Open-back headphones

Abstract

To provide open-ear headphones to be carried on the ear that provide high-quality sound, are stable on the ear, are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, are unobtrusive, and look stylish.SOLUTION: An open-ear headphone 10 has an acoustic module 12 and a body 14. The acoustic module 12 is located at least in part in a concha of an outer ear of a user, and includes an acoustic transducer, and a sound-emitting opening 100 to emit sound produced by the acoustic transducer. The body 14 is coupled to the acoustic module 12 and includes a first portion 16 that is configured to pass over an outer side of at least one of an anti-helix and a helix and a lobule of the outer ear, and a second portion 18 located behind the outer ear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to patent application Ser. No. 17 / 306,208, filed May 3, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to open-ear headphones.

[0003] Open headphones typically radiate sound close to the ear canal rather than within it. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aspects and embodiments are directed to open-type headphones having an acoustic module configured to be positioned within the concha cavity of a user's outer ear. The acoustic module includes an acoustic transducer and a sound emission opening configured to radiate sound generated by the acoustic transducer. A headphone body coupled to the acoustic module has a first portion configured to pass over the outside of the outer ear and a second portion configured to be positioned behind the outer ear. The sound emission opening is configured to be spaced apart from and proximate to the opening of the user's ear canal. In some embodiments, the acoustic module has an outwardly convex lower portion and is configured to seat within the lower concave surface of the concha cavity to support the open-type headphones in their use position without requiring clamping to the ear.

[0005] All embodiments and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0006] In one aspect, the open-type headphones include an acoustic module configured to be at least partially disposed within the concha of a user's outer ear and including an acoustic transducer having a sound emission opening configured to radiate sound generated by the acoustic transducer, and a body including: a first portion coupled to the acoustic module and configured to pass outside at least one of the antihelix and the helix and over the earlobe of the outer ear; and a second portion configured to be disposed behind the outer ear.

[0007] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In one embodiment, the sound emission opening is configured to be spaced apart from and proximate to the opening of the user's ear canal. In one embodiment, the acoustic module is configured to be at least partially disposed within the concha cavity of the outer ear. In one embodiment, the acoustic module includes an outwardly convex lower portion. In one embodiment, the outwardly convex lower portion of the acoustic module is configured to seat on a lower concave surface of the concha cavity adjacent the antitragus of the user's ear. In one embodiment, at least one of the antihelix, helix, and earlobe of the ear is configured to be disposed between the first and second portions of the body. In one embodiment, the open-type headphones also include a pair of microphones within the first portion of the body, the microphones being disposed on opposite sides of the first portion such that one microphone is configured to be further from the user's mouth than the second microphone.

[0008] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In one embodiment, the body is generally "L" shaped. In one embodiment, the acoustic module and the body as a whole are generally "C" shaped. In one embodiment, the center of gravity of the open headphones is between the acoustic module and the second portion of the body. In one embodiment, the center of gravity of the open headphones is configured to be located within the outer ear.

[0009] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In one embodiment, the first sound emitting opening of the acoustic module is configured to be positioned within the cavity of the concha of the user's ear and proximate to the ear canal opening. In one embodiment, the acoustic module further comprises a second sound emitting opening configured to be farther from the ear canal opening than the first sound emitting opening. In one embodiment, the acoustic transducer generates sound pressure in a front acoustic cavity and a rear acoustic cavity of the acoustic module, the first sound emitting opening being fluidly coupled to the front acoustic cavity and the second sound emitting opening being fluidly coupled to the rear acoustic cavity.

[0010] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In one embodiment, the second portion of the body comprises a battery enclosure configured to house a battery power source for the open-type headphones. In one embodiment, there is a printed circuit board in the first portion of the body and electrically coupled to the battery. In one embodiment, there is also a flexible circuit element electrically coupling the printed circuit board to the acoustic transducer.

[0011] In another aspect, open headphones include an acoustic module configured to be at least partially disposed within the concha cavity of a user's outer ear and including an acoustic transducer and a sound emission opening configured to radiate sound generated by the acoustic transducer. The acoustic module is configured to be disposed within the concha cavity, not within the ear canal opening of the user's ear, and adjacent to the ear canal opening. A body is coupled to the acoustic module and includes a first portion configured to pass outside at least one of the antihelix and helix and over the earlobe of the outer ear, and a second portion configured to be disposed behind the outer ear. At least one of the antihelix, helix, and earlobe of the ear is configured to be disposed between the first and second portions of the body.

