U.S. patent number RE48,968 [Application Number 16/401,796] was granted by the patent office on 2022-03-08 for wireless earbuds and related methods.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Skullcandy, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Skullcandy, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ryan Jung, Peter M. Kelly, James Milam, Steve Page, David G. Vogt, Jr..
United States Patent |
RE48,968 |
Milam , et al. |
March 8, 2022 |
Wireless earbuds and related methods
Abstract
A wireless earbud system includes a first earbud assembly and a
second earbud assembly. Each of the first earbud assembly and the
second earbud assembly include a housing, an audio driver disposed
within the housing, and a wireless receiving unit operatively
coupled to the audio driver. The wireless receiving unit is
configured to receive a wireless data signal and drive the audio
driver based on audio data transmitted in the wireless data signal.
The wireless earbud system may also include a tether with a first
end and a second end. The first end of the tether is configured to
removably couple to the first earbud assembly by a first detachable
connector, and the second end of the tether is configured to
removably couple to the second earbud assembly by a second
detachable connector. Methods also relate to the wireless earbud
system.
Inventors: |
Milam; James (Heber, UT),
Kelly; Peter M. (Tustin, CA), Vogt, Jr.; David G. (Salt
Lake City, UT), Page; Steve (Salt Lake City, UT), Jung;
Ryan (Holladay, UT) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Skullcandy, Inc. |
Park City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Skullcandy, Inc. (Park City,
UT)
|
Family
ID: |
57286282 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/401,796 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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62253250 |
Nov 10, 2015 |
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Reissue of: |
15342841 |
Nov 3, 2016 |
9900680 |
Feb 20, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R
1/1016 (20130101); A61B 5/486 (20130101); H04R
1/1025 (20130101); A61B 5/6803 (20130101); A61B
5/0015 (20130101); H04R 1/1033 (20130101); H04R
1/1058 (20130101); H04R 1/1041 (20130101); H04R
2420/05 (20130101); H04R 2420/07 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04R
1/10 (20060101); A61B 5/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2506597 |
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Oct 2012 |
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EP |
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2012/024656 |
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Feb 2012 |
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WO |
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2016/032011 |
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Mar 2016 |
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WO |
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Other References
European Search Report for European Application No. 16197949.7
dated Apr. 6, 2017, 8 pages. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report for European Application No.
16197949 dated Jul. 31, 2017, 14 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hotaling; John M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: TraskBritt
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wireless earbud system, comprising: a first earbud assembly
and a second earbud assembly, each of the first earbud assembly and
the second earbud assembly comprising: a housing; an audio driver
disposed within the housing; and a wireless receiving unit
operatively coupled to the audio driver, the wireless receiving
unit configured to receive a wireless data signal and drive the
audio driver based on audio data transmitted in the wireless data
signal; and a tether with a first end, a second end, and a control
unit located between the first end and the second end, wherein the
first end of the tether is configured to removably couple to the
first earbud assembly by a first detachable connector, wherein the
second end of the tether is configured to removably couple to the
second earbud assembly by a second detachable connector, and
wherein at least one of the first earbud assembly and the second
earbud assembly is configured to operate as a master and
communicate directly with a media device when the first end and the
second end of the tether are disconnected from the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly, and wherein the control
unit is configured to operate as .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.master
and communicate directly with the media device, with the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly operating as slaves
and communicating directly with the control unit, when the first
end of the tether is connected to the first earbud assembly and the
second end of the tether is connected to the second earbud
assembly.
2. The wireless earbud system of claim 1, wherein each of the first
detachable connector and the second detachable connector comprise
electrical contacts operatively coupling the control unit in the
tether respectively with the first earbud assembly and the second
earbud assembly.
3. The wireless earbud system of claim 2, wherein the first earbud
assembly comprises a first earbud battery and the second earbud
assembly comprises a second earbud battery, wherein the control
unit comprises a control unit battery, and wherein one or both of
the first earbud battery and the audio driver in the first earbud
assembly, and one or both of the second earbud battery and the
audio driver in the second earbud assembly, are configured to draw
electrical power from the control unit battery when the first end
of the tether is coupled to the first earbud assembly and the
second end of the tether is coupled to the second earbud
assembly.
4. The wireless earbud system of claim 2, wherein the control unit
in the tether comprises a wireless receiver configured to receive a
wireless data signal from a media device and transmit an audio
signal through the tether directly to the audio drivers of the
first and second earbud assemblies through electrical conductors
when the first and second ends of the tether are respectively
coupled with the first and second earbud assemblies.
5. The wireless earbud system of claim 1, wherein the first
detachable connector and the second detachable connector each
comprise a peripheral groove in a portion of the first and second
respective earbud housings and first and second resilient loops at
the first and second respective ends of the tether, and wherein the
first and second resilient loops are configured to fit at least
partially within a respective one of the peripheral grooves to
retain the first and second ends of the tether to the first and
second respective earbud housings.
6. The wireless earbud system of claim 1, wherein the first
detachable connector and the second detachable connector each
comprise a magnetic interface on each of the first and second ends
of the tether and a complementary magnetic interface on each of the
first and second earbud housings.
7. The wireless earbud system of claim 1, wherein the first
detachable connector and the second detachable connector each
comprise a plug on each of the first and second ends of the tether
configured for insertion within a respective complimentary recess
disposed in each of the first and second earbud housings.
8. The wireless earbud system of claim 1, wherein the wireless
receiving unit in the first earbud assembly and the wireless
receiving unit in the second earbud assembly are each configured to
selectively operate as a master and receive a wireless signal
directly from a media device and to send a wireless signal to the
wireless receiving unit in the other of the first earbud assembly
and the second earbud assembly.
9. The wireless earbud system of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprise a
sensor configured to sense biometric feedback, and wherein at least
one of the wireless receiving unit in the first earbud assembly and
the wireless receiving unit in the second earbud assembly are
configured to transmit a wireless data signal based on the
biometric feedback to a media device.
