U.S. patent application number 14/598984 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for sound outputting device.
The applicant listed for this patent is KYOCERA CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Seiji HORII.
Application Number | 20150131838 14/598984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47219235 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150131838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HORII; Seiji |
May 14, 2015 |
SOUND OUTPUTTING DEVICE
Abstract
According to an aspect, a sound outputting device includes a
front unit, a first side unit, a second side unit, a sound
transmitting portion, and a piezoelectric speaker. The first side
unit is coupled to one end portion of the front unit. The second
side unit is coupled to another end portion of the front unit. The
sound transmitting portion is provided in the first side unit for
transmitting a sound via cartilage conduction. The piezoelectric
speaker vibrates the sound transmitting portion.
Inventors: |
HORII; Seiji; (Yokohama-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KYOCERA CORPORATION |
Kyoto |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
47219235 |
Appl. No.: |
14/598984 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13479526 |
May 24, 2012 |
|
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14598984 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
381/381 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10K 2210/3028 20130101;
G10K 11/17837 20180101; H04R 5/0335 20130101; G10K 11/1785
20180101; H04R 2225/31 20130101; G10K 11/1783 20180101; G10K
2210/1081 20130101; H04R 25/606 20130101; G10K 11/17823 20180101;
G10K 11/17857 20180101; H04R 2499/11 20130101; H04R 25/55 20130101;
G10K 11/17821 20180101; H04R 2460/01 20130101; H04R 1/1083
20130101; G10K 11/17873 20180101; H04R 5/033 20130101; H04R 1/028
20130101; G02C 11/10 20130101; H04R 17/00 20130101; H04R 25/43
20130101; H04R 2460/13 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/381 |
International
Class: |
H04R 1/02 20060101
H04R001/02; H04R 17/00 20060101 H04R017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 27, 2011 |
JP |
2011-119545 |
Claims
1. A sound outputting device, comprising: a front unit configured
to be arranged in front of an eye of a user; a side unit configured
to be arranged to an end portion of the front unit and to extend
adjacent to one ear of the user; a piezoelectric speaker configured
to be arranged in a part of the side unit and to come in contact
with a cartilage around an external auditory canal of an ear of the
user.
2. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein the
part of the side unit is configured to vibrate alternately in a
direction toward the user and in a direction away from the user by
a vibrations of the piezoelectric speaker.
3. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein the
piezoelectric speaker has a rod-shape configured such that a
direction where the piezoelectric speaker extends substantially
coincides with a direction where the side unit in which the
piezoelectric speaker is provided extends.
4. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein the
piezoelectric speaker is configured to transmit a vibration to a
tragus of the user by a vibration of the piezoelectric speaker, so
as to transmit the sound to the user via cartilage conduction.
5. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, wherein the
side unit comprising a first portion in which the piezoelectric
speaker being arranged, a second portion to be coupled to the front
unit, and a cushioning member provided between the first portion
and the second portion.
6. The sound outputting device according to claim 1, further
comprising a microphone provided in one end portion at a side of
the front unit of the side unit, the microphone being arranged to
face an opposite side of the user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/479,526, filed May 24, 2012, which claims
priority from Japanese Application No. 2011-119545, filed on May
27, 2011, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a sound outputting device
(headset) that is configured to be mounted on user's head.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, eyeglass-shaped headsets using wireless
communication have been disclosed (see for example, Japanese Patent
Application National Publication (Laid-Open) No. 2005-534269).
[0006] Some headset is configured such that an earphone using a
dynamic speaker is inserted into user's ear when he/she use the
audio headset. Such a configuration may put a burden on his/her
ear.
[0007] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a sound
outputting device that reduces a burden on a user's ear.
SUMMARY
[0008] According to an aspect, a sound outputting device includes a
front unit, a first side unit, a second side unit, a sound
transmitting portion, and a piezoelectric speaker. The front unit
is configured to be arranged in front of an eye of a user. The
first side unit is configured to be coupled to one end portion of
the front unit and to extend adjacent to one ear of the user. The
second side unit is configured to be coupled to another end portion
of the front unit and to extend adjacent to the other ear of the
user. The sound transmitting portion is provided in at least one of
the first side unit and the second side unit and is configured to
come in contact with the user. The piezoelectric speaker vibrates
the sound transmitting portion so as to transmit a sound to the
user.
[0009] According to another aspect, a sound outputting device
includes a front unit, a first side unit, a second side unit, a
sound transmitting portion, and a piezoelectric speaker. The first
side unit is coupled to one end portion of the front unit. The
second side unit is coupled to another end portion of the front
unit. The sound transmitting portion is provided in the first side
unit for transmitting a sound via cartilage conduction. The
piezoelectric speaker vibrates the sound transmitting portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic
configuration of an image and sound output system including a sound
outputting device according to an embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view illustrating the
sound outputting device mounted on a user;
[0012] FIG. 3A is an explanatory top view illustrating the sound
outputting device mounted on the user;
[0013] FIG. 3B is a transparent view of a side unit of the sound
outputting device illustrating a vibration direction of a
piezoelectric speaker arranged inside the side unit;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic
functional configuration of the image and sound output system in
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating an appropriate
range for cartilage conduction around an external auditory canal of
the user's ear;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an explanatory side view illustrating a sound
outputting device according to another embodiment mounted on a
user;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an explanatory side view illustrating a sound
outputting device according to another embodiment mounted on a
user;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view illustrating a sound
outputting device according to another embodiment mounted on a
user;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an explanatory side view illustrating a sound
outputting device according to another embodiment mounted on a
user;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic
configuration of a sound outputting device according to another
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic
configuration of a sound outputting device according to another
embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a side unit of a sound
outputting device illustrating a position of a cushioning member
arranged on the side unit of the sound outputting device according
to another embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 13A is an explanatory side view illustrating the sound
outputting device in FIG. 10 mounted on the user; and
[0024] FIG. 13B is a transparent view of a side unit of the sound
outputting device illustrating a position of a cushioning member
arranged in the side unit of the sound outputting device in FIG.
