Particular Support Structure Patents (Class 381/374)
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Patent number: 8335334Abstract: A convertible headset includes a headband having first and second ends, a first speaker affixed to the first end of the headband, and a termination member connected to the second end of the headband designed to be removably connectable to the second end of the headband.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.Inventors: Luis M. Luna Rosas, Pedro A. Rivas Huerta
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Patent number: 8331603Abstract: A wireless headset comprises a body portion and a boom pivotably coupled to the body portion. The boom is resiliently biased from a first position towards a second position relative to the first headset portion. The headset includes a sensor for detecting movement of the boom between the second to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Rasmus Martenson, Niko Eiden
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Publication number: 20120308068Abstract: A head multi-directional audio device comprises: a head-wear member, which has two broadcasting devices, one buffer structure and two folding portions, the two broadcasting devices are with two sounding portions at the two external sides thereof, the two broadcasting devices are extended toward the right hand side and left hand side of the head-wear member individually, wherein the folding portion lets the broadcasting device, extended from the head-wear member, be bent inwardly; and two shelters, each has four braces that are to support the shelter on the two sounding portions, at least one sound exit is among the four braces on the each sounding portion, so that the sound from the sounding portion can be broadcasted by the sound exit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventors: Yueh-Hua Hsu Huang, Wen-Chuan Hsu, Chun-Ti Chen
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Patent number: 8325962Abstract: There is provided headphones that include a pair of left and right earcups, an audio signal processing unit contained in the earcups, a headband connecting the left and right earcups respectively through a hanger, and a cord to supply a signal to the audio signal processing unit. In the headphones, a connection portion between the hanger and the headband is configured as an extension and contraction unit having a multistage structure including a small-diameter hollow member able to be taken in and out of a large-diameter hollow member, a part of the cord contained in the extension and contraction unit is spirally wound so as to be extended and contracted, nodes are placed respectively between the headband and the extension and contraction unit and between the hanger and the extension and contraction unit, and the respective nodes have a through-hole allowing penetration of the cord.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Naotaka Tsunoda
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Publication number: 20120294471Abstract: A sound producing structure for headphones comprises an enclosure composed of a box and a perforated cover for sealing the box, the box defining a compartment for accommodating a low-frequency ceramic speaker therein, the low-frequency ceramic speaker being suspended between two opposing interior surfaces of the box respectively via a spring means, two ceramic speakers respectively mounted to a top interior surface and a bottom interior surface of the box respectively via a mounting means, the two ceramic speakers being slantingly mounted and facing toward the perforated cover. The low-frequency ceramic speaker and the two ceramic speakers can work together to deliver sounds of different frequency bands to produce a multi-channel sound effect. In addition, the sound producing structure can be employed to design a thinner headphone for increasing portability.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Inventor: Hsiang-Chih Yu
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Patent number: 8311253Abstract: An earpiece. The earpiece includes an electronics module for wirelessly receiving incoming audio signals from an external source. The earpiece further includes a positioning and retaining structure comprising at least an outer leg and an inner leg, each of the outer leg and inner leg being attached at an attachment end to the body and attached at a joined end to each other. The outer leg lies in a plane. The positioning and retaining structure is substantially stiffer in one direction than in another. In its intended position, one of the two legs contacts the anti-helix at the rear of the concha, the joined end is under the anti-helix; a planar portion of the body contacts the concha; and a portion of the body is under the anti-tragus.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Ryan C. Silvestri, Eric M. Wallace, Kevin P. Annunziato, Ian M. Collier, Michael Monahan
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Patent number: 8306253Abstract: A modular headset and method of use comprises a headset band having a first end and a second end. The headset includes a first node coupled to the first end of the headset band in which the first node has a plurality of first jacks. Each first jack selectively receives a first plug of a peripheral device. The headset includes a second node coupled to the second end of the headset band. The second node has a plurality of second jacks. Each second jack selectively receives a second plug of the peripheral device. The headset includes circuitry coupled to the jacks at the first and second nodes, wherein signals from a peripheral device are received or transmitted to any of the first jacks in the first node and signals from the external electronic device are received or transmitted to any of the second jacks in the second node.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: UME Voice, Inc.Inventors: Paul Devlas, Adithya M. R. Padala, Joe Tate
