EP4338430A1

EP4338430A1 - Eartip and corresponding body of an earpiece

Info

Publication number: EP4338430A1
Application number: EP21725472.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mark Melnykowycz; Katja Junker; Simon Bachmann; Séverine CHARDONNENS; Andrea Fümm; Moritz THIELEN
Original assignee: Idun Technologies Ag
Current assignee: Idun Technologies Ag
Priority date: 2021-05-10
Filing date: 2021-05-10
Publication date: 2024-03-20
Also published as: WO2022237953A1

Abstract

According to an aspect, there is provided an eartip of an earpiece for at least partial insertion to a human ear canal. The eartip comprises an eartip body, a longitudinal hole penetrating through the eartip body for attaching the eartip to a body of the earpiece and one or more attaching means arranged on an inner surface of the eartip body adjacent to the longitudinal hole. The one or more attaching means comprise one or more notches extending from a first opening of the longitudinal hole along a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal hole for attaching to one or more fins on the body of the earpiece and/or one or more fins extending from the inner surface of the eartip body adjacent to the longitudinal hole elongated body for attaching to one or more notches on the eartip.

Description

1

EARTIP AND CORRESPONDING BODY OF AN EARPIECE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to earpieces.

BACKGROUND

In-ear headphones, hearables and assisted hearing devices incorporate an increasing amount of sensors inside the ear canal. Sensors can be used to detect different physiological parameters, such as biopotentials (e.g., EEG, ECG, EMG, EOG, etc.), blood oxygenation, heart rate variability, breathing rate, or skin and core temperature. Eartips may also include actuators, for example, to stimulate tissue, change eartip shape, generate sound or release chemicals. For both sensors and actuators to function and measure correctly, it is often paramount that they arranged in particular locations and orientations inside the ear canal and in close contact with the tissue. Additionally, the eartip needs to be in a defined position relative to the stem of the earpiece (i.e., the part of the body of the earpiece to which the eartip attaches) in order to establish an electrical interface to the sensors or actuators.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, there is provided the subject matter of the in dependent claims. Embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

One or more examples of implementations are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1A, IB and 1C illustrate a body of an earpiece according to embodiments;

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate an eartip according to embodiments;

Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate positioning of electrode elements for a body and an eartip of an earpiece according to embodiments;

Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A and 6B illustrate alternative positioning of electrode elements for a body and an eartip of an earpiece according to embodiments; 2

Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a body of an earpiece according to embodiments in full;

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a part of a body of an earpiece according to embodiments; Figures 9A and 9B illustrate an eartip according to embodiments;

Figures 10A and 10B illustrate a body of an earpiece according to embodiments; and

Figures 11A and 11B illustrate an eartip according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following embodiments are exemplifying. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

In the following, various references are made to conductive material, conductive surfaces and conductivity in general. In the context of this application, said terms refer specifically to electrical conductivity (as opposed to, e.g., thermal conductivity). The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to references to non- conductivity.

A biosignal comprises a signal in a living being that can be continually measured and monitored. A biosignal may comprise an electrical or non-electrical signal.

An electrical biosignal may refer to a change in electric current produced by an electrical potential difference between points in living cells, tissues, organs such as the nervous system. An electrical biosignal may comprise, for example, electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) or electromyogram (EMG). EEG, ECG and EMG may be measured with a differential amplifier configured to register the difference between two or more electrodes attached to skin.

A bioelectrode is a mechanism configured to function as an interface between a biological structure and an electronic system. Electronic systems may be configured to passively sense, for example, measure or actively stimulate electrical potentials within the biological structures. Bioelectric potentials 3 generated by a living being are ionic potentials that need to be converted into electronic potentials before they can be measured by conventional methods. Electrodes are configured to convert ionic potential into electronic potential. A bioelectrode is configured to convert an ionic current in a body into electronic current flowing in an electrode.

In-ear headphones (equally called in-ear earphones or earbuds), hearables, assisted hearing devices and other earpieces incorporate an increasing amount of sensors inside the human ear canal. Sensors can be used to measure different biosignals, that is, to detect different physiological parameters, such as biopotentials (e.g., EEG, ECG, EMG and/or EOG), blood oxygenation, heart rate variability, breathing rate, or skin and core temperature. Other types of sensors can detect movement and relative position related to head or jaw movement, gait, body orientation or activity of the wearer. Pressure sensors may detect sound pressure, attachment pressure, inflammation or tissue properties. Further, sensors could analyze cerumen- or sweat composition to detect health related biomarkers. In addition to the included sensors, eartips could also include actuators, for example, to stimulate tissue, change eartip shape, generate sound and/or release chemicals. Sensors and actuators can be based, for example, on resistive, piezoelectric, thermoelectric, (electro-) chemical, optical, electromagnetic, inductive and/or thermal expansion as transduction mechanism.

For both sensors and actuators to function and measure in an accurate and consistent (i.e., repeatable) manner, it is paramount to place them in a particular location and orientation inside the human ear canal and in close contact with the tissue. This particular location and orientation should not change between consecutive uses of the sensor(s) and/or actuator(s) even if the earpiece is removed from the ear between uses and should also be roughly the same for all users. Additionally, the eartip needs to be in a defined position relative to the stem of the body of the earpiece (i.e., the part of the body of the earpiece to which the eartip attaches) in order to establish an electrical interface to the sensors or actuators.

Eartips are typically replaceable by the user to adopt to different sizes of the human ear canal and to replace worn-down tips. Typically, the interface between tip and earpiece is rotationally symmetric and smooth (i.e., without any external protrusions), meaning that the user can plug the eartip in any kind of angular orientation onto the stem of the earpiece. This could lead to a wrong orientation of the sensors and/or actuators inside the human ear canal or faulty 4 electrical connection. Additionally, the user might push the eartip too close or too far onto the stem of the earpiece (i.e., the elongated connector element of the body of the earpiece for attaching the eartip), resulting again in faulty electrical connection of the sensor(s) and/or actuator (s). Embodiments to be discussed below seek to provide a solution (namely, an eartip and a matching body of an earpiece) for overcoming or alleviating at least some of said problem with prior art earpieces.

Figures 1A, IB and 1C show an example of a body 100 of an earpiece (or at least a part of a body 100 of an earpiece for attaching an eartip) according to embodiments, respectively, in an upper perspective view, in a side view and from above (i.e., from the point of view of an ear canal into which the earpiece is inserted) while Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate a corresponding eartip 200 of the earpiece according to embodiments, respectively, from below, in a central cross- sectional side view and in a lower perspective view. The cross-sectional side view of Figure 2B corresponds specifically to a central cross section oriented centrally along the plane of the one or more notches 203, 204 (i.e., from left to right in Figure 2A). The body 100 of the earpiece and the eartip 200 of the earpiece are assumed to be attachable or preferably detachably attachable to each other. The specific dimensions indicated in said Figures in millimeters are to be considered merely exemplary.