10. A wireless earbud system, comprising: a first earbud assembly
and a second earbud assembly, each of the first earbud assembly and
the second earbud assembly comprising: an audio driver; a wireless
receiving unit operatively coupled to the audio driver, the
wireless receiving unit configured to receive a wireless data
signal; and an earbud battery configured to supply power to one or
both of the audio driver and the wireless receiving unit; and a
tether comprising: a first end with a first detachable connector
configured to mechanically and electrically couple the first end of
the tether to the first earbud assembly, a second end with a second
detachable connector configured to mechanically and electrically
couple the second end of the tether to the second earbud assembly;
and an electronic control unit disposed intermediate the first end
of the tether and the second end of the tether, the electronic
control unit comprising: a wireless unit configured to receive a
wireless data signal from a media device and to transmit an audio
signal based on the wireless data signal through electrical
conductors in the tether to the first and second earbud assemblies
when the first and second earbud assemblies are coupled to the
first and second ends of the tether, respectively; and an
electronic control unit battery configured to supply power to the
wireless unit; wherein at least one of the first earbud assembly
and the second earbud assembly is configured to operate as a master
and communicate directly with a media device when the first end and
the second end of the tether are disconnected from the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly, and wherein the control
unit is configured to operate as .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.master
and communicate directly with the media device, with the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly operating as slaves
and communicating directly with the control unit, when the first
end of the tether is connected to the first earbud assembly and the
second end of the tether is connected to the second earbud
assembly.
11. The wireless earbud system of claim 10, wherein the electronic
control unit battery is configured to charge the first earbud
battery when the first end of the tether is coupled to the first
earbud assembly and to charge the second earbud battery when the
second end of the tether is coupled to the second earbud
assembly.
12. The wireless earbud system of claim 10, wherein the electronic
control unit battery is configured to supply power to operate at
least one of the first earbud audio driver and the first earbud
wireless receiving unit when the first end of the tether is coupled
to the first earbud assembly, and to supply power to operate at
least one of the second earbud audio driver and the second wireless
receiving unit when the second end of the tether is coupled to the
second earbud assembly.
13. The wireless earbud system of claim 10, wherein the electronic
control unit comprises one or more playback controls, and wherein
the wireless unit is configured to transmit playback instructions
from the playback controls to a media device.
14. The wireless earbud system of claim 13, wherein the one or more
playback controls comprise one or more buttons corresponding to one
or more of playback instructions to play, stop, and proceed to a
different audio track.
15. The wireless earbud system of claim 10, wherein the electronic
control unit comprises a housing configured to store the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly.
16. The wireless earbud system of claim 15, wherein the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly are configured to
couple to one another for storage in the electronic control unit
housing.
17. The wireless earbud system of claim 16, wherein the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly each comprise a
complementary magnetic coupler, each complementary magnetic coupler
configured to interact to couple the first earbud assembly to the
second earbud assembly.
18. The wireless earbud system of claim 16, wherein the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly each include
electronic switches configured to power off the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly when the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly are coupled to one
another.
19. The wireless earbud system of claim 18, wherein the electronic
switches are configured to automatically power on the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly when the first earbud
assembly is decoupled from the second earbud assembly.
20. A method of forming a wireless earbud system, the method
comprising: forming an electronic control unit comprising a
wireless unit, a battery, and a tether; forming first and second
wireless earbud assemblies; configuring first and second ends of
the tether to removably couple to the first and second wireless
earbud assemblies; configuring one or both of the first and second
wireless earbud assemblies to operate in a master mode and receive
a wireless signal directly from a media device and to drive audio
drivers in the first and second wireless earbud assemblies with an
audio signal based on data received directly from the media device
when the first and second ends of the tether are decoupled from the
first and second wireless earbud assemblies; configuring the
wireless unit of the electronic control unit to operate in .[.a.].
.Iadd.the .Iaddend.master mode and receive a wireless signal
directly from the media device and to drive the audio drivers in
the first and second wireless earbud assemblies through electrical
conductors disposed within the tether with an audio signal based on
data received directly wirelessly from the media device when the
first and second ends of the tether are respectively coupled to the
first and second earbud assemblies; and configuring both of the
first and second wireless earbud assemblies to operate in a slave
mode and receive the wireless signal directly from the wireless
unit of the electronic control unit and to drive audio drivers in
the first and second wireless earbud assemblies with an audio
signal based on data received directly from the wireless unit of
the electronic control unit when the first and second ends of the
tether are respectively coupled to the first and second wireless
earbud assemblies.
.Iadd.21. A wireless earbud system, comprising: a first earbud
assembly and a second earbud assembly, each of the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly comprising: a housing: an
audio driver disposed within the housing; and a wireless receiver
operatively coupled to the audio driver, the wireless receiver
configured to receive a wireless data signal and drive the audio
driver responsive to audio data transmitted in the wireless data
signal utilizing circuitry and/or software routines of the first
earbud assembly or second earbud assembly; wherein the circuitry
and/or the software routines of each of the first earbud assembly
and the second earbud assembly is configured to switch the wireless
receiver of each of the first earbud assembly and the second earbud
assembly between operating as a master to receive a first wireless
data signal from a media device and operating as a slave to receive
a second data signal from the first earbud assembly or second
earbud assembly comprising the wireless receiver configured as the
master on a regular, periodic basis. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The wireless earbud system of claim 21, wherein the
circuitry and/or the software of the first earbud assembly is
configured to separate the audio data into a first audio channel
and a second audio channel, to send the first audio channel to the
audio driver of the first earbud assembly, and to send the second
audio channel to the second earbud assembly when the first earbud
assembly is operating as the master. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The wireless earbud system of claim 22, wherein the
circuitry and/or the software of the first earbud assembly is
configured to separate the audio data into a right audio channel
and a second audio channel, to send a first of the right and left
audio channels to the audio driver of the first earbud assembly,
and to send a second of the right and left audio channels to the
second earbud assembly utilizing the wireless receiver of the first
earbud assembly when the first earbud assembly is operating as the
master. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The wireless earbud system of claim 21, wherein the
wireless receiver of the first earbud assembly comprises a wireless
transmitter and wherein the wireless receiver of the second earbud
assembly is configured to receive the second data signal from the
first earbud assembly wirelessly when the first earbud assembly is
operating as the master. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The wireless earbud system of claim 21, wherein each of
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprises
a battery, and wherein the wireless circuitry and/or the software
routines of each of the first earbud assembly and the second earbud
assembly is further configured to switch the wireless receiver of
each of the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly
between operating as the slave and operating as the master based on
remaining charge in each battery. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The wireless earbud system of claim 21, wherein the
wireless receiver comprises a radio-frequency receiver operatively
coupled to a digital-to-analog converter. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The wireless earbud system of claim 21, wherein at least
one of the first earbud assembly or the second earbud assembly
comprises a sensor configured to sense biometric feedback, and
wherein at least one of the wireless receiver in the first earbud
assembly or the wireless receiver in the second earbud assembly is
configured to transmit a wireless data signal comprising the
biometric feedback to the media device. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The wireless earbud system of claim 21, further
comprising a tether having a first end and a second end, the first
end of the tether configured to removably couple to the first
earbud assembly by a first detachable connector, the second end of
the tether configured to removably couple to the second earbud
assembly by a second detachable connector. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The wireless earbud system of claim 28, wherein each of
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprises
a detachable connector configured to receive detachable connectors
of the tether, each detachable connector free of an electrical
connection configured to establish electrical communication between
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The wireless earbud system of claim 28, wherein each of
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprises
a detachable connector configured to receive detachable connectors
of the tether, each detachable connector comprising an electrical
connection configured to establish electrical communication between
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly via the
tether. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The wireless earbud system of claim 30, wherein each
detachable connector of the first earbud assembly and the second
earbud assembly comprises one of a magnetic interface configured
for magnetic attachment to a corresponding magnetic interface of
the tether or a recess sized and shaped to receive a plug or a pin
of the tether therein. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. A wireless earbud system, comprising: a first earbud
assembly and a second earbud assembly, each of the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly comprising: a housing; an
audio driver disposed within the housing: and a wireless receiver
operatively coupled to the audio driver, the wireless receiver
configured to receive a wireless data signal and drive the audio
driver responsive to audio data transmitted in the wireless data
signal; wherein the wireless receiver of the first earbud assembly
is configured to intermittently operate as a master to receive a
first wireless data signal from a media device and the wireless
receiver of the second earbud assembly is configured to
intermittently operate as a slave to receive a second data signal
from the first earbud assembly; wherein the wireless receiver of
the second earbud assembly is configured to intermittently operate
as the master to receive a first wireless data signal from the
media device and the wireless receiver of the first earbud assembly
is configured to intermittently operate as the slave to receive a
second data signal from the second earbud assembly; and wherein
circuitry and/or software routines of each of the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly is configured to switch the
wireless receiver of each of the first earbud assembly and the
second earbud assembly between operating as the master and
operating as the slave on a regular, periodic basis. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The wireless earbud system of claim 32, wherein the
circuitry and/or software routines of the first earbud assembly is
configured to separate the audio data into a first audio channel
and a second audio channel, to send the first audio channel to the
audio driver of the first earbud assembly, and to send the second
audio channel to the second earbud assembly when the first earbud
assembly is operating as the master. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The wireless earbud system of claim 32, wherein each of
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprises
a battery, and wherein the circuitry and/or software routines of
the first earbud assembly is further configured to switch operation
the wireless receiver of the first earbud assembly between master
and slave, and the wireless receiver of the second earbud assembly
is further configured to switch the wireless receiver of the second
earbud assembly to operate between slave and master based on
remaining charge in each battery. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The wireless earbud system of claim 32, further
comprising a tether having a first end and a second end, the first
end of the tether configured to removably couple to the first
earbud assembly by a first detachable connector, the second end of
the tether configured to removably couple to the second earbud
assembly by a second detachable connector. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The wireless earbud system of claim 35, wherein each of
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprises
a detachable connector configured to receive detachable connectors
of a tether, each detachable connector free of an electrical
connection configured to establish electrical communication between
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The wireless earbud system of claim 35, wherein each of
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprises
a detachable connector configured to receive detachable connectors
of the tether, each detachable connector comprising an electrical
connection configured to establish electrical communication between
the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly via the
tether. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The wireless earbud system of claim 37, wherein each
detachable connector of the first earbud assembly and the second
earbud assembly comprises one of a magnetic interface configured
for magnetic attachment to a corresponding magnetic interface of
the tether or a recess sized and shaped to receive a plug or a pin
of the tether therein. .Iaddend.
Description
.Iadd.Notice: This is a broadening reissue application of U.S. Pat.
No. 9,900,680 B2, issued Feb. 20, 2018, to Milam et al. for
WIRELESS EARBUDS AND RELATED METHODS. .Iaddend.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/253,250, filed Nov. 10, 2015, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety
by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to earbud headphones, and
more specifically to earbuds configured to receive a wireless data
signal from a media device.
BACKGROUND
Earbud headphones are used to convert an electronic signal into an
audible sound, which is transmitted to the ear of a person using
the earbud headphones. Earbud headphones are used in conjunction
with many different types of electronic devices, such as media
players, hearing aids, cellular telephones, televisions, computers,
etc. In contrast to what are referred to in the industry as
"on-ear" headphones and "over-ear" headphones, earbud headphones
are relatively small headphones that rest within the concha of the
outer ear and are often referred to as "in-ear" headphones. Earbud
headphones are retained in place by the cooperation and mechanical
interference between the earbud headphone and the ear of the user.
Some earbud headphones include a portion that is sized and
configured to extend from a main body of the headphone into the
external auditory canal of the ear.
Earbud headphones are popular among users because they are
generally relatively small and portable. Moreover, when a user is
participating in various activities, earbud headphones interfere to
a much lesser extent with the other accessories or equipment of the
user, such as helmets, goggles, hats, and headbands compared to
on-ear and over-ear headphones, which often include a headband or
other connecting structure (in addition to wiring) extending around
the head of the user between each headphone.
Some earbud headphones may include wireless functionality. For
example, data from a media player may be transmitted by radio
frequency (RF) signals from a media device to a wireless earbud.
Wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH.RTM., or other
protocols may be used for wireless transmission.
BRIEF SUMMARY
In some embodiments, a wireless earbud system includes a first
earbud assembly and a second earbud assembly. Each of the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly includes a housing,
an audio driver disposed within the housing, and a wireless
receiving unit operatively coupled to the audio driver. The
wireless receiving unit is configured to receive a wireless data
signal and drive the audio driver based on audio data transmitted
in the wireless data signal. The wireless earbud system further
includes a tether with a first end and a second end. The first end
of the tether is configured to removably couple to the first earbud
assembly by a first detachable connector, and the second end of the
tether is configured to removably couple to the second earbud
assembly by a second detachable connector.
