Abstract:
[Problem] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a neckband-type earphone that can be worn for a long time without subjecting the wearer to discomfort of wearing a neckband-type earphone, and in which the extent of hazard to the wearer when worn is lowered and locations that break are reduced. [Solution] A neckband-type earphone provided with: earphone parts which are inserted into the pinnae of the wearer and which output an audio signal; ear holder parts which connect to the earphone parts and which abut the upper side of the pinnae of the wearer; holder bodies provided with the ear holder parts; earphone drivers provided with the holder bodies; and a neck band connecting the two earphone drivers; the holder bodies being provided with a cushion part at a portion that comes into contact with the head of the wearer in the vicinity of the pinnae.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a neckband-type earphone. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, as an earphone for a portable audio reproducing device, an inner-ear-type earphone, a neckband-type earphone, and the like have been becoming widely used. Of the above-mentioned earphones, the neckband-type earphone includes relatively small headphones and is excellent in design unlike a headphone device in which a band section for coupling driver units together is held over a head. 
     In the neckband-type earphone, driver units of earphones are coupled by a band section. The band section has a U-shape, and a band of the band section is arranged in a vicinity of a back of a head of a wearer when the wearer wears the neckband-type earphone. The neckband-type earphone as described above is disclosed (for example, see Patent Literatures 1 and 2). 
     Further, as another related-art earphone, there is known a neckband-type earphone in which a reproducing unit for reproducing an audio signal is provided on a back side of a neckband (for example, see Patent Literature 3). In such a related-art neckband-type earphone, the reproducing unit itself is provided in the neckband-type earphone, and hence it is not necessary to connect the reproducing device and the neckband-type earphone through a cable. Accordingly, for example, when a user walks during commuting to work or plays sports such as jogging, the user does not need to care about the cable and can concentrate on playing sports. 
     Further, in recent years, a device for transmitting the audio signal through a radio wave has been known as means for transmitting the audio signal from the reproducing device to the earphone, instead of transmitting the audio signal from the reproducing device to the earphone through the cable as in the related art. In a case of the above-mentioned device for transmitting the audio signal through the radio wave, the reproducing device includes a transmitting unit for outputting the audio signal through the radio wave, whereas the earphone includes a receiving unit for receiving the audio signal. Thus, through the radio wave, the neckband-type earphone receives the audio signal reproduced by the reproducing device. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     [PTL 1] JP 2007-013873 A 
     [PTL 2] JP 2008-227754 A 
     [PTL 3] JP 2002-238092 A 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problems 
     In the headphone device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, two headphone housings for right and left ears are provided to a U-shaped band section. A driver unit is built in each of the two headphone housings. Each distal end portion of the band section is held on a temple of the wearer in a vicinity of an upper end of a right or left auricle, and an intermediate portion of the band section is arranged on a back of a head of the wearer. The distal end portion of the band section protrudes forward with respect to the auricle of the wearer, and a vicinity of the distal end portion of the band section is brought into abutment on the head of the wearer. In this manner, the entire headphone device is securely attached on the head of the wearer. 
     However, in the headphone device, the vicinity of the distal end portion of the band section, tightens the head of the wearer. This may bring the wearer a headache when the wearer wears the headphone device for a long period of time. The vicinity of the distal end of the band section of the headphone device is brought into abutment on a vicinity of the temple of the head. Further, in order to securely attach the headphone device on the head, an elastic material is used for the band, section, and the band section is formed so that the distal end portion of the band section is securely brought into abutment on the head due to elasticity of the elastic material. Therefore, when the headphone device is attached on the head of the wearer, the band section tightens the head, and hence the headphone device is not suitable for wearing for a long period of time. 
     Further, the band section and the headphone housings of the headphone device come into contact with the head of the wearer, and thus the headphone device is held on the head. However, a portion of the headphone device abutting on the head comes into not surface-contact but line-contact with the head of the wearer. This causes the wearer to feel a sense of instability, and the wearer cannot feel a sense of stability when wearing the headphone device. 
     Further, the headphone device includes protruding distal ends of the band section, and hence there is a risk in that the distal ends of the band section may hit the ear or the back of the head of the wearer by mistake when the wearer uses the headphone device. The neckband-type headphone device is becoming widely used, but some people do not yet know how to use the neckband-type headphone device. The headphone device including the distal end portions has a special shape as a headphone device. Accordingly, when the wearer uses a portable device outdoors and also puts on the headphone device at night, the wearer may forget that the headphone device includes the distal end portions, and hence there is a risk in that the distal end portions may hit the ear or the head of the wearer when the wearer puts on the headphone device. 
     In addition, the headphone device has such a shape that the headphone housings are provided to the band section including the distal end portions. Thus, the headphone device is reduced in strength as a whole, and hence the distal end portions may be broken and damaged. 
     The neckband-type earphone that receives, through the radio wave, the audio signal reproduced by the reproducing device needs to include a control unit for controlling volume of the audio signal and the like, a battery for supplying power, and the like in addition to the receiving unit for receiving the radio wave from the reproducing device. Accordingly, in a case where the neckband-type earphone as disclosed in Patent Literature 2 receives the audio signal from the reproducing device through the radio wave, the receiving unit, the control unit, and the battery described above need to be provided in each housing, and hence a weight of the housing is increased. In a case where the weight of the housing is increased as described above, for example, when the user walks during commuting to work or while the user plays sports such as jogging, the neckband-type earphone may fall off or slip off the ear due to the weight of the housing. 
     Further, in the neckband-type earphone as disclosed in Patent Literature 3 in which the reproducing unit is provided on a back portion of a neckband, the control unit, the battery, and the like can be provided in the reproducing unit. However, when the user walks during commuting to work or plays sports such as jogging under a state in which the reproducing unit is held on the back of the head, a load of a weight of the reproducing unit provided on the back portion of the neckband is transmitted to the head of the user every time the head of the user vibrates. As a result, the head is tilted backward due to the weight of the reproducing unit, which may significantly deteriorate wearing comfort of the neckband-type earphone. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a neckband-type earphone that enables a wearer to wear the neckband-type earphone for a long period of time without giving discomfort of wearing to the wearer, reduces a risk to the wearer when the wearer puts on the neckband-type earphone, also reduces a damage-prone portion, and is capable of preventing slip of the neckband-type earphone off the ear and deterioration of wearing comfort even when the user commutes to work or plays sports in a state of wearing the neckband-type earphone. 
     Solution to Problems 
     According to one embodiment, of the present invention, there is provided a neckband-type earphone, including; an earphone section to be inserted into an auricle of a wearer, for outputting an audio signal; an ear holder section connected to the earphone section and to be brought into abutment on an upper side of the auricle of the wearer; a holder body including the ear holder section; earphone drivers each including the holder body; and a neckband for connecting two of the earphone drivers together, in which the holder body includes a cushion section on a portion that comes into contact with a head of the wearer in a vicinity of the auricle. 
     Further, in the above-mentioned, neckband-type earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cushion, section includes a plurality of convex portions. 
     Further, in the above-mentioned neckband-type earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of convex portions of the cushion section has a hollow formed therein, or an inside of each of the plurality of convex portions of the cushion section has a charging material injected thereto. 
     Further, in the above-mentioned neckband-type earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of convex portions of the cushion section has a circular shape or a polygonal shape. 
     Further, in the above-mentioned neckband-type earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of convex portions of the cushion section include a circular convex portion and a polygonal convex portion in a mixed manner. 
     Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a neckband-type earphone for outputting an audio signal, including: a neckband section formed of an elastic body into a curved shape; a driver unit fixed to a housing, the driver unit including a diaphragm for emitting the audio signal as sound; a head holding section connected to the neckband section, for outputting the audio signal to the driver unit; and an arm section formed of a curved elastic body, for connecting the head holding section and the housing together, in which the head holding section includes a plurality of dimple portions for forming recesses in a side surface of the head holding section. 