Referring to Figures 1A, IB and 1C, the body 100 of an earpiece comprises a base 104 (which may correspond to or form a part of a housing of the earpiece) and an elongated connector element 105 for attaching to an eartip. Specifically, said attaching may be achieved via a longitudinal hole (element 201 of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C) in the eartip conforming to the elongated connector element 105. The elongated connector element 105 may be equally called a stem of the earpiece. The elongated connector element 105 comprises an elongated body 101 and one or more fins 102, 103 (in the illustrated example, specifically two fins 102, 103) extending from the elongated body 101 (or specifically from an outer surface thereof). The one or more fins 102, 103 may be suitable for attaching to one or more conforming notches on an inner surface of the eartip adjacent to the aforementioned longitudinal hole of the eartip (elements 203, 204 of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C). Fins and notches may, here and in the following, be equally called protrusions and cavities, respectively. In some embodiments, a tip of the elongated connector element 105 may comprise a loudspeaker. 5

According to the above description, the body 100 of the earpiece illustrated in Figures 1A, IB, 1C or the earpiece as a whole may comprise one or more sensors and/or one or more actuators and/or may provide an interface for connecting to one or more sensors and/or one or more actuators. The one or more sensors and/or the one or more actuators may be of any of the types listed above.

While not explicitly shown in Figures 1A, IB and 1C, the body 100 of the earpiece may comprise one or more electrode elements (i.e., electrically conductive elements) for conducting electrical signals via the eartip to/from the human ear canal. The one or more electrode elements may form a part of one or more sensors (e.g., biopotential sensors) and/or one or more actuators arranged, at least in part, in the body 100. However, one or more other sensors and/or actuators arranged, at least in part, in the body 100 may not involve the one or more electrodes (e.g., a temperature sensor). Specifically, said one or more electrode elements may be arranged on an outer surface of the elongated body 101 and/or the one or more fins 102, 103. Said one or more electrode elements may be implemented by applying conductive coating or a conductive sheet of material on certain area(s) of the outer surface of the elongated body 101, the one or more fins 102, 103 and/or the base 104 or functionalizing certain parts of the elongated body of the elongated body 101, the one or more fins 102, 103 and/or the base 104. The one or more electrode elements may be specifically arranged such that electrical connection between the one or more electrode elements of the eartip and the one or more electrode elements of the elongated body 101 and/or one or more fins 102, 103 of the earpiece is enabled. The arrangements and operation of said one or more electrode elements are discussed below in connection with Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 5A, 5B and 5C in more detail.

The elongated connector element 105 is attached to the base 104 via a first end of the elongated body 101 (i.e., the end facing away from the eartip when the stem 100 and the eartip are attached to each other). The second end of the elongated body 101 faces the human ear canal during use of the earpiece. The first and second ends of the elongated body 101 may be equally called proximal and distal ends of the elongated body 101, respectively. The elongated body 101 may have a shape of a (right) (circular) cylinder or specifically a (right) (circular) cylinder rounded at the second end, as illustrated in Figures 1A, IB and 1C. In more general embodiments, the elongated body 101 may have, e.g., a shape of any (right) prism or any (right) frustum or corresponding shapes rounded at the second end of the elongated body 101. In all cases, the elongated body 101 may be specifically 6 made to conform to the shape of a corresponding longitudinal hole in the eartip (that is, penetrating through it).

As illustrated in Figures 1A, IB and 1C, the one or more fins 102, 103 may extend along a longitudinal direction of the elongated body 101 and (substantially) away from a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body 101 (i.e., along a radial direction relative to the elongated body 101). The one or more fins 102, 103 may extend (upwards) from the base 104 though, in other embodiments, the one or more fins 102, 103 may be separated from the base 104 by a certain distance. In some embodiments, the one or more fins 102, 103 may be attached to the base 104 (possibly also electrically connected).

As illustrated in Figures 1A, IB and 1C, each of the one or more fins 102, 103 may have, for example, substantially the shape of a cuboid (specifically, an elongated cuboid elongated along a dimension corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the elongated body 101). However, the side(s) of the one or more fins 102, 103 facing the elongated body 101 may be rounded so as to conform the surface of the elongated body 101 (making said side(s) concave in the illustrated example). Similar to a shape of fins of most fish, the one or more fins 102, 103 (or specifically at least non-longitudinal ear-facing faces thereof) may be slanted for enabling easier attachment to the eartip. Specifically, the one or more fins 102, 103 may be slanted away from the direction in which the eartip is to be attached (or equally the direction of ear insertion). In other words, the slanting may specifically be such that the edge of said non-longitudinal ear-facing face which is adjacent (and/or attached) to the elongated body 101 is closer, in the longitudinal direction, to the second end (i.e., the open end) of the elongated body 101 than the opposite edge of said non-longitudinal ear-facing face. Depending on the shape of the base 104, the non-longitudinal face of each of the one or more fins 102, 103 facing the base 104 (and optionally attached to it) may also be slanted in the same direction (as shown in Figures 1A, IB and 1C). In such cases, the one or more fins 102, 103 may have substantially a shape of a rhombohedron (with possible rounding of the side facing the elongated body 101 to conform to the surface of the elongated body 101). In the illustrated examples of Figures 1A, IB and 1C, the length of the longest side (i.e., the longitudinal side) of said rhombohedron is equal to 4 mm.

In some embodiments, each of the one or more fins 102, 103 (or at least some of them) may have a length shorter than a length of the elongated body 101. In other embodiments, the one or more fins 102, 103 (or at least some of them) may have a length equal to the length of the elongated body 101. Here, “length” 7 refers to the length along a longitudinal axis of the elongated body 101. Additionally or alternatively, each of the one or more fins 102, 103 may have a length longer than the length of the elongated body 101 divided by two. The one or more fins may, thus, serve to limit the depth of penetration of the elongated body 101 of the elongated connector element 105 into the eartip, therefore providing reproducible sensor and/or actuator location and electrical contact from the elongated connector element 105 to the eartip.

In the illustrated examples of Figures 1A, IB and 1C, the one or more fins have a height equal to 1.25 mm and a thickness equal to 1 mm. In some embodiments such as the one illustrated in Figures 1A, IB and

1C, the one or more fins 102, 103 may comprise a plurality of fins 102, 103. Said plurality of fins 102, 103 may have the same shape and equal dimensions. Additionally, said plurality of fins 102, 103 may be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the elongated body 101. Having a plurality of fins provides the benefit of enabling more stable or firm connection between the eartip and the body of the earpiece, as opposed having only a single fin.

Said plurality of fins 102, 103 may be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically around the elongated body 101. In other words, if the number of fins is equal to n, the plurality of fins may be arranged to surround the elongated body 101 with angular separation of 360°/n (the symmetric alternative) or with angular separation defined to be different for at least some pairs of adjacent fins in the plurality of fins (the asymmetric alternative). Here, the angular separation may be specifically defined relative to a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body 101. In some embodiments (corresponding to a special case of the symmetric alternative), the plurality of fins 102, 103 may consist specifically of two fins arranged on opposite sides of the elongated body 105. In other embodiments, the plurality of fins 102, 103 may comprise three or more fins arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically around the elongated body 105.

