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`
`USOOS761298A
`
`Ulllted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,761,298
`
`Davis et a1.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jun. 2, 1998
`
`
`[54] COMMUNICATIONS HEADSET WITH
`UNIVERSALLY ADAPTABLE RECEIVER
`AND VOICE TRANSMITTER
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Michael G. Davis. Dallas. Oreg.; David
`G' Haflmg' Needhm‘ Mass'; 5“)“ R
`Burr. Felton. Calif.; Robert V. Davies.
`Scotts Valley. Calif.; Robert J.
`2
`tt
`.
`'
`.
`Bemardl See 5 Valley Calif
`[73] Assignee: Plamronics, Inc.. Santa Cruz. Calif.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 658,838
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`May 31, 1996
`
`5.381.436
`5.414.769
`5,446,788
`5,448,646
`5'450'496
`5,469,505
`5,533,122
`
`1/1995 Ludeke et a1.
`5/1995 Gatiey el al.
`8/1995 Lucey et a].
`9/1995 Lucey et a].
`9/1995 Bums 9‘ 31‘
`11/1995 Gattey et 211.
`7/1996 Ganey et a1.
`
`
`
`......
`. 331/187
`379/430
`
`
`379/430
`381/74
`
`3:333
`
`........................... 379/430
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3210034 A1
`3/1982 Germany.
`93 13 2239
`4/1993 Gama“ ‘
`Primary Examiner—Jack Chiang
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fenwick & West LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Int. Cl.6 ............................. H04M 1/00; H04R 25/00
`[51]
`
`[52] US. Cl.
`.................
`379/430; 381/183; 381/187
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 379/430. 423.
`379/433; 331/133_ 187. 68.5. 68.6. 68.7.
`69
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`11/1996 Davis et a1.
`.......................... D14/223
`D. 375,959
`2,485,405 1011949 Olney et a],
`179/102
`
`3,440,365
`4/1969 Bryant et a1.
`179/156
`
`3.610.841
`10/1971 Hutchings
`..... 179/156
`4335331
`5/1932 500“ 91 31-
`-- 179/156
`
`
`47429494
`1/1934 Kamon '31 91-
`179/182
`--
`
`4’617’431 10/1986 SC” et a].
`' 179,156
`:33’3 213$ 3:512:13! 11'
`‘ 331/12;
`
`
`5,210,792
`5/1993 Kajihara ......
`379/430
`5,345,509
`9/1994 Hofer et al.
`........................... 381/6815
`
`A communications headset includes a headset enclosure and
`a receiver enclosure coupled thereto by various means
`allowing displacement of the receiver enclosure with respect
`to the headset enclosure at any of a variety of angles.
`rotations. and distances. The adaptable positioning of the
`receiver enclosure allows the headset to be used by a wide
`variety of users having difierent ear shapes and sizes. while
`providing a stable. comfortable fit and ensuring good acous-
`tic performance. In one embodiment the receiver enclosure
`is slidably COUpled to a bell tube having a ball that rests in
`a socket of the headset enclosure. The receiver enclosure can
`telescope along the length of the ball tube and can rotate
`about an axis of the tube. The ball can be rotated in the
`socket to position the receiver enclosure at any of a variety
`of angles relative to the headset enclosure. A voice trans-
`miner is also coupled to the headset enclosure so as to allow
`adjustment of length. angular position. and rotation.
`
`6 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Bose Exhibit 1033
`
`Bose V. Koss
`
`

`

`US. Patent
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 1 of 9
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`5,761,298
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`FIG. 1
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`23/
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`20
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`22
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 2 of 9
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`5,761,298
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`FIG. 2
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`Jr:22
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 3 of 9
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 4 of 9
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`5,761,298
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`av.
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`mm.OE
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 5 of 9
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`5,761,298
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`28
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`48
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`FIG. 6
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 6 of 9
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`FIG. 7
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 7 of 9
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`FIG. 8
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 3 of 9
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`FIG. 9
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 2, 1998
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`Sheet 9 0f 9
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`5,761,298
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`

`

`1
`COMMUNICATIONS HEADSET WITH
`UNIVERSALLY ADAPTABLE RECEIVER
`AND VOICE TRANSMITTER
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to communications
`headsets. and more particularly to self-supporting. monaural
`headsets containing a microphone and a receiver.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Communications headsets can be used in a diversity of
`applications. and are particularly etiective for telephone
`operators. radio operators. aircraft personnel. and for other
`situations wherein it is desirable to support “hands free”
`access to communications systems. Accordingly. a wide
`variety of headsets are known in the prior art.
