KR102583552B1 - Earphone device - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an earphone device, wherein an air-conduction method or bone-conduction method may be conveniently selected by a simple structure using a slidable operation member. The earphone device provided by one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a neck-wearing member which is worn on the neck of a user; a pair of ear-wearing members which are provided on both ends of the neck-wearing member and are worn on the ears of a user; and a pair of hybrid transducers which are installed on the pair of ear-wearing members, respectively, and generate sound. Each of the pair of hybrid transducers comprises: a bone conduction unit which provides sound in a bone-conduction manner; an in-ear unit which is paired with the bone conduction unit to provide sound in an air-vibration manner; an operation member which connects the bone conduction unit and the in-ear unit, and is operated by the user; and a control module which controls, depending on an operation state of the operation member, sound to be provided by the bone conduction unit in a first operation state and sound to be provided by the in-ear unit in a second operation state different from the first operation state.

Description

Earphone device {EARPHONE DEVICE}

The present invention relates to an earphone device.

In general, earphone devices include wired earphones and wireless earphones. Wired earphones are connected to the earphone jack of a terminal such as a cassette or CD player, receive electrical signals transmitted by wire from the terminal, convert them into audio signals, and output them. , wireless earphones further include a wireless signal receiver that wirelessly receives signals transmitted from a wireless terminal such as a mobile phone, PDA, or laptop computer, and may also receive voice signals or control signals wirelessly.

In recent years, as communication between individuals through portable terminals has expanded, wireless calls, additional services, and various information and communication services are being provided to the general public, and communication methods using Bluetooth modules are being applied to earphones and other wireless terminals.

Bluetooth refers to a standard short-range wireless technology protocol that connects electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablet PCs, earphones, etc. to transmit and receive data. It is mainly used when wireless connection between devices is required at a close distance of about 10 meters.

Recently, wireless earphones that connect to smartphones and Bluetooth have been widely used. They are popular because they do not need to organize lines like traditional wired earphones and are easy to use, such as storage and charging.

In the previous Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1365926, a Bluetooth audio device for both a neckband and headphones was proposed.

These wired and wireless earphone devices mainly use the air conduction method. The air conduction type earphone device transmits sound to the inner ear (ear hole), and the earphone can play a role in blocking external sounds. It has the advantage of clearer communication when talking on the phone, but it is not safe because external sounds cannot be heard. There are also weak points.

In contrast, bone conduction type earphone devices are worn around the ear and in contact with the skin, and the vibration sound output from the bone conduction speaker is transmitted through the skin surface and through the skull, causing abnormalities in the eardrum or ossicles. Even people with hearing loss can hear sounds through bone conduction through the skin if their auditory nerves are normal.

These bone conduction earphone devices have recently been widely used not only by the hearing impaired but also by the general public with normal hearing. They prevent safety accidents by allowing people to listen to surrounding sounds and sounds at the same time while doing active work. There is an advantage. However, in noisy places, music or phone calls may be difficult to hear or may be heard by others, and the quality of sound is limited due to the characteristics of the bone conduction transmission medium.

Accordingly, a dual earphone combining the air conduction method and the bone conduction method is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2010-0108871.

However, the conventional dual earphones described above are used by rotating the earphones back and forth and inserting them into the external ear when listening by selecting the air conduction method or the bone conduction method. This method of use has the problem of being cumbersome and inconvenient because each time the air conduction method or bone conduction method is selected, the earphones must be turned over and then fitted back into the external ear canal.

In order to overcome the problems of the prior art, an easy-to-use earphone is developed by using a control member that can rotate and slide the bone conduction unit and the in-ear unit to select an advantageous sound transmission method between the air conduction method and the bone conduction method depending on the surrounding environment. By providing a technology that utilizes the advantages of each of the air conduction and bone conduction methods and complements the shortcomings.

A neck lanyard member to be worn around the neck; a pair of ear holder members provided at both ends of the neck holder member to be placed over the user's ears; and a pair of hybrid transducers respectively installed on the pair of ear hook members and generating sound; Includes, wherein each of the pair of hybrid transducers includes: a bone conduction unit that provides sound through bone conduction; an in-ear unit paired with the bone conduction unit to provide sound through air vibration; an operating member that connects the bone conduction unit and the in-ear unit and is operated by a user; And a control for providing sound by the bone conduction unit in a first operation state according to the operation state of the operation member, and providing sound by the in-ear unit in a second operation state different from the first operation state. module; It includes, and when the operating member is manipulated so that the in-ear unit is removed from the ear, the first operating state is entered so that sound is provided by the bone conduction unit, and the in-ear unit can be worn in the ear. When the operation member is operated, the second operation state is entered and sound is provided by the in-ear unit.

The operating member is slidably moved from the bone conduction unit to select the first operating state or the second operating state.

The top surface of the bone conduction unit has a curved shape.