13A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not
limited by the following explanation. In addition, this disclosure
encompasses not only the components specifically described in the
explanation below, but also those which would be apparent to
persons ordinarily skilled in the art, upon reading this
disclosure, as being interchangeable with or equivalent to the
specifically described components.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic
configuration of an image and sound output system 1 including a
sound outputting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an
explanatory perspective view illustrating a sound outputting device
11 mounted on user H. The image and sound output system 1 in FIG. 1
includes the sound outputting device 11 and a control unit 40. The
image and sound output system 1 according to the embodiment
represent an example of a system in which a head-mounted display is
used as a sound outputting device. The head-mounted display
provides a user with images (videos, moving images, and still
images) in addition to sounds. That is, the sound outputting device
11 according to the embodiment outputs sounds to the user wearing
the sound outputting device 11 while displaying images.
[0027] In the image and sound output system 1, wireless or wired
communication is performed between the sound outputting device 11
and the control unit 40, so that sound information to be output
from the control unit 40 is supplied from the control unit 40 to
the sound outputting device 11. The sound outputting device 11
processes sound information supplied from the control unit 40 so as
to output sounds, thus outputting the sounds to the user. In the
image and sound output system 1, wireless or wired communication is
performed between the sound outputting device 11 and the control
unit 40, so that image information to be displayed is supplied from
the control unit 40 to the sound outputting device 11. The sound
outputting device 11 processes the image information supplied from
the control unit 40 so as to display images, thus displaying the
images to the user.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sound outputting device 11 is
eyeglass-shaped (goggle-shaped), and includes a front unit 12, a
side unit 13, and another side unit 15. When the sound outputting
device 11 is mounted on the user H, the front unit 12 is located in
front of the user H's eyes, and the side units 13 and 15 are
located along respective temporal regions of the user H as
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0029] The front unit 12 is a unit that is located in front of the
user H's eyes when mounted on the user H as described above. The
front unit 12 includes a front supporting portion 30, which is
formed at one end of the center portion of the front unit 12 and
comes in contact with the user H's nose when mounted. The front
supporting portion 30 has a recess shape along the user H's nose.
The front unit 12 is supported at the front supporting portion 30
by the nose. Thus, the sound outputting device 11 can be supported
not to fall downward in FIG. 2 (downward direction of the head).
The front unit 12 includes a display unit 20 arranged in such a
manner that an image is displayed over approximately the whole
region of the front unit 12. The front unit 12 also includes a
display controller 21 that generates an instruction signal for
displaying an image on the display unit 20. The display controller
21 according to the embodiment is arranged in the end opposite to
the front supporting portion 30 at the center portion of the front
unit 12.
[0030] The side unit 13 is a unit (glasses leg potion) that is
arranged along a temporal region of the user H when mounted on the
user H as described above. The side unit 13 has one end portion
that is coupled to one end portion of the front unit 12. At the end
portion (a root portion of the glasses leg) of the side unit 13,
which is coupled to the front unit 12, a spring for pressure
adjustment and an adjuster for changing the angle are arranged to
fit the user H. The side unit 13 includes a side supporting portion
32 that is formed so as to come in contact with a part of an upper
side of the user H's ear when mounted. The side supporting portion
32 according to the embodiment also comes in contact with the
temporal region of the user H. The side unit 13 is supported at the
side supporting portion 32 supported by the ear. Thus, the sound
outputting device 11 can be supported not to fall downward in FIG.
2 (a downward direction of the head). The side supporting portion
32 is supported at the side supporting portion 32 by the ear. Thus,
the sound outputting device 11 can be supported not to move in a
lateral direction (a front-back direction of the head) in FIG.
2.
[0031] The side unit 13 includes a control unit 22, a piezoelectric
speaker 26, and a microphone 27. The control unit 22 is arranged
inside the side unit 13. The control unit 22 will be described
later. The piezoelectric speaker 26 is a speaker that uses a
natural mechanical resonance phenomenon of piezoelectric ceramics.
The piezoelectric speaker 26 is arranged adjacent to the side
supporting portion 32 inside the side unit 13. In the embodiment,
the piezoelectric speaker 26 is a sound outputting unit that
vibrates a part of the side unit 13 in contact with the user H so
as to transmit sounds to the user H. That is, the piezoelectric
speaker 26 transmits sound to a human body via cartilage
conduction, thus allowing the user H to listen to voices and music.
Specifically, the piezoelectric speaker 26 is configured such that
a part of the side unit 13 where the piezoelectric speaker 26 is
arranged is brought into contact with a cartilage adjacent to the
ear, and thereby vibrations are transmitted to an eardrum so as to
allow the user H to recognize sounds. The piezoelectric speaker 26
is rod-shaped (for example, with a width of 3 mm, a length of 25
mm, and a thickness of 0.5 mm). The rod-shaped piezoelectric
speaker 26 is arranged to have the longer side direction along the
extending direction of the side unit 13 (that is, in a direction
where the longer side direction of the vibrator and the extending
direction of the side unit 13 are approximately the same
direction). Since the piezoelectric speaker 26 has such a small and
thin rod-shape, it is suitable to be mounted in the side unit 13 (a
part of the glasses leg) of the eyeglass-shaped sound outputting
device 11.
