PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8912444-B2
Application Number: US-201213598453-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for storing a cable

Abstract:
Systems and methods for storing a cable are provided. The casing may be configured to naturally coil and to uncoil when one or more forces are applied to the casing. The casing may include an opening that may lead to a channel that may run longitudinally through a length of the casing. At least a portion of the cable (e.g., a headphone cable or in-ear earphone cable) may be stored in the casing by longitudinally aligning the cable with the casing, and inserting various portions of the cable through the opening and into the channel.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. For storing a cable, a casing comprising:
 a self-coiling structure having a predetermined length and comprising a curved outer surface, a retaining cavity, and a channel, the retaining cavity and the channel being adjacent to each other and extending along the predetermined length, and the channel being operative to enable the cable ingress to and egress from the retaining cavity; 
 wherein the casing is operative to:
 self-coil in the absence of an externally applied force; and 
 uncoil when subjected to an externally applied force, and wherein the size of the retaining cavity varies throughout the predetermined length of the structure. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The casing of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining cavity has a predetermined radius. 
     
     
       3. The casing of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the curved outer surface is the same throughout the predetermined length of the structure. 
     
     
       4. The casing of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the curved outer surface varies throughout the predetermined length of the structure. 
     
     
       5. The casing of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the retaining cavity is greater than a cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     
     
       6. The casing of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining cavity has a square cross-section. 
     
     
       7. The casing of  claim 1 , wherein the casing is operative to self-coil, while containing the cable in the retaining cavity, in the absence of the externally applied force. 
     
     
       8. A casing for storing a cable comprising:
 a curved outer surface; and 
 a longitudinal cavity for storing at least one component of the cable, wherein:
 the longitudinal cavity forms an inner surface of the casing; 
 the casing is:
 at least partially coiled when no external force is applied to the casing; and 
 at least partially straight when the external force is applied to the casing; 
 
 the longitudinal cavity comprises a first cross-sectional area at a first portion of the casing; 
 the longitudinal cavity comprises a second cross-sectional area at a second portion of the casing; and 
 the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The casing of  claim 8 , wherein the cable comprises a listening device. 
     
     
       10. The casing of  claim 9 , wherein the listening device comprises one of a headphone and an in-ear earphone. 
     
     
       11. The casing of  claim 8 , wherein the inner surface comprises a curve. 
     
     
       12. The casing of  claim 8 , wherein the inner surface comprises at least one edge. 
     
     
       13. A casing of for storing a cable comprising:
 a curved outer surface; and 
 a longitudinal cavity for storing at least one component of the cable, wherein:
 the longitudinal cavity forms an inner surface of the casing; 
 the casing is:
 at least partially coiled when no external force is applied to the casing; 
 at least partially straight when the external force is applied to the casing; and 
 
 the curved outer surface comprises at least one protrusion for storing a particular component of the cable. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The casing of  claim 13 , wherein the particular component comprises at least one of a cable splitting component and a microphone. 
     
     
       15. The casing of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining cavity comprises a bulge throughout a particular portion of the predetermined length of the structure. 
     
     
       16. The casing of  claim 15 , wherein the curved outer surface comprises an outer bulge throughout at least a portion of the particular portion of the predetermined length of the structure. 
     
     
       17. The casing of  claim 15 , wherein the curved outer surface is uniform throughout the predetermined length of the structure. 
     
     
       18. The casing of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first portion of the casing is for storing a first portion of the cable; 
 the second portion of the casing is for storing a second portion of the cable; and 
 the first portion of the cable has a larger cross-section than the second portion of the cable. 
 
     
     
       19. The casing of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first portion of the cable comprises at least one of a cable splitting component and a microphone; and 
 the second portion of the cable comprises a channel cable portion. 
 
     
     
       20. The casing of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the longitudinal cavity comprises a third cross-sectional area at a third portion of the casing; 
 the first portion of the casing is between the second portion of the casing and the third portion of the casing along the length of the casing; and 
 the third cross-sectional area is the same as the second cross-sectional area. 
 