`Known communications headsets can be broadly charac-
`terized on the basis of several fundamental aspects of their
`design and function. including: whether they deliver mon-
`aural or binaural sound; whether they employ an invasive
`ear tip or a non-invasive loudspeaker in establishing a
`receiver-to-ear acoustical coupling; how they are physically
`supported on the user: their acoustical characteristics; and
`their ergonomic qualities.
`Typically in the art. headsets which deliver binaural sound
`(i.e. ones which have acoustical transducers for both ears)
`may utilize some type of headband arrangement to secure
`receiver elements beside each ear. Although generally pro-
`viding very stable support for the headset. headbands have
`the disadvantages that they increase the size and weight of
`the headset. and tend to be uncomfortable and obtrusive to
`the user.
`
`Monaural headsets (having only a single receiver situated
`near one car) may be either right-handed or left—handed. or
`may incorporate a single design adaptable to left or right ear
`use. Monaural headsets may be implemented with either a
`headband supporting a single receiver element. or with an
`earhook that fits around the ear. Such earhook headsets may
`be quite compact. and therefore may not require the stability
`provided by a headband. However. uneven weight distribu—
`tion can be a problem for earhook monaural headsets. since
`the majority of the headset components are concentrated on
`one side of the head. Conventional self-supporting earhook
`headsets typically rely on either a clamping mechanism to
`grip the user’s ear. or a dual point retention system using
`opposing leverage against the ear by portion of the earhook
`itself.
`
`Ergonomic considerations in the design of communica-
`tions headsets include the comfort of the device. the ease of
`putting the headset on and subsequently adjusting it for use.
`the stability of retention. the restriction of user mobility
`resulting from the wearing of the headset. as well as the
`quality of sound delivered by the device. Comfort and
`stability of the headset on the ear is believed to be among the
`most critical ergonomic considerations. Acoustical qualities
`of communications headsets are often closely dependent on
`other aspects of the design. For example. the acoustical
`quality of the sound heard by a user is clearly affected by the
`nature of the receiver-to-ear seal. Invasive ear tips provide a
`good seal. but can suffer from problems of comfort and
`hygiene. Non-invasive loudspeaker-type receivers. on the
`other hand. are more susceptible to acoustical degradation
`from background-level sound and attenuation of the acous-
`tical wave passing through open space from the receiver to
`the auditory meatus.
`Another acoustical problem results from the arrangement
`and size of components in a headset. Naturally. it is desirable
`
`5.761.298
`
`2
`
`to utilize microphones and receivers of the smallest possible
`size and least weight. making the resulting headset as light
`and compact as possible. Typically. however. smaller com-
`ponents deliver a weaker and/or lower quality acoustical
`signal. and must accordingly be closely coupled to the user.
`Given the number of difierent considerations and constraints
`to be satisfied. it can be seen that headset design requires
`balancing many different. often competing considerations.
`Further. it is well known that there are large variations in
`the physical characteristics of population in terms of the
`size. shape. and structure of the ear and the head. the position
`of the ear on the head. and other biometric concerns.
`Because of the large amount of variation between users.
`conventional approaches to headset design. particularly for
`earhook headset. tend to result in a headset that is comfort-
`ably and stably worn by only a fraction of the population of
`users. For example. design tradeofis to reduce size and
`weight and increase acoustical performance. may require a
`headset that is limited in the flexibility of applications. such
`as to only one ear. or cars within a certain size range. or
`requires specific means to clamp or secure the earhook. Any
`of these constraints may make the headset unusable or
`uncomfortable for a large number of users who do not have
`conforming ear shapes. sizes and positions. In other cases.
`making the headset comfortable for a large variety of users
`results in a lower quality of acoustic performance due to
`improper acoustic coupling of the receiver to the ear.
`One area of particular discomfort and variation in users is
`the size of the concha. the cavity surrounding the opening to
`the ear canal. Some headsets have an earbud that is placed '
`in the concha. typically to provide a better acoustic coupling
`to the ear canal. Typically. the earbuds are non-removably
`coupled to the receiver of the headset. The earbud being
`fixed in size. it typically is sized on the assumption that it
`will fit a large number of users. However. given the varia-
`tions in users. such an approach will not provide a comfort-
`able solution to all users.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Accordingly. it is desirable to provide an earhook headset
`that is comfortable and stable for a large variety of users
`having varying physical characteristics. while providing
`high quality acoustic performance.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`The present invention overcomes the limitations of con—
`ventional headset designs by providing a lightweight. self-
`supporting headset which can be comfortably and securely
`fitted to a wide range of users without undue individual
`attention. The headset of the present invention may be easily
`adjusted and fitted so as be worn comfortably and in a firm
`and stable fashion around the ear of a wearer.
`
`The foregoing and other features are achieved in accor—
`dance with the present invention by providing a headset
`including a receiver enclosure carried by a headset enclosure
`having an arcuate ear hook. The receiver enclosure is
`coupled to the headset enclosure by an attachment member
`that allows the receiver enclosure to have at
`least three
`degrees of freedom in its position relative to the body of the
`headset enclosure. including rotation about an axis with
`respect to the headset enclosure. and movement in and
`through a plane of the headset enclosure that is approxi—
`mately parallel to the plane of the ear.
`The freedom of movement and rotation provided to the
`receiver enclosure by the attachment member enables the
`headset
`to be used on either ear. and for the receiver
`enclosure to be positioned in any of numerous locations.
`comfortably placing the receiver in the concha of the ear.
`
`

`

`5.761.298
`
`3
`Once placed in the concha of the ear. the receiver enclosure
`and headset enclosure form a stably. trilaterally supported
`structure. This arrangement makes the receiver enclosure
`universally adaptable with respect to a large variety of users
`having various shapes and sizes of cars.
`Additionally. the receiver enclosure may be coupled to the
`headset enclosure so as to move toward and away from the
`headset enclosure along the axis. increasing or decreasing
`the distance between the receiver enclosure and the headset
`enclosure. This feature further increases the flexibility and
`adaptability of the headset to various users. by accomodat—
`ing different size and shape ears.
`The receiver enclosure is coupled to the headset enclosure
`by the attachment member so that the electrical circuitry for
`a receiver transducer in the receiver enclosure passes from
`the headset enclosure through the attachment member to the
`receiver enclosure. This feature reduces the likelihood of
`damage to the leads from external exposure to the user
`environment. without impairing the adaptability of the head-
`set. In addition. this feature enables the leads to enter the
`headset enclosure from behind the user’s ear. such that the
`connecting cable hangs down behind the ear. rather than in
`front or along side of it. This further increases the user’s
`comfort and the stability of the headset by beneficial weight—
`ing and distribution of mass.
`The coupling of the receiver enclosure to the headset
`enclosure to enable the freedom of movement and position
`may be achieved through various implementations of the
`attachment member. In one embodiment. the receiver enclo-
`sure is coupled to the headset enclosure by a ball and socket
`mechanism. The ball and socket portion reside in the headset
`enclosure. The ball has a bored cavity and is coupled to a
`receiver tube that extends from the headset enclosure to the
`receiver enclosure. The ball and socket allow the receiver
`enclosure to move freely through a number of angular
`positions with respect the headset enclosure. The receiver
`enclosure is also able to rotate about the receiver tube.
`
`Through the cavity of the ball and the receiver tube pass the
`electrical conductors of a receiver circuit to the transducer in
`the receiver enclosure.
`
`In another implementation the attachment member is a
`universal joint. again allowing the receiver enclosure to be
`disposed with respect to the headset enclosure at any of a
`variety of angles and positions.
`In yet another
`implementation. the receiver enclosure couples to the head-
`set enclosure with a flexible. extendible member. such as
`corrogated tube.
`To further aid in the adaptability of the headset of the
`present invention to a variety of users. a voice transmitter.
`such as a voice tube or microphone boom. is coupled to the
`headset enclosure and has a variable length. being movable
`toward and away from the headset about an axis along the
`length of the voice transmitter. The variable length of the
`voice transmitter enables it to adjusted for variations in the
`distance between the user’s mouth and the ear. Also. the
`voice transmitter may be coupled to the headset enclosure so
`as to rotate about its axis. thereby providing further precision
`in the placement of the voice transmitter relative to the
`user’mouth. The voice transmitter may be a tube conducting
`the user‘ s voice to a microphone in the headset enclosure. or
`the microphone may be placed at the distal end of the voice
`transmitter. with electrical conductors passing to a transmit-
`ter circuit in the headset enclosure.
