Abstract
Phase plugs (70) and related audio devices (100, 105) and methods comprise various compression members (2), and guides (120) extending from the compression members (2) to tips (84), are configured such that central axes (93, 99) defined perpendicular to compression members (2) and/or diaphragms (94) are asymmetric and/or non-axisymmetric to the central axes (93, 99).
Claims
1. An in-ear audio device (105) comprising: a hollow sound port (17) formed to fit within an ear canal of a user, the hollow sound port (17) having a first opening (50) directed away from the ear canal of the user, and a second opening (60) directed toward the ear canal; a planar magnetic transducer assembly (90) disposed at the first opening (50); and a non-axisymmetric phase-shift plug (70) disposed within the hollow sound port (17) between the transducer assembly (90) and the second opening (60).
2. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 1 wherein the phase-shift plug (70) is secured within the hollow sound port (17) with one or more spokes (80).
3. An in-ear audio device (105) comprising: a housing (101) having a first acoustic opening (60); a transducer assembly (90) disposed in the housing (101) such that the transducer assembly (90) is located distally from the first acoustic opening (60); and a phase plug (70) disposed within the housing (101) between the transducer assembly (90) and the first acoustic opening (60), such that the phase plug (70) is non-axisymmetric.
4. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 3 wherein the transducer assembly (90) includes a diaphragm (94), such that the diaphragm (94) defines a diaphragm central axis (99) perpendicular thereto; and the phase plug (70) is non-axisymmetric with the diaphragm central perpendicular axis (99).
5. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 4 wherein the diaphragm (94) is substantially planar.
6. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 4 wherein the diaphragm (94) is non-planar.
7. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 4 wherein the first acoustic opening (60) defines a first acoustic opening center point (198) at the center of the first acoustic opening (60) such that the first acoustic opening center point (198) is located off-axis from the diaphragm central perpendicular axis (99).
8. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 3 wherein the phase plug (70) includes: a compression member (2) wherein the compression member (2) further defines a compression member periphery (16); and a phase plug guide (120) extending from the compression member periphery (16) to a tip (84), and configured such that the phase plug guide (120) is exponentially tapered.
9. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 8 wherein the phase plug guide (120) is non-axisymmetric to a central axis (93) defined perpendicular to the compression member (2).
10. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 8, wherein the housing (101) includes an inner wall (30), such that a waveguide (85) is defined between the inner wall (30) and the phase plug guide (120), and wherein shortest path measurements (19f-19g) of the waveguide (85) from points on the compression member periphery (16) to the first acoustic opening (60) are substantially equal.
11. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 10 wherein the inner wall (30) tapers smaller in area toward the first acoustic opening (60).
12. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 3 wherein the phase plug (70) includes: a compression member (2) wherein the compression member (2) further defines a compression member periphery (16); and a phase plug guide (120) extending from the compression member periphery (16) to a tip (84), and configured such that the phase plug guide (120) is conically tapered.
13. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 3 wherein the transducer assembly (90) is a selected from the group consisting of dynamic transducer, planar transducer, planar magnetic transducer, cone voice coil transducer, dome voice coil transducer, electrostatic transducer, and piezo electric transducer.
14. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 3 wherein the housing (101) further comprises an annular indentation ring (402) disposed around a circumference of the housing (101) distal from the first acoustic opening (60).
15. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 14 wherein a flexible partial ring (401) fitted for the annular indentation ring (402) is releasably attachable to the annular indentation ring (402).
16. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 15 wherein the flexible partial ring (401) is attached to a spoke (403) having two ends, such that a first end of the spoke (403) is attached to the flexible partial ring (401), and a second end of the spoke (403) is attached to an earhook (170).
17. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 3 wherein the housing (101) further comprises a bottom housing (15); a second opening (50) in the bottom housing (15) positioned distally from the first acoustic opening (60); and a top housing (110) wherein the top housing (110) is formed to cover the second opening (50) in the bottom housing (15) such that the top housing (110) is releasably attached to the bottom housing (15).