     
     
       21. The casing of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the curved outer surface comprises a third cross-sectional area at the first portion of the casing; 
 the curved outer surface comprises a fourth cross-sectional area at the second portion of the casing; and 
 the third cross-sectional area is the same as the fourth cross-sectional area. 
 
     
     
       22. The casing of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the curved outer surface comprises a third cross-sectional area at the first portion of the casing; 
 the curved outer surface comprises a fourth cross-sectional area at the second portion of the casing; and 
 the third cross-sectional area is larger than the fourth cross-sectional area.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to systems and methods for storing a cable, and more particularly, to systems and methods for storing a listening device using a casing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Many listening devices broadcast music supplied from an electronic device. In particular, many headphones, in-ear earphones, and other wired listening devices include a main cable that couples to an electronic device (e.g., via an audio jack) and left and right channel cables coupled to speaker units (e.g., in-ear earbuds, headphone speakers, etc.). When the main cable is coupled to an electronic device that is supplying media (e.g., music), respective left and right channel sound may be transmitted via the main cable to the corresponding left and right channel cables and speaker units. In this manner, a user may enjoy listening to media without broadcasting the supplied media directly to the user&#39;s environment. However, one or more of the main cable and left and right channel cables may tangle and/or knot (e.g., when a user puts the listening device in a pocket or a bag), making it difficult to quickly use the listening device when desired. Such tangling and/or knotting may frustrate the user and may waste the user&#39;s time as the user attempts to untangle the listening device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for storing a listening device using a casing are provided. 
     In some embodiments, a casing may be provided for storing a cable. The casing may include a self-coiling structure having a predetermined length. The casing may include a curved outer surface, a retaining cavity, and a channel. The retaining cavity and the channel may be adjacent to each other and may extend along the predetermined length. The channel may be operative to enable the cable ingress to and egress from the retaining cavity. The casing is operative to self-coil in the absence of an externally applied force and uncoil when subjected to an externally applied force. 
     In some embodiments, a method may be provided for storing a cable in a casing. While an outside force is exerted on the casing, the method may include receiving the cable with a retaining cavity of the casing via a channel of the casing. When the outside force is no longer being exerted on the casing, the method may also include self-coiling the casing so that the cable, which is contained within the retaining cavity, is wrapped in a non-tangled configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects of the invention, its nature, and various features will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an illustrative listening device that may couple to the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows an illustrative casing in a first state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a magnified view of a portion of the casing of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows the casing of  FIG. 3  in a second state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows the listening device of  FIG. 2  being stored in the casing of  FIG. 3  in the second state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows the listening device of  FIG. 2  being stored in the casing of  FIG. 4  in the first state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  shows a portion of the casing of  FIG. 3  having an alternative configuration, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7B  shows a portion of the casing of  FIG. 3  having another alternative configuration, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for storing the listening device of  FIG. 2  using the casing of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for storing a listening device using a casing are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-8 . 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device  100  that may couple to and be used with a listening device by a user. In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform a single function (e.g., a device dedicated to storing image content) and, in other embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform multiple functions (e.g., a device that stores image content, plays music, and receives and transmits telephone calls). Moreover, in some embodiments, electronic device  100  may be any portable, mobile, or hand-held electronic device configured to control output of content. Alternatively, electronic device  100  may not be portable at all, but may instead be generally stationary. Electronic device  100  may include any suitable type of electronic device operative to control output of content. For example, electronic device  100  may include a media player (e.g., an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a cellular telephone (e.g., an iPhone™ available by Apple Inc.), a personal e-mail or messaging device (e.g., a Blackberry™ available by Research In Motion Limited of Waterloo, Ontario), any other wireless communication device, a pocket-sized personal computer, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a music recorder, a still camera, a movie or video camera or recorder, a radio, medical equipment, any other suitable type of electronic device, and any combinations thereof. 
     Electronic device  100  may include a processor or control circuitry  102 , memory  104 , communications circuitry  106 , power supply  108 , input component  110 , output component  112 , and a detector  114 . Electronic device  100  may also include a bus  103  that may provide a transfer path for transferring data and/or power, to, from, or between various other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more components of electronic device  100  may be combined or omitted. Moreover, electronic device  100  may include other components not combined or included in  FIG. 1 . For example, electronic device  100  may include motion detection circuitry, light sensing circuitry, positioning circuitry, or several instances of the components shown in  FIG. 1 . For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Memory  104  may include one or more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Memory  104  may include cache memory, which may be one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data for electronic device applications. Memory  104  may store media data (e.g., music, image, and video files), software (e.g., for implementing functions on device  100 ), firmware, preference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable device  100  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), contact information (e.g., telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), calendar information, any other suitable data, or any combination thereof. 
     Communications circuitry  106  may be provided to allow device  100  to communicate with one or more other electronic devices or servers using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry  106  may support Wi-Fi (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, file transfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”), real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”), any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. Communications circuitry  106  may also include circuitry that can enable device  100  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device, either wirelessly or via a wired connection. 
     Power supply  108  may provide power to one or more of the other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, power supply  108  can be coupled to a power grid (e.g., when device  100  is not a portable device, such as a desktop computer). In some embodiments, power supply  108  can include one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device  100  is a portable device, such as a cellular telephone). As another example, power supply  108  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). 
     One or more input components  110  may be provided to permit a user to interact or interface with device  100 . For example, input component  110  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, an electronic device pad, dial, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen, one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball, a microphone, and combinations thereof. For example, input component  110  may include a multi-touch screen. Each input component  110  can be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also include one or more output components  112  that may present information (e.g., textual, graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to a user of device  100 . Output component  112  of electronic device  100  may take various forms, including, but not limited, to audio speakers, in-ear earphones, headphones, audio line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers, vibrators, or combinations thereof. 
     For example, output component  112  of electronic device  100  may include an image display  112  as an output component. Such an output component display  112  may include any suitable type of display or interface for viewing image data captured by detector  114 . In some embodiments, display  112  may include a display embedded in device  100  or coupled to device  100  (e.g., a removable display). Display  112  may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (“SED”), a carbon nanotube display, a nanocrystal display, any other suitable type of display, or combination thereof. Alternatively, display  112  can include a movable display or a projecting system for providing a display of content on a surface remote from electronic device  100 , such as, for example, a video projector, a head-up display, or a three-dimensional (e.g., holographic) display. 
     In some embodiments, output component  112  may include an audio output module that may be coupled to an audio connector (e.g., a male audio jack) for interfacing with an audio device (e.g., a headphone, an in-ear earphone, a microphone, etc.). 