The symmetric alternative provides the benefit that it is easier for the user to attach the eartip to the body 100 of the earpiece as there are multiple (rotational) orientations of the eartip relative to the body 100 which enable the attachment (n orientations to be precise). On the other hand, in some particular applications, only one particular rotational orientation may enable the sensor(s) and/or actuator(s) of the earpiece to operate correctly or dependably. In such a case, the asymmetric alternative needs to be used to ensure correct orientation. 8

The one or more fins 102, 103 may form, with the elongated body 105, a single monolithic element. Alternatively, the one or more fins may be separate elements from the elongated body 105 and attached to it via any conventional attaching means. The elongated body 101 and the one or more fins 102, 103 may be made of the same material or different materials. The elongated body 101 and/or the one or more fins 102, 103 may be made, for example, of any (hard) thermoplastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer), an elastomer, a duromer (i.e., a crosslinked polymer) . This material may be harder than the material of the eartip. Some examples of materials which may be employed for the body 100 (or a part thereof) are: ABS, ABS/PC, PC, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) (6; 6,6; 6; 12; 12; 11; 6,10), polystyrene (PS), polyoxymethylene (POM), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polysulfone (PSU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyether sulfone (PES), polyester, polyetherimide (PEI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyurethane (PUR). The polyethylene (listed above) may be low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-intensity polyethylene (HDPE) or ultra-high-intensity polyethylene (UHDPE). In some embodiments, the elongated body 101 and/or the one or more fins 102, 103 may have a structured, roughened and/or irregular surface for improving adhesion between the body of the earpiece and the eartip.

Figures 1A, IB and 1C correspond to a simplistic embodiment showing, in addition to the elongated connector element 105, only a rather rudimentary base 104 shaped like a conical frustum. In other embodiments, the body 100 may comprise one or more further elements connected to the base 104 or forming a part thereof. The base 104, as shown in Figures 1A, IB and 1C, may correspond to only partial view of the whole housing of the body 100 of the earpiece.

While in the illustrated example of Figures 1A, IB and 1C the base 104 has the shape of a conical frustum, in other embodiments, the base 104 may have any other shape enabling attaching of the elongated connector element 105. The base 104 may or may not be rotationally symmetric. The base 104 may be, comprise or be connected to an asymmetric and/or elongated part (sometimes called a stalk or a stem of the earpiece). The asymmetric and/or elongated part may be shaped and/or weighted in such a way that the earpiece is wearable in a comfortable and stable manner only in one particular rotational orientation. 9

Another, more practical example of a base 104 is discussed in connection with Figures 7A and 7B. In some embodiments, the base 104 may be removably attached to the elongated connector element 105. Some embodiments may involve only the elongated connector element 105. The body 100 of the earpiece (or specifically the base 104 or any element connected thereto) may comprise one or more embedded integrated circuits. Alternatively or additionally, the body 100 may be communicatively connected to one or more integrated circuits that is separate from the body 100, for example, in a computer or a mobile device. The one or more integrated circuits can include at least one processor and at least one memory including program instructions. The one or more integrated circuits of the body 100 may, e.g., serve to control the one or more sensors and/or one or more actuators and/or to facilitate wired or wireless communication for the earpiece. The one or more integrated circuits may correspond to or form a part of a radio transceiver, transmitter or receiver. Said radio transceiver, transmitter or receiver may further comprise at least one antenna. The one or more integrated circuits may facilitate communication with one or more networks or other devices, for example, by using known wireless methods, including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, and/or ZigBee, among others. In some embodiments such as in the case where the earpiece forms a part of wireless or true wireless earplugs or earphones, the body 100 of the earpiece may comprise or be connected to an embedded energy storage device (e.g., a battery) for carrying out various functionalities involving the one or more integrated circuits. Referring to Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the eartip 200 of the earpiece is configured for at least partial insertion to a human ear canal. When inserted, the eartip 200 may be adapted to form an acoustic seal within the human ear canal of the user. The eartip 200 comprises an eartip body 202 and a longitudinal hole 201 penetrating through the eartip body 202 in a longitudinal direction of the eartip body 202. The longitudinal hole 201 has a first opening 207 for facing substantially away from the human ear canal during use (i.e., when inserted) and a second opening 208 for facing towards the human ear canal during use (i.e., opening to the human ear canal). The longitudinal hole 201 is aligned so as to lead (i.e., provide access to) to the human ear canal when the eartip 200 is inserted into the ear of the user. The longitudinal hole 201 may be centrally aligned.

An inner surface of the eartip body 202 adjacentto the longitudinal hole 10

201 (i.e., formed by the longitudinal hole 201) comprises one or more notches 203, 204 (equally called cavities) extending along a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal hole 201 for attaching to one or more substantially conforming fins of the elongated connector element (e.g., fins 102, 103 of elongated connector element 101 of Figures 1A, IB and 1C). The one or more notches 203, 204 may extend, in some cases such as in the illustrated example, from the first opening 207 for a first length smaller than (or, in some cases, equal to) a (total) length of the longitudinal hole 201. The one or more notches 203, 204 may have, e.g., a shape of a (rectangular) cuboid. In some embodiments, the first length may be larger than 0.1 or 0.2 times the total length of the longitudinal hole to enable sufficient gripping between the eartip 200 and the body of the earpiece.

The eartip 200 (or specifically the eartip body 202) may have a shape (or specifically an external shape) which narrows towards its tip for enabling easy insertion into the human ear canal. Many different geometries may be employed for the eartip body 202 while satisfying this basic property. For example, the eartip body 200 may have a shape (or specifically an outer shape) of a circular paraboloid, a cut sphere, a cut ellipsoid, a (right) rounded frustum or multiple shapes of any of the aforementioned types placed on top of each other and having decreasing radii. In some embodiments, the eartip 200 may be mushroom-shaped. In some embodiments, the eartip body 202 comprises specifically two concentric (longitudinal) material layers or shells 205, 206 separated in a radial direction (orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of eartip 200) by an (empty) volume 209 and being open at a first end of the eartip body 202 (i.e., the end facing away from the human ear canal during use) and being joined at a second end of the eartip body 202 (i.e., the end facing towards the human ear canal during use). The outer concentric material layer 206 may be substantially shaped like curved surfaces of (circular) cylinders or frustums or (cut) circular paraboloid while the inner concentric material layer 205 may be substantially shaped like a curved surface of a cylinder. The longitudinal hole 201 may specifically penetrate through the inner concentric material layer 205. The one or more notches 203, 204 may be formed specifically on the inner concentric material layer 205. Specifically, the inner material layer maybe shaped to be bent so as to form the one or more notches 203, 204, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C. In other embodiments, the one or more notches 203, 204 as indentations on the inner surface of a (thicker) inner concentric material layer 205 instead.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the outer concentric material 11 layer 206 may be smaller than the thickness of the inner concentric material layer 205 so as to improve stability of the inner concentric material layer 205 and flexibility of the outer concentric material layer 206. In the illustrated example, the thickness of the inner and outer material layers is 0.6 mm and 0.5 mm, respectively. According to the above description, the eartip 200 of the earpiece illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C or the earpiece as a whole may comprise one or more sensors and/or one or more actuators and/or may provide an interface for connecting to one or more sensors and/or one or more actuators. The one or more sensors and/or the one or more actuators may be of any of the types listed above. While not explicitly shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, also the eartip 200 may comprise one or more electrode elements for conducting electrical signals (i.e., for conducting electricity). The one or more electrode elements may form a part of one or more sensors and/or one or more actuators of the earpiece. However, one or more other sensors and/or actuators which do not involve said one or more electrodes (e.g., a temperature sensor) may, additionally or alternatively, be arranged, at least in part, in or on the eartip 200. Specifically, said one or more electrode elements may be arranged at least on certain area(s) of an outer surface of the eartip 200 for picking up biosignals within the human ear canal, stimulating tissue, generating sound and/or release chemicals. Additionally, said one or more electrode elements may be arranged on the inside surface of the eartip 200 (adjacent to the longitudinal hole 201) for enabling efficient conduction between the eartip 200 and the body 100 of the earpiece. Finally, said one or more electrode elements may be arranged at least partially over the tip of the eartip body 200 for rendering it conductive and thus enabling conduction between the inner and outer surfaces of the eartip body 202. Said one or more electrode elements may be implemented, e.g., by functionalizing one or more parts of the eartip 200 (or manufacturing said one or more parts directly from functionalized material) or applying conductive coating or conductive sheet of material on the outer and inner surface of the eartip 200. The one or more electrode elements may be specifically arranged such that electrical connection between the one or more electrode elements of the eartip 200 and the one or more electrode elements of the body of the earpiece is enabled. In practice, this may be realized by establishing, using a suitable arrangement of said one or more electrodes of the two parts, an electrical connection between the elongated body of the body of the earpiece and the eartip body of the eartip via the second opening 208. The arrangements and operation of 12 said one or more electrode elements are discussed below in connection with Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 6A and 6B.

