WO2016041969A1 - Reduction of microphone wind noise in headsets - Google Patents

Reduction of microphone wind noise in headsets Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016041969A1
WO2016041969A1 PCT/EP2015/071107 EP2015071107W WO2016041969A1 WO 2016041969 A1 WO2016041969 A1 WO 2016041969A1 EP 2015071107 W EP2015071107 W EP 2015071107W WO 2016041969 A1 WO2016041969 A1 WO 2016041969A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
elongated element
microphone
headset
wall
hole
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/071107
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kenneth Tram
Original Assignee
Phoamy Rights Aps
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
Priority claimed from PCT/DK2014/050284 external-priority patent/WO2015154774A1/en
Application filed by Phoamy Rights Aps filed Critical Phoamy Rights Aps
Publication of WO2016041969A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016041969A1/en

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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
    • H04R1/08—Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
    • H04R1/083—Special constructions of mouthpieces
    • H04R1/086—Protective screens, e.g. all weather or wind screens
    • 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
    • H04R2410/00—Microphones
    • H04R2410/07—Mechanical or electrical reduction of wind noise generated by wind passing a microphone

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset.
  • Headsets for mobile phone are widely used.
  • the mobile headset enables the user to communicate (or recording audio) while walking, running, or driving a vehicle such as a bike.
  • Wind noise is however a common problem. If the user is riding a bicycle or driving another open vehicle, the wind noise may be significant even when the weather is calm. Normally problems with
  • US2010054516 discloses an apparatus for reducing background and wind noise to a microphone contained in a microphone casing comprises a clamshell enclosure.
  • the clamshell enclosure has a top piece and a bottom piece held together by a hinge or a plastic membrane, wherein the clamshell enclosure is designed to encapsulate the microphone casing containing the microphone.
  • the clamshell enclosure contains foam materials inside the clamshell enclosure, or the clamshell enclosure itself is made out of foam materials such as polyurethane, wherein the foam materials contribute to reduction of background and wind noises to the microphone.
  • the apparatus may be secured to a microphone and reduce the amount of wind noise.
  • the apparatus may however be expensive / complex to manufacture and the mechanical components of the apparatus such as the hinge will be exposed to wear.
  • the invention relates to a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, the headset comprising a microphone, wherein the device comprises:
  • an elongated element extending along a central longitudinal axis, said elongated element being made of a material for reducing microphone wind noise, said elongated element having a longitudinal slot in the material configured to receive the microphone whereby the elongated element may be arranged at least partly around the microphone wherein the device is configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone of the headset.
  • the device preferably consists of one structural element, i.e. the elongated element.
  • the device does furthermore not rely on mechanical parts.
  • the headset may be a headset for a mobile phone.
  • the headset may be a stereo headset where the microphone is arranged above the bifurcation, i.e. on the electrical cord connecting the bifurcation with one of the two headphones.
  • the headset may be a single cord headset comprising one headphone, a plug and a microphone arranged on a cord between the plug and the headphone.
  • the headphones may be in-ear headphones having a widest width above the widest width of the microphone.
  • the microphone typically comprises an acoustic-to-electric transducer and a microphone casing.
  • the plug may be a connection means connecting the headset to the mobile phone.
  • the connecting means may be a phone connecter in the form of a jack connector.
  • the material for reducing microphone wind noise may be a foam material for reducing microphone wind noise.
  • the foam material may be a soft open-cell polyester, a soft open-cell polyurethane or a soft open-cell polyethylene foam.
  • the elongated element is made of a reticulated foam material.
  • the reticulated foam material may be a soft reticulated foam material.
  • the reticulated foam material may be reticulated polyester, reticulated polyurethane or reticulated polyethylene foam.
  • the device may be particular suitable for reducing microphone wind noise.
  • the elongated element may have a tubular body. In some embodiments, the elongated element is arranged fully around the microphone.
  • the device may fully enclose the microphone.
  • the elongated element comprises a central cavity extending along the longitudinal axis for keeping the microphone of the headset, wherein the longitudinal slot forms an entrance to the central cavity.
  • the microphone may be stored in the elongated element, without substantially deforming the elongated element.
  • the central cavity may have a shape matching the shape of the microphone, thus, if the microphone is elongated the central cavity may be an elongated central cavity.
  • the central cavity may have a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.
  • the diameter of a central cavity with a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis may be between 2.4 mm to 10 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 8 mm.
  • the central cavity may have a round off and oblong cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis with a first diameter longer than a second diameter, such as an oval or an ellipse
  • the central cavity may have a round off and oblong cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis with a first diameter longer than a second diameter, such as an oval shaped cross section or an ellipse shaped cross section.
  • the first diameter of the rounded off and oblong cross section of the central cavity may be between 10 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 8 mm and 4.5 mm, more preferably between 7.5 mm and 5 mm.
  • the second diameter of the rounded off and oblong cross section of the central cavity may be between 9mm and 2.5 mm, preferably between 7 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 6.5mm and 3.5 mm.
  • the device may for examples have a central cavity with a rounded off and oblong cross section where the first diameter is 6.5 mm and the second diameter is 5 mm.
  • the device may for examples have a central cavity with a rounded off and oblong cross section where the first diameter is 5 mm and the second diameter is 3.5 mm.
  • the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot whereby the elongated element may be secured to the microphone of the headset.
  • a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset having a minimum of components.
  • the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having one or more gripping zones arranged on a first wall of the longitudinal slot, wherein the one or more gripping zones is / are configured to adhere to a second wall of the longitudinal slot.
  • the one or more gripping zones may extend along the longitudinal axis.
  • the one or more gripping zones is / are one or more adhesive zone fitted with an adhesive.
  • the adhesive may be configured to permanently adhere and thereby permanently close the longitudinal slot.
  • the adhesive may be configured to non-permanently adhere and thereby non-permanently close the longitudinal slot.
  • a protective strip is arranged on top of the one or more adhesive zones for preventing the one or more adhesive zones from adhering to the second wall of the longitudinal slot before needed.
  • the first wall and the second wall are non-planar walls; the one or more adhesive zones are arranged so that when the microphone of the headset is positioned in the centre of the elongated element and the one or more adhesive zones are adhered to the second wall, the microphone is not capable of coming into contact with the one or more adhesive zones by a one-dimensional translation between the microphone and the elongated element.
  • the first wall has a concave portion extending along the central
  • the second wall has a convex portion extending along the central longitudinal axis; the convex portion and the concave portion have a matching shape, wherein the one or more adhesive zones is / are arrange at the bottom of the concave portion or radially outwards from the bottom of the concave portion; or
  • the second wall has a concave portion extending along the central longitudinal axis and the first wall has a convex portion extending along the central longitudinal axis; the convex portion and the concave portion have a matching shape, wherein each of the one or more adhesive zones is / are arrange at the top of the convex portion or radially outwards from the top of the convex portion.
  • the concave / convex portions prevent the microphone from coming into contact with the adhesive.
  • a simple and durable device for reducing microphone wind noise is provided that furthermore prevents the microphone from being damaged by the adhesive.
  • the one or more adhesive zone(s) may extend along the central longitudinal axis along least 50%, 75%, or 90% of the length of the elongated element.
  • the concave portion and the convex portions are extending along the central longitudinal axis along at least 50%, 75%, or 90% of the length of the elongated element.
  • the concave portion and the convex portions are extending along the longitudinal axis along the entire length of the elongated element.
  • the elongated element becomes easier to manufacture as a single cutting device may be used to create the longitudinal slot, the convex portion and the concave portion.
  • the convex portion is a protrusion protruding from a planar surface
  • the concave portion is a groove formed in a planar surface.
