Bluetooth earplugs

A system and methods for providing a wireless earplug system are described. An earplug includes a wireless receiver/transmitter, a battery, a speaker, a sound canal and an on/off switch. The system also includes a controller including a wireless receiver/transmitter used to transmit wireless signals to the earplug. The earplug receives the wireless signals from the controller and plays audio sounds through the speaker and into the user's ear canal, thus enabling the user to hear the transmitted audio signals while ambient noises are blocked. The controller is also used to control the parameters of the time, duration and type of audio sounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to earplugs, and more specifically to an earplug providing wireless communication with a mobile device and transmitting sounds through an integrated speaker

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Earplugs are plugs that are inserted into the outer ear canal to block ambient sound and environmental noise. Earplugs are available in various sizes, shapes and materials.

Earplugs are frequently used by people who must sleep in a noisy environment. For example, earplugs are often used by airplane and train passengers traveling on long trips, sometimes overnight, and want to sleep during the trip. Earplugs are also used by people whose sleep is disturbed by ambient noise or a snoring spouse. Ear plugs are also useful to provide protection against hearing loss in a noisy environment such as a construction site or a rock concert.

The noise reduction or cancellation provided by earplugs blocks ambient sounds non-discriminately, which can sometimes have unintended side effects. For instance, those who wear earplugs while sleeping often need to wake up at a certain time and would ideally use an alarm clock to wake up on time. However, the use of earplugs while sleeping would prevent a user from hearing the alarm. In addition, earplugs can block emergency or warning signals, such as generated by a fire or security alarm, and potentially imperil the user.

Solutions to this problem are common in the prior art, and include placing the alarm closer to the user, substituting a vibrating device for the sound alarm, increasing the sound of the alarm, and using a wireless signal to transmit an alarm to a speaker contained within an earplug.

Wireless earplugs are found in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,006 to O'Brien (2000) describes a self-contained alarm and earplug apparatus. However, since the controls for operating the alarm are included on the earplug, the device is bulky and limited in operation.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,512,247 to Odinak et al. (2009), the inventors include a carrying case that is used to program the wireless earplug for alarm times and sounds. U.S. Patent Application No. 2010/0035648 to Huang (2010) also describes a wireless earplug with a separate control module.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides systems and methods for an earplug system providing hearing protection and transmitting audio from a controller to a wireless earplug.

In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as an earplug system comprising: an earplug comprised of a material suitable for hearing protection, and providing hearing protection when wedgingly inserted in an ear canal of a user, wherein a portion of the earplug proximate to an eardrum of the user is shaped to hold the earplug in place in the ear canal; a battery enclosed within the earplug; a first wireless receiver and transmitter enclosed within the earplug, distal to the ear canal, the first wireless receiver and transmitter electrically coupled to the battery, and receiving and transmitting at least one wireless signal; a speaker enclosed within the earplug and electrically coupled to the battery and to the first wireless receiver and transmitter, and receiving at least one audio signal from the first wireless receiver and transmitter; a sound canal bore embedded within the earplug, the sound canal bore extending from the speaker to an edge of the earplug proximate to the eardrum, whereby the sound canal bore is open to the ear canal at the edge of the earplug proximate to the eardrum; a controller comprising a second wireless receiver and transmitter, the second wireless receiver and transmitter transmitting at least another wireless signal to the first wireless receiver and transmitter, and receiving at least one wireless signal from the first wireless receiver and transmitter; a program module communicatively coupled to the second wireless receiver and transmitter and including a user interface configured for controlling the at least one wireless signal from the second wireless receiver and transmitter to the first wireless receiver and transmitter.

In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a method for constructing a wireless earplug system, comprising the steps of: electrically coupling a battery, a first wireless receiver and transmitter, and a speaker, the battery configured to provide power to the first wireless receiver and transmitter and the speaker; electrically coupling the speaker to the first wireless receiver and transmitter, the first wireless receiver and transmitter configured to transmit at least one wireless signal to the speaker, whereby the speaker outputs at least one audio signal; enclosing the battery, the first wireless receiver and transmitter, and the speaker within an earplug, the earplug shaped to fit within an ear of a user and comprising material suitable for providing hearing protection; including a sound canal bore within the earplug whereby a speaker output travels through the sound canal bore into an ear canal of the user; providing a controller including a second wireless receiver and transmitter, the second wireless receiver and transmitter configured to transmit and receive at least another wireless signal from the first wireless receiver and transmitter, and whereby the controller controls the at least one audio signal output by the speaker.

