JP2018534815A - Sound equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The acoustic device has a neck loop constructed and arranged to be worn around the neck. The neck loop includes: a housing defining an acoustic volume; a first acoustic driver located at and first acoustically coupled to the housing; and the first distal end A second acoustic driver is located at the second distal end of the opposite housing and acoustically coupled to the housing.

Description

[Cross-reference of related applications]
This application is one of US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 799,265, filed Jul. 14, 2015, which claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 026,237, filed July 18, 2014 The entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

  This disclosure relates to acoustic devices.

  The headset has an acoustic driver that sits on, over or in the ear. The headset is somewhat annoying to wear in this way, hindering the user's ability to hear ambient sounds.

  All examples and features described below can be combined with any technically possible method.

  The acoustic device directs high quality sound to each ear without using an acoustic driver over or in the ear. The acoustic device is designed to be worn around the neck. The acoustic device can include a neck loop having a housing. The neck loop may have a “horseshoe” shape or a generally “U” shape with two legs placed above or near the clavicle and a curved central portion placed behind the neck. The acoustic device can have two acoustic drivers, one for each leg of the housing. The driver can be positioned below the predicted position of the user's ear with the driver's acoustic axis facing the ear. The acoustic device may further include two waveguides within the housing, each waveguide having an outlet near the driver below the ear. The back side of one driver can be acoustically coupled to the entrance of one waveguide and the back side of the other driver can be acoustically coupled to the entrance of the other waveguide. Each waveguide is located below one ear (left or right) and has one end with a driver for supplying sound, and the other end located below the other ear (right or left). (Open end).

  The waveguides can fold over each other within the housing. The waveguides can be constructed and arranged so that the inlet and outlet of each waveguide are located at the top side of the housing. The waveguides can be configured and arranged such that each waveguide has the same cross-sectional area throughout along the length of the waveguide. Each waveguide begins immediately after one driver and extends down along the top of the housing in the adjacent leg of the neck loop to the end of the leg, then bends down to the bottom of the housing, raising the leg The waveguide can be configured and arranged to bend 180 degrees so as to extend back and then traverse the central portion and back down the top portion of the other leg to the exit located immediately after the other driver. Each waveguide can be turned over from the bottom to the top of the housing within the central portion of the neck loop.

  In one aspect, the acoustic device includes a neck loop configured and arranged to be worn around the neck. The neck loop includes a housing comprising a first acoustic waveguide having a first sound exit opening and a second acoustic waveguide having a second sound exit opening. There is a first back-open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the first acoustic waveguide and a second back-open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the second acoustic waveguide.

  Embodiments can include one of the following features, or any combination of the features. The first and second acoustic drivers can be driven such that the first and second acoustic drivers emit sound that is out of phase over at least a portion of the spectrum. A first back-open acoustic driver can be held by the housing, and the acoustic driver can have a first sound axis that is generally directed to a predicted position of one of the user's ears, and a second The rear open acoustic driver can also be held by the housing, and the acoustic driver can have a second sound axis that is generally directed to the predicted location of the other ear of the user. The first sound outlet opening can be located proximate to the second acoustic driver, and the second sound outlet opening can be located proximate to the first acoustic driver. Each waveguide is on one side of the head and close to the adjacent ear and includes a corresponding acoustic driver located below, and on the other side of the head and the other adjacent ear. The other end leading to the sound outlet opening of the waveguide located close to and below.

  Embodiments can include one of the features described above or below, or any combination of the features. The housing can have an outer wall, and first and second sound outlet openings can be defined in the outer wall of the housing. The waveguide can be defined both by the outer wall of the housing and the inner wall of the housing. The inner wall of the housing may be placed along a longitudinal axis that twists 180 ° along the length of the longitudinal axis. The neck loop has a central portion and first and second leg portions that have a distal end depending from the central portion and spaced apart to define an open end of the neck loop, generally as `` It can be U-shaped and the twist in the inner wall of the housing is located in the central part of the neck loop. The inner wall of the housing is generally flat and is placed under both sound outlet openings. The inner wall of the housing may include a sound diverter that rises directly below each of the sound outlet openings. The housing can have a top surface that faces the ear when worn by a user, and the first and second sound outlet openings are defined in the top surface of the housing.