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Patent number: 8295529Abstract: A gaming headset adapted for precise delivery of chemical substances capable of olfactory stimulation, such as odorants, fragrances, pheromones, etc. The headset includes at least one earpiece containing a speaker, a feature for securing the earpiece to the person's head while positioning the speaker over one of the person's ears when the headset is worn, an armature disposed relative to the earpiece so as to extend toward the person's mouth, a microphone located on the armature so as to be located in front of the person's mouth, and a feature supported by and extending along the armature for delivering at least one chemical substance to the person's nostril's when the headset is worn.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: BCInet, Inc.Inventors: Ryan M. Petersen, Franz Michael Schuette
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Patent number: 8295533Abstract: A lanyard system for retaining a wireless headset has a strap and a slide affixed at a first end of the strap. The slide engages a portion of a length of the strap and forms a loop. The slide is adjustable along the length of the strap to adjust the size of the loop. An elastomeric retainer is affixed at a second end of the strap for selective attachment to a wireless headset for removably securing the wireless headset to the lanyard system.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Inventor: Steven I Schachtman
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Patent number: 8290193Abstract: A headphone having reduced tendency to tangle comprises an input portion for receiving electrical signals from an output device, an output portion for providing audio signals to a user in response to the electrical signals, a plurality of wires coupled to the input portion and the output portion for providing the electrical signals to the output portion, and a restraint mechanism coupled to the plurality of wires and cable of being repositioned along the plurality of wire, wherein the restraint mechanism is for physically receiving insertion of at least a portion of the input portion and for physically restraining movement of the portion of input portion with respect to output portion when the portion of the input portion is physically inserted into the restraint mechanism, wherein a temporary and removable closed loop of wire is formed from the plurality of wires, until a sufficient separation force is applied.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Inventors: Jeffrey Pang, Stephen Y. F. Pang, Caroline Pang, David Pang
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Patent number: 8290194Abstract: A wireless headphone integrated with an adjustment control device includes a headphone, a tuning unit having a base disposed on a side of the headphone containing an ear muff, a rotatable tuning shaft protruded from the base and coupled to a knob, a direction changing unit having a through hole at the middle of the direction changing unit and rotably coupled to the base, such that the tuning shaft is passed through the through hole, a microphone unit movably coupled to the direction changing unit, such that the microphone unit can be rotated, extended, contracted or adjusted by the direction changing unit. Therefore, the wireless headphone integrated with an adjustment control device achieves the effects of simplifying the assembly structure, lowering the manufacturing cost, and beautifying the appearance of the headphone.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Encounters Products Corp.Inventor: Kuan I Kuo
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Publication number: 20120237075Abstract: Audio apparatus comprising a housing and a piezoelectric transducer (12) mounted in the housing (10) so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna whereby the transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear characterised by comprising a coupler (14) coupling the transducer (12) to the housing (10) with the coupler (14) approximating to a simple support for the transducer (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2008Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: New Transducers LimitedInventors: James East, Neil Simon Owen
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Patent number: 8270654Abstract: A customizable audio earpiece includes an ear bud body with an ear bud size of which is adjustable along with some control over its orientation. The ear bud body comprises a ball point with teeth that couples to a mating cavity with teethed groves to movably lock or snap with each other on an ear bud stick. The flexibility of one or more petal shaped fingers provides an adequate level of stiffness for the ear bud when resting therein. The teeth on the ends of these petal shaped fingers releasably couple to teeth on a speaker body. In this way, users have varying size of ears with different size of ear canal cavities and conchal bowls can comfortably use the customizable audio earpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
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Patent number: 8270652Abstract: A television mount incorporating an integrated audio system. The mount attaches the television to a wall or a pedestal. The mount includes an electronics/subwoofer enclosure. This enclosure house an audio amplifier and a low-range speaker. One or more external speakers are attached to a speaker assembly which is connected to the mount—preferably by attaching the supports to the electronics/subwoofer enclosure. The speaker supports is preferably made adjustable so that the degree of extension from the mount may be adjusted by the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Metra Electronics, Corp.Inventors: Douglas G. Caldes, Raymond I. Leake
