Fully wireless earphone assembly with selectively executable TES treatment function

Abstract

To provide a completely wireless earphone assembly capable of performing a TES treatment function.SOLUTION: In a completely wireless earphone, a circuit of one of a pair of earphones RE2, LE2 separate into left and right is provided with a frequency generator 250 for TES treatment and a TES signal amplification section 260 amplifying a low frequency signal, an external surface of a housing of each of the left and right pairs of the earphones is provided with electrodes M1, M2 for electric connection with a user's ears and skin, and each housing of the left and right pair of earphones is further provided with a link cable LC1 for electrically and selectively connecting and disconnecting between a female connector FC2 and a pair of male connectors together with the pair of earphones, so that acoustic hearing and the TES treatment can be performed selectively or simultaneously.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing a TES treatment function. More specifically, the present invention provides an accessory cooperating with a completely wireless earphone (TWS: True Wireless Stereo) in which a pair of left and right earphones are electrically completely separated as an assembly member, and relates to the provision of a completely wireless earphone assembly configured such that a user can selectively execute the TES treatment function.

Background Art

[0002] Completely wireless (TWS: True Wireless Stereo) earphones provide a pair of left and right earphone-shaped acoustic units, eliminate a separate electrical connection between these earphones, and mainly receive and reproduce a sound source from an acoustic device based on the Bluetooth communication protocol. Due to their ease of use, miniaturization, and portability, they are positioned as the mainstream in the earphone market.

[0003] Most of the main focuses of the improvement of such conventional completely wireless earphones are placed on the improvement of the acoustics of the earphones themselves, the improvement of the driver unit for additional function improvements such as noise cancellation and the function of listening to surrounding sounds, and the improvement of the acoustic signal processing circuit.

[0004] In the case of completely wireless earphones, the mainstream form is one in which the earphone part having a pair of left and right housings is completely separated. There are also produced neckband-type earphones in which the earphone part having a pair of left and right housings is connected by an elastic wire or various forms of neckbands formed by injection molding, or sports-type earphones in which a pair of left and right earphone parts are connected by a flexible lead wire. However, the preferred form of completely wireless earphones is one in which a pair of left and right earphones are completely separated.

[0005] Separate from the concept of a fully wireless earphone with a functional configuration, as a recent major trend, various electronic and electrical application products focusing on human physical health and neuropsychiatric health have been produced.

[0006] This is an inevitable requirement on the roadmap of future-oriented and human-oriented technological development and forms a very major industrial area.

[0007] From the perspective of modern social psychiatry, problems such as insomnia, depression, ADHD, neurasthenia, decreased concentration, and fatigue have seriously emerged among modern people. Especially in Russia and Northern Europe with long winters, there have been many efforts and attempts to improve the symptoms by applying electrical or magnetic stimulation to the human body against the psychiatric pathological phenomena caused by the climate.

[0008] In recent years, treatment methods using "Transcranial Electrical Stimulation" (TES) or "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation" (TMS) have been theoretically and experimentally proven to have significant effects through a number of papers and clinical experiments.

[0009] In many psychiatric hospitals in South Korea, TMS and TES stimulation devices have already been widely popularized. In particular, TES treatment is requested to be actively introduced because of its non-drug, non-invasive, and non-toxic characteristics, which result in an extremely low risk of medical accidents.

[0010] However, TES and TMS devices for treating such conventional psychiatric pathological phenomena are integrated devices consisting of a seat like a chair on which the patient sits for treatment, an attachment pad with a number of electrodes, an electrical stimulation circuit section, a fine adjustment panel, etc. They are very expensive and can only be equipped in hospitals larger than medium and large-scale ones. Moreover, the attachment to the patient and the actual operation of electrode pads, etc. are very troublesome, and the surgical cost is also excluded from the scope of medical insurance, resulting in high costs and other problems.

[0011] As a concept similar to TES (Transcranial Electrical Stimulation), there is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), which also has the same concept of a treatment function that exhibits neuropsychiatric effects. Therefore, in the following, it will be described under the general term of "TES".

[0012] The TES treatment function as a means of mental health treatment can also be applied to commonly used headsets, earphones, etc. In addition to the functions of acoustic listening and calling, it is highly likely to be established as a basic function (Default Function) for the healing treatment of earphones and headsets, and its application range is also very wide.

[0013] The inventor of the present invention provided such a TES treatment function in the form of earphones and headsets instead of stationary devices installed in hospitals, etc., and in order to widely spread to the general public in an inexpensive and portable form, as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 2 and the external configuration diagram of FIG. 1, the inventor has applied for the "bone conduction device having a TES treatment function" of Korean Patent No. 2194226.

