Adjustable Patents (Class 381/379)
  • Patent number: 11896826
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes a frame defining a perimeter and having a center region, at least one tensioning member in the center region of the frame and being held by the frame, and an earpiece connected to the tensioning member in the center region of the frame. The frame is configured to generally rest on a head and around an ear of the subject such that the earpiece is positioned in the ear canal of the subject and the tensioning member exerts a force on the earpiece toward the ear canal of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SCION NEUROSTIM, INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Duncan Bathe
  • Patent number: 11516585
    Abstract: A headband (100) for a pair of headphones (10.1, 10.2) comprising:—a primary headband portion (110) having a first end (111) and a second end (112) configured to be connected to a respective headphone (10.1, 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Zound Industries International AB
    Inventor: Erik Wahlin
  • Patent number: 11418868
    Abstract: An earphone and a head-mounted earphone are provided. The head-mounted earphone includes a head-mounted accessory and a pair of earbud accessories. Each of the earbud accessories has a seat body, a speaker, and a connecting part. The speaker is affixed on a side of the seat body and the connecting part is disposed between the seat body and the speaker. The connecting part has a through hole, and two ends of the head-mounted accessory can be respectively disposed to be inserted into the through hole of each of the earbud accessories, such that the head-mounted accessory is detachably connected to the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: DEXIN ELECTRONIC LTD., DEXIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ho-Lung Lu
  • Patent number: 11323793
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that reduce the size of headphones and allow for small form-factor storage configurations are discussed. User convenience features that include synchronizing earpiece stem positions and automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, David H. Narajowski, Michael E. Leclerc, Brett W. Degner, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniele de Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Sung-Ho Tan
  • Patent number: 11272280
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that enhance user comfort and improve user control of the headphones are discussed. Various sensor configurations and electronic component positions are also discussed. User convenience features that include detachable cushions and automatically detecting the donning and doffing of headphones are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Minerbi, Prathamesh R. Bhagwat
  • Patent number: 10979798
    Abstract: A headphone (1) comprising a first earphone (2) and a headband (3) to be arranged around the head of a user. The headband (3) comprises a first headband part (4) and a second headband part (5), that are telescopically connected, so that the length of the headband (3) can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction (Y). The first headband part (4) comprises an inner wall (9) with a protruding longitudinal first rib (8), which first rib (8) has a first rib sidewall (35) with a first rib protrusion (33) and a second opposite rib sidewall (36) with a second rib protrusion (34). The second headband part (5) comprises an outer wall (7) with a first longitudinal groove (6), which first groove (6) has first groove sidewall (20) with a first groove protrusion (22) and a second opposite groove sidewall (21) with a second groove protrusion (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GN AUDIO A/S
    Inventors: Andy Luo, Mads Schenstrøm Stefansen, Libra Su, Silas Zhang
  • Patent number: 10972828
    Abstract: A headphone (1) comprising a first earphone (2) and a headband (3) to be arranged around the head of a user The headband (3) comprises a first headband part (4) and a second headband part (5), which are slidably connected to each other, so that the length of the headband (3) can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction (Y). There is provided a controlled friction mechanism, that controls the friction between the first headband part (4) and the second headband part (5). The friction mechanism comprises a first cantilever (8) comprised by the second headband part (5) and a first friction element (11) of elastomeric abutment material, which is attached to the first cantilever (8) and which due to elastic deformation of the first cantilever (8) abuts and exerts a force against a first contact area of the first headband part (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GN AUDIO A/S
    Inventors: Andy Luo, Mads Schenstrøm Stefansen, Libra Su, Silas Zhang
  • Patent number: 10945076
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that reduce the size of headphones and allow for small form-factor storage configurations are discussed. User convenience features that include synchronizing earpiece stem positions and automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Michael E. Leclerc, David H. Narajowski, Kristopher P. Laurent, William K. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniele De Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Sung-Ho Tan
  • Patent number: 10382861
    Abstract: An earphone device (1) to be worn in the ear, which earphone device (1) comprising a main body (18) to be arranged in the concha (19) of the outer ear (14) of a user and an optical sensor (35), which optical sensor (35) comprises a light emitter (16) and a light detector (17). The earphone device (1) comprises window means (8, 9) through which light emitted by the light emitter (16) can be transmitted. The window means (8, 9) comprises an end face (31) adapted to abut a conchal wall (37) at a sensing position (36). The main body (18) comprises a speaker protrusion (26) to be inserted into to ear canal (15). The distance between the speaker protrusion (26) and the end face (31) is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Michael Sørensen
