PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10299029-B2
Application Number: US-201816108856-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Pressure sensing earbuds and systems and methods for the use thereof

Abstract:
Pressure sensing earbuds and systems are disclosed. The earbuds can include one or more pressure sensors to determine the size and shape of a user&#39;s ear. The pressure signals can be relayed back to a processor, which may use them to dynamically optimize the volume levels delivered for frequencies over the audible range for a particular user.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system, comprising:
 a headphone, comprising:
 a housing; and 
 a plurality of pressure sensors integrated in a portion of the housing, wherein each pressure sensor is operative to provide at least one pressure signal proportional to an amount of force applied to the pressure sensor by a user when the portion of the housing is worn by the user; and 
 
 a processor electrically coupled to the headphone, wherein:
 the processor is operative to:
 receive the at least one pressure signal from each pressure sensor; 
 select a particular profile from at least three different profiles using the received pressure signals; 
 adjust a characteristic of at least one audio signal based on the selected particular profile; and 
 provide the at least one audio signal with the adjusted characteristic to the headphone; and 
 
 the headphone is operative to generate sound based on the at least one audio signal with the adjusted characteristic. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the headphone is a non-occluding earbud. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the headphone is an occluding earbud. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the headphone is an over-the-ear headphone. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein: the portion of the housing comprises an outer surface; each pressure sensor does not extend beyond the outer surface; each pressure sensor comprises: an elastomeric material; and first and second contacts disposed adjacent to the elastomeric material; and the first and second contacts form a closed circuit via the elastomeric material when the elastomeric material receives an amount of applied force that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the elastomeric material is a quantum tunneling composite. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second contacts are laser etched structures. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the elastomeric material has first and second sides; 
 the first contact is disposed on the first side; and 
 the second contact is disposed on the first side. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the elastomeric material has first and second sides; 
 the first contact is disposed on the first side; and 
 the second contact is disposed on the second side. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the housing further comprises a plurality of recessed cutouts; and 
 the pressure sensors of the plurality of pressure sensors are mounted in the recessed cutouts. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the elastomeric material fills in the recessed cutouts and forms part of the outer surface. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises a non-occluding member. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises an occluding member. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second contacts of at least one pressure sensor extend from the outer surface to an inner surface of the housing. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising another headphone, wherein:
 the other headphone comprises:
 another housing; and 
 another plurality of pressure sensors intergrated in a portion of the other housing; 
 
 each pressure sensor of the other plurality of pressure sensors is operative to provide a pressure signal proportional to an amount of force applied to the pressure sensor by the user when the portion of the other housing is worn by the user; 
 the processor is electrically coupled to the other headphone; and 
 the processor is further operative to:
 receive the pressure signal from each pressure sensor of the other plurality of pressure sensors; 
 adjust a characteristic of another audio signal based on the received pressure signals received from the other plurality of pressure sensors; and 
 provide the at least one other audio signal with the adjusted other characteristic to the other headphone. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operative to determine a size of a feature of the user based on the received pressure signals. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further operative to adjust the characteristic of the at least one audio signal based on the determined size. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further operative to:
 access a library comprising a plurality of profiles that comprises the at least three different profiles, wherein each profile of the plurality of profiles comprises at least one feature size and an associated frequency response; 
 compare the determined size of the feature of the user with the plurality of profiles to determine a particular feature size of the plurality of profiles that best fits the determined size of the feature of the user; 
 select the particular profile of the plurality of profiles that is associated with the determined particular feature size; 
 adjust the characteristic of the at least one audio signal based on the frequency response of the selected particular profile; and 
 provide the at least one audio signal with the adjusted characteristic to the headphone. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is operative to adjust the characteristic of the at least one audio signal by adjusting volume levels over a plurality of frequency ranges based at least on the frequency response of the selected particular profile. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is operative to adjust the characteristic of the at least one audio signal based on the frequency response of the selected particular profile and based on an input command from the user. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a subplurality of pressure sensors of the plurality of pressure sensors is integrated in the headphone about a sound port of the headphone. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operative to:
 determine whether the headphone is being worn by the user based on the received pressure signals; and 
 control playback of media based on the determination of whether the headphone is being worn by the user. 
