Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/802,266, filed Mar. 13, 2013, and entitled, “Non-Occluded Personal Audio and Communication System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices, audio devices, and communication devices for facilitating the presentation of personal audio. More specifically, disclosed are an apparatus and method to form directional audio personal to a user in a non-occluded manner. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventional devices and techniques to produce a personal audio experience, whereby the audio is presented personally to the user only. Such devices and techniques generally require a user to employ headsets, headphones, ear plugs, or any other devices that cover the user&#39;s ears. In many situations, the user is interested in receiving audio personally to only the listener and is either does not want to disturb others in the listening vicinity or would rather keep the audio private. 
         [0004]    Drawbacks to conventional personal audio systems include a deprivation of senses they can cause the listener to experience a diminished situational awareness. For example, the user using a headset or earphones will have one or both ears occluded from other audio, such as speech, of a person wishes to interact with the listener. Such conventional personal audio systems are not well-suited for a listener to carry on a conversation while receiving the personal audio. 
         [0005]    Thus, what is needed is a solution for data capture devices, such as for wearable devices, without the limitations of conventional techniques. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram depicting a front view of a personal audio and communication device, according to some embodiments; 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  is a diagram depicting a side view of a personal audio and communication device, according to some embodiments; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1C  is a diagram depicting a top view of a personal audio system community and communication device, according to some embodiments; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting a top view of a user including shoulder portions or regions into which low frequency audio can be directed, according to some embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting a perspective top view of an audio source, according to some embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a diagram depicting a perspective bottom view of an audio source, according to some embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a bottom of an audio source, according to various embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a port of an audio source, according to some embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of another port of an audio source, according to some embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a diagram depicting an example of a personal audio and communication system, according to one embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting an array of ultrasonic transducers as an audio source, according to some embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a diagram depicting an example of another array of ultrasonic transducers, according to some embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  depicts another example of an array of ultrasonic transducers, according to some embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A and 14B  depict various examples of other supporting members configured to support the positioning of directional speakers to facilitate personal audio, according to the various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Various embodiments or examples may be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system, a process, an apparatus, a user interface, or a series of program instructions on a computer readable medium such as a computer readable storage medium or a computer network where the program instructions are sent over optical, electronic, or wireless communication links. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. 
         [0022]    A detailed description of one or more examples is provided below along with accompanying figures. The detailed description is provided in connection with such examples, but is not limited to any particular example. The scope is limited only by the claims and numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are encompassed. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the described techniques may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the examples has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram depicting a front view of a personal audio and communication device, according to some embodiments. Diagram  100  depicts personal audio and communication device including a first support member  113   a  and a second support member  113   b , one or more of which are disposed at or on a shoulder region  104  of a user  102 . First support member  113   a  includes a first audio source  120   a , and a second support member  113   b  includes a second audio source  120   b . First audio source  120   a  includes a first directional speaker disposed in a first mounting region of first support member  113   a , whereas second audio source  120   b  includes a second directional speaker disposed in a second mounting region of second support member  113   b . The first directional speaker of first audio source  120   a  is configured to generate a directional sound beam  112   a  directed to an ear and the second directional speaker of the second audio source  120   b  is configured to generate a directional sound beam  112   b  to another ear. In some embodiments the personal audio and communication device of diagram  100  can include a wireless communication module (not shown) configured to communicate audio wirelessly at least two the first and/or the second audio sources  120   a  and  120   b . In some embodiments, first support member  113   a  is coupled via coupling member  106 , which is optional, to the second support member  113   b . The personal and audio communication system of various embodiments enable user  102  enables personal listening experiences (e.g., user  102  receives only the audio in a non-occluded manner), whether the audio is uni-directional (e.g., user  102  is listening to music) or bi-directional (e.g., user  102  is receiving audio and transmitting audio (via a microphone in the personal audio and communication device) in a telephone call or a gaming environment). 
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  is a diagram depicting a side view of a personal audio and communication device, according to some embodiments. Diagram  130  depicts a personal audio communication device including second support member  113   b . Each support member includes a posterior support portion and an anterior support portion. As shown, second audio source  120   b  is disposed at a mounting region  116 . Second audio source  120   b  is configured to generate a directional sound beam configured to propagate toward ear canal  160 . In this example, posterior support portion  110   b  is coupled via mounting region  116  to anterior support portion  110   c . In some examples, posterior support portion  110   b  has the same or substantially the same mass as anterior support portion  110   c . Further, mounting region  116  can be disposed in or approximately in a frontal plane  111  that passes through user  102  from the head to the feet, thereby separating user  102  into an anterior portion and a posterior portion. According to some embodiments, mounting region  160  can be disposed adjacent to the shoulder of user  102  and parallel to any surface in the sector defined by angle  132 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 1C  is a diagram depicting a top view of a personal audio system community and communication device, according to some embodiments. As shown, audio source of  120   a  and audio source  120   b  are shown to be disposed at or near the top of the shoulders of user  102 . Audio sources  120   a  and  120   b  configured to generate sound beams in regions  170   a  and  170   b , respectively. Regions  170   a  and  170   b  are regions of audio in space that are audible to user  102  only as these regions are formed directionally to enclose a limited amount of space to isolate the audio to the user. These regions are shaped to enable each ear to perceive audio as the head of user  102  turns or rotate about the Z-axis. In some embodiments, regions  170   a  and  170   b  are centered on or about a corresponding ear and can be sized to about six inches from the ear canals or less. 
         [0026]    In view of the foregoing, the personal audio and communication system of various embodiments is configured to provide personal audio to user  102  without disturbing other people nearby. Further, such personal audio is provided to user  102  in a non-occluded manner. As such, user  102  can have relatively increased amounts of situational awareness that otherwise might be the case. The personal and audio communication system of various embodiments enables user  102  to hear natural sounds about them without being blocked or otherwise occluded. As such, user  102  can carry on a conversation in normal volumes of speech with another person while still being able to listen to audio generated by the audio sources. By distributing the weight or mass of the personal audio and communication system equally or substantially equally over the posterior support member and the anterior support member, the personal audio communication system is balanced and about the top of the shoulders of user  102 , such as in the frontal plane. By balancing the weight or mass of the personal audio and communication system at the top of the shoulders of user  102 , the personal audio and communication system is relatively immobile and does not readily slip or fall off. Furthermore, one or more ports on the bottom of audio sources  102   a  and  102   b  are configured to direct low frequency audio into the tissues of user  102  at or near the shoulders, including muscle and bone among other types tissue. Directing low frequency audio into the body of user  102  provides for an enhanced listening experience. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting a top view of a user including shoulder portions or regions into which low frequency audio can be directed, according to some embodiments. Diagram  200  includes a user  202  in which regions  204   a  and  204   b  represent tissues that predominantly include bone (e.g., collarbone), whereas regions  202   a  and  202   b  represent tissues that predominantly include muscle. According to various embodiments, audio sources can include structures that direct one or more low frequency signals into the body of user  202  at the regions depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting a perspective top view of an audio source, according to some embodiments. Diagram  300  includes an audio source  310 , which can include a directional speaker  340 . Directional speaker  340  is shown to be disposed in a cavity  322 , and is configured to generate directional audio at an ear or in a direction to an ear. Directional speaker  340  is configured to be in alignment or in substantial alignment to an ear (e.g., substantial alignment includes any direction that is 90 degrees or less that originates from a line extending from the output of directional speaker  340  to an ear, such as 45 degrees or less). Audio source  310  includes a bottom  320 , which includes one or more ports  330 . At least one port  330  is configured to direct low frequency audio and/or acoustic energy from audio source  310  to the tissue of a user. In particular, top surface  322   a  is shown to include ports  330 . In some cases, acoustic energy originating from cavity  322  is transmitted via ports  330  out through the bottom of audio source  310 . In some examples, low frequencies include frequencies from 10 to 200 Hz. Other frequencies ranges are also possible. In some embodiments, one or more ports  330  are configured to direct low frequency audio and/or acoustic energy from audio source  310  in a direction substantially opposite than the directions of directional speaker  340  (e.g., substantially opposite directions include directions separated by more than 90 degrees, such as 150 to 180 degrees). 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a diagram depicting a perspective bottom view of an audio source, according to some embodiments. Diagram  400  includes an audio source  410 , which can include a directional speaker, such as shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown, bottom  320  of audio source  410  includes a bottom surface  322   b  which has one or more ports  430 . In some embodiments, ports  430  are configured to direct low frequency audio in a direction into a tissue, whereby the direction is opposite in the direction of audio that is generated by directional speaker  340 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a bottom of an audio source, according to various embodiments. Diagram  500  is a top view of bottom  320  that includes one or more ports  530 . Cross-sectional view A-A′ of bottom  320  is depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . One or more ports  530  can coincide with contact points on bottom surface  322   b  of bottom  320 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . A contact point is a location at which an audio source contacts a user through which low frequency acoustic energy can be transferred to the user. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a port of an audio source, according to some embodiments. Diagram  600  includes bottom  320  having a port  630 . As shown, port  630  includes a membrane  650 , which is a flexible membrane, coupled to a mass  652 . The combined structure of membrane  650  and mass  652  constitute a passive transducer configured to receive audio energy from a cavity of the audio source, which, in turn, propagates into the body of a user. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of another port of an audio source, according to some embodiments. Diagram  700  includes bottom  320  having a port  730 . As shown, port  730  includes an active transducer, which is configured to generate low frequency audio for propagation into the tissue of the user. 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a diagram depicting an example of a personal audio and communication system, according to one embodiment. As shown, the personal audio and communication system includes a first audio source  820   a  and a second audio source  820   b  disposed in a portion of an anterior support member  810   a  and in an anterior support member  810   b B, respectively. The personal an audio indication system includes microphones  822   a  and  822   b , which, while addicted as being disposed on or in respective anterior support members, the various embodiments are not so limited. Microphones  822   a  and  822   b  can be disposed anywhere in association with the personal audio and communication system. Microphones  822   a  and  822   b  can be configured to receive speech via the air. According to some embodiments, the personal audio and communication system of  FIG. 8  can include skin surface microphones (“SSM”)  824   a  and  824   b  for receiving acoustic energy, such as speech energy, from a user for transmission via a wireless network, for example. The personal audio and communication system also includes a power cell (“P”)  809  for supplying the personal audio and communication system of power. In some examples, power cell  809  is a battery. Power and/or audio can be distributed via conductors  826   a  and  826   b . The personal audio and communication system also includes a controller (“C”)  807 , which is configured to control one or more processes of the personal audio and communication system. In some cases, controller  807  can facilitate wireless communication with a wearable device  840 , one or more networks  42 , and a mobile computing device  844 . As an example, the personal audio and communication system can implement any number of communications protocols including Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and the like. In a specific embodiment, when a user turns its head in the direction of  803   a  and produces speech, microphone  822   a  receives more acoustic energy than microphone  822   b . Controller  807  detects the increased amount of the acoustic energy and determines that the user&#39;s head is turned the direction of  803   a , and consequently, the ear that is associated with audio source  820   b  is displaced. As such, controller  807  can cause audio source  820   b , in some examples, to modify the direction in which it propagates audio provide audio to the ear canal of the turned head. Also shown, is a wireless communication module (“W”)  811  configured to facilitate wireless communication between at least the first and/or the second audio sources  1220   a  and  1220   b , as well as a headset, a mobile device, a wearable device, and the like. 