The operating member is rotated relative to the bone conduction unit to select the first operating state or the second operating state.

The middle portion of the operating member has a bent structure.

The earphone device according to the present invention has the following effects.

First, the simple structure using a slideable operating member allows one to conveniently select either the air conduction method or the bone conduction method.

Second, the air conduction method or the bone conduction method can be conveniently selected using a rotatable operating member.

Third, the middle portion of the operating member is provided with a rotatable hinge that allows the in-ear unit to move toward and be inserted into the user's external ear, allowing the air conduction method to be conveniently selected.

1 is a perspective view of an earphone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic diagrams showing examples of slide movement of the operating member.
FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic diagrams of the in-ear units of FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) viewed from the side.
Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams showing examples of rotation of the operating member.
Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic diagrams showing modified examples.

The embodiments described below are provided so that workers can easily understand the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the matters expressed in the attached drawings may be different from the actual implementation form in the schematic drawings to easily explain the embodiments of the present invention.

When a component is mentioned as being connected or connected to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but that other components may exist in between.

<First Example>

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an earphone device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 2 (a) and Figure 2 (b) are schematic diagrams showing examples of slide movement of the operating member, and Figures 3 (a) and Figure 3 ( b) is a schematic diagram of the in-ear units of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) viewed from the side.

The earphone device 100 includes a neck holder 110, an ear holder 120, a hybrid transducer 130, and a control module.

The neck lanyard member 110 is preferably worn on the back of the neck in an arc shape to be worn around the neck.

A pair of ear holder members 120 are provided at each end of the neck holder 110, and are shaped like hooks to hang over the user's ears.

And, each hybrid transducer 130 includes a bone conduction unit 132, an in-ear unit 134, and an operating member 136.

The bone conduction unit 132 is located at the end of the ear holder 120 and is in close contact with the temporal bone adjacent to the user's external ear hole. The bone conduction unit 132 may generate vibration to transmit sound through bone conduction. Here, the part where the bone conduction unit 132 is in close contact with the user's ear is the lower surface, and the direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the bone conduction unit 132 is the upper direction. The lateral direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the central axis (C) when viewed from the top of the bone conduction unit 132.

The in-ear unit 134 is paired with the bone conduction unit 132 and connected by the operating member 136 to generate vibration so that sound is transmitted through air conduction.

When the in-ear unit 134 is used while being spaced upward from the external ear hole (ear hole) of the user's temporal bone, it is inserted and used in close contact with the external ear hole.

The operating member 136 connects the bone conduction unit 132 and the in-ear unit 134. The operating member 136 enables the bone conduction unit 132 and the in-ear unit 134 to operate according to the slide movement operation.

The bone conduction unit 132 is formed with a sliding groove 132-1 through which the manipulation member 136 can slide in one direction. The operating member 136 is coupled to the sliding groove 132-1 so as to slide. The upper surface of the bone conduction unit 132 is formed in a curved shape that is convex upward when viewed from the side, so that the operating member 136 slides along the curved surface of the bone conduction unit 132.

The operating member 136 preferably has a curved shape whose length is longer than its width. One end of the operating member 136 is coupled to the upper part of the bone conduction unit 132, and an in-ear unit 134 is coupled to the other end. One end of the operating member 136 is coupled to the bone conduction unit 132, and an in-ear unit 134 is provided at the other end of the operating member 136 toward the external ear.

The operating member 136 is coupled to be slideable in one direction relative to the central axis of the earphone device 100, so that the operating member 136 can slide relative to the bone conduction unit 132.

The upper surface of the bone conduction unit 132 is curved, so when the operating member 136 slides, the in-ear unit 134 comes into close contact with or moves away from the user's external ear hole.

When the in-ear unit 134 is in close contact with the user's external ear, the in-ear unit 134 is activated, and when the in-ear unit 134 is separated from the user's external ear, the bone conduction unit 132 is activated.

That is, when the operating member 136 is manipulated so that the in-ear unit 134 is removed from the ear, the first operating state is established, and sound is provided by the bone conduction unit 132, and the in-ear unit 134 is moved into the ear. When the operating member 136 is manipulated so that it can be worn, it enters the second operating state, and sound is provided by the in-ear unit 134. Here, the first operating state is a state in which the operating member 136 is moved to its original state from a state in which the operating member 136 is slid in the lateral direction, and the second operating state is a state in which the operating member 136 is slid in the lateral direction.

The user can select operation of the bone conduction unit 132 or the in-ear unit 134. When the operating member 136 is slidably moved in one direction, the in-ear unit 134 may be selected and operated by a control module including a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the earphone device 100.

Conversely, it is preferable that the bone conduction unit 132 is selected when the operating member 136 slides in the opposite direction.

