 96 and an area 108 where the intersection begins its descent toward the posterior fundus point 98. The outer ear includes a posterior portion 82b that abuts the junction 102. The head 110 includes a portion 112 that is immediately behind the ear and abuts the posterior portion 82b of the ear. The head also includes a portion 114 that is immediately in front of the upper portion 104 of the outer portion 82a of the outer ear 82. The head also typically includes a dimple or recess 116 (FIG. 2C) adjacent the lower ear base point and the earlobe; as shown in FIG. 2C, the dimple 116 is typically, but not necessarily, located very close to, abutting, or immediately behind the lower ear base point 100 in most heads.

[0017] 1A-1G, the open-type audio device body 40 includes a curved bridge portion 46 and a housing 48 having a free distal end 50. The bridge 46 smoothly merges with the acoustic module 20, such that the beginning of the outer surface 44 of the bridge 46 abuts the forward curved portion 21 of the acoustic module 20, as shown in FIG. 1B, for example. The bridge 46 is thinner than the housing 48. As shown in FIG. 3B, one reason for this is to allow the temple pieces of eyeglasses to still have room to fit over the ears when the user is wearing the open-type audio device. In one example, the body 40 is a one-piece molded plastic member. In one example, the body 40 is made of a non-plastic rigid material, such as metal. The body 40 is relatively rigid in one example, but may have some compliance in the bridge portion 46, as described below.

[0018] 3A and 3B, the body 40 is configured to generally rest behind the outer ear. A gap 52 between the body 40 and the acoustic module 20 is generally sized and shaped to allow an upper portion 104 of the outer ear 82 to fit through the opening, and an upper or closed end 53 of the gap 52 is positioned so that an upper end 89 of the helix fits into the gap portion 53. Thus, the upper end 89 of the helix becomes a point about which the open-type audio device 10 can pivot or rotate.

[0019] Almost all of the body 40 sits behind the ear along the intersection of the back of the ear and the head. Referring to FIG. 3B, the body 40 is illustrated behind the left ear. Note that the open-type audio device illustrated in FIG. 3B is designed for the left ear 81 and is therefore a mirror image of the open-type audio device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1G. The body 40 is sized, shaped, contoured, and angled relative to the acoustic module 20 so that the body 40 generally follows the shape and contour of the ear-head intersection and contacts the ear and / or head along most of its length, approximately to or nearly to the free distal end 50. At the same time, for most ears, the body 40 is thick enough to slightly press against the back of the outer ear 82b or away from the head. This bending of the ear causes a slight force on the body 40, which tends to press it against the head. In one example, acoustic module 20 has an inner surface 26 configured to seat against the anterior portion 82a of outer ear 82 (e.g., against one or more of fossa 92, antihelix 90, crus helix 95, and helix 88) and on a portion 114 of head 110 located immediately anterior to superior ear portion 104. The portion of acoustic module 20 proximate uppermost point 49 of inner surface 42 of body 40 may seat below helix 88.

[0020] The head and the upper portion 104 of the ear, which extends on or very close to the head, are stiffer than the protruding back surface 82b of the outer ear. Because the acoustic module 20 is seated at least partially on a hard surface (the head and the portion of the ear that contacts or extends very close to the head), it cannot move closer to the head. This forces the body 40 to push out against the outer ear 82, which creates an opposing force that tends to rotate the open-type audio device 10 about point 49. This results in three restraining device anchor positions, including the device contacting the helix about point 49, where the acoustic module 20 rests against the ear and head, and the body 40 pushes toward the head due to the slightly curved, soft portion of the ear. The flexibility of the outer ear ensures that these three points are loaded / preloaded to always experience normal forces. Therefore, the flexibility of the outer ear contributes to the stable yet comfortable fit of the open-type audio device 10. Also, because the three anchor positions are not linear, but collectively define the vertices of a triangle, this provides greater stability than if the anchor positions were aligned, and therefore the open-type audio device 10 is held gently but securely on the head, even as the head moves.