[0032] The microphone 27 is a sound collecting microphone that
collects a voice from the user H and sounds of his/her
surroundings. The microphone 27 is arranged in the end portion at
the front unit 12 side of the side unit 13 facing the opposite side
(the same direction as that of the external auditory canal of the
user H's ear) of the user H. The microphone 27 is arranged in the
end portion at the front unit 12 side of the side unit 13, which is
the position far from the position (near the ear) where the
piezoelectric speaker 26 is located. Accordingly, the influence of
the piezoelectric speaker 26 is reduced.
[0033] The side unit 15 is a unit (glasses leg portion) that is
arranged along a temporal region of the user H when mounted on the
user H as described above. The side unit 15 has one end portion
that is coupled to the other end portion of the front unit 12. That
is, the side unit 15 is arranged in a position to face the side
unit 13 via the front unit 12. Similarly to the side unit 13, at
the end portion (a root portion of the glasses leg) of the side
unit 15 coupled to the front unit 12, a spring for pressure
adjustment and an adjuster for changing the angle are arranged. The
side unit 15 includes a side supporting portion 34 that is formed
so as to come in contact with a part of the upper side of the user
H's ear when mounted. The side supporting portion 34 according to
the embodiment also comes in contact with the temporal region of
the user H. The side unit 15 is supported at the side supporting
portion 34 supported by the ear. Thus, the sound outputting device
11 can be supported not to fall downward of the head. The side
supporting portion 34 is supported at the side supporting portion
34 by the ear. Thus, the sound outputting device 11 can be
supported not to move in the front-back direction of the head.
[0034] The side unit 15 includes a power supply unit 24, a
piezoelectric speaker 28, and a microphone 29. The power supply
unit 24 is arranged inside the side unit 15. The power supply unit
24 will be described later. The piezoelectric speaker 28 is a
speaker that uses a natural mechanical resonance phenomenon of
piezoelectric ceramics. The piezoelectric speaker 28 is arranged
adjacent to the side supporting portion 34 inside the side unit 15.
The microphone 29 is a sound collecting microphone that collects a
voice from the user H and sounds of his/her surroundings. The
microphone 29 is arranged in the end portion at the front unit 12
side of the side unit 15 facing the opposite side (the same
direction as that of the external auditory canal of the user H's
ear) of the user H. The piezoelectric speaker 28 and the microphone
29 are otherwise similar to the piezoelectric speaker 26 and the
microphone 27 respectively in basic configurations except for their
arrangement. Therefore, these configurations will not be further
elaborated here. In the embodiment, the image and sound output
system 1 may include a mobile phone as the control unit 40. If the
control unit 40 is a mobile phone, sounds collected by the
microphone 29 are transmitted to the control unit 40 through a
communication unit 22e described later, and thus communication with
another mobile phone is allowed. In this case, the sound outputting
device 11 may include a notification switch to control on and off
of a phone call of, for example, a mobile phone in an arbitrary
position. Incidentally, a part of a circuit (a substrate), which is
coupled to the power supply unit 24 and not illustrated in the
drawings, for driving the power supply unit 24 is arranged inside
the side unit 15 (inside the glasses leg). The power supply unit 24
has a function that will be described in detail below with
reference to FIG. 4.
[0035] A vibration direction of the piezoelectric speaker will be
described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, using an example of
the piezoelectric speaker 26 which is arranged in the side unit 13
of the sound outputting device 11. FIG. 3A is an explanatory top
view illustrating the sound outputting device 11 mounted on the
user H. FIG. 3B is a transparent view of the side unit 13
illustrating a vibration direction of the piezoelectric speaker 26
arranged inside the side unit 13. Although a description will be
made with respect to the piezoelectric speaker 26, the
piezoelectric speaker 28 has a similar configuration.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, when the sound outputting device
11 is mounted on the user H, the temporal regions of the user H
come in contact with parts of the side units 13 and 15 (in FIG. 3A,
parts of the side units 13 and 15 near the side supporting portions
32 and 34 around which the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 are
respectively arranged). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B,
which is an enlarged diagram of (i) in FIG. 3A, the piezoelectric
speaker 26 moves a part of the side unit 13 (a part of a surface of
the side unit 15 side, a sound transmitting portion). This part,
which is in contact with the user H, is moved alternately to a
direction to approach the user H (a direction to approach the side
unit 15) and to a direction to separate from the user H (a
direction to move away from the side unit 15). Accordingly, the
piezoelectric speaker 26 vibrates this part of the side unit 13
(the sound transmitting portion) in a direction perpendicular to a
surface region contacting the user. As illustrated in FIG. 3B,
which is a transparent view of the part of the side unit 13 in FIG.
3A, the piezoelectric speaker 26 includes a vibrator 26-1 and an
electrode unit 26-2. The electrode unit 26-2 functions as a stator
to secure the vibrator 26-1 and controls vibration with
piezoelectricity. A part (for example, a sound signal generator 22c
described below) of a circuit (a substrate), which is coupled to
the piezoelectric speaker 26 and not illustrated in the drawings,
for driving the piezoelectric speaker 26 is arranged inside the
side unit 13 (inside the glasses leg). In the embodiment, the
piezoelectric speaker 26 is mounted by a fixing method to
efficiently transmit vibration. Thus, the piezoelectric speaker 26
moves the vibrator 26-1 in the direction (the direction to approach
the user H or the direction to move away from the user H) as
illustrated in (ii) of FIG. 3B. The piezoelectric speaker 26 also
vibrates the part of the side unit 13 in contact with the user H to
the direction (the direction to approach the user H or the
direction to move away from the user H) as illustrated in (iii) of
FIG. 3B. Thus, the piezoelectric speaker 26 transmits sounds to the
user H.
