EP1709833B1 - Audio headphone - Google Patents

Audio headphone Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1709833B1
EP1709833B1 EP05717488A EP05717488A EP1709833B1 EP 1709833 B1 EP1709833 B1 EP 1709833B1 EP 05717488 A EP05717488 A EP 05717488A EP 05717488 A EP05717488 A EP 05717488A EP 1709833 B1 EP1709833 B1 EP 1709833B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shell
ear
mini
headband
headphone according
Prior art date
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Not-in-force
Application number
EP05717488A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1709833A1 (en
Inventor
Matthieu Garin
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication of EP1709833A1 publication Critical patent/EP1709833A1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1058—Manufacture or assembly
    • H04R1/1066—Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/033—Headphones for stereophonic communication
    • H04R5/0335—Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1008—Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an audio headset.
  • Existing headphones include sound-emitting systems that are placed either around the ear (“circum-ear” helmets), on the ear of the ear (“mini-helmets”), or in the duct auditory (“auricular” helmets).
  • the first type of headphones is used by professionals or with high fidelity channels; the second type of headphones is used rather with music players while the third type of headphones is used rather with music players or mobile phones.
  • a headphone whatever the type, is a foreign body put in contact with the ear, sensitive part of the body; the contact of this foreign body with the ear causes discomfort or irritation during prolonged listening.
  • headphones place the emission of sound in contact with either the ears of the ear or inside the ear canal while listening on the "natural scale" (that is, without helmet) additionally solicits the horn and the rest of the auditory system; listening to the headphones, it does not appeal to the primary function of the flag of the ear, namely to capture, channel and provide a first sound treatment.
  • the helmet concerned comprises, in a manner known per se, a strip shaped to grip the head of a user, and at least one sound emitting assembly placed facing an ear.
  • the helmet according to the invention therefore does not consist of a strip integral with two transmitters that rest either around the ear with circular pads, or against the flag of the ear, or transmitters of sounds that come to lodge in the auditory canal.
  • each mini-speaker finds its place in front of the ear and the sound that it emits is oriented towards the flag; the shell located next to the mini-speaker has the function of maintaining the sound emitted by this mini-speaker in the pavilion area and to avoid disturbances due to the environment.
  • Said shell will thus work as a "counter-flag" in that it will give a first treatment to the sound as does the flag of the ear naturally; it will therefore prepare and distribute the sound optimally to the pavilion taking into consideration the shape and properties of the latter while protecting the sound emitted by the mini-speaker from external disturbances.
  • the shell makes it possible to isolate the sound in the zone of the ear and to avoid a diffusion of sound disturbing the environment of the user.
  • Said shell may have the shape of a shell, and more specifically have substantially the shape of a mold.
  • each sound transmitter assembly is mounted on a ball joint which allows the user to adjust it to the morphology of his ear.
  • the strip comprises a central portion shaped to grip the head of a user by exerting a slight pressure on the cranial box thereof, and two side portions curved in the manner of the end of a pair of branches. glasses, these lateral portions being shaped to find a stable support on the mastoid bone, called the "rock", when said mini-enclosures and said shells are placed adequately, facing and near the ears.
  • This headband provides a stable and non-irritating support of the helmet on a bone area of the user's head.
  • each mini-enclosure and each shell is carried by a branch connected to the headband.
  • This branch can be movable relative to the strip so as to allow the adjustment of the position of the mini-enclosure and the shell regardless of the position of the strip on the head of the user.
  • Said central portion of the strip can be connected to said lateral portions of this strip by hinges for tilting said central portion relative to said side portions.
  • the central portion of the strip can thus tilt relative to said side portions, allowing the central portion to be worn either on the top of the skull, or at the rear of the head.
  • Each shell can also be connected to the headband by a ball joint, to allow its adjustment in position relative thereto
  • the Figures 1 to 3 represent an audio headset 1, comprising a headband 2 shaped to grip the head of a user, and two sets 3 sound emitters intended to be placed opposite the ears of the user.
  • the strip 2 comprises a central portion 5 shaped to grip the head of the user by exerting a slight pressure on the cranial box thereof, and two side portions 6 curved in the manner of the ends of branches of a pair of glasses . As shown by Figures 5 and 6 these lateral portions 6 are shaped to find a stable support on the mastoid bone, called the "rock", when the sets 3 are placed opposite the ears of the user.
  • Each set 3 includes, as it appears more particularly on the figure 3 , a mini-speaker 7 and a shell 8 having a concavity on one side.
  • the mini-enclosure 7 is mounted on the end of a branch 9 connected to the lateral zone of the central portion 5 of the strip 2, and the shell 8 is fixed to the mini-enclosure 7 so that its concavity is turned towards the user's ear when the helmet 1 is worn.
  • the headphones 1 is arranged so that the mini-speakers 7 are placed in front of the user's ears, without contact with them, when the headphones 1 is worn, and are oriented so as to emit sound. direction of the flags of these ears. In this same position, the shells 8 are placed along the pavilions of the ears.
  • the invention provides a headset having many advantages over prior art headphones. Indeed, this helmet responds positively and cumulatively to three criteria of choice, namely lightness, fidelity, comfort / maneuverability, exploits the natural acoustic potential of the flag of the ear, avoids the direct contact between the sound source and the flag of the ear or auditory canal, or too close to the sound system with the auditory system, meets a need for comfort and ergonomics, and is close to a "spatial" type of listening, close to listening on a natural scale (that is to say without a headset).

