WO2001087006A2

WO2001087006A2 - Earphone for an rf transmitting device

Info

Publication number: WO2001087006A2
Application number: PCT/IL2001/000401
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dan Wolf
Original assignee: Dan Wolf
Priority date: 2000-05-11
Filing date: 2001-05-04
Publication date: 2001-11-15
Also published as: AU5504501A; WO2001087006A3

Abstract

An acoustic ear piece comprising an elongated, hollow housing formed with an ear tip member located at one end of the housing and adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a user, and a sound receiving end located at the other end of the housing and comprising a shell member adapted to receive an earphone portion of a sound source. A cylindrical tube is connected to the ear tip member at one end thereof and the sound receiving end at the other end thereof. Optionally, a Faraday cage is located in the sound receiving end shell member when the earphone portion of a sound source is mounted therein.

Description

EARPHONE FOR AN RF TRANSMITTING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved earphone for use with communication equipment emitting radio frequency (RF) radiation, such as cellular telephones or others, in which hazardous risks are reduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years there has been an explosion in the extent of use of cellular telephones. Particularly popular are such telephones, which are small, hand held devices comprising a mouthpiece and an ear piece and including within it the entire communication circuitry. A major problem which has been identified in recent years, associated with the use of such device, is the RF radiation emitted thereby, which is believed to cause an accumulating hazardous effect, particularly on brain tissue, which is proximal to the RF-emitting antenna.

The RF radiation can in principle be shielded by various means, but these are heavy, cumbersome and thus not user friendly. Another drawback of such shielding arrangements is that they can interfere with the quality of reception and transmission.

The intensity of the radiation diminishes as a square function of the distance from the source of radiation, i.e. from the antenna. Accordingly, devices have been suggested which may be attached to the ear piece to increase distance between the antenna and the user's head. In order not to affect the hearing ability of the sound emitted from the ear piece, it has also been suggested to use a spacer with walls defining a sound channel for sound transmission from the ear piece to the user's ear. An example of such a device is that described in German Utility Model DE 97-U2-00243.

Other devices which provide a permanent sound channel between the ear piece and the user's ear, i.e. not having collapsible walls, are also known, such as that described in U.S. Patent 5,564,085.

It has recently become common to use personal ear pieces detachably connectable to the cellular telephones which are equipped with an integral microphone fitted on the cord connecting the ear piece to the cellular phone. Such ear pieces provide improved acoustics and isolation from surrounding noise and for a while it has been believed that the significantly increased distance of the antenna of a cellular phone from the user's head eliminates the hazardous affect of radiation. However, some recent researchers have shown to the contrary, namely that the ear piece plugged into the user's ear emits radiation at rates which are significantly higher than those transmitted from the antenna and which are extremely hazardous.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved ear piece in order to reduce or eliminate the radiation from the user's head. It is a specific object of the invention to provide an earphone for an ear piece of such a communication device to form a sound channel between the ear piece and the user's ear, with a suitable radiation shield provided therebetween.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is concerned with an acoustic earphone for retaining an earphone connected to a radio frequency transmitting device at an extended distance from the user's head whereby acoustic communication is facilitated via an acoustic tube.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an acoustic earphone for transmitting sound from a transducer sound source, the earphone comprising a sound transmitting tube portion extending between an ear tip member for engaging the external ear canal of a user, and a sound receiving end fitted to said sound source.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound receiving end is integrally formed or fixedly attached to the sound source. According to another embodiment, the sound receiving end is removably attached to the sound source which. A typical example of the invention is an earphone connected via a wire to the mobile cellular phone.

By a prefered embodiment of the invention, either one or both of the sound source, namely earphone, and the sound receiving end is fitted with a Faraday cage providing an electrostatic shield, preventing or reducing radiation from the earphone.

At an operative state, the sound transmitting tube distances the earphone from the user's ear and head. This distance may vary between several millimeters up to several centimeters.

