# Patent

## Title
Arrangement in acoustic headsets

## Abstract

The disclosure relates to an arrangement in hearing protection, in the form of an acoustic headset, comprising a first auditory cup (10), a second auditory cup (11) and a stirrup or headband (12) interconnecting the auditory cups (10, 11), a microphone (13) being provided for receiving ambient sound and an electronic control unit (15) actuable by means of a button set (14) being provided for transmitting sound from the microphone (13) and a radio unit (16) by the intermediary of loudspeakers (17) in the auditory cups (10, 11). The button set (14) comprises a plurality of associated buttons (18, 18′, 19, 19′, 20, 20′, 21, 22) arranged in groups, and each group of buttons being disposed, for actuation by the wearer's fingers, in a separate depression or recess (23, 24, 25, 26) in the first auditory cup (10).

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of Application Ser. No. 09/501,970 filed Feb. 10, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,681 which is a continuation of co-pending International Application No. PCT/SE98/01459 filed Aug. 12, 1998 which designated the United States.


TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an arrangement in hearing protection in the form of an acoustic headset, comprising a first auditory cup, a second auditory cup and a headband interconnecting the auditory cups, a microphone being provided for receiving ambient sound, and an electronic control unit actuable by a button set being provided for transmitting sound from the microphone and a radio unit by the intermediary of loudspeakers in the auditory cups.
BACKGROUND ART
Hearing protection in the form of two cups interconnected by a headband or stirrup or the like have long been employed. As electronic equipment has assumed steadily smaller dimensions, various electronic functions have also been integrated into the hearing protection. For example, it is a common occurrence that such hearing protection includes a radio, both some form of message radio and a broadcasting radio, for example on the FM wavelength. The radio sound is transmitted by the intermediary of loudspeakers integrated in the hearing protection headset.
Hearing protection systems have also been developed which include electronic amplification of the ambient sound. Reception of ambient sound is effected by means of microphones and the sound may be amplified or damped, respectively, by electronic means before being transmitted to the wearer of the headset via loudspeakers.
In a working environment at a steadily increasing tempo, the demands on protective equipment and the like have been raised. For example, it is important that hearing protection be employed in the correct manner, such that safety is not impaired. However, improvements to safety must not be put into effect at the expense of user friendliness.
OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to realise hearing protection of the above-described type, in which user friendliness has been developed at the same time as safety has been improved. This object is attained in that the present invention has been given the characterizing features as set forth in appended Claim 1.
Further advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will be apparent from the appended description, Drawings and appended subclaims.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with the aid of various embodiments and with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention, with two auditory cups;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration functional blocks in an electronic unit associated with the arrangement according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a first auditory cup in the arrangement of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a second auditory cup in the arrangement of FIG. 1.



DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, a first auditory cup 10 is connected to a second auditory cup 11 by means of a stirrup or headband 12 in a conventional manner. The first auditory cup 10 includes a button set 14 with a plurality of buttons 18, 18′; 19, 19′; 20, 20′; 21; 22 arranged in groups with associated buttons. The various buttons are connected to a control unit 15 (see FIG. 2). Each group of buttons is disposed in depressions 23, 24, 25, 26 in an arched outer side of the first auditory cup 10. FIG. 1 also shows an antenna 27 which is employed for receiving radio signals. A more detailed description of the function of the various buttons is given below with reference to FIG. 2.
The auditory cups 10, 11 are provided with cushions 28 which are intended to abut around the ears of the wearer of the headset. The cushions 28 contribute in the capability of the auditory cups substantially entirely to damp the immediate ambient sound. Within the auditory cups 10, 11, loudspeaker elements 17 are provided so that sound which is transmitted electronically according to the following description may be perceived by the wearer.
As will be apparent from FIG. 2, the button set 14 and the buttons included therein are connected to the control unit 15. Using a first group of buttons 18, 18′, the wearer of the headset arrangement according to the present invention can influence the balance of the output signal between different sound sources. A first sound source includes a microphone 13 which is physically disposed on one or both of the auditory cups 10, 11 and which, by the intermediary of a first amplifier 29, is electrically connected to the control unit 15. A second sound source consists of a radio unit 16 with an antenna 27. The radio unit 16 is electrically connected to the control unit 15. After adjustment of the balance using the first group of buttons 18, 18′ which are functionally connected to influence balance, the output signal is led from the control unit 15 by the intermediary of a second amplifier 30 to loudspeakers 17 in the auditory cups. The sound from the radio unit 16 and the microphone 13 may also be shut off using a first separate button 21. The control unit 15 is designed such that a brief depression of the first separate button 21 shuts off the radio unit 16. A more lengthy depression of the first separate button 21 shuts off the sound from remaining sound sources as well. When the equipment is activated, a first depression of the button 21 entails that the ambient sound from the microphone 13 is turned on. A second depression of the button will result in the radio sound also being turned on.
For adjusting the sound volume in the loudspeakers 17, a second group of buttons 19, 19′ which are functionally connected for volume control is provided in the button set 14. The sound volume can also be adjusted independently of the balance between the different sound sources. The radio unit 16 is adjustable to different frequencies. In one particular embodiment, the radio unit 16 includes receivers for both conventional broadcast radio and company-linked radio, for example some form of communication radio. Adjustment of the radio unit 16 is put into effect with the aid of a third group of buttons 20, 20′ which are functionally connected for channel searching, and a second separate button 22 for storing channels.
FIG. 3 shows the outside of the first auditory cup 10, with the button set 14. The button set 14 is disposed in an arched portion in which a first depression, or recess, 23 is provided for the first group of buttons 18, 18′. A similar, second depression or recess 24 is provided for the second group of buttons 19, 19′, and a similar third depression or recess 25 for the third group of buttons 20, 20′. The different buttons in the button set 14 are provided with relief symbols which are unique to each respective button and function. The symbols may be recessed as a groove or project in the form of ridges or the like.
The buttons in the button set 14, above all the button groups, are disposed along circular lines 31 or the like, so that the fingers of one hand of the wearer laid over the button set fall over several of the buttons. As a result, for example the balance between the sound sources may conveniently be adjusted in the above-described manner using, for example, the index finger and the middle finger. The wearer of the headset will readily recognise the different groups of buttons, since the buttons are disposed pairwise in separate depressions or recesses and are provided with the symbols which can be felt by the wearer's fingers. The second separate button 22 is disposed in a fourth depression or recess 26. As a result, this will also be easy to identify and distinguish from the first separate button 21 which, instead, is slightly raised.
FIG. 3 shows the first auditory cup 10 which, in a normal embodiment, constitutes the right-hand auditory cup. The various buttons will, as a result, be easily accessible to the wearer's right hand. A microphone 13 is provided forwardly on the auditory cup 10, and one preferably in the same manner on the second auditory cup 11. This placing of the microphones makes for the reception of sound, above all from in front of the wearer.
FIG. 4 shows the second auditory cup 11 which, in accordance with the foregoing, normally constitutes the left-hand auditory cup. A microphone 13 is also provided on this auditory cup in the same manner as described above. The space which, in the first auditory cup 10, is employed for the button set, and preferably for the different electronic units, is here utilised for a battery unit, of which a lid 32 is visible in FIG. 4.
The present invention should not be considered as restricted to that described above and shown on the Drawings, many modifications being conceivable without departing from the scope of the appended Claims.

## Claims

1. A hearing protection in the form of an acoustic headset comprising:
a first and a second ear cup interconnected by a stirrup or headband, said first and second ear cup each have an inner surface for contacting the ear of a wearer and an outer surface;
one loudspeaker in each one of the ear cups,
one microphone for receiving ambient sound,
one radio unit, and
one electronic control unit actuable by a button set for transmitting sound to the ear cups from the microphone and the radio unit by the intermediary of the loudspeakers, the button set comprises a plurality of associated buttons arranged in a plurality of groups, wherein each group controls a separate function, and wherein each group is located in a separate recess or depression on the outer surface of the first cup, wherein the plurality of groups include at least five groups having at least two buttons each, wherein a first group controls balance, a second group controls volume, a third group controls channel searching, a fourth group controls on-off, and a fifth group controls storing channels.