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(11) EP 2 690 883 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication: (51) Int Cl.: 29.01.2014 Bulletin 2014/05 H04R 1/10 (2006.01) H04R 25/00 (2006.01) A44C 7/00 (2006.01) A61F 11/00 (2006.01) (2006.01) (21) Application number: 12178314.6 A61F 11/08

(22) Date of filing: 27.07.2012

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventor: Sandanger, Vidar AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB 0208 Oslo (NO) GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR (74) Representative: Acapo AS Designated Extension States: P.O. Box 1880 Nordnes BA ME 5817 Bergen (NO)

(71) Applicant: Freebit AS 0208 Oslo (NO)

(54) Sub unit

(57) A sub-tragus ear unit for comfortable wear of an from the attachment functionality that is provided by a in-ear ear unit is provided. The sub -tragus ear unit separate anchor, wherein the earphone is attached to achieves the technical effect by separating the earphone said anchor. EP 2 690 883 A1

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Description open to the surroundings to a certain degree, which pro- vides better comfort than a unit that blocks or closes off Technical Field the auditory canal. This provides air circulation at the expense of admitting ambient sounds. [0001] The invention relates to a system for removable 5 [0007] For the fifth solution one should refer to in-ear ear attachment in general and in particular a sub tragic speakers as disclosed in WO/2009/143055 where a ear unit for comfortable attachment of an ear unit. element is placed into the concha and facing the tragus, perpendicular to that of the on-ear solution. The Background Art problem is stable positioning of the hearing element and 10 discomfort relating to the edge of the hearing element is [0002] Microphone/earpiececombinations, wireless or pressed against the inner wall of the concha when posi- attached by wire, to telephones, music systems, switch- tioned in the ear. boards etc. are well known. A wide variety of solutions exist. Brief Disclosure of the Invention [0003] One solution is known as the "in-ear" solution, 15 wherein the sound emitting device, also known as a hear- Problems to be Solved by the Invention ing element, enters the . Typically a housing unit comprising a hearing element is positioned inside [0008] Therefore, a main objective of the present in- the concha and within the tragus and anti tragus, while vention is to provide a system for a compact and com- a funnel ducts the sound into the ear canal. Frequently 20 fortable solution having an improved attachment that the funnel is provided with a gasket having flanges to does not cause discomfort in the ear canal and is also dampen ambient sounds. Typically such devices use the capable of excluding ambient sound ear canal for attachment. While the solution is compact, removes ambient sound efficiently and also allows for Means for Solving the Problems good audio fidelity it suffers from the disadvantage of 25 being uncomfortable due to pressure exerted on the pres- [0009] The objective is achieved according to the in- sure sensitive ear canal. vention by an ear unit as defined in the preamble of claim [0004] Another solution is the "on ear" solution, where- 1, having the features of the characterising portion of in the hearing element is held against the ear having a claim 1. concha. This geometry allows for a wide hearing element 30 [0010] The objective is also achieved according to the to be placed flat against the concha. Unlike the in ear invention by a load bearing anchor as defined in the pre- solution, this solution requires a separate means for hold- amble of claim 5, having the features of the characterising ing the hearing element in position over the concha and portion of claim 5. several such means are well known in the art, such as [0011] The present invention attains the above-de- over-head attachment, headband and over-ear attach- 35 scribed objective by separating the attachment, trans- ment. This solution is simple but suffers from long term ducer and optionally occlusion functionalities into two dis- discomfort due to pressure exerted on the ear by the tinct parts: an anchor that provides stable attachment means for holding. There can also be problems with am- relative to an ear, and an hearing element that comprises bient sound entering the ear unless a sound absorbing the transducer which provides sound and optionally an cushion is used that encloses the fully bringing in 40 occlusion, wherein the acoustic element projects the other disadvantages such as large size. sound into the sub tragic region. [0005] A third solution is the "ear bud" solution where [0012] Optionally the occlusion can be perforated with a housing unit comprising a hearing element is positioned holes that are large enough to admit diffusion of air, yet inside the concha and held in place by tragus and anti small enough to prevent sound propagation. tragus. In this way the housing unit also forms the means 45 for holding the hearing element in place. While compact Effects of the Invention the disadvantage is discomfort due to pressure exerted on the tragus and anti tragus and also that it is difficult [0013] The technical differences over prior art is that a to exclude ambient sounds. If the pressure against the sub tragic system is provided wherein the attachment is tragus and anti tragus is reduced the ear bud then is50 provided by an anchor and not by any elements protrud- rather loose and can easily fall out. ing into the ear canal. [0006] A fourth solution is proposed by the present ap- [0014] These effects provide in turn several further ad- plicant as disclosed in WO/2002/045390 relating to an vantageous effects: earpiece having a C- shape, and WO/ 2008/147215 relat- ing to an improved earpiece having a curve and a curva- 55 • it makes it possible to avoid bulky holding means as ture. Both disclose comfortable means for stable attach- for the on-ear solutions and instead use light weight ment to an anti of an ear. The former discloses an anchors such as those of the fourth solution, open solution that allows the auditory canal to remain • it avoids discomfort related to elements entering the

