System with wireless earphones

• US 9,729,959 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2016
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koss Corporation
• Original Assignee: Koss Corporation
• Inventors: Koss, Michael J., Pelland, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US15/293,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20170034613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 298 Days
• Field of Search: 381381, 381 79, 381 74, 381380, 381361, 381311, 4555692, 455573, 4554261, 4554122, 455425
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/02 Manually-operated control H03G3/001 and H03G3/002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9622 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960785 with illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/95 characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/668 Internet protocol [IP] address subnets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• 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 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• 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 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 : Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 : with access to wired networks

Abstract

Apparatus comprises adapter and speaker system. Adapter is configured to plug into port of personal digital audio player. Speaker system is in communication with adapter, and comprises multiple acoustic transducers, programmable processor circuit, and wireless communication circuit. In first operational mode, processor circuit receives, via adapter, and processes digital audio content from personal digital audio player into which adapter is plugged, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the received audio content from the personal digital audio player. In second operational mode, wireless communication circuit receives digital audio content from a remote digital audio source over a wireless network, processor circuit processes the digital audio content received from remote digital audio source, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the audio content received from the remote digital audio source.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a pair of left and right wireless earphones to be worn simultaneously by a user, wherein the left and right earphones are separate such that when worn by the user, the left and right earphones are not physically connected, wherein each of the left and right earphones comprises;

a body portion that houses;

a wireless communication chip for receiving and transmitting wireless signals; and

a processor chip in communication with the wireless communication chip;

an ear canal portion extending from the body portion such that the ear canal portion is inserted into an ear of the user when worn;

an elongated portion that extends away from the body portion such that the elongated portion extends downwardly when the ear canal portion is inserted in the ear of the user;

at least one acoustic transducer connected to the processor chip;

a microphone connected to the processor chip;

an antenna connected to the wireless communication chip; and

a rechargeable battery; and

a docking station for holding at least one of the wireless earphones, wherein the docking station comprises a power cable for connecting to an external device for charging the at least one earphone when the docking station is connected to the external device via the power cable; and

a mobile, digital audio player that stores digital audio content and that comprises a wireless transceiver for transmitting digital audio content to both the left and right earphones via Bluetooth wireless communication links, such that each earphone communicates with the mobile, digital audio player,

wherein;

in a first operational mode, the pair of left and right earphones play audio content stored on the mobile, digital audio player and transmitted to the left and right earphones from the mobile, digital audio player via the Bluetooth wireless communication links; and

in a second operational mode, the pair of left and right earphones play audio content streamed from a remote network server.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a pair of left and right wireless earphones to be worn simultaneously by a user, wherein the left and right earphones are separate such that when worn by the user, the left and right earphones are not physically connected, wherein each of the left and right earphones comprises;

a body portion that houses;

a wireless communication chip for receiving wireless audio content via a Bluetooth wireless communication link; and

a processor chip in communication with the wireless communication chip;

an ear canal portion extending from the body portion such that the ear canal portion is inserted into an ear of the user when worn;

an elongated portion that extends away from the body portion such that the elongated portion extends downwardly when the ear canal portion is inserted in the ear of the user;

at least one acoustic transducer connected to the processor chip for playing audio content received by the wireless communication chip;

a microphone connected to the processor chip;

an antenna connected to the wireless communication chip; and

a rechargeable battery;

a docking station for holding at least one of the wireless earphones, wherein the docking station comprises a power cable for connecting to an external device for charging the at least one earphone when the docking station is connected to the external device via the power cable;

a mobile, digital audio player that stores digital audio content and that comprises a wireless transceiver for transmitting digital audio content to both the left and right earphones via Bluetooth wireless communication links, such that each earphone communicates with the mobile, digital audio player; and

a remote network server that is in communication with the mobile, digital audio device via a communications network;

wherein;

in a first operational mode, the pair of left and right earphones play audio content stored on the mobile, digital audio player and transmitted to the left and right earphones from the mobile, digital audio player via the Bluetooth wireless communication links; and

in a second operational mode, the pair of left and right earphones play audio content streamed from the remote network server.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a pair of left and right wireless earphones to be worn simultaneously by a user, wherein the left and right earphones are separate such that when worn by the user, the left and right earphones are not physically connected, wherein each of the left and right earphones comprises;

a body portion;

an ear canal portion extending from the body portion such that the ear canal portion is inserted into an ear of the user when worn;

an elongated portion that extends away from the body portion such that the elongated portion extends downwardly when the ear canal portion is inserted in the ear of the user;

a wireless communication chip for receiving wireless audio content via a Bluetooth wireless communication link; and

a processor chip in communication with the wireless communication chip;

at least one acoustic transducer connected to the processor chip for playing audio content received by the wireless communication chip;

a microphone connected to the processor chip;

an antenna connected to the wireless communication chip; and

a rechargeable battery; and

a docking station for holding at least one of the wireless earphones, wherein the docking station comprises a power cable for connecting to an external device for charging the at least one earphone when the docking station is connected to the external device via the power cable; and

a mobile, digital audio player that stores digital audio content and that comprises a wireless transceiver for transmitting digital audio content to both the left and right earphones via Bluetooth wireless communication links, such that each earphone communicates with the mobile, digital audio player,

wherein;

in a first operational mode, the pair of left and right earphones play audio content stored on the mobile, digital audio player and transmitted to the left and right earphones from the mobile, digital audio player via the Bluetooth wireless communication links; and

in a second operational mode, the pair of left and right earphones play audio content streamed from a remote network server.