GB2431313A

GB2431313A - Listening apparatus with user adjustable noise cancellation

Info

Publication number: GB2431313A
Application number: GB0617704A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Constantine Kulukundis; Thomas Hutton
Original assignee: H K INNOVATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: H K INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-12
Filing date: 2006-09-08
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Also published as: GB0520702D0; GB0617704D0

Abstract

The listening apparatus includes at least one speaker 2, 4 connection means to allow the apparatus to be connected to audio reproduction means, and a microphone 6. Audio is generated from both the audio reproduction means and the microphone and can be selectively supplied to the at least one speaker to be listened to by the wearer of the speaker in their car. Typically, control means 8 are provided to allow the relative proportions and levels of audio from the audio reproduction means 12 and the microphone 14 to be adjusted by the wearer.

Description

1 2431313 Listening Apparatus The invention to which this application

relates is to an improvement in the provision of listening apparatus such as earphones or headphones, of the type of which include one or two speakers, said speakers provided of a size to be either placed into the ear or mounted within a housing to be placed on or adjacent to the ear. At the opposing end of a cable leading from the speakers, there is typically provided a socket which allows the earphones to be connected to an item of audio apparatus to allow audio data signals to be transmitted from the apparatus to the speakers to be listened to by the wearer of the apparatus.

The provision of headphones or earphones of this type, is well known, and a new generation of audio reproduction apparatus, such as Mp3 players which can be carried on a person, means that the use of earphones is again becoming increasingly common. However, a problem with conventional earphones is that once the earphones are placed into or on the ears of the wearer, all or virtually all, noise from the environment surrounding the wearer is obliterated. Thus, the noise which the wearer hears is wholly generated from the audio signals received from the apparatus to which the earphones are connected. This can often mean that the wearer loses awareness of their surrounding environment, events occurring within the environment and any warnings or other noises which may be made to alert the wearer. In some instances, this may not be of concern to a wearer, in other instances it may be an inconvenience but in yet further instances this may represent an actual danger to their well being as they may not be aware of a warning shout, or warning sounds generated by, for example, vehicles which are reversing, or the like.

Furthermore, the wearer's preference for which sounds they hear may be dependent on the particular environment in which they are using the earphones. For example, the level of external noise which would be useful in a noisy environment such as a city street, would be of greater relevance than if a person was wearing the earphones on a country walk where the level of external noise is likely to be significantly less than that of a city street.

The aim of the present invention is to provide listening apparatus of a type which provides improved benefit to the wearer and further, provides the wearer with the ability to adjust the operating condition of the apparatus to suit their specific requirements and/or specific environments in which the earphones are being used.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided listening apparatus, said apparatus including at least one speaker, said at least one speaker provided for placement in or adjacent to an ear of the apparatus wearer, a socket which allows the apparatus to be connected to audio reproduction apparatus to allow signals generated by the apparatus to be sent to the at least one speaker for the generation of audio to the wearer, and wherein the apparatus further includes a microphone positioned to pickup sound from the environment surrounding the apparatus wearer and the microphone is positioned intermediate said at least one speaker and socket.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes two speakers, one for each ear of the wearer. Typically, a cable connection is provided between the speakers and the socket and in one embodiment the microphone or microphones is/are positioned intermediate the said speakers and sockets on the cable.

Preferably, the apparatus includes control means for selective actuation by the user, said control means allowing the relative adjustment of the levels of each of the source of audio which is reproduced through the speakers. In one embodiment, the control means comprises a first adjustment means to allow adjustment of the level of noise which is passed to the speakers from the audio reproduction apparatus and a second adjustment means to allow the control of the audio which is passed to the speakers from the microphone.

Alternatively, a single adjustment means is provided which, at one extreme of adjustment, allows all noise from the audio reproduction apparatus to be passed to the speakers and none from the microphone and, at the other extreme of adjustment, allows all audio from the microphone and no audio from the audio reproduction means to pass to the speakers. Typically, the positioning of the adjustment means between the two extremes of adjustment, allows a mixture of audio from the microphone and audio reproduction means to be provided at varying levels dependant on the user selection.

Typically, the power for the operation of the speakers, microphone and adjustment means, is provided via the socket connection to the audio reproduction means.