  • the groove and the protrusion have a tapering shape with the width of the bottom of the groove being large than the width of the top of the groove and the width of the top of the protrusion being larger than the width of the bottom of the protrusion, whereby the protrusion may mechanically grip the groove.
  • the first wall may more securely be attached to the second wall of the longitudinal slot.
  • the one or more gripping zones comprises hooks and / or loops of a hook and loop fastener system.
  • hook and loop fastener systems such as the Velcro ® system enables the longitudinal slot to be non-permanently closed.
  • the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having a flexible closing member attached at an outer surface of the elongated element on a first side of the longitudinal slot wherein said flexible closing member is configured for gripping the outer surface of the elongated element at a second side of the longitudinal slot.
  • the flexible closing member may grip the outer surface of the elongated element on the second side of the longitudinal slot using an adhesive or a hook and loop fastener system. Alternatively, the flexible closing member may engage with an opening in the outer surface on the second side of the longitudinal slot.
  • the device may comprise one or more internal slits extending from the central cavity and partly through the foam material. The one or more internal slits may for example extend one third or half through the foam material. The internal slits may be perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the device.
  • the device may have a central cavity with a smaller cross section than the cross section of the microphone, as the foam material easier may be displaced when arranging the device around a microphone.
  • the invention relates to a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, the headset comprising a microphone, wherein the device comprises an elongated element having a through hole having a first opening and a second opening opposite to the first opening wherein the elongated element is configured to allow passage of a plug of the headset through the through hole, whereby the elongated element may be moved along an electrical cord connected to the headphone and wherein the device is configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone of the headset.
  • the device preferably consists of one structural element, i.e. the elongated element.
  • the device does furthermore not rely on mechanical parts.
  • the headset may be a headset for a mobile phone.
  • the headset may be a stereo headset where the microphone is arranged below the bifurcation, i.e. on the electrical cord between the bifurcation or the headset may be a stereo headset where the microphone is arranged in the bifurcation, i.e. extending from the bifurcation either towards the plug or extending from the bifurcation towards one or both of the head-phones.
  • the head set may be a single cord headset comprising one headphone, a plug and a microphone arranged on a cord between the plug and the headphone.
  • the headphones may be in- ear headphones having a widest width above the widest width of the microphone.
  • the microphone typically comprises an acoustic-to-electric transducer and a microphone casing.
  • the plug may be a connection means connecting the headset with the mobile phone.
  • the connecting means may be a phone connecter in the form of a jack connector.
  • the elongated element is made of a foam material for reducing microphone wind noise.
  • the foam material may be a soft open-cell polyester, a soft open-cell polyurethane or a soft open-cell polyethylene foam.
  • the elongated element is made of a reticulated foam material.
  • the reticulated foam material may be a soft reticulated material.
  • the reticulated foam material may be reticulated polyester, reticulated polyurethane or reticulated polyethylene foam.
  • the device may be particular suitable for reducing microphone wind noise.
  • the elongated element may have a tubular body.
  • the through hole may have a cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis matching the cross section of the microphone, thus, if the microphone has a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, the through hole may have a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.
  • the diameter of through hole with a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis may be between 2.4 mm to 10 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 8 mm.
  • the diameter of the through hole may for example be 7.1 or 7.7 mm
  • the through hole may have a round off and oblong cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis with a first diameter longer than a second diameter, such as an oval shaped cross section or an ellipse shaped cross section.
  • the first diameter of the rounded off and oblong cross section of the through hole may be between 15 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 5 mm, more preferably between 10 mm and 7 mm.
  • the second diameter of the rounded off and oblong cross section of the central cavity may be between 1 1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 4 mm, more preferably between 9 mm and 5 mm.
  • the device may for examples have a central cavity with a rounded off and oblong cross section where the first diameter is 9.5 mm and the second diameter is 5.5 mm. Or the device may for examples have a central cavity with a rounded off and oblong cross section where the first diameter is 8.5 mm and the second diameter is 6.5 mm.
  • the through hole may have a squared cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.
  • the squared cross section may be quadratic, rectangular or trapezium shaped.
  • the elongated element is configured to deform from a rest shape into a second shape when the plug of the headset is being passed through the through hole of the elongated element and back into the rest shape after the headphone has completely passed, and wherein at least a first part of the through hole of the elongated element, when the elongated element is in the rest shape, has a flattened shape configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone.
  • the elongated element may deform to allow passage of the plug while still being capable of gripping the microphone and secure the elongated element thereto.
  • the widest width of the first part of the through hole is at least 2 times larger than the height of the first part of the through hole.
  • the widest width is measure along a first axis being perpendicular to the central axis of the through hole of the elongated element.
  • the height is measured along a second axis being perpendicular to both the central axis of the through hole of the elongated element and the first axis.
  • the widest width of the first part of the through hole is at least 3 times larger than the height of the first part of the through hole.
  • the widest width of the first part of the through hole is at least 5 times larger than the height of the first part of the through hole.
  • the through hole of the elongated element is at least partly lined with an adhesive configured to non-permanently adhere to the microphone.
  • the elongated element may enhance the capable of gripping the microphone and secure the elongated element thereto.
  • the device is configured for being moved away from the microphone (along the cord connected to the microphone), when the device is not needed.
  • the device may be stored on the electrical cord away from the microphone, when the device is not in use, allowing for quick placement of the device around the microphone when it may be needed again.
  • the elongated element has a first end surface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface and wherein one or both of the first and second end surface is at least partly covered by a surface layer of a material stiffer than the device.
  • the device may be easy to place in its preferred position around the microphone, as an increased resistance may be obtained when the device passes a surface end with a surface layer.
  • the increased resistance may be sensed by the user who then may be able to place the device in its preferred position without looking. This is particular useful for headsets where the microphone is arranged out of sight for the user.
  • the surface layer is clued on the first and /or second end surface.
  • the surface layer may comprise a flock material, such as natural or syntethic flucking fibers, glued on the first and / or second end surface.
  • a flock material such as natural or syntethic flucking fibers
  • the surface layer is painted on the first and /or second end surface.
  • the surface layer may be spray painted on the first and / or second end surface.
  • the device is between 20 mm to 55 mm long and between 10 to 25 mm wide, preferably between 25 mm to 50 mm long and 15 to 20 mm wide.
  • the device may be suitable for being arranged on most available headsets with a microphone. Additional the device may have an acceptable size which may make the device become a naturally part of a headset with a microphone.
  • the device comprises an elongated element having a longitudinal slot having a first wall and a second wall and a central cavity both extending along a central longitudinal axis, so that a microphone on a headset may be arranged in the central cavity through the longitudinal slot.
  • the elongated element may be made from a material for reducing microphone wind noise and the elongated element may preferably be configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having one or more gripping zones arranged on the first wall, wherein the gripping zone(s) is / are fitted with and adhesive zone to adhere to the second wall so that the device may fully enclose the microphone.
  • the first and second wall may preferably be non-planer walls and the adhesive zone(s) may be arranged so that the adhesive zones do not come into contact with the microphone.
  • a protective strip may be arranged on top of the one or more adhesive zones for preventing the one or more adhesive zones from adhering to the second wall of the longitudinal slot before needed.
  • the device further comprises a surface layer on at least one of a first and second end surface of the elongated element.
  • the surface layer may preferably be a flock material glued on the end surfaces.
  • the device comprises an elongated element having a longitudinal slot having a first wall and a second wall and a central cavity both extending along a central longitudinal axis, so that a microphone on a headset may be arranged in the central cavity through the longitudinal slot.
  • the elongated element may be made from a reticulated polyurethane foam for reducing microphone wind noise and the elongated element may preferably be configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having one or more gripping zones arranged on the first wall, wherein the gripping zone(s) is / are fitted with and adhesive zone to adhere to the second wall so that the device may fully enclose the microphone.
