(51) Int Cl.: H04R 25/00 ( )

Transcription

1 (19) TEPZZ _Z78 8B_T (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (4) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent: Bulletin 16/26 (1) Int Cl.: H04R 2/00 (06.01) (21) Application number: (22) Date of filing: (4) An assembly comprising a sound emitter and two sound detectors Anordnung mit einem Tonausgabegerät und zwei Tondetektoren Ensemble comportant un émetteur de son et deux détecteurs de son (84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR () Priority: US P (43) Date of publication of application: Bulletin 09/41 (73) Proprietor: Sonion Nederland B.V LS Hoofddorp (NL) (72) Inventor: Van Halteren, Aart Zeger 3931 PV Woudenberg (NL) (74) Representative: Inspicos P/S Kogle Allé Hørsholm (DK) (6) References cited: EP-A EP-A US-A US-A US-B EP B1 Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 7001 PARIS (FR)

2 1 EP B1 2 Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an assembly comprising two sound detectors and a sound emitter. [0002] An assembly of this kind may be seen in US07/014763, US08/ , US6,661,901, EP189811, US7,2,748, US0/024673, US7,983,433, US09/00742 and US09/ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] In a first aspect, the invention relates to an assembly according to claim 1 [0004] In the present context, a sound emitter may be any element adapted to output sound corresponding to an electrical signal, such as a loudspeaker or a so-called "receiver". This emitter may be based on any driving technology, such as electret, moving coil, moving armature, moving magnet, or the MEMS technology presently being very well received as microphones in the hearing aid industry. [000] In addition, a sound detector may be any type of sound detector, such as a microphone. Many sound detectors are based on the above-mentioned basic technologies, including the MEMS microphones, also used in sound providers/emitters. The detectors may be based on different detection technologies and are also not dependent on the technology of the emitter. [0006] The emitter and detectors may be fixed to each other in any suitable manner, such as welding, soldering, adhesion/glue, mechanical fixing (screws, clamps or the like). This fixing may be permanent or detachable. [0007] A sound receiving opening may simply be an opening in a surface of the detector, whereby the direction thereof may be taken as a direction directly away from, or perpendicular to, this surface. Other detectors have tubes/spouts or other elements defining an elongate path along which sound is directed from outside to inside the detector. In this situation, the direction will be defined by such an element. [0008] Also, "opposite" directions normally will mean parallel or at least substantially parallel, but oppositely directed, directions. [0009] Naturally, the above manners of defining a sound receiving opening may be used also for defining a sound emitting opening. Also, the sound emitting opening and a sound receiving opening will be pointing in the same direction, if these point in directions no more than degrees, such as no more than degrees, preferably no more than 2 degrees from each other. [00] In one embodiment, each of the emitter and the detectors comprises a plurality of electrically conducting parts. The assembly further comprises a set of externally conducting elements normally not forming part of the housing but being solder bumps, connectors, cables or the like electrically connected to elements within the housing(s). At least one of the external conducting elements is electrically connected to a conducting part of both the emitter and each of the detectors. In standard emitters and detectors, such electrically conducting parts may be solder bumps or cables/connectors allowing electrical connection to elements inside the emitter/detectors. [0011] Preferably, the electrically conducting parts of the emitter are parts adapted to receive an electrical signal to be converted into sound. Normally, the emitter will have a driver, typically based on one of the above-mentioned techniques, which converts an electrical signal into sound. The electrically conducting parts are adapted to convey this electrical signal from outside the emitter to that driver. [0012] The electrically conducting parts of a detector may be parts adapted to output an electrical signal corresponding to the sound received or detected. Again, the detector normally has a detecting element based on one of the above-mentioned techniques, and the electrically conducting parts are then adapted to convey the electrical signal from the detecting element to surroundings of the detector. [0013] The at least one external conducting element will typically be connected to ground or the housing of the detectors/emitter, as this normally has the same purpose in all such elements. [0014] In one embodiment, the assembly has first electrical conductors connecting both detectors to the amplifying circuit or a plurality of amplifying circuits positioned in the emitter housing. [001] Standard sound detectors have or require an amplifier for amplifying the quite weak electrical signal output there from before transmitting the signal to more remote equipment. In the present invention, this amplifying circuit is positioned in the emitter. Then, the device may be made smaller as no extra space is required for the amplifiers in or outside the detectors. An alternative would be the reduction of volume of the emitter which, however, may render the space reduction unduly complicated. A single amplifying circuit may be used for amplifying the signals of both microphones, and the same circuit may also be used for performing other processing, such as filtering, of signals, such as to generate a signal for the emitter. [0016] In this embodiment, the emitter preferably has a driving element, the assembly further comprising second electrical conductors connecting the driving element to the amplifying/processing circuit. [0017] The emitter and the detectors each comprises a housing. Normally, a housing or wall parts thereof is a monolithic or single layer element having on one side the inner space (such as the so-called back or front chamber) of the detector/emitter in which sound is generated or detected, and on the other side the exterior or surroundings of the emitter/detector. The emitter housing and at least one of the detector housings sharing a common wall part, whereby this wall part on one side forms part of an inner space of the emitter (the inner space being 2

