JP2004504785A - Audio headset - Google Patents

Abstract

The headset has two earpieces. One earpiece plays the role of microphone and the other earpiece plays the role of earphone. The microphone earpiece converts sound from the air column in the ear canal into an electrical signal while being isolated from surrounding noise and vibration due to bone conduction. Other embodiments of the present invention address the problem of feedback and improve performance over existing full-duplex communication devices. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the headset has a band including both ends extending forward from the two earpieces. The band extends in a forward direction and then extends in a downward or rearward direction.
[Selection] Fig. 26

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a headset for simultaneously speaking and listening in full-duplex communication mode by utilizing separate transducers for each ear. Such devices are especially useful in noisy environments, such as in noisy offices, moving cars and trucks, factories, high traffic locations, commuter trains and buses and loud music. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In noisy environments, it is difficult to use telephone handsets, especially handsets for handheld wireless telephones. To reduce the effects of ambient noise, many people place a hand-held mobile phone on one ear and plug or cover the other ear with the index finger or palm of the other hand. Such scenes clearly illustrate the necessary but unpleasant methods of speaking and listening using a mobile phone in a noisy environment. The rapid growth of mobile phones and the widespread use of these phones in noisy environments demand a new form of headset that can significantly reduce the inconvenience of noise interference. .
[0003]
A speech recognition system (VRS) detects and decodes human speech signals. Using this VRS with a word processing system allows the operator to enter words and instructions verbally without using a keyboard. VRS converts audio signals into digital words that are input to a word processing system document or used for controlling word processing operations. In other applications, VRS is used in combination with a telephone menu system. Instead of pressing telephone keys, the user verbally enters data, instructions or selections from a telephone menu.
[0004]
The accuracy with which the VRS converts a speech signal into a correct word or sentence depends on the quality of the speech signal received from a human operator. For example, most VRS systems have a microphone mounted on the boom and located in front of the operator's mouth. The microphone picks up the operator's voice, but also picks up unwanted ambient noise. These unwanted noises may include non-verbal sounds emitted by the operator, such as general office noise in the room where the operator is located or breathing noise. These unwanted noises often lead to mistranslation of voice signals emitted by VRS operators.
[0005]
Some headsets are used for two-way communication, and have a microphone boom that extends forward of the user's mouth. A microphone is installed on the boom to pick up audio signals emitted from the user's mouth. The microphone also picks up ambient noise, making it difficult to use such a telephone headset in noisy environments. The bidirectional headset uses a metal or plastic band to support the boom and the speaker earpiece. Such a headset tends to slip off when the user is moving, disturbs the hair of the operator, or interferes with what is worn on the head. In addition, such a headset is difficult to put on and take off when the operator wears a hat. Instead of using plastic or metal bands, some headsets use wires that hang from earpieces. However, the earpiece of such a headset is easily removed from the user's ear.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention addresses these and other problems associated with the prior art.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a headset having two earpieces, one acting as a microphone and the other acting as an earphone. The microphone earpiece converts sound from the air column in the ear canal into an electrical signal while being isolated from surrounding noise and vibration due to bone conduction. The earphone converts an electrical signal from an audio device into a sound output in the other earpiece. The headset in this configuration provides full duplex communication while isolating ambient noise.
[0008]
A small piezoelectric electret type transducer is attached to one of the earpiece cases. The transducer is adapted to be electrically responsive only to the voice uttered by the user. The miniature transducer is acoustically driven by sound in the air column of the ear canal of one ear to produce an electrical transmit signal (Tx) without external noise. Also, a voice conduction isolation "cup" acts as a jacket surrounding the small transducer in the case to reduce and isolate bone conduction voice sounds that result in a concentration of low frequency audio energy. . The voice conduction isolation cup floats the transducer in the ear canal to improve the quality of the Tx signal generated by the transducer.
[0009]
In some embodiments, the second miniature transducer is incorporated into an identical second earpiece case. This second transducer receives the incoming electrical Rx signal and produces an audible sound in the ear canal of the other ear of the user. The plurality of earphone wires are connected to a single three-wire cord terminated to a standard 3.5 mm plug or a standard 2.5 mm plug for direct plug connection. No other electrical circuits or modifications are required. Mobile phones, cordless phones, and ordinary corded phones have an externally compatible plug-in jack for receiving a headset plug.
[0010]
Other embodiments of the present invention address the feedback problem and provide improved performance over existing full-duplex communication devices. Since the transducer operates as both an earphone and a microphone at the same time, the output of the transducer is composed of the composite transmit and receive signals. In order to operate this circuit design with minimal feedback, certain circuits capture this composite signal and reduce the received signal relative to the transmitted signal. This circuit also reduces the Tx signal supplied therefrom through the telephone hybrid (communications network) relative to the received signal.
[0011]
The full-duplex communication headset is used for various audio applications. In some applications, one headphone is used as a speaker, while the second headphone is used as either a speaker or a microphone. The headphones provide stereo sound when attached to a device such as a radio, CD player, MD player, MP3 player, and the like. Also, when the device is operating as a two-way communication device such as a mobile phone, one of the headphones switches to operate as a microphone. The user performs hands-free two-way communication using the headset. When the device is switched back to operate as an audio player, the microphone headphones return to operate as speakers. The headset then returns to provide stereo sound. In other applications, the full-duplex headset is used in combination with a voice recognition system (VRS) to more accurately translate human spoken words into digital characters.
[0012]
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the headset has two earpieces for wearing on both ears of the operator. A band having both ends connected to the two earpieces extends forward from the two earpieces. The band then extends down below the chin or backwards behind the neck.
[0013]
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a full-duplex communication headset. This headset has two earpieces, an earpiece 100 for an earphone and an earpiece 102 for a microphone. Each earpiece has two electrical terminals, one serving as a common node, the "earth" node. A pair of wires 104, 106 and 108, 110 are connected to these terminals, and are finally connected to a single cord and terminated to a connector plug 114. The wires 104, 108 connected to the ground node are connected to each other and terminated to the sleeve 112 of the plug 114. The wire connected to the terminal opposite to the common terminal of the earphone is connected to the annular portion 116 of the connector plug 114. On the other side of the headset, wire 110 of microphone 102 is connected to tip 118 of plug 114.
[0015]
The earphone 100 has a transducer 120 that converts an electric signal into an audio output. The microphone earpiece 102 has a transducer for converting a voice input into an electric signal, and communicates with a telephone communication device via wires 108 and 110.
[0016]
By placing the microphone in the operator's ear, the transducer in the microphone can detect audio signals from the user's vocal cords, passing through the operator's head, and exiting the ear canal. Since the microphone is located in the ear canal, ambient noise is removed from the transducer.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the circuit inside the microphone earpiece in more detail. The circuitry inside the earpiece in this particular embodiment includes a piezoelectric transducer 200 connected between the gate node 202 and the source node 204 of the field effect transistor 206. The drain node 208 of the field effect transistor 206 is connected to the wire 110 extending from the earpiece 102. The source node 204 of the field effect transistor 206 is connected to a common ground node wire (108).
[0018]
When the wearer of the headset speaks, the resulting sound in the air column inside the ear canal drives the piezoelectric transducer 200. The field effect transistor 206 transfers an electric signal generated by the voice to the interface circuit in the telephone communication device via the wire 110. This interface circuit is conventional and may include a resistor 210 connected between an input port 212 for receiving a signal from wire 110 and a VCC power supply. The telecommunications device may also include an amplifier 214 and other conventional interface circuits for processing the received electrical signals. The common ground line 108 is connected to one terminal of the piezoelectric transducer 200. The source of field effect transistor 206 is grounded through another port 216 of the telecommunications device.
[0019]
The configuration of the headset shown in FIG. 1 can be incorporated into various headsets. FIG. 3 shows a possible example of a configuration of a headset into which the circuits shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be incorporated. The headset shown in FIG. 3 is similar to the headset commonly used for portable radios, tape players and CD players. The structure of each earpiece 304, 306 is substantially the same. In particular, each earpiece has circular disk portions 300 and 302 with a flat use surface. The surface of use of the earpiece is designed to face the ear canal when placed inside the ear. Also, grilles 308 and 310 are provided on the use surface of the earpiece so that sound can be transmitted to a microphone or received from an earphone transducer.
[0020]
The neck portions 312, 314 of the earpiece extend from the disk portions 300, 302 and are connected to the headset frame portions 316, 318. A metal headband 320 is housed within the sleeves of the frame portions 316, 318, so that the user can adjust the size of the headset.
[0021]
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the headset shown in FIG. 3 when the earpiece 306 is placed inside the user's ear 400. This detailed view shows that the left earpiece 306 is placed in the ear cavity such that the earpiece use surface 302 faces the ear canal 402. The neck 314 of the earpiece extends outside the ear and serves as a conduit for a cord through which two wires from a transducer inside the earpiece pass.
[0022]
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the microphone earpiece designed for the headset shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the earpiece has a plastic disk-shaped case 500 integrally formed with a neck portion 502. A cover 504 is fitted in the opening 501 of the case 500, and the grill portion 506 of the cover 504 allows sound from the external auditory canal to pass through the case 500 and drive a small microphone 508.
[0023]
The microphone 508 incorporates a piezoelectric transducer, particularly an electret transducer. The microphone is arranged inside a cup 510 that plays a role of a soundproofing device. The cup 510 is tightly fitted around the side and back of the electret, and closes the gap between the electret and the inner wall of the earpiece case 500.
[0024]
The cup 510 plays a role of a soundproofing device, and prevents sound due to bone conduction from reaching the microphone 508. The soundproofing device is preferably formed of a high air content material that isolates vibrations due to bone conduction. There are many materials that perform this function, including, but not limited to, styrofoam (trademark), plastic, wood, perlite, and the like.
[0025]
FIG. 6 shows another example of the configuration of a headset into which the circuit shown in FIG. 1 can be incorporated. This particular configuration is particularly useful in noisy environments, as each earpiece 600, 602 has a nipple 604, 606 that fits snugly within the wearer's ear canal 402 (FIG. 4). The nipples 604, 606 consist of umbrella-shaped shrouds 608, 610 made of a soft and flexible material that closely fits the shape of the ear canal. The apex of this shroud 608, 610 has openings 612, 614 that allow air to travel to the transducer in the case. The shafts 616, 618 of the nipples 604, 606 are formed of a harder plastic and have a generally conical shape with a reduced perimeter towards the openings 612, 614 of the nipple.
[0026]
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the nipple of the earpiece shown in FIG. Nipple shaft 618 is snap-fit to earpiece case 700 containing piezoelectric microphone 702.
[0027]
The wires coming out of each earpiece extend through the case and into the frame portions 620, 622 of the headset (FIG. 6) to reduce ear fatigue. By routing the wires upward through the frame of the headset in this manner, the stress that would otherwise be directed toward the earpiece if extended from below the earpiece is reduced. While this particular configuration helps reduce ear fatigue, it is also possible to configure the earpiece so that wiring extends from the side or bottom of the earpiece case.
[0028]
It should be noted that the configuration of the headset shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 is only a few examples of the many possible configurations that can incorporate the full duplex communication circuit configuration shown in FIG. Is shown. These configurations include a headset frame that is worn on the wearer's head, but it is also possible to implement a full-duplex headset with a pair of earpieces that are held on the user's head in other ways. It is. One possible method is to attach an ear clip to each earpiece case that surrounds the wearer's ear. Another possible method is to use an earpiece as shown in FIG. 6 that fits securely in the ear canal without the need for external support by the frame of the headset.
[0029]
The headset described above provides hands-free, full-duplex communication without having to use a cumbersome microphone extension arm. Since the sound is provided substantially through the ear canal, there is no need to place the microphone near the mouth.
[0030]
It is possible to use differently shaped transducer cases to suit different preferred use options. For noisy environments, it is possible to use an earpiece device that protrudes out of the ear canal. Also, to minimize fatigue, lightweight ear microphones use small motorized transducers weighing about 5 grams or 0.18 ounces. Lightweight piezoelectric transducers further improve performance and reduce weight. Designed for security guards and the hearing impaired, lightweight headbands, ear supporters and a specially shaped transducer case fit snugly into the ear canal.
[0031]
FIG. 8 shows a modification of the circuit of the microphone earpiece shown in FIG. The filter circuit 698 has a capacitor 710 and an inductor 712. This filter circuit 698 is connected between the source terminal and the drain terminal of the field effect transistor 206. Capacitor 710 provides direct current (DC) blocking between node 208 and node 216. The impedance of the inductor 712 decreases when the audio frequency is low, and increases when the audio frequency is high. In one example, inductor 712 is selected such that the impedance across field effect transistor 206 is approximately ten times greater at 3000 Hertz than at 300 Hertz.
[0032]
The filter circuit 698 attenuates low frequencies and low audio frequencies associated with bone conduction. Thus, while placed in the ear canal, the filter circuit 698 removes some of the unwanted bone conduction and low frequency audio components that may be picked up by the transducer 200. Since consonants are usually produced using high frequency components, the circuit 698 performs appropriate speech detection even for consonants. In one embodiment, the inductor is formed from an annular core, around which a wire is wound.
[0033]
The transmission circuit 713 is used in a mobile phone, a cordless phone, a telephone handset, and the like. The transmission circuit 713 has a resistor 210 and a capacitor 714. The connection 718 is connected to the distal end 118 of the plug 114 (FIG. 1). The voltage of the transmitted signal at this connection 718 is raised before being amplified by the amplifier 214.
[0034]
(Earphone for full-duplex communication using a single transducer)
FIG. 9 shows an analog earphone and microphone operating circuit 8 for full-duplex communication using a single transducer 10. The earphone and microphone integrated transducer 10 is connected between the inverting input and the output of the operational amplifier 12. The earpiece 46 has the transducer 10 and is adapted to be inserted into the ear canal of a human operator. The non-inverting input of the operational amplifier 12 is connected to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier 14. The inverting input of the operational amplifier 14 is connected to a balancing resistor 40 and an output of the operational amplifier 14 via a resistor 42. This balancing resistor 40 is used to control the gain of the Rx signal output from the operational amplifier 14.
[0035]
The output of the operational amplifier 12 is connected to a signal adder 20 via an analog / digital (A / D) converter 16. The output of the operational amplifier 14 is connected to a signal adder 20 via an A / D converter 18 and a reception adaptive phase canceller 19. An output 21 of the signal adder 20 is input to a Tx input of a hybrid communication network 24 via a digital / analog (D / A) converter 22. The Tx output of the signal adder is also input to the signal adder 30 via the transmission adaptive phase canceller 28. The output of the hybrid communication network 24 is input to the signal adder 30 via the A / D converter 26. The output of the signal adder 30 is input to the non-inverting inputs of the operational amplifiers 12 and 14 at the node 44 via the D / A converter 32. The node 44 is grounded via the resistor 38.
