U.S. patent application number 15/698577 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-29 for wireless headset carrying case with wireless transmitter.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Jahan C. Minoo, Lee M. Panecki, Zachary C. Rich, Patrick T. Ryan.
Application Number | 20180091887 15/698577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61685959 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180091887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minoo; Jahan C. ; et
al. |
March 29, 2018 |
WIRELESS HEADSET CARRYING CASE WITH WIRELESS TRANSMITTER
Abstract
A case for a wireless electronic listening device (e.g., a pair
of wireless earbuds) is configured to house a pair of wireless
earbuds and charge the earbuds when they are in the case. The case
is further configured to receive media received by the wireless
earbuds and transmit the media to a non-wireless output device
connected to the case. The case may further include its own
wireless radio that can wirelessly communicate audio to the
wireless earbuds when the earbuds are not in the case. The case may
further include an input port to receive an audio signal from a
non-wireless source and may be configured to wirelessly transmit
the audio received from the source to the wireless earbuds.
Inventors: |
Minoo; Jahan C.; (San Jose,
CA) ; Panecki; Lee M.; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Rich; Zachary C.; (Sunnyvale, CA) ; Ryan; Patrick
T.; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61685959 |
Appl. No.: |
15/698577 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62399183 |
Sep 23, 2016 |
|
|
|
62399238 |
Sep 23, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 84/12 20130101;
H04R 1/1025 20130101; H04R 1/1041 20130101; H02J 7/0042 20130101;
H04R 1/1091 20130101; H04R 2420/09 20130101; H04R 2460/17 20130101;
H04R 1/1016 20130101; H04R 2420/07 20130101; H05K 999/99 20130101;
H02J 7/0044 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04R 1/10 20060101
H04R001/10 |
Claims
1. A case for an earbud having a first wireless radio, the case
comprising: a housing having a receptacle configured to receive the
earbud; a connector coupled to the housing and configured to
electrically couple the case to a source device so as to receive an
audio signal from the source device; a second wireless radio
configured to transmit audio data to the first wireless radio; a
power source disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to
power the second wireless radio; circuitry disposed within the
housing, the circuitry configured to: establish a connection
between the first wireless radio and the second wireless radio,
receive the audio signal from the source device via the connector,
and convert the audio signal into the audio data to be transmitted
by the second wireless radio to the first wireless radio for output
by the earbud.
2. The case of claim 1 wherein the connector comprises a plug
connector configured to be received by an audio output port coupled
to the source device.
3. The case of claim 2 wherein the plug connector comprises a TRS
connector having a plurality of ring contacts.
4. The case of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a
rechargeable battery and the case includes a second connector
configured to electrically couple the case to an external power
source to charge the rechargeable battery and/or provide power to
the earbud when the earbud is received in the receptacle.
5. The case of claim 1 wherein the circuitry is configured to
establish a first wireless connection between a first pair of
earbuds and the second wireless radio and a second wireless
connection concurrent with the first wireless connection between a
second pair of earbuds and the second wireless radio, and to
simultaneously transmit the audio data to both the first pair of
earbuds and the second pair of earbuds.
6. The case of claim 1 wherein the connector comprises an audio
input port configured to receive an audio plug connector associated
with the source device.
7. The case of claim 1 wherein the housing of the case includes a
first receptacle sized and shaped to receive a first earbud in a
pair of earbuds and a second receptacle sized and shaped to receive
a second earbud in the pair of earbuds.
8. An audio system comprising: an earbud having a first wireless
radio; and a case for storing and charging the earbud, the case
comprising: a housing having a receptacle configured to receive the
earbud; a connector coupled to the housing and configured to
electrically couple the case to a source device so as to receive an
audio signal from the source device; a second wireless radio
configured to transmit audio data to the first wireless radio; a
power source disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to
power the second wireless radio; circuitry disposed within the
housing, the circuitry configured to: establish a connection
between the first wireless radio and the second wireless radio,
receive the audio signal from the source device via the connector,
and convert the audio signal into the audio data to be transmitted
by the second wireless radio to the first wireless radio for output
by the earbud.
9. The audio system of claim 8 wherein the earbud is a first earbud
in a pair of earbuds, the audio system further comprises a second
earbud in the pair of earbuds, and the housing of the case includes
a first receptacle sized and shaped to receive the first earbud and
a second receptacle sized and shaped to receive the second
earbud.
10. The audio system of claim 9 further comprising a controller,
separate from the case and the earbud, and operable to stop and
start transmission of the audio data from the second wireless radio
to the pair of earbuds.
11. The audio system of claim 10 wherein the controller further
comprises volume control inputs that control the volume of sound on
the first and second earbuds.
12. The audio system of claim 11 wherein the controller further
comprises a clip configured to attach the control to clothing worn
by a user.
13. The audio system of claim 10 wherein the case further includes
a third receptacle sized and shaped to receive the controller.
14. The audio system of claim 13 wherein the third receptacle is
disposed between the first and second receptacles and wherein the
case further includes a lid coupled to the housing by a hinge, the
lid being moveable between a closed position in which the lid
covers encases the first and second earbuds and the controller
within the case and an open position in which a user can remove one
or more of the first and second earbuds or the controller from the
case.
15. The audio system of claim 9 wherein the power source comprises
a rechargeable battery and the case includes a second connector
configured to electrically couple the case to an external power
source to charge the rechargeable battery and/or provide power to
the first and second earbuds when the earbuds are received in the
first and second receptacles, respectively.
16. The audio system of claim 8 wherein the circuitry that converts
the audio signal into the audio data to be transmitted by the
second wireless radio converts an analog audio signal received over
the connector to digital audio data.
17. A case for a portable listening device having a first wireless
radio, the case comprising: a housing having a receptacle
configured to receive the portable listening device; a rechargeable
case battery disposed in the housing; charging circuitry coupled to
the rechargeable battery and the receptacle and configured to
charge the portable listening device when the portable listening
device is received in the receptacle; a memory disposed in the
housing and configured to store audio data; a processor disposed in
the housing and operably coupled to access audio data stored in the
memory; a second wireless radio operatively coupled to receive
audio data from the processor and transmit the audio data to the
first wireless radio to be output by the portable listening device;
and a user interface disposed at an exterior surface of the
housing, the user interface including one or more controls that
enable a user to stop and start the transmission of audio data from
case to the portable listening device.
18. The case set forth in claim 17 wherein the portable listening
device is a pair of earbuds that includes a first earbud and a
second earbud, and wherein the housing includes a first receptacle
sized and shaped to receive the first earbud and a second
receptacle sized and shaped to receive the second earbud.
19. The case of claim 18 further comprising a lid coupled to the
housing by a hinge, the lid being moveable between a closed
position in which the lid covers encases the first and second
earbuds and an open position in which a user can remove one or more
of the first and second earbuds from the case.
20. The case of claim 17 wherein the user interface comprises
volume control inputs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application Nos. 62/399,183 entitled "WIRELESS HEADSET
CARRYING CASE WITH DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT PORT" and 62/399,238
entitled "WIRELESS HEADSET CARRYING CASE WITH WIRELESS TRANSMITTER"
each of which was filed Sep. 23, 2016, and each of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The described embodiments relate generally to cases for
portable listening devices such as earbuds and headphones.
[0003] Portable wireless listening devices typically use some form
of a headset or earbud in order to maintain privacy for the user
and/or to avoid annoying bystanders. Users often prefer wireless
portable listening devices because there are no cords to deal with
and the listening device may be less noticeable. Some portable
wireless listening devices, such as earbuds, can be relatively
small and easy to lose when not in use. Thus, portable wireless
listening devices can be stored in cases.
[0004] Many media output systems (e.g., some speakers) are not
capable of wirelessly receiving media, but rather require a direct
docking or wired connection with a phone or music device,
restricting the use and reducing flexibility of such output
systems. Similarly, many audio sources (e.g., in-flight
entertainment systems, treadmill or other gym equipment audio
systems, car audio systems, etc.) also require a wired connection
to output audio to listening devices and can't interface wirelessly
with portable wireless listening devices, so the portable wireless
listening devices need to be used with wired adapters or need to be
replaced with wired listening devices.
SUMMARY
[0005] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a case
for storing and charging wireless headphones and other accessory
components. The case can also interface with non-wireless media
devices enabling such devices to communicate (stream and output
audio, video, etc.) with wireless components, including phone/music
devices as well as the wireless headphones stored in the case
themselves. Embodiments of the disclosure enable a user to use a
non-wireless media output device, such as a speaker or display
monitor, to output media received wirelessly from a phone or
personal media device and/or to pair a non-wireless source device,
such as an in-flight or gym entertainment system, to portable
wireless listening devices.
