Patent Publication Number: US-11388505-B2

Title: Wearable earbud system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is continuation-in-part of PCT/US2019/013987, filed Jan. 17, 2019, entitled “Wearable Earbud System,”; which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/618,921, filed Jan. 18, 2018, entitled “Wearable Earbud System.” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments herein relate generally to wearable devices and apparel, and more specifically, to a wireless earbud system for audio output that allows earbuds to be selectively attached and detached from any one of multiple lanyards to allow a user to selectively choose and replace lanyards and/or earbuds, and wherein the earbud system may be worn as a necklace, bracelet, headband, belt, strap or other wearable apparel. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A wireless earbud system includes a pair of earbuds connected at opposite ends of a lanyard. One or both earbuds are connected to the lanyard by a releasable connection, that allows the (or each) earbud to be selectively attached to, detached from and reattached to the lanyard (or other lanyard). The earbuds contain electronics, but the lanyard is free of electrical connections. In certain examples, the wireless earbud system includes multiple lanyards of the same or different styles, colors, materials, or the like. The releasable connection allows the first and second earbuds to be selectively attached and detached from any one of the multiple lanyards, to allow a user to selectively choose and replace lanyards and/or earbuds. In one example, the releasable connector is a threaded connector, having first and second parts that thread together to attach. 
     Each earbud includes a respective magnet (or one earbud includes a magnet and the other includes a magnetically attractable material) arranged such that the earbuds are magnetically attracted to each other, when brought together. When the earbuds are magnetically connected together, the earbuds and lanyard form a loop, and may be worn as a necklace, a bracelet, headband, belt, strap or other wearable apparel. 
     In examples in which the earbud system is configured to be worn as a wrist or arm band or bracelet on user&#39;s wrist or arm, motion detection electronics in the earbuds may be configured to detect one or more (or a plurality of specific) motions of the user&#39;s wrist or arm. In those examples, processing electronics may be configured to interpret detected motion to provide one or more control signals for controlling one or more of the earbud system, a local or remote audio device, or other electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an earbud system. 
         FIG. 2  is a representative diagram of a user wearing the earbud system of  FIG. 1  when used as an audio device. 
         FIG. 3  is a representative diagram of a user wearing the earbud system of  FIG. 1  when not in use for audio. 
         FIG. 4  is another representative diagram of a user wearing the earbud system of  FIG. 1  when not in use for audio. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an earbud system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of electronics in an earbud system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7 a    is a schematic diagram of another earbud system. 
         FIG. 7 b    is a schematic diagram of an adjustable lanyard. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of lanyard having magnetic beads and bumpers. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the earbud system of  FIG. 7 a    configured in a closed loop. 
         FIG. 10 a    is a schematic diagram of an earbud including a slot for coupling the earbud to a lanyard, and a lanyard including a clip for coupling the lanyard to an earbud via the slot. 
         FIG. 10 b    is a schematic diagram of an earbud and lanyard coupled using the slot and clip of  FIG. 10   a.    
         FIG. 10 c    is a schematic diagram of a closed loop lanyard of  FIG. 10   a.    
         FIG. 11 a    is a schematic diagram of an earbud system including earbuds docked in a cradle and in a closed loop configuration to form a bracelet. 
         FIG. 11 b    is a schematic of the earbud system of  FIG. 11   a.    
         FIG. 11 c    is a schematic of the earbud system of  FIG. 11 a    including the cradle connected to a battery configured to charge the earbuds. 
         FIG. 12 a    is a schematic diagram of an earbud including a cylindrical recess for coupling the earbud to a lanyard, and a lanyard including a threaded end for coupling the lanyard to an earbud via the cylindrical recess. 
         FIG. 12 b    is a schematic diagram of an earbud and lanyard coupled using the cylindrical recess and threaded end of  FIG. 12   a.    
         FIG. 12 c    is a schematic diagram of a closed loop lanyard of  FIG. 12   a.    
         FIG. 13 a    is an exploded schematic diagram of an adjustable lanyard including magnetic beads and stoppers. 
         FIG. 13 b    is a schematic diagram of the adjustable lanyard of  FIG. 13   a.    
         FIG. 14 a    is a closed front view of a storage and/or charging case for a wireless earbud system. 
         FIG. 14 b    is an open front view of the storage and/or charging case of  FIG. 14   a.    
         FIG. 14 c    is a closed back view of the storage and/or charging case of  FIG. 14   a.    
         FIG. 14 d    is an open back view of the storage and/or charging case of  FIG. 14   a.    
         FIG. 15 a    is a side perspective view of an earbud charging cradle (or dongle) coupled to a battery. 
         FIG. 15 b    is a top perspective view of the earbud charging cradle (or dongle) and battery of  FIG. 15   a.    
         FIG. 15 c    is an exploded view of the earbud charging cradle (or dongle) and battery of  FIG. 15   a.    
         FIG. 15 d    is a side view of the earbud charging cradle (or dongle) coupled to and battery. 
         FIG. 16 a    is a side perspective view of an earbud charging cradle (or dongle) and earbuds stored therein. 
         FIG. 16 b    is a top perspective view of the earbud charging cradle (or dongle) and earbuds of  FIG. 16   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure is provided below. While several embodiments are described, the disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment, but instead encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed here, some embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these details. Moreover, for clarity, certain technical material that is known in the related art has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. 
     The embodiments of the disclosure may be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts may be designated by like numerals. The components of the disclosed embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but it is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not necessarily need to be executed in any specific order, or even sequentially, nor need the step be executed only once, unless otherwise specified. 
     A wireless earbud system  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  includes a first earbud  20  and a second earbud  30  connected at opposite ends of a lanyard  40 . In particular embodiments, one or both earbuds  20  and  30  are connected to the lanyard  40  by a releasable connection, that allows the (or each) earbud to be selectively attached to, detached from and reattached to the lanyard  40  (or other lanyard) by a user. Further embodiments of the wireless earbud system  10  include multiple lanyards  40  (e.g., of the same or different styles, colors, materials, or the like) to and from which the first and second earbuds  20  and  30  may be selectively attached and detached. 
     The lanyard  40  includes a lanyard cord or strap  42  formed of any suitable material including, but not limited to a rope or woven strap of nylon, cotton, hemp, metal, rubber, or other suitable material, metal chain, wire, leather, PVC, or the like. In particular examples, the lanyard cord or strap  42  has a design, style or other appearance quality that resembles jewelry, a wearable belt, band or strap, other apparel or the like. In particular examples, the lanyard cord or strap  42  (or the earbuds  20  and  30 , or both) may include one or more jewels, pendants, or other decorative features. 
     Each of the first and second earbuds  20  and  30  is configured to be worn on or in a user&#39;s ears and operate as an audio output device, as shown in  FIG. 2 . As discussed below, each earbud  20  and  30  includes a respective magnet  70  (or one earbud includes a magnet and the other includes a magnetically attractable material) arranged such that the earbuds  20  and  30  are magnetically attracted to each other, when brought together as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . When magnetically connected, the earbuds  20  and  30  and lanyard  40  form a loop, and may be worn as a necklace (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) or a bracelet (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), or other wearable device, such as, but not limited to a headband or belt, depending upon the length of the lanyard  40 . 
     The first and second earbuds  20  and  30 , each include electronics  50  that: (a) provide wireless communication capabilities to receive a wireless audio signal from a local (or remote) communication device; and (b) provide audio output that a user wearing the earbud is able to hear. In certain embodiments, the electronics may provide other functions, including but not limited to user control of volume, channel, remote devices, or other suitable functions. 
     In particular embodiments, each earbud  20  and  30  may include a housing  60  made of any suitable material or combination of materials including, but not limited to rigid or semi-rigid plastic, rubber, metal, ceramic, composite or other materials. In the example of  FIG. 5 , the housing  60  contains the electronics  50 , a magnet (or magnetically attractable material)  70 , a first part of a releasable connector  80 , and a power source (e.g., battery  90 ). In particular examples, the housing  60  is sweat-proof, water-resistant, or both. In particular examples, the housing  60  includes a suitable speaker port (not shown) through which audio sound is provided to a user. 
     Each earbud  20  and  30  is configured to be worn by a user, by fitting the housing  60  at least partially within (or connect in other manners to) a respective one of a user&#39;s ears, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In certain examples, the housing  60  includes an end portion  62  that is shaped to fit and be held at least partially within a user&#39;s ear, to maintain the earbud on the user&#39;s ear. For example, the end portion  62  may have a rounded or generally semispherical shape for ease of insertion into an ear. The housing  60  or end portion  62  may include or be made of a suitable material, such as, but not limited to a sufficiently soft, resilient material for user comfort. For example, the end portion  62  may be formed of, include or covered by a resilient foam rubber or other resilient material cover or the like. In other examples, the housing  60  may have other suitable configurations that allow a user to wear each of the earbuds  20  and  30  on or at least partially within a user&#39;s ear. Such other suitable configurations include, but are not limited to housings having hook members that hook over a user&#39;s ear, clip members that clip onto a user&#39;s ear or collar, or the like. 
     The housing  60  of each (or at least one) of the earbuds  20  and  30  includes or is attached to a first part  82  of the releasable connector  80 . Each end (or at least one end) of the lanyard  40  is connected to or includes a second part  84  of the releasable connector  80 . The first and second parts  82  and  84  of the releasable connector  80  are configured to be selectively attached to, detached from and reattached to each other by the user. In that manner, each releasable connector  80  allows an earbud ( 20  or  30 ) to be selectively attached to, detached from and reattached to the lanyard  40  (or other lanyard) by a user. The first and second parts  82  and  84  of the releasable connector  80  may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials including, but not limited to rigid or semi-rigid plastic, metal, ceramic, composite or other materials. In particular examples, the first part  82  of the releasable connector  80  is formed as an integral part of the housing  60  for example, but not limited to, by a molding or machining process in which the housing  60  and the part  82  of the releasable connector  80  are formed together, as a single body. In other examples, the first part  82  of the releasable connector  80  may be formed separately from the housing  60  and then fixed to the housing  60  by glue, rivet, screw, bolt, weld, solder, or other suitable adhesive. 
     In one example, the releasable connector  80  is a threaded connector, in which the parts  82  and  84  have threaded sections that engage and thread together to attach. In the example in  FIG. 5 , the first part  82  of the releasable connector  80  includes a cylindrical recess  86  that is open on one end  87  to receive at least a portion of the second part  84  of the releasable connector  80 . The interior wall of the cylindrical recess  86  is threaded, in a manner of a threaded screw hole. 
     In the example in  FIG. 5 , the second part  84  of the releasable connector  80  includes a cylindrical shaft section  88  having threads on its exterior surface, in a manner of a threaded screw. The cylindrical shaft section  88  has a diameter and size configured to fit within the cylindrical recess  86  of the first part  82  of the releasable connector  80 , such that the threads on the exterior surface of the shaft section  88  engage with the threads on the interior wall of the cylindrical recess  86  in a screw threading manner. The threads are configured to thread together to connect the first and second parts  82  and  84  of the threaded connector, when the threads are engaged and the first and second parts  82  and  84  of the threaded connector are rotated relative to each other in a first direction. When connected, the first and second parts  82  and  84  of the threaded connector may be rotated in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) to unthread and release the connection between the first and second parts  82  and  84  of the releasable connector  80 . In this manner, the first and second parts  82  and  84  of the releasable connector  80  may be selectively connected together in a connected state as shown with the second part  84  in  FIG. 5 , and selectively disconnected or released from each other as shown with the first part  82  in  FIG. 5 . 
     Each end of the lanyard  40  is connected to a different respective second part  84  of the releasable connector  80 , by any suitable connection structure including, but not limited to, glue, resin, knotting, embedding an end of the lanyard within the material of the first and second parts  82  and  84 . In particular examples, the second part  84  of the releasable connectors  80  is connected to a respective end of the lanyard  40  by a rotary connection that allows the first part  82  of the releasable connector  80  to rotate relative to the lanyard  40 . With that arrangement, the user may rotate the first part  82  of the releasable connector  80  relative to the lanyard  40 , while threading the first and second parts  82  and  84  of the releasable connector  80  together or apart. In other examples, only one of the releasable connectors  80  is connected to an end of the lanyard  40  by a rotary connection, while the other releasable connector  80  is connected to the opposite end of the lanyard  40  by another connection structure as described above that is not rotary. 
     In the example described above and shown in  FIG. 5 , the first part  82  of the releasable connector  80  includes a threaded recess  86 , while the second part  84  of the releasable connector includes a threaded shaft  88 . In other examples, the first part  82  may include a threaded shaft, while the second part  84  may include a threaded recess, similar to those described above. In other examples, the releasable connector  80  may be configured with other suitable threaded connection structures. In yet other examples, the releasable connector  80  may include a different releasable connection structure that is not threaded, such as, but not limited to, a snap connector or a friction fitting structure in which the one of the first and second parts  82  and  84  of the releasable connector  80  has a portion that fits within or between portions of the other one of the first and second parts  82  and  84  in a friction fitting manner. In yet other examples, the releasable connector  80  may include other suitable releasable connection structure such as, but not limited to, Magnetic, ball and spring or cotter pin. 
