A method for operating a bone conduction communication system can include establishing a communicable connection, operating a transducer in an input mode wherein the bone conduction transducers are configured to detect a vibration associated with a bone of the user; transmitting an audio signal over the communicable connection; and operating the transducers responsive to the audio signal.

The present invention discloses an earphone cover and an earphone assembly. The earphone cover having a through hole running axially through thereof. The earphone cover comprises a first attachment end, a second attachment end, a support portion, and a space defined by the support portion. The first and second attachment ends are positioned at each end of the through hole respectively. The support portion is set between the first and second attachment ends. The space is configured between an inner surface of the support portion and an outer surface of the earphone. The support portion deforms and air in the space escapes via the first and/or the second attachment ends under compression, and the support portion recovers to an original shape when the compression is removed.

The present disclosure provides an acoustic output apparatus including one or more status sensors, at least one low-frequency acoustic driver, at least one high-frequency acoustic driver, at least two first sound guiding holes, and at least two second sound guiding holes. The status sensors may detect status information of a user. The low-frequency acoustic driver may generate at least one first sound, a frequency of which is within a first frequency range. The high-frequency acoustic driver may generate at least one second sound, a frequency of which is within a second frequency range including at least one frequency exceeding the first frequency range. The first and second sound guiding holes may output the first and second spatial sound, respectively. The first and second sound may be generated based on the status information, and may simulate a target sound coming from at least one virtual direction with respect to the user.

Aspects describe an in-ear audio output device. The in-ear audio output device includes an acoustic chamber defined by an earbud housing shaped to fit in the lower concha of an ear of a wearer of the in-ear audio output device, the earbud housing comprising: a resistive port located on a first side of the earbud housing creating an opening in a wall of the earbud housing and a first feedforward microphone located on a second side of the earbud housing, the second side substantially opposite the first side of the earbud housing; and a stability band. The stability band includes at least one attachment feature that couples the stability band to the earbud housing and a first side substantially opposite the attachment feature that only partially covers the resistive port when the in-ear audio output device is positioned in the ear of the wearer.

Aspects describe air flow relief features in the cosmetic surface of the housing of an in-ear audio output device. Due to design constraints based, at least in part, on the limited space available in the acoustic chamber and ear geometry, ports coupling the acoustic chamber with an area outside the housing are susceptible to full blockage when placed in-ear. Air flow relief channels for ports, extending from the port aligned in the concha cymba, over the helix crus, to the cymba cavum minimize complete blockages of the port as compared to current designs.

This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that include earpad assemblies that improve acoustic isolation are discussed. User convenience features that include automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.

Earphone positioning and retention mechanisms are disclosed. One earphone described includes a speaker driver, a flexible eartip comprising a first oval shaped contact surface at an opening forming a hole through the eartip, the first oval shaped contact surface configured to contact an outer surface of a user's ear canal when worn, a body portion comprising a second contact surface configured to position behind an anti-tragus portion of the user's ear, and, a retaining member formed of a compliant material, comprising a third contact surface configured to conform to a cymba conch portion of the user's ear, where the body portion and the retaining member are shaped in a way that the second contact surface contacts the anti-tragus portion and the third contact surface contacts the cymba conch portion at the same time, when the first contact surface is already in contact with the outer surface of the ear canal.

A headphone is configured to be used in combination with an in-ear earphone, and includes: an earmuff configured to be fitted over an auricle; an earmuff pickup arranged on an outer side of the earmuff and configured to collect an environmental sound; and a first speaker arranged on an inner side of the earmuff and configured to perform at least one of following actions: playing a noise-cancellation sound corresponding to the environmental sound collected by the earmuff pickup, or playing an audio. When the headphone is in use, the inner side of the earmuff and the auricle define an accommodating space for accommodating a part of the in-ear earphone exposed out of an external auditory canal. The headphone and the auricle define an accommodating space for accommodating the in-ear headphone.

The present disclosure relates to an earpiece for an ear. The ear comprises a concha cavity at least partially delimited by a concha floor, a concha side wall and a concha ceiling. The earpiece comprises a peripheral skirt comprising a positioning skirt portion which in turn comprises an outer skirt surface and an inner skirt surface, wherein a transition from the outer skirt surface to the inner skirt surface occurs at a skirt edge. The skirt edge extends at least partially circumferentially around a central axis of the earpiece, wherein the earpiece is adapted to be moved to a use position, at least partially within the concha cavity, in a direction parallel to the central axis, during insertion of the earpiece into the ear. When the peripheral skirt is in a non-influenced condition, at least a portion of the inner skirt surface faces the central axis.

Some systems, devices and methods detailed herein provide a system for use in determining metrics of a subject. The system can provide, as an output, a function-metric value determined based on a defined relationship between physiological measures and a chronological age.