[0006] According to some embodiments of the disclosure a case for
an earbud having a rechargeable battery and a wireless radio for
receiving media data is disclosed where the case includes: a
housing having a receptacle sized and shaped to receive the earbud;
an earbud interface coupled to the receptacle to provide an
electrical interface between the earbud and the case when the
earbud is received in the receptacle; a charging system coupled to
the earbud interface and configured to charge the rechargeable
battery of the earbud when the earbud is received in the
receptacle; a connector configured to electrically couple the case
to an output device; and circuitry disposed within the housing and
electrically coupled to the earbud interface and the connector, the
circuitry configured to, when the earbud is received in the
receptacle, receive media data received by the wireless radio of
the earbud and transmit the media data to the output device through
the connector.
[0007] In some embodiments an audio system is provided that
includes: a wireless earbud (or a pair of wireless earbuds), and a
case for storing and charging the wireless earbud (or pair of
wireless earbuds). The wireless earbud (or each earbud in the pair
of wireless earbuds) can include a wireless radio and a battery
where the wireless radio is configured to wirelessly receive audio
data from a source device. The case for the wireless earbud (or
pair of earbuds) can include a housing that has a receptacle
configured to receive the wireless earbud (or pair of earbuds); an
earbud interface having one or more electrical contacts disposed in
the receptacle and positioned to electrically couple the case to
the wireless earbud (or pair of wireless earbuds) when the wireless
earbud (or pair) is received in the receptacle; a charging system
operatively coupled to earbud interface to provide power to the
wireless earbud (or pair of earbuds) over the one or more
electrical contacts; an output device interface configured to
electrically connect the case to a secondary electronic device
having at least one speaker; and circuitry disposed within the
housing and operatively coupled to the earbud interface and the
output device interface, the circuitry configured to, when earbud
(or pair of earbuds) is received in the receptacle, receive audio
data received by the wireless radio of an earbud from a source
device and transmit the audio data to the secondary electronic
device through the output device interface.
[0008] In various implementations, the case for storing an earbud
according to embodiments disclosed herein can include one or more
of the following features. The case can further include a lid
attached to the housing and operable between a closed position
where the lid conceals the earbud within the case and an open
position that allows a user to remove the earbud from the case. The
connector can include a plurality of contacts including one or more
data contacts that are configured to electrically couple to the
output device so as to output the media data received by the
wireless radio of the earbud to the output device and at least one
power contact configured to receive power from a power source. The
earbud interface can include an earbud connector having at least
one contact that is positioned to operatively couple to the earbud
when the earbud is received in the receptacle to provide power to
the earbud.
[0009] In some implementations, the audio or media data is received
from a source device paired with the earbud and circuitry within
the case is configured to send an identification signal to the
source device via the wireless radio of the earbud. The
identification signal is then usable by the source device to update
an indicator on the source device to reflect that the earbud is
received in the receptacle and that media data is being transmitted
to the output device.
[0010] In some embodiments a case for an in-ear speaker device
having a wireless radio for receiving media data is provided. The
case can include: a housing having a receptacle configured to
receive the in-ear speaker device; a device interface coupled to
the receptacle to provide an electrical interface between the
in-ear speaker device and the case when the in-ear speaker device
is received in the receptacle; a connector configured to
electrically couple the case to an output device; and circuitry
disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the device
interface and the connector. The circuitry is configured to, when
the in-ear speaker device is received in the receptacle, receive
media data received by the wireless radio of the in-ear speaker
device and transmit the media data to the output device through the
connector.
[0011] In some implementations the in-ear speaker device can
include an earbud or a pair of earbuds and the receptacle can
include a cavity sized and shaped to receive the earbud or two
cavities where each is sized and shaped to receive one of the
earbuds in the pair. The case can also include a first sensor
disposed within the housing and configured to detect when the
in-ear speaker device is received in the receptacle; a second
sensor disposed within the housing and configured to detect when
the output device is coupled to the connector; and the circuitry
can be configured to turn on the wireless radio when the first
sensor detects the in-ear speaker device in the receptacle and the
second sensor detects that the output device is coupled to the
connector, and turn off the wireless radio when the first sensor
detects the in-ear speaker device in the receptacle and the second
sensor detects that no output device is coupled to the
connector.
[0012] In some embodiments a method of using an earbud having a
wireless receiver to play audio data on an external speaker is
provided. The method includes storing the earbud in an earbud case
having a receptacle sized and shaped to receive the earbud, an
earbud interface coupled to the receptacle to provide an electrical
interface between the earbud and the case when the earbud is
received in the receptacle, and a connector configured to
electrically couple the case to the external speaker; receiving
audio data at the wireless receiver of the earbud while the earbud
is stored in the receptacle of the earbud case; and transmitting
the audio data from the earbud to the external speaker via the
earbud interface and then the connector to play the audio data on
the external speaker.
[0013] According to some embodiments, a case for an earbud having a
first wireless radio is provided. The case includes: a housing
having a receptacle configured to receive the earbud; a connector
coupled to the housing and configured to electrically couple the
case to a source device so as to receive an audio signal from the
source device; a second wireless radio configured to transmit audio
data to the first wireless radio; a power source disposed in the
housing and operatively coupled to power the second wireless radio;
and circuitry disposed within the housing and configured to
establish a connection between the first wireless radio and the
second wireless radio, receive the audio signal from the source
device via the connector, and convert the audio signal into the
audio data to be transmitted by the second wireless radio to the
first wireless radio for output by the earbud. In various
implementation, the housing of the case can include a first
receptacle sized and shaped to receive a first earbud in a pair of
earbuds and a second receptacle sized and shaped to receive a
second earbud in the pair of earbuds.
[0014] In some embodiments an audio system is provided that
includes an earbud and a case for storing and charging the earbud.
The earbud can include a first wireless radio. The case can
include: a housing having a receptacle configured to receive the
earbud; a connector coupled to the housing and configured to
electrically couple the case to a source device so as to receive an
audio signal from the source device; a second wireless radio
configured to transmit audio data to the first wireless radio; a
power source disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to
power the second wireless radio; and circuitry disposed within the
housing. The circuitry is configured to: establish a connection
between the first wireless radio and the second wireless radio,
receive the audio signal from the source device via the connector,
and convert the audio signal into the audio data to be transmitted
by the second wireless radio to the first wireless radio for output
by the earbud.
[0015] In some implementations the earbud is a first earbud in a
pair of earbuds, the audio system further includes a second earbud
in the pair of earbuds, and the housing of the case includes a
first receptacle sized and shaped to receive the first earbud and a
second receptacle sized and shaped to receive the second earbud. In
some implementations the audio system can further include a
controller, separate from the case and the earbud, that is operable
to stop and start transmission of the audio data from the second
wireless radio to the pair of earbuds. The controller can further
include volume and/or playback that control the audio signal played
by the first and second earbuds. Additionally, the case can further
include a third receptacle sized and shaped to receive the
controller. In some implementations, the third receptacle is
disposed between the first and second receptacles. In some
implementations the case further includes a lid coupled to the
housing by a hinge, the lid being moveable between a closed
position in which the lid covers encases the first and second
earbuds and the controller within the case and an open position in
which a user can remove one or more of the first and second earbuds
or the controller from the case. The case further including a lid
coupled to the housing by a hinge, the lid being moveable between a
closed position in which the lid covers encases the first and
second earbuds and an open position in which a user can remove one
or more of the first and second earbuds from the case.
[0016] In some embodiments a case for a portable listening device
having a first wireless radio is provided. The case can include: a
housing having a receptacle configured to receive the portable
listening device; a rechargeable case battery disposed in the
housing; charging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery and
the receptacle and configured to charge the portable listening
device when the portable listening device is received in the
receptacle; a memory disposed in the housing and configured to
store audio data; a processor disposed in the housing and operably
coupled to access audio data stored in the memory; and a second
wireless radio operatively coupled to receive audio data from the
processor and transmit the audio data to the first wireless radio
to be output by the portable listening device. The case also
include a user interface disposed at an exterior surface of the
housing, the user interface including one or more controls that
enable a user to stop and start the transmission of audio data from
case to the portable listening device.
[0017] In various implementations the case may include one or more
of the following features. The case further including a lid coupled
to the housing by a hinge, the lid being moveable between a closed
position in which the lid covers encases the first and second
earbuds and an open position in which a user can remove one or more
of the first and second earbuds from the case. The user interface
can further include volume control inputs.
