Abstract:
A system comprising a wireless earphone set and a client computing device, both of which are communicable with a host server via the Internet. The host server stores configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set that are transmittable to the wireless earphone set via the Internet, and that are configurable by an authenticated user of the client computing device via the host server to generate updated configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set. The updated configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set are transmitted by the host server to the wireless earphone set via the Internet.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The present application claims priority as a continuation to U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/459,291 filed May 17, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,571,544, which is a continuation of U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/936,488, filed Dec. 20, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,190,203, which is a national stage entry of PCT/US09/39754, filed Apr. 7, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/123,265, filed Apr. 7, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Digital audio players, such as MP3 players and iPods, that store and play digital audio files, are very popular. Such devices typically comprise a data storage unit for storing and playing the digital audio, and a headphone set that connects to the data storage unit, usually with a ¼″ or a 3.5 mm jack and associated cord. Often the headphones are in-ear type headphones. The cord, however, between the headphones and the data storage unit can be cumbersome and annoying to users, and the length of the cord limits the physical distance between the data storage unit and the headphones. Accordingly, some cordless headphones have been proposed, such as the Monster iFreePlay cordless headphones from Apple Inc., which include a docking port on one of the earphones that can connect directly to an iPod Shuffle. Because they have the docking port, however, the Monster iFreePlay cordless headphones from Apple are quite large and are not in-ear type phones. Recently, cordless headphones that connect wirelessly via IEEE 802.11 to a WLAN-ready laptop or personal computer (PC) have been proposed, but such headphones are also quite large and not in-ear type phones. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one general aspect, the present invention is directed to a wireless earphone that comprises a transceiver circuit for receiving streaming audio from a data source, such as a digital audio player or a computer, over an ad hoc wireless network. When the data source and the earphone are out of range via the ad hoc wireless network, they may transition automatically to a common infrastructure wireless network (e.g., a wireless LAN). If there is no common infrastructure wireless network for both the data source and the earphone, the earphone may connect via an available infrastructure wireless network to a host server. The host server may, for example, broadcast streaming audio to the earphone and/or transmit to the earphone a network address (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) address) for a network-connected content server that streams digital audio. The earphone may then connect to the content server using the IP address. The content server may be an Internet radio server, including, for example, an Internet radio server that broadcasts streaming audio from the data source or some other content. 
     In another general aspect, the present invention is directed to a system comprising a wireless earphone set and a client computing device, both of which are communicable with a host server via the Internet. The host server stores configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set that are transmittable to the wireless earphone set via the Internet, and that are configurable by an authenticated user of the client computing device via the host server to generate updated configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set. The updated configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set are transmitted by the host server to the wireless earphone set via the Internet 
     These and other advantageous, unique aspects of the wireless earphone are described below. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
       Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein by way of example in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A-1E  are views of a wireless earphone according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate various communication modes for a wireless earphone according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a wireless earphone according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  show the wireless earphone connected to another device according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of a process implemented by a host server according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of a process implemented by the wireless earphone to transition automatically between wireless networks according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  10  illustrate communication systems involving the wireless earphone according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of a headset including a wireless earphone and a microphone according to various embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram of a pair of wireless earphones with a dongle according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     In one general aspect, the present invention is directed to a wireless earphone that receives streaming audio data via ad hoc wireless networks and infrastructure wireless networks, and that transitions seamlessly between wireless networks. The earphone may comprise one or more in-ear, on-ear, or over-ear speaker elements. Two exemplary in-ear earphone shapes for the wireless earphone  10  are shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , respectively, although in other embodiments the earphone may take different shapes and the exemplary shapes shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are not intended to be limiting. In one embodiment, the earphone transitions automatically and seamlessly, without user intervention, between communication modes. That is, the earphone may transition automatically from an ad hoc wireless network to an infrastructure wireless network, without user intervention. As used herein, an “ad hoc wireless network” is a network where two (or more) wireless-capable devices, such as the earphone and a data source, communicate directly and wirelessly, without using an access point. An “infrastructure wireless network,” on the other hand, is a wireless network that uses one or more access points to allow a wireless-capable device, such as the wireless earphone, to connect to a computer network, such as a LAN or WAN (including the Internet). 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show example configurations for a wireless earphone  10  according to various embodiments of the present invention. The examples shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are not limiting and other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the earphone  10  may comprise a body  12 . The body  12  may comprise an ear canal portion  14  that is inserted in the ear canal of the user of the earphone  10 . In various embodiments, the body  12  also may comprise an exterior portion  15  that is not inserted into user&#39;s ear canal. The exterior portion  15  may comprise a knob  16  or some other user control (such as a dial, a pressure-activated switch, lever, etc.) for adjusting the shape of the ear canal portion  14 . That is, in various embodiments, activation (e.g. rotation) of the knob  16  may cause the ear canal portion  14  to change shape so as to, for example, radially expand to fit snugly against all sides of the user&#39;s ear canal. Further details regarding such a shape-changing earbud earphone are described in application PCT/US08/88656, filed 31 Dec. 2008, entitled “Adjustable Shape Earphone,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The earphone  10  also may comprise a transceiver circuit housed within the body  12 . The transceiver circuit, described further below, may transmit and receive the wireless signals, including receive streaming audio for playing by the earphone  10 . The transceiver circuit may be housed in the exterior portion  15  of the earphone  10  and/or in the ear canal portion  14 . 
     Although the example earphones  10  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  include a knob  16  for adjusting the shape of the ear canal portion  14 , the present invention is not so limited, and in other embodiments, different means besides a knob  16  may be used to adjust the ear canal portion  14 . In addition, in other embodiments, the earphone  10  may not comprise a shape-changing ear canal portion  14 . 
     In various embodiments, the user may wear two discrete wireless earphones  10 : one in each ear. In such embodiments, each earphone  10  may comprise a transceiver circuit. In such embodiments, the earphones  10  may be connected by a string or some other cord-type connector to keep the earphones  10  from being separated. 
     In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1C , a headband  19  may connect the two (left and right) earphones  10 . The headband  19  may be an over-the-head band, as shown in the example of  FIG. 1C , or the headband may be a behind-the-head band. In embodiments comprising a headband  19 , each earphone  10  may comprise a transceiver circuit; hence, each earphone  10  may receive and transmit separately the wireless communication signals. In other embodiments comprising a headband  19 , only one earphone  10  may comprise the transceiver circuit, and a wire may run along the headband  19  to the other earphone  10  to connect thereby the transceiver circuit to the acoustic transducer in the earphone that does not comprise the transceiver circuit. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1C  comprises on-ear earphones  10 ; in other embodiments, in-ear or over-ear earphones may be used. 
     In other embodiments, the earphone  10  may comprise a hanger bar  17  that allows the earphone  10  to clip to, or hang on, the user&#39;s ear, as shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1D-1E .  FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of the earphone and  FIG. 1E  is a side view according to one embodiment. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the earphone  10  may comprise dual speaker elements  106 -A,  106 -B. One of the speaker elements (the smaller one)  106 -A is sized to fit into the cavum concha of the listener&#39;s ear and the other element (the larger one)  106 -B is not. The listener may use the hanger bar to position the earphone on the listener&#39;s ear. In that connection, the hanger bar may comprise a horizontal section that rests upon the upper external curvature of the listener&#39;s ear behind the upper portion of the auricula (or pinna). The earphone may comprise a knurled knob that allows the user to adjust finely the distance between the horizontal section of the hanger bar and the speaker elements, thereby providing, in such embodiments, another measure of adjustability for the user. More details regarding such a dual element, adjustable earphone may be found in U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/054,238, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate various communication modes for a wireless data communication system involving the earphone  10  according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the system comprises a data source  20  in communication with the earphone  10  via an ad hoc wireless network  24 . The earphone  10 , via its transceiver circuit (described in more detail below), may communicate wirelessly with a data source  20 , which may comprise a wireless network adapter  22  for transmitting the digital audio wirelessly. For example, the data source  20  may be a digital audio player (DAP), such as an mp3 player or an iPod, or any other suitable digital audio playing device, such as a laptop or personal computer, that stores and/or plays digital audio files. In other embodiments, the data source  20  may generate analog audio, and the wireless network adapter  22  may encode the analog audio into digital format for transmission to the earphone  10 . 
     The wireless network adapter  22  may be an integral part of the data source  20 , or it may be a separate device that is connected to the data source  20  to provide wireless connectivity for the data source  20 . For example, the wireless network adapter  22  may comprise a wireless network interface card (WNIC) or other suitable transceiver that plugs into a USB port or other port or jack of the data source  20  (such as a TRS connector) to stream data, e.g., digital audio files, via a wireless network (e.g., the ad hoc wireless network  24  or an infrastructure wireless network). The digital audio transmitted from the data source  20  to the earphone  10  via the wireless networks may comprise compressed or uncompressed audio. Any suitable file format may be used for the audio, including mp3, lossy or lossless WMA, Vorbis, Musepack, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, AU, or any other suitable file format. 
     When in range, the data source  20  may communicate with the earphone  10  via the ad hoc wireless network  24  using any suitable wireless communication protocol, including Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), Bluetooth, Zigbee, UWB, or any other suitable wireless communication protocol. For purposes of the description to follow, it is assumed that the data source  20  and the earphone  10  communicate using a Wi-Fi protocol, although the invention is not so limited and other wireless communication protocols may be used in other embodiments of the invention. The data source  20  and the earphone  10  are considered in range for the ad hoc wireless network  24  when the signal strengths (e.g., the RSSI) of the signals received by the two devices are above a threshold minimum signal strength level. For example, the data source  20  and the earphone  10  are likely to be in range for an ad hoc wireless network when then are in close proximity, such as when the wearer of the earphone  10  has the data source  20  on his/her person, such as in a pocket, strapped to their waist or arm, or holding the data source in their hand. 
     When the earphone  10  and the data source  20  are out of range for the ad hoc wireless network  24 , that is, when the received signals degrade below the threshold minimum signal strength level, both the earphone  10  and the data source  20  may transition automatically to communicate over an infrastructure wireless network (such as a wireless LAN (WLAN))  30  that is in the range of both the earphone  10  and the data source  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . The earphone  10  and the data source  20  (e.g., the wireless network adapter  22 ) may include firmware, as described further below, that cause the components to make the transition to a common infrastructure wireless network  30  automatically and seamlessly, e.g., without user intervention. The earphone  10  may cache the received audio in a buffer or memory for a time period before playing the audio. The cached audio may be played after the connection over the ad hoc wireless network is lost to give the earphone  10  and the data source  20  time to connect via the infrastructure wireless network. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the infrastructure network may comprise an access point  32  that is in the range of both the data source  20  and the earphone  10 . The access point  32  may be an electronic hardware device that acts as a wireless access point for, and that is connected to, a wired and/or wireless data communication network  33 , such as a LAN or WAN, for example. The data source  20  and the earphone  10  may both communicate wirelessly with the access point  32  using the appropriate network data protocol (a Wi-Fi protocol, for example). The data source  20  and the earphone  10  may both transition automatically to an agreed-upon WLAN  30  that is in the range of both devices when they cannot communicate satisfactorily via the ad hoc wireless network  24 . A procedure for specifying an agreed-upon infrastructure wireless network  30  is described further below. Alternatively, the infrastructure wireless network  30  may have multiple access points  32   a - b , as shown in  FIG. 2C . In such an embodiment, the data source  20  may communicate wirelessly with one access point  32   b  and the earphone  10  may communicate wirelessly with another access point  32   a  of the same infrastructure wireless network  30 . Again, the data source  20  and the earphone  10  may transition to an agreed-upon WLAN. 
