as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0165720 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Aug. 26, 2004
`
`Paulson etal.
`
`US 20040165720A1
`
`(64) TWO-WAY VOICE COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE HAVING EXTERNAL ACOUSTIC
`NOISE REDUCTION
`
`(76)
`
`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)
`
`on Mar.1, 2003. Provisional application No. 60/507,
`629, filed on Sep. 30, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Unt. Ch? one H04M 1/00; HO4M 9/00
`(52) US. C1 ca eseescsssssssnecccsecssunasessessssnnnennecee 379/431
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`CHICAGO,IL 60661
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/755,106
`
`A two-way voice communication device which provides a
`Correspondence Address:
`high-level of acoustic noise reduction is disclosed.Aresil-
`MCANDREWSHELD & MALLOY, LTD
`lent ear tip provides acoustic isolation and secures the
`500 WEST MADISON STREET
`earphone within the ear canal of the user. The ability to
`SUITE 3400
`rotate the earphone within the ear canal allows the userto
`easily position an attached microphone. The audio signals
`may be conveyed 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.
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 8, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/439,234,filed on Jan.
`9, 2003. Provisionalapplication No. 60/451,290,filed
`
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26,2004 Sheet 1 of 8
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26,2004 Sheet 6 of 8
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26,2004 Sheet 7 of 8
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26,2004 Sheet 8 of 8
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`US 2004/0165720 Al
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`US 2004/0165720 Al
`
`Aug. 26, 2004
`
`TWO-WAY VOICE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`HAVING EXTERNAL ACOUSTIC NOISE
`REDUCTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
`REFERENCE
`
`[0001] This application makes referenceto, claimspriority
`to, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appli-
`cation Serial No. 60/439,234, entitled “Two-Way Voice
`Communication Device Having External Acoustic Noise
`Reduction” (Attorney Docket 14098US01), filed Jan. 9,
`2003, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/451,
`290, entitled “Vibration Reduction Cable Design For Insert
`Type Earphones”(Attorney Docket 14334US01),filed Mar.
`1, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
`60/507,629, entitled “Noise Canceling Microphone With
`Acoustically Tuned Ports” (Attorney Docket 15226US01),
`filed Sep. 30, 2003, the complete subject matter of each of
`which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its
`entirety.
`
`FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
`DEVELOPMENT
`
`
`
`[0002]
`
`[0003]
`
`[N/A]
`
`MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
`
`[N/A]
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0004] Earphonestypicallyavailable 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. Headphonesare 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
`sed. 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 distortion. The level of the soundrelative to the
`
`
`
`external noise improves, but the quality of the sound is
`degraded.
`
`[0005] Manyearphonesfor use with voice communication
`equipmentattach to the ear with a loopthatfits 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 poorfit for many users. The earphone
`with loop easily falls off of the ear, and prolonged use may
`cause physicalirritation. The headbandis not well suited for
`use with headwear and crushesthe hair. Still other earphones
`are held in place using an earmold thatfits within the concha,
`or an “earbud” which is wedged into the openingofthe ear
`canal, Examples of earphones using an earmold method of
`attachment can be seen in the “2WayBud” and “2Way-
`Boom” earphones manufactured by Jabra Corporation,
`
`
`
`while the model DR-EX150UP by Sony Electronics
`employs an earbud. These earphonesare typically smaller
`than those held in place by a loop or headband,are generally
`less physically secure and are easily pulled from the ear by
`
`the attached cable, and afford the user no appreciable
`exclusion of external acoustic noise. The presence 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
`[0006]
`boom, many earphones for use with cellular telephones use
`a microphonepositioned 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.
`
`
`
`[0007] The cable that typically runs from the earphone to
`the associated electrical device may bea significant source
`of the noise plaguing a user. Longitudinal forces created
`when the earphone cable comesin contact with surrounding
`objects or with the clothing of the user are normally con-
`ducted along the cable to the earphone housing, where they
`are audible to the user. This can be an annoying source of
`noise.
`
`[0008] An additional area for improvementrelates 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 manufacturers 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 durmg manufac-
`ture, 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 occurring at the lowest frequency. In a
`voltage-driven design, the largest coil current will occur at
`
`the lowest frequency, resulting 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 disadvantages 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 find a way to eliminate the need for this
`resistor.
`
`[0009] Further limitations and disadvantages of conven-
`tional and traditional approaches will become apparent to
`one ofskill in the art, through comparison of such systems
`with someaspects of the present invention asset forth in the
`remainder of the present application with reference to the
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] Aspects of the present invention may be seen in a
`two-way voice communication device comprising a receiver
`for transducinga first electrical signal into sound, and an ear
`tip for insertion into an ear canalof a user, the ear tip, upon
`insertion into the ear canal, securing the device in an
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2004/0165720 Al
`
`Aug. 26, 2004
`
`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 mayalso
`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
`embodimentof the present invention may comprise a switch
`supporting a push-to-talk mode of operation, a second
`receiver for transducinga third electrical signal into sound,
`and a secondeartip for insertion into a second ear canal of
`a user. The first electrical signal and the third electrical
`signal maybe the same signal.
`
`transmitter for transmitting a second radio frequencysignal,
`wherein the second radio frequency signal is modulated to
`carry the secondelectrical signal.
`
`[0014] These and other advantages, aspects, and novel
`features of the present
`invention, as well as details of
`illustrated embodiments, thereof, will be more fully under-
`stood from the following description and drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF
`THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two views of an
`exemplary embodimentof a two-way voice communication
`device having an external acoustic noise reducing insert
`earphone assemblyin accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0011] Another embodimentof the present invention may
`[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the head of a user,
`
`comprise a radio frequency receiver for demodulatingafirst illustrating positioning of the microphone in close proximity
`radio frequency signal into the first electrical signal, and a
`with the mouth of the user by rotating the earphone of an
`radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a second radio
`embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
`frequency signal, wherein the secondradio 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-
`[0018] FIG. 4 showsa further embodiment in accordance
`ment may comprise a cable having a plurality of electrical
`conductors for carrying at least the first and second electrical
`with the present
`invention, where a radio receiver and
`
`signals, the cable havingafirst end and a second end, the transmitter may be used to communicate signals to the
`first end attached to the earphone and the second end for
`receiver and from the microphone, in place of the multi-
`conductor cable of FIG.3.
`connection 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.
`
`FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view of the earphone
`[0017]
`portion of an embodiment in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`[0019] FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the
`present invention in which the cable connecting the ear-
`phone 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.
`
`
`
`in accordance with the present
`[0012] An embodiment
`[0020] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary two-way voice
`invention may comprise a receiver for transducingafirst
`communication device in which a second insert earphoneis
`electrical signal into sound,an ear piece for transmitting the
`electrically coupled by a multi-conductor cable to the cir-
`sound into the ear canal of a user, a microphone for
`cuitry of a first insert earphone in order to support the
`ransducing speech ofthe user into a secondelectrical signal,
`reproduction of stereo or bi-monaural audio signals,
`in
`and a cable for carryingat least the first and secondelectrical
`accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.
`signals, the cable having a coiled portion nearest an end
`proximate the ear piece 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 mayalso
`comprise a switch for canceling the secondelectrical signal,
`and a switch supporting a push-to-talk mode of operation.
`
`[0021] FIG. 6 shows a graph ofthe reduction in the level
`of external acoustic noise that may be provided by an
`embodimentof the present invention.
`
`[0022] FIG. 7 is a graphillustrating test results demon-
`strating the external noise reduction performance of another
`two-way voice communication device in accordance with an
`embodimentof the present invention.
