Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/839,186 filed Jun. 25, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     Headphones are a common type or wearable audio component and various forms of headphones are available and have been developed to offer varying degrees of portability and include different ways of being worn by the users thereof. In general, headphones include one or more speakers or other audio sources positioned in one or more housings. Typically, two housings are employed that can be worn in proximity to each of the respective ears of the user. In one example, some types of headphones include two such housings configured with cups or pads that fit over or on the user&#39;s ears and are secured together and against the ears or head of the user by a resiliently-deformable band. 
     Other types of headphones that can be referred to as earbud or in-ear headphones, include generally smaller audio components secured in housings that can be made to be small enough to engage independently with the respective ears of the user. Such headphones can be structured to engage with the ear in a number of different ways, examples of which include engaging with particular features of the outer ear and/or extension of a portion thereof into the opening or transition area between the outer ear and the ear canal. Because of the wide variation in the particular structure and size of ears among the general population, the ability to fit a wide range of people with a single earbud or in-ear headphone structure can present challenges. Further, size considerations, including for example, the size needed to achieve the desired fit and positioning with the ear and/or weight considerations can result in balancing between acceptable fit and a desired level of sound quality. In some examples, fit can be improved using smaller structures, but such smaller structures can compromise sound quality. 
     Computing devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, cellular phones, and countless types of Internet-capable devices are increasingly prevalent in numerous aspects of modern life, and are becoming a significant type of device with which headphones are used. Over time, the manner in which these devices are providing information to users is becoming more intelligent, more efficient, more intuitive, and/or less obtrusive. The trend toward miniaturization of computing hardware, peripherals, as well as of sensors, detectors, and image and audio processors, among other technologies, has helped open up a field sometimes referred to as “wearable computing.” In the area of image and visual processing and production, in particular, it has become possible to consider wearable displays that place a graphic display close enough to a wearer&#39;s (or user&#39;s) eye(s) such that the displayed image appears as a normal-sized image, such as might be displayed on a traditional image display device. The relevant technology may be referred to as “near-eye displays.” 
     Wearable computing devices with near-eye displays may also be referred to as “head-mountable displays”, “head-mounted displays,” “head-mounted devices,” or “head-mountable devices.” A head-mountable device (“HMD”) places a graphic display or displays close to one or both eyes of a wearer. To generate the images on a display, a computer processing system may be used. Such displays may occupy a wearer&#39;s entire field of view, or only occupy part of wearer&#39;s field of view. Further, head-mounted displays may vary in size, taking a smaller form such as a glasses-style display or a larger form such as a helmet, for example. 
     Both head-mounted and heads-up displays can be connected to a video source that receives a video signal that the device can read and convert into the image that they present to the user. The video source can be received from a portable device such as a video player, a portable media player or computers. Some such display devices are also configured to receive sound signals, which can be delivered to the user typically through various types of headphones. However, the form-factors employed by such displays can present challenges when attempted to be used with existing headphones or similar devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure related to a headphone assembly or other wearable audio component that can be in the general form of an earbud or in-ear headphone assembly with one or more speaker housings or earpieces. The headphone assembly, through various structures thereof, can be configured to use a portion of the signal cable or cables associated with the earpieces to engage a portion of the user&#39;s ear to help retain the earpiece in a desired location with respect to the ear. The headphone assembly can also include internal structures configured to provide improvements to the audio produced thereby. Still further, the headphone assembly can be adapted to be used with a head-wearable display device. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure, accordingly, relates to a wearable audio component including a first cable and an audio source in electrical communication with the first cable. The component further includes a housing defining an interior and an exterior, the audio source being contained within the interior of the housing. The exterior includes an ear engaging surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the ear engaging surface and the outer surface. The peripheral surface includes a channel open along a length thereof to surrounding portions of the peripheral surface and having a depth so as to extend partially between the front and outer surfaces. A portion of the channel is covered by a bridge member that defines an aperture between and open to adjacent portions of the channel. The cable is connected with the housing at a first location disposed within the channel remote from the bridge member and is captured in so as to extend through the aperture in a slidable engagement therewith. A first portion of the cable extends between the first location and the aperture such that an amount of the fixed overall length of the cable that is within the first portion can be varied by the slidable engagement of the cable with the opening. 