     If there is no suitable common infrastructure wireless network over which the earphone  10  and the data source  20  can communicate, as shown in  FIG. 2D , the earphone  10  may transition to communicate with an access point  32   a  for an available (first) wireless network (e.g., WLAN)  30   a  that is in the range of the earphone  10 . In this mode, the earphone  10  may connect via the wireless network  30   a  to a network-enabled host server  40 . The host server  40  may be connected to the wireless network  30   a  via an electronic data communication network  42 , such as the Internet. In one mode, the host server  40  may transmit streaming digital audio via the networks  33   a ,  42  to the earphone  10 . In another mode, the host server  40  may transmit to the earphone  10  a network address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, for a streaming digital audio content server  70  on the network  42 . Using the received IP address, the earphone  10  may connect to the streaming digital audio content server  70  via the networks  30   a ,  42  to receive and process digital audio from the streaming digital audio content server  70 . 
     The digital audio content server  70  may be, for example, an Internet radio station server. The digital audio content server  70  may stream digital audio over the network  42  (e.g., the Internet), which the earphone  10  may receive and process. In one embodiment, the streaming digital audio content server  70  may stream digital audio received by the streaming digital audio content server  70  from the data source  20 . For example, where the data source  20  is a wireless-capable device, such as a portable DAP, the data source  20  may connect to the streaming digital audio content server  70  via a wireless network  30   b  and the network  42 . Alternatively, where for example the data source  20  is non-wireless-capable device, such as a PC, the data source  20  may have a direct wired connection to the network  42 . After being authenticated by the streaming digital audio content server  70 , the data source  20  may stream digital audio to the streaming digital audio content server  70 , which may broadcast the received digital audio over the network  42  (e.g., the Internet). In such a manner, the user of the earphone  10  may listen to audio from the data source  20  even when (i) the earphone  10  and the data source  20  are not in communication via an ad hoc wireless network  24  and (ii) the earphone  10  and the data source  20  are not in communication via a common local infrastructure wireless network  30 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the earphone  10  according to various embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the earphone  10  comprises a transceiver circuit  100  and related peripheral components. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the peripheral components of the earphone  10  may comprise a power source  102 , a microphone  104 , one or more acoustic transducers  106  (e.g., speakers), and an antenna  108 . The transceiver circuit  100  and some of the peripheral components (such as the power source  102  and the acoustic transducers  106 ) may be housed within the body  12  of the earphone  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). Other peripheral components, such as the microphone  104  and the antenna  108  may be external to the body  12  of the earphone  10 . In addition, some of the peripheral components, such as the microphone  104 , are optional in various embodiments. 
     In various embodiments, the transceiver circuit  100  may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC), such as a system-on-chip (SoC), which is conducive to miniaturizing the components of the earphone  10 , which is advantageous if the earphone  10  is to be relatively small in size, such as an in-ear earphone (see  FIGS. 1A-1B  for example). In alternative embodiments, however, the components of the transceiver circuit  100  could be realized with two or more discrete ICs or other components, such as separate ICs for the processors, memory, and RF (e.g., Wi-Fi) module, for example. 
     The power source  102  may comprise, for example, a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery (or batteries). In other embodiments, the power source  102  may comprise one or more ultracapacitors (sometimes referred to as supercapacitors) that are charged by a primary power source. In embodiments where the power source  102  comprises a rechargeable battery cell or an ultracapacitor, the battery cell or ultracapacitor, as the case may be, may be charged for use, for example, when the earphone  10  is connected to a docking station or computer. The docking station may be connected to or part of a computer device, such as a laptop computer or PC. In addition to charging the rechargeable power source  102 , the docking station and/or computer may facilitate downloading of data to and/or from the earphone  10 . In other embodiments, the power source  102  may comprise capacitors passively charged with RF radiation, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,027,311. The power source  102  may be coupled to a power source control module  103  of transceiver circuit  100  that controls and monitors the power source  102 . 
     The acoustic transducer(s)  106  may be the speaker element(s) for conveying the sound to the user of the earphone  10 . According to various embodiments, the earphone  10  may comprise one or more acoustic transducers  106 . For embodiments having more than one transducer, one transducer may be larger than the other transducer, and a crossover circuit (not shown) may transmit the higher frequencies to the smaller transducer and may transmit the lower frequencies to the larger transducer. More details regarding dual element earphones are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,206, assigned to Koss Corporation, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The antenna  108  may receive and transmit the wireless signals from and to the wireless networks  24 ,  30 . A RF (e.g., Wi-Fi) module  110  of the transceiver circuit  100  in communication with the antenna  108  may, among other things, modulate and demodulate the signals transmitted from and received by the antenna  108 . The RF module  110  communicates with a baseband processor  112 , which performs other functions necessary for the earphone  10  to communicate using the Wi-Fi (or other communication) protocol. 
     The baseband processor  112  may be in communication with a processor unit  114 , which may comprise a microprocessor  116  and a digital signal processor (DSP)  118 . The microprocessor  116  may control the various components of the transceiver circuit  100 . The DSP  114  may, for example, perform various sound quality enhancements to the digital audio received by the baseband processor  112 , including noise cancellation and sound equalization. The processor unit  114  may be in communication with a volatile memory unit  120  and a non-volatile memory unit  122 . A memory management unit  124  may control the processor unit&#39;s access to the memory units  120 ,  122 . The volatile memory  122  may comprise, for example, a random access memory (RAM) circuit. The non-volatile memory unit  122  may comprise a read only memory (ROM) and/or flash memory circuits. The memory units  120 ,  122  may store firmware that is executed by the processor unit  114 . Execution of the firmware by the processor unit  114  may provide various functionality for the earphone  10 , such as the automatic transition between wireless networks as described herein. The memory units  120 ,  122  may also cache received digital audio. 
     A digital-to-analog converter (DAC)  125  may convert the digital audio from the processor unit  114  to analog form for coupling to the acoustic transducer(s)  106 . An I 2 S interface  126  or other suitable serial or parallel bus interface may provide the interface between the processor unit  114  and the DAC  125 . An analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  128 , which also communicates with the I 2 S interface  126 , may convert analog audio signals picked up by the microphone  104  for processing by the processor unit  114 . 
     The transceiver circuit  100  also may comprise a USB or other suitable interface  130  that allows the earphone  10  to be connected to an external device via a USB cable or other suitable link. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the external device may be a docking station  200  connected to a computer device  202 . Also, in various embodiments, the earphone  10  could be connected directly to the computer  202  without the docking station  200 . In addition, the external device may be a DAP  210 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . In that way, the earphone  10  could connect directly to a data source  20 , such as the DAP  210  or the computer  202 , through the USB port  130 . In addition, through the USB port  130 , the earphone  10  may connect to a PC  202  or docking station  202  to charge up the power source  102  and/or to get downloads (e.g., data or firmware). 
     According to various embodiments, the earphone  10  may have an associated web page that a user may access through the host server  40  (see  FIG. 2D ) or some other server. An authenticated user could log onto the website from a client computing device  50  (e.g., laptop, PC, handheld computer device, etc., including the data source  20 ) (see  FIG. 2D ) to access the web page for the earphone  10  to set various profile values for the earphone  10 . For example, at the web site, the user could set various content features and filters, as well as adjust various sound control features, such as treble, bass, frequency settings, noise cancellation settings, etc. In addition, the user could set preferred streaming audio stations, such as preferred Internet radio stations or other streaming audio broadcasts. That way, instead of listening to streaming audio from the data source  20 , the user could listen to Internet radio stations or other streaming audio broadcasts received by the earphone  10 . In such an operating mode, the earphone user, via the web site, may prioritize a number of Internet radio stations or other broadcast sources (hosted by streaming digital audio content servers  70 ). With reference to  FIG. 7 , the host server  40  may send the IP address for the earphone user&#39;s desired (e.g., highest priority) Internet radio station to the earphone  10 . A button  11  on the earphone  10 , such as on the rotating dial  16  as shown in the examples of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , may allow the user to cycle through the preset preferred Internet radio stations. That is, for example, when the user presses the button  11 , an electronic communication may be transmitted to the host server  40  via the wireless network  30 , and in response to receiving the communication, the host server  40  may send the IP address for the user&#39;s next highest rated Internet radio station via the network  42  to the earphone  10 . The earphone  10  may then connect to the streaming digital audio content server  70  for that Internet radio station using the IP address provided by the host server  40 . This process may be repeated, e.g., cycled through, for each preset Internet radio station configured by the user of the earphone  10 . 
     At the web site for the earphone  10  hosted on the host server  40 , in addition to establishing the identification of digital audio sources (e.g., IDs for the user&#39;s DAP or PC) and earphones, the user could set parental or other user controls. For example, the user could restrict certain Internet radio broadcasts based on content or parental ratings, etc. That is, for example, the user could configure a setting through the web site that prevents the host server  40  from sending an IP address for a streaming digital audio content server  70  that broadcasts explicit content based on a rating for the content. In addition, if a number of different earphones  10  are registered to the same user, the user could define separate controls for the different earphones  10  (as well as customize any other preferences or settings particular to the earphones  10 , including Internet radio stations, sound quality settings, etc. that would later be downloaded to the earphones  10 ). In addition, in modes where the host server  40  streams audio to the earphone  10 , the host server  40  may log the files or content streamed to the various earphones  10 , and the user could view at the web site the files or content that were played by the earphones  10 . In that way, the user could monitor the files played by the earphones  10 . 
     In addition, the host server  40  may provide a so-called eavesdropping function according to various embodiments. The eavesdropping service could be activated via the web site. When the service is activated, the host server  40  may transmit the content that it is delivering to a first earphone  10   a  to another, second earphone  10   b , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Alternatively, the host server  40  may transmit to the second earphone  10   b  the most recent IP address for a streaming digital audio content server  70  that was sent to the first earphone  10   a . The second earphone  10   b  may then connect to the streaming digital audio content server  70  that the first earphone  10   a  is currently connected. That way, the user of the second earphone  10   b , which may be a parent, for example, may directly monitor the content being received by the first earphone  10   a , which may belong to a child of the parent. 
     This function also could be present in the earphones  10  themselves, allowing a parent (or other user) to join an ad-hoc wireless network and listen to what their child (or other listener) is hearing. For example, with reference to  FIG. 10 , a first earphone  10   a  may receive wireless audio, such as from the data source  20  or some other source, such as the host server  40 . The first earphone  10   a  may be programmed with firmware to broadcast the received audio to a second earphone  10   b  via an ad hoc wireless network  24 . That way, the wearer of the second earphone  10   b  can monitor in real-time the content being played by the first earphone  10   a.    
     At the web site, the user may also specify the identification number (“ID”) of their earphone(s)  10 , and the host server  40  may translate the ID to the current internet protocol (IP) addresses for the earphone  10  and for the data source  20 . This allows the user to find his or her data source  20  even when it is behind a firewall or on a changing IP address. That way, the host server  40  can match the audio from the data source  20  to the appropriate earphone  10  based on the specified device ID. The user also could specify a number of different data sources  20 . For example, the user&#39;s DAP may have one specified IP address and the user&#39;s home (or work) computer may have another specified IP address. Via the web site hosted by the host server  40 , the user could specify or prioritize from which source (e.g., the user&#39;s DAP or computer) the earphone  10  is to receive content. 
     The host server  40  (or some other server) may also push firmware upgrades and/or data updates to the earphone  10  using the IP addresses of the earphone  10  via the networks  30 ,  42 . In addition, a user could download the firmware upgrades and/or data updates from the host server  40  to the client computing device  202  (see  FIG. 4A ) via the Internet, and then download the firmware upgrades and/or data updates to the earphone  10  when the earphone  10  is connected to the client computer device  202  (such as through a USB port and/or the docking station  200 ). 
