Hybrid Audio System for Eyewear Using Multi-Path Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional audio devices in head-mounted displays often rely on a single mode of sound conduction, limiting the range of frequencies that can be delivered and requiring the user's ears to remain in contact with the sound transducer assembly, which restricts performance and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid audio system utilizing a combination of cartilage conduction, air conduction, and bone conduction transducer assemblies, each operating over different frequency ranges, with a controller generating audio instructions to ensure comprehensive audio delivery across the human hearing range, and an acoustic sensor for feedback to adjust and optimize the frequency response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single mode of sound conduction is used, then the device structure is simple, but the frequency range that can be delivered is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sound conduction modes (air conduction, bone conduction, and cartilage conduction) into a single audio system. The air conduction transducer assembly delivers sound through the ear canal, while bone conduction and cartilage conduction transducer assemblies transmit vibrations through the skull and ear cartilage respectively. This merging of multiple conduction pathways enables comprehensive coverage of the human hearing frequency range while maintaining a integrated device structure.
2Reliability
If the user's ears remain in contact with the sound transducer assembly, then sound delivery is effective, but comfort and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bone conduction and cartilage conduction as intermediary pathways for sound transmission. Instead of requiring direct contact between the ear and the transducer assembly, sound vibrations are transmitted through the skull bone and ear cartilage, which act as intermediaries to deliver audio content to the inner ear without blocking the ear canal or requiring prolonged direct contact with the transducer assembly, thereby improving comfort while maintaining effectiveness.
3Weight of moving object
If traditional air conduction speakers are used, then the device is lightweight, but crosstalk between ears occurs and audio quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio delivery system into multiple independent transducer assemblies: air conduction transducers positioned near each ear, bone conduction transducers contacting the skull, and cartilage conduction transducers contacting the ear cartilage. This segmentation allows each transducer type to deliver audio content through its own dedicated pathway, preventing crosstalk between ears while distributing the weight across multiple lightweight components rather than concentrating it in a single heavy speaker 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 hybrid system provides a more comprehensive audio experience by delivering a wider range of frequencies, maintaining comfort and minimizing crosstalk, while allowing for dynamic adjustment to ensure consistent audio quality across different users.
Implementation Method 1
The first transducer assembly comprises at least one transducer that is configured to vibrate the portion of the ear over a first range of frequencies to cause the portion of the ear to create a first range of acoustic pressure waves
Implementation Method 2
The cartilage conduction transducer assembly vibrates a pinna of a user's ear for creating an airborne acoustic pressure wave at an entrance of the ear
Implementation Method 3
a third transducer assembly in the plurality of transducer assemblies that is coupled to a portion of the user's skull bone behind the user's ear or in front of it on a condyle and configured to vibrate the bone over a third range of frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system for providing content to a user. The system includes a first and a second transducer assembly of a plurality of transducer assemblies, an acoustic sensor, and a controller. The first transducer assembly couples to a portion of an auricle of the user's ear and vibrates over a first range of frequencies based on a first set of audio instructions. The vibration causes the portion of the ear to create a first range of acoustic pressure waves. The second transducer assembly is configured to vibrate over a second range of frequencies to produce a second range of acoustic pressure waves based on a second set of audio instructions. The acoustic sensor detects acoustic pressure waves at an entrance of the ear. The controller generates the audio instructions based on audio content to be provided to the user and the detected acoustic pressure waves from the acoustic sensor.