PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11297410-B2
Application Number: US-202017073109-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Earbud stability anchor feature

Abstract:
An earbud design is disclosed that is configured to sit securely within an ear of a user. The earbud can be secured within the ear by an anchoring feature formed from an elastomeric material. The anchoring feature has a size and shape in accordance with an interior geometry of an ear of a user. Because the anchoring feature positions the earbud with respect to the ear, geometries of the earbud can be focused upon audio performance and/or device aesthetics. In some embodiments, the earbud housing can have a linear design which allows an audio driver within the earbud housing to be positioned close to an opening defined by the earbud housing. In this way, acoustic degradation associated with a long audio path from the audio driver to the opening can be avoided.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An earbud, comprising:
 an anchoring feature defining a channel extending from a first end of the anchoring feature to a second end of the anchoring feature, the anchoring feature being sized to be secured within an ear of a user; 
 an earbud housing comprising a speaker housing, wherein the speaker housing includes a central section disposed between opposing first and second faces of the earbud housing and a nozzle protruding from the first face of the earbud housing and defining an audio exit opening, the central section including a portion disposed within the channel defined by the anchoring feature and a locking feature comprising a protrusion extending from the central section of the earbud housing, the protrusion engageable with a recess defined by the anchoring feature; and 
 an audio driver disposed within the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the audio exit opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The earbud of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle extends away from the earbud housing at an angle between 20 and 25 degrees. 
     
     
       3. The earbud of  claim 1 , wherein the audio exit opening has a first diameter and the central section has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
       4. The earbud of  claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of an earbud tip is engaged with an exterior surface of the nozzle. 
     
     
       5. The earbud of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the anchoring feature extends away from the earbud housing at an angle that allows the portion of the anchoring feature to be positioned between the tragus and concha of a user&#39;s ear when a portion of the nozzle is inserted into the user&#39;s ear canal. 
     
     
       6. The earbud of  claim 5 , wherein, when the anchoring feature engages with the locking feature, the portion of the anchoring feature is angularly offset from an axis extending longitudinally through the nozzle. 
     
     
       7. The earbud of  claim 6 , wherein the angular offset is between 100 and 145 degrees. 
     
     
       8. The earbud of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring feature comprises an elastomeric member. 
     
     
       9. The earbud of  claim 1 , wherein the earbud is a wireless earbud comprising a wireless receiver and an antenna. 
     
     
       10. An earbud, comprising:
 an anchoring feature defining a channel extending from a first end of the anchoring feature to a second end of the anchoring feature, the anchoring feature being sized to be secured within an ear of a user; 
 an earbud housing comprising a speaker housing, wherein the speaker housing includes a central section disposed between opposing first and second faces of the earbud housing and a nozzle protruding from the first face of the earbud housing and defining an audio exit opening, the central section including a portion disposed within the channel defined by the anchoring feature and having a locking feature extending from the earbud housing, the locking feature configured to engage with a recess defined by the anchoring feature; and 
 an audio driver disposed within the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the audio exit opening. 
 
     
     
       11. The earbud of  claim 10 , wherein the nozzle extends away from the earbud housing at an angle between 20 and 25 degrees. 
     
     
       12. The earbud of  claim 10 , wherein the audio exit opening has a first diameter and the central section has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
       13. The earbud of  claim 10 , wherein an interior surface of an earbud tip is engaged with an exterior surface of the nozzle. 
     
     
       14. The earbud of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the anchoring feature extends away from the earbud housing at an angle that allows the portion of the anchoring feature to be positioned between the tragus and concha of a user&#39;s ear when a portion of the nozzle is inserted into the user&#39;s ear canal. 
     
     
       15. The earbud of  claim 14 , wherein, when the anchoring feature engages with the locking feature, the portion of the anchoring feature is angularly offset between 100 and 145 degrees from an axis extending longitudinally through the nozzle. 
     
     
       16. An earbud, comprising:
 an anchoring feature defining a channel extending from a first end of the anchoring feature to a second end of the anchoring feature, the anchoring feature being sized to be secured within an ear of a user; 
 an earbud housing comprising a speaker housing, wherein the speaker housing includes a central section disposed between opposing first and second faces of the earbud housing and having a first diameter and a nozzle protruding from the first face of the earbud housing and defining an audio exit opening having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the central section including a portion disposed within the channel defined by the anchoring feature and having a locking feature extending from the earbud housing, the locking feature configured to engage with a recess defined by the anchoring feature; and 
 an audio driver disposed within the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the audio exit opening. 
 
