Headset

Abstract

A headset of the present invention comprises a housing 1 to be worn on an ear of a user, and a tubular external ear canal-inserted portion 10 provided on a part of the housing 1 on the external ear canal side. A signal output driver 4 is provided in the housing 1. A microphone 5 for acquiring a response signal forward of the driver 4 is provided rearward of a signal output surface of the driver 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a headset.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, earphones and headphones have been developed as electroacoustic transducers that convert electrical signals into acoustic signals. An earphone mainly refers to a device worn in the auricle or ear canal, and a headphone refers to a combination of an earphone and a band worn on the head. In addition, a device incorporating a microphone for picking up the user's voice in earphones or headphones is called a headset. Thus, headsets include earphones and headphones. One type of headset is known in which a driver that is a source of acoustic signals is provided inside, and an ear canal insertion part is provided on the eardrum side of the driver.

[0003] However, when wearing this type of conventional headset, the entrance of the ear canal is blocked to a certain extent, so the acoustic characteristics in the ear canal change. That is, when nothing is worn on the ear, only the eardrum side of the ear canal is closed, and sound is transmitted by the air column resonance of open tube resonance. On the other hand, when this type of headset is worn on the ear, the ear canal is closed not only on the eardrum side but also on the ear canal entrance side, so it changes to the air column resonance of closed tube resonance. Therefore, there is a problem that the acoustic characteristics at the eardrum position change due to wearing the headset.

[0004] Regarding the change in the acoustic characteristics in the ear canal caused by wearing such a headset, there is a technique to cope by controlling the output characteristics from the driver in the headset and correcting the acoustic characteristics in the ear canal. In that case, in order to correct the acoustic characteristics more accurately by the driver, a microphone generally called a feedback microphone is incorporated in the headset, and with the headset worn on the ear, the sound in the ear canal is collected by the feedback microphone, and it is necessary to perform feedback control of the driver based on the collected sound information.

[0005] In recent years, as shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, in order to reduce the noise of the external environment, a noise cancellation technology has been proposed in which a sound having a phase opposite to that of the noise is generated to cancel the noise near the eardrum. Also in noise cancellation, output control of the driver is performed based on the sound collection information from the feedback microphone as described above.

[0006] Recently, as shown in Patent Document 3, a method for confirming an individual's identity by characterizing the acoustic characteristics of the external auditory canal as biometric recognition has been disclosed. Even when this type of technology is applied, a driver and a microphone for collecting its acoustic signal are used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a microphone is arranged between the driver and the eardrum, the acoustic output from the driver is disturbed by the microphone, and desired acoustic characteristics cannot be obtained.

[0009] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for collecting sound in the external auditory canal by disposing a microphone outside the external auditory canal and arranging a sound conduction tube from the eardrum side end of the earpiece to the microphone. According to the technique of Patent Document 2, the sound output by the speaker is not disturbed by the microphone, and only the required signal can be obtained. However, the acoustic tube used in Patent Document 2 needs to be designed very thin so as not to affect the acoustic characteristics. In terms of assembly, the attachment of the acoustic tube becomes complicated, resulting in poor productivity and high cost. Further, when the microphone is disposed outside the external auditory canal as in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to miniaturize the headset.

[0010] The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a headset in which a microphone does not interfere with the output signal of a driver, and a response signal based on the output signal from the driver can be accurately obtained by the microphone.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The headset of the present invention has the following configuration. (1) A housing to be worn on the user's ear. (2) A cylindrical external auditory canal insertion portion that is a part of the housing and is provided in the portion of the housing on the external auditory canal side. (3) A driver for signal output provided inside the housing. (4) A microphone provided behind the signal output surface of the driver to acquire a response signal in front of the driver. (5) A sound path is provided within the housing that reaches the microphone while avoiding the driver from in front of the driver. (6) The sound path is formed by the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the driver. (7) The outer surface of the driver includes the outer peripheral surface of the driver and the front surface of the driver. (8) The sound path includes an introduction portion that extends from the central axis of the driver toward the outer peripheral direction at the front portion on the ear canal side of the ear canal insertion portion.

[0012] In the present invention, the following configuration can be adopted. (1) The driver is disposed inside the external auditory canal insertion portion. (2) The microphone is provided behind the driver within the housing. (3) The microphone is disposed within the ear canal insertion portion. (4) The driver and the microphone are provided behind the ear canal insertion portion within the housing. ( 5 ) The sound path is formed by a sound path groove formed on the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the driver. ( 6 ) The sound path is formed by a sound path groove formed on the outer surface of the driver and the inner surface of the housing. ( 7 ) The sound path is formed by a sound path groove formed on the inner surface of the housing and a sound path groove formed on the outer surface of the driver. ( 8 ) The sound path groove is provided spirally on the inner surface of the housing and / or on the outer surface of the driver. ( 9 ) A plurality of sound path grooves are provided on the inner surface of the housing or on the outer surface of the driver. (1 0 ) The inner wall surface of the bent portion of the sound path is formed as a curved surface. (1 1 ) A plurality of sound paths are provided with respect to the microphone. (1 2 ) A plurality of microphones are provided, and sound paths reaching each microphone are provided. (1 3 ) A sound path serving as a resonance space is provided within the housing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a headset in which the microphone does not interfere with the output signal of the driver, and the microphone can accurately acquire a response signal based on the output signal from the driver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

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Figure 19

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, including the claims, the eardrum side of the ear canal is referred to as the front, and the entrance side or the auricle side of the ear canal is referred to as the rear.

[0016] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the headset of this embodiment has a housing 1 that houses various functional components inside. The housing 1 is formed by fitting a main housing 1a and a front housing 1b.

[0017] The main housing 1a is a hollow member having a cylindrical shape as a whole, and the rear opening is closed by a cover 2. Inside the main housing 1a, a printed wiring board 3 is arranged facing the opening. The printed wiring board 3 is a board on which electronic components necessary for controlling the headset are mounted. For example, depending on the usage purpose and situation of the headset, output control such as an output signal from a driver 4 described later, adjustment of the sensitivity of the microphone 5, input frequency band, etc., cancellation frequency band and level in noise cancellation, various controls when performing biometric authentication for identifying an individual by the headset, etc. are performed.

[0018] In front of the printed wiring board 3, a battery 6 is arranged via a battery cushion 7 and a battery cap 8.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, a housing rubber 9 is provided on the outer periphery of the main housing 1a. The housing rubber 9 is a cylindrical elastic member fitted on the outer periphery of the main housing 1a, which relieves contact with the ear and prevents water from entering the housing 1.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the front housing 1b is arranged to close the opening in front of the cylindrical main housing 1a. The front housing 1b has an overall shape of an oblique frustum of a cone, and a part of its periphery bulges slightly toward the eardrum side.

[0021] An ear canal insertion part 10 protruding from the top of the oblique frustum of a cone toward the eardrum side is provided in front of the front housing 1b. The ear canal insertion part 10 has a cylindrical shape provided on a part of the front housing 1b, is open both in the front and the rear, and communicates the inside and outside of the front housing 1b. Inside the ear canal insertion part 10, a driver 4 equipped with a cylindrical case is installed. Therefore, a positioning part 11 of the flange-shaped driver 4 is provided close to the front opening of the ear canal insertion part 10, and the front end part of the driver 4 abuts against this positioning part 11, so that the driver 4 is fixed inside the ear canal insertion part 10. An opening 10a for passing the output signal from the driver 4 and transmitting it to the user is provided in the positioning part 11. The rear end part of the driver 4 is arranged to come near the rear end part of the ear canal insertion part 10. The driver 4 outputs, for example, not only acoustic signals but also biometric authentication signals of non-audible frequencies. The driver 4 is provided with a magnetic circuit, a diaphragm, etc. for generating an output signal in a cylindrical case, and a driver with an appropriate well-known structure is used.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, a lead wire 14 is wired from behind the driver 4. The lead wire 14 is connected to the printed wiring board 3.

[0023] The headset of this embodiment has a microphone 5 that acquires a response signal reaching the front of the driver 4. The microphone 5 is provided in the vicinity of the ear canal insertion portion 10 within the front housing 1b, that is, behind the driver 4. The microphone 5 is suitable for functions of the headset, such as noise cancellation, biometric authentication, and pulse wave detection. For example, it collects sounds within the ear canal like a feedback microphone for noise cancellation, or the microphone is used as a vibration sensor that measures vibrations, pressure changes, etc. in the audible and inaudible frequency bands within the ear canal. Note that for the microphone 5, a microelectromechanical system microphone (MEMS microphone), an electret condenser microphone (ECM), etc. can be used.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the microphone 5 is mounted on a microphone substrate 15. The microphone substrate 15 is fixed to a microphone block 16. The microphone block 16 is a block-shaped component that supports the microphone 5 and the microphone substrate 15. Openings 15a and 16a are provided in the microphone substrate 15 and the microphone block 16 so that vibrations within the ear canal can reach the microphone 5.