     Whether the downloads are transmitted wirelessly to the earphone  10  or via the client computing device  202  may depend on the current data rate of the earphone  10  and the quantity of data to be transmitted to the earphone  10 . For example, according to various embodiments, as shown in the process flow of  FIG. 5 , the host server  40  may be programmed, at step  50 , to make a determination, based on the current data rate for the earphone  10  and the size of the update, whether the update should be pushed to the earphone  10  wirelessly (e.g., via the WLAN  30   a  in  FIG. 2D ). If the update is too large and/or the current data rate is too low that the performance of the earphone  10  will be adversely affected, the host server  40  may refrain from pushing the update to the earphone  10  wirelessly and wait instead to download the update to the client computing device  202  at step  51 . Conversely, if the host server  40  determines that, given the size of the update and the current data rate for the earphone  10  that the performance of the earphone  10  will not be adversely affected, the host server  40  may transmit the update wirelessly to the earphone  10  at step  52 . 
     As mentioned above, the processor unit  114  of the speakerphones  14  may be programmed, via firmware stored in the memory  120 ,  122 , to have the ability to transition automatically from the ad hoc wireless network  24  to an infrastructure wireless network  30  (such as a WLAN) when the quality of the signal on the ad hoc wireless network  24  degrades below a suitable threshold (such as when the data source  20  is out of range for an ad hoc wireless network). In that case, the earphone  10  and the data source  20  may connect to a common infrastructure wireless network (e.g., WLAN) (see, for example,  FIGS. 2B-2C ). Through the web site for the earphone  10 , described above, the user could specify a priority of infrastructure wireless networks  30  for the data source  20  and the earphone  10  to connect to when the ad hoc wireless network  24  is not available. For example, the user could specify a WLAN servicing his/her residence first, a WLAN servicing his/her place of employment second, etc. During the time that the earphone  10  and the data source  20  are connected via the ad hoc wireless network  24 , the earphone  10  and the data source  20  may exchange data regarding which infrastructure networks are in range. When the earphone  10  and the data source  20  are no longer in range for the ad hoc wireless network  24  (that is, for example, the signals between the device degrade below an acceptable level), they may both transition automatically to the highest prioritized infrastructure wireless network whose signal strength is above a certain threshold level. That way, even though the earphone  10  and the data source  20  are out of range for the ad hoc wireless network  24 , the earphone  10  may still receive the streaming audio from the data source  20  via the infrastructure wireless network  30  (see  FIGS. 2B-2C ). 
     When none of the preferred infrastructure networks is in range, the earphone  10  may connect automatically to the host server  40  via an available infrastructure wireless network  30  (see  FIG. 2D ), e.g., the infrastructure wireless network  30  having the highest RSSI and to which the earphone  10  is authenticated to use. The host server  40 , as mentioned above, may transmit IP addresses to the earphone  10  for streaming digital audio content servers  70  or the host sever  40  may stream digital audio to the earphone  10  itself when in this communication mode. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram of the process flow, according to one embodiment, implemented by the transceiver circuit  100  of the earphone  10 . The process shown in  FIG. 6  may be implemented in part by the processor unit  114  executing firmware stored in a memory unit  120 ,  122  of the transceiver circuit  100 . At step  61 , the earphone  10  may determine if it can communicate with the data source  20  via an ad hoc wireless network  24 . That is, the earphone  10  may determine if the strength of the wireless signals from the data source  20  exceed some minimum threshold. If so, the data source  20  and the earphone  10  may communicate wirelessly via the ad hoc wireless network  24  (see  FIG. 2A ). While in this communication mode, at step  62 , the data source  20  and the earphone  10  also may exchange data regarding the local infrastructure wireless networks, if any, in the range of the data source  20  and the earphone  10 , respectively. For example, the earphone  10  may transmit the ID of local infrastructure wireless networks  30  that the earphone  10  can detect whose signal strength (e.g., RSSI) exceeds some minimum threshold level. Similarly, the data source  20  may transmit the ID the local infrastructure wireless networks  30  that the data source  20  can detect whose signal strength (e.g., RSSI) exceeds some minimum threshold level. The earphone  10  may save this data in a memory unit  120 ,  122 . Similarly, the data source  20  may store in memory the wireless networks that the earphone  10  is detected. 
     The data source  20  and the earphone  10  may continue to communicate via the ad hoc wireless network mode  24  until they are out of range (e.g., the signal strengths degrade below a minimum threshold level). If an ad hoc wireless network  24  is not available at block  61 , the transceiver circuit  100  and the data source  20  may execute a process, shown at block  63 , to connect to the user&#39;s highest prioritized infrastructure wireless network  30 . For example, of the infrastructure wireless networks whose signal strength exceeded the minimum threshold for both the earphone  10  and the data source  20  determined at step  62 , the earphone  10  and the data source  20  may both transition to the infrastructure wireless network  30  having the highest priority, as previously set by the user (seen  FIGS. 2B-2C , for example). For example, if the user&#39;s highest prioritized infrastructure wireless network  30  is not available, but the user&#39;s second highest prioritized infrastructure wireless network  30  is, the earphone  10  and the data source  20  may both transition automatically to the user&#39;s second highest prioritized infrastructure wireless network  30  at block  64 . As shown by the loop with block  65 , the earphone  10  and the data source  20  may continue to communicate via one of the user&#39;s prioritized infrastructure wireless networks  30  as long as the infrastructure wireless network  30  is available. If the infrastructure wireless network becomes unavailable, the process may return to block  61 . 
     If, however, no ad hoc wireless network and none of the user&#39;s prioritized infrastructure wireless networks are available, the earphone  10  may transition automatically to connect to the host server  40  at block  66  (see  FIG. 2D ) using an available infrastructure wireless network  30 . At block  67 , the host server  40  may transmit an IP address to the earphone  10  for one of the streaming digital audio content servers  70 , and at block  68  the earphone  10  may connect to the streaming digital audio content server  70  using the received IP address. At step  69 , as long as the earphone  10  is connected to the streaming digital audio content server  70 , the earphone  10  may continue to communicate in this mode. However, if the earphone  10  loses its connection to the digital audio content server  70 , the process may return to block  61  in one embodiment. As mentioned above, at block  67 , instead of sending an IP address for a streaming digital audio content server  70 , the host server  40  may stream digital audio to the earphone  10 . The user, when configuring their earphone  10  preferences via the web site, may specify and/or prioritize whether the host server  40  is to send IP addresses for the streaming digital audio content servers  70  and/or whether the host server  40  is to stream audio to the earphone  10  itself. 
