Non-occluded directional audio system with shoulder-mounted speakers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional personal audio systems, such as headsets and earphones, occlude the ears and diminish situational awareness, making it difficult for users to carry on conversations or remain aware of their surroundings while listening to audio.

Innovation Solution

A personal audio and communication system with directional speakers positioned on the shoulders, allowing for non-occluded audio delivery using directional sound beams and low-frequency audio directed into the body, enabling users to hear natural sounds and engage in conversations without disturbing others.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If headsets or earphones are used to deliver personal audio, then audio privacy is improved, but situational awareness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio privacyVSAvoidsituational awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses directional speakers as an intermediary device that projects audio beams directly to the user's ears without requiring physical occlusion. This mediator delivers private audio while leaving the ear canal open to ambient sounds, thus maintaining situational awareness while achieving audio privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical occlusion method (headsets/earphones physically blocking the ear) with an acoustic field method (directional sound beams). This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact and occlusion, allowing audio delivery without compromising environmental awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If headsets or earphones are used to deliver personal audio, then audio privacy is improved, but communication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio privacyVSAvoidcommunication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The directional speaker system serves as an intermediary that delivers audio privately without blocking the user's ability to hear and speak naturally. This enables seamless communication while maintaining audio privacy, as the user can hear conversation partners and be heard without removal of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If directional speakers are positioned on shoulders, then audio privacy is improved, but device stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio privacyVSAvoiddevice stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions directional speakers on both shoulders to create a balanced configuration. The equal distribution of devices on both sides creates counterbalancing effects that prevent the system from tipping or becoming unstable, while maintaining the directional audio beams for audio privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Power

If conventional personal audio systems are used, then audio delivery is achieved, but sense deprivation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio deliveryVSAvoidsense deprivation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical occlusion-based audio delivery with acoustic beam-forming technology. This substitution delivers audio effectively while keeping the ear canal open, preventing sense deprivation and maintaining the user's connection to the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides a balanced, immobile, and effective means of personal audio delivery that maintains situational awareness, allowing users to listen privately while being aware of their environment and engaging in conversations.

Implementation Method 1

generate a directional sound beam in a direction to an ear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound: Sound

Implementation Method 2

direct low frequency audio into a body of the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction:

Data Source

PatentUS8934654B2Non-occluded personal audio and communication system

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 JAWBONE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

Embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices, audio devices, and communication devices for facilitating the presentation of personal audio. More specifically, disclosed are an apparatus and method to form directional audio personal to a user in a non-occluded manner. In one embodiment, a personal audio and communication devices can include a first directional speaker disposed at a first mounting region of a first support member. The first support member is configured to position the first directional speaker adjacent a first ear in substantial alignment with the first ear. Also included is a second directional speaker disposed at a second mounting region of a second support member. The second support member is configured to position the second directional speaker adjacent a second ear in substantial alignment with the second ear.