Abstract

The headset has sound transmitting assemblies (3), each arranged such that a mini-enclosure (7) is placed before and without contacting an ear when the headset is carried and is oriented to transmit sound in the direction of the pinna of the ear. Each assembly is arranged such that an ear shell (8) is fixed to the enclosure when placed along the pinna, with concavity of the shell turned in the direction of the pinna.

Description

La présente invention concerne un casque audio.The present invention relates to an audio headset.

Les casques audios existants comprennent des systèmes d'émission du son qui se placent soit autour de l'oreille (casques "circum-auriculaires"), soit sur le pavillon de l'oreille ("mini-casques"), soit dans le conduit auditif (casques "auriculaires").Existing headphones include sound-emitting systems that are placed either around the ear ("circum-ear" helmets), on the ear of the ear ("mini-helmets"), or in the duct auditory ("auricular" helmets).

Le premier type de casques est utilisé par des professionnels ou avec des chaînes à haute fidélité ; le deuxième type de casque est utilisé plutôt avec des baladeurs tandis que le troisième type de casque est utilisé plutôt avec des baladeurs ou des téléphones portables.The first type of headphones is used by professionals or with high fidelity channels; the second type of headphones is used rather with music players while the third type of headphones is used rather with music players or mobile phones.

Les dispositifs existants présentent plusieurs inconvénients.Existing devices have several disadvantages.

En effet, un casque audio, quelqu'en soit le type, est un corps étranger mis au contact de l'oreille, partie sensible du corps ; le contact de ce corps étranger avec l'oreille provoque une gêne voire une irritation en écoute prolongée.Indeed, a headphone, whatever the type, is a foreign body put in contact with the ear, sensitive part of the body; the contact of this foreign body with the ear causes discomfort or irritation during prolonged listening.

De plus, les casques audio placent l'émission du son au contact soit du pavillons de l'oreille soit à l'intérieur du conduit auditif alors que l'écoute à l'"échelle naturelle" (c'est-à-dire sans casque) sollicite de manière complémentaire le pavillon et le reste du système auditif ; l'écoute au casque, elle, ne fait pas appel à la fonction première du pavillon de l'oreille, à savoir capter, canaliser et apporter un premier traitement du son.In addition, headphones place the emission of sound in contact with either the ears of the ear or inside the ear canal while listening on the "natural scale" (that is, without helmet) additionally solicits the horn and the rest of the auditory system; listening to the headphones, it does not appeal to the primary function of the flag of the ear, namely to capture, channel and provide a first sound treatment.

En outre, les casques audio existants ne parviennent pas à répondre positivement et cumulativement à trois critères de choix : légèreté, fidélité, confort/maniabilité. Les casques "circum-auriculaires" sont certes stables et confortables, et possèdent un diaphragme mobile conséquent offrant une belle fidélité acoustique et un bon rendu global. Cependant, ils sont lourds et peu maniables. Les "mini-casques" sont fonctionnels et légers. Cependant, ils irritent le pavillon de l'oreille en écoute prolongée et leur bande passante est pauvre et étroite. Les casques auriculaires, quant à eux, sont très fonctionnels et extrêmement légers. Cependant, leur qualité audio est médiocre, ils sont très inconfortables en écoute prolongée car ils impliquent un contact avec le conduit auditif.In addition, existing headphones fail to respond positively and cumulatively to three criteria of choice: lightness, fidelity, comfort / maneuverability. The "circum-auricular" helmets are certainly stable and comfortable, and have a large mobile diaphragm offering good acoustic fidelity and good overall performance. However, they are heavy and unwieldy. The "mini-helmets" are functional and lightweight. However, they irritate the flag of the ear in prolonged listening and their bandwidth is poor and narrow. Earphones, meanwhile, are very functional and extremely light. However, their audio quality is poor, they are very uncomfortable in prolonged listening as they involve contact with the ear canal.