[0025] The pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 is provided between the microphone 5 and the microphone block 16, and between the microphone block 16 and the front housing 1b, respectively, to fix both. The pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 is provided with an opening 17a so as not to block the sound path A or the opening 15a of the microphone substrate 15.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, inside the ear canal insertion part 10, a sound path A is provided along the axial direction of the ear canal insertion part 10. Note that FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ear canal insertion part 10 at the earpiece attachment groove 12. The sound path groove 18 is formed in a corner groove shape on the inner surface of the ear canal insertion part 10, and forms the sound path A in the space formed between it and the outer surface of the driver 4. The sound path groove 18 opens at the opening 10a in the front part of the ear canal insertion part 10, and includes an introduction part 18a that extends from the central axis of the driver 4 toward the outer peripheral direction. Also, the intermediate part 18c of the sound path groove 18 is formed in a corner groove shape facing the outer surface of the driver 4 on the inner surface of the ear canal insertion part 10, and is formed along the axial direction of the driver 4 from the outer peripheral side end of the introduction part 18a. The rear end part of the sound path groove 18 has a connecting part 18g formed along the inner surface of the front housing 1b, and communicates with the opening 16a of the microphone block 16. The sound path A communicates from the opening 10a at the front end part of the ear canal insertion part 10, through the introduction part 18a, the intermediate part 18c, and the connecting part 18g, to the opening 16a of the microphone block 16 fixed to the front housing 1b.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an earpiece 13 is fixed to the outer periphery of the ear canal insertion part 10. The earpiece 13 is also called an ear tip, an ear pad, or an ear cap, and is made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber, for example. The earpiece 13 has a close contact part 13a formed in a hemisphere shape at the tip of a cylindrical part 13b that is fitted onto the outer periphery of the ear canal insertion part 10, for contacting the ear canal wall surface. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an earpiece attachment groove 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the ear canal insertion part 10. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a fitting part 13c is provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical part 13b of the earpiece 13. By the fitting part 13c meshing with the earpiece attachment groove 12, the earpiece 13 is fixed to the ear canal insertion part 10.

[0028] [1-2. Operation of the Embodiment] The headset of this embodiment is used with the earpiece 13 attached to the entrance part of the user's ear canal.

[0029] The case where the headset of the present embodiment has a feedback noise canceling function will be described. Noise such as external noise leaking into the ear canal during the use of the headset reaches the microphone 5 through the sound path A formed in the sound path groove 18 in the front housing 1b. The noise that reaches the microphone 5 is converted into an electrical signal by the microphone 5. The electrical signal corresponding to the converted noise is input to the control unit of the printed wiring board 3, and a noise canceling signal of opposite phase is generated. By converting this noise canceling signal into an acoustic signal and outputting it from the driver 4, noise canceling becomes possible.

[0030] When the headset of the present embodiment has a biometric authentication function, for example, by utilizing individual differences in the shape of the ear canal, a signal including non-audible frequencies is output from the driver 4, and a response signal including non-audible frequencies generated in the ear canal is acquired by the microphone 5. Then, by subjecting the response signal acquired by the microphone 5 to frequency analysis by the control unit, the characteristics can be captured and the individual can be authenticated. In this way, by acquiring a response signal including non-audible frequencies, it is possible to acquire highly accurate information.

[0031] [1-3. Effects of the Embodiment] (1) By providing the microphone 5 behind the output surface of the driver 4, the inconvenience that the microphone 5 interferes with the output signal of the driver and the desired response characteristics cannot be obtained is eliminated.

