Abstract:
An improved headphone design delivers an improved listening experience. The headphones provide comfortable and uniform earpiece pressure against the listener&#39;s ear. The headphones help eliminate environmental noise and reduce audible interference, masking, and other undesirable intrusions into the listening experience.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Priority Claim  
         [0002]     This application claims the benefit of priority from European Patent Application No. 05450176.2, filed Oct. 21, 2005, which is incorporated by reference.  
         [0003]     2. Technical Field  
         [0004]     The application relates to headphones, and in particular, to the interface between the headband and the earpiece.  
         [0005]     3. Related Art  
         [0006]     The proliferation of portable music devices and similar products has led to an increased use of headphones for private listening purposes. Headphones and their earpieces may be configured in a variety of ways to adapt to different head shapes and sizes as well as different ear shapes and sizes. Some headphone earpiece types include circumaural, an earpiece type that completely surrounds the ear; supra-aural, an earpiece type that rests on top of the ear; earbuds, an earpiece type that sits in the ear canal opening; and canalphones, an earpiece type that sits inside the ear canal.  
         [0007]     Sound clarity is important regardless of headphone design. One way in which headphones provide clarity is to isolate listeners from the environment so that the audio is not overwhelmed, masked, or corrupted by noise. In addition, the headphones may incorporate noise suppression circuitry and other signal processing techniques to enhance clarity. However, the processing circuitry can be expensive, cumbersome, and prone to malfunction.  
         [0008]     Another way to isolate a listener from environmental noises is to improve the interface between the listener&#39;s ear and the earpiece. Some headphones use elastic headbands to form the headphones to a listener&#39;s head, but the elastic headbands do not consistently create a uniform seal of the earpiece against the listener&#39;s ear. Other headphones have adjustable earpieces that move in one dimension, but such headphones typically use non-durable materials that apply uneven pressure to the earpiece. In other designs, the headphones allow the earpiece to slide longitudinally along the headband, but only allow for adjustment for the listener&#39;s ear position rather than improving environmental isolation. In other words, prior headphone designs were often mechanically complicated and therefore subject to jamming and mechanical failure, and also permitted significant environmental noise to interfere with the audio program. Other technologies try to address mechanical effects on sound quality. In some loudspeaker designs, for example, a labyrinth-like pattern of bars acts as a set of leaf springs and connect the loudspeaker cover with the housing. The bars are intended to uncouple oscillations and vibrations between the cover and the housing, but are not designed to form any kind of seal against a listener&#39;s ear.  
         [0009]     Therefore, there exists a need for headphones that improve the interface between the listener&#39;s ear and the earpiece.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0010]     A headphone earpiece design gives an improved listening experience. The headphones provide a comfortable and uniform earpiece seal on the listener&#39;s ear. Thus, the headphones assist in eliminating environmental noise and reducing unwanted interference in a listener&#39;s audio program.  
         [0011]     The headphones include a headband and one or more earpieces. Each earpiece may include an electroacoustic converter to translate an audio input signal to sound. An elastic interface may connect the earpiece to the headband. The elastic interface biases the earpiece against the listener&#39;s ear. In particular, the elastic interface provides a force on the earpiece to seal the earpiece against the ear. The elastic interface may be selected to provide a uniform, comfortable, and/or constant pressure on the ear to create the seal. The elastic interface may be made from an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive elastic interface may couple audio input signals through the elastic interface to the electroacoustic converters.  
         [0012]     Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The system may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows headphones with a headband and earpieces.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an electroacoustic converter attached to an earpiece attachment structure through a flat spring.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a flat spring.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  shows an earpiece attached to an earpiece attachment structure through a flat spring.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a headset with a headband, earpieces, and a microphone.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a square flat spring.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a circular flat spring.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  shows an oval flat spring.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  shows an octagonal flat spring.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  shows a rectangular flat spring.  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  shows a circular flat spring.  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  shows a triangular flat spring.  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  shows a multiple piece circular flat spring.  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  shows a cross section of an electroacoustic converter and a multiple layer flat spring.  