In a further embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a method for transmitting audio with a wireless earplug system, comprising: inserting by a user of at least one earplug, wherein at least one earplug is a wireless earplug including a battery, a first wireless receiver and transmitter, and a speaker; inputting an audio signal time into a controller the controller including a second wireless receiver and transmitter, whereby the controller transmits and receives at least one wireless signal; reaching the audio signal time; sending of at least one wireless audio signal from the controller to the wireless earplug; receiving of the at least one wireless audio signal by the first wireless receiver and transmitter; transmitting of an audio signal from the first wireless receiver and transmitter to the speaker; playing of the audio signal by the speaker, whereby the user hears the audio signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first toFIG. 1, a simplified section of an embodiment of a wireless earplug100is shown. Shown are an outside edge102, an inside edge104, an ear canal106, a sound canal bore108, a speaker110, an earplug surface112, a wireless receiver/transmitter module114, a plurality of connecting circuits116, an ear118, an ear drum120, a speaker grill122, an on/off switch124, a first on/off switch end126, a second on/off switch end128, an earplug casing130and a battery132.

The wireless earplug100is shown wedgingly inserted into the ear canal106. In the present embodiment, the shape of the wireless earplug100is an approximately frustoconical shape with rounded edges. Other shapes may be used for the wireless earplug100, such as musicians' earplugs or custom-shaped earplugs. The outside edge102is the larger generally circular edge of the approximately frustoconical shape and is located distal to the ear canal106when inserted into the ear118. The inside edge104is the smaller generally circular edge of the approximately frustoconical shape and is located proximate to the ear drum120when inserted into the ear118. The approximate diameter of the inside edge104may vary, but is approximately 9 mm.

The earplug casing130comprises rubber, silicone or other material suitable for providing hearing protection and being wedgingly inserted into the ear118.

The wireless earplug100includes the sound canal bore108. The sound canal bore108is generally cylindrical and the center axis of the sound canal bore108is approximately the center axis of the wireless earplug100. The sound canal bore108extends from the inside edge104of the earplug to a distance approximately one-third to one-half the distance from the inside edge104to the outside edge102. The sound canal bore108terminates at the speaker110. The sound canal bore108diameter is less than the diameter of the inside edge104, by an amount so that enough earplug casing130surrounding the sound canal bore108remains in order to prevent collapse of the sound canal bore108when inserted into the ear118.

Enclosed within the earplug casing130are the battery132, the wireless receiver/transmitter module114, the speaker110, and the plurality of connecting circuits116.

The wireless receiver/transmitter module114is embedded in the earplug casing130and is proximate to the outside edge102. The wireless receiver/transmitter module114includes components for transmitting and receiving wireless signals302, for example Bluetooth signals or short wave radio signals. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the wireless transmission components of the invention conform to the Bluetooth specification, using a controller304(shown below inFIG. 3) as the master device and the wireless earplug100as a slave device.

At least one connecting circuit116electrically couples the wireless receiver/transmitter module114to the speaker110. The wireless receiver/transmitter module114includes components for transmitting audio signals to the speaker110. The wireless receiver/transmitter module114is electrically coupled to the battery with at least one connecting circuit116. The wireless receiver/transmitter module114has an approximate broadcasting range of 10 meters.

The battery132is embedded in the earplug casing130. In the present embodiment, the battery132is located proximate to the outside edge102when the wireless earplug100is inserted in the ear118. The battery132may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable. For a rechargeable battery, the earplug100is modified to provide access for a charging device (not shown). If the battery132is non-rechargeable, a portion of the earplug casing130between the battery132and the earplug surface112is removable and replaceable in order to allow for replacement of the battery132.

The battery132is of a type suitable for providing power to the electrical components110,114,124, and suitable for enclosing within the wireless earplug100in addition to the other necessary components. In the present embodiment, the battery132conforms to the Bluetooth Class 2 specification, although other wireless specifications may be used.

The battery132is electrically coupled to the wireless receiver/transmitter module114, the speaker110, and the on/off switch124with at least one connecting circuit116to each component110,114,124.

The speaker110is embedded in the wireless earplug100adjacent to the end of the sound canal bore108distal to the ear canal106when the wireless earplug100is inserted into the ear118. The speaker grill122is located at the end of the sound canal bore108distal to the ear canal106, when the wireless earplug100is inserted into the ear118, so that sound from the speaker110is projected through the sound canal bore108and into the ear canal106.

The speaker110is electrically coupled to the wireless receiver/transmitter module114as detailed above and includes components to electrically receive transmissions from the wireless receiver/transmitter module114and broadcast them as audio sounds.