L'invention vise à remédier à ces inconvénients, en fournissant un casque audio :

  • répondant positivement et cumulativement aux trois critères de choix déjà mentionnés, à savoir légèreté, fidélité, confort/maniabilité ;
  • exploitant le potentiel naturel acoustique du pavillon de l'oreille ;
  • évitant le contact direct entre la source d'émission du son et le pavillon de l'oreille ou le conduit auditif, ou évitant une trop grande proximité du système d'émission du son avec le système auditif ;
  • répondant à un besoin de confort et d'ergonomie ;
  • se rapprochant d'une écoute de type "spatiale", et étant proche, dans ses propriétés, de l'écoute à l'échelle naturelle (c'est-à-dire sans casque).
The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing an audio headset:
  • responding positively and cumulatively to the three selection criteria already mentioned, namely lightness, fidelity, comfort / manageability;
  • exploiting the natural acoustic potential of the auricle;
  • avoiding direct contact between the source of sound emission and the horn of the ear or ear canal, or avoiding too close proximity of the sound emission system with the auditory system;
  • meeting a need for comfort and ergonomics;
  • approaching a listening "spatial" type, and being close in its properties, listening to the natural scale (that is to say without headphones).

Le casque concerné comprend, de manière connue en soi, un bandeau conformé pour enserrer la tête d'un utilisateur, et au moins un ensemble émetteur de son placé en regard d'une oreille.The helmet concerned comprises, in a manner known per se, a strip shaped to grip the head of a user, and at least one sound emitting assembly placed facing an ear.

Selon l'invention, chaque ensemble émetteur de son comprend une mini-enceinte et une coquille présentant une concavité sur une face ; l'ensemble est agencé de telle sorte que:

  • ladite mini-enceinte et ladite coquille se trouvent placées devant l'oreille, sans contact avec celle-ci, lorsque le casque est porté, ladite mini-enceinte étant orientée de façon à émettre du son en direction du pavillon de l'oreille, et
  • ladite coquille est située en regard de ladite mini-enceinte, avec sa concavité tournée en direction du pavillon de l'oreille.
According to the invention, each sound transmitter assembly comprises a mini-enclosure and a shell having a concavity on one face; the set is arranged so that:
  • said mini-enclosure and said shell are placed in front of the ear, without contact therewith, when the helmet is worn, said mini-enclosure being oriented so as to emit sound towards the flag of the ear, and
  • said shell is located opposite said mini-enclosure, with its concavity turned towards the pavilion of the ear.

Le casque selon l'invention ne se compose donc pas d'un bandeau solidaire de deux émetteurs qui reposent soit autour de l'oreille grâce à des coussinets circulaires, soit contre le pavillon de l'oreille, ni d'émetteurs de sons qui viennent se loger dans le conduit auditif.The helmet according to the invention therefore does not consist of a strip integral with two transmitters that rest either around the ear with circular pads, or against the flag of the ear, or transmitters of sounds that come to lodge in the auditory canal.

Dans le casque selon l'invention, chaque mini-enceinte trouve sa place devant l'oreille et le son qu'elle émet est orienté vers le pavillon ; la coquille située en regard de la mini-enceinte a pour fonction de maintenir le son émis par cette mini-enceinte dans la zone du pavillon et d'éviter les perturbations dues à l'environnement. Ladite coquille va ainsi travailler comme un "contre-pavillon" en ce sens qu'elle va donner un premier traitement au son comme le fait le pavillon de l'oreille naturellement; elle va donc préparer et distribuer le son de manière optimale vers le pavillon en prenant en considération la forme et les propriétés de ce dernier tout en protégeant le son émis par la mini-enceinte des perturbations extérieures. Réciproquement, la coquille permet d'isoler le son dans la zone de l'oreille et d'éviter une diffusion du son perturbant l'environnement de l'utilisateur.In the helmet according to the invention, each mini-speaker finds its place in front of the ear and the sound that it emits is oriented towards the flag; the shell located next to the mini-speaker has the function of maintaining the sound emitted by this mini-speaker in the pavilion area and to avoid disturbances due to the environment. Said shell will thus work as a "counter-flag" in that it will give a first treatment to the sound as does the flag of the ear naturally; it will therefore prepare and distribute the sound optimally to the pavilion taking into consideration the shape and properties of the latter while protecting the sound emitted by the mini-speaker from external disturbances. Conversely, the shell makes it possible to isolate the sound in the zone of the ear and to avoid a diffusion of sound disturbing the environment of the user.