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ear canal, (continued) • it allows for a light weight structure, • it avoids discomfort relating to pressure exerted on 12 Crus of helix the tragus and anti tragus, and 13 • it enables stable positioning in the ear without exert- 5 ing uncomfortable pressure against the concha. 14 Crura of antihelix 15 Superior crux [0015] Optionally it also allows for further advanta- 16 Inferior crux geous effects: 10 17 Fossa triangularis • it allows for excluding ambient sound without use of 18 Sulcus auriculae posterior a large absorbing cushion around the ear, and • it allows for air circulation. 21 Tragus 22 Brief Description of the Drawings 15 23 Incisura intertragica, intertragic notch [0016] The invention will be further described below in 24 Concha connection with exemplary embodiments which are schematically shown in the drawings, wherein: 25 Cymba concha 20 26 Cavum concha Fig. 1A shows the of a human ear from the 27 Scapha outside, Fig. 1B shows a cross section the anatomy of a hu- 28 Sub tragic region man ear along A - A, 29 Tympanic membrane, Fig. 2A shows the operating principles of the present 25 invention, with an ear unit inserted into an ear as 30 Ear canal seen from the outside, 100 Ear unit Fig. 2B shows the operating principles of the present invention in an intersection along A - A in a first em- 200 Anchor bodiment, 30 210 Curve Fig. 2C shows the operating principles of the present invention in an intersection along A - A in a second 212 Upper end embodiment, 214 Lower end Fig. 3 and 4 show two preferred embodiments of the 216 Extended lower end present invention, 35 Fig. 5A shows an improved load bearing anchor in- 218 Curvature serted into an ear wherein the attachment part ex- 300 Housing tends from the curve over the concha, Fig. 5B shows the improved load bearing anchor of 350 Hearing element 40 Fig. 5A close to the plane of the curve 352 Hearing element opening Fig. 5C shows the improved load bearing anchor of Fig. 5C at a different angle. 354 Audio duct Fig. 6 shows a sound damping element attached to 356 Audio duct opening the load bearing anchor, Fig. 7 shows an alternative use of a load bearing45 360 Electroacoustic element anchor wherein the attachment part extends from 370 Gasket the curve through the intertragic notch, and 372 Flanges Fig. 8A and 8B shows a hearing unit in an un- occlud- ed position and in an occluded position respectively. 400 Part extending downwards 50 500 Attachment part Description of the Reference Signs 502 Attachment arm [0017] The following reference numbers and signs re- 504 Attachment end fer to the drawings: 55 600 Sound damping element 10 Pinna 610 Shell 11 Helix 620 Connector to attachment part

