Electrical Hardware Feature Patents (Class 381/384)
  • Patent number: 8638972
    Abstract: An earphone that possesses an outer ear canal insertion member for which at least a portion can be inserted into the outer ear canal, a housing onto which the outer ear canal insertion member is installed, a driver unit which is disposed within the housing and which generates sound, a first retention member through the interior of which passes a cable connected at one end to the driver unit and which is itself directly installed to the housing, and a second retention member through the interior of which passes the cable and which is itself installed to the first retention member; and when the second retention member is installed to the first retention member, the first retention member grasps the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Tomonari Kaneko, Atsuhito Horino, Yoshimi Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 8634585
    Abstract: A pocket on the garment is configured to store an audio playback device. A device dock is associated with the pocket. The device dock includes an audio connector connectable to the audio playback device. A jack dock is on the garment. The jack dock includes a headphone jack configured to connect to a headphone. An elongated stretchable textile data/power bus is integrated with the garment between the device dock and the jack dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Farrell, Daniel Fischbach, Richard Streeter
  • Publication number: 20140010400
    Abstract: An anti-tangling device for earphone or headphone cords includes headphone cords having magnetic coupling elements disposed therein along a length of the cords, wherein the magnetic coupling elements of each cord are adapted to couple the associated cords to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Timothy A. Morris
  • Patent number: 8625814
    Abstract: An earphone antenna of a portable terminal having enhanced reception sensitivity even when a wearing state of the earphone of the mobile terminal is changed is provided. The earphone antenna includes a plurality of voice signal lines, an insulating sheath configured to cover an outer surface of the plurality of the voice signal lines, a receptacle configured to connect to a first end of each of the plurality of the voice signal lines, and a ground and antenna line including a first antenna line configured to wind around an outer surface of the insulating sheath at a first interval in a spiral form, the first antenna line having a first thickness, wherein the ground and antenna line includes a second antenna line configured to wind around an outer surface of the receptacle at a second interval in the spiral form, the second antenna line having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness and the second interval being different from the first interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Young Yang, Min Cho, Byoung Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8625836
    Abstract: This is directed to a cable structure for use with an electronic device. The cable structure can include one or more conductors around which a sheath is provided. To prevent the cable structure from tangling, the cable structure can include a core placed between the conductors and the sheath, where a stiffness of the core can be varied along different segments of the cable structure to facilitate or hinder bending of the cable structure in different areas. The size and distribution of the stiffer portions can be selected to prevent the cable from forming loops. The resistance of the core to bending can be varied using different approaches including, for example, by varying the materials used in the core, varying a cross-section of portions of the core, or combinations of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Aase, Cameron Frazier, Matthew Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clark, Dale Memering
  • Publication number: 20130336515
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a Y-shaped cord sleeve. More particularly, the invention encompasses a Y-shaped headphone/earbud cord sleeve. The present invention is also directed to a novel placement of at least one opening at or near a Y-junction of the Y-shaped cord sleeve. The present invention is also directed to a novel Y-shaped cord sleeve that has at least one accommodation or opening for a microphone and/or volume control or similar electronic input/output type device. The Y-shaped cord sleeve could also have at least one tab, medallion, or tongue to cover at least a portion of the opening for the headphone/earbud cord. The user could also personalize or individualize, or create an expression using any of the features of this invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony John Centrilla, III
  • Patent number: 8611969
    Abstract: A cable assembly for electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music devices is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the concha of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the concha. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music device. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: SureFire, LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
  • Patent number: 8600085
    Abstract: An audio player includes an audio headset having two earpieces. A playback circuit provides one of a stereophonic program and a monaural program to the audio headset. The monaural program may be created by mixing channels of the stereophonic program. A mode control is coupled to the playback circuit and to the audio headset. The mode control detects when at least one of the two earpieces is not adjacent a listener's ear and causes the playback circuit to deliver the monaural program to the audio headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Phillip George Tamchina, Jae Han Lee
  • Patent number: 8600094