The on/off switch124is located within the sound canal bore108and is approximately cylindrical in shape. The longitudinal axis of the on/off switch124is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sound canal bore108. The diameter of the on/off switch124is smaller than the diameter of the sound canal bore108so that enough void remains to transmit the audio into the ear canal106. In the embodiment shown, the on/off switch124is adjacent to the inside face of the sound canal bore108.

The first on/off switch end126is approximately located at the end of the sound canal bore108distal to the ear canal106when the wireless earplug100is inserted into the ear118. The second on/off switch end128is located inside the sound canal bore108, and extends far enough into the sound canal bore108that the on/off switch124may be toggled by a thin wire such as an unbent paperclip, but does not extend past the inside edge104of the wireless earplug100into the ear canal106.

The on/off switch124is electrically coupled to the battery, as previously described, so that power to the wireless receiver/transmitter module114and the speaker110is controlled by the on/off switch124. In the present embodiment, the on/off switch124is a toggle switch. Those skilled in the art will note that additional on/off switch124configurations are suitable. For example, a tubular on/off switch124may be located within the sound canal bore108and toggled on/off by using an external implement to press the tubular switch124towards the outside edge102of the wireless earplug100.

Referring again toFIG. 2, the wireless earplug100is shown in operation in the ear118.

The wireless earplug100is wedgingly inserted into the ear canal106far enough to hold the wireless earplug100in place during normal activities, but not far enough to damage the ear canal106. The outside edge102and a portion of the wireless earplug100adjacent to the outside edge102remains outside the ear canal106.

The wireless earplug100thus provides hearing protection to the ear118, while functioning to receive wireless signals302and transmit them to the speaker110. A user is then able to hear certain sounds while maintaining the hearing protection. The operation of the wireless earplug system300is described further below.

Referring next toFIG. 2, a perspective view of the exterior of the wireless earplug100is shown. Shown are the wireless earplug100, the sound canal bore108, the on/off switch124, the inside edge104, the outside edge102, and the first on/off switch end126.

The wireless earplug100is shown in an uninserted state. As previously described inFIG. 1, the earplug is an approximate frustoconical shape. The earplug is shown with the outside edge102on the left-hand side and the inside edge104on the right-hand side.

As shown, the sound canal bore108is visible at the inside edge104of the wireless earplug100. A portion of the on/off switch124, including the first on/off switch end126, is visible in the sound canal bore108. The other wireless earplug100components110,114are inside the wireless earplug100and thus are not visible inFIG. 2.

Referring next toFIG. 3, a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless earplug system300is shown. Shown are the wireless earplug100, the wireless receiver/transmitter module114, the speaker110, a plurality of wireless signals302, the controller304, and a graphical user interface306.

The wireless earplug100shown inFIG. 3is a simplified diagram of the wireless earplug100previously shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Shown are the wireless receiver/transmitter module114and the speaker110. Other components are not shown inFIG. 3for clarity.

The wireless receiver/transmitter module114is electrically coupled with and transmits audio signals to the speaker110, as shown inFIG. 1. The wireless receiver/transmitter module114sends and receives wireless signals302to and from the controller304.

The controller304may be any device with components for running computer programs and transmitting and receiving wireless signals302compatible with the wireless earplug100. In the embodiment shown, the controller304is a smartphone, but many devices are currently available or may be adaptable for use with the wireless earplug100. Additional adaptable devices include personal computers, baby monitors, music players, and tablet computers.

The controller304has an approximate range for wireless receiving and transmitting of about 10 meters. The controller304also includes means for limiting the volume of the transmitted audio below a certain decibel level in order to prevent any hearing damage when the wireless earplug100is inserted into the ear118.

The wireless signals302sent to the wireless earplug100are controlled through the graphical user interface306. The graphical user interface306may be configured for various embodiments. One embodiment as shown below inFIG. 5is to transfer an audio alarm to the wireless earplug100. Another embodiment would transmit controller audio output, for example audio files, streaming audio or audio phone calls. Yet another embodiment utilizes a controller304microphone to transmit ambient audio, for example, as an assistive listening device. An exemplary assistive listening device usage includes the controller microphone placed near a television speaker and transmitting the television audio to the wireless earplug100. In this manner, the wireless earplug100user can adjust the television audio volume without changing the television settings. Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes using the controller304as a filtering device, transmitting audio based on certain criteria set using the graphical user interface306or as pre-determined settings. Criteria examples include filtering audio phone calls based on the identity of the caller, and allowing high-decibel ambient audio, such as a fire alarm, to be transmitted to the wireless earplug100.

The user interacts with the graphical user interface306to set the requirements for audio transmissions. The requirements may include, for example, volume control, time of an alarm (as shown below inFIG. 5), phone call rings, phone call audio, and audio email notifications.