  • the first and second wall may preferably be non-planer walls and the adhesive zone(s) may be arranged so that the adhesive zones do not come into contact with the microphone.
  • Fig. 1a-b show a device comprising an elongated element according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2a-b shows a) a single cord headset and b) a stereo headset.
  • Fig. 3a-b show how a device may be arranged on a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 4 shows a headset with a device attached according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 5 shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 6a-d show a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 7a-b show a first and a second side view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 8a-c show a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 10 shows a cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 1 shows a cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 12a-c show a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 13a-e show a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 14a-b show a device comprising a surface layer according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 15a-b show a device comprising a surface layer according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 a and Fig. 1 b each show a devise 100 comprising an elongated element 101 and 102 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the elongated element 101 has a through hole 104 having a first opening 105 and a second opening 106 opposite to the first opening 105, the through hole 104 being configured to receive a headphone and a microphone of a headset, see Fig. 3a.
  • the elongated element may have a central longitudinal axis 132.
  • the elongated element 102 is extending along a central longitudinal axis 132 and has a longitudinal slot 103 configured for receiving a microphone of a headset, see Fig. 3a.
  • the elongated element 102 may have a central cavity 1 19 extending at least partly through the elongated element 102 along the central longitudinal axis 132.
  • Fig. 2a-b shows different headsets 210 for a mobile phone comprising a microphone 21 1 .
  • Fig. 2a shows a single cord headset with one headphone 212 and a plug 215 connected by a electrical cord 214.
  • Fig 2b shows a stereo headset 210 where the microphone 21 1 is arranged above the bifurcation 213, i.e. on the electrical cord 214 connecting the bifurcation 213 with one of the two headphones 212.
  • Fig. 3a-b show a method of arranging the device 300 and securing the device 300 to a microphone 31 1 of a headset 310, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the device comprises an elongated element 302.
  • the elongated element 302 comprises a longitudinal slot.
  • the elongated element 302 is arranged by inserting the microphone 31 1 through the elongated slot of the elongated element 302, thereby securing the elongated element 302 to the microphone 31 1 .
  • the device 400 may further reversibly be moved away from the microphone 41 1 when it is not needed as shown in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 5 shows a device 500 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the device 500 comprises an elongated element 501 having a through hole 504 (only schematically shown) having a first opening 505 and a second opening 506 opposite to the first opening 505 wherein the elongated element 501 is configured to allow passage of a headphone of the headset through the through hole, whereby the elongated element 501 may be moved along an electrical cord connected to the headphone and wherein the device 500 is configured to secure the elongated element 501 to the microphone of the headset.
  • the device 500 may be configured to secure the elongated element 501 to the microphone of the headset by designing the through hole 504 of the elongated element 501 in a special manner as disclosed in relation to Figs. 6-7.
  • Fig.6a-d show a device 600 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 6a shows a perspective view
  • Fig. 6b shows a cross-section
  • Fig. 6c shows a side view (from the side illustrated by the arrow 621 in fig. 6b)
  • Fig. 6b shows a side view (from the side illustrated by the arrow 620 in fig. 6b).
  • the device 600 comprises an elongated element 601 having a through hole 604 having a first opening 605 and a second opening 606 opposite to the first opening 605 wherein the elongated element 601 is configured to allow passage of a headphone of the headset through the through hole 604, whereby the elongated element 601 may be moved along an electrical cord connected to the headphone.
  • the width of the through hole is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6c-d.
  • the elongated element 601 is configured to deform from a rest shape (shown in Figs.
  • the elongated element may be made of an acoustic foam allowing the elongated element to deform and allow passage of headphone.
  • the first part of the through hole is the entire through hole.
  • the widest width 630 of the through hole 604 is more than 2 times larger than the height of the through hole 631 .
  • the widest width is measured along a first axis being perpendicular to the central axis 632 of the through hole of the elongated element.
  • the height is measured along a second axis being perpendicular to both the central axis of the through hole of the elongated element and the first axis.
  • the widest width 630 of the through hole 604 is approximately 10 times larger than the height of the through hole 631 .
  • the widest width 630 of the through hole may be approximately 2, 3, or 5 times larger than the height of the through hole 631 .
  • Fig.7a-b show a device 700 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 7a shows a side view corresponding to Fig. 6c
  • Fig. 7b shows a side view corresponding to Fig. 6d.
  • the device 700 is similar to the device 600 shown in Figs. 6a-d with the difference that the first part 704b of the through hole only constitutes the central part of the through hole i.e. the through hole further comprises a non flattened second part 704a.
  • Fig. 8a-c show a device 800 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 8a shows a perspective view
  • Fig. 8b shows a top view
  • Fig. 8c shows a front view.
  • the device 800 comprises an elongated element 802 extending along a central longitudinal axis 832.
  • the elongated element 802 is made of a material for reducing microphone wind noise, such as foam material for reducing microphone wind noise, e.g. be an acoustic foam such as a soft open-cell polyester, polyurethane or polyethylene foam.
  • the elongated element 802 has a longitudinal slot 803 in the foam material configured to receive a microphone of the headset whereby the elongated element 802 may be arranged at least partly around the microphone, preferably the elongated element 802 is arranged completely around the microphone.
  • the device 800 is configured to secure the elongated element 802 to the microphone of the headset.
  • the elongated element 802 may comprise a central cavity 819 configured for containing the microphone.
  • Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a device 900 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the device is similar to the device shown in Fig. 8, and the cross-section is taken in the direction A along the line 850 shown in Fig. 8b, i.e. in a plane being parallel with the central longitudinal axis 832.
  • the elongated element 902 is configured for closing the longitudinal slot 903 by having a gripping zone 907 arranged on a first wall 909 of the longitudinal slot, wherein the gripping zone 907 is configured to adhere to a second wall of the longitudinal slot.
  • the gripping zone 907 extends along the longitudinal central axis 932 along the entire length of the elongated element 902.
  • the elongated element 902 may be configured for surrounding a microphone and keeping the longitudinal slot 803 closed, whereby the elongated element 902 may be secured to the microphone of the headset, see Fig. 8.
  • the gripping zone 902 may be an adhesive zone fitted with an adhesive. This allows the second wall 1 1 13 to be formed without any gripping zones, as shown in Fig. 1 1 .
  • the gripping zone may comprise hooks and / or loops of a hook and loop fastener system, wherein the second wall 1 1 13 preferably also comprises hooks and / or loops.
  • Fig. 10 shows an embodiment where the first wall 1009 comprises three gripping zones 1007a- c.
  • Fig. 12a-c show a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 12a shows a perspective view
  • Fig. 12b shows a top view
  • Fig. 12c shows a central cross-section of the device in a plane being perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 1232.
  • the device comprises an elongated element 1202 extending along a central longitudinal axis 1232.
  • the elongated element 1202 is made of a material for reducing microphone wind noise.
  • the elongated element 1202 has a longitudinal slot 1203 in the foam material configured to receive the microphone whereby the elongated element 1202 may be arranged fully around the microphone.
  • the elongated element 1202 comprises a central cavity 1219 extending along the central longitudinal axis 1232 for keeping the microphone of the headset, wherein the longitudinal slot 1203 forms an entrance to the central cavity 1219.
  • the central cavity 1219 extending along the central longitudinal axis 1232
  • the elongated element 1202 is configured for closing the longitudinal slot 1203 by having an adhesive zone 1220 (shown schematically in Fig. 12b) arranged on a first wall 1213 of the longitudinal slot 1203, wherein the adhesive zone is configured to adhere to a second wall 1209 of the longitudinal slot 1220.