By another aspect of the present invention, the earphone is adapted for placing adjacent a user's ear and where the housing thereof is received within a Faraday cage, typically made of a mesh wire or metallic foil, or a combination thereof, for reducing or eliminating radiation of a magnetic wave.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, some embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of an acoustic earphone in accordance with the present invention detached from an earphone connectable to a communication device, the earphone comprising a Faraday cage;

Fig. 2 illustrates the components of Fig. 1 in their assembled position; Fig. 3 illustrates an acoustic earphone in accordance with the present invention, integrally fitted with a Faraday cage;

Fig. 4 illustrates an acoustic earphone integrally fitted with an earphone connectable to a cellular phone;

Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of the invention, wherein the earphone is entirely shielded by a Faraday cage and the acoustic earphone is different; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to Figs. 1 and 2 illustrating an acoustic earphone in accordance with the present invention, generally designated 10, and an earphone generally designated 12 of the type which is detachably connectable to a cellular phone. Earphone 12 comprises an ear tip 14 with a cylindrical housing, the ear tip being formed with a Faraday cage 16 for reducing or eliminating radiation emitted from the ear tip. Extending from the ear tip there is a cord 17 fitted with a microphone 18 and a plug 20 for detachably connecting to a suitable socket of a cellular phone (not shown). The earphone 12 is of standard structure as known per se, the addition being the provision of the Faraday cage 16 typically, a fine wire mesh.

The acoustic earphone 10 comprises a sound receiving end 26 and an ear tip 28, with an acoustic, sound transmitting tube portion 30 extending therebetween.

Ear tip 28 is anatomically designed for engaging the external ear canal of a user and the sound receiving end 26 is fitted with a receptacle for snugly accommodating the housing 14 of earphone 12, as can be seen in the assembled position of Fig. 2. The length of the sound transmitting tube portion 30 ensures that the earphone 12 is retained at a distance from the user's head. This distance may vary, beginning several millimeters and up to several centimeters. The distance obviously depends on the length of the acoustic earphone, namely, the length of tube portion 30. In some particular embodiments, the length of the tube portion may be minimal, whereby the ear tip and the shell like portion receiving the earphone actually adjoin one another.

It is believed that the configuration of earphone 12 seen in Fig. 1 is in itself a suitable solution for eliminating or reducing magnetic radiation, as the ear tip 14 is received within the Faraday cage 16.

Further attention is now directed to the embodiment of Fig. 3 which is principally similar to the embodiment seen in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the acoustic earphone designated 40 has the same general appearance as earphone 10 in Figs. 1 and 2 with the addition of a Faraday cage 42, integrally formed at the sound receiving end in the form of a fine wire mesh embedded in the shell-like receptacle portion. This device is suitable for use with existing earphones and may be used as an add-on device.

The embodiment of Fig. 4 discloses an acoustic earphone 50 integrally fitted with an earphone 52, connectable by means of cord 54 to a cellular phone (not shown). In accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 4 there is provided a Faraday cage 58 which is integrally fitted at the sound receiving end 60 of the acoustic earphone 50.

Extending from the sound receiving end 60 there is a sound transmitting tube 62 terminating at an ear tip 66 which is fitted with a resilient tip 68 providing improved acoustic isolation from environmental noise and for improved grip within the external ear canal of the user.

Further attention is now directed to the embodiment of Fig. 5. In this embodiment the ear tip 70 of earphone 72 is entirely shielded with a Faraday cage which at its ear engaging side is in the form of a mesh of wire 74 and at its other side it may be either in the form of wire mesh 76 as illustrated, or in the form of foil. The acoustic earphone 80 comprises an ergonomic ear tip 82, a sound receiving end 84 in the form of a shell adapted for fixedly engaging over ear tip 70 of earphone 72 and a intermediate tube portion 88. The acoustic earphone 80 is made of essentially rigid material though its ear tip 82 may be coated with a cushioning material for comfort while inserted in a person's ear.

Whilst this embodiment is illustrated in an exploded position, it will be appreciated that the acoustic earphone 80 may be integrally formed with the earphone 72, as already explained in connection with the previous embodiments. Furthermore, the Faraday shield portions 74 and 76 may be embedded within the structure of the ear tip 70, namely, embedded within the molded material of the structure.