[0014] In the above-mentioned prior application patent of the inventor of the present invention, a bone conduction unit for acoustic conduction is provided in a pair of headset parts in the form of a headset, and also, a metal terminal for conducting a TES treatment signal to the left and right pair of headset parts, and a headset having a generation circuit of a TES treatment signal in a Bluetooth circuit are provided, so that an electric current of low frequency is passed through between the left and right pair of headsets to energize the human body, particularly the head transcutaneously, and a configuration for implementing the treatment function of TES was provided.

[0015] Thereby, a means is provided for the user to selectively or simultaneously use the bone conduction unit and the TES generation circuit - electrode to listen to music or actively and inexpensively execute the TES treatment function.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0016]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0017] Conventionally, prior arts related to such a headset or earphone having a TES or TES treatment function have been disclosed.

[0018] In particular, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0382115 (December 31, 2015) of Patent Document 4 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0368329 (December 28, 2017) of Patent Document 5 disclose a configuration in which TMS or TES is embodied in an earphone for acoustic expression or pads separate from the earphone are attached to the skin, which has the most similar technical idea to the present invention, but is different from the present invention in terms of basic purpose, function and specific configuration.

[0019] In the above-mentioned Korean Patent No. 2194266 (Patent Document 1), which is the prior application of the present inventor, a headset having a preferable TES treatment function using bone conduction is provided. However, since it is limited to the form of a headset based on bone conduction for acoustic transmission, there is a problem in that its applicability in use is limited and it lacks versatility.

[0020] In order to embody the TES treatment function, the head of the human body had to be interposed between a pair of completely wireless earphones to be separated, and an electrical signal penetrating while separating a certain area or more of the head had to be applied, which was a non-avoidable configuration.

[0021] The technical idea and the technical problem to be solved of the completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing the TES treatment function of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 by citing Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2194266, which is a prior application by the present inventor.

[0022] The configuration of the above prior application is a circuit housed on either one side of the housing 400 of the bone conduction headset, and includes a Bluetooth communication module 110, a memory 116, a decoding unit 120, a digital-analog converter 125, an audio amplifier unit 130, bone conduction units 141 and 142, a frequency generator 150, a TES signal amplifier unit 160, electrodes 171 and 172, a user interface 180, and a control unit 190.

[0023] Since the audio data received based on the Bluetooth communication protocol or the audio data stored in the memory 115 is generally compressed digital data, in the decoding unit 120, the audio data input via the Bluetooth communication module 110 or the audio data stored in the memory 115 is decoded and transmitted to the digital-analog converter 125. The digital-analog converter 125 converts the digital audio data from the decoding unit 120 into an analog signal and outputs it as an analog audio signal, and drives the left bone conduction unit 141 and the right bone conduction unit 142 to transmit sound to the human body.

[0024] In addition to the above configuration, a frequency generator 150 is provided. For the TES treatment function, it generates a low frequency in the range of, for example, 1 to 150 Hz, amplifies it by the TES signal amplifier 160, and the TES signal is applied to the human body by the electrodes 171 and 172 attached to the headset housing. By operating the user interface 180, it is possible to selectively or simultaneously execute the listening of sound and the treatment by the TES signal.

[0025] In the said prior application, it was embodied only in the form of a headset type acoustic device, and the means for Bluetooth communication and sound source reproduction, the frequency generator 150 and the TES signal amplifier 160 are also provided only in the specific housing 400 of one of the bone conduction headsets, so it does not have the function of a completely wireless earphone.

[0026] In order to perform the TES treatment function, a low frequency signal must pass (Transdermal) from both ends across the skin of the human body over a certain area. As shown in FIG. 2, since it must be connected to the electrodes 171 and 172 of the housing through the signal conduction cables C1 and C2 from the TES signal amplifier 160, it is not applicable to a completely wireless earphone in which a pair of earphone units are electrically completely separated, and inevitably, it has to be configured as the above-mentioned headset, and there has been a case where the technology was disclosed limited to a bone conduction unit instead of a general speaker unit for sound generation.

[0027] The most preferred embodiment of a completely wireless earphone capable of performing the TES treatment function is mainly used for listening to music and making voice calls during walking, exercising, and working, which occupy most of the user's usage time. Additionally, it is conceivable to be embodied so that it can be switched to the TES treatment function only at specific times (for example, 15 minutes, 30 minutes) according to the user's selection.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0028] A completely wireless earphone assembly in which the TES treatment function of the present invention can be selectively executed to embody the above-described preferred embodiments is In a completely wireless earphone including a Bluetooth communication module, a memory, a decoding unit, a digital-to-analog converter, an audio amplifier, a speaker unit, and a control unit controlled by a user interface, which are respectively housed in housings of a pair of earphones electrically separated left and right, In one of the circuits of one of the pair of earphones separated left and right, a low-frequency frequency generator for TES treatment and a TES signal amplifier for amplifying the generated low-frequency signal are provided, and electrodes for electrical connection with the skin of the user's ear are provided on the outer surface of each of the housings of the pair of earphones on the left and right. By further providing a female connector on each of the housings of the pair of earphones on the left and right and a link cable for electrically and selectively connecting and disconnecting between the pair of female connectors, When the link cable is disconnected from the pair of earphones, the pair of earphones reproduce sound as completely wireless earphones, or when the pair of earphones is electrically connected to the link cable, the generated low-frequency signal is conducted between the separated electrodes, so that the TES treatment function alone or the sound reproduction function can be selectively executed by the user's choice at the same time. In addition, in a completely wireless earphone including a Bluetooth communication module, a memory, a decoding unit, a digital-to-analog converter, an audio amplifier, a speaker unit, and a control unit controlled by a user interface, which are respectively housed in housings of a pair of earphones electrically separated left and right, A female connector provided on each housing of the pair of left and right earphones, and a link cable for electrically and selectively connecting and disconnecting between the pair of female connectors are provided. Further, on the outer surface of each of the housings of the pair of left and right earphones, electrodes for electrical connection with the skin of the user's ear are respectively provided. By further having a housing on the link cable that houses a low-frequency frequency generator for TES treatment separated from one of the circuits of the pair of earphones separated into left and right, and a TES signal amplifier for amplifying the generated low-frequency signal, The pair of left and right earphones can reproduce sound as completely wireless earphones when the link cable is disconnected, or when the link cable is connected, the generated low-frequency signal can be conducted between the separated electrodes, enabling the TES treatment function alone or the sound reproduction function to be simultaneously executed according to the user's selection. This is the most core technical idea.

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] The completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing the TES treatment function of the present invention can be easily applied to conventional completely wireless earphones, providing a means for simply and inexpensively performing psychiatric treatment.

[0030] Furthermore, it provides an assembly of completely wireless earphones that can increase portability and usability and maximize its treatment effect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] Hereinafter, the configurations and operations of preferred embodiments of a completely wireless earphone assembly in which the TES treatment function of the present invention can be selectively executed and their modified examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit for explaining a conventional general completely wireless earphone, and FIGS. 4 to 14 are diagrams showing embodiments and modifications thereof of the present invention, which will be described sequentially or together.

[0034] In the following description of embodiments of the present invention, when members at the same position having the same function are shown, the same member numbers will be used for description in other embodiments as well.

[0035] A general conventional completely wireless earphone TWS1 has, as shown in the block diagram of the circuit configuration of FIG. 3 and the exemplary external view of FIG. 4, As a circuit configuration embodied on a circuit board (CB) housed in the housings H1, H1' of a pair of completely separated left and right earphones RE1, LE1, it has a Bluetooth communication module 10, a memory 15, a decoding unit 20, a digital-to-analog converter 25, an audio amplifier unit 30, and speaker units 41, 42.

[0036] Also, selectively under the control of a control unit 90 that is operated and controlled by a user interface 80 which is a multi-function operation switch (FS) composed of a touch switch, a membrane switch, etc., an acoustic signal (including a call signal) from the decoding unit 20 is reproduced from the speaker units 41, 42 via the digital-to-analog converter 25 - audio amplifier unit 30.

[0037] From the speaker units 41, 42 of a pair of left and right separated earphones RE1, LE1, a user LS who is a listener listens to the sound of the left and right separated stereo completely wireless earphone TWS1. However, the left and right separated earphones RE1, LE1 are in a form that is electrically completely separated. In such a configuration, a TES treatment function that can be implemented only when an electrical signal penetrates a certain area of the human body, particularly a certain area of the head, cannot be used.

[0038] In the present invention, in view of such points, a completely wireless earphone in which a user LS can selectively execute a TES treatment function is provided as an earphone assembly of various embodiments, so as to additionally and selectively provide the TES treatment function to the completely wireless earphone.

[0039] [First Embodiment] As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5 and the external perspective view of FIG. 6, a completely wireless earphone assembly TWS2 of the first embodiment in which the TES treatment function of the present invention can be selectively executed As a circuit unit respectively housed in the housings H2, H2' of a pair of left and right earphones RE2, LE2, the same as the conventional completely wireless earphone TWS1, a Bluetooth communication module 210, a memory 215, a decoding unit 220, a digital-to-analog converter 225, an audio amplifier unit 230, speaker units 241, 242, and a control unit 290 operated by a user interface 280 are provided.

[0040] Among the circuit units housed in the housings H2, H2' of the pair of left and right earphones RE2, LE2 described above, in one of the left and right circuit units, in addition to the above-described acoustic data reception and reproduction circuit, it is signal-connected to a control unit 290 operated and controlled by a user interface 280, and a frequency generator 250 for generating a low-frequency signal for embodying the TES treatment function, and a TES signal amplifier unit 260 for amplifying the generated low-frequency signal are further provided. The TES signal amplifier unit 260 may have its amplification degree variable by the user via the user interface 280, and the frequency generator may be configured as a separate circuit unit as described above. However, it is a well-known fact to those skilled in the art that the control unit 290 can directly generate a low-frequency signal.

[0041] Speaker units 241 and 242 are provided in the housings H2 and H2' of the pair of left and right earphones RE2 and LE2. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pair of earphones RE2 and LE2 can be products of various designs and configurations, such as the ear-hanger type earphone TWS2-1 as shown in FIG. 6 or the ear-clip TWS2-2 worn on the earlobe, of course.

[0042] In the present invention, on the outer surface of each of the housings H2 and H2' of the earphones, in order to facilitate the connection with the skin of the outer ear and inner ear of the user LS's ear ER and further to realize a complete electrical connection, electrodes M1 and M2 of various forms and materials that connect to a partial area of the skin surface of the user LS's ear ER are further provided.

[0043] The electrodes M1 and M2 may be in any form suitable for connecting to the skin of the outer ear and inner ear of the user LS's ear ER. As shown on the left side of FIGS. 6 and 7, they may be in the form of electrodes (M1, M2: CM) having a partial contact area or ring-shaped electrodes (M1, M2: RM), etc., and may be made of various materials such as stainless steel or chrome-plated and gold-plated various metal electrodes that are harmless to the human body and have corrosion resistance, and rubber electrodes having high conductivity.

[0044] In the above, the low-frequency signals of the TES treatment function from the frequency generator 250 for generating low frequencies and the TES signal amplification unit 260 can exert their functions only when they are electrically connected to the electrodes M1 and M2 of the housings H2 and H2' of the separated pair of left and right earphones RE2 and LE2.

[0045] For the realization of the selective and intentional TES treatment function of the user LS, the electrical signal from the TES signal amplification unit 260 housed in one of the housings H2 and H2' of the pair of electrically separated earphones RE2 and LE2 must be connected to the electrode M1 or M2 of the remaining other earphone RE2 or LE2.

[0046] In order to achieve this object and provide a completely wireless earphone assembly (TWS2), in a first embodiment of the present invention; As shown in Figures 5 to 7, female connectors FC2, FC2' selected from various types are provided for the housings H2, H2' of a pair of left and right earphones RE2, LE2, respectively, and an assembly is formed in which a link cable LC1 for electrically and selectively connecting the pair of female connectors FC2, FC2' is provided together with the pair of earphones RE2, LE2.

[0047] The pair of earphones RE2, LE2 can of course have various external shapes, such as an ear-hanger type earphone TWS2-1 as shown in FIG. 6 or an ear-clip type earphone TWS2-2 that is attached to the earlobe.

[0048] The link cable LC1 may be a flexible, conventional electrically conductive plastic-coated and fabric-coated cable or, if necessary, may be in the form of a steel, plastic, rubber or other band having one or more electric wires housed therein along its length.

[0049] Furthermore, the neckband may be formed by being ejected in a shape similar to the modified example described below and the other embodiment shown in FIG.

[0050] At both ends of the link cable LC1, a pair of male connectors MC2, MC2' are provided as means for electrically connecting with the pair of female connectors FC2, FC2' at the user's discretion.

[0051] The female connectors FC2, FC2' and the male connectors MC2, MC2' are as shown on the right side of Figure 6. It may be in the form of a normal jack-plug A as a connection part for electrically conducting / non-conducting, or it may be a terminal connector corresponding to a commonly used USB-C type terminal C or a magnetic contact terminal, or any configuration that enables electrical connection by a mechanical method may be adopted.

[0052] Such a completely wireless earphone assembly TWS2 of the first embodiment can adopt various operating modes in the conversion between normal acoustic and voice listening functions and the TES treatment function.

[0053] For example, when music is played with the multifunction switch FS with the link cable LC1 inserted into the earphones RE2 and LE2, the TES treatment function is automatically activated, or even when the link cable LC1 is inserted into the earphones RE2 and LE2, the entry into the TES treatment function can be made such that the earphones RE2 and LE2 are activated only by the operation of the user interface 280 which is the multifunction switch FS.

[0054] The control unit 90 can be programmed for operation in various ways, such as the operation settings of the multifunction switch FS of the user interface 80 of either one of the earphones RE2 and LE2, for example, the right earphone RE2. For example, a double touch starts the TES treatment function, a double touch during operation stops the TES treatment function, a short touch of the multifunction switch FS of the right earphone RE2 increases the volume, a long touch increases the level of the TES signal, a short touch of the multifunction switch FS of the left earphone LE2 decreases the volume, and a long touch decreases the level of the TES signal, etc., can be set and defined.

[0055] Also, depending on whether the link cable LC1 is inserted into the earphones RE2 and LE2 or not, the operating modes of the corresponding earphones RE2 and LE2 can be controlled automatically or manually.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the earphones RE2 and LE2 of the completely wireless earphone assembly TWS2 are used as conventional completely wireless earphones RE2 and LE2 for normal user LS usage modes, that is, for listening to music or standby for calls, etc., in the acoustic and voice listening stages (S10R, S10E), which is a general usage mode.

[0057] From such an acoustic and voice listening stage (S10) of a general usage mode, when the user LS uses the TES treatment function and inserts the male connectors MC2 and MC2' at both ends of the link cable LC1 into the female connectors FC2 and FC2' of the pair of left and right earphones RE2 and LE2, The control unit 90 senses this and determines whether it is the insertion state of the link cable LC1 in the link cable LC1 insertion determination stage (S11). If it is not the insertion stage of the link cable LC2 into the earphones RE2 and LE2 (NO), it returns to the acoustic and voice listening stage (S10) in the normal usage state (NO) and stands by.

[0058] If it is the insertion state of the link cable LC1 into the pair of left and right earphones RE2 and LE2 (YES), the control unit 90 enters the TES treatment mode (S12), The user LS operates the user interface 80 of the TES treatment function of the earphones RE2 and LE2 (that is, operates the multi-function switch FS of either the left or right earphone RE2 and LE2) in the interface operation stage (S13-1), or performs the app execution operation stage (S13-1') of driving and executing the app installed on the smartphone via Bluetooth to use the TES treatment function.

[0059] When the user LS wants to end the TES treatment, it returns to the acoustic and voice listening stage (S10) again through the stage of operating the multi-function switch FS to end by the user LS, or the stage of removing the link cable LC1 from the earphones RE2 and LE2 (S14-1), or the stage of operating the app to end, or the stage of removing the link cable LC2 from the earphones RE2 and LE2 (S14-1').

[0060] The above control mode is an example, and of course, various complex controls are possible.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the fully wireless earphone assembly TWS2 of the present invention can mainly use Bluetooth communication to receive from various devices (such as smartphones, PCs, etc.) based on the Bluetooth communication protocol and the sound sources stored by itself, such as YouTube.

[0062] In this case, after the user selects a sound source, the TES treatment function must be executed together with music playback, which may be inconvenient for those who are not used to mechanical operations. Therefore, when controlling in conjunction with the app, by basically providing the app with a sound source file (such as healing music with a healing effect), when the FS button is operated when the app is installed, or when controlling with the app, the TES treatment function operates according to the music provided by the app.

[0063] It would be preferable to allow the user to add or delete their favorite music from the sound sources of the app.

[0064] Also, a sound source file such as an MP3 (such as healing music with a healing effect) may be provided at the time of factory shipment to the remaining storage space of the built-in memory 215 or a separate memory for sound sources (not shown), so that it is of course possible to listen to music for healing without using a separate external device when executing the TES treatment function.

[0065] Furthermore, it would also be possible to allow the user LS to download sound source files such as MP3s built into the memory from the manufacturer's website or the like.

[0066] [Modification Example of the First Embodiment] It is a form modified with the same concept as the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, The completely wireless earphone assembly TWS2-1 is configured such that a link cable LC1-1 is housed inside a neck band NB in the form of a cradle that is injection-molded or formed, instead of the link cable LC1 of the first embodiment.