  • the first wall has a concave portion 1217 extending along the central longitudinal axis 1232 and the second wall has a convex portion 1218 extending along the central longitudinal axis 1232; the convex portion 1217 and the concave portion 1218 having a matching shape.
  • the adhesive zone 1220 is arranged at the bottom of the concave portion 1220, however in other embodiments, the adhesive zone
  • the concave portion and the convex portion 1217 1218 are extending along the longitudinal axis 1232 along the entire length of the elongated element 1202. Consequently, the elongated element 1202 becomes easier to manufacture as a single cutting device may be used to create the longitudinal slot 1203, the convex portion
  • the convex portion 1218 is a protrusion protruding from a planar surface of the second wall 1209 and the concave portion 1217 is groove formed in a planar surface of the first wall 1213.
  • Fig. 13a-e show cross-sections of different devices for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • the cross-sections illustrate different types of concave / convex portions.
  • the arrows 1333 illustrate the bottom / top of the concave / convex portions.
  • the concave portions in Fig. 13a and 13c are protrusions protruding from a planar surface of a wall of the elongated slit 1303, and the concave portion is a groove formed in a planar surface of the other wall of the elongated slit 1303.
  • the groove and the protrusions have a tapering shape with the width of the bottom of the groove being large than the width of the top of the groove and the width of the top of the protruding portion being larger than the width of the bottom of the protruding portion, whereby the protrusion may mechanically grip the groove.
  • the first wall and the second wall are non-planar walls; the one or more adhesive zones are arranged so that when the microphone of the headset is positioned in the centre of the elongated element and the one or more adhesive zones are adhered to the second wall, the microphone is not capable of coming into contact with the one or more adhesive zones by a one-dimensional translation between the microphone and the elongated element.
  • a cross section of an inner portion of the slit may extend from the central cavity and away from the central longitudinal axis in an angle of 20 degrees to 70 degrees, preferably in angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, a outer portion of the slit may be perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and a middle portion may connect the inner and the outer portion.
  • the middle portion of the slit may be perpendicular to the outer portion of the slit.
  • Fig. 14a-b show different devices 1400 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 14a shows a device 1400 comprising an elongated element 1401 comprising a first end surface 1440 having a first opening 1405 and a second end surface having a second opening opposite to the first end surface comprising the first opening 1405 (not shown) wherein the elongated element
  • the 1401 is configured to enclose a microphone on a headset within a through hole 1404 extending between the first and second opening.
  • Fig. 14b shows a device 1400 comprising an elongated element 1402 comprising a first end surface 1440 having a first opening 1405 and a second end surface having a second opening opposite to the first end surface comprising the first opening 1405 (not shown) wherein the elongated element
  • 1402 is configured to enclose a microphone on a headset within a central cavity 1419 extending between the first and second opening.
  • the first end surface 1440 is covered by a surface layer 1445, wherein the surface layer is stiffer than the foam material the device 1400 is made of.
  • the surface layer may also be applied to the second end surface or to both the first and second end surface of the device, i.e. the elongated element 1401 and / or 1402.
  • the device 1500 in Fig. 15a-b is similar to the device 1400 in Fig. 14b but the following concept is also applicable for a device similar to the device 1400 in Fig. 14a, whereas the surface layer 1445 in Fig. 14a-b covers the entire first end surface 1440 of the device, the surface layer in Fig. 15a-b cover parts of the first end surface 1540 of the device 1500.
  • the surface layer may extend from the outer circumference of the first end surface towards the first opening as shown in Fig. 15a or the surface layer may extend from the first opening towards the outer circumference as shown in Fig. 15b.
  • the surface layer may also cover a centre portion between the outer circumference and the first opening of the first and / or second end surface (not shown).
  • first and / or second end surface extending from the outer circumference and towards the first and / or second opening may not be covered by the surface layer.
  • / or a portion of the first and / or second end surface extending from the first and / or second opening towards the outer circumference may not be covered by the surface layer.

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Abstract

Disclosed is a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, the headset comprising a microphone, wherein the device comprises an elongated element.

Description

Reduction of microphone wind noise in headsets Field
The present invention relates to a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset.
Background
Headsets for mobile phone are widely used. The mobile headset enables the user to communicate (or recording audio) while walking, running, or driving a vehicle such as a bike. Wind noise is however a common problem. If the user is riding a bicycle or driving another open vehicle, the wind noise may be significant even when the weather is calm. Normally problems with
microphone wind noise are solved by arranging a foam cover around the microphone. However, the design of most wired headsets makes it difficult to secure standard foam covers to the microphone.
US2010054516 discloses an apparatus for reducing background and wind noise to a microphone contained in a microphone casing comprises a clamshell enclosure. The clamshell enclosure has a top piece and a bottom piece held together by a hinge or a plastic membrane, wherein the clamshell enclosure is designed to encapsulate the microphone casing containing the microphone. The clamshell enclosure contains foam materials inside the clamshell enclosure, or the clamshell enclosure itself is made out of foam materials such as polyurethane, wherein the foam materials contribute to reduction of background and wind noises to the microphone.
Consequently, by using a hinge design the apparatus may be secured to a microphone and reduce the amount of wind noise. The apparatus may however be expensive / complex to manufacture and the mechanical components of the apparatus such as the hinge will be exposed to wear.
Thus, it remains a problem to provide a device for reducing wind noise that is simple to manufacture.
It further remains a problem to provide a device having fewer mechanical components.
Summary
According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, the headset comprising a microphone, wherein the device comprises:
• an elongated element extending along a central longitudinal axis, said elongated element being made of a material for reducing microphone wind noise, said elongated element having a longitudinal slot in the material configured to receive the microphone whereby the elongated element may be arranged at least partly around the microphone wherein the device is configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone of the headset.
Consequently, a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset is provided which is simple to manufacture and which is having fever components. The device preferably consists of one structural element, i.e. the elongated element.
The device does furthermore not rely on mechanical parts. The headset may be a headset for a mobile phone. The headset may be a stereo headset where the microphone is arranged above the bifurcation, i.e. on the electrical cord connecting the bifurcation with one of the two headphones. Or the headset may be a single cord headset comprising one headphone, a plug and a microphone arranged on a cord between the plug and the headphone. The headphones may be in-ear headphones having a widest width above the widest width of the microphone. The microphone typically comprises an acoustic-to-electric transducer and a microphone casing.
The plug may be a connection means connecting the headset to the mobile phone. The connecting means may be a phone connecter in the form of a jack connector.
The material for reducing microphone wind noise may be a foam material for reducing microphone wind noise. The foam material may be a soft open-cell polyester, a soft open-cell polyurethane or a soft open-cell polyethylene foam.
In some embodiments, the elongated element is made of a reticulated foam material.
The reticulated foam material may be a soft reticulated foam material.
The reticulated foam material may be reticulated polyester, reticulated polyurethane or reticulated polyethylene foam.
By using a reticulated polyurethane material the device may be particular suitable for reducing microphone wind noise.
The elongated element may have a tubular body. In some embodiments, the elongated element is arranged fully around the microphone.
Consequently, the device may fully enclose the microphone.
In some embodiments, the elongated element comprises a central cavity extending along the longitudinal axis for keeping the microphone of the headset, wherein the longitudinal slot forms an entrance to the central cavity.
Consequently, the microphone may be stored in the elongated element, without substantially deforming the elongated element.
The central cavity may have a shape matching the shape of the microphone, thus, if the microphone is elongated the central cavity may be an elongated central cavity.
If the microphone has a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, the central cavity may have a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.
The diameter of a central cavity with a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis may be between 2.4 mm to 10 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 8 mm.