It is also noted that the embodiment of Fig. 5 differs from the previous embodiments in that the actual length of the acoustic earphone is shorter. This however is subject to changes depending on different designs, as may be required.

Fig. 6 illustrates yet still another embodiment of the invention wherein the acoustic earphone 90 is integrally formed with the earphone 92. Here again, the acoustic ear piece comprises a hollow rigid housing comprising an ear tip end 96 adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of the user, and a shell portion 98 fitted integrally over the ear tip 100 of ear phone 92, there being an intermediate rigid tube portion 104 extending between two ends of the acoustic earphone.

In this embodiment, the Faraday cage 110 is fitted within the shell-like end portion 98 forming a radiation shield between the user's ear and the ear tip 100.

While there have been disclosed some embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, thus the assembly may be an add-on type article for use with conventional earphones or, it may be integrated with an earphone. Furthermore, the ear tip member may be of any suitable design for comfortably and efficiently engaging the user's external ear canal for providing comfort, acoustic isolation and self retaining of the acoustic eaφhone within the user's ear. However, if required, a suitable auricle-attachment member may be provided for retaining the acoustic eaφhone to the user's ear.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An acoustic eaφhone for transmitting sound from a transducer sound source, the eaφhone comprising a sound transmitting tube portion extending between an ear tip member for engaging the external ear canal of a user, and a sound receiving end fitted to said sound source.

2. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein the sound transmitting tube portion is essentially rigid.

3. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein the transducer sound source is a personal eaφhone connected by wiring to a radio frequency communication device.

4. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein at use the sound source is retained at a distance from the user's head.

5. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 4, wherein the distance is between several millimeters and up to several centimeters.

6. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein the ear tip is fitted for self retaining in the external ear canal of the user.

7. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein the ear tip provides acoustic isolation from environmental noise.

8. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein the sound receiving end is integrally formed or fixedly attached to the sound source.

9. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein the sound receiving end is removably attached to the sound source.

10. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 9, wherein the sound receiving end is fitted with a receptacle portion for snugly receiving the sound source.

11. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1 wherein the sound receiving end is fitted with a Faraday cage.

12. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 10, wherein the sound receiving end engages the sound source by press fit.

13. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein the ear tip comprises a deformable portion for adapting to the shape of the users ear.

14. An acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1, wherein there is further provided an auricle-attachment member for retaining the ear tip within the external ear canal of the user.

15. An eaφhone for use with a communication equipment comprising a sound source connected by wiring to the communication equipment and an ear piece wherein said ear piece is received within a Faraday cage.

16. An eaφhone according to Claim 15, for use in conjunction with an acoustic eaφhone according to Claim 1.

17. An acoustic ear piece comprising: an elongated, straight, hollow, rigid housing having a central axis, said housing including an ear tip member located at one end of said housing and adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a user. a sound receiving end located at the other end of said housing and comprising a shell member adapted to receive an eaφhone portion of a sound source, an elongated, cylindrical tube rigidly connected to said ear tip member at one end thereof and rigidly connected to said sound receiving end at the other end thereof; and a Faraday cage located in said sound receiving end shell member when the eaφhone portion of a sound source is mounted therein.

18. An acoustic ear piece as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said Faraday cage is mounted in said shell member.

19. An acoustic ear piece as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said housing is one piece.

20. An acoustic ear piece as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the sound receiving end of the housing is integrally formed with the sound source.

21. An acoustic ear piece as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the sound receiving end of the housing is detachably connectable to the sound source.

22. An acoustic ear piece as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the Faraday cage is integrally fitted in the sound receiving end shell member.

23. An acoustic ear piece as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the Faraday cage is integrally fitted with the sound source.

24. An acoustic ear piece as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the shell member of the sound receiving end engages the sound source by press fit.

J:\01326347\01326347_00002_PCTspc.doc/l 7/04/2001