Personal hearing device

Abstract

Personal electronic devices are provided in the form of personal audio equipment. Devices of the present disclosure include readily-moldable ear inserts that are selectively formed to fit the shape of a user's ear and do not require heating, curing, setting, or other temperature manipulation. In some embodiments, the devices comprise wireless audio technology and wireless conductive charging.

Claims

1. An ear insert, comprising: at least one electronic component; a housing comprising the at least one electronic component; and a first material, wherein the first material is continually moldable, wherein the first material surrounds at least a portion of the housing comprising the at least one electronic component such that the first material surrounds between about 50% and 99% of the at least one electronic component, wherein the first material is permanently adhered to the housing such that the ear insert is not a removable eartip, and wherein the ear insert is an in-ear headphone.

2. The ear insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic component comprises at least one of a speaker, a power source, or a wireless control.

3. The ear insert of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the at least one electronic component is exposed to air.

4. The ear insert of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a Shore 00 durometer of between about 1 and about 100.

5. The ear insert of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises at least one of a silicone, an urethan, a putty, a wax, polymers thereof, or a derivative thereof.

6. The ear insert of claim 1, further comprising a second material, wherein the second material surrounds at least a portion of the first material.

7. The ear insert of claim 6, wherein the second material is at least one of a silicone, a urethane, a rubber, a polymer thereof, or a derivative thereof.

8. The ear insert of claim 1, further comprising a wire or a cord.

9. The ear insert of claim 1, further comprising at least one air tube.

10. The ear insert of claim 9, wherein the at least one air tube provides air to the at least one electronic component.

11. The ear insert of claim 9, wherein the at least one air tube comprises a stiff material or a semi-rigid material.

12. The ear insert of claim 1, further comprising a device remover portion.

13. The ear insert of claim 1, further comprising a control box, wherein the control box controls at least one function of answering or ending a phone call, volume control, a microphone, or controlling an audio or video on a connected device.

14. The ear insert of claim 1, wherein all of the at least one electronic component is in one half of the ear insert.

15. The ear insert of claim 2, wherein the at least one electronic component comprises a power source, and wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery, wherein the rechargeable battery can be charged with a wired connection or a wireless connection.

16. The ear insert of claim 1, further comprising a conduit, wherein the conduit comprises a rigid material, wherein the conduit comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the conduit connects to the housing and wherein the second end of the conduit is open to air.

17. The ear insert of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

18. An ear insert, comprising: at least one electronic component; a housing comprising the at least one electronic component; and a first material, wherein the first material is continually moldable, wherein the first material surrounds at least a portion of the housing comprising the at least one electronic component such that the first material surrounds between about 50% and 99% of the at least one electronic component, wherein the first material is not disposable and is permanently adhered to the housing such that the ear insert does not comprise a removable eartip, and wherein the ear insert is an in-ear headphone, earphone, hearable, or earbud.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different alternative embodiments. This description is made for illustrating the general principles of the teachings of this disclosure and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

(2) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

(3) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

(4) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of ear insert devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provided relative to a human ear;

(5) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of ear insert devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provided relative to a human ear;

(6) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of ear insert devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provided relative to a human ear;

(7) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of ear insert devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provided relative to a human ear;

(8) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of ear insert devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provided relative to a human ear;

(9) FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of ear insert devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provided relative to a human ear;

(10) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an ear device of the invention; and

(11) FIG. 8 illustrates a user with a device comprising the ear insert

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) The invention relates to an ear insert, a method of making the ear insert, material used with the ear insert, and a method of using the ear insert. The ear insert can be used in any hearable device, including a hearing aid, an audio device, or a stethoscope for example. While the material can advantageously be used to surround the electronics used with the device, in some embodiments, the material can be incorporated into other hearable devices where the electronics may not be required, for example in a stethoscope. The material is sufficiently adhered to the electronics such that the material will not easily separate from the electronics. The moldable material can be formed to an ear for each use. Thus, there is no “correct” way of putting the ear insert into the ear.

(13) An advantage of the present invention is that the microelectronics associated with the ear insert is incorporated into the ear insert and therefore resides within the concha rather than in a hard material outside of the concha. As a result, the microelectronics are small enough to fit within the concha while still allowing room in the concha for a moldable material to surround the electronics. Because the ear insert resides within the concha, it may not protrude from the ear causing discomfort to the user when a helmet or other head device contacts the ear. The ear insert also does not interfere with the hair of the user, stain skin or clothing. Furthermore, because the material of the ear insert is moldable, it can conform and be noise isolating, thereby reducing exterior noise from interfering with a user's experience and also blocks others in proximity to the user from hearing the audio emitting from the user's ear inserts.

