Parametric Audio Unit for Private Sound Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio glasses either allow ambient noise to be dampened or are uncomfortable due to direct audio system arrangements, and they fail to prevent audio information from being perceived by others in the vicinity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an ultrasonic loudspeaker and a parametric audio unit that generates an audible sound beam via nonlinear sound propagation in air, allowing contactless transmission of audio information directly to the ear without side lobes, ensuring the audio is not audible to others and maintaining comfort by avoiding direct contact with the ear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a sound-guiding element is placed directly at the ear opening to direct sound to the user, then audio information can be transmitted privately to the user, but ambient noise is dampened and wearing comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sound-guiding element from the ear opening region and relocates it to the temple portion of the glasses. This allows the ear opening to remain unobstructed, maintaining ambient noise perception and wearing comfort, while the sound guidance function is preserved through the relocated element positioned on the temple that can still direct sound waves to the ear canal.
2Ease of operation
If the temple is spaced apart from the ear opening to improve wearing comfort, then the ear opening remains unobstructed, but audio information can be overheard by people in the vicinity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a sound-guiding element as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between the spaced-apart temple and the ear opening. This element acts as a acoustic conduit that directs sound waves from the loudspeaker on the temple into the ear canal, ensuring private audio transmission while maintaining the comfortable spaced-apart configuration of the temple.
3Loss of information
If a sound-guiding element is placed at the ear opening to prevent audio from being overheard, then audio privacy is achieved, but the ear opening is obstructed and ambient noise cannot be heard
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sound-guiding element from the ear opening and relocates it to the temple portion, eliminating the obstruction of the ear opening. This allows ambient noise to enter the ear canal freely while the sound-guiding element on the temple continues to direct audio signals privately into the ear canal, thus resolving both requirements simultaneously.
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
This solution enables private audio transmission to the user while preventing others from hearing the audio and allows ambient noise to be freely heard, enhancing user acceptance and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The parametric audio unit utilizes the non-linearity of sound propagation in air to generate audible sound, particularly by means of a modulated ultrasonic beam
Implementation Method 2
The loudspeaker is designed as an ultrasonic loudspeaker. It can therefore emit sound waves in the ultrasonic range, which are inaudible to the human ear
Implementation Method 3
The parametric audio unit utilizes the non-linearity of sound propagation in air to generate audible sound, particularly by means of a modulated ultrasonic beam, preferably by means of a modulated radiation pressure
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to spectacles (1) for outputting audio information, comprising a temple (2) that includes at least one loudspeaker. When the spectacles (2) are positioned as intended on the ear, they are spaced apart from an ear opening (7) so that the sound waves generated by the loudspeaker are transmitted via the surroundings to the spaced-apart ear opening (7). According to the invention, the loudspeaker is an ultrasonic loudspeaker (8). Furthermore, the spectacles (1) have a parametric audio unit (5) comprising the ultrasonic loudspeaker (8), with which an audible sound beam (6) directed towards the ear can be generated.