[0018] To better understand the nature and advantages of the
present disclosure, reference should be made to the following
description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood,
however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of
illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits
of the scope of the present disclosure. Also, as a general rule,
and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description,
where elements in different figures use identical reference
numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least
similar in function or purpose.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of a case configured to hold a pair of
earbuds and transmit media to a non-wireless output device
according to embodiments of the disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a system level diagram of a case coupled to a pair
of earbuds and an output device as shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a case transmitting
audio wirelessly received from a source device to a non-wireless
speaker as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method of charging a
wireless listening device and transmitting media received by the
wireless listening device with a case in according to embodiments
of the disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 5A is a side view of a case configured to hold a pair
of wireless earbuds and transmit audio data to the wireless earbuds
according to embodiments of the disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a top view of the case shown in FIG. 5A.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a system level diagram of a case coupled to a pair
of earbuds and a source device as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B;
[0026] FIGS. 7A and 7B are simplified illustrations of the case of
FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 wirelessly transmitting audio to a pair of
wireless earbuds;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of the case of FIGS. 5A,
5B, and 6 wirelessly transmitting audio received from a
non-wireless source device to a pair of wireless earbuds;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method of managing charging
and wireless transmission of audio from a case to a wireless
listening device according to embodiments of the disclosure.
[0029] FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views of wireless controllers of
a wireless listening device according to embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a system level diagram of a wireless controller
of a wireless listening device as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a simplified illustration of a wireless
controller wirelessly transmitting audio received from a
non-wireless source device to a pair of wireless earbuds as shown
in FIGS. 10A-10B and 11.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a simplified illustration of a wireless
controller wirelessly controlling audio transmission to a pair of
wireless earbuds as shown in FIGS. 10A-10B and 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a case
for containing a portable wireless listening device, transmitting
audio received by the portable wireless listening device to other
devices, and/or transmitting audio received from other sources to
the portable wireless listening device. While the present
disclosure can be useful for a wide variety of portable wireless
listening devices, some embodiments of the disclosure are
particularly useful for portable wireless earbuds as described in
more detail below.
[0034] For example, in some embodiments, a case is configured to
house a pair of wireless earbuds and charge the earbuds when they
are in the case. The case can have circuitry configured to receive
media received by the wireless earbuds and transmit the media to a
non-wireless output device such as a speaker electrically coupled
to the case. The case can have sensors to detect if the wireless
earbuds are in the case and to detect if an output device is
connected to the case. The case circuitry can activate the wireless
radio of the earbuds if the earbuds are detected and an output
device is connected to allow transmission to the output device, and
can deactivate the wireless radio of the earbuds if no output
device is connected.
[0035] In another example, the case can have its own wireless radio
that can wirelessly communicate audio to the earbuds if the earbuds
are not in the case. In some embodiments, the case can have an
input port to receive an audio signal from a non-wireless source
device, and the case circuitry can convert the audio signal
received from the non-wireless source device to an audio signal to
be transmitted wirelessly to the earbuds. In some embodiments, the
case can have its own memory to store audio data that can be
transmitted wirelessly to the earbuds. In some examples, the case
can have buttons to control playback and/or volume of audio
transmitted to be output by the earbuds. In further examples, the
case can be configured to receive and/or charge a wireless
controller that controls playback and/or volume of audio output by
the earbuds.
[0036] In order to better appreciate the features and aspects of
cases for portable wireless listening devices according to the
present disclosure, further context for the disclosure is provided
in the following section by discussing several particular
implementations of a case for a set of wireless earbuds according
to embodiments of the present disclosure. The specific embodiments
discussed are for example purposes only and other embodiments can
be employed in other cases that can be used for other devices such
as, but not limited to headsets, headphones, portable speakers and
other devices.
[0037] As used herein, the term "portable listening device"
includes any portable device designed to play sound that can be
heard by a user, and thus, the term "portable wireless listening
device" includes any wireless device designed to play sound that
can be heard by a user. Headphones are one type of portable
listening device, portable speakers are another. The term
"headphones" represents a pair of small, portable listening devices
that are designed to be worn on or around a user's head. They
convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound that can be
heard by the user. Headphones include traditional headphones that
are worn over a user's head and include left and right listening
devices connected to each other by a headband, headsets (a
combination of a headphone and a microphone), and earbuds (very
small headphones that are designed to be fitted directly in a
user's ear). Traditional headphones include both over-ear
headphones (sometimes referred to as either circumaural or
full-size headphones) that have ear pads that fully encompass a
user's ears, and on-ear headphones (sometimes referred to as
supra-aural headphones) that have ear pads that press against a
user's ear instead of surrounding the ear. As used herein, the term
"earbuds", which can also be referred to as earphones or
ear-fitting headphones, includes small headphones that fit within a
user's outer ear facing the ear canal without being inserted into
the ear canal; in-ear headphones, sometimes referred to as canal
phones, that are inserted in the ear canal itself; and other small
portable devices supported by, and that include a speaker fitted
within, a portion of a user's ear.
[0038] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative rendering of a case 100 for a
pair of wireless earbuds according to some embodiments of the
disclosure. Case 100 includes a housing 105 having one or more
receptacles 110a, 110b configured to receive a pair of earbuds
115a, 115b. As shown in FIG. 1, receptacles 110a, 110b can be
positioned adjacent to each other on opposite sides of a center
plane of case 100. Each receptacle 110a, 110b can be a cavity sized
and shaped to match that of its respective earbud 115a, 115b. For
example, each receptacle 110a, 100b can include an elongated
cylindrical portion that extends from a bud shaped portion at an
upper surface 108 of the case towards a bottom 106 of case 100.
Embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any particular
shape, configuration or number of receptacles 110a, 110b and in
other embodiments receptacles 110a, 110b can have different shapes,
configurations and/or can be a single receptacle or more than two
receptacles.
[0039] Case 100 further includes a lid 120 attached to housing 105
and operable between a closed position where lid 120 is aligned
over one or more receptacles 110a, 110b fully enclosing pair of
earbuds 115a, 115b within the housing and an open position where
the lid is displaced from the one or more receptacles such that a
user can remove the earbuds from the receptacles or replace the
earbuds within the receptacles. Lid 120 can be pivotably attached
to housing 105 and can include one or more magnetic elements (not
shown in FIG. 1) that, along with magnetic elements in housing 105
(also not shown in FIG. 1), provide lid 120 with a bi-stable
operation. Some embodiments of case 100 can also include a charging
system 125 configured to charge pair of earbuds 115a, 115b; an
output interface 135 configured to output media data received by
the pair of earbuds 115a, 115b; and other features that are
described in more detail below.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of a system 200
according to embodiments of the disclosure that includes case 100,
pair of earbuds 115a, 115b, a power source 205, and an output
device 285. Earbuds 115a, 115b can be positioned within case 100
where they can be conveniently stored and charged. To facilitate
charging, transmitting media, and other capabilities of case 100,
the case can include a case processor 210, an earbud sensor 215, a
case battery 225, case charging circuitry 227, earbud charging
circuitry 230, output circuitry 255, and output device sensor 260.
Case 100 also includes an earbud interface 245 that enables
circuitry within case 100 to communication with and/or charge
earbuds 115a, 115b via case transfer interface 280, power source
interface 250 that couples the case to power source 205, such as an
AC or DC power source, and output device interface 135 that couples
the case to an output device 285, such as a speaker or display. As
one example, earbud interface 245 can include one or more contacts
that electrically connect to corresponding contacts of case
transfer interface 280 in each of earbuds 115a, 115b when the
earbuds are received within cavities 110a, 110b. The contacts
enable case 100 and earbuds 115a, 115b to exchange data with each
other and can also enable case 100 to charge the rechargeable
battery within each earbud.
[0041] Case processor 210 can be configured to control various
functions of case 100 as described in more detail below. Earbud
sensor 215 detects when one or both of earbuds 115a, 115b are
placed in receptacles 110a, 110b (see FIG. 1). In some embodiments
there may only be one earbud sensor 215 that detects when one
earbud 115a, 115b is placed within its respective receptacle 110a,
110 and initiates charging of both earbuds. In further embodiments
there may be one earbud sensor 215 in each receptacle 110a, 110b,
while in yet further embodiments there may be one earbud sensor
between the receptacles that detects when either earbud within its
respective receptacle. In various embodiments case processor 210 or
other circuitry can be coupled to earbud sensor 215 and can be
configured to initiate charging of each earbud 115a, 115b when
earbud sensor 215 detects one of the earbuds within receptacles
110a, 110b (see FIG. 1) and cease charging when the earbuds are
removed from the receptacles. In some embodiments earbud sensor 215
can be any type of mechanical or electrical switch, including but
not limited to a momentary switch, a capacitive sensor, a magnetic
sensor (e.g., hall effect) or an optical sensor. In some
embodiments there is no case processor 210 and circuitry comprising
various active and/or passive components is configured to perform
the myriad functions described herein and attributed to the
processor.
[0042] Case battery 225 provides power for the circuitry associated
with case 100 and can be charged by power source 205 and enclosure
charging circuitry 225 through power source interface 250. Case
battery 225 is also coupled to earbud interface 245 and can charge
pair of earbuds 115a, 115b (via case transfer interfaces 280) in
conjunction with earbud charging circuitry 230. In some embodiments
charging system 125 (which can include any of the aforementioned
sensors, processors, batteries, and circuitry used for charging the
earbuds and/or the case) can be configured to charge pair of
earbuds 115a, 115b anytime they are positioned within receptacles
110a, 110b, even though case 100 is not coupled to power source
205. Thus, case 100 may be capable of charging pair of earbuds
115a, 115b while the case is, for example, in a user's pocket as
long as case battery 225 has sufficient charge. In various
embodiments case battery 225 can be sealed within case 100, while
in some embodiments the case battery can be removable for servicing
and/or replacement with another charged battery. Case processor 210
may additionally be coupled to case charging circuitry 227 that can
control the charging of case battery 225 (e.g., control the voltage
and current supplied to the battery to optimize the speed of
charging and the life of the battery). In some embodiments case
charging circuitry 227 can include a DC/DC converter, an AC/DC
converter, battery voltage level monitoring circuitry and/or safety
features to properly charge case battery 225.
[0043] Similarly, in some embodiments case processor 210 can be
coupled to earbud charging circuitry 230 that can control the
charging of batteries within pair of earbuds 115a, 115b (e.g.,
control the voltage and current supplied to the batteries to
optimize the speed of charging and the life of the batteries). In
various embodiments earbud charging circuitry 230 can include a
DC/DC converter, battery voltage level monitoring circuitry and/or
safety features to properly charge earbud batteries.
[0044] In some embodiments case processor 210 can communicate with
pair of earbuds 115a, 115b through an earbud interface 245 (and
through case transfer interface 280 of either or both earbuds) and
with power source 205 through a power source interface 250. In
various embodiments earbud interface 245 and power source interface
250 can be capable of carrying both power and data signals for
single or bidirectional communication. For example, in some
embodiments power source 205 can be a computing device that
communicates with power source interface 250 through a USB
interconnect or Lightning interconnect available from Apple Inc. of
Cupertino Calif. The interconnect can provide DC current to case
battery 225 for charging and can provide bidirectional
communication between case processor 210 and the computing device.
For example, in various embodiments power source 205 can transmit
firmware updates to both case processor 210 and pair of earbuds
115a, 115b. Data communication between earbud interface 245 and
case transfer interface 280 of each of the pair of earbuds 115a,
115b can use a similar communication protocol or any other protocol
such as serial communications. In some embodiments, case processor
210 can be configured to receive media signals from earbuds 115a,
115b through earbud interface 245. For example, earbuds 115a, 115b
can wirelessly receive media signals from a media player such as a
smart phone, a portable audio device, a portable video device,
and/or a laptop computer, and transmit the media signals received
to the case processor 210 through earbud interface 245 for further
processing and/or transmission as will be described in further
detail below. Thus, in some embodiments, earbud interface 245 can
include connectors with contacts that provide the necessary
bandwidth capability in order to allow transmission of media
signals such as digital audio signals or digital video signals from
earbuds 115a, 115b to case processor 210.
[0045] As noted above, each of earbuds 115a, 115b can include a
wireless radio that enables the earbuds to wirelessly receive media
signals from a media player, such as a smart phone, portable audio
or video device, or laptop. In some embodiments, one of earbuds
115a, 115b can be a primary earbud that pairs with a media player,
receives the entire media signal from the media player with its
wireless radio and transmits one channel of the media (e.g., the
left or right channel, depending on which earbud is the primary
earbud) to the other earbud's wireless radio. For example, if the
primary earbud is the left earbud, it can pair with the media
player, receive a signal needed to play media in stereo, transmit
the signal for the right channel to the right earbud, and play the
left channel so that the earbuds together play the media in stereo.
In some embodiments one or more of earbuds 115a, 115b include a
radio that can also transmit an audio signal such as a microphone
signal from one or more of the earbuds. In yet further embodiments,
one or more of earbuds 115a, 115b can include a radio that can
transmit communication signals that can command the receiving
device to perform one or more functions such as, but not limited
to, connect a phone call, disconnect a phone call, pause audio
playback, fast forward or rewind audio playback or mute a
microphone signal. The wireless radio can employ any short range,
low power communication protocol such as Bluetooth, low power
Bluetooth or other protocols. In some embodiments it can be
desirable to turn off the wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b
when they are received in receptacles 110a, 110b to conserve power
and efficiently charge earbuds 115a, 115b. However, as noted above,
in some embodiments, case 100 and the associated circuitry
described herein can be configured to use the wireless radios of
earbuds 115a, 115b to receive media signals from any of the media
players mentioned above and transmit them to an output device 285
coupled to case 100 through output device interface 135. For
example, when earbuds 115a, 115b receive media signals when they
are within receptacles 110a, 110b of case 100, case processor 210
can be configured to cause earbuds 115a, 115b to re-transmit the
media data to case processor 210 rather than outputting the
received data via speakers of earbuds 115a, 115b as in normal
operation thereof. In this way, devices such as speakers or video
displays which may not otherwise be able to wirelessly receive
audio or video to be output may effectively do so when coupled to
case 100 with wireless earbuds 115a, 115b disposed therein.
[0046] In some embodiments, case processor 210 can communicate with
output device 285 through output device interface 135 and output
circuitry 255. As described above, case processor 210 can receive
media signals received by earbuds 115a, 115b through earbud
interface 245. Upon receipt of media signals from earbuds 115a,
115b, case processor 210 can use output circuitry 255 to process
media signals and output the media signals to an output device 285
via output device interface 285. Output circuitry 255 can include
any suitable media processing circuitry including audio circuitry
or video circuitry for processing media signals received from
earbuds 115a, 115b to be output to output device 285. For example,
output circuitry 255 can be configured to convert the media signals
received from earbuds 115a, 115b via earbud interface 245 to a
suitable format for being output by device 285. As described above,
output device 285 can be any device configured to output media,
such as audio or video data, including but not limited to audio
speakers and video displays. In some embodiments, output device 285
can be an output device without a wireless radio such that it is
not able, on its own, to wirelessly receive media to be output.
Output device 285 can be configured to communicate with output
device interface 135 through any interconnect for transmitting
media signals, including but not limited to a Lightning
interconnect available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., a USB
interconnect, such as a USB Type-A connector, a micro USB
connector, a USB Type-C connector, any other suitable interconnect,
and/or any suitable combination thereof.
[0047] Case processor 210 can also be coupled to output device
sensor 260. Output device sensor 260 detects when an output device
285 is coupled to case 100 via output device interface 135. In some
embodiments, output device sensor 260 can detect when an output
device 285 is powered on and/or able to receive media from case
100. In some embodiments output device sensor 260 can detect the
type of output device 285 coupled to case 100 and transmit
information indicative of the type of output device 285 to case
processor 210. In various embodiments case processor 210 or other
circuitry can be configured to power on the wireless radios of
earbuds 115a, 115b and/or initiate transmission of media to output
device 285 when output device sensor 260 detects an output device
285 coupled to output device interface 135, and can be configured
to power off the wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b (and any
other components used for transmission of media to output device
285) and cease transmission of media via output circuitry when
output device sensor 260 does not detect an output device 285
coupled to output device interface 135. In some embodiments output
device sensor 260 can be any type of mechanical or electrical
switch, including but not limited to a momentary switch, a
capacitive sensor, a magnetic sensor (e.g., hall effect) or an
optical sensor. In some embodiments there is no case processor 210
and circuitry comprising various active and/or passive components
is configured to perform myriad functions described herein and
attributed to the processor.
[0048] In some embodiments case processor 210 can also be coupled
to one or more user input devices 240. One such user input device
240 can be a button or other type of input that, in response to
receiving the user input, processor 210 sends a signal to the
earbuds via earbud interface 245 to place the wireless radios
within pair of earbuds 115a, 115b into a pairing or other mode. For
example, in various embodiments the wireless radios used by pair of
earbuds 115a, 115b can be a Bluetooth or other radio system that
requires a pairing sequence to establish communication between the
pair of earbuds and a wireless transmitter in an electronic device.
More specifically, in some embodiments user can depress a pairing
button located on case 100 that notifies case processor 210 to
communicate to pair of earbuds 115a, 115b via interface 245 to
enter a pairing mode. In some embodiments pair of earbuds 115a,
115b can be required to be within receptacles 110a, 110b (see FIG.
