SE463064B - Device for headset micro-telephones - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for headset micro-telephones, which comprises a fixing device 1 which is arranged to support an earpiece 2 and a microphone 3 and which is worn on the user's head. The fixing device 1 has at one end an earloop 4 which is arranged to extend over the user's ear and down behind the ear and to be in contact with the skull behind the ear. At the other end the device has a nosepiece 5 which is arranged to rest on the user's nasal bone and with a connecting part 7 to extend to an intermediate part 6 of the fixing device. This intermediate part connects the earloop and the connecting part of the nosepiece. At its front part the intermediate part facing the nosepiece is in contact with the user's cheek bone. <IMAGE>

Description

sl 6- 7I 463 064 2 They require two hands to turn on and off.

They press against the ears which creates discomfort.

They allow you to feel shielded as normal stereo hearing of ambient noise is prevented.

They ruin the hairstyle.

They are bulky.

Due to their appearance, they create a psychological resistance to use.

In addition, those used for telephones are often fragile.

Prior art devices for hanging telephone headsets to the head or body have not worked due to the fact that the telephone headsets are heavy and the systems become awkward and do not allow the freedom of movement necessary for a normal movement pattern to be maintained despite telephone or in otherwise communicate via wire or radio.

The object of the present invention is to provide a headphone which, in contrast to previously known devices of this kind, has all the advantages mentioned below.

Advantages of the invention It can be easily taken on and off with one hand.

It does not press against the ears.

It does not make you feel isolated or lose your steroid hearing.

It does not ruin the hairstyle.

It is not bulky and it weighs very little.

Due to its appearance, it does not create any psychological resistance.

It can also be used by those who wear glasses.

It can be integrated in a pair of spectacle frames.

It remains even when you move.

It can be used outdoors even during violent physical activity s.s. sailing and skiing.

It can be shaped by anyone without instruction to fit the face.

.Its 064 (JJ 6 3 It can operate with very small amounts of energy in that it can be performed with directional action on the headphone.

Due to the lack of moving parts, it is durable and cheap to manufacture.

The advantages of the invention are achieved by arranging the main microphone as stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention The invention is a device which, like a half spectacle frame, rests on one ear and on the nose just below where any spectacles support. The arch that folds down behind the ear will here support against the skull bone (proc.mastoideus), which leads to the device sitting 'very stable and not moving in relation to the head even when it moves very strongly. The accompanying drawings show three embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 then shows the basic design of the device with the same placed on a wearer's head.

Fig. 2 shows a slightly different embodiment and Fig. 3 a further embodiment, shown independently.

According to Fig. 1, the device comprises three main units: a holding means 1, a headphone 2 and a microphone 3. The holding means in turn has an ear strap 4, which is arranged to be fitted, so that it extends along the upper side of the wearer's ear and down at its back in abutment with the skull bone (proc. mastoideus), a nasal brace 5, which is arranged to be applied over the bridge of the nose, a substantially straight intermediate part 6, one end of which connects to the earlobe 4 and the other, front end connects to the noseband 5 via a connecting part 7, which extends at an angle from the middle part 6. The middle part 6 is meant with its front part resting against the skin in areas of the iliac arch (arcus zygomaticus), where the skin does not move when articulating. 465 (164 4 The headphone 2 starts from the intermediate part 6 in front of the earloop 4.

The location of its sound-emitting, active part determines the design of the headphone. Since the device is primarily intended for use by persons engaged in tasks other than talking and answering the telephone, for example for alternating direct conversations with someone else or in front of a vehicle, it is preferred that it be so designed, that the wearer is not in any way shielded from the environment. This means that the earphone is preferably at some distance from the mouth of the ear canal so that even sound directly from the surroundings can be picked up.

The headphone can then be designed as a miniature speaker and one with a strong direct effect. Particularly in Figures 2 and 3, the shape of an expotential horn is indicated. However, this preferred embodiment does not exclude that the device can be made with a headphone directly against the ear or a so-called insertable in the ear canal. ear canal.

The microphone 3, which starts from the area where the intermediate part 6 and the connecting part 7 meet, extends to a position next to the mouth, but preferably outside the air flow which is generated when speaking. Conveniently, the microphone also has a directing effect. With a directional microphone, the distance to the mouth can be increased so much that it can be used as a distance microphone in duplex telephony. You can significantly increase the sound quality of such telephony and speaker telephony with extremely directional microphones, which do not pick up and transmit echo sound but only the original sound, for example interference microphones.

The position of the microphone relative to the mouth can be determined by its location on the holding element 1. The more direct connection to the intermediate part 6, shown in the figures, can be replaced by a suspension on an arm extending from the front part of the middle part or alternatively from the noseband. 5 outermost part and to the opposite side of the mouth in relation to the side where it is now shown located.

The two other embodiments Figs. 2 and 3 have the same main parts and the reference numerals 1-7 are also used in these 463 G64 figures. What distinguishes the different embodiments is mainly the device of the headphone and microphone on the holding element.

In general, it holds for the retaining element 1 that it is flexible with dimensionally stable so that it is easily bent for optimal fit even with very large differences in head shape and size.

This can be achieved, for example, by containing a metal wire that can be formed, or that it is made of a polymer that can be formed when it is hot but becomes dimensionally stable at room temperature. Other possible solutions are thermoplastics that are flexible until they are heated. With such, one could thus fix the desired shape by baking. The combination flexible with dimensionally stable can also be achieved by providing it with one or more joints, which can be adjusted angle and position.

An imaginary embodiment is based on the principle that a metal wire is baked into a casing of plastic or other elastomer. The plastic casing, like the metal wire, is flexible, but because it is of varying thickness, its stabilizing ability becomes different in different places.

This gives the effect that when shaping the device to suit different faces, it bends in the first place and with less resistance in certain places where the casing or wire is thinner.

In addition, because the plastic casing does not have a round but an oval or rectangular cross-sectional area, torsions can be achieved and they preferably end up in the parts where the plastic casing or wire is thinnest.

By manufacturing the device so that it is initially only bent in two planes but straight in the third, you can choose whether you want to bend it for right-hand or left-hand use. An example of how the holding element 1 can be arranged in a delivery state for bending according to the wearer's wishes is shown in Fig. 3. 4-65 064-6 In the embodiment according to Figs. 2 and 3, the device holds the earphone 2 very close to the ear canal opening. without it being in contact with the skin. The sound can be directed towards the ear canal opening e.g. by means of a small funnel 8 or an expotential horn or other acoustic directivity-increasing acoustic principle. Such a device can also be designed so that its position can be adjusted in relation to the attachment and thereby vary the distance and also the position in general from the funnel opening to the ear canal opening. This is achieved by the headphone in the embodiment according to Figs. 2 and 3 being supported by a bracket 9 slidable on the intermediate part 6 of the holding member 1. This bracket is designed as a cover, which contains the functional parts of the headphone, thus the equipment required for transmitting supplied electrical or optical signals to sound, which can radiate through the funnel or horn 8. This variation of distance.can be used as a sound volume control. It is also possible to achieve rotation. This function can also be used to change the direction of the sound when adjusting the device for use on the right or left ear.

Movement of the earphone in relation to the ear can, if it can be easily performed, be used to adjust the strength of the sound hitting the ear. It can then be used to achieve a reasonable balance between perception of sound from the surroundings and from the headphone. This is essentially achieved by either changing the distance between the ear and the earphone and / or turning it in different directions.

The microphone 3 is shown in Fig. 2 also having a bracket 10, which can also be slidable on the intermediate part 6 for adjusting the position of the microphone entrance opening. Fig. 3 shows the microphone as starting from a round box 11, to which the intermediate part 6 and the connecting part 7 to the holding element 1 connect. The position of the microphone is adapted here by adding said parts 6 and 7.

The main task of the device is, as can be seen, to transmit as audio signals signals received via cable as electrical or optical signals or by wireless transmission. The latter can take place via radio signals, which are picked up by a receiver in the device via an antenna. The antenna can either be integrated in the holding device 1 or consist of a wire antenna emanating from the device. It is also possible to transmit the signals wirelessly via infrared light. The second main function of the device is to receive audio signals from the wearer, when the speaker is talking, and to transmit them to a telephone network. This can be done in the same way as when receiving signals, thus via cable or by wireless transmission.

