WO2014195690A2 - Headphone with adjustable sound presentation - Google Patents

Headphone with adjustable sound presentation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014195690A2
WO2014195690A2 PCT/GB2014/051691 GB2014051691W WO2014195690A2 WO 2014195690 A2 WO2014195690 A2 WO 2014195690A2 GB 2014051691 W GB2014051691 W GB 2014051691W WO 2014195690 A2 WO2014195690 A2 WO 2014195690A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
headphone
ear
user
external
cover
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2014/051691
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2014195690A3 (en
Inventor
John Robert Stuart
Original Assignee
Meridian Audio Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Meridian Audio Limited filed Critical Meridian Audio Limited
Publication of WO2014195690A2 publication Critical patent/WO2014195690A2/en
Publication of WO2014195690A3 publication Critical patent/WO2014195690A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1083—Reduction of ambient noise

Definitions

  • the invention relates to improvements in the housing of headphones which allow the user to adapt the sound presentation, particularly by mechanical means.
  • Headphones for listening couple one or more acoustic transducing elements to the listener's ear.
  • a pair of headphones will use two transducer assemblies, to play each of the left and right signals of a stereo signal to the respective ear of the listener.
  • a pair of headphones typically consists of two such transducer assemblies joined by a headband, which conveniently maintains the ear to transducer relationship and typically includes means to apply a clamping force. Headphones are conventionally described as being of a type "Over-ear”, “On-ear” or "ln-ear”.
  • the transducer When “Over-ear” or “On-ear” headphones are intended for high-performance use, the transducer will typically be mechanically coupled to an annular ear-pad which performs several functions including: providing comfort; creating an acoustic cavity between the eardrum and the transducer, which is advantageous to low-frequency response; providing transducer-to-ear spacing such that the pinna can be included; and, blocking sound arriving from outside.
  • Such headphones will often also have a rear acoustic enclosure or outside cover so that external environmental sound can be attenuated.
  • a typical headphone arrangement comprises an ear-pad, a transducer in a baffle and rear cover.
  • the volume of air formed by the meatus, ear-pad and transducers, and the volume of air enclosed behind the drive unit together modify the frequency response.
  • Some designs of headphones may also contain acoustic damping or acoustic resistance materials on either side of the transducer to control overall response. For many applications it is advantageous to attenuate outside noise. However, doing so creates a somewhat claustrophobic effect and may accentuate the impression that the sound is inside the listener's head. The sound may also have a "boxy" quality. Nevertheless, listening can be more satisfying if the environment is noisy. Conversely, sound blocking also reduces sound travelling from the headphone into the wider environment.
  • Some listeners especially where external noise is low or where they wish to maintain communication, prefer a form of construction where the rear chamber is perforated so as to allow sound to freely pass through or around the transducer.
  • the listener uses headphones constructed in this way, the listener gains the impression of being "in the room” and the overall reproduction can be less oppressive or more natural.
  • the benefits of clarity are retained without creating undue disturbance.
  • Some earphones can include a channel that may be open or closed, so that external sound may be admitted or not according to the mode of operation. Such arrangements provide switching between two states, but are otherwise static.
  • a headphone allows for interchangeable or switchable rear covers or parts thereof, which are constructed in such a way that the user may select open or closed presentation.
  • the invention also allows for interchangeable or switchable covers for an ln-ear headphone.
  • a headphone for On-ear or Over-ear use is constructed so that an outer cover can be detached. Covers may be supplied or included which permit the user to fit the one best suited to a particular purpose, including: 1 ) A cover which completes a sealed back, possibly containing appropriate acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation.
  • a cover which is perforated with holes, slots, mesh or grid pattern and which may contain some acoustic resistance, but which constructed in such a way that external sounds pass relatively freely from the outside either to the transducer(s) or directly to the ear.
  • a headphone for ln-ear use is constructed so that an outer cover can be detached.
  • Covers may be supplied which permit the user to fit the one best suited to a particular purpose, including:
  • a cover which completes a sealed back, possibly containing appropriate acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation.
  • a cover which is perforated with holes, slots, mesh or grid pattern and which may contain some acoustic resistance, but which is constructed in such a way that external sounds pass relatively freely from the outside either to the transducer(s) or directly to the ear.
  • Such covers may be designed to be retrofitted to existing headphones to provide for adjustable sound presentation to the user.
  • the invention caters for all types of headphone in which the outer cover is not removable but instead contains moveable means for covering or uncovering apertures, thereby enabling the user to change between open and closed operation or to adjust the degree of openness to external sound.
  • the present invention provides a simple and flexible mechanism to allow a user to adjust the sound presentation of a variety of headphone types by varying the degree of external sound that is allowed to pass though the headphone enclosure and also the acoustic characteristics thereof.
  • Figure 1 shows a design of headphone in which the rear of the enclosure can be either a solid panel or an open mesh, which are interchangeable by a user.
  • the present invention provides a headphone constructed in a manner such that noise from the external environment can be partially or wholly blocked or can intentionally be allowed to pass through the headphones and ultimately to the auditory meatus of the user.
  • the throughput can typically be adjusted by the user.
  • the precise design will vary according to whether the headphone is intended for On-ear/Over-ear use or for ln-ear use.
  • the invention is achieved by a removable outer cover for each headphone in the pair of headphones.
  • the cover may include acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation for a given situation.
  • Various mechanisms and materials are possible to achieve this, including mesh or arrangements and the like.
  • the cover can be removed and replaced by the user as desired.
  • the outer cover itself is not removable, but contains moveable means for covering or uncovering apertures in the cover. In this way, the user can change between open and closed operation or adjust the degree of openness.
  • the movable means may be manually moved or may be actuated by other controllable means.
  • the outer cover itself is not removable, but is instead perforated with holes, slots, mesh or grid pattern to pass external sound.
  • the cover may contain some acoustic resistance, but is constructed in such a way that external sounds pass relatively freely from the outside either to the transducer(s) or directly to the ear.
  • Figure 1 shows one headphone of a pair of headphones having a removable outer cover to the headphone enclosure.
  • the cover can be either a solid panel or an open mesh and the user may be able exchange these components according to the particular application. As shown, the removable cover may be lifted away from the headphone enclosure to allow external sound to permeate.
  • the removable cover When in place, the removable cover may be secured to the enclosure by a variety of means.
  • the cover may simply click into place over a rim, or the cover may include one or more flanges which engage with the enclosure and are retained by a closing mechanism.
  • the closing mechanism is quick release mechanism, such as a clip or twist release mechanism.
  • Various retention mechanisms are possible.
  • the removable cover implementation of the invention lends itself to a suite of interchangeable covers, each designed for a particular use and to provide particular acoustic characteristics.
  • the removable covers may be marked to indicate their intended application, for example by different colouring.
  • the removable cover also allows for a variety of aesthetic design choices.
  • the removable cover is not solid, but is perforated in some manner to allow external sound to permeate, then it may be capable of being fitted with a removable seal or gasket to isolate the enclosure from external noise.
  • Other adaptations are possible to achieve different acoustic behaviour.
  • the enclosure including any cover, comprises apertures to allow the passage of external sound
  • the enclosure may be fitted with mechanical means to cover or uncover the apertures to control the passage of sound from the outside to the ear of the user.
  • the mechanical means may comprise a rotating or sliding seal.

