PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9208769-B2
Application Number: US-201213718820-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Hybrid adaptive headphone

Abstract:
An adaptive noise-cancelling headphone including an earcup housing having a driver for outputting sound to a user positioned therein. The headphone further including an active noise control assembly. The active noise control assembly may include an ambient microphone capable of detecting an ambient noise outside of the housing and an error microphone capable of detecting an earcup noise inside of the housing. Based on the detected noise, active noise cancellation within the headphone is either enabled or disabled. The headphone may further include a passive noise control assembly. The passive noise control assembly may include an acoustic valve associated with an acoustic vent formed within the earcup housing. The acoustic valve is capable of being modified between an open configuration to decrease sound attenuation and a closed configuration to increase sound attenuation in response to the detected ambient noise so as to improve an acoustic performance of the earcup.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adaptive noise-cancelling headphone comprising:
 an earcup comprising an earcup housing having a front portion defining an inner chamber dimensioned to encircle a user&#39;s ear, a back portion defining an outer chamber and a mid wall separating the inner chamber from the outer chamber; 
 a driver positioned within the mid wall for outputting sound to the inner chamber and in a direction of a user&#39;s ear; 
 an active noise control assembly integrated with the earcup housing, the active noise control assembly having an ambient microphone operable to detect an ambient sound outside of the earcup housing and an error microphone operable to detect an earcup sound inside of the earcup housing; and 
 a passive noise control assembly integrated with the earcup housing, the passive noise control assembly having an acoustic valve associated with an acoustic vent that opens to the outer chamber, the acoustic valve operable to be modified between an open configuration to decrease ambient sound attenuation within the earcup housing and a closed configuration to increase ambient sound attenuation within the earcup housing in response to the detected ambient sound. 
 
     
     
       2. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  wherein the ambient microphone is positioned at the back portion of the earcup housing. 
     
     
       3. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  wherein the error microphone is positioned within the front portion of the earcup housing such that it detects the earcup sound near the user&#39;s ear. 
     
     
       4. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a cancelling signal generating unit capable of generating a cancelling signal when active noise cancellation is enabled. 
 
     
     
       5. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  wherein the acoustic vent is positioned within the back portion of the earcup housing and the driver includes a leak port such that when the acoustic valve is in the open position, the ambient sound outside of the earcup housing enters the outer chamber through the acoustic vent and travels to the inner chamber through the leak port. 
     
     
       6. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  wherein the back portion of the earcup housing further comprises a middle chamber, wherein the middle chamber surrounds the driver and the outer chamber is behind the middle chamber, and wherein the acoustic vent is positioned between the middle chamber and the outer chamber such that when the valve is in the open position, the middle chamber vents to the outer chamber. 
     
     
       7. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  wherein active noise cancellation is enabled when it is determined, based on an ambient noise electrical signal output by the ambient microphone and an earcup noise electrical signal output by the error microphone, that the earcup sound inside the earcup housing is above a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
       8. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  wherein the acoustic valve is in the closed configuration when the ambient sound is above a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
       9. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  wherein the acoustic valve is in the open configuration when the ambient sound is below a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
       10. The adaptive headphone of  claim 1  wherein active noise cancellation is disabled when the acoustic valve is in the open configuration. 
     
     
       11. An adaptive noise-cancelling headphone system comprising:
 a headphone having a set of earcups, each of the earcups comprising an earcup housing having an inner chamber dimensioned to encircle a user&#39;s ear and an outer chamber separated from the inner chamber by a mid wall, a driver mounted within the mid wall and operable to output sound to the user&#39;s ear, an ambient microphone operable to detect an ambient noise outside of the earcup housing and output an ambient noise electrical signal and an error microphone operable to detect an earcup noise within the earcup housing and output an earcup noise electrical signal; 
 a processor configured to:
 receive one or more of the ambient noise electrical signal and the earcup noise electrical signal; 
 compare the ambient noise electrical signal or the earcup noise electrical signal to a predetermined threshold value; and 
 based on the comparing, operate an active noise control system of the headphone and a passive noise control system of the headphone to improve an acoustic performance of the headphone. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The headphone system of  claim 11  wherein the active noise control system comprises:
 a cancelling signal generating unit configured to generate a cancelling signal capable of cancelling the earcup noise. 
 
     
     
       13. The headphone system of  claim 11  wherein the passive noise control system comprises:
 a modifiable acoustic valve associated with a vent formed in the earcup housing and opening to the outer chamber. 
 
     
     
       14. The headphone system of  claim 11  wherein the processor is configured to instruct the passive noise control system to decrease ambient sound attenuation within the earcup housing when the ambient noise electrical signal is below the predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
       15. The headphone system of  claim 11  wherein the processor is configured to instruct the passive noise control system to increase ambient sound attenuation within the earcup housing when the ambient noise electrical signal is above the predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
       16. The headphone system of  claim 11  wherein the processor is configured to instruct the passive noise control system to decrease ambient sound attenuation within the earcup housing and instruct the active noise control system to turn off when the ambient noise electrical signal is below the predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
       17. The headphone system of  claim 11  wherein the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory having store therein operating system instructions to be implemented by the processor, and the processor and the memory are contained within the headphone. 
     
     
       18. A method of adaptively cancelling noise within a headphone comprising:
 determining an ambient noise outside of an earcup housing using an ambient microphone associated with the earcup housing, the earcup housing having an inner chamber dimensioned to encircle a user&#39;s ear, an outer chamber separated from the inner chamber by a mid wall and a driver positioned within the mid wall for outputting sound to the inner chamber; 
 determining an earcup noise inside of the earcup housing using an error microphone associated with the earcup housing; 
 actively controlling the earcup noise using an active noise control assembly when the earcup noise is above a predetermined threshold value; and 
 passively controlling ambient noise attenuation within the earcup housing using a passive noise control assembly having an acoustic valve associated with an acoustic vent that opens to the outer chamber. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein actively controlling the earcup noise comprises instructing the active noise control assembly to generate a noise cancelling signal sufficient to cancel the earcup noise. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  wherein passively controlling ambient noise attenuation within the earcup housing comprises instructing the passive noise control assembly to open the acoustic valve to decrease attenuation of the ambient noise when the ambient noise is below a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18  wherein passively controlling ambient noise attenuation within the earcup housing comprises instructing the passive noise control assembly to close the acoustic valve to increase attenuation of the ambient noise when the ambient noise is above a predetermined threshold value.

Description:
FIELD 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a hybrid adaptive headphone having active noise control capability and passive noise control capability. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Whether listening to a portable media player while traveling, or to a stereo or theater system at home, consumers often choose headphones. Headphones typically include a pair of earcups which encircle the user&#39;s ears and are held together by a headband. Headphones can be classified into two general categories based on the design of the earcups, namely closed-back or open-back earcups. Closed-back earcups surround the user&#39;s ears and have a sealed back. Open-back earcups also surround the user&#39;s ears but have a back which is open to the ambient environment surrounding the earcup. 
     Both the closed-back and the open-back designs have their own acoustic advantages and disadvantages. Representatively, closed-back earcups have good sound isolation since they are sealed off from ambient noise. In addition, the size and clamp force of the earcups can also be modified to further increase sound isolation. Features of the closed-back design, such as the sealed back, size and clamp force of the earcups allow this design to mechanically or passively attenuate any ambient noise. In some cases, however, closed-back earcups can also make use of an electronic active noise control (ANC) system for additional sound isolation. An ANC system is a noise cancellation system which can attenuate or cancel noise within the earcup by emitting an “antinoise” signal, which is an audio signal having, in theory, the same amplitude and opposite phase to that of the noise such that they cancel each other out. 
     Due to the closed design of closed-back earcups, however, they have stronger resonances. For example, standing waves can accumulate in the earcups. These standing waves can degrade sound quality and reduce the feeling of openness, which is often desired by a user. In addition, in a quiet environment, residual noise from electrical components within the earcup (e.g., a driver or microphone within the earcup housing) may be heard by the user. 
     Open-back earcups, on the other hand, have good sound quality due to their low resonances, feel more open to the user, and allow ambient noises to be used to mask some of the residual noises which would otherwise be heard by the user. Open-back earcups, however, cannot be used in noisy environments because their passive attenuation is by definition poor. In addition, since open-back earcups are substantially open to the ambient environment, ANC systems may not be able to efficiently cancel the ambient noise entering the earcup through the open back. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the invention is a hybrid adaptive noise-cancelling headphone which boasts advantages of both closed-back earcup and open-back earcup designs, as a function of the environment. Representatively, the headphone may include an earcup housing having a driver positioned therein for outputting sound to a user&#39;s ear. The driver may be positioned between a front portion of the housing (which is dimensioned to encircle the user&#39;s ear) and a back portion of the housing. An active noise control assembly and a passive noise control assembly may be associated with the earcup housing. The active noise control assembly may include an ambient microphone capable of detecting an ambient noise outside of the housing (also referred to as a reference microphone) and an error microphone capable of detecting earcup (residual) noise (inside of the housing). Based on the detected ambient noise and the earcup noise, active noise cancellation within the headphone is either enabled or disabled. The passive noise control assembly may include an acoustic valve associated with an acoustic vent formed within the earcup housing. The acoustic valve is capable of being modified between an open configuration to decrease sound attenuation and a closed configuration to increase sound attenuation in response to the detected ambient noise so as to improve an acoustic performance of the earcup. 
     An operation of the active noise control assembly and the passive noise control assembly may be controlled by a processor configured to receive one or more of an ambient noise electrical signal and an earcup noise electrical signal output by the ambient microphone and the error microphone, respectively. The processor may compare the ambient noise electrical signal or the earcup noise electrical signal to a predetermined threshold value. Based on the comparison, the processor may instruct the passive noise control assembly to open or close the vent, and the active noise control assembly to enable or disable ANC. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present invention. It is contemplated that the invention includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone having a passive noise control assembly in a closed position. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic diagram of the headphone of  FIG. 1B  having the passive noise control assembly in the open position. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone having a passive noise control assembly in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a schematic diagram of the headphone of  FIG. 2B  having the passive noise control assembly in the open position. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram showing one embodiment of an operation of a noise control assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified logic flow chart of an illustrative mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone. 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified logic flow chart of an illustrative mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of an illustrative mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a simplified schematic view of one embodiment of an electronic device in which a passive noise control assembly and an active noise control assembly may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In this section we shall explain several preferred embodiments of this invention with reference to the appended drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the embodiments are not clearly defined, the scope of the invention is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone having a passive noise control assembly in a closed position.  FIG. 1B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the headphone of  FIG. 1B  having the passive noise control assembly in the open position. It should be understood that the figures illustrate only one of a pair of left and right ear earcups of headphone  100 , which can be connected by a head band (not shown). Thus, each of the features described in reference to the earcup of headphone  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  should be understood as applying to the other earcup of headphone  100 . Earcup housing  102  forms an enclosure dimensioned to encircle and cover a user&#39;s ear. In this aspect, earcup housing  102  includes a front portion  104  defining an inner chamber  106  and a back portion  108  defining an outer chamber  110 . Inner chamber  106  may surround the ear  112  when headphone  100  is positioned on the user&#39;s head. In some cases, an earphone pad  118  may be positioned around front portion  104  of earcup housing  102  to ensure a comfortable fit around the user&#39;s ear. Outer chamber  110  is a substantially closed chamber (with the exception of the acoustic valve  120 , as will be described in more detail below) positioned behind the inner chamber  106  (as viewed in  FIG. 1A ). Outer chamber  110  may be separated from inner chamber  106  by mid wall  114 . 
     A driver  116  for outputting a music signal (S) in a direction of ear  112  may be mounted within mid wall  114 . Driver  116  may be any type of electric-to-acoustic transducer having a pressure sensitive diaphragm and circuitry configured to produce a sound in response to an electrical audio signal input (e.g., a loudspeaker). The electrical audio signal may be a music signal input to driver  116  by sound source  130 . Sound source  130  may be any type of audio device capable of outputting an audio signal, for example, an audio electronic device such as a portable music player, home stereo system or home theater system capable of outputting an audio signal. 
     In order to improve an acoustic performance of headphone  100 , headphone  100  may include a passive noise control assembly and an active noise control assembly. The passive noise control assembly may include an acoustic vent  122  formed through earcup housing  102  and an acoustic valve  120 . Acoustic valve  120  may be used to control the passage, and therefore attenuation, of ambient noise within earcup housing  102 . Acoustic vent  122  and acoustic valve  120  are considered aspects of a passive noise control assembly because they can be used to mechanically attenuate noise within headphone  100  in the absence of an audio signal (e.g., increase or decrease sound attenuation by closing or opening acoustic valve  120 ). This is in contrast to an active noise control assembly, such as an ANC system, which uses an antinoise signal to attenuate noise. Thus, although an acoustic valve  120  is described and illustrated herein, it is contemplated that any type of modifiable mechanism capable of passively attenuating a noise within earcup housing  102  in response to an ambient noise as described herein may be used (e.g., a piezoelectric or pressure sensitive mechanism capable of opening or closing an acoustic vent or tubing forming a modifiable acoustic vent within the housing). 
     In some embodiments, acoustic valve  120  may open or close acoustic vent  122  depending upon an ambient noise outside of headphone  100 . For example, where the ambient noise outside of headphone  100  is high (e.g., at or above a predetermined ambient noise threshold value found to reduce an acoustic performance of headphone  100 ), acoustic valve  120  closes to increase attenuation of the undesirable noise. Alternatively, when the ambient noise outside of headphone  100  is low (e.g., below the predetermined threshold value), acoustic valve  120  opens thereby reducing the resonances of headphone  100  and improving user experience. It is further noted that, although not shown, driver  116  may include a front to back leak port, or other feature, that enables sound to vent through driver  116  from one side to the other (e.g., from outer chamber  110  to inner chamber  106 ) so that the feeling of openness often desired by a user can be experienced when acoustic valve  120  is open. In this aspect, headphone  100  can be considered a hybrid of the previously described closed-back and open-back earcup designs since it can in some cases have a closed-back configuration (e.g., when acoustic valve  120  is closed) and an open-back configuration (e.g., when acoustic valve  120  is open). Headphone  100  is further considered adaptable in that acoustic valve  120  can be modified in response to a noise level of the surrounding or ambient environment. 
     Representatively, in some embodiments, acoustic valve  120  is configured to automatically close or open in response to an ambient noise (N OUT ) detected by ambient microphone  124 . The ambient noise (N OUT ) may be considered any noise outside of earcup housing  102 . Ambient microphone  124  may be any type of acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor having a pressure sensitive diaphragm and circuitry configured to convert the ambient noise into an electrical signal (e.g., micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone). In some embodiments, ambient microphone  124  may be positioned along an outer side of earcup housing  102  which faces the ambient environment. In this aspect, any ambient noise (N OUT ) can be detected by ambient microphone  124 . The detected noise (N OUT ) is then converted by ambient microphone  124  into an ambient noise electrical signal. The ambient noise electrical signal is then transmitted to processing unit  128  (e.g., via a wire) where it is processed and used to determine whether acoustic valve  120  should be in the open or closed position. 
     Representatively, in one embodiment, the ambient noise electrical signal is compared to a predetermined ambient noise threshold value. The predetermined ambient noise threshold value may correspond to an ambient noise level which has been found to negatively affect the acoustic performance of headphone  100 , for example based on subjective perceptions of various users. For example, in some embodiments, the predetermined ambient noise threshold value may be a value greater than or equal to a sound level of from about 50 decibels to about 70 decibels, for example 60 decibels. Thus, assuming in a normal or resting state acoustic valve  120  is open, when the ambient noise (N OUT ) detected by ambient microphone  124  is determined by processing unit  128  to be equal to or greater than from about 50 decibels to about 70 decibels (e.g., equal to or greater than 60 decibels), instructions are sent to close acoustic valve  120  as shown in  FIG. 1A . In the closed configuration, acoustic valve  120  blocks the ambient noise (N OUT ) from entering acoustic vent  122  and therefore passively increases the attenuation of ambient noise (N OUT ) within earcup housing  102  so that an intensity of ambient noise (N OUT ) near the user&#39;s ear is reduced. Once the ambient noise (N OUT ) falls below the predetermined ambient noise threshold value, and is therefore no longer of a level sufficient to interfere with the user&#39;s experience (e.g., is less than 60 decibels), instructions are sent to open acoustic valve  120  as shown in  FIG. 1B . When acoustic valve  120  is open, the ambient noise (N OUT ) can enter earcup housing  102  through acoustic vent  122 . Since the noise level is determined to be relatively low, however, it will not interfere with the user&#39;s experience but rather improve the experience since the feeling of openness often desired by users is now achieved and resonances within earcup housing  102  are reduced. In addition, the passive attenuation of earcup housing  102  may also be reduced due to the openness of earcup housing  102 . 
     Although the embodiments described herein are primarily directed to an acoustic valve  120  which automatically opens or closes in response to an ambient noise level, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, acoustic valve  120  can be a manual valve that can be opened or closed by the user depending upon the individual user&#39;s listening preference. 
     Acoustic valve  120  can be any type of valve capable of opening and closing acoustic vent  122  in response to an external control mechanism, e.g., an electrical signal or, in some cases, a force applied by a user. Representatively, in one embodiment, acoustic valve  120  may include a movable member that can move linearly over acoustic vent  122 , rotate over acoustic vent  122 , or rotate on a stem (as in a butterfly valve) or a hinge or trunnion (as in a check valve) mounted to earcup housing  102 . For example, in one embodiment, acoustic valve  120  may be a disk shaped movable member rotatably mounted over acoustic vent  122 . The disk shaped movable member may include openings  121  that align with the openings of acoustic vent  122  in an open position (see  FIG. 1B ), and solid regions  119  that cover the openings of acoustic vent  122  when the movable member is rotated to the closed position (see  FIG. 1A ). In the case of an automated valve, which can be controlled by an electrical signal, an actuator such as a motor (e.g., a direct current motor) can be electrically coupled to the movable member such that the input of an electrical signal to the motor (e.g., where the ambient noise (N OUT ) is above a threshold value) causes the motor to rotate the movable member to an open or closed position with respect to acoustic vent  122 . In the case of a manual valve, acoustic valve  120  may include an extension which extends from the movable portion outside of earcup housing  102  so that a user can manually move the movable portion. 