[0032] (2) Since the driver 4 is disposed inside the ear canal insertion portion 10, the volume on the front side of the driver 4 can be reduced. Since the volume of the ear canal varies from person to person, there is a variation in high-frequency characteristics depending on the user. In the present embodiment, since the volume on the front side of the driver 4 can be reduced, it is possible to suppress the attenuation of high-frequency characteristics in the ear canal. In particular, when the volume in the ear canal is large, there is a problem that the attenuation of high-frequency characteristics in the ear canal is significant. According to the present embodiment, the high-frequency characteristics are improved by reducing the volume on the front side of the driver 4, and high-quality sound can be provided.

[0033] (3) By providing the microphone 5 behind the driver 4, the driver 4 can be arranged inside the ear canal insertion part 10. By effectively using the space inside the ear canal insertion part 10, the installation space of the driver 4 inside the housing 1 can be reduced, and it becomes possible to miniaturize the headset.

[0034] (4) By providing a sound path A in the ear canal insertion part 10 that reaches the microphone 5 while avoiding the driver 4 from the front of the driver 4, vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the ear canal can be transmitted to the microphone 5 while avoiding the driver 4. As a result, even though the microphone 5 is behind the driver 4, it is possible to surely transmit the reflected sound and other response signals from the eardrum side generated in front of the driver 4 through the sound path A to the microphone 5. Thereby, various functions using the microphone 5 such as noise cancellation, biometric authentication, and pulse wave detection can be effectively exerted.

[0035] (5) By forming a sound path groove 18 on the inner surface of the ear canal insertion part 10 and using the outer surface of the driver 4 to combine the sound path groove 18 with the outer peripheral surface and the front surface of the outer surface of the driver 4 to form the sound path A, it is not necessary to separately form a fine sound path tube that makes manufacturing or assembly complicated. Further, by forming the sound path A using the outer surface of the driver 4, the radial direction of the ear canal insertion part 10 can be miniaturized compared to the case where a separate sound path tube is provided. In this way, it becomes easy to form the sound path A for transmitting the response signal to the microphone 5 even within the limited space in the ear canal insertion part 10, the manufacturing and assembly costs can be reduced, and it becomes possible to provide a small-sized headset with excellent production efficiency.

[0036] (6) As shown in Fig. 1, since the sound path B (opening 10a) of the driver 4 communicates with the sound path A of the microphone 5, these sound path spaces can be utilized as the resonance space of the driver 4 for improving the mid-high frequency band characteristics. Also, by ensuring a certain volume of the space of the sound path A, it becomes possible to suppress the rapid pressure change in the ear canal insertion part 10 when the headset is worn while the microphone 5 acquires vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the ear canal.

[0037] (7) Since the microphone 5 is arranged inside the housing 1, it is easily possible to form a waterproof, drip-proof, and dust-proof structure during wearing.

[0038] (8) Since the opening of the sound path A of the microphone 5 is configured not to be directly visible from the ear canal side, it is difficult for the small opening of the sound path A to be blocked by foreign matter intrusion or the like.

[0039] [2. Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the driver 4 and the microphone 5 are provided behind the ear canal insertion part 10 of the front housing 1b. The microphone block 16 is configured to surround the front surface and the side surface of the driver 4, and the microphone 5 is arranged on the side surface of the driver 4 via the microphone block 16. The microphone block 16 is provided with a sound path A reaching the microphone 5 from the ear canal insertion part 10. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0040] (1) In the second embodiment having such a configuration, the microphone 5 is provided on the side of the signal output surface of the driver 4. Therefore, the microphone 5 does not inhibit the output of the signal of the driver 4.

[0041] (2) By providing the microphone block 16 with a sound path A that bypasses the driver 4 from the front to the side and reaches the microphone 5, vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the ear canal can be smoothly transmitted to the microphone 5.

[0042] (3) By using the outer surface of the driver 4 and combining it with the sound path groove 18 formed in the microphone block 16 to form the sound path A, the microphone block 16 can be miniaturized compared to the case where a separate sound path tube is provided, and furthermore, the headset in which the microphone block 16 is installed can be miniaturized.

[0043] (4) In addition to the above effects, the same effects as those of the first embodiment (especially as described in (6) to (8)) are achieved.

[0044] [3. Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, a sound path A is provided in a spiral shape inside the ear canal insertion portion 10. As shown in FIG. 5, an earpiece attachment groove 12 is provided in front of the outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion 10. A driver 4 is installed inside the ear canal insertion portion 10.

[0045] A microphone block 16 is fixed to the rear of the ear canal insertion portion 10 by fitting or adhesion. The microphone block 16 has a substantially disc shape with a through hole provided in the central portion, and has a rectangular protruding portion 16c that supports the microphone 5 and the microphone substrate 15. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, openings 15a and 16a are provided in the microphone substrate 15 and the microphone block 16 so that vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the ear canal can reach the microphone 5. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the microphone block 16 is provided with an inner peripheral wall portion 16b along the inner surface of the ear canal insertion portion 10. The driver 4 is sandwiched between the inner peripheral wall portion 16b of the microphone block 16 and the positioning portion 11 of the ear canal insertion portion 10.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the ear canal insertion portion 10 is provided with a positioning portion 11 at the front. The positioning portion 11 is provided with an opening 10a through which the output signal from the driver 4 passes and is transmitted to the user. Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the positioning portion 11 is provided with a through hole 18b that guides vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the ear canal to the microphone 5.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the sound path groove 18 is formed as a groove with a semi-circular cross-section on the inner surface of the cylindrical ear canal insertion portion 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the sound path A is formed by closing the opening of the sound path groove 18 with the outer surface of the driver 4. Note that the shape of the groove of the sound path groove 18 is not limited to a semi-circular shape, and may be a semi-elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. The intermediate portion 18c of the sound path groove 18 is formed on the inner surface of the ear canal insertion portion 10 so as to face the outer surface of the driver 4, and is formed in a spiral shape along the axial direction of the ear canal insertion portion 10 from the through hole 18b to the opening 16a of the microphone block 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the rear portion of the sound path groove 18 is formed as a rectangular stepped portion 18d, which communicates with the opening 16a of the microphone block 16.

[0048] Vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the ear canal pass through the through hole 18b, pass through the sound path A formed by the stepped portion 18d from the spiral intermediate portion 18c, pass through the opening 16a of the microphone block 16 and the opening 15a of the microphone substrate 15, and reach the microphone 5. For other configurations, they are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0049] (1) In the third embodiment having such a configuration, the sound path groove 18 is provided in a spiral shape on the inner surface of the ear canal insertion portion 10. Therefore, by adjusting the length of the sound path groove 18 according to the use of the microphone 5, it becomes easy to adjust the spatial volume of the sound path A. The use of the microphone 5 is not limited to noise cancellation, and it can also be used as a pressure sensor. By providing the sound path groove 18 in a spiral shape, it becomes possible to adjust the spatial volume of the sound path A suitable for the pressure sensor.

[0050] (2) By providing the sound path groove 18 in a spiral shape, the spatial volume of the sound path A can be increased compared to the case where the sound path groove is formed linearly along the axial direction. Therefore, a sudden pressure change when wearing the headset can be reduced, and damage to the diaphragm inside the driver 4 can be prevented. In this case, since a larger spatial volume of the sound path A can reduce the pressure change, it is advisable to make the spatial volume of the sound path A as large as possible using the shape of the sound path groove 18. For example, the spatial volume of the sound path A can be increased by increasing the groove depth of the sound path groove 18 or increasing the length of the sound path groove 18. On the other hand, since the microphone 5 can acquire signals even with a slight pressure change, by ensuring a certain degree of spatial volume of the sound path A, it is possible to suppress a sudden pressure change when wearing the headset while the microphone 5 acquires signals.

[0051] (3) When using the sound path A as the acoustic port of the driver 4, an optimal length is required. If resonance is adjusted well, the resonance frequency can be adjusted in the mid-high frequency range. For example, when optimizing the length and area of the sound path A, by forming the sound path groove 18 in a spiral shape, the sound path space can be utilized as the resonance space of the driver 4 for improving the frequency characteristics in the mid-high frequency band. It is also possible to optimize using the resonance of the port effect even in the vibration band required by the microphone 5.

[0052] (4) To integrate the microphone 5 and the driver 4 into the ear canal insertion part 10 via the microphone block 16, variations during assembly can be reduced. Also, by providing the sound path groove 18 in the housing 1, the number of parts can be reduced, and the assembly work becomes easier.

[0053] (5) Since the microphone 5 can be arranged near the ear canal, it is excellent in shielding the external environment including wind noise, etc., and it becomes possible to efficiently acquire vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands transmitted through the ear canal. In particular, since signals can be directly acquired in a state shielded from the external environment using the sound path A formed in the ear canal insertion part 10, it is advantageous for applications such as biometric information acquisition.

