EP2894874A1 - Kopfhörer - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP2894874A1
EP2894874A1 EP14151057.8A EP14151057A EP2894874A1 EP 2894874 A1 EP2894874 A1 EP 2894874A1 EP 14151057 A EP14151057 A EP 14151057A EP 2894874 A1 EP2894874 A1 EP 2894874A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
circuit
ear
headphones
loudspeaker
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP14151057.8A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Roberto Penzo
Diego Taccuso
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pentac Ltd
Original Assignee
Pentac Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pentac Ltd filed Critical Pentac Ltd
Priority to EP14151057.8A priority Critical patent/EP2894874A1/de
Publication of EP2894874A1 publication Critical patent/EP2894874A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • H04R1/1041—Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/13—Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to headphones.
  • the invention operates in the field of teaching listening - known with the term audio-psycho-phonology - in accordance with the method developed by Alfred Tomatis, also known simply as the "Tomatis Method".
  • the invention also operates in the technical sector of devices for listening to audio signals.
  • the Tomatis method is a sensory stimulation technique carried out using audio signals which are perceived by a user through suitable headphones which have a pair of ear pads connected to a headband, at the centre of which there is a bone vibrator.
  • the headphones are worn by a user, in such a way that the ear pads are positioned at the ears and the bone vibrator rests on the upper part of the skull.
  • musical or vocal audio signals are sent to the ear pads and to the bone vibrator.
  • the ear pads transmit the audio signals by aerial conduction, stimulating the membrane of the eardrum, whilst the bone vibrator transmits the audio signals by bone conduction, by means of vibrations on the upper part of the skull, stimulating contraction and relaxation of the stirrup and hammer muscles of the inner ear.
  • the bone vibrator may be fixed to one of the two ear pads, in such a way that it rests close to the temple or to a part of the jawbone of a user.
  • the audio signal is generated by vibrating elements of the known type, usually membranes, piezoelectric transducers or the like, present on the bone vibrator and in the ear pads, said vibrating elements converting into vibrations an electric signal containing data representative of sounds.
  • the electric signals intended for the ear pads and for the bone vibrator come from an electronic reproduction device, after being filtered by an electronic apparatus for auditory re-education, known with the term "electronic ear” or "brain activator", of the type described - for example - in document EP523222 .
  • the electric signal representative of sounds intended for the ear pads known as the "aerial signal”
  • the electric signal representative of sounds intended for the bone vibrator known as the "bone signal”
  • the aerial signal is filtered according to an equalisation model which may be different to the equalisation model used to filter the bone signal.
  • the equalisation models may introduce variable time delays between the aerial signal and the bone signal, depending on the treatment to which the user must be subjected and in accordance with the teachings of the Tomatis method (learning foreign languages, development of the ability to concentrate, etc.).
  • one of the crucial aspects for operation of the Tomatis Method is that the audio signal input into the electronic ear - that is to say, before equalisation - is the same, although it may be perceived in an altered way, since it is equalised differently depending on whether it is intended for the ear pads - "aerial signal” - or the bone vibrator - "bone signal”.
  • headphones are used which are equipped with a pair of ear pads and a bone vibrator which is positioned on the headband which connects the ear pads.
  • the headphones are wired in such a way that they receive two separate electric signals at input representative of corresponding audio signals, known as the "aerial signal” and the "bone signal”.
  • the headphones have a plug (usually called a "jack") for connection to the electronic device which reproduces the sounds processed by the electronic ear.
  • the earphone ear pads are wired in such a way that both receive a first signal, known as the aerial signal.
  • the ear pads are connected to one another in mono mode. In this way, a user will listen to the same audio signals, both from the right ear pad positioned on the right ear, and from the left ear pad positioned on the left ear.
  • the bone vibrator is wired in such a way as to receive a second signal, known as the bone signal.
  • the distinctive wiring of the headphones briefly described above means that they can only be used with specific audio signals processed by electronic ears in accordance with the Tomatis Method.
  • Headphones traditionally intended for the Tomatis Method do not allow stereo reproduction of the audio signal, since their wiring is such that it causes the transmission of a first electric signal (representative of a first audio signal) to both ear pads and the transmission of a second electric signal (representative of a second audio signal) to the bone vibrator. Therefore, one of the two different electric signals of which a stereo signal is composed is sent to both ear pads of the headphones - thereby compromising the three-dimensional effect - whilst the other is sent to the bone vibrator, making it impossible for the user to listen to it.
  • the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to provide headphones which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the aim of this invention is to provide headphones which can be used in any circumstance, that is to say, both for application of the Tomatis Method and for listening to music and stereo sounds.
  • a further aim of this invention is to provide headphones able to operate both with specific Tomatis Method equipment and with common stereo Hi-Fi systems.
  • Another aim of this invention is to provide headphones which are reliable and easy to use.
  • a further aim of this invention is to provide headphones which allow adjustment of the volume of the audio signal sent to one of the two ears of the user.
  • the numeral 100 denotes in its entirety an example of headphones in accordance with the invention.
  • the headphones 100 comprise a first ear loudspeaker 1, a second ear loudspeaker 2 and a bone vibrator 3, all inserted in an electric circuit 101 having a first selective input line 1 a for a first electric signal representative of audio information and a second selective input line 2a for a second electric signal representative of audio information.
  • the electric signals are converted into audio signals by the ear loudspeakers and by the bone vibrator by means of vibrating elements of the known type, usually membranes, piezoelectric transducers or the like, which are present in the ear loudspeakers and in the bone vibrator.
  • the electric signals may be an electric current or an electric voltage.
  • the ear loudspeakers 1, 2 are inserted in respective ear pads (not illustrated), which are connected by a headband (not illustrated) which can be adapted to the top of the skull of a user, when the headphones are worn.