[0012] Some embodiments include one or any combination of the above and / or below features. In one embodiment, the second portion of the body comprises a battery housing configured to house a battery power source for the open-type headphones. In one embodiment, the acoustic module comprises a lower portion that is outwardly convex and configured to seat on a lower concave surface of the concha cavity adjacent the antitragus of a user's ear.

[0013] Various aspects of at least one example are discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. These drawings are included to provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and examples, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the drawings, identical or nearly identical components shown in various figures may be labeled with like letters or numerals. For clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1A] 1A and 1B are front, right, left, rear, top, and bottom views of the open-type headphones, respectively. [Figure 1B] 1A and 1B are front, right, left, rear, top, and bottom views of the open-type headphones, respectively. [Figure 1C] 1A and 1B are front, right, left, rear, top, and bottom views of the open-type headphones, respectively. [Figure 1D] 1A and 1B are front, right, left, rear, top, and bottom views of the open-type headphones, respectively. [Figure 1E] 1A and 1B are front, right, left, rear, top, and bottom views of the open-type headphones, respectively. [Figure 1F] 1A and 1B are front, right, left, rear, top, and bottom views of the open-type headphones, respectively. [Figure 1G]1A and 1B are front, right, left, rear, top, and bottom views of the open-type headphones, respectively. [Figure 1H] 1A-1G, showing additional perspective views of the open headphones, but identifying the elements of the open headphones. [Figure 1I] 1A-1G, showing additional perspective views of the open headphones, but identifying the elements of the open headphones. [Figure 2] 1A-1G illustrate how the open headphones of FIGS. 1A-1G interface with the outer ear. [Figure 3A] 1A and 1B are side and rear perspective views, respectively, of open headphones in place on the ears. [Figure 3B] 1A and 1B are side and rear perspective views, respectively, of open headphones in place on the ears. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a rear view of an open-back headphone in position over the ear, illustrating its center of gravity. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an open-type headphone. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an acoustic module of an open-type headphone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Open-ear headphones must provide high-quality sound, be stable on the ear, be comfortable for extended wear, be discreet, and be stylish. These objectives can be difficult to achieve because they have been considered mutually exclusive in some respects. For example, stability typically leads to clamping to the outer ear, which can be uncomfortable for extended wear and may not be stylish. Also, high-quality sound requires sound delivery near the ear canal, not in it, which means the headphone structure must overlap the ear and be clearly visible to others.

[0016] The present open-type headphones can meet all of these objectives. The acoustic transducer or driver is an acoustic module configured to be placed within the concha cavity of the outer ear, near the ear canal. The acoustic module has a sound-emitting opening on the side closest to the ear canal, leading to higher quality sound. The acoustic module is shaped to fit within the lower concave surface of the concha cavity. The body section that carries the acoustic module is shaped to pass over the outside of the antihelix / helixir / earlobe of the ear and terminates in a distal portion that is placed behind the outer ear. The center of gravity of the open-type headphones is between the acoustic module and the distal portion, and is therefore located within or immediately adjacent to the antihelix, helix, or earlobe, which leads to greater stability on the ear without the need for ear clamping. Therefore, open-type headphones are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

[0017] The headphone embodiments described herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The headphones may be implemented in other embodiments and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Specific embodiments are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In particular, functions, components, elements, and features discussed in connection with any one or more embodiments are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in any other embodiments.

[0018] Examples disclosed herein may be combined with other examples in any manner consistent with at least one of the principles disclosed herein, and further, references to "an example," "some examples," "an alternate example," "various examples," "one example," etc. are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described may be included in at least one example. Appearances of such terms herein do not necessarily all refer to the same example.

[0019] Additionally, the phraseology and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered limiting. Any reference herein to an example, component, element, act, or function of a device in the singular may also encompass embodiments that include the plural, and any reference herein to any example, component, element, act, or function in the plural may also encompass examples that include only the singular. Thus, references to the singular or plural are not intended to limit the devices, device components, acts, or elements of the present disclosure. The use herein of "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed below and equivalents thereof, as well as other items. References to "or" may be construed as inclusive, such that all terms described with "or" refer to either the single, the plural, and all of the terms described.