The eartip 200 may be made of an elastic and/or flexible material so that the eartip 200 is able to conform to the contours of the human ear canal when inserted. Such an elastic and/or flexible material has also the benefit of providing as much contact area for the electrode element(s) to the skin of the human ear canal (or specifically outer ear canal) as possible. The elastic and/or flexible material should be selected such that the eartip 200 is comfortable for the user to use while enabling the creation of enough pressure against the skin of the human ear canal to provide a secure contact of the electrode element(s), sensor(s) and/or actuator(s) to the skin. The maximized skin contact area and pressure against it ensures a low skin-contact impedance as well as a stable contact to minimize artefacts caused by motion of the user or the ear tip itself.

The elastic and/or flexible material of the eartip 200 may be, for example, a (deformable) elastomer, a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer may be, e.g., any of the following types: styrenic block copolymers, TPS (TPE-s), thermoplastic polyolefinelastomers, TPO (TPE-o), thermoplastic vulcanizates, TPV (TPE-v or TPV), thermoplastic polyurethanes, TPU (TPU), thermoplastic copolyester, TPC (TPE-E), thermoplastic polyamides, TPA (TPE-A) and not classified thermoplastic elastomers, TPZ. For example, TPU or TPS (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, SEBS, or SEBS compound) may be employed in a typical embodiment. In some other embodiments, a silicone elastomer (with addition or condensation crosslinking) or a thermoplastic silicone may be employed. In other embodiments, a polyurethane (PUR) or a polyvinyl chloride may (PVC) may be employed.

In some embodiments, the eartip body 202 may have an at least partially structured, roughened and/or irregular surface for improving grip between the body of the earpiece and the eartip. Namely, at least the inner surface of the eartip body 202 adjacent to the longitudinal hole 201 (possibly comprising the one or more notches 203, 204) may be partially structured, roughened and/or irregular.

As mentioned above, the body 100 of the earpiece of Figures 1A, IB and 1C and the eartip 200 of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C may be attached to each other to form an earpiece. In some embodiments, such an earpiece may comprise one or more further parts or elements. For example, the earpiece may comprise an earhook or a stability sleeve (typically, attached to the body) for insertion inside 13 the earlobe (e.g., in the concha of the ear) for providing additional support and stability for attaching the earpiece to an ear.

As mentioned above, both the body of the earpiece and the eartip of the earpiece may comprise one or more electrode elements (i.e., electrically conductive elements) for enabling conduction of biosignals. Figures 3A, 3B and 3C & Figures 4A, 4B and 4C and Figures 5A, 5B and 5C & Figures 6A and 6B illustrate two exemplary implementations of the one or more electrode elements of the body of the earpiece and the eartip and two exemplary ways in which the one or more electrode elements may be arranged on the body and eartip of the earpiece according to embodiments. In all Figures, the illustrated body or the eartip may correspond fully to the body and eartip shown in and discussed in connection with Figures 1A, IB, 1C and Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, respectively, unless otherwise explicitly stated. Any of the illustrated electrodes may be further connected to one or more integrated circuits integrated into the body of the earpiece and/or to a cable or a radio transceiver or transmitter for outputting measured biosignals from the earpiece. Reference signs of Figures 1A, IB, 1C, 2A, 2B and 2C have been not been reproduced in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A and 6B merely for simplicity of presentation.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate a body of an earpiece (or at least a part thereof) with two electrode elements 301, 302 (shown with crosshatching) while Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate an eartip with two electrode elements 401, 402 (shown with crosshatching) suitable for attaching to the body. In general, one or more electrode elements may be provided in each of the body and the eartip. Specifically, the two electrode elements 301, 302, 401, 402 in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C and Figure 4A, 4B and 4C correspond to parts of the body and the eartip which have been functionalized for enabling electric conductivity. In other words, a non- conductive material (e.g., an elastomer, a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer) of the body and the eartip has been embedded locally (i.e., at one or more parts of the body and the eartip) with one or more conductive filler materials (e.g., with conductive filler particles or other conductive filler elements).

In general, a conductive filler material may be defined as a conductive material that is added to a polymer matrix in order to functionalize the latter with electric conductivity. The conductive filler materials may be, for example, conductive metals, conductive carbonaceous materials, intrinsically conductive polymers and conductive ionic liquids. Possible geometries for conductive filler materials may be, for example, conductive particles of different sizes and 14 geometries (e.g. spherical, flake, tubes, nano-tubes, nano-sized fibers), fibers and ionic liquids (salts, that are liquid, i.e., molten, at operation temperature, forming very small droplets inside the polymer matrix). Said conductive particles may be, for example, metal or carbonaceous particles. The metal particles may be, for example, silver, steel, aluminum or nickel particles. In some embodiments, the conductive particles may be metal particles of a particular metal (e.g., copper) coated with another metal (e.g., silver) or nonconductive particles (e.g., glass particles) coated with silver or any of the other metal mentioned above. By embedding one or more conductive filler materials to the non-conductive material, the overall conductivity should be rendered high enough to enable efficient transmission of the measured signal from the eartip to the body of the earpiece (specifically, to cable connection point or a radio transceiver or receiver therein) and vice versa. Preferably, the material of the body of the earpiece and/or the earpiece should be, despite the high content of the one or more conductive filler materials, suitable for injection molding.