         [0034]    In some examples, a microphone (not shown) configured to contact (or to be positioned adjacent to) the skin of the wearer, whereby the microphone is adapted to receive sound and acoustic energy generated by the wearer (e.g., the source of sounds associated with physiological information). The microphone can also be disposed anywhere in the personal audio and communication device. According to some embodiments, the microphone can be implemented as a skin surface microphone (“SSM”), or a portion thereof, according to some embodiments. An SSM can be an acoustic microphone configured to enable it to respond to acoustic energy originating from human tissue rather than airborne acoustic sources. As such, an SSM facilitates relatively accurate detection of physiological signals through a medium for which the SSM can be adapted (e.g., relative to the acoustic impedance of human tissue). Examples of SSM structures in which piezoelectric sensors can be implemented (e.g., rather than a diaphragm) are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/199,856, filed on Aug. 8, 2005, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/672,398, filed on Nov. 8, 2012, both of which are incorporated by reference. As used herein, the term human tissue can refer to, at least in some examples, as skin, muscle, blood, or other tissue. In some embodiments, a piezoelectric sensor can constitute an SSM. Data representing one or more sensor signals can include acoustic signal information received from an SSM or other microphone, according to some examples. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting an array of ultrasonic transducers as an audio source, according to some embodiments. In particular, diagram  900  depicts a group  910  of ultrasonic transducers  920 , each of which is configured to generate a sound being the direction of  911  toward an ear canal  901 . The multiple ultrasonic transmitters are used to produce audio above the range in which a human can hear. That is, the ultrasonic transducers can generate two or more ultrasonic signals that interfere with each other in the air at or near the ear canal  901  to create an audio signal. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10  is a diagram depicting an example of another array of ultrasonic transducers, according to some embodiments. As shown, group  1000  of ultrasonic transducers include of two arrayed rows of ultrasonic transducers, at least in this example. 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  depicts another example of an array of ultrasonic transducers, according to some embodiments. Diagram  1100  includes a group of ultrasonic transducers  920  directed to create a sound at your canal  901 . At least one ultrasonic transducer  920  includes an accelerometer  1180  configured to detect and orientation of the transducer relative to its intended direction of propagation, which is typically normal to the top surface of ultrasonic transducer  920  and in the direction to the corresponding ear. In some embodiments, the controller can detect an orientation of an ultrasonic transducer and modify the direction along which it transmits a directional audio signal. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 12A to 14B  depict various examples of other supporting members configured to support the positioning of directional speakers to facilitate personal audio, according to the various embodiments. 
         [0039]      FIG. 12A  is a diagram depicting a front view of an implementation of audio sources, according to some embodiments. Diagram  1200  depicts audio sources  1220   a  and  1220   b  being configured to attach to any wearable items, such as a hat, eyewear, clothes, and the like. In  FIG. 12A , a user  1202  is wearing a hat  1201  (or other head-related garment) onto which audio sources  1220   a  and  1220   b  are disposed. Audio sources  1220   a  and  1220   b  can include similar structures and/or functionalities as other examples audio sources described herein. First audio source  1220   a  includes a first directional speaker disposed in a first mounting region  1206   a  of hat  1201 , whereas second audio source  1220   b  includes a second directional speaker disposed in a second mounting region  1206   b . The first directional speaker of first audio source  1220   a  is configured to generate a directional sound beam  1212   a  directed to an ear and the second directional speaker of the second audio source  1220   b  is configured to generate a directional sound beam  1212   b  to another ear. In some embodiments each of audio sources  1220   a  and  1220   b  can include a wireless communication module (not shown) configured to communicate audio wirelessly to each other or to any other device, such as a headset, a mobile device, a wearable device, and the like. In this example, audio sources  1220   a  and  1220   b  of various embodiments enable personal listening experiences for a user  1202  (e.g., user  1202  receives only the audio in a non-occluded manner), whether the audio is uni-directional (e.g., user  1202  is listening to music) or bi-directional (e.g., user  1202  is receiving audio and transmitting audio (via a microphone in the personal audio and communication device) in a telephone call or a gaming environment). 
