Microphone/earpiece device for a mobile telephone, telephone exchange or the like

[0001] The present invention regards a device by wireless transmission between a microphone/earpiece and a mobile telephone, telephone, switchboard or similar as stated in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Microphone/earpiece combinations that are in wireless communication with telephones, switchboards etc. are known. However, such known devices are generally made with a bow for the earpiece and a microphone connected to this bow. Such devices are unsuitable for use with portable appliances, as the device, when not in use, should be shaped so as to fit easily into a pocket, bag or similar storage space.

[0003] As such it will be practical for the earpiece and the microphone to be integrated into one unit, to allow it to be placed in the ear in a simple manner, while fitting the ear in a comfortable and stable manner. There are currently hearing aids in existence that are carried on the ear, so-called earplug devices. However these do not favour mass production, as they must be adapted to each user separately in order to be stable and comfortable to use. This is due in particular to the fact that the ear opening into which the plug is to be inserted, differs from person to person. The external ear also differs from person to person, but these differences are not so great. This means that by using the external shape of the ear to attach an ear piece, two to three different sizes would be enough to cover these differences.

[0004] Furthermore, an ear plug will block the auditory canal and feel uncomfortable to the user. In addition, the natural production of wax in the ear will not escape, thus necessitating regular rising of the ear.

[0005] Ear pieces for walkmen etc. are known, which make use only of the outer part of the ear for fastening; however these have a circular shape and make use only of the lower part of the outer cavity of an ear for fastening, and small differences in ear size will cause them not to fit particularly well.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to avoid these drawbacks while providing stable and comfortable support of an earpiece with a microphone, this being provided by means of a device of the type mentioned by way of introduction, the characteristics of which appear from claim 1. Further characteristics of the invention appear from the remaining, dependent claims.

[0007] The form of the earpiece allows the auditory canal to remain open to the surroundings to a certain degree, which provides better comfort than a unit that blocks or closes off the auditory canal.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a known earplug 1 for a hearing aid. As is apparent from the figure, the outer periphery of the earplug is held in the ear by the outer parts of the ear such as the lower part of the antihelix 13, antitragus 3 and tragus 4 of the ear, abutting intertragic notch 14. The earplug 1 is further held by the hearing unit having a plug that extends into the interior of the ear, with the previously mentioned drawbacks.

[0012] By the present invention, a larger part of the external ear is utilised, thus achieving higher stability while providing more comfort to the user than the previously known solutions. The present invention also utilises the upper part of the antihelix 13 and the cavity covered by the lower node 15 of the antihelix and the flap 2 covering said cavity by the outer part of the ear adjacent to the head.

[0013] The earpiece 10 according to the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 2, with a microphone 6 and a microphone rod 12 connected to the earpiece 10 at the junction point 11. The microphone rod contains the connection between the microphone 6 and the transmitter/receiver arranged in the earpiece 10. The power supply for the transmitter/receiver is also disposed in the earpiece, in the lower part 7 of the earpiece 10 in the form of a rechargeable battery, e.g. a miniature penlight cell that, by virtue of its shape and weight leads to a low centre of gravity relative to the rotational axis formed at the landing point in the lower part of the ear cavity (by intertragic notch 14). This helps increase the dynamic stability of the earpiece 10 when the user is in motion. If the centre of gravity is any higher, any centripetal forces caused by quick movements on the user's behalf would cause the earpiece 10 to be pulled out of position from above. The antenna of the wireless part may be positioned e.g. in the microphone rod.

[0014] The earpiece 10 is C-shaped, the curve 9 of the outer C corresponding to the antihelix 13 of the ear and having a sloping surface, so that the C follows the inner part of the antihelix 13, with the lower part of the C being located partly underneath the antitragus 3 of the ear. The battery part 7, is laying, projects down from the C while providing a guide and a weight for the correct positioning of the earpiece 10 by more or less lying in the intertragic notch 14 of the ear, and the lower part 8 of the C projects into the cavity formed below the tragus 4 of the ear. The upper part of the C projects into the cavity covered by the lower node 15 of the antihelix and underneath the flap 2 covering the lower part of said cavity.

[0015] By use of the earpiece 10, an opening is formed between the outer periphery 16 of the earpiece 10 and the wall of the ear. This means that the ends 5 and 8 of the C project out from the casing of the earpiece 10. Likewise, the part of the earpiece 10 containing the hearing element is retracted slightly relative to the C-shaped part, ensuring that the hearing element does not abut the auditory canal directly, allowing the formation of an opening between the auditory canal and the surroundings.