[0021] FIG. 4A illustrates one spatial relationship between the bridge 46 and the acoustic module 20 of the open-type audio device 10. A first generally vertical plane, as viewed from above in FIG. 4A , is labeled as line “A.” This plane is coplanar with some or all of the flat or substantially flat inner surface 26 of the acoustic module 20. Where this first plane bisects the width of the bridge 46, a second generally vertical plane is located, labeled from above as line “B,” that bisects the bridge across its width along its longitudinal extent. The planes represented by lines A and B intersect at an acute angle, approximately 30 degrees in one example. Angling the bridge 46 at approximately 30 degrees (perhaps within + / - 10 degrees of 30 degrees) helps the bridge follow the top of the ear / head intersection while ensuring that the acoustic module inner surface 26 seats against the ear and head. It also positions the housing 48 behind the ear, above or very close to the ear / head intersection, along most of the housing's length. Thus, the open-type audio device 10 is held against the ear and head at multiple spaced positions. Also, in some examples, the thickness of the housing 48 (which may be about 6 mm to about 12 mm) is sufficient to slightly push the outer ear away from the head, as described above. In one example, the housing has a generally teardrop-shaped cross-section that gradually widens as it moves from the top end of the housing to the bottom end of the housing toward the free distal end 50. The teardrop shape has a wider end and a narrower end. In one example, the housing is configured so that the wider end of its teardrop-shaped cross-section rests against the ear, causing the ear to bend slightly outward, while the narrower end does not contact the head or ear for improved comfort.

[0022] 4B illustrates another spatial relationship between the bridge 46 and the acoustic module 20. Plane A is the same plane A illustrated in FIG. 4A. Line C represents the contact rotation axis of the bridge 46. In one example, line C is angled at (165, 0, 115) degrees from the normal vector of plane A (with a tolerance of approximately +10, -0 degrees). This angle allows the acoustic module 20 to closely conform to the orientation of the ear's flesh in that area without pinching or crushing the flesh.

[0023] 4C and 4D illustrate and illustrate the radius of curvature of an exemplary body 40. The inner surface 42 of the body 40 generally follows a decaying spiral. A spiral is a smooth curve in three-dimensional space. While the surface 42 is not strictly spiral, it is curved in three-dimensional space, with the free distal end 50 (at the distal end of the housing 48) offset from the top-most point 49 of the inner surface 42, such that end 50 is closer to the mid-sagittal plane than point 49. The curve decays because the radius of curvature increases as you move from the beginning of the curve at point 49 to its end closer to the free distal end 50 (thus, the curvature is greatest at the beginning of the curve at point 49 and decreases as you move down the body toward end 50). In one example, the approximate dimensions of the radius of curvature at several points along the surface 42 are 3.5 mm at point 49, 5 mm at point 42a, 7 mm at point 42b, and 9 mm at point 42c.

[0024] FIG. 4D is a plot of the radius of curvature along the length of surface 42 (approximately 70 mm in one non-limiting example). The sharp jump and drop starting at 80%-90% of the length and ending at 100% are due to the rounded end 50. Surface 42 is configured to roughly follow the ear-head intersection behind the ear in an "average" person, while the length of the housing ensures that the body extends over or approximates this intersection to a point at least as low as the posterior base in almost all ear anatomy, and often lower, to a point closer to the lower end of the helix. The thickness of housing 48, as described above, is designed to slightly push the outer ear away from the head, at least in most anatomies. In one example, the housing has a generally uniform width. Accordingly, the curved surfaces of the inner and outer housing surfaces 42 and 44 have approximately the same radius of curvature. The housing is sized and shaped to accommodate a conventional cylindrical rechargeable battery, but can accommodate other battery shapes as well.

[0025] The body 40 can be shaped to generally follow the intersection of the outer ear and the head. This intersection and / or contact along the head and / or ear abutting this intersection can occur at several spaced locations along the ear and adjacent head regions. However, because human heads come in many shapes and sizes, the body 40 does not necessarily contact the intersection of the head and ear. Rather, it can be designed to have a shape that, at least on most heads, contacts the back of the outer ear and / or the portion of the head abutting the back of the outer ear, and the front of the ear above the ear canal opening. These contacts can occur at several spaced locations. These locations can include at least substantially or generally diametrically opposed locations.

[0026] In one example, the bridge can be constructed to have some degree of bending compliance (e.g., by making the bridge out of a compliant material or by overmolding a compliant material, such as an elastomer, onto a portion designed to bend). The bending compliance can be about its longitudinal axis. The bridge can be configured so that when the bridge is pressed down onto the top of the ear, it bends slightly. The compliance can create a force that gently pushes the acoustic module and housing against the head to better hold the open-ended audio device in place. The compliance can induce a slight compressive force in opposing locations of the open-ended audio device, which can lead to sufficient grip on the ear and head to help hold the open-ended audio device in place when the head is moved.

