(12) United States Patent
`Paulson et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,551,940 B2
`Jun. 23, 2009
`
`US00755.1940B2
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
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`(73)
`
`(*)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`(60)
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`(51)
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`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`TWO-WAY VOICE COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE HAVING EXTERNALACOUSTC
`NOISE REDUCTION
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Inventors: Mary Paulson, Elk Grove Village, IL
`(US); Jonathan K. Stewart,
`Bloomingdale, IL (US); Andrew J.
`Haapapuro, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
`Viorel Drambarean, Skokie, IL (US);
`Robert B. Schulein, Schaumburg, IL
`(US); Mead C. Killion, Elk Grove
`Village, IL (US)
`Etymotic Research, Inc., Elk Grove
`Village, IL (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`Appl. No.: 10/755,106
`
`Assignee:
`
`Notice:
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 8, 2004
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/O16572O A1
`Aug. 26, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/439,234, filed on Jan.
`9, 2003, provisional application No. 60/451,290, filed
`on Mar. 1, 2003, provisional application No. 60/507,
`629, filed on Sep. 30, 2003.
`
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`H04M I/00
`(2006.01)
`HO4R 25/OO
`U.S. Cl. .............. 455/550.1; 455/569. 1; 455/569.2:
`455/575.1455/556.1: 381/370; 381/375;
`381/380: 379/.430
`Field of Classification Search .............. 455/550.1,
`455/569.1,569.2, 570, 575.2, 575.6,575..1,
`455/556.1, 575, 556; 381/370, 375, 380;
`379/.430
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`8, 1988 Kawai et al. .................. 355/57
`4,766,466 A
`4,945,191 A * 7/1990 Satsuka et al. ................ 174f69
`5,298,692 A * 3/1994 Ikeda et al.
`... 381.375
`5,715,321 A
`2, 1998 Andrea et al. ................. 381/92
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Jabra Corporation, “FreeSpeak BT200”. Product Information, copy
`right 2002.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner Matthew D Anderson
`Assistant Examiner Wen W Huang
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm McAndrews, Held & Malloy,
`Ltd.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A two-way Voice communication device which provides a
`high-level of acoustic noise reduction is disclosed. A resilient
`ear tip provides acoustic isolation and secures the earphone
`within the ear canal of the user. The ability to rotate the
`earphone within the ear canal allows the user to easily posi
`tion an attached microphone. The audio signals may be con
`veyed by an included radio frequency receiver and radio
`frequency transmitter, or the earphone may be connected to
`an electrical audio device using a multi-conductor cable.
`Audio signals may be conveyed to one or both ears of a user.
`A Switch to mute the audio signal from the microphone, or for
`Supporting a push-to-talk mode of operation, may be included
`in the earphone housing, or on the cable.
`
`37 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1010
`
`

`

`US 7,551,940 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,080,110 A * 6/2000 Thorgersen ................. 600,500
`6,129, 175 A * 10/2000 Tutor et al. ....
`... 181,135
`6,175,633 B1* 1/2001 Morrill et al. ..
`... 381,716
`6,320,960 B1 * 1 1/2001 Lathrop et al. ....
`... 379,430
`6,430,217 B1 * 8/2002 Suzuki et al. .....
`... 375,219
`6,513,621 B1* 2/2003 Deslauriers et al. ......... 181/130
`RE38,351 E * 12/2003 Iseberg et al. ........
`... 381,380
`6,729,726 B2 * 5/2004 Miller et al. ...
`... 351,158
`6,760,459 B2 * 7/2004 Bae ...............
`... 381.375
`6,993,144 B1* 1/2006 Wilson et al. ...
`... 381,380
`2002/013 1585 A1
`9, 2002 Jones et al. ....
`... 379,431
`2002fO181729 A1* 12, 2002 Smith - - - - - - - - -
`381 381
`
`
`
`2002/0193151 A1* 12/2002 Edreich ...................... 455/560
`2003/0003969 A1* 1/2003 Tong et al. .................. assss
`2004/0082360 A1* 4/2004 Gunter et al. ............ 455,556.1
`2004/O125979 A1* 7/2004 Elidan et al. ................ 381.382
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Jabra Corporation, “Jabra EarWrap', Product Information obtained
`from website on Jan. 9, 2003, http://www.jabra.com/products/
`jabraearwrap.htm.
