# US 11,451,893 B2 · Integrated acoustic coupler for professional sound industry in-ear monitors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,451,893 B2 - Document ID: US11451893B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/166,980 - Filed: 2021-02-03 - Published: 2021-08-12 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-06 - Assignees: Audix Corporation - Applicants: Audix Corporation - Inventors: Fred Bigeh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11451893B2 ## CPC - H04R 1/04: Structural association of microphone with electric circuitry therefor (in electric hearing aids H04R25/00) - H04R 29/001: {for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence)} - H04R 1/1016: {Earpieces of the intra-aural type} - H04R 2420/09: Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract An integrated acoustic coupler for use in sound engineering testing of an IEM (in-ear monitor). The integrated acoustic coupler comprises an integrated coupler body having an input, a first chamber and an output port. The input defines an IEM seat defined by a foam member and into an which an IEM may be inserted to define an air-tight seal between the foam and the IEM. The first chamber is in fluid communication with the IEM seat and interconnected with at least one second chamber via a passageway configured for creating compliance and impedance to simulate a human ear. The output port is configured for electronically interconnecting to an XLR cable and outputting a signal from an IEM under test to a mixer or audio analyzer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An integrated acoustic coupler for use in sound engineering testing of an IEM (in-ear monitor), comprising: an integrated coupler body having an input defining an IEM seat defined by a deformable member and into an which an IEM may be inserted to define an air-tight seal between the deformable member and the IEM; a first chamber in fluid communication with the IEM seat and interconnected with at least one second chamber via at least one passage configured for creating compliance and impedance to simulate a human ear; a transducer positioned in operative relationship with the first chamber; an integrated circuit element connected to the transducer; and an output port connected to the integrated circuit and configured for electronically, interconnecting to an XLR cable and outputting a signal from an IEM under test to an XLR input of a mixer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 1, wherein the IEM seat is positioned in an adaptor that is removably attached to the integrated coupler body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 1, wherein the output port comprises a male XLR plug interface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 1, wherein the first chamber, the passage and at least a portion of the second chamber are defined in a separate sleeve fitted in the integrated coupler body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 1, wherein the integrated coupler body includes a generally cylindrical base in which the output port is positioned, a projecting cylindrical boss and adapter wherein the seat is positioned, wherein the adapter is removably coupled to the threaded boss. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 5, wherein the adapter is a first adapter, further comprising at least one second adaptor different from the first adaptor, and wherein the first and second adaptors are sized and shaped for testing an IEM of a first type and an IEM of a second type, respectively. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 1, wherein the deformable member comprises a polymer foam. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is axially aligned with the IEM seat and the second chamber has an annular shape and is positioned to at least partially surround the first chamber, and wherein the at least one passage extends laterally to interconnect the first chamber and the second chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 1, further comprising at least a third chamber in fluid connection with the first chamber and the second chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The integrated acoustic coupler of claim 8, further comprising at least a fourth chamber in fluid connection with the first chamber, the second chamber and the third chamber. ### Claim 11 A method of testing an IEM (in-ear monitor) for a studio, concert or other live performance, comprising: providing an integrated acoustic coupler with an input defining a deformable IEM seat into which an IEM may be inserted to define an air-tight seal between the seat and the IEM; providing an output port from the integrated acoustic coupler and configured for electronically interconnecting by an XLR cable to an XLR input of a mixer, the integrated acoustic coupler having a transducer and an integrated circuit interconnecting the transducer and the output port; pressing an IEM into the IEM seat to define an air-tight seal between the seat and the IEM; connecting an audio test signal to the IEM inserted into the IEM seat; connecting the XLR cable to the output port and to an XLR input of the mixer; and performing a sound check on the IEM. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the integrated acoustic coupler comprises a first chamber in fluid communication with an IEM seat and at least a second chamber connected to the first chamber by a passage. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising at least a third chamber in fluid connection with the first chamber and the second chamber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising at least a fourth chamber in fluid connection with the first chamber, the second chamber and the third chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising removably coupling an adaptor to an integrated coupler body, and wherein an IEM seat is defined in the adaptor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the adapter is a first adapter, further comprising at least one second adaptor different from the first adaptor, and wherein the first and second adaptors are sized and shaped for testing an IEM of a first type and an IEM of a second type, respectively. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising connecting the integrated acoustic coupler to an acoustic calibrator for calibration.