  Embodiments can include one of the features described above or below, or any combination of the features. The housing can have a top portion that is closest to the ear when worn by the user and a bottom portion that is closest to the fuselage when worn by the user, with each waveguide partially within the top portion of the housing. And a portion may be placed in the bottom portion of the housing. The neck loop includes a central portion and first and second leg portions having a distal end depending from the central portion and spaced apart so as to define an open end of the neck loop, generally designated “U Can be "shaped". A twist in the inner wall of the housing can be located in the central portion of the neck loop. The first acoustic driver can be located in the first leg portion of the neck loop and the second acoustic driver can be located in the second leg portion of the neck loop. The first acoustic waveguide can begin just below the first acoustic driver and can extend along the top portion of the housing to the distal end of the first leg portion of the neck loop; Bent to the bottom portion of the housing, the first acoustic waveguide bends to the top portion of the housing and extends first to the central portion of the neck loop that extends to the second leg portion to the first sound outlet opening. It can extend along the leg portion. The second acoustic waveguide can begin just below the second acoustic driver, up to the distal end of the second leg portion of the neck loop where the second acoustic waveguide bends to the bottom portion of the housing. A neck loop that can extend along the top portion of the housing, wherein the second acoustic waveguide bends to the top portion of the housing and extends to the first leg portion to the second sound outlet opening. It can extend along the second leg portion to the central portion.

  In another aspect, the acoustic device is a neck loop configured and arranged to be worn around the neck, wherein the neck loop has a first sound outlet opening. And a neck loop comprising a housing including a second acoustic waveguide having a second sound exit opening, and a first back-open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the first acoustic waveguide. A first back-open acoustic driver, the first back-open acoustic driver being held by the housing and having a first sound axis generally directed to the predicted position of one of the user's ears; A second rear open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the two acoustic waveguides, the second rear open acoustic driver being held by the housing and at the predicted position of the other ear of the user Whole and A second rear open acoustic driver having a second sound axis directed to the second sound outlet, wherein the first sound outlet opening is located proximate to the second acoustic driver, and the second sound outlet The opening is positioned proximate to the first acoustic driver, and the first and second acoustic drivers are driven so as to emit a sound in which the first and second acoustic drivers are out of phase.

  Embodiments can include one of the following features or any combination of the features. The waveguide can be defined both by an outer wall of the housing and an inner wall of the housing, the inner wall of the housing being placed along a longitudinal axis that twists 180 ° along the length of the longitudinal axis. The neck loop includes a central portion and first and second leg portions having a distal end depending from the central portion and spaced apart so as to define an open end of the neck loop, generally designated “U The torsion in the inner wall of the housing is located in the central part of the neck loop. The housing can have a top portion that is closest to the ear when worn by the user and a bottom portion that is closest to the fuselage when worn by the user, with each waveguide partially within the top portion of the housing. And a portion is placed in the bottom portion of the housing.

  In another aspect, the acoustic device is a neck loop configured and arranged to be worn around the neck, wherein the neck loop has a first sound outlet opening. And a second acoustic waveguide having a second sound exit opening, the waveguide being both defined by an outer wall of the housing and an inner wall of the housing, the inner wall of the housing being the length of the longitudinal axis The neck loop has a central portion and a distal end depending from the central portion and spaced apart so as to define the open end of the neck loop. The first and second leg portions having a generally “U” shape, the torsion in the inner wall of the housing being located in the central portion of the neck loop, the housing being mounted by the user. Each waveguide has a top portion closest to the ear when applied and a bottom portion closest to the fuselage when worn by the user, each waveguide being partly within the top portion of the housing and one within the bottom portion of the housing. Includes a neck loop where the part is placed. There is a first back-open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the first acoustic waveguide, the first back-open acoustic driver being located in the first leg portion of the neck loop and It has a first sound axis directed as a whole at the predicted position of one ear. There is a second rear-open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the second acoustic waveguide, the second rear-open acoustic driver located in the second leg portion of the neck loop and It has a second sound axis directed as a whole at the predicted position of the other ear. The first and second acoustic drivers are driven such that the first and second acoustic drivers emit sounds that are out of phase. The first sound outlet opening is positioned in proximity to the second acoustic driver, and the second sound outlet opening is positioned in proximity to the first acoustic driver. The first acoustic waveguide begins just below the first acoustic driver, and the top of the housing extends to the distal end of the first leg portion of the neck loop where the first acoustic waveguide bends to the bottom portion of the housing. First to the central portion of the neck loop that extends along the minute, the first acoustic waveguide bends to the top portion of the housing and extends to the second leg portion to the first sound outlet opening. The second acoustic waveguide begins just below the second acoustic driver and the second acoustic waveguide bends to the bottom portion of the housing. Extends along the top portion of the housing to the distal end of the portion, the second acoustic waveguide bends to the top portion of the housing and extends to the first leg portion to the second sound outlet opening Along the second leg to the center of the neck loop Extending.

It is a top perspective view of an acoustic device. It is a top surface perspective view of an acoustic device with which a user wears. It is a right view of an audio equipment. It is a front view of an audio equipment. It is a rear view of an audio equipment. It is a top perspective view of the internal partition or wall of the housing of the acoustic device. FIG. 7 is a first cross-sectional view of the acoustic device taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a second cross-sectional view of the acoustic device taken along line 8-8 of FIG. FIG. 9 is a third cross-sectional view of the acoustic device taken along line 9-9 of FIG. It is a typical block diagram of the electronic component for acoustic devices. FIG. 6 is a plot of sound pressure levels at the ears of a dummy head with the acoustic device driver driven in both in-phase and out-of-phase. 1 is a top perspective view of an acoustic device including various stabilizing elements worn by a user. 1 is a top perspective view of an acoustic device including various stabilizing elements worn by a user. 1 is a top perspective view of an acoustic device including various stabilizing elements worn by a user.

  The sound device directs high-quality sound to the ear without directly contacting the ear and without blocking surrounding sounds. The acoustic device is not annoying and can be worn under or on the garment (if the garment is sufficiently acoustically transparent).

  In one aspect, the acoustic device is constructed and arranged to be worn around the neck. The acoustic device has a neck loop including a housing. The neck loop has a horseshoe shape including two legs that are placed over the top of the torso on both sides of the neck and a curved central portion that is placed behind the neck. The device has two acoustic drivers, one for each leg of the housing. The driver is positioned below the predicted position of the user's ear with the driver's acoustic axis facing the ear. The acoustic device also has two waveguides in the housing, each waveguide having an outlet near the driver below the ear. The back side of one driver is acoustically coupled to the entrance to one waveguide and the back side of the other driver is acoustically coupled to the entrance to the other waveguide. Each waveguide is located below one ear (left or right) and has one end with a driver for supplying sound, and the other end located below the other ear (right or left). (Open end).

  Non-limiting examples of acoustic devices are shown in the drawings. This is but one of many possible examples that should illustrate the subject acoustic device. The scope of the invention is not limited by example, but rather is supported by example.

  The acoustic device 10 (FIGS. 1-9) includes a neck loop 12 in the shape of a horseshoe (or perhaps generally “U” shaped), for example, as shown in FIG. The neck loop is shaped, configured and positioned so that it can be worn around the neck of the patient. The neck loop 12 is a curved central portion 24 that is placed at the neck of the neck “N”, and each hangs down from the central portion 24 and generally on both sides of the neck above or near the collarbone “C”. It has right and left legs 20 and 22 constructed and arranged to lean against the top. 3-5 illustrate the general shape of the acoustic device 10 to help it sit and rest comfortably in the neck and upper chest areas.

  The neck loop 12 includes a housing 13, which is essentially an elongate (rigid or flexible), mostly hollow, rigid plastic tube with closed distal ends 27 and 28 (sound inlet and outlet openings). Is excluded). In some examples, the housing 13 is internally divided by an integral wall (partition) 102. In one non-limiting example, two internal waveguides are defined by the outer wall of the housing and the partition wall 102. The housing 13 should be stiff enough so that sound does not substantially degrade as it passes through the waveguide. In this non-limiting example, the lateral distance “D” between the ends 27 and 28 of the right and left neck loop legs 20 and 22 is smaller than the width of a typical human neck, wearing the device 10. The neck loop still needs to be sufficiently flexible so that the ends 27 and 28 are separated when removed and still return to the static shape shown in the drawing. One of many possible materials with suitable physical properties is polyurethane. Other materials could be used. It should also be possible to configure the device in other ways. For example, the device housing could be made from a number of separate parts that are joined together using, for example, fasteners and / or adhesives. And there is no need to position the neck loop leg so that the neck loop leg must be separated when the device is placed behind the neck with the leg leaning against the top of the chest.