[0027] Also, because at least two of the contact points from the open-type audio device to the ear / head are near the top of the ear (due to the acoustic module and bridge) and below the back of the ear / head (typically at or below the rear bottom point 98, due to the shape and curvature of the housing), there are generally diametrically opposed contact points. The roughly diametrically opposed locations create a resulting force on the open-type audio device that extends approximately within a line between the opposing contact areas. In this way, the open-type audio device can be considered stable on the ear. Contrast this with a situation where the lower contact area is substantially further up the back of the ear, which would cause a resulting force on the open-type audio device that would tend to push the ear up and rotate it forward, away from the ear. By locating roughly diametrically opposed contact forces on the ear, the open-type audio device can accommodate a wider range of orientations and inertial conditions in which the forces can balance, thus allowing the open-type audio device to remain on the ear.

[0028] The open-type audio device 10 may be primarily a single-molded plastic member. The plastic material may have some flexibility so that the open-type audio device is unlikely to break if it is sat on, etc. The material may be nylon or cellulose acetate (similar to the material used in the frames of some eyeglasses, which can bend to a certain extent without breaking and then return to their original shape after being bent). Because the acoustic module 20 holds the audio drivers and electronics used to receive, process, and supply audio signals to the drivers, the design must take into account the need to locate components inside the acoustic module 20. Also, a rechargeable battery is typically housed within the housing 48, and wiring must be run from the battery to the acoustic module.

[0029] Having described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it will be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and be within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only, with the scope of the invention to be determined from proper construction of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An open-type audio device, comprising: a body having a first portion configured to be positioned behind the user's outer ear and to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate an intersection of the head and the outer ear; an acoustic module supported by the body and configured to rest at least partially on the outer ear, the acoustic module defining a sound emission opening configured to be adjacent to but spaced from the user's ear canal; An open-type audio device comprising: The body further comprises a second portion connecting the first portion of the body to the acoustic module. Open-type audio device.

2. The open-type audio device of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the body is configured to pass through the front of the outer ear.

3. The open-back audio device of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the body is configured to pass through the helix of the outer ear.

4. 2. The open-type audio device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the body is configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate the intersection of the head and the outer ear along most of the length of the first portion.

5. 2. The open-type audio device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the body has a free distal end configured to be positioned proximate a lower end of the helix of the outer ear, and the body is configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate the intersection between the head and the outer ear, not only proximate an upper end of the helix but also proximate the free distal end of the body.

6. the body having a free distal end configured to be positioned behind the outer ear; the open-type audio device is configured to contact the ear and the head at contact locations including contact of the acoustic module with the ear above the ear canal, and contact portions of the body with at least one of the outer ear and the head adjacent to the intersection of the head and the outer ear, not only adjacent to an upper end of the helix of the outer ear but also adjacent to the free distal end of the body, these contact locations collectively defining vertices of a triangle, such that the contact portions help to stabilize the open-type audio device on the ear and head.

10. The open-type audio device of claim 1.

7. 10. The open-back audio device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic module comprises an inner surface configured to contact both the outer ear above an ear canal opening and a portion of the head immediately anterior thereto.

8. the second portion comprises a bridge; the acoustic module having an inner surface configured to contact the outer ear above an ear canal opening; a first plane at least partially coplanar with the inner surface of the acoustic module and a second plane bisecting the bridge intersect at an acute angle; 10. The open-type audio device of claim 1.

9. the second portion comprises a bridge; the acoustic module has an inner surface configured to contact the outer ear above the ear canal opening, and a line representing a contact rotation axis of the bridge is angled with respect to the first plane that is at least partially coplanar with the inner surface of the acoustic module at an obtuse angle in two of three axes from a normal vector of the first plane; 10. The open-type audio device of claim 1.

10. the second portion comprises a bridge; The bridge is thinner than the housing.

10. The open-type audio device of claim 1.

11. 2. The open-type audio device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic module comprises an audio driver that emits sound from both the front and rear sides, the sound emission opening of the acoustic module emitting front-side sound, and the acoustic module further comprises a low-frequency dipole sound emission opening that emits rear-side sound.

12. 12. The open-back audio device of claim 11, wherein the sound emission openings on the front side are configured to be closer to the ear canal opening than the low-frequency dipole sound emission openings on the rear side.