Ladite coquille peut avoir la forme d'un coquillage, et plus précisément avoir sensiblement la forme d'une moule.Said shell may have the shape of a shell, and more specifically have substantially the shape of a mold.

Selon une forme de réalisation préférée de l'invention, chaque ensemble émetteur de son est monté sur une rotule qui permet à l'utilisateur de l'ajuster à la morphologie de son oreille.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each sound transmitter assembly is mounted on a ball joint which allows the user to adjust it to the morphology of his ear.

De préférence, le bandeau comprend une partie centrale conformée pour enserrer la tête d'un utilisateur en exerçant une légère pression sur la boite crânienne de celui-ci, et deux portions latérales recourbées à la manière de l'extrémité d'une branche de paire de lunettes, ces portions latérales étant conformées pour trouver un appui stable sur l'os mastoïde, dit le "rocher", lorsque lesdites mini-enceintes et lesdites coquilles sont placés de manière adéquate, en regard et près des oreilles.Preferably, the strip comprises a central portion shaped to grip the head of a user by exerting a slight pressure on the cranial box thereof, and two side portions curved in the manner of the end of a pair of branches. glasses, these lateral portions being shaped to find a stable support on the mastoid bone, called the "rock", when said mini-enclosures and said shells are placed adequately, facing and near the ears.

Ce bandeau permet un appui stable et non irritant du casque sur une zone osseuse de la tête de l'utilisateur.This headband provides a stable and non-irritating support of the helmet on a bone area of the user's head.

De préférence, chaque mini-enceinte et chaque coquille est portée par une branche reliée au bandeau. Cette branche peut être mobile par rapport au bandeau de manière à permettre le réglage de la position de la mini-enceinte et de la coquille indépendamment de la position du bandeau sur la tête de l'utilisateur.Preferably, each mini-enclosure and each shell is carried by a branch connected to the headband. This branch can be movable relative to the strip so as to allow the adjustment of the position of the mini-enclosure and the shell regardless of the position of the strip on the head of the user.

Ladite partie centrale du bandeau peut être raccordée auxdites portions latérales de ce bandeau par des articulations permettant de basculer ladite partie centrale par rapport auxdites portions latérales.Said central portion of the strip can be connected to said lateral portions of this strip by hinges for tilting said central portion relative to said side portions.

La partie centrale du bandeau peut ainsi basculer par rapport auxdites portions latérales, permettant à la partie centrale de se porter soit sur le sommet du crâne, soit à l'arrière de la tête.The central portion of the strip can thus tilt relative to said side portions, allowing the central portion to be worn either on the top of the skull, or at the rear of the head.

Chaque coquille peut également être reliée au bandeau par une rotule, pour permettre son réglage en position par rapport à celui-ciEach shell can also be connected to the headband by a ball joint, to allow its adjustment in position relative thereto

Les avantages obtenus avec le casque selon l'invention sont les suivants :

  • Ergonomie : le casque selon l'invention respecte la morphologie de l'oreille en ce sens qu'il permet d'éviter la gêne voire l'irritation tant du pavillon de l'oreille que du conduit auditif ; la solidité et le peu de sensibilité de l'os mastoïde offre une grande stabilité et un grand confort à l'utilisateur ;
  • Audiophonie : le casque selon l'invention permet de décaler la source de son par rapport à l'oreille et de mettre à contribution le pavillon dans sa fonction première qui est de capter le son et de donner un premier traitement à celui-ci ; le son est plus "dynamique", a plus de "souplesse" et plus de "relief', en étant moins "écrasé" et moins "écrasant" ; les harmoniques sont plus riches, le casque centre le timbre des voix et le son paraît plus spontané ; ce casque restitue une valeur spatiale à l'écoute au casque ;
  • Sécurité : restant en circuit semi-ouvert, le casque selon l'invention permet à l'utilisateur de rester au contact du monde extérieur.
The advantages obtained with the helmet according to the invention are as follows:
  • Ergonomics : the helmet according to the invention respects the morphology of the ear in that it avoids the discomfort or irritation of both the flag of the ear and the ear canal; the solidity and low sensitivity of the mastoid bone provides great stability and comfort for the user;
  • Audiophonie : the helmet according to the invention makes it possible to shift the source of sound relative to the ear and to use the flag in its primary function which is to pick up the sound and to give a first treatment to it; the sound is more "dynamic", has more "flexibility" and more "relief", being less "crushed" and less "crushing"; harmonics are richer, the headphones center the timbre of the voices and the sound seems more spontaneous; this helmet restores a spatial value when listening to the headphones;
  • Safety : remaining in semi-open circuit, the helmet according to the invention allows the user to remain in contact with the outside world.

