EARPHONE DEVICE AND METHOD USING IT
First Claim
1. An earphone device for connecting to a terminal having a function of sound or video reproduction and forwarding a reproduced sound to a user through an earphone inserted into or arranged on a user'"'"'s ear, the device comprising:
- a cable of a predetermined length;
an ear jack installed at one end of the cable, and inserted into an ear jack hole provided in the terminal having the function of sound or video reproduction, for electrical connection;
an earphone installed at the other end of the cable, having a speaker unit outputting sound, and worn over or inside the user'"'"'s ear; and
a sensor coupled with the earphone and sensing that the earphone is arranged over, on, or inside the user'"'"'s ear.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An earphone device and a method for operation saves power and time when a user is interrupted from listening to communications. The earphone device includes a cable of a predetermined length, an ear jack, an earphone, a light sensor, and a controller. The ear jack is installed at one end of the cable, and is preferably arranged into an ear jack hole provided in a terminal for providing sound or voice reproduction. The earphone is installed at the other end of the cable and includes a speaker, and preferably inserted into and/or on a user'"'"'s ear. The light sensor is positioned to periodically sense brightness. The controller determines whether or not the earphone is actually in use (or non-use) based on the brightness periodically sensed by the light sensor. The transmission of audio signals to the earphone is enabled/disabled according to the determination by the earphone.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An earphone device for connecting to a terminal having a function of sound or video reproduction and forwarding a reproduced sound to a user through an earphone inserted into or arranged on a user'"'"'s ear, the device comprising:
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a cable of a predetermined length; an ear jack installed at one end of the cable, and inserted into an ear jack hole provided in the terminal having the function of sound or video reproduction, for electrical connection; an earphone installed at the other end of the cable, having a speaker unit outputting sound, and worn over or inside the user'"'"'s ear; and a sensor coupled with the earphone and sensing that the earphone is arranged over, on, or inside the user'"'"'s ear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25)
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15. An earphone device for performing a wireless local communication with a terminal having a function of sound or video reproduction and forwarding a reproduced sound to a user, the device comprising:
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an earphone having a speaker unit for outputting a sound, and adapted for insertion into a user'"'"'s ear; and a light sensor installed in the earphone and sensing brightness. - View Dependent Claims (17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26)
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27. A wireless local communication earphone device connecting to a terminal having a function of sound or video reproduction and forwarding a reproduced sound to a user, the device comprising:
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a controller for performing a control of a general operation; and a plurality of earphones having light sensors for sensing external brightness, and the earphones performing a wireless communication with the terminal having the sound or video reproduction function, wherein the sound or video reproducing terminal comprises a controller for receiving brightness signals from the light sensors of the plurality of earphones, and enabling or disabling a corresponding function based on a value of the brightness signals.
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28. A method for operating an earphone device electrically connecting to a terminal for reproducing sound or video, and having a sensor for sensing the earphone is being worn by a user, the method comprising:
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connecting the earphone device to the sound or video reproducing terminal; sensing contact with the user by the sensor; determining if the sensed contact is within a predetermined range; and if the contact is within the predetermined range, enabling a corresponding function and, if the contact sensed is not within the predetermined range, disabling the corresponding function. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification