# US 12,010,478 B2 · Open audio device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,010,478 B2 - Document ID: US12010478B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/103,019 - Filed: 2023-01-30 - Published: 2023-06-08 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-23 - Assignees: Bose Corporation - Applicants: Bose Corporation - Inventors: Vincent James Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12010478B2 ## CPC - H04R 1/105: {Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks (for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335)} - H04R 1/1008: {Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type} - H04R 1/1025: Accumulators specially adapted for earpieces; Arrangements specially adapted for charging thereof - H04R 1/347: {for obtaining a phase-shift between the front and back acoustic wave} - H04R 1/406: {microphones} - 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 open audio device includes an acoustic module and a body that supports the acoustic module. The acoustic module is configured to be located at least in part on the outer ear and defines a first sound-emitting opening that is configured to be proximate but spaced from the user's ear canal. The body includes a housing and a bridge that couples the acoustic module to the housing. The housing is configured to be located behind an outer ear of a user and in contact with at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate the intersection of the head and the outer ear. The bridge is constructed to have bending compliance. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An open audio device comprising: an acoustic module configured to be located at least in part on the outer ear, wherein the acoustic module defines a first sound-emitting opening that is configured to be proximate but spaced from the user's ear canal and a second sound-emitting opening that is configured to sit farther from the user's ear canal than the first sound-emitting opening when the device is worn; and a body supporting the acoustic module, the body comprising: a housing configured to be located behind an outer ear of a user and in contact with at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate the intersection of the head and the outer ear; and a bridge that couples the acoustic module to the housing, wherein the bridge is constructed to have bending compliance, and wherein the acoustic module comprises an audio driver and the first and second sound emitting-openings are configured to emit sound from opposite sides of the audio driver and such that the sounds emitted from the first sound-emitting opening are out of phase with sounds emitted from the second sound-emitting opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the housing accommodates a cylindrical rechargeable battery. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The open audio device of claim 2, wherein the body further comprises wiring that runs from the rechargeable battery to the acoustic module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic module carries at least one microphone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The open audio device of claim 4, wherein the acoustic module defines at least one microphone opening that leads to the at least one microphone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic module carries at least two microphones. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The open audio device of claim 6, wherein the acoustic module defines at least two microphone openings that leads to the at least two microphones. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The open audio device of claim 7, wherein an axis through the at least two microphone openings is within about +/−30 degrees of the expected location of the user's mouth, when the open audio device is worn. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The open audio device of claim 7, wherein the two or more microphones are arrayed to direct a beam towards the expected location of the user's mouth. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to contact the user's outer ear and/or a portion of the user's head that is just behind and abuts the user's outer ear, at two or more separate, spaced contact locations. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the bridge is curved. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the bridge is thinner than the housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the bending compliance is about a longitudinal axis of the bridge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the bridge is formed, at least in part, of an elastomer that enables the compliance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the bridge is configured such that it bends when it is pushed down over the user's outer ear. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the bridge is constructed such that the compliance creates forces that help to hold the open audio device in place when it is worn. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the bridge is constructed such that the compliance causes compressive force at opposed locations of the open audio device when it is worn. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The open audio device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic module has an inner face that is configured to sit against one or more of a fossa, an anti-helix, a crus of helix, and a helix of the user's outer ear.