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Patent number: 8265328Abstract: There is provided an earphone having an ear hook, at one end of which is arranged a first end of a sliding shaft and at the other end of which (at the ear lobe abutment end) the cable is fixed. The housing of the electroacoustic transducer is connected to the second end of the shaft in such a way that the housing of the electroacoustic transducer can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Lars Milde, Markus Kuhr
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Patent number: 8265326Abstract: A hand-held, portable electronic device is provided with a retainer port for removably receiving one or more attachable wireless audiophones for in situ charging of at least one of a first or second attachable wireless audiophone on the hand-held, portable electronic device. In one embodiment of the present invention, a retainer port configured to mate with a first connector of a first attachable wireless audiophone including at least one of a speaker or a microphone at a hand-held, portable electronic device having a device housing with a surface is provided. The retainer port may comprise at least one of a first or a second port socket configured for removably retaining the first attachable wireless audiophone on the hand-held, portable electronic device. The first port socket to communicatively receive the first connector of the first attachable wireless audiophone for in situ charging thereof when the hand-held, portable electronic device is connected to an electrical power source for recharging.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
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Patent number: 8265324Abstract: An improved monaural and stereophonic headset is provided that allows subscribers to safely stow away an unused earpiece. The headset includes a connector that is constructed in a manner such that it is capable of directly interfacing with and retaining an ear plug. In another aspect of the invention, an ear plug is provided that is adapted to be received by the connector in the monaural and stereophonic headset.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Virgin Mobile USA, LLCInventors: Matias Duarte, Harout Mkhitarian, Chan Hans Liu, Mun Gwen Chong
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Patent number: 8265325Abstract: An earphone device for a portable terminal, including a body connected to the terminal; an earphone having a pair of ear speakers, a connection plug, and a cable joining the ear speakers to the connection plug; a fixed member fixedly positioned on the cable; and a coupling member adapted to slide on the cable while surrounding overlapping portions of the cable, which is bent at the fixed member. The cable between the coupling member and the fixed member is used as a strap of the terminal when the ear speakers are mounted on the body. This makes it possible to carry the terminal conveniently and prevents the cable from being tangled.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chan-Yeol Park
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Patent number: 8259984Abstract: A headset including a body configured to be affixed to an ear of a user, and a speaker for reproducing an audio signal, the speaker representing part of the body such that when the body is affixed to the ear, the speaker is positioned proximate the ear canal of the user. The headset further includes at least one sensor for producing an output indicative of whether the body is affixed to the ear. In addition, the headset includes an analyzer, operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, for analyzing whether the body is affixed to the ear based on the output of the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventor: Casper van der Bilt
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Patent number: 8254620Abstract: An earphone assembly includes a casing, at least one secondary cable, at least one earphone, and at least one reel mechanism. The casing includes an assembly chamber. The earphone electrically connects to the casing by the secondary wire. The reel mechanism is received in the assembly chamber, and controls a length of the secondary cable extending from the assembly chamber. A portable electronic device using the earphone assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) LimitedInventors: Jian-Hui Li, Zhi-Xiang Wang
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Patent number: 8254621Abstract: A positioning and retaining structure for an in-ear earpiece. An outer leg and an inner leg are attached to each other at an attachment end and attached to a body of the earpiece at the other end. The outer leg lies in a plane. The positioning and retaining structure have a stiffness that is greater when force is applied to the attachment end in a counterclockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg than when force is applied to the attachment end in a clockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg. The positioning and retaining structure position an earpiece associated with the earpiece in a users ear and retains the earpiece in its position.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Ryan C. Silvestri, Eric M. Wallace, Kevin P. Annunziato, Ian M. Collier, Michael Monahan
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Patent number: 8249286Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to earphones, earphone assemblies, and methods of using the same. Further, these embodiments provide earphones that can releasably interconnect in a compact configuration that also reduces the likelihood that the earphone wires or cords will become entangled. By way of example, in at least one embodiment, an earphone can comprise a housing including a channel defined therein and a wire stem extending from the housing. The channel may be sized and configured to releasably retain a wire stem portion from another earphone. These and other various embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Koss CorporationInventor: Brad Nault