In other embodiments, a wireless earbud system includes a first
earbud assembly and a second earbud assembly. Each of the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly include an audio
driver, a wireless receiving unit operatively coupled to the audio
driver, the wireless receiving unit configured to receive a
wireless data signal, and an earbud battery configured to supply
power to one or both of the audio driver and the wireless receiving
unit. The wireless earbud system also includes a tether including a
first end with a first detachable connector configured to
mechanically and electrically couple the first end of the tether to
the first earbud assembly, and a second end with a second
detachable connector configured to mechanically and electrically
couple the second end of the tether to the second earbud assembly.
The tether also includes an electronic control unit disposed
intermediate the first end of the tether and the second end of the
tether. The electronic control unit includes a wireless unit
configured to receive a wireless data signal from a media device
and to transmit an audio signal based on the wireless data signal
through electrical conductors in the tether to the first and second
earbud assemblies when the first and second earbud assemblies are
coupled to the first and second ends of the tether, respectively,
and an electronic control unit battery configured to supply power
to the wireless unit.
In yet other embodiments, a method of forming a wireless earbud
system includes forming an electronic control unit comprising a
wireless unit, a battery, and a tether. The method also includes
forming first and second wireless earbud assemblies, and
configuring first and second ends of the tether to removably couple
to the first and second wireless earbud assemblies. The method also
includes configuring one or both of the first and second wireless
earbud assemblies to receive a wireless signal from a media device
and to drive audio drivers in the first and second wireless earbud
assemblies with an audio signal based on data received from the
media device when the first and second ends of the tether are
decoupled from the first and second wireless earbud assemblies, and
configuring the wireless unit of the electronic control unit to
receive a wireless signal from the media device and to drive the
audio drivers in the first and second wireless earbud assemblies
through electrical conductors disposed within the tether with an
audio signal based on data received wirelessly from the media
device when the first and second ends of the tether are
respectively coupled to the first and second earbud assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an earbud system
according to the disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of components of an earbud according
to the disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing operation of an earbud system
according to the disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of an earbud system
according to the disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of an earbud system
according to the disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an operational configuration
of the earbud system of FIG. 5;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of an earbud and a detachable
connector according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of an earbud and a detachable
connector according to another embodiment of the disclosure;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of an earbud and a detachable
connector according to yet another embodiment of the
disclosure;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of an earbud and a
detachable connector according to yet another embodiment of the
disclosure;
FIG. 11 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of an earbud
system according to the disclosure; and
FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of an electronic control
unit according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views
of any particular headphone or component thereof, but are merely
idealized representations employed to describe various embodiments
of the disclosure.
The disclosure relates to earbud headphones configured to
communicate wirelessly (e.g., through radio frequency (RF)
electromagnetic waves) with a media device. The earbud headphones
may include a tether that mechanically and/or electrically couples
the earbud headphones to one another. The earbud headphones may
function differently when connected by the tether compared to when
the earbud headphones are used without the tether.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wireless earbud system 100 according to
the disclosure. The wireless earbud system 100 may include a first
earbud 102 and a second earbud 104. The first earbud 102 and the
second earbud 104 may include a first earbud housing 106 and a
second earbud housing 108, respectively. The wireless earbud system
100 includes a tether 110 formed of a lightweight, flexible
material, such as a woven fabric cord, a polymer (plastic,
elastomeric, etc.) cord, etc. The tether 110 may include a first
end 112 and a second end 113. The first end 112 and the second end
113 may include detachable connectors 114 and 116, respectively.
The detachable connectors 114 and 116 may be configured to
mechanically couple the first end 112 of the tether 110 to the
first earbud 102, and the second end 113 of the tether 110 to the
second earbud 104. For example, each of the detachable connectors
114 and 116 may include a plug configured for insertion into a
corresponding recess of the first or second earbud 102, 104.
The first and second wireless earbuds 102 and 104 may be used in
conjunction with the tether 110 to, e.g., prevent loss of an
individual one of the first and second earbuds 102 and 104. In some
embodiments, connection of the tether 110 may alter the
functionality of the wireless earbuds, as described in detail below
in connection with FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. In some embodiments, the
detachable connectors 114 and 116 may not include electrical
connections configured to establish electrical communication
between the first and second wireless earbuds 102 and 104, such
that the connections between the detachable connectors 114 and 116
and the first and second wireless earbuds 102 and 104 is only
mechanical and not electrical. In such embodiments, the detachable
connectors 114 and 116 may not comprise any electrically conductive
material. In other embodiments, the detachable connectors 114 and
116 may include electrical connections configured to establish
electrical communication between the first and second wireless
earbuds 102 and 104 and circuitry within the tether 110. Such
electrical connections are described in detail below in connection
with FIGS. 10A and 10B.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of components 117 within an
earbud headphone (e.g., the first earbud 102 or the second earbud
104 of FIG. 1). The components 117 within the earbud headphone may
include, without limitation, an audio transducer 118, a wireless
audio unit 120, and a battery 122. The audio transducer 118 may be
an electromechanical device configured to receive an analog
electrical signal containing audio information and convert the
electrical energy to sound waves (e.g., physical vibrations with a
frequency of about 20 Hz to about 20 kHz). In some embodiments,
each of the first earbud 102 and the second earbud 104 may include
a plurality of audio transducers 118. In some embodiments, each of
the first earbud 102 and the second earbud 104 may include an
enclosure tuned with respect to the audio transducer 118 to enhance
(e.g., increase) the output of the audio transducer 118 within a
particular range of frequencies. In addition, some embodiments may
include a tuned port or a tuned diaphragm configured to enhance the
output of the audio transducer 118 within a particular frequency
range.
