PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11317187-B2
Application Number: US-202016810080-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Foldable headphones with multiple operating modes

Abstract:
Headphones include left and right earpieces mounted to rotatable arms and connected by a resilient U shaped band. The left and right earpieces can be positioned by folded the earpieces inwards toward the headband or extending the earpieces away from the headband. A sensor can detect the position of the left and right earpieces and transition the headphones between three operating modes, including a playback mode, a standby mode, and an off mode.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pair of headphones comprising:
 a headband having first and second opposing ends; 
 a first earpiece pivotally attached to the first end of the headband enabling the first earpiece to be moved between a first position in which the first earpiece is folded inward towards the headband and a second position in which the first earpiece is unfolded; 
 a second earpiece pivotally attached to the second end of the headband enabling the second earpiece to be moved between a first position in which the first earpiece is folded inward towards the headband and a second position in which the second earpiece is unfolded; 
 one or more sensors that generate sensor data indicating whether each of the first and second earpieces are in the first or second position; 
 a rechargeable battery; and 
 control circuitry coupled to the sensor data from the one or more sensors and configured to set the pair of headphones in: (i) a playback mode when both the first and second earpieces are in the second position, (ii) in an off mode when both the first and second earpieces are in the first position, and (iii) in a third operating mode when one of the first or second earpieces is in the first position and the other of the first or second earpieces is in the second position, wherein when the pair of headphones are in the third operating mode audio playback is stopped in both the first and second earpieces and the pair of headphones consume less power than when in the playback mode but more power than when in the off mode. 
 
     
     
       2. The pair of headphones of  claim 1 , further comprising a pivot joint coupling the first or second earpiece with the headband, the pivot joint comprising a moveable stop for resisting pivoting, wherein movement of the stop is resisted by a compressible device. 
     
     
       3. The pair of headphones of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are positioned adjacent to a pivot join coupling the first or second earpiece with the headband. 
     
     
       4. The pair of headphones of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more sensors include a proximity sensor, a hall effect sensor, an optical sensor, or a mechanical sensor. 
     
     
       5. The pair of headphones of  claim 1 , the first or second earpiece comprising a contact plate pivotable to contact one or more buttons coupled to the control circuitry to control one or more predetermined functions. 
     
     
       6. The pair of headphones of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more predetermined functions include volume up, volume down, play, pause, next track, previous track, fast-forward, and rewind. 
     
     
       7. A pair of headphones comprising:
 a headband having first and second opposing ends; 
 a first earpiece pivotally attached to the first end of the headband by a first arm enabling the first earpiece to be moved between a first position in which the first earpiece is folded inward towards the headband and a second position in which the first earpiece extends away from the headband; 
 a second earpiece pivotally attached to the second end of the headband by a second arm enabling the second earpiece to be moved between a first position in which the first earpiece is folded inward towards the headband and a second position in which the second earpiece extends away from the headband; 
 one or more sensors that generate sensor data indicating whether each of the first and second earpieces are in the first or second position; and 
 control circuitry coupled to the sensor data from the one or more sensors and configured to set the pair of headphones in: (i) a first operating mode when both the first and second earpieces are in the first position, (ii) in a second operating mode when both the first and second earpieces are in the second position, and (iii) in a third operating mode when one of the first or second earpieces is in the first position and the other of the first or second earpieces is in the second position, wherein when the pair of headphones are in the third operating mode, audio playback is stopped in both the first and second earpieces and the pair of headphones consume less power than when in the second operating mode but more power than when in the first operating mode. 
 
     
     
       8. The pair of headphones of  claim 7 , wherein the first operating mode is an off mode, the second operating mode is a playback mode, and the third operating mode is a standby mode. 
     
     
       9. The pair of headphones of  claim 7 , wherein the first or second earpiece comprises one or more buttons coupled to the control circuitry to control one or more predetermined functions. 
     