     In another embodiment, the earphone  10  may be programmed to transition automatically to the host server  40  when the earphone  10  and the data source  20  are not in communication via the ad hoc wireless network  24 . That is, in such an embodiment, the earphone  10  may not try to connect via a local infrastructure wireless network  30  with the data source  20 , but instead transition automatically to connect to the host server  40  (see  FIG. 2D ). 
     In various embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the button  11  or other user selection device that allows the wearer of the earphone  10  to indicate approval and/or disapproval of songs or other audio files listened to by the wearer over an Internet radio station. The approval/disapproval rating, along with metadata for the song received by the earphone  10  with the streaming audio, may be transmitted from the transceiver circuit  100  of the earphone  10  back to the host server  40 , which may log the songs played as well as the ratings for the various songs/audio files. In addition to being able to view the logs at the website, the host server  40  (or some other server) may send an email or other electronic communication to the earphone user, at a user specified email address or other address, which the user might access from their client communication device  50  (see  FIG. 2D ). The email or other electronic communication may contain a listing of the song/audio files for which the user gave approval ratings using the button  11  or other user selection device. Further, the email or other electronic communication may provide a URL link for a URL at which the user could download song/audio files that the user rated (presumably song/audio files for which the user gave an approval rating). In some instances, the user may be required to pay a fee to download the song/audio file. 
     The user song ratings also may be used by the host server  40  to determine the user&#39;s musical preferences and offer new music that the user might enjoy. More details about generating user play lists based on song ratings may be found in published U.S. patent applications Pub. No. 2006/0212444, Pub. No. 2006/0206487, and Pub. No. 2006/0212442, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,515, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     In addition or alternatively, the user could log onto a web site hosted by the host server  40  (or some other server) to view the approval/disapproval ratings that the user made via the button  11  on the earphone  10 . The web site may provide the user with the option of downloading the rated songs/audio files (for the host server  40  or some other server system) to their client computer device  50 . The user could then have their earphone  10  connect to their client computer device  50  as a data source  20  via an ad hoc wireless network  24  (see  FIG. 2A ) or via an infrastructure wireless network (see  FIGS. 2B-2D ) to listen to the downloaded songs. In addition, the user could download the song files from their client computer device  50  to their DAP and listen to the downloaded song files from their DAP by using their DAP as the data source  20  in a similar manner. 
     Another application of the headsets may be in vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi or other wireless network connectivity. Published PCT application WO 2007/136620, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a wireless router for providing a Wi-Fi or other local wireless network for a vehicle, such as a car, truck, boat, bus, etc. In a vehicle having a Wi-Fi or other local wireless network, the audio for other media systems in the vehicle could be broadcast over the vehicle&#39;s wireless network. For example, if the vehicle comprises a DVD player, the audio from the DVD system could be transmitted to the router and broadcast over the vehicle&#39;s network. Similarly, the audio from terrestrial radio stations, a CD player, or an audio cassette player could be broadcast over the vehicle&#39;s local wireless network. The vehicle&#39;s passengers, equipped with the earphones  10 , could cycle through the various audio broadcasts (including the broadcasts from the vehicle&#39;s media system as well as broadcasts from the host server  40 , for example) using a selection button  11  on the earphone  10 . The vehicle may also be equipped with a console or terminal, etc., through which a passenger could mute all of the broadcasts for direct voice communications, for example. 
     As described above, the earphones  10  may also include a microphone  104 , as shown in the example of  FIG. 9 . The headset  90  shown in  FIG. 9  includes two earphones  10 , both of which may include a transceiver circuit  100  or only one of which may include the transceiver circuit, as discussed above. The microphone  104  could be used to broadcast communications from one earphone wearer to another earphone wearer. For example, one wearer could activate the microphone by pressing a button  92  on the headset  90 . The headset  90  may then transmit a communication via an ad hoc wireless network  24  or other wireless network to a nearby recipient (or recipients) equipped with a headset  90  with a transceiver circuit  100  in one or both of the earphones  10 . When such communication is detected by the recipient&#39;s headset  90 , the streaming audio received over the wireless network by the recipient&#39;s headset  90  may be muted, and the intercom channel may be routed to the transducer(s) of the recipient&#39;s headset  90  for playing for the recipient. This functionality may be valuable and useful where multiple wearers of the headsets  90  are in close proximity, such as on motorcycles, for example. 
     Another exemplary use of the earphones  10  is in a factory, warehouse, construction site, or other environment that might be noisy. Persons (e.g., workers) in the environment could use the earphones  10  for protection from the surrounding noise of the environment. From a console or terminal, a person (e.g., a supervisor) could select a particular recipient for a communication over the Wi-Fi network (or other local wireless network). The console or terminal may have buttons, dials, or switches, etc., for each user/recipient, or it could have one button or dial through which the sender could cycle through the possible recipients. In addition, the console or terminal could have a graphical user interface, through which the sender may select the desired recipient(s). 
     As mentioned above, the earphones  10  may comprise a USB port. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the user may use an adapter  150  that connects to the USB port of each earphone  10 . The adapter  150  may also have a plug connector  152 , such as a 3.5 mm jack, which allows the user to connect the adapter  150  to devices having a corresponding port for the connector  152 . When the earphones  10  detect a connection via their USB interfaces in such a manner, the Wi-Fi (or other wireless protocol) components may shut down or go into sleep mode, and the earphones  10  will route standard headphone level analog signals to the transducer(s)  106 . This may be convenient in environments where wireless communications are not permitted, such as airplanes, but where there is a convenient source of audio contact. For example, the adapter  150  could plug into a person&#39;s DAP. The DSP  118  of the earphone  10  may still be operational in such a non-wireless mode to provide noise cancellation and any applicable equalization. 
     The examples presented herein are intended to illustrate potential and specific implementations of the embodiments. It can be appreciated that the examples are intended primarily for purposes of illustration for those skilled in the art. No particular aspect of the examples is/are intended to limit the scope of the described embodiments. 
     According to various embodiments, therefore, the present invention is directed to an earphone  10  that comprises a body  12 , where the body  12  comprises: (i) at least one acoustic transducer  106  for converting an electrical signal to sound; (ii) an antenna  108 ; and (iii) a transceiver circuit  100  in communication with the at least one acoustic transducer  106  and the antenna  108 . The transceiver circuit  100  is for receiving and transmitting wireless signals via the antenna  108 , and the transceiver circuit  100  is for outputting the electrical signal to the at least one acoustic transducer  106 . The wireless transceiver circuit also comprises firmware, which when executed by the transceiver circuit, causes the transceiver circuit to: (i) receive digital audio wirelessly from a data source  20  via an ad hoc wireless network  24  when the data source  20  is in wireless communication range with the earphone  10  via the ad hoc wireless network  24 ; and (ii) when the data source  20  is not in wireless communication range with the earphone  10  via the ad hoc wireless network  24 , transition automatically to receive digital audio via an infrastructure wireless network  30 . 
     According to various implementations, the data source may comprise a portable digital audio player, such as an MP3 player, iPod, or laptop computer, or a nonportable digital audio player, such as a personal computer. In addition, the transceiver circuit  100  may comprise: (i) a wireless communication module  110  (such as a Wi-Fi or other wireless communication protocol module); (ii) a processor unit  114  in communication with the wireless communication module  110 ; (iii) a non-volatile memory unit  122  in communication with the processor unit  114 ; and (iv) a volatile memory  120  unit in communication with the processor unit  114 . The infrastructure wireless network may comprise a WLAN. The transceiver circuit  100  may receive digital audio from the data source  20  via the infrastructure wireless network  30  when the data source  20  is not in wireless communication range with the earphone  10  via the ad hoc wireless network  24 . The transceiver circuit firmware, when executed by the transceiver circuit  100 , may cause the transceiver circuit  100  of the earphone  10  to transition automatically to a pre-set infrastructure wireless network  30  that the data source  20  transitions to when the data source  20  is not in wireless communication range with the earphone  10  via the ad hoc wireless network  24  and when the pre-set infrastructure wireless network  30  is in range of both the earphone  10  and the data source  20 . In addition, the transceiver circuit firmware, when executed by the transceiver circuit  100 , may cause the transceiver circuit  100  of the earphone  10  to transmit data via the ad hoc wireless network  24  to the data source  20  regarding one or more infrastructure wireless networks  30  detected by the transceiver circuit  100  when the earphone  10  and the data source  20  are communicating via the ad hoc wireless network  24 . 
     In addition, the transceiver circuit firmware, when executed by the transceiver circuit  100 , may cause the transceiver circuit  100  of the earphone  10  to connect to a host server  40  via an available infrastructure wireless network  30  when the data source  20  is not in wireless communication range with the earphone  10  via the ad hoc wireless network  24 . The earphone  10  may receive streaming digital audio from the host server  40  via the infrastructure wireless network  30 . In addition, the earphone  10  may receive a first network address for a first streaming digital audio content server  70  from the host server  40  via the infrastructure wireless network  30 . In addition, the earphone  10  may comprise a user control, such as button  11 , dial, pressure switch, or other type of user control, that, when activated, causes the earphone  10  to transmit an electronic request via the infrastructure wireless network  30  to the host server  40  for a second network address for a second streaming digital audio content server  70 . 
     In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a system that comprises: (i) a data source  20  for wirelessly transmitting streaming digital audio; and (ii) a wireless earphone  10  that is in wireless communication with the data source  20 . In yet other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a communication system that comprises: (i) a host server  40 ; (ii) a first streaming digital audio content server  70  that is connected to the host server  40  via a data network  42 ; and (iii) a wireless earphone  10  that is in communication with the host server  40  via a wireless network  30 . The host server  40  is programmed to transmit to the earphone  10  a first network address for the first streaming digital audio content server  70  on the data network  42 . The host server  40  and the streaming digital audio content server(s)  70  each may comprise one or more processor circuits and one or more memory circuits (e.g., ROM circuits and/or RAM circuits). 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a headset that comprises: (i) a first earphone  10   a  that comprises one or more acoustic transducers  10   b  for converting a first electrical signal to sound; and (ii) a second earphone  10   b , connected to the first earphone  10   a , wherein the second earphone  10   b  comprises one or more acoustic transducers  10   b  for converting a second electrical signal to sound. In one embodiment, the first earphone  10   a  comprises: (i) a first antenna  108 ; and (ii) a first transceiver circuit  100  in communication with the one or more acoustic transducers  106  of the first earphone  10   a  and in communication with the first antenna  108 . The first transceiver circuit  100  is for receiving and transmitting wireless signals via the first antenna  108 , and for outputting the first electrical signal to the one or more acoustic transducers  10   b  of the first earphone  10   a . The first transceiver circuit  100  also may comprise firmware, which when executed by the first transceiver circuit  100 , causes the first transceiver circuit  100  to: (i) receive digital audio wirelessly from a data source  20  via an ad hoc wireless network  24  when the data source  20  is in wireless communication range with the first earphone  10   a  via the ad hoc wireless network  24 ; and (ii) when the data source  20  is not in wireless communication range with the first earphone  10   a  via the ad hoc wireless network  24 , transition automatically to receive digital audio via an infrastructure wireless network  30 . 