[0036]
In some embodiments, the components within dashed line 48 represent functions implemented in software by a digital signal processor (DSP). Some or all of the components within the dashed line can also be realized by digital discrete components. For example, the A / D converter and the D / A converter may be realized as separate components. On the other hand, the signal adder and the adaptive phase canceller may be realized as separate components, or may be realized by software using a DSP.
[0037]
The transducer 10 is used as both a microphone that detects an operator's voice and generates an audio signal from the voice, and an earphone that generates an audible signal to be heard by the operator from the Rx audio signal received by the telephone line 25.
[0038]
The voice signal from the talking operator is converted by the transducer 10 into a transmission signal (Tx). When the transducer 10 operates as an earphone, it converts the received signal (Rx) from the telephone line 25 into an audible signal. These audible signals are heard through the earpiece 46 in the ear canal of the operator.
[0039]
The hybrid communication network 24 is a circuit used for compensating a reactive characteristic of a telephone line network connected to the telephone line 25. The hybrid communication network 24 is a two-wire / four-wire hybrid circuit. The telephone line 25 is a two-wire line connected to the four-wire communication circuit 8. In the case of a wireless communication network such as a mobile phone, the hybrid network 24 may be a voice encoder and transceiver circuit in the mobile phone or mobile phone base station. The communication network 24 is an arbitrary circuit in a telephone communication network or a mobile telephone communication network based on a land communication line, in which a part of a transmission signal may leak and return to a reception path of a communication circuit.
[0040]
The received voice signal Rx from the telephone line 25 passes through the hybrid communication network 24, the A / D converter 26 and the D / A converter 32, and enters the non-inverting inputs of the operational amplifiers 12 and 14. Due to the current mirror characteristics of the operational amplifiers 12 and 14, a similar Rx signal is output to the inverting input of the operational amplifiers 12 and 14. An Rx signal is generated at both ends of the transducer 10. Transducer 10 converts the Rx signal into an audible signal output in the operator's ear canal. The Rx signal is also output from the outputs of the operational amplifiers 12 and 14.
[0041]
The transducer 10 has an inductance and operates in conjunction with the resistance of the resistor 36 to remove low frequency components of the Rx signal generated across the transducer 10. Since the transducer 10 produces a large impedance at high frequencies, the operational amplifier 12 provides high gain for high frequency components of the Rx signal and lower gain for low frequency components.
[0042]
When the operator is speaking, the audio signal output through the ear canal of the operator is converted by the transducer 10 into an electrical Tx signal. The Tx + Rx signal 52 is output from the operational amplifier 12.
[0043]
The operational amplifier 14 is basically a resistance circuit that does not affect the phase of the output Rx signal 50. However, the operational amplifier circuit 12 has a reactive inductive component generated by the transducer 10. Therefore, the phase of the Rx signal 52 output from the operational amplifier 12 is shifted from the phase of the Rx signal 50 output from the operational amplifier 14. FIG. 10 shows the Rx signal 50 output from the operational amplifier 14 and the Rx signal 52 output from the operational amplifier 12.
[0044]
The Tx + Rx signal 52 output from the operational amplifier 12 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 16. The Rx signal 50 output by the operational amplifier 14 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 18. The Rx signal adaptive phase canceller 19 adjusts the phase of the Rx signal 50 so that the phase of the Rx signal 50 is shifted by 180 degrees from the phase of the Rx signal 52. Then, the signal adder 20 adds the Rx signal 180 degrees out of phase from the phase canceller 19 to the Tx + Rx signal 52 output from the A / D converter 16. The output 21 of the signal adder 20 consists mainly of the Tx signal, with the Rx signal being greatly reduced. Further, the phase canceller 19 can adjust the phase of the Rx signal 50 to the phase of the Rx signal 52. Then, the signal adder 20 can easily subtract the Tx + Rx signal output by the A / D converter 16 from the Rx signal output from the phase canceller 19, and substantially subtracts the Rx signal output by the signal adder 20. Offset each other. The desired target reduction amount of the Rx signal output from the signal adder 20 is a value smaller by 30 decibels (dbs) than the Tx signal.
[0045]
The Tx signal is converted back to an analog signal by the D / A converter 22 and input to the hybrid communication network 24 of the telephone system. The Tx signal is then output to a telephone line 25 or a voice codec or other telephone circuit that encodes the Tx signal for transmission over a landline or wireless voice channel of a telephone network. You.
[0046]
Another purpose of the communication circuit 8 is to counteract Tx signals that may leak through the hybrid communication network 24 and return to the receiving channel. When the telephone line 25 is converted from the two-wire telephone line 25 to the four-wire communication circuit 8, a part of the Tx signal at the input 21 is leaked through the hybrid communication network 24 in the hybrid network transformer. , There are reactive effects returning to the input 23 of the circuit 8.
[0047]
Both the Rx signal at the input 23 and the leaked Tx signal are input to the A / D converter 26. The Tx signal from the output 21 of the signal adder 20 is input to a Tx signal adaptive phase canceller 28. The phase canceller 28 operates in the same manner as the phase canceller 19 only for the Tx signal instead of the Rx signal. That is, the phase canceller 28 shifts the phase of the Tx signal at the output 21 by 180 degrees with respect to the Tx signal at the input 23.
[0048]
The signal adder 30 adds the Rx + Tx (leak) signal to the Tx signal output from the adaptive phase canceller 28 and shifted by 180 degrees. The signal adder 30 subtracts those Tx signals and outputs mainly the Rx signal only. Each of the remaining Tx signals output from the signal adder 30 is about 30 decibels (dbs) smaller than the Rx signal.
[0049]
In summary, the desired Tx signal at the output 21 of the circuit 8 is 30 dB greater than any of the Rx signals. Also, the Rx signal on line 34 is 30 dB greater than any Tx signal on line 34.
[0050]
(Transducer with reverse polarity)
In FIG. 11, a transmitting / receiving circuit 1000 is connected to a headset 1100 at a first end. This headset 1100 has headphones 1400 and 1200 including transducers 1500 and 1900, respectively. The two headphones 1400, 1200 are held together by a strap 1700. Transducer 1500 is connected between ground and circuit 1000 with the opposite polarity as transducer 1900.
[0051]
The other end of the transmitting / receiving circuit 1000 is a voice-operated transmitting circuit (VOX) 4000. The VOX circuit 4000 detects a transmission signal (Tx) generated by an operator of the headset 1100. When enough Tx signals have been detected, VOX circuit 4000 activates radio frequency (RF) transceiver 4200 and transmits the Tx signal via antenna 4400 to the receiver. When the Tx signal is not detected, the transmitting / receiving apparatus 4200 can receive an arbitrary incoming signal (Rx) by the VOX circuit 4000.
[0052]
In one example, transmitting / receiving device 4200 is a two-way wireless communicator or walkie-talkies. However, the transmitting / receiving circuit 1000 operates with any two-way communication device 4200 such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a wireless phone, a landline phone, a transceiver, a walkie talkie, and the like. In the case of a telephone, the VOX circuit 4000 may not be provided.
[0053]
The received signal (Rx) of the input 1800 from the VOX circuit 4000 is connected to the automatic level control circuit 2000. The automatic level control circuit 2000 has an operational amplifier 2200 whose output is connected to the base of a PNP transistor 2400. The output of the transistor 2400 is connected to the gate of a field effect transistor (FET) 2600.
[0054]
The voltage level is selected at input node 2800 of automatic level control circuit 2000. When the Rx signal at node 2800 rises above a predetermined threshold voltage, the signal output from operational amplifier 2200 activates transistor 2400. Thus, the signal is amplified at the gate of the FET 2600. The amplified gate signal lowers the impedance between the source terminal and the drain terminal of the FET 2600. The reduced impedance across FET 2600 pulls down the Rx signal at node 2800. If the Rx signal at node 2800 rises above the threshold voltage, automatic level control circuit 2000 thus reduces the impedance across FET 2600. As a result, the Rx signal output from the operational amplifier 2200 is maintained at a constant level.
[0055]
This Rx signal is output from the automatic level control circuit 2000 to the operational amplifiers 3200 and 3400. The output of the operational amplifier 3200 is connected to the positive terminal of the transducer 1500 of the headphone 1400. The output of the operational amplifier 3400 is connected to the minus terminal of the transducer 1900 of the headphone 1200. The positive terminal of the transducer 1900 is grounded, and the negative terminal of the transducer 1400 is grounded.
[0056]
The Rx signal is input to operational amplifiers 3200 and 3400 and returned to transducers 1500 and 1900. Since the transducers 1500 and 1900 are of opposite polarity, the listener will hear a negative Rx signal at one ear and a positive Rx signal at the other ear. In other words, the Rx signals output from the two headphones 1400, 1200 are 180 degrees out of phase. However, it has been found that the human brain does not distinguish between the positive and negative Rx signals output by the transducers 1500, 1900. Therefore, any incoming reception signal Rx output from the headphones 1400, 1200 sounds exactly the same to both ears of the headphone user. Rx portions of the signals output from the operational amplifiers 3200 and 3400 are in phase. Therefore, the two Rx signals input to the plus and minus terminals of the differential amplifier 3800 cancel each other.
[0057]
As the user of headset 1100 speaks, a Tx signal is output from transducer 1500 and the same Tx signal is output by transducer 1900. Since the transducers 1500 and 1900 have opposite polarities, the two Tx signals output through the operational amplifiers 3200 and 3400 are out of phase. Therefore, the Tx signals are added at the minus and plus terminals of the differential amplifier 3800, and a double Tx signal (2Tx) is generated at the output of the operational amplifier 3800.
[0058]
FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the full-duplex communication system circuit 1000 shown in FIG. Instead of using the automatic level control circuit 2000, a manual Rx level control circuit 4500 is used to adjust the Rx voltage level input to the operational amplifiers 3200 and 3400.
[0059]
Since the Rx signals output from the two operational amplifiers 3200 and 3400 are in phase, these Rx signals are canceled by the differential amplifier 3800. As described above, the Tx signals output from the operational amplifiers 3200 and 3400 have opposite polarities. Therefore, the Tx signals input to the differential amplifier 3800 are added to generate a double Tx signal.
[0060]
FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the microphone and speaker circuit. The transmission / reception circuit 6011 is connected to the headset 1211 at a first end. This headset 1211 has headphones 1411A and 1411B including transducers 6211 and 6411, respectively. The two headphones 1411A and 1411B are held together by a strap 6611. Transducer 6211 is connected between ground and circuit 6011 with the opposite polarity as transducer 6411.
[0061]
The opposite end of the transmission / reception circuit 6011 is a voice-operated transmission circuit (VOX) 6811. The VOX circuit 6811 detects a transmission signal (Tx) generated by an operator of the headset 1211. When sufficient Tx signals are detected, VOX circuit 6811 activates radio frequency (RF) transceiver 7011 and transmits the Tx signal via antenna 7211 to the receiver. When the Tx signal is not detected, the transmission / reception device 7011 can receive an arbitrary received signal Rx by the VOX circuit 6811.
[0062]
In one example, the transceiver 7011 is a two-way wireless communicator, or walkie-talkie. However, the transceiver circuit 6011 operates on any two-way communication device 7011 such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a wireless phone, a landline phone, a transceiver, a walkie-talkie, and the like. In the case of a telephone, the VOX circuit 6811 may not be provided.
[0063]
The Rx signal is input to the operational amplifiers 7811 and 8011 at the terminal 7411 of the circuit 6011. The Rx voltage level input to the operational amplifiers 7811 and 8011 is adjusted by the Rx level control circuit 7711. The output of the operational amplifier 7811 is connected to the plus terminal of the transducer 6211 of the headphone 1411A. The output of the operational amplifier 8011 is connected to the minus terminal of the transducer 6411 of the headphone 1411B. The positive terminal of the transducer 6411 is connected to ground, and the negative terminal of the transducer 6211 is connected to ground.
[0064]
The Rx signal is input to operational amplifiers 7811 and 8011 and returned to transducers 6211 and 6411. Since the transducers 6211, 6411 are of opposite polarity, the listener will hear a negative Rx signal at one ear and a positive Rx signal at the other ear. In other words, the Rx signals output from the two headphones 1411A and 1411B are 180 degrees out of phase. However, it has been found that the human brain does not distinguish between positive and negative Rx signals output by transducers 6211 and 6411. Therefore, any incoming received signal Rx output from the headphones 1411A and 1411B sounds exactly the same to both ears of the headphone user. The Rx portions of the signals output from the operational amplifiers 7811 and 8011 have the same phase. The two Rx signals input to the plus and minus terminals of the differential amplifier 8211 are canceled.
[0065]
As the user of headset 1211 speaks, a Tx signal is output from transducer 6211 and the same Tx signal is output from transducer 6411. Since the polarities of the transducers 6211 and 6411 are opposite, the two Tx signals output via the operational amplifiers 7811 and 8011 are 180 degrees out of phase. Therefore, the two Tx signals are added at the plus and minus terminals of the differential amplifier 8211, and the output of the operational amplifier 8211 becomes a double Tx signal (2Tx).
[0066]
The interconnection circuit 8411 is used to connect the transmission / reception circuit 6011 to various cellular phones, cordless phones, and corded phones 8811. This interconnection circuit 8411 has a field effect transistor (FET) 8611 having a gate connected to the output of an operational amplifier 8211 via a variable resistor 8511. The Tx signal passes from the output of the operational amplifier 8211 to the gate of the FET 8611. The FET 8611 changes the voltage across the 2.2K resistor to change the Tx signal passed to the telephone device 8811.
[0067]
The transmission / reception circuit 6011 enables simpler and clearer two-way communication. This circuit 6011 may be arranged in the headset 1211 or in the two-way communication device 8811.
[0068]
Due to the transmission / reception circuit 6011, the transducers 6211 and 6411 of the headphones 1411A and 1411B can operate as a microphone for picking up a voice signal from a user, or can operate as a speaker for outputting a received Rx signal. Can also. When the user of the headset 1211 speaks, the audio signal is output through the user's ear canal. These audio signals are converted into Tx signals by the transducers 6211 and 6411 of the headphones 1411A and 1411B. Since these Tx signals are generated by headphones, there is no need to attach a separate microphone attached to the boom in front of the user's mouth.
[0069]
Furthermore, since the audio signal from the user is directly output from the ear canal to the headphones 1411A and 1411B, external ambient noise picked up when the transducers 6211 and 6411 are operating as microphones is extremely small. As a result, the user's audio signal constitutes a broad and distinct portion of the generated Tx signal.
[0070]
The headphones 1411A, 1411B of one embodiment have foam pads that have been found to be very suitable for removing ambient noise from transceivers. However, it can also be used with a transmitting and receiving circuit 6011 that includes a plurality of earphones that insert a commercially available headset into the user's ear canal. Since the full-duplex communication type headphones do not require an independent microphone boom, the manufacturing cost is low and the operation is simple.
[0071]
FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the headset circuit. The first headphone or earphone 9411 includes a transducer 9611 that operates as a speaker. The headphone or the earphone 9211 includes an electret microphone 9811. A rubber case is arranged between the electret microphone 9811 and a case for headphones or earphones 9211.
[0072]
The plug 1021 has a distal end connection portion 1041, an annular connection portion 1061, and a ground connection portion 1081. The microphone 9811 is connected to an amplifier circuit 9011 via a switch 1001. The output of the amplifier 1101 is connected to the distal end connection unit 1041 via a capacitor. The variable resistor 1121 changes the gain of the amplifier 1101. The annular connection portion 1061 is connected to both the switch 1001 and the transducer 9611. The amplifier circuit 9011 and the switch 1001 can be provided in either the headset 4211 or 4811 or the device 5411.
[0073]
The headset 4211 or 4811 operates as a stereo speaker when the device 5411 operates as an audio player. In the audio player mode, an audio signal is received at the annular connection 1061 and input to the transducer 9611 via a wire 1141. The switch 1001 moves to a position where the audio signal received from the wire 1141 is also connected to the headphone 9211. In this configuration, both the headphones and the earphones 9211 and 9411 operate as speakers.
[0074]
When the device 5411 is switched to operate as a two-way communication device such as a mobile phone, the switch 1001 connects the headphones or earphones 9211 to the amplifier 1101. The user of the headset 4211 or 4811 speaks over the phone using the mobile phone of the device 5411. The user's voice signal is picked up by the microphone 9811 and output to the amplifier 1101 as a transmission Tx signal. This amplifier 1101 amplifies the Tx signal and outputs a transmission signal to the distal end connection portion 1041 of the jack 1021. All the audio signals received from the mobile phone of the device 5411 are received by the annular connection portion 1061 of the jack 1021 and output to the transducer 9611.
[0075]
Thus, when the device 5411 is used as an audio player, the headset 4211 or 4811 becomes a stereo speaker. When device 5411 switches to operate as a two-way communication device, headphones or earphones 9211 switch to operate as a microphone. The headphones or earphones 9211 generate a Tx signal from the user's voice, while the headphones or earphones 9411 continue to operate as a speaker that outputs an Rx signal to the user.
[0076]
FIG. 15 shows, by way of example, how the communication circuits of FIGS. 8 to 14 are incorporated into an earpiece 60. This particular configuration is particularly useful in noisy environments since the earpiece 60 has a nipple 62 that fits snugly into the ear canal 70 (FIG. 17) of the operator. The nipple 62 has an umbrella-shaped shroud 64 that fits the shape of the ear canal made of a soft and flexible material such as rubber or plastic. An opening 66 is provided at the top of the shroud 64 so that air can advance through the shroud 64 and the nipple 62 to the transducer 10 in the earpiece case 68. The shaft 67 of the case 68 is made of hard plastic and is inserted into the nipple 62. The other communication circuit 8 is installed in either the earpiece case 68 or the telephone to which the earpiece 60 is connected.
[0077]
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the nip louver piece 60 shown in FIG. Said nipple 62 is snap-fitted to an earpiece case 68 which houses the transducer 10 and possibly or all of the remaining components of the communication circuit 8.
[0078]
FIG. 17 shows an enlarged view of the earpiece 60 placed inside the operator's ear 72. This detailed view shows that the earpiece 60 is placed in the ear cavity such that the opening 66 of the earpiece 60 faces the ear canal 70. The earpiece 60 extends outside the ear and serves as a conduit for a cord 74 through which a wire from the transducer 10 or communication circuit 8 within the earpiece passes.
[0079]
The above earpiece 60 provides hands-free full-duplex communication without using an extension arm for a microphone. Since the sound is basically supplied through the ear canal, there is no need to place the microphone near the mouth. The transducer 10 also detects voice signals from the operator when the operator is speaking, and generates an audible signal to the operator from a received signal (voice signal) received from a wireless or landline telephone system. Used for both. Therefore, only one earpiece needs to be inserted into the operator's ear.
[0080]
It is possible to use differently shaped transducer cases to suit different preferred use options. For noisy environments, it is possible to use an earpiece device that protrudes out of the ear canal. It is also possible to use two earphones, one microphone and one earphone.
[0081]
Also, to minimize fatigue, lightweight ear microphones use small motorized transducers weighing about 5 grams or 0.18 ounces. Lightweight piezoelectric transducers further improve performance and reduce weight. Designed for security guards and the hearing impaired, lightweight headbands, ear supporters and a specially shaped transducer case fit snugly into the ear canal.
[0082]
(Use of microphone / speaker headset)
In FIG. 18, a microphone / speaker circuit 1000 can be installed in the headset 1100 or can be installed in a transmitting / receiving device. Any audio device can be used with the full-duplex headphones and circuit 1000. For example, a telephone 6000 using a land line, a mobile phone 6200, a wireless telephone 6600, a walkie talkie 6400, or the like can be used. Headset 1100 can be used with any of these devices, or any other device that requires two-way communication.
[0083]
With the transmission / reception circuit 1000, the transducers 1900 and 1500 of the headphones 1200 and 1400 can operate both as a microphone for picking up an external Tx signal and as a speaker for outputting a received Rx signal. When the user 5200 of the headset 1100 speaks, an audio signal 5600 is output through the user's ear canal 5400. These audio signals 5600 are converted into Tx signals by transducers 1500, 1900 of headphones 1200, 1400.
[0084]
Since the audio signal from the user 5200 is output directly from the ear canal 5400 to the cups of the headphones 1200 and 1400, external ambient noise picked up by the transducers 1900 and 1500 is extremely small. For example, noise from the radio 5000 is significantly removed from the audio signal 5600 of the user 5200. As a result, the user's audio signal 5600 comprises a broad and distinct portion of the generated Tx signal.
[0085]
Headphones 1200 and 1400 have foam pads 7000 that have been found to very well remove ambient noise from the transceiver. However, all commercially available headsets are intended for use with the transmitting / receiving circuit 1000 having earpieces inserted into the ear canal. This full-duplex headset does not require a separate microphone boom, so it is cheap to manufacture and easy to operate.
[0086]
FIG. 19 shows headphones 1811 having a single type of earphone. The earphone 1811 has a transducer that operates as both a microphone and a speaker as described above. The earphone 1811 is attached to the cord 3411. The other side of the cord 3411 is connected to a retractable take-up reel. The take-up reel 3811 is installed inside the mobile phone 3211 or any other two-way communication device.
[0087]
The user pulls out the cord 3411 from the reel 3811 as necessary, and inserts the earphone 1811 into the ear canal. Reel 3811 has a latch (not shown) that maintains the cord in an extended position. When the user has finished using the earphone 1811, the user further pulls out the cord from the reel 3811. Then, the latch releases the reel 3811 and the reel 3811 pulls the cord 3411 back into the mobile phone. In addition, a button of the mobile phone 3211 can be used to open the reel 3811 to which the code 3411 is pulled back.
[0088]
In another embodiment, the earphone 3611 has a wireless transceiver 3711. A transducer in the earphone 3611 converts the user's voice into an electrical Tx signal. The transceiver 3711 of the earphone 3611 wirelessly transmits the Tx signal to the other transceiver 4011 in the mobile phone 3211.
[0089]
An Rx signal from another caller received by the mobile phone 3211 is transmitted by the transceiver 4011 to the transceiver 3711 of the earphone 3611. Then, the transducer of the earphone 3611 converts the Rx signal into an audio signal. Radio signals transmitted and received by transceivers 4011 and 3711 use arbitrary frequencies to transmit Tx and Rx signals. For example, wireless telephones transmit and receive Tx and Rx signals wirelessly using the same frequencies and circuits.
[0090]
FIG. 20 shows a device 5411 having both a mobile phone 5611 and an audio player 5811. The audio player 5811 can be one or a combination of audio reproducing devices such as a CD player, MD player, MP3 player, radio, and cassette tape player. Cellular phone 5611 can also be a two-way wireless communicator or other type of two-way communication device.
[0091]
The headsets 4211 and 4811 operate as stereo headphones when the device 5411 is used as an audio player, and separately as microphones and speakers when the device 5411 is used as a telephone, as already shown in FIG. Operate.
[0092]
The headphone 4411 of the headset 4211 or the earphone 5011 of the headset 4811 operates as a microphone when the device 5411 is used as a mobile phone. The headphone 4411 or the earphone 5011 operates as a speaker when the device 5411 operates as an audio player. The headphone 4611 or the earphone 5211 operates as a speaker for both the mobile phone 5611 and the audio player 5811.
[0093]
Since the headphone 4411 and the earphone 5011 operate as either a microphone or a speaker, respectively, the headsets 4211 and 4811 provide stereo sound when the device 5411 uses the audio player 5811. When the device 5411 switches to using the mobile phone 5611, the headphones 4411 and the earphone 5011 automatically switch to operation as a microphone. A transducer in headphones 4411 or earphones 5011 picks up audio signals coming from the user's ear canal and converts these audio signals into Tx signals sent to mobile phone 5611 for transmission over the mobile phone channel. When the device 5411 returns to the operation as the audio player 5811, the headphone 4411 or the earphone 5011 returns to the operation as the speaker.
[0094]
FIG. 21 shows headsets 2211 and 2311 each having one headphone 2411 or earphone 2711 operating as a microphone and another headphone 2611 or earphone 2811 operating as a speaker. Although these headsets 2211, 2311 are shown for use with a mobile phone 3011, they can be used with any two-way communication device, such as a two-way radio, a wireless phone, a landline phone, and the like. it can.
[0095]
FIG. 22 shows a headset 1211 having two headphones 1411 each operating as both a speaker and a microphone. The headphones are connected to a two-way communication device 2011 such as a two-way wireless communication device, a telephone, and a mobile phone. Headset 1511 has a single headphone 1611 that operates as both a microphone and a speaker. A headset 1711 with a single type of earphone has an earphone 1811 that includes a transducer that operates as both the microphone and speaker described above.
[0096]
FIG. 23 illustrates another embodiment of a headset 1201 that can be used with the telephone / audio playback device 5411 or any other two-way communication device. Each of the two headphones 1211 has a transducer 1221 serving as a stereo speaker that outputs an audio signal from the audio player of the device 5411. This transducer 1221 also outputs any received Rx signals from the mobile phone of device 5411.
[0097]
Two independent microphones 1241 are located outside the headphones 1211 and pick up audio signals while the user of the headset 1201 is speaking. These microphones 1241 generate transmission Tx signals to be output to the mobile phone of device 5411. When the device 5411 is operating as an audio player, the microphone 1241 cannot be used.
[0098]
The two microphones 1241 and the two speakers 1221 are connected to a jack 1261 that plugs into the device 5411. These microphones 1241 and speakers 1221 can be used in any combination. For example, the headset 1201 may include two speakers 1221 and one microphone 1241 installed outside one of the headphones 1211. Further, there may be one headphone or earphone provided with one microphone 1241 and one speaker 1221. In any configuration, headset 1201 performs two-way communication when device 5411 is operating as a mobile phone and outputs mono or stereo sound when device 5411 is operating as an audio player.
[0099]
(Headset with full-duplex communication system with voice recognition system)
In FIG. 24, a headset 1822 has two headphones 1422. The two headphones 1422 can both operate as microphones, both can operate as microphones / speakers, and if one headphone 1422 operates as a speaker, the other Headphones 1422 can also operate as microphones. The headset 1822 may use any of the above-described full-duplex communication circuits or a headset having a microphone that converts the audio signal 2222 into an electric signal. The two headphones 1422 each have a transducer 1622 that operates as a microphone in a certain mode of operation. In one embodiment, the transducer 1622 is a miniature piezoelectric electret-type transducer. However, any type of transducer can be used.
[0100]
While the operator 1222 is speaking, the two transducers 1622 detect audio signals 2222 flowing through the ear canal 2022 inside the operator's 1222 head. These transducers 1622 are connected to a computer 3022 via a cable 2822 and convert the audio signal 2222 into an electric transmission signal Tx.
[0101]
By installing one or more microphones 1622 inside one or more headphones 1422, an audio signal 2222 from the ear canal 2022 of the operator can be detected and unnecessary ambient noise is removed. . Since the microphone 1622 is no longer located on the boom just below the user's nose, unwanted noise from the user 1222, such as breathing noise, is not a problem.
[0102]
The software and processor of the computer 3022 operate as a voice recognition system (VRS) 2922 and attempt to identify the language represented by the electrical Tx signal from the cable 2822. This audio signal is decoded by VRS 2922 and displayed on computer screen 2422 as word 2622. VRS 2922 eliminates the need for the operator 1222 to manually enter words into the computer using the keyboard 3222. This headset 1822 can be used in any voice recognition system that detects voice signals. Since the Tx signal is less noisy, the VRS 2922 will better identify words arising from the operator's voice signal.
[0103]
This headset can operate as both a speaker that outputs the received Rx signal to the user and a microphone that transmits a Tx signal from the ear canal of the operator and returns it to another destination. If the circuitry of this headset 1822 operates as both a microphone and a speaker, it can be used with other applications than VRS2922. For example, headset 1822 may be used with any two-way communication device or application, such as a mobile phone, a two-way radio, a wireless phone, and the like. Also, the headset 1822 can be used as a speaker that receives audio signals from any CD player, MD player, MP3 player, and tape player.
[0104]
For example, when other application software is selected on the computer 3022, the computer may execute a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) telephone application 3122, a CD player, an MD player, an IP radio player, an MP3 player 3322, or any other type. A communication application or an audio reproduction application can be started. Then, the headset 1822 not only generates a Tx signal output from the operator 1222 to the VRS application 2922 or the VOIP application 3122, but also receives an Rx signal from any of the above-described audio reproduction applications.
[0105]
Note that the microphone that generates the Tx signal for the VRS application 2922 may be any earphone, headphone, earpiece, or any device or instrument that enters or partially or completely covers the operator's ear, Otherwise, it can be installed in any device or instrument capable of detecting the audio signal from the ear canal 2022 of the operator.
[0106]
FIG. 25 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention having a first transducer 5622 that generates a Tx signal 6022 from an audio signal 4422 output from an ear canal 4222 of an operator 3822. A circuit 4622, such as any of the full-duplex communication circuits described above, increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the Tx signal 6022 and outputs a Tx signal on line 4822. In some embodiments of the applications described above, the circuit 4622 also causes the transducer 5622 to operate as a speaker.
