Body Supported (e.g., Headgear) Patents (Class 379/430)
  • Patent number: 10547928
    Abstract: A wireless earphone includes a pair of wireless earphone bodies, each having an upper case and a ferromagnetic lower case detachably connected with each other. The upper case is provided with a first circuit board and a magnet. The first circuit board is electrically connected with a wireless module and a speaker. The ferromagnetic lower case is provided with a second circuit board and a rechargeable battery. One end of the upper case is provided with a first pogo pin electrically connected with the first circuit board. The ferromagnetic lower case is provided with a second pogo pin opposite to the first pogo pin and electrically connected to the second circuit board. The first pogo pin can couple with the second pogo pin so that the ferromagnetic lower case can magnetically couple with the upper case and provide electricity to the first circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Shenzhen Weiking Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fuguang Luo
  • Patent number: 10547931
    Abstract: A headset is described which includes a speaker capsule and a headband connected to the speaker capsule with a first sensor on the headset for sensing an angle of rotation of the speaker capsule relative to the headband, and a second sensor on the headset for sensing a Don/Doff event. The angle of rotation sensor can indicate whether the speaker capsule on the headband is in a wearable position or in a non-wearable position. Logic controls an operation of the headset in response, such as changing power management modes, signaling host devices, and enabling/disabling the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Villasenor, Jose Abel Hernandez Rueda
  • Patent number: 10542343
    Abstract: A portable sound equipment having a neckband wire unit which forms a gentle curve; a main body which is provided in each end of the neckband wire unit; a frame wire which forms a shape of the gentle curve; a sheath tube which defines an exterior appearance of the neckband wire unit cover the frame wire by covering the frame wire and exposes an end area of the frame wire; a fixing tube which covers a predetermined exposed area of the frame wire and an end area of the sheath tube; and a clamp which is configured to tighten an outer circumferential surface of the overlapped area between the sheath tube and the fixing tube is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngil Kim, Siyoung Park, Inkwi Jang, Ehwan Cho
  • Patent number: 10531174
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to compositions having an elastomer and phase change materials, materials having an ability to provide one or more sensations upon contact with a person's skin, or a combination thereof. The compositions are suitable for use in earpieces such as in-ear earpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn J. Prevoir, Agota F. Fehervari, Christopher B. Ickler, Han Zhang, Andrew D. Dominijanni
  • Patent number: 10516933
    Abstract: A headset for voice communication is provided comprising an earphone unit having a speaker, a microphone boom comprising one or more microphones wherein the microphone boom is rotatably interconnected with the earphone unit to allow for 360 degrees rotation. The microphone signals are transmitted from the microphone boom to the earphone unit via an optical transceiving unit having a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the microphone boom comprises the transmitter and the earphone unit comprises the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: GM Audio A/S
    Inventors: Leo Larsen, Rene Elbæk Jensen, Bent Dahlin Petterson
  • Patent number: 10491976
    Abstract: An electronic control apparatus includes: a circuit board; a holder provided to an upper side of the circuit board; a loudspeaker mounted on the holder; a cushioning member that i) is elastic and ii) is mounted on an upper side of the loudspeaker; and a case that i) is in contact with the cushioning member and ii) houses the circuit board, the holder and the loudspeaker. Thus, the electronic control apparatus including the loudspeaker outputs sound at a high volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventors: Yohei Terada, Kohta Minematsu, Yuya Sakai, Ryosuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10484772
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide an intentional leak from a rear volume of an ear cup to the atmosphere. The leak is created via a vent in the driver plate acoustic assembly. The vent reduces an acoustic load the ear cup cover creates on a rear cavity of an electroacoustic transducer contained within the driver plate acoustic assembly of a headset. Additionally, the vent is hidden on an assembled ear cup of a headset. Due to the placement of the vent, ear cup cover may have a smooth, seamless surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Johnpaul P. Barrieau, Richard L. Pyatt, Jonathan D. Turner, Daniel P. Baker