3 3 EP B the space in which sound is generated) and on the other side forms part of an inner space of the at least one detector (the inner space being a space in which sound is detected). In this connection, a common wall part is a single element forming a wall part of both the emitter and the detector. Thus, instead of simply providing these elements as they would be manufactured individually, walls may be shared, whereby the overall assembly becomes smaller and lighter. [0018] A method of providing the above assembly may be provided where the at least one detector or the emitter is provided with a housing and the other is provided with an opening in a side of the housing or with a side of the housing missing, which opening or missing side is closed or formed by a side of the housing of the other of the at least one detector or the emitter. The opening or side may be provided in the housing during or after manufacture of the detector/emitter. A side may be removed from a detector/emitter initially provided with a housing with no missing sides. This closing or forming may be obtained by fixing the at least one detector and the emitter to each other. Naturally, the opening or missing side may be closed by not only a single emitter/detector but a number thereof. Also, a number of detectors/emitters may be provided with openings or missing sides, which are then closed by a single or multiple detectors/emitters. [0019] The detectors are directed along the length of the canal - normally one directed in one direction and the other along the opposite direction. The emitter is directed so as to output sound in the direction into the canal toward the eardrum. [00] In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises means for positioning and/or fixing the assembly within an ear canal of a person. This fixing may be by specially shaped elements adapted to fit inside the particular ear canal of the particular user, or may be more generally shaped, such as resilient elements adapted to fit into multiple user s ear canals. [0021] In one situation, the positioning means is adapted to, when positioned inside the ear canal of the person, at least substantially block/prevent sound from outside the ear from passing the means and impinging on the eardrum. This has the advantage that feedback may be prevented from the output of the emitter to a detector having a sound receiving opening at the other side of the positioning means. [0022] In another situation, the positioning means is adapted to, when positioned inside the ear canal of the person, allow sound from outside the ear from passing the means. This allowing may be obtained by the positioning means having therein openings or channels allowing sound to pass from the emitter opening to the opening of the second detector. [0023] In a particularly interesting embodiment, the emitter is a balanced receiver being an emitter comprising two at least substantially parallel diaphragms and two driving means (which may be of the same or different types) acting to move the diaphragms in opposite directions, or counter-phase, on the basis of one and the same electrical signal. In this manner, vibrations caused by sound generation may be reduced. [0024] In another embodiment, the at least one sound detector comprises a MEMS element adapted to detect sound. These elements have a number of advantages in e.g. a reduced size. [002] The scope of the invention is defined by the appendent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0026] In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawing, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a first assembly according to the invention; and Figure 2 illustrates a second assembly according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0027] Figure 1 illustrates a general type of embodiment in which an assembly has a sound generator or receiver 12, having a sound output 14, as well as two sound detectors or microphones 16 and having respective sound receiving openings 18 and 22. [0028] The receiver 12 and microphones 16 and are fixed to each other either permanently or detachably, such as by glue/adhesive, welding, soldering, mechanical fixing or the like. [0029] It is seen that the opening or spout 22 of microphone is directed in the general direction of opening or spout 14 of the receiver 12, and that the opening/spout 18 of the microphone 16 is directed in the opposite direction. This may be used for a number of purposes as will be seen further below. [00] Naturally, the spouts 22 and 14 may be combined into one spout, or an opening from the receiver 12 into the microphone may be used in order to use only a single opening or output. Then, this single output or spout will be that of both the elements. [0031] Figure 2 illustrates a slightly different embodiment, in which the openings/spouts are not illustrated but will generally be positioned/directed as in Figure 1. [0032] In the assembly of Figure 2, the receiver 12 has therein a sound generating element 11, which may be any type of sound generator, such as a loudspeaker, electret, a piezo element, a generator based on the moving armature or the moving coil, moving magnet principle, a Silicon based element, such as a MEMS element, or the like. This element 11 receives an electrical signal via a wire or wires 2. [0033] In addition, the microphones 16 and have respective sound receiving elements 17 and 21, which may generally be based on the same principles as those of element 11, and which generate electrical signals and output these over wires 23 and 24. 3