(14) The electronic components can be at least partially encased in a housing unit. The housing unit can be integrated with an air tube. In some embodiments, the material of the housing until can be a metal, plastic or polymer, or combinations thereof.

(15) The material that surrounds the electronics of the ear insert remains in a moldable state, in other words, it does not permanently set. Thus, it does not require the consumer to heat, cool, or otherwise subject the material to a process to permanently set the material. The use of temperature changes, both hot and cold, are not preferred because of the potential to damage the electronic components within the ear insert. The material used in the ear insert is durable and capable of heavy use (e.g. at least about 100 uses, at least 10,000 uses, or a product use of at least about 4 months, or at least about 6 months of use) without catastrophic damage to the ear insert. The battery associated with the ear insert can provide at least about 6 hours of use without recharging. The audio quality is as good as other comparable earbuds on the market.

(16) Another advantage of the invention is that it can include other electronics, which can be exterior to the concha, that allows the user to answer calls, end calls, adjust the volume, adjust the treble, adjust the base, or perform a combination of these functions.

(17) An aspect of the invention is an ear insert. The ear insert includes at least one electronic component and a first material. The first material surrounds at least a portion of the electronic component. In some embodiments, the first material surrounds between about 40% and about 99% of the electronic component. In some embodiments, the first material surrounds between about 50 and about 99%, between about 60 and about 95%, between about 75 and about 90%, or at least about 90% of the electronic component. In some embodiments, the first material surrounds about 40% of the electronic component, about 45% of the electronic component, about 50% of the electronic component, about 55% of the electronic component, about 60% of the electronic component, about 65% of the electronic component, about 70% of the electronic component, about 75% of the electronic component, about 80% of the electronic component, about 85% of the electronic component, about 90% of the electronic component, about 92% of the electronic component, about 94% of the electronic component, about 95% of the electronic component, about 96% of the electronic component, about 98% of the electronic component, or about 99% of the electronic component.

(18) In some embodiments, the electronic component can include at least one of the speaker and the power source. The power source can supply the power to the speaker and other components, including components that control, wiring, circuitry, wireless features, or adjust the sound. A portion of the electronics (for example between about 0.5% and about 90% of the area) can be exposed to air. The power source can be charged using a device, such as a box, a plate, or a plug. The ear insert can include a wireless receiver. In some embodiments, the wireless receiver can be incorporated in the electronic component. The ear insert can include a wireless control. In some embodiments, the wireless control can work with the electronic component. A control box can be integrated with a secondary device, for example a computer, a phone, a tablet, a watch, a case, or other device, that can be used to control a component of the ear insert. The control box can communicate with the wireless receiver using wireless technology, including but not limited to Bluetooth™.

(19) The first material can be a moldable material. In some embodiments, the first material can be a malleable material. In some embodiments, the first material can have a Shore 00 durometer of between about 1 and about 100. In some embodiments, the Shore 00 hardness can be between about 30 and about 100, between about 40 and about 60, between about 50 and about 70. In some embodiments, the Shore 00 can be about 1, about 5, about 10, about 15, about 20, about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70, about 75, about 80, about 85, about 90, about 95, or about 100. In some embodiments, the first material can be at least one of a silicone, a urethane, a foam, a putty, a wax, a polymer thereof, or a derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the first material can be at least one of a silicon, a urethane, a putty, a way, a polymer thereof, or a derivative thereof. Putty materials for use with embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,493 to Minuto, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The first material can be porous. In some embodiments, the first material can be silicone. The silicone can be used with a primer, or without a primer without deviating from the invention. The first material can be compatible with human skin, and does not stain skin or clothing. Furthermore, the first material is not disposable. Rather, it is intended to be permanently integrated with the ear inert.

(20) A second material can be used with the ear insert. The second material can be used over the first material. In some embodiments, the second material can be connected to the first material. The second material can be different from the first material. The second material can be breathable, and not be susceptible to picking up lint or hair. The second material is not required in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the second material can be a silicone, a urethane, a rubber, a wax, a plastic, a thermal set plastic, a polymer thereof, a derivative thereof, or combinations thereof. The second material can be malleable and compatible with human skin. In some embodiments, the second material can attach to the electronic component. The second material can attach to the speaker. In some embodiments, the second material can have a Shore 00 durometer of between about 30 and about 100. In some embodiments, the Shore 00 hardness can be between about 40 and about 90, between about 50 and about 80, between about 60 and about 70. In some embodiments, the Shore 00 can be about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, about 50, about 55, about 60, about 65, about 70, about 75, about 80, about 85, about 90, about 95, or about 100. A total length of the ear insert can be between about 0.4 inches and about 1.2 inches. In some embodiments, the total length of the ear insert can be between about 0.4 inches and about 1.0 inches, between about 0.5 inches and about 0.75 inches, between about 0.6 inches and about 0.65 inches. In some embodiments, the length of the insert can be about 0.4 inches, about 0.45 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.55 inches, about 0.6 inches, about 0.65 inches, about 0.7 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 0.8 inches, about 0.85 inches, about 0.9 inches, about 0.95 inches, about 1.0 inches, about 1.05 inches, about 1.1 inches, about 1.15 inches, or about 1.2 inches.