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Patent number: 8249287Abstract: A positioning and retaining structure for an in-ear earpiece. An outer leg and an inner leg are attached to each other at an attachment end and attached to a body of the earpiece at the other end. The outer leg lies in a plane. The positioning and retaining structure have a stiffness that is greater when force is applied to the attachment end in a counterclockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg than when force is applied to the attachment end in a clockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg. The positioning and retaining structure position an earpiece associated with the earpiece in a users ear and retains the earpiece in its position.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Ryan C. Silvestri, Eric M. Wallace, Kevin P. Annunziato, Ian M. Collier, Michael Monahan
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Publication number: 20120201412Abstract: The invention is a garment with an integrated earphone, headset, and wire. The wire allows an audio signal to travel from an electronic device at one end of the wire to the earphone or earphones, and/or a microphone at the other end of the wire. The wire, or wires, is preferably permanently sewn into the seams of the garment. The earphone may be retractable and/or kept in a small pocket near the collar of the garment to limit the movement of the earphone when it is not being actively used. The integrated earphone and microphone are preferably machine washable and dryable along with the garment with which they are integrated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventor: Antonio Del Prete
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Publication number: 20120195455Abstract: With an object to provide easy-to-assemble headphones with a stable waterproof performance, a headphone is formed of a mechanical attaching mechanism mechanically putting a front housing 5 and a rear housing 3 together, a waterproof mesh portion 11 having a first waterproof mesh 9 of a shape larger than a shape of a sound releasing hole 5c of the front housing 5 and disposed on an inner surface side of the front housing 5 so as to cover the sound releasing hole 5c, a first elastic ring 13 allowed to abut on an inner surface of the front housing 5 and a peripheral portion of the first waterproof mesh 9 of the waterproof mesh portion 11, and an inner housing 51 pressed by the rear housing 3 when the front housing 5 and the rear housing 3 are put together and in turn pressing the waterproof mesh portion 11 toward the inner surface of the front housing 5.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2010Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Yusuke Chiba, Takafumi Asukagawa, Masayuki Shibata
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Patent number: 8233656Abstract: A headset with an elongated housing is provided with an in ear speaker that is suspended from the elongated housing so that it may assume a stowed position in which the in ear speaker is substantially in line with the elongated housing and may assume a deployed position in which the in ear speaker is disposed sidewards from said elongated housing. The in ear speaker may be suspended from the elongated housing by an arm, such as a simple arm or a parallel arm mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Derren Knight, Hutch Hutchison
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Patent number: 8233655Abstract: Headphones capable of giving an optimum mounting feeling to the head of everybody by merely being mounted and without special adjustment, and also capable of being mounted for many hours without giving stress to the user. A headphone cabinet is connected to one end of a link arm, a head pad is provided at the other end of the link arm, and a lateral pressure produced by a spring member is distributed to the headphone cabinet and the head pad via the link arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-TechnicaInventor: Mitsuo Miyata
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Patent number: 8213665Abstract: A headphone includes a headband and a left housing and a right housing. The left housing and the right housing are mounted to respective ends of the headband through respective hangers. Each housing accommodates a drive unit. Sliders including hollow cylindrical members are mounted to the respective hangers, and are slidably supported at slidably supporting portions at the respective ends of the headband. A cord, disposed between the left and right housings and used to pass drive electric current to the drive unit in one of the housings, is spirally accommodated in the hollow cylindrical members making up the respective sliders so that the cord is capable of being stretched and compressed.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Keitaro Fujiwara, Naotaka Tsunoda, Yuusuke Oosato
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Patent number: 8213667Abstract: Headphones include a head harness and two ear pieces provided to respective ends of the head harness. Each ear piece is movably coupled to the head harness by a ball and socket arrangement structured to allow spherical articulation of each ear piece with respect to the head harness.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Nixon, Inc.Inventors: Mike Nelson, Eric Crane, Yves Behar, Joshua Morenstein, Pichaya Puttorngul, Serge Beaulieu, Matthew Swinton