     It should be noted that one or more input components  110  and one or more output components  112  may sometimes be referred to collectively herein as an I/O interface (e.g., input component  110  and output component  112  as I/O interface  111 ). It should also be noted that input component  110  and output component  112  may sometimes be a single I/O component, such as a touch screen that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Detector  114  may include one or more sensors of any suitable type that may capture human recognition data (e.g., face data) that may be utilized to detect the presence of one or more individuals. For example, detector  114  may include an image sensor and/or an infrared sensor. The image sensor may include one or more cameras with any suitable lens or number of lenses that may be operative to capture images of the surrounding environment of electronic device  100 . For example, the image sensor may include any number of optical or digital lenses for capturing light reflected by the device&#39;s environment as an image. The captured light may be stored as an individual distinct image or as consecutive video frame images of a recording (e.g., several video frames including a primary frame and one or more subsequent frames that may indicate the difference between the primary frame and the subsequent frame). As used herein, the term “camera lens” may be understood to mean a lens for capturing light or a lens and appropriate circuitry for capturing and converting captured light into an image that can be analyzed or stored by electronic device  100  as either an individual distinct image or as one of many consecutive video frame images. 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include one or more sensors that may detect any human feature or characteristic (e.g., physiological, psychological, physical, movement, etc.). For example, detector  114  may include a microphone for detecting voice signals from one or more individuals. As another example, detector  114  may include a heartbeat sensor for detecting heartbeats of one or more individuals. As yet other examples, detector  114  may include a fingerprint reader, an iris scanner, a retina scanner, a breath sampler, and a humidity sensor that may detect moisture and/or sweat emanating from any suitable portion of an individual&#39;s body. For example, detector  114  may include a humidity sensor that may be situated near or coupled to one or more portions of input component  110 , and that may detect moisture and/or sweat from an individual&#39;s hands. It should be appreciated that any detector  114  may include any sensor that may detect any human feature or characteristic. 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include positioning circuitry for determining a current position of device  100 . The positioning circuitry may be operative to update the current position at any suitable rate, including at relatively high rates to provide an estimation of speed and distance traveled. In some embodiments, the positioning circuitry may include a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver for accessing a GPS application function call that may return geographic coordinates (i.e., a geographic location) of the device. The geographic coordinates may be fundamentally, alternatively, or additionally, derived from any suitable trilateration or triangulation technique. For example, the positioning circuitry may determine the current location of device  100  by using various measurements (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) or signal strength) of a network signal (e.g., a cellular telephone network signal) that may be associated with device  100 . For example, a radio frequency (“RF”) triangulation detector or sensor integrated with or connected to device  100  may determine the (e.g., approximate) current location of device  100 . Device  100 &#39;s current location may be determined based on various measurements of device  100 &#39;s own network signal, such as, for example: (1) an angle of the signal&#39;s approach to or from one or more cellular towers, (2) an amount of time for the signal to reach one or more cellular towers or device  100 , (3) the strength of the signal when it reaches one or more towers or device  100 , or any combination of the aforementioned measurements. Other forms of wireless-assisted GPS (e.g., enhanced GPS or A-GPS) may also be used to determine the current position of device  100 . Instead or in addition, the positioning circuitry may determine the current location of device  100  based on a wireless network or access point that may be in range or a wireless network or access point to which device  100  may be currently connected. For example, because wireless networks may have a finite range, a wireless network that may be in range of device  100  may indicate that device  100  is located in within a detectable vicinity of the wireless network. In some embodiments, device  100  may automatically connect to a wireless network that may be in range in order to receive valid modes of operation that may be associated or that may be available at the current position of device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include motion sensing circuitry for detecting motion of an environment of device  100  and/or objects in the environment. For example, the motion sensing circuitry may detect a movement of an object (e.g., an individual) about device  100  and may generate one or more signals based on the detection. 