     The amount of the fixed overall length of the cable that is within the first portion can be variable by extension and contraction of a loop of the cable that extends radially outwardly from a portion of the channel between the first location and the aperture. Such extension and contraction can be implemented, for example, by a user. 
     The housing can be receivable by portion of outer ear of wearer with a portion of peripheral surface contacting the tragus of the ear and a portion of the ear engaging surface overlying the external auditory meatus during wear. The housing can further define an audio port open to the interior of the housing in communication with the audio source and at least within the portion of the surface that overlies the external auditory meatus, and the loop can be configured to be extendable so as to be positionable against a portion of the cavum of the ear. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wearable audio component including a housing defining an interior and an exterior. The exterior is at least partially defined by an ear engaging wall with an outlet port therein and an outer wall opposite the ear engaging wall. The interior includes an interior wall at least partially separating a first interior compartment from the second interior compartment, the first interior compartment being adjacent the ear engaging wall and the second interior compartment being adjacent the outer wall. A reflex tube having a generally spiral shape is defined within the interior wall and has a first end open to the first interior compartment and a second end open to the second interior compartment. The component further includes an audio source within the first interior compartment. The audio source has a front side facing the outlet port of the ear engaging wall and a back side thereof facing the interior wall. The spiral shape of the reflex tube can lie along and can be radially disposed on a plane parallel to the outer wall. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system. The system includes a head-wearable device having a center support extending in generally lateral directions, a first side arm extending from a first end of the center frame support, and a second side arm extending from a second end of the center support. An extension arm configured to present information to a user via a display extends at least partially along the first side arm on a first side of the center support and further extends from the first side arm to a display end that supports the display in a position on a second side of the center support. The extension arm includes a connection port on a surface thereof. The system also includes a headphone assembly including a connection structure configured to engage with the connection port of the head-wearable device and a first headphone unit connected with the connection structure by a first cable. The first cable has a first length of between about 50 mm and 100 mm such that the first headphone unit is positionable in an ear adjacent the extension arm while the head-wearable device is being worn by a user. 
     The headphone assembly can further include a second headphone unit connected with the connection structure by a second cable. In such an example, second cable can be of a second length that is greater than the first length and such that the second headphone unit is positionable in an ear opposite the extension arm while the head-wearable device is being worn by a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a headphone assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a detail view of a portion of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows another detail view of a portion of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows another detail view of a portion of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows another detail view of a portion of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1 , with certain structures removed therefrom for clarity. 
         FIG. 6  shows a detail view of a portion of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1  in a further configuration thereof. 
         FIG. 7  shows a view of a portion of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1  in a position within an ear of a wearer. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded detail view showing some example internal components of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is another exploded detail view showing some example internal components of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  shows an example of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 1  in use with an example head-mountable display device. 
         FIG. 11  shows an alternative headphone assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  shows an example of the headphone assembly of  FIG. 11  in use with an example head-mountable display device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to the figures, where similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar features,  FIG. 1  shows an example of a headphone assembly  10  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Headphone assembly  10  includes a plug assembly  12  with a connection component  14  extending therefrom. The connection component  14  is shown in the example of  FIG. 1  as a USB-mini male connection structure that is configured to mate and connect with a corresponding USB-mini female connection structure in an external device (an example of which is described below). Other structures are possible for the connection component  14  that can be configured to match with other receiving structures in a variety of devices. In general, the connection component  14  is configured to electronically connect with a mating structure in a device that has an audio signal source therein. The connection component  14  and the mating structure in the associated device are connectable together such that the headphone assembly  10  can receive the audio signal from the device by the connection achieved by the connection component  14 . Other examples of structures that can be used for a connection component include, but are not limited to: a 3.5 mm or ¼″ stereo audio jack, a USB A or B structure, or the like. 
     Headphone assembly  10  further includes first and second cables  16  and  18  that attach the plug housing  12  with respective first and second headphone units  20  and  22 . It is noted that cable  16  is shown having a particular length that can be exemplary and can be implemented in specifically-configured examples of headphone assembly  10 , as will be discussed herein. Other lengths for both cables  16  and  18  are possible and can be selected depending on preference or the intended use of headphone assembly  10 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , first headphone unit  20  is generally configured as a right headphone and second headphone unit  22  is generally configured as a left headphone. That is, the respective headphones  20  and  22  are generally mirror images of each other, with headphone  20  being configured for a desired fit in the right ear of a wearer and, when assembly  10  receives a stereo audio signal, configured to receive the right channel signal. Similarly, headphone  22  can be configured for a desired fit in the left ear of the wearer and, when assembly  10  receives a stereo audio signal, configured to receive the left channel signal. The desired fit between the respective ears of the wearer can include the particular shape of the headphone, including the positioning and orientation of various features thereof, as will be discussed in further detail below. The desired fit can also take into account the connection location of the respective headphones  20  and  22  with cables  16  and  18  and the direction in which they extend therefrom, as will also be discussed below, to achieve a desired level of comfort and positioning of the cables  16  and  18  when the headphones  20  and  22  are being worn. 
     As headphones  20  and  22  are generally mirror images of each other, the particular features thereof are discussed with reference to the same reference numerals and are shown in various examples herein in the context of the right headphone  20 . It is to be known that the left headphone  22  can include similar or identical structures as discussed with respect to the right headphone  20 , but in a mirror image thereof, where necessary. In particular, headphone  20  includes an earpiece  24  configured with an outside surface  25  that is configured to generally match the rough anatomy and geometry of the ear of a wide variety of potential wearers and to be placed in contact therewith. Such a configuration can include the somewhat rounded shape shown in the example of  FIG. 1  that transitions into a projection  32  that is directed in what is intended to be a forward-oriented position such that it is in the general direction of the user&#39;s eyes when being worn. The projection is dimensioned to extend partially into the external auditory meatus of the ear and to contact the inside surface thereof at least partially around the surface  25  in the area of projection  32 . Such a configuration is what can generally be referred to as an in-ear or a partial in-ear configuration. Other configurations of surface  25  are possible, such as those that define a surface  25  that does not extend into, but rather simply overlies, the external auditory meatus. 
     To further enhance the fit between the earpiece  24  and the ear of a wearer, earpiece  24  can be made of a resiliently compliant material such that earpiece  24  can flex, compress, and generally adapt to the variations in the shapes of potential wearers&#39; ears. In an example, earpiece can be a compliant material such as a rubber or foam, or a soft-touch material such as TPE or various forms of injection-moldable silicon compounds or composites. Earpiece  24  can also be of a coated or compression-molded memory-foam material or can include a gel-filled membrane therein. Other structures or materials having similar characteristics are also possible for earpiece  24 . 
     Earpiece  24  can be affixed with and generally extend from a body  26  that defines an outer periphery of the earpiece that extends laterally from the outside edges of surface  25  of earpiece  24 . The body  26  can be based on a generally cylindrical structure that can extend from a generally circular outside edge defined by surface  25  at the plane of intersection therewith. Body  25  can be configured to retain therein various internal components related in generating sound from the audio signal transmitted by cable  16 . Such components can include a speaker unit or a diaphragm with a partially magnetized structure, along with a driver for causing movement or vibration of the diaphragm to generate sound waves. Such components can also include internal circuitry specially adapted for carrying out tuning, equalization, or other filtering or crossover functionality, as desired to achieve a desired sound from the headphone  20 . The filtering and equalization can include adjustment for the size and material of the speaker structure, as well as the geometry of the interior of body  26  and/or earpiece  24 . Body  25  can include an interior cavity to receive such components and configured such that the various components can attach therein. 