Pour la bonne compréhension de l'invention, une forme de réalisation possible du casque qu'elle concerne est décrite ci-après, en référence au dessin schématique annexé. Dans ce dessin,

  • la figure 1 est une vue de ce casque en perspective ;
  • la figure 2 en est une vue de face ;
  • la figure 3 en est une vue similaire à la figure 2, en éclaté, et
  • les figures 4 à 6 en sont des vues respectivement de face, de profil et de trois-quart une fois placé sur la tête d'un utilisateur.
For a good understanding of the invention, a possible embodiment of the helmet it relates is described below, with reference to the attached schematic drawing. In this drawing,
  • the figure 1 is a view of this helmet in perspective;
  • the figure 2 is a front view;
  • the figure 3 is a view similar to the figure 2 , burst, and
  • the Figures 4 to 6 are views of the front, profile and three-quarter respectively when placed on the head of a user.

Les figures 1 à 3 représentent un casque audio 1, comprenant un bandeau 2 conformé pour enserrer la tête d'un utilisateur, et deux ensembles 3 émetteurs de son destinés à être placés en regard des oreilles de l'utilisateur.The Figures 1 to 3 represent an audio headset 1, comprising a headband 2 shaped to grip the head of a user, and two sets 3 sound emitters intended to be placed opposite the ears of the user.

Le bandeau 2 comprend une partie centrale 5 conformée pour enserrer la tête de l'utilisateur en exerçant une légère pression sur la boite crânienne de celui-ci, et deux portions latérales 6 recourbées à la manière des extrémités de branches d'une paire de lunettes. Comme le montrent les figures 5 et 6, ces portions latérales 6 sont conformées pour trouver un appui stable sur l'os mastoïde, dit le "rocher", lorsque les ensembles 3 sont placés en regard des oreilles de l'utilisateur.The strip 2 comprises a central portion 5 shaped to grip the head of the user by exerting a slight pressure on the cranial box thereof, and two side portions 6 curved in the manner of the ends of branches of a pair of glasses . As shown by Figures 5 and 6 these lateral portions 6 are shaped to find a stable support on the mastoid bone, called the "rock", when the sets 3 are placed opposite the ears of the user.

Chaque ensemble 3 comprend, ainsi que cela apparaît plus particulièrement sur la figure 3, une mini-enceinte 7 et une coquille 8 présentant une concavité sur une face.Each set 3 includes, as it appears more particularly on the figure 3 , a mini-speaker 7 and a shell 8 having a concavity on one side.

La mini-enceinte 7 est montée sur l'extrémité d'une branche 9 reliée à la zone latérale de la partie centrale 5 du bandeau 2, et la coquille 8 est fixée à la mini-enceinte 7 de telle sorte que sa concavité soit tournée vers l'oreille de l'utilisateur lorsque que le casque 1 est porté.The mini-enclosure 7 is mounted on the end of a branch 9 connected to the lateral zone of the central portion 5 of the strip 2, and the shell 8 is fixed to the mini-enclosure 7 so that its concavity is turned towards the user's ear when the helmet 1 is worn.

Ainsi que cela apparaît en référence aux figures 4 à 6, le casque 1 est agencé de telle sorte que les mini-enceintes 7 se trouvent placées devant les oreilles de l'utilisateur, sans contact avec celles-ci, lorsque le casque 1 est porté, et sont orientées de façon à émettre du son en direction des pavillons de ces oreilles. Dans cette même position, les coquilles 8 sont placées le long des pavillons des oreilles.As it appears with reference to Figures 4 to 6 , the headphones 1 is arranged so that the mini-speakers 7 are placed in front of the user's ears, without contact with them, when the headphones 1 is worn, and are oriented so as to emit sound. direction of the flags of these ears. In this same position, the shells 8 are placed along the pavilions of the ears.