1) to enter the pairing mode while in other embodiments they may
not need to be within the receptacles.
[0049] In some embodiments, case processor 210 can be configured to
send an identification signal to the media device transmitting
media to earbuds that can be used to update an indicator on the
media device that indicates what the media device is paired to. For
example, when output device sensor detects the type of output
device coupled to case 100 via output device interface 135, and/or
when media is being transmitted to output device interface 135,
case processor 210 can send a signal to the media device via one of
the wireless radios of the pair of earbuds 115a, 115b that can
change an indicator on the media device to reflect that the media
device is transmitting to the output device via case 100. For
example, if case 100 is transmitting audio received from media
device to a speaker dock, media device can be updated to indicate
that it is paired to the speaker dock via the case.
[0050] Referring back to the pair of earbuds 115a, 115b in FIG. 2,
they can each have one or more inputs 265, internal components 270
and one or more outputs 275. In some embodiments one or more inputs
265 can be a microphone input and one or more buttons or sensors
that register a user's touch. In various embodiments a capacitive
sensor can be used as an input 265 and can be used, for example, to
answer a call or command pair of earbuds 115a, 115b to enter a
pairing mode that can be indicated by a light on the pair of
earbuds. In various embodiments one or more internal components 270
can be a speaker, a microphone, a wireless radio, a rechargeable
battery and in some cases a processor. In various embodiments one
or more outputs 275 can be audio from a speaker, media signals from
wireless radio as described above, and a light or other indicator.
In some embodiments the light can indicate an incoming call, a
battery charge level, a pairing mode or other function.
[0051] Although output device interface 135 and power source
interface 250 are described and depicted as separate components in
FIG. 2, in some embodiments, output interface 135 and power source
interface 250 can be part of a single interconnect system having a
single connector (e.g., a single Lightning connector). When output
interface 135 and power source interface 250 are part of a single
interconnect system, the single connector can receive power from a
power source within output device 285 while concurrently
transmitting media data (e.g., a stream of audio data) to the
output device. In some embodiments, additional sensors (not shown)
can be employed to determine whether a power source 205 or output
device 285 is coupled to the interface so as to effectively route
power to charge earbuds 115a, 115b or case battery 225 and/or to
transmit media to an output device 285.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of case 100 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 transmitting audio wirelessly received from a source
device to a non-wireless speaker. As described above, embodiments
of case 100 can utilize the wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b
to receive media data from a media player and transmit the media
data to be output by an output device coupled to case 100. FIG. 3
shows an example wherein a speaker 385 outputs audio received from
a media player 305. Speaker 385 can be an audio speaker device
traditionally used to "dock" a media player such as a smart phone
or a personal music player via connector 310. In some embodiments,
connector 310 can be a Lightning connector available from Apple
Incorporated of Cupertino, Calif. While speaker 385 may
traditionally require a physical connection with a media player
(such as media player 305) via connector 310 in order to receive
and output audio from the media player, it can be seen that when
wireless earbuds 115a, 115b are disposed in receptacles 110a, 110b
(not shown in FIG. 3) of case 100 and connector 310 is coupled to
interface 135 of case 100, speaker 385 can output audio from media
player 305 without a physical connection thereto. Specifically, as
described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, if wireless earbuds
115a, 115b are paired to receive audio from media player 305 via
the wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b when received in
receptacles 110a, 110b of case 100, the audio received can be
transmitted via earbud interface 245 to case processor 210. Case
processor 210 can then transmit the audio to be processed by output
circuitry 255 and transmitted to output device 285 (in this case
speaker 385) via output device interface 135. Speaker 385 can then
output the audio as shown in FIG. 3 via its speakers. Although FIG.
3 illustratively shows case 100 coupled to and transmitting audio
to speaker 385, it will be understood that case 100 can be coupled
to and transmit media to any suitable output device 285 in
substantially the same way. For example, rather than a speaker
device outputting audio, case 100 can be coupled to a video display
device. In this example, wireless earbuds 115a, 115b can be
configured to wirelessly receive video data from media player 305
and transmit this video data to case processor 210 via earbud
interface 245, which can then transmit the video to be processed by
output circuitry 255 and output to the video display device via
output device interface 135.
[0053] As described above, case 100 can both charge earbuds 115a,
115b and transmit media received by the earbuds 115a, 115b when
earbuds 115a, 115b are received in receptacles 110a, 110b. Since
case 100 and earbuds 115a, 115b can have rechargeable batteries
with limited life, and since it may be desirable to use case 100 to
transport earbuds 115a, 115b without power source 205 connected
thereto, it may be desirable to efficiently control both charging
and powering of components. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method
400 of charging a wireless listening device and transmitting media
received by the wireless listening device with a case according to
embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood by those
skilled in the art that the order of the steps can be switched,
some of the steps can be combined, and/or some of the steps can be
optional. The flowchart of FIG. 4 is one example of the method and
is not intended to be limiting. Thus, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various other operation(s) disclosed
in this application can be used instead of those shown in FIG. 4.
The steps will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0054] At step 410, case processor 210 can determine whether
earbuds 115a, 115b are received in case 100. In some embodiments,
earbud sensor 215 can detect whether one or both of earbuds 115a,
115b are received in receptacles 110a, 110b of case 100 as
described above and relay this information to case processor 210.
If it is determined at step 410 that neither of earbuds 115a, 115b
are received in receptacles 110a, 110b, no action may be taken and
the process can end until such time as any earbuds 115a, 115b are
detected. In some embodiments, if it is determined at step 410 that
neither of earbuds 115a, 115b are received in receptacles 110a,
110b, case 100 can disable any electrical components of case 100
that can be drawing power from case battery 225 so as to conserve
battery 225. In some embodiments, case processor 210 can charge
case battery 225 when earbuds 115a, 115b are not detected in case
100. For example, if power source 205 is coupled to case 100, case
processor 210 can cause case charging circuitry 227 to charge case
battery 225.
[0055] If it is determined at step 410 that one or both of earbuds
115a, 115b are received in case 100, case processor 210 can proceed
to step 420. At step 420, case processor 210 can initiate charging
of earbuds 115a, 115b. For example, if earbud sensor 215 detects
one or both earbuds 115a, 115b in receptacles 110a, 110b, case
processor 210 can cause earbud charging circuitry 230 to draw power
from case battery 225 and/or power source 205 (if connected to case
100) to charge the batteries of earbuds 115a, 115b via earbud
interface 245. In some embodiments, if power source 205 is coupled
to case 100, case processor 210 can cause case charging circuitry
227 to charge case battery 225. Although not described in detail,
it will be understood that case processor 210 can optimize charging
of earbuds 115a, 115b and/or case battery 225 using any suitable
algorithm depending on the capacity and charge level of earbuds
115a, 115b and case battery 225 and whether or not power source 205
is coupled to case.
[0056] At step 430, case processor 210 can determine whether an
output device 285 is attached to case 100 via output device
interface 135. In some embodiments, output device sensor 260 can
detect whether an output device 285 is coupled to case 100 via
output device interface 135 and relay this information to case
processor 210. If it is determined at step 430 that no output
device 285 is attached to case 100 via output device interface 135,
case processor 210 can proceed to step 440. At step 440, case
processor 210 can turn off the wireless radios of earbuds 115a,
115b. In some embodiments, case processor 210 can send a signal or
signals to earbuds 115a, 115b via earbud interface 245 to cause
wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b to power off In some
embodiments, if no output device 285 is detected, case processor
210 can determine whether lid 120 is closed, and turn wireless
radios of earbuds 115a, 115b off if lid 120 is closed. For example,
case 100 can have lid sensors to detect if lid 120 is closed. It
will be understood that when no output device 285 is connected to
case 100 and earbuds 115a, 115b are in case 100 (i.e., not being
used to listen to audio) and the lid 120 is closed, the wireless
radios of earbuds 115a, 115b may not be needed, and turning them
off can conserve the batteries of earbuds 115a, 115b, and case
battery 225, and allow for more efficient charging. Although
depicted in FIG. 4 as the "end" of the process, it will be
understood that case processor 210 can continue to charge earbuds
115a, 115b (and case battery 225 to the extent that power source
205 is coupled to case 100) after turning off the wireless radios
of earbuds 115a, 115b at step 440 as necessary, and until any
output device 285 is thereafter detected by output device sensor
260.