     Body  25  can also be configured such that the interior thereof is at least partially open to an interior of the earpiece and such that the speaker, or other sound-generating component, is directed toward the interior of earpiece  24  and is further directed toward projection  32 . Accordingly, earpiece  24  can include an output port such as the output port  34  on the end of projection  32  shown in  FIG. 1 . Such a configuration allows the sound generated within headphone  20  to be directed into the ear in which headphone  20  is being worn. 
     As shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , body  25  can be configured to define a channel  28  that extends at least part way around the periphery thereof. Accordingly, such a channel  28  can interrupt the generally cylindrically configured shape of body  25 . Channel  28  can have a generally U-shaped configuration and can smoothly transition to the outer periphery of body  25 , as shown in the example of  FIG. 2 . Channel  28  can have a depth extending in a radially-inward direction with respect to body  26  and a length extending circumferentially around at least part of the body  26 . The depth and width (in a direction transverse to the depth) can be at least as great as a diameter of cable  16  so that cable  16  can fit within at least a portion of channel  28 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, channel  28  can be at least 125% as large as the diameter of cable  16  in both width and depth so that channel  28  can fit therein and be removed therefrom, as will be discussed further below, without interference therebetween. Cable  16  can be configured to connect with and at least partially enter into body  26  at a location within channel  28 . Further, cable  16  can be configured to connect with body  26  at an angle toward the interior of channel  28  so that the portion of cable  16  immediately adjacent body  25  extends generally within channel  28 . 
     Body  26  can further define a bridge  40  extending over a portion of channel  38 . Cable  16  can then extend within channel  28  beneath bridge  40  so that it is partially captured within and passes through an aperture  42  defined between a portion of bridge  40  that faces channel and the corresponding portion of channel  28  that underlies bridge  40 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Bridge  40  can be positioned at a location along channel  28  that is remote from the location  44  at which cable  16  attaches with body  26 . In an example, bridge  40  can be disposed from location  44  through an angle of between about 170 degrees and 190 degrees around the circumference of body  26 . Accordingly, a section  48  of cable  16  extends between location  44  and bridge  40 . Aperture  42  can be configured to be smaller than adjacent portions of channel  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4  such that cable  16  is more closely received therein. In a configuration, aperture  42  can further be configured to maintain an interference fit with the portion of cable  16  that passes therethrough by having at least a portion thereof that is undersized in at least one dimension relative to cable  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a projection  50  can extend into a portion of aperture  42  to achieve the discussed interference fit with cable  16 . Such an arrangement can be useful, for example, when housing  24  is made from a generally rigid material such as polycarbonate plastic (“PC”), PC-ABS, or the like. As a reliable interference fit within generally acceptable tolerances is difficult to achieve with rigid materials, the body  26  and, accordingly, aperture  42  can be of a rigid material that is close in size to the diameter of cable  16  or is slightly oversized with respect thereto. Projection  50  can extend through a hole in body  26  within aperture  42  so as to extend partially into aperture  42  or can be otherwise attached therein. Further, projection can be positioned on a flexible mount to attach within body  26  or can be made from a compliant material, such as TPE or the like. Projection  50  can be configured to extend into aperture  42  at least by a distance by which aperture  42  is oversized with respect to cable  16  (or at a distance that is at least as large as the tolerance of aperture  42 ) so that the distance between projection  50  and a portion of aperture  50  that is directly opposite projection  50  is less than the diameter of cable  16 . The particular extension distance of projection  50  can be adjusted based on the materials used and the desired level of the interference fit desired. Further, cable  16  can itself be configured to contribute to the interference fit, such as by including a texture on the outer surface thereof. In an example, cable  16  can have an outer jacket made of a fabric, such as woven nylon or other fiber or fiber blend. In another example, cable  16  can be of a molded polymer, such as TPE or the like, with a ribbed or knurled texture applied thereto. 