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Detailed Description opening faces the opening to the ear canal which extends from the sub tragic area. Anatomy of the Human Ear [0023] It should also be noted that the hearing element, enabled by the separate anchoring, projects underneath [0018] In order to gain an understanding of the back- 5 the tragus. This can be achieved in several ways. ground of the invention it is important to know the ana- [0024] In a first embodiment a hearing element 350 in tomical details of the human ear, in particular of the outer the form of an electro acoustic transducer 360 is posi- ear, as shown in Fig. 1A. 10, also known as tioned underneath the tragus. Said hearing element is pinna comprises a plurality of features of significance. dimensioned to fit in the sub tragic region. Fig. 2B shows Outermost is helix 11 tracing the periphery of the ear10 schematically the above construction. upwards and in towards the skull where it transitions into [0025] In a second embodiment the hearing element crus of helix 12. Within this is antihelix 13 which in the 350 comprises an electro acoustic transducer 360 at- upward direction bifurcates into crura of antihelix 14, tached to an audio duct 352 provided with an audio duct comprising superior crux 15 and inferior crux 16, sepa- opening 354. As long as the audio duct is smaller than rated by fossa triangularis 17. Below antihelix is sulcus 15 the wavelength of the sound, having a frequency of typ- auriculae posterior 18 and further below that again is an- ically 20 Hz to 20000 Hz, corresponding to a wavelength titragus 22 which is opposite tragus 21, separated by of 15 m to 15 mm respectively, sound is conducted with- incisura intertragica 23, also known as the intertragic out significant distortion and the effective hearing ele- notch. Within these again is concha 24 which comprises ment becomes the aperture or opening of the audio duct. cymba concha 25 and cavum concha 26, separated by 20 [0026] This second embodiment allows for having the crus of helix 12. electro acoustic transducer larger than that of the first [0019] Immediately within and partially covered by the embodiment by retracting it away from the tragus. Since tragus is the entrance to the ear canal 30. It is important the effective hearing element is the end of the funnel and to realize that this entrance is still a part of cavum concha. that this end projects into the sub tragic region the tech- The ear canal proper extends from the deepest part of 25 nical effect is the same as for the first embodiment. Fig. the concha to the eardrum 29, a distance of about 2.5 2C shows schematically the above construction. cm and approximately 4 cm from the tragus. The ear [0027] This second embodiment also allows for the canal comprises an approximately 8 mm lateral cartilag- electro acoustic transducer to be oriented at an angle inous part and an approximately 16 mm medial osseous that is not parallel to the plane of the audio duct opening. part. It should also be noted that it is typically quite un- 30 It is preferred that this audio duct opening is perpendic- comfortable to have any foreign object in the ear canal. ular to the entrance over the ear canal. The ear canal is partially visible from the outside and is [0028] It should be noted that the on ear construction indicated in Fig. 1A. will involve structures that are of the order of the wave- [0020] This area immediately within and partially cov- length of high frequency sound, particularly relating to ered by the tragus 21 does not have an official anatomical 35 the size of the concha but potentially also of the hearing name. Since this area is central to the invention and has element according to the fifth solution. acoustic and other distinguishing properties relating to [0029] In one embodiment the audio duct is not in con- comfortable wear it has been called the sub tragic region tact with the concha or the tragus. The separation dis- 28 for the purpose of this document and is shown in Fig. tance will be small compared to the wavelength of the 1B. The ear canal 30 is located below the sub tragic re- 40 sound and this will therefore lead to a damping of ambient gion. sound, depending on separation distance, length of the audio duct and acoustic impedance mismatch. Principles forming the basis of the invention Best Modes of Carrying Out the Invention [0021] Fig. 2A shows the operating principles of the 45 present invention, with an ear unit inserted into an ear [0030] The embodiment of the ear unit according to as seen from the outside. A line A - A indicates a section the invention shown in Fig. 3 and 4 comprises an anchor for Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C. similar to the applicant’s applications, specifically the C- [0022] The underlying principle is that by separating shape as disclosed in WO/2002/045390, and the im- the anchoring function 200 from the hearing element 350 50 proved earpiece having a curve 210 and a curvature 218 it becomes possible to position the hearing element 350 as disclosed in WO/2008/147215, the curve having an in an optimal position without causing discomfort. By fur- upper end 212 and a lower end 214. A hearing element ther positioning the hearing element so that it projects in 350 in the form of an electro acoustic transducer 360 underneath the tragus 21 and enters the sub tragic area formed as a part of a housing 300 which in turn is attached 28, sound is directed into the ear canal without the dis- 55 to said anchor so that when the ear unit is positioned into comfort that is associated with having a foreign object an ear having a concha and a tragus, the hearing element entering the ear canal. The hearing element 350 is pro- enters a sub tragic region 28, where the concha 24 is vided with a hearing element opening 352 where the covered by the tragus 21.