The wireless audio unit 120 may include circuitry configured to
receive wireless signals and transmit wireless signals. The
wireless audio unit 120 may also include circuitry configured to
decode a digital wireless signal. For example, the wireless audio
unit 120 may include circuitry configured to convert a digital
signal to an analog audio signal. In one embodiment, the wireless
unit may include an RF receiver 126 operatively coupled to a
digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 128. An audio amplifier 130 may
be operatively coupled to an analog output of the DAC 128 and
configured to amplify the analog audio output from the DAC 128 to a
level suitable to drive the audio transducer 118. The wireless
audio unit 120 may also include an RF transmitter (not shown)
configured to broadcast a wireless signal, as discussed below.
The battery 122 may be configured to supply electrical current to
the wireless audio unit 120. In other words, current from the
battery 122 may be consumed by the RF receiver 126, the DAC 128,
and the audio amplifier 130. The battery 122 may be, for example, a
rechargeable lithium-ion battery, or any other battery with
suitable energy density.
In some embodiments, the first earbud 102 and the second earbud 104
may include components and circuitry to provide active noise
cancelling (ANC) functionality. For example, each of the first
earbud 102 and the second earbud 104 may include a microphone for
converting ambient noises to electrical signals. Signal processing
circuitry may generate electrical signals representing sounds
identical to the ambient sounds but in opposite phase. The
opposite-phase ambient sounds may be reproduced through the audio
transducer 118 to cancel the ambient sounds.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operational mode of the
wireless earbud system 100 (FIG. 1). A media device 134 may be
configured to broadcast a wireless signal 136 containing data
representing an audio signal. The media device 134 may be, for
example, a handheld device such as a cellular "smart" phone, a
tablet computer, a digital music player, a laptop computer, a
desktop computer, etc. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the
wireless earbuds 102 and 104 may operate in a so-called
"master-slave" configuration. For example, one of earbuds 102 and
104 may be designated the master. An RF receiver in the master
earbud (e.g., RF received 126 (FIG. 2) in the earbud 102) may
receive the wireless signal 136 from the media device 134. The
wireless signal 136 from the media device 134 may be separated into
left and right audio channels by circuitry and/or software routines
associated with the master earbud. Data from one audio channel
(e.g., one of left or right) may be converted to an audio signal,
amplified, and played through an audio transducer 118 (FIG. 2) in
the master earbud. Data from the other audio channel (e.g., the
other of the left or right channels) may be transmitted wirelessly
(e.g., by wireless signal 137) from an RF transmitter within the
master earbud to an RF receiver (e.g., RF receiver 126) within the
slave earbud, where the data is converted to an audio signal,
amplified, and played through an audio transducer 118 in the slave
earbud.
Operation as the master earbud may consume significantly more power
than operation as the slave earbud, as the master earbud must
separate the channels and re-transmit one of the channels to the
slave earbud. Accordingly, in some embodiments, each of the earbuds
102 and 104 may be configured to alternately function as master and
slave. For example, the earbuds 102 and 104 may switch between
master and slave roles on a regular, periodic basis to maintain
generally equal battery charge between the earbud 102 and the
earbud 104. In other embodiments, the particular earbud that
functions as the master or slave may be chosen by other routines
based on remaining charge in each battery and/or other parameters.
Furthermore, while the above description assumes the earbuds 102
and 104 are functioning as a stereo pair, some data streams
broadcast by the media device 134 may include only a single channel
of audio data (i.e., monophonic sound). Such data may be received
and played by one of the earbuds 102 and 104, or may be received
and played simultaneously by both of the earbuds 102 and 104.
In some embodiments, the media device 134 may broadcast a wireless
signal that is received directly by each of the first earbud 102
and second earbud 104. In other words, neither of the first earbud
102 and the second earbud 104 function as master or slave, but each
receives the wireless signal 136 directly from the media device
134. When operating in this arrangement, each of the earbuds 102
and 104 convert a portion of the wireless signal 136 corresponding
to one of the left or right channels to an analog audio signal
(e.g., by processing a portion of the wireless signal 136 through
the DAC 128 and audio amplifier 130) and play the audio signal
through an audio transducer 118 (FIG. 2).
The wireless signal 136 may be broadcast by the media device 134
based on established wireless protocols, such as the BLUETOOTH.RTM.
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). Additionally or
alternatively, other wireless protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi), may be
used.
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless earbud system
138 according to the disclosure. In wireless earbud system 138, a
tether 140 may include electronic components 142 configured to be
operatively connected to (e.g., by electrically conductive contacts
219 described below in connection with FIGS. 10A and 10B) a first
earbud 144 and a second earbud 146 when the first earbud 144 and
the second earbud 146 are connected by the tether 140. For example,
in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the electronic components 142
may include a battery 148 configured to provide power to operate
one or more of the RF receiver 126 (FIG. 2), RF transmitter (not
illustrated), DAC 128 (FIG. 2), and audio amplifier 130 (FIG. 2) of
each of the earbuds 144 and 146 when the tether 140 is connected to
the first earbud 144 and the second earbud 146. Furthermore, the
battery 148 may be configured to charge (e.g., recharge) batteries
(e.g., battery 122 described in connection with FIG. 2) in the
wireless earbuds 144 and 146 when the tether 140 is connected to
the first earbud 144 and the second earbud 146. When the tether 140
is connected to one or both of the first earbud 144 and the second
earbud 146, the electronic componentry within the earbuds 144 and
146 may draw power from one or both of the battery 148 in the
tether 140 and the batteries 122 within the individual earbuds 144
and 146. The battery 148 may be a lithium-ion rechargeable battery
as discussed above, or a battery with different chemistry and/or
construction. In some embodiments, the battery 148 may be charged
by connecting a charging cable (e.g., micro USB, mini USB, USB-C)
between a charging port 149 operatively coupled to the battery 148
and a power source (e.g., a USB port of a computer, charging
station, etc.).
FIG. 5 illustrates another wireless earbud system 150 in accordance
with the present disclosure. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a tether
152 may include an electronic control unit 154. The electronic
control unit 154 may include, without limitation, one or more of a
battery 156 similar to the battery 148 described in connection with
FIG. 3, an RF receiver, an RF transmitter, a DAC, and an audio
amplifier similar to those shown in connection with FIG. 2, and
playback controls 158 such as a play button, stop button, skip to
next track, begin previous track, etc. When the tether 152 is
disconnected from earbuds 160 and 162, the earbuds 160 and 162 may
function similarly to the earbuds 102 and 104 as shown and
discussed with reference to FIG. 3. In other words, when the tether
152 is disconnected from the earbuds 160 and 162, the earbuds 160
and 162 may receive a wireless signal 136 (FIG. 3) from a media
device 134 (FIG. 3) using a master/slave or other arrangement as
described above.