     The above-described interference fit between cable  16  and aperture  42  can help retain the section  48  of cable  16  to be retained within channel  28 , if so desired by a wearer of headphone  20 . Further, because section  48  is sildably received through aperture  42 , cable  16  can slide relative thereto, allowing section  48  to be extended from out of channel  28  in a loop  48 ′ thereof, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The interference fit between cable  16  and aperture  42  can provide a friction force therebetween sufficient to temporarily maintain the presence of loop  48 ′ under application of forces below a predetermined general threshold level. This can allow the wearer of headphone  20  to selectively adjust the size of loop  48 ′ by pulling on cable  16  on either side of bridge  40  to either pull more cable  16  into loop  48 ′ or to pull portions of cable  16  out of loop  48 ′, which can be continued until loop  48 ′ is fully pulled into channel in the form of cable  16  length  48  in  FIG. 4 . A bead  46  ( FIG. 3 ) can be attached along a location of cable  16  to prevent more than a predetermined length of cable  16  from being drawn into loop  48 . 
     In an example, body can be configured such that areas outside of channel  28  have an external diameter of between about 12 and 25 mm, and in one example between about and 16 mm, channel  28  can have a depth of between approximately 1 mm and 5 mm and in an example about 3 mm such that it has an diameter at the innermost point thereof of between 12 and 13 mm (+/−10%), for example. Further, cable  16  can have a diameter of between about 1.5 mm and 2 mm, for example (+/−10%). In such an example, bead  46  can be positioned along cable  16  at a distance of approximately 30 mm to 35 mm from location  44 . In such an example, loop  48 ′ can be extended from out of channel  28  such that it has an internal dimension  49  between an apex thereof an opposite surface of body  26  such that dimension  49  is between about 12 and 15 mm and in an example about 14 mm. 
     The selective expansion of length  48  of cable  16  into a loop  48 ′ of varying sizes (and the corresponding contraction of a loop  48 ′ to a retracted length  48  of cable  16 ) can provide users of headphone  20  with a selectively adjustable fit of headphone  20  within the wearer&#39;s ear. As shown in  FIG. 7 , headphone  20  can be received within the ear  2  in the orientation thereof discussed above, such as with projection  32  of earpiece  24  partially inside and forward-facing within the external auditory meatus  4  of the ear and with earpiece  24  nested between the tragus  5  and the antitragus  8 . In such a configuration, the sizing and positioning of headphone  20 , along with the possible use of compliant materials for earpiece  24  can generally maintain headphone  20  in the desired positioning within the ear  2 . However, some users may desire additional security in the fit and positioning of headphone  20 , as can be dictated by personal preference or the particular anatomy of the wearer&#39;s ear. Accordingly, loop  48 ′ can be extended and sized, as described above, to provide a structure to engage with additional portions of the ear  2  to provide additional security of fit and/or improved retention of headphone  20  within ear  2 . 
     As shown, with headphone  20  positioned in the ear  2 , as discussed above, cable  16  can extend from location  44 , which can be positioned such that loop  48 ′ extends rearward, or opposite the direction of tragus  5 . Loop  48  can then bend downward and return to a forward-extending direction to pass through aperture  42  and to extend through the notch  7  between the tragus  5  and antitragus  8 . Such positioning of cable  16  as it exits aperture  42  can provide a comfortable fit with minimal interference with the structures of ear  2  (and can be the same when loop  48 ′ is retracted to section  48  of cable  16  within channel  28 ). Loop  48 ′ in this manner can be configured to extend toward and contact the ear  2  along and within the cavum  6  of the ear. 
     The flexibility of cable  16 , including within loop  48 ′ can provide a compliant, spring-like fit within the cavum  6  such that cable flexes to follow a portion of the shape of the wearer&#39;s cavum  6 . This force can urge earpiece  24  in a forward direction, which can help maintain projection  32  within the external auditory meatus  4 , which can further help maintain headphone  20  within the ear  2 , as the tragus  5  can overlie the projection  32  in such a manner. By taking up additional space within the ear  2  and providing additional points of contact and a spring force to help maintain such contact, the fit and retention of headphone  20  within ear  2  can be augmented. 