     Further, in the above-mentioned neckband-type earphone according to another embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of dimple portions is formed of an elastic body. 
     Further, in the above-mentioned neckband-type earphone according to another embodiment, of the present invention, the head holding section includes: as audio signal receiving unit for receiving the audio signal; and an audio signal outputting unit, for outputting, to the driver unit, the audio signal received by the audio signal receiving unit. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide the neckband-type earphone that enables the wearer to wear the neckband-type earphone for a long period of time without giving discomfort of wearing to the wearer, reduces the risk to the wearer when the wearer puts on the neckband-type earphone, also reduces the damage-prone portion, and is capable of preventing slip of the neckband-type earphone off the ear and deterioration of the wearing comfort even when the user commutes to work or plays sports in a state of wearing the neckband-type earphone. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  are views illustrating a schematic configuration of a neckband-type earphone according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  are views illustrating structure of a cushion section of the neckband-type earphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  are views illustrating the cushion section of the neckband-type earphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of a neckband-type earphone according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating a head holding section  200 , an arm section  500 , and a housing  300  of a neckband-type earphone  100  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the housing  300  and an ear pad  400  of the neckband-type earphone  100  taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the head holding section.  200  of the neckband-type earphone  100  taken along the line B-B of FIG,  5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     (First Embodiment) 
     Now, a first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  ere views illustrating a schematic configuration of a neckband-type earphone according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1( a )  is a view illustrating an entire schematic configuration of the neckband-type earphone.  FIG. 1( b )  is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of an earphone driver of the neckband-type earphone. 
     In  FIG. 1( a ) , a neckband-type earphone  10  includes two earphone drivers  20  and a neckband  30 . The neckband  30  has a U-shape, and the earphone drivers  20  are respectively provided to two end portions of the neckband  30 . Note that, both ends of the U-shape of the neckband  30  are slightly curved inward. The two earphone drivers  20  are arranged on auricles of a wearer, and the neckband  30  is arranged on a back side of a neck of the wearer. In this manner, the neckband-type earphone  10  is attached on the wearer. 
     In  FIG. 1( b ) , each of the earphone drivers  20  includes an earphone section  40 , an ear holder section  50 , and a holder body  60 . The earphone section  40  is inserted into the auricle of the wearer so as to output an audio signal. The ear holder section  50  connects the earphone section  40  to the holder body  60  described below. The ear holder section  50  comes into contact with an upper side of the auricle of the wearer so as to hold the neckband-type earphone  10 . The holder body  60  includes a built-in driver (not shown) for converting an electric signal into the audio signal, and holds the earphone section  40  through intermediation of the ear holder section  50 . Further, the holder body  60  includes a cushion section  70  that comes into contact with a head of the wearer in a vicinity of the auricle. 
     In the neckband-type earphone  10 , the ear holder section  50  of each earphone driver  20  comes into contact with the upper side of the auricle of the wearer, and the holder body  60  comes into contact with the head of the wearer in a vicinity of a back of the auricle. Both ends of the U-shaped neckband  30  are curved inward. Thus, the neckband-type earphone  10  is held on the head of the wearer. 
       FIG. 2  are views illustrating structure of the cushion section of the neckband-type earphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2( a )  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cushion section of a hollow type.  FIG. 2( b )  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cushion section filled with a filling material. 
     The holder body  60  of each earphone driver  20  illustrated in  FIG. 2( b )  includes the cushion section  70  formed of a plurality of convex portions  80 . As described above, when each earphone driver  20  is attached on the auricle of the wearer, the holder body  60  comes into contact with the head of the wearer on the back side of the auricle, and at this time, the cushion, section  70  formed on the holder body  60  comes into direct-contact with the head of the wearer. 
     Each convex portion  80  of the cushion section  70  is made of an elastomeric material. As illustrated in  FIG. 2( a ) , a hollow portion  81  is formed inside the convex portion  80 , and the inside of the convex portion  80  is filled with air. As a material for the cushion section  70 , a soft material such as the elastomeric material is used, and the cushion section  70  has a hollow formed therein. Thus, when coming into contact with the wearer, the convex portion  80  of the cushion section  70  is depressed to come into contact with the head, with the result that the wearer can obtain a soft wearing feeling and a close contact feeling. Further, the cushion section  70  is made of the soft material, and hence the cushion section  70  does not inflict pain to the wearer, with the result that the wearer can wear the neckband-type earphone for a long period of time. In addition, the hollow portion is easily formed, and hence the holder body  60  itself is easily manufactured. 
     Further, as illustrated in.  FIG. 2( b ) , a filling material  82  such as gel-like silicon may be injected into an inside of the convex portion  80  of the cushion section  70 . The gel-like filling material  82  is used, and thus the convex portion  80  of the cushion section  70  keeps a deformed state in conformity to a shape of the head of the wearer, which can further enhance a wearing feeling and a close contact feeling. 
       FIG. 3  are views illustrating other examples of the cushion section of the neckband-type earphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Various combinations may be made to the number, size, arrangement, shape, and the like of the convex portions  80  of the cushion section  70 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cushion section  70  may be formed of three convex portions  80 . In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 3( a ) , the cushion section  70  may be formed of one convex portion  80 . Furrier, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3( b ) , the cushion section  70  may be formed of two or more, that is, a plurality of convex portions  80 . When the wearer wears the neckband-type earphone  10 , the cushion section  70  including at least one convex portion  80  can provide a stable wearing feeling to the wearer without giving discomfort to the wearer, and enables the wearer to wear the neckband-type earphone  10  for a long period of time. 
     Further, as the convex portions  80  of the cushion section  70 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a combination of one larger convex portion  80  and smaller convex portions  80  may be adopted. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 3( b ) , a combination of convex portions  80  having the same size may be adopted. When the cushion section  70  is formed of the plurality of convex portions  80  having the same size, the plurality of convex portions  80  come into contact with the head at she same pressure, and thus the wearer can obtain a stable wearing feeling produced from contact at uniform pressure. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 3( c ) , the convex portions  80  of the cushion section  70  may be formed of a circular convex portion  80  and polygonal (triangular, quadrangular, or other polygonal) convex portions  80 . In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 3( d ) , the convex portions  80  may be formed of only polygonal (triangular, quadrangular, or other polygonal) convex portions  80 . Not circular but polygonal convex portions  80  are formed, and hence a surface having sides of a polygon generates a force of suppressing movement in a direction of the surface, to thereby prevent displacement of a contact surface between the holder body  60  and the head. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 3( b )  and  FIG. 3( d ) , the convex portions  80  of the cushion section  70  may be formed in various arrangements. The cushion section  70  may be formed by variously arranging the convex portions  80  having various shapes as appropriate depending on use of the neckband-type earphone  10 . 
     For example, in a case of the neckband-type earphone  10  that can be used for sports and the like, the number of the convex portions  80  of the cushion section  70  is increased, and each convex portion  80  is formed into a polygonal shape. This configuration prevents slip of the neckband-type earphone  10  off the head due to vibration of the head along with exercise. 
     On the other hand, in a case of use of the neckband-type earphone  10  to be worn for a long period of time without severe vibration, the cushion section  70  is formed of a small number of circular convex portions  80 , and thus the cushion section  70  gives little contact feeling to the head. Thus, the wearer can wear the neckband-type earphone  10  for a long period of time, and obtain a stable wearing feeling. 