`
`[0013] Additional aspects of the present invention may be
`seen in a two-way voice communication device comprising
`a receiverfor transducinga first electrical signal into sound,
`an eartip for insertion into an ear canal of a user, the eartip,
`pon insertion into the ear canal, securing the device in an
`operable position on the head of the user without requiring
`additional attachmentto 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 embodi-
`ment 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 support-
`ing the microphone. An embodiment may comprise a radio
`frequency receiver for demodulating a first radio frequency
`signal into the first electrical signal, and a radio frequency
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0023] Aspects of the present invention relate to an ear-
`phone for use with voice communication equipmentsuch as
`cellular telephones.In particular, certain embodimentsrelate
`to earphones that provide both a high level of external
`acoustic noise exclusion and improved support
`for the
`earphone and an integral microphone.
`
`[0024] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two views of an
`exemplary embodimentof a two-way voice communication
`device having a external acoustic noise reducing insert
`earphone assemblyin accordance with the present invention.
`In the illustrated embodiment, earphone assembly 105
`includes housing 110 with attached ear tip 150 for insertion
`
`11
`
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`
`

`

`US 2004/0165720 Al
`
`Aug. 26, 2004
`
`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 ear-
`phone assembly 105 to an external electrical audio device
`through connector 170. Button 115 may be used to mute the
`audio signal
`from microphone 130. Clip 160 may be
`included to secure multi-conductor cable 140 to the clothing
`of the user.
`
`[0025] 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
`embodimentin 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, withoutthe need for another means
`to affix the earphone to the ear. In other words,
`in this
`embodiment, nearly the entire assembly, including micro-
`phone 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 superiorto thatof prior art solutionsusing, for example,
`earmoldsor earbuds.
`
`[0026] Positioning of microphone 205 in close proximity
`with the mouth 215 of user 230 may be accomplished in
`such an embodimentbyrotating the earphone 220 within the
`ear canal of user 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 (.e., noise canceling) microphone
`for microphone 205, combined with the ability to flexibly
`position microphone 205 with respect to the mouth 215,
`permits a user of an embodimentofthe present inventionto
`adjust the position of microphone 205 so as to minimize
`speech noises(¢.g., resulting from unintentionalspitting 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 US.
`Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/507,629,
`entitled “Noise Canceling Microphone With Acoustically
`Tuned Ports” (Attorney Docket 15226US01),filed Sep. 30,
`2003, the complete subject matter of whichis herebyincor-
`porated herein by reference, in its entirety. Microphone 205
`may also be a directional microphone located within the
`housing of earphone 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
`ser to optimize the pickup of sound energy from the mouth
`215 of user 230 by microphone 205.
`
`[0027] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the ear-
`phone portion of an embodiment in accordance with the
`present invention. Earphone assembly 300 correspondsto,
`for example, housing 110 and eartip 150 as depicted in FIG.
`1, or earphone 220 in FIG.2. In the exemplary embodiment,
`earphone assembly 300 comprises housing 305, cap 310,
`eceiver 315, printed circuit board 325 with switch 305,
`button 335, 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 operatesto convert
`
`
`
`the received electrical signals to an acoustic signal that is
`emitted at sound port 317. 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 soundport 317 of receiver 315to pass
`through damper 370 and into the ear canal ofa user. Eartip
`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 matchingrecess in
`the cylindrical opening in ear tip 365. Although the exem-
`plary embodiment of FIG. 3 showsear tip 365 as having
`three flanges, ear tip 365 may have a greater or lesser
`numberof 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 compress and
`provide a highly effective seal, excluding external acoustic
`noise while securing the earphone assembly to the ear of the
`user.
`
`[0028] The electrical signal from a microphone such as
`microphone 130 of FIG. 1 or microphone 205 of FIG. 2
`maybe carried on conductors 343 and 344, shownentering
`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
`maybe provided by switch 330. In the exemplary embodi-
`ment, switch 330 is mountedto printed circuit board 325 and
`is positioned so that pressure applied to button 335 activates
`switch 330. When notactivated, switch 330 permits elec-
`trical signals on microphone wires 343 and 344 to be applied
`to designated conductors within multi-conductor cable 350.