 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 22 , wherein the processor is further operative to cease playback of media when it is determined that the headphone is not being worn by the user. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the following is true:
 the processor at least partially resides within the headphone; or 
 the processor is operative to receive the pressure signals from the plurality of pressure sensors over a wireless interface. 
 
     
     
       25. A system, comprising:
 a headphone; 
 a plurality of pressure sensors provided at a plurality of locations of the headphone, wherein each pressure sensor of the plurality of pressure sensors is operative to provide at least one pressure signal proportional to an amount of force applied to that pressure sensor by a user when the headphone is positioned at a user&#39;s ear; and 
 a processor that is operative to:
 receive the at least one pressure signal from each pressure sensor of the plurality of pressure sensors; 
 identify an appropriate profile from at least three distinct profiles using the received pressure signals; 
 adjust at least one characteristic of at least one audio signal using the identified appropriate profile; and 
 provide the at least one audio signal with the adjusted at least one characteristic to the headphone, wherein the headphone is operative to generate sound for receipt by the user&#39;s ear based on the at least one audio signal with the adjusted at least one characteristic. 
 
 
     
     
       26. A method for using a headphone that comprises a plurality of pressure sensors integrated into the headphone, the method comprising:
 receiving at least one pressure signal from each pressure sensor of the plurality of pressure sensors, wherein the at least one pressure signal from each pressure sensor of the plurality of pressure sensors is proportional to an amount of force applied to the pressure sensor by a user when the headphone is worn by the user; 
 selecting a particular profile from at least three different profiles using the received pressure signals; 
 adjusting at least one characteristic of an audio signal based on the selected particular profile; 
 providing the adjusted audio signal to the headphone; and 
 generating sound based on the adjusted audio signal with the headphone.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/718,513 filed May 21, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,063,960), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/251,074 filed Sep. 30, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,042,588), each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Headsets are commonly used with many portable electronic devices such as portable music players and mobile phones. Headsets can include non-cable components such as a jack, headphones, and/or a microphone and one or more cables that interconnect the non-cable components. Other headsets can be wireless. The headphones—the component that generates sound—can exist in many different form factors, such as over-the-hear headphones or as in-the-ear or in-the-canal earbuds. 
     SUMMARY 
     Pressure sensing earbuds and systems and methods for the use thereof are disclosed. Earbuds have one or more pressure sensors integrated within a housing of the earbud. Each pressure sensor includes an elastomeric material such as, for example, a quantum tunneling composite and first and second contacts disposed adjacent to the elastomeric material. The first and second contacts form a closed circuit via the elastomeric material when the elastomeric material receives an applied pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     In one embodiment, a headset including at least one earbud and a plurality of pressure sensors integrated in the at least one earbud is provided, where each pressure sensor is operative to provide a signal. The headset also includes a processor electrically coupled to the headset and is operative to receive signals from the plurality of pressure sensors and determine a size of a user&#39;s ear. The headset can adjust a volume profile of audio signals being provided to the at least one earbud based on the determined size. As used herein, a volume profile can refer to the amount by which volume levels are adjusted over a frequency range to optimize sound playback for a particular frequency response. Adjustment of volume levels may be static or dynamic. For example, in some embodiments a user can manually instruct the processor to optimize volume levels for the user&#39;s ear dimensions. In other embodiments, the processor can automatically and continuously adjust volume levels based on signals from the pressure sensors. In some embodiments, the pressure sensors can determine whether the earbuds are properly positioned in a user&#39;s ear before the processor adjusts any volume levels. 