  • the bone vibrator 3 is fixed to the headband, preferably at the centre of it.
  • the headphones 100 comprise switching means 4 for switching the electric circuit 101 acting, in an alternatable way, between a first operating state, called stereo, in which said means enable transmission of the first and of the second signal, respectively, to the first and to the second loudspeaker 1, 2, excluding the bone vibrator 3, and a second operating state, called audio-psycho-phonological, in which said means 4 enable transmission of the first signal to the bone vibrator 3 and transmission of the second signal to both of the loudspeakers 1, 2, excluding transmission of the first signal to the first loudspeaker 1.
  • the switching means 4 act on the wiring of the headphones, allowing the activation of two separate operating configurations of the headphones, specifically:
  • the electric circuit 101 comprises:
  • the electric circuit 101 also comprises a return circuit branch 5 connected to said first 1 b, second 2b and third 3b circuit branches.
  • the headphones 100 comprise a plug 102 on which the first and second selective input lines 1 a, 2a are integrated.
  • the plug also comprises an earthing line 5a connected to the return branch 5 of the electric circuit 101.
  • the plug is a three-channel "jack".
  • the switching means 4 interact, on one side, with the first and the second input lines 1 a, 2a and, on the other side, with the first and the third circuit branches 1b, 3b.
  • the switching means 4 in the stereo state, enable transmission of the first signal, between the first input line 1 a and the first circuit branch 1 b, excluding the third circuit branch 3b; in contrast, in the audio-psycho-phonological state, the switching means 4 enable transmission of the first signal, between the first input line 1 a and the third circuit branch 3b and between the second input line 2a and the first circuit branch 1b.
  • a topography of the electric circuit 101 significantly simplifies the electrical connections between the selective input lines 1 a, 2a and the electric components of the headphones, that is to say, the ear loudspeakers 1, 2 and the bone vibrator 3.
  • the switching means 4 comprise a first circuit switch 6 operatively interposed between the first input line 1 a, on one side, and the first and the third circuit branches 1b, 3b, on the other side, for enabling/excluding the passage of the first signal.
  • the switching means 4 also comprise a second circuit switch 7 operatively interposed between the second input line 2a and the first circuit branch 1b, for enabling/excluding the passage of the second signal.
  • the circuit switches 6, 7 switch simultaneously and are preferably associated in a single actuator.
  • the headphones comprise means 8 for adjusting the intensity of the electric signal transmitted to the loudspeakers 1, 2 independently for each loudspeaker, for independently adjusting the volume of the audio signal sent to the user.
  • the above-mentioned means 8 for adjusting the intensity of the signal allow people whose hearing is not symmetrical to adjust the volume to suit them, depending which ear is the weakest, left or right.
  • the above-mentioned means 8 for adjusting the intensity of the signal allow the right ear and the left ear to be trained differently, in accordance with the teachings of the Tomatis method.
  • the means 8 for adjusting the intensity of the signal comprise a variable electrical resistor inserted in at least one of the first or second circuit branches 1b, 2b, for varying the volume of the sound received by at least one of said loudspeakers 1, 2.
  • the variable resistor is obtained by means of a plurality of resistors R connected in series and which are part of the first or the second circuit branch 1b, 2b.
  • the number of resistors through which an electric current passes depends on the position adopted by a selector S which enables the electrical connection between a terminal of a predetermined resistor, for example terminal R1, and a terminal A1 of the ear loudspeaker.
  • the plurality of electric resistors R and the selector S together act as a potentiometer.
  • the circuit switch 6 In the stereo operating state ( Figure 1 ), corresponding to the situation in which a user wants to listen to - for example - stereo music, the circuit switch 6 enables the passage of the first signal, for example the so-called "left signal", between the first selective input line 1 a and the first circuit branch 1b, in such a way that the first electric signal can reach the ear loudspeaker 1, for example the left loudspeaker.
  • the position of the circuit switch 6 is therefore such that it excludes sending of the first electric signal to the bone vibrator 3.
  • the circuit switch 7 is activated, in such a way as to prevent the passage of the second electric signal, for example the so-called "right signal", between the second selective input line 2a and the first circuit branch 1 b.
  • the second electric signal only reaches the ear loudspeaker 2, through the second circuit branch 2b which branches directly from the second selective input line 2a.
  • the circuit switch 6 excludes the passage of the first electric signal, for example the so-called "left signal", between the first selective input line 1 a and the first circuit branch 1b, in such a way that the first electric signal cannot reach the ear loudspeaker 1, for example the left loudspeaker.
  • the position of the circuit switch 6 is therefore such that it activates sending of the first electric signal to the bone vibrator 3.
  • the circuit switch 7 is activated, in such a way as to enable the passage of the second electric signal, for example the so-called "right signal", between the second selective input line 2a and the first circuit branch 1b.
  • the second electric signal reaches both of the ear loudspeakers 1, 2 and therefore the user perceives the same audio signal from both ears.
  • the "left signal” coincides with the so-called "bone signal”
  • the "right signal” coincides with the so-called "aerial signal”.
  • the user will therefore perceive the same aerial signal from both ears, in perfect agreement with the teachings of the Tomatis method.
  • the invention therefore fulfils the technical purpose specified and the preset aims.
  • the headphones according to the invention can be used in any circumstance, that is to say, both for application of the Tomatis Method and for listening to music and stereo sounds.
  • the presence of the switching means 4 allows the modification, as required, of the wiring of the headphones 100, in such a way that they operate either in stereo mode or in "Tomatis" mode.
  • the simple topography of the electric circuit 101 and the presence of one three-channel plug allows the headphones according to the invention to operate both with specific Tomatis Method equipment and with common stereo Hi-Fi systems.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)
EP14151057.8A 2014-01-14 2014-01-14 Kopfhörer Withdrawn EP2894874A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14151057.8A EP2894874A1 (de) 2014-01-14 2014-01-14 Kopfhörer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14151057.8A EP2894874A1 (de) 2014-01-14 2014-01-14 Kopfhörer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2894874A1 true EP2894874A1 (de) 2015-07-15