     In particular embodiments, the lanyard  40  is adjustable, to fit different users, form different styles, form different wearable devices, or for other suitable purposes. For example, the lanyard  40  may include an adjustment structure  44  at one or more locations along the length of the lanyard cord or strap  42 . In the example of  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the adjustment structure  44  comprises a tubular structure having one end attached to an end of a section of the lanyard cord  42  extending from the earbud  20 , and a central channel through which a second section of the lanyard cord  42  extends from the earbud  30 . The second section of the lanyard cord  42  extends all of the way through the central channel of the tubular structure and extends out of the other end of the tubular structure. The second section of the lanyard cord  42  is frictionally engaged by the tubular structure within the central channel, such that the second section of the lanyard cord  42  does not move relative to the tubular structure, unless sufficient manual force is applied to pull the second section of the lanyard cord  42  further through or in the opposite direction, to reduce or increase the size of the loop formed by the lanyard  40  and magnetically connected earbuds  20  and  30 . 
     In other examples, other suitable adjustment structure  44  may be employed to adjust the size of the loop. Suitable adjustment structure may include, but is not limited to, knots, swage, beads, buckles, or the like. In particular examples, the adjustment structure  44  allows adjustment of the length of the lanyard  40  (from one earbud to the other earbud) within a limited range, for example, to allow for adjustment of the length to fit different users or provide different styles. Thus, for examples in which the lanyard  40  is configured to be worn as a necklace when not used as an audio device (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), the adjustment structure  44  may allow adjustment to fit different user neck sizes, or to adjust the style of the necklace configuration (e.g., as a choker style, or as a long necklace style, or length styles there-between). In other examples, the adjustment structure  44  allows for a greater range of adjustments, for example, to change the configuration of the earbud system  10  from a necklace configuration (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) to a bracelet configuration (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), when not used as an audio device. In yet other examples, the adjustment structure  44  allows for a range of length adjustment that allows the earbud system  10  to be adjusted to form a headband, belt, shoulder strap or other apparel item, when not used as an audio device. 
     As discussed above, the first and second earbuds  20  and  30 , each include electronics  50  that: (a) provide wireless communication capabilities to receive a wireless audio signal from a local (or remote) communication device; and (b) provide audio output that a user wearing the earbud is able to hear. In certain embodiments, the electronics may provide other functions, including but not limited to user control of volume, channel, remote devices, or other suitable functions. The electronics  50  may include one or more circuit boards (e.g., printed circuit board) having one or more components as described herein connected on or in the circuit board. 
     A schematic diagram representation of electronics  50  according to an example is shown in  FIG. 6 . The electronics  50  in  FIG. 6  includes audio output electronics  52  and wireless communication electronics  54 . In certain examples, the electronics  50  may also include one or more of motion detection electronics  56 , switches  58 , processing electronics  59  and visual display electronics (not shown). 
     The audio output electronics  52  may include any suitable electronics that allows the earbud system  10  to be used as an audio device. The audio output electronics  52  may include one or more speakers and other electronics typically included in electronic audio earpieces, including earbuds, earphones or the like 
     The wireless communication electronics  54  may include any suitable electronics for communicating, wirelessly, with one or more devices local or remote to the earbud system  10 . Such wireless communication electronics  54  may include, but is not limited to Wi-Fi. Bluetooth, UHF, or the like. The wireless communication electronics  54  may include an antenna (not shown) located within or on the housing  60 , and other electronics typically included in electronic wireless communication devices. 
     The wireless communication electronics  54  is configured to provide a communications link with one or more local or remote devices (not shown), where the link may be one or more of a cellular telephone link (e.g., in the 700 MHz to 2700 MHz or other suitable cellular telephone frequency range), wireless local area network link (e.g., at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or other suitable LAN frequency), or Bluetooth link (e.g., 2.4 GHz or other suitable Bluetooth frequency). In other examples, the wireless communication link may be other near-field or short range communications links, or other longer range communication links. In particular examples, each earbud  20  and  30  may be configured to selectively receive multiple different signals. In such example, a user may select a channel, frequency, or signal type, via switches  58 . 
     The motion detection electronics  56  may include any suitable electronics or electromechanical device that detects one or more of motion, direction of motion, speed of motion, change in direction or change in speed of motion of the earbud  20  or  30 . In certain examples, the motion detection electronics  56  may include one or more of an accelerometer, vibration sensor, gyroscope or the like. 
     The switches  58  may include one or more user-operable switches that provide user input for control operations. The one or more switches may include any suitable user-operable electrical switch such as, but not limited to a mechanical toggle switch, button, force sensor, membrane switch, resistive sensor switch, capacitive sensor switch, other to mechanical or touch sensitive switch, or the like. 