A specific embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:- Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of apparatus in accordance with the invention; Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated earphone apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, said apparatus incorporating first and second speakers 2, 4, each speaker provided of a size and shape to allow the same to be placed into the ear and retained therein during use. Cables 5, 7 from the speakers 2, 4, lead to, in this embodiment, a microphone 6, onto adjustment means 8 and finally to a socket 10. The socket is provided of an appropriate form to allow the same to be plugged into, or otherwise connected to a suitable audio reproduction means, such as an Mp3 player (not shown).

In conventional use, all of the audio which is generated through the speakers would be from the audio reproduction means.

Indeed, in the current apparatus as depicted in Figure 1, this is still possible and would be achieved by operation of the adjustment means 8.

The adjustment means 8 comprise, in this embodiment, a first selective adjustment means 12 to allow adjustment of the level of audio reccived from the audio reproduction means and a second adjustment means 14 for user selection of the level of audio which is passed to the speakers from the microphone and therefore representing noise in the environment surrounding the wearer.

In order to achieve a condition where all of the audio to the speakers is coming from the audio reproduction means, then the adjustment means 12 is moved to the "+" position and the microphone adjustment means 14 is moved to the "-" position, therefore representing two extremes of adjustment and allowing only audio from the audio reproduction means to be heard via the speakers 24. Alternatively, if only noise from externally of the apparatus was required to be heard and no audio from the audio reproduction means, then the reverse settings would be used with the microphone adjustment means 14 being moved to the "+ position and the audio reproduction adjustment means 12 being moved to the "-" position.

In order to provide a mixture of audio from both the microphone and audio reproduction means, it will be appreciated that the adjustment means 12, 14 can be moved to respective positions intermediate of the "+" and "-" settings and the relative position of the two adjustment means is illustrated in Figure 1 and provides the user with the ability to select the level of mixing between the audio sources.

In an alternative embodiment, only one adjustment means may be provided with the one extreme of adjustment indicating a microphone only audio source and the opposing extreme representing an audio reproduction means audio source only, with the position of the adjustment means between the two extremes representing a mixture of audio which can be selected by the wearer.

In accordance with the invention it is envisaged that there will typically be two types of usc of the apparatus. In a first type of use, the wearer may select to have a mixture of sound from the audio reproduction means and the microphone and use the adjustment means to reach the required mixture whereafter the adjustment means will typically be held in that position for ongoing use. Alternatively, the wearer may select to have, in most operating positions, a greater level of audio from the audio reproduction means but for certain instances, such as for example if someone is talking to them, or they are in an area where public announcements are made such as a railway station, they can use the adjustment means to allow more audio from the microphone to be heard on a temporary basis.

It will therefore be appreciated that by providing the microphone, and the adjustment means for the audio which is received from the microphone and the audio reproduction means, so listening apparatus is provided which allows operation in a conventional manner but also allows the operation of the apparatus to be selected for particular operating conditions and environment, which is particularly of use when considering that the wearer can wear the earphones as a portable device in many different environments.

Claims

Claims 1.. Listening apparatus, said apparatus including at least one

speaker, said at least one speaker provided for placement in or adjacent to an ear of the apparatus wearer; a socket which allows the apparatus to be connected to audio reproduction apparatus to allow audio signals generated by the apparatus to be sent to the at least one speaker for the generation of audio to the wearer and wherein the apparatus further includes a microphone positioned to pick up sound from the environment surrounding the apparatus wearer and the microphone is positioned intermediate said at Least one speaker and socket.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes two speakers, one for each ear of the wearer.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a cable connection is provided between the speakers, the socket and the microphone.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the microphone is positioned intermediate said speakers and socket on the cable.
5. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the apparatus includes control means for allowing the adjustment of the proportion of sound from the audio reproduction apparatus and the microphone which are heard through the at least one speaker.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the control means comprises a first adjustment means to allow adjustment of the level of audio from the audio reproduction apparatus and a second adjustment means to allow adjustment of the level of audio from the microphone.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a single adjustment means is provided which, at one extreme of adjustment, allows all noise from the audio reproduction apparatus to be passed to speaker the at least one and none from the microphone and, at the other extreme of adjustment, allows all audio from the microphone and no audio from the audio reproduction means to pass to the at least one speaker.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the positioning of the adjustment means between the two extremes of adjustment, allows a mixture of audio from the microphone and audio reproduction means to be provided at varying proportions dependant on the position of the adjustment means.
9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the power for the operation of the speakers, microphone and adjustment means is provided via the socket connection to the audio reproduction means.
10. Apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.