The controller304may also be configured for pairing the controller304with the wireless earplug100, as in the case of Bluetooth devices.

In operation, the wireless earplug100is inserted into the ear118. The user uses the graphical interface to set parameters for sound transmission, for example time and duration of sound. The controller304then sends the wireless signals302to the wireless earplug100according to the previously set parameters. The wireless receiver/transmitter module114receives the wireless signals302and transmits them to the speaker110. The speaker110outputs the transmissions as audio sounds, which then travel through the sound canal bore108in to the ear canal106, where they are heard by the user.

Referring next toFIG. 4, a schematic block diagram of the controller304is shown. Shown are the controller304, the graphical user interface306, a programmable logic controller (PLC)400, an earplug program402, a memory404, and a wireless transmitter/receiver module406.

The PLC400includes components necessary for operation of the controller304and running of the earplug program402. The PLC400is electrically coupled to the earplug program402, the graphical user interface306, the memory404, and the wireless transmitter/receiver module406.

The controller304also includes the memory404for storing data. The memory404may be of any type as required for operation of the earplug program402. The memory404also stores the earplug program402. The memory404is electrically coupled to the PLC400.

The earplug program402comprises a programming language compatible with the controller PLC400, for example the Objective-C programming language for a PLC400with an iOS operating system. The earplug program402contains programming suitable for carrying out desired tasks, for example inputting and executing an alarm as shown inFIG. 5.

The wireless transmitter/receiver module406is electrically coupled to the PLC400. The wireless transmitter/receiver module406receives audio signals from the PLC400as determined by the earplug program402and transmits them as wireless signals302to the wireless earplug100(shown inFIGS. 1-3).

Referring next toFIG. 5, a method for receiving a wireless earplug100audio alarm is shown. Shown are the alarm input step500, the insert earplugs step502, the alarm time step504, the controller transmittal step506, the wireless receiver/transmitter to speaker transmittal step508, and the play alarm step510.

During the initial alarm input step500, the user interacts with the controller304(as shown inFIGS. 2-4) to input a future time for an alarm to be transmitted to the wireless earplug100. The method then proceeds to the insert earplugs step502.

The insert earplugs step502is shown following the alarm input step500. During the insert earplugs step502, the user inserts an earplug into each ear118. The earplugs may both be wireless earplugs100, or one earplug may be a wireless earplug100and the other a conventional earplug. The user now has hearing protection in both ears118. The method then proceeds to the alarm time step504.

The alarm time step504follows from the insert earplugs step502. The alarm time step504is reached when the current time is equal to the alarm time set during the alarm input step500. The method then proceeds to the controller transmittal step506.

During the controller transmittal step506, the controller304sends wireless signals302to the wireless receiver/transmitter module114(as shown inFIGS. 1-4). The method then proceeds to the wireless receiver/transmitter to speaker transmittal step508.

The wireless receiver/transmitter to speaker transmittal step508follows the controller transmittal step506. The wireless receiver/transmitter module114electrically transmits the wireless signals302received from the controller304to the speaker110. The method then proceeds to the play alarm step510.

During the play alarm step510, the speaker110translates the audio signals into sounds and broadcasts them in to the sound canal. The user then hears the alarm.

Referring again toFIG. 5, a method for hearing an alarm while wearing earplugs for hearing protection is shown. There are many cases where it may be desired for the user to wear hearing protection, while still being able to hear certain sounds. One example of the method shown inFIG. 5is wearing of hearing protection in a noisy environment in order to sleep, while still being able to hear a wake-up alarm.

As shown inFIG. 5, the first two steps in the method are to input an alarm time to the controller304and to insert at least one wireless earplug100into an ear118. The other earplug may be a conventional earplug, a wireless earplug100, or the user may choose to only wear the wireless earplug100. The user may insert the wireless earplug100at any time prior to the alarm time.

During the alarm input step500, the user may set parameters for the alarm, for example, volume, duration and type of sound. Default parameters may also be pre-set on the controller304.

When the alarm time is reached, as in the alarm time step504, the controller304sends the wireless signals302to the wireless earplug100. The wireless signals302may be any sounds capable of being stored on the controller304and sent wirelessly to the wireless earplug100, for example, a smartphone ringtone.

When the wireless receiver/transmitter module114receives the wireless signals302, in the wireless receiver/transmitter to speaker transmittal step508, the wireless receiver/transmitter module114electrically communicates the audio signal to the speaker110.

Lastly, the speaker110receives the audio signal in the play alarm step510, and the sound is played by the speaker110. The user then hears the alarm. The alarm may be set to be a certain duration, or require the user to input a command to the controller304to cease the sound.

Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions that may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.