     The processing electronics  59  may include one or more suitable processors or electronics capable of processing signals from and providing control functions for other components of the electronics  50 . The electronics  50  (and components described herein) may be connected to receive electrical power from the power source or battery  90 , via any suitable electrical connection. In particular examples, the power source includes a rechargeable battery  90  and recharging electronics that allow the battery  90  to be recharged when connected to or in sufficiently close proximity to a battery charger. For example, the recharging electronics may include an induction coil that receives power, inductively, from an inductive battery charger in sufficiently close proximity to the earbud  20  or  30 . In other examples, the earbud  20  and  30  includes a port for wire connection with a battery charger, to receive power to charge the battery  90 . In other examples, the battery  90  is not rechargeable or is replaceable. 
     In examples in which the battery  90  is replaceable, the housing  60  may be configured to selectively open and close, to provide access to the battery  90 , for inserting or replacing the battery  90 . In such examples, the end of the housing  60  opposite to the end connected to the lanyard  40  may be provided with a cap (e.g., the rounded portion of the housing  60  in  FIG. 5 ) that is selectively removable from and connectable to the rest of the housing  60 , by threading, snap fitting, friction fitting or other suitable connection mechanism (not shown). 
     The processing electronics  59  may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits, or the like. The processing electronics  59  may include or be connected with suitable storage electronics (not shown) for storing programs or data (or both) that are used to provide functions and operations as described herein. 
     The electronics  50  may include other suitable electronics including, but not limited to one or more speakers, tone generators and other audio components, microphones, LEDs or other visual output devices, vibrators or other tactile output devices, or the like. 
     In particular examples, the electronics  50  are configured to communicate with a local or remote audio device (radio receiver, music playing device, telephone, mobile phone, computer, or the like) to receive audio signals (via the wireless communication electronics  54 ) and convert those signals into audio output sound to the user (via the audio output electronics  52 ). In one example, the electronics  50  are configured to communicate with a user&#39;s mobile phone, when in sufficiently close proximity to the mobile phone. In such examples, the user&#39;s mobile phone may include a program (application) that configures the mobile phone to communicate with the earbuds  20  and  30  of the earbud system  10 , to convey audio signals to the earbud system  10 , to receive control signals from the earbud system  10 , or to perform other suitable functions or operations as described herein. In such examples, the processing and storage power of the user&#39;s mobile phone may be employed, such that the processing or storage capabilities or needs of the earbuds  20  and  30  may be minimized. Such examples may help to reduce cost and complexity of the earbuds  20  and  30 , by employing higher processing and storage capabilities of the user&#39;s mobile phone. 
     One or more manually operable switches  58  may be provided, to allow a user to provide control input for controlling one or more functions or operations of the audio output electronics  52  or other components of the electronics  50 . Alternatively or in addition, the switches  58  may represent one or more detectors for detecting a manual operation, such as, but not limited to a manual tap or touch or series of consecutive taps or touches on the housing of the earbud  20  or  30 . For example, switches or detectors  58  may be provided for allowing a user to control one or more of an on/off operation to turn the earbud system  10  on or off, audio output volume to control the volume of the sound produced by the audio output electronics  52 , channel selection to control the channel or frequency of signal received by the earbud system  10  or output by the local or remote audio device, or other functions or operations. 
     Accordingly, when the earbud system  10  is worn by a user (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and operated as an audio output device, the earbud system  10  may receive audio signals from a local or remote audio device, and produce output audio sound through the earbuds  20  and  30 , that a user may hear. The user may control certain aspects of the output sound, and on/off operation, via the switches or sensors  58 . When the earbuds  20  and  30  are used as an audio output device and worn in or on the user&#39;s ears, the lanyard  40  may conveniently lay behind the user&#39;s head, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     However, when the earbud system  10  is not operated as an audio output device, the system  10  may be worn and conveniently carried by the user, by magnetically connecting the earbuds  20  and  30  together to form a loop with the lanyard  40  that may be worn by the user as a necklace, bracelet, headband, belt, strap or other apparel item (as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     In examples in which the earbud system  10  is configured to be worn as a wrist or arm band or bracelet on user&#39;s wrist or arm (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), the motion detection electronics  56  may be configured to detect one or more (or a plurality of) specific motions of the user&#39;s wrist or arm. Such specific motions may include, but are not limited to, a wave or set of multiple waves, a movement in a specified direction or series of multiple directions, one or more taps or consecutive taps, or the like. In those examples, the processing electronics  59  may be configured to interpret detected motion to provide one or more control signals for controlling one or more of the earbud system  10 , the local or remote audio device, or other electronic device. For example, the motion detection electronics  56 , with the processing electronics  59 , may detect one or more motions and provide output control signals for controlling on/off state, volume, channel or other functions of the earbud system  10 . Alternatively or in addition, the motion detection electronics  56 , with the processing electronics  59 , may detect one or more motions and provide output control signals that are communicated, via the wireless communication electronics  54 , to one or more local or remote devices, for controlling one or more functions or operations of the one or more local or remote devices, such as, but not limited to, volume or channel of an audio output signal provided by the local or remote device. 