[0067] For the pair of left and right earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 of the completely wireless earphones of the modified example of the first embodiment, the actual configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0068] As circuit parts respectively housed in the housings H2-1 and H2'-1 of the pair of earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1, similar to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, there are provided a Bluetooth communication module 210, a memory 215, a decoding unit 220, a digital-to-analog converter 225, an audio amplification unit 230, speaker units 241 and 242, a control unit 290 operated by a user interface 280, and the speaker units 241 and 242 which are acoustic drive units.

[0069] In the housings H2-1 and H2'-1 of the pair of left and right earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1, in addition to the speaker units 241 and 242, electrodes M1 and M2 for skin connection to which the skin of the outer ear and inner ear of the user LS is connected are provided on the outer surfaces of the housings H2-1 and H2'-1 in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments.

[0070] Either one of the above-mentioned pair of left and right earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 is provided with a frequency generator 250 for generating a low frequency for the TES treatment function and a TES signal amplification unit 260 for amplification in its circuit.

[0071] In the completely wireless earphone assembly TWS2-1 of this modified example of the first embodiment, It has a pair of cradle-shaped containers capable of selectively accommodating a pair of left and right earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1. Each cradle is formed and provided to be suspended on the left and right ears of the user LS by a neckband NB that houses a link cable LC2-1 inside it.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 9, the neckband NB is in the form of a neckband of an injection-molded body that has suspension portions HP on both sides that are bent on both the left and right sides of the user LS's ear ER and are easy to hang on. As shown in the enlarged view of part A shown as the left earphone LE2-1 for the left side of the user LS's ear ER in FIG. 9, it may be a cable-shaped body coated and injection-molded with a soft synthetic resin, rubber, etc. with a spring SR inserted inside so that the user can freely bend it into any shape.

[0073] The neckband NB may be provided with two rotatable rotary joint connecting portions R1 and R2 on the end side of the neckband NB at at least one location, preferably as shown on the left side of FIG. 9, so that the ear tips ET protruding from the housings H2-1 and H2'-1 of the pair of left and right earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 are inserted into the exact position of the user LS's ear ER.

[0074] Alternatively, as shown in the enlarged view of part A on the right side of FIG. 9, the neckband NB is formed with a spring SR inserted inside and an outer covering injection-molded with synthetic rubber or a soft synthetic resin, and can be freely bent by the internal spring SR to be insertable into the user LS's ear ER at an optimal position and form.

[0075] At both ends of the neckband NB, a pair of left and right earphone cradles CR1 and CR2 for housing the earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 are provided in the form of housing bodies. As shown in FIG. 9, the earphone cradles CR1 and CR2 may be hollow bodies that can be geometrically engaged and fixed (Fitting-In) by one or more locking pieces RB that are engaged with the locking grooves ID provided recessed in the earphones RE3 and LE3 while the earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 are inserted and housed.

[0076] The configuration of the locking grooves ID of the earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 and the locking pieces RB of the earphone cradles CR1 and CR2 may be provided in various forms and numbers, or may be magnets (not shown) provided on the earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 and the earphone cradles CR1 and CR2, respectively.

[0077] In addition to the mechanical engagement and fixing method between the earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 and the earphone cradles CR1 and CR2 as described above, a set of magnets (MG) having a strong magnetic flux such as neodymium magnets may be used, and they may be detachably fixed in position inside the earphone cradles CR1 and CR2 by mutual magnetic force.

[0078] On the inner side of the earphone cradles CR1 and CR2, a number of connection pins CP and connection terminals CT for electrically connecting the link cable LC1 housed in the neckband NB and the earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 to achieve the object of the present invention are provided as normal contact-type terminals, respectively.

[0079] With such a configuration, in a modification of this embodiment, the user LS usually listens to sound and makes calls with the earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1. When the user wants to use the TES treatment function, the user mechanically fits or magnetically attaches the earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 to the earphone cradles CR1 and CR2 at both ends of the neckband NB to fix them, Adjust the two rotatable joints R1 and R2 on the end side of the neckband NB, or in the case of the neckband NB with the spring SR insert-molded, bend it at an appropriate position, insert the ear tips ET protruding from the housings H2-1 and H2'-1 of the pair of left and right earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 into the holes of the user LS's ears ER, and then adjust the user interface 280 provided on either one of the pair of earphones RE2-1 and LE2-1 to execute the TES treatment function.