`Jabra Corporation, “Jabra 2WayBud”. Product Information obtained
`from website on Jan. 8, 2003, http://jabra.com/products/
`jabra2waybud.htm.
`Sony Electronics Inc., “TL-DR150EX” product information
`obtained from website on Jan. 9, 2003, http://www.sel. Sony.com/
`SEL/consumer'ss5/home/accessories/wispear?tl-dr150ex.shtml.
`Sony Electronics Inc., “DR-EX150UP', product information
`obtained from website on Jan. 9, 2003, http://www.Sonystyle.com/
`is-bin/INTERSHOPenfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY.
`
`Sony Electronics Inc.. "wisp. ear Hands-Free Headset TL-DR140”.
`product information obtained from website on Jan. 9, 2003, http://
`www.Sonystyle.com.
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`US 7,551,940 B2
`
`1.
`TWO-WAY VOICE COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE HAVING EXTERNALACOUSTC
`NOISE REDUCTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
`REFERENCE
`
`This application makes reference to, claims priority to, and
`claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
`No. 60/439,234, entitled “Two-Way Voice Communication
`Device Having External Acoustic Noise Reduction filed
`Jan. 9, 2003, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
`60/451,290, entitled “Vibration Reduction Cable Design For
`Insert Type Earphones.” filed Mar. 1, 2003, and U.S. Provi
`sional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/507,629, entitled
`“Noise Canceling Microphone With Acoustically Tuned
`Ports.” filed Sep. 30, 2003, the complete subject matter of
`each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in
`its entirety.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHOR
`DEVELOPMENT
`
`2
`no appreciable exclusion of external acoustic noise. The pres
`ence of the boom frequently used to position a microphone
`near the mouth of the user exacerbates the problem of poor fit
`and attachment to the ear, frequently causing the earphone to
`loosen and fall from the ear.
`To eliminate problems caused by a microphone boom,
`many earphones for use with cellular telephones use a micro
`phone positioned along the earphone cable near the mouth of
`the user. This arrangement provides some improvement over
`the typical earphone with microphone boom, but suffers from
`a lack of accuracy in microphone position, resulting in wide
`variations in the level of the user's voice. Users of such
`devices are frequently seen manipulating the earphone cable
`in order to position the microphone more accurately.
`The cable that typically runs from the earphone to the
`associated electrical device may be a significant source of the
`noise plaguing a user. Longitudinal forces created when the
`earphone cable comes in contact with Surrounding objects or
`with the clothing of the user are normally conducted along the
`cable to the earphone housing, where they are audible to the
`user. This can be an annoying source of noise.
`An additional area for improvement relates to the receiver
`used within the earphone. Earphone receivers are typically
`designed to be driven from either a Voltage source or a current
`Source. In designing a Voltage-driven receiver, many manu
`facturers select for the receiver electromagnet the largest
`diameter coil wire that will produce the required sound level
`within the available space. The use of the largest wire reduces
`the chance of wire breakage during manufacture, maximizing
`yield. This also results in a receiver with the lowest possible
`D.C. resistance. The receiver impedance varies over the range
`of operating frequencies, with the lowest impedance occur
`ring at the lowest frequency. In a Voltage-driven design, the
`largest coil current will occur at the lowest frequency, result
`ing in an earphone having an undesirable low-frequency
`boost. To reduce this effect, many manufacturers place a
`resistor in series with the receiver coil. This has several dis
`advantages including the cost of the resistor, the space
`required for the resistor, and possible failure of the resistor
`and its connections. It would be advantageous to finda way to
`eliminate the need for this resistor.
`Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
`traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in
`the art, through comparison of Such systems with some
`aspects of the present invention as set forthin the remainder of
`the present application with reference to the drawings.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Aspects of the present invention may be seen in a two-way
`Voice communication device comprising a receiver for trans
`ducing a first electrical signal into Sound, and an ear tip for
`insertion into an ear canal of a user, the ear tip, upon insertion
`into the ear canal, securing the device in an operable position
`on the head of the user without requiring use of additional
`attachment to the user. The ear tip may provide a reduction of
`external acoustic noise of at least 7 dB, and may comprise 19
`dB. Such an embodiment may also comprise a microphone
`for transducing speech of the user into a second electrical
`signal, a Switch for canceling the second electrical signal, and
`a boom for Supporting the microphone, where the boom may
`be deformed in order to place the microphone nearer the
`mouth of the user. An embodiment of the present invention
`may comprise a Switch Supporting a push-to-talk mode of
`operation, a second receiver for transducing a third electrical
`signal into Sound, and a second ear tip for insertion into a
`
`N/A
`
`MICROFICHEACOPYRIGHT REFERENCE
`
`N/A
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Earphones typically available for use with portable (e.g.,
`wearable) Voice communication equipment are ill fitting, are
`not designed to couple tightly to the ear opening, and hence
`provide poor isolation from external audible noise. Head
`phones are available that cover the outer ear and provide
`better acoustic isolation, but they are generally bulky and
`unattractive, and poorly Suited for use in many situations
`where portable Voice communications devices are used. In
`addition, the failure of most earphones to provide sufficient
`acoustic isolation frequently results in the user compensating
`by raising the level of the sound, causing ear-overload distor
`tion. The level of the sound relative to the external noise
`improves, but the quality of the Sound is degraded.
