Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device to enhance an ear bud including a headband coupled to one or more ear pads. The ear pad being formed of a material for providing dampening of ambient sound and physiologic compression. For example, the pad can be formed of a visco-elastic foam having a thickness to provide noise reduction and sufficient comfort by avoiding excessive compression on any one part of the ear. The headband and the ear pad provide a force for compressing the tragus and antitragus to partially isolate the ear bud in the external auditory canal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device to enhance an ear bud in which the ear listening device is maintained in place and, in some embodiments, includes a small speaker and the device provides noise reduction. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Ear buds are listening devices designed for placement in the concave portion of the listener&#39;s ear or auricle, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,838. By design, ear buds are “open air” devices and do not provide isolation from ambient noise to which the listener may be exposed. 
     Devices for sound isolation are known and are used in many settings including settings where a high degree of isolation from high volume external noise may be desirable. In settings with lower volume external noise, devices that provide lesser degrees of isolation may be desirable. Industrial use devices, typically intended to provide a high level of isolation from surrounding noise, may form a tight seal against the wearers head to isolate the entire ear or form a tight seal within the external auditory canal. Such an approach allows a tight seal between the ear pad and the user&#39;s head or between the in-ear device and the external auditory canal, resulting in isolation of the ear drum from surrounding sound and marked and measurable reduction in sound pressure level from ambient sound. U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,361 discloses an acoustic ear muff which includes a pad or cup which is made of rigid material and incorporates an opening for receiving one ear of the wearer. A resilient sealing annulus is intended for abutment with the head of the wearer. The ear muff also includes a resilient pressure-exerting means connected to the shell of a protective helmet, a head strap or like head gear. The ear muff provides good acoustic damping and a high degree of comfort, owing to the fact that the resilient pressure-exerting means is configured to produce a low pressing force substantially independently of head sizes which vary within given limits. This type of industrial device, providing a high degree of sound isolation, may be unnecessary in an environment requiring only a modest amount of sound isolation. 
     An additional characteristic of ear bud headphones is the typically (or, “commonly”) insecure position of the transducer relative to the listener&#39;s ear due to features of the devices and users, including light weight and small size of the ear buds as well as variations in ear anatomy among users. This may result in the ear buds falling out of the auricular (or “ear”) canal and/or assuming a position that provides suboptimal and inconsistent sound quality. U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0310666 describes an adaptation device that removably attaches to ear bud style headphone(s) and provides improved security and retention of the ear bud to a wearer&#39;s ear yet positions the speaker in substantially the same distance relative to the concha and/or ear canal of a wearer as a wearer would ordinarily wear an ear bud. The adaptation device includes a hook having a frontside portion and a backside portion. The frontside portion of the hook is sized and shaped for positioning the ear bud roughly upside-down relative to a wearer&#39;s ear and for positioning the speaker of the ear bud generally over the auditory canal and generally within the concha and/or the auditory canal of the ear. The backside portion of the hook is sized and shaped to hook over the top of the helix to the backside of the wearer&#39;s ear along the backside of the auricle. A holding means is used for holding an ear bud headphone by the stem of the ear bud, the holding means located on the frontside of the hook. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0144878 relates to an ear bud adapter which includes an adapter body having a first side, a port or projection extending from the first side, and a second side. The second side is generally configured to be releasably attachable to an ear bud or ear bud-type headphone which would be positioned in the outer ear during use. The projection may include a sleeve attached thereto. The projection or the projection and sleeve are generally configured to extend into the ear canal of a user. A sleeve or foam cover is positioned over the sleeve to provide a contact surface which generally conforms to the user&#39;s ear canal shape when at least a portion of the sleeve is positioned therein. The above described ear bud adapters require a specific anatomy which an individual wearer may not exhibit, given the variability of human ear anatomy and none provide sound isolation while providing security of position. Additionally, the adapter has the shortcoming that it attaches to the transducer itself rather than a separate device that is universal for use of all in-ear devices. 