`
`Another feature of the present invention is the detachable
`coupling of earbuds of different sizes and shapes to the
`receiver enclosure. The receiver enclosure includes a socket
`
`4
`onto which an earbud detachably mounts and acoustically
`couples. communicating acoustical signals from the receiver
`transducer to the ear canal of the user. This arrangement
`enables interchangeable earbuds. allowing the user to select
`an earbud that is most comfortable from a variety of diifer—
`ently sized and shaped earbuds. This feature further
`increases the universal adaptability of the headset to diifer—
`ent users.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a side view of a headset in accordance with the
`present
`invention and illustrating the rotation. angular
`displacement. and axial extendibility of the receiver enclo-
`sure and voice transmitter with respect
`to the headset
`enclosure.
`FIG. 2 is a front view of the headset shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3a is a cross-section View of the headset of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3b is side View of the headset of FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 4 is a top. perspective view of one detachable
`earbud.
`
`FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of another detachable
`earbud.
`FIG. 6 is a front view of the receiver enclosure and
`mounting socket.
`FIG. 7 is an illustration of a user positioning the receiver
`enclosure prior to application of the headset.
`FIG. 8 is an illustration of a user positioning the receiver
`enclosure in the ear.
`
`FIG. 9 is an illustration of the trilateral support locations
`of the headset of the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is an illustration of a user positioning the voice
`transmitter.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2. there is illustrated one
`embodiment of a headset in accordance with the present
`invention. Headset 10 includes a headset enclosure 12
`having an arcuate earhook 13. The earhook 13 and body of
`the headset enclosure 12 lie substantially in a vertical plane
`parallel to the plane of the ear.
`Coupled to the headset enclosure 12 are a voice trans-
`mitter 17 and a receiver enclosure 32. Headset enclosure 12
`contains a first cavity (not shown) in which reside transmit—
`ter and receiver circuits.
`
`The receiver enclosure 32 couples to the headset enclo-
`sure 12 by an attachment member. In one embodiment. the
`attachment member is a ball tube 28 extending from the
`receiver enclosure 32 to a socket 30 on the headset enclosure
`12. An axis 19 passes through the ball tube 28 and the
`receiver enclosure 32. Ball tube 28 and socket 30 together
`facilitate the angular adjustment of receiver enclosure 32
`with respect to headset enclosure 12. as indicated by arrows
`38. Generally. receiver enclosure 32 may be positioned such
`that the ball tube 28 and axis 19 lie at any of plurality of
`angles either passing through or in the plane of the headset
`enclosure 12. as variously indicated by arrows 38. This
`freedom of positioning enables the headset 10 to be adap-
`tively configured by a large variety of diiferent users. as
`funher detailed below.
`
`10
`
`l5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6S
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`In this preferred embodiment. receiver enclosure 32 is
`slidably engaged over ball tube 28. enabling receiver enclo-
`sure 32 to be telescopically extended or retracted along the
`ball tube 28 (on axis 19) with respect to headset enclosure
`
`

`

`5.761.298
`
`5
`12. as indicated by arrow 37. This enables the receiver
`enclosure 32 to be positioned at various distances from the
`headset enclosure 12. accommodating many different size
`ears.
`
`Further. receiver enclosure 32 is rotatable about the ball
`tube 28 on axis 19 with respect to headset enclosure 12. as
`indicated by arrow 36. The range of rotation of receiver
`enclosure 32 in the direction of arrow 36 is preferably at
`least 180°. This range of rotation enables headset 10 to be
`worn over either a user’s right or left ear. It further enables
`the receiver enclosure 32 to be more precisely oriented
`toward the concha of the ear. again fitting a larger number
`of users. and increasing the quality of the acoustic seal
`between the receiver enclosure 32 and the concha.
`
`Collectively. ball tube 28. socket joint 30. and the tele-
`scopic and rotatable engagement of receiver enclosure 32
`with respsect to headset enclosure 12 enable headset 10 to
`accommodate a variety of ear sizes. positions. and
`orientations.
`thereby enabling a comfortable. and stable
`placement for many different users.
`In one embodiment. the voice transmitter 17 includes a
`voice tube arm 16 and a voice tube 20. In this embodiment.