     As previously discussed, in addition to a passive noise control assembly, headphone  100  may further include an active noise control assembly. The active noise control assembly may include any type of active noise cancelling system capable of emitting a cancelling or antinoise signal for cancelling noise within earcup housing  102 . For example, active noise control assembly may be a feedback and/or feedforward ANC system. Representatively, in one embodiment, the active noise control assembly may use the previously discussed ambient microphone  124  for detecting an ambient noise (N OUT ) and an error microphone  126  for detecting an earcup noise (N IN ) within inner chamber  106 . Similar to ambient microphone  124 , error microphone  126  may be any type of acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor having a pressure sensitive diaphragm and circuitry capable of converting earcup noise (N IN ) into an electrical signal (e.g., a MEMS microphone). Error microphone  126  is mounted within inner chamber  106  so that it can detect noise within earcup housing  102  that could be heard by a user and interfere with the listening experience. The earcup noise (N IN ) detected by error microphone  126  may then be converted to an earcup noise electrical signal and transmitted to processing unit  128 . Processing unit  128  may then process both the earcup noise electrical signal and the ambient noise electrical signal (e.g., compare the signals) to determine whether ANC within earcup housing  102  is necessary. Processing unit  128  may determine that ANC is desirable where, for example, earcup noise (N OUT ) is above a predetermined threshold value found to negatively interfere with a user&#39;s listening experience. Where ANC is necessary, processing unit  128  will generate a cancelling or antinoise signal having an amplitude equal to, but of a different phase than, the earcup noise to be cancelled. The cancelling signal will then be transmitted from processing unit  128  to driver  116 , which in turn, outputs the cancelling signal to inner chamber  106  so that any undesired earcup noise (N IN ) is cancelled before reaching the user&#39;s ear. The cancelling signal may be transmitted along with, or separate from, a music signal (S) transmitted to driver  116  by sound source  130  for output to the user. It is noted that although an active noise control assembly using both the ambient microphone  124  and error microphone  126  to determine whether to enable or disable ANC is described, it is contemplated that the active noise control assembly may, in some embodiments, operate based on noise detected by a single microphone, for example ambient microphone  124  or error microphone  126  alone. 
     Each of the above-described passive and active noise control assemblies may be operated at the same time or at different times depending upon the detected noise level. For example, in an environment where the noise level is relatively high such that the detected ambient noise (N OUT ) is above the predetermined ambient noise threshold value, the passive noise control assembly may close acoustic valve  120  in order to increase attenuation of the undesired ambient noise. The active noise control assembly may or may not be enabled in this instance since the earcup noise (N IN ) may or may not be above the predetermined earcup noise threshold value. For example, although ambient noise (N OUT ) may be considered relatively high, it may be attenuated enough by earcup housing  102  and the closure of acoustic valve  120  that ANC is not necessary. Alternatively, if earcup noise (N IN ) is determined to be above the predetermined threshold value, ANC may be enabled such that both passive and active noise control assemblies are used to control the noise level within earcup housing  102 . In another embodiment where the environmental noise level is considered to be relatively low (e.g., the ambient noise is below the predetermined threshold value), acoustic valve  120  may be opened and ANC may be disabled (e.g., no cancelling signal is generated) such that high audio quality can be recovered. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone having a passive noise control assembly in a closed position.  FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the headphone of  FIG. 2B  having the passive noise control assembly in the open position. Similar to  FIGS. 1A-1B , only one of a pair of left and right ear earcups, which can be connected by a head band (not shown), are illustrated. Thus, each of the features described in reference to the earcup of headphone  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  should be understood as applying to the other earcup of headphone  200 . Headphone  200  may be substantially similar to headphone  100  and include similar features and operate in a similar manner except that in this embodiment, acoustic vent  222  is formed through an outer mid wall  214 , which divides the back portion  108  of earcup housing  102  into two separate chambers, namely a middle chamber  208  and an outer chamber  210 . Middle chamber  208  is dimensioned to contain driver  116 , which is ported to inner chamber  106 , and processing unit  128 . Outer chamber  210  is dimensioned to form a substantially open acoustic volume behind middle chamber  208 . Acoustic valve  220  is positioned along outer mid wall  214 , and over acoustic vent  222 . Acoustic valve  220  and acoustic vent  222  may be substantially similar to any of the vent and valve configurations discussed in reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B , e.g., a movable member with solid portions  219  and open portions  221  which can be rotated so that the solid portions  219  cover the openings in acoustic vent  222  in the closed configuration and so that open portions  221  are aligned with openings in acoustic vent  222  in the open configuration. In this aspect, when acoustic valve  220  is in the closed configuration (as illustrated in  FIG. 2A ), middle chamber  208  is substantially acoustically sealed off from outer chamber  210 . When acoustic valve  220  is in the open configuration (as illustrated in  FIG. 2B ), middle chamber  208  is acoustically coupled with outer chamber  210 . An acoustic port  204  is further formed through a portion of earcup housing  102  such that in the open configuration, any desired ambient sound or noise may pass through acoustic port  204  and into inner chamber  106  thus enhancing the acoustic performance and increasing the feeling of openness of headphone  200 . 
     Similar to headphone  100  described in reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B , headphone  200  may be considered a hybrid adaptive headphone in that headphone  100  also includes a passive noise control assembly and an active noise control assembly. Representatively, the passive noise control assembly may include acoustic vent  222  and acoustic valve  220 , which can be opened or closed depending upon the ambient noise (N OUT ) detected by ambient microphone  124 . The active noise control assembly may include any type of active noise cancelling (ANC) system capable of emitting a cancelling signal for cancelling noise within earcup housing  102 . Representatively, in one embodiment, the active noise control assembly may include the previously discussed ambient microphone  124  for detecting an ambient noise (N OUT ) and an error microphone  126  for detecting an earcup noise (N IN ) within inner chamber  106 . Processing unit  128  may be used to process both an earcup noise electrical signal output by error microphone  126  and an ambient noise electrical signal output by ambient microphone  124  to determine whether passive noise control and/or ANC within earcup housing  102  is necessary. 