    Abstract: A device for mounting a communication headset to a helmet includes a mounting panel having a seat in a front surface thereof that includes a set of electrical contacts and a guide, a printed circuit board 110 in electrical connection with the electrical contacts, and an elongated tongue affixed to the mounting panel. The tongue is configured for insertion between an inner shell and an outer shell of a protective helmet. Also, a wireless communication device can have such a tongue affixed to it. The tongue can be forked or otherwise arranged to have plural broad surfaces extending to a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Cardo Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Avraham Kushnirov, Yossef Twina
  • Publication number: 20130315432
    Abstract: An exemplary earphone unit includes an earphone, a plug, a box, and a lead. The lead includes a first section and a second section separate from the first section. The box includes a housing defining a first opening and a second opening, a disk mounted in the housing, a shaft fixed in the housing, a sleeve surrounding the shaft, and a spring connecting the shaft with the sleeve. The sleeve is rotatably disposed on the disk via two balls. The first section of the lead extends through the first opening to connect the plug with the disk. The second section is wound around the sleeve. The second section has one end fixed to the sleeve, and an opposite end extending through the second opening to connect the earphone. The spring accumulates elastic potential energy when the spring is pulled by the second section of the lead away from the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HWANG-MIAW CHEN
  • Patent number: 8594359
    Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker unit, a housing that covers a rear surface of the speaker unit, and a bushing having a cord holding portion that holds a cord that carries an audio signal to the speaker unit and is running to the outside of the housing. The bushing also has an extended portion that is extended into the housing and spread along an inner surface of the housing. The inner surface of the housing faces the rear surface of the speaker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Takei
  • Patent number: 8594339
    Abstract: Power management circuitry of a portable electronic biosensor implements conditional power management logic to control biosensor power usage and to discriminate between intended use and nonuse of the biosensor by a clinician. The biosensor is configured to sense a property of the human body, such as a manifestation of acoustic energy produced by matter of biological origin or an action potential of the human body. An output signal is produced that is representative of the sensed property. A sensor of the biosensor produces a signal having a plurality of sensor signal features that are received by a detector of the power management circuitry. The power management circuitry or a processor of the biosensor discriminates between intended use and nonuse of the biosensor by the clinician using the sensor signal features. Power supplied to biosensor components is controlled based on the sensor signal features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joel R. Dufresne, Hatim M. Carim, Thomas E. Drummond
  • Publication number: 20130301864
    Abstract: A device for preventing the tangling of cords associated with in-ear earphones is disclosed. The device includes an annular portion and a sectioned membrane disposed interior to the annular portion. The annular portion is formed of an elastomeric material. The sectioned membrane includes a plurality of separate sections where each section is configured to be displaced independently of another section. The sectioned membrane is configured to grip a cord associated with a pair of in-ear earphones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Garret W. Glaser
  • Patent number: 8548538
    Abstract: The invention is directed at a headset for a mobile communication device having a multi-button control and is implemented with a standard headset jack. The multi-button control is decoded by a microprocessor after which an encoded signal is then transmitted from the processor to the handset. In this manner, by using the standard jack, no additional hardware is required on the handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Lowles, Edward Hui, David Mak-Fan
  • Patent number: 8542860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillator, particularly for or in a flat loudspeaker, particularly for use in the aerospace field, comprising an oscillating part carrier, a coupling ring for coupling the oscillator to a sound converter of a loudspeaker, wherein the oscillating part carrier and the coupling ring are connected to each other via a detachable quick-release closure, comprising first closing elements for a locked, secure connection in relation to vibrations and second closing elements that are separate from the first closing elements, for a secure connection between the oscillating part carrier and the coupling ring. The invention further relates to a flat loudspeaker comprising such an oscillator and to a vehicle comprising such a flat loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Henning Scheel, Frank Cordes
  • Patent number: 8542845
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless stereo headset. The wireless stereo headset includes a first headset including a speaker unit and a Bluetooth® enabled module, for converting sound signals received from a device, transmitting the sound signals into sounds and outputting the sounds, and a second headset including a speaker unit and a Bluetooth® enabled module, for selectively receiving a portion of the sound signals which are converted into sounds and outputting the sounds, thereby accomplishing mono sound by using the first headset according to a user's request or achieving stereo sound by using the first and second headsets. The wireless stereo headset can perform voice communication by using only the first headset, while accomplishing stereo sounds by using both the first and second headsets, thereby using the wireless stereo headset to enjoy an improved sound quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Min-Won Cho