  • Patent number: 10306349
    Abstract: An earphone, comprising a rear housing, a front housing, and a loudspeaker unit which divides a cavity formed by the rear housing and the front housing into a front and rear acoustic cavities; wherein the earphone further comprises a sound adjusting element; the front housing is provided with a sound outlet hole and mode posts, and the sound adjusting element is provided with a sound adjusting hole corresponding to the sound outlet hole and a mode adjustment groove corresponding to the mode posts; when the sound adjusting element rotates, the mode adjustment groove may be limited by different mode posts, thus adjusting the volume of the front acoustic cavity and the area of a sound hole for the front acoustic cavity. Use of the above-described invention enables the middle and high frequency responses of the earphone to be adjusted and enables a single earphone to provide different sound characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yanpeng Zhao, Qigao Chen, Tonghui Guo, Ping Xie
  • Patent number: 10237678
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a headset device may be provided. The headset device may include: an orientation determination circuit configured to determine an orientation of the headset device; a left emitter array including a first plurality of sound emitters; a right emitter array including a second plurality of sound emitters; and a controller configured to control for each sound emitter of the first plurality of sound emitters and of the second plurality of sound emitters the sound emitted by the respective sound emitter based on the determined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: RAZER (ASIA-PACIFIC) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Joseph Mario Giannuzzi
  • Patent number: 9675871
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing multiple audio streams, such as a game audio stream and network chat audio stream, to a headset of a user of a gaming device are described. An exemplary system may include a gaming device having a port and that is adapted to transmit game audio and network chat to a transceiver inserted into the port thereof. The transceiver may be configured to receive local user chat. The system may also include a transceiver inserted into the port of the gaming device, the transceiver adapted to receive the game audio and the network chat transmitted from the gaming device, transmit the received game audio and network chat to a wireless headset, receive local user chat from the wireless headset, and transmit the received local user chat to the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: AG Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Jetter, Lars Gilstrom, Kyle Hutchens
  • Patent number: 9654878
    Abstract: An ear warming article that can be comprised of a C-shaped resilient band, an outer sleeve and a speaker or other electronic device is described. The outer sleeve is dimensioned to contain the resilient band, and includes two insulating, ear-receiving portions as well as a first opening through which the resilient band can be inserted or removed to yield an assembled or disassembled article, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the article includes an electronic device having one or more speakers located at the ends of the resilient band; additional openings in the outer sleeve may exist for any control functionality associated with the electronic device(s). The outer sleeve can be comprised of a washable fabric material, particularly suitable as a means for interchangeable advertising (team logo, branding, etc.). In other embodiments, the ear warming article includes additional advertising and/or securing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Siskin, Joel A. Schechter
  • Patent number: 9521479
    Abstract: Headphones or a headset comprise a pair of electro-acoustic transducers (1, 2), both ear-pieces and an earpiece and a microphone are carried at opposite ends of a curved headband (3) that is formed by a chain of links (500-511) that are hinged to one another and the transducers (1, 2). Each link (5) involves a shell-casing (8) that on an underside has a first pair of mutually-spaced projecting lugs (9) and has a second pair of mutually-spaced projecting lugs (10) that nest with the first pair of lugs (9) of the next-following link (5). The nested lugs (9, 10) are pierced transversely and pivot pins (11) are inserted in the piercings to establish hinges (7) between the links (5). The transducers (1, 2) are hinged to the ends of the headband (3) to enable the headphones or headset to be rolled up lengthwise of the headband (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Teca Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Andrew James Lee
  • Patent number: 9414965
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a height adjustment arrangement (100) for an ear cup in a hearing protector unit, wherein the height adjustment arrangement (100) comprises an elongated member (130) and a tubular holding member (110) connected to the elongated member, wherein the holding member provides a substantially hollow interior (111). The height adjustment arrangement further comprises a clamping member (120), wherein the clamping member is arranged to be moved from an unlocked position, in which position relative movement between the elongated member (130) and the holding member (110) is enabled, to a locking position, in which position relative movement between the elongated member and the holding member is prevented. The holding member (110) comprises a first locking member (114), wherein the second end of the holding member is provided with two flanges (115a, 115b) tapering in a direction towards the clamping member, and wherein the first locking member and the flanges are axially separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MSA SORDIN AB