[0037] Then, functions of the image and sound output system 1 will
be described using FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a
schematic functional configuration of the image and sound output
system in FIG. 1. The image and sound output system 1 includes the
sound outputting device 11 and the control unit 40 as described
above. The sound outputting device 11 includes the display unit 20,
the display controller 21, the control unit 22, the power supply
unit 24, the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28, and the microphones
27 and 29. The display unit 20 and the display controller 21 are
arranged in the front unit 12. The control unit 22, the
piezoelectric speaker 26, and the microphone 27 are arranged in the
side unit 13. The power supply unit 24, the piezoelectric speaker
28, and the microphone 29 are arranged in the side unit 15.
[0038] The display unit 20 is a display panel that displays videos
and images based on control by the display controller 21. As the
display unit 20, for example, a display panel that is constituted
of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an GELD (Organic
Electro-Luminescence Display) may be used. The display unit 20 may
include a display panel constituted of a translucent or transparent
plate-shaped material. The display unit 20, which includes the
display panel fabricated with the translucent or transparent
plate-shaped material, allows the user H to see a view outside of a
region covered with the display unit 20. Thus, the user H is
allowed to understand situations of his/her surroundings even when
the sound outputting device 11 is mounted.
[0039] The display unit 20 may include any kinds of configuration
insofar as the display unit 20 displays images that are viewable
for the user H, that is, the image is represented to the user H.
For example, for the display unit 20, a configuration that projects
an image on a display panel (a screen) like a projector may be
employed. In the case where the image is projected, a laser light
may be scanned to project an image, or a light may be transmitted
through a LCD to project an image. A laser light may be directly
irradiated to the user H from the display unit 20 so as to display
the images for the user H.
[0040] The display controller 21 controls operation of the display
unit 20 based on an image signal supplied from the control unit 22.
For example, in the case where the display unit 20 includes an LCD
display, the display controller 21 controls voltages to be applied,
thus controlling on and off of the respective liquid crystal
elements.
[0041] The control unit 22 includes a signal generator 22a, a main
controller 22b, a sound signal generator 22c, a noise cancelling
controller 22d, and a communication unit 22e. The signal generator
22a is a processing unit that generates a signal to be supplied to
the display controller 21. When the signal generator 22a obtains
data of images or moving images to be displayed on the display unit
20, the signal generator 22a converts the obtained data into a
signal that can be processed by the display controller 21, and
sends the converted signal to the display controller 21.
[0042] The main controller 22b is constituted of, for example, an
MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and executes various kinds of
processings of the above-described sound outputting device 11 in
accordance with a procedure instructed by software. That is, the
main controller 22b sequentially reads instruction codes from
operating system programs and application programs and the like,
thus executing processings. Accordingly, the main controller 22b
controls operation of respective units, transmits necessary data
for respective units. For example, the main controller 22b sends
image data to the signal generator 22a, and sends a sound signal to
the sound signal generator 22c.
[0043] The control unit 22 includes a storage unit that stores
various kinds of programs. The storage unit includes one or more
non-transitory storage medium, for example, a nonvolatile memory
(such as ROM, EPROM, flash card etc.) and/or a storage device (such
as magnetic storage device, optical storage device, solid-state
storage device etc.). The storage unit may further include a memory
device (for example, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and DRAM
(Dynamic Random Access Memory)).
[0044] The sound signal generator 22c executes processing of the
sound signal output from the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28. That
is, the sound signal generator 22c executes processing such as
decoding, DA conversion (Digital Analog conversion), and
amplification on the sound data sent from the main controller 22b,
thus converting the sent data to an analog sound signal. The sound
signal generator 22c then outputs the analog sound signal to the
piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28.
[0045] The noise cancelling controller 22d controls noise
cancellation by providing a sound signal in the opposite phase of a
sound obtained by the microphones 27 and 29, to the piezoelectric
speakers 26 and 28. That is, the noise cancelling controller 22d,
which is coupled to the microphones 27 and 29, realizes the
noise-cancelling function in conjunction with the sound signal
generator 22c, which controls the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28.
The noise cancelling controller 22d adds a sound in the opposite
phase of the ambient noise obtained by the microphones 27 and 29 to
a reproduced sound, and the added sound is input to the
piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28, thus reducing the ambient noise.
That is, the noise cancelling controller 22d radiates the sound
wave in the opposite phase of the sound noise, which is collected
by the microphones 27 and 29, with the piezoelectric speakers 26
and 28, thus canceling or reducing the ambient noise. When the
noise cancelling controller 22d performs the noise cancellation,
the noise cancelling controller 22d may be adjusted so as not to
perform noise cancellation of a sound in a frequency such as a
frequency of human voice. The noise cancelling controller 22d is
configured to select from modes such as a mode that equally
performs noise cancellation to remove ambient noise and a mode that
adjusts attenuation rate at specific frequency. The noise
cancelling controller 22d adjusts a sound to be output from the
piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 based on sound collected with the
microphones 27 and 29 depending to the selected mode.
[0046] The communication unit 22e communicates with the
communication unit 44 of the control unit 40, which will be
described below, by wired or wireless connection. The communication
unit 22e communicates with the control unit 40 so as to transmit
and receive various kinds of information. In the case of wireless
connection, a system such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered
trademark) may be employed. An antenna and a charging terminal used
for wireless connection may be disposed at an arbitrary position in
the sound outputting device 11. In the case of wired connection,
for example, a transmission using a standard such as USB (Universal
Serial Bus), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) may be
employed, or a transmission through an earphone jack may be
employed. In the case of wired connection, electric power may be
supplied through a wire. In this case, the wire may be disposed at
any position of the sound outputting device 11.