  The housing 13 holds right and left acoustic drivers 14 and 16. The driver is located at the upper surface 30 of the housing 13 below the predicted position of the ear “E”. See FIG. The housing 13 has a lower surface 31. Tilt the driver's acoustic axis (not shown in the drawing) as a whole to the predicted position of the wearer / user's ear, so tilt backward (backward) as shown, or Can be angled. The driver can have an acoustic axis that is directed to the predicted position of the ear. Each driver is about 10 cm from the predicted position of the nearest ear and about 26 cm from the predicted position of the other ear (this distance was measured with a flexible tape passing under the chin until reaching the farthest ear). Also good. The lateral distance between the drivers is about 15.5 cm. This arrangement results in a sound pressure level (SPL) from the driver at the near ear that is about 3 times greater than the other ear, which helps to maintain channel separation.

  Located immediately behind the driver and located on the upper outer wall 30 of the housing 13 are waveguide outlets 40 and 50. The outlet 50 is an outlet for the waveguide 110 having an inlet behind the right driver 14. Outlet 40 is an outlet for waveguide 160 having an inlet behind the left driver 16. See FIGS. Thus, each ear directly receives the output from the front of one driver and the output from the back of the other driver. If the driver is driven out of phase, the two acoustic signals received by each ear are virtually in phase under the fundamental waveguide quarter resonance frequency, and in this non-limiting example, about 130- 360 Hz. This ensures that the low frequency radiation from each driver and from the corresponding waveguide outlet on the same side is in phase and does not cancel each other. At the same time, the radiation from the opposite driver and from the corresponding waveguide is out of phase, so a far field cancellation is performed. This reduces sound leakage from the acoustic device to others nearby.

  The acoustic device 10 includes right and left button socks or partial housing covers 60 and 62, such as a volume button 68, a power button 74, a control button 76, and an opening 72 that exposes the microphone. A sleeve that can define or support aspects of the user interface of the device. When present, the microphone allows the device to be used to make a call (like a handset). Other buttons, sliders and similar controls can be included as desired. The user interface can be configured and installed to facilitate operation by the user. Each button can have a unique shape and can be installed so that it can be recognized without looking at the button. The electronic component cover is located below the button socks. A printed circuit board and a battery holding hardware necessary for the function of the device 10 are located below the cover.

  The housing 13 includes two waveguides 110 and 160. See FIGS. The sound enters each waveguide directly behind / below the driver and extends down the top side of the neck loop leg, where the driver is located up to the end of the leg, facing 180 ° at the end of the leg. Alter, descend to the bottom side of the housing, and then extend the legs back up along the bottom side of the housing. The waveguide continues along the bottom side of the first portion of the central portion of the neck loop. The waveguide is then twisted so that the waveguide returns to the top side of the housing at or near the end of the central portion of the neck loop. The waveguide terminates near the other driver at the outlet opening located on the top surface of the other leg of the neck loop. The waveguide is formed by the space between the outer wall of the housing and the internal integral partition wall or wall 102. The septum 102 (shown in FIG. 6 away from the housing) is a generally flat integral inner housing wall having a right leg 130, a left leg 138, a right end 118, a left end 140, and a central 180 ° twist 134. It is. The septum 102 also has curved angled diverters 132 and 136 that direct sound from a waveguide extending substantially parallel to the housing axis to an outlet opening in the upper wall of the housing above the diverter, so that The sound is directed towards one ear as a whole.

  A first portion of the waveguide 110 is shown in FIG. The waveguide entrance 114 is located immediately behind the back surface 14a of the acoustic driver 14 having the front side 14b facing the predicted position of the right ear. A downward leg 116 of the waveguide 110 is located above the housing septum 102 and below the top wall / top surface 30. A fold 120 is defined between the end 118 of the septum 102 and the closed rounded end 27 of the housing 12. The waveguide 110 then continues to the upward portion 122 of the waveguide 110 below the partition wall 102. The waveguide 110 then extends under a diverter 132 (see waveguide portion 124) that is part of the septum 102 where it bends so that the waveguide extends to the central housing portion 24. FIGS. 8 and 9 show how two identical waveguides 110 and 160 extend along the central portion of the housing that folds within the central portion of the housing and folds over each other so that each waveguide is a housing. It illustrates how it begins and ends within the top part of. This allows each waveguide to be coupled behind one driver in one leg of the neck loop and have a waveguide outlet on the top surface of the housing in the other leg near the other driver To do. FIGS. 8 and 9 again begin at the second end 140 of the septum 102 and behind the driver 16, and the waveguide bends to the bottom of the leg 22 and extends up the leg 22 to the central portion 24. Also shown is the arrangement of the waveguide 160 extending down to the top of the. Waveguides 110 and 160 are basically mirror images of each other.

In one non-limiting example, each waveguide generally has the same cross-sectional area from start to finish, typically about 2 cm ² , along the entire length of the waveguide, including the annular outlet opening. In one non-limiting example, each waveguide has an overall length in the range of about 22-44 cm, which in one particular example is very close to 43 cm. In one non-limiting example, the waveguide is long enough to resonate at about 150 Hz. More generally, the major dimensions of an acoustic device (eg, waveguide length and cross-sectional area) are largely defined by ergonomics, while ensuring proper acoustic resonance and function with proper audio signal processing. Other waveguide arrangements, shapes, sizes, and lengths are envisioned within the scope of this disclosure.

  An illustrative but non-limiting example of an electronic component for an acoustic device is shown in FIG. In this example, the device functions as a wireless headset that can be wirelessly connected to a smartphone or another sound source. The PCB 103 holds a microphone 164 and a microphone processing unit. The antenna receives an audio signal (eg, music) from another device. Supports Bluetooth® wireless communication protocol (and / or other wireless protocols). The user interface can be maintained as part of both PCB 103 and PCB 104, but is not necessary. The system on chip generates audio signals that are amplified and fed to L and R audio amplifiers on the PCB 104. The amplified signal is sent to left and right transducers (drivers) 16 and 14 which are open back acoustic drivers as described above. The acoustic driver can have a diameter of 40 mm and a depth of 10 mm, but does not necessarily have these dimensions. The PCB 104 also maintains a battery charging circuit that interfaces with a rechargeable battery 106 that supplies all power for the acoustic device.

  FIG. 11 illustrates the SPL at one ear using the acoustic device described above. Plot 196 uses a driver driven in a different phase, and plot 198 uses a driver driven in the same phase. Below about 150 Hz, the out-of-phase SPL is higher than the in-phase driving method. The advantage of the out-of-phase drive method is up to 15 dB at the lowest frequency of 60-70 Hz. The same effect occurs in the frequency range from about 400 to about 950 Hz. Within the frequency range of 150-400 Hz, the in-phase SPL is higher than the out-of-phase SPL, and the phase difference between the left and right channels should be flipped back to zero to obtain the best driver performance within this frequency range. It is. In one non-limiting example, the phase difference between the channels is realized using a so-called all-pass filter with a limited phase change slope. These give a slow phase change rather than a steep phase change that can have detrimental effects on sound reproduction. This allows the advantage of proper phase selection while ensuring the power efficiency of the acoustic device. Above about 1 KHz, the phase difference between the left and right channels has a much smaller impact on the SPL due to the lack of correlation between the channels at higher frequencies.

  FIGS. 12A-12C depict three non-limiting examples of the acoustic device 10 further including a stabilizing element that provides additional support and retention for the user wearing the device. The stabilization element functions to keep the acoustic device 10 in place for use during intense exercise such as running, jogging, skiing, mountain biking, and weight training.

  As described above with respect to FIGS. 1-9, the acoustic device 10 of FIGS. 12A-12C is curved at the neck loop 12 (FIG. 1), at the neck of the neck “N” (FIG. 2). Central portion 24 (FIG. 1) as well as each hanging from central portion 24 and configured and arranged to rest against the upper torso on both sides of the neck, generally above or near clavicle “C” (FIG. 2). Includes right and left legs 20 and 22. The acoustic device 10 of FIGS. 12A-12C includes one or more drivers (not shown). The driver may be installed on or below the surface of the housing of the acoustic device 10, generally below the predicted position of the ear “E” (FIG. 2) in the right and left legs 20 and 22, respectively. As previously described, the driver may be angled so that the acoustic axis of the driver is generally directed to the predicted location of the user's ear. Each driver is about 10 cm from the predicted position of the nearest ear and about 26 cm from the predicted position of the other ear (this distance was measured with a flexible tape passing under the chin until reaching the farthest ear). Also good. The lateral distance between the drivers is about 15.5 cm. The acoustic device 10 of FIGS. 12A-12C may also be a waveguide outlet (not shown) located near and immediately behind the driver along the right and left legs 20 and 22, respectively.