`the user’s voice is conducted through the voice transmitter
`17 to a microphone (not shown) disposed within headset
`enclosure 12. Voice signals are converted to electrical sig—
`nals and applied to a transmitter circuit disposed within
`headset enclosure 12. The voice tube arm 16 extends out of
`a forward end of headset enclosure 12. In the presently
`preferred embodiment of the invention. voice tube arm 16 is
`coupled to headset enclosure 12 with a ball-and-socket joint
`18. Ball-and—socket joint 18 enables voice tube arm 16 (and
`hence voice transmitter 17) to extend out of headset enclo-
`sure 12 over a range of angles with respect to headset
`enclosure 12. as indicated by arrows 22.
`The voice tube 20 is either rigid or semi-rigid and has an
`audio filter cap 21 at its distal end. Under the audio filter cap
`21 there is an acoustic damper that damps standing waves in
`the tube 20. The voice tube 20 is slidably engaged over voice
`tube arm 16. facilitating rotation of voice tube 20 with
`respect to voice tube arm 16 (and hence headset enclosure
`12) about a longitudinal axis 34. as indicated by arrow 24.
`This further enables the headset 10 to be used on either the
`left or right ear. and provides more precise positioning of the
`voice transmitter 17 relative to the user’s mouth. The
`slidable engagement also further facilitates the telescoping
`extension or retraction of voice tube 20 with respect to
`headset enclosure 12. as indicated by arrow 26. The slidable
`and rotatable engagement of voice tube 20 over voice tube
`arm 16. and the degrees of freedom afforded by ball-and-
`socket joint 18 together serve to provide considerable flex-
`ibility in positioning the distal end of voice tube 20 adjacent
`to a wearer’s mouth. affording a comfortable fit. and better
`communication of the user’s voice to the voice transmitter
`17.
`
`Alternatively. the voice transmitter 17 may incorporate a
`boom microphone arrangement in place of the voice tube
`arrangement described. In this embodiment. a microphone
`housing is located at the end of a tube similar in construction
`to voice tube 20. without having the damping elements. The
`microphone for such an embodiment
`is preferrably a
`directional. noise—cancelling type. The voice transmitter 17
`forms a hollow tube that passes electrical conductors from
`the microphone to transmitter circuitry in the headset enclo-
`sure 12. In this embodiment. variable angular positioning of
`the voice transmitter 20 may also be achieved by use of
`wire—shaped malleable. formable metal backbone covered
`
`6
`
`by a flexible. plastic jacket. which also covers conductors
`from the microphone to the headset enclosure 12. The
`malleable. formable backbone allows for variable position-
`ing of the distal microphone with respect to the headset
`enclosure 12. The backbone is coupled to a rotatable base.
`allowing for rotational positioning relative to axis 34.
`Entering the headset enclosure 12 behind the earhook 13
`is an electrical cable 40. Electrical cable 40 includes elec-
`trical leads (not shown) interconnecting circuitry in headset
`enclosure 12 to a suitable plug connector 42.
`In one
`embodiment. plug connector 42 is of the type disclosed in
`US. Pat. No. 5.259.780 to Morrissey 1]]. et al.. entitled
`“Quick Disconnect Wu'ing Connector.” The Morrissey m et
`al. ’780 patent is commonly assigned to the assignee of the
`present invention. The connection of electrical cable 40 to
`the headset enclosure 12 is protected by strain relief 14. The
`placement of the cable 40 behind the earhook 13 positions
`the cable 40 to hang behind the ear. rather than hanging
`straight down from the receiver enclosure 32 as would be the
`case if the cable 40 coupled to the receiver enclosure 32
`directly. as in some conventional headsets.
`As best observed in the front view of FIG. 2. headset
`enclosure 12 of headset 10 is symmetrical about a central
`vertical plane. Headset enclosure 12 may comprise two
`mating parts which are affixed to one another in a “clam
`she ” fashion as. for example. by pins. sonic bonding. or the
`like. It is contemplated that a variety of different assembly
`methods may employed for headset enclosure 12. allowing
`for the use of soft materials to fit and interface with the
`human ear for the purposes of enhanced comfort and fit.
`Headset enclosure cap 125 further aids in maintaining the
`coupling of the mating parts of the headset enclosure 12.