[0080] [Second Embodiment] In the present invention, as another second embodiment and its modification for achieving the object, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in order to provide the completely wireless earphone assembly TWS3, As circuit parts respectively housed in the housings H3 and H3' of the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3, a Bluetooth communication module 310, a memory 315, a decoding part 320, a digital-to-analog converter 325, an audio amplifier part 330, speaker units 341 and 342, a control part 390 operated by a user interface 380, and speaker units 341 and 342 which are acoustic drive units are provided in the same manner as the conventional configuration.

[0081] In addition to the above configuration, it is a separate circuit part separated and isolated from the circuit parts respectively housed in the housings H3 and H3' of the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3 of the completely wireless earphone assembly TWS3, and further has a frequency generator 350 for generating low frequency and a TES signal amplifier part 360 signal-connected to the control part 390 of the circuit part housed in the housing H3 or H3' of either the left or right earphone RE or LE.

[0082] Also, on the external surfaces of the housings H3 and H3' of the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3 of the completely wireless earphone assembly TWS3, in addition to the speaker units 341 and 342, electrodes M1 and M2 are installed in the same manner as in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 12 for skin connection where the skin of the user LS's outer ear and inner ear connects.

[0083] Furthermore, female connectors FC3 and FC3' are respectively provided to the housings H3 and H3' of the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3 of the completely wireless earphone assembly TWS3, and a plurality of inner cables C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 (see FIG. 11) for electrically and selectively connecting this pair of connectors FC3 and FC3' are built in to form a single link cable LC2, which is provided as an assembly member.

[0084] A pair of male connectors MC3 and MC3' that are electrically conductive are provided at both ends of the link cable LC2 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0085] It is a circuit part separated and isolated from the circuit parts housed in the housings H3 and H3' of the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3 of the above-mentioned completely wireless earphone assembly TWS3, and is signal-connected to the control part 390 of either one of the circuit parts housed in the housings H3 and H3' of the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3. As shown in FIG. 12, the frequency generator 350 for generating low frequencies and the TES signal amplifier 360 for amplification provided outside the housings H3 and H3' of either one of the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3 can be provided as separate circuit parts housed inside a long housing-shaped cable housing CH provided at an appropriate position in the middle part of the link cable LC2.

[0086] Like the earphone LE3 part on the left side of FIG. 12, When the TES treatment function is recognized by the switch SW for the user interface UF when either one of the earphones RE3 and LE3 of the earphone assembly TWS3 is connected to the cable housing CH separately from the cable housing CH that houses the frequency generator 350 and the TES signal amplifier 360 for amplification on the outside. A user interface UF for controlling the playback of audio source files (such as healing music with a healing effect) stored in a mobile phone application can be further provided as a housing body having an operation switch SW for controlling both the signal for the TES treatment function and the audio signal, separately from the user interface 380 for acoustic operation of the circuit inside a pair of earphones RE3 and LE3.

[0087] In this case, it is provided as an assembly member that electrically connects a pair of earphones RE3 and LE3 with a single link cable LC2 incorporating a plurality of inner cables C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5.

[0088] With the above configuration, when separating the link cable LC2 from the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3 of this embodiment, the frequency generator 350 for generating low frequencies for the TES treatment function and the TES signal amplifier 360 for amplification constitute a circuit completely separated from the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3.

[0089] In such a state, the user can use the earphone assembly TWS3 as a completely wireless earphone, and while achieving the object of the present invention, it is possible to ensure miniaturization and weight reduction of the pair of earphones RE3 and LE3.

[0090] If necessary, an auxiliary battery B for charging the pair of left and right earphones RE3 and LE3 is further provided in the cable housing CH of the link cable LC3, like the part of the earphone RE3 on the right side of FIG. 11, and it is used as a power source for the TES interface control of the frequency generator 350 and the TES signal amplifier 360 for the TES treatment function, and the completely wireless earphone TWS3 having the TES treatment function may be configured in the simplest manner.