4 EP B1 6 [0034] The receiver 12 further comprises an element 26, such as a PCB, an ASIC or the like, connected to the wires 23, 24, 2 and outputting and/or receiving an electrical signal and/or power via a cable 27. [003] Depending on the application, it may be desired to have the element 26 comprise signal processing equipment. This is described further below. [0036] An advantage of the element 26 and the common cable 27 is that the overall number of wires required to and from the assembly may be reduced in that one wire of cable 27 may be connected to more than one of the receiver and microphones, such as a ground connection. Comparing to the assembly of figure 1, where one wire may be required to/from each solder bump of each microphone and the receiver. The same may be obtained if the housings of the microphones/receiver are electrically conducting by ensuring an electrical connection between the housings. In that situation, the housings may simply be used instead of a separate wire, and the connections there between will provide this common electrical connection. [0037] In addition, if the signal from one microphone 16/ is not required outside the assembly but is only used for correcting/adapting an output of the receiver 12, additional wires are saved between the assembly and the surroundings. [0038] Also, it is noted from Figure 2 that walls are shared between the receiver 12 and microphones 16 and making the overall assembly lighter and smaller. In an embodiment for use in a persons ear canal, this is of importance, and this feature could save a wall thickness (0,1-0,1mm) in the total thickness of the device. [0039] The above assembly may be used in a number of applications, several of which are at a position inside the ear canal of a user, and others being behind or outside the ear of a person. Naturally, the assembly is applicable also in applications not related to hearing aids. [00] In one application, the assembly is positioned inside the ear canal of a person, such as using engaging means 28 adapted to position the assembly inside the canal. In this first application, the means 28 do not fully prevent sound from outside the ear from entering the canal and impinging on the ear drum of the person. The means 28 can be a structure extending away from a portion of the housing of the assembly, as shown in Figure 2, and may be comprised of a resilient or flexible material. [0041] Thus, sound from outside the ear will mix with the sound from the receiver 12/12 and be detected by the microphone /, and sound from the receiver 12/12 will exit the canal and mix with the sound from outside the ear and be detected by the microphone 16/16. [0042] This partially open embodiment has the advantage that the so-called occlusion will not take place, but the disadvantage that the feedback may cause irritating feedback in the receiver 12/12 and microphone 16/16 being positioned very closely. The microphone / may, however, be used for sensing this unwanted feedback and for controlling a DSP (or the like) processing the signal from the main microphone 16/16 before feeding the signal to the receiver 12/12 to take this feedback into account, such as by filtering away or damping the frequency of the feedback. [0043] In another ITC (In The Canal) embodiment, the means 28 are adapted to substantially block sound from the outside of the ear to reach the inner parts of the canal and thus the microphone / and sound from the receiver output 22 from reaching the outer ear and the microphone 16/16. [0044] In this situation, the feedback problem may be solved, but the occlusion effect may be present. Occlusion is the effect experienced if the ears of a person are blocked while the person speaks. [004] However, a comparison of the sound or frequency spectrum (or whatever other comparisons are desired) between the sound output of the receiver 12/12 or received by the microphone / and that received by the microphone 16/16 may be used for handling occlusion or other noise sources in order to adapt the sound output of the receiver 12/12 to obtain any desired output. [0046] In addition, the sound determined by the microphone / may also be used for comparing the output of the receiver 12/12 to a predetermined output, such as a frequency response stored in a DSP or memory of the assembly, in order to calibrate or check the assembly. [0047] For embodiments used outside the ear canal of the person, the two microphones 16/16 and / may be used as a directional microphone. In this type of setup, the microphones are either a matched pair, or a DSP may be used for matching the microphones. [0048] As mentioned above, the receiver 12 may be a balanced receiver in order to avoid or reduce the vibrations caused by sound generation. Claims 1. An assembly (, ) adapted to be positioned within the ear canal of a user, the assembly comprising a sound emitter (12) and at least two sound detectors (16, 16,, ) fixed to each other, wherein: - each detector has a sound receiving opening (18, 22), the sound receiving opening of a first of the detectors pointing in one direction and into the ear canal, - the sound emitter has a housing and a sound emitting opening (14) pointing in the one direction and being adapted to emit sound into the canal, the sound emitter housing having an inner space, - the detectors being positioned outside of the inner space of the sound emitter housing, - a second of the detectors has its sound receiving opening directed outwardly of the canal, and 4