     
     
       17. The earbud of  claim 16 , wherein the nozzle extends away from the earbud housing at an angle between 20 and 25 degrees. 
     
     
       18. The earbud of  claim 16 , an interior surface of an earbud tip is engaged with an exterior surface of the nozzle and wherein a portion of the anchoring feature extends away from the earbud housing at an angle that allows the portion of the anchoring feature to be positioned between the tragus and concha of a user&#39;s ear when a portion of the earbud tip is inserted into the user&#39;s ear canal. 
     
     
       19. The earbud of  claim 18 , wherein, when the anchoring feature engages with the locking feature, the portion of the anchoring feature is angularly offset from an axis extending longitudinally through the nozzle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/579,483 filed Sep. 23, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/168,588 filed May 31, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,045, which claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/235,471 filed on Sep. 30, 2015, and entitled “EARBUD STABILITY ANCHOR FEATURE,” the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to features and structures of earbud style headphones. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a design in which an earbud includes a deformable anchoring feature for orientation of the earbud with respect to an ear of a user. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Audio devices along the lines of in-ear headphones often have trouble achieving a size and shape that fits comfortably and stays securely in place for a large cross-section of users. Earbuds in particular often fall short of a design that fits comfortably within an ear of a user while achieving a high level of audio content delivery. For this reason, earbuds capable of fitting comfortably and remaining securely within the ears of a broad spectrum of ear sizes and shapes while maintaining that high level of audio content delivery are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     This paper describes various embodiments that relate to earbud designs utilizing an anchoring feature to orient the earbud with respect to an ear of a user. 
     An earbud is disclosed that includes the following: an anchoring feature defining a channel extending from an first opening in a first face of the anchoring feature to a smaller second opening in an opposing second face of the anchoring feature, the anchoring feature being sized to be secured within an ear of a user; an earbud housing comprising: a central section disposed between opposing first and second faces of the earbud housing, a portion of the central section being disposed within the channel; and an audio driver disposed within the earbud housing and aligned with an audio exit opening defined by the first end of the earbud housing through which audio generated by the audio driver leaves the earbud housing. 
     Another earbud is disclosed that includes the following: an earbud housing having a nozzle extending away from the housing and an acoustic port formed through the nozzle; a speaker disposed within the earbud housing and aligned to emit sound through the acoustic port; a removable earbud tip formed of a deformable material and having a central opening sized and shaped to be inserted over the nozzle to attach the removable earbud tip to the housing; and a removable anchoring feature formed of a deformable material and having an opening sized and shaped to enable the removable anchoring feature to be inserted over the earbud housing to attach the removable anchoring feature to the housing such that an anchoring portion of the removable anchoring feature extends away from the housing at an angle that allows the anchoring portion to be positioned between the tragus and concha of a user&#39;s ear when the earbud tip is inserted into the user&#39;s ear canal. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a portable electronic device and a number of accessory devices suitable for use with the portable electronic device; 
         FIG. 2  shows a block diagram illustrating exemplary internal components of an earbud; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a top view of an earbud housing separated from an anchoring feature; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the anchoring feature depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIGS. 3C-3D  show top views of the earbud housing and anchoring feature depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  show perspective views of an earbud positioned within the ear of a user; 
         FIGS. 4C-4D  show perspective views of earbuds with; and 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  show cross-sectional views of an ear illustrating internal ear geometries. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     Earbuds can be challenging to make for a broad spectrum of users since there are such a wide variety of ear sizes and shapes. What is desired is an earbud architecture that fits both comfortably and securely within an ear of a user while maintaining excellent audio output. One solution to this problem is to design an anchoring feature that fits comfortably within an ear of a user of the earbuds. The anchoring feature can take many forms including but not limited to a volume of foam having a size and shape in accordance with a distance between the anti-tragus and tragus of a user of the earbuds. In some embodiments, other deformable materials could be included including for example, hard rubbers, silicon and plastics. 