`Multi-conductor cable 350 is also depicted as multi-conduc-
`tor 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 impor-
`tant for users in a noisy environment,
`to allow them to
`reduce the noise heard by the distant party, or the noise
`experienced bythe earphone useras sidetone.It may also be
`of importance in situations where portions of local conver-
`sations 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 embodimentof the present inven-
`tion, switch 330 may be arranged to provide push-to-talk
`functionality. Such an arrangementis desirable where con-
`trol of an accompanying device such as, for example, an
`aircraft communication system or a personal radio trans-
`ceiver, is required. If present, one end of multi-conductor
`cable 350 may be secured to housing 305 by strain relief
`355, while the other end may be equipped with a connector
`such as connector 170 as shown in FIG.1.
`
`
`
`[0029] FIG. 4 showsa further embodiment in accordance
`with the present
`invention in which a radio frequency
`receiver and radio frequency transmitter are used to com-
`municate signals to receiver 415 and from the microphone
`430, in place of multi-conductor cable 350 of FIG. 3. In
`FIG.4, ear tip 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 frequency communication
`standard. This would permit the earphone to be used with
`Bluetooth-compatible devices such as the ever increasing
`
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`

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`
`
`
`number of Bluetooth-compatible cellular handsets that are
`nowbecoming available. The earphone may also be used
`with other Bluetooth-compatible radio communication
`equipment, laptop computers, and the like. Earphone 400
`mayincludea 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
`proximity to the user’s mouth byrotating housing 410 and
`attached ear tip 440 within the ear canal of a user. Further
`adjustmentof 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 transmit-
`er contained within housing 410. The radio frequency
`eceiver contained with housing 410 demodulates a received
`adio frequency signal into an electrical signal that is con-
`verted to sound by receiver 415 in housing 410.
`[0030] FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the
`present invention where the cable 540 connecting earphone
`housing 520 to connector 530 includes a coiled section 550
`sed to reduce the audible noise created by physical contact
`of the cable 540 with nearby objects or the clothing of a user.
`The improved externalnoise reduction inherentin the insert
`earphone shown in FIG. 5, combined with the presence
`within the ear canal of ear tip 510 may make contactof 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 attenuates the audible noise conducted through
`cable 540 to earphone 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 invention. A moredetailed description of
`a coil such as the coil 550 of FIG. 5 can be found in US.
`Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/451,290,
`entitled “Vibration Reduction Cable Design For Insert Type
`Earphones” (Attorney Docket 14334US01), filed Mar. 1,
`2003, the complete subject matter of whichis herebyincor-
`porated herein byreference, in its entirety
`[0031] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary two-way voice
`communication device 500A in which a second insert ear-
`
`
`
`phone 511A is electrically coupled by a multi-conductor
`cable 512A to the circuitry ofa first insert earphone 505A in
`order to support the reproduction of stereo or bi-monaural
`audio signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention. It should be noted that the multi-conduc-
`
`or cable 512A provides a path for the electrical signals
`needed to operate second insert earphone 511A,and is not
`sed for supportofeither the first insert earphone 505A, or
`he second insert earphone 511A.In addition, the routing of
`he multi-conductor cable 512Ais not limited to the arrange-
`ment 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, con-
`nector 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 connect-
`
`ing to the circuitry within the housing 520Aofthefirst insert
`earphone 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 availability of the second insert earphone 511A permits
`a user to enjoy the audio playback capabilities of increas-
`ingly 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 bythe second insert earphone 511A, coupled with
`the bi-monaural audio available during normalcellular use
`provides a user in a noisy environment with significantly
`improved intelligibility of the far-end party.
`
`In yet another embodiment of the present inven-
`[0032]
`tion, the second insert earphone 511A maybe replaced with
`a noise reducing earplug such as, for example, a model
`ER-20 Hi-Fi Earplug by Etymotic Research. In such an
`embodiment, the multi-conductor cable 512A may comprise
`a flexible cord for securing the noise reducing earplug 512A
`to the housing 520Aofthefirst insert earphone 505A. This
`embodiment may be particularly desirable in situations
`where a user in a noisy environment has a need to be able
`to engage in two-way voice communication using a cellular
`phone orradio, and also has a need to be able to commu-
`nicate with those around them.