    Inventors: Anders Roos, Thomas Isaksson
  • Patent number: 9253558
    Abstract: The utility model provides a headphone, comprising a headband, left and right two ear pads and a holder. Two ends of the headband are separately provided with a fixing component, the fixing component includes a conductor block; the holder is made of the conductive material, of which one end is respectively connected with the left and right two ear pads fixedly and the other end is respectively connected with the fixing components in a sliding way, and the conductor block is pressed against the holder; in the ear pads, the first group of signal wires is connected to the holder electrically; in the fixing components, the second group of signal wires is connected with the conductor block electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVATION SOUND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunming Yuen
  • Patent number: 9089761
    Abstract: In described embodiments, a wrestling headgear assembly is disclosed. The headgear includes a first ear piece and a second earpiece connected to the first earpiece by at least two connections. Each of the first and second earpieces comprises a generally planar inner layer constructed from a compressible material. The inner layer has a generally central inner opening extending therethough. A generally convex outer layer is fixedly attached to the inner layer. The outer layer is constructed from a rigid material and includes a plurality of outer openings aligned with the inner opening. A sound speaker is located between the inner layer and the outer layer such that the speaker is aligned with the inner opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MATMUSIC LLC
    Inventors: Bari Tunstill, Eric Silver
  • Publication number: 20150139473
    Abstract: A headset comprising a ball joint that connects the an earpiece with an earpiece support is described herein. While the headset can include any suitable component, in some cases, it includes an earpiece that configured to be worn in close proximity to a user's ear, an earpiece support configured to attach to a user's head, and a ball joint that adjustably couples the earpiece to the earpiece support. In some such embodiments, the ball joint further includes a rounded object and a first and a second extension that are configured to apply pressure to the rounded object to adjustably hold the earpiece in relation to the earpiece support. In some cases, by using the ball joint, the earpieces can be rotated in multiple axes, thereby allowing users to position the earpieces in many orientations. Other implementations are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen R. Jaynes
  • Patent number: 9036849
    Abstract: A headset comprises a headband for supporting the headset on a user's head, an earpiece including an audio driver and a microphone boom including a microphone. The microphone boom is rotatable when the headset is located on a user's head from an operative position in which the microphone boom is directed towards the user's mouth to a stowed position in which the microphone boom is at least partially received in a recess defined in the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E Thompson, Manoj Mistry, John B Ledingham, Matthew E Kramer
  • Patent number: 9008346
    Abstract: A headphone with articulating earpieces includes a headband, a hinged fork, and earpieces connected to the fork in a manner allowing the earpieces to articulate relative to the fork as a hinge on the fork articulates. The earpieces are arranged on the fork in a manner allowing them to face each other while articulating from a folded position adjacent the headband, to an unfolded position for listening. When unfolded for listening, the earpieces are adapted to fully extend into a biased open position with an audible click. Similarly, when articulating the earphones to a closed position, they are biased against the headband with an audible click.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy Val Kolton
  • Publication number: 20150055815
    Abstract: A headphone with articulating earpieces includes a headband, a hinged fork, and earpieces connected to the fork in a manner allowing the earpieces to articulate relative to the fork as a hinge on the fork articulates. The earpieces are arranged on the fork in a manner allowing them to face each other while articulating from a folded position adjacent the headband, to an unfolded position for listening. When unfolded for listening, the earpieces are adapted to fully extend into a biased open position with an audible click. Similarly, when articulating the earphones to a closed position, they are biased against the headband with an audible click.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy Val Kolton
  • Patent number: 8942384
    Abstract: A headset comprises a body, an audio transducer, an arm, a detector and processor. The detector can indicate whether the arm is in a first or second position. The headset operates in a headset mode or speakerphone mode responsive to the arm's position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilmer Lau, Leon Wu
  • Patent number: 8942404
    Abstract: The adjustable headset is an all in one device that includes an adjustable support band, a display system, a first and second ear cover, a computer system, a communications system, and a power source. The adjustable support band connects to each ear cover, with the ear covers being adjacent to a user's ears. The display system uses image projecting devices that use optics to refract images from through image refocusing devices and focus the projected image on a retina. The display system is attached to the ear covers by adjustable screen bars, which allow a user to change the general orientation of the display system. The computer system is capable of storing and running software programs and interfacing with connected devices by means of a set of connection ports or the communications system. The virtual goggles can adjust to meet individual comfort needs and interface with a variety of technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Lee Serota
  • Publication number: 20150016654
    Abstract: The adjustable headset is an all in one device that includes an adjustable support band, a display system, a first and second ear cover, a computer system, a communications system, and a power source. The adjustable support band connects to each ear cover, with the ear covers being adjacent to a user's ears. The display system uses image projecting devices that use optics to refract images from through image refocusing devices and focus the projected image on a retina. The display system is attached to the ear covers by adjustable screen bars, which allow a user to change the general orientation of the display system. The computer system is capable of storing and running software programs and interfacing with connected devices by means of a set of connection ports or the communications system. The virtual goggles can adjust to meet individual comfort needs and interface with a variety of technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Lee Serota
  • Publication number: 20150016653
    Abstract: A tuning headphone is adapted to engage to the user's ear. The tuning headphone includes a perforated frame, a tuning frame and an acoustic generator. The perforated frame comprises a frame annular portion and a frame flat surface. The frame flat surface is arranged at a distal end of the frame annular portion away from the user's ear, and has portions defining at least one frame opening. A surface of the frame annular portion proximate to the user's ear is a curved inner face. The tuning frame has portions defining at least one opening and rotatably covers an end of the perforated frame distal from the user's ear, thereby providing adjustability to the air communicable area between the opening and the frame opening. Moreover, the acoustic generator is configured at a proximal end of the frame annular portion near the user's ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: TUNG-KO LU
  • Publication number: 20140376764
    Abstract: An augmented custom fit headset (300) is disclosed. The augmented headset (300) can include: a wearable module (310) configured to be worn around a user's head including an outer band structure (312) with left and right ends (314) and (316), at least one of the left and right ends (314) and (316) having an inner facing cavity (318); earpiece modules (322) and (324) including left and right speakers (326) and (328) connected to the left and right ends (314) and (316); and a removable inner band (330) including a plug portion (332), the plug portion (332) being snap connected to the inner facing cavity (318), defining a snap connector (336). Advantageously, this structure provides an improved removable inner band (330), which is effective, economical, reliable and easy to use. Also, this construction helps to allow the plug portion (332) to remain in place, during use, and can slightly deflect or bend inwardly, to facilitate insertion and removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
    Inventors: David W. Larmour, Carl A. Cepress, Scott A. Wilke, Mark D. Zaveson
  • Patent number: 8908899
    Abstract: An earphone is provided. The earphone includes an audio cable, a cable-splitting sheath, two earphone bodies and a slidable clipper. The audio cable includes a first cable, a second cable and a main cable. The cable-splitting sheath includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end is connected to the main cable and the second end is connected to the first cable and the second cable. The first cable and the second cable are connected to the earphone bodies respectively. The slidable clipper includes a clipping portion suitable for clipping an object so as to fix the first cable and the second cable to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cotron Corporation
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Patent number: 8897479
    Abstract: A headset for voice communication is provided, the headset has a first earphone housing being rotatable about a first rotational axis, and a pickup unit comprising at least one microphone arranged on the earphone housing. The earphone housing comprises an earphone housing circuit, a first speaker for receiving a speaker signal from the earphone housing circuit, and at least a first ring of electrically conductive material formed annularly about the first rotational axis and mounted in electrical contact with the earphone housing circuit. An earphone housing connector part comprises at least a first set of contact members mounted in the earphone housing connector part so as to provide electrical connection between the at least first set of contact members and the at least first ring, to thereby connect the at least first set of contact members to a second speaker and/or an electronic circuit for processing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20140341415
    Abstract: Combination headphones having internal speakers and external speakers. A controller allows for audio to be emitted from the internal speakers, the external speaker, or both. The headphones have earpieces detachably connected at opposing ends of a headpiece in such a way that the earpieces may be collapsed toward the headpiece and stacked onto each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Zachary Camello, Ira Laurie Strasberg, Ohad Einbinder
  • Patent number: 8879768
    Abstract: An earpiece is disclosed. The earpiece includes a housing forming a volume therein, a number of sound holes arranged in the front end and rear end of the housing, a sound generator accommodated in the volume, an ear gel attached to a front end of the housing, a wire electrically connected to the sound generator, wherein a adjusting module is assembled to the housing, a plurality of front vents are disposed on the front end of the housing, and the amount of the front vents communicating with the volume is mechanically altered by the adjusting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Podoloff