`Referring again to FIG. 1. in accordance with another
`aspect of the present invention. receiver enclosure 32 is
`provided with socket 44 for receiving an earbud 46 adapted
`to rest against the opening of the ear canal. The earbud 46
`has a mounting member for securely. yet detachably. engag—
`ing the socket 44. Earbud 46 may take one of several
`different configurations. to account for variations in users’
`ears and users’ preferences. FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 show an
`earbud 46 made of soft rubber. with a generally mushroom—
`like configuration. FIG. 5 shows an alternate earbud 46'
`having a foam covering and a generally pill-shaped con-
`figuration. Several difierent configurations and sizes of
`earbuds 46 may be provided with the headset 10. such that
`an individual user can select one that he or she finds most
`preferable. Accordingly. earbuds 46 are designed to be
`readily detachable from receiver enclosure 32. The earbud
`46 and socket 44 arrangement are further described below.
`Referring now to FIG. 3a there is shown a crow—sectional
`view of the headset 10 of FIG. 1 taken at the vertical
`midplane of the headset enclosure 12. The headset enclosure
`12 forms a first cavity 134 encapsulating various electrical
`and mechanical components. The receiver enclosure 32
`forms a second cavity 135 encapsulating a receiver trans—
`ducer 113 and other electrical and mechanical components.
`The receiver enclosure 32 is supported by the ball tube 28
`which terminates in a ball 129 captured between receiver
`pivot ferrule 120 and friction boot 126 held in the headset
`enclosure 12 by pivot support walls 123. The receiver
`enclosure 32 pivots in all planes about the ball 129. The ball
`tube 28 and ball 129 are preferrably cast as single integrated
`piece. The angle of displacement is limited by tab 117 that
`slides in a vertical slot
`in ferrule 120. limiting angular
`position (as indicated by arrows 38 on FIG. 1) to about plus
`or minus 30° from axis 19. Tab 117. as resting in a vertical
`slot. prevents the ball 129 from any substantial rotation
`about axis 19.
`
`W
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`

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`5.761.298
`
`7
`The vertical placement. and angular rotation of the
`receiver enclosure 32 with respsect to the headset enclosure
`12. as selected by the wearer. is rigidly maintained by the
`friction ring 131. The angular position is maintained by the
`friction boot 126 in the headset enclosure 12. Thus. while in
`use the position of the receiver enclosure 32 with respect to
`the headset enclosure 12 is substantially fixed. and does not
`pivot or rotate as the wearer’s head is tilted. This improves
`the stability of the headset 10. since the receiver enclosure
`32 maintains its position in the ear. and its relative position
`with respect to the headset enclosure 12. In addition. the
`substantial absence of movement eliminates the possibility
`of mechanical noise from such movement being picked up
`by the microphone 102. and thereby improves acoustic
`performance.
`The ball 129 is bored through. and forms a third cavity
`which couples to the first cavity 134 of the headset enclosure
`12. and which is further coupled to the second cavity 135 of
`the receiver enclosure 32 through the ball tube 28.
`Electrical leads in cable 40 terminate at plug 108. which
`includes positive and negative pins for both receiver and
`transmitter circuits. Receiver flex circuit 105 couples to two
`receiver pins on plug 108 through with receiver sockets 106.
`Receiver flex circuit 105 then twists 90° and extends through
`the headset enclosure 12 and over the ball 129 of the ball
`tube 28. Receiver flex circuit 105 passes through the bore of
`ball 129. and down the length of the ball tube 28. forming
`another twist. the degree of which depends on the angle of
`rotation of the receiver enclosure 32 with respect to the
`headset enclosure 12. The inner edge of the ball 129 is
`beveled so as to not pinch the receiver flex circuit 105 as the
`receiver enclosure 32 is angled at its maximum offset. A tail
`portion 105a of the receiver flex circuit 105 containing two
`printed conductors passes through two vertical guides 139
`which prevent the circuit from excessively bending and
`crimping in an S—shaped curve as the receiver enclosure 32
`is moved up towards the headset enclosure 12 along ball
`tube 28.
`
`there is shown a side view of
`Referring to FIG. 317,
`headset enclosure 12. as viewed without one mating side of
`the headset enclosure 12 and receiver enclosure 32. Inside
`the receiver enclosure 32.
`the ball tube 28 is centered
`between the cylinder walls 118 by the ball tube support clip
`122 which snaps around the ball tube 28 just above the stop
`tab 119. Support clip 122 moves vertically as the receiver
`enclosure 32 is moved along the ball tube 28. Stop tab 119
`limits the rotation of the receiver enclosure 32 on the ball
`tube 28 to about 330° degrees so as to prevent complete
`twisting of the receiver flex circuit 105 inside the ball tube
`28.
`Conductors at the far end of the tail of receiver flex circuit
`105 are soldered to the solder pads 116 on the receiver
`transducer 113. As the receiver enclosure 32 telescopes up
`the ball tube 28 as shown by arrow 14]. the surplus length
`of the tail 105a is guided smoothly into a take up loop 137
`by the curved flex guide 121. as shown by arrow 142. The
`connection is maintained during rotating of the receiver
`enclosure 32 by the twisting of the tail 105a inside the ball
`tube 28. The three motions of the receiver enclosure 32 with
`respect to the headset enclosure 12 allow a wearer of the
`headset 10 to locate the earbud 46 properly in the cavuum of
`the ear for best hearing and support.
`The receiver transducer 113 is mounted in a rubber
`isolation boot 114 held in position by raised walls 127
`internal to the receiver enclosure 32. The rubber boot 114 fits
`tightly around the transducer case to prevent any sound
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`8
`leakage into the receiver enclosure 32. through the ball tube
`28 to the headset enclosure 12 and microphone 102. The
`boot 114 also provides vibration isolation from the receiver
`enclosure 32 and ultimately reduces the energy picked up by
`the microphone 102. Aportion of the molded boot 114 forms
`an acoustic channel 112 which carries sound from the
`transducer 113 to the earbud 46.
`
`The right and left halves of the receiver enclosure 32 are
`held together by the receiver cap 124 and an ultrasonic weld
`flange 109 around most of the mating surfaces of the
`receiver enclosure 32. Welding the two halves together
`increases the voltage necessary to cause a breakdown
`between the transducer 113 or its flex connection and the
`outside of the housing.
`Headset enclosure 12 also encapsulates transmitter flex
`circuit 110. which couples by sockets 107 to transmitter pins
`on plug 108. Transmitter flex circuit 110 also couples to
`microphone 102. Referring to FIG. 3a, the microphone 102
`couples to voice tube arm 16 through transmit acoustic
`channel 133. which is formed by transmit friction boot 104.
`Transmit ferrule support 143 holds the transmit friction boot
`104 in place. which maintains the angular position of voice
`transmitter 17 through angular displacement of ball and
`socket joint 18. An acoustic damper 132 on the distal end of
`the voice tube arm 16 serves to damp and filter selected
`frequency components prior to conduction to the micro—
`phone 102. and reduces standing waves in the voice tube
`arm 16.
`
`there is shown one
`Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
`embodiment of the mounting member of the earbud 46. In
`this embodiment. the mounting member is a bayonet type
`fitting. formed by radially—projecting fingers 50 on the base
`52 of each earbud 46. An enlarged. frontal view of socket 44
`for this embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. Socket 44 incor—
`porates two J—type grooves 48 which are engaged by the
`fingers 50 with a quarter turn. Within socket 44 resides
`flange 45. extending from the boot 114. to mate with the end
`of the earbud 46. Centered in the flange 45 is the acoustic
`channel 112 that transmits sound from the transducer 113
`through the earbud 46 to the user’ s ear. While a bayonet-
`e
`mounting of earbud 46 is one preferred embodiment of the
`invention. it is contemplated that other detachable coupling
`mechanisms may be employed. For example. the socket 44
`may be threaded with a first threaded portion. and the earbud
`46 may have a second threaded portion that screws into the
`socket. Alternatively. and earbud 46 could have raised
`detents that snap into corresponding depressions in the walls
`of the socket 44.
`
`When assembled. the body of the headset enclosure 12 is
`contoured to fit snugly but comfortably adjacent a user’s
`head. The manner in which headset 10 is fitted onto a human
`ear is depicted with reference to FIGS. 7—10. In FIG. 7. the
`receiver enclosure 32 is swung outward. as indicated by the
`direction of arrow 60. This motion. which is made possible
`due to degree of freedom afforded by the ball tube 28.
`facilitates fitting headset enclosure 12 over the user’s ear in
`a post-auricular fashion. as depicted in FIG. 8. After this is
`done. the receiver enclosure 32 is gently pushed toward the
`user’s ear. as indicated by arrow 62 in FIG. 8. such that the
`earbud 46 comes to rest in the concha between the tragus and
`anti-tragus and directly in front of the opening of the ear
`canal. The surface of the earbud 46 preferrably contacts with
`the skin of the auditory meatus. providing an acoustic seal
`therebetween. and blocking external noises from entering
`the ear canal and interfering with the signal from