[0107]
While the transducer 5622 is operating as a microphone, it may be desirable to return the Tx signal to the speaker 5422. The Tx signal 6222 is output from the speaker 5422 as an audio signal 5022. This returns a positive acknowledgment to the operator 3822 that the audio signal 4422 has been successfully detected and output by the transducer 5622 and the circuit 4622. The feedback Tx signal 6222 may be further amplified by the amplifier 5222 before being input to the speaker 5422.
[0108]
(Loop down headset and looparound (loopback) headset)
26 and 27 show a loop-down headset 1433 having two earpieces 1633 for attachment to both ears of an operator 1233. The band 2433 has both ends 1533 that connect to these two earpieces 1633. The earpiece 1633 has an earcup 2033 that is inserted into the ear canals 2833, 3033. The center of the band 2433 extends below the jaw 2633 of the headset operator 1233. In one embodiment, band 2433 comprises a semi-rigid plastic or metal member.
[0109]
Although the earpiece 1633 is shown with a cup 2033, the shape of the strap and other aspects of the invention can be used with other types of earpieces. For example, the earpiece may be configured in the form of an earmuff with a foam pad covering the entire outside of the operator's ears and pressing against both sides of the operator's head. Also, a disk-shaped earpiece that can have a foam pad that is pressed directly against the outside of the ear without directly inserting into the ear of the operator may be used. Other types of earphones or earphone style earpieces that are inserted directly into the operator's ear canal can also be used.
[0110]
In some embodiments of the headset 1433, the transducer 2133 operates as a microphone and is located on either of the two earcups 2033 or on the body 2333 of the earpiece 1633. This transducer 2133 is used to detect sound waves and bone conduction emitted through the ear canal 2833 when the operator 1233 is speaking. The transducer 2133 converts this sound wave into an electric transmission signal output via a wire 2533 passing inside the band 2433. The other transducer 2233 operates as a speaker and is installed on either the other one of the two cups 2033 or the body 2333 of the other one of the two earpieces 1633. The transducer 2233 converts an electric signal received from the wire 2533 into a sound wave output to the ear canal 3033 on the opposite side of the operator 1233. In addition, any of the other full-duplex communication type circuits described above can be used.
[0111]
FIG. 27 is a side view of the loop-down headset 1433, and shows that the end 1533 of the band 2433 extends slightly forward in the front direction 3233 toward the front of the face of the operator 1233. The center of the band 2433 is looped downward in the downward direction 3433 below the jaw 2633 of the operator 1233. Both ends 1533 of the band 2433 are curved forward and extend forward of the earlobe 3633 of the operator 1233. Thus, the earpiece 1633 fits snugly and comfortably within the ear of the operator 1233 due to the fact that the band 2433 is curved forward and looped downward and the position of the cup 2033. Further, since both ends 1533 of the band 2433 are curved forward, they do not hinder earrings that the operator may wear.
[0112]
FIGS. 28 and 29 show the position of both cups 2033 in more detail in the direction in which the band 2433 extends forward and downward. The cups 2033 each have a front surface 3833 that extends generally along a vertical surface 4033. The ends of the band extend along line 4233 at an angle of approximately 5 to 45 degrees from this vertical surface 4033.
[0113]
26 to 29, both ends 1533 of the headset 1433 are slightly pulled outward by an operator. Thereby, the operator's head slides between the both ends 1533. When the earpiece 1633 is inserted into both ears of the operator, the elastic and deformable band 2433 tends to return to its original position. In the mounted position, both ends 1533 extend forward from both ears of the user and then downward.
[0114]
While the operator 1233 is speaking, the transducer microphone 2133 detects sound waves coming from the first ear canal 2833. Since the earcup 2033 is located inside the ear canal 2833, it picks up little or no ambient noise. The speaker transducer 2233 converts the electric reception signal into a sound wave output to the second auditory canal 3033 of the operator 1233.
[0115]
FIGS. 30, 31, and 32 show a perspective view, a plan view, and a side view, respectively, of another embodiment of the present invention. Headset 5033 has two earpieces 5233 and a band 5633. This earpiece 5233 has a cup 5833 equivalent to the cup 2033 shown in FIG. Both ends 6033 of the band 5633 extend forward from the two earpieces 5233 and form a loop below the operator's ear 6633.
[0116]
The central portion 6233 of the band 5633 extends rearward so as to surround the back side of the operator 6433's neck. This also has the advantage of making the central portion 6233 less visible to humans. For example, band 5633 can be hidden with long hair, a shirt, a coat, or the like. This gives the operator 6433 a more attractive appearance. Also, the band 5633 is out of reach of other people. For example, even if the operator 6433 is holding a child, the child is unable to reach and grasp the band because the band is behind his neck.
[0117]
Furthermore, both cups 5833 are more comfortably secured inside the operator's ears as the ends 6033 of the band are directed forward and downward. Also, since the ends 6033 are looped below the ears 6633, the band 5633 does not rub earrings or other equipment that may be worn on the ears 6633 of the operator 6433.
[0118]
FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a full-duplex communication circuit that can be installed in either the headset 1433 shown in FIG. 26 or the headset 5033 shown in FIG. is there. The circuit includes a speaker circuit 1003 and a microphone circuit 1023. Each circuit has two terminals, one serving as a common node, the "earth" node. A pair of wires 1043, 1063 and 1083, 1103 are connected to these terminals, which are ultimately connected to a single cord and terminated to a connector plug 1143. The wires connected to the ground nodes 1043, 1083 are connected to each other and terminated to the sleeve connection 1123 of the plug 1143. The wire connected to the terminal on the opposite side of the speaker circuit 1003 is connected to the annular portion 1163 of the plug 1143. On the other side of the headset, a wire 1103 from the microphone circuit 1023 is connected to the tip 1183 of the plug 1143.
[0119]
The speaker circuit 1003 has a transducer 1013 for converting an electric signal into a sound output. The microphone circuit 1023 has a transducer 1033 that converts a voice input into an electric signal transmitted to the telephone device via the wires 1083 and 1103. Any of the other circuits described above can be used in place of the circuit shown in FIG.
[0120]
Filter circuit 1203 has a capacitor and a Zener diode connected in parallel between wires 1083 and 1103. The capacitor in one embodiment is about 33 picofarads. The filter circuit 1203 removes selected low-frequency noise from the electrical transmission signal output by the microphone circuit 1023.
[0121]
The circuits described above may use dedicated processor systems, microcontrollers, programmable logic devices, microprocessors, etc. that perform some or all of the mail notification operations. Some of the above operations may be performed by software, and other operations may be performed by hardware.
[0122]
For convenience, operations are described as various interconnected functional blocks or separate software modules. However, although not required, these functional blocks or modules may be equally integrated into a single, hardly defined logic unit, program, operation, or the like. Regardless, the functional blocks and software modules, ie, the functions described, can be performed by themselves or in combination with other operations, either in hardware or software.
[0123]
While the preferred embodiments have described and illustrated the principles of the invention, it will be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from these principles. Grants of rights are required for all changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
1 is a schematic diagram of a full-duplex headset showing the electrical connection of an earpiece earpiece and a microphone earpiece to a standard plug. FIG.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit of the microphone earpiece shown in FIG. 1 in more detail.
FIG. 3
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a headset configuration in which the earpiece for a headphone and the earpiece for a microphone shown in FIG. 1 can be incorporated.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the earpiece of the headset shown in FIG. 3 is placed inside a user's ear.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the microphone earpiece of the headset shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 6
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of a headset into which the earpiece for a headphone and the earpiece for a microphone illustrated in FIG. 1 can be incorporated.