     In some embodiments, the earbud can take the form of an earbud with a sealed earbud housing containing one or more balanced armature audio drivers. Balanced armature audio drivers include a coil held in place between two magnets until the coil is stimulated by an electric current. When the coil is stimulated by electric current the coil begins to oscillate at a frequency that causes the diaphragm to vibrate and generate sound waves. The sealed earbud housing structure can be important for generating quality low frequency output from a balanced armature audio driver. The earbud housing can include an attachment feature to which an anchoring feature can be attached. When the anchoring feature is coupled with the earbud housing and inserted within an ear of a user the anchoring feature can orient the earbud housing properly within the ear so that an audio exit opening of the earbud housing is well positioned proximate the ear canal of the ear. Because the anchoring feature is responsible for a secure fit and orientation of the earbud, a shape and size of the earbud housing can be optimized for audio output as opposed to having to conform to the shape of a user&#39;s ear. 
     In some embodiments, the earbud can have a substantially linear geometry in that both a body portion of the earbud housing that defines a substantial portion of an interior volume defined by the earbud housing and a nozzle through which sound generated by an audio driver within the interior volume exits the earbud housing are aligned in the same direction. By aligning the body portion of the housing with the nozzle, the audio driver can be placed closer to an audio exit opening defined by the nozzle. In some embodiments, a longitudinal axis of the earbud housing can pass through an opening in a nozzle portion of the earbud housing through which audio exits the 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-5B ; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  shows a portable media device  100  suitable for use with a variety of accessory devices. Portable media device  100  can include touch sensitive display  102  configured to provide a touch sensitive user interface for controlling portable media device  100  and in some embodiments any accessories to which portable media device  100  is electrically or wirelessly coupled. In some embodiments, portable media device  100  can include additional controls such as, for example, button  104 . Portable media device  100  can also include multiple hard-wired input/output (I/O) ports that include digital I/O port  106  and analog I/O port  108 . Accessory device  110  can take the form of an audio device that includes two separate earbuds  112  and  114 . Each of earbuds  112  and  114  can include wireless receivers or transceivers capable of establishing a wireless link  116  with portable media device  100 . Accessory device  120 , which can also be compatible with portable media device  100 , can take the form of a wired audio device that includes earbuds  122  and  124 . Earbuds  122  and  124  can be electrically coupled to each other and to a connector plug  126  by a number of wires. In embodiments where connector plug  126  is an analog plug, audio drivers within earbuds  122  and  124  can receive power through analog I/O port  108  while transmitting data by way of a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the like. In embodiments where connector plug  126  interacts with digital I/O port  106 , sensor data and audio data can be freely passed through the wires during use of portable media device  100  and accessory device  120 . It should be noted that earbuds  122  and  124  can be swappable between left and right ears when the wire attached to each earbud is attached along a line of symmetry of each earbud, or alternatively when the wire is attached by a pivoting coupling. It should also be noted that stereo channels can be swapped between wires when attached to digital I/O port  106 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of an earbud  200  that can be incorporated into accessory device  110  as earbud  112  and/or earbud  114  or incorporated into accessory device  120  as earbud  122  and/or earbud  124 . In some embodiments, earbud  200  can include a housing  202 . Housing  202  can have a size and/or shape that allows it to be easily inserted within the ear of an end user. Housing  202  also defines an interior volume within which numerous electrical components can be distributed. Housing  202  can also include a nozzle  204  that protrudes from one end of housing  202  and defines an opening  206 , which provides a channel by which audio signals can pass into the ear canal of a user of earbud  200 , as indicated by the arrow  208 . Nozzle  204  can be arranged along a longitudinal axis of housing  202  so that any audio generated within housing  202  can exit directly out of housing  202 , without having to be channeled through any angles, which could adversely affect audio quality provided by earbud  200 . 