  • Patent number: 10484783
    Abstract: This application relates to earbuds configured with one or more biometric sensors. At least one of the biometric sensors is configured to be pressed up against a portion of the tragus for making biometric measurements. In some embodiments, the housing of the earbud can be symmetric so that the earbud can be worn interchangeably in either a left or a right ear of a user. In such an embodiment, the earbud can include a sensor and circuitry configured to determine and alter operation of the earbud in accordance to which ear the earbud is determined to be sitting in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Qian, Edward Siahaan, Erik L. Wang, Christopher J. Stringer, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Daniel Max Strongwater, Jason J. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 10478123
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring a vital parameter in the auditory canal comprising a sensor element (1) and a positioning element (3), both connected to a sensor element attachment (2). The positioning element (3) has a shape that reproduces the inside of the ear and positions the sensor element (1) and sensor element attachment (2) at least partially in the auditory canal (8) in a stable manner. The position of the sensor element (1) in the auditory canal (8) is determined by the depth of penetration of the sensor element attachment (2) in the auditory canal (8). The sensor element (1), the sensor element attachment (2), and the positioning element (3) are arranged at least partially in a housing (4) adapted to the anatomy of the person's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cosinuss GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Kreuzer
  • Patent number: 10477297
    Abstract: A circumaural earphone including a headband, an adjustment mechanism, a rod, and an earphone module assembled to the rod is provided. The adjustment mechanism disposed at an end of the headband includes a housing and a pivoting ring assembled in the housing to be rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rod is disposed rotatably through the pivoting ring and the housing along the axis, wherein the rod and the pivoting ring are adapted to each other structurally for the rod to drive the pivoting ring to rotate about the axis synchronously. The earphone module is disposed on the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ampacs Corporation
    Inventor: Sheng-Ping Tsai
  • Patent number: 10455318
    Abstract: A hearing protection earmuff may be configured to dampen vibrations at an interface. Generally, the hearing protection earmuff may comprise two ear cups, a headband attached to and connecting the ear cups, one or more sensors, a processor, an electroacoustic shock absorber, and an electromagnetic controller. Typically, the electromagnetic controller may be associated with an electroacoustic shock absorber and may be configured to control the dampening of the electroacoustic shock absorber. The dampening of the electroacoustic shock absorber may occur as a smart fluid changes viscosity in response to a signal received from the electromagnetic controller. In some embodiments, the clamping force between the headband and the ear cup may be varied by the electroacoustic shock absorber to minimize the vibrational impact on the user's ears. In some embodiments, the electroacoustic shock absorber may control the compressibility of the seal cushion located on each ear cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John Jenkins, Neal Muggleton, Viggo Henriksen, May Wilson
  • Patent number: 10454579
    Abstract: An active optical cable (AOC) for a helmet mounted display (HMD) includes a transceiver module having a rigid-flex or flex connector packaging to physically couple with an electrical data interface of the HMD. The transceiver module includes one or more media converters to receive electrical data of multiple formats from the helmet mounted display and convert the received electrical data to a common format, and an optical engine communicatively coupled to the one or more media converters to output the converted electrical data as optical data. The AOC includes a cable assembly including at least fiber optic cables with one end of the cable assembly communicatively couple to the transceiver module to receive the optical data output from optical engine; and another transceiver module having a quick-release connector packaging and communicatively coupled to other end of the cable assembly to receive the optical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: ZEPHYR PHOTONICS INC.