If the microphone has a round off and oblong cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis with a first diameter longer than a second diameter, such as an oval or an ellipse, the central cavity may have a round off and oblong cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis with a first diameter longer than a second diameter, such as an oval shaped cross section or an ellipse shaped cross section. The first diameter of the rounded off and oblong cross section of the central cavity may be between 10 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 8 mm and 4.5 mm, more preferably between 7.5 mm and 5 mm.
The second diameter of the rounded off and oblong cross section of the central cavity may be between 9mm and 2.5 mm, preferably between 7 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 6.5mm and 3.5 mm.
The device may for examples have a central cavity with a rounded off and oblong cross section where the first diameter is 6.5 mm and the second diameter is 5 mm.
Or the device may for examples have a central cavity with a rounded off and oblong cross section where the first diameter is 5 mm and the second diameter is 3.5 mm.
In some embodiments, the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot whereby the elongated element may be secured to the microphone of the headset.
Consequently, a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset is provided having a minimum of components.
In some embodiments, the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having one or more gripping zones arranged on a first wall of the longitudinal slot, wherein the one or more gripping zones is / are configured to adhere to a second wall of the longitudinal slot.
The one or more gripping zones may extend along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the one or more gripping zones is / are one or more adhesive zone fitted with an adhesive.
The adhesive may be configured to permanently adhere and thereby permanently close the longitudinal slot. Alternatively, the adhesive may be configured to non-permanently adhere and thereby non-permanently close the longitudinal slot.
In some embodiments, a protective strip is arranged on top of the one or more adhesive zones for preventing the one or more adhesive zones from adhering to the second wall of the longitudinal slot before needed.
In some embodiments, the first wall and the second wall are non-planar walls; the one or more adhesive zones are arranged so that when the microphone of the headset is positioned in the centre of the elongated element and the one or more adhesive zones are adhered to the second wall, the microphone is not capable of coming into contact with the one or more adhesive zones by a one-dimensional translation between the microphone and the elongated element.
Consequently, a more durable device is provided as the microphone is prevented from removing the adhesive. This further prevents the microphone from being damaged and / or getting covered in dirt as a result of contact with the adhesive.
In some embodiments,
• the first wall has a concave portion extending along the central
longitudinal axis and the second wall has a convex portion extending along the central longitudinal axis; the convex portion and the concave portion have a matching shape, wherein the one or more adhesive zones is / are arrange at the bottom of the concave portion or radially outwards from the bottom of the concave portion; or
• the second wall has a concave portion extending along the central longitudinal axis and the first wall has a convex portion extending along the central longitudinal axis; the convex portion and the concave portion have a matching shape, wherein each of the one or more adhesive zones is / are arrange at the top of the convex portion or radially outwards from the top of the convex portion.
Consequently, the concave / convex portions prevent the microphone from coming into contact with the adhesive. Thus, a simple and durable device for reducing microphone wind noise is provided that furthermore prevents the microphone from being damaged by the adhesive.
'Radial outward from the bottom / top of the concave / convex portion' means further away from the central longitudinal axis than the bottom / top of the concave / convex portion. The one or more adhesive zone(s) may extend along the central longitudinal axis along least 50%, 75%, or 90% of the length of the elongated element.
In some embodiments, the concave portion and the convex portions are extending along the central longitudinal axis along at least 50%, 75%, or 90% of the length of the elongated element.
In some embodiments, the concave portion and the convex portions are extending along the longitudinal axis along the entire length of the elongated element.
Consequently, the elongated element becomes easier to manufacture as a single cutting device may be used to create the longitudinal slot, the convex portion and the concave portion. In some embodiments, the convex portion is a protrusion protruding from a planar surface, and the concave portion is a groove formed in a planar surface.
In some embodiments, the groove and the protrusion have a tapering shape with the width of the bottom of the groove being large than the width of the top of the groove and the width of the top of the protrusion being larger than the width of the bottom of the protrusion, whereby the protrusion may mechanically grip the groove.
Consequently, the first wall may more securely be attached to the second wall of the longitudinal slot.
In some embodiments, the one or more gripping zones comprises hooks and / or loops of a hook and loop fastener system.
The use of a hook and loop fastener systems such as the Velcro ® system enables the longitudinal slot to be non-permanently closed.
In some embodiments, the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having a flexible closing member attached at an outer surface of the elongated element on a first side of the longitudinal slot wherein said flexible closing member is configured for gripping the outer surface of the elongated element at a second side of the longitudinal slot.
The flexible closing member may grip the outer surface of the elongated element on the second side of the longitudinal slot using an adhesive or a hook and loop fastener system. Alternatively, the flexible closing member may engage with an opening in the outer surface on the second side of the longitudinal slot. In an embodiment the device may comprise one or more internal slits extending from the central cavity and partly through the foam material. The one or more internal slits may for example extend one third or half through the foam material. The internal slits may be perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the device.
Consequently the device may have a central cavity with a smaller cross section than the cross section of the microphone, as the foam material easier may be displaced when arranging the device around a microphone.
According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, the headset comprising a microphone, wherein the device comprises an elongated element having a through hole having a first opening and a second opening opposite to the first opening wherein the elongated element is configured to allow passage of a plug of the headset through the through hole, whereby the elongated element may be moved along an electrical cord connected to the headphone and wherein the device is configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone of the headset.
Consequently, a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset is provided which is simple to manufacture and which is having fever components. The device preferably consists of one structural element, i.e. the elongated element.
The device does furthermore not rely on mechanical parts.
The headset may be a headset for a mobile phone. The headset may be a stereo headset where the microphone is arranged below the bifurcation, i.e. on the electrical cord between the bifurcation or the headset may be a stereo headset where the microphone is arranged in the bifurcation, i.e. extending from the bifurcation either towards the plug or extending from the bifurcation towards one or both of the head-phones. Or the head set may be a single cord headset comprising one headphone, a plug and a microphone arranged on a cord between the plug and the headphone. The headphones may be in- ear headphones having a widest width above the widest width of the microphone. The microphone typically comprises an acoustic-to-electric transducer and a microphone casing.
The plug may be a connection means connecting the headset with the mobile phone. The connecting means may be a phone connecter in the form of a jack connector.
In some embodiments, the elongated element is made of a foam material for reducing microphone wind noise. The foam material may be a soft open-cell polyester, a soft open-cell polyurethane or a soft open-cell polyethylene foam.
In some embodiments the elongated element is made of a reticulated foam material.
The reticulated foam material may be a soft reticulated material.
The reticulated foam material may be reticulated polyester, reticulated polyurethane or reticulated polyethylene foam.
By using a reticulated polyurethane material the device may be particular suitable for reducing microphone wind noise.
The elongated element may have a tubular body. The through hole may have a cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis matching the cross section of the microphone, thus, if the microphone has a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, the through hole may have a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.
The diameter of through hole with a circular cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis may be between 2.4 mm to 10 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 8 mm. The diameter of the through hole may for example be 7.1 or 7.7 mm
If the microphone has a round off and oblong cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis with a first diameter longer than a second diameter, such as an oval or an ellipse, the through hole may have a round off and oblong cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis with a first diameter longer than a second diameter, such as an oval shaped cross section or an ellipse shaped cross section.
The first diameter of the rounded off and oblong cross section of the through hole may be between 15 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 5 mm, more preferably between 10 mm and 7 mm.
The second diameter of the rounded off and oblong cross section of the central cavity may be between 1 1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 4 mm, more preferably between 9 mm and 5 mm.
The device may for examples have a central cavity with a rounded off and oblong cross section where the first diameter is 9.5 mm and the second diameter is 5.5 mm. Or the device may for examples have a central cavity with a rounded off and oblong cross section where the first diameter is 8.5 mm and the second diameter is 6.5 mm.