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Patent number: 8208672Abstract: A headphone including a housing that includes a speaker unit and that has a generally flat surface that comes into contact with an outward facing surface of an auricle of an ear and a neckband that is connected to the housing. The neckband has a ring form with a partially cut-out section and the inner side of at least one end of the neckband is connected to the housing. The neckband and the generally flat surface of the housing are generally coplanar, and have an elastic force in a direction that causes the neckband and the generally flat surface of the housing to return to the coplanar arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Koji Nageno, Yuusuke Oosato
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Patent number: 8204267Abstract: There is thus provided an earphone having a hoop band (100) for receiving at least one electroacoustic reproduction transducer. The hoop band has at least two hoop band portions (110, 120) which respectively include an angle, wherein at least two of the hoop band portions (110, 120) are rotatably connected together. The hoop band also has at least one adjusting unit (20) for adjusting and fixing the angle, wherein the adjusting unit is coupled to the first and second hoop band portions (110, 120).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Olaf Leske, Olav Nisse
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Patent number: 8199955Abstract: A headphone with a configuration that prevents breaking of components and failure to play sounds properly due to a pressure change within spaces in the headphone, comprising: a baffle board; an ear pad provided at a periphery of the baffle board and surrounding an area around an auricle of a user; an electro-acoustic transducer provided at a central portion of the baffle board and including a diaphragm and a magnetic pole that oscillates the diaphragm, as major components; and a headphone housing forming a rear space on a side opposite to the ear pad of the baffle board and covering the electro-acoustic transducer: and the electro-acoustic transducer is supported by a frame member arranged in an opening of the baffle board and integrally combined with the baffle board, and the frame member includes a valve that eliminates a pressure difference between a space around the auricle and the rear space.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-TechnicaInventor: Hiroshi Akino
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Patent number: 8194909Abstract: There is provided an earphone comprising a hoop (1) with a first and a second pivot point (A0, B0) at least one end of the hoop (1). The earphone has at least one earpiece (3) for receiving at least one electroacoustic transducer. The earpiece (3) has a first and a second pivot point (A, B). The earphone further has a first coupling element (2) for coupling the first pivot point (A0) of the hoop (1) to the first pivot point (A) of the earpiece (3) and a second coupling element (4) for coupling the second pivot point (B0) of the hoop (1) to the second pivot point (B) of the earpiece (3).Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jan Peter Kuhtz, Olav Nisse
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Patent number: 8189843Abstract: A system for securing headphone transducers is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the system comprises a first transducer device having a first mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A first coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the first mechanical housing of the first transducer device. A second transducer device has a second mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A second coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the second mechanical housing of the second transducer device. The first coupling device is coupled to the second coupling device when in close proximity to each other, such that the inner surfaces of the first and second mechanical devices are opposed to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Inventor: Patrick Sean Harper
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Patent number: 8180093Abstract: A headset device that includes an earbud housing, a primary housing, a threaded neck, an earbud screw, and a primary housing screw is provided. The earbud housing can include an earbud through-hole and a first neck engaging surface. The primary housing can include a housing through-hole and a second neck engaging surface. The threaded neck can include first and second neck surfaces that can mate, respectively to the first and second neck engaging surface. The earbud screw can fit through the earbud through-hole and can interlock with the threaded neck to fix the earbud housing to the threaded neck. The primary housing screw can fit through the housing through-hole and can interlock with the threaded neck to fix the primary housing to the threaded neck. The threaded neck can include a through-hole for enabling circuitry disposed in the earbud housing to electrically couple to circuitry disposed in the primary housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: M. Evans Hankey, Emery Sanford
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Patent number: 8180090Abstract: An earpiece speaker system including an earpiece body through which an audio signal is provided, the earpiece body having a speaker mount surface, and a plurality of speaker modules mountable to the body. Each of the speaker modules includes a mount surface for mating with the earpiece body speaker mount surface for securing the speaker module thereto in order to reproduce the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventor: Ernst Hupkes