Abstract

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

Description

Headphone with Adjustable Sound Presentation
Field of Invention
The invention relates to improvements in the housing of headphones which allow the user to adapt the sound presentation, particularly by mechanical means.
Background to the Invention
Headphones for listening couple one or more acoustic transducing elements to the listener's ear. Typically, a pair of headphones will use two transducer assemblies, to play each of the left and right signals of a stereo signal to the respective ear of the listener. A pair of headphones typically consists of two such transducer assemblies joined by a headband, which conveniently maintains the ear to transducer relationship and typically includes means to apply a clamping force. Headphones are conventionally described as being of a type "Over-ear", "On-ear" or "ln-ear".
When "Over-ear" or "On-ear" headphones are intended for high-performance use, the transducer will typically be mechanically coupled to an annular ear-pad which performs several functions including: providing comfort; creating an acoustic cavity between the eardrum and the transducer, which is advantageous to low-frequency response; providing transducer-to-ear spacing such that the pinna can be included; and, blocking sound arriving from outside. Such headphones will often also have a rear acoustic enclosure or outside cover so that external environmental sound can be attenuated.
Thus, a typical headphone arrangement comprises an ear-pad, a transducer in a baffle and rear cover. The volume of air formed by the meatus, ear-pad and transducers, and the volume of air enclosed behind the drive unit together modify the frequency response. Some designs of headphones may also contain acoustic damping or acoustic resistance materials on either side of the transducer to control overall response. For many applications it is advantageous to attenuate outside noise. However, doing so creates a somewhat claustrophobic effect and may accentuate the impression that the sound is inside the listener's head. The sound may also have a "boxy" quality. Nevertheless, listening can be more satisfying if the environment is noisy. Conversely, sound blocking also reduces sound travelling from the headphone into the wider environment.
Some listeners, especially where external noise is low or where they wish to maintain communication, prefer a form of construction where the rear chamber is perforated so as to allow sound to freely pass through or around the transducer. Using headphones constructed in this way, the listener gains the impression of being "in the room" and the overall reproduction can be less oppressive or more natural. By having transducers close to the ears the benefits of clarity are retained without creating undue disturbance.
Some earphones can include a channel that may be open or closed, so that external sound may be admitted or not according to the mode of operation. Such arrangements provide switching between two states, but are otherwise static.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved and more flexible headphone construction that allows for adjustable sound presentation.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention, a headphone allows for interchangeable or switchable rear covers or parts thereof, which are constructed in such a way that the user may select open or closed presentation. The invention also allows for interchangeable or switchable covers for an ln-ear headphone. In some embodiments a headphone for On-ear or Over-ear use is constructed so that an outer cover can be detached. Covers may be supplied or included which permit the user to fit the one best suited to a particular purpose, including: 1 ) A cover which completes a sealed back, possibly containing appropriate acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation.
2) A cover which is perforated with holes, slots, mesh or grid pattern and which may contain some acoustic resistance, but which constructed in such a way that external sounds pass relatively freely from the outside either to the transducer(s) or directly to the ear.
In other embodiments of the invention a headphone for ln-ear use is constructed so that an outer cover can be detached. Covers may be supplied which permit the user to fit the one best suited to a particular purpose, including:
1 ) A cover which completes a sealed back, possibly containing appropriate acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation.
2) A cover which is perforated with holes, slots, mesh or grid pattern and which may contain some acoustic resistance, but which is constructed in such a way that external sounds pass relatively freely from the outside either to the transducer(s) or directly to the ear.
Such covers may be designed to be retrofitted to existing headphones to provide for adjustable sound presentation to the user.
In yet other embodiments the invention caters for all types of headphone in which the outer cover is not removable but instead contains moveable means for covering or uncovering apertures, thereby enabling the user to change between open and closed operation or to adjust the degree of openness to external sound.
As will be appreciated, the present invention provides a simple and flexible mechanism to allow a user to adjust the sound presentation of a variety of headphone types by varying the degree of external sound that is allowed to pass though the headphone enclosure and also the acoustic characteristics thereof. Brief Description of the Figures
Examples of the present invention will now be described, in part with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows a design of headphone in which the rear of the enclosure can be either a solid panel or an open mesh, which are interchangeable by a user.
Detailed Description
As described above, the present invention provides a headphone constructed in a manner such that noise from the external environment can be partially or wholly blocked or can intentionally be allowed to pass through the headphones and ultimately to the auditory meatus of the user. The throughput can typically be adjusted by the user. The precise design will vary according to whether the headphone is intended for On-ear/Over-ear use or for ln-ear use. In some embodiments the invention is achieved by a removable outer cover for each headphone in the pair of headphones. The cover may include acoustic resistance or absorption, to improve response or sound isolation for a given situation. Various mechanisms and materials are possible to achieve this, including mesh or arrangements and the like. The cover can be removed and replaced by the user as desired.
In other embodiments, the outer cover itself is not removable, but contains moveable means for covering or uncovering apertures in the cover. In this way, the user can change between open and closed operation or adjust the degree of openness. The movable means may be manually moved or may be actuated by other controllable means.
In yet other embodiments, the outer cover itself is not removable, but is instead perforated with holes, slots, mesh or grid pattern to pass external sound. The cover may contain some acoustic resistance, but is constructed in such a way that external sounds pass relatively freely from the outside either to the transducer(s) or directly to the ear. Figure 1 shows one headphone of a pair of headphones having a removable outer cover to the headphone enclosure. The cover can be either a solid panel or an open mesh and the user may be able exchange these components according to the particular application. As shown, the removable cover may be lifted away from the headphone enclosure to allow external sound to permeate.
When in place, the removable cover may be secured to the enclosure by a variety of means. For example, the cover may simply click into place over a rim, or the cover may include one or more flanges which engage with the enclosure and are retained by a closing mechanism. Preferably, the closing mechanism is quick release mechanism, such as a clip or twist release mechanism. Various retention mechanisms are possible. As will be appreciated, the removable cover implementation of the invention lends itself to a suite of interchangeable covers, each designed for a particular use and to provide particular acoustic characteristics. The removable covers may be marked to indicate their intended application, for example by different colouring. The removable cover also allows for a variety of aesthetic design choices.
If the removable cover is not solid, but is perforated in some manner to allow external sound to permeate, then it may be capable of being fitted with a removable seal or gasket to isolate the enclosure from external noise. Other adaptations are possible to achieve different acoustic behaviour.
If the enclosure, including any cover, comprises apertures to allow the passage of external sound, then it may be fitted with mechanical means to cover or uncover the apertures to control the passage of sound from the outside to the ear of the user. The mechanical means may comprise a rotating or sliding seal.
As will be appreciated, various modifications and embellishments are possible while falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims
1 . A headphone comprising an acoustic enclosure which is configurable by a user to be closed to external sounds or to be at least partially open to external sounds as desired.
2. A headphone according to Claim 1 , in which the enclosure comprises a physical element forming an external cover, wherein the external cover is configurable by the user so as to block or to pass external sounds as desired.
3. A headphone according to Claim 2, in which the external cover is removable by the user.
4. A headphone according to Claim 3, in which the external cover is selected from a plurality of interchangeable covers, each cover in the plurality having a different acoustic characteristic.
5. A headphone according to Claim 1 , in which the enclosure comprises a region exposed to external sounds, said region comprising apertures that are coverable and uncoverable by mechanical means to control the passage of external sound to the ear of the user.
6. A headphone according to Claim 5, in which the mechanical means comprises a rotating or sliding seal.
7. A headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which an outer portion of the enclosure or is perforated and wherein the headphone is adapted to be fitted with an inner gasket or seal by the user to block external sound.
8. A headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the external cover is perforated and wherein the headphone is adapted to be fitted with an inner gasket or seal by the user to block external sound.
9. A headphone according to any preceding Claim, wherein external sound permitted to reach the ear of the user passes through a drive unit or transducing element of the headphone.
10. A headphone according to any preceding Claim, wherein external sound permitted to reach the ear of the user by-passes a drive unit or transducing element of the headphone.
1 1 . A headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the headphone is an On-ear headphone.
12. A headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the headphone is an Over-ear headphone.
13. A headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the headphone is an ln-ear headphone.
14. A headphone as hereinbefore described.
15. A housing for a headphone enclosure adapted to cooperate with a removable cover to block external sounds from reaching the ear of a user.
16. A removable cover for a headphone enclosure configured to block external sounds from reaching the ear of a user.
17. A method of constructing a headphone, wherein the headphone is a headphone according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.
PCT/GB2014/051691 2013-06-03 2014-06-03 Headphone with adjustable sound presentation WO2014195690A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201309881A GB2514781A (en) 2013-06-03 2013-06-03 Headphone with adjustable sound presentation
GB1309881.9 2013-06-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014195690A2 true WO2014195690A2 (en) 2014-12-11
WO2014195690A3 WO2014195690A3 (en) 2015-02-19