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[0031] The hearing element 350 is further provided intertragic notch. This would result in the concha being with a gasket 370 arranged substantially around a pe- pulled downwards and also narrowed so that the area riphery of the hearing element in order to further stabilise near the tragus would approach the area near the anti the position of the hearing element as well as provide tragus. extra damping of ambient sound. The gasket is prefer- 5 [0039] The inventor has found that by extending the ably made from a resilient material that easily shapes lower end 214 of the anchor 200 further in the direction itself to the anatomical details of the ear without exerting of the crus of helix 12 into an extended lower end 216 uncomfortable pressure. Said gasket is further preferably the problem of distortion is overcome by distributing the detachable so that a user can remove it if it is preferred force over a wider area and also by countering the forces to hear some ambient sound or to change between dif- 10 narrowing the concha. At the same time it is found that ferent sizes and shapes to select the most comfortable the upper end of the anchor does not have to project in size and shape. The gasket can comprise one or more underneath the flap covering the lower part of the cavity flanges 372. covered by the lower node of the antihelix of the ear. This [0032] The housing 300 is the mechanical interface be- is load bearing anchor is shown in Fig. 5B at an angle tween the anchor 200 and the hearing element 350 and 15 that highlights an optional curvature 218 in the curve 200, is typically suited for holding electronics, wire attach- offering improved attachment. Fig. 5A shows the load ments and the like. bearing anchor having a part extending downwards in- [0033] While the anchor is shown in prior art as having serted into an ear while Fig. 5C shows an anchor having a clearly defined lower end, it is within the scope of the no part extending downward. definition that the lower end can be embedded in a larger 20 [0040] The load bearing capacity can be further im- unit such as a housing part. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 both show proved by having the upper end of the anchor engage such a larger part surrounding the lower end. the anterior part of the helix and/or the crus of helix. [0041] Such a construction has a wide range of appli- Alternative Embodiments cation in addition to holding a sound damping element. 25 It could for instance be used to hold ear jewellery and [0034] A number of variations on the above can be avoid having to puncture the ear lobe for attachment pur- envisaged. For instance damping of ambient sound can poses. Such jewellery can be so heavy that traditional be achieved by attaching a sound damping unit 600 to ear attachment would be uncomfortable. the anchor. Said sound damping unit is positioned so that [0042] Attachments would typically be through an when the ear unit is positioned into an ear the sound30 adaptor called attachment part 500 connected at a first damping element is located over the concha. This is end to the curve, the housing or both and adapted for shown in fig. 6. attachment to external units. Typically the attachment [0035] The sound damping element typically compris- part is provided with an attachment arm 502 to allow the es a shell 610 and a connector to attachment part 620. attachment to be offset at a distance from the concha. The attachment part is adapted for connection to attach- 35 At a second end of the attachment part, typically opposite ment end 504. the first end of the attachment part, an attachment end [0036] This solution avoids external means for attach- 504 is provided. Preferably this attachment end allows ment such as over-head attachment, headband and for guided attachment and/or detachment of external over-ear attachment. units while having the anchor still inserted in the ear. [0037] The sound damping unit can be further stabi- 40 [0043] In many cases the attachment part extends lised by a part extending into fossa triangularis 17 and/or straight out from the area just outside the concha. Where a part extending under the fold at the top of helix 11. further stability or load bearing capacity is required the [0038] Depending on the size and mass of the sound attachment part extends through the intertragic notch, damping unit and expected physical activity of the user optionally contacting the intertragic notch. the anchor may be optimised for a larger load bearing 45 [0044] A part extending out from the load bearing an- capacity than disclosed in in WO/ 2002/045390 and WO/ chor would form a convenient and hygienic attachment. 2008/147215. Prior art disclose a comfortable anchor for In a preferred embodiment the attachment part would light weight applications. Light weight in this context extend from the anchor through the intertragic notch. This means a weight that is so small that the concha is insig- is shown in fig. 7. nificantly distorted when positioned into an ear. The in- 50 [0045] Optionally the ear unit can be provided with a ventor has found that a larger weight can be supported part extending downward 400, providing room for battery, if the anchor is modified to compensate or prevent said electronics, antennas or attachment facilities for wires. distortion. The inventor found that a larger weight pulls This also has the benefit of providing stability by lowering the concha down in the direction of gravity. If the user is the centre of gravity. Preferably this part extending down- lying down the pressure is exerted on the anti helix and 55 wards passes through the intertragic notch and thus pro- the curve will distribute the force over a sufficiently large vides extra stability. area to avoid this being a problem. If the user is standing [0046] Thispart extending part downward canalso pro- up right the force instead exerts in the direction of the vide a convenient basis for the attachment part.