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Patent number: 8175316Abstract: An ear speaker device includes an electroacoustic transducer including a housing mounted at a predetermined position of listener's head, a speaker unit mounted on one surface in the housing, and positioned away from an entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus for a predetermined distance when the housing is mounted on the listener's head, and a tubular duct extended so as to allow a sound generated by the housing in the inner space thereof to reach the vicinity of the entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus, and a hole for emitting sound of the duct is oriented to the opposite direction with respect to the entrance of the external acoustic meatus; and a mounting part used for mounting the electroacoustic transducer on the listener's head in a manner that the predetermined distance is provided between the speaker unit and the entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Makoto Yamagishi, Hideki Seki, Noriyuki Hiyama, Yukimasa Yamaguchi, Takeshi Hara
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Patent number: 8170261Abstract: A personal audio device including a flexible headband is disclosed. The flexible headband includes a left and right headband portion. The headband has a longitudinal centerline which occupies a substantially single plane. The personal audio device also includes a left earphone, which is secured to a first end of the left headband portion, and a right earphone, which is secured to a first end of the right headband portion. A connector portion connects a second end of the left headband portion with a second end of the right headband portion. The connector portion is linearly adjustable, which enables a distance between the left headband portion and right headband portion to be variable. A change in the distance causes an inversely proportional change in bent compression force applied by a left earphone and applied by the right earphone.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Alexander S. Danielson, Jason Lin, Neil O'Connell
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Patent number: 8160287Abstract: A headset includes an element to be held to the head of a wearer and a headband coupled to the element and configured for engaging a head of a wearer to hold the element thereon. The headband includes a plurality of headband arms coupled to pivot with respect to each other. A torsion spring is positioned between the arms and portions of the torsion spring are coupled to the arms for acting on the arms with a torsion force. An adjustment member is coupled between the torsion spring and a headband arm and is operable for adjusting the torsion force of the torsion spring to adjust the torsion force on the arms.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.Inventors: Gordon Slippy, Doug Keeports
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Patent number: 8155368Abstract: A shoulder/neck supporting electronic appliance includes a wireless head set wherein the head set includes a supporting unit adapted for wearing on a user's collar from behind, a wireless audio device comprising a wireless transceiver supported by the supporting unit for receiving an audio signal, and a power source electrically coupled with the wireless transceiver; and a headphone member provided at the supporting unit in vicinity of the user's ear, such that an overall weight of the wireless head set is adapted for being supported and distributed on the collar of the user to minimize stress on the user's head when the user's wears the wireless head set.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Inventors: George Cheung, Peter Lee, Paul Lau, June Lee
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Patent number: 8155367Abstract: A hand-held, portable electronic device is provided with a retainer port for removably coupling an attachable wireless audiophone thereto. By removably coupling the attachable wireless audiophone, the retainer port may detachably retain the attachable wireless audiophone on the hand-held, portable electronic device. The hand-held, portable electronic device may include a first transceiver adapted to communicate with a second transceiver of the attachable wireless audiophone over a wireless communication link. As one example, a cell phone may removably receive a portion of a wireless headset in a retainer port on the cell phone housing for holding and/or in situ charging the wireless headset, such as Bluetooth wireless headset. Both the cell phone and the wireless headset may include a battery, respectively. A shared or common charger may charge the battery of the cell phone and the battery of the wireless headset in situ.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
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Patent number: 8150090Abstract: The present invention provides a headphone with a more comfortable and stable feeling to the user when being worn by the user. The headphone includes a headphone section that has a sound-sending section of a speaker unit arranged at the front surface side thereof, and has its rear surface side covered by a housing, and an ear pad that covers the sound-sending section of the speaker unit. In the ear pad, a porous elastic body of low repulsion is covered by a pad cover.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Tomohiro Ito
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Patent number: 8144913Abstract: Described is a traveling pillow having embedded headphones for providing a traveler with a comfortable place for resting the neck and head and music to the ears. A universal plug can be located within a pocket of the pillow to permit connection to the headphones and a location for storing an MP3 player, iPod® or cellular phone with music files. Alternatively, a separate plug is provided and accessible from the exterior of the pillow should the traveler desires to use an audio cord and place the music storage device elsewhere, or to connect a Walkman®, Discman®, laptop or DVD player to the pillow headphones. A volume control knob permits the traveler to set an appropriate volume level to provide his or her favorite music in surround sound and total comfort.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Inventor: Robert L. Myles, Jr.
