# US 12,120,477 B2 · Speaker systems for head-worn computer systems

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- Number: US 12,120,477 B2
- Document ID: US12120477B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/486,665
- Filed: 2023-10-13
- Published: 2024-02-15
- Granted: 2024-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-22
- Assignees: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC
- Applicants: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC
- Inventors: Ralph F. Osterhout; Robert Michael Lohse
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12120477B2

## CPC

- H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles}
- G02B 27/0093: {with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking}
- G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features}
- G02B 27/0176: {characterised by mechanical features}
- G06F 1/163: {Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt}
- G06F 1/1686: {the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera}
- G06F 1/1688: {the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers}
- G06F 3/011: {Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality (blind teaching G09B21/00)}
- G06F 3/012: {Head tracking input arrangements}
- G06F 3/013: {Eye tracking input arrangements (G06F3/015 takes precedence)}
- G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)}
- G06F 3/0304: {Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means (constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042)}
- G06F 3/03542: {Light pens for emitting or receiving light}
- G06F 3/03545: {Pens or stylus}
- G06F 3/038: Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
- H04R 1/2811: {for loudspeaker transducers}
- G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)}
- H04R 1/1008: {Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type}
- H04R 2460/11: Aspects relating to vents, e.g. shape, orientation, acoustic properties in ear tips of hearing devices to prevent occlusion
- 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)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

Head-worn computers include a front frame mechanically adapted to secure a see-through computer display and an arm, secured to the front frame, mechanically adapted to secure the front frame to a head of a user. The arm includes an internal speaker system, enclosed by the arm, wherein the internal speaker system comprises a speaker having a first side and an opposing second side and a first cavity positioned along the first side of the speaker, the arm further comprising a vent positioned to vent the first cavity and a second cavity positioned along the second side of the speaker.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A wearable head device, comprising:
a front frame;
a display coupled to the front frame; and
an arm coupled to the front frame, the arm extending for a length from the front frame toward an ear of a user,
wherein:
the arm houses an internal speaker system and a battery compartment, and
the internal speaker system comprises:
a speaker configured to project sound in a first direction,
a first cavity positioned adjacent to the speaker and further positioned in the first direction from the speaker,
a vent configured to vent the first cavity to an outside environment,
a second cavity positioned adjacent to the speaker and further positioned in a second direction from the speaker, the second direction different from the first direction, the second cavity further positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the battery compartment,
a third cavity configured for fluid communication with the second cavity, and
a second vent configured to vent the second cavity via the third cavity to the outside environment.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is configured to be positioned in front of a user's ear when the wearable head device is worn by the user.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is configured to be positioned above a user's ear when the wearable head device is worn by the user.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is configured to be positioned behind a user's ear when the wearable head device is worn by the user.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the first cavity comprises a first shape and the second cavity comprises a second shape different from the first shape.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a temple portion and an ear-horn.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The wearable head device of claim 6, wherein the temple portion comprises the battery compartment and the internal speaker system.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The wearable head device of claim 7, wherein:
the battery compartment is configured to rest a first distance from a user's ear when the wearable head device is worn by the user, and
the speaker is configured to rest a second distance from the user's ear when the wearable head device is worn by the user, the second distance less than the first distance.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The wearable head device of claim 6, wherein the temple portion comprises the first cavity and further comprises the second cavity.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The wearable head device of claim 6, wherein the ear-horn is configured to rest above a user's ear when the wearable head device is worn by the user.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The wearable head device of claim 6, wherein the temple portion comprises a tubular portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The wearable head device of claim 11, wherein the at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity is configured to traverse a length of the tubular portion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The wearable device of claim 12, wherein the battery compartment is included in the tubular portion.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, further comprising a second arm coupled to the front frame, the second arm housing a second internal speaker system.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, further comprising an audio connector configured to connect to an external speaker system.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the first direction is toward the ear of the user when the wearable head device is worn by the user.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the second direction is at an angle with respect to the front frame of the wearable head device.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The wearable head device of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment is configured to receive a round battery.