In-ear emitter configuration for audio delivery
One embodiment of the present applications sets forth a wearable device that includes an interface layer configured to extend into an ear canal and a first audio emitter configuration coupled to the interface layer. The first audio emitter configuration is configured to produce a first plurality of soundwaves that are each directed towards a first point proximate to the first audio emitter configuration. The first plurality of soundwaves generates a first target soundwave that radiates in a first direction.
1. A wearable device, comprising:
an interface layer configured to extend into an ear canal; and
a first audio emitter configuration coupled to the interface layer and configured to reside within the ear canal, the first audio emitter configuration comprising a plurality of audio emitters configured to produce a first plurality of soundwaves that are each directed to a first point proximate to the first audio emitter configuration, the plurality of audio emitters arranged around and facing the first point,
the first plurality of soundwaves generating a first target soundwave that radiates in a first direction.
2. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the first point comprises a center of the first audio emitter configuration and the first target soundwave comprises a wavelength that is larger than a diameter of the first audio emitter configuration.
3. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the first direction and a plane of the first audio emitter configuration are orthogonal.
4. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable device further comprises a second audio emitter configuration that produces a second plurality of soundwaves that are each directed towards a second point proximate to the second audio emitter configuration, the second plurality of soundwaves generating a second target soundwave that radiates in the first direction.
5. The wearable device of claim 4 , wherein the first target soundwave combines with the second target soundwave to generate a first cumulative soundwave in the first direction.
6. The wearable device of claim 5 , wherein the first audio emitter configuration generates a parasitic soundwave radiating opposite the first direction.
7. The wearable device of claim 6 , wherein the first cumulative soundwave has a first amplitude and the parasitic soundwave has a second amplitude, wherein the first amplitude is larger than the second amplitude.
8. The wearable device of claim 4 , wherein the second audio emitter configuration produces the second plurality of soundwaves following a first delay after the first audio emitter configuration produces the first plurality of soundwaves.
9. The wearable device of claim 8 , wherein the wearable device further comprises a first calibration device configured to:
determine a first measurement based on the first target soundwave propagating from the first audio emitter configuration; and
generate a first calibration signal that adjusts the first delay based on the first measurement.
10. The wearable device of claim 9 , wherein the first calibration device comprises at least one microphone.
11. The wearable device of claim 9 , wherein the first calibration device comprises a thermometer.
12. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable device further comprises a first microphone that records a first measurement associated with noise.
13. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio emitter configuration comprises a set of audio transducers, wherein each of the set of audio transducers generates one of the first plurality of soundwaves.
14. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio emitter configuration comprises a single electromagnetic surface comprising at least one of:
a carbon nanotube material, or
a ferroelectret nanogenerator (FENG) material.
15. A system, comprising:
a controller configured to transmit an audio emitter driver signal generated based on a source audio signal; and
an audio emitter device coupled to the controller, the audio emitter device comprising:
an interface layer configured to extend into an ear canal, and
a first audio emitter configuration coupled to the interface layer and configured to reside within the ear canal, the first audio emitter configuration comprising a plurality of audio emitters configured to produce a first plurality of soundwaves that are each directed towards a first point proximate to the first audio emitter configuration, the plurality of audio emitters arranged around and facing the first point.
16. The wearable device of claim 15 , wherein the controller further comprises an inverse filter that generates a first noise cancellation signal.
17. The wearable device of claim 15 , wherein the inverse filter is configured to:
receive a first measurement from a calibration device; and
generate the first noise cancellation signal based on the first measurement.
18. A method comprising:
receiving an audio emitter driver signal associated with an audio signal; and
in response to receiving the audio emitter driver signal, driving each of a plurality of audio emitters, of a first audio emitter configuration configured to reside within an ear canal, to produce a first plurality of soundwaves that are each directed towards a first point proximate to the first audio emitter configuration, the plurality of audio emitters arranged around and facing the first point, the first plurality of soundwaves generating a first target soundwave that radiates in a first direction.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
receiving a second audio emitter driver signal associated with the audio signal following a first delay after receiving the audio emitter driver signal; and
in response to the second audio emitter driver signal, generating a second target soundwave that radiates in the first direction based on directing a second plurality of soundwaves towards a second point.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the first target soundwave combines with the second target soundwave to generate a first cumulative soundwave in the first direction.