         [0028]      FIG. 15  shows a flat spring.  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  shows a flat spring.  
         [0030]      FIG. 17  shows an electroacoustic converter attached to an earpiece attachment structure through a flat spring.  
         [0031]      FIG. 18  shows an electroacoustic converter attached to an earpiece attachment structure through an elastic layer.  
         [0032]      FIG. 19  shows a process to manufacture headphones. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     Headphones may reduce outside noise by applying a constant, uniform, and comfortable pressure on the earpieces against the listener&#39;s ears. The headphones provide a better seal for the earpiece against the outside environment and provide an improved listening experience. An elastic interface may apply the pressure. The elastic interface may be conductive, and may assist with connecting an audio input signal to electroacoustic converters. When multiple earpieces are present, each may be independently adjustable on the headband.  
         [0034]      FIG. 1  shows headphones  100 . The headphones  100  include a headband  102 , one or more earpiece units (e.g., the earpiece unit  104 ), elastic interfaces (e.g., the flat spring  106 ), and earpiece attachment structures (e.g., the earpiece attachment structure  108 ). The earpiece unit  104  may include earpieces (e.g., the earpiece  110 ), electroacoustic converters (e.g., the electroacoustic converter  112 ), and/or other structure or electronics. The headband  102  helps keep the headphones  100  in place on the head.  FIG. 1  shows the headband  102  in an over the head position. The headphones  100  may alternatively employ a behind-the-neck band, a behind-the-head band, an under-the-chin band, or some other earpiece unit retention structure.  
         [0035]     The flat spring  106  may be a substantially planar resilient object. The flat spring  106  may store energy when deflected by an external load and return a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the spring surface. The force that the flat spring  106  applies helps the earpiece  110  establish a comfortable, uniform, and/or consistent pressure against the ear.  
         [0036]     The flat spring  106 , although substantially planar, may be arched or curved and thus may be formed in a planar shape (e.g., a disk), curved shape, arched shape, or other shape that extends beyond the major plane of the flat spring  106 . The flat spring  106  may also be implemented with, or include, band springs, spiral springs, plate springs, lamellar springs, or other springs. The resilient and elastic properties of the flat spring  106  may be chosen and tailored by designing recesses and cutouts in the spring, and/or by adapting the number and types of spring elements, spring and element shapes, and/or spring and element sizes. The shape of the flat spring  106  may be circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, or any other shape. The flat spring  106  may be manufactured from resilient steel, elastic plastic, spring bronze, rubber, resilient flexprint, or other elastic materials.  
         [0037]     The flat spring  106  may sit inside the earpiece attachment structure  108 . Each earpiece attachment structure  108  may be attached to a portion (e.g., an end) of the headband  102 .  FIG. 1  shows a dish-shaped example of an earpiece attachment structure  108  at the end of the headband  102 . The headset  100  may include other structures with other shapes that connect to the elastic interface. The flat spring  106  may serve as an attachment point for the electroacoustic converter  112  or earpiece  110 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the earpiece  110  attaches to and substantially surrounds the electroacoustic converter  112 , though other earpiece shapes and designs may be implemented.  
         [0038]     The flat spring  106  and the earpiece  110  may be positioned substantially parallel to one another. The flat spring  106  may apply a constant and uniform pressure on the electroacoustic converter  112  and the attached earpiece  110 . The pressure is exerted along an axis  114  perpendicular to and away from the flat spring  106 . The inner surface  116  of the earpiece  110  may rest on or around a listener&#39;s ear so that the listener can hear the sound produced by the electroacoustic converter  112 . The inner surface  116  of the earpiece  110  thus applies a constant and uniform pressure on the listener&#39;s ear, creating a seal against the outside environment.  