`Many earphones for use with Voice communication equip
`ment attach to the ear with a loop that fits over the top and
`around the rear of the outer ear, while others use a headband
`that fits over the top of or behind the head. A representative
`example of the loop approach is seen in the “EarWrap' by
`Jabra Corporation, while the model TL-DR140“wisp..ear” by
`Sony Electronics is one example of an earphone using a
`headband. The loop and headband are designed to fit a wide
`variety of ear and head shapes and sizes, resulting in a poor fit
`for many users. The earphone with loop easily falls off of the
`ear, and prolonged use may cause physical irritation. The
`headband is not well suited foruse with headwearandcrushes
`the hair. Still other earphones are held in place using an
`earmold that fits within the concha, or an “earbud' which is
`wedged into the opening of the ear canal. Examples of ear
`phones using an earmold method of attachment can be seen in
`the “2WayBud' and “2WayBoom' earphones manufactured
`by Jabra Corporation, while the model DR-EX150UP by
`Sony Electronics employs an earbud. These earphones are
`typically Smaller than those held in place by a loop or head
`band, are generally less physically secure and are easily
`pulled from the ear by the attached cable, and afford the user
`
`18
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`

`

`US 7,551,940 B2
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`3
`second ear canal of a user. The first electrical signal and the
`third electrical signal may be the same signal.
`Another embodiment of the present invention may com
`prise a radio frequency receiver for demodulating a first radio
`frequency signal into the first electrical signal, and a radio
`frequency transmitter for transmitting a second radio fre
`quency signal, wherein the second radio frequency signal is
`modulated to carry the second electrical signal. The radio
`frequency communication may be compliant with the Blue
`tooth radio frequency communication standard. An embodi
`ment may comprise a cable having a plurality of electrical
`conductors for carrying at least the first and second electrical
`signals, the cable having a first end and a second end, the first
`end attached to the earphone and the second end for connec
`tion to an electrical audio device, and the cable may have a
`coiled portion nearest the first end for reducing the audible
`effects of physical contact of objects with the cable. The cable
`may comprise a Switch for canceling the second electrical
`signal, and may comprise a Switch Supporting a push-to-talk
`mode of operation.
`An embodiment in accordance with the present invention
`may comprise a receiver for transducing a first electrical
`signal into Sound, an earpiece for transmitting the sound into
`the earcanal of a user, a microphone for transducing speech of
`the user into a second electrical signal, and a cable for carry
`ing at least the first and second electrical signals, the cable
`having a coiled portion nearest an end proximate the earpiece
`for reducing the audible effects of physical contact of objects
`with the cable. It may further comprise a boom for Supporting
`the microphone, and the boom may be deformed in order to
`place the microphone nearer the mouth of the user. Such an
`embodiment may also comprise a switch for canceling the
`second electrical signal, and a Switch Supporting a push-to
`talk mode of operation.
`Additional aspects of the present invention may be seen in
`a two-way Voice communication device comprising a
`receiver for transducing a first electrical signal into Sound, an
`ear tip for insertion into an ear canal of a user, the ear tip, upon
`insertion into the ear canal, securing the device in an operable
`position on the head of the user without requiring additional
`attachment to the user. Such an embodiment may have a
`microphone for transducing speech of the user into a second
`electrical signal, and may provide a reduction of external
`acoustic noise of greater than 7 dB. In an embodiment of the
`present invention, the reduction of external acoustic noise
`may comprise 19 dB. Various embodiments of the present
`invention may comprise a boom for Supporting the micro
`phone. An embodiment may comprise a radio frequency
`receiver for demodulating a first radio frequency signal into
`the first electrical signal, and a radio frequency transmitter for
`transmitting a second radio frequency signal, wherein the
`second radio frequency signal is modulated to carry the sec
`ond electrical signal.