     The passive and active noise control assemblies may be operated at the same time or at different times depending upon the detected noise level. For example, in an environment where the noise level is relatively high such that the detected ambient noise (N OUT ) is above an ambient noise predetermined threshold value, the passive noise control assembly may close acoustic valve  220  in order to increase attenuation of the undesired ambient noise. The active noise control assembly may or may not be enabled in this embodiment since the earcup noise (N IN ) may or may not be above the earcup predetermined threshold value. For example, although ambient noise (N OUT ) may be considered relatively high, it may be attenuated enough by earcup housing  102  and the closure of acoustic valve  220  that ANC is not necessary. Alternatively, if the earcup noise (N IN ) is determined to be above the predetermined threshold value, ANC may be enabled such that both passive and active noise control assemblies are used to control the noise level within earcup housing  102 . In another embodiment where the environmental noise level is considered to be relatively low (e.g., the ambient noise is below the predetermined threshold value), acoustic valve  220  may be opened and ANC may be disabled (e.g., no cancelling signal is generated) such that high audio quality can be recovered. 
     Although the embodiments described herein are primarily directed to an acoustic valve  220  which automatically opens or closes in response to an ambient noise level, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, acoustic valve  220  can be a manual valve that can be opened or closed by the user depending upon the individual user&#39;s listening preference. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram showing one embodiment of an operation of a noise control assembly. Noise control assembly  300  may include a processing unit  128 , which includes various processing components configured to drive the operation of the passive noise control assembly and the active noise control assembly as will now be described in more detail. In one embodiment, processing unit  128  may include a signal processor  302 , which may in some embodiments be a digital signal processor (DSP). Signal processor  302  may include various signal processing components, including but not limited to, a signal comparing unit  304 , a cancelling signal generating unit  306  and a mixer  308  for processing of the ambient noise electrical signals from ambient microphone  124  and/or earcup noise electrical signals from error microphone  126 . Representatively, during an operation of headphone  100 , any ambient noise electrical signals and/or earcup noise electrical signals detected by ambient microphone  124  and/or error microphone  126 , respectively, are input to signal comparing unit  304 . Signal comparing unit  304  may include circuitry configured to determine the ambient noise level from the ambient noise electrical signals and/or the earcup noise level from earcup noise electrical signals. The determined noise level may then be compared to a predetermined threshold value by signal comparing unit  304  to determine whether passive and/or active noise control is necessary. For example, where the ambient noise electrical signals are determined to be above a predetermined ambient noise threshold value (e.g., about 60 decibels), instructions to close the valve  120  (or valve  220 ) may be sent to a valve control unit  310 . Alternatively, where the ambient noise electrical signals are determined to be below the predetermined ambient noise threshold value, instructions to open the valve  120  (or valve  220 ) may be sent to a valve control unit  310 . Valve control unit  310  may include, for example, a controller  312  including circuitry configured to process the instructions and send an electrical current to motor  314 , which is in turn configured to actuate the valve  120  (or valve  220 ) (i.e., open or close the valve). It is further contemplated that in addition to, or instead of motor  314 , a switch may be used to actuate or control an electrical input to valve  120 . 
     Still further, in the case of the active noise control assembly operation, signal comparing unit  304  can compare the ambient noise electrical signals, the earcup electrical signals and/or music sound signals (S) to each other and/or a threshold value, to determine whether ANC is necessary. Representatively, in one embodiment, signal comparing unit  304  may determine based on a comparison of the ambient electrical signals to the earcup electrical signals or one or more of these signals to a predetermined threshold value, that a user&#39;s listening experience could be improved by enabling ANC. For example, the predetermined threshold value may be any ambient noise value or earcup noise value found, based on field studies, to interfere with a user&#39;s listening experience. Instructions may then be sent to cancelling signal generating unit  306  to generate a cancelling signal or antinoise signal sufficient to cancel the undesired earcup noise. The cancelling signals generated by cancelling signal generating unit  306  may then be sent to mixer  308 . The cancelling signal output by cancelling signal generating unit  306  may be synthesized with the musical signal (S) input by sound source  130  and sent to driver  116  for output to the user. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG. 3 , it is to be understood that, a battery or other power source for noise control assembly  300  may be included within the associated headphone. It is further to be understood that noise control assembly  300  is shown generically in  FIG. 3  for clarity. Persons skilled in the art can, however, appreciate that any one or more of the components discussed herein can be omitted, modified, combined, and/or rearranged, and any additional processing components and/or circuitry necessary for processing of noise electrical signals and operation of a passive noise control assembly and an active noise control assembly may be included without departing from the scope of the invention. Representative components and/or circuitry that may be included but are not illustrated in  FIG. 3  may include, but are not limited to, amplifiers, filters, phase adjusters, signal converters, memory, additional processors and the like. It is further to be understood that in some embodiments, each of the components and/or circuitry of processing unit  128  are integrated within headphone  100  such that the signal processing and operating decisions take place within headphone  100 . In other embodiments, one or more components of processing unit  128  may be integrated within an electronic device remote to headphone  100  such that signal processing and/or operating decisions are performed outside of headphone  100  and the operating instructions are transferred to headphone  100  (e.g., via a wire or wirelessly) for execution. For example, processing unit  128  (including, for example, signal comparing unit  304 , cancelling signal generating unit  306  and mixer  308 ) may be integrated within sound source  130  or a chip configured to collect noise electrical signals, process the signals and transfer the signals, in some cases along with instructions, to a host device (e.g., headphone  100 ). 