         [0039]     The earpiece  110  may be a circumaural earpiece that completely surrounds the ear. Alternatively, the earpiece  110  may be a supra-aural earpiece that rests on top of the ear. The earpiece  110  may be an open-back earpiece, in which the back of the earpiece  110  is open to the air and acoustically transparent. The earpiece  110  may also be a closed-back earpiece, in which the back of the earpiece  110  is sealed against the outside environment.  
         [0040]     The electroacoustic converter  112  may translate the signal from an audio input source into sound waves. The converter  112  may be a dynamic converter, isodynamic converter, electrostatic converter, electret converter, or other type of converter.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows a cross section of the electroacoustic converter  112  attached to the earpiece attachment structure  108  through the flat spring  106 , omitting the earpiece  110 . The flat spring  106  may exert a pressure along the axis  114  perpendicular to and away from the flat spring  106 .  FIG. 2  shows that the outer edge of the flat spring  106  sits in a notch  200  and that the flat spring  106  sits in a recess  202  in the earpiece attachment structure  108 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the flat spring  106  taken along line A—A of  FIG. 2 . The flat spring  106  is depicted along the axis  114  perpendicular to the flat spring  106 . The recess  202  permits movement of the flat spring  106  along the axis  114 . The flat spring may include an inner connector (e.g., an inner ring) and an outer boundary (e.g., an outer ring). In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , three spiral-shaped arms  302 ,  304 , and  306  radially extend from the center ring  308  to the outer circumferential boundary  310 . The converter  112  may attach to the center ring  308  of the flat spring  106 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  shows three arms  302 ,  304 , and  306 , but the flat spring  106  may include any number of arms. The outer connection points  312 ,  314 , and  316  of the arms  302 ,  304 , and  306  on the outer circumferential boundary  310  may be arranged at regular or irregular intervals. The inner connection points  318 ,  320 , and  322  of the arms  302 ,  304 , and  306  on the center ring  308  may also be arranged at regular or irregular intervals. For example, the regular intervals may be the apexes of an equilateral polygon. In  FIG. 3 , the outer connection points  312 ,  314 , and  316  form an equilateral triangle  324  and the inner connection points  318 ,  320 , and  322  form an equilateral triangle  326 . One benefit of choosing connection points as equilateral polygon apexes is that a particularly homogeneous application pressure results. In other words, the connection points give rise to a uniform and/or constant pressure of the earpiece  110  against the ear when the headphones are worn.  
         [0044]     The flat spring  106  need not have an outer circumferential boundary  310  for the arms  302 ,  304 , and  306  to attach to. Instead, the outer connection points  312 ,  314 , and  316  may be directly attached to the earpiece attachment structure  108  or other structure. Similarly, the flat spring  106  need not have a center ring  308  for the arms  302 ,  304 , and  306  to attach to. The inner connection points  318 ,  320 , and  322  may be directly attached to the earpiece unit  104  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0045]     The arms  302 ,  304 , and  306  may include multiple pieces. For example, each arm  302 ,  304 , and  306  may include smaller springs. Similarly, the center ring  308  and outer circumferential boundary  310  may also include multiple pieces.  
         [0046]      FIG. 4  shows a portion of headphones  400  with an alternate configuration of the earpiece unit  404 , and focuses on one end of the headband  402 . In this configuration, the earpiece  406  attaches to the flat spring  410 , and substantially surrounds the converter  408 . The earpiece  406 , the converter  408 , and/or other structures or circuitry may be included in the earpiece unit  404 .  
         [0047]     The flat spring  410  and the earpiece  406  may be positioned substantially parallel to one another. The flat spring  410  may apply a constant, uniform, and/or comfortable pressure on the earpiece  406  and the attached converter  408 . The pressure is exerted on an axis  414  perpendicular to and away from the flat spring  410 . The inner surface  416  of the earpiece  406  may rest on or around a listener&#39;s ear. The inner surface  416  of the earpiece  406  thus applies a constant and uniform pressure on the listener&#39;s ear, creating a seal against the outside environment.  