`These and other advantages, aspects, and novel features of
`the present invention, as well as details of illustrated embodi
`ments, thereof, will be more fully understood from the fol
`lowing description and drawings.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`4
`mouth of the user by rotating the earphone of an embodiment
`in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view of the earphone portion of
`an embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment in accordance with the
`present invention, where a radio receiver and transmitter may
`be used to communicate signals to the receiver and from the
`microphone, in place of the multi-conductor cable of FIG. 3.
`FIG.5 shows yet another embodiment of the present inven
`tion in which the cable connecting the earphone housing to
`the connector includes a coiled section used to reduce the
`audible noise created by physical contact of the cable with
`nearby objects or the clothing of a user.
`FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary two-way voice commu
`nication device in which a second insert earphone is electri
`cally coupled by a multi-conductor cable to the circuitry of a
`first insert earphone in order to support the reproduction of
`Stereo or bi-monaural audio signals, in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5B illustrates the primary vibration path between a
`cable assembly and listener in accordance with one embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5C illustrates the equivalent mechanical system of a
`cable assembly and assumptions in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG.5D illustrates the measurement set up to evaluate the
`effectiveness of various coils in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 5E shows a graph illustrating the measurement sys
`tem capabilities showing vibration sensitivity of a reference
`straight cable vs. noise level of the measurement system of
`FIGSE.
`FIG.5F shows agraph illustrating the reduction in the level
`of external vibration noise that may be provided by one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5G shows a graph illustrating the reduction in the
`level of external vibration noise that may be provided by
`another embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5H shows a graph illustrating the reduction in the
`level of external vibration noise that may be provided by yet
`another embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG.5I shows a graph illustrating the reduction in the level
`of external vibration noise that may be provided by still
`another embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5J shows a graph illustrating the performance of a
`small diameter two wire twisted pair in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG.5K illustrates the potential improvement using a com
`bination of two wire twisted cable with small diameter coil
`cord in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 6 shows a graph of the reduction in the level of
`external acoustic noise that may be provided by an embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating test results demonstrating the
`external noise reduction performance of another two-way
`Voice communication device in accordance with an embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF
`THE DRAWINGS
`
`60
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two views of an exemplary
`embodiment of a two-way Voice communication device hav
`ing an external acoustic noise reducing insert earphone
`assembly in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a side view of the head of a user, illustrating
`positioning of the microphone in close proximity with the
`
`65
`
`Aspects of the present invention relate to an earphone for
`use with Voice communication equipment such as cellular
`telephones. In particular, certain embodiments relate to ear
`phones that provide both a high level of external acoustic
`noise exclusion and improved support for the earphone and an
`integral microphone.
`
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`FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two views of an exemplary
`embodiment of a two-way Voice communication device hav
`ing a external acoustic noise reducing insert earphone assem
`bly in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated
`embodiment, earphone assembly 105 includes housing 110
`with attached ear tip 150 for insertion within the ear canal of
`the user. Microphone 130 is located at one end of boom 120,
`the other end of which is attached to housing 110. Multi
`conductor cable 140 connects earphone assembly 105 to an
`external electrical audio device through connector 170. But
`ton 115 may be used to mute the audio signal from micro
`phone 130. Clip 160 may be included to secure multi-con
`ductor cable 140 to the clothing of the user.
`FIG. 2 is a side view of the head of a user, illustrating
`positioning of the microphone in close proximity with the
`mouth of the user by rotating the earphone of an embodiment
`in accordance with the present invention. In the illustration,
`earphone 220 is supported within the ear canal of a user and
`provides both external acoustic noise reduction and physical
`attachment, without the need for another means to affix the
`earphone to the ear. In other words, in this embodiment,
`nearly the entire assembly, including microphone 205, boom
`210, and earphone 220, is supported during use solely by the
`ear canal of a user. Insertion of earphone 220 within the ear
`canal provides external acoustic noise exclusion and physical
`attachment to the head of the user superior to that of prior art
`Solutions using, for example, earmolds or earbuds.
