Vibration speaker for audio headsets

Number: 10339915
Published: 2019-07-02
Filed: 2015-10-22
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Logan; David J.
CPC: B06B1/045; B06B1/16; H04R5/033; H04R1/1016; G10K11/24; H04R25/606
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Vibration speaker for audio headsets (wearable haptic audio).

Abstract

There are provided audio headsets including one or more vibration speakers. Each vibration speaker includes a haptic driver and a haptic actuator for generating physical vibrations based on an audio input to the vibration speaker. In addition, each vibration speaker includes a rigid output surface designed to make physical contact with a user of the audio headset. The haptic actuator is designed to transfer the physical vibrations generated by the vibration speaker to the user via the rigid output surface.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) Audio speakers used in headphones and headsets have historically been designed to fit on or in the outer ear so as to conduct sound into the inner ear via the ear canal and ear drum. More recently, alternative approaches to conducting sound into the inner ear have been developed. For example, so called bone conduction headphones are designed to transmit sound into the inner ear via the skull, rather than through the outer ear.(2) Bone conduction audio technology is growing in popularity due in part to its enhanced safety when used in environments in which interference with ambient sounds is undesirable, such as when a user is driving an automobile or exercising in a public space. However, the emphasis by many manufacturers on providing high fidelity bone conduction audio products has resulted in the cost of such products being undesirably high, particularly for applications in which lower fidelity audio performance is satisfactory.SUMMARY(3) There are provided vibration speakers for audio headsets, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.

Claims

1. An audio headset comprising: at least one vibration speaker including a haptic driver and a haptic actuator for generating physical vibrations based on an audio input to the at least one vibration speaker; a rigid output surface of the at least one vibration speaker configured for physical contact with a user of the audio headset; wherein the haptic actuator is further configured to transfer the physical vibrations generated by the at least one vibration speaker to the rigid output surface; wherein the at least one vibration speaker is configured as a bone conduction speaker designed to transmit the audio input to an inner ear of a user of the audio headset in the foil of physical vibrations via a cheek or a jaw of the user, and wherein the haptic actuator comprises a spring for transferring the physical vibrations generated by the at least one vibration speaker to the rigid output surface. | 10. A vibration speaker for use in an audio headset, the vibration speaker comprising: a haptic driver and a haptic actuator for generating physical vibrations based on an audio input to the vibration speaker; a rigid output surface configured for physical contact with a user of the vibration speaker; wherein the haptic actuator is further configured to transfer the physical vibrations generated by the vibration speaker to the rigid output surface; wherein the at least one vibration speaker is configured as a bone conduction speaker designed to transmit the audio input to an inner ear of a user of the audio headset in the form of physical vibrations via a cheek or a jaw of the user, and wherein the haptic actuator comprises a spring for transferring the physical vibrations generated by the at least one vibration speaker to the rigid output surface.