  • Patent number: 8515115
    Abstract: Earbud headphones configured for use with a portable media player that include a main body portion with an extended curvature configuration. In one example implementation, the earbud headphones include a speaker housing and an extension that form a gap between the speaker housing and the extension. A user can secure a portion of the user's outer ear in the gap (i.e., between the extension and speaker housing), such that the earbud is securely and comfortably held in place within a user's ear. Additionally, the earbud headphones can be interchangeable, such that a user can customize the size, fit, and style of the earbud headphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Kelly, Richard P. Alden
  • Publication number: 20130208940
    Abstract: The invention concerns a communication device for placement at the ear of a user. A battery and transmission part is shaped to rest behind and above the ear lobe of a user and a speaker and microphone part is arranged to extend downwards in front of the ear canal. The two parts are interlinked to pivot, at least in the sagittal plane, with respect to each other and the battery and transmission part accommodates a battery as well as signal processing and transmission electronics, and the speaker and microphone part accommodates a speaker element and a microphone boom arm and further, the two parts have mating surfaces such that a pivotal motion between the two, when the device is not at the ear, will bring a surface of the first part and a surface of the second part together. Further the link between the two parts comprises a hollow ball joint connection allowing leads to pass through the ball joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SENNHEISER COMMUNICATIONS A/S
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hansen, Anders Koefoed, Jeppe M. Ørstad
  • Patent number: 8507812
    Abstract: A switch assembly and an earphone set having the same. The switch assembly includes a first plate in which a board is mounted, a second plate installed opposite the first plate, a connection member provided between the first and second plates so as to resiliently connect the first and second plates, a plurality of first contacts provided on a rear face thereof in order to selectively connect a circuit of the board, and a plurality of second contacts provided on a front face thereof in correspondence to the first contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jin-Hong No
  • Publication number: 20130202146
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic apparatus having a main body, an ear phone and a connection cable with a substantial length for connecting the ear phone to the main body. The apparatus is provided with a device to releasably secure the earphone and/or the connection cable to the apparatus to minimize the connection cable from tangling up, and wherein the securing device has i) a mounting means having a surrounding wall defining a first cavity with a width slightly larger than the width of the connection cable for releasably mounting a section of the connection cable to the apparatus and/or ii) a recess for releasably securing the ear phone to the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventor: Quan XUE
  • Patent number: 8498439
    Abstract: Provided are a headset for a user specific audio service and a method for a user specific audio service using the same. The headset for a user specific audio service includes: a sensing unit sensing whether or not the headset is put on; an information collecting unit determining whether or not the headset is put on by the sensing unit and collecting current situation information of a user when the headset is put on; and an information processing unit generating a user profile based on the current situation information of the user, and controlling an audio signal output of a digital audio device based on the generated user profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang Seok Bae, Jong Ho Won
  • Patent number: 8498427
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device with a remote control earphone electrically connected to the main body of the device. The remote control earphone includes seven sensing units, which are substantially arranged in a “8” shape. Sensing signal generated by each sensing unit in response to a touch from the user includes an identification code for identifying itself. The remote control earphone transmits the generated sensing signal to the main body. The main body includes a cache unit to store at least one identification code corresponding to the sensing signal, a storage unit to store the relationship between the identification codes and numbers the identification codes corresponding to, and a processing unit to determine which one of the numbers is input according to the at least one identification code and the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song-Ling Yang
  • Publication number: 20130188820
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a retractable headset includes a housing, a retainer, a spring, and a wire. The housing configured to be coupled to a mobile device. The retainer is rotatably coupled to the housing and receives the spring and at least a portion to the wire. The wire is coiled with the spring such that at least a portion of the wire engages at least a portion of the spring when in a first configuration. The wire is configured to rotate the retainer when moved from the first configuration to a second configuration. An end of the wire is coupled to an audio plug that is removably coupled to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Headwire, LLC
    Inventor: Tim McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 8494205