[0054] (6) By arranging the driver 4 and the microphone 5 inside the housing 1, particularly inside the ear canal insertion part 10, the waterproof, drip-proof, and dust-proof performance during wearing is improved.

[0055] [4. Fourth Embodiment] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, in the fourth embodiment, a plurality of sound channels A are provided inside the ear canal insertion part 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the basic configurations of the driver 4, the microphone 5, the microphone block 16, and the ear canal insertion part 10 are the same as those in the third embodiment.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a front cover 19 is provided between the positioning part 11 of the ear canal insertion part 10 and the driver 4. The front cover 19 is a ring-shaped part formed along the outer peripheral surface and the front surface of the outer surface of the driver 4, and is disposed between the driver 4 and the positioning part 11 of the ear canal insertion part 10. In this embodiment, the front cover 19 is a separate part from the ear canal insertion part 10, but it is preferably integrated.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 11, the radial part 18e, which is the introduction part of the sound channel groove 18 constituting the sound channel A, extends radially outward in the outer peripheral direction from the opening part 10a. The middle part 18c of the sound channel groove 18 is formed to face the outer surface of the driver 4 on the inner surface of the ear canal insertion part 10, and is formed along the axial direction of the driver 4 from the outer peripheral side end of the radial part 18e. The number of the middle part 18c and the radial part 18e of the sound channel groove 18 is five, but it is not limited to five and can be appropriately changed. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a step part 18d is provided at the rear end of the sound channel groove 18, and a sound channel A is formed between it and the inner peripheral wall part 16b of the microphone block 16. The rear end of each middle part 18c communicates with the step part 18d, and the sound channel A communicates to the opening part 16a of the microphone block 16 through the radial part 18e, the middle part 18c, and the step part 18d.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 13, the positioning portion 11 is provided with an opening 10a. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands within the ear canal pass from the opening 10a through the radial portion 18e, through the intermediate portion 18c, through the stepped portion 18d, and then through the opening 16a of the microphone block 16 and the opening 15a of the microphone substrate 15 to reach the microphone 5. For other configurations, they are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0059] (1) In the fourth embodiment having such a configuration, in addition to the same effects as those in the third embodiment, the opening of the sound path A of the microphone 5 is configured such that it cannot be directly seen from the ear canal side. Therefore, it is difficult for the small opening of the sound path A to be blocked due to foreign matter intrusion or the like.

[0060] (2) In the fourth embodiment, by providing a plurality of sound paths A connected to the opening 10a on the front side of the driver 4, the spatial volume of the sound path A can be increased. Also, since the pressure change can be dispersed among the plurality of sound paths A, a sudden pressure change when wearing the headset can be reduced, and damage to the diaphragm inside the driver 4 can be prevented.

[0061] (3) Also in the fourth embodiment, the sound path space can be used as an acoustic port. Using a plurality of sound paths A, the resonance of the port effect can be optimized in the vibration band required by the microphone 5. Also, in the fourth embodiment, all of the plurality of sound paths A are combined into one at the stepped portion 18d, but instead of combining all of the sound paths A, a sound path for another use may be configured separately from the microphone 5. For example, out of the five sound paths A in the fourth embodiment, four may be combined at the stepped portion 18d and connected to the microphone 5, and the end of the remaining one sound path may be blocked to form a closed sound path space. In this case, a resonance space for the driver 4 can be formed by the closed sound path space.

[0062] (4) In addition to the microphone 5, the headset can be provided with another microphone, a temperature sensor, and other sensors. By allocating a plurality of sound channels A to the microphones and various sensors, various types of information can be obtained. For example, by connecting the temperature sensor to a sound channel, the temperature inside the external auditory canal can be obtained. Also in this case, by multiplexing a plurality of sound channels, the amount of air can be increased and the temperature detection accuracy can be improved.

[0063] (5) Note that the number of sound channels, the combination of multiplexing, and the combination of various sensors are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment. Also, the sound channel groove is not limited to a groove shape having a uniform cross-section, and the groove shape may be changed halfway.