5 7 EP B1 8 - the assembly comprises a circuit adapted to receive a first signal from the first detector, a second signal from the second detector and provide, to the emitter, a signal compensating for sound represented by the second signal, characterized in that the sound emitter has an amplifying circuit (26) in the sound emitter housing and that the assembly further comprises first electrical conductors (23, 24) connecting the detectors to the amplifying circuit so that the amplifying circuit is configured to amplify signals output of the detectors. 2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the emitter and the detectors comprises a plurality of electrically conducting parts (23, 24, 2), the assembly further comprising a set of external conducting elements (27), at least one of the external conducting elements being electrically connected to a conducting part of both the emitter and each of the detectors. 3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the emitter has a driving element (11), the assembly further comprising second electrical conductors (2) connecting the driving element to the amplifying circuit. 4. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detectors each comprises a housing, the emitter housing and at least one of the detector housings sharing a common wall part. 1 2 Patentansprüche 1. Anordnung (, ), die innerhalb des Gehörgangs eines Benutzers positioniert werden kann, wobei die Anordnung ein Tonausgabegerät (12) und mindestens zwei Tondetektoren (16, 16,, ), die aneinander befestigt sind, umfasst, wobei: - jeder Detektor eine Tonempfangsöffnung (18, 22) aufweist, wobei die Tonempfangsöffnung eines ersten der Detektoren in eine Richtung und in den Gehörgang zeigt, - das Tonausgabegerät ein Gehäuse und eine Tonausgabeöffnung (14) aufweist, die in die eine Richtung zeigt und zum Ausgeben von Ton in den Gang geeignet ist, wobei das Gehäuse des Tonausgabegerätes einen Innenraum aufweist, - die Detektoren außerhalb des Innenraumes des Gehäuses des Tonausgabegerätes positioniert sind, - ein zweiter der Detektoren seine Tonempfangsöffnung nach außerhalb des Gangs zeigend aufweist, und - die Anordnung eine Schaltung umfasst, die zum Empfangen eines ersten Signals von dem ersten Detektor, eines zweiten Signals von dem zweiten Detektor und Bereitstellen, an das Ausgabegerät, eines Signals, das einen Ton, der durch das zweite Signal dargestellt wird, kompensiert, geeignet ist,. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means (28) for positioning and/or fixing the assembly within an ear canal of a person. 6. An assembly according to claim, wherein the positioning means are adapted to, when positioned inside the ear canal of the person, at least substantially block sound from outside the ear from passing the means. 7. An assembly according to claim, wherein the positioning means are adapted to, when positioned inside the ear canal of the person, allow sound from outside the ear from passing the means. 8. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the emitter is a balanced receiver. 9. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sound detector comprises a MEMS element (17, 21) adapted to detect sound dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Tonausgabegerät eine Verstärkerschaltung (26) in dem Gehäuse des Tonausgabegerätes aufweist und dass die Anordnung ferner erste elektrische Leiter (23, 24) umfasst, welche die Detektoren mit der Verstärkerschaltung verbinden, sodass die Verstärkerschaltung zum Verstärken von Signalen, die von den Detektoren ausgegeben werden, konfiguriert ist. 2. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei jedes aus dem Ausgabegerät und den Detektoren mehrere elektrisch leitende Teile (23, 24, 2) umfasst, wobei die Anordnung ferner einen Satz externer leitender Elemente (27) umfasst, wobei mindestens eines der externen leitenden Elemente elektrisch mit einem leitenden Teil sowohl des Ausgabegerätes als auch jedes der Detektoren verbunden ist. 3. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Ausgabegerät ein Antriebselement (11) aufweist, wobei die Anordnung ferner zweite elektrische Leiter (2) umfasst, welche das Antriebselement mit der Verstärkerschaltung verbinden. 4. Anordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Detektoren jeweils ein Gehäuse