     In further examples, one or both earbuds  20  and  30  include a sensor (not shown) that operates with processing electronics  59 , for detection of magnetic coupling of the earbuds  20  and  30  together, to detect whether or not the earbud system  10  is coupled in a loop (e.g., necklace, bracelet or other non-audio state). In such examples, the processing electronics  59  may be configured to control operations of the earbud  20  or  30  (or both), based in part on whether or not the sensor detects that the earbuds  20  and  30  are in a state of magnetically coupled together. For example, when the sensor and processing electronics  59  determine that the earbuds  20  and  30  are not magnetically coupled together to form a loop with the lanyard  40 , then the processing electronics  59  may control the earbuds  20  and  30  to be in a first state (audio output state), to provide audio output functions corresponding to the audio output functions of traditional earbuds. In that state, the switches or detectors  58  may be configured (by the processing electronics  59 ) to allow user input relating to audio functions, such as, but not limited to audio output volume, answer an incoming call, end or hang up on an ongoing call, or the like. In such examples, when the sensor and processing electronics  59  determine that the earbuds  20  and  30  are magnetically coupled together to form a loop with the lanyard  40 , then the processing electronics  59  may control the earbuds  20  and  40  to be in a second state (apparel state) to provide other functions, instead of or in addition to audio output functions. Such other functions may include, but are not limited to motion detection functions as described herein, display or signaling functions to inform the user of an incoming call, message, or other predefined event. 
     Accordingly, the functions of the earbud system  10  may change, depending upon whether or not the system  10  is in a first state (audio output state) or second state (apparel state). Alternatively. or in addition, the operations performed by the earbud system  10  in response to a particular user input (via switches or detectors  58 ) may be controlled to be different, depending upon the detected state (first or second state) of the earbud system  10 . For example, when the sensor and processing electronics  59  determine that the earbud system is in the second state (magnetically coupled in a loop), the detection of user inputted taps may provide one or more predefined functions such as, but not limited to: sending an incoming call to voice mail in response to detection of a predefined number (two, or other number) of taps, and setting the earbud system  10  in a silent mode (to mute audio signals or output) in response to detection of another predefined number (one, or other number) of taps. 
     However, when the sensor and processing electronics  59  determine that the earbud system is in the first state (an audio output state, not magnetically coupled), then the sensor and processing electronics  59  may be configured to respond to the same tap sequences, but provide different functions than the functions provided in the second state (magnetically coupled state). For example, when in the first state, the detection of a predefined number (two, or other number) of taps may result in the answer of an incoming call, a forwarding of an incoming call to a defined number or voice mail, ending or hanging up on an ongoing call, forwarding to the next (or different) music or other audio track, change of a channel, or the like. Similarly, when in the first state, the detection of another predefined number (one or other predefined number) of taps may result in another function, such as, but not limited to audio pause, start, resume play, or the like. 
     In particular examples, all of the electronics  50  and power source (battery  90 ) of each earbud  20  and  30  is contained within the housing  60  of the earbud. In such examples, the lanyard  40  need not include any electronics or electrical connection. Because the earbuds  20  and  30  are connected to the lanyard  40  by releasable connectors  80 , each earbud  20  and  30  may be readily disconnected from the lanyard  40 , and re-connected to a different lanyard. In this manner, earbuds  20  and  30 , which contain electronics  50  (and may contain relatively expensive audio or communication electronics), can be used with multiple different lanyards. Thus, the same pair of earbuds  20  and  30  may be connectable to a plurality of different lanyards of different styles, shapes, lengths, colors, etc. In one example, a kit includes a pair of earbuds  20  and  30  and a plurality of different lanyards  40  to which the earbuds  20  and  30  may connect. Thus, a user may continue to use the same earbuds  20  and  30 , but selectively replace the lanyard  40  with another lanyard to fit the user&#39;s needs or style preference. 
     Alternatively, the same lanyard  40  may be used (at different times) with different pairs of earbuds. In those examples, one or both earbuds  20  and  30  may be removed from a lanyard  40  and easily replaced by re-connecting a different earbud to the same lanyard  40 . In that manner, a user may replace a broken or malfunctioning earbud, or may replace one or both earbuds with a higher quality (higher audio fidelity) earbud, without changing the lanyard  40 . 