`Positioning of microphone 205 in close proximity with the
`mouth 215 of user 230 may be accomplished in such an
`embodiment by rotating the earphone 220 within the earcanal
`ofuser 230. As can be seen in FIG.2, rotation of earphone 220
`permits the user to raise and lower the position of microphone
`205 relative to mouth 215. Boom 210 of an embodiment of the
`present invention may be fabricated to allow user 230 to
`deform boom 210 in order to flexibly position microphone
`205 closer or further from mouth 215. The use of a directional
`(i.e., noise canceling) microphone for microphone 205, com
`bined with the ability to flexibly position microphone 205
`with respect to the mouth 215, permits a user of an embodi
`ment of the present invention to adjust the position of micro
`phone 205 So as to minimize speech noises (e.g., resulting
`from unintentional Spitting and explosive utterances such as
`the letter"p'), while still providing a desirable speech signal
`level. An example of such a noise canceling microphone may
`be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
`45
`60/507,629, entitled “Noise Canceling Microphone With
`Acoustically Tuned Ports.” filed Sep. 30, 2003, the complete
`subject matter of which is hereby incorporated herein by
`reference, in its entirety. Microphone 205 may also be a
`directional microphone located within the housing of ear
`phone 220, without departing from the spirit of the present
`invention. In either case, the rotation of earphone 220 within
`the ear canal of the user permits the user to optimize the
`pickup of sound energy from the mouth 215 of user 230 by
`microphone 205.
`FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the earphone por
`tion of an embodiment in accordance with the present inven
`tion. Earphone assembly 300 corresponds to, for example,
`housing 110 and ear tip 150 as depicted in FIG. 1, or earphone
`220 in FIG. 2. In the exemplary embodiment, earphone
`assembly 300 comprises housing 305, cap 310, receiver 315,
`printed circuitboard 325 with switch 305, button335, and ear
`tip 365. Electrical signals from an external electrical audio
`device are carried by designated conductors within multi
`conductor cable 350, and through wires 323 and 324 to
`receiver 315, which operates to convert the received electrical
`signals to an acoustic signal that is emitted at Sound port 317.
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`Receiver 315 is positioned within housing 305 in order that
`sound port 317 is closely coupled to one end of sound tube
`366. Sound tube 366 directs the acoustic energy from sound
`port 317 of receiver 315 to pass through damper 370 and into
`the ear canal of a user. Ear tip 365 is made of a resilient
`material which conforms to the exterior of sound tube 366 and
`is secured to sound tube 366 by protrusion 368, which may
`engage a matching recess in the cylindrical opening in ear tip
`365. Although the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 shows
`ear tip 365 as having three flanges, ear tip 365 may have a
`greater or lesser number of flanges without departing from the
`spirit of the present invention. When inserted within the ear
`canal of the user, the exterior protrusions of ear tip 365 com
`press and provide a highly effective seal, excluding external
`acoustic noise while securing the earphone assembly to the
`ear of the user.
`The electrical signal from a microphone Such as micro
`phone 130 of FIG. 1 or microphone 205 of FIG. 2 may be
`carried on conductors 343 and 344, shown entering housing
`310 through boom 345. Boom 345 may be secured to housing
`310 using position clamp 340. Muting of the microphone
`electrical signals on conductors 343 and 344 may be provided
`by switch 330. In the exemplary embodiment, switch 330 is
`mounted to printed circuit board 325 and is positioned so that
`pressure applied to button 335 activates switch330. When not
`activated, switch 330 permits electrical signals on micro
`phone wires 343 and 344 to be applied to designated conduc
`tors within multi-conductor cable 350. Multi-conductor cable
`350 is also depicted as multi-conductor cable 140 in FIG. 1.