[0057] If it is determined at step 430 that an output device 285 is
coupled to case 100 via output device interface 135, and if
wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b are not already on, case
processor 210 can turn on the wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b
at step 450. In some embodiments, case processor 210 can send a
signal or signals to earbuds 115a, 115b via earbud interface 245 to
cause wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b to power on so as to
receive media from a media player as described above. Although in
some embodiments, case processor 210 can automatically turn on
wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b when an output device 285 is
detected, in other embodiments, case processor 210 may only turn on
wireless radios in response to a user input. For example, case
processor 210 may only turn on wireless radios of earbuds 115a,
115b if the user presses a button to do so. In some embodiments, an
indicator light can be provided on the case that indicates whether
the wireless radios of earbuds 115a and/or 115b are on or off in
order to facilitate such user control. In further embodiments, case
processor 210 may only turn on wireless radios of earbuds 115a,
115b when output device is powered on and able to output media
received from case 100. For example, output device sensor 260 can
electrically or otherwise detect when output device is powered on
and case processor 210 may only turn on wireless radios of earbuds
115a, 115b when output device is powered on.
[0058] Although described above as turning on wireless radios of
both earbuds 115a, 115b, in some embodiments, the wireless radio of
only one of earbuds 115a, 115b can be turned on and/or the wireless
radio of the second of earbuds 115a, 115b can be turned off or
remain off at step 450. For example, as described above, while both
earbuds 115a, 115b can have wireless radios, one of earbud 115a,
115b can be the primary earbud that receives media from a source
media device and transmits one channel of the media to the other
earbud. Accordingly, in some embodiments, case processor 210 may
only turn on the wireless radio of the primary earbud of earbuds
115a, 115b at step 450, since this wireless radio alone can
transmit media to an output device as described below.
[0059] Although described above as turning on one or both of the
wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b, it will be understood that
in some embodiments, the wireless radios can already be turned on
when received in case 100. For example, in some embodiments, the
wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b can generally be powered on
when outside of the case, and case processor 210 can instruct the
earbuds to turn the wireless radios off to save power when earbuds
115a and 115b are put in case 100 and lid 120 is closed. According
to some embodiments, however, when case is coupled to an output
device 285, case processor 210 can keep one or both of the wireless
radios powered on, even if lid 120 is closed. Thus, the wireless
radios of earbuds 115a, 115b may be able to continue to receive
media from the media device and transmit the media to be played by
the output device as will be described below.
[0060] Once it is determined that earbuds 115a, 115b are in case
100 (at step 410), that output device is attached to case and/or
powered on (at step 430), and one or more of the wireless radios of
earbuds 115a, 115b are accordingly powered on or maintained on (at
step 450), earbuds 115a, 115b may be free to receive media data
from a media player paired to earbuds 115a, 115b as described
above. For example, if earbuds 115a, 115b are paired to a smart
phone playing music, one or more of earbuds 115a, 115b can receive
an audio signal with the music from the smart phone via wireless
radios of the earbuds 115a, 115b. As a further example, if earbuds
115a, 115b are paired to a tablet device outputting video, one or
more of earbuds 115a, 115b can receive video data from the tablet
device via wireless radios of the earbuds 115a, 115b. However, as
described above, rather than outputting the received data via
speakers of earbuds 115a, 115b, when earbuds 115a, 115b are within
receptacles 110a, 110b of case 100, earbuds 115a, 115b can be
configured to send media data to case processor 210.
[0061] At step 460, case processor 210 can receive media data
received by earbuds 115a, 115b from wireless radios via earbud
interface 245. For example, if earbuds 115a, 115b are paired to a
smart phone currently playing or otherwise outputting music, case
processor 210 can receive audio data associated with the music from
earbuds 115a, 115b via earbud interface 245. As a further example,
if earbuds 115a, 115b are paired to a tablet device outputting
video, case processor 210 can receive video data associated with
the video from earbuds 115a, 115b via earbud interface 245.
[0062] At step 470, case processor 210 can transmit the media data
received from the wireless radio of earbuds 115a, 115b to output
device 285. As described above, step 470 can include case processor
210 causing the media data received to be processed by output
circuitry as necessary to be transmitted and/or output by output
device 285. In some embodiments, case processor 210 can transmit
media data to output device 285 via output device interface
135.
[0063] At step 480, output device 285 can output the media data
received from case processor 210 to be consumed by the user. For
example, if output device 285 is an audio speaker, output device
285 can play audio for the user. As another example, if output
device 285 is a display screen, output device 285 can play video
for the user. As described above, output device 285 can be any
suitable media output device for outputting audio, video, or other
media data. In some embodiments, output device 285 may not include
a wireless radio. Thus, it can be seen that the use of the wireless
radios of earbuds 115a, 115b in conjunction with case 100 and an
output device 285 without its own wireless radio can increase usage
of output device 285 to effectively receive and output media from a
media device not physically connected to output device 285 thereby
increasing the flexibility of output device 285.
[0064] While a variety of devices that can wirelessly transmit
audio to wireless listening devices such as wireless earbuds 115a,
115b exist, in some instances, users may want to limit the size and
quantity of components needed to use wireless listening devices.
For example, when a user is exercising, the user might not want to
bring a large smart phone or personal music device to transmit
music to their wireless earbuds. Furthermore, in some instances,
users may encounter source devices that are not compatible with
their wireless listening devices and may have to replace the
wireless listening devices with wired listening devices or bring
along wired adapters that may be cumbersome and/or easy to lose. A
case that can both house the wireless earbuds for transport and
wirelessly transmit audio data to the wireless earbuds is discussed
with reference to FIGS. 5-8 according to embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0065] FIG. 5A is a side view of a case configured to hold a pair
of wireless earbuds and transmit audio data to the wireless earbuds
according to embodiments of the disclosure. As can be seen in FIG.
5A, case 500 can be similar to case 100 in a number of respects.
For ease of reference, it will be understood that like numbered
components can be substantially similar to previously referenced
components except as otherwise stated. To avoid redundancy, such
previously referenced components will not be discussed in detail.
It can be seen with reference to FIG. 5A that in addition to
components already discussed with respect to case 100, case 500 can
include wireless radio 510 (including an antenna), memory 515, and
radio battery 520 disposed within housing 505, and audio controls
525 and source device interface 530 disposed or integrated with
housing 505. Additionally, case 500 can also have an additional
receptacle 535 in which a controller 540 can be received as will be
discussed in further detail below.
[0066] FIG. 5B is a simplified top view of case 500 with lid 120,
earbuds 115a, 115b, and controller 540 removed for ease of
reference. As can be seen in FIG. 5B, receptacles 110a and 110b can
have a circular cross section for receiving cylindrical portions of
earbuds 115a, 115b. As can also be seen in FIG. 5B, charging system
125 can be disposed directly below receptacles 110a, 110b, and 535
to facilitate charging of earbuds 115a, 115b, and controller 540.
Given the geometry of the bud portions of earbuds 115a, 115b (i.e.
the non-cylindrical portions of earbuds 115a, 115b), it can be seen
that the spaces adjacent to receptacles 110a, 110b can be used to
place additional battery 520, wireless radio 510, and memory 515.
As depicted in FIG. 5B, area 550 located centrally within housing
can include additional components and circuitry of case 500 (for
example, components to be described below with reference to FIG.
6). It will be understood that while the aforementioned components
are depicted in particular areas of case 500 in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
such locations may simply be illustrative and components can be
arranged in any suitable manner in accordance with embodiments with
the disclosure.
[0067] FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of a system 600
according to embodiments of the disclosure that includes case 500,
pair of earbuds 115a, 115b, a power source 205, and a source device
615. Although not shown in FIG. 6, it will be understood that
system 600 can also include controller 540 and associated charging
circuitry and interfaces in case 500. As with FIGS. 5A-5B, like
numbered components can be substantially similar to previously
referenced components except as otherwise stated. To avoid
redundancy, such previously referenced components will not be
discussed in detail.
[0068] In some embodiments, case 500 can include its own wireless
radio 510 and memory 515 which may allow case 500 to act as a
standalone media player that wirelessly transmits audio to earbuds
115a, 115b when earbuds 115a, 115b are removed from case 500.