(21) In some embodiments, the ear insert can be incorporated with an earbud, a headphone, earphones, a hearing aid, or a hearable device. The ear insert can be incorporated such that it sits within the concha, while allowing other portions to be located outside the concha. Other portions can include a microphone for voice transmission, wireless technology, battery, or electronics for operating the microphone by way of example. The other portions can be attached to a wire or a cord but can also be truly wireless. For example, a microphone can be attached to a wire or cord. The wire can come from the ear insert or can be connected to another component that can be integrated with the ear insert.

(22) In some embodiments, the ear insert can include at least one air tube. An air tube can allow air to reach the electronic component. The air tube can be a stiff material, semi rigid, or a softer material. The air tube can be formed in the first material. The air tube can have a first end and a second end. The first end of the air tube can connect with the electronic component, while the second end of the air tube can be open. The first material does not cover at least a portion of the area of the second end of the tube. In some embodiments, the first material does not cover an area of more than about 50% of the second end of the air tube. In some embodiments the first material does not cover the second end of the air tube. In some embodiments, the second material does not cover an area of more than about 50% of the second end of the air tube.

(23) The ear insert can include a device remover portion to remove the ear insert from the ear. The device remover portion can be a loop, a grabber, a tab, or a combination thereof. The device remover portion can be integrated to the ear insert. A material of the device remover portion can be a metal, a plastic, a silicone, the first material, the second material, and combinations thereof.

(24) The ear insert can include a cord. The cord can include a wire to transmit electrical signal to the electronic component. A control box can be integrated with the cord to control the electronic component.

(25) In some embodiments, the ear insert can further include multiple layers of the secondary material. Each layer of the secondary material can be the same material as other layers, or can be different. In some embodiments, the extra layers of the secondary material can be used to assist in sizing the ear insert. By way of example, a person with a larger ear concha may require a thicker ear insert to fit, while someone with a smaller concha may not require additional layers of the secondary material. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ear insert can be achieved by increasing the thickness of the first material, the second moldable material, or both the first material and the second moldable material. Like the secondary material, multiple layers of the first material can be used without deviating from the invention and each layer can be the same material as another layer within the insert.

(26) The ear inserts can be sized for a particular class of individuals. For example, the ear inserts can be made for children, adults with small sized concha, medium sized concha or large sized concha without deviating from the invention.

(27) An aspect of the invention is an audio device. The audio device can be the ear insert, or can incorporate the ear insert to produce the audio device. For example, the audio device can include a microphone or a control box, along with the ear insert. The microphone can be on a wire that connects a first end of the audio device to a second end of the audio device. An ear insert can be located on the first end of the audio device, the second end of the audio device, or both the first and second end of the audio device. A control box can be located on the wire or can be on a secondary device such as a phone, tablet, computer, etc. The control box can control at least the volume of the audio device, but one skilled in the art would also understand that the control box can control other aspects, including the power, whether a call is answered or ended, pausing or unpausing an audio or video file, fast forwarding or rewinding an audio or video file, and the like. While the ear insert can reside in the concha, other portions of the audio device can be present outside the concha. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the audio device can protrude from the ear without deviating from the invention.

(28) An aspect of the invention is a hearing aid. The hearing aid can include the ear insert, where the electric components are utilized to assist in hearing. Multiple different in ear configurations of hearing aids can be used with the present invention. Without intention of being limited to an embodiment, suitable configurations of hearing aids include but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,151,839, or 5,659,621, or U.S. Publication No. 2008/0013767, which are each incorporated by reference in their entirety.

(29) An aspect of the invention is a method to make the ear insert. The first material is provided to at least a portion of the electronic component or electronic component housing. The first material can then be fully cured or partially cured. One skilled in the art would understand that the first material can be selected such that the curing temperature of the first material does not exceed the high temperature allowed for use with the electronic components. If used, the secondary material can be applied to the first material. The first material and/or second material can then be fully cured at a suitable temperature for the selected material. The ear insert can be incorporated with other parts to form the final product (e.g. hearables, hearing devices, stethoscope, etc.) To be clear, the first material and/or second material can be cured during the manufacturing process, but is not heated to mold the ear insert by the consumer.

(30) An aspect of the invention is a method to incorporate the ear insert with an existing hearable device. The ear inserts comprising at least the electronic components and the first material, can be incorporated with other components to make a hearable device.