A probable embodiment is provided with electronic level control of the volume in one or both directions, ie. effect on the headset and sensitivity of the microphone.

With modern electronics, the entire device can weigh significantly less than a pair of glasses. It is also possible to integrate the device in a pair of spectacle frames.

The cable for connection to the telephone network or other communication equipment can be connected either behind or in front of the ear.

It can be connected to modern telephones, including mobile phones and portable ditto, via special connectors with or without switches.

You can make it connected via electronic circuits only when you start talking in it. It can also be equipped with a manually controlled switch for on and off. Such a switch can be located on the device itself. It can also be placed in connection with a telephone set or on the dashboard of a car and is designed as a holder for the device so that the latter is activated when it is removed from its holder.

The device can be equipped with a mechanical switch that activates / opens the phone when you put it on. For example, connectors can be built into the nose supports so that when they are pushed apart or short-circuited, the phone opens in the same way as when you -Fß LN! CD CN -F> 8 lifts a normal handset from its sleep position on the switch buttons. This function can be in parallel with or instead of a traditional handset.

The switches described above can also be connected so that a speakerphone or a vehicle-mounted mobile phone with "hands-free" function chooses to disconnect the speaker / distance microphone function and instead switch on the device when the latter is activated.

Equipped with electronic circuits for so-called VAD (voice administered dialing) gives the invention the ability to make calls completely without the use of hands.

If you would like to place the headphone and microphone very close to each other and direct the sound in tubes to the microphone and for speakers, it may be relevant to provide the device with so-called semi-duplex automatic to prevent roundabouts.

These arrangements of an electrical and electronic nature are previously known from other contexts and this known technique can thus be applied by the person skilled in the art. No more detailed description of any such arrangement will therefore be given here since sufficient information for carrying out the invention can be obtained from the prior art.

A significant problem with a device of this kind, which is to allow alternating telephony and other activities, including direct conversations with other persons, is to make the holding device so flexible that the initially sought-after benefits are achieved. This is achieved by the device by means of a suspension with three support points: namely the support by means of the earloop 4 and its support against the skull with its descending part, the support against the bridge of the nose via the noseband 5 and in between the support of the intermediate part 6 against the occiput.

The center of gravity of the system is at or near the line between the two outermost support points. In the devices shown, the equipment mounted on the fastener is so located that the center of gravity of the system also ends up on the outside of the fastener. This results in a torsional force which tends to push the outer part of the earloop 4 towards the skull bone and between the part towards the yoke bone. The device will be completely stable, which is why you will hardly need to be aware that you are wearing it. Furthermore, the device can be switched on and off with just one hand, which makes it as easy to use as a traditional telephone handset even for short calls. Theoretically, one can consider the fulcrum on the nose as several fulcrums because one can design it as two parts which support on both sides of the midline.

Furthermore, as mentioned, you can without any inconvenience let part of the device rest against the skin in the area of the occipital arch (Arcus zygomaticus) because the skin here does not move by articulating.

This achieves increased stability with lower pressure between the device and the skin at the respective contact area.

By combining its light weight and the relatively strong forces that strive to hold the device in its intended place, it will sit firmly even in violent head movements.

The forces of inertia will not be able to overcome the forces which strive to maintain the intended position of the face. That the latter forces become so relatively strong has its explanation partly in that the part 4 of the arch which encloses the upper / rear circumference of the outer part of the outer ear closest is arcuate and lies in an equally arcuate insert, whereby it is fixed in all three planes , partly that the parts 4 which abut against the nose, partly can be made to press in the direction of the ear, partly against each other. In this way it is quite possible to make the device so that it remains in its intended place completely or partially independent of gravity and normal inertial forces.

An additional member which can be supported by the fastening device is a light indicator, for example in the form of a LED. It can be arranged, for example, on one of the housings 9 or 11 in Fig. 3 for the electronic equipment. This light indicator is designed to illuminate when a telephone call is in progress. It is particularly advantageous to connect it to the electronics so that when an audio signal enters the device and is retransmitted through the headphone - the light indicator is lit as soon as a certain signal strength is exceeded.