Referring to Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, the one or more electrodes 301, 302 implemented as functionalized parts of the body of the earpiece may extend, in general, along the length of the body of the earpiece. Specifically, the one or more electrodes 301, 302 may extend over the whole length of the body or at least over the elongated connector element in a longitudinal direction of the body (or of the elongated body of the elongated connector element). The one or more fins of the body of the earpiece may form a part of said one or more electrode elements implemented as functionalized parts, as depicted in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C. In other embodiments, the one or more fins (or at least some of them or a part of them) may not form a part of said one or more electrode elements 301, 302 implemented as functionalized parts. Each of the one or more electrodes 301, 302 may substantially cover a certain cylindrical sector or other segment of the body of the earpiece (defined relative a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body).

As illustrated in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, in some embodiments where the one or more fins comprise two fins and the one or more electrode elements comprise two electrode elements, said two electrode elements which comprise the two fins are arranged on opposing sides of the elongated body (or of the elongated connector element).

Referring to Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the one or more electrodes 401, 402 implemented as functionalized parts of the eartip of the earpiece may, in general, extend along the length of the eartip or even over the whole length of the eartip in 15 the longitudinal direction. The one or more electrode elements may be defined to render both the outside surface of the eartip and the inside surface adjacent to the longitudinal hole of the eartip conductive over a part or whole of the length of the eartip. Considering an eartip geometry comprising two concentric material layers as discussed above (and as illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C), both concentric material layers of the eartip may be partially functionalized (i.e., the one or more electrode elements may form a part of both concentric material layers). The one or more notches may be formed in the one or more electrode elements 401, 402 implemented as functionalized parts of the eartip, as depicted in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C.

The one or more electrode elements 401, 402 of the eartip are arranged to be electrically connectable with the one or more electrode elements 301, 302 of the body of the earpiece by attaching the eartip and the body of the earpiece to each other. Thus, the one or more electrode elements 401, 402 of the eartip may be arranged to at least partially coincide with the one or more electrode elements 301,

302 of the body of the earpiece when the eartip is attached to the body of the earpiece. This enables conduction of biosignals from the human ear canal via the eartip to the body of the earpiece when the earpiece is inserted into the ear. Each of the one or more electrode elements 401, 402 (i.e., the functionalized parts of the eartip) may substantially cover a certain cylindrical sector or other segment of the eartip, preferably coinciding with the aforementioned cylindrical sector or other segment defined for the one or more electrode elements 301, 302 of the body of the earpiece when the two parts are attached.

As illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, in some embodiments where the one or more notches comprise two notches and the one or more electrode elements 401, 402 comprise two electrode elements, said two electrode elements 401, 402 on which the two notches are formed are arranged on opposing sides of the elongated body (or of the elongated connector element).

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate an alternative body of an earpiece (or at least a part thereof) with two electrode elements 501, 502 (shown with crosshatching) while Figures 6A and 6B illustrate an alternative eartip with two electrode elements 601, 602 (shown with crosshatching or thickened line) suitable for attaching to the body. In general, one or more electrode elements may be provided in each of the body and the eartip, as discussed above. Specifically, the two electrode elements 501, 502, 601, 602 in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C and Figures 6A 16 and 6B correspond, respectively, to parts of the body and the eartip which have been coated or covered with a conductive material.

The conductive material usable for coating may be, for example, a conductive ink. A conductive ink is a type of ink infused with a conductive material such as silver or graphite. In general, said conductive material in the conductive ink maybe a conductive metal, a conductive carbonaceous material, an ionic substance or an intrinsically conductive polymer. In other embodiments, a metal layer, a flexible conductive sheet of material (e.g., a sheet of metal or a metallized sheet of flexible material) attached onto the surface of the body of the earpiece or the eartip may be employed instead of the conductive ink.

Referring to Figures 5A, 5B and 5C, the one or more electrode elements 501, 502 implemented as a conductive material coating or a flexible conductive sheet of material may, in general, extend along the length of the body of the earpiece. Specifically, the one or more electrodes 501, 502 may extend over the whole length of the body or at least over the elongated connector element in the longitudinal direction (or of the elongated element of the elongated connector element), similar to as discussed in connection with Figures 3A, 3B and 3C. The one or more electrode elements 501, 502 of the body of the earpiece may have, for example, a shape of rectangular strip, as illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C. The one or more electrodes 501, 502 maybe arranged such that the one or more fins of the body of the earpiece are not coated or covered by the one or more electrode elements 501, 502, as depicted in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C. In other embodiments, the one or more fins may be at least partially covered or coated by the one or more electrodes implemented as a conductive coating or a conductive sheet of metal. In general, the one or more electrodes 501, 502 may be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically around the central longitudinal axis of the elongated connector element (or of the elongated body thereof).

Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, in general, the one or more electrode elements 601, 602 implemented as a conductive material coating or a flexible conductive sheet of material may extend along the length of the eartip or specifically over the whole length of the eartip in the longitudinal direction. The one or more electrode elements 601, 602 may be defined to coat or cover a part of the outside surface of the eartip and a part of the inside surface adjacent to the longitudinal hole of the eartip over the whole length of the eartip so that an electrical connection is formed between the human ear canal to which the earpiece is inserted and the body of the earpiece. Considering an eartip geometry 17 comprising two concentric material layers as discussed above (and as illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B), both concentric material layers of the eartip may be at least partially coated or covered. Specifically, at least a part of the outer surface of the outer concentric material layer, a part of the inner surface of the inner concentric material layer and a section of the eartip body connecting said outer and inner surfaces may be rendered conductive by coating them with a conductive ink or covering them with a flexible conductive sheet of material. In some embodiments, the one or more notches may not be covered or coated by the one or more electrode elements 601, 602, as depicted in Figures 6A and 6B. The one or more electrode elements 601, 602 of the eartip of the earpiece may have, for example, a shape of rectangular strip, as illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B.

Similar to as described for Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B and 4C, the one or more electrode elements 601, 602 of the eartip are arranged to be electrically connectable with the one or more electrode elements 501, 502 of the body of the earpiece by attaching the eartip and the body of the earpiece to each other. Thus, the one or more electrode elements 601, 602 of the eartip may be arranged to at least partially coincide with the one or more electrode elements 501, 502 of the body of the earpiece when the eartip is attached to the body of the earpiece for enabling conduction of biosignals from the human ear canal via the eartip to the body of the earpiece when the earpiece is inserted into the ear. In general, the one or more electrodes 601, 602 may be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically around the central longitudinal axis of the eartip body.

As illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B, in some embodiments where the one or more notches comprise two notches and the one or more electrode elements 601, 602 comprise two electrode elements, said two electrode elements 601, 602 are arranged on opposing sides of the elongated body (or of the elongated connector element), being optionally substantially orthogonal to the two opposing sides on which the two notches are arranged.

In some embodiments, the arrangement of two electrode elements as illustrated in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B and 4C (i.e., electrodes coinciding with the fins and the notches) may be used with the electrode implementation as discussed with Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A and 6B (metallic coating or covering). In other embodiments, the arrangement of two electrode elements as illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A and 6B (i.e., electrodes being adjacent to the fins and notches) may be used with the electrode implementation as discussed with Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C (functionalized parts of the body and the eartip). In some embodiments, 18 the concepts discussed in connection with Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B and 4C and Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A and 6B may be combined so that the one or more electrodes of the body are implemented with one or both of the functionalization and conductive coating/covering and the one or more electrodes of the eartip are implemented with one or both of the one of the functionalization and conductive coating/ covering.