13. 10. The open-ended audio device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic module further comprises first and second microphone openings configured to conduct sound pressure to first and second microphones, the microphone openings generally extending within about + / - 30 degrees of an axis intersecting the expected position of the user's mouth.

14. 10. The open-ended audio device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic module is configured to seat against a fossa of the outer ear and a portion of the head adjacent to and anterior to the fossa.

15. 10. The open-type audio device of claim 1, wherein the body has an inner surface configured to be positioned behind the outer ear of the user and to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head at multiple locations along the length of the body proximate an intersection of the head and the outer ear.

16. 16. The open-ended audio device of claim 15, wherein the inner surface of the body extends generally along a damping spiral.

17. 16. The open-ended audio device of claim 15, wherein the inner surface of the body defines a generally increasing radius of curvature from a first location where the body contacts the acoustic module to a location near a distal end of the body that is furthest from the acoustic module.

18. An open-type audio device, comprising: a body having a first portion configured to be positioned behind the user's outer ear and to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate an intersection of the head and the outer ear; an acoustic module supported by the body and configured to rest at least partially on the outer ear, the acoustic module defining a sound emission opening configured to be adjacent to but spaced from the user's ear canal; An open-type audio device comprising: the body further comprising a second portion connecting the first portion of the body to the acoustic module and configured to pass through the helix of the outer ear. Open-type audio device.

19. 20. The open-ended audio device of claim 18, wherein the inner surface of the body defines a generally increasing radius of curvature from a first location where the body contacts the acoustic module to a location near a distal end of the body that is furthest from the acoustic module.

20. An open-type audio device, comprising: a body for positioning behind a user's outer ear and having an inner surface configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head at a plurality of locations along a length of the body proximate an intersection of the head and the outer ear, the inner surface of the body extending generally along a damping spiral; an acoustic module carried by the body and configured to contact the outer ear in proximity to but spaced from the ear canal opening; the open-type audio device is configured to contact the ear and the head at contact locations including a contact of the acoustic module with the ear and a contact portion of the body with at least one of the outer ear and the head that is adjacent to the intersection of the head and the outer ear, not only adjacent to an upper end of the helix but also adjacent to a distal end of the body, these contact locations collectively defining vertices of a triangle, such that the contact portions help to stabilize the open-type audio device on the ear and head; the body comprising a bridge depending from and coupled to the acoustic module, and a housing distal from the acoustic module relative to the bridge, wherein a first plane at least partially coplanar with the interior surface of the acoustic module and a second plane bisecting the bridge intersect at an acute angle; Open-type audio device.

21. An open-type audio device, comprising: an acoustic module configured to be positioned at least in part on the outer ear, the acoustic module defining a first sound emission opening that, when worn, is positioned adjacent to but spaced from the user's ear canal; a main body that supports the acoustic module; Equipped with The body includes: a housing for placement behind the outer ear of the user, the housing containing a rechargeable battery; a bridge that couples the acoustic module to the housing; a wire extending from the rechargeable battery to the acoustic module; Equipped with Open-type audio device.

22. 22. The open-type audio device of claim 21, wherein the acoustic module comprises a second sound emission opening configured to be positioned farther from the user's ear canal than the first sound emission opening when worn.

23. 23. The open-back audio device of claim 22, wherein the acoustic module comprises an audio driver, and wherein the first sound emission opening and the second sound emission opening are configured to emit sound from opposite sides of the audio driver, such that sound emitted from the first sound emission opening is out of phase with sound emitted from the second sound emission opening.

24. 22. The open audio device of claim 21, wherein the acoustic module includes at least one microphone.

25. 25. The open audio device of claim 24, wherein the acoustic module defines at least one microphone opening leading to the at least one microphone.

26. 22. The open audio device of claim 21, wherein the acoustic module includes at least two microphones.

27. 27. The open audio device of claim 26, wherein the acoustic module defines at least two microphone openings leading to the at least two microphones.

28. 27. The open-ended audio device of claim 26, wherein an axis passing through the at least two microphone openings is within about + / - 30 degrees of the expected position of the user's mouth when the open-ended audio device is worn.

29. 28. The open-ended audio device of claim 27, wherein the two or more microphones are arranged to direct beams toward the expected location of the user's mouth.

