Audio output apparatus and method for operating audio output apparatus

• US 10,313,776 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2017
• Issued: 06/04/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Tetramem, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Han, Sang Woo, Lee, Ji Ho, Lee, Hyun Jung
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Paul
• Application Number:
  US15/399,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20170195772A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 381 74
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6844 Monitoring or controlling distance between sensor and tissue
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

Systems, methods, and audio output devices are described. In one aspect, an audio output device includes a communication module that communicates with an external electronic device, a speaker that outputs sound, a mounting detection sensor that detects whether the audio output device is mounted on a user of the audio output device, and a control circuit that is electrically connected with the communication module, the speaker, and the mounting detection sensor. The control circuit wirelessly connects the external electronic device with the audio output device using the communication module if the mounting of the audio output device is detected by the mounting detection sensor, receives audio data from the external electronic device through the wireless connection, and outputs the audio data using the speaker.

Claims

1. An audio output device comprising:

a communication module configured to communicate with an external electronic device;

a speaker configured to output sound;

a mounting detection sensor comprising a heart rate sensor and an acceleration sensor, wherein the mounting detection sensor is configured to detect whether the audio output device is mounted on a user of the audio output device; and

a control circuit electrically connected with the communication module, the speaker, and the mounting detection sensor,

wherein the control circuit is configured to;

obtain an acceleration of the audio output device using the acceleration sensor,

detect a heart rate using the heart rate sensor if the obtained acceleration is in a specified range,

wirelessly connect the external electronic device with the audio output device using the communication module, if a heart rate of a user is detected after obtaining the acceleration in the specified range,

receive audio data from the external electronic device through the wireless connection, and

output the audio data using the speaker.

2. The audio output device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to send the data obtained by the heart rate sensor to the external electronic device using the communication module.

3. The audio output device of claim 1, wherein the audio data comprises a voice from a call or a sound source which is being output by the external electronic device.

4. The audio output device of claim 1, further comprising:

a touch pad electrically connected with the control circuit,

wherein the control circuit is configured to perform a function corresponding to a touch input detected on the touch pad.

5. The audio output device of claim 1, further comprising:

a touch pad electrically connected with the control circuit,

wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the touch pad a specified time period after the mounting of the audio output device is detected by the mounting detection sensor.

6. The audio output device of claim 5, further comprising:

a vibration motor electrically connected with the control circuit,

wherein the control circuit is configured to output a notification using the speaker or the vibration motor after the specified time period.

7. The audio output device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to stop outputting the audio data if demounting of the audio output device from the user is detected.

8. An operating method of an audio output device, the method comprising:

obtaining an acceleration of the audio output device using an acceleration sensor;

detecting a heart rate using the heart rate sensor if the obtained acceleration is in a specified range;

determining whether the audio output device is mounted on a user based on the detected heart rate;

wirelessly connecting an external electronic device with the audio output device, if mounting of the audio output device on the user of the audio output device is determined;

receiving audio data from the external electronic device through the wireless connection; and

outputting the audio data.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

activating a touch pad included in the audio output device a specified time after the mounting of the audio output device is detected.