If the microphone has squared cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, the through hole may have a squared cross section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The squared cross section may be quadratic, rectangular or trapezium shaped.
In some embodiments, the elongated element is configured to deform from a rest shape into a second shape when the plug of the headset is being passed through the through hole of the elongated element and back into the rest shape after the headphone has completely passed, and wherein at least a first part of the through hole of the elongated element, when the elongated element is in the rest shape, has a flattened shape configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone.
Consequently, by using a deformable elongated element that has a through hole with a flattened part, the elongated element may deform to allow passage of the plug while still being capable of gripping the microphone and secure the elongated element thereto.
In some embodiments, the widest width of the first part of the through hole is at least 2 times larger than the height of the first part of the through hole.
The widest width is measure along a first axis being perpendicular to the central axis of the through hole of the elongated element. The height is measured along a second axis being perpendicular to both the central axis of the through hole of the elongated element and the first axis. In some embodiments, the widest width of the first part of the through hole is at least 3 times larger than the height of the first part of the through hole.
In some embodiments, the widest width of the first part of the through hole is at least 5 times larger than the height of the first part of the through hole.
In some embodiments, the through hole of the elongated element is at least partly lined with an adhesive configured to non-permanently adhere to the microphone.
Consequently, by using a non-permanently adhering adhesive as a lining in the through hole, the elongated element may enhance the capable of gripping the microphone and secure the elongated element thereto.
Applicable for both the first and second aspect of the invention, in some embodiments the device is configured for being moved away from the microphone (along the cord connected to the microphone), when the device is not needed.
Consequently, the device may be stored on the electrical cord away from the microphone, when the device is not in use, allowing for quick placement of the device around the microphone when it may be needed again.
Applicable for both the first and second aspect of the invention, in some embodiments the elongated element has a first end surface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface and wherein one or both of the first and second end surface is at least partly covered by a surface layer of a material stiffer than the device.
This may be particular useful when repositioning the device around the microphone after the device has been moved away from the microphone (along the cord connected to the microphone) when the device is not needed.
Consequently, the device may be easy to place in its preferred position around the microphone, as an increased resistance may be obtained when the device passes a surface end with a surface layer. The increased resistance may be sensed by the user who then may be able to place the device in its preferred position without looking. This is particular useful for headsets where the microphone is arranged out of sight for the user.
In some embodiments the surface layer is clued on the first and /or second end surface.
The surface layer may comprise a flock material, such as natural or syntethic flucking fibers, glued on the first and / or second end surface.
In some embodiments the surface layer is painted on the first and /or second end surface.
The surface layer may be spray painted on the first and / or second end surface.
Applicable for both the first and second aspect of the invention, in some embodiments the device is between 20 mm to 55 mm long and between 10 to 25 mm wide, preferably between 25 mm to 50 mm long and 15 to 20 mm wide.
Consequently, the device may be suitable for being arranged on most available headsets with a microphone. Additional the device may have an acceptable size which may make the device become a naturally part of a headset with a microphone.
In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an elongated element having a longitudinal slot having a first wall and a second wall and a central cavity both extending along a central longitudinal axis, so that a microphone on a headset may be arranged in the central cavity through the longitudinal slot. The elongated element may be made from a material for reducing microphone wind noise and the elongated element may preferably be configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having one or more gripping zones arranged on the first wall, wherein the gripping zone(s) is / are fitted with and adhesive zone to adhere to the second wall so that the device may fully enclose the microphone. The first and second wall may preferably be non-planer walls and the adhesive zone(s) may be arranged so that the adhesive zones do not come into contact with the microphone.
A protective strip may be arranged on top of the one or more adhesive zones for preventing the one or more adhesive zones from adhering to the second wall of the longitudinal slot before needed.
In a more preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a surface layer on at least one of a first and second end surface of the elongated element. The surface layer may preferably be a flock material glued on the end surfaces.
In another preferred embodiment, the device comprises an elongated element having a longitudinal slot having a first wall and a second wall and a central cavity both extending along a central longitudinal axis, so that a microphone on a headset may be arranged in the central cavity through the longitudinal slot. The elongated element may be made from a reticulated polyurethane foam for reducing microphone wind noise and the elongated element may preferably be configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having one or more gripping zones arranged on the first wall, wherein the gripping zone(s) is / are fitted with and adhesive zone to adhere to the second wall so that the device may fully enclose the microphone. The first and second wall may preferably be non-planer walls and the adhesive zone(s) may be arranged so that the adhesive zones do not come into contact with the microphone.
The different aspects of the present invention can be implemented in different ways, each yielding one or more of the benefits and advantages described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above, and each having one or more preferred embodiments corresponding to the preferred embodiments described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above and/or disclosed in the dependent claims.
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments described in connection with one of the aspects described herein may equally be applied to the other aspects.
Brief description of the drawings
The above and / or additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be further elucidated by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1a-b show a device comprising an elongated element according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2a-b shows a) a single cord headset and b) a stereo headset.
Fig. 3a-b show how a device may be arranged on a headset according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 shows a headset with a device attached according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6a-d show a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 7a-b show a first and a second side view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 8a-c show a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 10 shows a cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 1 1 shows a cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 12a-c show a device according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 13a-e show a device according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 14a-b show a device comprising a surface layer according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 15a-b show a device comprising a surface layer according to an embodiment of the invention.
Detailed description
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which show by way of illustration how the invention may be practiced.
Fig. 1 a and Fig. 1 b each show a devise 100 comprising an elongated element 101 and 102 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
The elongated element 101 has a through hole 104 having a first opening 105 and a second opening 106 opposite to the first opening 105, the through hole 104 being configured to receive a headphone and a microphone of a headset, see Fig. 3a. As in the presently illustrated embodiment the elongated element may have a central longitudinal axis 132.
The elongated element 102 is extending along a central longitudinal axis 132 and has a longitudinal slot 103 configured for receiving a microphone of a headset, see Fig. 3a. As in the presently illustrated embodiment the elongated element 102 may have a central cavity 1 19 extending at least partly through the elongated element 102 along the central longitudinal axis 132.
Fig. 2a-b shows different headsets 210 for a mobile phone comprising a microphone 21 1 . Fig. 2a shows a single cord headset with one headphone 212 and a plug 215 connected by a electrical cord 214. Fig 2b shows a stereo headset 210 where the microphone 21 1 is arranged above the bifurcation 213, i.e. on the electrical cord 214 connecting the bifurcation 213 with one of the two headphones 212.
Fig. 3a-b show a method of arranging the device 300 and securing the device 300 to a microphone 31 1 of a headset 310, according to an embodiment of the invention. The device comprises an elongated element 302.
The elongated element 302 comprises a longitudinal slot. The elongated element 302 is arranged by inserting the microphone 31 1 through the elongated slot of the elongated element 302, thereby securing the elongated element 302 to the microphone 31 1 .
The device 400 may further reversibly be moved away from the microphone 41 1 when it is not needed as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 5 shows a device 500 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 500 comprises an elongated element 501 having a through hole 504 (only schematically shown) having a first opening 505 and a second opening 506 opposite to the first opening 505 wherein the elongated element 501 is configured to allow passage of a headphone of the headset through the through hole, whereby the elongated element 501 may be moved along an electrical cord connected to the headphone and wherein the device 500 is configured to secure the elongated element 501 to the microphone of the headset.
The device 500 may be configured to secure the elongated element 501 to the microphone of the headset by designing the through hole 504 of the elongated element 501 in a special manner as disclosed in relation to Figs. 6-7.