30. 22. The open-ended audio device of claim 21, wherein the body is configured to contact the user's outer ear and / or a portion of the user's head abutting immediately behind the user's outer ear at two or more spaced contact locations.

31. 22. The open-back audio device of claim 21, wherein the body is configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head of the user proximate an intersection of the outer ear and the head of the user.

32. 22. The open-back audio device of claim 21, wherein the bridge is curved.

33. 22. The open-ended audio device of claim 21, wherein the bridge is thinner than the housing.

34. 22. The open-ended audio device of claim 21, wherein the bridge is configured to have bending compliance.

35. 35. An open-ended audio device in accordance with claim 34, wherein the bending compliance is about a longitudinal axis of the bridge.

36. 35. The open-ended audio device of claim 34, wherein the bridge is formed at least in part from an elastomer that enables the compliance.

37. 35. The open-back audio device of claim 34, wherein the bridge is configured to flex when pressed against the outer ear of the user.

38. 35. The open-ended audio device of claim 34, wherein the bridge is configured such that the bending compliance creates a force that helps hold the open-ended audio device in place when worn.

39. 35. The open-ended audio device of claim 34, wherein the bridge is configured such that the bending compliance creates a compressive force at opposing locations of the open-ended audio device when worn.

40. 22. The open-ended audio device of claim 21, wherein the acoustic module has an inner surface configured to abut one or more of the fossa, antihelix, crus helicalis, and helix of the outer ear of the user.

41. An open-type audio device, comprising: an acoustic module configured to be positioned at least partially over the outer ear, the acoustic module defining a first sound emission opening that, when worn, is positioned adjacent to but spaced from a user's ear canal and a second sound emission opening that is positioned farther from the user's ear canal than the first sound emission opening; a main body that supports the acoustic module; Equipped with The body includes: a housing configured to be positioned behind the outer ear of the user and to contact at least one of the outer ear and the head near a junction of the head and the outer ear; a bridge that couples the acoustic module to the housing; Equipped with the bridge is configured to have bending compliance; The acoustic module includes an audio driver, and the first sound emission opening and the second sound emission opening are configured to emit sound from opposite sides of the audio driver, such that the sound emitted from the first sound emission opening is out of phase with the sound emitted from the second sound emission opening. Open-type audio device.

42. 42. The open audio device of claim 41, wherein the housing contains a cylindrical rechargeable battery.

43. 43. The open audio device of claim 42, wherein the body further comprises wiring extending from the rechargeable battery to the acoustic module.

44. 42. The open audio device of claim 41, wherein the acoustic module includes at least one microphone.

45. 45. The open audio device of claim 44, wherein the acoustic module defines at least one microphone opening leading to the at least one microphone.

46. 42. The open audio device of claim 41, wherein the acoustic module includes at least two microphones.

47. 47. The open-ended audio device of claim 46, wherein the acoustic module defines at least two microphone openings leading to the at least two microphones.

48. 48. The open-ended audio device of claim 47, wherein an axis passing through the at least two microphone openings is within about + / - 30 degrees of the expected position of the user's mouth when the open-ended audio device is worn.

49. 48. The open-ended audio device of claim 47, wherein the two or more microphones are arranged to direct beams toward the expected location of the user's mouth.

50. 42. The open-ended audio device of claim 41, wherein the body is configured to contact the user's outer ear and / or a portion of the user's head abutting immediately behind the user's outer ear at two or more spaced contact locations.

51. 42. The open-back audio device of claim 41, wherein the bridge is curved.

52. 42. The open-ended audio device of claim 41, wherein the bridge is thinner than the housing.

53. 42. An open-ended audio device in accordance with claim 41, wherein the bending compliance is about a longitudinal axis of the bridge.

54. 42. An open-ended audio device as recited in claim 41, wherein the bridge is formed at least in part from an elastomer that enables said compliance.

55. 42. The open-back audio device of claim 41, wherein the bridge is configured to flex when pressed against the outer ear of the user.

56. 42. The open-ended audio device of claim 41, wherein the bridge is configured such that the compliance creates a force that helps hold the open-ended audio device in place when worn.

57. 42. The open-ended audio device of claim 41, wherein the bridge is configured such that the compliance creates a compressive force at opposing locations of the open-ended audio device when worn.

58. 42. The open-ended audio device of claim 41, wherein the acoustic module has an inner surface configured to abut one or more of the fossa, antihelix, crus helicalis, and helix of the outer ear of the user.

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