     It is important to note that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed above, and still other earbud system  10  configurations are possible without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in the example of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an exemplary earbud system  10  may include beads  100  that replace the magnets  70  shown in  FIG. 5 . The beads  100  may be magnetically attracted to each other (e.g., one bead includes a magnet and the other includes a magnetically attractable material). Once threaded through a lanyard  40 , the magnetic beads  100  may be fixedly attached at locations along the lanyard  40  or they may slide freely along the lanyard  40 . In the case where the beads  100  are configured to slide along the lanyard  40 , the lanyard  40  may be threaded through bumpers  104  that keep the beads  100  a sufficient distance from earbuds  20  and  30  to prevent any magnetic fields generated by the beads  100  from interfering with the electronic components  50  of the earbuds  20  and  30 . 
     A wearer can adjust the position of the beads  100  by sliding them along the lanyard  40  to bring the beads  100  together. When the beads  100  are brought together, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the lanyard  40  forms a closed loop, and may be worn as a necklace or a bracelet, or any other wearable article, such as, but not limited to a headband or belt, depending upon the length of the lanyard  40 . 
     As further shown in the  FIG. 7 a    example, the first part  82  of the releasable connector  80  may include a cylindrically-shaped threaded recess  86 , while the second part of the releasable connector includes a threaded shaft  102 . The threaded shaft  102  may be formed at (or attached to) the ends of a lanyard  40  as cylindrical shaft that has a diameter and size configured to fit within a corresponding threaded cylindrically threaded recess  86  of an earbud  20 ,  30 . A connection may be formed between the lanyard  40  and earbuds  20 ,  30  through a turning motion that causes the threads at the outer surface of a shaft  102  engage the threads at an inner surface of a threaded recess  86  of an earbud  20 ,  30 . 
     The lanyard  40  may include a first lanyard section  120  and a second lanyard section  122 . In particular embodiments, opposite ends of the first lanyard section  120  may be joined to the second lanyard section  122  using knots (e.g., slip knots) to form adjustment structures  44   a  and  44   b  at one or more locations along the length of the lanyard cord or strap  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 a , 7 b   .  10   c  and  12   c . The length of the lanyard  40  may be adjusted by moving the second lanyard section  122  through one or both of the knotted adjustment structures  44   a ,  44   b.    
     Still other configurations are possible. For example, in the example of  FIGS. 10 a , 10 b  and 10 c   , the magnets  70  may be removed from each earbud housing  60  and attached to respective ends of a lanyard  40 . The magnets  70  may be magnetically attracted to each other (e.g., the magnet  70  at one end of the lanyard  40  may include a magnet and a magnet  70  at the other end of the lanyard  40  may include a magnetically attractable material). In particular embodiments, the magnets  70  may be attached to a lanyard  40  using glue, crimp, friction, or any other method of attachment. When the magnets  70  are brought together, as shown in  FIG. 10 c   , the lanyard  40  forms a closed loop, and may be worn as a necklace or a bracelet, or any other wearable article, such as, but not limited to a headband or belt, depending upon the length of the lanyard  40 . 
     In this example, a releasable connector  80  may also be formed using a slot  106  and a clip  108 . More specifically, a clip  108  may be attached at the respective ends of a lanyard  40  and a slot  106  having a recess to accommodate the clip  108  may be formed in the earbud housing  60 . The shape of a slot  106  may be formed to accommodate clip  108  so that when the clip  108  engages (or is slid into) the slot  106 , as shown in  FIG. 10 b   , the two lock in place. 
     In the example of  FIGS. 11 a , 11 b  and 11 c   , a lanyard  40  may be threaded through a cradle  112  that includes recessed areas  114  to accommodate earbuds  20 , 30  when the earbuds  20 , 30  are not being worn. In  FIG. 11 a   , the lanyard  40  forms a closed looped to form a bracelet, however, any other wearable article, such as, but not limited to a headband or belt, depending upon the length of the lanyard  40 , may be formed by cradling the ear buds  20 ,  30  in the cradle  112 . In the present example, the cradle  112  and earbuds  20 ,  30  may be configured so that the cradle  112  and earbuds  20 ,  30  are magnetically attracted (e.g., the cradle  112  may include a magnet and the earbuds  20 ,  30  may include a magnetically attractable material). In  FIG. 11 b   , a releasable connector  80  that connects an earbud  20 ,  30  to a lanyard  40  may be formed in any manner disclosed herein (or any equivalent thereof). Additionally, in a particular embodiment, the cradle  112  may also be magnetically connected to a battery  116  to charge the earbuds  20 ,  30 , as shown in  FIG. 11   c.    