     As described above, according to the neckband-type earphone  10  of this embodiment, due to the cushion section  70  of the holder body  60 , the neckband-type earphone  10  can be securely attached on the head of the wearer together with the ear holder section  50  of each earphone driver  20 , and a vicinity of each distal end portion of the neckband  30  does not tighten the head of the wearer. Thus, without feeling discomfort, the wearer can wear the neckband-type earphone  10  for a long period of time with a stable wearing feeling. 
     Further, the neckband-type earphone  10  does not include protruding distal end portions of the neckband  30 , which may be used when the wearer puts on the neckband-type earphone. Accordingly, even a person who does not know how to use the neckband-type earphone  10  has no risk in that the distal end portions may hit the ear or the head of the person when the person puts on the neckband-type earphone  10 . 
     In addition, the neckband-type earphone  10  does not include the protruding distal end portions of the neckband  30 , which may be used when the wearer puts on the neckband-type earphone, and hence the distal end portions are not broken and damaged. 
     Therefore, according to the neckband-type earphone  10  of this embodiment, it is possible to provide the neckband-type earphone  10  that enables the wearer to wear the neckband-type earphone  10  for a long period of time without giving discomfort of wearing to the wearer, reduces a risk to the wearer when the wearer puts on the neckband-type earphone, and also reduces a damage-prone portion. 
     (Second Embodiment) 
     Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. 
       FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of a neckband-type earphone according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     A neckband-type earphone  100  includes two head holding sections  200 , two housings  300 , two ear pads  400 , two arm sections  500 , and a neckband section  600 . 
     The neckband section  600  is formed of an elastic body such as a curved rubber member. At each end of the neckband section  600 , a connecting portion  601  for connecting the head holding section  200  is formed. The head holding section  200  is connected to the connecting portion  601 . The two head holding sections  200 , the housings  300 , the ear pads  400 , and the arm sections  500  are arranged in bilateral pairs with respect to the neckband section  600 . 
     The head holding section  200  includes an operating section  800  on an outer surface thereof with respect to the neckband section  600 . The arm section  500  is formed of an elastic body such as a rubber member, and is formed into such a curved cylindrical shape that an inside of the arm section  500  is hollow. One end of the arm section  500  is fixed to an upper surface portion of the head holding section  200 , and another end of the arm section  500  is fixed to the housing  300 . The housing  300  holds the ear pad  400  on an inner surface thereof with respect to the neckband section  600 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating the head holding section  200 , the arm section  500 , and the housing  300  of the neckband-type earphone  100  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 5 , the upper side of the drawing sheet corresponds to an upper side of the neckband-type earphone  100 , and the right side of the drawing sheet corresponds to a front side of the neckband-type earphone  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the arm section  500  is formed into a substantially curved semicircular shape. A curved surface portion  208  is formed on a front surface of the head holding section  200 . A curved inner surface of the arm section  500  is smoothly continuous with a curved surface of the curved surface portion  208 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , due to elasticity of the elastic body, the arm section  500  can be deformed in directions indicated by arrows when the housing  300  is pressed forward or backward. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the housing  300  and the ear pad  400  of the neckband-type earphone  100  taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 6 , the upper side of the drawing sheet corresponds to an upper side of the housing  300  and an upper side of the ear pad  400 , and the right side of the drawing sheet corresponds to an inner side of the housing  300  and an inner side of the ear pad  400 . 
     The housing  300  includes a driver unit  700  therein. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the housing  300  is formed into a cylindrical shape to include a cavity portion  302  formed therein. A hole  301  is formed in an upper side of the housing  300 . The hole  301  is communicated to a cavity part formed in the arm section  500 . The housing  300  includes a protruding portion  304  that forms a cylindrical shape in an inside thereof and has a hole  303  formed therein to pass through the inside of the protruding portion  304  from the cavity portion  302 . A groove portion  305  is formed in a center portion of an outer periphery of the protruding portion  304 . 
     The driver unit  700  includes a diaphragm (not shown), and is fixed to an inner wall of the housing  300  with an adhesive or the like so that the diaphragm is exposed through the hole  303  to the inner side of the neckband-type earphone. A lead wire  140  is electrically connected to the driver unit  700 . The lead wire  140  is further electrically connected to an audio signal outputting unit of the head holding section  200  described below through the hole  301  via a cavity formed in the arm section  500 . 
     The ear pad  400  is formed of an elastic body such as a rubber member and formed into a cylindrical shape. The ear pad  400  has a hole  401  formed to pass through the ear pad  400  in a fore-and-aft direction. The ear pad  400  includes a flange portion  402  protruding circumferentially inward. The ear pad  400  is held on the inner side of the housing  300  in such a manner that the flange portion  402  is fitted into the groove portion  305  of the protruding portion  304 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the head holding section  200  of the neckband-type earphone  100  taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 7 , the upper side of the drawing sheet corresponds to an upper side of the head holding section  200 , and the right side of the drawing sheet corresponds to an inner side of the head holding section  200 . 
     In addition to the above-mentioned operating section  800 , the head holding section  200  includes a chassis portion  201 , a cover portion  203 , a contact portion  206 , a substrate  900 , a switch  1000 , an audio signal receiving unit  110 , a control unit  120 , an audio signal outputting unit  130 , and a battery  150 . 
     The chassis portion  201  is formed into a box-like shape that is open outward, and the chassis portion  201  includes a recessed portion  202 . The cover portion  203  is formed into a plate-like shape, and is fixed so as to cover the recessed portion  202  from an outer side of the chassis portion  201 . The substrate  900  is held inside the recessed portion  202  by bosses  205  fixed on the inner wall of the chassis portion  201 , and the switch  1000 , the audio signal receiving unit  110 , the control unit  120 , and the audio signal outputting unit  130  are fixed on the substrate  300 . The battery  150  supplies power through the substrate  900  to the switch  1000 , the audio signal receiving unit  110 , the control unit  120 , and the audio signal outputting unit  130 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the configuration in which the battery  150  is provided inside the chassis portion  201  and the cover portion  203 . However, there may be adopted a configuration in which the battery  150  is removably provided on a lower surface of the chassis portion  201 , or a configuration in which an open/close cover is formed as the cover portion  203  so as to allow mounting and removal of the battery  150  provided inside the chassis portion  201 . 
     The audio signal receiving unit  110  receives an audio signal transmitted through a radio wave from a reproducing device (not shown). The operating section  800  includes a shaft on an inner side thereof, and the shaft is connected, through a hole  204  formed in the cover portion  203 , to the switch  1000  fixed on the substrate  900 . The operating section  800  is pressed inward, and thus the switch  1000  outputs an instruction signal for instructing start of reproduction, or stop of reproduction of the audio signal. The control unit  120  controls the audio signal receiving unit  110  and the audio signal outputting unit  130 . Based on the instruction signal output from the switch  1000 , the control unit  120  controls the audio signal outputting unit  130  to start or stop output of the audio signal that the audio signal receiving unit  110  has received. As described above, the audio signal outputting unit  130  is electrically connected through the lead wire  140  to the driver unit  700  provided in the housing  300 . Based on control of the control unit  120 , the audio signal outputting unit  130  outputs, to the driver unit  700 , the audio signal that the audio signal receiving unit  110  has received. 
     The contact portion  206  is formed of a plate-like elastic body such as a rubber member, and is fixed on an inner side surface of the chassis portion  201 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the contact portion  206  includes a plurality of dimple portions  207  for forming recesses in an inner surface of the contact portion  206 . 
     When a user listens to the audio signal using the neckband-type earphone  100 , first, the neckband section  600  is attached on the head of the user, and the curved surface portion  208  of each head holding section  200  is brought into abutment on a back of an earlobe. Further, under a state in which each arm section  500  is hung on an upper portion of the ear, the ear pad  400  is fitted into the ear. According to the neckband-type earphone  100 , due to elasticity of the neckband section  600 , backs of right and left ears of the user are sandwiched by the contact portions  206  of the head holding sections  200 . Further, due to elasticity of the arm section  500 , the ear is sandwiched by the ear pad  400  and the curved surface portion  208  of the head holding section  200  that is brought into abutment on the back of the earlobe. In this manner, the neckband-type earphone  100  is attached on the head and the ear of the user. Next, the reproducing device (not shown) is operated to transmit the audio signal through the radio wave from a transmitting unit of the reproducing device. 
     When the audio signal is transmitted through the radio wave from the transmitting unit of the reproducing device, the neckband-type earphone  100  inputs, by the audio signal receiving unit  110 , the audio signal transmitted through the radio wave from the transmitting unit, of the reproducing device. When the operating section  800  is pressed by the user and the instruction signal for instructing reproduction is output from the switch  1000 , the control unit  120  controls the audio signal outputting unit  130  to output the audio signal input by the audio signal receiving unit  110 . Based on control of the control unit  120 , the audio signal outputting unit  130  outputs the audio signal, which is input from the audio signal receiving unit  110 , to the driver unit  700  through the lead wire  140 . The driver unit  700  converts the audio signal input from the audio signal outputting unit  130  into vibration through use of a magnetic circuit, and the vibration is transmitted to the diaphragm through a voice coil (not shown). Thus, the audio signal is emitted as sound. In this way, the audio signal reproduced by the reproducing device is emitted as the sound by the driver unit  700  through the audio signal receiving unit  110 , the audio signal outputting unit  130 , and the lead wire  140 , and the audio signal emitted as the sound is transmitted to an inside of the ear pad  400  through the hole  303  of the housing  300 . Thus, the audio signal is transmitted to the ear of the user who wears the ear pad  400 , and the user can listen to the audio signal output from the neckband-type earphone  100 . 
     According to the neckband-type earphone  100  of this embodiment, due to elasticity of the neckband section  600 , the backs of the right and left ears of the user are sandwiched by the contact portions  206  of the head holding sections  200 . Further, due to elasticity of the arm section  500 , the ear is sandwiched by the ear pad  400  and the curved surface portion  208  of the head holding section  200  that is brought into abutment on the back of the earlobe. Thus, the neckband-type earphone  100  can be precisely attached on the head and the ear of the user. At this time, the contact portion  206 , which is brought into abutment on the back of each of the right and left ears of the user, includes the plurality of dimple portions  207  for forming recesses in the surface of the contact portion  206 , and hence a surface of the head of the user on the back of the ear is gripped by the recesses of the dimple portions  207 . Accordingly, even when the audio signal receiving unit  110  for receiving the audio signal transmitted from the reproducing device, the audio signal outputting unit  130 , the battery  150 , and the like are provided inside the head holding section  200 , the dimple portions  207  of the contact portion  206  grip and hold the surface of the head of the user. Thus, for example, even when the user walks during commuting to work or plays sports such as jogging in a state of wearing the neckband-type earphone  100 , the neckband-type earphone  100  can be prevented from failing off or slipping off the ear. 
     Further, according to the neckband-type earphone  100  of this embodiment, the battery  150  and various types of circuits for causing the driver unit  700  to receive the audio signal transmitted from the reproducing device and output the received audio signal are provided inside the head holding section  200  that is brought into abutment on the surface of the head of the user on the back of the ear. Thus, for example, even in a case where the head of the user vibrates up and down when the user walks during commuting to work or plays sports such as jogging in a state of wearing the neckband-type earphone  100 , a load of a weight of the head holding section  200  is substantially equally distributed on a peripheral portion of the ear of the user by the arm sections  500  and the dimple portions  207  of the contact portions  206 , and hence the neckband-type earphone  100  can be attached on the user continuously and precisely. Accordingly, for example, unlike the neckband-type earphone in which various types of circuits and the battery are provided to a back portion of the neckband section, the neckband-type earphone  100  of this embodiment can prevent a situation where the head is tilted forward or backward because of up-and-down vibration of the neckband-type earphone and thus wearing comfort of the neckband-type earphone is deteriorated. 
     According to the neckband-type earphone  100  of this embodiment, the operating section  800  is provided on the outer side surface of the head holding section  200 , and the user presses the operating section  800  to start or stop reproduction of the audio signal. With this configuration, every time the user desires to start or stop reproduction of the audio signal and presses the operating section  800 , the dimple portions  207  of the contact portions  206  are pressed on the head of the user. Accordingly, for example, even under a state in which the user wears the neckband-type earphone  100  for a long period of time, every time the user presses the operating section  800 , the recesses of the dimple portions  207  can newly grip the surface of the head of the user on the back of the ear. As a result, the neckband-type earphone  100  can be attached on the head of the user reliably for a long period of time. 
     The neckband-type earphone  100  of this embodiment has a configuration in which the contact portion  206  including the dimple portions  207  is formed of the elastic body. However, as long as the recessed portions of the dimple portions  207  can hold the head of the user accurately, the contact portion  206  may be formed of a metal member or a plastic member other than the elastic body. Accordingly, various types of coloring and decoration can be made to the contact portion  206 , and hence beauties of the neckband-type earphone  100  can be enhanced. 
     The neckband-type earphone  100  of this embodiment has a configuration in which the audio signal receiving unit  110  receives the audio signal transmitted from the reproducing device through the radio wave. However, the audio signal may be transmitted from the reproducing device through use of infrared communication or another data transmitting means, and the audio signal receiving unit may receive the audio signal transmitted by the transmitting means. Further, without receiving the audio signal from the reproducing device through use of wireless means such as the radio wave, the audio signal may be input through a cable or the like. 
     The neckband-type earphone  100  of this embodiment outputs the instruction signal for instructing start of reproduction of the audio signal or stop of reproduction of the audio signal in such a manner that the operating section  800  of the head holding section  200  is pressed. However, in addition to the instruction for start or stop of reproduction, the neckband-type earphone  100  may be capable of instructing, for example, volume adjustment of the audio signal to be output from the driver unit  700 , designation of a track to be reproduced, and designation of reproduction tempo. 
     According to the neckband-type earphone  100  of this embodiment, a separate device other than the neckband-type earphone  100  is used as the reproducing device for reproducing the audio signal, and the neckband-type earphone  100  receives the audio signal transmitted from the reproducing device. However, for example, the neckband-type earphone  100  may have a configuration in which a storage unit for storing the audio signal and a reproducing unit are provided inside the head holding section  200  of the neckband-type earphone  100 , and the reproducing unit reproduces the audio signal stored in the storage unit. With this configuration, even when a separate reproducing device is not prepared in addition to the neckband-type earphone  100 , the user can listen to the audio signal using only the neckband-type earphone, and hence the user does not need to care about a connection cable and the like and can concentrate on playing sports when the user walks during commuting to work or plays sports such as jogging. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention can be effectively used in the neckband-type earphone. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       10  neckband-type earphone,  20  earphone driver,  30  neckband,  40  earphone section,  50  ear holder section,  60  holder body,  70  cushion section,  80  convex portion,  81  hollow portion,  82  filling material,  100  neckband-type earphone,  200  head holding section,  201  chassis portion,  202  recessed portion,  203  cover portion,  204  hole,  205  boss,  206  contact portion,  207  dimple portion,  208  curved surface portion,  300  housing,  301  hole,  302  cavity portion,  303  hole,  304  protruding portion,  305  groove portion,  400  ear pad,  401  hole,  402  flange portion,  500  arm section,  600  neckband section,  601  connecting portion,  700  driver unit,  800  operating section,  300  substrate,  1000  switch,  110  audio signal receiving unit,  120  control unit,  130  audio signal outputting unit,  140  lead wire,  150  battery.