    Inventor: Duane Louderback
  • Patent number: 10401651
    Abstract: The invention is based on a protection device, in particular a glare-protection device, with at least one optical glare-protection filter comprising a nose cut-out, with at least one sensor unit, which is provided to capture a work state and to control, depending on this, a permeability of the glare-protection filter, with at least one shield unit, in which the at least one glare-protection filter is fixedly accommodated, and with at least one head-fastening unit for a fastening to a user's head. It is proposed that the protection device comprises at least one adjusting unit, by which a position of the at least one shield unit is implemented in such a way that it is movable with respect to the at least one head-fastening unit in a defined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Optrel Holding AG
    Inventors: Ramon Hofer-Kraner, Jonathan Heusser, Daniel Blöchlinger
  • Patent number: 10397680
    Abstract: A communications headset in which a microphone at the end of a support boom can be adjustably secured in a position selected by the wearer and can accommodate a variety of wearers. The headset may include a boom arm clip configured to receive a boom arm retaining a microphone. The boom arm clip can include an opening, and the opening may include a pair of grooves, the pair of grooves together can define a channel sized to fit and retain the boom arm therein. The headset may also include an adjusting knob, which can secure the boom arm clip in order to adjustably fix the boom arm in a number of positions on the headset to accommodate for different sized users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alwicker, Daniel Pratt, Charles Wiseman
  • Patent number: 10339024
    Abstract: A system for passive device identification includes a passive device communicatively coupled to a processing device. The processing device includes a passive device identifier configured to a current supplied to the passive electronic device at discrete intervals and to sample a voltage of the passive electronic device at each one of the discrete intervals to generate a dataset of current-voltage pairs. The passive define identifier is further configured to identify the passive electronic device based on the generated dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Gus H. White, Yuqun Cao
  • Patent number: 10341753
    Abstract: An earring-type microphone to be hung on and used in the ear includes fixing members to be fixed to both ears of a user and a cable formed from an elastic member, of which both ends are respectively positioned at two fixing members, such that one side of the cable comes into close contact with the neck of the user. Speakers are respectively coupled to ends of the cable. A microphone part is provided at one side of the cable for inputting a voice. If force is applied to the microphone part when the user inputs the voice, the cable is stretched such that the microphone part moves from the neck of the user toward the area around the mouth. If the force applied to the microphone part is removed, the microphone part comes into close contact with the area around the mouth by the elastic force of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Seung Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 10321218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ear device for fixing an earphone, comprising: a fixing body which is formed in the shape of a C-shaped ring so as to be worn on and fixed to an auricle while surrounding the rear part of the auricle; an earphone module, positioned in a groove in the front part of the auricle, for transferring sound to an ear hole; and a support connector which extends in the shape of a ring that traverses a user's auricle from one portion of the fixing body to the earphone module, the support connector being formed of an elastic body or flexible metal so as to, according to deformation of the support connector, enable the fixing body and the earphone module to be separated from each other or to approach each other so that the fixing body and the earphone module are engaged with and fixed to each other on the auricle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Seung Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 10321220
    Abstract: An earcushion with acoustic tube, comprising an earcushion body; the earcushion body is provided with a front acoustic cavity of speaker, the front acoustic cavity of speaker is provided with an acoustic tube, one end of the acoustic tube is arranged in the front acoustic cavity of speaker; the other end is connected with a resonant cavity, the volume of the resonant cavity is much greater than that of the acoustic tube, the resonant cavity is communicated with the outside atmosphere, the linear amplitude of the speaker vibration system may be increased and the system power may be improved, it can also improve the loop feedback environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Shengyuan Science and Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Meng Huang
  • Patent number: 10306352
    Abstract: A microphone 10 that comprises a transducer 12 and a closed cell foam body 18, 20 positioned between the transducer 12 and an opening 25 fashioned for receiving ambient sound. The microphone 10 is protected from external factors without exhibiting substantial sound transmission loss while using few parts. Good voice transmission, wind buffeting mitigation, and environmental protection can be achieved with a single material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Per Ove Almeflo
  • Patent number: 10255897
    Abstract: A headset arrangement for virtual reality, augmented reality or mixed reality applications is configured to induce natural directional pinna cues. The arrangement comprises a support structure configured to be arranged on a user's head and to hold a display in front of the user's eyes. For each ear, the support structure comprises at least a first sound source and a second sound source, wherein, when the support structure is arranged on a user's head, the first sound source and the second sound source are arranged such that at the concha of the user a primary sound incidence direction of sound emitted by the first sound source is essentially opposing to a primary sound incidence direction of sound emitted by the second sound source. The primary sound incidence direction is the direction from which the sound emitted by a sound source reaches the concha for the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Genaro Woelfl