FIG. 7
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of an earpiece of the headset illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the microphone earpiece circuit shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 9
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a full-duplex communication digital signal processing communication circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a phase shift of received audio signals output from different amplifier stages in the communication circuit illustrated in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11
FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of a transmission / reception circuit for a full-duplex communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating another embodiment of a circuit for a full-duplex communication system.
FIG. 13
FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing another embodiment of a circuit for a full-duplex communication system.
FIG. 14
FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram showing still another embodiment of a circuit for a full-duplex communication system.
FIG.
It is sectional drawing of the earpiece which has the circuit for full-duplex communication systems.
FIG.
It is a perspective view of the earpiece shown in FIG.
FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state where the earpieces of FIGS. 15 and 16 are placed inside the ears of the operator.
FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a headset for a full-duplex communication system used with various bidirectional communication devices.
FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a retractable earphone and a wireless earphone that operate as both a speaker and a microphone.
FIG.
A diagram of a headset with two headphones or earphones that both switch to operate as microphones when both operate as speakers when connected to an audio device and when the device operates as a two-way communication device. is there.
FIG. 21
FIG. 2 is a diagram of headphones in which one headphone or earphone operates as a microphone and the other headphone or earphone operates as a speaker.
FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a headset in which each headphone or earphone operates as both a microphone and a speaker.
FIG. 23
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a headset in which speakers are provided inside two headphones, and microphones are respectively attached outside the headphones.
FIG. 24
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a headset that detects sound waves from the ear canal and sends electrical signals generated from the sound waves directly to a speech recognition system.
FIG. 25
FIG. 3 is a diagram of headphones that feed back a transmission signal to a headphone operator.
FIG. 26
It is a front view of a loop-down headset.
FIG. 27
FIG. 27 is a side view of the loop-down headset shown in FIG. 26.
FIG. 28
It is a perspective view of a loop-down headset.
FIG. 29
It is a front view of a loop-down headset.
FIG. 30
It is a perspective view of a loopback headset.
FIG. 31
It is a top view of a loopback headset.
FIG. 32
It is a side view of a loopback headset.
FIG. 33
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit for a full-duplex communication system that can be used for either a loop-down headset or a loopback headset.

Claims (30)

A transducer adapted to be inserted into or near the ear canal,
A transmission circuit for operating the transducer as a microphone for converting a sound input from the ear canal into an electric transmission signal. The audio device of claim 1, further comprising an acoustic isolation device for substantially isolating the transducer from audio signals due to bone conduction. The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the transducer comprises a piezoelectric transducer installed in a user's ear canal, and the piezoelectric transducer generates the electric transmission signal from a user's voice input detected in the ear canal. A transistor having a first gate terminal connected to a first terminal of the transducer, a second output terminal for outputting the electrical transmission signal, and a third terminal for ground connection. The audio device according to claim 3, including: The audio device according to claim 4, further comprising a filter circuit connected between the second and third terminals of the transistor to remove a low-frequency audio frequency from the electrical transmission signal. Claims: A first earpiece having a case adapted to be inserted inside a user's ear canal, wherein the transducer is located within the case for converting a voice signal from the user into an electrical transmission signal. Item 2. The audio device according to item 1. The audio device according to claim 1, further comprising a full-duplex communication mode circuit for operating the transducer as both a microphone and a speaker. The full-duplex communication mode circuit,
A first input connected to a first terminal of the transducer, a second input connected to a receive signal input, and an output connected to both a transmit signal output and a second terminal of the transducer; A first amplifier having:
8. The amplifier of claim 7, further comprising a second amplifier having a first input connected to ground, a second input connected to the receive signal input, and an output connected to the transmit signal output. Audio device. A receive signal phase canceller connected between the output of the second amplifier and the transmit signal output;
The audio device according to claim 8, further comprising: a transmission signal phase canceller connected between the transmission signal output and the reception signal input. A transmitting and receiving circuit;
A first earpiece including a transducer having a positive terminal connected to the transmitting and receiving circuit;
The audio device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second earpiece including a transducer having a negative terminal connected to the transmission / reception circuit. The audio device according to claim 10, further comprising a reception signal level control circuit connected to the transmission / reception circuit. The transmitting and receiving circuit,
A first amplifier having a first input connected to the positive terminal of the transducer of the first earpiece and an output connected to a transmit signal output;
The audio device of claim 10, comprising: a second amplifier having a first input connected to the negative terminal of the transducer of the second earpiece and an output connected to the transmit signal output. . The audio device according to claim 12, further comprising a third amplifier connected between outputs of the first and second amplifiers and the transmission signal output. The audio device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch circuit connected between the transducer and the transmission circuit for switching an operation of the transducer between a microphone and a speaker. The audio device according to claim 1, further comprising a voice recognition system connected to the transmission circuit for converting a voice signal from an ear canal detected by the transducer into digital text. Two earpieces located in or near the ears of the operator;
The audio device according to claim 1, further comprising: a band extending downward from the two earpieces. 17. The audio device according to claim 16, wherein a center portion of the band extends downward from the both end portions in a U-shape after both end portions of the band extend forward from the both earpieces. 18. The audio device according to claim 17, wherein both ends of the band are curved forward and extend forward of the earlobe of the operator. 19. The audio device of claim 18, wherein the two earpieces each include a cup that extends vertically inward from a longitudinal axis of the band. Each of the cups has a front surface extending along a vertical axis, and both ends of the band extend along the longitudinal axis at an angle of 5 to 45 degrees from the vertical axis of the front surfaces of the cups. The audio device according to claim 19. A first earpiece having a transducer operating as a speaker in at least one mode of operation;
A second earpiece having a transducer operating as a microphone in at least one mode of operation;
A headset including: a band having both ends extending forward from the two earpieces and a central portion extending downward from the both ends. 22. The head of claim 21, comprising two cups extending from the two earpieces for insertion into a user's binaural ear canals, each cup having a flat front surface and a curved back surface. set. The front surface of each of the cups is positioned substantially on the vertical axis in the ear canal, and both ends of the band extend forward and downward from the earpiece at an angle to the vertical axis. 23. The headset of claim 22, wherein the headset comes out. 22. The headset according to claim 21, wherein both ends of the band are curved forward so as to extend forward of the earlobe of the operator. 22. The headset of claim 21, further comprising an acoustic isolation device installed within the first and second earpieces to substantially isolate the transducer from audio signals due to bone conduction. At least the first earpiece has a first gate terminal connected to a first terminal of the transducer, a second output terminal for outputting a transmission signal, and a third terminal for ground connection. 22. The headset of claim 21, comprising a transistor having: 27. The method of claim 26, wherein at least the first earpiece has a filter circuit connected between the second and third terminals of the transistor to remove low frequency audio frequencies from the transmitted signal. headset. 22. The headset of claim 21, wherein at least the first earpiece includes a full duplex mode circuit for using the transducer as both a microphone and a speaker. A transmitting and receiving circuit;
A positive terminal of the transducer in the first earpiece connected to the transmitting and receiving circuit;
22. The headset according to claim 21, further comprising: a negative terminal of the transducer in the second earpiece connected to the transmission / reception circuit. The transmitting and receiving circuit,
A first amplifier having a first input connected to the positive terminal of the transducer in the first earpiece and an output connected to a transmit signal output;
30. The headset of claim 29, comprising a second amplifier having a first input connected to the minus terminal of the transducer of the second earpiece and an output connected to the transmit signal output. .

Images