18. An in-ear audio device (105) comprising: a housing (15); an electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90) disposed in a first end of said housing (15); and a phase plug (70) having a compression member (2), a tip (84), and a guide (120) extending from the compression member (2) to the tip (84), wherein the guide (120) is non-axisymmetric to a central axis (93) defined perpendicular to the compression member (2); said housing (15) having an internal cavity (40) tapering from the transducer assembly (90) to a smaller acoustic opening (60) at a second end of the housing (15); said phase plug (70) disposed within said cavity (40) such that the compression member is proximate the transducer assembly (90) and the tip is proximate the acoustic opening.
19. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 18 wherein the tip (84) is not located on the central perpendicular axis (93).
20. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 18 wherein the compression member (2) is substantially planar.
21. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 18 wherein the compression member (2) is substantially non-planar.
22. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 18 wherein the guide (120) is configured such that shortest path surface measurements (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e) measured along shortest path surfaces on the guide (120) from the tip (84) to the compression member (2) are substantially equal.
23. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 18, further comprising at least one waveguide (27) disposed inside the phase plug (70).
24. The in-ear audio device (105) of claim 18 wherein the compression member (2) further comprises a compression member periphery (16); and the guide (120) has a plurality of cross-sectional areas (10-14) defined parallel to the compression member periphery (16), each cross-sectional area (10-14) having a center point (5-9) such that a successive tracing of the center points (5-9) from the compression member (2) to the tip (84) defines a non-rectilinear line (15).
25. The phase plug (70) of claim 24 wherein the guide (120) has a planar perimeter (83) substantially parallel to the compression member periphery (16), the guide (120) being configured such that coplanar slopes (64, 74) of the planar perimeter (83) are unequal.
26. The phase plug (70) of claim 24 wherein the compression member periphery (16) defines a compression member periphery plane (91); and wherein intersecting planes (85, 86, 87, 88) parallel to the compression member periphery plane (91) intersect the guide (120) such that at least one front slope (65, 66, 67, 68) of guide (120) at the intersecting planes (85, 86, 87, 88) is unequal to its opposite side rear slope (75, 76, 77, 78) of the guide (120).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) These and other features, aspects, and advantages will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a planar compression member (2).
(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a convex compression member (2).
(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a concave compression member (2).
(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a planar compression member (2) and shortest path surface measurements (19a-19e).
(6) FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a phase plug (70) with a planar compression member (2).
(7) FIG. 6 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a planar compression member (2) and internal waveguides (27).
(8) FIGS. 7a and 7b show an isometric view of a phase plug (70) with planar compression members (2) and internal waveguides (27).
(9) FIG. 8 shows a side view of an audio device (100) with a non-axisymmetric phase plug (70) with a transducer assembly (90) and a planar compression member (2) and waveguides (85).
(10) FIG. 9 shows a side view of an audio device (100) with a non-axisymmetric phase plug (70), a planar magnetic transducer assembly (90), a top housing (110) and a bottom housing (15), with an acoustic opening center point (198) and shortest path measurements.
(11) FIG. 10 shows a side view of an audio device (100) with a non-axisymmetric phase plug (70) and a concave compression member (2).
(12) FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of a non-axisymmetric planar phase plug (70) mounted in a housing (101).
(13) FIG. 12 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a planar compression member (2) with cross-sectional area center points defining a non-rectilinear line (115).
(14) FIG. 13 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a convex compression member (2) with cross-sectional area center points defining a non-rectilinear line (115).
(15) FIG. 14 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a concave compression member (2) with cross-sectional area center points defining a non-rectilinear line (115).
(16) FIG. 15 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a semi-sphere compression member (2) with cross-sectional area center points defining a non-rectilinear line (115).
(17) FIG. 16 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a planar compression member (2) with unequal coplanar slopes around a planar perimeter (83).
(18) FIG. 17 shows a side view of a phase plug (70) with a planar compression member (2) with planes (85, 86, 87, 88) intersecting the guide (120) parallel to the compression member periphery where front slopes are unequal to rear slopes.
(19) FIG. 18 shows a side view of a non-axisymmetric horn-free audio device (200).
(20) FIG. 19 shows a side view of a symmetric horn-free audio device (200).
(21) FIG. 20 shows a detailed cutaway view of the in-ear audio device (105).