  • Patent number: 10257604
    Abstract: A headset having first and second audio listening devices, each device having an inner side and an outer side and an ear support for holding the audio listening device in the ear of a user, wherein each ear support is attached to opposite ends of a resilient cord adapted to extend behind the head of a user. Each ear support comprises an elongated support portion extending along a first longitudinal axis and further adapted to rest on an upper part of a user's ear, and an elongated leg which is interconnected with the elongated support portion by a first bend such that the elongated leg forms an acute angle with the elongated support portion, whereby the ear support is attached to the outer side of the audio listening device such that the elongated leg is inclined in direction of the inner side of the audio listening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Zound Industries International AB
    Inventor: Martin Birath
  • Patent number: 10187717
    Abstract: A terminal device, including a band and a headset, where the band includes a U-shaped band main body, and a first band end portion and a second band end portion that are separately located at two ends of the band main body; the headset includes a headset main body, and the headset main body includes a first headset end portion and a second headset end portion; the first band end portion is fixedly connected to the first headset end portion by using a rotation structure; when the headset is used, the second headset end portion rotates by using the rotation structure as a sphere center; when the headset is used, the band is used as an ear hook; and when the headset is not used, the headset and the band together form a closed ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Menglong Zhao, Bin Zhang, Guangsheng Liu
  • Patent number: 10158937
    Abstract: A speaker module comprising a module housing is disclosed. A speaker unit is accommodated within the module housing. A sound hole of the module is located at a side of the speaker unit. The speaker unit divides a cavity of the entire module into two cavities, namely a front acoustic cavity and a rear acoustic cavity. The front acoustic cavity is in communication with the sound hole. A sound-absorbing cotton is provided in the front acoustic cavity. The sound-absorbing cotton is fixed on the module housing, and is arranged to avoid a vibration space of a diaphragm of the speaker unit. The present invention effectively improves the performance of a sensitivity curve of the module at high frequencies without modifying the structure of the front acoustic cavity, thus not only increasing the acoustic performance of the module, but also simplifying the structure of the front acoustic cavity of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Shuai Shao, Chao Xu, Lianwen Shan
  • Patent number: 10149040
    Abstract: An audio listening arrangement comprising an audio listening device adapted to be placed in an ear of a user each, wherein the audio listening device comprises an inner side and an outer side, and an ear support for holding the audio listening device in the ear of a user, wherein the ear support comprises an elongated support portion extending along a first longitudinal axis and further adapted to rest on an upper part of an ear of a user, and an elongated leg which is interconnected with the elongated support portion by means of a first bend such that the elongated leg forms an acute angle with the elongated support portion, whereby the ear support is attached to the outer side of the audio listening device such that the elongated leg is inclined in direction of the inner side of the audio listening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Zound Industries International AB
    Inventor: Martin Birath
  • Patent number: 10142720
    Abstract: An earphone includes a housing enclosing an acoustic transducer and having a front volume. The housing includes a nozzle that extends the front volume to at least an entrance of a wearer's ear canal, and a groove in an outer surface of the housing, extending at least along a length of the nozzle. A flexible ear tip is configured to attach to the housing. When the flexible ear tip attaches to the housing, the groove and a portion of an inner surface of the ear tip together form a port that acoustically couples the front volume with an environment external to the earphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Eric M. Wallace, Daniel K. Lee
  • Patent number: 10136409
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a transceiver configured to receive, from at least one wearable device, information indicating whether the at least one wearable device is being worn; and a processor configured to determine whether the at least one wearable device that is being worn, based on the received information indicating whether the at least one wearable device is being worn, and to provide a notification to the at least one wearable device in response to determining that the at least one wearable device is being worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-hyun Ryu, Han-joo Chae
  • Patent number: 10080074
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drip control device for a boom microphone for installation around the boom at a distance from the microphone. To improve the dripping off beads of perspiration, the drip control device as measured in the direction of the boom, has a length (L) and as measured in the direction perpendicular to the boom, a length (D) and that with respect to ratio of these dimensions, such a ratio L/D is greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: AKG Acoustics GmbH
    Inventor: Gino Pavlovic
  • Patent number: 10075785