  • Patent number: 8861770
    Abstract: An assembly for holding a personal speaker relative to a user's ear. A headband assembly can include a band, a sleeve attached to an end of the band, and an arm moveably secured to the sleeve. The sleeve can include a pair of laterally opposed detent channels, and the arm can include a pair of spring-loaded bearings. Each spring-loaded bearing can engage one of the laterally opposed detent channels. The headband assembly can be adjusted by moving the arm relative to the sleeve. An arm of the headband assembly can be pivotally secured to a yoke by a magnetic pivot arrangement. The magnetic pivot arrangement can include a groove, a protrusion, and magnetic elements. A yoke can be pivotally secured to a housing by housing pivot arrangement. The housing pivot arrangement can include a pin extending from the yoke and a collar retained in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventors: Nick S. Blair, Stephen Fiacchino, Michael J. Koss, Michael J. Koss, Jr., Michael J. Pelland
  • Publication number: 20140241561
    Abstract: The invention pertains to headphones that can be folded into a compact size and carried around while they are out of use. To improve operability in collapsing and expanding operations, headphone units are attached to joint portions on respective ends of a headphone band that are movable via vertical movement mechanisms. The vertical movement mechanisms include a pair of suspending members provided on both sides of respective joint portions that are slidable in opposing directions, a holding means arranged between the suspending members, and a pair of rotating members. One end portion of the rotating members is attached to the holding means, which are rotatable via synchronous rotation means. One end portion of the respective rotating members rotatably attaches to a corresponding suspending member, so the holding means is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the suspending members via the rotating members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: KEM HONGKONG LIMITED
    Inventor: Hideki Motosugii
  • Patent number: 8818011
    Abstract: A noise-reducing headset, comprising a suspending arm, a connection device, and an ear cover part is disclosed. An engaging device is disposed on both ends of the suspending arm, wherein a position fixing part is disposed on one end of each of the engaging devices. Both ends of each of the connection device are respectively provided with a pivot joint part and an opening for engaging the engaging device. One side of the connection device is provided with a hollow slot. The hollow slot is communicated with the opening such that the position fixing part adjusts the distance the suspending arm entering into the connection device. Moreover, the ear cover part is connected to the pivot joint part of the connection device such that the noise-reducing headset can be collapsed inward by using the pivot joint part to make the noise-reducing headset convenient for a user to take along.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: High Rainbow Ent, Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chun-Chieh Chen
  • Patent number: 8811647
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an audio jack is provided. The device comprises: a processor provided in a housing; a display screen; a jack provided in the housing, the jack being sized for receiving a plug of an audio accessory of the plurality of audio accessories; electrical connectors provided in the jack for enabling communication between the audio accessory and the processor, each of the electrical connectors for contacting a corresponding electrical connector of the plug; and a switching circuit in communication with the processor and two of the electrical connectors. For the device, upon detection of insertion of the plug into the jack, the processor is adapted to generate a prompt on the display screen to allow selection of a pin-out configuration for the audio accessory from different pin-out options for the audio accessory. A method of configuring audio jacks for an electronic device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Magnus Hansson, Mohamad El-Hage
  • Patent number: 8774443
    Abstract: An enclosure which provides a storage of mobile phone headset cables as well as a means to extend and retract said headset cables is disclosed. The enclosure allows the headset cables to be wound internally onto a large diameter reel while a mobile phone connecting cable is wound onto a smaller spool, thereby allowing a greater length of headset cables to be extended. A button enables said cables to be retracted to eliminate slack while the device is in use, or to completely retract the cables when the device is disconnected from the phone. The retracted cable portions may be contained within the enclosure which further comprises a plurality of nests along external surfaces for the storage of ear buds, a microphone, and the phone connection plug in a flush manner, thereby avoiding the entanglement of exposed loose cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: John C. Anderson, Benjamin Anderson
  • Patent number: 8774442
    Abstract: An earphone single-shaft structure includes a head strip, a cap body, and a single-shaft component. The single-shaft component is located at a housing of the cap body and connected to the head strip. The single-shaft component includes a body, a rotating shaft, a shaft hole, a pivot area and swinging areas. When the head strip rotates for a first angle about the pivot area, two ends of the head strip are located on one side of each swinging area, so that the cap body rotates in a first direction, and when the head strip rotates for a second angle about the pivot area, the two ends of the head strip are located on the other side of each swinging area, so that the cap body rotates in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Jetvox Acoustic Corp.