(22) FIGS. 21a-21d show the detachable earhook (170).
(23) FIGS. 22a-22f show plan views of the non-axisymmetric phase plug.
(24) FIG. 23a-23f show various configurations of the housing and phase plug or Fazor, including:
(25) FIG. 23a shows the internal generally-conical tapered element or Fazor (70) integrated with the Sound port (17) and secured with spokes (80).
(26) FIG. 23b illustrates an embodiment where both the Fazor (70) and sound port are detachable from the Sound port (17).
(27) FIG. 23c illustrates the sound port without the Fazor (70).
(28) FIG. 23d shows the outer surface (120) of the Fazor (70) or guide (120) and the inner surface (30) of the sound port essentially in parallel.
(29) FIG. 23e shows the outer surface (120) of the Fazor (70) or guide (120) and the inner surface (30) of the sound port generally expanding.
(30) FIG. 23f shows the outer surface (120) of the Fazor (70) or guide (120) and the inner surface (30) of the sound port generally contracting.
(31) FIG. 24 shows a graph of the excellent frequency response and phase response of a preferred embodiment of the non-axisymmetric phase plug (70) or Fazor (70) implementation.
(32) FIG. 25 shows a graph of the extremely low distortion level of the non-axisymmetric phase plug device or Fazor (70) implementation.
(33) FIG. 26 shows a graph of the poor frequency response and phase response without the non-axisymmetric phase plug implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(34) In the Summary above, in this Detailed Description, in the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps). It is to be understood that the disclosure in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments.
(35) The term comprises and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article comprising (or which comprises) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
(36) The term at least followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, at least 1 means 1 or more than 1. The term at most followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, at most 4 means 4 or less than 4, and at most 40% means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as (a first number) to (a second number) or (a first number)-(a second number), this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm.
(37) Traditionally phase plugs are symmetric about an axis (axisymmetric) of the speaker diaphragm or of the compression member. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary side view of a novel non-axisymmetric phase plug (70). This phase plug (70) is comprised of three primary elements, the compression member (2), the guide (120), and the phase plug tip (84). In FIG. 1, the compression member (2) is flat or planar and is generally configured to be used with a diaphragm (not shown) that is planar or flat, such that the flat driver diaphragm strongly compresses air between the diaphragm and compression member in what is called a compression cavity. In FIG. 1, a central perpendicular axis (93) is defined such that the axis is at the center point of the compression member and perpendicular to it. In a traditional phase plug, the guide ((120) would circumvent or rotate about this axis (93). However, as FIG. 1 shows, the non-axisymmetric characteristics of this novel and unobvious phase plug cause the guide (120) to rotate about the axis (93) in a non-symmetric way. In addition, the phase plug tip (84) also would traditionally lie along the central perpendicular axis (93). However, the novel and unobvious non-axisymmetric phase plug (70) causes the phase plug tip (84) to lie outside of the central perpendicular axis as well.
(38) Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates one aspect of the non-axisymmetrical phase plug (70): (1) that the guide does not axisymmetrically rotate around the perpendicular axis, and (2) that the phase plug tip also does not rotate axisymmetrically around the perpendicular axis.
(39) In addition, FIG. 1 also shows an aspect of a cross-sectional area (95) of the phase plug at the phase plug tip (84). In this aspect, this cross-sectional area is shown to be smaller than the compression member of the phase plug so that the sound waves traveling over the guide (120) can converge at the phase plug tip in a smooth manner thus enabling the sound waves to converge in phase, providing that the distance that the sound waves have traveled are substantially the same.
(40) FIG. 1 also shows a compression member periphery (16) which acts as an edge or border to the compression member. The air is generally compressed between the diaphragm and the compression member, which forces the air over the periphery or edge and into the guide area (120) of the phase plug. FIG. 1 also defines a compression member periphery plane 91, which in FIG. 1 describes the planar aspect of the planar compression member.