    Abstract: A headset comprising a head band assembly including a left-side head band curved to extend from a crown end toward a temple end at a left temple region of a wearer's head; a right-side head band curved to extend from the crown end toward a temple end at a right temple region of the wearer's head; an elbow including a first end coupled to the temple end of the left-side head band or the temple end of the right-side head band, a second end opposite the first end, and a bend between the first end and the second end; an ear bud stem pivotally coupled to the second end of the elbow; and an ear bud coupled to the ear bud stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Slocum, Monika Wolf
  • Patent number: 10064444
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective helmet which is provided with communication equipment, the helmet comprises one or more microphones that are embedded next to cheeks of the wearer in one or more layers of material that are located between a helmet shell and said wearer's cheeks, wherein each of said one or more microphones is connected directly or indirectly to said communication equipment by means of a connection element, each of said connection elements being also embedded respectively within slots that are made within one or more of said layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Cardio Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Glezerman, Abraham Avi Moato
  • Patent number: 10063684
    Abstract: A wearable device comprising: a band unit; and a vibration generating unit coupled to the band unit. The band unit comprises a communication unit receiving a first signal by a predetermined communication method and a control unit determining an amplification extent of the first signal received from the communication unit and generating a second signal based on the determined amplification extent, and the vibration generating unit receives the second signal from the control unit and generates a vibration corresponding to the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Innomdle Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Chul Choi, Tae Hyun Yoon, Byeong Yong Jeon
  • Patent number: 10063958
    Abstract: Devices for attaching earpiece to a user's ear are described herein. In one embodiment, an earpiece that is removably attachable to an ear of a user can include a housing that has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A transducer may be positioned, for example, at the proximal portion of the housing, and a retention member can be elastically coupled to the distal portion of the housing. The retention member and the housing can be configured to compress a portion of the user's ear therebetween in a manner that positions the proximal end portion of the housing in a vestibule of the ear adjacent an entrance to the auditory canal of the user's ear when the earpiece is attached to the user's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Lorenz Henric Jentz, Philip Bryan, Monika Romana Wolf, Kenneth Dennis Jasinski, Kory Gunnerson, Emron J. Henry, Karl William Vanderbeek, Richard James Wattles
  • Patent number: 10057677
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes a driver, a diaphragm 13 driven to vibrate by the driver and emitting sound, a baffle 22 holding the driver and the diaphragm 13, first openings 25 extending through the baffle 22, an acoustic resistor 23 disposed on the back side of the baffle 22, and second openings 26 extending from the front side to the back side of the acoustic resistor 23. The baffle 22 is provided on the back side of the diaphragm 13. The first openings 25 are provided in the baffle 22. The second openings 26 are each disposed above one of the first openings 25 in the acoustic resistor 23. The electroacoustic transducer exhibits an excellent frequency response even if a sufficient volume of a space is not provided on the back side of the diaphragm 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventors: Yoji Honda, Kenzo Tsuihiji, Koichiro Tanoue, Kenji Arai
  • Patent number: 10028048
    Abstract: A headphone includes a baffle plate, a driver unit attached to the baffle plate, a housing forming a back cavity at a front side of the baffle plate and the driver unit, and an ear pad attached to a peripheral edge portion of the baffle plate at a front side and forming the front cavity at the front side of the baffle plate, and the baffle plate includes at least one through hole that allows the back cavity and the front cavity to acoustically communicate with each other. The sound wave emitted from the driver unit to the back cavity passes through the through hole and cancels a low-frequency range sound wave of a sound wave emitted from the driver unit to the front cavity, so that sound quality in a low-frequency range is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: AUDIO-TECHNICA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromichi Ozawa
  • Patent number: 10021800
    Abstract: An electronic device having openings covered by a vent assembly is disclosed. The vent assembly may include multiple adhesive layers surrounding an air-permeable, liquid resistant membrane that allow air to flow into and/or out of the electronic device, while also preventing liquid ingress into the electronic device. The membrane may be supported by several structural elements. For example, the vent assembly includes an adhesive layer secured with the membrane, with the adhesive layer including a web region having multiple ribs that engage the membrane. Also, the vent assembly includes a mesh material that includes a porous region that receives a portion of the adhesive layer. Also, an additional vent assembly may cover an additional opening of the electronic device and provide protection for an operational component in the electronic device. The additional vent assembly may allow air into the additional opening for the operational component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yaocheng Zhang, Kevin M. Froese, Scott A. Myers, Benjamin J. Pope, David A. Hurrell, Salome Bavetta, Eric N. Nyland
  • Patent number: 10015598
    Abstract: The invention relates to an audio device for use proximate a user's ears. The audio device includes first and second audio transmitting/receiving devices that are capable of operating in stereo. The audio device may be used within a system for manipulating audio signals received by the device. The manipulation may include processing received audio signals to enhance their quality. The processing may include applying one or more audio enhancement algorithms such as beamforming, active noise reduction, etc. A corresponding method for manipulating audio signals is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Andrea Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Andrea