       FIG. 4  is a simplified logic flow chart of an illustrative mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment of a passive noise control assembly in accordance with one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone. Operation of the passive noise control assembly may include process  400  which represents one embodiment for a processing unit which determines when to turn on or turn off a passive noise control assembly (e.g., close or open housing valve  120  or valve  220 ). It should be understood that the processes discussed here and in the processes to follow are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Persons skilled in the art can appreciate that steps of the processes discussed herein can be omitted, modified, combined, and/or rearranged, and any additional steps can be performed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although a single valve in an open or closed state is disclosed, it is contemplated that multiple valves may be provided and one or more of the valves may have incremental opening steps. 
     Process  400  can start at step  402  and proceed to step  404 . In step  404 , an audio signal can be received. The audio signal can be received, for example, by one or more microphones of a headphone (e.g., ambient microphone  124 ). If, instead of the headphone, an electronic device in communication with the headphone (e.g., an audio electronic device) is performing the signal processing of the audio signal, then the audio signal can be first received by the electronic device, and then transferred to the headphone for subsequent processing (e.g., via a wire or wirelessly). The audio signal may contain an ambient noise detected outside of headphone. 
     In step  406 , the audio signal can be sampled by, for example, a signal processor, such as signal processor  302  of  FIG. 3 , in order to determine the level of ambient noise that is present. Any suitable form of noise sampling or noise analysis can be performed in order to determine the amount of ambient noise present. As one example, the signal processor can analyze the frequency spectrum of the audio signal that is received in step  404  in order to determine the amount of ambient noise present in the audio signal. 
     In step  408 , the signal processor can compare the amount of noise to a predetermined threshold value. For example, the signal processor can compare the detected ambient noise to a predetermined ambient noise threshold value. The predetermined ambient noise threshold value can be a default system value that is determined by, for example, the system distributor or manufacturer. Alternatively, a user can manually set a predetermined noise threshold value for process  400 . In yet another embodiment, the predetermined noise threshold value can be a dynamic value which changes based on factors such as the power supply of the headphone, a device in communication with the headphone, the ratio of the earcup noise to the ambient noise, etc. 
     In response to the noise not being greater than the predetermined threshold value, the system can proceed to step  410 . In step  410 , process  400  can wait for a pre-determined time delay. After the time delay, process  400  can return to step  404  and once again receive an audio signal. Thus, process  400  can repeatedly loop through steps  404 ,  406 ,  408 , and  410  and sample the audio signal until the ambient noise is greater than the predetermined ambient noise threshold value. The value of the time delay in step  410  will determine the frequency at which process  400  samples the audio signal. Alternatively, if it is desired to continuously sample the audio signal, step  410  can be removed. 
     In response to the noise being greater than the predetermined ambient noise threshold value, process  400  can proceed to step  412  and send instructions to close the passive noise control assembly valve. For example, if the data processing is being done in the headphone, the instructions are sent to the valve control unit  310  of  FIG. 3 , located within the headphone. Alternatively, if the data processing is being done in an associated audio electronic device (e.g., a high-fidelity stereo system or home theater system), the instructions can be sent to a headphone that is in communication with the audio electronic device. 
     After the valve is closed, process  400  can proceed to step  414  and can once again sample the audio signal. Steps  414 ,  416 ,  418 , and  420  can operate in the same manner as steps  404 ,  406 ,  408 , and  410  except, since the valve is already closed, the steps can continue to loop and repeat as long as the level of noise is greater than the predetermined ambient noise threshold value. For example, in step  414  an audio signal can be received. In step  416 , this audio signal can be sampled to determine the level of noise present in the audio signal. In step  418 , process  400  can determine if the ambient noise is greater than the predetermined ambient noise threshold value. In response to the noise being greater than the predetermined ambient noise threshold value, process  400  can proceed to step  420  and wait for a pre-determined time delay, and can then return to step  414 . Thus, as long as a received audio signal contains undesired noise that is greater than the predetermined ambient noise threshold value, steps  414 ,  416 ,  418 , and  420  can continue to loop and the valve can remain closed. In response to the noise level being less than the predetermined ambient noise threshold value in step  418 , process  400  can proceed to step  422  and send instructions to open the valve. 
     Process  400  can then return to step  404  and once again repeat steps  404 ,  406 ,  408 , and  410  until the undesired noise levels rises above the predetermined ambient noise threshold value. In this manner, process  400  can continuously monitor the amount of noise and suitably close or open the valve of passive noise control assembly. Process  400  can continue to operate as long as the system is on. For example, process  400  can continue to operate until a headphone is turned off, until a headphone is no longer in communication with an electronic audio device, until a user manually turns off process  400 , etc. Additionally, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the predetermined ambient noise threshold value in step  408  and the predetermined ambient noise threshold value in step  418  are not required to be the same value, and that different threshold values can be used to determine when to open and/or close the associated valve. 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified logic flow chart of an illustrative mode of operation of an active noise control assembly in accordance with one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone. Operation of the active noise control assembly may include process  500  which represents one embodiment for a processing unit which determines when to turn on (enable) or turn off (disable) active noise cancellation. It should be understood that the processes discussed here and in the processes to follow are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Persons skilled in the art can appreciate that steps of the processes discussed herein can be omitted, modified, combined, and/or rearranged, and any additional steps can be performed without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Process  500  can start at step  502  and proceed to step  504 . In step  504 , an audio signal can be received. The audio signal can be received, for example, by one or more microphones of a headphone (e.g., ambient microphone  124  and/or error microphone  126 ). If, instead of the headphone, an electronic device in communication with the headphone (e.g., an audio electronic device) is performing the signal processing of the audio signal, then the audio signal can be first received by the electronic device, and then sent to the headphone for subsequent processing. The audio signal may contain an ambient noise detected outside of headphone and/or an earcup noise detected within the headphone. 
     In step  506 , the audio signal can be sampled by, for example, a signal processor, such as signal processor  302  of  FIG. 3 , in order to determine the level of ambient noise or earcup noise that is present. Any suitable form of noise sampling or noise analysis can be performed in order to determine the amount of ambient or earcup noise present. As one example, the signal processor can analyze the frequency spectrum of the audio signal that is received in step  504  in order to determine the amount of ambient or earcup noise present in the audio signal. 
     In step  508 , the signal processor can compare the amount of noise to a predetermined noise threshold value. For example, the signal processor can compare the detected ambient and/or earcup noise to a predetermined noise threshold value. The predetermined noise threshold value can be a default system value that is determined by, for example, the system distributor or manufacturer. Alternatively, a user can manually set a predetermined noise threshold value for process  500 . In yet another embodiment, the predetermined threshold value can be a dynamic value which changes based on factors such as the power supply of the headphone, a device in communication with the headphone, the ratio of the earcup noise to the ambient noise, etc. 
     In response to the noise not being greater than the predetermined threshold value, the system can proceed to step  510 . In step  510 , process  500  can wait for a pre-determined time delay. After the time delay, process  500  can return to step  504  and once again receive an audio signal. Thus, process  500  can repeatedly loop through steps  504 ,  506 ,  508 , and  510  and sample the audio signal until the noise is greater than the predetermined threshold value. The value of the time delay in step  510  will determine the frequency at which process  500  samples the audio signal. Alternatively, if it is desired to continuously sample the audio signal, step  510  can be removed. 
     In response to the noise being greater than the predetermined threshold value, process  500  can proceed to step  512  and send instructions to turn on (enable) the noise control assembly, and in turn ANC. For example, if the data processing is being done in the headphone, the instructions are sent to the cancelling signal generating unit  306  of  FIG. 3 , located within the headphone. Alternatively, if the data processing is being done in an associated audio electronic device (e.g., a high-fidelity stereo system or home theater system), the instructions can be sent to a headphone that is in communication with the audio electronic device. 
     After the noise cancelling has been turned on, process  500  can proceed to step  514  and can once again sample the audio signal. Steps  514 ,  516 ,  518 , and  520  can operate in the same manner as steps  504 ,  506 ,  508 , and  510  except, since the noise cancelling system is already on, the steps can continue to loop and repeat as long as the level of noise is greater than the predetermined threshold value. For example, in step  514  an audio signal can be received. In step  516 , this audio signal can be sampled to determine the level of noise present in the audio signal. In step  518 , process  500  can determine if the ambient noise is greater than the predetermined threshold value. In response to the noise being greater than the predetermined threshold value, process  500  can proceed to step  520  and wait for a pre-determined time delay, and can then return to step  514 . Thus, as long as a received audio signal contains undesired noise that is greater than the predetermined threshold value, steps  514 ,  516 ,  518 , and  520  can continue to loop and the noise cancelling system can remain turned on. In response to the noise level being less than the predetermined noise threshold value in step  518 , process  500  can proceed to step  522  and send instructions to turn off the noise cancelling system. 
     Process  500  can then return to step  504  and once again repeat steps  504 ,  506 ,  508 , and  510  until the undesired noise levels rises above the predetermined threshold value. In this manner, process  500  can continuously monitor the amount of noise and suitably turn off (disable) or turn on (enable) the active noise control assembly. Process  500  can continue to operate as long as the system is on. For example, process  500  can continue to operate until a headphone is turned off, until a headphone is no longer in communication with an electronic audio device, until a user manually turns off process  500 , etc. Additionally, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the predetermined threshold value in step  508  and the predetermined threshold value in step  518  are not required to be the same value, and that different threshold values can be used to determine when ANC is turned on and when ANC is turned off. 
     It is to be appreciated that although the passive noise control assembly process  400  of  FIG. 4  and the active noise control assembly process  500  of  FIG. 5  are separately, processes  400  and  500  can be performed continuously and simultaneously by, for example, processing unit  128  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1B ,  FIGS. 2A-2B  and  FIG. 3 . In this aspect, noise within an earcup housing of headphone can be both passively and actively attenuated any given time, where necessary, to achieve optimal headphone performance. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of an illustrative mode of operation of a passive noise control assembly and an active noise control assembly in accordance with one embodiment of a hybrid adaptive headphone. Representatively, in one embodiment, process  600  includes determining an ambient noise outside of an earcup housing (block  602 ). The ambient noise outside of the earcup housing may be determined by, for example, analyzing an ambient noise electrical signal output by an ambient microphone mounted to the earcup housing as previously discussed. Process  600  may further include determining an earcup noise inside of the earcup housing (block  604 ). The earcup noise may be determined by, for example analyzing the ambient noise electrical signal and an earcup noise electrical signal output by an error microphone mounted within the earcup housing as previously discussed. Process  600  may further include actively controlling the earcup noise using an active noise control assembly when the earcup noise is above a predetermined threshold value (block  606 ). Representatively, as previously discussed, when the detected earcup noise is above a predetermined threshold value, the active noise control assembly may generate a noise cancelling signal sufficient to cancel the undesirable noise. The earcup noise may also be passively controlled using a passive noise control assembly, which can be operated in response to the detected ambient noise (block  608 ). Representatively, passively controlling the earcup noise may include opening a valve within the earcup housing to decrease attenuation of the ambient noise when the ambient noise is below a predetermined threshold value. In still further embodiments, passively controlling the earcup noise may include closing a valve within the earcup housing to increase attenuation of the ambient noise when the ambient noise is above a predetermined threshold value. The predetermined threshold value for passive noise control may be, for example, within a range of from about 50 decibels to 70 decibels, for example, 60 decibels. The predetermined threshold value for active noise control may be the same as that used for passive noise control, or may be a different threshold value which is less than the passive noise control threshold noise value. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a simplified schematic view of one embodiment of an electronic device in which a passive noise control assembly and an active noise control assembly may be implemented. For example, headphone  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1B  and headphone  200  of  FIGS. 2A-2B  are examples of systems that can include some or all of the circuitry illustrated by electronic device  700 . 