(41) However, in distinction to the planar compression member (2) in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows an exemplary phase plug (70) with a convex compression member (2). This convex compression member is designed so that it is shaped in conformance with a similarly shaped diaphragm, such as an inverted dome diaphragm. Thus, with the shapes of the convex compression member being in conformance with the diaphragm, a compression cavity may also be formed with a convex compression member to compress the air and drive it over the compression member periphery (16).
(42) FIG. 2 shows a compression member periphery (16) at the periphery or edge of where the convex compression member ends and where the guide (120) begins. Despite the fact that the convex compression member (2) is not flat, the compression member periphery (16) also defines a compression member periphery plane (91) such that the perpendicular axis (93) is formed at the center of the compression member periphery (16) and is perpendicular to the compression member periphery plane (91). Thus, this describes out axis around which traditional phase plugs would be symmetric or axisymmetric. As FIG. 2 shows, the same non-axisymmetric standards apply, namely that the guide (120) is not symmetric about the axis (93), nor is the phase plug tip axisymmetric about the central perpendicular axis (93).
(43) FIG. 3 shows an exemplary phase plug (70) in which the compression member (2) is concave, as indicated by the dashed line showing the concavity behind the compression member periphery (16). Similar to the convex compression member, the concave compression member is shape din conformance with a diaphragm such as a dome diaphragm. In this way, a compression cavity is also formed, with the compressed air being forced over the compression member periphery (16) to the guide surface (120).
(44) FIG. 3 also shows a compression member periphery plane (91) that is defined from the compression member periphery (16). Thus, the central perpendicular axis (93) in this case is defined to be at the center of the concave compression member periphery (16) and perpendicular to the compression member periphery plane (91). As in the previous two examples, both the guide (120) and the phase plug tip (84) are non-axisymmetric about the central perpendicular axis (93).
(45) FIG. 3 also shows the flexibility that may be obtained in the design of the phase plug tip (84). In FIG. 3, the phase plug tip (84) is designed to have a sharper point, as opposed to the previous two examples. Thus, various styles of phase plug tips may be defined as desired. Although phase plug compression members (2) in the Figures show a generally dome-shaped, inverse-dome, planar, or spherical compression cavity, the compression member and diaphragm may be of any shape, such as an ellipsoid, hyperboloid or paraboloid or a surface derived from a part of the surface of a toroid to match a diaphragm and create a compression cavity. Thus, the shape of the compression cavity may be non-axisymmetric as well.
(46) One of the primary benefits of the non-axisymmetric phase plugs is that they can fit in a curved space such as in an ear canal. However, for a phase plug to work effectively, the shortest path surface distances from the compression member periphery (16) to the phase plug tip (84) must be substantially the same so that the sound waves achieve phase coherence and not cancel each other out at the phase plug tip (84). FIG. 4 illustrates how this is done with a non-axisymmetric phase plug. On the left-hand side of FIG. 4, it can be seen that the bend in the guide shape creates a shortest path surface measurement 19a that is a substantially similar distance as shortest path surface measurement 19e on the far-right side of the phase plug without the sharp bend. Similarly, shortest path surface measurements (19b, 19c, and 19d) all have substantially similar shortest path surface distances. This enables the non-axisymmetric phase plug and guides to achieve phase coherence for the sound waves over different paths to the phase plug tip (84).
(47) To give the reader a more three-dimensional perspective on how this works, FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the non-axisymmetric phase plug using a planar compression member (2).
(48) In addition to using the outside guide surface (120) of the axisymmetrical phase plug (70) to achieve substantially similar shortest path surface distances, FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary use of internal waveguides (27) within the phase plug (70) to achieve similar results. Thus, the phase plug may use the outside guide surfaces (120), the internal waveguides (27), or a combination of these may be used. As long as the shortest path distances are substantially similar, phase coherence can be achieved at the phase plug tip (84).
(49) FIG. 6 illustrates internal waveguides (27) that begin at the compression member (2) and travel through to the phase plug tip (84). However, alternatively, the waveguides (27) may begin at the compression member (2), travel internally through the guide, and exit in the side of the phase plug at the center of the guide or any other location in the guide. The sound waves may then travel external to the guide (120), such that the entire distance from the compression member through the waveguide (27) and out to the guide (120) and then to the phase plug tip (84), so that the entire distance is substantially the same distance as any of the other surface distances. Alternatively, the waveguide (27) may begin at the center of the guide (120), then travel through the phase plug (70), and then emerge from the phase plug (70) out in another place in the guide (120) or out the tip (84), so that the entire distance of the waveguides are substantially the same distance.