  • Patent number: 9992591
    Abstract: An apparatus including: a router configured to route a first audio signal to a local loudspeaker apparatus; and a switch configured to route at least one further audio signal, wherein in a first mode of operation the switch is configured to route the at least one further audio signal to at least one remote loudspeaker apparatus dependent on determining the presence of at least one remote loudspeaker apparatus, and in a second mode of operation the switch is configured to route the at least one further audio signal to the local loudspeaker apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Antti Pekka Kelloniemi, Jouni Kaukovuori, Miikka Tikander
  • Patent number: 9986075
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a housing. The mobile device further includes a first earpiece accessible via a first aperture in a first side of the housing. The mobile device further includes a second earpiece accessible via a second aperture in a second side of the housing, where the second aperture is located substantially in the center of the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Andre Gustavo Pucci Schevciw, Daniel Scott Baker
  • Patent number: 9961430
    Abstract: A headset includes a first speaker; a second speaker; a connector connecting the first speaker and the second speaker; and a switch configured to generate different electrical signals according to states in which the first speaker and the second speaker move close to and away from each other, wherein the electrical signals are used to selectively control an output of contents that is being output from the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juhee Chang, Sukgyong Kim, Taeeon Kim, Cheolyong Park, Sunghoon Jeong, Juntai Kim, Sunyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 9942641
    Abstract: An ear mount that is used to support one or more audio components proximate to a user's ear or head is disclosed. The ear mount can include one or more wire grooves to secure wires and/or the one or more audio components. The ear mount can be malleable so its shape can be customized for a given user. The ear mount can also be length alterable for customization of its size as well as placement of audio components. The ear mount also facilitates rapid setup and/or alteration for individual users whereby different audio components and/or their placement can be customized. The ear mount can also be colored or camouflaged to match the user's skin or clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Point Source Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lamb, Yvonne Ho
  • Patent number: 9936793
    Abstract: A lanyard comprises a signal cable, a first fastener, a second fastener and third fastener. The signal cable comprises a first end, a second end, a center portion, a first portion, and a second portion. The first portion is between the center portion and the first end. The second portion is between the center portion and the second end. A first signal connector is at the first end of the signal cable. The second signal connector at the second end of the signal cable. The first fastener is configured to constrain the first portion. The second fastener is configured to constrain the second portion. The third fastener is configured to hold an independent article and connect with the first fastener and the second fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventors: Emma Van Fox Grossman, David G Grossman
  • Patent number: 9936278
    Abstract: Headset assemblies and systems for mobile application control and power savings are provided. Headset assembly includes headband with proximity sensor activation element and receiver assembly configured to be rotated with respect to the headband between a first position and a second position. Receiver assembly has memory, proximity sensor, processor communicatively coupled to memory and proximity sensor, microphone boom having first and second ends, and microphone located adjacent first end and speaker located adjacent second end. Processor comprises PIO port. Proximity sensor activation element is positioned to trigger proximity sensor to activate PIO port when receiver assembly is rotated to the second position and to deactivate PIO port when receiver assembly is rotated to first position. Proximity sensor is configured to transmit at least one signal representing receiver assembly position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale McGary, Richard Sharbaugh, Matthew Nichols, Sean Nickel, Bryan Michael DiPiazza
  • Patent number: 9913038
    Abstract: A multi-channel headphone has a housing, multiple independent sound channels formed in the housing, and at least one speaker unit mounted inside the housing. The at least one speaker unit produces sound directly passing through one of the sound channels and refracted through the rest of sound channels. As the refracted sound is slower than the directly travelling sound, multiple layers of auditory feeling can be provided and a stereo sound effect can be generated for users to enjoy better auditory feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Chien-Chuan Pan
  • Patent number: 9895268
    Abstract: A sound or thermal baffling device comprising an enclosure containing a variable density fluid and a force generating means for preserving and creating the structure and form of the enclosure, the shape and composition of the enclosure crafted to vary the baffling characteristics of the enclosure, and a further embodiment showing how a cellular material containing a variable density fluid may be created and used, and a still further embodiment showing improvements to ear protectors and head phone sets, including latching means for attaching these and other devices to the ears and head. Various applications involving previous as well as new uses are set out, including a description of how dynamic sound baffling may be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: Horst Burghardt Minkofski
