Patent Publication Number: US-9854345-B2

Title: In-ear headphone with cable exit positioned for improved stability

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an audio device, and more specifically, to in-ear headphones. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A typical technique for wearing an earphone is to place the earbud in each ear, then permit a cable extending from the earbuds to drape around the nape of the neck or under the chin to an input cable coupled to an electronic device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an apparatus includes an in-ear headphone, comprising an earbud body, a nozzle, a cable exit interface, and a cable. The earbud body is constructed and arranged for positioning at an ear of a wearer. The earbud body extends along a first axis in a first direction. The nozzle extends from the earbud body for positioning at an ear canal of the ear, and for directing an audio output at the ear canal of the ear. The cable exit interface is at an edge of the earbud body along a second axis that extends in the first direction along a region proximal to an edge of the earbud body. The second axis offset from the first axis. The cable extends from the cable exit interface at the edge of the earbud body. The cable exit interface is constructed and arranged to impart a force on the nozzle in a direction of the ear canal in response to a force imparted on the cable in a direction away from the first axis and tangential to the second axis. 
     The following are examples within the scope of this aspect. 
     The in-ear headphone can further comprise a housing coupled to the cable exit interface; and a plurality of electronic components positioned in the housing, wherein the force imparted on the cable in response to a movement of the cable is unrestricted by the housing. 
     The force imparted on the nozzle can create a torque that drives the nozzle into the ear canal to stably position the earbud body in the ear of the wearer. 
     The in-ear headphone can further comprise an earbud tip coupled to the nozzle, the earbud tip comprising a cone-shaped distal end for positioning at the ear canal entrance and a retaining loop for positioning along an antihelix of the ear. 
     The force can create a torque that drives the cone-shaped distal end of the earbud tip into the ear canal of the ear, the loop so that the loop moves in a direction along the antihelix, and the earbud tip for positioning a body of the earbud tip under the antitragus of the ear to stably position the earbud in the ear of the wearer, or a combination thereof. 
     The cone-shaped distal end of the earbud tip can include a sealing interface formed at the ear canal in response to the force imparted on the cable. 
     The force imparted on the cable in the direction tangential to the second axis can include a force applied in a direction of a nape of a neck. 
     The in-ear headphone can further comprise a path extending from the cable exit along the second axis, wherein the cable extends in a direction tangential to the path in response to the force applied to the cable. 
     In another aspect, an in-ear headphone comprises an earbud body, an earbud tip, a cable exit interface, and a cable. The earbud body is constructed and arranged for positioning in an ear of a wearer, the earbud body positioned along a first axis extending in a first direction. The earbud tip is coupled to the earbud body. The earbud tip comprises a cone-shaped distal end for positioning in an ear canal. The cable exit interface is at an edge of the earbud body along a second axis that extends in the first direction along a region proximal to an edge of the earbud body. The second axis is offset from the first axis. The cable extends from the cable exit interface at the edge of the earbud body. The cable exit interface is constructed and arranged to lock the earbud tip in the ear canal in response to a force imparted on the cable. 
     The following are examples within the scope of this aspect. 
     The cable exit interface can lock the earbud tip in the ear canal by imparting a force on the earbud tip in a direction of the ear canal in response to the force imparted on the cable in a direction away from the first axis and tangential to the second axis. 
     The force imparted on the earbud tip can create a torque that drives the cone-shaped distal end of the earbud tip into the ear canal of the ear. 
     The earbud tip can further comprise a retaining loop for positioning along an antihelix of the ear. 
     The cable exit interface can lock the earbud tip in the ear canal including imparting a torque that drives the cone-shaped distal end of the earbud tip into the ear canal of the ear, the loop so that the loop moves in a direction along the antihelix, and the earbud tip for positioning the earbud tip at the antitragus of the ear to stably position the earbud body in the ear of the wearer, or a combination thereof. 
     The cable exit interface can be constructed and arranged to unlock the earbud tip from the ear canal by imparting a torque on the earbud tip that separates the cone-shaped distal end of the earbud tip from the ear canal. 
     The cone-shaped distal end of the earbud tip can include a sealing interface formed at the ear canal in response to the force imparted on the cable. 
     The force imparted on the cable in the direction tangential to the second axis can include a force applied in a direction of a nape of a neck. 
     In another aspect, a method for positioning and retaining a headphone in an ear, comprises inserting at least a portion of a nozzle of an earbud of the headphone at an ear canal at the ear; positioning the earbud body along a first axis extending in a first direction; positioning a cable from an cable exit interface at an edge of the earbud body along a second axis in the first direction, the second axis offset from the first axis; imparting a force on the cable in a direction away from the first axis and tangential to the second axis; and imparting a force on the nozzle in a direction of the ear canal in response to the force imparted on the cable extending from the cable exit interface at the edge of the earbud body. 
     The following are examples within the scope of this aspect. 
     The method can comprise coupling an earbud tip at the nozzle of the earbud body, the earbud tip comprising a retaining loop; and in response to imparting the force on the cable, impart a torque that drives a distal end of the earbud tip into the ear canal of the ear, the loop so that the loop moves in a direction along an antihelix of the ear, and the earbud tip for positioning the earbud tip at an antitragus of the ear to stably position. 
     The method can further comprise forming a sealing interface at the ear canal in response to the force imparted on the cable. 
     Imparting the force on the cable in the direction tangential to the second axis can include applying a force in a direction of a nape of a neck. 
     Other aspects and features and combinations of them can be expressed as methods, apparatus, systems, program products, means for performing functions, and in other ways. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       The above and further features and advantages may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of features and implementations. 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a headphone positioned in an ear, in accordance with some examples; 
         FIG. 2  is an external perspective view of a headphone, in accordance with some examples; 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the headphone of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the headphone of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and an illustration of forces applied to the headphone when the headphone is positioned at an ear, in accordance with some examples; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the headphone of  FIGS. 2-4 , and an illustration of forces applied to the headphone when the headphone is positioned at an ear, in accordance with some examples; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the headphone of  FIGS. 2-5  positioned in a human ear, in accordance with some examples; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a headphone, and an illustration of forces applied to the headphone when the headphone is positioned at an ear, in accordance with other examples. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A conventional earphone, when worn, is prone to forces that may impact the stability of the earphone, for example, causing the earphone to become dislodged from the ear canal. Stability reduction may be exacerbated by the manner in which the connecting cable is positioned, for example, draping the connecting cable behind the neck. It is therefore desirable to provide headphones, in particular, in-ear headphones, or earphones, that address and overcome such shortcomings related to earphone stability. 
       FIG. 1  is a view of an in-ear headphone  10  positioned in an ear, in accordance with some examples. The headphone  10  can be an earbud or other in-ear style earphone, which represents one type of headphone. However, the present inventive concepts are not limited to the example of the headphone  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, other headphone types can equally apply. The headphone  10  is constructed and arranged for positioning in a left ear, but can alternatively or in addition be constructed and arranged for positioning in a right ear, for example, shown in other figures herein. 
     The headphone  10  can be centered along an axis A. A cable exit  14  is positioned at a region at or proximal the headphone body  16  that extends along an axis B that is offset, or parallel, to axis A. A cable  12  is constructed and arranged to extend from the cable exit  14 . The cable  12  can be constructed and arranged to exchange electrical signals, for example, acoustic data, between a sound system or second headphone (not shown) at one end of the cable to the headphone  10  at the other end of the cable, for example, at the cable exit  14 . 
     The location of cable exit  14  along axis B permits forces imparted on an earbud (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the headphone  10  to be managed and distributed in a manner that provides stability to the headphone  10  when positioned in the ear of a wearer, for example, when the cable  12  extends from the cable exit  14  of the headphone  10  to a nape of the neck of the wearer as shown in  FIG. 1 . The location of the cable exit  14  at the back edge of the earbud translates to a distribution of forces imparted on various elements of the headphone  10  (described below) that maintain a position of the earphone in the ear even during movement of the wearer, thereby reducing frustration and/or discomfort accompanying an earbud seated in an unstable manner in the ear. For example, movement or vibration may cause existing earbuds to eject. The headphone  10  is constructed and arranged to apply these forces that would otherwise eject the earbud so that the forces instead improve stability and, in relevant applications, improve a seal on ear canal. 
       FIG. 2  is an external perspective view of a headphone  10 , in accordance with some examples.  FIG. 3  is a back view of the headphone  10  of  FIG. 2 . The headphone  10  can be the same or similar to that shown and described with respect to  FIG. 1 . The headphone  10  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  is illustrated as constructed and arranged for positioning in a right ear, but can alternatively or in addition be constructed and arranged for positioning in a left ear, for example, shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The earbud  26  of the headphone  10  can be coupled to an optional headphone body  16 . Alternatively, the earbud  26  and the optional body  16  can be formed of a same material, for example, molded from a common plastic. 
     The headphone body  16  includes a cable exit interface  28  coupled to the earbud  26 , or extending from the earbud  26 , for example, molded of a common material. The various components may be formed of the same material or different materials, and may be molded together or assembled. For example, an optional electronics housing  24  of the headphone body  16  can be coupled to the cable exit interface  28 , or otherwise molded of a common material as the cable exit interface  28  and/or the earbud  26 . 
     The cable exit interface  28  includes the cable exit  14  from which the cable  12  extends. The cable exit interface  28  can also include a path  18 , such as a groove or the like, along which the cable  12  can extend when no force, or a gravity-related force, is present at the cable  12 . A force can be applied to the cable  12  in a direction tangential to the path  18 , and away from the housing  24 . The cable exit interface  28  and optional path  18  are constructed and arranged to prevent the cable  12  extending form the cable exit interface  28  from making contact with or otherwise interfering with electronics housing  24  or the like when the headphone  10  is worn. 
     The electronics housing  24  can be configured for coupling to the cable exit interface  28 . The electronics housing  24  can include circuits that permit the headphone  10  to operate, for example, electronics circuits for processing sound. The housing  24  can include a microphone opening for communicating with microphone-related circuits in the housing  24 . The housing  24  can include a connector  15  at a distal end of the electronics housing  24 . The connector  15  can include a port, socket, or the like for coupling with an electronic device, for example, a micro Universal Serial Bus (USB) device or the like, to provide power and/or data to the headphone  10 . The housing  24  can include one or more circuit interfaces  20  such as buttons, switches, and so on, for controlling various circuits in the electronic housing  24 , cable exit interface, and/or earbud  26 , for example, adjusting a speaker volume. 
     The earbud  26  can include an acoustic driver or transducer such as a speaker, which is positioned in an earbud housing constructed and arranged for positioning in an ear, more specifically, a region of the ear proximal the ear canal. The earbud  26  includes a nozzle  22  that has an opening so that sound-related signals produced at the speaker can be output from the nozzle  22  via the opening. The nozzle  22  is at a different location of the earbud  26  than the cable exit interface  28 , for example, the nozzle  22  and the cable exit interface  28  are at opposite sides of a center of rotation at the earbud  26 . The nozzle  22  and the cable exit interface  28  are constructed and arranged for positioning at the earbud  26  relative to each other so that a force is imparted on the nozzle  22  to “lock” the nozzle  22 , and/or an earbud tip  30  coupled to the nozzle, at the ear canal when a force is imparted on the cable  12  extending from the cable exit interface  28 . For example, the draping of the cable  12  is driven by gravity. The back of the neck where the positioning of the earbud  26 , nozzle  22 , and/or earbud tip  30 , is driven by internal ear features. For example, the cable exit interface  28  and cable  12  can extend along the B-axis, or Y-axis shown in the key. Here, the nozzle  22  can be constructed and arranged to be tangential to the x-z plane to achieve the foregoing. 
     The earbud tip  30  includes a tip body  34  that can be positioned over the nozzle  22 . A distal end  31  of the tip body  34  is configured to fit inside a region of the ear proximal the ear canal, for example, cone-shaped. The tip body  34  can comprise a material that is flexible, compressible, and/or elastomeric, so that the earbud tip  30  can conform to the ear when pressed into the ear canal by a force (described below). The distal end  31  of the tip body  34  includes an opening that can be aligned with the nozzle opening so that sound generated by a speaker or the like in the earbud  26  can be output via the nozzle  22  and the tip body opening  31  to the ear canal. 