In this way, the person talking to a person carrying the device in question can see if a call is really in progress. If the light indicator were to light up all the time as a connection was connected, one could get the impression that a call was really going on even during such periods, which often occur during telephone calls, when waiting for a message, further connection or the like. By letting the LED light up only when a signal is received, the person who wishes to contact the caller can know when this is possible.

Of course, you can also let the LED in such a case light up at the output signal. However, you notice immediately without any such indication if the person wearing the device is speaking himself.

In contexts, where more violent body movements occur, the device can be equipped with a second ear strap for particularly firm attachment.

A typical area of use for the device should be in a reception, for example a hotel reception. The receptionist generally has the task of answering frequently incoming calls and at the same time serving people in the room, answering direct calls, and so on. If the device is designed in the preferred way, that the headphone is at a distance from the ear and the microphone is not in front of the mouth while the device has a very discreet appearance with the fastener made wire-like, the receptionist can perform both mentioned tasks without interfering with direct calls. that the device is fitted at all times and ready for answering telephone calls or own calls.

With the aid of the mentioned LED, it can also be indicated when the receptionist can make direct calls without being hindered by telephone calls. Due to the simple design of the device with the fastening means made flexible, the device can easily be adapted to people who take turns in the reception. If the telephone calls are less frequent, you can put down the device and then, if necessary, easily switch it on with one hand. The design will be particularly advantageous if the device is designed for wireless communication, so that tasks that require movement can also be performed.

* II f; 463 064 ll Within the scope of the appended claims, the device can also be designed in other ways and thereby adapt the same to the intended area of use and to the current, applicable technology for telephone communication.

Claims (10)

12 Patent claims A device for head microphones, which comprises a fastening means (1), which is arranged to support a headphone (2) and a microphone (3) and arranged to be mounted on a wearer's head, so that the earphone is arranged at the wearer's ear and the microphone at the wearer's mouth, characterized in that the fastening means (1) has at its one end an ear strap (4), which is arranged to extend over the wearer's ear and down after its back and thereby arranged to abut against the skull behind the ear, and at the other end a noseband (5), which is arranged to rest with an outer part against the nose of the wearer and to extend with a connecting part (7) to an intermediate part (6) of the fastening means, which intermediate part joins the earband and the connecting part of the noseband and which intermediate part at its front part, facing the noseband, is arranged to abut against the wearer's yoke bone, so that the fastening device is supported in abutment against the wearer's head at three places: at the ear t, on the bridge of the nose and in the area of the occiput. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (1) consists of a wire-like element, which forms said intermediate part (6) and which at one end transitions to said earmuff (4) and whose other end over goes in said connecting part (7) to the noseband (5). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the wire-like fastening member (1) is arranged to be able to be bent with finger force repeatedly for adaptation to the wearer's head. 4. -4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening member (1) is provided with weakenings, which facilitate bending at intended places. fr: f / .Fx Q \ Cr! CD ON 472 »'13 Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the fastening member (1) consists of a soft, flexible metal frame surrounded by a casing of a soft elastomer. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the headphone (2) has the shape of a directivity-increasing device such as a funnel or a horn, for example an expotential horn, which with its sound-emitting mouth is directed towards the ear canal but is located at a distance from it. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the headphone (2) starts from a bracket (9), which is arranged on the intermediate part (6) of the fastening means (1) and is movable relative thereto for adapting the position of the headphone in relation to the wearer's ear by movement and / or rotation. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microphone (3) is arranged with its receiving opening next to the wearer's mouth, but so next to it that it is not hit by the exhaled air flow and has a directional effect for capture mainly of speech with limited influence of other sounds. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a light indicator which, by connection to means which are active in the operation of the device during a telephone connection, is thereby arranged to indicate when telephone calls are in progress. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the light indicator is arranged to activate indication during periods when signals are present in said device, but to keep the indication passive during a connected telephone connection during periods when no signal activity occurs.