`
`[0033] FIG. 6 shows a graph illustrating the reduction in
`external acoustic noise that may be provided by an embodi-
`ment of the present invention. The level of external noise
`reduction provided by such an embodiment was verified
`using in-ear measurements.Test subjects were placed within
`a reverberation room in which a calibrated 84 dB sound
`
`pressure level broad-band pink noise was generated. The
`sound pressure level developed in the ear of each subject
`was measured using a test microphone positioned deep
`within the ear canal. The external noise reduction of the
`
`earphone wascalculated as the difference betweenthe level
`in the open ear and the level with the earphone in place
`measured at octave frequencies between 125 Hz and 4 kHz.
`The average attenuation for the earphone was then calcu-
`lated from the six octave measurements. The present inven-
`tion enables reduction of external noise at amounts greater
`than 7 dB, whichis a significant improvementover existing
`voice communication equipment mentioned above. One
`embodiment of the present
`invention reduced external
`acoustic noise by approximately 19 dB (FIG.6).
`
`[0034] FIG. 7 is a graphillustrating test results demon-
`strating the external noise reduction performance of another
`two-way voice communication device in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention. Using the averaging
`calculation described above upon the data presented in the
`illustration of FIG.7, it can be seen that an embodiment of
`the present invention may provide an average reduction in
`external acoustic noise of approximately 36 dB. The same
`test results may be used to determine that the performance
`of an embodimentofthe present invention may be expressed
`as having a noise reduction rating (NRR) of approximately
`23 (per U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—1979,
`“Noise Labeling Requirements for Hearing Protectors”, Fed.
`Reg. 44(190), 40 C.ER Part 211, pp. 56130-56147). The
`additional
`reduction in acoustic noise provided by an
`embodiment of the present invention permits the user to
`operate the device at a lower volumesetting, reducing the
`likelihood of the hearing damage that may be caused when
`a userraises the level of a voice signal to overcome external
`noise. In addition, the lowersignal level avoids ear overload
`distortion, resulting in user perception of improved sound
`quality and intelligibility.
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`US 2004/0165720 Al
`
`Aug. 26, 2004
`
`[0035] Notwithstanding, the invention and its inventive
`arrangements disclosed herein may be embodied in other
`forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes
`thereof. Accordingly, reference should be madeto the fol-
`lowing claims, rather than to the foregoing specification,as
`indicating the scope of the invention. In this regard,
`the
`description above is intended by wayof example only and
`is not intended to limit the present invention in any way,
`except as set forth in the following claims.
`
`[0036] While the present invention has been described
`with reference to certain embodiments,it will be understood
`by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made
`and equivalents maybe substituted without departing from
`the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modi-
`fications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
`material to the teachings of the present invention without
`departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the
`present invention not be limited to the particular embodi-
`mentdisclosed, but that the present invention will includeall
`embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
`claims.
`
`Whatis claimed is:
`
`1. A two-way voice communication device comprising:
`
`a receiver for transducing a first electrical signal into
`sound;
`
`an eartip for insertion into an ear canalof a user, the ear
`tip, upon insertion ito 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 providing a reduction of external
`acoustic noise of at least 7 dB; and
`
`
`
`a microphone for transducing speech of the user into a
`second electrical signal.
`2. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1
`wherein the reduction of external acoustic noise comprises
`19 dB.
`3. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1
`further comprising a boom for supporting the microphone.
`4, The two-way voice communication device of claim 3
`wherein the boom may be deformed in order to place the
`microphone nearer the mouth of the user.
`5. The two-way voice communication device ofclaim 1,
`further comprising a switch for canceling the second elec-
`trical signal.
`6. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1,
`further comprising a switch supporting a push-to-talk mode
`of operation.
`7. The two-way voice communication device of claim 1
`further comprising a radio