     The above-described adjustment of the size of loop  48 ′ can be done to both bring loop  48 ′ into contact with the cavum  6 , depending on the anatomy of the wearer&#39;s ear. Such adjustment can further be done to allow the user to adjust the amount of pressure that the cable  16  within loop  48 ′ exerts on the cavum  6 . Cable  16  can be configured to be of the same construction along the entire length thereof (such as within the portions thereof in comprising loop  48 ′ and portions of the opposite side of bead  46  thereof). The overall cable characteristics, therefore, can be selected to give loop  48 ′ a desired spring force, and to allow cable  16  to be wound for storage of headphone assembly  10  and to provide a comfortable and aesthetically-pleasing drape or the like. 
     As described herein, the channel  28  in the body  26  of headphone  20  is configured such that various portions of cable  16  can extend therein in positions that are recessed with respect to body  26 . Such portions can include the portion of cable  16  adjacent location  44  and both exiting and entering aperture  42  beneath bridge portion  40 . Additionally, channel  28  can receive all of the section  48  between location  44  and bridge  40 , when positioned therein. This can be done when the anatomy of a user&#39;s ear  2  is such that loop  48 ′ is not needed to achieve a proper fit, for example, or in instances where a loop  48 ′ is otherwise not desired. 
     Accordingly, channel  28  can be configured to extend at least from adjacent location  44  with enough clearance for cable  16  to extend from housing  24  to the area at bridge  40  where it is partially interrupted by aperture  42 . Channel  28  can further extend on the opposite side of bridge  40  to allow cable  16  to exit aperture  42  without interference and in the positioning describe above. As in the example shown, however, it may be desired to configure channel  28  to extend generally completely around the periphery of body  26  (except where interrupted by bridge  40 ). This can be done for aesthetic purposes, such as for visual continuity. Further channel  28  can be positioned along a portion thereof such that the tragus  5  can be partially received therein. This can further improve the fit and retention of headphone  20  and/or can prevent body  26  from uncomfortably interfering with the tragus  5 . 
     A cap  30  can be attached with body  26  opposite earpiece  24 . Cap  30  can define an outer surface  31  opposite earpiece  24  that can generally follow the circular profile of body  26 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , cap  30  can be removably attached with body (such as through a ¼ turn bayonet attachment or the like). Such a removable attachment can allow for cap  30  to be removed for access to the internal structure of headphone  20  and/or to allow the user to replace cap  30  with another cap  30  having a different visual appearance. In an example, a number of different caps  30  can be provided or otherwise available to a wearer in a commercial setting. Such caps  30  can be of different colors, materials, or surface textures. Still further, such caps can have different logos or other graphic features thereon, which in some settings, can be customizable. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 8 , body  26  can include an interior wall  55  therein that can be positioned between a portion of the interior on the side of earpiece  24  and another portion of the interior of body  26  on the side of cap  52 . The portion of interior of body  26  on the side of cap  30  can include various acoustic structures of headphone  20 . As shown, an insert  57  can be provided within body  26  and inside of cap  30  so as to contact a portion of wall  55 . Insert  57  and wall  55  can be configured to define a reflex tube  56  between portions thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a portion  56   a  of reflex tube is defined as a spiral channel in wall  25 . As further shown in  FIG. 9 , the other portion of reflex tube  56  is defined as a mating spiral channel in insert  57 . When insert  57  is positioned against wall  25 , portion  56   a  and portion  56   b  match to define a spiral, tubular structure for reflex tube  56 . Such a structure can be configured to extend through a distance of at least 20 mm, and in an example approximately 25 mm, and can have a diameter of between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example (+/−10%). Reflex tube  56 , configured as shown can provide a resonance chamber for lower, or bass, frequencies produced by the sound source within body  26 , which can improve the responsiveness of headphones to low frequencies, thereby enhancing the sound quality of headphones. By configuring reflex tube  56  as a outwardly-radiating spiral that lies along a single plane (defined by the intersection between wall  55  and the mating face of insert  57 , for example), a desirably-configured resonance chamber can be provided within a compact form suitable for headphones  20  as shown herein. 