`When activated, switch 330 may stop the electrical signals of
`microphone 130 from reaching the designated conductors of
`multi-conductor cable 350, effectively muting microphone
`130. This feature is important for users in a noisy environ
`ment, to allow them to reduce the noise heard by the distant
`party, or the noise experienced by the earphone user as
`sidetone. It may also be of importance in situations where
`portions of local conversations should not be heard by the
`distant party. In another embodiment, switch 330 may be
`positioned at a different location on housing 310, or at some
`point along multi-conductor cable 350, without departing
`from the spirit of the invention. In yet another embodiment of
`the present invention, switch 330 may be arranged to provide
`push-to-talk functionality. Such an arrangement is desirable
`where control of an accompanying device Such as, for
`example, an aircraft communication system or a personal
`radio transceiver, is required. If present, one end of multi
`conductor cable 350 may be secured to housing 305 by strain
`relief355, while the other end may be equipped with a con
`nector such as connector 170 as shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment in accordance with the
`present invention in which a radio frequency receiver and
`radio frequency transmitter are used to communicate signals
`to receiver 415 and from the microphone 430, in place of
`multi-conductor cable 350 of FIG.3. In FIG.4, eartip. 440 has
`been inserted within the ear canal of the ear 405 of a user. Ear
`tip 440 is attached to housing 410, which may contain a radio
`frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver Such as
`one complying with, for example, the Bluetooth radio fre
`quency communication standard. This would permit the ear
`phone to be used with Bluetooth-compatible devices such as
`the ever increasing number of Bluetooth-compatible cellular
`handsets that are now becoming available. The earphone may
`also be used with other Bluetooth-compatible radio commu
`nication equipment, laptop computers, and the like. Earphone
`400 may include a light emitting diode (LED) 450 to indicate,
`for example, that the earphone is in use, and the status of a
`battery. Microphone 430 may be positioned within close
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`proximity to the user's mouth by rotating housing 410 and
`attached ear tip 440 within the ear canal of a user. Further
`adjustment of the position of microphone 430 may be made
`by deforming flexible boom 420. In such an embodiment,
`electrical signals from microphone 430 modulate the radio
`frequency signal generated by the radio frequency transmitter
`contained within housing 410. The radio frequency receiver
`contained with housing 410 demodulates a received radio
`frequency signal into an electrical signal that is converted to
`sound by receiver 415 in housing 410.
`FIG.5 shows yet another embodiment of the present inven
`tion where the cable 540 connecting earphone housing 520 to
`connector 530 includes a coiled section550 used to reduce the
`audible noise created by physical contact of the cable 540
`with nearby objects or the clothing of a user. The improved
`external noise reduction inherent in the insert earphone
`shown in FIG. 5, combined with the presence within the ear
`canal of ear tip 510 may make contact of cable 540 with other
`objects more audible. Coil 550 reduces the effects of such
`contact by converting the longitudinal forces in the cable 540
`into twisting and bending forces within coil 550. This attenu
`ates the audible noise conducted through cable 540 to ear
`phone housing 520, reducing the level of noise at ear tip 510.
`Although the coil 550 is shown in the illustration as having
`three turns, the coil 550 may have a lesser or greater number
`of turns without departing from the spirit of the present inven
`tion. A more detailed description of a coil such as the coil 550
`of FIG. 5 can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application
`Ser. No. 60/451,290, entitled “Vibration Reduction Cable
`Design For Insert Type Earphones, filed Mar. 1, 2003, the
`complete subject matter of which is hereby incorporated
`herein by reference, in its entirety
`FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary two-way voice commu
`nication device 500A in which a second insert earphone 511A
`is electrically coupled by a multi-conductor cable 512A to the
`circuitry of a first insert earphone 505A in order to support the
`reproduction of stereo orbi-monaural audio signals, in accor
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should
`be noted that the multi-conductor cable 512A provides a path
`for the electrical signals needed to operate second insert ear
`phone 511A, and is not used for support of either the first
`insert earphone 505A, or the second insert earphone 511A. In
`addition, the routing of the multi-conductor cable 512A is not
`limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5A, but may, for
`example, also be configured over-the-head, under the chin, or
`behind the neck of the user. The housing 520A, ear tip. 510A,
`connector 530A, cable 540A, and coil 550A of FIG. 5A may,
`for example, correspond to the housing 520, ear tip. 510,
`connector 530, cable 540, and coil 550 of the two-way voice
`communication device of FIG. 5. Although the illustration of
`FIG. 5A shows the multi-conductor cable 512A connecting to
`the circuitry within the housing 520A of the first insert ear
`phone 505A, the connection may, for example, be made at the
`connector 530A, or at a point along the cable 540A, without
`departing from the spirit of the present invention. The avail
`ability of the second insert earphone 511A permits a user to
`enjoy the audio playback capabilities of increasingly popular
`cellular phone models having MP3 playback functionality, in
`addition to its use as a two-way Voice communication device.
`Also, the acoustic noise reduction provided by the second
`insert earphone 511A, coupled with the bi-monaural audio
`available during normal cellular use provides a user in a noisy
`environment with significantly improved intelligibility of the
`far-end party.
`In yet another embodiment of th