     
       10. The pair of headphones of  claim 9 , wherein the first or second earpiece comprises a contact plate pivotable to contact the one or more buttons. 
     
     
       11. The pair of headphones of  claim 7 , wherein the headband is pivotally coupled to the first arm or the second arm with a pivot joint comprising a stop for resisting pivoting of the respective arm. 
     
     
       12. The pair of headphones of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more sensors are positioned adjacent to the pivot joint and include a proximity sensor, a hall effect sensor, an optical sensor, or a mechanical sensor. 
     
     
       13. A pair of headphones comprising:
 a headband having first and second opposing ends; 
 a first earpiece pivotally attached to the first end of the headband by a first arm enabling the first earpiece to be moved between a first position in which the first earpiece is folded inward towards the headband and a second position in which the first earpiece extends away from the headband; 
 a second earpiece pivotally attached to the second end of the headband by a second arm enabling the second earpiece to be moved between a first position in which the first earpiece is folded inward towards the headband and a second position in which the second earpiece extends away from the headband; 
 one or more sensors that generate sensor data indicating whether each of the first and second earpieces are in the first or second position; and 
 control circuitry coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to receive sensor data and set the pair of headphones in a first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode, the control circuitry setting the pair of headphones in: (i) the first mode when both the first and second earpieces are in the second position, (ii) the second mode when both the first and second earpieces are in the first position, and (iii) the third operating mode when one of the first or second earpieces is in the first position and the other of the first or second earpieces is in the second position, wherein when the headphones are in the third operating mode, audio playback is stopped in both the first and second earpieces and the pair of headphones consume less power than in the second operating mode but more power than when in the first operating mode. 
 
     
     
       14. The pair of headphones of  claim 13 , wherein in the first operating mode is an off mode, the second operating mode is a playback mode, and in the third operating mode is a low power standby mode. 
     
     
       15. The pair of headphones of  claim 13 , wherein the headband is pivotally coupled to the first arm or the second arm with a pivot joint comprising a stop for resisting pivoting of the respective arm. 
     
     
       16. The pair of headphones of  claim 13 , the first earpiece or the second earpiece comprising one or more buttons coupled with the control circuitry, the control circuitry performing a predetermined function based on input from the one or more buttons. 
     
