Abstract:
Transforming an earphone system from a topology comprising loose ends to a topology comprising one or more loops inhibits knot formation. A cable management device provides for coupling an electrical jack to one or more earbuds comprising the earphone system, thereby eliminating topological loose ends and consequently inhibiting knot formation by eliminating opportunities for knot nucleation at the topological loose ends. A user may conveniently configure their earphones for storage by coupling the electrical jack to each earbud prior to storage. Upon retrieval from storage, the user is advantageously relieved from needing to unknot their earphone system.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/913,353 (Attorney Docket No. EBC-001) titled “SYSTEMS FOR EARPHONE CABLE MANAGEMENT,” filed Dec. 8, 2013, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to earphone systems, and more specifically to systems for earphone cable management. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A typical earphone system includes an electrical jack coupled to one or two earbuds via an electrical cable. A line topology having two loose ends may represent an earphone system with one earbud, while a “Y” topology having three loose ends may represent an earphone system with two earbuds. When in use, the jack is typically plugged into a device such as a mobile phone, music player, tablet computer, etc. When in storage, the jack and each earbud each comprise a loose end that is highly prone to knot nucleation. Knot nucleation is a process in which a loose end of a string moves through one or more loops associated with one or more sections of a string and forms one or more knots. Each loose end of a line topology and each loose end of a Y topology may independently form knots. The knot nucleation process is promoted by movement and confinement, both characteristics of common storage scenarios of a typical earphone system, such as when an earphone system is stored within a backpack, purse, pocket, pouch, and the like. When knots form in the electrical cable, such as due to knot nucleation associated with common storage techniques, the earphone system becomes tangled and may be difficult to untangle for subsequent use. 
         [0004]    Prior art earphone systems attempt to address the problem of knot formation through the application of bulky devices or inconvenient techniques. For example, one category of solution involves a spring-loaded roller mechanism that the user may deploy to roll-up the electrical cable for storage, thereby minimizing the likelihood of knot formation. A typical spring-loaded roller can be quite bulky compared to the balance of the earphone system. A typical spring-loaded roller also remains attached to the earphone system, introducing a constant inconvenience. Other solutions require the user to manually roll up the electrical cable on a customized storage structure, which may be quite bulky. Such solutions may be advantageous over sprint-loaded rollers because the storage structure need not be attached when the earphone system is being actively used. However, the process of rolling up the earphone system in conformance with the storage structure may be quite inconvenient and time consuming. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need for addressing this and/or other issues associated with the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An earphone system, comprising an electrical jack, an earbud, and a cable management device is disclosed herein. The electrical jack is configured to transmit an electrical signal from an audio host to an electrical cable. The earbud is coupled to the electrical cable and configured to convert the electrical signal into an acoustic signal. The cable management device is coupled to the electrical jack and to the earbud to configure the electrical cable into a loop topology. 
         [0007]    A user may conveniently configure their earphones for storage by coupling the electrical jack to the earbud prior to storage. Upon retrieval from storage, the user is advantageously relieved from needing to unknot their earphone system because the loop topology inhibits knot formation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art earphone system comprising two earbuds. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an earphone system that includes a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the earphone system of  FIG. 2A  in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2C through 2F  illustrate different exemplary configurations of the cable management device of  FIG. 2A , according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2G  illustrates an electrical jack being inserted into a receptacle associated with the cable management device of  FIG. 2A , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2H  illustrates an electrical jack being inserted into a receptacle associated with the cable management device of  FIG. 2A , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A through 3F  illustrate cross sections of exemplary configurations of a cable management device, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A through 4D  illustrate cross sections of exemplary configurations of a cable management device, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an earphone system in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  illustrates an alternative engagement position of the electrical jack within a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5C  illustrates an alternative earbud position associated with a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an earphone system in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a cross section of an exemplary cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a cross section of another exemplary cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an earphone system being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7B  illustrates engagement elements comprising a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7C  illustrates engagement elements disposed to receive an electrical jack, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7D  illustrates the engagement elements receiving the electrical jack, causing the earphone system to begin to enter a storage configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7E  illustrates a cross section of two engagement elements having a closed engagement geometry, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7F  illustrates a cross section of two engagement elements having an open engagement geometry, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7G  illustrates a cross section of two engagement elements coupled together and ready to receive the electrical jack, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7H  illustrates an earphone system in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an earphone system being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a cross section of an electrical jack comprising a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8C  illustrates the earphone system of  FIG. 8A  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8D  illustrates a cross section of the electrical jack coupled to each of two earbud stems, thereby disposing the earphone system into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8E  illustrates an alternative earphone system, whereby each earbud stem comprises a substantially cylindrical shaft being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8F  illustrates the earphone system of  FIG. 8E  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9A  illustrates an earphone system being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9B  illustrates the earphone system of  FIG. 9A  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 9D  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A , according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 9E  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A , according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9F  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A , configured to include retention structures, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 9G  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a magnetic element comprising a first attachment device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a magnetic element comprising a second attachment device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 10C  illustrates the second attachment device being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 10D  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A  configured to include two instances of the second attachment device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 10E  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 10D  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 11A  illustrates an earphone system disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 11B  illustrates a cross section of a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 11C  illustrates a cross section of the cable management device disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 11D  illustrates a cross section of the cable management device configured to include magnetic attachment devices, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 12A  illustrates a cable management device disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 12B  illustrates the cable management device of  FIG. 11A  prepared to dispose an earphone system into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0054]    Earphone systems are commonly used with audio host devices such as mobile phones, mobile music players, tablet computers, and other computing platforms configured to generate an audio signal. An earphone system may include one earbud or two earbuds coupled to an electrical jack through an electrical cable. The electrical jack is configured to electronically couple the earphone system to an audio host device. Each earbud is configured to convert an electronic signal transmitted through the electrical jack to a corresponding acoustic signal. An earphone system may also include a microphone integrated within an earbud or disposed along the electrical cable. The microphone is configured to convert an acoustic signal into an electronic signal for transmission through the electrical jack. 
         [0055]    The electrical jack and each earbud each represent a loose end prone to knot nucleation. To store the earphone system, a user commonly winds the electrical cable along with the earbuds and electrical jack into a bundle or simply wads these components into a bundle for storage within a pocket or pouch. This common storage technique creates a productive environment for knot nucleation associated with each loose end. Knot formation and tightening occurs while the earphone system is stored, with movement and confinement promoting further knotting and further tangling. 
         [0056]    Embodiments of the present invention inhibit knot nucleation, the primary cause of knotting and tangling while an earphone system is stored, by eliminating loose ends during storage. Loose ends are eliminated by removably binding the electrical jack and each of one or two earbuds together to form a loop topology. The loop topology may include one loop, or a plurality of loops, but no loose ends. Without loose ends, knot nucleation is highly inhibited, significantly diminishing any knotting or tangling of the earphone system while being stored. Without knots in the electrical cable, a user may simply and conveniently shake the earphone system into a usable configuration. 
         [0057]    Certain embodiments implement a cable management device coupled to the electrical cable and configured to be coupled to the electrical jack to form a loop topology. The cable management device may be slid along the electrical cable to close proximity with the earbuds, and then coupled to the electrical jack to form a loop topology. This embodiment is described below in  FIGS. 2A-4D . In a second embodiment, a cable management device is configured to be coupled to stems of one or more earbuds and to the electrical jack to form a loop topology, as discussed below  FIGS. 5A-5C . In a third embodiment, the cable management device is configured to be coupled to the earbuds and to the electrical jack to form a loop topology. An exemplary implementation of this embodiment is described below in  FIGS. 6A-6C . In a fourth embodiment, each earbud in an earphone system includes an attachment device configured to be coupled to the electrical jack to form a loop topology. One or more attachment devices collectively form a cable management device, described below in  FIGS. 7A-7H . In a fifth embodiment, the electrical jack includes a cable management device, as described below in  FIGS. 8A-8F . The cable management device is configured to removably couple each earbud to the electrical jack to form a loop topology. In a sixth embodiment, an attachment device is configured to couple an earbud to the electrical jack, as described below in  FIGS. 9A-9G .  FIG. 10A  describes a first attachment device comprising a magnet component and a matching ferromagnetic component fabricated using a ferromagnetic material such as soft iron or steel that may be coupled to the magnet. An earphone system comprising two earbuds may be implemented using two attachment devices, comprising a total of two magnet components and two ferromagnetic components. A second magnetic attachment device is described in  FIGS. 10B-10E . 
         [0058]    In a seventh embodiment, a cable management device comprises a clamp structure, described below in  FIGS. 11A-11C . The clamp structure is configured to retain the electrical jack and each earbud associated with the earphone system, to form a loop topology. In an eighth embodiment, the cable management device comprises a fabric capture structure and a receptacle configured to be removably coupled to the electrical jack, as described below in  FIGS. 12A-12B . The fabric capture structure is configured to retain one or more earbuds within an earphone system. The fabric capture structure may include an appropriately sized sack, tube, or noose structure into which an earbud may be removably and snugly disposed. When each earbud is disposed within a corresponding fabric capture structure and the electrical jack is coupled to the receptacle, a loop topology may be formed. 
         [0059]    These and other embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with an earphone system to transform an earphone system topology comprising loose ends to a topology comprising one or more loops without departing the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example a cable management device comprising other fasteners such as hooks, tongue and groove pairs, protuberances with matching cavity pairs, and the like may be configured to couple the electrical jack to one or more earbuds to dispose an earphone system into a loop topology configuration. 
         [0060]    While embodiments of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with an earphone system comprising earbuds, other embodiments may be directed to any technically feasible head-mounted audio device. For example, in one embodiment, the earphone system comprises a bone conduction transducer coupled to an electrical cable, which is further coupled directly to an electrical jack. The electrical jack may be coupled directly to the bone conduction transducer, thereby disposing the earphone system into a storage configuration having a loop topology. 
         [0061]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art earphone system comprising two earbuds  136 ,  138 . As shown, each earbud is coupled to an electrical jack  110  through a system of electrical cables  120 ,  122 ,  124 . When the earphone system is being actively used, the electrical jack  110  is coupled to an electronic device such as a cellular phone, music player, or tablet computer. When the earphone system is being stored, each respective element is confined into a storage volume such as a pocket, pouch, canister, or the like. When in storage, knot nucleation commonly occurs, causing the electrical cables to become knotted and tangled. Attempts to reducing knotting and tangling such as wrapping the electrical cables around the electronic device typically aggravate rather reduce the knot forming process because knot nucleation of loose ends is typically enhanced in the presence of preformed loops. 
         [0062]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an earphone system that includes a cable management device  240 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, earphone system includes the cable management device  240 , at least one of earbuds  236 ,  238 , electrical cables  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and electrical jack  210 . Earbuds  236 ,  238  may comprise stems  232 ,  234 , respectively. In one embodiment cable management device  240  is configured to slide along at least electrical cables  222 ,  224 . When configuring the earphone system for storage, the cable management device  240  may be slid close to the earbuds  236 ,  238 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the earphone system of  FIG. 2A  in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, cable management device  240  is positioned close to the earbuds  236 ,  238 , and electrical jack  210  has been coupled to the cable management device  240 . In this configuration, the topological loose end defined by the electrical jack  210  is eliminated and the topology for related cables is transformed into a loop  200 . With earbuds  236 ,  238  sufficiently close to the cable management device  240 , knot nucleation is inhibited. 
         [0064]    In an alternative embodiment, only one earbud is implemented and a microphone is optionally disposed along an electrical cable comprising the earphone system. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 2C through 2F  illustrate different exemplary configurations of the cable management device of  FIG. 2A , according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0066]      FIG. 2G  illustrates an electrical jack  210  being inserted into a receptacle associated with the cable management device of  FIG. 2A , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0067]      FIG. 2H  illustrates an electrical jack  210  being inserted into a receptacle associated with the cable management device of  FIG. 2A , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 3A through 3F  illustrate cross sections of exemplary configurations of a cable management device  310 , according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. As shown, cable management device  310  includes a cavity  312  to receive an electrical jack, such as electrical jack  210 , and cavities  314 ,  316  for passing electrical cables, such as electrical cables  222 ,  224 . Alternatively, cavities  314 ,  316  may receive stems  232 ,  234 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  include cavities  312  that encircle the electrical jack, while  FIGS. 3C-3F  include open cavities for frictionally coupling to the electrical jack. 
         [0069]    In use, a user may couple the electrical jack  210  to the cavity  312  of the cable management device  310 , and earbuds  236 ,  238  to cavities  314 ,  316  of the cable management device  310 . The earbuds  236 ,  238  may be coupled directly by coupling stems  232 ,  234  to cavities  314 ,  316 , or indirectly by coupling electrical cables  222 ,  224  to cavities  314 ,  316 . In both cases, the user forms a loop topology with the earbuds and electrical cables, thereby reducing the likelihood of a knot forming. 
         [0070]      FIGS. 4A through 4D  illustrate cross sections of exemplary configurations of a cable management device, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. As shown, cable management deice  410  includes a cavity  412 , configured to frictionally couple to an electrical jack, such as electrical jack  210 . Cable management device  410  also includes cavities  414 ,  416  for coupling to electrical cables, such as electrical cables  222 ,  224 . 
