GB2514781A

GB2514781A - Headphone with adjustable sound presentation

Info

Publication number: GB2514781A
Application number: GB201309881A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robert Stuart
Original assignee: Meridian Audio Ltd
Current assignee: Meridian Audio Ltd
Priority date: 2013-06-03
Filing date: 2013-06-03
Publication date: 2014-12-10
Also published as: WO2014195690A3; GB201309881D0; WO2014195690A2

Abstract

The headphone is configurable by a user to adjust the sound presentation by varying the degree of external sound passed to the ear of the user. A removable cover may be employed, which may be perforated or comprise a mesh to provide a desired sound presentation. A suite of such interchangeable covers may be provided. The headphone enclosure or external cover may comprise apertures which are coverable and uncoverable by mechanical means to control the passage of external sound, including the fitting of removable gaskets or seals. Headphones for On-ear, Over-ear and In-ear use are described.

Description

Headphone with Adjustable Sound Presentation

Field of Invention

The invention relates to improvements in the housing of headphones which allow the user to adapt the sound presentation, particularly by mechanical means.

Background to the Invention

Headphones for listening couple one or more acoustic transducing elements to the listener's ear. Typically a pair of headphones will use two transducer assemblies, to play the left or right signals of a stereo signal to the respective ear. A pair of headphones typically consists of two such transducers joined by a headband which conveniently maintains the ear to transducer relationship and typically includes means to apply a clamping force. Headphones are conventionally described as "Over-ear", "On-ear" or "In-ear".

When over-ear" or "on-ear" headphones are intended for high-performance use, the transducer will typically be mechanically coupled to an annular ear-pad which performs several functions including: providing comfort; creating an acoustic cavity between the eardrum and the transducer which is advantageous to low-frequency response; provides transducer-to-ear spacing such that the pinna can be included; blocking sound arriving from outside. Such headphones will often also have a rear acoustic enclosure or outside cover so that external environmental sound can be attenuated.

Thus, a typical headphone arrangement comprises an ear-pad, transducer in a baffle and rear cover. The volume of air formed by the meatus, ear-pad and transducers and the volume of air enclosed behind the drive unit together modify the frequency response. A design may also contain acoustic damping or acoustic resistance materials on either side of the transducer to control overall response.

For many applications it is advantageous to attenuate outside noise. However, doing so creates a somewhat claustrophobic effect and may accentuate the impression that the sound is inside the listener's head. The sound may also have a "boxy" quality. Nevertheless, listening can be more satisfying if the environment is noisy. Conversely, sound blocking also reduces sound travelling from the headphone into the wider environment.

Some listeners, especially where external noise is low or where they wish to maintain communication, prefer a form of construction where the rear chamber is perforated so as to allow sound to freely pass through or around the transducer.

Using headphones constructed in this way, the listener gains the impression of being "in the room" and the overall reproduction can be loss oppressive or more natural. By having transducers close to the ears the benefits of clarity are retained without creating undue disturbance.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved and more flexible headphone housing construction that allows for adjustable sound presentation.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, a headphone allows for interchangeable or switchable rear covers or parts thereof and that are constructed in such a way that the user may select open or closed presentation. The invention also allows for interchangeable or switchable covers for an in-ear headphone.

In some embodiment a headphone for on-ear or over-ear use is constructed so that an outer cover can be detached. Covers may be supplied or included which permit the user to fit the one best suited to his purpose, including: 1) A cover which completes a sealed back, possibly containing appropriate acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation.

2) A cover which is perforated with holes, slots, mesh or grid pattern and which may contain some acoustic resistance, but constructed in such a way that external sounds pass relatively freely from the outside either to the transducer(s) or directly to the ear.

In other embodiments of the invention a headphone for in-ear use is constructed so that an outer cover can be detached. Covers may be supplied which permit the user to fit the one best suited to his purpose, including: 1) A cover which completes a sealed back, possibly containing appropriate acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation.

In yet other embodiments the invention caters for all types of headphone in which the outer cover is not removable but instead contains moveable means that covers or uncovers apertures, thereby enabling the user to change between open and closed operation or to adjust the degree of openness.