     Attempts to isolate the sound have focused on electronic noise canceling technologies or sound proofing ear muffs commonly used for hearing protection in industrial and aviation settings. Electronic methods of sound reduction do not isolate the ear from surrounding noise but provide an electronic means to neutralize certain types of external, ambient sound. U.S. Pat. No. 7,177,433 describes a method and apparatus for improving the audibility of sound from a loudspeaker located close to an ear, including the steps of detecting ambient acoustic noise arriving from other sound sources, using a transducer that provides corresponding ambient sound signals, inverting the polarity of the ambient sound signals and combining them with the signals being fed to the loudspeaker to reduce the audibility of the ambient acoustic noise, and passing the ambient sound signals through a filter having a predetermined average transfer function that compensates for the spectral modification of sounds travelling from the loudspeaker to the ear caused by the proximity of the ear of a listener in use. The devices require electronic components with external power, such as from batteries. 
     It is desirable to provide an improved device to enhance an ear bud by using the natural contours and inherent acoustic properties of the ear to enhance the quality of sound, increase the security of the ear bud&#39;s position in the wearer&#39;s ear canal and provide isolation from ambient noise that can interfere with delivered audio material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device to enhance an ear bud including a headband coupled to one or more ear pads. The ear pad being formed of a material for providing dampening of ambient sound and physiologic compression. For example, the pad can be formed of a visco-elastic foam having a thickness to provide noise reduction. The headband and the ear pad provide a force for compressing the tragus and atittragus of the ear to partially isolate the ear bud in the external auditory canal 
     In one embodiment, the headband is adjusted in length to provide sufficient compression to gently compress the ear pad and the ear without delivery excessive pressure that can create “hot spots”, painful areas of the ear. The ear pad can have a base that can be fixedly attached to the headband. Alternatively, the base can be coupled to the headband with a movable interface for allowing the base to be moved around the circumference of the headband. In one embodiment, the ear pad includes a speaker which protrudes from each ear pad to provide sound when used without ear buds. Alternatively, the speaker of the ear pad is positioned behind the ear pad. 
     In one embodiment, the device to enhance an ear bud can be used with an ear bud type telephone headset including a microphone in an ear bud or on a wire that connects to a telephone. The one ear pad can include a speaker, behind the ear pad or protruding from the pad. On the same side of the headband, the microphone can be attached to the outside of the ear pad or it can be mounted on a boom to bring it closer to the user&#39;s mouth. In either configuration, the embodiment of the device used as a telephone headset (active) or to enhance a telephone headset (passive), the opposite side of the headband (where there is no ear pad) would have a pad that can anchor the device to the head to allow sufficient pressure on the side of the headband with the ear pad. 
     The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a device to enhance an ear bud in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the device in an alternate embodiment including an adjustment portion at an end of the headband where the ear pad attaches to the headband. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the device in an alternate embodiment in which the headband is worn around the rear of the head. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the device including a headband having a square shape. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the ear bud in dashed line during use in the ear. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the ear pad including a base and a pad. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of and alternate embodiment of the ear pad in which the base includes a moveable interface. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the ear pad including a cover. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment in which only one ear pad is attached to the headband. 
         FIG. 10  is an alternate embodiment in which the device includes a speaker in one ear bud and a microphone in a second ear bud. 
         FIG. 11  is an alternate embodiment in which the device includes a microphone for use as a telephone headset. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates device to enhance an ear bud  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Headband  12  is coupled to one or more ear pads  14 . Ear pad  14  is positioned over ear bud  15 . Headband  12  can include adjustment portion  16 . Adjustment portion  16  allows headband  12  to be adjusted in length to receive a user&#39;s head  17 . Adjustment portion  16  can be adjusted to provide sufficient compression on user&#39;s ear  18  to gently compress ear pad  14  against ear  18 . Adjustment portion  16  can be positioned at or near middle portion  19  of headband  12 . In an alternate embodiment, adjustment portion  16  can be positioned at or near end portion  20  of headband  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , headband  12  can be worn over top  21  of head  17 . Alternatively, headband  12  can be worn around rear  23  of head  17 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Headband  12  can have a curved shape for following the curved shape of head  17 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, headband  12  can have a square or rectangular shape for applying pressure to ear pad  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . It will be appreciated that headband  12  can be any shape that can result in ear pads  14  to apply pressure to both ears. Headband  12  can be formed of a plastic material such as polypropylene to provide pressure to ear pad  14  when headband  12  is expanded over head  17 . Adjustment portion  16  can be a telescoping portion for allowing expeditious adjustment. 