Any of the embodiments discussed in connection with any of the Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A and 6B may be generalized to cover the case where one or more electrode elements of the body are arranged around the body of the earpiece and one or more electrode elements of the eartip are arranged, in a corresponding or at least partially coinciding manner, around the eartip. The number of the one or more electrode elements may be dependent on the particular application (e.g., on what is being measured or what is being excited using the one or more electrodes). While the base 104 is shown in Figures 1A, IB and 1C as being rotationally symmetric (relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongated connector element 105), in other embodiments the base 104 (or the housing of the body of the earpiece) may have a rotationally asymmetric (in said longitudinal direction), somewhat elongated shape. Figures 7A and 7B illustrates an example body 700 of an earpiece according to embodiments comprising such a rotationally asymmetric elongated base or housing 704. The elements 700 to 703 and 705 may correspond to elements 100 to 105 of Figures 1A, IB and 1C, unless otherwise explicitly stated. The properties of the base 104 of Figures 1A, IB and 1C may apply, apart from the differing shape and size, also to the base 704. For example, the base (or housing) 704 may comprise within it one or more integrated circuits and/or a radio transceiver.

The rotationally asymmetric (elongated) shape of the base or housing 704 may serve to guide the user to insert the earpiece into the ear so that the body 700 of the earpiece always has the same orientation (e.g., wired or wireless earplugs so that the cable for connecting to the other earbud and/or to an electrical device such as a smart phone is pointing substantially to a predetermined direction during use or true wireless earbuds so that the body of the earpiece is pointing substantially to a predetermined direction during use). Due to the one or more fins 702, 703 of the body 700 and the corresponding one or more notches on the eartip forcing the user to connect the body 700 and the eartip in one or more pre-defined orientations (the exact number depending on the number of fins/notches and their 19 symmetry or asymmetry in a particular embodiment), the eartip orientation is also controlled in this case according to embodiments.

The illustrated body of the earpiece 700 also comprises an earhook 706 insertable into the concha of a user's ear for providing further stability for the earpiece when inserted into an ear.

In some alternative embodiments, a cable may be connected to one particular side of the base 104 of Figure 1A, IB and 1C causing the same effect of forcing or at least guiding the user to insert the earpiece in a particular orientation as discussed in connection with Figures 7A and 7B. Figures 8A and 8B show an alternative example of a part of a body 800 of an earpiece according to embodiments, respectively, in an upper perspective view and in a side view while Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a corresponding alternative eartip 900 of the earpiece according to embodiments, respectively, in a lower perspective view and in a central cross-sectional side view. The cross- sectional side view of Figure 9B corresponds specifically to a central cross section oriented along the plane of the one or more notches 903, 904. The body 800 of the earpiece and the eartip 900 of the earpiece are assumed to be attachable or preferably detachably attachable to each other. The specific dimensions indicated in said Figures in millimeters are to be considered merely exemplary. The body 800 of the earpiece and the eartip 900 of the earpiece correspond for the most part to the earpiece and eartip as discussed in connection with Figures 1A, IB, 1C, 2A, 2B and 2C. Any of the definitions provided in connection with said Figures apply, mutatis mutandis, also for these alternative embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Specifically, elements 801, 804 may correspond to element 101, 104 of Figure 1A, IB and 1C and elements 901, 902, 905 to 909 may correspond to elements 201, 202, 205 to 209 of Figure 2A, 2B and 2C, as discussed above. The body 800 (or specifically the base 804) may comprise one or more further parts not shown in Figures 8A and 8B such as a larger housing 704 as illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B. Referring to Figures 8A and 8B, the body 800 of the earpiece differs from the body 100 of Figures 1A, IB and 1C in that the one or more fins 802, 803 (or specifically two fins in the illustrated example) have somewhat different shape and arrangement compared to the one or more fins 102, 103 of Figures 1A, IB and 1C. Here, the one or more fins 802, 803 have substantially the shape of a cuboid (i.e., a cuboid with the face arranged against the elongated body 801 being rounded to conform to said elongated body 801) which is slanted at both ends for enabling 20 easier attachment and detachment to the eartip. In other words, the slanting may specifically be such that the edge of a non-longitudinal ear-facing face which is adjacent (and/or attached) to the elongated body 801 is closer, in the longitudinal direction, to the second end (i.e., the open or distal end) of the elongated body 801 than the opposite edge of said non-longitudinal ear-facing face and the edge of a non-longitudinal non-ear-facing face which is adjacent (and/or attached) to the elongated body 801 is farther, in the longitudinal direction, from the second end of the elongated body 801 than the opposite edge of said non-longitudinal non-ear- facing face. Additionally, the one or more fins 802, 803 are separated from the base 804 by a non-zero distance (in contrast to Figures 1A, IB and 1C). This serves to enable the insertion of the one or more fins to the one or more notches of the eartip having the particular shape and arrangement to be discussed in the following paragraph.

Referring to Figures 9A and 9B, the eartip 900 of the earpiece differs from the eartip 200 of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C in that the one or more notches 902,

903 (or specifically two notches in the illustrated example) for attaching to the one or more fins of the body of the earpiece have somewhat different shape and arrangement compared to the one or more notches 203, 204 of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C. To be precise, the eartip 900 of Figures 9A and 9B comprises, arranged on an inner surface of the eartip body 902 adjacent to a longitudinal hole 901 penetrating the eartip body 902, one or more lower notches 910, 911 extending from the first opening 907 in a longitudinal direction of the earpiece body 902 and one or more respective upper notches 903, 904 separated, in the longitudinal direction, by one or more respective protrusions 912, 913. Said one or more lower notches 910, 911, said one or more protrusions 912, 913 and said one or more upper notches 903,

904 may be substantially aligned with each other. The one or more upper notches 903, 904 correspond to the one or more notches 203, 204 of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C in that they are the notches into which the one or more fins of the body of the earpiece are inserted for attaching the eartip to the body of the earpiece. Here, the body of the earpiece is inserted into the eartip by, first, inserting the elongated connector element through the one or more lower notches 910, 911 and, then, by applying some further force so as to slightly deform the flexible and/or elastic eartip body 902, slipping the one or more fins into the one or more upper notches 903, 904. When the eartip is attached to the body of the earpiece, said one or more protrusions 912, 913 serve to lock the one or more fins of the body of the earpiece in place (i.e., to prevent their movement in the longitudinal direction). The one or 21 more upper notches 903, 904 may be formed to, at least in part, conform to the shape of the one or more fins of the body of the earpiece.

As show in Figures 9A and 9B, the eartip body 902 may also here comprise specifically two concentric (longitudinal) material layers or shells 905, 906 separated in a radial direction (orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of eartip 900) by an (empty) volume 909, being open at a first end of the eartip body 902 and being joined at a second end of the eartip body 902 (i.e., the end facing towards the human ear canal during use). Said two concentric material layers 905, 906 may be defined, for the most part, as discussed in connection with elements 205, 206 of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C. Said one or more lower notches 910, 911, said one or more protrusions 912, 913 and said one or more upper notches 903, 904 may be implemented as notches or protrusion(s) on an inner surface of the inner concentric material layer 905. Said one or more protrusions 912, 913 may have, for example, a shape of a half (circular) cylinder or any other rounded shape. The one or more upper notches may have an opening towards the empty volume 909 between the two concentric material layers 905, 906, as illustrated in Figures 9A and 9B. In other words, the empty volume 909 between the two concentric material layers extends, within the eartip body 902, to the one or more upper notches 903, 904. This facilitates the attaching of the body of the earpiece to the eartip 900 as the section of the inner concentric material layer 905 comprising said one or more lower notches 910, 911, said one or more protrusions 912, 913 and said one or more upper notches 903, 904 is able to deform under pressure more freely and/or easily. In other embodiments, said opening may be omitted (i.e., it may be replaced with a closed face of the upper notches 903, 904). The arrangement (e.g., symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangement) of said one or more lower notches 910, 911, said one or more protrusions 912, 913 and said one or more upper notches 903, 904 relative to a central longitudinal axis of the eartip 902 may correspond to the arrangement of the one or more notches 203, 204 as discussed above in connection with Figures 2A, 2B and 2C. In some embodiments, the one or more lower notches 910, 911 may be omitted (i.e., the one or more protrusions may extend up to the first opening 907).

While in embodiments described above, the body of the earpiece comprised one or more fins extending from the elongated body and the eartip comprised one or more notches adjacent to the longitudinal hole for attaching to the one or more fins of the body, in other embodiments, said attaching means of two different types (fins & notches) may be arranged in an opposite manner. In 22 other words, the body of the earpiece may comprise one or more notches and the eartip may comprise one or more fins. Figures 10A and 10B & 11A and 11B provide an example of a body of an earpiece and a corresponding eartip according to embodiments with such an opposite arrangement of attaching means. Specifically, Figures lOAand 10B illustrate a body 1000 of an earpiece (or at least a part thereof for attaching an eartip) according to embodiments, respectively, in an upper perspective view and in a side view while Figures 11A and 11B illustrate a corresponding eartip 1100 of the earpiece according to embodiments, respectively, in a lower perspective view and in a central cross-sectional side view. The cross- sectional side view of Figure 11B corresponds specifically to a central cross section oriented along the plane of the one or more fins 1103, 1104. Apart from the implementation of the attaching means, the embodiments illustrated in Figures 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B may correspond to any of the embodiments discussed above. Any of the definitions provided in connection with any of the Figures discussed above may apply, mutatis mutandis, also here, unless otherwise stated.

Referring to Figure 10A and 10B, the body 1000 of the earpiece comprises an elongated connector element 1005 for attaching the body 1000 to an eartip of the earpiece via a longitudinal hole penetrating the eartip, similar to above embodiments. Specifically, the elongated connector element 1005 comprises an elongated body 1001 and one or more notches 1002, 1003 (in the illustrated example, two notches) formed on an outer surface of the elongated body 1001. The one or more notches 1002, 1003 may extend along a longitudinal direction of the elongated body 1001. In some alternative embodiments (not shown in Figures 10A and 10B), the one or more notches 1002, 1003 may extend up to a distal end and/or a proximal end of the elongated body 1001. Said one or more notches 1002, 1003 of the body 1000 may extend for a length which may be smaller than the length of the elongated body 1001. Specifically, the one or more notches 1002, 1003 may extend along a longitudinal direction of the elongated body 1001 and substantially towards a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body 1001. Similar to above embodiments, a base 1004 may be attached to the proximal end of the elongated connector element 1001. The elements 1001, 1004 may be defined as discussed in connection with elements 101, 104 of Figure 1A, IB and 1C or with elements 701, 704 of Figure 7 A and 7B.

The one or more notches 1002, 1003 of the body 1000 may be arranged in an analogous manner as discussed for one or more fins of the body in connection with above embodiments (e.g., rotationally symmetrically or asymmetrically). 23

Similar to as discussed for the one or more fins in connection with Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 5A, 5B and 5C, the one or more notches 1002, 1003 may or may not be supporting or form a part of one or more electrode elements. The shape of the one or more notches 1002, 1003 may correspond to a concave equivalent of any of the convex shapes discussed for the one or more fins of the body in connection with Figures 1A, IB and 1C.

Referring to Figure 11A and 11B, the eartip 1100 of an earpiece for at least partial insertion to a human ear canal comprises an eartip body 1102, a longitudinal hole 1101 penetrating through the eartip body 1102 (thus forming first and second openings 1107, 1108) for attaching the eartip 1100 to an elongated connector element of a body of the earpiece and one or more fins 1103, 1104 arranged on an inner surface of the eartip body 1102 adjacent to the longitudinal hole 1101. Specifically, the one or more fins 1103, 1104 may extend from the inner surface of the eartip body 1102 adjacentto the longitudinal hole 1101 for attaching to one or more notches of the elongated connector element of the body. In some alternative embodiments (not shown in Figures 11A and 11B), said one or more fins 1103, 1104 of the eartip 1100 may extend from a first opening 1107 of the longitudinal hole 1101. Said one or more fins 1103, 1104 of the eartip 1100 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal hole 1101 for a first length which may be smaller than the length of the eartip body 1102. The one or more fins

1103, 1104 may extend substantially towards the central longitudinal axis of the eartip body 1102. The elements 1101, 1102, 1004 maybe defined as discussed in connection with elements 201, 202, 204 of Figure 2A, 2B and 2C.

As shown in Figures 11A and 11B and similar to above embodiments, the eartip body 1102 may also here comprise specifically two concentric (longitudinal) material layers or shells 1105, 1106 separated in a radial direction (orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of eartip 1100) by an (empty) volume 1109 and being open at a first end of the eartip body 1102 and being joined at a second end of the eartip body 1102 (i.e., the end facing towards the human ear canal during use). Said two concentric material layers 1105, 1106 may be defined as discussed in connection with elements 205, 206 of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C. Said one or more fins 1103, 1104 may be implemented as protrusion(s) on an inner surface of the inner concentric material layer 1105.

The one or more fins 1103, 1104 of the eartip 1100 may be arranged in an analogous manner as discussed for one or more notches of the eartip in connection with above embodiments (e.g., rotationally symmetrically or 24 asymmetrically). Similar to as discussed for the one or more fins in connection with Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 6A and 6B, the one or more fins 1103, 1104 may or may not be supporting or form a part of one or more electrode elements. The shape of the one or more fins 1103, 1104 may correspond to a convex equivalent of any of the concave shapes discussed for the one or more notches of the eartip in connection with Figures 2A, 2B and 2C.

In some alternative embodiments, the exemplary embodiments of Figures 1A, IB & 1C and Figures 10A & 10B, may be combined such that the body comprises one or more attaching means comprising one or more fins extending from the elongated body for attaching to one or more notches on the eartip and/or one or more notches on an outer surface of the elongated body for attaching to one or more fins of the eartip. Similarly, the exemplary embodiments of Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 11A and 11B, may be combined, in some alternative embodiments, such that the eartip comprises one or more notches for attaching to one or more fins of the body of the earpiece and/or one or more fins extending from the inner surface of the eartip body adjacent to the longitudinal hole for attaching to one or more notches of the body of the earpiece.