(50) The waveguides (27) internal to the phase plug may be tunnels (21) through the phase plug (70), annular rings (22) through the phase plug (70), radial waveguides (23) through the phase plug (70), spirals (24) through the phase plug (70), asymmetric waveguides (25) through the phase plug (70), or non-axisymmetric waveguides (26) through the phase plug (70).
(51) FIGS. 7a and 7b are illustrative isometric views to give the readers a better three-dimensional perspective on different approaches to using these internal non-axisymmetrical waveguides (27).
(52) FIG. 8 provides a cutaway side view of a non-axisymmetrical audio device (100) with a non-axisymmetrical phase plug (70). Here, the audio device (100) comprises a transducer assembly 90, which in this Figure uses a planar magnet transducer. FIG. 8 also illustrates the use of a central perpendicular axis (99) that is established from the center point of the diaphragm (94) as opposed to the compression member center point (93).
(53) FIG. 8 shows a housing (101), with the transducer (90) and the phase plug (70) inside the housing (101). FIG. 8 also illustrates the housing outer wall (20) and the housing inner wall (30). A waveguide (85) is thus formed between the housing inner wall (30) and the guide (120) of the phase plug (70). FIG. 8 also shows the phase plug tip (84) being distal from the transducer assembly (90) and proximate to the first acoustic opening (60). By designing the non-axisymmetric phase plug (70) similar to the housing inner wall (30), waveguides (85) may be formed which have the same waveguide distances from the compression member periphery (16) to the first acoustic opening (60) so that sound wave phase coherence is obtained through the first acoustic opening (60).
(54) FIG. 8 also illustrates that the acoustic housing itself may be non-axisymmetric. This is illustrated by defining a first acoustic opening center point (198), at the center of the first acoustic opening, such that the first acoustic opening center point (198) does not lie on the central perpendicular axis (99).
(55) FIG. 9 illustrates that the housing (101) may be separated into a top housing (110) and a bottom housing (15). In this example, the top housing (110) may be releasably attachable to the bottom housing (15) such that the transducers (90) may be changed, or bottom housings (15) may be swapped out, such that different size housings, different phase plugs, and other different configurations may be obtained.
(56) FIG. 9 also shows that the shortest path surface measurement 19f on the left-hand side of the phase plug (70) in FIG. 9 may be substantially similar in distance to the shortest path surface measurement 19g on the right-hand side of the phase plug (70). This further demonstrates the capability of achieving strong phase coherence in a non-axisymmetric acoustical housing.
(57) FIG. 10 shows a side view of audio device (100) with the releasably attachable top housing (110), but in this case, the housing comprises a concave compression member (2) in conformance with a dynamic speaker dome diaphragm (94).
(58) To give the reader a three-dimensional visualization of the phase plug (70), FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of the acoustical housing (101) with the non-axisymmetric phase plug (70) installed and supported by spokes (80) to secure the phase plug (70) into place.
(59) FIG. 12 shows an alternative view of defining a non-axisymmetric phase plug (70), wherein compression member (2) is operatively configured with a transducer diaphragm, such that compression member (2) has a periphery (16); and the guide (120) extends from the compression member periphery (16) to a phase plug tip (84). In this example, the guide (120) has a plurality of cross-sectional areas (10-14) defined substantially parallel to the compression member periphery (16). Each cross-sectional area (10-14) has a center point (5-9) such that a successive tracing of the cross-sectional area center points (5-9) from the compression member (2) to the tip (84) defines a non-rectilinear line (115).
(60) FIG. 13 shows a similar defining of a non-axisymmetric phase plug using the non-rectilinear line approach, but with a convex compression member (2). FIG. 14 illustrates the same principle with a concave compression member (2). FIG. 15 illustrates the capability of using a semi-spherical compression member (2) conformal to a semi-spherical transducer diaphragm (94). Here, the compression member periphery (16) is defined in relation to the conformal transducer diaphragm (94).