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[0047] The various solutions of prior have different Claims properties in terms of occlusion and the ability to exclude or include ambient sounds. 1. A sub tragic ear unit (100), comprising:

Type Description Occlusion 5 an anchor (200), and a hearing element (350) connected to said an- 1In-ear Very good chor, 2a On-ear without cushion Open characterised in that when the ear unit is positioned 2b On-ear with cushion Quite good 10 into an ear having a concha (24) and a tragus (21), 3 Ear bud Good the hearing element enters a sub tragic region (28). 4C-shape Very open 2. The sub tragic ear unit according to claim 1, wherein 5 Angled hearing element Open a housing (300) is the mechanical interface between 15 the anchor (100) and the hearing element (350). [0048] It will be appreciated that occlusion in prior art 3. The sub tragic ear unit according to claim 1 - 2, is an inherent property of the design and is fixed with only wherein the hearing element (350) is an electroa- very minor adjustments such as providing ear buds with coustic element (360). extra gaskets will improve the degree of occlusion. 20 [0049] The inventors of the present invention has re- 4. The sub tragic ear unit according to claim 1 - 2, alised that by separating attachment functionality to an wherein the hearing element (350) is an audio duct anchor separated from the hearing element it is possible (354). to provide occlusion in a first inner position wherein the hearing element occludes the opening to the ear canal, 25 5. Thesub tragic ear unit accordingto claim 1- 4, further and be retracted relative to the anchor into a second po- comprising a gasket (370) for blocking external sition where a passage opens between the hearing ele- sound ment and the concha. It should be noted that the retrac- tion can be away from the tragus, away from the opposite 6. Thesub tragic ear unit accordingto claim 1- 4, further side of the concha from the tragus or both. Retraction in 30 comprising an external sound damping element this context means both a movement outwards as well (600), wherein said sound damping element is at- as reducing the cross section of the hearing element, for tached to at least one of the anchor (200) and the instance by deflation of a cushioning element or retrac- housing (300). tion of a gasket, optionally comprising flanges. The effect of this is to open for a passage around the parts occluding 35 7. Thesub tragic ear unit accordingto claim 1- 4, further in the first position. Fig. 8A and 8B shows a hearing unit comprising a part extending downward (400) in an un-occluded position and in an occluded position respectively. 8. A load bearing anchor (200) for stable fitting to an [0050] Adjusting between the first and the second po- ear having an antihelix (13) and a tragus (21), com- sition can be made without removing the ear unit from 40 prising a curve (210) having an upper end (212) and the ear. One can envisage automatic position changes, a lower end (214), for instance electromechanically, by inputs such as warn- wherein parts of the curve (210) falls along the inner ing sounds or switching functionality between listening part of the antihelix (13), to music and making a telephone call. characterised in that the lower end extends into an [0051] The anchor can take on many forms as long as 45 extended lower end (216) which is partly positioned it provides a stable anchoring in the ear without the need under the tragus (21), preventing the distortion of the for ear canal attachment and still remain within the scope concha (24) by keeping the antihelix (13) at a sub- of the invention. Such alternative anchors can be based stantially constant distance from the tragus when the on prior art, such as over-head attachment, headband anchor is positioned into the ear and a force is ap- and over-ear attachment. 50 plied to the anchor in the direction of the intertragic notch (23). Industrial Applicability

9. The load bearing anchor according to claim 8, further [0052] The invention according to the application finds provided with an attachment part (500) having an use in ear attached units for holding a hearing element, 55 attachment arm (502). and outer elements such as a sound damping element.

10. The load bearing anchor according to claim 8, where- in the attachment arm (502) is located to fit into the

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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

• WO 2002045390 A [0006] [0030] [0038] • WO 2009143055 A [0007] • WO 2008147215 A [0006] [0030] [0038]

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