     Pressure sensors may be employed in a testing environment to determine the best size and shape earbuds for the general population in terms of fit and frequency response or to build a library of aural profiles. An aural profile can be a data file including an ear size and a measured frequency response for a particular earbud. For example, a number of different earbud shapes can be tested over a large population to determine which earbud shapes provide the best fit and frequency response for the largest population set. As another example, one particular earbud can be tested over a large population. Pressure signals corresponding to each user&#39;s ear size can be recorded along with the frequency response for each earbud and combined together in a data file to form an aural profile. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-D  show illustrative views of an earbud in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an illustrative QTC pressure sensor in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show illustrative views of a QTC pressure sensor in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows illustrative views of an earbud in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows an illustrative graphical view of the resistive response for a QTC pressure sensor in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows an illustrative graphical view of the frequency responses of an earbud corresponding to different ear sizes in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows an exemplary system in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  shows an illustrative of wired a headset in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a process for adjusting volume levels based on pressure sensors included in an earbud in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a process for creating a library or database of aural profiles in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Pressure sensing headphones or earbuds for use in headsets are disclosed. Earbuds according to embodiments of this invention can include a non-occluding housing having one or more pressure sensors mounted on or in the housing. Non-occluding earbuds generally do not form an airtight seal with the user&#39;s ear. In general, the frequency response of an earbud can depend on many factors, including the characteristics of one or more speakers included in the housing, the size, shape, and material makeup of the housing, and the size and shape of a user&#39;s ear. The size, shape, and volume of at least the user&#39;s concha, tragus, anti-tragus, and external acoustic meatus (ear canal), which will hereinafter be referred to collectively as the user&#39;s ear size, can affect an earbud&#39;s frequency response. For non-occluding earbuds in particular, the absence of an airtight seal enhances the degree to which the user&#39;s ear size can affect the frequency response of the earbud, although the same principles can apply for occluding earbuds. In other words, the frequency response of the same earbud used in a small ear can be different than the frequency response of the same earbud used in a large ear. 
     Embodiments of this invention can use pressure sensors to determine the user&#39;s ear size in order to optimize volume levels over the audible range of frequencies for a particular earbud-ear system. As used herein, the term ‘earbud-ear system’ refers to the pairing of a particular earbud with a user&#39;s ear. Pressure sensors incorporated in or on an earbud can sense pressure between the earbud and the user&#39;s ear. Signals sensed at the pressure sensors can then be analyzed by a processor to determine the user&#39;s ear size. 
     In some embodiments, pressure sensors can employ an elastomeric material, such as a Quantum Tunneling Composite (“QTC”) material, bounded by two conductors. The electrical resistance of a QTC decreases in proportion to the amount of force applied to the material, thereby allowing current to flow between the conductors for a given voltage. In other embodiments, other types of pressure sensors (e.g., piezoelectric or capacitive pressure sensors) can be used. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show illustrative views of earbud  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In particular,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show side and front views of earbud  100 , respectively. As shown, earbud  100  is a non-occluding earbud that is asymmetrically shaped along at least two orthogonal axes. Earbud  100  includes non-occluding member  110 , directional port  112 , neck member  120 , strain relief member  130 , and pressure sensors  114 . Directional port  112  is offset so that when earbud  100  is placed in a user&#39;s ear, directional port  112  is positioned to direct sound directly into the user&#39;s ear canal. Pressure sensors  114  can be arranged on or in earbud  100  where earbud  100  is likely to come in contact with the user&#39;s ear. Earbud  100  can also include one or more speakers and a printed circuit board (none of which are shown). 
     Non-occluding member  110  is designed to fit in the ear of a user in a non-occluding manner. Non-occluding earbuds are generally designed not to form an airtight seal between the ear (or ear canal) and the outer surface of the earbud. By way of contrast, occluding earbuds are generally designed to fit inside of the user&#39;s ear canal and form a substantially airtight seal. 
     Signals from pressure sensors  114  can be sent to a processor (not shown) over a wired or wireless interface. The processor can reside within earbud  100 , or in an electronic device (e.g., an iPhone™ or iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.) coupled to the headset that includes earbud  100 . The processor can use the signals from pressure sensors  114  to determine the user&#39;s ear size. For example, pressure readings from one or more pressure sensors  114  can indicate, roughly, that a user has a small, medium, or large ear. Alternatively, pressure readings sent to the processor may allow a fine determination of the actual dimensions of the user&#39;s ear. 
     Based at least upon the pressure readings sent to the processor, volume levels for different frequencies can be dynamically (e.g., automatically and continuously) adjusted. For example, if it is determined that a user has a large ear, lower frequencies, corresponding to bass signals, may be boosted to compensate for a degraded frequency response over that lower frequency range. Likewise, if the user has a small ear, the volume of lower frequency bass signals may be reduced. The changes to volume levels in response to a particular frequency response may be referred to as a volume profile. In some embodiments, dynamic adjustment of volume levels may only occur when it is determined that the earbuds are properly inserted into the user&#39;s ear. That determination can also be made based on signals from pressure sensors  114 . In other embodiments, a user may manually choose to enable or disable dynamic adjustment of volume levels or set the volume levels based on a single pressure reading. 
     According to some embodiments, pressure sensors can be used to build a library of aural profiles. Each aural profile can be a data file including an ear size and a measured frequency response for a particular earbud. The library can be constructed by measuring the frequency response of multiple users for one or more differently sized earbuds. As discussed above, an earbud can take any suitable size and shape, and coupled with the user&#39;s ear, that ear-earbud system has a particular frequency response. That frequency response can be measured using a microphone (not shown) which can, for example, be inserted in the earbud. The measured frequency response and the readings from pressure sensors  114  contribute to the aural profile. 
     The library of aural profiles can be used to build a library of volume profiles. Since the library of aural profiles has stored therein several different ear sizes and a corresponding measured frequency response, the library of volume profiles can leverage the aural library profiles to determine the extent to which the frequency response should be altered so that the user is provided with an optimal listening experience, regardless of the user&#39;s ear size and earbud. 
     Non-occluding member  110  can include two parts that are coupled together and cosmetically finished to provide the illusion that member  110  is a single piece construction. The two-part construction of member  110  is needed so that a speaker subassembly can be installed in earbud  100 . Ports  156  and  162  can take any suitable shape and can include one or more ports. As shown, port  162  can be annular in shape and surrounded by one or more of ports  156 . 
       FIGS. 1C and 1D  show illustrative views of earbud  101  in accordance with other embodiments of the invention. In particular,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show side and front views of earbud  101 , respectively. Earbud  101  can be a mono-speaker earbud including non-occluding member  110 , neck  120 , strain-relief member  130 , and pressure sensors  114 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an illustrative QTC pressure sensor  200  in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Sensor  200  includes QTC material  250  and contacts  252  and  254 . When pressure is applied to QTC material  250 , the electrical resistance of the material decreases proportionally and allows current to flow between contacts  252  and  254 . Wires can be attached to contacts  252  and  254  in order to provide signals to a processor as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . In particular, a voltage may be induced between contacts  252  and  254 . The amount of current flowing through sensor  200  can be measured in order to determine the pressure measured by sensor  200 . 
     In some embodiments, contacts  252  and  254  can be inlaid into earbud  100  using laser direct structuring. Conducting patterns, created by laser direct structuring or any other suitable method, can extend from contacts  252  and  254  on the outer surface of earbud  100 . In other embodiments, contacts  252  and  254  can extend through the surface of earbud  100  and couple to conventional wires or laser direct structured conductive patterns on the inner surface of earbud  100 . To form sensor  200 , a QTC material may be deposited on the surface of earbud  100 . The QTC material can be deposited using any suitable technique, including, but not limited to, painting, dipping, spraying, or physical or chemical vapor deposition. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , illustrative views of a QTC pressure sensor in accordance with embodiments of the invention are shown. In particular, top and side views of an exemplary QTC sensor  300  are shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , respectively. Sensor  300  can include QTC material  350 , contacts  352  and  354 , and mounting pad  356 . Sensor  300  can be configured to slide into a recessed slot (see  FIG. 4 ) in earbud  100 . Alternatively, sensor  300  may be mounted directly to the outer surface of earbud  100  (e.g., with an adhesive). As the QTC is compressed, contacts  352  and  354  become electrically connected, with the conductivity of the QTC material increasing proportionally with the level of compression. 
       FIG. 4  shows an illustrative view of earbud  400  in accordance with some embodiments. Earbud  400  can include non-occluding member  410 , directional port  412 , neck member  420 , strain relief member  430 , cutout  440 , and pressure sensor  460 , including QTC material  450 , contacts  452  and  454 , and mounting pad  456 . Mounting pad  456  can be mounted onto earbud  400  in a slot or groove provided in cutout  440 . Mounting pad  456  may also be mounted to earbud  400  with an adhesive. In some embodiments, after the sensor has been mounted to earbud  400 , cutout  440  can be filled in with a material that translates externally applied forces to pressure sensor  460  while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. For example, cutout  440  can be filled with the same material as earbud  400 . Cutout  440  can then be sanded and polished to retain an aesthetically pleasing, seamless appearance. In other embodiments, cutout  440  can be filled with a pliable rubber, or rubber-like, material. Although only one cutout  440  and pressure sensor  460  are shown in  FIG. 4 , any number of sensors can be included. Additionally, any suitable pressure sensor (e.g., a piezoelectric or capacitive pressure sensor) may be substituted for QTC pressure sensor  460 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an illustrative graphical view  500  of the resistive response for a QTC pressure sensor in accordance with some embodiments. The electrical resistance of a QTC material, as described herein in the context of pressure sensors, decreases proportionally in response to an applied pressure. For a given voltage induced across contacts mounted onto the QTC material, the current through the material will increase in response to increased pressure. Therefore, by measuring the current at a particular time, one can determine how much pressure is being applied to the sensor. 
       FIG. 6  shows an illustrative graphical view  600  of the frequency responses of an earbud corresponding to different ear sizes in accordance with some embodiments. As described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , the frequency response for an earbud can depend on a number of factors, including the quality of the speakers, the shape, size, and material composition of the earbud, and the user&#39;s ear size. The exemplary frequency responses shown in  FIG. 6  correspond to three different ear-earbud systems (i.e., the same earbud used in small, medium, and large ears). On the low frequency end of the spectrum, signals corresponding to the large ear-earbud system are attenuated, while signals corresponding to the small ear-earbud system are enhanced. In order to maintain optimum volume levels across the entire frequency range, a system (e.g., system  700  of  FIG. 7 ), according to some embodiments, may apply a particular volume profile based on the frequency response to raise the volume level of the low frequency, or bass, signals for the large ear-earbud system and lower the volume levels over that frequency range for a small ear-earbud system. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view of system  700  according to some embodiments. System  700  can include, among other components, electronic device  701 , which may include processor  703 , input component  705 , memory  707 , and storage  709 , and headset  711 , which may include earbuds  713  and pressure sensors  715 . Electronic device  701  may be coupled to headset  711  through cable  719 . Components  703 ,  705 ,  707 , and,  709  may all be part of electronic device  701  or, alternatively, individual components may be connected to electronic device  701  in any suitable manner. For example, one or more components may be included in headset  711 . As a further example, storage  709  may be a removable flash memory that can be coupled to electronic device  701  by a cable. Processor  703  may be connected to the other components of system  700  to control and operate electronic device  701 . In some embodiments, processor  703  may execute instructions stored in memory  707 . Processor  703  may include, for example, one or more software or firmware applications, a microcontroller, and/or a microprocessor. Processor  703  may also control input component  705 . 
     Electronic device  701  may include, but is not limited to any device or group of devices, such as audio players, video players, music recorders, game players, other media players, music recorders, video recorders, cameras, other media recorders, radios, medical equipment, transportation vehicle instruments, calculators, cellular telephones, other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants, programmable remote controls, pagers, laptop computers, desktop computers, printers, and combinations thereof. In some cases, electronic device  701  may perform multiple functions (e.g. play music, display video, store pictures, and receive and transmit telephone calls). 
     Moreover, in some cases, electronic device  701  may be any portable, electronic, hand-held, or miniature electronic device having a user interface constructed according to some embodiments that allows a user to use the device wherever the user travels. Miniature electronic devices may have a form factor that is smaller than that of hand-held electronic devices, such as an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Illustrative miniature electronic devices can be integrated into various objects that include, but are not limited to, watches, rings, necklaces, belts, accessories for belts, headsets, accessories for shoes, virtual reality devices, other wearable electronics, accessories for fitness equipment, key chains, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, electronic device  701  may not be portable at all, but may instead be generally stationary, such as a desktop computer or television. 
     Memory  707  can include one or more different types of memory that can be used to perform device functions. For example, memory  707  can include one or more of several caches, flash memory, RAM, ROM, and/or hybrid types of memory. According to some embodiments, pressure signals sent from pressure sensors mounted on one or more earbuds can be stored in memory  707 . 
     Storage  709  may include one or more suitable storage mediums or mechanisms, such as a magnetic hard drive, flash drive, tape drive, optical drive, permanent memory (e.g., ROM), or cache. Storage  709  may be used for storing assets, such as audio and video files, text, pictures, graphics, contact information, or any other suitable user-specific or global information that may be used by electronic device  701 . Storage  709  may also store programs or applications that can run on processor  703 , may maintain files formatted to be read and edited by one or more of the applications, and may store any additional files that may aid the operation of one or more applications (e.g., files with metadata). In some embodiments, storage  709  may include some memory components that are fully integrated into electronic device  701 , removably integrated into electronic device  101 , or separate from electronic device  701 . In the latter case, a separate storage component may be configured to communicate with electronic device  701  (e.g., using Bluetooth™ communication or a wired interface). It should be understood that any of the information stored on storage  709  instead be stored in memory  707  and vice versa. 
     Storage  709  may, according to some embodiments, also contain a library of aural profiles. For example, a library of aural profiles for a particular earbud (e.g., earbud  100  of  FIG. 1 ) can be stored in storage  709 . Each aural profile in the library can correspond to a measured frequency response for a given ear size. When a new user places an earbud according to embodiments of the invention into his or her ear, pressure signals can be measured and stored in memory  707 . Ear canal pressure signals stored in memory  707  can then be compared to ear sizes stored in aural profiles in the library, and the appropriate frequency response can be determined for the user&#39;s ear size. 
     Upon determining the appropriate frequency response, processor  703  can automatically optimize the volume levels over the audible frequency range (e.g., 20 Hz-20 kHz) using a volume profile based on the frequency response. In some embodiments, processor  703  can continuously sample readings from the pressure sensors and dynamically adjust volume levels accordingly. In other embodiments, a user may use input component  705  to manually prompt processor  703  to recalculate the appropriate frequency response for a user&#39;s ear dimensions. For example, a user may want to set the proper frequency response entry once and keep it applied regardless of whether or not the earbud is perfectly placed in the user&#39;s ear. Audio playback may also be controlled based on whether or not the earbud is placed in the user&#39;s ear. For example, audio playback can automatically cease when the user removes the earbud from his or her ear. Similarly, audio playback can automatically begin when a user places an earbud in an ear. Pressure sensors  715 , discussed in more detail below, can be used to determine whether an earbud is in a user&#39;s ear. 
     Input component  705  can allow a user with the ability to interact with electronic device  701 . For example, input component  705  may provide an interface for a user to interact with an application running on processor  703 . Input component  705  can take a variety of forms including, but not limited to, a keyboard/keypad, trackpad, mouse, click wheel, button, stylus, microphone, touch screen, or combinations of the foregoing. Input component  705  may also include one or more devices for user authentication (e.g., a smart card reader, fingerprint reader, or iris scanner) as well as an audio input device (e.g., a microphone) or a visual input device (e.g., a camera or video recorder) for recording video or still frames. 
     According to some embodiments, system  700  may include microphone  717  located in or around headset  711  that can sample the frequency response for a particular ear-earbud system. System  700  may also include one or more pressure sensors  715  incorporated into headset  711 . In those and other embodiments, microphone  717  can sample the frequency response of an ear-earbud system over a broad frequency range and obtain the dimensions of a user&#39;s ear using pressure sensors  715  mounted on earbud  713 . The combination of the frequency response data and the ear size can be saved as an aural profile in a library stored in storage  709 . 
     Electronic device  701  may have one or more applications (e.g., software applications) stored on storage  709  or in memory  707 . Processor  703  may be configured to execute instructions of the applications. Applications resident on electronic device  707  may include, for example, a telephony application, a GPS navigator application, a web browser application, a calendar or organizer application, or an email client. Electronic device  701  may also execute any suitable operating system, and can include a set of applications stored on storage  709  or memory  707  that is compatible with the particular operating system. 
     Earbuds according to embodiments of the invention can be included as part of a headset such as a wired headset or a wireless headset. An example of a wired headset is discussed below in connection with the description accompanying  FIG. 8 . A wireless headset can include, for example, a Bluetooth headset. 
       FIG. 8  shows an illustrative headset  800  having cable structure  820  that integrates with non-cable components  840 ,  842 , and  844 . For example, non-cable components  840 ,  842 , and  844  can be a male plug, left headphones, and right headphones, respectively. As a specific example, components  842  and  844  can be an earbud having one or more pressure sensors mounted on or in the housing. Cable structure  820  has three legs  822 ,  824 , and  826  joined together at bifurcation region  830 . Leg  822  may be referred to herein as main leg  822 , and includes the portion of cable structure  820  existing between non-cable component  840  and bifurcation region  830 . Leg  824  may be referred to herein as left leg  824 , and includes the portion of cable structure  820  existing between non-cable component  842  and bifurcation region  830 . Leg  826  may be referred to herein as right leg  826 , and includes the portion of cable structure  820  existing between non-cable component  844  and bifurcation region  830 . 
     Cable structure  820  can include a conductor bundle that extends through some or all of legs  822 ,  824 , and  826 . Cable structure  820  can include conductors for carrying signals from non-cable component  840  to non-cable components  842  and  844  and vise versa. For example, signals from non-cable component  840  to non-cable components  842  and  844  can be audio signals. Signals from non-cable components  842  and  844  to non-cable component  840  can be pressure signals. Cable structure  820  can include one or more rods constructed from a superelastic material. The rods can resist deformation to reduce or prevent tangling of the legs. The rods are different than the conductors used to convey signals from non-cable component  840  to non-cable components  842  and  844 , but share the same space within cable structure  820 . Several different rod arrangements may be included in cable structure  820 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of process  900  for adjusting volume levels based on pressure sensors included in an earbud in accordance with some embodiments. In step  901 , a processor can receive a number of pressure signals from pressure sensors disposed on or in an earbud. For example, when a user places earbuds according to embodiments of the invention in his ears, pressure signals can be transmitted from the pressure sensors to a processor. Next, in step  903 , the processor can convert the received pressure signals into an ear size. Ear sizes can be rough approximations (e.g., small, medium, or large) or precise measurements of a user&#39;s ear. 
     In step  905 , the converted ear size can be compared to ear sizes saved in a library of aural profiles. Each aural profile in the library can include ear sizes and a corresponding frequency response. In step  907 , the processor can determine the aural profile that most closely matches the converted ear size. In step  909 , the processor can optimize volume levels over the audible frequency range based on the frequency response associated with the determined aural profile. The optimized volume levels can make up a volume profile to be applied to an audio signal transmitted to the earbud. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of process  1000  for creating a library or database of aural profiles in accordance with some embodiments. In step  1001 , pressure signals from pressure sensors incorporated into an earbud can be measured. The pressure signals can correspond to a user&#39;s ear size. Next, in step  1003 , a frequency response can be measured using a microphone. In particular, a number of frequencies can be played through an earbud, and the volume of each frequency can be measured by a microphone incorporated into the earbud. The frequencies played through the earbud can, according to some embodiments, be a finite number of discrete tones. In other embodiments, the frequencies can be varied smoothly over a predetermined frequency range (e.g., an audible range). 
     In step  1005 , the measured pressure signals and frequency response can be combined together into an aural profile. For example, an aural profile can be a data file with two or more variables, including at least an ear size and a frequency response. Any number of aural profiles can be created using process  1000  and stored in a library or database for later reference. 
     It is to be understood that the steps shown in methods  900  and  1000  of  FIGS. 9 and 10  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered. 
     While there have been described pressure sensing earbuds and systems and methods for the use thereof, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, no known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
     The described embodiments of the invention are presented for the purpose of illustration and not of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180822
Publication Date: 20190521
Grant Date: 20190521
Priority Date: 20110930
Inventors: AASE, JONATHAN S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2460/15", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2430/03", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1091", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2430/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2430/03", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2430/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2460/15", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1091", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2430/03", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2430/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47992617