     
       17. The pair of headphones of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more buttons are covered by a contact plate pivotable to contact the one or more buttons coupled to the control circuitry to control one or more predetermined functions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/900,283, filed on Sep. 13, 2019, and titled “HEADPHONES,” the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to headphones and, more specifically, to headphones with multiple operating modes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Headphones are commonly used to listen to content on electronic devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, televisions and the like. Some headphones are wireless headphones that are powered by one or more internal batteries. The batteries store a limited amount of charge that are depleted through operation of the headphones, requiring recharging before operation of the headphones can continue. Some of these wireless headphones have features like auto on/off and/or can enter a sleep mode to conserve battery power. The auto on/off and sleep modes can extend the battery life of the headphones but can inhibit a user&#39;s listening experience if not implemented in an intuitive and easily implemented manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure describes various embodiments of headphones that include multiple power modes that enable the headphones to conserve battery power when the headphones are not being actively used. In some embodiments, the headphones can fold to automatically transition the headphones between three different power modes including a playback or ON mode, a sleep mode and an OFF mode. For example, both the left and right earpieces can be unfolded in a listening configuration triggering an operating mode for playback; one of the left or right earpieces can be folded with the other earpiece unfolded to trigger a standby mode where battery consumption is reduced but playback can quickly be resumed; and both the left and right earpieces can be folded inward into a storage configuration triggering the headphones to turn off. Folding the left and/or right earpieces to switch between power modes provides a simple and intuitive manner in which a user can change the operation mode of the headphones. For example, if a user is transporting the headphones and wants to conserve the battery power, the user can fold both earpieces into the storage configuration and the headphones will automatically switch to the off mode. Similarly, if a user wants to conserve battery for a period of time but wants to be able to quickly resume playback, one earpiece can be folded triggering the standby mode. The user can then unfold the folded earpiece to trigger the playback mode. 
     Headphones according to some embodiments can include a headband and left and right arms connected to the headband. The left and right arms can connected the left and right earpieces, respectively, to the headband and can each include sensors for detecting whether the arms (and thus the earpieces) are folded inward towards the headband or are in an unfolded state. The left and right arms can fold independently to transition between the different power modes. 
     A pair of headphones is disclosed and includes the following: a headband having first and second opposing ends; a first earpiece pivotally attached to the first end of the headband enabling the first earpiece to be moved between a first position in which the first earpiece is folded inward towards the headband and a second unfolded position; a second earpiece pivotally attached to the second end of the headband enabling the second earpiece to be moved between a first position in which the first earpiece is folded inward towards the headband and a second unfolded; one or more sensors that generate sensor data indicating whether each of the first and second earpieces are in the first or second position; a rechargeable battery; and control circuitry coupled to the sensor data from the one or more sensors and configured to set the pair of headphones in: (i) a playback mode when both the first and second earpieces are in the second position, (ii) in an off mode when both the first and second earpieces are in the first position, and (iii) in a third operating mode when one of the first earpiece  110  or second earpiece  120  is in the first position and the other of the first earpiece  110  or second earpiece  120  is in the second position, wherein when the headphones are in the third operating mode the headphones consume less power than in the playback mode but more power than when in the off mode. 
     To better understand the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present invention. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of headphones in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A through 2C  are illustrations of different configurations of the headphones of  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are simplified illustrations of a sensor that can be used with the headphones of  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section of a hinge that can be used with the headphones of  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is side view of an earpiece that that can be used with the headphones of  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section of the earpiece of  FIG. 5  according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of headphones  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. The headphones  100  can be, for example, over-ear or on-ear headphones. The headphones  100  can include a first earpiece  110  coupled with a first arm assembly  130  and a second earpiece  120  coupled with a second arm assembly  140 . The first arm assembly  130  and the second arm assembly  140  can be interconnected by a headband  150  that in the depicted embodiment is substantially U-shaped or C-shaped to enable the headband to better conform to the contour of a user&#39;s head. The headphones  100  can include electronic circuitry and/or components (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) for controlling various functions of the headphones  100 . In various embodiments, the electronic circuitry and/or components can include a controller (e.g., a microcontroller, an ASIC, and/or various other logic circuitry and/or discrete components) for controlling audio playback, power modes, and/or communication. In some embodiments the controller can be positioned in the first earpiece  110  and/or the second earpiece  120 . 
     The first earpiece  110  can include cushioning  112  for sitting against a user&#39;s head and a casing  114  surrounding the internal electronic components of the earpiece. The cushioning  112  can generally conform to the shape of the user&#39;s head and/or ear to minimize the travel of sound outside the cushioning. In some embodiments, the cushioning can include a protective layer of material, for example, leather, plastic, silicon, or any suitable material. As discussed further in reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the casing  114  can include multiple portions, with one or more portions moveable to accommodate movement of one or more internal components. 
     In some embodiments, the first earpiece  110  can pivot relative to the first arm assembly  130 . The first earpiece  110  can include electronic components for wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), one or more battery modules for powering the headphones  100 , and/or one or more audio output components (e.g., one or more speakers) for output of audio data. The second earpiece  120  can include some or all of the same or similar components of the first earpiece  110  (e.g., cushioning, a casing, wireless communication components, a battery module, etc.). 
     In various embodiments, the first earpiece  110  and/or the second earpiece  120  can be mounted to position a central axis of the earpiece at an angle relative to a lateral centerline of the headband  150 . The central axis of the first earpiece  110  and/or the second earpiece  120  can be, for example, angled between 80 degrees and 100 degrees relative to the lateral centerline of the headband  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the first earpiece  110  and/or the second earpiece  120  can include a port  160 . The port  160  can be mated with a corresponding cable for transmission of power and/or data to and/or from the headphones  100 . For example, port  160  can be mated with a corresponding cable for electrically coupling the headphones  100  with an electronic device, such as a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, power supply or other appropriate electronic device. In some instances the electronic device can transmit both power and audio data to the headphones  100  through port  160  via a cable. In other instances, however, the electronic device can transmit power to headphones  100  through the port  160  via the cable while audio data can be transmitted to the headphones  100  via wireless circuitry (e.g., Bluetooth or Wi-Fi circuitry). In some embodiments, the port  160  can include a receptacle connector, such as a TRS audio jack, a micro-USB connector, USB C connector, a Firewire connector, a lightning connector developed by Apple, or any other suitable type of connector. 
     The first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  can be pivotally coupled with the headband  150  for pivoting between a first position (e.g., a folded position) and a second position (e.g., an extended position). As discussed further in reference to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, a pivot joint  132  can couple the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  with the headband  150 . 
     In various embodiments, the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  can include a sliding member  170  for coupling the first earpiece  110  with the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second earpiece  120  with the second arm assembly  140 . The sliding member  170  can slide internally and relatively to one end of the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  to shorten or lengthen the headband as described below. 
     The first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  and the sliding member  170  can be coupled via a friction-based adjustment mechanism. The friction-based adjustment mechanism can include a channel formed internally in the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  for receiving the sliding member  170 . The friction-based adjustment mechanism can cause a biasing frictional force between the external surfaces of the sliding member  170  and the internal surfaces of the channel in the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140 . The biasing frictional force can prevent the sliding member  170  from moving without an applied external force. For example, the biasing frictional force can prevent the weight of the first earpiece  110  or the second earpiece  120  from moving the sliding member  170 . The channel size and sliding member  170  thickness can be optimized and designed so that the biasing frictional force has a predetermined force range that is overcome before the sliding member  170  can be moved. In some embodiments, the sliding member  170  can include a surface and/or surface treatment that can be applied to adjust the biasing frictional force needed to move the sliding member  170 . 
