ES2624457B1 - MULTIFUNCTIONAL EAR PLUG - Google Patents

Abstract

Multifunctional earplug with an elongated end (5) that emerges from a wider area (4) where a multiple electronic device (7, 6, 2) is housed that will be in connection with the ear through a conduit (1 ) and in the widest area it is where one or several ducts (3) or means that allow the passage of outside noise are arranged; The electronic device (7, 6, 2) comprises: # - An RFID transceiver that will transmit an identification of the carrier user. # - A radio transceiver, which enables voice and data communication with the outside of the device. # - A known noise cancellation subsystem that reduces unwanted ambient sounds. # - A speaker. # - A coil. # - A microphone. # - A battery that provides power to the device, which can be rechargeable.

Description

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MULTIFUNCTIONAL EAR PLUG

DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, as the title of the invention states, an earplug that has multiple functionalities specially designed for use in airplanes or the like.

The present invention characterizes the fact of combining in a small space a series of different and simultaneous functionalities that make it a particularly useful device in different situations, with the advantage of being light and easily attachable to the ear.

The object of the present invention is also a system that uses the multifunctional plug and which serves to read the position occupied by a passenger carrying the plug.

Therefore, the present invention is within the scope of earplugs and auditory communication devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the state of the art different earplugs are known that have means that allow it to have different functionalities.

WO2009135674 discloses a protective device for eyes and ears, which among other features has means for suppressing sound and identification means based on RFID transmissions; however, it is a complex device in its manufacture, bulky, in addition to lacking other information transmission functionalities and allowing hearing messages to be received while suppressing background noise

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permanent

US2016045373 describes an earplug that has means for noise suppression, in addition to recognizing the possibility of communication via Bluetooth. It lacks other additional features, in addition to the necessary means and a design for suppressing background noise while being able to receive auditory information from outside.

CN202554242U discloses an earplug that has means for sound filtering, in addition to means for transmitting signals via Bluetooth, lacks identification means, and is not specifically designed for canceling background sound.

WO0217836 discloses a terminal with a microphone, with hearing aids, attenuation means and recognizes the possibility of communication via Bluetooth. It lacks functionalities such as additional user identification as well as lacking a design that at the same time suppresses background noise while allowing the reception of auditory information.

US2011228947 discloses an earplug with sound control means, either to increase or decrease it. It lacks additional communication and identification functionalities, in addition to not having a design specifically designed for sound suppression.

US2011103605 discloses an earplug specially designed in the military field that can receive information via Bluetooth. It lacks additional functionalities, in addition to avoiding canceling the background sound.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to develop an earplug that has a design that allows the transmission of sound from the sound generating means into the ear, which also allows the

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Audition of sound emitted from the outside and carry out a permanent background noise suppression, without preventing listening to the outside sound, in addition to allowing user identification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is an earplug that is specially designed for use in airplanes or similar means and that is preferably made of foam or any other material that functionally offers the same comfort and coupling performance to the ear.

The plug is the result of the combination of a constructive design and the integration of a series of electronic devices that allow it to provide a very wide functionality.

An electronic device is housed inside the cap, which can be manufactured in a single integrated circuit and comprises:

- An RFID receiver / sender that will transmit an identification of the bearer user; The transmission of the identification will be read by a receiver placed, for example, in the seat occupied by the user carrying the cap, so that there is a clear and unique identification of the person located in a specific position and that has said cap. This feature is especially useful in means of transport such as airplanes or the like.

- A Bluetooth or similar connection that enables the reception of voice and data between the user carrying a sending device and the receiving plug, for example, from the hostess cabin, by means of a radio frequency link. Thanks to the Bluetooth connection, it is possible to facilitate connections between mobile devices, eliminate cables and offer the possibility of creating small wireless networks with greater comfort.

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A noise cancellation system known in the sector as "noise canceling" that reduces unwanted ambient sounds using a compensatory active noise control.This is different from passive headphones that, if they reduce ambient sounds somewhat, is because they use techniques such as soundproofing.

The noise cancellation allows you to listen to music without excessively raising the volume. It can also help a passenger sleep in a noisy vehicle with greater comfort, such as a passenger plane or a train. In the aviation environment, noise canceling headphones increase the signal-to-noise ratio significantly more than passive noise attenuation headphones or when there are no headphones, which means that with greater guarantee and clarity information can be heard Important as security announcements. Noise-canceling headphones can improve listening enough to fully compensate for the effect of a distracting concurrent activity.

A speaker that allows you to listen to communications sent from a remote station, for example, from the hostess station.

A microphone that allows you to obtain information from outside, necessary for noise cancellation.

A battery that provides the necessary power for the correct functioning of the device.

In addition, the stopper object of the invention, in order to achieve a correct operation of all the previously collected functionalities, requires a constructive structural design that must at least have:

- A conduit that directly communicates the electronic device with the entrance to the ear canal.

- A series of holes or pores that allow the passage of outside sound to perform an active noise cancellation process.