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows a headset  500  that includes a microphone  502 . The microphone  502  may add two-way communication capability to the headset  500 . The headset  500  may include a headband  504 , earpiece unit  506 , flat spring  508 , and earpiece attachment structure  510 . The earpiece unit  506  may include an earpiece  512  and electroacoustic converter  514 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the earpiece  512  attaches to and substantially surrounds the electroacoustic converter  514 , though other shapes and designs may be implemented. The microphone  502  may be an acoustic-to-electric converter that translates sound waves into a signal. The microphone  502  may be a condenser microphone, an electret condenser microphone, dynamic microphone, ribbon microphone, carbon microphone, piezo microphone, or other type of microphone.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 6 through 12  show examples of alternative flat springs that vary in shape, size, and arm configuration. The shape, size, and arm configuration of a flat spring may be adapted to any particular headphone design, earpiece design, or converter design. In the examples shown below, the inner and outer connections points are arranged on the apexes of equilateral polygons, though other designs may also be implemented.  
         [0050]      FIG. 6  shows a square flat spring  600  with four arms  602 ,  604 ,  606 , and  608 . The flat spring  600  has an inner ring  610  and square outer boundary  612 . The inner connection points  614 ,  616 ,  618 , and  620  are located approximately every 90 degrees along the inner ring  610 . The outer connection points  622 ,  624 ,  626 , and  628  are located approximately at the center of each side of the square outer boundary  612 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 7  shows a circular flat spring  700  with five spiral-shaped arms  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 , and  710 . The flat spring  700  has an inner ring  712  and outer circumferential boundary  714 . The inner connection points  716 ,  718 ,  720 ,  722 , and  724  are located approximately every 72 degrees along the inner ring  712 . The outer connection points  726 ,  728 ,  730 ,  732 , and  734  are located approximately every 72 degrees along the outer circumferential boundary  714 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  shows an oval flat spring  800  with four arms  802 ,  804 ,  806 , and  808 . The flat spring  800  has an inner ring  810  and outer oval boundary  812 . The inner connection points  814 ,  816 ,  818 , and  820  are located approximately every 90 degrees along the inner ring  810 . The outer connection points  822 ,  824 ,  826 , and  828  are located at approximately regular intervals around the outer oval boundary  812 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 9  shows an octagonal flat spring  900  with four spiral-shaped arms  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908 . The flat spring  900  has an inner ring  910  and outer octagonal boundary  912 . The inner connection points  914 ,  916 ,  918 , and  920  are located approximately every 90 degrees along the inner ring  910 . The outer connection points  922 ,  924 ,  926 , and  928  are located approximately at the center of four of the sides of the outer octagonal boundary  912 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 10  shows a rectangular flat spring  1000  with four arms  1002 ,  1004 ,  1006 , and  1008 . The flat spring  1000  has an inner ring  1010  and outer rectangular boundary  1012 . The inner connection points  1014 ,  1016 ,  1018 , and  1020  are located at approximately every 90 degrees along the inner ring  1010 . The outer connection points  1022 ,  1024 ,  1026 , and  1028  are located approximately at the center of each side of the outer rectangular boundary  1012 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 11  shows a circular flat spring  1100  with three straight arms  1102 ,  1104 , and  1106 . The flat spring  1100  has an inner ring  1108  and outer circumferential boundary  1110 . The inner connection points  1112 ,  1114 , and  1116  are located approximately every 120 degrees along the inner ring  1108 . The outer connection points  1118 ,  1120 , and  1122  are located approximately every 120 degrees along the outer circumferential boundary  1110 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 12  shows a triangular flat spring  1200  with three spiral-shaped arms  1202 ,  1204 , and  1206 . The flat spring  1200  has an inner ring  1208  and outer triangular boundary  1210 . The inner connection points  1212 ,  1214 , and  1216  are located approximately every 120 degrees along the inner ring  1208 . The outer connection points  1218 ,  1220 , and  1222  are located approximately at the center of each side of the outer triangular boundary  1210 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 13  shows a circular flat spring  1300  including two separate electrically conductive parts  1302  and  1304 . In this configuration, the parts  1302  and  1304  are electrically isolated from one another. The parts  1302  and  1304  may electrically connect the audio input signal to the electroacoustic converter. For example, the audio signal may be connected to part  1302  while ground may be connected to part  1304 . Additional corresponding connections may extend to the electroacoustic converter. The flat spring  1300  may sit inside the earpiece attachment structure  1306 . In  FIG. 13 , the flat spring  1300  includes four spiral-shaped arms  1308 ,  1310 ,  1312 , and  1314 . Part  1302  includes two arms  1308  and  1314  that extend radially from the inner portion  1316  of part  1302  to the outer portion  1318  of part  1302 . Part  1304  includes two arms  1310  and  1312  that extend radially from the inner portion  1320  of part  1304  to the outer portion  1322  of part  1304 .  