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Patent number: 8144914Abstract: A wireless earphone includes a first answering member and a hanging member. The first answering member includes a base, a microphone and a head phones device. The first answering member is disposed at one end of the hanging member and is configured for being detachably mounted on a portable electronic device. The microphone is disposed at the distal end of the first base. The earphone is disposed at the other end of the first base adjacent to the hanging member. The invention also includes a portable electronic device using the wireless earphone.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) LimitedInventor: Zheng Shi
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Patent number: 8144915Abstract: Headsets are provided with integrated switch assemblies. An integrated switch assembly can include a switch hidden from view by a housing. The switch can be activated when a user applies pressure to the housing. The housing may include a flexible housing cover that, when depressed, may engage the switch contained within the housing. When engaged, the switch may move or snap to a switch activation position within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: M. Evans Hankey, Eric B. Daniels
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Publication number: 20120070027Abstract: A headset (1) comprising at least one earphone (2, 3) with at a first earphone side (39) and earphone attachment means (14) for detachably attaching an ear pad (8) with co-operating ear pad attachment means (16) to the first earphone side (39). The headset (1) further comprises a wearing device (4) for attaching the headset (1) to the head of a user, such that the first earphone side (39) faces the ear. The earphone attachment means comprise magnetic elements (14), such that an ear pad (8) with co-operating magnetic ear pad attachment means (15) can be magnetically attached to the earphone (2, 3). The invention also relates to such an ear pad (8).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2009Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventor: Bettina Ridler
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Publication number: 20120051576Abstract: An ear pad for use with a headphone apparatus. The ear pad comprises a pad portion comprising an outer circumference and an inner circumference defining an opening. The pad portion comprises an upper width between the outer and inner circumferences along a vertical mid-line of the pad portion, a lower width between the outer and inner circumferences along the vertical mid-line of the pad portion, a left side width between the outer and inner circumferences along a horizontal mid-line of the pad portion, and a right side width between the outer and inner circumferences along the horizontal mid-line of the pad portion. The lower width of the pad portion is greater than at least one of the left and right side widths of the pad portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Shunsuke Shiomi, Hiroaki Ishiguro, Nobuyuki Ishizaki
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Patent number: 8121334Abstract: A Bluetooth earphone having a semi-automatic receiving function includes a housing, an earphone, a first flexible portion, a button, and a fastening mechanism. The housing has a receiving slot. The earphone is pivoted with the housing and received in the receiving slot that can be rotated to the outside of the housing. The first flexible portion located between the housing and the earphone provides a force to eject the earphone. The button is located on the housing and connected with the earphone. The fastening mechanism is located between the button and the housing to fasten the earphone in the receiving slot. The user presses the button to eject the earphone by utilizing the flexible force of the first flexible portion. Thereby, the earphone can be received in the housing to prevent the earphone from being broken due to the impacts of external forces.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company LimitedInventor: Tse-Ming Tsai
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Patent number: 8121304Abstract: An anti-tangling device includes a headphone cord having a distal end, a male signal plug at the distal end, a proximal end, and at least one earphone at the proximal end. Each of the plug and the earphone has first or second parts of a two-part connection device. The two-part connection device removably secures the plug and the earphone to one another. In an embodiment, the plug is the first part and the earphone has a plug-in portion as the second part. The plug-in portion defines a female port shaped to removably secure the plug therein and, when secured, forms a continuous loop with the cord, the plug, and the earphone. The plug-in portion can be integral with or removably attached to the earphone. The first and second parts can be a magnet and a magnetized piece, a hook-and-loop type fastener, or parts of a press-fit snap fastener.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventors: Gregory Oren Bales, William Thomas Bales, Maxwell Ryan Bales, Thomas O. Bales, Jr.
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Patent number: 8116503Abstract: This is directed to a bend switch constructed from two substantially co-linear elongated bodies having opposing contact surfaces. In an open switch position, the contact surfaces remain apart, preventing electrical coupling. To close the switch, a user can bend the elongated bodies relative to each other to cause the contact surfaces to meet, thus creating an electrical coupling. Each elongated body can have several independent conductive portions. The bend switch can include a movable space member placed between the elongated bodies to maintain the contact surfaces a predetermined distance apart in the open switch position. The movable space member can include preferred or non-preferred bending orientations, equilibrium positions, and/or a potentiometer for closing the switch. The bend switch can control one or more functions (e.g., microphone, volume, or playback controls) of an electronic device (e.g., portable media device or cellular telephone) coupled to the bend switch.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Eric B. Daniels, M. Evans Hankey, Daniele De Iuliis, Shin Nishibori, Peter Russell-Clarke