     The sliding member  170  can adjust the size of the headphones  100  to adapt the headphones to provide a more comfortable fit for users. For example, sliding member  170  can be positioned: to minimize the distance between the first earpiece  110  and the distal end of the first arm assembly  130  and the second earpiece  120  and the distal end of the second arm assembly  140 ; to maximize the distance between the first earpiece  110  and the distal end of the first arm assembly  130  and the second earpiece  120  and the distal end of the second arm assembly  140 ; or at a position between the maximized distance and the minimized distance. 
     In various embodiments, the sliding member  170  can be partially or fully disposed within the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  when the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  is in the folded position. A user can adjust the size of the headphones by applying a force to the sliding member  170  to overcome the biasing frictional force. In some embodiments, the force can be applied by pushing or pulling on the first earpiece  110  and/or the second earpiece  120 . 
     The headband  150  can include a support structure and one or more layers of padding. The support structure can bias the first earpiece  110  and the second earpiece  120  a distance apart. The biased distance can be smaller than a user&#39;s head width, requiring users to apply a force to separate the first earpiece  110  and the second earpiece  120  before wearing the headphones  100 . The biasing force can also hold the headphones  100  on a user&#39;s head while the user is wearing the headphones  100 . The padding can be positioned between the user&#39;s head and the support structure to improve the comfort of the headphones  100  for the user. In some embodiments, the padding can be covered with a layer of protective material, for example, leather. 
       FIGS. 2A through 2C  are illustrations of different configurations of the headphones  100  of  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 2A , the headphones  100  are in a listening configuration; in  FIG. 2B , the headphones  100  are in a standby configuration; and in  FIG. 2C  the headphones  100  are in storage configuration. 
     In  FIG. 2A , the headphones  100  are in a listening configuration with both the first earpiece  110  and the second earpiece  120  extending away from the headband enabling the headphones to be worn by a user with the earpieces positioned over the user&#39;s ear. In the listening configuration, headphones  100  can be fully powered ON to provide audio playback to the user by outputting audio data received from an electronic connected to the headphones (e.g., via either a wired or wireless connection) through the speakers in each earpiece. 
     A user can activate a sleep mode of headphones  100  by folding one of the first earpiece  110  or the second earpiece  120  inward towards the headband  150  as shown in  FIG. 2B . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , second arm assembly  140  (and thus second earpiece  120 ) are folded inward towards headband  150  placing the headphones  100  in low power, standby mode to reduce the battery consumption of the headphones  100 . The standby mode can reduce power consumption by reducing power supplied to one or more components. For example, audio playback can be stopped and the power supplied to wireless communication circuitry can be reduced and/or stopped. The standby mode reduces power consumption of the headphones  100 , increasing the length of operating time before the headphones  100  need to be recharged. For example, in some embodiments the headphones can operate in the standby mode approximately five times longer than they could operate in the playback mode. 
     A user can turn the headphones OFF (or place them in a low power mode that uses even less battery consumption than sleep mode) by folding both the first and second earpieces  110  and  120  inward towards the headband  150  as shown in  FIG. 2C , which places the headphones  100  in a configuration that is convenient for storing the headphones in an appropriate case or similar storage component. In some embodiments the OFF power mode power is withheld from substantially all of the electronic components in the headphones except those that allow the headphones to be turned back on. In other embodiments, the OFF power mode can continue to supply power to certain more components that provide desired functionality but switch power off to a sufficient number of components such that the headphones require less power than required in sleep mode or in the playback mode. 
     The headphones  100  can include control circuitry and/or associated components (e.g., one or more sensors as discussed below) to detect when one or both of the first earpiece  110  or the second earpiece  120  are in the folded or unfolded positions and activate the appropriate operational mode based on the earpiece positions. The control circuitry and/or associated components can automatically put the headphones  100  in the standby mode when it detects that one of the first earpiece  110  or second earpiece  120  is in the folded position and the other is in the unfolded position. In the standby mode, the audio playback can be stopped to one or both of the first earpiece  110  or second earpiece  120 . The control circuitry and/or associated components can further automatically put the headphones  100  in the OFF mode in response to when it detects that both the first earpiece  110  and the second earpiece  120  have been folded inward towards the headband  150 . 
     Conversely, the control circuitry and associated components can deactivate the sleep mode or the OFF mode and place the headphones in playback mode when it detects that both of the earpieces are in the unfolded (i.e., extended) position. For example, the headphones  100  can be reconfigured from the storage configuration to the standby configuration by unfolding one of the first earpiece  110  or second earpiece  120  or to the listening configuration by unfolding both of the first earpiece  110  and second earpiece  120 . When the headphones  100  are reconfigured, the control circuitry and associated components detect the change in configuration of the headphones and can automatically transition the headphones from the OFF mode to the standby mode or to the playback mode as appropriate. 
