Parametric Audio Module Directing Sound Waves to Ears
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio headsets are obtrusive and inhibit the user's ability to hear ambient sounds or interact with others, as they isolate the user from external audio sources and can be perceived as unavailable when worn.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a parametric audio module that directs sound waves to the user's ears from a distance, using a parametric array of speakers to focus audio output while minimizing audibility to others, and includes microphones for calibration and user sensors to track properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional audio headsets are worn on or over the ears to provide audio output, then audio delivery is effective, but the user's ability to hear ambient sounds and interact with others is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parametric speakers as an intermediary device that projects audio waves through the air to a portable audio player held by the user, rather than placing speakers directly in the ear. This intermediary approach allows audio delivery while keeping the ear canal open for ambient sounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional in-ear audio delivery to a spatial audio projection approach using parametric speakers that create focused sound beams in three-dimensional space, allowing the audio to reach the user's ear without physical contact or isolation.
2Reliability
If audio headsets are worn to provide private audio experience, then audio output is directed to the user, but the user appears unavailable to others
Solution Approach 1:
The portable audio player serves as a mediator that the user holds in their hand, allowing them to receive audio privately while maintaining visual and physical availability for social interaction. The device does not require wearing on the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the audio delivery function from the headset and places it in a separate portable audio player that the user holds, separating the audio reception function from the social interaction function.
3Reliability
If traditional speakers are used to provide audio output, then audio is delivered to the user, but audibility to others increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parametric speakers that create highly localized sound beams with specific directional properties, concentrating audio energy in a narrow path from the speaker to the user's ear, while minimizing sound dispersion to surrounding areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parametric speakers that operate at ultrasonic frequencies and rely on non-linear acoustic effects to generate audible sound only at the focal point, changing the physical parameters of sound propagation to achieve spatial selectivity.
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
Enables private audio experience without the need for headsets on the ears, allowing users to maintain awareness of ambient sounds and interact with others while receiving focused audio output.
Implementation Method 1
using a parametric array of speakers to focus audio output
Implementation Method 2
directs sound waves to the user's ears from a distance
Implementation Method 3
audio module that directs sound waves to the user's ears from a distance, using a parametric array of speakers to focus audio output
Data Source
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AI summary
A wearable device can provide an audio module that is operable to provide audio output from a distance away from the ears of the user. For example, the wearable device can be worn on clothing of the user and direct audio waves to the ears of the user. Such audio waves can be focused by a parametric array of speakers that limit audibility by others. Thus, the privacy of the audio directed to the user can be maintained without requiring the user to wear audio headsets on, over, or in the ears of the user. The wearable device can further include microphones and/or connections to other devices that facilitate calibration of the audio module of the wearable device. The wearable device can further include user sensors that are configured to detect, measure, and/or track one or more properties of the user.