         [0071]    In use, a user may couple the electrical jack  210  to the cavity  412  of the cable management device  410 , and earbuds  236 ,  238  to cavities  414 ,  416  of the cable management device  410 . The earbuds  236 ,  238  may be coupled directly by coupling stems  232 ,  234  to cavities  414 ,  416 , or indirectly by coupling electrical cables  222 ,  224  to cavities  414 ,  416 . In both cases, the user forms a loop topology with the earbuds and electrical cables, thereby reducing the likelihood of a knot forming. 
         [0072]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an earphone system in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the earphone system includes a cable management device  540 , at least one of earbuds  536 ,  538 , electrical cables  520 ,  522 ,  524 , and electrical jack  510 . Earbuds  536 ,  538  may comprise stems  532 ,  534 , respectively. In one embodiment, cable management device  540  is configured to be coupled to the electrical jack  510 , and to the stems  532 ,  534 , forming loop topology  500 . In this configuration, topological loose ends defined by the electrical jack  510  and earbuds  536 ,  538  are eliminated and the topology of the earphone system is transformed from a topological “Y” to a topological loop. 
         [0073]    In an alternative embodiment, only one earbud is implemented and a microphone is optionally disposed along an electrical cable comprising the earphone system. 
         [0074]    In certain embodiments, the cable management device  540  comprises a substantially extruded geometry with a cross section such as illustrated in  FIGS. 3D ,  4 B,  4 C, or  4 D, whereby a center cavity is configured to be coupled the electrical jack  510 , and each side cavity is configured to be coupled to a respective stem  532 ,  534 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 5B  illustrates an alternative engagement position of the electrical jack  510  within a cable management device  540 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5C  illustrates an alternative earbud position associated with a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0077]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an earphone system in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the earphone system includes a cable management device  640 , at least one of earbuds  636 ,  638 , electrical cables  620 ,  622 ,  624 , and electrical jack  610 . Earbuds  636 ,  638  may comprise stems  632 ,  634 , respectively. In one embodiment, cable management device  640  is configured to be coupled to the electrical jack  510 , and to the earbuds  536 ,  538 , forming a loop topology. In this configuration, topological loose ends defined by the electrical jack  610  and earbuds  636 ,  638  are eliminated and the topology of the earphone system is transformed from a topological “Y” to a topological loop. 
         [0078]    In an alternative embodiment, only one earbud is implemented and a microphone is optionally disposed along an electrical cable comprising the earphone system. 
         [0079]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a cross section of an exemplary cable management device  640 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. Cavity  612  may be configured to be coupled to the electrical jack  610 , and each earbud  636 ,  638  is configured to be coupled to the cable management device  640  as shown. As shown, cavity  612  is substantially symmetrically disposed within cable management device  640 . In other embodiments, cavity  612  is asymmetrically disposed within cable management device  640 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a cross section of an exemplary cable management device  640 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, cavity  612  is asymmetrically disposed within cable management device  640 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an earphone system being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the earphone system includes a cable management device comprising engagement elements  750 , at least one of earbuds  736 ,  738 , electrical cables coupled to the earbuds  736 ,  738  and to an electrical jack (not shown). Earbuds  736 ,  738  may comprise stems  732 ,  734 , respectively. In one embodiment, one or more engagement elements  750  comprising the cable management device are coupled to stems  732 ,  734 , as shown. Alternatively, the engagement elements  750  are coupled directly to respective earbuds  736 ,  738 . The earbuds  736 ,  738  may be positioned together such that the engagement elements  750  are coupled together, as shown below in  FIGS. 7C ,  7 D, and  7 H. 
         [0082]    In an alternative embodiment, only one earbud is implemented and a microphone is optionally disposed along an electrical cable comprising the earphone system. In such an embodiment, the electrical jack may be coupled to the one earbud using engagement elements associated with the one earbud. 
         [0083]      FIG. 7B  illustrates engagement elements  750  comprising a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0084]    As shown, the engagement elements  750  may be fabricated to include beveled edges to facilitate alignment when brought together. 
         [0085]      FIG. 7C  illustrates engagement elements disposed to receive an electrical jack (not shown), according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0086]      FIG. 7D  illustrates the engagement elements receiving an electrical jack  710 , causing the earphone system to enter a storage configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, with the electrical jack  710  coupled to the engagement elements  750 , earbuds  736 ,  738  may be removably but firmly held together. The combined topology of the earbuds  736 ,  738  and associated electrical cables form a loop topology, thereby reducing the likelihood of a knot forming. 