         [0058]     In this configuration, the flat spring  1300  may be manufactured from an electrically conductive material such as resilient flexprint, resilient steel, or other elastic and conductive materials. Using an electrically conductive flat spring  1300  may beneficially reduce or eliminate cabling to the electroacoustic converter, may reduce the number of assembly steps, and may reduce the chance of mechanical failure.  
         [0059]      FIG. 14  shows a cross section of an electroacoustic converter  1400  and a multiple layer flat spring  1402 . The flat spring  1402  includes three layers: a first electrically conductive flat spring layer  1404 , a second electrically conductive flat spring layer  1406 , and an insulating layer  1408 . The two electrically conductive flat spring layers  1404  and  1406  may be arranged to sandwich the insulating layer  1408 . The three layers  1404 ,  1406 , and  1408  may be positioned substantially parallel to one another. The electrically conductive flat spring layers  1404  and  1406  may be manufactured from resilient flexprint, resilient steel, or other elastic and conductive materials. The insulating layer  1408  may be configured to have elastic properties similar to the electrically conductive flat spring layers  1404  and  1406 . The insulating layer  1408  may be manufactured from polyurethane foam, rubber, silicone, or other elastic insulating materials. As a result, the three layers together may act together to create a constant and uniform pressure on the converter  1400  and an attached earpiece.  
         [0060]     The two electrically conductive flat spring layers  1404  and  1406  may electrically connect the audio input signal to the electroacoustic converter  1400 . For example, the audio signal may be connected to layer  1404  and ground may be connected to layer  1406 . In  FIG. 14 , an audio signal wire  1410  (e.g., a left or right channel signal wire) and a ground wire  1412  are shown connected from the audio source to layers  1404  and  1406 , respectively. An audio signal wire  1414  and a ground wire  1416  connect from layers  1404  and  1406 , respectively, to the converter  1400 . Other wiring configurations between the audio source, flat spring layers, and converter may be implemented instead of wires as shown in  FIG. 14 . Instead of audio signals, the flat spring may carry microphone signals, noise cancellation signals, data signals, or other signals.  
         [0061]      FIG. 15  shows an alternative flat spring  1500 . The arms of the flat spring  1500  are the three tension springs  1502 ,  1504 , and  1506 . The flat spring may include an inner ring  1508  and outer circumferential boundary  1510 , but need not be circular. The tension springs  1502 ,  1504 , and  1506  may be tightly clamped rubber bands, threaded springs, or may have other constructions. The flat spring  1500  may sit inside the earpiece attachment structure  1512 . The three tension springs  1502 ,  1504 , and  1506  may be attached to the inner ring  1508  at inner connection points  1514 ,  1516 , and  1518  at regular intervals. The tension springs  1502 ,  1504 , and  1506  may be attached to the outer circumferential boundary  1510  at outer connection points  1520 ,  1522 , and  1524  at regular intervals. The angle between each of the tension springs  1502 ,  1504 , and  1506  may be approximately 120° or another angle. In  FIG. 8 , at 120°, the tension springs  1502 ,  1504 , and  1506  produce a well-distributed pressure on the earpiece against the ear.  
         [0062]      FIG. 16  shows an alternative flat spring  1600  formed as an elastic membrane layer  1602 . The elastic membrane layer  1602  may be manufactured from rubber or some other material capable of forming a thin elastic layer. A center zone  1604  may be defined in the membrane to provide an attachment point for an electroacoustic converter. As examples, the center zone  1604  may be relatively flat, stiff, and/or appropriately dimensioned to provide a mechanically sound connection point for the converter. The membrane layer  1602  may also include a boundary  1606 , such as a circumferential boundary when the membrane  1602  is circular.  
         [0063]      FIG. 17  shows a cross section of an electroacoustic converter  1700 , elastic membrane layer  1602 , and earpiece attachment structure  1702 . The converter  1700  may be attached to the center zone  1604  of the elastic membrane layer  1602 . The membrane boundary  1606  may attach to the outer circumferential area of the earpiece attachment structure  1702  in a two-dimensional connection. In this configuration, the membrane layer  1602  may produce a constant and uniform pressure on the converter  1700  and attached earpiece to create a seal against the listener&#39;s ear.  
         [0064]      FIG. 18  shows a portion of an alternative headphones  1800 , focusing on one end of the headband  1802 . In this configuration, the earpiece unit  1804  may include an earpiece  1806  and an electroacoustic converter  1808 . A plate  1812  and resilient pad  1814  may sit inside the earpiece attachment structure  1810 . In  FIG. 18 , the earpiece attachment structure  1810  is dish-shaped, but other shapes and sizes may be implemented. The converter  1808  may be attached to the plate  1812 , which may be manufactured of a rigid material to give the converter  1808  a firm attachment point. The plate  1812  may be attached to the resilient pad  1814 , which may be made from foam or other adaptable and/or elastic material.  
         [0065]     The plate  1812 , resilient pad  1814 , and earpiece  1806  may be positioned substantially parallel to one another. The resilient pad  1814  may apply a constant and uniform pressure on the converter  1808  and attached earpiece  1806 . The pressure may be exerted on an axis  1818  perpendicular to and away from the plate  1812  and resilient pad  1814 . The inner surface  1816  of the earpiece  1806  may rest on or around the listener&#39;s ear. The inner surface  1816  thus applies a constant and uniform pressure on the listener&#39;s ear, creating a seal from the outside environment.  
         [0066]      FIG. 19  shows a process  1900  for manufacturing headphones with an elastic interface between the headband and earpieces. The earpiece attachment structure may first be connected to the headband (Act  1902 ). The earpiece attachment structure may be dish-shaped or may be other shapes and sizes. When the headphones will include a multiple layer interface, the manufacturing process may build the interface by establishing a first layer (Act  1904 ), adding an insulating layer (Act  1906 ), and adding a second layer (Act  1908 ). The process may add additional layers. The layered elastic interface may include multiple electrically conducting flat spring layers sandwiching one or more insulating layers.  
         [0067]     The process connects the interface to the earpiece attachment structure (Act  1910 ) and assembles the earpiece unit (Act  1912 ). The earpiece unit may include the electroacoustic converter, earpiece, and/or other structures and circuitry. The process also connects the earpiece unit to the interface (Act  1914 ). As examples, the process may connect the electroacoustic converter or the earpiece to the interface. When the interface is an electrically conductive interface, the process may form electrical connections to the interface. As examples, the process may make a ground connection to a conductive flat spring layer and a converter (Act  1916 ), add a left audio signal connection to a conductive flat spring layer and a converter (Act  1918 ), add a right audio signal connection to a conductive flat spring layer and a converter (Act  1920 ), and add additional signal connections to the headphone circuitry and conductive flat spring layers (Act  1922 ). The additional signal connections may include microphone signal connections, noise filtering circuitry connections, or other electrical connections. Other wiring configurations may be used to connect the audio source and the electroacoustic converter.  
         [0068]     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.