When the tether 152 is connected to the earbuds 160 and 162, the
wireless earbud system 150 may operate as shown and described in
connection with FIG. 6. A media device 134 may broadcast a wireless
signal 136 containing audio data as described above in connection
with FIG. 3. An RF receiver similar to RF receiver 126 shown in
connection with FIG. 2 within the electronic control unit 154 may
receive the wireless signal 136. The wireless signal may be
processed (e.g., decoded) by the DAC in the electronic control unit
154 to provide one or more analog audio channels (e.g., left and
right stereo audio channels). The left and right analog audio
channel signals may be directed to respective earbuds 160 and 162
through conductors (not shown) within the tether 152. The analog
audio signals may be amplified by audio amplifiers within the
earbuds 160 and 162 similar to audio amplifier 130 described above
in connection with FIG. 2. Additionally or alternatively, the
electronic control unit 154 may include one or more audio
amplifiers configured to amplify the analog audio signals to a
level suitable to drive audio drivers (e.g., audio transducers 118
described in connection with FIG. 2). Such driver-level signals may
be transferred through conductors within the tether 152 and fed
directly to audio drivers within the earbuds 160 and 162. In some
embodiments, one or more conductors in the tether 152 may function
as an antenna to enhance reception of the wireless signal 136 by
the RF receiver within the electronic control unit 154.
The playback controls 158 on the electronic control unit 154 may be
configured to generate signals that may be transmitted wirelessly
from the electronic control unit 154 to the media device 134 to
control playback of audio tracks from the media device 134. For
example, operation of the playback controls 158 may generate a
wireless signal 159 broadcast from an RF transmitter (not shown)
within the electronic control unit 154. The media device 134 may
receive the wireless signal and alter audio playback as directed by
the user's operation of the playback controls 158.
In some embodiments, the playback controls may be buttons arranged
on the electronic control unit 154. In other embodiments, the
playback controls may be operated by, for example, manipulating
(e.g., squeezing) the tether 152. For example, at least a portion
of the tether 152 may be configured to generate a voltage signal
(e.g., by changing resistance) when squeezed by the user.
In some embodiments, the wireless earbuds 160 and 162, the
electronic control unit 154, or both may be configured to collect
information from the user and wirelessly transmit the information
to the media device 134. For example, the wireless earbuds 160 and
162 may include sensors configured to sense biometric feedback such
as heart rate or body temperature, sensors configured to sense
movement (e.g., accelerometers), or other sensors. Information
collected by these sensors may be transmitted wirelessly to the
media device 134, where it may be organized and processed to
provide information (e.g., a heart rate graph, number of steps
taken, etc.) to be displayed to the user, posted to social media
websites, or similarly employed.
When operating in the configuration described with reference to
FIG. 6, certain limitations of some wireless earbuds may be
mitigated. For example, at times, some wireless earbuds may suffer
from uneven playback between earbuds, e.g., when the playback of
left and right audio channels is not suitably synchronized and
timing discrepancies between left and right audio channels are
audibly noticeable. When connected by the tether 152,
synchronization between the left and right channels can be
maintained with high accuracy, at least because the left and right
channels are transmitted by the same wireless signal 136. Moreover,
as the batteries contained within the individual wireless earbuds
(e.g., battery 122 (FIG. 2)) must be relatively small and
lightweight to ensure that the wireless earbuds remain in the
user's ear during activity, some wireless earbuds may have
insufficient battery life for extended periods of use. When
connected by the tether 152, the battery 156 in the electronic
control unit 154 may provide significant additional operating time
to the wireless earbuds. Finally, connecting the wireless earbuds
160 and 162 with the tether 152 may prevent loss of a single
wireless earbud, particularly during physical activity of the user
(e.g., jogging, cycling, etc.). Because the tether 152 is
removable, the wireless earbuds 160 and 162 can be used without the
tether and the electronic control unit 154 at times when such
operation is desired.
FIGS. 7A through 10B show various implementations of detachable
connectors (e.g., detachable connectors 114 and 116 as described in
connection with FIG. 1) according to embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of a detachable connector 164 similar
to that described with reference to FIG. 1. A distal end 166 of a
tether 168 may include a plug 170 configured to be inserted within
a recess (e.g., a bore, hole, receptacle, etc.) in a housing 172 of
a wireless earbud 174. The plug 170 may include resilient flanges
176 configured to form an interference fit against walls of the
recess to retain the plug 170 within the recess, thereby retaining
the wireless earbud 174 on the tether 168, as shown in FIG. 7B.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show another embodiment of a detachable connector
178. In this embodiment, a distal end 180 of a tether 182 includes
a loop 184 of resilient material such as a flexible polymer. A
housing 186 of a wireless earbud 188 includes a peripheral groove
190. The loop 184 may fit at least partially within the peripheral
groove 190 to retain the wireless earbud 188 on the tether 182, as
shown in FIG. 8B.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show another embodiment of a detachable connector
192. The detachable connector 192 includes a magnetic interface 194
positioned at a distal end 196 of a tether 198. A complementary
magnetic interface 200 is disposed on a housing 202 of a wireless
earbud 204. One or both of the magnetic interface 194 and the
complementary magnetic interface 200 may include one or more
permanent physical magnets such as ceramic magnets, rare earth
magnets, etc. In some embodiments, one of the magnetic interface
194 and the complementary magnetic interface 200 may include
magnetic material while the other of the magnetic interface 194 and
the complementary magnetic interface 200 may include ferromagnetic
material. Magnetic attraction between the magnetic interface 194
and the complementary magnetic interface 200 may retain the distal
end 196 of the tether 198 to the housing 202 of the wireless earbud
204, as shown in FIG. 9B.
FIGS. 10A and 10B show yet another embodiment of a detachable
connector 206. In this embodiment, the detachable connector 206
includes a pin 208 extending from a connection interface 210 on a
distal end 212 of a tether 214. A wireless earbud housing 216 may
include a recess 218 into which the pin 208 may be inserted. An
interference fit between the pin 208 and the recess 218 may retain
the tether 214 to the wireless earbud housing 216, as shown in FIG.
