SBIR Phase I: Diaphonic Valve on a Chip, Harvesting Energy From Audio to Couple Communications Into the Ear

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目，芯片上的传音阀，从音频到耦合通信到耳朵中收集能量，研究含有传音阀的芯片状基板的生产。这些部件从音频通信中收集能量，用于使用户耳朵中的耦合设备充气。充气耦合正在开发用于通信系统（多媒体播放器，蓝牙耳机，助听器和通信耳机），但使其全部工作的关键是Diaphonic Valve。本实施例的音阀是与电致动声学声源结合工作的小但宏观的装置。本计画将增进对透音阀机械结构的了解，并将其机械结构化，并将透音阀组织在晶片上，以达到有效的制造与利用。通过透声阀实现的通信设备到耳朵的可充气耦合解决了耳内设备的长期问题。这种耳耦合技术比目前市场上的任何耳耦合技术都更舒适，产生极高保真的音频，减少听众疲劳并保护听力免受损害，并且比助听器中使用的定制耳模等类似质量的替代耳耦合更便宜。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是消费类音频、蓝牙耳机、助听器和专业通信耳机（如飞行员、执法和军事应用）中革命性的新型人-音频耦合。这项技术能够减少使用入耳式设备的人群的听力疲劳和听力损伤，并使助听器对已经有听力损失的人更舒适。将这项技术带到这些不同市场的策略是与成熟的公司合作，从而利用现有的销售渠道和客户知名度。该技术的独特系统组件（可充气耳耦合气泡和传音阀）将被制造并提供给已获得该技术许可的公司。仅在助听器领域，这项技术的市场在五年内就可能达到500万至2000万美元。消费类音频代表着一个更大的市场。第一个这样的商业安排正在敲定与一个著名的制造商的消费者和专业音频耳机。该项目的成功将创造工程和商业部门的就业机会以及制造业就业机会。近期，第一阶段项目包括资助一名高中生或大学本科生参与研究。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project, Diaphonic Valve on a Chip, Harvesting Energy from Audio to Couple Communications into the Ear, studies production of chip-like substrates containing Diaphonic Valves. These components harvest energy from audio communications for the purpose of inflating a coupling device in a user's ear. The inflatable coupling is being developed for communications systems (Multimedia Players, Bluetooth headsets, hearing aids, and communications headsets), but the key to making it all work is the Diaphonic Valve. Present embodiments of diaphonic valves are small but macroscopic devices that work in conjunction with an electrically-actuated acoustic sound source. This project will improve understanding of the mechanics of the Diaphonic Valve, miniaturize its mechanism, and organizing Diaphonic Valves on chips for efficient manufacturing and utilization. The inflatable coupling of a communications device to the ear, which is enabled by the Diaphonic Valve, addresses longstanding problems with in-ear devices. This ear-coupling technology is more comfortable than any currently on the market, produces extremely high fidelity audio, reduces listener fatigue and protects from hearing damage, and is less expensive than alternative ear couplings of similar quality like custom ear molds used in hearing aids. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is revolutionary new person-to-audio couplings in consumer audio, Bluetooth headsets, hearing aids, and headsets for professional communications (such as pilots, law enforcement, and military applications). This technology has the ability to reduce listener fatigue and hearing damage in the population using in-ear devices, as well as making hearing aids more comfortable for people who already have hearing loss. The strategy to bring this technology to these various markets is to partner with established companies, thereby capitalizing on established sales channels and customer name recognition. The unique system components of the technology (the inflatable ear coupling bubbles and the Diaphonic Valves) will be manufactured and supplied to companies that have licensed the technology. The market for this technology in the hearing aid sector alone could be $5M to $20M in five years. Consumer audio represents a significantly larger market. The first such business arrangement is being finalized with a well known maker of consumer and professional audio headphones. The success of this project will create engineering and business sector jobs as well as manufacturing jobs. Near term, the Phase I project includes funding for a high school student or college undergraduate to participate in the research.