[0047] The communication unit 22e may be configured to communicate
with a communication device other than the control unit 40. The
communication unit 22e may establish a wireless signal path using a
code-division multiple access (CDMA) system, or any other wireless
communication protocols, with a base station via a channel
allocated by the base station, and may perform telephone
communication and information communication with the base
station.
[0048] The power supply unit 24 is a supply source to supply
electric power and supplies electric power to respective function
units of the sound outputting device 11 including the control unit
22. The power supply unit 24 may use a rechargeable battery (a
battery) or a replaceable and disposable dry cell battery as the
supply source. In the embodiment, as the power supply unit 24, a
solar cell or a fuel cell or the like may be mounted on a frame or
a leg part of glasses (for example, the front unit 12, or the side
unit 13 or 15 of the sound outputting device 11). For example, in
the case where the solar cell is mounted, the solar cell can
efficiently receive sunlight because the sound outputting device 11
is mounted on a head. In the case where the fuel cell is mounted,
the fuel cell can efficiently take in external air and can
efficiently discharge generated water vapor. The sound outputting
device 11 may include an electric power supply switch to control on
and off of electric power supply by the power supply unit 24 in any
position.
[0049] The piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 are sound outputting
units that output sounds based on the analog sound signal supplied
from the sound signal generator 22c. Specifically, as illustrated
in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 vibrate
respective parts of the side units 13 and 15 in contact with the
user H based on the analog sound signal supplied from the sound
signal generator 22c, thus transmitting sounds to the user H. More
specifically, the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 vibrate the
parts of the side units 13 and 15 in contact with the user H (the
end portions at the opposite side of the front unit 12 in the side
units 13 and 15) to the direction to approach the user H (the
direction where the side units 13 and 15 face one another with the
front unit 12 between them) and to the direction to separate from
the user H (the same direction as that of the external auditory
canal of the user H's ear). The sound outputting device 11 may
include a volume control switch to adjust sound volume of the
piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 in any position.
[0050] The control unit 40 includes a control unit 42 and a
communication unit 44. The control unit 42 is constituted of, for
example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and executes various kinds
of processings in accordance with a procedure instructed by
software. That is, the control unit 42 sequentially reads
instruction codes from operating system programs, application
programs, and the like, thus executing processings. Accordingly,
the control unit 42 controls operation of respective units and
sends necessary data for respective units. For example, the control
unit 42 sends video data, moving image data, and information on
various control instructions, which are to be sent to the sound
outputting device 11, to the communication unit 44.
[0051] The communication unit 44 communicates with the
communication unit 22e of the sound outputting device 11 by wired
or wireless connection. The communication unit 44 communicates with
the sound outputting device 11 so as to transmit and receive
various kinds of information. The communication unit 44 may be
configured, similarly to the communication unit 22e, to communicate
with a communication device other than the sound outputting device
11.
[0052] As described above, with the image and sound output system 1
according to the embodiment, the control unit 40 transmits, for
example, sound data and video data to be output to the sound
outputting device 11. The sound outputting device 11 processes the
data so as to provide sounds and images to the user H, who wears
the sound outputting device 11. Thus, the user H is allowed to
listen to sounds and see images. Specifically, when the sound
outputting device 11 obtains sound data, video data, and the like
through a communication between the communication unit 22e and the
communication unit 44 of the control unit 40, the sound outputting
device 11 processes the data at the main controller 22b to transmit
sound data to the sound signal generator 22c and transmit the image
data to the signal generator 22a. The sound signal generator 22c
performs processing on sound data and sends a generated signal to
the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28. Then the piezoelectric
speakers 26 and 28 output sounds based on the supplied signal.
Thus, the image and sound output system 1 according to the
embodiment outputs sounds to the user H. Further, the signal
generator 22a generates a signal that can be processed by the
display controller 21 based on image data sent from the main
controller 22b, and sends the generated signal to the display
controller 21. The display controller 21 then controls operation of
the display unit 20 based on the signal. Thus, the image and sound
output system 1 according to the embodiment displays an image of
the image data on the display unit 20 for the user H.
[0053] The image and sound output system 1 and the sound outputting
device 11 according to the embodiment include the rod-shaped
piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 arranged in the side units 13 and
15 so as to transmit sounds via cartilage conduction, thus reducing
a burden on the user H's ear when used. That is, the image and
sound output system 1 and the sound outputting device 11 according
to the embodiment do not insert protuberance such as an earphone
into the user H's ear. This configuration ensures a comfortable use
without feel of mounting and improves design, ease of attachment
and detachment, and sound quality.
[0054] The image and sound output system 1 and the sound outputting
device 11 according to the embodiment transmits sounds to the
cartilage of the user H with the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28,
thus suitably transmitting sounds. In the image and sound output
system 1 according to the embodiment, the sound outputting device
11 is supported at the side supporting portions 32 and 34 of the
side units 13 and 15, and transmits sounds with the piezoelectric
speakers 26 and 28. This configuration ensures transmission of
sounds and support by the ears without covering ear holes.
Accordingly, the user H is allowed to use the sound outputting
device 11 while hearing sounds outside.