The earpieces as illustrated in any of the Figures may be manufactured using (IK or 2K) injection molding, hot pressing and/or foam casting. In some embodiments, 3D-printing or additive manufacturing (e.g., fused deposition modeling, stereolithography or selective laser sintering) or subtractive manufacturing may be used in the manufacturing of at least some of the elements depicted in any of the Figures.

The embodiments discussed above provide at least the following advantages. Firstly, the primary cause of malfunctions in earpieces containing sensor(s) and/or actuators, the incorrect attachment of the eartip to the body of the earpiece by the user, is eliminated. The ease, comfort, and reliability experienced by the user are, thus, significantly improved. Without the additional required components the user will only need to select their generalized size of ear tips. This will lower the barrier to entry for the user, as no understanding regarding howto use the technology (i.e., howto orient the eartips and the earpiece in general relative to the human ear canal) is required. Further, less material is required for exchanging eartips reducing waste and costs, the size of ear canal and concha do not need to be associated. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The 25 embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

26 CLAIMS

1. A body of an earpiece, the body comprising: an elongated connector element for attaching the body to an eartip of the earpiece via a longitudinal hole penetrating the eartip, wherein the elongated connector element comprises an elongated body and one or more attaching means comprising one or more fins extending from the elongated body for attaching to one or more notches on the eartip and/or one or more notches on an outer surface of the elongated body for attaching to one or more fins of the eartip.

2. The body of claim 1, wherein the one or more attaching means comprise the one or more fins extending along the longitudinal direction of the elongated body and away from a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body and/or the one or more notches extending along the longitudinal direction of the elongated body and towards a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body.

3. The body of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the one or more attaching means has a length along a longitudinal direction of the elongated body shorter than a length of the elongated body.

4. The body according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a base attached to a proximal end of the elongated connector element.

5. The body according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more attaching means comprise the one or more fins.

6. The body according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more attaching means comprise the one or more notches.

7. The body according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more attaching means consist of two or more attaching means arranged symmetrically around the elongated body.

8. The body according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more attaching means consist of one or more attaching means arranged asymmetrically 27 around the elongated body.

9. The body according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more attaching means and/or the elongated body have a structured, roughened and/or irregular surface for improving grip between the body of the earpiece and the eartip.

10. The body according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongated body has the shape of a cylinder or a rounded cylinder.

11. The body according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises: one or more electrode elements extending along the length of the body for conducting signals from and to the human ear canal via the eartip of the earpiece when the body and the eartip are attached to each other and the eartip is inserted at least partially into the human ear canal.

12. The body according to claim 11, wherein the one or more electrode elements of the body are implemented as one or more functionalized parts of the body, as one or more surfaces of the body coated with a conductive ink or as one or more flexible conductive sheets of material attached to the body.

13. The body according to claim 11, wherein the body is made of an elastomer, a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer and the one or more electrode elements of the body are implemented as one or more functionalized parts of the body by embedding the thermoplastic elastomer of the eartip body with one or more conductive filler materials.

14. The body according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the body comprises and/or is electrically connected to: one or more sensors for measuring biosignals of the human ear canal via the one or more electrode elements of the body and the eartip of the earpiece; and/or one or more actuators for inducing signals in the human ear canal via the one or more electrode elements of the body and the eartip of the earpiece. 28

15. An eartip of an earpiece for at least partial insertion to a human ear canal, the eartip comprising: an eartip body; a longitudinal hole penetrating through the eartip body for attaching the eartip to an elongated connector element of a body of the earpiece; and one or more attaching means arranged on an inner surface of the eartip body adjacent to the longitudinal hole, wherein the one or more attaching means comprise one or more notches for attaching to one or more fins of the body of the earpiece and/or one or more fins extending from the inner surface of the eartip body adjacent to the longitudinal hole for attaching to one or more notches of the body.

16. The eartip according to claim 15, wherein the one or more attaching means of the eartip extend in a longitudinal direction for a length smaller than a length of the longitudinal hole.

17. The eartip according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the eartip body has an external shape which narrows towards its tip.

18. The eartip according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the one or more attaching means comprise the one or more notches.

19. The eartip according to claim 18, wherein the one or more notches extend from a first opening of the longitudinal hole for facing away from the human ear canal when the eartip is inserted at least partially into the human ear canal.

20. The eartip according to claim 18, wherein the one or more attaching means further comprise one or more protrusions arranged on the inner surface of the eartip body adjacent to the longitudinal hole, said one or more protrusions being arranged between a first opening of the longitudinal hole for facing away from the human ear canal when the eartip is inserted at least partially into the human ear canal and the one or more notches.

21. The eartip according to any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the one or more attaching means comprise the one or more fins. 29

22. The eartip according to any of claims 15 to 21, wherein the one or more attaching means consist of two or more attaching means arranged symmetrically around the longitudinal hole.

23. The eartip according to any of claims 15 to 21, wherein the one or more attaching means consist of one or more attaching means arranged asymmetrically around the longitudinal hole.

24. The eartip according to any of claims 15 to 23, wherein an inner surface of the eartip adjacent to the longitudinal hole is at least partially structured, roughened and/or irregular for improving grip between the body of the earpiece and the eartip.

25. The eartip according to any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the eartip comprises: one or more electrode elements extending along the length of the eartip for conducting signals from the human ear canal to the body of the earpiece and from the body of the earpiece to the human ear canal when the eartip is attached to the body of the earpiece and the eartip is inserted at least partially into the human ear canal.

26. The eartip according to claim 25, wherein the one or more electrode elements are adapted to render an outer surface of the eartip at least partially conductive for providing the electrical connection to the human ear canal, to render the inner surface of the eartip adjacent to the longitudinal hole at least partially conductive for enabling the conducting of signals from and to the body of the earpiece and to render a tip of the eartip body at least partially conductive for enabling conduction between the inner and outer surfaces of the eartip body.

27. The eartip according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the one or more electrode elements are implemented as one or more functionalized parts of the eartip body, as one or more surfaces of the eartip body coated with a conductive ink or as one or more flexible conductive sheets of material attached to the eartip body. 30

28. The eartip according to any of claims 25 to 27, wherein the eartip body is made of an elastomer, a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer and the one or more electrode elements are implemented as one or more functionalized parts of the eartip body by embedding the thermoplastic elastomer of the eartip body with one or more conductive filler materials.

29. The eartip according to any of claims 15 to 28, wherein the eartip body comprises two concentric material layers separated in a radial direction by an empty volume and joined at a second end of the eartip body for facing the human ear canal, the one or more attaching means being formed on an inner surface of an inner concentric material layer.

30. The eartip according to claim 29, wherein a thickness of an outer concentric material layer of the two concentric material layers is smaller than a thickness of an inner concentric material layer of the two concentric material layers.

31. The eartip according to any of claims 15 to 30, further comprising: one or more sensors and/or one or more actuators arranged on or integrated into the eartip.

32. An earpiece comprising: a body according to any of claims 1 to 14; and an eartip according to any of claims 15 to 31 attachable to the body.