     Processor  102  of device  100  may control the operation of many functions and other circuitry provided by device  100 . For example, processor  102  may receive input signals from input component  110  and/or drive output signals through display  112 . Processor  102  may load a manager program (e.g., a program stored in memory  104  or another device or server accessible by device  100 ) to process or analyze data received via detector  114  or inputs received via input component  110  to control output of content that may be provided to the user via output component  112  (e.g., display  112 ). Processor  102  may associate different metadata with the human recognition data captured by detector  114 , including, for example, positioning information, device movement information, a time code, a device identifier, or any other suitable metadata. Electronic device  100  (e.g., processor  102 , any circuitry of detector  114 , or any other component available to device  100 ) may be configured to capture data with detector  114  at various resolutions, frequencies, intensities, and various other characteristics as may be appropriate for the capabilities and resources of device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also be provided with a housing  101  that may at least partially enclose one or more of the components of device  100  for protecting them from debris and other degrading forces external to device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be provided within its own housing (e.g., input component  110  may be an independent keyboard or mouse within its own housing that may wirelessly or through a wire communicate with processor  102 , which may be provided within its own housing). 
       FIG. 2  shows an illustrative listening device  200 . Listening device  200  may be an in-ear earphone, and may be configured to couple to electronic device  100  (e.g., via output component  112 ), and may include a connector  210  (e.g., a male audio jack). Connector  210  may include a left channel contact  212 , a right channel contact  214 , a ground channel contact  216 , and a shield  218 . Listening device  200  may also include a main cable  220 , which may include a left channel cable  222  and a right channel cable  224 . Connector  210  may be coupled to main cable  220  within shield  218 . For example, left channel contact  212  may be coupled to left channel cable  222  and right channel contact  214  may be coupled to right channel cable  224 . A first portion of left channel cable  222  and a first portion of right channel cable  224  may be joined within or to form main cable  220 , yet may still be electrically isolated from each other. Further, a second portion of left channel cable  222  and a second portion of right channel cable  224  may be separated (e.g., physically and/or electrically) via a splitter component  226  (which, in some embodiments, may not be included as part of listening device  200 ). Left channel cable  222  may be coupled to a left earbud  242 , and right channel cable  224  may be coupled to a right earbud  244 . Listening device  200  may also include strain relief  232  disposed around a portion of left channel cable  222 , that may be coupled to left earbud  242 , so as to provide structural support (e.g., to prevent damage due to bending) to that portion of left channel cable  222 . Listening device  200  may also include strain relief  234  disposed around a portion of right channel cable  224 , that may be coupled to right earbud  244 , so as to provide structural support to that portion of right channel cable  224 . In some embodiments, listening device  200  may have a length of approximately 3.5 feet from end-to-end (e.g., from connector  210  to left and/or right earbuds  242  and  244 ). 
     Although  FIG. 2  may show listening device as an in-ear earphone, it should be appreciated that a headphone or any other suitable type of listening device may be configured with a similar connector, cables, etc. 
       FIG. 3  shows an illustrative casing  300 , in a first state, that may store listening device  200 . Casing  300  may have a tube-like shape, and may be configured to naturally coil up or self-coil. As shown in  FIG. 3 , casing  300  may self-coil in a spring-like, non-tangled manner or configuration. That is, no portion of casing  300  tangles or forms a knot with another portion of casing  300 . In such a non-tangled configuration, casing  300  may be easily uncoiled when a force is applied (e.g., by a user) to casing  300 . Casing  300  may be composed of any suitable type of material (e.g., TPU, elastomer, silicone, plastic, etc.) that may stretch and/or straighten out when the force is applied to uncoil casing  300 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , casing  300  may uncoil (e.g., to a stretched and/or straightened state) when the force is applied to uncoil casing  300 . Casing  300  may include a first end  310  and a second end  320 , and the force may include a user holding first end  310  with one hand and holding second end  320  with another hand (e.g., with second end  320  being positioned as far away from first end  310  as possible). For example, such a force may be applied by a user holding and moving first end  310  and second end  320  away from each other until casing  300  uncoils a suitable amount. As another example, such a force may be applied by a user gripping onto any suitable portions of casing  300  using two hands, and moving the two hands away from each other until casing  300  uncoils a suitable amount. 
     Casing  300  may also include a longitudinal retaining cavity  330  that may extend from first end  310  to second end  320 . Casing  300  may include a channel  340 , that may lead to retaining cavity  330 , for insertion of a listening device (e.g., listening device  200 ). When casing  300  is configured in a coiled state (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3 ), channel  340  may be disposed within a perimeter of coiled casing  300  (e.g., closer towards center point C of coiled casing  300 ). In this manner, at least a portion of a listening device (e.g., listening device  200 ) may be stored or encased within retaining cavity  330  of casing  300 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more of first end  310  and second end  320  may include protrusions, bulges, handles, or any other physical structure(s) (not shown) that may assist a user in gripping or holding casing  300  prior to, during, and/or after uncoiling of casing  300 . 
     It should be appreciated that casing  300  may also store any other suitable device that may tangle and/or knot (e.g., a power cable, a communication cable, etc.). 
       FIG. 3A  is a magnified view of a portion of casing  300 . As described above, casing  300  may have a tube-like shape. In particular, casing  300  may include a curved outer surface  391 , a curved inner surface  392 , a thickness T, and a retaining cavity  330  radius r. The various physical dimensions of casing  300  may be configured based on, for example, dimensions of suitable devices that casing  300  may store. 
     To store listening device  200  into casing  300 , force may need to be applied to various portions of casing  300 . For example, when a force is applied to move portion  347  of casing  300  away from portion  348  of casing  300 , channel  340  may become larger and portions of a listening device may be insertable through channel  340  and into retaining cavity  330 . Although  FIGS. 3 and 3A  may show retaining cavity  330  being circular or cylindrical in shape, retaining cavity  330  may also be configured to exhibit any other suitable shape (e.g., square, a shape having sharp edges, etc.). 
       FIG. 4  shows casing  300  in an uncoiled (e.g., straightened) state. For example, casing  300  may be held in an uncoiled state by one or more forces (e.g., by a user holding onto first end  310  and separating second end  320  from first end  310  until casing  300  is substantially flat or straight). A listening device cable (e.g., main cable  220 ) may be subsequently inserted through channel  340  into retaining cavity  330 . For example, a user may gradually insert main cable  220  starting from a portion of channel  340  at or near first end  310  to a portion of channel  340  at or near second end  320 . 
     Casing  300  may be configured such that, while each portion of main cable  220  is inserted through channel  340  into retaining cavity  330 , corresponding portions of casing  300  (e.g., portions  347  and  348 ) may be at least partially separated from each other so as to allow insertion of main cable  220 . After such a portion of main cable  220  is inserted into retaining cavity  330 , the corresponding portions of casing  300  (e.g., portions  347  and  348 ) may at least partially retract back towards each other to store or encase the inserted portion of main cable  220 . When a user release some or all of the force required to uncoil casing  300 , casing  300  may self-coil up (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 5  shows listening device  200  being stored in casing  300  in an uncoiled state. Left channel cable  222 , right channel cable  224 , and main cable  220  may be fully (or near fully) inserted within retaining cavity  330  of casing  300 . When left channel cable  222 , right channel cable  224 , and main cable  220  are inserted within retaining cavity  330 , left earbud  242 , right earbud  244 , and connector  210  may or may not be fully inserted within retaining cavity  330 . For example, one or more of left earbud  242 , right earbud  244 , and connector  210  may be disposed outside of retaining cavity  330  (and thus, may not be stored in casing  300 ). 
     In some embodiments, each of strain reliefs  232  and  234  may be completely stored in retaining cavity  330  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 5 ). In other embodiments, each of strain reliefs  232  and  234  may instead be disposed outside of retaining cavity  330 . For example, the entireties of strain reliefs  232  and  234  may be disposed outside of retaining cavity  330 . As another example, a portion of each of strain reliefs  232  and  234  may be disposed outside of retaining cavity  330 , while remaining portions of each of strain reliefs  232  and  234  may be stored in casing  300 . 
       FIG. 6  shows listening device  200  encased within casing  300  in a coiled state. The coiled state may be a natural or relaxed state of casing  300  when no force is applied to casing  300 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , casing  300  may self-coil in a spring-like, non-tangled manner or configuration, and thus wrap or encase listening device  200  in the non-tangled manner. That is, no portion of casing  300  tangles or forms a knot with another portion of casing  300 , and thus, no portion of listening device  200  tangles or forms a knot with another portion of listening device  200 . In such a non-tangled configuration, casing  300  (and thus, listening device  200 ) may be easily uncoiled when a force is applied (e.g., by a user) to casing  300 . 