[0055] The image and sound output system 1 and the sound outputting
device 11 according to the embodiment include the microphones 27
and 29 in the side units 13 and 15. A sound signal in the opposite
phase of the sound collected by the microphones 27 and 29 is
supplied to the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28. This
configuration ensures the noise-cancelling function, thus reducing
ambient sound without covering the external auditory canals of the
user H's ears.
[0056] The image and sound output system 1 and the sound outputting
device 11 may include, in addition to the above configuration,
various configurations ordinarily used for the image and sound
output systems and the sound outputting devices. The image and
sound output system 1 and the sound outputting device 11 may
include, for example, an operating unit into which the user H
inputs operations. The operating unit may be disposed in the sound
outputting device 11 or separately disposed. In the case where the
operating unit is separately disposed, operations may be input by
communicating with the communication unit 22e or the communication
unit 44.
[0057] The sound outputting device 11 according to the embodiment
is equipped with the display unit 20 in the front unit 12 as a
head-mounted display to display image. However, the configuration
of the sound outputting device 11 is not limited thereto. The sound
outputting device 11 may be equipped with lenses of glasses or
sunglasses in the front unit 12 insofar as the sound outputting
device 11 is eyeglass-shaped.
[0058] The sound outputting device 11 according to the embodiment
is configured such that the power supply unit 24 is arranged in the
side unit 15, at which the control unit 22 is not arranged, among
the two side units 13 and 15. However, the configuration of the
sound outputting device 11 is not limited thereto. The power supply
unit 24 may be arranged in both of the side units 13 and 15. The
sound outputting device 11 may be configured such that the control
unit 22 is partially arranged in the side unit 15. The sound
outputting device 11 may be configured such that the control unit
22 and the power supply unit 24 is arranged so as to equalize
weights of the side units 13 and 15. The equalized weights reduce a
burden on the user H when used. In the embodiment, a part (for
example, the sound signal generator 22c) of the circuit (a
substrate) for driving the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 is
arranged inside (inside the glasses leg) the side units 13 and 15.
However, the configuration of the sound outputting device 11 is not
limited thereto. The circuit may be mounted in a housing other than
the side units 13 and 15 and wired. Each of the side units 13 and
15 may be constituted as a single unit to attach and remove to the
front unit 12 so as to design the light sound outputting device 11.
The side supporting portions 32 and 34 may have a recess shape
along the user H's ear.
[0059] In the above embodiment, the sound outputting device 11 is
described as an exemplary head-mounted display; however, the sound
outputting device 11 may not include the display unit 20 such as an
LCD in the front unit 12. For example, the sound outputting device
11 may arrange lenses of glasses or sunglasses in the front unit 12
and is constituted as a glasses-type hearing aid that includes a
noise-cancelling function.
[0060] In the above embodiment, the sound outputting device 11
includes the exemplary side units 13 and 15 in the simplest form
that places importance on design as illustrated in FIG. 1. The form
of the side units 13 and 15 is not limited to this form.
[0061] The following describes exemplary forms of the side units 13
and 15 that appropriately transmit sounds to user H via cartilage
conduction with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.
[0062] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating an appropriate
range (iv) for cartilage conduction around an external auditory
canal B of the user H's ear A. FIGS. 6 to 9 are explanatory side
views illustrating sound outputting devices according to other
embodiments mounted on user H. FIG. 10 is a perspective view
illustrating a schematic configuration of a sound outputting device
according to another embodiment.
[0063] The region (iv) in FIG. 5 illustrates a region where the
side units 13 and 15 with the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28
partially contact the respective cartilages around the external
auditory canal B of the user's ear A. When the region of (iv) in
FIG. 5 is brought into contact with a part of the side units 13 and
15 with the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28, a sound pressure and
frequency characteristic are improved. That is, bringing the region
of (iv) in FIG. 5 into contact with a part of the side units 13 and
15 improves sound quality.
[0064] A sound outputting device 51 in FIG. 6 is eyeglass-shaped
and includes a front unit 52 and a side unit 53 coupled to one end
portion of the front unit 52. Further, the side unit 53 branches at
a position anterior to a portion supported by an ear A (that is, in
a shape where the end portions at the far side from the front unit
52 branch into two at the position anterior to the ear A). The side
unit 53 branches in directions away from the front unit 52. One
branched end portion 53-1 includes a piezoelectric speaker 56. The
other branched end portion 53-2 includes the side supporting
portion. The side unit 53 is supported at the other end portion
53-2 by the ear A. One end portion 53-1 has a round shape that
largely contacts a region (the region of (iv) in FIG. 5) suitable
for cartilage conduction around the external auditory canal B of
user H's ear A. Therefore, the piezoelectric speaker 56 arranged in
the one end portion 53-1 suitably transmits sounds to the user H
via cartilage conduction. The sound outputting device 51 also
includes the other side unit (not illustrated in FIG. 6) coupled to
the opposite position of the side unit 53, that is, the other end
portion of the front unit 52. The side unit at the opposite side of
the side unit 53 has a structure similar to the above-mentioned
structure. The side unit 53 includes a controller and the like
inside.
[0065] A sound outputting device 61 in FIG. 7 is eyeglass-shaped,
and includes a front unit 62 and a side unit 63 coupled to one end
portion of the front unit 62. The side unit 63 branches at a
position anterior to a portion supported by an ear A in a direction
away from the front unit 62. One branched end portion 63-1 includes
a piezoelectric speaker 66. The other branched end portion 63-2 is
supported by the ear A. The one end portion 63-1 has a branched
shape that contacts a region (the region of (iv) in FIG. 5)
suitable for cartilage conduction around the external auditory
canal B of user H's ear A. Accordingly, the piezoelectric speaker
66 arranged in the one end portion 63-1 suitably transmits sounds
to the user H via cartilage conduction. The sound outputting device
61 also includes the side unit (not illustrated in FIG. 7) coupled
to the opposite position of the side unit 63, that is, the other
end portion of the front unit 62. The side unit at the opposite
side of the side unit 63 has a structure similar to the
above-mentioned structure. The side unit 63 includes a controller
and the like inside.