10B. Referring again to FIG. 10A, one or more electrically
conductive contacts 219 may be disposed on the wireless earbud
housing 216, and corresponding electrically conductive contacts
(not shown) may be disposed on the connection interface 210. When
the pin 208 is fully inserted within the recess 218, the
electrically conductive contacts 219 may be brought into contact
with the corresponding electrically conductive contacts of the
connection interface 210, thereby connecting electrical circuitry
within the wireless earbud housing 216 with electrical conductors
in the tether 214. The electrically conductive contacts 219 and the
corresponding electrically conductive contacts on the connection
interface 210 may enable transfer of electrical signals between,
e.g., the electronic control unit 154 (FIG. 5) and wireless earbuds
160 and 162 (FIG. 5) as described above.
While three (3) conductive contacts 219 are shown above in FIG.
10A, more than three, or less than three, conductive contacts 219
may be employed, depending on the configuration of the wireless
earbuds and the functionality of the tether 214 and the electronic
control unit 154 and the required number of discrete electrical
pathways therebetween. Furthermore, conductive contacts similar to
conductive contacts 219 may be used in connection with any of the
detachable connectors (e.g., detachable connectors 164, 178, 192,
206) shown and described above. In other words, inclusion of
conductive contacts is not limited to the specific embodiment of
the detachable connector shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless earbud system
220 in accordance with the present disclosure. The wireless earbud
system 220 includes an electronic control unit 222 with a housing
224 configured to accept wireless earbuds 226 and 228 for storage
and/or charging. In other words, the housing 224 of the electronic
control unit 222 may include a recessed area with a profile at
least partially matching the shape of the wireless earbuds 226 and
228 such that the wireless earbuds can be positioned at least
partially within the housing 224. Electrical contacts (not shown)
may be disposed within the housing 224 and positioned to make
contact with electrical contacts (e.g., conductive contacts 219
described in connection with FIG. 10A) on one or both of the
wireless earbuds 226 and 228 to charge batteries (e.g., battery 122
discussed above in connection with FIG. 2) within the wireless
earbuds 226 and 228 using power from a battery within the
electronic control unit 222 (e.g., battery 156 as discussed above
in connection with FIG. 5) or a charging cable attached to the
electronic control unit 222 and plugged into a charging port 149
(FIG. 4). For example, when the electronic control unit 222 is not
attached to a charging cable, the batteries 122 within the earbuds
may be charged by the battery 156 within the electronic control
unit 222. When the electronic control unit 222 is attached to a
charging cable, the batteries 122 and the battery 156 may charge
simultaneously.
In some embodiments, the wireless earbuds 226 and 228 may attach to
one another at an interface 230. For example, interface 230 may be
a magnetic connection interface, e.g., similar to that described
above in connection with FIGS. 9A and 9B. In other embodiments, the
interface 230 may include mechanical connectors, such as tabs or
pins and complementary slots or receptacles, etc.
The wireless earbuds 226 and 228 may each include a power switch
232 disposed on or adjacent to the interface 230. The power switch
232 may be configured to automatically power off each wireless
earbuds 226, 228 when the wireless earbuds 226, 228 are connected
at the interface 230, and to automatically power on the wireless
earbuds when the wireless earbuds are detached from one another at
the interface 230. The power switches 232 may prevent excessive
power consumption when the earbuds are not in use and thus improve
(e.g., maximize) battery life. The power switches 232 may be
mechanical (e.g., plunger) switches or switches without moving
parts, such as magnetic switches (e.g., hall effect switches) that
change conductivity based on the presence of a magnetic field
(e.g., a magnetic field associated with magnets of a magnetic
connection interface between the wireless earbuds 226 and 228).
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another embodiment of an electrical
control unit 234 according to the present disclosure. The
electrical control unit 234 may include playback controls 236 (FIG.
12B), such as play, stop, next track, and previous track buttons.
The electrical control unit 234 may also include a clip, e.g., a
spring-loaded clip 238 (FIG. 12A) configured to attach to a user's
clothing, e.g., collar, placket, lapel, etc., for convenience. The
electrical control unit 234 may include a tether 240 similar to,
e.g., the tether 152 described above with reference to FIG. 5. The
electrical control unit 234 may include functionality similar to
the electronic control unit 154 described with reference to FIG.
5.
In some embodiments, the wireless earbud system 100 (FIG. 1), 138
(FIG. 4), 150 (FIG. 5, 6), or 220 (FIG. 11) may include software
executable by the media device 134 (FIG. 3). For example, such
software may include a graphical user interface (GUI) for display
on a display screen of the media device 134. The GUI may include
information related to the battery charge in each earbud, the
battery charge in the electronic control unit 154 (FIG. 5), 234
(FIGS. 12A and 12B), playback mode (e.g., master-slave
configuration or direct transmission to both earbuds as discussed
in connection with FIG. 3), and other operational parameters of the
earbud system.
Additional non-limiting example embodiments of the disclosure are
set forth below.
Embodiment 1
A wireless earbud system, comprising: a first earbud assembly and a
second earbud assembly, each of the first earbud assembly and the
second earbud assembly comprising: a housing; an audio driver
disposed within the housing; and a wireless receiving unit
operatively coupled to the audio driver, the wireless receiving
unit configured to receive a wireless data signal and drive the
audio driver based on audio data transmitted in the wireless data
signal; and a tether with a first end and a second end, wherein the
first end of the tether is configured to removably couple to the
first earbud assembly by a first detachable connector, and wherein
the second end of the tether is configured to removably couple to
the second earbud assembly by a second detachable connector.
Embodiment 2
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 1, wherein each of the
first detachable connector and the second detachable connector
comprise electrical contacts operatively coupling a control unit in
the tether with the first earbud assembly and the second earbud
assembly.
Embodiment 3
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 2, wherein the first
earbud assembly comprises a first earbud battery and the second
earbud assembly comprises a second earbud battery, wherein the
control unit comprises a control unit battery, and wherein one or
both of the first earbud battery and the audio driver in the first
earbud assembly, and one or both of the second earbud battery and
the audio driver in the second earbud assembly, are configured to
draw electrical power from the control unit battery when the first
end of the tether is coupled to the first earbud assembly and the
second end of the tether is coupled to the second earbud
assembly.