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The advantages that derive from all the functionalities described above are:

- It allows the user to connect to the multimedia system of the aircraft, improving the sound quality by having active sound cancellation means, in addition to the plug's own isolation effect. The RFID identifier will allow only the passenger who owns a seat in question to hear what he has selected.

- They allow communication with the hostesses or control personnel, who by having an additional recognition system based on the RFID transmission, let you know the location of the passenger who needs your help. Communication with the hostesses or control personnel does not require the passenger to remove the cap.

- You can listen to all the warnings of the pilot or any member of the crew.

- Allows communication addressed to a single passenger or group of passengers without disturbing or warning the rest.

The battery can be rechargeable by means of a system comprising a coil and an additional electronics that converts the electromagnetic energy received by the coil into energy for the battery, with the possibility of a charge control thereof.

The multifunctional cap object of the invention allows to integrate with a system for reading the location of a passenger inside an airplane or any other place where each person has a particular seat or location assigned, counting on the cap object of the invention that transmits its identification via RFID to other RFID transmission means located, for example, in the seat, and thus know from a control point what location the person carrying it has.

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This reading system will emit a certain complex electromagnetic wave carrying a message that when it reaches the stopper will cause it to respond with an identification code by sending another complex electromagnetic wave. The electromagnetic wave can be in the range of the radio or optics. Likewise, said electromagnetic wave can be used by the plug to charge the battery it holds.

Unless otherwise indicated, all technical and scientific elements used herein have the meaning normally understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. In the practice of the present invention procedures and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used.

Throughout the description and the claims the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent in part of the description and part of the practice of the invention.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented.

In Figure 1, we can see a general schematic representation of a plug such as that which is the object of the invention and is longitudinally sectioned and inserted into an ear.

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PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.

In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

In Figure 1 we can see that the cap has a general shape with a design that allows its partial accommodation and support in the ear with an elongated end (5) that emerges from a wider area (4), which once housed the earplug is outside the ear canal

In the wider area (4) is where the electronic device (2, 6, 7) is housed, which is connected to the outside through conduits (3) or holes that directly communicate the electronic device (2, 6, 7) with the outside. This communicates with the end of the elongated end (5), through the conduit (1) which allows the user to listen to all the information generated by the device.

The electronic device (2,6,7) is basically composed of a microphone and an amplifying part, at least one receiver and transmitter coil (6) and a speaker together with the rest of the cancellation and amplification electronics.

In the widest area it is where one or several ducts (3) or means are arranged that allow the passage of the external noise, being necessary to carry out an action of active cancellation of the external noise.

The electronic device as indicated above has:

- an RFID transmitter / sender that will transmit an identification of the bearer user.

- A radio transceiver that enables the transmission of voice and data between the transmitting user and a receiver carrying the plug.

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- A noise cancellation subsystem known in the sector as "noise canceling" that reduces unwanted ambient sounds

- A speaker.

- A microphone.

- A coil (6) that allows the exchange of electromagnetic energy with the outside.

- A battery that provides device power.

The battery is rechargeable and has a charging subsystem consisting of a coil (6) and an additional electronics (7) that converts the electromagnetic energy received by the coil into battery charging current with the possibility of controlling the charge level of the same depending on the current that dispenses.

Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is noted that, within its essentiality, it may be implemented in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example. , and which will also achieve the protection sought, provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims (4)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1. - Multifunctional earplug characterized by that it has a general shape with a design that allows its partial accommodation and support in the ear with an elongated end (5) that emerges from a wider area (4), and that a Once lodged in the ear, it leaves one end outside the ear canal, where an electronic device (7, 6, 2) is housed that is connected to the outside through a conduit (1) that directly communicates the electronic device with the end of the elongated end (5); in the widest area it is where one or several holes (3) or means are arranged that allow the passage of outside noise; The electronic device comprises: - An RFID sender / receiver that will transmit an identification of the bearer user. - A radio transceiver that enables the transmission of voice and data between a transmitting user and a receiver carrying the plug. - A noise cancellation subsystem that reduces unwanted ambient sounds. - A speaker. - A microphone. - A coil that allows the exchange of electromagnetic energy with the outside. - A battery that provides device power. 2. - Multifunctional earplug according to claim 1 characterized in that it is made of foam or soft support for better comfort and ergonomics. 3. - Multifunctional earplug according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the battery is rechargeable, also has a battery charging subsystem consisting of a coil (6) and an additional electronics (7) that converts electromagnetic energy received by the current coil of Charging the battery with the possibility of controlling the level of charge of the battery by controlling the current that dispenses. 4 .- Reader system of the location of a person carrying a cap according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it also comprises the RFID reading means located in the seat or place assigned to passengers and / or people, where this reading system will emit a certain complex electromagnetic wave carrying a message that when arriving at the plug will make it respond with a code of 10 identification by sending another complex electromagnetic wave. The electromagnetic wave can be in the range of the radio or optics. Likewise, said electromagnetic wave can be used by the plug to charge the battery it holds.