6 9 EP B1 umfassen, wobei sich das Ausgabegerätgehäuse und mindestens eines der Detektorgehäuse ein gemeinsames Wandteil teilen.. Anordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, welche ferner Mittel (28) zum Positionieren und/oder Fixieren der Anordnung innerhalb eines Gehörgangs einer Person umfasst. 6. Anordnung nach Anspruch, wobei die Positionierungsmittel, wenn sie im Inneren des Gehörgangs der Person positioniert sind, mindestens im Wesentlichen dazu geeignet sind, Töne von außerhalb des Ohres am Passieren der Mittel zu hindern. 7. Anordnung nach Anspruch, wobei die Positionierungsmittel, wenn sie im Inneren des Gehörgangs der Person positioniert sind, dazu geeignet sind, Tönen von außerhalb des Ohres das Passieren der Mittel zu gestatten. 8. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Ausgabegerät ein symmetrischer Schallerzeuger ist. 9. Anordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der mindestens eine Tondetektor ein MEMS-Element (17, 21) umfasst, das zum Erkennen von Ton geeignet ist. Revendications 1. Ensemble (, ) adapté pour être positionné à l intérieur du canal auditif d un utilisateur l ensemble comprenant un émetteur de son (12) et au moins deux détecteurs de son (16, 16,, ) fixés l un à l autre, dans lequel : chaque détecteur a une ouverture de réception du son (18, 22), l ouverture de réception du son d un premier des détecteurs pointant dans une direction et à l intérieur du canal auditif, - l émetteur de son a un logement et une ouverture d émission du son (14) pointant dans la direction et étant adapté pour émettre un son à l intérieur du canal, le logement d émetteur de son ayant un espace intérieur, - les détecteurs étant positionné à l extérieur de l espace intérieur du logement d émetteur de son, - un second des détecteurs à son ouverture de réception du son dirigé vers l extérieur du canal et - l ensemble comprend un circuit adapté pour recevoir un premier signal provenant du premier détecteur, un second signal provenant du second détecteur et fournir à l émetteur un signal compensant le son représenté par le second signal, caractérisé en ce que l émetteur de son a un circuit d amplification (26) dans le logement d émetteur de son et que l ensemble comprend en outre des premiers conducteurs électriques (23, 24) connectant les détecteurs au circuit d amplification de sorte que le circuit d amplification soit configuré pour amplifier les signaux sortis des détecteurs. 2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chacun de l émetteur et des détecteurs comprend une pluralité de parties électriquement conductrices (23, 24, 2), l ensemble comprenant en outre un jeu d éléments conducteurs externes (27), au moins un des éléments conducteurs externes étant connecté électriquement à une partie conductrice à la fois de l émetteur et de chacun des détecteurs. 3. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l émetteur comporte un élément d attaque (11), l ensemble comprenant en outre des seconds conducteurs électriques (2) connectant l élément d attaque au circuit d amplification. 4. Ensemble selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les détecteurs comprennent chacun un logement, le logement d émetteur et au moins un des logements de détecteurs partageant une partie de paroi commune.. Ensemble selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre un moyen (28) pour positionner et/ou fixer l ensemble à l intérieur d un canal auditif d une personne. 6. Ensemble selon la revendication, dans lequel les moyens de positionnement sont adaptés pour, quand ils sont positionnés à l intérieur du canal auditif de la personne, bloquer au moins substantiellement le son provenant de l extérieur de l oreille de passer à l intérieur du moyen. 7. Ensemble selon la revendication, dans lequel les moyens de positionnement sont adaptés pour, quand ils sont positionnés à l intérieur du canal auditif de la personne, permettre au son de l extérieur de l oreille de passer à l intérieur du moyen. 8. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l émetteur est un lecteur de son équilibré. 9. Ensemble selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au moins un détecteur de son comprend un élément MEMS (17, 21) adapté pour détecter un son. 6

7 EP B1 7

8 EP B1 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description US A [0002] US A [0002] US B [0002] EP A [0002] US B [0002] US A [0002] US B [0002] US A [0002] US A [0002] 8