     Earbud  200  can also include an I/O interface  210  that can be configured to transmit and receive information from another device such as, for example, portable media device  100  by way of link  212 . Link  212  can be generated in various ways. For example, link  212  can be a wireless link when I/O interface  210  takes the form of a wireless transceiver suitable for use in an accessory such as accessory device  110  depicted in  FIG. 1 . I/O interface  210  is depicted at an opposite end of earbud housing  202  from opening  206  so that a wireless transceiver associated with I/O interface  210  can be separated from a user of earbud  200  as much as possible. This configuration can advantageously reduce an amount of interference or signal blockage caused by the user. Alternatively, link  212  can be transmitted over a wired connector such as the wires of accessory device  120 . In addition to providing a conduit for receiving power, I/O interface  210  can also be used to receive audio content that can be processed by controller  214  and sent on to audio driver  216 . While audio driver  216  is depicted as a single component, audio driver  216  could be divided into high and low frequency audio drivers. It should also be noted that the linear shape of housing  202  also helps increase a quality of sound delivered to an ear of a user by audio driver  216 . Because of the linear configuration, audio driver  216  can be positioned very close to opening  206 . In general, the larger the volume of the channel between audio driver  216  and opening  206  the more the audio signal is degraded. In particular, the high frequency sound waves suffer the most as the channel between the exit to audio driver  216  and opening  206  increases in volume. For this reason, when audio driver  216  is split into high and low frequency audio drivers, the high frequency audio driver gets positioned as close as feasibly possible to opening  206  while the low frequency audio driver can be squeezed in wherever if fits. 
     I/O interface  210  can also receive control signals from a device similar to portable media device  100  for accomplishing tasks such as adjusting a volume output of audio driver  216 . When I/O interface  210  takes the form of a wireless transceiver, I/O interface  210  can include an antenna configured to transmit and receive signals through an antenna window or an opening defined by housing  202 . This type of antenna can be used to transmit data using one or more wireless protocols, e.g. Wifi® and Bluetooth®. The antenna window can be particularly important when housing  202  is formed of radio opaque material. In some embodiments, I/O interface  210  can also represent one or more exterior controls (e.g. buttons and/or switches) for performing tasks such as pairing earbud  200  with another device or adjusting various settings of earbud  200  such as volume or the like. 
     Earbud  200  can also include a memory storage  218 , which can be configured to carry out any number of tasks. For example, memory storage  218  can be configured to store media content when a user of earbud  200  wants to use earbud  200  independent from any other device. In such a use case, memory storage  218  can be loaded with one or more media files for independent playback. When earbud  200  is being used with another device, memory storage  218  can also be used to buffer media data received from the other device. To support independent use cases, memory storage  218  can also be used to store entire media files and/or playlists for later playback independent of any other device. With the possible exception of when I/O interface  210  is a wired interface that can provide power to earbud  200  from another device or power source, battery  220  is generally used for powering operations of earbud  200 . Battery  220  can provide the energy needed to perform any of a number of tasks including: maintain a wireless link  212 , powering controller  214 , powering audio driver  216 , and powering one or more sensors  222 . While sensors  222  are shown as a generic block, sensors  222  can include sensors such as microphones, orientation sensors, proximity sensors or any other sensor suitable for improving the user experience of earbud  200 . It should be noted that sensors  222  are not required in all of the embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a top view of earbud  300 , which includes housing  301  and nozzle  303 . Nozzle  303  can be integrally formed with housing  301  and arranged to provide an exit for audio leaving earbud housing  301 . In some embodiments, nozzle  303  can take the form of a tapered exit portion of housing  301 . Nozzle  303  can also include one or more ridges  302  configured to interact with an earbud tip to keep the earbud tip seated on nozzle  303 .  FIG. 3A  also depicts anchoring feature  304 . Anchoring feature  304  can be formed from an elastomeric substrate having a size and shape that corresponds with interior features of the ear such as the tragus, anti-tragus and concha of the ear. Anchoring feature  304  defines a housing opening  305  extending through anchoring feature  304 . Housing opening  305  can have a shape and size in accordance with an exterior surface of housing  301 . In some embodiments, earbud  300  can include locking feature  306 . Locking feature  306  can take many forms including but not limited to a protrusion or recess configured to interact with a respective recess or protrusion disposed within housing opening  305  and defined by anchoring feature  304 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of anchoring feature  304 . In particular, anchoring feature  304  is shown rotated so that housing opening  305  can be seen.  FIG. 3B  shows how housing opening  305  extends entirely through anchoring feature  304 . Housing opening  305  is tapered to match the geometry of housing  301  and to prevent insertion of housing  301  too far through anchoring feature  304 . In some cases, the tapered geometry can prevent nozzle  303  of housing  301  from being shoved too far into the ear of a user.  FIG. 4B  also depicts recess  307 , which is configured to interact with locking feature  306  to prevent housing  301  from inadvertently slipping out of housing opening  305  during use. 