Embodiment 4
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3, wherein
the control unit in the tether comprises a wireless receiver
configured to receive a wireless data signal from a media device
and transmit an audio signal through the tether directly to the
audio drivers of the first and second earbud assemblies through
electrical conductors when the first and second ends of the tether
are respectively coupled with the first and second earbud
assemblies.
Embodiment 5
The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 4,
wherein the first detachable connector and the second detachable
connector each comprise a peripheral groove in a portion of the
first and second respective earbud housings and first and second
resilient loops at the first and second respective ends of the
tether, and wherein the first and second resilient loops are
configured to fit at least partially within a respective one of the
peripheral grooves to retain the first and second ends of the
tether to the first and second respective earbud housings.
Embodiment 6
The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 4,
wherein the first detachable connector and the second detachable
connector each comprise a magnetic interface on each of the first
and second ends of the tether and a complementary magnetic
interface on each of the first and second earbud housings.
Embodiment 7
The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 4,
wherein the first detachable connector and the second detachable
connector each comprise a plug on each of the first and second ends
of the tether configured for insertion within a respective
complimentary recess disposed in each of the first and second
earbud housings.
Embodiment 8
The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 7,
wherein the wireless receiving unit in the first earbud assembly
and the wireless receiving unit in the second earbud assembly are
each configured to receive a wireless signal from a media device
and to send a wireless signal to the wireless receiving unit in the
other of the first earbud assembly and the second earbud
assembly.
Embodiment 9
The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 8,
wherein at least one of the first earbud assembly and the second
earbud assembly comprise a sensor configured to sense biometric
feedback, and wherein at least one of the wireless receiving unit
in the first earbud assembly and the wireless receiving unit in the
second earbud assembly are configured to transmit a wireless data
signal based on the biometric feedback to a media device.
Embodiment 10
A wireless earbud system, comprising: a first earbud assembly and a
second earbud assembly, each of the first earbud assembly and the
second earbud assembly comprising: an audio driver; a wireless
receiving unit operatively coupled to the audio driver, the
wireless receiving unit configured to receive a wireless data
signal; and an earbud battery configured to supply power to one or
both of the audio driver and the wireless receiving unit; and a
tether comprising: a first end with a first detachable connector
configured to mechanically and electrically couple the first end of
the tether to the first earbud assembly, a second end with a second
detachable connector configured to mechanically and electrically
couple the second end of the tether to the second earbud assembly;
and an electronic control unit disposed intermediate the first end
of the tether and the second end of the tether, the electronic
control unit comprising: a wireless unit configured to receive a
wireless data signal from a media device and to transmit an audio
signal based on the wireless data signal through electrical
conductors in the tether to the first and second earbud assemblies
when the first and second earbud assemblies are coupled to the
first and second ends of the tether, respectively; and an
electronic control unit battery configured to supply power to the
wireless unit.
Embodiment 11
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 10, wherein the electronic
control unit battery is configured to charge the first earbud
battery when the first end of the tether is coupled to the first
earbud assembly and to charge the second earbud battery when the
second end of the tether is coupled to the second earbud
assembly.
Embodiment 12
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 10 or Embodiment 11,
wherein the electronic control unit battery is configured to supply
power to operate at least one of the first earbud audio driver and
the first earbud wireless receiving unit when the first end of the
tether is coupled to the first earbud assembly, and to supply power
to operate at least one of the second earbud audio driver and the
second wireless receiving unit when the second end of the tether is
coupled to the second earbud assembly.
Embodiment 13
The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 10 through 12,
wherein the electronic control unit comprises one or more playback
controls, and wherein the wireless unit is configured to transmit
playback instructions from the playback controls to a media
device.
Embodiment 14
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 13, wherein the one or
more playback controls comprise one or more buttons corresponding
to one or more of playback instructions to play, stop, and proceed
to a different audio track.
Embodiment 15
The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 10 through 14,
wherein the electronic control unit comprises a housing configured
to store the first earbud assembly and the second earbud
assembly.
Embodiment 16
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 15, wherein the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly are configured to
couple to one another for storage in the electronic control unit
housing.
Embodiment 17
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 16, wherein the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly each comprise a
complementary magnetic coupler, each complementary magnetic coupler
configured to interact to couple the first earbud assembly to the
second earbud assembly.
Embodiment 18
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 16 or Embodiment 17,
wherein the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly
each include electronic switches configured to power off the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly when the first
earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly are coupled to one
another.
Embodiment 19
The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 18, wherein the electronic
switches are configured to automatically power on the first earbud
assembly and the second earbud assembly when the first earbud
assembly is decoupled from the second earbud assembly.
Embodiment 20
A method of forming a wireless earbud system, the method
comprising: forming an electronic control unit comprising a
wireless unit, a battery, and a tether; forming first and second
wireless earbud assemblies; configuring first and second ends of
the tether to removably couple to the first and second wireless
earbud assemblies; configuring one or both of the first and second
wireless earbud assemblies to receive a wireless signal from a
media device and to drive audio drivers in the first and second
wireless earbud assemblies with an audio signal based on data
received from the media device when the first and second ends of
the tether are decoupled from the first and second wireless earbud
assemblies; and configuring the wireless unit of the electronic
control unit to receive a wireless signal from the media device and
to drive the audio drivers in the first and second wireless earbud
assemblies through electrical conductors disposed within the tether
with an audio signal based on data received wirelessly from the
media device when the first and second ends of the tether are
respectively coupled to the first and second earbud assemblies.
While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in
connection with the figures, those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize and appreciate that embodiments encompassed by the
disclosure are not limited to those embodiments explicitly shown
and described herein. Rather, many additions, deletions, and
modifications to the embodiments described herein may be made
without departing from the scope of embodiments encompassed by the
disclosure, such as those thereinafter claimed, including legal
equivalents. In addition, features from one disclosed embodiment
may be combined with features of another disclosed embodiment while
still being encompassed within the scope of embodiments encompassed
by the disclosure as contemplated by the inventors.
* * * * *