         [0040]      FIG. 12B  is a diagram depicting a side view of audio sources, according to some embodiments. Diagram  1230  depicts a second audio source  1220   b  disposed at a mounting region  1206   b . Second audio source  1220   b  is configured to generate a directional sound beam configured to propagate toward an ear canal. In some embodiments, second audio source  1220   b  can be disposed anywhere in mounting region  1206   b , or anywhere on hat  1201 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 13A  is a diagram depicting a front view of an implementation of audio sources, according to some embodiments. Diagram  1300  depicts audio sources  1320   a  and  1320   b  being configured to attach to eyewear  1301 . In  FIG. 13A , a user  1302  is wearing eyewear  1301  (or other face/neck-related garment) onto which audio sources  1320   a  and  1320   b  can be disposed. Audio sources  1320   a  and  1320   b  can include similar structures and/or functionalities as other examples audio sources described herein. First audio source  1320   a  includes a first directional speaker disposed in a first mounting region of eyewear  1301 , whereas second audio source  1320   b  includes a second directional speaker disposed in a second mounting region. The first directional speaker of first audio source  1320   a  is configured to generate a directional sound beam  1312   a  directed to an ear and the second directional speaker of the second audio source  1320   b  is configured to generate a directional sound beam  1312   b  to another ear. In some embodiments each of audio sources  1320   a  and  1320   b  can include a wireless communication module (not shown) configured to communicate audio wirelessly to each other or to any other device, such as a headset, a mobile device, a wearable device, and the like. In this example, audio sources  1320   a  and  1320   b  of various embodiments enable personal listening experiences for a user  1302  (e.g., user  1302  receives only the audio in a non-occluded manner), whether the audio is uni-directional (e.g., user  1302  is listening to music) or bi-directional (e.g., user  1302  is receiving audio and transmitting audio (via a microphone in the personal audio and communication device) in a telephone call or a gaming environment). 
         [0042]      FIG. 13B  is a diagram depicting a side view of audio sources, according to some embodiments. Diagram  1330  depicts a second audio source  1330   b  disposed at a mounting region  1306   b . Second audio source  1320   b  is configured to generate a directional sound beam configured to propagate toward an ear canal of ear  1399 . In some embodiments, second audio source  1320   b  can be disposed anywhere in mounting region  1306   b , or anywhere on eyewear  1301 . Note that low frequency functionality can be implemented to generate vibrations on the frame of eyewear  1301 , which, in turn, is imparted upon the skin of user  1302 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 14A  is a diagram depicting a front view of an implementation of audio sources, according to some embodiments. Diagram  1400  depicts audio sources  1420   a  and  1420   b  being configured to integrate with or attach to (e.g., at an attachment point  1480 ) any garment or apparel, such as shirt  1404 . In  FIG. 14A , a user  1402  is wearing garment  1404  (or other body-worn garment) onto which audio sources  1420   a  and  1420   b  can be disposed and/or attached. Audio sources  1420   a  and  1420   b  can include similar structures and/or functionalities as other examples audio sources described herein. First audio source  1420   a  includes a first directional speaker disposed in a first mounting region of garment  1401 , whereas second audio source  1420   b  includes a second directional speaker disposed in a second mounting region  1406   b . The first directional speaker of first audio source  1420   a  is configured to generate a directional sound beam  1412   a  directed to an ear and the second directional speaker of the second audio source  1420   b  is configured to generate a directional sound beam  1412   b  to another ear. In some embodiments each of audio sources  1420   a  and  1420   b  can include a wireless communication module (not shown) configured to communicate audio wirelessly to each other or to any other device, such as a headset, a mobile device, a wearable device, and the like. In this example, audio sources  1420   a  and  1420   b  of various embodiments enable personal listening experiences for a user  1402  (e.g., user  1402  receives only the audio in a non-occluded manner), whether the audio is uni-directional (e.g., user  1402  is listening to music) or bi-directional (e.g., user  1402  is receiving audio and transmitting audio (via a microphone in the personal audio and communication device) in a telephone call or a gaming environment). 
         [0044]      FIG. 14B  is a diagram depicting a side view of audio sources, according to some embodiments. Diagram  1430  depicts a second audio source  1430   b  disposed at a mounting region on garment  1404 . Second audio source  1420   b  is configured to generate a directional sound beam configured to propagate toward an ear canal  1460  of ear  1499 . In some embodiments, second audio source  1420   b  can be disposed anywhere in mounting region  1406   b , or anywhere on garment  1401 . 
         [0045]    Although the foregoing examples have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, the above-described inventive techniques are not limited to the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementing the above-described invention techniques. The disclosed examples are illustrative and not restrictive.

Technology Category: 5