[0020] The present disclosure features open-type headphones having an acoustic module configured to be at least partially disposed within the concha of a user's outer ear and including an acoustic transducer and a first sound emission opening configured to radiate sound generated by the acoustic transducer, and a body including a first portion coupled to the acoustic module and configured to pass over the outside of the outer ear and a second portion configured to be disposed behind the outer ear. The first sound emission opening is preferably located within the concha cavity and configured to be adjacent to the opening of the user's ear canal, away from the opening and adjacent to the opening of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the acoustic module is configured to be disposed within the concha cavity. In certain embodiments, the acoustic module has a lower portion that is outwardly convex and configured to seat on the lower concave surface of the concha cavity adjacent to the tragus and earlobe of the user's ear.

[0021] The open headphones are configured such that when the acoustic module is placed in the concha cavity of the ear, the body passes over at least one of the antihelix, helix, and earlobe of the ear. In one embodiment, the body is generally "L" shaped, and the acoustic module and body as a whole (i.e., the entire open headphones) are generally "C" shaped. In one embodiment, the center of gravity of the open headphones is between the acoustic module and the second portion of the body. The center of gravity may be located in or near a portion of the outer ear that is between the acoustic module and the second portion of the body (e.g., the helix or earlobe).

[0022] In some embodiments, the acoustic module includes a second sound emitting opening configured to be farther from the ear canal opening than the first sound emitting opening. The sound emitting openings can be arranged to achieve a dipole-like pattern that can provide sound cancellation to reduce sound leakage that can be heard by others. In one embodiment, an acoustic transducer generates sound pressure in a front acoustic cavity and a rear acoustic cavity of the acoustic module, the first sound emitting opening being fluidly coupled to the front acoustic cavity and the second sound emitting opening being fluidly coupled to the rear acoustic cavity.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second portion of the body includes a battery housing configured to house a battery power source for the open-type headphones. There may be a printed circuit board in the first portion of the body and electrically coupled to the battery, and a flexible circuit element electrically coupling the printed circuit board to the acoustic transducer. In some embodiments, the open-type headphones also include a pair of microphones within the first portion of the body. The microphones may be positioned on opposite sides of the first portion of the body such that one microphone is configured to be farther from the user's mouth than the second microphone. The microphones may be arranged, such as by beam steering, to improve pickup of the user's voice in the presence of noise or other external sounds.

[0024] 1A-1I illustrate exemplary open-type headphones 10. The open-type headphones 10 include an acoustic module 12 that is sized, shaped, and positioned relative to an open-type headphone body 14 such that the acoustic module 12 is configured to be positioned within the concha of a user's outer ear. Generally, the human outer ear (also known as the auricle or pinna) includes the concha, which is located below (or behind) the tragus and directly adjacent the entrance to the ear canal. The concha is divided by the crus helix into a lower portion, referred to as the cavity of the concha, and an upper portion, referred to as the navicularis. The cavity of the concha is a roughly bowl-shaped feature directly adjacent to the ear canal. The cavity of the concha typically includes a depression bounded by the antitragus, which is the inferior part of the antihelix, and / or by the earlobe. The earlobe (i.e., earlobe), at the lower end of the helix, typically lies directly below the antitragus.

[0025] The body 14 of the open-type headphones 10 includes a first portion 16 coupled to the acoustic module 12 and configured to pass over the outside of the ear (e.g., over at least one of the antihelix and helix of the outer ear and the earlobe), and a second portion 18 configured to be positioned behind the outer ear. The body 14 is generally “L” shaped from the side (as shown in FIG. 2 ), with portion 16 extending substantially perpendicular to the acoustic module 12 and a connecting portion 17 extending substantially perpendicular to portion 16 and merging into distal portion 18. In one embodiment, portion 18 may be substantially cylindrical so as to be configured to hold a substantially cylindrical battery power source (e.g., a rechargeable battery). As shown in FIG. 2 , the open-type headphones 10 as a whole are substantially “C” shaped. In one embodiment, the acoustic module 12 and body 14 are part of a single, molded plastic housing configured and arranged to contain a transducer, a battery, and any electronics necessary for the operation of the headphones.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates how the open-type headphones of FIGS. 1A-1I interface with the outer ear. As shown in FIG. 2, the acoustic module 12 is seated within the concha cavity 51 of the outer ear 50. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, there is a first sound emission opening 100 through which sound generated by the acoustic transducer of the acoustic module 12 radiates. The sound emission opening 100 is spaced apart from and proximate to the opening of the user's ear canal (not shown). In this embodiment, the acoustic module 12 has a lower portion 13 that is outwardly convex and is configured to seat within the lower concave surface 52 of the concha cavity 51. Thus, the weight of the open-type headphones is suspended from the concha cavity, which holds the open-type headphones on the ear without the need to clamp them to the ear. To provide compliance to lower portion 13 so that it seats on the uneven surface of concave surface 52, all or part of lower portion 13 may have a cushion or other compliant or compressible member (not shown), or lower portion 13 may be made from a compliant material such as foam. Compliance can be incorporated if it is desired to lightly clamp open headphones to the ear. For example, at least portion 17 may be made of an elastomer or include a hinge element to allow it to flex relative to portion 16, thus varying the location of portion 18 and the thickness of the gap between portions 16 and 17, which encompass ear portion 54. A suitable compliant elastomer may have a hardness of 80 durometer Shore A.