     Cap  30  can further include a vent port  54  therein to provide for movement of air in and out of the interior space of body  26  on the cap side of wall  55 . The presence of vent port  54  can provide for movement of air in and out of housing  26  and, in particular ingress and egress of air through reflex tube  56 . This can prevent pressure from within housing  26  from preventing free movement of air within reflex tube  56 . As in the examples shown in the Figures, vent port  54  can be configured as a stylized logo to provide source-identifying characteristics. This allows for both product branding and for device functionality, as described above, without the addition of further features, as products such as headphones often already have some branding identification in such a location. The stylized vent port  54  can extend through cap  30  and can have an area tuned to provide the desired pressure gradient therethrough. In an example vent port  54  can have an area of between about 0.08 cm 2  and 0.1 cm 2 , and in one example about 0.09 cm 2 . The desired area can also take into account additional features or structures underlying cap  30 . In the example shown in  FIG. 8 , a mesh disk  58  and a foam insert  59  underlie cap and prevent dust or other debris from entering housing  26  through vent port  54 . Such features may slow movement of air through vent port  54 , and accordingly, may require a larger overall area for vent port  54 . 
     Headphone assembly  10  can, in an example, be specially adapted for use thereof with certain head mountable devices (“HMDs”, or “HMD” in the singular). An example of one such HMD  72  is shown in  FIG. 10 , and is a computing device configured to be wearable on the head of the user. As shown, the HMD  72  may include a band  82  that defines side-arms  73 , a center frame support  74 , and a nosepiece  75 . In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , the center frame support  174  connects between the side-arms  173 . In other examples, HMD  72  can include lenses in a structure similar to that shown in co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/435,944, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Such lenses can be, for example, corrective lenses that can be transparent, can be tinted, or can otherwise include sun protection such that HMD  72  can provide corrective lenses and selective sun protection. 
     In such an HMD  72 , an end of one of the side arms  73  can be enlarged in the form of an auxiliary housing  77  that can house circuitry and/or a power supply (e.g., removable or rechargeable battery) for HMD  72 . In an example, auxiliary housing  77  can be configured and positioned to provide a balancing weight to that of component housing  76 . The components within auxiliary housing  77 , such as a battery or various control circuitry can be arranged to contribute to a desired weight distribution for HMD  72 . 
     Side arms  73  can be configured to contact the head of the user along respective temples or in the area of respective ears of the user. Further, band  82  can be configured to resiliently deform through a sufficient range and under an appropriate amount of force to provide a secure fit on user&#39;s heads of various sizes. To accomplish this band can be structured to elastically deform (or resiliently deform) such that the distance between the ends of side arms increases under force. In an example, band  82  can be configured such that it conforms to fit on a user&#39;s head by flexing laterally of center frame support  74 , and further such that center frame support  74  does not substantially deform during such flexing. 
     In general, the nature of the construction and materials of band  82  can be such that the band  82  can maintain the desired shape thereof while allowing flexibility so that band  82  can expand to fit on a user&#39;s head while applying a comfortable pressure thereto to help retain band  82  on the user&#39;s head. Band  82  can, accordingly, be elastically deformable up to a sufficiently high threshold that the shape of band  82  will not be permanently deformed simply by being worn by a user with a large head. 
     As discussed above, center frame support  74  includes nosepiece  75  configured to rest on the nose of a wearer with the center frame support  74  providing a central support for side arms  73 , which can extend unitarily therefrom, or can at least appear to extend unitarily therefrom, with an area of transition between the center frame support  74  and the side arms  73  including a bend or curve therebetween. 