[0066] A sound outputting device 71 in FIG. 8 is eyeglass-shaped,
and includes a front unit 72 and a side unit 73 coupled to one end
portion of the front unit 72. The side unit 73 branches at a
position anterior to a portion supported by an ear A in a direction
away from the front unit 72. One branched end portion 73-1 includes
the piezoelectric speaker 76. The other branched end portion 73-2
extends adjacent to the ear A. The sound outputting device 71 is
supported by both of one branched end portion 73-1 and the other
branched end portion 73-2 so as not to fall to the downward
direction of the head. In the embodiment, at the end portion of the
side unit 73, which is coupled to the front unit 72, a spring for
pressure adjustment and an adjuster for changing the angle are
arranged. One end portion 73-1 has a branched shape that contacts a
region (the region of (iv) in FIG. 5) suitable for cartilage
conduction around the external auditory canal B of user H's ear A.
Accordingly, the piezoelectric speaker 76 arranged in the one end
portion 73-1 suitably transmits sounds to the user H via cartilage
conduction. The sound outputting device 71 also includes the side
unit (not illustrated in FIG. 8) coupled to the opposite position
of the side unit 73, that is, the other end portion of the front
unit 72. The side unit at the opposite side of the side unit 73 has
a structure similar to the above-mentioned structure. The side unit
73 includes a controller and the like inside.
[0067] A sound outputting device 81 in FIG. 9 is eyeglass-shaped,
and includes a front unit 82 and a side unit 83 coupled to one end
portion of the front unit 82. An end portion at the opposite side
of the end portion, which is coupled to the front unit 82 of the
side unit 83, has a shape curved toward a region (the region of
(iv) in FIG. 5) suitable for cartilage conduction around the
external auditory canal B of user H's ear A. The piezoelectric
speaker 86 is arranged in the end portion of the side unit 83. The
sound outputting device 81 is supported at a portion (a portion
protruding at a position anterior to the ear A and close to eyes)
where the side unit 83 contacts the temporal region of the user H
so as not to fall to the downward direction of the head. In the
embodiment, at the end portion of the side unit 83 coupled to the
front unit 82, a spring for pressure adjustment and an adjuster for
changing the angle are arranged. The above-described end portion of
the side unit 83 has the shape curved toward the region (the region
of (iv) in FIG. 5) suitable for cartilage conduction around the
external auditory canal B of the user H's ear A. Accordingly, the
piezoelectric speaker 86 arranged at the end portion suitably
transmits sounds to the user H via cartilage conduction. The sound
outputting device 81 also includes the other side unit (not
illustrated in FIG. 9) coupled to the opposite position of the side
unit 83, that is, the other end portion of the front unit 82. The
side unit at the opposite side of the side unit 83 has a structure
similar to the above-mentioned structure. The side unit 83 includes
a controller and the like inside.
[0068] A sound outputting device 91 in FIG. 10 is eyeglass-shaped,
and includes a front unit 92 and side units 93 and 95, which are
coupled to respective end portions of the front unit 92. The side
units 93 and 95 each branch at a position anterior to a portion
supported by an ear A in a direction away from the front unit 92.
One branched end portions 93-1 and 95-1 respectively include the
piezoelectric speakers 96 and 98. The other branched end portions
93-2 and 95-2 are supported by the ears A. Specifically, the side
units 93 and 95 each have the branched shape in the position
anterior to the ear A, similarly to the above-described side unit
73 in FIG. 8. The side units 93 and 95 in FIG. 10 are longer than
the above-described side units 73 in FIG. 8 such that the other end
portions 93-2 and 95-2 of the side units 93 and 95 are supported by
the ears A. One end portions 93-1 and 95-1 each have a branched
shape that contacts a region (the region of (iv) in FIG. 5)
suitable for cartilage conduction around the external auditory
canal B of user H's ear A (not illustrated in FIG. 10).
Accordingly, the piezoelectric speakers 96 and 98 respectively
arranged in one end portions 93-1 and 95-1 suitably transmit sounds
to the user H via cartilage conduction. The side units 93 and 95
include a controller and the like inside.
[0069] The eyeglass-shaped sound outputting device generates large
mechanical vibration of the piezoelectric speaker (the cartilage
conduction receiver). And thus, the vibration may be transmitted to
the whole frame of glasses so that the sounds caused by this
vibration of the whole frame may increase sound leakage to the
surroundings. In view of this, the sound outputting device may be
configured such that the piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28 are
coupled to the frame of glasses via a cushioning member (a damper),
which is made of soft material such as rubber, so as to decrease a
portion vibrated largely.
[0070] With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, an example of the sound
outputting device 11 according to another embodiment that includes
cushioning members 17 and 19 on the side units 13 and 15 will be
described below. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a
schematic configuration of a sound outputting device 11 according
to another embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the
side unit 13 illustrating a position of the cushioning member 17
arranged on the side unit 13 of the sound outputting device 11
according to another embodiment.