    Abstract: A base station, wireless headset and headband, the headset being powered by a rechargeable battery, the base station having a cradle with charging output points, and the headset having a cradle-neck with charging input contact points. The headset may be cradled in a charging position to ensure electrical connection between the base station and the rechargeable battery through the electrical contact points. The wireless headset includes attachment sites for releasable attachment thereto of the headband to form a headband-headset assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Sennheiser Communications A/S
    Inventor: Lars T. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20130177195
    Abstract: Modular audio systems comprise two speaker assemblies and a wiring system. Each speaker assembly may comprise a speaker and an audio jack integral to each speaker assembly. The wiring system comprises a first wiring assembly comprising two audio jacks configured to connect to the audio jacks of the two speaker assemblies and two wires connected to the two audio jacks at first ends of the two wires. Headphone assemblies may comprise two speaker assemblies and a headband configured for removable attachment to the speaker assemblies. Each speaker assembly may comprise an attachment structure configured for attachment to another device or structure, wherein the attachment structure of each speaker assembly of the two speaker assemblies comprises a frustoconical surface and two first attachment features comprising elongated features on the frustoconical surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: SKULLCANDY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Sze, Zack Leader, Jon Lee Anderson, Peter M. Kelly, Tetsuro Oishi, Thomas C. Burton
  • Patent number: 8477959
    Abstract: A apparatus and method for enabling signals representing a first audio channel and a second audio channel to be conveyed to a first earpiece and a second earpiece, respectively, regardless of which of the first and second earpieces a cable providing both the signals representing the first and second audio channels is coupled to, wherein a first acoustic driver of the first earpiece acoustically outputs the first audio channel and a second acoustic driver of the second earpiece acoustically outputs the second audio channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Paul G. Yamkovoy
  • Publication number: 20130156249
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Timo Tapani Toivola, Jari Kinanen
  • Publication number: 20130156216
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting full insertion of a media plug into a corresponding jack. In an exemplary embodiment, first insertion detection circuitry for detecting the presence of a load is coupled to an innermost terminal of the jack. For North American type audio plugs, the first insertion detection circuitry detects the presence of a left headphone channel coupled to the innermost terminal of the jack. Coupling the insertion detection circuitry to the innermost terminal of the jack advantageously allows detection only when the plug is fully inserted into the jack. Additional detection circuitry may be provided and coupled to the other terminals of the jack. The disclosed techniques may readily be applied to other types of media plugs, e.g., European audio plugs, video plugs, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Peter J. Shah, Arash Mehrabi
  • Publication number: 20130148839
    Abstract: A keyed caddy storage system stores an earphone set proximate a digital media device (DMD). The keyed caddy storage system includes a first caddy configured for holding the earphone set and having a first keyed coupling. The keyed caddy storage system also includes a case configured for attachment to the DMD and forming a storage area for storing the earphone set held by the first caddy. The case has a second keyed coupling mateable with first keyed coupling to removably secure the first caddy within the storage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Dean Stevinson
  • Publication number: 20130147240
    Abstract: High density seating, for example for aircraft use, includes a seatback cushion 2 of adjustable rate, and a lightweight adjustable headrest 11. Other aspects of the invention relate to a literature rack 14, a footrest 17, a cup holder 24, a book stand 27, a headset hook 31 and a vanity mirror 33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: James Shing Hin Lee
  • Patent number: 8457343
    Abstract: A safe in-ear earphone for radiation protection comprises earplug heads, sound cavities, acoustic wave transmission channels, a main body, a conductor and a plug. The channels are set between the sound cavities and loudspeakers. The acoustic wave concentrated orifices are between the loudspeakers and the acoustic wave transmission channels. The assembly of the loudspeakers, the acoustic wave concentrated orifices and the acoustic wave transmission channels are sealed to form a sealed small boxes in the main body. The shape of acoustic wave concentrated orifices is inverse loudhailer. The acoustic wave is transmitted to the two acoustic wave channels via the acoustic wave concentrated orifices and then is provided to the ears plugged by two earplugs to listen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Aidao Zhu
  • Publication number: 20130129138
    Abstract: A multi-function case replaceably receiving a wireless mobile phone and having an integral retractable and extendable headset selectively connected to the wireless mobile phone. The case includes a housing, and an earbuds and plug retractor assembly. The housing replaceably receives the wireless mobile phone. The earbuds and plug retractor assembly is replaceably attached within the housing, and includes a spring-biased and ratcheted reel, a pair of earbud cords having a pair of earbuds at a pair of free ends thereof, respectively, and a plug cord having a plug at a free end thereof. The plug of the free end of the plug cord of the earbuds and plug retractor assembly is selectively connected to the wireless mobile phone. An alternate embodiment has the earbuds and plug retractor assembly being replaceably attached outside the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Booker T. Washington, JR.