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ID=49920235

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14151057.8A Withdrawn EP2894874A1 (de) 2014-01-14 2014-01-14 Kopfhörer

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2894874A1 (de)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2026817A (en) * 1978-07-19 1980-02-06 Tomatis A Apparatus for use in the training of the hearing function
EP0523222A1 (de) 1991-01-31 1993-01-20 Tomatis International Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Unterricht in einer Sprache
EP0936839A1 (de) * 1998-02-13 1999-08-18 Billie M. Thompson System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür
US6567655B1 (en) * 1997-09-24 2003-05-20 Robert Bosch Gmbh Car radio system
US20070147640A1 (en) * 2005-12-28 2007-06-28 Mottier Matthew D Audio accessory and method
WO2009101622A2 (en) * 2008-02-11 2009-08-20 Bone Tone Communications Ltd. A sound system and a method for providing sound

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2026817A (en) * 1978-07-19 1980-02-06 Tomatis A Apparatus for use in the training of the hearing function
EP0523222A1 (de) 1991-01-31 1993-01-20 Tomatis International Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Unterricht in einer Sprache
US6567655B1 (en) * 1997-09-24 2003-05-20 Robert Bosch Gmbh Car radio system
EP0936839A1 (de) * 1998-02-13 1999-08-18 Billie M. Thompson System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür
US20070147640A1 (en) * 2005-12-28 2007-06-28 Mottier Matthew D Audio accessory and method
WO2009101622A2 (en) * 2008-02-11 2009-08-20 Bone Tone Communications Ltd. A sound system and a method for providing sound

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