  • Patent number: 9854345
    Abstract: An in-ear headphone comprises an earbud body constructed and arranged for positioning at an ear of a wearer. The earbud body extends along a first axis in a first direction. A nozzle extends from the earbud body for positioning at an ear canal of the ear, and for directing an audio output at the ear canal of the ear. A cable exit interface is at an edge of the earbud body along a second axis that extends in the first direction along a region proximal to an edge of the earbud body, the second axis offset from the first axis. A cable extends from the cable exit interface at the edge of the earbud body. The cable exit interface is constructed and arranged to impart a force on the nozzle in a direction of the ear canal in response to a force imparted on the cable in a direction away from the first axis and tangential to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Drew Stone Briggs
  • Patent number: 9854341
    Abstract: A microphone head device includes a microphone head, a mount and a vibration-absorbing unit. The mount includes amount ring surrounding the microphone head, and a plurality of annularly spaced-apart support rods projecting axially from the mount ring. The vibration-absorbing unit includes a surrounding body sleeved fittingly on the microphone head and having one end inserted between the microphone head and the mount ring, and a plurality of annularly spaced-apart hollow posts connected to the surrounding body and sleeved respectively on the hollow posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Mascot Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Albert Chiang
  • Patent number: 9854352
    Abstract: A speaker device with an acoustic tuning assembly can adjust sound in variety. The acoustic tuning assembly includes a main body and a housing receiving the main body. The main body receives an acoustic unit, and includes a first sound chamber and an upper peripheral wall. The housing defines a plurality of through holes. The upper peripheral wall defines a plurality of match holes. The housing can be rotated relatively to the main body to make the through holes of the housing overlapped partially or completely with the match holes to form a plurality of overlap holes, or make the through holes of the housing non-overlapping with the match holes. Therefore, sound from the acoustic unit can be transmitted through the first sound chamber and selectively through the overlap holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Po-Sen Huang
  • Patent number: 9848258
    Abstract: An audio accessory may include an earphone, a wire extending from the earphone; an input device in communication with an electronic device; and one or more processors. The input device may include an outer housing a button, and a position sensor. The outer housing may have an outer surface and a channel. The button may be disposed within the channel and configured to move within the channel between a first end of the channel and a second end of the channel. A position sensor may be configured to send a signal when the button moves from the first end of the channel to the second end of the channel. The one or more processors may be configured to receive the signal from the position sensor; and terminate an action being performed by the electronic device when the button moves to the second end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Philip Dam Roadley-Battin, Haley Toelle, Cody Sumter, Alok Chandel
  • Patent number: 9838775
    Abstract: This application relates to earbuds configured with one or more biometric sensors. At least one of the biometric sensors is configured to be pressed up against a portion of the tragus for making biometric measurements. In some embodiments, the housing of the earbud can be symmetric so that the earbud can be worn interchangeably in either a left or a right ear of a user. In such an embodiment, the earbud can include a sensor and circuitry configured to determine and alter operation of the earbud in accordance to which ear the earbud is determined to be positioned within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Qian, Edward Siahaan, Scott C. Grinker, Jason J. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 9838780
    Abstract: A single prong, multiple signal conducting plug and plug detection circuitry is provided. The plug may be electrically coupled to a stereo headset including a microphone. The plug may include four signal conducting regions arranged in a predetermined order along the length of the prong. Detection circuitry may be operative to determine whether a microphone type of plug (e.g., a four region plug including a microphone region and two audio regions, or a three region plug including microphone region and only one audio region) or a non-microphone type of plug (e.g., stereo plug) is inserted into the jack of an electronic device (e.g., mobile phone). Detection circuitry may also detect user activated functions performed in response to user activation of one or more switches included with the headset. For example, the headset may include a single switch for performing a function with respect to a microphone (e.g., end-call function).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Johnson, Achim Pantfoerder
  • Patent number: 9832560
    Abstract: Disclosed is a headset for playing audio and charging an external electronic device. The headset includes a first earpiece including a first inner speaker and a first outer speaker, a second earpiece including a second inner speaker and a second outer speaker, a selector operable to select play modes, the play modes including a first play mode and a second play mode, the first play mode being configured to play audio via the inner speakers, the second play mode being configured to play audio via the outer speakers, and a chargeable power bank being configured to provide power through a power output jack. One or more of the speakers may include a chargeable power bank for providing power to an external device and/or a wireless communicator for receiving audio signals. One or more of the speakers may be detachably securable to a headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ajay Bagga, Mehak Kapoor, Parve Bagga