US5138663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for performing noise cancelling and headphoning
Assignee: MNC Inc
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Filing: 1990-10-19
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2010-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A device for performing electroacoustic functions including noise cancellation, communication interface, and headphone functions. The device includes a composite transducer which is connected to a control unit. The composite transducer, which is adapted for use with the human ear, includes: at least one input transducer for converting acoustic waves into electrical signals, and an output transducer facing the ear for converting electrical signals into acoustic waves. The transducers are oriented to be substantially coplanar to each other. The control unit includes circuitry for driving the output transducer based on electrical signals from the input transducer(s) with an amplitude and phase to perform the noise cancellation, sound filtering, communication interface, and headphone functions. The composite transducer includes a multiple baffle acoustic diffuser which performs frequency filtering, allows sound origin selection, and lengthens the paths of selected sounds entering the composite transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Moseley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/10; H04R1/1083; A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/06; A61F11/14; A61F11/145; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/16; G10K11/175; G10K11/178; G10K11/1785; G10K11/17853; G10K11/17857; G10K11/17861; G10K11/1787; G10K11/17879; G10K11/17881; G10K11/17885; H04R3/00; H04R3/005; B; B60; B60G; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/60; B60G2400/61; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/01; B60G2800/012; G10K2210/00; G10K2210/10; G10K2210/108; G10K2210/1081; G10K2210/30; G10K2210/301; G10K2210/3013; G10K2210/3019; G10K2210/3045; G10K2210/321; G10K2210/3214; H04R5/00; H04R5/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A composite transducer assembly for use in cancelling noise in an ear canal when the composite transducer assembly is in use on an ear, comprising: a composite transducer responsive to an opposing sound wave signal to generate an opposing sound wave which propagates from a first side of the composite transducer in a direction into said ear canal, means for generating said opposing sound wave signal to have an amplitude substantially equal to the amplitude of, but substantially 180° out of phase with respect to, said noise in said ear canal; and an acoustic diffuser comprising a plurality of substantially planar baffles which are stacked so that each of the baffles lies substantially in a plane which is parallel to the planes of each of the other baffles, the baffles being disposed on a second side of the composite transducer opposite said first side so that each baffle is spaced apart from each other baffle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A composite transducer assembly for use in cancelling noise in an ear canal when the composite transducer assembly is in use on an ear, comprising: a composite transducer responsive to an opposing sound wave signal to generate an opposing sound wave which propagates from a first side of the composite transducer in a direction into said ear canal, means for generating said opposing sound wave signal to have an amplitude substantially equal to the amplitude of, but substantially 180° out of phase with respect to, said noise in said ear canal; and an acoustic diffuser comprising a plurality of substantially planar baffles which are stacked so that each of the baffles lies substantially in a plane which is parallel to the planes of each of the other baffles, the baffles being disposed on a second side of the composite transducer opposite said first side so that each baffle is spaced apart from each other baffle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 further comprising an open cell foam which is substantially acoustically transparent and which encases the acoustic diffuser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 further comprising a layer of open cell foam which is substantially acoustically transparent and which covers at least said first side of the composite transducer to form a cushion when the composite transducer assembly is in use on said ear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein the plane of each of the baffles is substantially perpendicular to said direction into said ear canal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 4 wherein the baffles are substantially disc-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 5 wherein each of the baffles has a diameter, the diameter of each baffle being smaller than the diameter of all other baffles disposed between said each baffle and the composite transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein the acoustic diffuser further comprises standoffs which maintain the spacing between the baffles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the baffles has an opening which leads through the plane of the baffle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the baffles has a perimeter area which extends in said direction from the plane of said at least one baffle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said baffles is made of plastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said baffles is made of a high-frequency sound absorbent material such as felt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein the composite transducer has an input transducer with a pick up surface which is disposed perpendicular to an axis running in said direction into said ear canal, the acoustic diffuser having a substantially washer-shaped baffle disposed perpendicular to said axis, the washer-shaped baffle having a central opening which intersects said axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said baffles comprises a disk having a plurality of transverse apertures therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The composite transducer assembly of claim 13 wherein a plurality of said baffles are in the form of a disk with each disk having a pattern of apertures therethrough that differs from the pattern of an adjacent disk.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |