Sonic Low-pressure Equalization Device for In-ear Monitor Bass Fidelity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-ear monitors face a challenge in providing ambient sound without substantial reduction in low frequency fidelity, as existing solutions either lead to dangerous loud volumes or significant bass reduction.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a Sonic Low-pressure Equalization Device (SLED) and a unidirectional sonic filter in the in-ear monitor, which channels ambient and internal sound waves through a predetermined spatial volume, maintaining low frequency performance by attenuating ambient sounds while preserving internal sound fidelity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ambient ports are used to allow ambient sound entry, then ambient sound is heard, but low frequency response is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the acoustic system into separate pathways: an ambient sound port for environmental sounds and a sealed acoustic pathway for bass frequencies driven by the speaker. This segmentation allows ambient sounds to enter while preserving low frequency response through the dedicated sealed pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary acoustic design where ambient sounds enter through a separate port and are directed to the ear canal without passing through the bass frequency pathway. This intermediary structure prevents ambient sound entry from degrading the low frequency response.
2Manufacturing precision
If in-ear monitor provides sound isolation, then monitoring quality is improved, but ambient sound is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ear canal access into two separate pathways: a sealed pathway for monitored sound from the speaker and an open pathway through the ambient port for environmental sounds. This allows simultaneous sound isolation for monitoring and ambient sound perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-ear monitor design achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously providing sound isolation for monitoring quality and ambient sound perception through the dedicated ambient port, making the device adaptable to both isolated monitoring and environmental awareness needs.
3Ease of operation
If volume is increased to hear ambient sound through one earpiece, then ambient sound is heard, but hearing damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates ambient sound entry through a dedicated ambient port from the monitored sound pathway, allowing ambient sounds to enter at natural volumes without requiring volume compensation, thereby eliminating the hearing damage risk associated with high volume settings.
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 users to hear both internal and ambient sounds without significant loss in low frequency response, providing high fidelity sound reproduction with minimal loss of low frequency output and ambient sound inclusion.
Implementation Method 1
The in-ear monitor further includes a unidirectional sonic filter coupled to the housing and the SLED. The filter allows internal sound waves to pass through while attenuating ambient sound waves.
Implementation Method 2
The SLED includes a predetermined spatial volume channeling internal sound waves and ambient sound waves to the ear canal stalk such that a measure of frequency response of the internal sound waves at the ear canal stalk is within a frequency response predetermined range.
Data Source
AI summary
A passive ambient in-ear monitor includes a unidirectional sonic filter that allows ambient sound to pass through to the ear canal and be combined with sound generated by internal drivers. A sonic low pressure equalization device of a predetermined spatial volume links the sonic filter with the internal drivers to deliver to the user a mixture of generated and ambient sound without any substantial degradation to low frequency sound.