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2014/051691 WO2014195690A2 (en) 2013-06-03 2014-06-03 Headphone with adjustable sound presentation

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2514781A (en)
WO (1) WO2014195690A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9813800B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2017-11-07 Terry Stringer Audio surveillance system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3134456A (en) * 1960-02-04 1964-05-26 Clark Co Inc David Wide range communication and sound attenuation device
JP2008283398A (en) * 2007-05-09 2008-11-20 Kenwood Corp Earphone
WO2011045782A1 (en) * 2009-10-15 2011-04-21 Elad Avital An earphone with toggle mechanism

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050105755A1 (en) * 2003-11-17 2005-05-19 Wen Hsiang Yueh Modified earphone structure having closable opening
JP4320629B2 (en) * 2004-10-20 2009-08-26 ソニー株式会社 Headphone device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3134456A (en) * 1960-02-04 1964-05-26 Clark Co Inc David Wide range communication and sound attenuation device
JP2008283398A (en) * 2007-05-09 2008-11-20 Kenwood Corp Earphone
WO2011045782A1 (en) * 2009-10-15 2011-04-21 Elad Avital An earphone with toggle mechanism

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9813800B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2017-11-07 Terry Stringer Audio surveillance system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2014195690A3 (en) 2015-02-19
GB2514781A (en) 2014-12-10
GB201309881D0 (en) 2013-07-17

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