[0091] Alternatively, by adopting the auxiliary battery B, the battery life of the earphones RE3 and LE3 can be further increased, or the earphones RE3 and LE3 can be charged by connecting them to the link cable LC.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] RE1, LE1 earphone M1, M2 electrodes H2, H2’ housings LC1 link cable

Claims

1. In a completely wireless earphone comprising a Bluetooth communication module, a memory, a decoding unit, a digital-to-analog converter, an audio amplifier, a speaker unit, and a control unit controlled by a user interface, which are respectively housed in housings of a pair of earphones electrically separated left and right; A low-frequency frequency generator for TES treatment and a TES signal amplifier for amplifying the low-frequency signal generated by the frequency generator are provided in one of the circuits of a pair of the earphones separated left and right; Electrodes for electrical connection with the skin of the user's ear are provided on the outer surface of each of the housings of a pair of the left and right earphones; A female connector is further provided on each of the housings of a pair of the left and right earphones, and a link cable for electrically and selectively connecting and disconnecting between the pair of female connectors is provided; When the link cable is detached from the pair of earphones, the pair of earphones reproduce sound as completely wireless earphones, or when the pair of earphones is electrically connected to the link cable, the low-frequency signal generated by the frequency generator is conducted between the separated electrodes, whereby a TES treatment function alone or an acoustic reproduction function can be simultaneously executed according to the user's selection. A completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing a TES treatment function.

2. The link cable is any one of a cable of a flexible synthetic resin coating material and a fiber coating material for electrical conduction, a steel band for housing an electric wire inside, a synthetic resin material band, a rubber band, and a spring wire band. The completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing a TES treatment function according to claim 1.

3. The completely wireless earphone assembly automatically enters an active mode of a TES treatment function by inserting the link cable into the earphone, or is activated by an operation of the user interface which is a multifunction switch of the earphone. The completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing a TES treatment function according to claim 1.

4. The completely wireless earphone assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sound source is from a device according to the Bluetooth communication protocol, or a sound source file built in an associated application, or a sound source file stored in the built-in memory of the completely wireless earphone assembly.

5. In a completely wireless earphone comprising a Bluetooth communication module, a memory, a decoding unit, a digital-to-analog converter, an audio amplifier, a speaker unit, and a control unit controlled by a user interface, which are respectively housed in housings of a pair of earphones electrically separated into left and right; a female connector provided on each housing of the pair of left and right earphones, and a link cable for electrically and selectively connecting and disconnecting between the pair of female connectors are provided; on the outer surface of each of the housings of the pair of left and right earphones, electrodes for electrical connection with the skin of the user's ear are further provided respectively; a housing for accommodating a low-frequency frequency generator for TES treatment separated from a circuit of either one of the pair of left and right separated earphones and a TES signal amplifier for amplifying the low-frequency signal generated by the frequency generator is further provided on the link cable; the pair of left and right earphones can selectively execute the TES treatment function, characterized in that when the link cable is disconnected, sound can be reproduced as a completely wireless earphone, or when the link cable is connected, the low-frequency signal generated by the frequency generator can be conducted between the separated electrodes, so that the TES treatment function alone or the sound reproduction function can be simultaneously executed according to the user's selection.

6. The link cable according to claim 5, wherein the link cable is any one of a cable of a flexible synthetic resin coating material and a fiber coating material for electrical conduction, a steel band for accommodating an electric wire inside, a synthetic resin material band, a rubber band, and a spring wire band.

7. The completely wireless earphone assembly automatically enters the active mode of the TES treatment function upon insertion of the link cable into the earphone, or is activated by operation of the user interface where the earphone is a multi-function switch, and is a completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing the TES treatment function according to claim 5.

8. The completely wireless earphone assembly is characterized in that it is a sound source from a device according to the Bluetooth communication protocol, or a sound source file built into an associated application, or a sound source file stored in the built-in memory of the completely wireless earphone assembly, and is a completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing the TES treatment function according to claim 5.

9. The link cable further has a user interface for the user interfaces of the pair of left and right earphones and a user interface for operating the frequency generator for generating low frequencies for the TES treatment function and the TES signal amplifier for amplification, and is a completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing the TES treatment function according to claim 5.

10. A circuit built into the pair of earphones, a frequency generator for TES treatment in either one of the pair of left and right separated earphones, and a battery for driving a TES signal amplifier for amplifying the low-frequency signal generated by the frequency generator are separately housed in a housing separately provided in the link cable. The link cable is electrically connectable to each of the pair of earphones and can be used for charging a battery for driving the pair of earphones, and is a completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing the TES treatment function according to claim 5.

11. A circuit built into the pair of earphones, a frequency generator for TES treatment in either one of the pair of left and right separated earphones, and a battery for driving a TES signal amplifier for amplifying the low-frequency signal generated by the frequency generator are separately housed in a housing separately provided in the link cable. The link cable is electrically connectable to each of the pair of earphones and can be used for charging a battery for driving the pair of earphones, and is a completely wireless earphone assembly capable of selectively executing the TES treatment function according to claim 9.

Images