         [0087]      FIG. 7E  illustrates a cross section of two engagement elements  750 ( 1 ),  750 ( 3 ) having closed engagement geometry, according to one embodiment of the present invention. A cross section of stems  732  and  734  is also shown. 
         [0088]      FIG. 7F  illustrates a cross section of two engagement elements  750 ( 1 ),  750 ( 3 ) having open engagement geometry, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0089]      FIG. 7G  illustrates a cross section of two engagement elements  750 ( 1 ),  750 ( 3 ) coupled together and ready to receive the electrical jack  710 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. Electrical jack  710  may be inserted into cavity  712  to couple the electrical jack  710  to the cable management device comprising engagement elements  750 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 7H  illustrates an earphone system in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, topological loose ends defined by the electrical jack  710  and earbuds  736 ,  738  are eliminated and the topology of the earphone system is transformed from a topological “Y” to a loop topology, thereby reducing the likelihood of knots forming in associated electrical cables  722 ,  724 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an earphone system being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the earphone system includes a cable management device comprising engagement elements  860 ,  862 , at least one of earbuds  836 ,  838 , electrical cables coupled to the earbuds  836 ,  838  and to an electrical jack  810 . Earbuds  836 ,  838  may comprise stems  832 ,  834 , respectively. In one embodiment, one or more engagement elements  850 ,  862  comprising the cable management device are fabricated as part of the electrical jack  810 . The cable management device is configured to removably couple each earbud  836 ,  838  to the electrical jack  810 . 
         [0092]    In an alternative embodiment, only one earbud is implemented and a microphone is optionally disposed along an electrical cable comprising the earphone system. In such an embodiment, the electrical jack may be coupled to the one earbud using engagement element  860 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a cross section of electrical jack  810  comprising the cable management device configured to include two engagement elements  860 ,  862 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8C  illustrates the earphone system of  FIG. 8A  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8D  illustrates a cross section of the electrical jack coupled to each of two earbud stems, thereby disposing the earphone system into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0094]      FIG. 8E  illustrates an alternative earphone system, whereby each earbud stem  832 ,  834  comprises a substantially cylindrical shaft being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8F  illustrates the earphone system of  FIG. 8E  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0095]      FIG. 9A  illustrates an earphone system being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the earphone system includes a cable management device, at least one of earbuds  936 ,  938 , at least one electrical cable coupled to cable  920  and to the at least one of earbuds  936 ,  938 , and to an electrical jack  910  through cable  920 . Earbuds  936 ,  938  may comprise stems  932 ,  934 , respectively. In one embodiment, the cable management device comprises two attachment devices. The first attachment device includes a jack element  950  and a corresponding earbud element  960 ; the second attachment device includes a jack element  952  and a corresponding earbud element  962 . In one embodiment, jack elements  950 ,  952  comprise magnets and earbud elements  960 ,  962  comprise magnetically permeable elements configured to magnetically attach to respective jack elements. In other embodiments, the jack elements  950 ,  952  comprise magnetically permeable elements and earbud elements  960 ,  962  comprises magnets. 
         [0096]    In an alternative embodiment, the cable management device comprises one attachment device and only one earbud is implemented. A microphone is optionally disposed along an electrical cable comprising the earphone system. In such an embodiment, the electrical jack may be coupled to the one earbud. 
         [0097]      FIG. 9B  illustrates the earphone system of  FIG. 9A  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9C  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9D  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A , according to another embodiment of the present invention. A structural element  954  may be coupled to each jack element  950 ,  952 . In one embodiment, the structural element  954  comprises a magnetically permeable material such as a ferromagnetic material.  FIG. 9E  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A , according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0098]      FIG. 9F  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A , configured to include retention structures  970 ,  972 ,  974 ,  976 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9G  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0099]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a magnetic element  1014  comprising a first attachment device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The attachment device includes jack element  950  and earbud element  960 . The earbud element  960  includes a permeable element  1010 , fabricated from a magnetically permeable material such as a ferromagnetic material. The jack element  950  includes a magnetic element  1014 , and a permeable form  1012 , fabricated from a magnetically permeable material. The jack element  950  may also include a protective barrier  1016  configured to protect the magnet from mechanical or chemical damage. In alternative embodiments the structure indicated here as the jack element  950  is coupled to the earbud, while the structure indicated here as the earbud element  960  is coupled to an electrical jack. 
         [0100]    Magnetic flux from the magnetic element  1014  is concentrated by the permeable form  1012  into tight loops at the interface of the magnetic element  1014  and the permeable element  1010 , thereby efficiently utilizing magnetic flux generated by the magnetic element  1014 . 
         [0101]      FIG. 10B  illustrates magnetic element  1014  comprising a second attachment device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the permeable form  1012  may be shaped to partially surround the magnetic element  1014 , with a gap  1020  along each edge of the magnetic element  1014 . Magnetic flux  1022  is guided by the permeable form  1012  from the back side of the magnetic element  1014  to the front side of magnetic element  1014 . The magnetic flux  1022  forms loops around the gap  1020  that include air in front of the magnetic element  1014  and the gap  1020 . As shown, permeable element  1010  is shaped to fit tightly into the shape of the permeable form  1020 , accounting for magnetic element  1014 . 
         [0102]      FIG. 10C  illustrates the second attachment device being disposed into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the permeable element  1010  makes contact with the permeable form  1012 , the magnetic flux  1022  is highly concentrated in the loops formed in the gap  1020 , providing efficient utilization of magnetic flux generated by the magnetic element  1014 . 
         [0103]      FIG. 10D  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 9A  configured to include two instances of the second attachment device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10E  illustrates a cross section of the earphone system of  FIG. 10D  disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. A loop topology is formed by elements of the earphone system when disposed in such a storage configuration, thereby reducing the likelihood of a knot forming in associated electrical cables. 
         [0104]      FIG. 11A  illustrates an earphone system disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The earphone system includes at least one of earbuds  1136 ,  1138 , electrical cables coupled to the earbuds  1136 ,  1138  and to an electrical jack  1110 . Earbuds  1136 ,  1138  may comprise stems  1132 ,  1134 , respectively. A cable management device is configured to clamp the electrical jack  1110  and each earbud  1136 ,  1138  together. 
         [0105]    In an alternative embodiment, the cable management device is configured to clamp the electrical jack  1110  and one earbud. A microphone is optionally disposed along an electrical cable comprising the earphone system. In such an embodiment, the electrical jack  1110  may be coupled to the one earbud. 
         [0106]      FIG. 11B  illustrates a cross section of a cable management device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cable management device  1140  may include a hinge, latch, or any other technically feasible apparatus to allow a top component  1152  to be removably coupled to or closed onto a bottom component  1150 . As shown, the top component  1152  may be coupled onto the bottom component  1150 , thereby clamping the electrical jack  1110  and each earbud  1136 ,  1138  together to dispose the earphone system into a storage configuration. As a result, a loop topology is formed for the storage configuration.  FIG. 11C  illustrates a cross section of the cable management device disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0107]      FIG. 110  illustrates a cross section of the cable management device  1140  of  FIG. 11A  configured to include magnetic attachment devices, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Each magnetic attachment device may include a magnetic element  1170  and a permeable element  1172 . As shown, the electrical jack  1110  and each earbud  1136 ,  1138  may be magnetically coupled to the bottom component  1150 . The top component  1152  may then be used to clamp the electrical jack  1110  and each earbud  1136 ,  1138  together to dispose the earphone system into a storage configuration comprising a loop topology. 
         [0108]      FIG. 12A  illustrates a cable management device disposed in a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cable management device comprises a central element  1274  and a sack structure for each earbud. An electrical jack  1210  may be removably coupled to the central element  1274  as part of a storage configuration. 
         [0109]      FIG. 12B  illustrates the cable management device of  FIG. 11A  prepared to dispose an earphone system into a storage configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, earbud  1236  may be inserted into sack structure  1270  and earbud  1238  may be inserted into sack structure  1272 . With each earbud stored within a corresponding sack structure and the electrical jack  1210  coupled to the central element  1274 , the earphone system comprises a loop topology. 
         [0110]    In the above embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-12 , an earphone system comprises an electrical jack configured to transmit an electrical signal from an audio host, such as a mobile music player, to an electrical cable. An earbud is coupled to the electrical cable an configured to convert the electrical signal to an acoustic signal. A user may couple the earbud to their ear and listen to the acoustic signal, which may transmit music, voice, and/or other audio signals. A cable management device is coupled to the electrical jack and to the earbud to configure the electrical cable into a loop topology. While configured into a loop topology, such as for storage, the electrical cable is advantageously less likely to form knots compared to an un-looped topology (e.g., a “Y” topology or line topology). 
         [0111]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.