In-ear headphone

• US 10,582,284 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2016
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Trainer, Glenn K., Grinker, Scott C., Huwe, Ethan L., Stanley, Craig M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eason, Matthew A
• Application Number:
  US15/169,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20170094386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 381370
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/178 by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17857 Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17873 using a reference signal without an error signal, e.g. pure feedforward
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1081 Earphones, e.g. for telephones, ear protectors or headsets
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1066 Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1075 Mountings of transducers in earphones or headphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/26 Spatial arrangements of separate transducers responsive to two or more frequency ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 11/02 Loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/103 Combination of monophonic or stereophonic headphones with audio players, e.g. integrated in the headphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/022 Plurality of transducers corresponding to a plurality of sound channels in each earpiece of headphones or in a single enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/09 Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/01 Hearing devices using active noise cancellation
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

A low-profile earbud is disclosed that sits securely within an ear of a user. The earbud includes a protruding portion that passes through a channel defined by the tragus and anti-tragus of the ear. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can take the form of a cable configured to supply power and transfer data to the earbud. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can provide additional space for electrical components and sensors supporting the earbud.

Claims

1. An earbud, comprising:

an earbud housing;

an audio driver positioned within the earbud housing;

an earbud tip coupled to the earbud housing and oriented in a first direction; and

an elongated stem comprising a first end protruding from the earbud housing in a second direction angularly offset from the first direction by an angle between 90 and 130 degrees, the elongated stem enclosing an antenna, a microphone adjacent to an opening defined by a second end of the elongated stem opposite the first end of the elongated stem and oriented to receive audio waves through the opening, and a battery, the battery being configured to provide power to circuitry within the earbud housing.

2. The earbud as recited in claim 1, wherein the elongated stem extends from the earbud housing in the second direction such that the elongated stem extends through a channel disposed between the tragus and anti-tragus of an ear of a user when the earbud is in use.

3. The earbud as recited in claim 1, wherein the audio driver comprises a high frequency driver positioned proximate the earbud tip and a low frequency driver, separate and distinct from the high frequency driver, positioned farther away from the earbud tip than the high frequency driver.

4. The earbud as recited in claim 1, further comprising an electrical contact positioned along an exterior surface of the elongated stem and configured to receive electrical energy for charging the battery.

5. An earbud, comprising:

a single piece housing, comprising;

a nozzle protruding from the single piece housing in a first direction and defining an opening; and

an elongated stem comprising a first end protruding from the single piece housing in a second direction angularly offset from the first direction by an angle between 90 and 130 degrees, the elongated stem enclosing a microphone adjacent to an opening defined by a second end of the elongated stem opposite the first end of the elongated stem and oriented to receive audio waves through the opening, a battery and an antenna configured to provide a wireless communication link between the earbud and a media device; and

an audio driver enclosed within the single piece housing and configured to generate audio waves that exit the single piece housing through the opening defined by the nozzle.

6. The earbud as recited in claim 5, wherein the second direction at which the elongated stem extends away from the housing results in a proximal end of the elongated stem passing through a channel defined by the tragus and anti-tragus of an ear of a user when the earbud is being operated within the ear.

7. The earbud as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

an electrical contact positioned at an exterior surface of the elongated stem.

8. The earbud as recited in claim 5, wherein a length of the elongated stem is greater than any other dimension of the single piece housing.

9. An earbud, comprising:

a housing;

an audio driver positioned within the housing;

an earbud tip defining an opening through which audio emitted by the audio driver exits the housing, the opening being oriented in a first direction; and

an elongated stem having a first end extending from the housing in a second direction angularly offset from the first direction by an angle between 90 and 130 degrees, the elongated stem enclosing a plurality of electrical components, the electrical components comprising;

a battery, a microphone adjacent to an opening defined by a second end of the elongated stem opposite the first end of the elongated stem and oriented to receive audio waves through the opening, and a wireless communications antenna.

10. The earbud as recited in claim 9, wherein the elongated stem extends from the housing in the second direction such that a portion of the elongated stem is positioned within a channel positioned between the tragus and the anti-tragus of an ear of a user when the earbud is worn within the ear of the user.

11. The earbud as recited in claim 9, further comprising an electrical contact disposed at an exterior surface of the elongated stem and configured to receive energy for charging the battery.

12. The earbud as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a noise cancelling microphone disposed within the housing and proximate an opening defined by the housing, the opening in the housing being configured to align with an ear canal of a user when the earbud is worn in an ear of the user; and

a speaker configured to emit sound waves that cancels out audio signals detected by the microphone.

13. The earbud as recited in claim 9, wherein the audio driver comprises a high frequency driver positioned proximate the earbud tip and a low frequency driver separate and distinct from the high frequency driver and positioned farther away from the earbud tip than the high frequency driver.