Power transferring headphones

• US 9,276,539 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2014
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phaz Music Corp.
• Original Assignee: Zeikos Incorporated
• Inventors: Saideh, Isaac
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US14/533,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20150124993A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 381/74, 381/309
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/00 Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• 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 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 2460/03 Aspects of the reduction of energy consumption in hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

The invention relates to headphones which can facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the headphones'"'"' internal power source to other devices. A pair of headphones can connect to a device through a modified cable. The modified cable triggers the transfer of electrical power to the device. A pair headphones may have a modified port which, when connected to the device through a non-modified or regular cable, causes the transfer of power from the headphones. A power management component connected to the internal power source of the headphones helps control or regulate the transfer of power transfer to and from the headphones.

Claims

1. A headphone device, comprising:

a first speaker unit for providing audio output;

a second speaker unit for providing audio output and connected to the first speaker unit with a band;

an internal power source disposed in an interior portion of the headphone device;

one or more powered components electrically coupled with the internal power source to receive electrical power from the internal power source;

a port located on one of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, and in electrical communication with the internal power source; and

an internal power management component operatively connected between the internal power source and the port, the internal power management component configured to cause electrical power to flow from the internal power source through the port.

2. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the one or more powered components comprise a wireless communication receiver.

3. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the one or more powered components comprise an amplifier.

4. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the internal power management component is configured to control an output voltage of the internal power source.

5. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the port is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable with a second end connectable to an external device.

6. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the port is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable with a second end connectable to a power adaptor for providing power from a wall outlet to charge the internal power source.

7. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the internal power management component is configured to determine the amount of electrical power in the internal power source and prevents the transfer of electrical power from the internal power source if the amount of electrical power is less than or equal to a predefined threshold electrical power level.

8. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the internal power source comprises one or more rechargeable batteries.

9. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the internal power source comprises one or more disposable batteries.

10. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the power management component comprises a power manager integrated circuit.

11. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the port is a USB-type port for receiving a USB-type cable.

12. The headphone device of claim 11, wherein the USB type port is a micro USB port and the USB-type cable has at least one micro USB-type connector.

13. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the one or more powered components comprise a wireless communication transmitter.

14. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the one or more powered components comprise a wireless communication transceiver.

15. The headphone device of claim 1, wherein the one or more powered components comprise an amplifier.

16. The headphone device of claim 15, wherein the amplifier continuously receives electrical power from the internal power source.

17. The headphone device of claim 15, wherein the amplifier is configured to apply a voltage gain to an input electrical signal along a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

18. The headphone device of claim 15, wherein the amplifier is configured to apply a voltage gain along a frequency range of 20 Hz to 500 Hz.