[0071] The sound outputting device 11 in FIG. 11 is
eyeglass-shaped, and includes a front unit 12 and the side units 13
and 15 coupled to both end portions of the front unit 12. The side
unit 13 is constituted of a first unit 13-1, which includes the
piezoelectric speaker 26, arranged at one side and a second unit
13-2 arranged at the other side. The side unit 15 is constituted of
a first unit 15-1, which includes the piezoelectric speaker 28,
arranged at one side and a second unit 15-2 arranged at the other
side. Between the first unit 13-1 and the second unit 13-2, the
cushioning member 17 is arranged. Between the first unit 15-1 and
the second unit 15-2, the cushioning member 19 is arranged.
Accordingly, the cushioning members 17 and 19 reduce vibrations of
the second units 13-2 and 15-2 caused by vibrations of the first
units 13-1 and 15-1. That is, the sound outputting device 11 is
configured such that the cushioning members 17 and 19 (the dampers)
are arranged between the frames of glasses respectively, thus
limiting portions to be vibrated. Accordingly, the sound outputting
device 11 reduces sound leakage to the surroundings, which is
caused by vibration of the whole frame of glasses with the
piezoelectric speakers 26 and 28.
[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the side unit 13 of the sound
outputting device 11 may include the cushioning member 17 between
the first unit 13-1 arranged at one side, which contacts the
temporal region of the user H, and the second unit 13-2. The first
unit 13-1 according to the embodiment is, for example, vibration
transmitting rubber that includes the piezoelectric speaker 26
(including a vibrator 26-1 and an electrode unit 26-2). The
piezoelectric speaker 26, which is arranged in the first unit 13-1,
is coupled to a part of a circuit (for example, the control unit
22) arranged inside the second unit 13-2 through wiring material.
The user H has a hearing sensitivity with individual difference. In
the embodiment, the first unit 13-1, which contacts the temporal
region of the user H, is constituted as a replaceable attachment,
thus ensuring adjustment of height and firmness.
[0073] An example of the sound outputting device 91 according to
another embodiment that includes the cushioning member 97 in the
side unit 93 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.
FIG. 13A is an explanatory side view illustrating the sound
outputting device 91 in FIG. 10 mounted on the user H. FIG. 13B is
a transparent view of the side unit 93 illustrating a position of
the cushioning member 97 arranged in the side unit 93 of the sound
outputting device 91 in FIG. 13A.
[0074] The sound outputting device 91 in FIG. 13A represents an
example where the sound outputting device 91 in FIG. 10 further
includes the cushioning member 97 at the side unit 93, which is
designed such that the first unit 93-1 is overlapped with a region
suitable for cartilage conduction. Specifically, as illustrated in
FIG. 13B illustrating the enlarged region of (v) in FIG. 13A, the
cushioning member 97 is arranged between the side unit 93 and the
first unit 93-1 where the piezoelectric speaker 96 is arranged. The
first unit 93-1, which contacts the temporal region of the user H,
may be constituted as a replaceable attachment so as to adjust
height and firmness to accommodate the individual difference in
cartilage position of the user H.
[0075] As described above, the embodiments provide the following
advantageous effects. A user appears to merely wear glasses to
others. Accordingly, for example, cutting the ambient sound noise,
listening to music and programs, or the like is not noticed. For
example, cartilage conduction by the piezoelectric speaker is used
for listening to music and sounds. In this case, the external
auditory canal is released, thus reducing a sense of discomfort
caused by a conventional inner earphone, canal type earphone, and
large headphone. Specifically, this reduces feeling of a foreign
body in the ear holes, oppressive feeling of a headphone, and an
uncomfortable sense of sweating. The external auditory canal is
open, thus allowing the user to be aware of dangerous sound and
call of other people. It is difficult for other people to notice
the user to wear the earphone, thus ensuring an easy situation to
talk to the user. Using cartilage conduction reduces the sound
leakage to the surroundings. In conventional technique (for
example, Japanese Patent Application National Publication
(Laid-Open) No. 2005-534269), covering the external auditory canal
(block the external auditory canal from the ambient) is a basic
configuration. Covering the external auditory canal reduces ambient
noise. On the other hand, in the embodiments, the external auditory
canal is open. Actively preventing vibration of the eardrum by
sound noise reduces ambient noise even in the case where the
external auditory canal is open.
[0076] With the embodiments, the noise-cancelling function reduces
loud sound in a stadium of a sport such as high school baseball and
professional baseball. Thus, advantageous effects are provided that
instructions from a manager, a coach, and other players are clear
to hear. Further, instructions from a manager can be transmitted to
players with wireless connection. When the user is in an office or
an examination site for example, he/she is provided with a
condition to concentrate without being bothered by ambient noise.
When the user is in a vehicle such as an airplane and a train,
he/she is provided with a comfortable condition because sound noise
is reduced.
[0077] The embodiments employ an eyeglass shape as a shape of the
sound outputting device, thus providing advantageous effects of
combining, for example, corrective glasses for near sight and far
sight or sunglasses with the sound outputting device.
[0078] With the embodiments, the external auditory canal is open,
thus providing advantageous effects of using an ordinary earphone
at the same time. In this case, noise cancellation is performed via
cartilage conduction, thus having an effect of noise cancellation
on the earphone with ordinary products. Thus, a risk of, for
example, hearing loss caused by sound volume that is increased too
much against large ambient noise is reduced.
[0079] In the case where the embodiments are employed in a phone
call of, for example, a mobile phone, the microphones may be
switched to receiving microphones. Thus, it is allowed to receive
sounds at a position close to a mouth, and to provide products that
are excellent in design as an advantageous effect. The employment
of the embodiments in a phone call ensures transmission of
telephone only removing ambient noise, thus having advantageous
effects in an environment with large ambient sound.
[0080] The present invention provides effects for reducing the
burden on a user's ear when using the sound outputting device.
* * * * *