     Listening device  200  may be employed (e.g., coupled to electronic device  100 ) while being stored in casing  300 . For example, a user may couple connector  210  to electronic device  100 , and may remove some or all of left channel cable  222  and right channel cable  224  from casing  300  so as to allow farther separation of left earbud  242  from right earbud  244 . The user may then at least partially uncoil casing  300  such that left earbud  242  and right earbud  244  may be brought near and into respective ears of the user. 
     Although  FIGS. 3-6  may show casing  300  having a uniform size throughout its longitudinal length, one or more sections of casing  300  may be larger than others.  FIG. 7A  shows a section of casing  300  having an alternative configuration. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the alternative configuration may include a bulge  332  in curved inner surface  392  of retaining cavity  330 , as well as a bulge  334  in curved outer surface  391  of casing  300 . Bulges  332  and  334  may allow portions of listening device  200  that may be larger than other portions of listening device  200  to fit into casing  300  (e.g., a microphone component of listening device (not shown); that may be included along main cable  220 , and that may be relatively larger compared to a thickness of main cable  220 ; and/or splitter component  226  that may be relatively larger compared to the thickness of main cable  220 ). In some embodiments, bulges  332  and  334  may also serve as a guide for a user when inserting and storing listening device  200  into casing  300  (e.g., that splitter component  226  should be aligned with bulges  332  and  334 ). It should be appreciated that a plurality of bulges similar to bulges  332  and  334  may be configured throughout any suitable portion of casing  300 . 
     Because bulges  332  and  334  may not be physically appealing to a user, casing  300  may be alternatively configured to only include a bulge in curved inner surface  392  of retaining cavity  330 .  FIG. 7B  shows a section of casing  300  having another alternative configuration. As shown in  FIG. 7B , this alternative configuration may only include a bulge  333  in curved inner surface  392  of retaining cavity  330 , with curved outer surface  391  of casing  300  being substantially uniform (e.g., bulge-less) throughout the longitudinal length of casing  300 . In this manner, one or more larger components of listening device  200  (e.g., splitter component  226 ) may still fit in casing  300  (e.g., within bulge  333  and/or any other similar bulges of casing  300 ), without affecting a physical outer appearance of casing  300 . In this alternative configuration, it should be appreciated that an overall thickness of casing  300  (e.g., thickness T and/or radius r) may need to be larger than that for the alternative configuration shown in  FIG. 7A . 
       FIG. 8  shows an illustrative process for storing a cable (e.g., listening device  200 ) in casing  300 . Process  800  may begin at step  802 . At step  804 , the process may include, while an outside force is exerted on the casing, receiving a cable with a retaining cavity of a casing via a channel of the casing. For example, the process may include, while an outside force is exerted on casing  300  (e.g., to substantially uncoil casing  300 ), receiving listening device  200  with retaining cavity  330  of casing  300  via channel  340  of casing  300 . In particular, a portion of left channel cable  222  (e.g., that may be adjacent to strain relief  232 ) and a portion of right channel cable  224  (e.g., that may be adjacent to strain relief  234 ) may be received via channel  340  (e.g., at or near first end  310  of casing  300 ) into retaining cavity  330 . For example, the process may include first aligning these portions of left and right channel cables  222  and  224  in parallel with a longitudinal section of an uncoiled (or at least partially uncoiled) casing  300 , prior to the disposing or inserting thereof into retaining cavity  330  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). 
     At step  806 , the process may include, when the outside force is no longer being exerted on the casing, self-coiling the casing so that the cable, which is contained within the retaining cavity, is wrapped in a non-tangled configuration. For example, the process may include, when the outside force is no longer being exerted on casing  300 , self-coiling casing  300  so that listening device  200 , which is contained within retaining cavity  330 , is wrapped in a non-tangled configuration. As shown in  FIG. 6 , for example, casing  300  may wrap listening device  200  in a non-tangled configuration when no outside force is being applied to casing  300 . 
     It is to be understood that the steps shown in process  800  of  FIG. 8  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 systems and methods for storing a listening device using a casing, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120829
Publication Date: 20141216
Grant Date: 20141216
Priority Date: 20120829
Inventors: WEBER TRENT
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B65H75/36", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/6058", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02G11/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/15", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/15", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65H75/36", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/6058", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65H2701/3919", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02G11/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65H2701/3919", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50185843