Depending on the operating state of the operating member 136, the control module provides sound by the bone conduction unit 132 in the first operating state, and provides sound by the in-ear unit 134 in the second operating state different from the first operating state. Control to provide sound.

<Second Embodiment>

Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams showing examples of rotation of the operating member.

Referring to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) together with FIGS. 1 to 3, the manipulation member 136 is rotatable about the central axis of the bone conduction unit 132.

Accordingly, the in-ear unit 134 connected to the bone conduction unit 132 and the operating member 136 can rotate about the central axis of the bone conduction unit 132.

When the bone conduction unit 132 is used, it is preferable that the bone conduction unit 132 is located in the temporal bone adjacent to the user's external ear, and the in-ear unit 134 is located in a position that does not block the external ear.

Accordingly, when the in-ear unit 134 is used, the operating member 136 is rotated so that the in-ear unit 134 is positioned toward the external ear.

In a state where the operating member 136 is rotated and the in-ear unit 134 transmits sound to the user, when the operating member 136 is rotated to its original position, that is, in the opposite direction, the bone conduction unit 132 is selected and transmits sound to the user. conveys.

Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic diagrams showing modified examples.

Referring to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) together with FIGS. 1 to 4, the in-ear unit 134 is spaced apart from the user's external ear when the in-ear unit 134 is used. It is inserted and used in close contact.

The central portion of the operating member 136 in the longitudinal direction has a structure bent at a predetermined angle so that the in-ear unit 134 is inserted into the external ear hole. A rotatable hinge 134-2 that can be bent is provided at the center of the operating member 136. When the rotation hinge 134-2 is bent toward the external ear, the in-ear unit 134 comes into close contact with the user's external ear and the in-ear unit 134 operates. When the rotation hinge 134-2 is rotated in the opposite direction, the in-ear unit 134 is separated from the user's external ear hole and the bone conduction unit 132 is used.

When explaining the operating relationship of the earphone device 100 according to an example with reference to the drawings, the earphone device 100 has a neck holder 110 worn behind the neck, and an ear holder 120 of a hook-shaped portion placed on the ear. By walking, the bone conduction unit 132 is positioned adjacent to the external ear foramen of the user's temporal bone.

In this state, when the earphone device 100 is operated, the bone conduction unit 132 is activated to provide sound to the user through bone conduction.

When using the air conduction method to block ambient noise, the in-ear unit 134 is selected using the operating member 136 to provide sound to the user.

Therefore, the earphone device according to the present invention can select an advantageous sound transmission method between the air conduction method and the bone conduction method depending on the surrounding environment. If the air conduction method is selected, external noise can be blocked and the sound quality can be heard with clearer sound quality. If you choose the bone conduction method, you can hear sounds from the surrounding environment and prevent safety accidents.

In addition, the simple structure using an operating member that can rotate and slide makes it possible to easily select the air conduction method and the bone conduction method, and the rotatable rotation hinge allows the air conduction method to be conveniently selected.

A person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical idea or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above are merely presented by selecting the most preferable embodiments among various possible embodiments to help workers understand, and the technical idea of this invention is not necessarily limited or restricted only by the presented embodiments. , It is stated that various changes, additions, and changes are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention, as well as other equivalent embodiments.

100: Earphone device
110: Neck holder member
120: Ear holder member
130: Hybrid transducer
132: Bone conduction unit
132-1: Sliding groove
134: In-ear unit
134-2: Rotating hinge
136: Operating member

Claims (5)

A neck lanyard member to be worn around the neck;
a pair of ear holder members provided at both ends of the neck holder member to be placed over the user's ears; and
A pair of hybrid transducers respectively installed on the pair of ear holder members and generating sound; Including,
Each of the pair of hybrid transducers,
A bone conduction unit that provides sound through bone conduction;
an in-ear unit paired with the bone conduction unit to provide sound through air vibration;
an operating member that connects the bone conduction unit and the in-ear unit and is operated by a user; and
A control module that controls to provide sound by the bone conduction unit in a first operation state according to the operation state of the operation member, and to provide sound by the in-ear unit in a second operation state different from the first operation state. ; Including,
When the operating member is manipulated to remove the in-ear unit from the ear, the first operating state is entered so that sound is provided by the bone conduction unit, and the operating member is adjusted so that the in-ear unit can be worn in the ear. When operated, the second operation state is entered and sound is provided by the in-ear unit.
Earphone device. According to claim 1,
Characterized in that the operating member is slidably moved from the bone conduction unit to select the first operating state or the second operating state.
Earphone device. According to claim 1,
The upper surface of the bone conduction unit is characterized in that it has a curved shape.
Earphone device. According to claim 1,
Characterized in that the operating member is rotated relative to the bone conduction unit to select the first operating state or the second operating state.
Earphone device. According to claim 1,
The middle portion of the operating member is characterized in that it has a bent structure.
Earphone device.

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