     In various implementations, the headset further may comprise a head band  19  that is connected to the first and second earphones  10 . In addition, the headset  19  further may comprise a microphone  104  having an output connected to the first transceiver circuit  100 . In one embodiment, the first transceiver circuit  100  is for outputting the second electrical signal to the one or more acoustic transducers  106  of the second earphone  10   b . In another embodiment, the second earphone  10   b  comprises: (i) a second antenna  108 ; and (ii) a second transceiver circuit  100  in communication with the one or more acoustic transducers  106  of the second earphone  10   b  and in communication with the second antenna  108 . The second transceiver circuit  100  is for receiving and transmitting wireless signals via the second antenna  108 , and for outputting the second electrical signal to the one or more acoustic transducers  106  of the second earphone  10   b . The second transceiver circuit  100  may comprise firmware, which when executed by the second transceiver circuit  100 , causes the second transceiver circuit  100  to: (i) receive digital audio wirelessly from the data source  20  via the ad hoc wireless network  24  when the data source  20  is in wireless communication range with the second earphone  10   b  via the ad hoc wireless network  24 ; and (ii) when the data source  20  is not in wireless communication range with the second earphone  10   b  via the ad hoc wireless network  24 , transition automatically to receive digital audio via the infrastructure wireless network  30 . 
     In addition, according to various embodiments, the first earphone  10   a  may comprise a first data port and the second earphone  10   b  may comprise a second data port. In addition, the headset may further comprise an adapter or dongle  150  connected to the first data port of the first earphone  10   a  and to the second data port of the second earphone  10   b , wherein the adapter  150  comprises an output plug connector  152  for connecting to a remote device. 
     In addition, according to other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method that comprises the steps of: (i) receiving, by a wireless earphone, via an ad hoc wireless network, digital audio from a data source when the data source is in wireless communication with the earphone via the ad hoc wireless network; (ii) converting, by the wireless earphone, the digital audio to sound; and (iii) when the data source is not in wireless communication with the earphone, transitioning automatically, by the earphone, to receive digital audio via an infrastructure wireless network. 
     In various implementations, the step of transitioning automatically by the earphone to receive digital audio via an infrastructure wireless network may comprises transitioning automatically to receive digital audio from the data source via an infrastructure wireless network when the data source is not in wireless communication range with the earphone via the ad hoc wireless network. In addition, the method may further comprise the step of receiving by the wireless earphone from the data source via the ad hoc wireless network data regarding one or more infrastructure wireless networks detected by data source when the earphone and the data source are communicating via the ad hoc wireless network. 
     In addition, the step of transitioning automatically by the earphone to receive digital audio via an infrastructure wireless network comprises may transitioning automatically to receive digital audio from a host sever via the infrastructure wireless network when the data source is not in wireless communication range with the earphone via the ad hoc wireless network. Additionally, the step of transitioning automatically by the earphone to receive digital audio via an infrastructure wireless network may comprise: (i) receiving, by the wireless earphone via the infrastructure wireless network, from a host server connected to the infrastructure wireless network, a network address for a streaming digital audio content server; and (ii) connecting, by the wireless earphone, to the streaming digital audio content server using the network address received from the host server. 
     It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the embodiments have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the embodiments, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements. For example, certain operating system details for the various computer-related devices and systems are not described herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that these and other elements may be desirable in a typical processor or computer system. Because such elements are well known in the art and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the embodiments, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. 
     In general, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that at least some of the embodiments described herein may be implemented in many different embodiments of software, firmware and/or hardware. The software and firmware code may be executed by a processor or any other similar computing device. The software code or specialized control hardware that may be used to implement embodiments is not limiting. For example, embodiments described herein may be implemented in computer software using any suitable computer software language type. Such software may be stored on any type of suitable computer-readable medium or media, such as, for example, a magnetic or optical storage medium. The operation and behavior of the embodiments may be described without specific reference to specific software code or specialized hardware components. The absence of such specific references is feasible, because it is clearly understood that artisans of ordinary skill would be able to design software and control hardware to implement the embodiments based on the present description with no more than reasonable effort and without undue experimentation. 
     Moreover, the processes associated with the present embodiments may be executed by programmable equipment, such as computers or computer systems and/or processors. Software that may cause programmable equipment to execute processes may be stored in any storage device, such as, for example, a computer system (nonvolatile) memory, an optical disk, magnetic tape, or magnetic disk. Furthermore, at least some of the processes may be programmed when the computer system is manufactured or stored on various types of computer-readable media. 
     A “computer,” “computer system,” “host,” “host server,” “server,” or “processor” may be, for example and without limitation, a processor, microcomputer, minicomputer, server, mainframe, laptop, personal data assistant (PDA), wireless e-mail device, cellular phone, pager, processor, fax machine, scanner, or any other programmable device configured to transmit and/or receive data over a network. Such components may comprise: one or more processor circuits; and one more memory circuits, including ROM circuits and RAM circuits. Computer systems and computer-based devices disclosed herein may include memory for storing certain software applications used in obtaining, processing, and communicating information. It can be appreciated that such memory may be internal or external with respect to operation of the disclosed embodiments. The memory may also include any means for storing software, including a hard disk, an optical disk, floppy disk, ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory), PROM (programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM) and/or other computer-readable media. 
     In various embodiments disclosed herein, a single component may be replaced by multiple components and multiple components may be replaced by a single component to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative, such substitution is within the intended scope of the embodiments. Any servers described herein, such as the host server  40 , for example, may be replaced by a “server farm” or other grouping of networked servers (such as server blades) that are located and configured for cooperative functions. It can be appreciated that a server farm may serve to distribute workload between/among individual components of the farm and may expedite computing processes by harnessing the collective and cooperative power of multiple servers. Such server farms may employ load-balancing software that accomplishes tasks such as, for example, tracking demand for processing power from different machines, prioritizing and scheduling tasks based on network demand and/or providing backup contingency in the event of component failure or reduction in operability. 
     While various embodiments have been described herein, it should be apparent that various modifications, alterations, and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with attainment of at least some of the advantages. The disclosed embodiments are therefore intended to include all such modifications, alterations, and adaptations without departing from the scope of the embodiments as set forth herein.