[0027] Open headphones are configured such that when the acoustic module is placed within the concha of the ear, the body passes over at least one of the antihelix, helix, and earlobe of the ear; in FIG. 2, any one or more of these portions of the ear 50 are generally designated 54. The user can pivot the body to a comfortable position on the outer ear or other desired position. For a more complete description of the outer ear and the manner in which the body portion 16 overlies the outer ear, see FIG. 3A. The second body portion 18 is behind the outer ear. In other words, as shown in FIG. 2, the second body portion 18 is positioned between the outer ear 50 and an adjacent portion of the head 55. Portion 17 connects to portions 16 and 18 and is configured to pass over the edge 59 of the outer ear 50.

[0028] 3A and 3B are side and rear perspective views, respectively, of the open-type headphones 10 in place on an outer ear 50. The manner in which the open-type headphones 10 interact with the outer ear 50 can be better understood with reference to the portion of the outer ear 50 illustrated in FIG. 3A . The outer ear 50 includes the helix 56, the antihelix 57, the earlobe 64, the tragus 62, and the concha 60, which includes the concha cavity 51, with the antitragus 58 forming the lower boundary of the concha cavity 51. Depending on the anatomy of the user's outer ear and the user's preference for the fit of the open-type headphones, the body portion 16 can be configured to pass over one or more of the helix 56, the antihelix 57, the earlobe 64, and the antitragus 58. The body portion 17 passes over the outer edge 59 of the ear at one or more of the helix 56, the antihelix 57, and the earlobe 64.

[0029] In some embodiments, the open-back headphones 10 carry one or more external microphones. The external microphones can be used to detect the user's voice, to detect environmental sounds, and / or as feedforward microphones in an active noise cancellation system; these and other functions of external microphones in headphones are known in the art and will not be further described herein. In this embodiment, the external microphones 71 and 72 are positioned on opposite sides of the body portion 16 so as to lie generally along an axis 73 that intersects near or passes through the expected location of the user's mouth. In this manner, the microphones can be beamformed, if desired. Beamforming is also known in the art and will not be further described herein.

[0030] 4 is a rear view of open-back headphones 10 in place on outer ear 50, illustrating their center of gravity 70. The center of gravity is between acoustic module 12 (partially visible in this view) and body portion 18. In some embodiments, the center of gravity is in the outer ear, for example, at helix 56.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the open-type headphones 10, illustrating the battery 80 carried inside the body portion 18. The acoustic module 12 carries an acoustic transducer 82 that generates sound pressure within an acoustic cavity 90. A sound emission opening 100 is at the end of the acoustic module 12 closest to the ear canal opening 63. Sound radiates through the opening 100, as indicated by arrow 92. The open-type headphones 10 may be worn on either the left or right ear, depending on the location of the opening 100 and the particular configuration and symmetry of the acoustic module 12. Alternatively, a pair of headphones may include one left headphone and one right headphone with a configuration specific to the designated ear. A printed circuit board (PCB) 84 is disposed within the body portion 16 and is electrically coupled to the battery 80. A flex circuit element 86 passes from the PCB 84 to the transducer 82, carrying at least power and audio signals to the transducer. If desired, user interface elements can be incorporated within the body portion. For example, force touch elements (e.g., front-to-back or top-to-bottom compression) can be translated by a controller (not shown) to achieve user interface elements of a type known in the art. In some embodiments, strain gauges are used for the force touch sensing elements. In one embodiment, strain gauges are mounted on the interior surface of headphones 10. Figure 5 illustrates two possible locations where strain gauge 88 is mounted on acoustic module 12 and strain gauge 89 is mounted on body portion 16.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the acoustic module 12 having the transducer 82. In some embodiments, the acoustic module includes a second sound emitting opening 102 configured to be farther from the ear canal opening than the first sound emitting opening 100. The sound emitting openings can be arranged to achieve a dipole-like pattern, which can provide sound cancellation to reduce sound leakage that can be heard by others. In one embodiment, the acoustic transducer generates sound pressure within the front acoustic cavity portion 96 and the rear acoustic cavity portion 98 of the acoustic cavity 90 of the acoustic module, with the first sound emitting opening 100 fluidly coupled to the front acoustic cavity 96 and the second sound emitting opening 102 fluidly coupled to the rear acoustic cavity 98. As is known in the art, the sound emitting openings can be covered with a resistive or environmentally protective element, such as a fabric or textile.