     Electronic device  700  can include, for example, power supply  702 , storage  704 , signal processor  706 , memory  708 , processor  710 , communication circuitry  712 , and input/output circuitry  714 . In some embodiments, electronic device  700  can include more than one of each component of circuitry, but for the sake of simplicity, only one of each is shown in  FIG. 7 . In addition, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the functionality of certain components can be combined or omitted and that additional or less components, which are not shown in  FIGS. 1A-FIG .  1 B,  FIGS. 2A-2B  and  FIG. 3 , can be included in, for example, headphone  100  or headphone  200 . 
     Power supply  702  can provide power to the components of electronic device  700 . In some embodiments, power supply  702  can be coupled to a power grid such as, for example, a wall outlet. In some embodiments, power supply  702  can include one or more batteries for providing power to a headphone or other type of electronic device associated with the headphone. As another example, power supply  702  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). 
     Storage  704  can include, for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, cache, ROM, and/or RAM. Additionally, storage  704  can be local to and/or remote from electronic device  700 . For example, storage  704  can include integrated storage medium, removable storage medium, storage space on a remote server, wireless storage medium, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, storage  704  can store data such as, for example, system data, user profile data, and any other relevant data. 
     Signal processor  706  can be, for example a digital signal processor, used for real-time processing of digital signals that are converted from analog signals by, for example, input/output circuitry  714 . After processing of the digital signals has been completed, the digital signals could then be converted back into analog signals. For example, the signal processor  706  could be used to analyze digitized audio signals received from ambient or error microphones to determine how much of the audio signal is ambient noise or earcup noise and how much of the audio signal is, for example, music signals. 
     Memory  708  can include any form of temporary memory such as RAM, buffers, and/or cache. Memory  708  can also be used for storing data used to operate electronic device applications (e.g., operation system instructions). 
     In addition to signal processor  706 , electronic device  700  can additionally contain general processor  710 . Processor  710  can be capable of interpreting system instructions and processing data. For example, processor  710  can be capable of executing instructions or programs such as system applications, firmware applications, and/or any other application. Additionally, processor  710  has the capability to execute instructions in order to communicate with any or all of the components of electronic device  700 . For example, processor  710  can execute instructions stored in memory  708  to enable or disable ANC, or instructions to open or close a passive control assembly valve. 
     Communication circuitry  712  may be any suitable communications circuitry operative to initiate a communications request, connect to a communications network, and/or to transmit communications data to one or more servers or devices within the communications network. For example, communications circuitry  712  may support one or more of Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth®, high frequency systems, infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, or any other communication protocol and/or any combination thereof. 
     Input/output circuitry  714  can convert (and encode/decode, if necessary) analog signals and other signals (e.g., physical contact inputs, physical movements, analog audio signals, etc.) into digital data. Input/output circuitry  714  can also convert digital data into any other type of signal. The digital data can be provided to and received from processor  710 , storage  704 , memory  708 , signal processor  706 , or any other component of electronic device  700 . Input/output circuitry  714  can be used to interface with any suitable input or output devices, such as, for example, ambient microphone  124 , error microphone  126  or sound source  130  of  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  FIGS. 2A-2B . Furthermore, electronic device  700  can include specialized input circuitry associated with input devices such as, for example, one or more proximity sensors, accelerometers, etc. Electronic device  700  can also include specialized output circuitry associated with output devices such as, for example, one or more speakers, earphones, etc. 
     Lastly, bus  716  can provide a data transfer path for transferring data to, from, or between processor  710 , storage  704 , memory  708 , communications circuitry  712 , and any other component included in electronic device  700 . Although bus  716  is illustrated as a single component in  FIG. 7 , one skilled in the art would appreciate that electronic device  700  may include one or more components. 
     While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the passive noise control system described herein may be used to improve an acoustic response of any type of earpiece with acoustic capabilities, for example, earbuds, earphones, intra-canal earphones, intra-concha earphones or a mobile phone headset. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20121218
Publication Date: 20151208
Grant Date: 20151208
Priority Date: 20121218
Inventors: AZMI YACINE
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G10K11/178", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K2210/1081", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/16", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K2210/3026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2460/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1083", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17823", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17857", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/1783", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17885", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17861", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17821", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17881", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17827", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K2210/3026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K2210/1081", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/16", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17885", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17881", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17861", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17857", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/1783", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17827", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17823", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/17821", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K11/16", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K2210/3026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G10K2210/1081", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50930909