  FIG. 12A includes a strap 200 and a removable fastener 202 attached to the acoustic device 10, which together allow a user to releasably secure the device to the torso for use during strenuous exercise. 1 shows an acoustic device 10 that provides additional stability. FIG. 12B shows the acoustic device 10 including a stabilizing collar 204 designed, sized and configured to contact or at least partially contact the back and sides of the user's neck. Stabilization collar 204 provides additional stability for using acoustic device 10 during the movements described above. FIG. 12C shows the acoustic device 10 including an inflatable chamber 206 to provide additional stability for use of the acoustic device 10 during the exercises described above. Chamber 206 is designed, sized and configured to contact the back and sides of the user's neck. In this example, the chamber 206 can be inflated with air or other suitable gas to a pressure level that provides sufficient stability and comfort for the user. The pressure level inside the chamber 206 can be adjusted to a level appropriate for a particular user or for use during a particular exercise. The chamber 206 can include a pressure valve (not shown) to facilitate pressurization or release of air, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In one non-limiting example, the chamber 206 can include multiple sub-chambers or segments to provide a predetermined shape or direction of pressure against the user's neck as the chamber expands.

  The housing of the acoustic device 10 can include a skin or cover that surrounds a portion or all of the device housing. In one example, the cover includes an acoustically transparent region where the cover covers the driver and / or waveguide outlets in the right and left legs 20 and 22 respectively of the acoustic device 10. In some examples, the cover serves to provide additional comfort to the user while wearing the acoustic device 10 and / or to protect the acoustic device 10 from scratches or scratches and / or the device 10. The appearance can be customized. The outer plate may be detachably or permanently attached to the acoustic device 10.

  Embodiments of the systems and methods described above include computer components and computer-implemented steps that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, those skilled in the art will understand that computer-implemented steps can be stored as computer-executable instructions on, for example, computer-readable media such as a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, flash ROM, non-volatile ROM, and RAM. It is. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer-executable instructions can be executed on various processors, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a gate array, or the like. For ease of explanation, although not all of the above described system and method steps or elements are described herein as part of a computer system, each step or element corresponds to a corresponding computer system. Alternatively, those skilled in the art will recognize that they may have software components. Such computer system and / or software components may thus be enabled by describing their corresponding steps or elements (ie, their functionality) and are within the scope of the disclosure.

  A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, additional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concept described herein, and thus other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. Will be understood.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Acoustic apparatus 12 Neck loop 12 Housing 13 Housing 14 Acoustic driver 14a Back surface 14b Front side 16 Acoustic driver 20 Leg 22 Leg 24 Central part 27 Closed round end 28 End 30 Outer wall 31 Lower surface 40 Outlet 50 Outlet 60 Housing cover 62 Housing cover 68 Volume button 72 Opening 74 Power button 76 Control button 102 Bulkhead 103 PCB
104 PCB
106 rechargeable battery 110 waveguide 114 waveguide inlet 116 downward leg 118 end 120 folded portion 122 upward portion 124 waveguide portion 130 right leg 132 diverter 134 twisted portion 136 diverter 138 left leg 140 left end 160 waveguide 164 microphone 196 Plot 198 Plot 200 Strap 202 Removable Fastener 204 Stabilization Collar 206 Inflatable Chamber C Clavicle D Lateral Distance E Ear

Claims (20)