[0033] Having described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it will be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and be within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only, with the scope of the invention to be determined from proper construction of the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 10 Open-back headphones 12 Acoustic Module 13 Lower part 14 Open-back headphones 16 First Part 17 Main body part 18 Second Part 50 ears 51 Concha cavity 52 Concave 54 Ear part 55 Head 56 Earrings 57 Antihelix 58 Antitragus 59 Edge 60 Concha 62 Tragus 63 External auditory canal opening 64 Earlobe 70 Center of gravity 71 External microphone 72 External Microphone 73 axes 80 Battery 82 Acoustic Transducer 82 Transducer 84 Printed Circuit Board 86 Flex Circuit Elements 88 gauge 89 gauge 90 Acoustic Cavity 92 Arrow 96 Front acoustic cavity part 98 Rear acoustic cavity part 100 First sound emission opening 102 Second sound emission opening A Durometer Shore

Claims

1. Open-type headphones, an acoustic module configured to be at least partially disposed within the concha cavity of a user's outer ear, the acoustic module including: a portion configured to be seated at a lower portion within the concha cavity; an acoustic transducer; and a first sound emission opening configured to radiate sound generated by the acoustic transducer; a body coupled to the acoustic module, the body including a first portion configured to pass over an earlobe of the outer ear outside at least one of the antihelix and the helix, and a second portion configured to be positioned behind the outer ear; Open-back headphones that are equipped with

2. The open-type headphones according to claim 1 , wherein the first sound emission opening is configured to be spaced apart from an ear canal opening of the user and to be close to the ear canal opening.

3. The open-back headphones of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the acoustic module configured to seat in the lower portion within the cavity of the concha is outwardly convex.

4. 4. The open-back headphones of claim 3, wherein the outwardly convex lower portion of the acoustic module is configured to seat on a lower concave surface of the concha cavity adjacent the antitragus of the user's outer ear.

5. 2. The open-back headphones of claim 1, further comprising a pair of microphones within the first portion of the body, the microphones being positioned on opposite sides of the first portion such that one microphone is further from the user's mouth than a second microphone.

6. The open-type headphones of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the antihelix, the helix, and the earlobe of the outer ear is configured to be positioned between the first and second portions of the body.

7. The open-type headphone of claim 1 , wherein the body is generally "L" shaped.

8. The open-type headphone of claim 7 , wherein the acoustic module and the main body are generally "C" shaped overall.

9. The open-type headphone according to claim 1 , wherein a center of gravity of the open-type headphone is between the acoustic module and the second portion of the body.

10. The open-back headphones of claim 9 , wherein the center of gravity of the open-back headphones is configured to be located within the outer ear.

11. 2. The open-type headphones according to claim 1, wherein the first sound emission opening of the acoustic module is configured to be positioned within the concha cavity of the user's ear, adjacent to an ear canal opening.

12. The open-type headphones according to claim 1 , wherein the acoustic module further comprises a second sound emitting opening configured to be positioned farther from the ear canal opening than the first sound emitting opening.

13. 13. The open-type headphones of claim 12, wherein the acoustic transducer generates sound pressure in a front acoustic cavity and a rear acoustic cavity of the acoustic module, the first sound emitting opening being fluidly coupled to the front acoustic cavity and the second sound emitting opening being fluidly coupled to the rear acoustic cavity.

14. The open-back headphones of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the body comprises a battery enclosure configured to house a battery power source for the open-back headphones.

15. The open-back headphone of claim 14, further comprising a printed circuit board within the first portion of the body, the printed circuit board electrically coupled to the battery power source.

16. 16. The open-back headphone of claim 15, further comprising a flexible circuit element electrically coupling the printed circuit board to the acoustic transducer.

17. The open-back headphones of claim 1 further comprising at least one user interface element comprising a force touch element.

18. 18. The open-back headphone of claim 17, wherein a force touch element includes a strain gauge attached to an interior surface of at least one of the acoustic module and the body.

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