     While embodiments of the disclosure enable headphones  100  to be placed in different operational modes by folding or unfolding the first and second earpieces as discussed above, some embodiments can also include additional user input mechanisms that enable a user to select or change an operational mode of the headphones. As one example, some embodiments can include one or more buttons (e.g., on the outer surface of one of the earpieces) that can be selected or activated by a user to switch the headphones between playback, sleep and OFF modes. As another example, some embodiments can include voice activated controls that enable a user to switch the headphones between the different operational modes. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are simplified illustrations of a sensor  310  that can be used with the headphones  100  of  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The sensor  310  can provide data to the controller for controlling functions of the headphones. The sensor  310  is shown as positioned in headband  150 , however, sensor  310  can be positioned in the first earpiece  110 , the first arm assembly  130 , the second earpiece  120 , and/or the second arm assembly  140 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are discussed in relation to the first arm assembly  130 , but it is to be understood that the second arm assembly  140  can also include a sensor similar or identical to sensor  310 . 
     In various embodiments, the sensor  310  can detect a position of the first earpiece  110  and/or the first arm assembly  130 . For example, the sensor  310  can detect whether the earpiece is folded inward towards the headband, extended away from the headband, and/or at a position between the two. The position of the first arm assembly  130  can be used by the controller to determine whether to transition the headphones  100  to the playback mode, the standby mode, or the off mode. The sensor  310  can include a mechanical sensor, an optical sensor, an electronic sensor, and/or any suitable sensor for sensing the position of the first earpiece  110  and/or the first arm assembly  130 . 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  310  can include a hall effect sensor that can sense a position of a magnet  320  relative to the sensor  310 . As the magnet  320  is moved relative to the sensor  310 , a voltage change can occur in the sensor  310 . The sensor  310  can be positioned in the headband  150  and the magnet  320  can be positioned in the first arm assembly  130 . The magnet  320  can be positioned in the first arm assembly  130  at pivot joint  132 , such that, when the first arm assembly  130  is in an extended position, the magnet  320  is closer to the sensor  310  than when the first arm assembly  130  is in the folded position. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the first arm assembly  130  is in the extended position and the sensor  310  is positioned near the magnet  320 . In  FIG. 3B , the first arm assembly  130  has been reconfigured from the extended position to the folded position and the magnet  320  has moved away from sensor  310 . The movement of the magnet  320  relative to the sensor  310  can cause a voltage change in the sensor  310 . The controller can use the voltage change in the sensor  310  to determine a position of the first arm assembly  130 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section of a pivot joint  132  that can be incorporated into the headphones  100  of  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the pivot joint  132  can be used to couple a first end of the headband  150  with the first arm assembly  130 . However, the pivot joint  132  can additionally or alternatively couple a second end of the headband  150  with the second arm assembly  140 . The pivot joint  132  can include a compressible component  410  that can apply a retention force to a stop  420 , increasing the force required to pivot the first arm assembly  130 . 
     The compressible component  410  can apply a force to the stop  420  to hold the stop  420  against a pivot surface  432 . The compressible component  410  can be contained in a channel  412  to prevent the compressible component  410  from moving or flexing out of position. In various embodiments, the compressible component  410  can compress in response to the stop  420  moving. The stop  420  can move in response to the first arm assembly  130  rotating about rotation point  430 . In some embodiments, the pivot surface  432  can include a cliff  434 , that can increase the force required to move the stop  420  and compress the compressible component  410 . For example, as the first arm assembly  130  rotates about rotation point  430 , the cliff  434  can push the stop  420  against the compressible component  410 . The compressible component  410  can resist the stop  420 , preventing the first arm assembly  130  from pivoting until a predetermined force has been applied to the first arm assembly  130 . The compressible component  410  can be a spring, rubber, foam, or any suitable compressible material. The stop  420  can be a ball, a cylinder, an oval, or any suitable component. 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure pertain to headphones that include an improved user interface on the casing of at least one of the first earpiece  110  or second earpiece  120  that enables a user to select various operational functions of the headphones.  FIG. 5  is side view of an earpiece assembly  500  that that can be incorporated into the headphones  100  of  FIG. 1  to provide three separate user-activated buttons behind a single, one-piece contact plate  520  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The earpiece assembly  500  can be coupled with the first arm assembly  130  and/or the second arm assembly  140  via sliding member  170 . The earpiece assembly  500  can include earpiece housing  510  and contact plate  520 . The earpiece housing  510  can provide support for cushioning  112  and/or protection for electronic components (e.g., the audio output component). The earpiece housing  510  can be or include molded plastic, metal, acrylic, and/or carbon fiber. 