[0064] [5. Fifth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, a sound channel A is provided inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 in parallel with the axial direction of the driver 4. As shown in FIG. 14, the basic configurations of the driver 4, the microphone 5, the microphone block 16, and the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 are the same as those in the third embodiment.

[0065] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the sound channel groove 18 is formed as a groove having a semi-elliptical cross-section on the inner surface of the cylindrical external auditory canal insertion portion 10. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the introduction portion 18a of the sound channel groove 18 is formed linearly, and its front end is connected to the curved surface portion 18f. As shown in FIG. 16, the curved surface portion 18f is a smooth curved surface that opens wide on the front surface of the positioning portion 11 of the external auditory canal insertion portion 10 and extends to both the left and right sides, and is smoothly connected in a streamline manner toward the introduction portion 18a of the front portion of the sound channel and the sound channel groove 18. The sound channel A communicates linearly from the introduction portion 18a through the curved surface portion 18f, passes through the intermediate portion 18c, and reaches the opening 16a of the microphone block 16. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands inside the external auditory canal are linearly propagated inside the sound channel A and reach the microphone 5.

[0066] Thus, vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands within the ear canal pass through the curved surface portion 18f, through the intermediate portion 18c, through the opening 16a of the microphone block 16 and the opening 15a of the microphone substrate 15, and reach the microphone 5. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0067] In the fifth embodiment having such a configuration, in addition to the same effects as those of the third embodiment, vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands within the ear canal pass through the smooth curved surface portion 18f and directly through the sound path A, so that they can reach the microphone 5 smoothly. Therefore, unnecessary resonance and reflection in the vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands to be acquired can be reduced, and a highly accurate response signal can be obtained.

[0068] [6. Other Embodiments] As described above, although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and as listed below, it can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the invention, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made. And these embodiments, their combinations, and further their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. The following are examples of embodiments included in the present invention.

[0069] (1) The driver 4 and the microphone 5 may be arranged inside the ear canal insertion portion 10. The installation locations of the driver 4 and the microphone 5 are not limited as long as the microphone 5 is provided laterally or rearward of the signal output surface of the driver 4.

[0070] (2) The housing 1 is not limited to being formed from the front housing 1b and the main housing 1a as long as it houses the components of the headset inside, and its shape, material, and size are not limited.

[0071] (3) The microphone 5 is not limited to acquiring response signals for noise cancellation and biometric authentication. The microphone 5 can also detect pressure changes in the ear canal and can be widely used for pulse wave detection and the like.

[0072] (4) The sound channel groove 18 is not limited to being provided on the inner surface of the ear canal insertion portion 10. By forming irregularities on the outer surface of the case of the driver 4, a sound channel that communicates the front of the microphone 5 and the driver 4 may be formed between the outer surface of the driver 4 and the inner surface of the ear canal insertion portion 10. Also, the cross-sectional shape (semicircular, square, star-shaped, etc., the shape is not limited), the number, and the arrangement of the grooves of the sound channel groove 18 can be appropriately changed.

[0073] (5) The headset is not limited to a wireless headset that does not require a cable between terminals such as a mobile phone and other information communication devices and between the left and right headsets, and may be a wired headset. Also, the headset may be for both ears or for one ear. Also, the headset is not limited to the canal type and may be the in-ear type.

[0074] (6) The structure of the sound channel A can be appropriately changed. For example, the sound channel A may be bent as in the first embodiment, or may be spiral as in the third embodiment, and its shape is not limited. Note that the sound channel A up to the microphone 5 is not limited to the reach path of the above embodiment. For example, the outer surface of the driver 4 is not limited to the outer peripheral surface or the front surface, and the sound channel A may be formed using the space on the rear surface of the driver 4. Furthermore, the inner wall surface of any part of the sound channel A (the bent part of the spiral or radial sound channel A, for example, the connection part between the introduction part 18a and the intermediate part 18c of the sound channel groove 18, the connection part between the introduction part 18a and the through hole 18b, the opening edge part of the through hole 18b, etc.) may be formed into a curved surface. Also, the corner part between the bottom part and the wall surface part of the sound channel where the sound channel groove is formed can also be formed into a curved surface.

[0075] (7) The sound path A of the microphone 5 is not limited to one, and a plurality of sound paths A can be formed, and one or more paths for various uses can be added, and their combinations can be freely set. Also, the cross-sectional area of the sound path A does not have to be constant. For example, the middle of the sound path groove of the sound path A may be deformed to form a space larger or smaller than the end opening of the sound path groove 18.

[0076] (8) A plurality of microphones 5 may be provided. Also, sensors other than the microphone such as a temperature sensor may be provided. Also, it is not limited to arranging the microphone inside the housing 1, and a plurality of sensors may be provided by combining the microphone and other sensors inside the housing 1. In this case, a sensor may be provided for each sound path A, or each sound path A may be combined regardless of the path and communicated. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, in addition to the microphone 5 that acquires the closed space information between the eardrum in the external auditory canal, a microphone 5' and a microphone substrate 15' that acquire external environment information through the sound path A may be provided. In this case, vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the external auditory canal are acquired by the microphone 5 via the sound path communicating with the opening 10a, and the external environment information is acquired by the microphone 5' via the sound path 18' that communicates from the through hole 18b' penetrating the external space to the microphone block opening 16a'. Thereby, it is possible to improve the voice quality during transmission using the difference between the signals of both. Also, external sound capture and feedforward noise cancellation can be implemented using external environment information. Note that in the embodiment of FIG. 18, one sound path (sound path groove 18) is provided corresponding to the microphone 5, and one sound path (sound path groove 18') is provided corresponding to the microphone 5'. However, the sound paths can also be shared by branching each sound path and connecting it to various sensors.

[0077] (9) When a plurality of sound paths A of the fourth embodiment are provided, the front end portion of the radial portion 18e which is the introduction portion and the opening 10a may be smoothly formed in a streamline curved surface shape. By forming the introduction portion 18a in a streamline curved surface shape, vibrations in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the external auditory canal can be smoothly induced.

[0078] (10) In the first embodiment, the microphone 5 is fixed to the housing 1 via the microphone block 16. However, as shown in FIG. 19, the microphone 5 may be directly fixed to the housing 1.

Explanation of Signs

[0079] 1…Housing 1a…Main housing 1b…Front housing 2…Cover 3…Printed wiring board 4…Driver 5…Microphone 10…External auditory canal insertion part 10a…Opening 11…Positioning part 12…Earphone attachment groove 13…Earphone 15…Microphone substrate 16…Microphone block 17…Pressure-sensitive adhesive 18…Sound path groove 19…Front cover A,B…Sound path

Claims

1. A housing to be worn on a user's ear, a cylindrical ear canal insertion part that is a part of the housing and is provided on the part of the housing on the ear canal side, a driver for signal output provided inside the housing, a microphone provided behind the signal output surface of the driver to acquire a response signal in front of the driver, a sound path is provided in the housing that bypasses the driver from in front of the driver and reaches the microphone, the sound path is formed by the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the driver, the outer surface of the driver includes the outer peripheral surface and the front surface of the driver, the sound path includes an introduction part that extends from the central axis of the driver toward the outer peripheral direction at the front part on the ear canal side of the ear canal insertion part. A headset.

2. The headset according to claim 1, wherein the driver is disposed inside the ear canal insertion part.

3. The headset according to claim 2, wherein the microphone is provided behind the driver inside the housing.

4. The headset according to claim 3, wherein the microphone is disposed inside the ear canal insertion part.

5. The headset according to claim 1, wherein the driver and the microphone are provided behind the ear canal insertion part inside the housing.

6. The headset according to claim 1, wherein the sound path is formed by a sound path groove formed on the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the driver.

7. The headset according to claim 1, wherein the sound path is formed by a sound path groove formed on the outer surface of the driver and the inner surface of the housing.

8. The headset according to claim 1, wherein the sound path is formed by a sound path groove formed on the inner surface of the housing and a sound path groove formed on the outer surface of the driver.

9. The headset according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sound path groove is provided spirally on the inner surface of the housing and / or on the outer surface of the driver.

10. The headset according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a plurality of the sound path grooves are provided on the inner surface of the housing and / or on the outer surface of the driver.

11. The headset according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the inner wall surface of the bent part of the sound path groove is formed as a curved surface.

12. The headset according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a plurality of the sound channels are provided for the microphone.

13. The headset according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a plurality of the microphones are provided, and the sound channels reaching the respective microphones are provided.

14. The headset according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a sound channel serving as a resonance space is provided in the housing.

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