IP Library Granted Patent US 7,894,621
Granted Patent B2
US 7,894,621 · App. 11/515,802 · Granted Feb 22, 2011

Audio device comprising a microphone

Assignee: Oticon A/S
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,894,621
App. No.
11/515,802
Granted
Feb 22, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An audio device includes a microphone, a sound canal allowing sound to pass from the surroundings to the microphone, a signal path from the microphone to a receiver, and a current source, such that sounds received at the microphone may be enhanced and presented at the ear level of the user. A protection screen is provided at the sound canal, and includes a first surface which faces the surroundings and a second surface which faces the sound canal, and defines a slit-formed opening between the first surface and the second surface. The curvature between the first surface and the slit-formed opening is smooth and gradual, and a sharp edge is located at the transition between the second surface and the slit-formed opening.

Claims (10)

1. An audio device comprising a microphone and a sound canal allowing sound to pass from the surroundings to the microphone wherein further a signal path from the microphone to a receiver is provided and powered by a current source, such that sounds received at the microphone may be enhanced and presented at the ear level of the user and wherein a protection screen is provided at the sound canal, whereby the screen comprises a first surface which faces the surroundings and a second surface which faces the sound canal whereby the screen has a slit-formed opening between the first surface and the second surface whereby the screen defines slit-formed opening therethrough and wherein the first surface extends towards the slit-formed opening along a smooth and gradual, curve and meets the second surface along a sharp edge.

2. The audio device as claimed in claim 1 , including two slit-formed openings in the protection screen with an intermediate plate element between the two slit-formed openings and including a canal below the intermediate plate element leading to the microphone such that a sound path is provided from the surroundings through the slit-formed openings and into the canal leading to the microphone.

3. The audio device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein two or more canals leading to a microphone or microphones are provided in an area below the intermediate plate element.

4. The audio device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the two slit-formed openings extend side-by-side, and wherein a distance between the slit-formed openings is such that the intermediate plate element covers the canal that leads to the microphone.

5. The audio device as claimed in claim 4 , including a space beneath the slit-formed openings along the whole length of the openings, such that sound may pass through the slit-formed openings at any point and reach the microphone.

6. A protection screen for an audio device comprisinq a first surface which faces the surroundings and an opposed second surface which faces an audio device, wherein the protection screen defines a slit-formed opening therethrough and wherein the first surface extends towards the slit-formed opening along a smooth and gradual, curve and meets the second surface along a sharp edge.

7. The protection screen as claimed in claim 6 , whereby the slit-formed opening has a lengthwise extension allowing two microphone openings in a directional microphone system to be placed along the length of the slit-formed opening.

8. The protection screen as claimed in claim 6 , including two slit-formed openings positioned side-by-side and spaced around 3mm apart, such that an intermediate plate part is formed between the slit-formed openings.

9. The protectiond screen as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the slit-formed openings have a width in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

10. The protection screen as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the sharp edge between the first and second surfaces has a maximum radius of curvature of 0.05 mm.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2006
From: JENSEN, LARS T.
To: OTICON A/S
Reel/Frame 018274/0266 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 05108252 · Sep 8, 2005 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070053538A1 · Mar 8, 2007