    Inventor: To-Teng Huang
  • Patent number: 8761428
    Abstract: A behind-the-head mounted personal audio set that allows a mono-aural personal audio device to be worn in either a wearer's left or right ear without the need to remove or detach individual components of the personal audio sent and mount is disclosed. In a disclosed embodiment, the personal audio device has two earphone portions and the mount allows the audio device to operate in either mono or stereo modes wherein one of the earphones may be moved away from a wearer's ear when needed, such as when driving. A boom microphone is preferably pivotally secured to one of the earphone portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventor: Dominic Amae
  • Patent number: 8755555
    Abstract: A set of adjustable and convertible headphones includes a headband, an adjustment member, and an earpiece. The adjustment member is connected to the headband by a hinge; earpiece has a channel receiving the adjustment member and is slidably connected to the adjustment member. Rotation of the adjustment member with respect to the headband is spring-loaded in only one direction. The adjustment member and the earpiece in combination include a detent mechanism for resisting sliding movement of the earpiece with respect to the adjustment member. The adjustment member may be completely removed from the channel, thereby disconnecting the earpiece from the headband. The earpiece may then be replaced by another ear covering (e.g., an earmuff, an ear protector, etc.) as desired. The replacement ear covering may include an audio speaker, for example an audio/earmuff combination earpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: The Echo Design Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Dougherty, Steven D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8737668
    Abstract: An assembly for holding a personal speaker relative to a user's ear. A headband assembly can include a band, a sleeve attached to an end of the band, and an arm moveably secured to the sleeve. The sleeve can include a pair of laterally opposed detent channels, and the arm can include a pair of spring-loaded bearings. Each spring-loaded bearing can engage one of the laterally opposed detent channels. The headband assembly can be adjusted by moving the arm relative to the sleeve. An arm of the headband assembly can be pivotally secured to a yoke by a magnetic pivot arrangement. The magnetic pivot arrangement can include a groove, a protrusion, and magnetic elements. A yoke can be pivotally secured to a housing by housing pivot arrangement. The housing pivot arrangement can include a pin extending from the yoke and a collar retained in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventors: Nick S. Blair, Stephen Fiacchino, Michael J. Koss, Michael J. Koss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8731227
    Abstract: An earphone has an ear cushion mounted thereon to be freely tiltable. The body includes an outer case enclosing a sound wave generating means, and a ball joint provided at an end portion of the outer case that has a sound wave path that propagates sound waves out of the body and having an opening communicating with the sound wave path. An operation holder mounted on the outer circumference of the ball joint includes a frictional ball seat whose inner surface contacts with the outer circumference of the ball joint so as to combine an internal passage communicating with the inner space of the frictional ball seat, and a periphery for the ear cushion. Thus, the earphone becomes sturdier because the body and its outer portion are not structurally weakened. Productivity improves by process simplification. The assembly of the sliding portion is done only on the outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Feel's Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soon Ahn Hwang
  • Publication number: 20140133688
    Abstract: A headset (1) comprising an attachment device (2) for attaching the headset (1) to the head of a user and a speaker housing (3). The speaker housing 3 is connected slidable along and rotatable about a first axis (X) to the attachment device (2), such that it can be placed into a selected longitudinal and angular position within a longitudinal interval (LI) and an angular interval (AI). The longitudinal interval (LI) comprises a first zone (Z1) and a second zone (Z2), and the speaker housing (3) can rotate through a first angular interval (AI1), when in the first zone (Z1) and through a second angular interval (AI2), when in the second zone (Z2). The first angular interval (AI1) is larger than the second angular interval (AI2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Brødsgaard
  • Patent number: 8718315
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a connector plug housing member and a connector plug contact member. The connector plug housing member includes a first contact pin and a second contact pin. The connector plug contact member includes a first contact section and a second contact section. The connector plug contact member is configured to be positioned in the connector plug housing member in a first position. The connector plug contact member is configured to be positioned in the connector plug housing member in a second position. The first position corresponds to a first pinning order. The second position corresponds to a second pinning order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Timo Tapani Toivola, Jari Kinanen
  • Publication number: 20140112519
