Sound tube tuned multi-driver earpiece
Patent 7317806 Issued on January 8, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date: 
January 17, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
January 17, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesHearing aids, signal supplying apparatus, systems for compensating hearing deficiencies, and methods Electric hearing aid Insert earphones for audiometry Insert earphones for audiometry Two active element in-the-ear microphone system High fidelity insert earphones and methods of making same Patent #: 5887070 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 11333151 filed on 01/17/2006US Classes:381/328, Ear insert381/322, Specified casing or housing381/320, Spectral control381/151Body contact wave transfer (e.g., bone conduction earphone, larynx microphone)ExaminersPrimary: Ensey, BrianAttorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassH04R 25/00AbstractA method of optimizing the audio performance of an earpiece and the resultant device are provided. The disclosed earpiece combines at least two drivers within a single earpiece. If a pair of drivers is used, each driver has a discrete sound delivery tube. If more than two drivers are used, preferably the outputs from the two lower frequency drivers are merged into a single sound delivery tube while the output from the third driver is maintained in a separate, discrete sound tube. To compensate for the inherent phase shift of the earpiece the lengths of the sound delivery tubes, and thus driver offset, are regulated. Further audio performance optimization can be achieved through an iterative process of measuring the performance of the earpiece and making further, minor adjustments to the sound delivery tube lengths. The sound delivery tubes can include transition regions. The earpiece is configured to use removable/replaceable eartips. Acoustic filters can be interposed between one or both driver outputs and the earpiece output.Field of SearchHearing aidAdjacent ear Particular transducer or enclosure structure HEADPHONE CIRCUITS Body contact wave transfer (e.g., bone conduction earphone, larynx microphone) HEARING AIDS, ELECTRICAL Noise compensation circuit Specified casing or housing Ear insert Headphone Having mechanical or acoustic sound attenuation Ear insert or bone conduction Hook over ear or spectacle Headgear Housing or housing component Ear Auditory canal insert Ear insert | |