Wireless radio 510 can be coupled to case processor 210, and as
with wireless radios previously described with respect to earbuds
115a, 115b, wireless radio 510 can employ any short range, low
power communication protocol such as Bluetooth, low power Bluetooth
or other protocols. In some embodiments, wireless radio 510 may
enable case 500 to both receive and transmit audio signals. In some
embodiments, case 500 can include radio battery 520 dedicated to
power wireless radio 510 to avoid depleting case battery 225 when
no power source 205 is coupled to case 500. In other embodiments no
additional radio battery 520 is included within the case and case
battery 225 can power the wireless radio. For example, case battery
225 can have an increased capacity (relative to that of case 100,
e.g.) to account for power demands of wireless transmission of
audio to earbuds 115a, 115b. Wireless radio 510 can be configured
to pair with earbuds 115a, 115b. In some embodiments, wireless
radio 510 can pair with wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b when
earbuds 115a, 115b are received in receptacles 110a, 110b of case
500. In some embodiments, wireless radio 510 can automatically pair
with wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b when earbuds 115a, 115b
are received in receptacles 110a, 110b of case 500. For example,
when earbuds 115a, 115b are received in receptacles 110a, 110b of
case 500 (for example when earbud sensors 215 detect earbuds 115a,
115b), case processor 210 can send a signal via wireless radio 510
or earbud interface 245 to initiate pairing between wireless radio
510 of case 500 and the wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b. In
other embodiments, wireless radio 510 can pair with wireless radios
of earbuds 115a, 115b in response to a user input such as a pairing
button that causes case processor 210 to send a signal via wireless
radio 510 or earbud interface 245 to initiate pairing between
wireless radio 510 of case 500 and the wireless radios of earbuds
115a, 115b. In some embodiments, wireless radio 510 can be
configured to simultaneously pair with multiple sets of earbuds
115a, 115b, other wireless listening devices, and/or a combination
thereof. For example, wireless radio 510 can be configured to
transmit the same audio to two or more sets of wireless earbuds
115a, 115b simultaneously.
[0069] Case processor 210 of case 500 can also be coupled to memory
515, which can comprise any suitable type of memory for storing
data including audio data downloaded or otherwise received from a
source device, such as a smart phone, a computer or the like. Thus,
case processor 210 can be able to access audio data stored within
memory 515 and transmit associated audio data via wireless radio
510 to be output by earbuds 115a, 115b. In some embodiments, audio
data to be stored in memory 515 can be received by case processor
210 via wireless radio 510. In other embodiments, audio data to be
stored in memory 515 can be received by case processor 210 via a
wired connection through power source interface 250, as described
above with respect to firmware updates of case 100. As described
above, case 500 can also have user inputs 525 coupled to case
processor 210, including controls that can pause or play audio
playback, fast forward or rewind audio playback, and adjust the
volume of playback by earbuds 115a, 115b.
[0070] FIG. 7A and 7B are simplified illustrations of a case as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 transporting wireless earbuds and wirelessly
transmitting audio to the earbuds. As can be seen in FIGS. 7A and
7B, case 500 along with wireless earbuds 115a, 115b may allow a
user to have a compact and low cost alternative for media playback
in a single package. As shown in FIG. 7A, case 500 may allow the
user to transport earbuds 115a, 115b in a convenient manner, and as
shown in FIG. 7B, when desired, earbuds 115a, 115b can be removed
from case 500 and play audio stored in case 500 while being
controlled using controls 525. Thus, a user may not need to carry a
smart phone or other bulky media device in order to use wireless
earbuds 115a, 115b for media playback. This may be particularly
desirable during exercise outside or at a gym, for example, when a
user only needs a limited amount of media for playback.
[0071] In addition to acting as a standalone media player as
described above, case 500 can also act to transmit audio to earbuds
115a, 115b from non-wireless devices, as will be further discussed
with reference to FIGS. 5A, 6, and 8. As noted above and depicted
in FIGS. 5A and 6, case 500 can include a source device interface
530. Source device interface 530 can be configured to couple case
500 to a source device 615 so as to receive an audio signal from
the source device 615. In some embodiments, source device interface
530 can be any suitable audio interface, such as a standard male
audio jack (i.e., a TRS connector with two, three, four or five
ring contacts) that can be received in a female audio port of a
source device, a standard female audio jack that can receive a
standard auxiliary cable coupled to an audio port of a source
device, or any other standard audio interface. Source device 615
can include any device that outputs audio, and in many cases, can
be a device without wireless transmission capabilities. For
example, source device 615 can include traditional in-flight
entertainment audio systems, audio systems incorporated into
exercise equipment such as treadmills, and/or portable audio
devices without wireless transmission capabilities. Since, in some
cases, source device 615 can output analog audio signals, case 500
can include an analog-to-digital-converter (ADC) and associated
circuitry 620 coupled to source device interface and/or case
processor. ADC 620 can be configured to receive analog audio from
source 615 and convert it into digital audio. Once converted, the
digital audio can then be transmitted by case processor 210 to
wireless earbuds 115a, 115b via wireless radio 510. Thus, it can be
seen that case 500 may allow an analog device without wireless
transmission capabilities to be used with wireless earbuds 115a,
115b without the need for any wires.
[0072] It may be desirable to wirelessly transmit audio from a
source device 615 simultaneously to two or more wireless listening
devices. For example, two or more users may each want to personally
listen to audio from a source device 615 to keep the audio private
and/or allow each of the users flexibility to move to separate
areas remote from the source device 615. In some embodiments, when
case 500 is coupled to a source device 615, it can pair to multiple
sets of wireless listening devices (e.g., two sets of wireless
earbuds 115a, 115b), and case processor 210 can transmit the audio
received from source device 615 to the multiple sets of paired
wireless listening devices. For example, if multiple users are
viewing video output from a source device that has an audio output
port, but they would each like to listen to the corresponding audio
using personal listening devices (such as wireless earbuds 115a,
115b or other wireless listening devices) the users can couple case
500 to the audio port of source device 615 via source device
interface 530. Case processor 210 can receive audio from source
device 615, process the audio if necessary as described above, and
transmit the audio wirelessly to each set of wireless earbuds 115a,
115b (or other wireless listening devices paired to case 500).
Thus, case processor 210 can act as a virtual splitter to send
audio to multiple wireless listening devices.
[0073] Case processor 210 of case 500 can also be coupled to source
device sensor 625. Source device sensor 625 can be similar to
output device sensor 260 described above with respect to case 100,
except it can detect a source device from which audio can be
received rather than an output device to which media can be
transmitted. Source device sensor 625 detects when a source device
615 is coupled to case 500 via source device interface 530. In some
embodiments, source device sensor 625 can detect when a source
device 615 is powered on and/or transmitting audio that can be
transmitted to earbuds 115a, 115b. In some embodiments source
device sensor 615 can detect the type of source device 615 coupled
to case 500 and transmit information indicative of the type of
source device 615 to case processor 210. In various embodiments
case processor 210 or other circuitry can be configured to power on
the wireless radio 510 and/or initiate transmission of audio from
source device 615 to earbuds 115a, 115b when source device sensor
615 detects a source device 615 coupled to source device interface
530, and can be configured to power off the wireless radio 510 (and
any other components used for transmission of audio from source
device 615) and cease transmission of audio via ADC circuitry when
source device sensor 625 does not detect a source device 615
coupled to source device interface 530. In some embodiments source
device sensor 625 can be any type of mechanical or electrical
switch, including but not limited to a momentary switch, a
capacitive sensor, a magnetic sensor (e.g., hall effect) or an
optical sensor.
[0074] FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of the case of FIGS. 5A,
5B, and 6 wirelessly transmitting audio received from a
non-wireless source device to a pair of wireless earbuds.
Specifically, FIG. 8 shows a source device 615 coupled to case 500
via source device interface 530. Source device 615 shown in FIG. 8
is a traditional in-flight audio system that has a standard audio
port 805 which can receive standard male audio jack 530 of case 500
so as to transmit audio being output by source device 615 to case
500. As can be seen, case 500 can process and transmit the audio
received from source device 615 to be output by earbuds 115a, 115b
using wireless radio 510 (not shown in FIG. 8). As such, wireless
earbuds 115a, 115b can be used in a situation in which they may not
otherwise have been used without a wired connection. Although a
traditional in-flight audio system is depicted in FIG. 8, it will
be understood that any suitable source device 615 can be used in
substantially the same way in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0075] As described above, case 500 can both charge earbuds 115a,
115b when earbuds 115a, 115b are received in receptacles and
transmit audio to the earbuds 115a, 115b when earbuds 115a, 115b
are removed from receptacles 110a, 110b. Since case 500 and earbuds
115a, 115b can have rechargeable batteries with limited life, and
since it may be desirable to use case 500 to transport earbuds
115a, 115b without power source 205 connected thereto, it may be
desirable to efficiently control both charging and powering of
components. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method 900 of managing
charging and wireless transmission of audio from a case to a
wireless listening device according to embodiments of the
disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
the order of the steps can be switched, some of the steps can be
combined, and/or some of the steps can be optional. The flowchart
of FIG. 9 is one example of the method and is not intended to be
limiting. Thus, it will be understood by those skilled in the art
that various other operation(s) disclosed in this application can
be used instead of those shown in FIG. 9. The steps will now be
described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0076] At step 905, case processor 210 can determine whether
earbuds 115a, 115b are received in case 500. In some embodiments,
earbud sensor 215 can detect whether one or both of earbuds 115a,
115b are received in receptacles 110a, 110b of case 500 as
described above and relay this information to case processor 210.
If it is determined at step 905 that one or both of earbuds 115a,
115b are received in case 500, case processor 210 can proceed to
step 910. At step 910, case processor 210 can turn off wireless
radio 510 of case 500. It will be understood that wireless radio
510 may not be needed if earbuds 115a, 115b are in case 500. Thus,
turning off wireless radio 510 in this situation can preserve
batteries 520, and/or 225. After turning off wireless radio 510,
case processor can proceed to initiate charging of earbuds 115a,
115b at step 915. This may continue until earbuds 115a, 115b are
fully charged or until they are otherwise taken out of the case. If
it is determined at step 905 that earbuds 115a, 115b are not in
case 500, case processor can proceed to step 920.
[0077] At step 920, case processor 210 can determine whether a
source device is connected to case 500. For example, as described
above, source device sensor 625 can detect whether a source device
615 is coupled to case 500 via source device interface 530. In some
embodiments, source device sensor 625 can detect when a source
device 615 is powered on and/or transmitting audio that can be
transmitted to earbuds 115a, 115b. If source device sensor 625 does
not detect a source device 615 coupled to case 500, or if source
device detects that a source device 615 coupled to case 500 is not
powered on or is not transmitting audio, case processor 210 can
proceed to step 925 and turn of wireless radio 510 of case 500 to
preserve the batteries 520 and/or 225 of case 500. Since case 500
may not need to perform any electrical operations, case processor
210 can also turn off any other additional components unnecessarily
drawing power and the process may "end" until a source device 615
and transmission of audio thereby is detected. If it is determined
at step 920 that source device 615 is connected, powered on, and
transmitting audio, case processor 210 can proceed to step 930.
[0078] At step 930, if wireless radio 510 of case 500 is not
already on, case processor 210 can turn wireless radio 510 on to
facilitate transmission of audio received from source device 615 to
earbuds 115a, 115b. As described above, once wireless radio 510 is
on, it can pair with earbuds 115a, 115b automatically or upon user
input.
[0079] At step 935, which in some embodiments can happen
concurrently with step 930, case processor 210 can receive an audio
signal from source device 615 via source device interface 530. Once
wireless radio 510 is paired with wireless radios of earbuds 115a,
115b and an audio signal is received via source device interface,
case processor 210 can proceed to step 940 and/or 945. As described
above, the audio signal received from source device 615 can be
analog in some embodiments. In such case, the analog audio signal
is first converted into a digital signal by ADC circuitry 620 at
step 940 before case 500 can wirelessly transmit the audio signal
to the earbuds. Once the digital signal is obtained (either
received directly in step 935 or via a converted analog signal in
step 940), case processor can proceed to step 945. At step 945,
case processor 210 can transmit the converted digital signal via
wireless radio 510 to the wireless radios of earbuds 115a, 115b,
which can then output the audio via speakers of the earbuds to the
user at step 950.
[0080] In addition to cases as described herein, it can be
desirable to have increased control of audio playback when using
wireless listening devices such as earbuds 115a, 115b. In some
embodiments, a controller that can wirelessly control playback
during use of earbuds 115a, 115b is provided. As previously
described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, controller 540 can also be
receivable in cases described herein, for example, within
receptacle 535. FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views of alternate
embodiments of wireless controllers of a wireless listening device
according to embodiments of the disclosure, and FIG. 11 is a system
level diagram of the wireless controller shown in FIGS. 10A and
10B. As can be seen in FIGS. 10A-10B and FIG. 11, wireless
controller 540 can include a housing 1000A or 1000B with volume
controls 1010 and 1015 and playback controls 1020 disposed thereon.
Additionally, wireless controller 540 can include a clip mechanism
1030 that can be used to releasably attach controller 540 to an
article associated with a user. For example, clip mechanism 1030
can clip controller 540 to a shirt of the user to provide easy
access to controller 540 during use of wireless earbuds 115a, 115b.
With reference to FIG. 11, it can be seen that controller 540 can
include a processor 1105 which can be coupled to a wireless radio
1110, battery 1115, user inputs 1120 (which can include volume
controls 1010, 1015 and playback controls 1020), and a power source
interface 1135 which may allow controller to be coupled to a power
source 205 in order to charge battery 1115, for example. As
described above with respect to FIGS. 5A-5B, controller 540 can be
configured to be charged by charging system 125 of case 500 when
controller 540 is received in receptacle 535 of case 500. Wireless
radio 1110 of controller 540 can be configured to communicate with
wireless radios described herein, including those of cases 100 and
500, earbuds 115a, 115b, and/or any of the media players described
herein. For example, wireless radio 1110 can be configured to send
commands to control playback and/or volume of media being played on
earbuds 115a, 115b based on input received via user inputs
1120.
[0081] In addition to control of playback of media on earbuds 115a,
115b, in some embodiments, controller 540 can also include a source
device interface similar to that of case 500 described above, which
allows controller 540 to couple to a source device 615 to receive
audio therefrom. As with source device interface 530 of case 500,
the source device interface can be coupled to ADC circuitry 1125
and source device sensor 1130 which are in turn coupled to
processor 1105. As with source device interface 530 of case 500,
the source device interface can be any suitable audio interface,
such as a standard male audio jack that can be received in a female
audio port of a source device, a standard female audio jack that
can receive a standard auxiliary cable coupled to an audio port of
a source device, or any other standard audio interface. For
example, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, a source device
interface 1005A can be a standard male audio jack which has a
detachable cap 1025 for protecting interface 1005A when not in use.
In another embodiments shown in FIG. 10B, a source device interface
1005B can be a standard female audio jack that can receive a
standard auxiliary cable coupled to an audio port of a source
device. In still other embodiments, the source drive interface can
include both male and female connectors. As with ADC Circuitry 620
of case 500, ADC Circuitry 1125 can be configured to receive analog
audio from source 615 and convert it into digital audio. Once
converted, the digital audio can then be transmitted by processor
1105 to wireless earbuds 115a, 115b via wireless radio 1110. Thus,
it can be seen that as with case 500, controller 540 can allow an
analog device without wireless transmission capabilities to be used
with wireless earbuds 115a, 115b without the need for any wires. As
can be understood, controller 540 may be particularly convenient in
this respect since it may be less cumbersome to carry than even
case 500.
[0082] FIG. 12 is a simplified illustration of a wireless
controller wirelessly transmitting audio received from a
non-wireless source device to a pair of wireless earbuds as shown
in FIGS. 10A-10B and 11. Specifically, FIG. 12 is similar to FIG.
8, except that it shows a source device 615 coupled to controller
540A rather than case 500 via source device interface 1005A. As
with FIG. 8, source device 615 shown in FIG. 12 is a traditional
in-flight audio system that has a standard audio port 1205 which
can receive standard male audio jack 1005A of controller 540A so as
to transmit audio being output by source device 615 to controller
540A. As can be seen, controller 540A can process and transmit the
audio received from source device 615 to be output by earbuds 115a,
115b using wireless radio 1110 (not shown in FIG. 12). As such,
wireless earbuds 115a, 115b can be used in a situation in which
they may not otherwise have been used without a wired connection.
Although a traditional in-flight audio system is depicted in FIG.
12, it will be understood that any suitable source device 615 can
be used with controller 540A in substantially the same way in
accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.
[0083] FIG. 13 is a simplified illustration of a wireless
controller wirelessly controlling audio transmission to a pair of
wireless earbuds as shown in FIGS. 10A-10B and 11. As described
above, controller 540 can be releasably attached to a shirt pocket
1310 or other article of clothing of a user 1305 via clip 1030 for
easy access to control audio being played on earbuds 115a, 115b. It
can be seen that controller 540 can provide the advantage of
avoiding cumbersome wires typically required for inline controllers
of wired earbuds, but still be attached to the user to maintain
easy access and avoid losing controller 540.
[0084] In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the
disclosure have been described with reference to numerous specific
details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and
exclusive indicator of the scope of the disclosure, and what is
intended by the applicants to be the scope of the disclosure, is
the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue
from this application, in the specific form in which such claims
issue, including any subsequent correction. The specific details of
particular embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner
without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the
disclosure. Additionally, spatially relative terms, such as "bottom
or "top" and the like may be used to describe an element and/or
feature's relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as,
for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that
the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different
orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to
the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device
in the figures is turned over, elements described as a "bottom"
surface may then be oriented "above" other elements or features.
The device can be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or
at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used
herein interpreted accordingly.
* * * * *