    Abstract: A noise-reducing headset, comprising a suspending arm, a connection device, and an ear cover part is disclosed. An engaging device is disposed on both ends of the suspending arm, wherein a position fixing part is disposed on one end of each of the engaging devices. Both ends of each of the connection device are respectively provided with a pivot joint part and an opening for engaging the engaging device. One side of the connection device is provided with a hollow slot. The hollow slot is communicated with the opening such that the position fixing part adjusts the distance the suspending arm entering into the connection device. Moreover, the ear cover part is connected to the pivot joint part of the connection device such that the noise-reducing headset can be collapsed inward by using the pivot joint part to make the noise-reducing headset convenient for a user to take along.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: High Rainbow Ent, Co., Ltd
    Inventor: CHUN-CHIEH CHEN
  • Patent number: 8649547
    Abstract: A mountable multi-directional audio device comprises at least one broadcasting device, which has a sounding portion outwardly; and at least one connecting member, the any end of the connecting member is connected with the broadcasting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Jazz Hipster Corporation
    Inventors: Yueh-Hua Hsu Huang, Wen-Chuan Hsu, Chun-Ti Chen
  • Publication number: 20140023222
    Abstract: There is provided a headphone including a headband having flexibility; a slider having flexibility with the headband attached at one end, and a headphone unit attached at the other end; a slide groove, arranged at an end of the headband or the one end of the slider, for guiding a circling movement of the slider with respect to the headband; and a slider guide, having rigidity higher than the headband and the slider, for holding the one end of the slider at the end of the headband so that one surface of the slider facing one surface of the headband circling moves with respect to the one surface of the headband while being engaged to the slide groove. A headphone that can be thinned while suppressing lowering of the attachment property is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ito, Hiroaki Ishiguro, Yuusuke Oosato
  • Publication number: 20140010389
    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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Slocum, Monika Wolf
  • Patent number: 8605934
    Abstract: The earphone housing is essentially mirror symmetric about a first plane, which is orthogonal to the first side, and which extends through the wire position and the center of the earphone housing. The wearing device extends from the earphone housing at an attachment position, which lies at the upper end of the earphone housing. The attachment position can be a first attachment position for holding the earphone housing at the left ear or a second attachment position for holding the earphone at the right ear. The first and the second attachment positions are mirror symmetric located about the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventors: Ola Hagberg, Ole Birch, Kim Ziersen Jakobsen
  • Patent number: 8605931
    Abstract: A combined headphone set including a speaker assembly. The headphone set includes a headband having a speaker headphone on opposing ends of the headband. Each of the speaker headphones includes an exterior speaker for public listening and an interior speaker for personal listening by the user. One of the speaker headphones includes switching means for listening to the interior speaker or to the exterior speaker or to the interior and exterior speakers simultaneously from each of the speaker headphones. Each of the speaker headphones includes an audio signal wire connected from an output jack of an audio device to the speaker headphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Allan Amsel
  • Patent number: 8588454
    Abstract: A module for containing an earpiece for an audio device, the earpiece having at least one protruding electrical contact. The module comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being opposable and forming a cavity sized to accommodate an earpiece. The module further comprises at least one electrical contact within the cavity, on one of the first portion and the second portion. The electrical contact is positioned to engage a protruding electrical contact of the earpiece positioned within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Cody Allen Balk, David Kazmierz Szczypinski, Benjamin Michael Finney
  • Patent number: 8565467
    Abstract: An earphone includes a front housing, a tuning element, a rear housing and a loudspeaker. The front housing has a hollow sound tube, a sealed cover and a sealed barrel. The sealed cover defines a tuning hole. The sealed barrel defines a leaking hole connecting between the tuning hole and an external space of the earphone. The tuning element rotatably mounted to the front housing has a tuning pillar inserted in the tuning hole. The tuning pillar defines a tuning fillister. The rear housing is assembled forward to the front housing for locating the loudspeaker between the front housing and the rear housing. A sound cavity is formed among the front housing, the rear housing and the loudspeaker, and is communicated with the tuning fillister. A relative position of the tuning fillister and the leaking hole is capable of being modulated by means of rotating the tuning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mu-Tsun Tseng