     In the example of  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b  and 12 c   , the magnets  70  shown in  FIG. 5  may again be removed from the earbud  20 ,  30  housings  60 . In this example, an L-shaped attachment  118  is attached at the ends of the lanyard  40 . The L-shaped attachment  118  may be formed of plastic, wood, metal or other suitable materials, and may be attached to the lanyard  40  using glue, crimp, friction, or other suitable methods. The attachment  118  may include a threaded shaft  102  and a magnet  70  at an opposite end. A magnet  70  may be magnetically attracted to another magnet  70  at an opposite end of a lanyard  40  (e.g., one magnet  70  may include a magnet and the other may include a magnetically attractable material). And as discussed above, a threaded shaft  102  may be formed as cylindrical shaft that has a diameter and size configured to fit within a corresponding cylindrically-shaped threaded recess  86  of an earbud  20 ,  30  to join the lanyard  40  to the earbuds  20 ,  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 b  and 12 c   . In  FIG. 12 c   , the lanyard  40  forms a closed looped to form a bracelet, however, any other wearable article, such as, but not limited to a headband or belt, depending upon the length of the lanyard  40 , may be formed. 
     In the example of  FIGS. 13 a  and 13 b   , adjustment structures  44   a .  44   b  may formed as double-barreled structures, where each adjustment structure  44   a ,  44   b  includes a first barrel  126  and a second barrel  128 . In particular embodiments, a first lanyard section  120  may be threaded through a first barrel  126  of an adjustment structure  44   b  and an end of the first lanyard section  120  may be secured by (or within) a first barrel  126  of an adjustment structure  44   a . Similarly, a second lanyard section  122  may be threaded through a second barrel  128  of the adjustment structure  44   a  and an end of the second lanyard section  122  may be secured by (or within) a second barrel  128  of the adjustment structure  44   b . By doing so, the length of the lanyard  40  may be adjusted by moving the adjustment structure  44   b  along the lanyard section  120  and/or moving the adjustment structure  44   a  along the lanyard section  122 . 
     Turning now to the example of  FIGS. 14 a  through 14 d   , a case  200  for storing and/or charging an earbud system  10  is illustrated. The case  200  may include a charging cradle (or dongle)  202 , which may be coupled to a battery  204  for charging earbuds  20  and  30  or a phone (not shown). 
     In one embodiment, a charging cable  206  of a charging cradle (or dongle)  202  may be connected to an external power source (not shown) to charge earbuds  20  and  30 —e.g., when a charging cradle (or dongle)  202  is not being charged via a battery  204 . When not being used to externally charge earbuds  20  and  20 , a charging cable  206  may be stowed in a stowage port  218  of a charging cradle (or dongle)  201  and may act as a security loop, as shown in  FIGS. 14 a    through  14   d.    
     In addition to providing storage for an earbud system  10 , the case  200  may also include pockets  208  for storing credit cards and the like, as shown in  FIGS. 14 c  and 14 d   . The case  200  may be made of fabric, plastic or any other suitable material. The case  200  may include closures  220  such as magnets, Velcro®, snaps or any other connection for securing the lanyard portion  40  of the earbud system  10 . 
     In the example of  FIGS. 15 a  through 15 d   , a battery  204  may be coupled to the charging cradle (or dongle)  202  via corresponding pogo pin connector elements  210   a  and  210   b  and/or a magnetic connection  212 , or the like. For example, a male portion pogo pin connector element  210   a  may be included in a battery  204  and a corresponding female portion pogo pin connector element  210   b  may be included in a charging cradle (dongle)  202  so that when engaged an electrical and physical connection is made between the battery  204  and charging cradle (or dongle)  202  (or vice-versa), which allows earbuds  20  and  30  disposed in the charging cradle (or dongle)  202  to charge. In some embodiments, the battery  204  may include a printed circuit board (PCB)  214  and a battery protection board  216 . The PCB  214  may control LED notifications, diagnostics, capacity, etc. The battery protection board  216  may prevent battery malfunction. 
     In one embodiment, the front and back sides of a battery  204  may respectively include male and female pogo pin connector elements  210   a  and  210   b  (not shown). For example, a battery  204  may have a pogo pin  210   a  on a front side and a pogo pin  210   b  on a back side so that multiple batteries  204  may be stacked and charged in parallel, which may provide increased overall battery charging capacity. 
     Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the systems and methods described herein. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.