A neck loop configured and arranged to be worn around a user's neck, the neck loop comprising a housing defining an acoustic volume boundary;
A first acoustic driver disposed at a first distal end of the housing, the first acoustic driver being acoustically coupled to the housing;
A second acoustic driver disposed at a second distal end of the housing located opposite the first distal end, the acoustic driver being acoustically coupled to the housing; Two acoustic drivers;
An acoustic device.   The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the first acoustic driver and the second acoustic driver are driven such that the first acoustic driver and the second acoustic driver emit different phases of sound. . The first acoustic driver is embedded within the housing and has a first sound axis that is generally directed to a predicted position of one ear of the user;
The second acoustic driver is embedded in the housing and has a second sound axis that is generally directed to a predicted position of the other ear of the user. The acoustic device described.   A housing in which the neck loop forms a boundary of a first acoustic waveguide with a first sound outlet opening and a boundary of a second acoustic waveguide with a second sound outlet opening The acoustic device according to claim 3, comprising: The first sound outlet opening is disposed in the vicinity of the second acoustic driver;
The acoustic device according to claim 4, wherein the second sound outlet opening is disposed in the vicinity of the first acoustic driver. Each of the first acoustic waveguide and the second acoustic waveguide has one end and the other end;
The one end has a corresponding acoustic driver disposed on one side of the user's head and near and below one adjacent ear;
The said other end leads to its sound outlet opening located on the other side of the head of the user and near and below the other adjacent ear. Acoustic device. The housing has an outer wall;
The first sound outlet opening is formed in the outer wall of the housing;
The acoustic device according to claim 4, wherein the second sound outlet opening is formed in the outer wall of the housing.   The acoustic device according to claim 7, wherein both the first acoustic waveguide and the second acoustic waveguide are formed by the outer wall of the housing and the inner wall of the housing.   The acoustic device of claim 8, wherein the inner wall of the housing is located along a longitudinal axis that is twisted 180 degrees along the length of the inner wall. The neck loop is formed in a substantially U shape having a central portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion;
The first leg portion and the second leg portion are suspended from the central portion and have a distal end spaced apart to form an open end of the neck loop;
The acoustic device according to claim 9, wherein the twist of the inner wall of the housing is located in the central portion of the neck loop.   The acoustic device according to claim 10, wherein the inner wall of the housing is substantially flat and is disposed below the first sound outlet opening and the second sound outlet opening.   The acoustic device according to claim 11, wherein the inner wall of the housing includes a raised sound diverter below each of the first sound outlet opening and the second sound outlet opening. The housing has a top portion that is closest to the ear when worn by the user and a bottom portion that is closest to the torso when worn by the user;
Each of the first acoustic waveguide and the second acoustic waveguide is partially located at the top portion of the housing and partially located at the bottom portion of the housing; The acoustic device according to claim 9. The neck loop is formed in a substantially U shape including a central portion, a first leg portion, and a second leg portion, and the first leg portion and the second leg portion are formed in the central portion. A distal end suspended from a portion and spaced apart to form an open end of the neck loop, wherein the torsion of the inner wall of the housing is located in the central portion of the neck loop And
The first acoustic driver is disposed on the first leg portion of the neck loop, and the second acoustic driver is disposed on the second leg portion of the neck loop;
The first acoustic waveguide extends along the top portion of the housing from below the first acoustic driver to the distal end of the first leg portion of the neck loop. The first acoustic waveguide turns at the distal end of the first leg portion of the neck loop toward the bottom portion of the housing, and the first acoustic waveguide of the central portion of the neck loop Extending along the first leg portion in the interior, the first acoustic waveguide turns in the central portion of the neck loop toward the top portion of the housing; Extending to the first sound outlet opening in the leg portion of the
The second acoustic waveguide extends along the top portion of the housing from below the second acoustic driver to the distal end of the second leg portion of the neck loop. The second acoustic waveguide turns at the distal end of the second leg portion of the neck loop toward the bottom portion of the housing, and the second acoustic waveguide of the central portion of the neck loop Extending along the second leg portion in the interior, the second acoustic waveguide turns in the central portion of the neck loop toward the top portion of the housing, and The acoustic device according to claim 13, wherein the acoustic device extends to the second sound outlet opening inside the leg portion. The housing has a top surface facing the ear when worn by the user;
The first sound outlet opening is formed in the top surface of the housing, and the second sound outlet opening is formed in the top surface of the housing. The acoustic device described. An audio device,
A neck loop constructed and arranged to be worn around a user's neck, comprising a first acoustic waveguide having a first sound outlet opening and a second sound outlet opening. The neck loop comprising a housing, the second acoustic waveguide comprising:
A first rear open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the first acoustic waveguide, wherein the first rear-open acoustic driver is held by the housing and is generally directed to a predicted position of one ear of the user. The first back-open acoustic driver having a first sound axis,
A second rear open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the second acoustic waveguide, held by the housing and generally directed to a predicted position of the other ear of the user; The second rear-open acoustic driver having a second sound axis;
A holding member extending from the housing of the neck loop, the holding member configured to further stabilize the acoustic device by contact with the neck of the user;
In the acoustic device comprising:
The first sound outlet opening is disposed in the vicinity of the second rear open acoustic driver, and the second sound outlet opening is in the vicinity of the first rear open acoustic driver. Are located in
The first rear open acoustic driver and the second rear open acoustic driver are configured such that the first rear open acoustic driver and the second rear open acoustic driver emit sounds having different phases. Driven acoustic device. The first acoustic waveguide and the second acoustic waveguide are both formed by an outer wall of the housing and an inner wall of the housing;
The acoustic device of claim 16, wherein the inner wall of the housing is located along a longitudinal axis that is twisted 180 degrees along the length of the inner wall.   The neck loop is formed in a substantially U shape including a central portion, a first leg portion, and a second leg portion, and the first leg portion and the second leg portion are formed in the central portion. A distal end suspended from a portion and spaced apart to form an open end of the neck loop, wherein the torsion of the inner wall of the housing is located in the central portion of the neck loop The acoustic device according to claim 17. The housing has a top portion that is closest to the ear when worn by the user and a bottom portion that is closest to the torso when worn by the user;
Each of the first acoustic waveguide and the second acoustic waveguide is partially located at the top portion of the housing and partially located at the bottom portion of the housing; The acoustic device according to claim 18. An audio device,
A neck loop constructed and arranged to be worn around a user's neck, said neck loop comprising a first acoustic waveguide comprising a first sound outlet opening and a second sound. A housing having a second acoustic waveguide having an outlet opening, the first acoustic waveguide and the second acoustic waveguide being both an outer wall of the housing and the housing The inner wall of the housing is located along a longitudinal axis that is twisted 180 ° along the length of the inner wall;
The neck loop is formed in a substantially U shape including a central portion, a first leg portion, and a second leg portion, and the first leg portion and the second leg portion are formed in the central portion. A distal end suspended from a portion and spaced apart to form an open end of the neck loop, wherein the torsion of the inner wall of the housing is located in the central portion of the neck loop The housing has a top portion that is closest to the user's ear when worn by the user and a bottom portion that is closest to the torso when worn by the user; Each of the first acoustic waveguide and the second acoustic waveguide is partially located at the top portion of the housing and partially located at the bottom portion of the housing; Said Croup is provided with a retaining member that is configured in a size such as to further stabilize the acoustic device by contact with the neck of the user, and the neck loop,
A first rear open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the first acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic driver being disposed on the first leg portion of the neck loop; The first rear open acoustic driver having a first sound axis that is generally directed to a predicted position;
A second rear open acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the second acoustic waveguide, disposed on the second leg portion of the neck loop; The second rear open acoustic driver having a second sound axis that is generally directed to a predicted position;
In the acoustic device comprising:
The first rear open acoustic driver and the second rear open acoustic driver are configured such that the first rear open acoustic driver and the second rear open acoustic driver emit sounds having different phases. Driven,
The first acoustic waveguide extends along the top portion of the housing from below the first rear open acoustic driver to the distal end of the first leg portion of the neck loop. And the first acoustic waveguide is turned toward the bottom portion of the housing at the distal end of the first leg portion of the neck loop, and the first loop of the neck loop Extending along the first leg portion within a central portion, the first acoustic waveguide turning toward the top portion of the housing in the central portion of the neck loop; Extending to the first sound outlet opening in the second leg portion;
The second acoustic waveguide extends along the top portion of the housing from below the second rear open acoustic driver to the distal end of the second leg portion of the neck loop. And the second acoustic waveguide is turned toward the bottom portion of the housing at the distal end of the second leg portion of the neck loop, and the second loop of the neck loop Extending along the second leg portion within a central portion, the second acoustic waveguide turning toward the top portion of the housing in the central portion of the neck loop; An acoustic device extending to the second sound outlet opening inside the first leg portion.

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