     Contact plate  520  can provide protection for one or more buttons  522  that can receive user input. The user input can control various functions of the headphones  100  (e.g., volume controls and/or audio playback controls). The contact plate  520  can be a plate that pivots about a central pivot point. The buttons  522  can be positioned beneath the contact plate  520  to allow a user to push down on a portion of the contact plate  520  to toggle one or more of the buttons. The buttons  522  can be positioned to toggle when a corresponding portion of the contact plate  520  has been pressed. For example, a first button  522 A can be positioned and toggled by a user pushing on a top portion of the contact plate  520 , a second button  522 B can be positioned and toggled by a user pushing on a middle portion of the contact plate  520 , and a third button  522 C can be positioned and toggled by a user pushing on a bottom portion of the contact plate  520 . In various embodiments, the contact plate  520  can include various indentations and/or surface treatments that can aid in toggling the buttons  522 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross section of a portion the earpiece assembly  500  of  FIG. 5  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The earpiece assembly  500  can include contact plate  520  covering one or more buttons  522 . The buttons  522  can include a press transfer  524  that can transfer a user&#39;s press input to one or more contact pads  526 . The contact pads  526  can send a signal to the control to provide input for controlling various operations of the headphones  100 . The press transfer  524  can be coupled with the contact plate  520  to maintain contact between the press transfer  524  and the contact plate  520 . The press transfer  524  and the contact plate  520  can be coupled using adhesives, fasteners, and/or any suitable connection means. In some embodiments, the contact plate  520  includes receiving points for one or more press transfers. For example, the contact plate  520  can include channels for receiving a portion of the press transfer  524 . 
     Press transfer  524  can move in response to a user pressing on the contact plate  520 . For example, when a user presses on a portion of the contact plate  520 , the press transfer  524  can move in response. The press transfer  524  can move until it contacts the contact pads  526 . The contact pads  526  can send a signal to the controller in response to the contact from the press transfer  524 . In various embodiments, the press transfers  524  and the contact pads  526  can be separated by varying distances. The varying distances can allow a user to press on the contact plate  520  without causing multiple press transfers  524  to contact their corresponding contact pads  526 . For example, a press transfer  524 B positioned in the middle of the contact plate  520  can be positioned closer to the contact pad  526 B than press transfers  524 A and/or  524 C. For example, when a user presses on the middle portion of the contact plate  520 , the contact plate  520  can depress, moving press transfers  524 A,  524 B, and  524 C. However, the middle press transfer  524 B can be positioned closer to its corresponding contact pad  526 B to receive the press input before either of press transfer  524 A or  524 B are able to contact their corresponding contact plates. 
     In various embodiments, the press transfer  524  can act as a pivot point for the contact plate  520 . One or more of the press transfers  524  can be positioned to allow the contact plate to pivot in response to a user&#39;s press. For example, a press transfer  524 B can be positioned in the middle portion of the contact plate  520 . The press transfer  524 B can allow a user to depress the press transfer  524 B by pushing on the middle portion of the contact plate  520 . A user can press on the upper and/or the lower portion of the contact plate  520  to depress press transfer  524 A or  524 C respectively. The contact plate  520  can pivot about press transfer  524 B to depress press transfer  524 A or  524 C without depressing press transfer  524 B. 
     In various embodiments, the earpiece assembly  500  can include gasket  530  to prevent or reduce moisture and/or dust and debris from reaching the electronic components inside earpiece assembly  500 . The gasket  530  can create a sealed barrier between the electronic components and the contact plate  520 . The gasket  530  can be coupled with the one or more press transfers  524  to protect the corresponding contact pads  526 . The gasket  530  can be or include rubber, silicon, or any suitable material.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200305
Publication Date: 20220426
Grant Date: 20220426
Priority Date: 20190913
Inventors: SMIECHOWSKI, CHRISTINA J.
SANTANA, CARLOS M.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/165", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/105", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1066", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/165", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/105", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1066", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 74869948