(61) FIG. 16 shows a side view of phase plug (70) with a planar compression member (2). Here, the phase plug (70) defines a planar perimeter (83) around the guide (120) substantially parallel to the compression member periphery (16), such that coplanar slopes (64, 74) of the perimeter (83) around the guide are unequal slopes.
(62) FIG. 17 shows a side view of phase plug (70) wherein the compression member periphery (16) defines a compression member periphery plane (91), such that when planes (85, 86, 87, 88) are in parallel with the compression member periphery plane, they intersect the guide (120), such that at least one front slope (65, 66, 67, 68) of guide (120) at planes (85, 86, 87, 88) is unequal to its opposite side rear slope (75, 76, 77, 78) of guide (120).
(63) FIG. 18 shows a horn-free audio device (200) as an aspect, where a housing (101) has a first acoustic opening (60); a transducer assembly (90) is disposed on the housing (101), such that the transducer assembly (90) is located distal to the first acoustic opening (60); and phase plug (70) is disposed within the housing (101) between the transducer assembly (90) and the first acoustic opening (60), such that the acoustic opening (60) is free of a horn (106). Traditionally, phase plugs guide compressed sound waves into a horn. Here, novelty and unobviousness is established by the fact that this device uses no horn at all. When viewed as an earphone, the converged coherence of the sound waves at the first acoustic opening (60) can be fed directly into the ear without the need for the industry-standard horn.
(64) Thus, the dashed lines in FIG. 18 are used to indicate that there is no traditional horn involved. The first acoustic opening (60) emits the compressed coherent sound waves past the phase plug, and out the first acoustic opening directly into the ear.
(65) In another aspect, FIG. 18 illustrates that the housing (101) may also comprise a second acoustic opening (202). This second acoustic opening may be used to establish that the housing is open or semi-closed.
(66) FIG. 19 illustrates this same novel approach of not using a horn (horn avoidance) for a symmetrical phase plug as well as with a non-axisymmetrical phase plug. Here, the diaphragm compresses the air at audio frequencies against the compression member (2). The vibrating air is then passed through the waveguides (85) so that the sound wave coheres at the exit point but directly into the ear without any semblance of a horn or other decompression or expansion action.
(67) FIG. 19 also illustrates that the housing (101) may also comprise a second acoustic opening (202). This second acoustic opening may be used to establish that the housing is open or semi-closed.
(68) FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of one aspect of invention, an illustrative in-ear audio device (105). The device (105) comprises an illustrative tapered hollow sound port (17), an illustrative internal generally-conical tapered element (70) (also described as a phase shifting element, phase-shift plug, or Fazor) which is suspended within the tapered hollow sound port, and an illustrative electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90) mounted around the rim of the large opening (50) of the tapered hollow sound port.
(69) The tapered external surface (20) or housing outer wall (20) of the tapered hollow sound port may be formed to fit within an ear canal. The standard ear canal sound ports (10) may be standard universal-style housings which fit many people, or they may be individually molded to fit individual ears by using methods to form or mold individual ear shapes to fit individual people, as is common in the industry. The internal tapered surface (30) or housing inner wall (30) of the sound port is formed to affect the acoustical properties such as phasing and phase-shifting, decreased sound diffraction, improved acoustic loading, improved reflection characteristics, and decreased sound distortion. By varying the size and shape of the Internal Tapered Cavity (40) or waveguide (85), various acoustical adjustments may be made.
(70) FIG. 20 also shows the internal generally-conical tapered element (70) (also described as a phase shifting element, phase-shift plug, or Fazor), which may be inserted into or molded on the sound port (17). The internal generally-conical tapered element (70) may be formed in various shapes to affect the acoustical properties of the device. These acoustical properties also may comprise phasing and phase-shifting, decreased sound diffraction, improved acoustic loading, improved reflection characteristics, and decreased sound distortion. By varying the shape and placement of the phase-shifting element (70) within the Internal Tapered Cavity (40) or waveguide (85) in the sound port (17) the change in shape of the at least one waveguides (85) between the phase-shifting element (70) and the internal tapered surface (30) or housing inner wall (30) will enable finely controllable acoustic properties such as phase-shifting, decreased sound diffraction, improved acoustic loading, improved reflection characteristics, and decreased sound distortion.
