Earbud doubles as microphone
December 20th, 2007
A Japanese company has developed an innovative Bluetooth headset that combines both a microphone and earphone element within an earbud. Ns-Elex Co. Ltd’s “e-kun” headset can be used with a mobile phone, or for specialized mobile handheld data collection applications (its high price positions it more for the latter).
As illustrated in the above diagram, an earbud connects to a small control unit that can be held, placed in a pocket, or attached to headgear. The earbud contains transducers for both audio input and output. As indicated in the diagram, sound travels from the vocal cords and mouth through the ear canal to the audio pickup element in the earbud.
The device is offered in both wired (left) and Bluetooth wireless (right) versions. It provides noise suppression and echo cancellation, and has an audio frequency response of 300 to 3.4 KHz, according to the company. The wired version measures 36 x 59 x 14.5 mm and weighs 60 gm, while the Bluetooth model is 47 x 79 x 17 mm in size and weighs around 70 gm.
The wireless model is expected to sell for about 60,000 yen (approx. $500), and be manufactured at the rate of 10,000 per month.
The e-kun doesn’t appear to be in production yet. Too bad; it would have made a great holiday gift for the consummate geek. Further details are here (in Japanese).