  • Patent number: 8447062
    Abstract: An exemplary earphone assembly includes an electrical connector, two earphones, and two cords electrically connecting the electrical connector with the earphones. Each of the cords includes two wires connecting the electrical connector with a corresponding earphone and a zip chain containing the wires. The zip chain of each cord includes an elongated main body, and a first latching part and a second latching part protruding from the main body towards the other cord. A receiving groove is defined between the first and second latching parts for receiving the second latching part of the other cord when the two cords are engaged with each other in such a manner that the first and second latching parts of one cord block the second latching part of the other cord from escaping from the receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Shiang Lin
  • Publication number: 20130114843
    Abstract: An earphone jack includes a main body, a number of guiding plates, at least one positioning plate, a number of blades, and a frame. The main body defines a hole. The guiding plates surround the hole, and the positioning plate is formed on the guiding plates. The blades rotatably engage with the guiding plates. The frame is mounted with the blades. When the frame is rotated, the blades moves along the guiding plates to allow the blades to provide different latching spaces for receiving different sizes earphone plugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jian-Hui LI
  • Publication number: 20130108098
    Abstract: An earphone includes a headset plug and an earphone cord connecting to the headset plug. A protector is located around the junction of the headset plug and the earphone cord. The protector includes a fastening member secured to the headset plug, and a rotary member located around the earphone cord and assembled to the fastening member, so that the rotary member can rotate relative to the fastening member with the earphone cord when the earphone cord is bent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ZHONG-SHU QIN
  • Patent number: 8428288
    Abstract: An ear jack for detecting an earphone plug is provided. The ear jack includes a housing, a plurality of pins, a first detection part, a second detection part, and a controller. The housing includes a cavity for inserting terminals of the earphone plug. The plurality of pins are installed on an inner circumference surface of the housing and are in selective contact with a corresponding terminal of the earphone plug. The first detection part detects insertion of a first terminal of the earphone plug. The second detection part detects the insertion of the first terminal. The controller detects the insertion of the earphone plug when the first detection part and the second detection part both detect the insertion of the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho-Yeong Lim
  • Patent number: 8428284
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is provided that passively achieves a directional polar response at low frequencies with a high degree of attenuation between the front and the back of the loudspeaker. The loudspeaker 11 has a transducer 13, an enclosure 21 behind the transducer, and port openings 29 in the sidewalls 23 of the enclosure to allow a back-wave produced by the transducer to exit the enclosure and combine with the front wave produced by the transducer. Cancellation behind the loudspeaker at low frequencies is achieved by delaying the back wave with low loss. Low loss delay at low frequencies is achieved by inserting a low-density fibrous fill material 33 in the acoustic chamber 27 formed behind the transducer 13 by the enclosure 21. A fibrous material is selected having a low-pass transfer function and low acoustic loss in its low-frequency pass band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Meyer, Jean Pierre Mamin, Pablo Espinosa, Peter Kowalczyk
  • Patent number: 8428287
    Abstract: To avoid undesirable electrostatic discharge events while maintaining low leakage currents, earbuds may be provided with controlled electrostatic discharge paths. The discharge paths may include discrete components such as resistors or more distributed resistive components such as resistive elastomers. A resistive elastomer may be incorporated into an interior portion of an earbud between an earbud housing structure and a ground path. A resistive elastomer may also be used in forming an ear bud tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Rabu, Ida Lo, Victor Tiscareno, Craig Lim, Ramachandran Chundru, Robert Steinfeld, Kurt Stiehl
  • Patent number: 8422711
    Abstract: A speaker box assembly includes two speaker boxes, two line-winding means, a switch, and a power supply unit. Each of the two speaker boxes is provided on its surface with an outlet hole. One of the two speaker boxes is provided on its surface with a connector jack. The two line-winding means are provided in the two speaker boxes respectively. Each of the line-winding means has a line-winding box and an electrical line. The line-winding box is located inside the speaker box. The inner end of the electrical line is connected to the line-winding box, and the outer end of the electrical line is connected to a connector member. The connector member and the electrical line pass through the outlet hole selectively. The connector member in one of the speaker boxes is inserted into the connector jack on the other of the speaker boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Go-Rock Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Che Lin
  • Patent number: 8416961
    Abstract: A system detects the repositioning of an earphone that is worn by a user, and changes an operation mode of a host coupled to the earphone. Within the earphone is a pressure transducer that detects a pressure change caused by the repositioning of the earphone. A signaling mechanism sends a repositioning detection signal to the host in response to a signal from the pressure transducer indicating the detection of the pressure change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Han Lee, Wendell B. Sander
  • Patent number: 8401219
    Abstract: Headset assemblies and headset connectors are provided. Headset connectors can include a magnetic mating face and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the mating face. Engaging assemblies and engaging connectors are also provided. The engaging connectors can include a housing having a mating side, a magnetic array structure, and a plurality of spring biased contact members. The magnetic array structure can be fixed within the housing and house a plurality of spring biased contact members. The spring biased contact members can include tips that extend out of the mating side. The tips can electrically couple with electrical contacts in a headset connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: M. Evans Hankey, Emery Sanford, Christopher D Prest, Way Chet Lim
  • Patent number: 8401218
    Abstract: An earphone comprises an inner shell, a stem and a pivot connection. The inner shell has a generally circular periphery shaped to at least partially fit in a user's concha. The stem is mounted to the inner shell at a position spaced from a rotational center of the inner shell and supports a wire leading to the inner shell. The inner shell and the stem are rotatable relative to each other by the pivot connection to configure the earphone to fit the user's ear with the shell member positioned at least partially in the user's concha and the stem positioned exteriorly along an intertragic notch of the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Ho Son, Gregory G. Jones
  • Patent number: 8391535
    Abstract: A headset with a digital signal processor is provided. The headset is coupleable to at least one audio source using either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The digital signal processor divides each channel of the incoming audio signal into a plurality of frequency bands. Monitors (e.g., in-ear monitors or headphones), each comprising a plurality of drivers, are coupled to the output of the digital signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Logitech International, S.A.