Fig.6a-d show a device 600 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6a shows a perspective view, Fig. 6b shows a cross-section, Fig. 6c shows a side view (from the side illustrated by the arrow 621 in fig. 6b), and Fig. 6b shows a side view (from the side illustrated by the arrow 620 in fig. 6b). The device 600 comprises an elongated element 601 having a through hole 604 having a first opening 605 and a second opening 606 opposite to the first opening 605 wherein the elongated element 601 is configured to allow passage of a headphone of the headset through the through hole 604, whereby the elongated element 601 may be moved along an electrical cord connected to the headphone. The width of the through hole is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6c-d. The elongated element 601 is configured to deform from a rest shape (shown in Figs. 6a-d) into a second shape (not shown) when the headphone of the headset is being passed through the through hole of the elongated element 604 and back into the rest shape after the headphone has completely passed, i.e. the elongated element may be made of an acoustic foam allowing the elongated element to deform and allow passage of headphone. A part of the through hole of the elongated element, when the elongated element 601 is in the rest shape, has a flattened shape configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone. In this embodiment the first part of the through hole is the entire through hole.
In this embodiment the widest width 630 of the through hole 604 is more than 2 times larger than the height of the through hole 631 . The widest width is measured along a first axis being perpendicular to the central axis 632 of the through hole of the elongated element. The height is measured along a second axis being perpendicular to both the central axis of the through hole of the elongated element and the first axis.
In this embodiment, the widest width 630 of the through hole 604 is approximately 10 times larger than the height of the through hole 631 .
However, in other embodiment the widest width 630 of the through hole may be approximately 2, 3, or 5 times larger than the height of the through hole 631 .
Fig.7a-b show a device 700 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7a shows a side view corresponding to Fig. 6c and Fig. 7b shows a side view corresponding to Fig. 6d. The device 700 is similar to the device 600 shown in Figs. 6a-d with the difference that the first part 704b of the through hole only constitutes the central part of the through hole i.e. the through hole further comprises a non flattened second part 704a.
Fig. 8a-c show a device 800 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8a shows a perspective view, Fig. 8b shows a top view and Fig. 8c shows a front view. The device 800 comprises an elongated element 802 extending along a central longitudinal axis 832. The elongated element 802 is made of a material for reducing microphone wind noise, such as foam material for reducing microphone wind noise, e.g. be an acoustic foam such as a soft open-cell polyester, polyurethane or polyethylene foam. The elongated element 802 has a longitudinal slot 803 in the foam material configured to receive a microphone of the headset whereby the elongated element 802 may be arranged at least partly around the microphone, preferably the elongated element 802 is arranged completely around the microphone. The device 800 is configured to secure the elongated element 802 to the microphone of the headset. The elongated element 802 may comprise a central cavity 819 configured for containing the microphone.
Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a device 900 according to an embodiment of the invention. The device is similar to the device shown in Fig. 8, and the cross-section is taken in the direction A along the line 850 shown in Fig. 8b, i.e. in a plane being parallel with the central longitudinal axis 832. In this embodiment, the elongated element 902 is configured for closing the longitudinal slot 903 by having a gripping zone 907 arranged on a first wall 909 of the longitudinal slot, wherein the gripping zone 907 is configured to adhere to a second wall of the longitudinal slot. The gripping zone 907 extends along the longitudinal central axis 932 along the entire length of the elongated element 902. The elongated element 902 may be configured for surrounding a microphone and keeping the longitudinal slot 803 closed, whereby the elongated element 902 may be secured to the microphone of the headset, see Fig. 8.
The gripping zone 902 may be an adhesive zone fitted with an adhesive. This allows the second wall 1 1 13 to be formed without any gripping zones, as shown in Fig. 1 1 . Alternatively, the gripping zone may comprise hooks and / or loops of a hook and loop fastener system, wherein the second wall 1 1 13 preferably also comprises hooks and / or loops. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment where the first wall 1009 comprises three gripping zones 1007a- c.
Fig. 12a-c show a device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 12a shows a perspective view, Fig. 12b shows a top view, and Fig. 12c shows a central cross-section of the device in a plane being perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 1232. The device comprises an elongated element 1202 extending along a central longitudinal axis 1232. The elongated element 1202 is made of a material for reducing microphone wind noise. The elongated element 1202 has a longitudinal slot 1203 in the foam material configured to receive the microphone whereby the elongated element 1202 may be arranged fully around the microphone. The elongated element 1202 comprises a central cavity 1219 extending along the central longitudinal axis 1232 for keeping the microphone of the headset, wherein the longitudinal slot 1203 forms an entrance to the central cavity 1219. In this embodiment, the central cavity
1219 is a through hole in the elongated element 1202. The elongated element 1202 is configured for closing the longitudinal slot 1203 by having an adhesive zone 1220 (shown schematically in Fig. 12b) arranged on a first wall 1213 of the longitudinal slot 1203, wherein the adhesive zone is configured to adhere to a second wall 1209 of the longitudinal slot 1220. In this embodiment, the first wall has a concave portion 1217 extending along the central longitudinal axis 1232 and the second wall has a convex portion 1218 extending along the central longitudinal axis 1232; the convex portion 1217 and the concave portion 1218 having a matching shape. In this embodiment, the adhesive zone 1220 is arranged at the bottom of the concave portion 1220, however in other embodiments, the adhesive zone
1220 may be arranged radially outwards from the bottom of the concave portion, i.e. anywhere along the portion of the first wall 1213 marked by the dotted line 1221 in Fig. 12c. Consequently, the concave / convex portions 1217 1218 prevent the microphone from coming into contact with the adhesive. Thus, a simple and durable device for reducing microphone wind noise is provided that furthermore prevents the microphone from being damaged by the adhesive. In this embodiment, the concave portion and the convex portion 1217 1218 are extending along the longitudinal axis 1232 along the entire length of the elongated element 1202. Consequently, the elongated element 1202 becomes easier to manufacture as a single cutting device may be used to create the longitudinal slot 1203, the convex portion
1218 and the concave portion 1217. In this embodiment, the convex portion 1218 is a protrusion protruding from a planar surface of the second wall 1209 and the concave portion 1217 is groove formed in a planar surface of the first wall 1213.
Fig. 13a-e show cross-sections of different devices for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, according to embodiments of the invention. The cross-sections illustrate different types of concave / convex portions. The arrows 1333 illustrate the bottom / top of the concave / convex portions.
The concave portions in Fig. 13a and 13c are protrusions protruding from a planar surface of a wall of the elongated slit 1303, and the concave portion is a groove formed in a planar surface of the other wall of the elongated slit 1303. The groove and the protrusions have a tapering shape with the width of the bottom of the groove being large than the width of the top of the groove and the width of the top of the protruding portion being larger than the width of the bottom of the protruding portion, whereby the protrusion may mechanically grip the groove.
For all the devices shown in Fig. 12a-b and 13a-e the first wall and the second wall are non-planar walls; the one or more adhesive zones are arranged so that when the microphone of the headset is positioned in the centre of the elongated element and the one or more adhesive zones are adhered to the second wall, the microphone is not capable of coming into contact with the one or more adhesive zones by a one-dimensional translation between the microphone and the elongated element.
For the device illustrated in Fig. 13e a cross section of an inner portion of the slit may extend from the central cavity and away from the central longitudinal axis in an angle of 20 degrees to 70 degrees, preferably in angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, a outer portion of the slit may be perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and a middle portion may connect the inner and the outer portion. The middle portion of the slit may be perpendicular to the outer portion of the slit.