     The tip  30  includes a retaining loop  32  that is constructed and arranged for positioning along the antihelix of the ear, and for providing a pivot point with respect to the earbud tip  30  and earbud  26 , so that the loop  32 , earbud tip  30 , and earbud  26  each rotate relative to the pivot point when one or more forces are applied to the headphone  10 . See U.S. Pat. No. 8,249,287, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0230204, both incorporated here by reference. 
       FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the headphone  10  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and an illustration of forces applied to the headphone  10  when the headphone  10  is positioned at an ear, in accordance with some examples.  FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the headphone  10  of  FIGS. 2-4 , and an illustration of forces applied to the headphone  10  when the headphone  10  is positioned at the ear, in accordance with some examples.  FIG. 6  is a view of the headphone of  FIGS. 2-5  positioned in a human ear, in accordance with some examples. 
     A force is applied to the headphone  10  when the headphone cable  12  transitions from a first position P 1  to a second position P 2 , in accordance with some examples. The first position P 1  of the headphone cable  12  can be a position of the headphone  10  when the earbud tip  30  is initially inserted in an ear (not shown). The second position P 2  of the headphone  10  can be referred to as a “locked position,” whereby the cable  12  is draped over the neck or shoulder, and one or more forces is applied to different elements of the headphone  10  to stabilize the headphone  10  in the ear. 
     As described above, the cable exit  14  is positioned at a region of the cable exit interface  28  adjacent a back edge of the earbud  26 , and is therefore off-center with respect to the earbud  26 . Here, the cable exit interface  28  can distribute forces for seating the earbud  26  and/or earbud tip  30  in the ear in the locked position P 2 . Accordingly, a movement of the cable  12  extending from the cable exit  14  is not impeded by the earbud  26  or headphone body  16 . 
     At the first position P 1 , the cable  12  can extend from the cable exit  14  in a first direction, for example, along axis B in a vertical or near vertical direction, and parallel or near parallel to a central axis A along which the earbud  26  and/or headphone body  16  extends. At the second position P 2 , the cable extends in a second direction that is tangential with respect to the first direction. 
     The cable  12  can be subject to a first force F 1  comprising a horizontal component Fx and a vertical component Fy. When the cable  12  is in the second position P 2 , for example, draped about a back of a neck, the first force F 1  acts at an angle θ from the x-axis. For example, the cable  12  is pulled back and down toward the back of the neck (not shown). 
     In response to the first force F 1  exerted on the cable in this manner, a torque T can be imparted at the earbud  26  and/or optional earbud tip  30 . More specifically, after the earbud  26  is positioned in an ear, the torque T can be imparted about a pivot point Z, for example, in a clockwise direction of a right earbud as viewed from the back, at which the earbud  26  is centered with respect to a headphone  10 . The nozzle  22 , and/or earbud tip  30  positioned over the nozzle  22 , can extend from the earbud  26  along an axis that is tangential to the Z-axis (extending out of the page on which  FIG. 4  is illustrated in the key) about which the rotational force rotates. The torque T can be the same torque that drives the nozzle  22  and tip body  31  in a direction D 1  of the ear canal, for example, along a helical path, thereby securing the distal end  31  at the ear canal. The torque T can also be the same torque that drives the body  31  under the antitragus. In doing so, the dominant force Fy creates a torque T about the center of the earbud  26 , whereby the amount of torque may depend on the distance to center axis A of the earbud  26 . Accordingly, the ear canal and the notch under the antitragus form the datums for the earbud  26  and tip  30 . 
     In addition, the retaining loop  32  rotates in a direction D 2  along the antihelix of the ear to seat outer leg  37  of the retaining loop  32  beneath the antihelix, which can contribute to the distal end  31  entering the ear canal. Also, the tip body  34  moves in a direction D 3 , whereby a torque is applied, which places at least a portion of the tip body  34  and/or outer leg  37  in the locking position under the antitragus of the ear. The inner leg  38  of the loop  32  can apply a force at the top of the antihelix, so that the loop  32  locks under the antihelix. The loop  32  is flexible and can move in and out of plane and curl up to fit multiple ear internal sizes. 
     Thus, during operation of the headphone  10 , the headphone  10  can be stably positioned in the ear, which is beneficial during activities such as sporting events where the user&#39;s body experiences small motions. Such motions can maintain the earbud tip  30  against the ear canal entrance, since the cable is angled in a manner, even during such body motion, that imparts a force on the earbud  26  toward the ear canal. 
     In addition, as the earbud tip  30  is urged into the ear canal in response to the abovementioned forces, the compliant material forming the earbud tip  30 , or a nozzle having a compliant configuration in the absence of an earbud tip, can provide a sealing interface, or seal or plug, with respect to the ear canal entrance, providing further stable positioning of the headphone  10  at the ear. 
     The headphone  10  can be removed in the ear, for example, by ejecting the earbud  26  from the ear in response to pulling the cable  12  in the opposite direction. This can be achieved, in some examples, by reversing the direction of one or more forces described in  FIG. 4 , for example, applying a torque T in the opposite direction, whereby the nozzle  22  moves in an opposite direction as direction D 1 , i.e., in a direction away from the ear canal, for example, along a helical path, thereby separating the distal end  31  of the earbud tip  30  from the ear canal. 
       FIG. 7  is another perspective view of a headphone  10 ′, and an illustration of forces applied to the headphone  10 ′ when the headphone  10 ′ is positioned at an ear, in accordance with other examples. The headphone  10 ′ can be similar to the headphone  10  described at  FIGS. 2-6 , except that the headphone  10 ′ does not include an earbud tip. Instead, headphone  10 ′ includes a nozzle  42  that is positioned in the ear canal of a human ear. The nozzle  42  can have a similar or different configuration than the nozzle  22  of the headphone  10 , over which an earbud tip  30  is positioned. For example, the nozzle  42  can be formed of a compliant material, providing for a compressible surface that compliantly conforms to the ear canal surface when the headphone  10 ′ is positioned in the ear canal, and the cable  12  is articulated in a position that imparts one or more forces described herein. 
     The cable exit  14  is positioned at a region of the cable exit interface  28  adjacent a back edge of the earbud  26 , and is therefore off-center with respect to the earbud  26 . Here, the cable exit interface interface  28  can distribute forces for seating the earbud  26  and/or nozzle  42  in the ear in the locked position P 2 . 
     One or more forces are applied to the headphone  10 ′ when the headphone cable  12  transitions from a first position P 1  to a second position P 2 , in accordance with some examples. At the second position P 2 , one or more forces is applied to different elements of the headphone  10  to stabilize the headphone  10  in the ear. 
     At the first position P 1 , the cable  12  can extend from the cable exit  14  in a first direction, for example, in a vertical or near vertical direction, and parallel or near parallel to a central axis along which the earbud  26  and/or headphone body  16  extends. At the second position P 2 , the cable extends in a second direction that is tangential with respect to the first direction. 
     The cable  12  can be subject to a first force F 1  comprising a horizontal component Fx and a vertical component Fy. When the cable  12  is in the second position P 2 , for example, draped about a back of a neck, the first force F 1  acts at an angle θ from the x-axis. For example, the cable  12  is pulled back and down toward the back of the neck (not shown). 
     In response to the first force F 1  exerted on the cable in this manner, a torque T can be imparted at the earbud  26 . More specifically, after the earbud  26  is positioned in an ear, a torque T can be imparted about a pivot point Z, for example, in a clockwise direction, at which the earbud  26  is centered with respect to a headphone  10 . The nozzle  22  can extend from the earbud  26  along an axis that is tangential to the Z-axis (extending out of the page on which  FIG. 7  is illustrated) about which the torque T rotates. The imparted torque T can drive the nozzle  42  in a direction D 1  of the ear canal, for example, along a helical path, thereby securing the nozzle  42  at the ear canal. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope which is defined by the claims.