(31) An aspect of the invention is an ear bud that protrudes from the ear and includes a first material and electrical components. The electrical component is at least partially covered with the first material. In some embodiments, the first materials can be at least partially coated with the secondary material. The first material with the electrical components can reside in the concha during use, while other portions of the ear bud can protrude from the ear.

(32) FIG. 1 illustrates an ear device 100 in an ear 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, electrical components 104 are provided within and surrounded by a first material 110. The first material 110 and the secondary material 108 surround and enclose electrical components 104 to form the ear insert 106. Various existing headphone hardware, including that which is disclosed and incorporated by reference herein, may be provided within at least one of the first material and the secondary material.

(33) As further illustrated in FIG. 1, at least one of the first material 110 and the secondary material 108 is selectively moldable and formable to be custom-fit within the ear 102 of a user. The ear insert 106 does not require the application of heat or other labor-intensive molding operations. Rather, the ear insert 106 can be shaped by a user at room temperatures to obtain a desired shape.

(34) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an ear device 200 in an ear 202 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the ear insert 206 comprise electronics 204 nested within a first material 210 and is located within the concha of the ear 202.

(35) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an ear device 300 in an ear 302 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ear devices 300 of FIG. 3 can include the structures illustrated and described with respect to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. The devices of FIG. 3 further include a cord 314 and an interconnected control member 312. The control member 312 can operate to allow a user to control at least one of a power and a volume supplied to the ear insert 306. In certain embodiments, the control member 312 comprises a power source (e.g. rechargeable lithium-ion battery). Although various embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate wireless capabilities (i.e. wherein the ear insert is not directed connected or “plugged-in” to an external device), the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. It is contemplated that features and devices of the present disclosure including ear inserts with at least one moldable material are provided as wired devices, wherein the ear inserts include a cord or capable that is connectable to various preexisting devices (e.g. smartphones, computers, music players, etc.).

(36) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an ear device 400 comprising ear inserts 406 of another embodiment of the present disclosure. The devices 400 of FIG. 4 can comprise the structures illustrated and described with respect to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 3. The devices 400 of FIG. 4 can include a cord 414 and a control member 412. The cord of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is provided as a connection between two ear inserts 406 and serves as a tether between the two ear inserts 406 to form an ear device 400. Various devices, including those illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, for example, comprise a cord 414 but are generally considered “wireless” devices as they further comprise wireless functionality (e.g. Bluetooth® functionality) to connect to and communicate with an additional device. But to be clear, the cord 414 is not necessary.

(37) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of ear inserts with an extension 500 of an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the ear inserts 506 comprise electrical components, a first member, and a secondary member. The first member and the secondary member are formed or shaped in a desired manner to fit securely within a user's ear 502. The ear insert 506 comprises an extension 516 that is operable to fit within and contact a user's concha (cymba).

(38) FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an ear device 600 of another embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the ear insert 606 comprise electrical components, a first member, and a secondary member. The ear inserts 606 of FIG. 6 also includes a device remover portion in the form of a conduit 616. The conduit 616 is provided in the form of a loop, which provides a user with a means for grasping the ear insert 606 to be removed (for example) from the ear 602. A microphone or voice transmitter 618 can be attached and extend from the ear insert 606. The device remover portion or conduit can also be used to transmit air or pressure and to allow ambient air to be conveyed to a speaker of the ear insert. As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, the speaker(s) of the ear insert requires a quantity or volume of air to move to create soundwaves and function as an audio device. Thus, in various embodiments, a conduit or tube is provided as a channel or pathway to convey ambient air to a speaker portion disposed within a first material and/or a secondary material. The conduit of FIG. 6 comprises an at least partially rigid including, for example, rubber or plastic.

(39) FIG. 7 illustrates an ear device 700 of the invention. The device includes a cord 714 and a control panel 712. The inserts 706 can be located on either end of the cord 714. The electrical components 704 can be surrounded by a first material, which can be surrounded by a second material 708. FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with the insert 806 in an ear, and a cord 814 extending from the insert 806.

(40) Various features and embodiments of pressure washing devices are provided herein. It will be recognized, however, that various features are not necessarily specific to certain embodiments and may be provided on any one or more embodiments. The present disclosure and embodiments provided herein are not mutually exclusive and may be combined, substituted, and omitted. The scope of the invention(s) provided herein is thus not limited to any particular embodiment, drawing, or particular arrangement of features.

(41) While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, the invention(s) described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.

(42) Ranges have been discussed and used within the forgoing description. One skilled in the art would understand that any sub-range within the stated range would be suitable, as would any number within the broad range, without deviating from the invention.

(43) The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiment described hereinabove is further intended to explain the best mode known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.