Brief Description of the Figures

Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an example design of headphone in which the rear of the enclosure can be either a solid panel or an open mesh and where the user may exchange those components.

Detailed Description

As described above, the present invention provides a headphone constructed in a manner such that noise from the external environment can be partially or wholly blocked or can intentionally be allowed to pass through the headphones and ultimately to the auditory meatus of the user. The throughput can typically be adjusted by the user. The precise design will vary according to whether the headphone is intended for on-ear/over-ear use or for in ear-use.

In some embodiments the invention is achieved by a removable outer cover for each headphone in the pair of headphones. The cover may include acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation for a given situation. Various mechanisms and materials are possible to achieve this, including mesh or arrangements and the like. The cover can be removed and replaced by the user as desired.

In other embodiments, the outer cover itself is not removable, but contains moveable means for covering or uncovering apertures in the cover. In this way, the user can change between open and closed operation or adjust the degree of openness. The movable means may be manually moved or may be actuated by other controllable means.

In yet other embodiments, the outer cover itself is not removable, but is instead perforated with holes, slots, mesh or grid pattern to pass external sound. The cover may contain some acoustic resistance, but is constructed in such a way that external sounds pass relatively freely from the outside either to the transducer(s) or directly to the ear.

Figure 1 shows one headphone of a pair of headphones having a removable outer cover to the headphone enclosure. The cover can be either a solid panel or an open mesh and the user may be able exchange these components according to the particular application. As shown, the removable cover may be lifted away from the headphone enclosure to allow external sound to permeate.

When in place, the removable cover may be secured to the enclosure by a variety of means. For example, the cover may simply click into place over a rim, or the cover may include one or more flanges which engage with the enclosure and are retained by a closing mechanism. Preferably, the closing mechanism is quick release mechanism, such as a clip or twist release mechanism. Various retention mechanisms are possible.

As will be appreciated, the removable cover implementation of the invention lends itself to a suite of interchangeable covers, each designed for a particular use and particular acoustic characteristics. The removable covers may be marked to indicate their intended application, for example by different colouring.

The removable cover also allows for variety of aesthetic design choices.

If the removable cover is not solid, but is perforated in some manner to allow external sound to permeate, then it may be capable of being fitted with a removable seal or gasket to isolate the enclosure from external noise. Other adaptations are possible to achieve different acoustic behaviour.

If the enclosure, including any cover, comprises apertures to allow the passage of external sound, then it may be fitted with mechanical means to cover or uncover the apertures to control the passage of sound from the outside to the ear of the user. The mechanical means may comprise a rotating or sliding seal.

As will be appreciated, various modifications and embellishments are possible while falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A headphone comprising an acoustic enclosure which is configurable by a user to be closed to external sounds or to be at least partially open to external sounds as desired.
2. A headphone according to Claim 1, in which the enclosure contains a physical element forming an external cover, wherein the cover is configurable by the user so as to block or to pass external sounds as desired.
3. A headphone according to Claim 2, in which the external cover is removable by the user.
4. A headphone according to Claim 1, in which the enclosure comprises a region exposed to outside sounds and includes apertures that may be covered or uncovered by mechanical means to control the passage of sound from the outside to the ear of the user.
5. A headphone according to Claim 4, in which the mechanical means comprises a rotating or sliding seal.
6. A headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the enclosure or cover is perforated.
7. A headphone according to Claim 6, in which an inner gasket or seal may be fitted by the user to block external sound.
8. A headphone according to any preceding Claim, in which the external sound permitted to reach the ear passes through a drive unit or transducing element of the headphone.
9. A headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the headphone is an On-ear headphone.
10. A headphone according to any one of Claims I to 8, wherein the headphone is an Over-ear headphone.12. A headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the headphone is an In-ear headphone.13. A headphone as hereinbefore described.14. A housing for a headphone enclosure adapted to cooperate with a removable cover to block external sounds from reaching the ear of a user.15. A removable cover for a headphone enclosure configured to block external sounds from reaching the ear of a user.16. A method of constructing a headphone, wherein the headphone is a headphone according to any one of Claims ito 13.