Wired headset with integrated switch

• US 9,131,309 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2014
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Hankey, M. Evans, Daniels, Eric B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kurr, Jason R
• Application Number:
  US14/463,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20140355782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 381/74, 381/91, 381/107, 381/109, 381/370, 381/374, 381/375, 381/376, 381/355, 381/364, 381/367, 455/575.2, 200/405, 200/505, 200/1.B
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/007 the contacts being actuated by deformation of a flexible housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0228 Line cord switches
• 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 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

Headsets are provided with integrated switch assemblies. An integrated switch assembly can include a switch hidden from view by a housing. The switch can be activated when a user applies pressure to the housing. The housing may include a flexible housing cover that, when depressed, may engage the switch contained within the housing. When engaged, the switch may move or snap to a switch activation position within the housing.

Claims

1. An electronic device capable of being controlled by a switch assembly of a headset when coupled to the headset, the electronic device comprising:

an interface that connects to the headset, the headset comprising;

a switch;

a microphone;

a top housing cover free of an opening; and

a bottom housing cover coupled with the top housing cover, wherein;

the top housing cover and the bottom housing cover fully cover the switch and the microphone,

the top housing cover extends a length of the switch assembly, and the switch assembly is free of a discrete element protruding through the top housing cover; and

a software program configured to detect a signal from a microphone section of the interface when a switch in the headset is in a closed position, wherein when the switch is in an open position the software program turns off a microphone function within the electronic device, and wherein a force applied to at least one of the top housing cover and the bottom housing cover actuates the switch.

2. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to transmit a sound received by the microphone to a second electronic device over a connection between the electronic device and the second electronic device, and wherein the bottom housing cover includes a single opening.

3. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is selected from a portable media device, cellular telephone, and digital music player.

4. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, further comprising an audio signal stored on a memory circuit, wherein the electronic device is configured to transmit the audio signal to the headset.

5. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the software program is configured to process the signal and determine the microphone of the headset is activated.

6. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a processor configured to run the software program; and

a memory circuit configured to store the software program.

7. The electronic device as recited in claim 6, further comprising communications circuitry configured to couple the electronic device to the switch assembly.

8. A system, the system comprising:

an electronic device;

a headset coupled to the electronic device, the headset having an integrated switch assembly comprising;

a top cover and a bottom cover combining to define a flexible housing cover having a first end, a second end, and a central portion between the first end and the second end;

a switch located at the central portion configured to change a function of the electronic device;

a microphone at the first end;

a housing core extending from the first end to the second end, the housing core receiving the switch and the microphone; and

a circuit board assembly coupled to the switch and the microphone,

wherein the electronic device is configured to receive sound from the microphone, and wherein the switch is in a closed switch position when the flexible housing cover is depressed.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the electronic device is a cellular telephone and where the function is selected from a group consisting of a volume increase, a volume decrease, a speaker mute, media playback function, a dial, and a hang-up.

10. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the switch is configured to activate or deactivate the microphone.

11. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the microphone is capable of receiving a sound and sending the sound to the electronic device.

12. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the headset is coupled to the electronic device via a wireless channel.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the headset receives an audio signal from the electronic device via the wireless channel.

14. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the integrated switch assembly is positioned between a first cover and a second cover.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein when the first cover is depressed, the switch is in an activation position.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein when the first cover is free of depression, the switch returns to a standby position different from the activation position.

17. A method for controlling an electronic device using a headset having a switch, the method comprising:

receiving a top cover and a bottom cover to define a housing cover of the headset to enclose all contents associated with the switch, wherein the housing cover receives a first wire at a first end and a second wire at a second end opposite the first end;

depressing only the housing cover to cause the switch to be in a closed switch configuration; and

changing a function of the electronic device based upon the closed switch configuration, wherein the top cover is a unitary body free of a through-hole and the bottom cover includes a single through-hole that is free of a discrete element protruding through the bottom cover.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the function is selected from a group consisting of a volume increase, a volume decrease, and media playback function.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising upon depressing the housing cover, actuating the switch, wherein actuating the switch changes the function of the electronic device.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

forming a through-hole in the housing cover; and

positioning a microphone within the housing cover, wherein the electronic device is capable of receiving a sound from the microphone and transmitting the sound to a second electronic device.