    Inventors: Jerry J. Harvey, Medford Alan Dyer
  • Patent number: 8385573
    Abstract: The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device connection system for a user having an ear canal comprising a housing, electronics disposed in the housing, a cable electrically connected to the receiver and at least one conductive silicone component to electrically connect the electronics to the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8379900
    Abstract: A connecting device includes an audio signal plug to which an audio signal transmission cable including at least three lines can be connected, the audio signal plug including at least three plug terminals. The three plug terminals of the audio signal plug include first, second, and third plug terminals. The first plug terminal functions as a signal line in which a high-frequency signal is superimposed on an audio signal. The second plug terminal different from the first plug terminal functions as a ground for low-frequency and high-frequency. The third plug terminal different from the first and second plug terminals functions as a ground by capacitive coupling for the high-frequency, and has a function for transmitting a signal different from a signal of the first plug terminal for the low-frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20130039525
    Abstract: A restraint device for a pair of headphones having a pair of earphones, an audio plug, and a pair of wires coupling the pair of earphones to the audio plug, wherein the restraint device includes a body of a material, wherein the material includes an interior channel, wherein the interior channel is configured to have the pair of wires be slidably disposed therein, wherein the interior channel is configured to have the audio plug be removably disposed therein, wherein the interior channel is configured to restrain relative movement of the pair of wires with respect to the audio plug when the pair of wires and the audio plug are disposed adjacently within the interior channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: David Pang, Jeffrey Pang, Caroline Pang, Stephen Y.F. Pang
  • Patent number: 8371417
    Abstract: In a headphone set, a speaker is enclosed in a housing. A cord is connected to the speaker at one end and running to the outside of the housing at another end through a pulling-out portion of the housing. The cord is inserted into a bushing at the pulling-out portion. An outer-shape expansion portion is fixed to the cord and located between the speaker and the bushing. The outer-shape expansion portion expands the outer shape of the cord. A concavity is provided to the bushing at one end of the bushing closer to the speaker. At least a portion of the outer-shape expansion portion is put in the concavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 8363873
    Abstract: An earphone cable includes a first signal wire group, a second signal wire group, and a sheath layer. The first signal group includes at least one first conducting wire. The second signal wire group includes at least one second conducting wire, and the second signal wire group is insulated from the first signal wire group. At least one of the first signal wire group and the second signal wire group comprises at least one carbon nanotube wire. The sheath layer located about the first signal wire group and the second signal wire group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang Liu, Jerry Wu
  • Patent number: 8363823
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for communicating between a user device, such as a mobile terminal, and a three wire headset assembly having two microphones coupled thereto. The methods provide two microphone uplink communication and stereo audio playback on a three wire headset assembly without requiring a fourth wire or the addition of a separate voice processor. The headset assembly includes a primary microphone and secondary microphone spaced some distance apart for applying techniques of noise reduction and suppression. The headset assembly includes two speakers. Controlled switches are also included in both the user device and headset assembly to achieve dual use for a single wire of the three wires. The three wire headset may advantageously support both stereo playback and two microphone voice processing. In some embodiments, two microphone noise suppression for a wired headset mode of the user device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Audience, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Santos
  • Patent number: 8358800
    Abstract: An earphone comprises two earbuds, a plug assembly, and a wire connected to the earbuds and the plug assembly. The plug assembly comprises a first insulation shell, a second insulation shell, an adjusting wheel located between the first insulation shell and the second insulation shell, a plug fixed in the inside of the first insulation shell, two stopping blocks fixed to one side of the first insulation shell away from the wire, and a resetting element received in the second insulation shell. The plug comprises a plug core and a sleeve set on the outside of the plug core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Xin Yang