       FIG. 3C  shows anchoring feature  304  installed upon housing  301 . This positioning is achieved by sliding anchoring feature  304  over nozzle  303  and onto a central portion of housing  301 . A tapered geometry of nozzle  303  interacts with housing opening  305  to prevent housing  301  from being pressed too far into anchoring feature  304 . Locking feature  306  helps to keep anchoring feature  304  securely in place with respect to housing  301  by opposing removal of housing  301  from anchoring feature  304 . As depicted, anchoring feature  304  is positioned at an angle  308  with respect to nozzle  303  of earbud housing  301 . Angle  308  can vary widely between about 100 degrees and 145 degrees. For example, small groups of people could request anchoring feature  304  be configured with angle  308  at one or the other end of the aforementioned range. In some embodiments, where the device is geared towards a broader segment of the population, anchoring feature  304  could make an angle  308  with respect to housing  301  that can vary between about 110 degrees and 120 degrees. Some variance in that angle can be on account of an amount of give in the coupling between anchoring feature  304  and housing  301 ; however it should be understood that by varying the geometry of housing opening  305  angle  308  of housing  301  with respect to anchoring feature  304  can be adjusted. 
     While  FIG. 3C  shows an angle  308  it should also be understood that an angle between anchoring feature  304  and housing  301  can vary in and out of the page as well to accommodate an upward sloping orientation of the ear canal. This upward sloping angle can be on the order of between 20 and 30 degrees. Clearly this type of configuration allows a user to substitute replacement or alternately shaped anchoring features  304  to housing  301 . In this way, a user can optimize a fit and feel of earbud  200 . Alternately shaped anchoring feature  304  can have curvatures and sizes compatible with various ages and demographic types. Furthermore, various types and sizes of anchoring features  304  can be sold by third parties. While an elastomeric material is specified it should be appreciated that any number of materials could be applied to form anchoring feature  304 . The elastomeric material could take many forms including: thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, silicone, foam and the like. 
       FIG. 3C  also depicts an earbud tip  310  formed of elastomeric material. Earbud tip  310  is depicted in its undeformed shape. While earbud tip  310  is depicted having a substantially parabolic shape, it should be understood that any earbud shape is possible and that earbud tip  310  can be formed from any number of deformable materials including but not limited to silicone, rubber, and foam. Earbud tip  310  fits over a portion of nozzle  303  of housing  301 . Nozzle  303  is configured to direct audio out of housing  301  and into the ear canal of a user through an opening defined by a central portion of earbud tip  310 . Dimension  312  shows one dimension of anchoring feature  304  with respect to a particular orientation of earbud  300 . Dimension  312  can represent a distance on the order of between 15 and 25 mm. 
       FIG. 3D  shows earbud tip  310  mounted onto nozzle  303 . Ridges  302  of nozzle  303  can help maintain a robust connection between earbud tip  310  and nozzle  303 . Attaching earbud tip  310  to nozzle  303  can prevent anchoring feature  304  from becoming completely dislodged from earbud  200  as earbud tip  310  increases a diameter of the end over which anchoring feature  304  was installed upon earbud housing  301 . In this way, even if anchoring feature  304  were to become dislodged from locking feature  306  earbud tip  310  could oppose the inadvertent separation of anchoring feature  304  and housing  301 , thereby preventing the two from becoming disconnected and/or lost. It should be noted that while a removable anchoring feature  304  has been discussed, anchoring feature  304  can also be permanently affixed to earbud housing  301  by for example an adhesive. 
       FIG. 4A  shows an earbud housing  301  of earbud  300  positioned within the ear of a user. As depicted anchoring feature  304  is positioned within the ear of a user, seated behind the anti-tragus, thereby providing stability and comfort. Anchoring feature is also tucked behind the tragus. These two points of contact between anchoring feature  304  and the features of the ear in addition to earbud tip  310  being sealed within the ear canal provide a secure position capable of resisting various shocks or bumps experienced while walking or running. In some embodiments, anchoring feature  304  can be large enough to contact the concha of the ear for a third point of contact. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a cross-sectional top view of earbud  300  within the ear of the user. An earbud tip  310  is shown sealed within the ear canal of the ear so that it seals the ear canal of the user.  FIG. 4B  also shows how anchoring feature  304  can be positioned between the tragus and concha of the ear of the user. While  FIG. 4B  shows how far earbud housing can stick out of the ear, the secure fit of anchoring feature  304  within the interior of the ear keeps earbud housing firmly secured within the ear of the user. In some embodiments, this large protrusion can advantageously place an antenna well outside of the ear to improve operation of the antenna. Furthermore, in embodiments where earbud  300  includes a wire, dangling the wire off the distal end of earbud housing  301  can reduce the occurrence of contact between the wire and the user. 
       FIG. 4C  shows a perspective view of earbud  300  removed from the ear. Earbud tip  310  is now depicted in its undeformed shape and having a substantially parabolic shape. It should be appreciated that any earbud shape is possible and that earbud tip  310  can be formed from any number of deformable materials including but not limited to silicone, rubber, and foam. Earbud tip  310  fits over a portion of nozzle  303  of housing  301 . Nozzle  303  is configured to direct audio out of housing  301  and into the ear canal of a user through an opening defined by a central portion of earbud tip  310 . In some embodiments, nozzle  303  can be an extension of and rigidly coupled with housing  301 .  FIG. 4C  also depicts how earbud tip  310  can be oriented upwards to match the upward sloping geometry of an ear canal. In this way, earbud  300  can more easily and comfortably sit within the ear of the user. An angle between earbud housing  301  and earbud tip  310  can be about 20-25 degrees. In some embodiments, nozzle  303  can be rotatably coupled with housing  301  so that nozzle  303  can be shifted with respect to housing  301 . In such an embodiments, movement of nozzle  303  with respect to housing  301  can be limited to one axis of rotation or alternatively may be configured to rotate about multiple axes of rotation. 
       FIG. 4D  shows another perspective view of earbud  300  and how earbud  300  can include a wire  402  that carries power and/or data to earbud  300 . In embodiments with a wire  402  earbud  300  may not need either an antenna, or a battery for operation. This can allow additional room for other sensors, or a bigger audio driver unit. In some embodiments, earbud  300  can still be a wireless earbud with the exception of wire  402  providing an electrically conductive pathway between earbud  300  and another earbud  300  similar to earbud  300 . This can allow circuitry and electrical components to be distributed between earbuds  300 . In some embodiments, one of earbuds  300  could include a battery and the other could include an antenna. Similarly, both earbuds could include the same components which could provide redundancy in the event of a component failure or additional storage capability in the case of batteries or memory storage devices. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  show cross-sectional views of an ear of a user in accordance with section line A-A of  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 5A  depicts an average angle  502  between the ear canal anterior and the cavium concha being about 115-120 degrees with a standard deviation of about 14 degrees.  FIG. 5A  also shows a distance  504  between the tragus and the cavium concha being between 17 and 22 mm. Consequently, an anchoring feature engaged with the cavium concha would tend to perform best when an angle between the anchoring feature and the earbud housing was between 101 degrees and 134 degrees.  FIG. 5B  shows an angle  506  between the ear canal anterior and the anti-tragus as being between about 100 and 110 degrees with a standard deviation of about 11 degrees. Consequently, an anchoring feature engaged with the anti-tragus would tend to perform best when an angle between the anchoring feature and the earbud housing was between 89 degrees and 121 degrees. An anchoring feature design configured to cover both possibilities would likely set the angle up within an overlapping portion of the aforementioned range, in this case being between 101 and 121 degrees. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling a manufacturing line. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20201016
Publication Date: 20220405
Grant Date: 20220405
Priority Date: 20150930
Inventors: TRAINER, GLENN K.
STANLEY, CRAIG M.
GRINKER, SCOTT C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R2430/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1016", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1025", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2201/103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1016", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1058", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1025", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/105", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2430/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/105", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2201/103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1058", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2430/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1016", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2201/103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1058", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1025", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/105", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 58406100