Ainsi qu'il apparaît de ce qui précède, l'invention fournit un casque audio présentant de nombreux avantages par rapport aux casques de la technique antérieure. En effet, ce casque répond positivement et cumulativement à trois critères de choix, à savoir légèreté, fidélité, confort/maniabilité, exploite le potentiel naturel acoustique du pavillon de l'oreille, évite le contact direct entre la source sonore et le pavillon de l'oreille ou le conduit auditif, ou une trop grande proximité du système d'émission du son avec le système auditif, répond à un besoin de confort et d'ergonomie, et se rapproche d'une écoute de type "spatiale", proche de l'écoute à l'échelle naturelle (c'est-à-dire sans casque).As will be apparent from the foregoing, the invention provides a headset having many advantages over prior art headphones. Indeed, this helmet responds positively and cumulatively to three criteria of choice, namely lightness, fidelity, comfort / maneuverability, exploits the natural acoustic potential of the flag of the ear, avoids the direct contact between the sound source and the flag of the ear or auditory canal, or too close to the sound system with the auditory system, meets a need for comfort and ergonomics, and is close to a "spatial" type of listening, close to listening on a natural scale (that is to say without a headset).

Il va de soi que l'invention n'est pas limitée à la forme de réalisation décrite ci-dessus à titre d'exemple mais qu'elle en embrasse au contraire toutes les variantes de réalisation, comme definies par les revendications.It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but that it encompasses all the variants, as defined by the claims.

Claims (9)

  1. Audio headphone (1), comprising a headband (2) embodied to surround the head of a user and at least one sound emitter unit (3) arranged to face an ear, characterized in that each sound emitter unit (3) comprises a mini-loud speaker (7) and a shell (8) concave on one face ; the unit (3) is embodied such that :
    - said mini-loud speaker (7) and said shell (8) are arranged in front of the ear, without making contact therewith, when the headphone (1) is worn, said mini-loud speaker (7) being placed such as to broadcast the sound therefrom in the direction of the auricle of the ear, and
    - said shell (8) is placed near said mini-loud speaker (7), with the concave region thereof facing the auricle of the ear.
  2. Headphone according to claim 1, wherein the shell (8) has approximately the shape of a shellfish.
  3. Headphone according to claim 2, wherein the shell (8) has approximately the shape of a mussel.
  4. Headphone according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein each sound emitter unit (3) set is mounted on a ball-and-socket joint.
  5. Headphone according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the headband (2) includes a central part (5) embodied to surround the head of a user by exerting a light pressure on his/her cranium, and two lateral portions (6) bent like a glasses side-piece's tip, these lateral portions (6) being shaped to find a stable rest on the mastoid bone, referred to as the "boulder", when said mini-loud speaker (7) and said shell (8) are properly positioned near the ears.
  6. Headphone according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein each mini-loud speaker (7) and each shell (8) is carried by a side-piece (9) connected to the headband (2).
  7. Headphone according to claim 6, wherein each side-piece (9) is movable with respect to the headband (2).
  8. Headphone according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein said central part (5) of the headband (2) is connected to said lateral portions (6) of this headband (2) by articulations enabling to tip said central part (5) against said lateral portions (6).
  9. Headphone according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein each shell is connected to the headband by a ball-and-socket joint.
EP05717488A 2004-01-29 2005-01-26 Audio headphone Not-in-force EP1709833B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0400815A FR2865881B1 (en) 2004-01-29 2004-01-29 HEADPHONES
PCT/FR2005/000164 WO2005084072A1 (en) 2004-01-29 2005-01-26 Audio headphone

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1709833A1 EP1709833A1 (en) 2006-10-11
EP1709833B1 true EP1709833B1 (en) 2011-06-15

Family

ID=34746290

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05717488A Not-in-force EP1709833B1 (en) 2004-01-29 2005-01-26 Audio headphone

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20070165899A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1709833B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE513421T1 (en)
ES (1) ES2367996T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2865881B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1709833E (en)
WO (1) WO2005084072A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE513421T1 (en) 2011-07-15
US20070165899A1 (en) 2007-07-19
FR2865881A1 (en) 2005-08-05
FR2865881B1 (en) 2006-04-14
EP1709833A1 (en) 2006-10-11
PT1709833E (en) 2011-09-22
WO2005084072A1 (en) 2005-09-09
ES2367996T3 (en) 2011-11-11

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