Controlling own-voice experience of talker with occluded ear
US9949048B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/05
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are provided for controlling the own-voice experience of a user who talks while an earpiece is mounted to occlude an ear of the user. A vibration sensor is engaged with the user's head to sense vibrations formed by the user speaking and conducted by the user's head to the vibration sensor. A signal generator operates a speaker element, which is integrated with the earpiece, to generate sound waves in the ear canal of the user, based on the output signal of the vibration sensor. The signal generator generates the sound waves to at least partially cancel other sound waves that are generated by at least part of said vibrations entering the ear canal from surrounding bone and/or tissue. The system and method counteracts the occlusion effect and are applicable in connection with in-ear headsets, earphones, in-ear headphones, in-ear monitors, circumaural headphones, hearing aids, earplugs and earmuffs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.