     During use, ear pad  14  provides compression of tragus  24  and antitragus  25  of ear  18  creating a partially isolated chamber of external auditory canal  26  in which the ear bud rests, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Ear pad  14  comprises base  30  and pad  32 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Base  30  can be formed of a solid rigid material. A suitable material for base  30  is metal, rigid ABS plastic or nylon. Base  30  can have a thickness to provide suitable support, for example in the range of about 2 mm to about 5 mm depending upon the material from which it is made. Base  30  is coupled to headband  12 . Base  30  can be coupled to headband  12  in a fixed arrangement. Alternatively, base  30  can be coupled to headband  12  with movable interface  35  for allowing base  30  to be moved around the circumference of headband  12 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, headband  12  can be non-adjustable. Alternatively, headband  12  can be adjustable and include adjustment portion  16  as described above. 
     Pad  32  can have an oval, circular or other shape. Pad  32  can have a diameter in the range of about 1 inch to about 3 inches. Thickness of pad  32  is selected to be adequate to avoid painful compression of portions of ear  18  and provide noise reduction and/or cancellation. Thickness of pad  32  can be increased to provide additional cushioning and provide increased pressure on ear  18  to provide isolation of sound and a sealed environment with ear bud  15 . For example, pad  32  can have a thickness in the range of about ⅜ inch to about 1 inch. Pad  32  can be formed of a material for providing dampening of ambient sound and physiologic compression. A suitable material for pad  32  can be visco-elastic foam. In one embodiment, pad  32  is formed of a visco-elastic, high-damping foam, an Indention Force Deflection of 2-5 lbs. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,935, hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety into this application. Ear bud  15  can include speaker  36 . Speaker  36  can protrude from pad  32 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Rim  37  of pad  32  is positioned around speaker  36 . Alternatively, speaker  36  is positioned behind pad  32 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . A noise cancelling system  39  can be provided using speaker  36 . For example, speaker  36  can generate noise cancelling output. Alternatively, noise cancelling system  39  can be incorporated into ear bud  15  to provide additional noise cancelling, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In one embodiment, cover  40  can be used in device  10 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Ear pad  14  can include cover  40 . Cover  40  is removable and is positioned over pad  32  and base  30 . Cover  40  can be formed of a washable material. Cover  40  provides protection of pad  32  from oils, dander and other materials that can stain or damage pad  32 . 
     In one embodiment, device to enhance ear bud  100  includes headband  12  coupled to one ear pad  14 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     In one embodiment, device  200  includes speaker  37  incorporated into ear bud  15   a  pad  32  and a microphone  38  mounted on ear pad  14 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Alternatively, microphone  38  can be mounted on boom  201  from headband  12  on the side of ear bud  15  extending for use as a telephone headset, as shown in  FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, pad  32  is positioned over ear bud  15   a . Pad  204  is attached on the opposite side of headband  12  to anchor headband  12  to head  17 . Alternatively, microphone  38  can be mounted in a wire of a telephone headset (not shown). In one embodiment, the device can be used with an ear bud type telephone headset that has the microphone in the ear bud or on the wire that connects to the telephone. In the active configuration, the device can have one ear pad. The one ear pad would have one speaker behind the pad or protruding from the pad. On the same side of the headband, a microphone can be attached to the outside of the ear pad or it could be mounted on a boom to bring it closer to the user&#39;s mouth. In either configuration (active or passive), the device of the present invention is used as a telephone headset or to enhance a telephone headset, the opposite side of the headband (where there is no ear pad) can have a pad that anchors it to the head. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.