(71) The internal generally-conical tapered element (70) is not limited to a single instance, as there may be multiple internal generally-conical tapered elements (70) within the Internal Tapered Cavity (40) or waveguide (85) (not shown). The internal generally-conical tapered element (70) is also not limited to being in the center of the Internal Tapered Cavity (40) or waveguide (85). Although the internal generally-conical tapered element (70) may be attached to the sound port (17) with one or more spokes (80), the internal generally-conical tapered element (70) may also be attached directly to the internal tapered surface (30) or housing inner wall (30) to adjust the acoustical properties in the Internal Tapered Cavity (40) or waveguide (85).
(72) The outer surface (120) of the Fazor (70) or guide (120) is generally smooth in its tapering. However, the outer surface (120) of the Fazor (70) or guide (120) is not necessarily completely parallel to the internal tapered surface (30) or housing inner wall (30). In other words, the waveguides (85) may or may not be the same width in all locations. The waveguides may be parallel, inward-sloping, or outward-sloping as they travel from the large opening (50) to the smaller opening (60).
(73) FIG. 20 also shows the illustrative electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90) comprising illustrative magnets (92), one or more diaphragms (94), and one or more diaphragm frames (96). The electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90) may be any type of various electro-acoustic transducer assemblies (90), including dynamic transducers, planar transducers, planar magnetic transducers, cone voice coil transducers, dome voice coil transducers, electrostatic transducers, piezo electric transducers, or any other kind of transducer. Further, this electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90) may optionally be sealed or not sealed to the rim of the bottom housing (15).
(74) FIG. 20 also shows an optional illustrative top housing (110) mounted on the top rim of the large opening (50) in the tapered hollow sound port (17). This top housing 110 is optional, but if it is used, it may be closed, open, or semi-closed (not shown) as desired to affect the audio characteristics of the device (105).
(75) FIG. 20 also shows an optional illustrative outer damping material (150) placed above the electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90). This outer damping material (150) may be made of cloth, foam, mesh, or other material for the purposes of damping acoustic signals and/or protection of the electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90).
(76) FIG. 20 also shows an optional illustrative inner damping material (140) placed below the electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90). This inner damping material (140) may be made of cloth, foam, mesh, or other material for the purposes of damping acoustic signals.
(77) FIG. 20 also shows an illustrative optional ear tip (160) positioned around the small hole (60) in the tapered hollow sound port (17). This ear tip (160) may be made of a soft material such as silicone, rubber, foam, or any other material that would be comfortable in the ear and provide sound isolation.
(78) FIG. 20 also shows an illustrative optional sound port damping material (195) which may be used inside of the sound port (17) above the smaller opening (60). This sound port damping material (195) may be made of any acoustical material, and is generally used for controlling the frequency response.
(79) FIG. 20 also includes an illustrative optional concha ring or ear hook (170) for support and stability of the device. This concha ring or ear hook (170) may be affixed to the device or it may be detachable, such that the wearer or user may take the ear hook (170) off or put it on as desired. Further the concha ring or ear hook (170) may be made of any desired material in any desirable shape or style.
(80) FIG. 21 shows various aspects with an earhook (170) including concha rings to support the earphones in the ear. The earhook (170) comprises: a flexible partial ring (401) that is releasably attachable to an annular indentation ring (402) on the bottom housing (15). The earhook also comprises an earhook spoke (403) having two ends, such that the first end of the spoke (403) is attached to the flexible partial ring (401). The concave section of an arc member (404) is disposed on the second end of the spoke (403), such that the arc member (404) fits into and adheres to a human ear concha.
(81) To clearly establish the shape and design of the phase plug (70), FIG. 22a-FIG. 22f establishes the perspective views of the planar compression member phase plug. Here, left side, right side, front, back, bottom view and top view are established, including dashed lines for the spokes (80) to secure Fazor (phase plug (70)) in place.
(82) In FIG. 23, various aspects of the Fazor (Phase Plug (70)) are described in FIGS. 23a-23f. Turning now to FIG. 23a, we see the Fazor (70) integrated with the bottom housing (15). In FIG. 23a, the Fazor may be secured with one or more spokes (80). Cross sections of these spokes are generally shaped to be aerodynamic such that the top edges are rounded, and the bottom edges are smoothly tapered so as to minimize reflections, diffractions, interference, and other air turbulence. These spokes (80) should be as small as possible, but they can expand through the whole length of the Fazor (70).
(83) FIG. 23b illustrates an embodiment where the Fazor (70) and the sound port (17) are detachable from the bottom housing (15). This solution allows different shapes and sizes of sound ports (10) to be installed on the same earphones. The sound port can also be molded to an ear canal impression of the user for the best possible fit. In this case ear tips (160) may be avoided since the sound port may be already molded to accurately fit the ear canal. In this embodiment, making the electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90) removable from the bottom housing (15) makes it replaceable by a different electro-acoustic transducer assembly. Further, making the top housing (110) removable from the bottom housing (15), makes the bottom housing (15) replaceable with a different top housing (110). Alternatively, by making the top housing (110) and the electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90) as a single unit, the entire unit is removable and replaceable by a different top housing and transducer assembly.
(84) FIG. 23c illustrates the sound port (17) without the Fazor (70).
(85) FIG. 23d shows the outer surface (120) of the Fazor (70) or guide (120) and the inner surface (30) of the sound port essentially in parallel. Here the waveguide (85) shape has an important role in acoustic impedance matching. Proper design provides better efficiency, smoother frequency response, better high frequency extension, and smoother phase response.
(86) FIG. 23e shows the outer surface (120) of the Fazor (70) or guide (120) and the inner surface (30) of the sound port generally expanding as the waveguide (85) gets closer to the smaller opening (60).
(87) FIG. 23f shows the outer surface (120) of the Fazor (70) or guide (120) and the inner surface (30) of the sound port generally contracting as the waveguide (85) gets closer to the smaller opening (60).
(88) FIG. 24 shows a graph with the upper line describing the frequency response of a Fazor (70) implementation, while the lower line shows the smooth phase response of the Fazor (70) implementation. This is the typical frequency response of the preferred embodiment with the Fazor (70). Here, the high frequency response extends relatively smoothly.
(89) FIG. 25 shows a graph of a typical, extremely low distortion level with the Fazor (70), as well as Fluxor magnets and planar magnetic electro-acoustic transducer assembly (90).
(90) FIG. 26 shows a graph of the frequency response curves of a non-Fazor (70) implementation in the upper line, and the phase response curves of a non-Fazor (70) implementation in the lower line. Without Fazor (70) the same earphones exhibit poor frequency response, peaky high frequencies and faster roll-off, and phase response also deteriorates above 1000 Hz.
(91) Aspects of the present invention further comprise a method patent comprising the steps of reforming the bottom assembly such that the in-ear device (105) phase-shifts the acoustic signals for different acoustic qualities, e.g., different frequency response, decreased sound diffraction, improved acoustic loading, improved reflection characteristics, and decreased sound distortion.
(92) Aspects of the present invention further comprise a method patent comprising the steps of reforming the internal generally-conical tapered element (70) such that the in-ear device (105) phase-shifts the acoustic signals for different acoustic qualities, such as frequency response, decreased sound diffraction, improved acoustic loading, improved reflection characteristics, and decreased sound distortion.
(93) Aspects of the present invention may also comprise a system of interacting and adjustable parts such that the in-ear device (105) interactively phase-shifts the acoustic signals for different acoustic qualities, such as frequency response, decreased sound diffraction, improved acoustic loading, improved reflection characteristics, and decreased sound distortion.
(94) Present embodiments satisfy the above described needs and provide further related advantages.
(95) The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Various additional modifications of the described embodiments specifically illustrated and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in in the art, particularly in light of the teachings of this invention. It is intended that the invention cover all modifications and embodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope. Thus, while embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that these are not limited to the description herein, but may be otherwise modified based upon this invention.