Fig. 14a-b show different devices 1400 for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 14a shows a device 1400 comprising an elongated element 1401 comprising a first end surface 1440 having a first opening 1405 and a second end surface having a second opening opposite to the first end surface comprising the first opening 1405 (not shown) wherein the elongated element
1401 is configured to enclose a microphone on a headset within a through hole 1404 extending between the first and second opening.
Fig. 14b shows a device 1400 comprising an elongated element 1402 comprising a first end surface 1440 having a first opening 1405 and a second end surface having a second opening opposite to the first end surface comprising the first opening 1405 (not shown) wherein the elongated element
1402 is configured to enclose a microphone on a headset within a central cavity 1419 extending between the first and second opening.
In the presently illustrated embodiment of Fig. 14a-b the first end surface 1440 is covered by a surface layer 1445, wherein the surface layer is stiffer than the foam material the device 1400 is made of. The surface layer may also be applied to the second end surface or to both the first and second end surface of the device, i.e. the elongated element 1401 and / or 1402. By applying the surface layer to both or at least one of the first or second end surfaces of the device, the user will experience a resistance in the device when an end surface with a surface layer approach and slide along the microphone.
The device 1500 in Fig. 15a-b is similar to the device 1400 in Fig. 14b but the following concept is also applicable for a device similar to the device 1400 in Fig. 14a, whereas the surface layer 1445 in Fig. 14a-b covers the entire first end surface 1440 of the device, the surface layer in Fig. 15a-b cover parts of the first end surface 1540 of the device 1500. The surface layer may extend from the outer circumference of the first end surface towards the first opening as shown in Fig. 15a or the surface layer may extend from the first opening towards the outer circumference as shown in Fig. 15b. The surface layer may also cover a centre portion between the outer circumference and the first opening of the first and / or second end surface (not shown). Thereby a portion of the first and / or second end surface extending from the outer circumference and towards the first and / or second opening may not be covered by the surface layer. And / or a portion of the first and / or second end surface extending from the first and / or second opening towards the outer circumference may not be covered by the surface layer.
Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention is not restricted to them, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

Claims:
1 . A device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, the headset comprising a microphone, wherein the device comprises:
• an elongated element extending along a central longitudinal axis, said elongated element being made of a material for reducing microphone wind noise, said elongated element having a longitudinal slot in the material configured to receive the microphone whereby the elongated element may be arranged at least partly around the microphone wherein the device is configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone of the headset.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated element is arranged fully around the microphone.
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated element is made of a foam material for reducing microphone wind noise.
4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the elongated element comprises a central cavity extending along the
longitudinal axis for keeping the microphone of the headset, wherein the longitudinal slot forms an entrance to the central cavity.
5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot whereby the elongated element may be secured to the microphone of the headset.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having one or more gripping zones arranged on a first wall of the longitudinal slot, wherein the one or more gripping zones is / are configured to adhere to a second wall of the longitudinal slot.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the one or more gripping zones is / are one or more adhesive zone fitted with an adhesive.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein a protective strip is arranged on top of the one or more adhesive zones for preventing the one or more adhesive zones from adhering to the second wall of the longitudinal slot before needed.
9. The device according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the first wall and the second wall are non-planar walls; the one or more adhesive zones are arranged so that when the microphone of the headset is positioned in the centre of the elongated element and the one or more adhesive zones are adhered to the second wall, the microphone is not capable of coming into contact with the one or more adhesive zones by a one-dimensional translation between the microphone and the elongated element
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein
• the first wall has a concave portion extending along the central
longitudinal axis and the second wall has a convex portion extending along the central longitudinal axis; the convex portion and the concave portion have a matching shape, wherein the one or more adhesive zones is / are arrange at the bottom of the concave portion or radially outwards from the bottom of the concave portion; or
• the second wall has a concave portion extending along the central longitudinal axis and the first wall has a convex portion extending along the central longitudinal axis; the convex portion and the concave portion have a matching shape, wherein each of the one or more adhesive zones is / are arrange at the top of the convex portion or radially outwards from the top of the convex portion.
1 1 . The device according to claim 10, wherein the concave portion and the convex portions are extending along the central longitudinal axis along at least 50%, 75%, or 90% of the length of the elongated element.
12. The device according to claim 1 1 , wherein the concave portion and the convex portions are extending along the longitudinal axis along the entire length of the elongated element.
13. The device according to any one of claim 10 to 12, wherein the convex portion is a protrusion protruding from a planar surface, and the concave portion is a groove formed in a planar surface.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the groove and the protrusion have a tapering shape with the width of the bottom of the groove being large than the width of the top of the groove and the width of the top of the protrusion being larger than the width of the bottom of the protrusion, whereby the protrusion may mechanically grip the groove.
15. The device according to claim 6, wherein the one or more gripping zones comprises hooks and / or loops of a hook and loop fastener system.
16. The device according to claim 5, wherein the elongated element is configured for closing the longitudinal slot by having a flexible closing member attached at an outer surface of the elongated element on a first side of the longitudinal slot wherein said flexible closing member is configured for gripping the outer surface of the elongated element at a second side of the longitudinal slot.
17. A device for reducing microphone wind noise in a headset, the headset comprising a microphone, wherein the device comprises an elongated element (101 ) having a through hole (104) having a first opening (105) and a second opening (106) opposite to the first opening (105) wherein the elongated element (101 ) is configured to allow passage of a plug of the headset through the through hole, whereby the elongated element may be moved along an electrical cord connected to the headphone and wherein the device is configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone of the headset.
18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the elongated element is made of a foam material for reducing microphone wind noise.
19. The device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the elongated element is configured to deform from a rest shape into a second shape when the plug of the headset is being passed through the through hole of the elongated element and back into the rest shape after the headphone has completely passed, and wherein at least a first part of the through hole of the elongated element, when the elongated element is in the rest shape, has a flattened shape configured to secure the elongated element to the microphone.
20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the widest width of the first part of the through hole is at least 2 times larger than the height of the first part of the through hole.
21 . The device according to claim 20, wherein the widest width of the first part of the through hole is at least 5 times larger than the height of the first part of the through hole.
22. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated element is made of a reticulated foam material.
23. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured for being moved away from the microphone, when the device is not needed.
24. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device have a first end surface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface and wherein one or both of the first and second end surface is at least partly covered by a surface layer of a material stiffer than the device.
25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the surface layer is clued on the first and /or second end surface.
26. The device according to claim 24, wherein the surface layer is painted on the first and / or second end surface.
27. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is between 20 mm to 55 mm long and between 10 to 25 mm wide, preferably between 25 mm to 50 mm long and 15 to 20 mm wide.
28. A kit of parts comprising a headset having a microphone and a device according to any one of the preceding claims.
PCT/EP2015/071107 2014-09-15 2015-09-15 Reduction of microphone wind noise in headsets WO2016041969A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/DK2014/050284 WO2015154774A1 (en) 2014-04-08 2014-09-15 Reduction of microphone wind noise in headsets
DKPCT/DK2014/050284 2014-09-15

Publications (1)

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WO2016041969A1 true WO2016041969A1 (en) 2016-03-24

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Country Link
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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100054516A1 (en) * 2008-08-29 2010-03-04 Chan Wayne Gp Apparatus for Reducing Background and Wind Noise to a Microphone
CA2758399A1 (en) * 2011-11-14 2013-05-14 Mark Bryan Rosal Security and protection device for an ear-mounted audio amplifier or telecommunication instrument

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100054516A1 (en) * 2008-08-29 2010-03-04 Chan Wayne Gp Apparatus for Reducing Background and Wind Noise to a Microphone
CA2758399A1 (en) * 2011-11-14 2013-05-14 Mark Bryan Rosal Security and protection device for an ear-mounted audio amplifier or telecommunication instrument

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