     The arrangement and configuration of nosepiece  75  is such that HMD  72  can be worn on a user&#39;s head with nosepiece  75  resting on the user&#39;s nose with side arms  73  extending over respective temples of the user and over adjacent ears. The HMD  72  can be configured, such as by adjustment of nosepiece  75  or display  80  to ensure the display  80  is appropriately positioned in view of one of the user&#39;s eyes. As discussed above, in one position, HMD  72  can be positioned on the user&#39;s head with nosepiece  75  adjusted to position display  80  in a location within the user&#39;s field of view, but such that the user must direct her eyes upward to fully view the image on the display. 
     The HMD  72  may include a component housing  76 , which may include an on-board computing system (not shown), an image capture device  78 , and a button  79  for operating the image capture device  78  (and/or usable for other purposes). Component housing  76  may also include other electrical components and/or may be electrically connected to electrical components at other locations within or on the HMD. Additionally, component housing  76  can include additional input structures, such as additional buttons (not shown) that can provide additional functionality for HMD  72 , including implementing a lock or sleep feature or allowing a user to toggle the power for HMD  72  between on and off states. Component housing  76  can also include one or more connection ports or outlets to allow external components to connect with HMD  72 . In an example, an audio jack and/or a USB port (A, B, or mini sized in various examples). That can provide power, data, and/or audio connections for appropriately-configured external devices to connect with HMD  72  in various ways to add functionality or the like to HMD  72   
     The HMD  72  may include a single display  80 , which may be coupled to one of the side-arms  73  via the component housing  76 . In an example embodiment, the display  80  may be a see-through display, which is made of glass and/or another transparent or translucent material, such that the wearer can see their environment through the display  80 . Further, the component housing  76  may include the light sources (not shown) for the display  80  and/or optical elements (not shown) to direct light from the light sources to the display  80 . As such, display  80  may include optical features that direct light that is generated by such light sources towards the wearer&#39;s eye, when HMD  72  is being worn. 
     As discussed above, HMD  72  can include an outlet or other connection port on, for example, a surface of component housing  76 . Such a connection port can be of the same type as or can have a mating configuration to the connection component  14  of headphone assembly  10 . The connection port of HMD  72  can be included on, for example, the lower surface of component housing  76 , which is positionable along, for example, the right side of the user&#39;s head. The port in HMD  72  can be configured to transmit an audio signal therethrough to only a compatible device, and headphone assembly  10  can be configured as such a compatible device. Accordingly, in an example of headphone assembly  10  that is intended to be used with HMD  72  or a similar device, the cables  16  and  18  can be specifically adapted to take into account the location of connection between headphone assembly  10  (i.e., through connection component  14  of plug housing  12 ) to HMD, which is made along the lower surface of component housing  76 . In such a configuration, cable  16  that connects between plug housing  12  and right headphone  20  can be of a relatively short length because the distance between plug housing  12  when attached with component housing  76  is also relatively short (i.e. less than 100 mm). In an example cable  16  can be between about 70 mm and 100 mm. Such a relatively short configuration can minimize excess cable when headphone  20  is worn in the ear adjacent component housing  76  (in the general position of headphone  20  shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Cable  18  can be relatively longer than cable  16 . In an example, however, cable  16  can still be relatively shorter than what can be considered a typical length for headphone cable (which can be, for example, between 1 and 1.5 m from headphone to connection component). The length of cable  18  can take into account the fact that the audio source is positioned on the user&#39;s head (instead of, for example, the user&#39;s pocket). Accordingly, the length of cable  18  can be configured to comfortably extend around the user&#39;s head from the connection location of the plug housing  12  (i.e. along component housing  76 ) to the location of the left ear (or the right ear in the case of an HMD and corresponding headphone assembly that are mirror images of those shown in  FIG. 10 ). In an example, cable  18  can be configured to be worn around the back of the user&#39;s head and/or neck, which can also be of an acceptable length to war toward the front of the user&#39;s neck (i.e. beneath the chin). Such a length can, for example, be between 200 and 300 mm. 
     In another example shown in  FIG. 11 , a headphone assembly  110  can include a plug housing  112  with a connection component  114  thereon that can be similarly configured to the various examples discussed above with respect to connection component  14 . A single cable  116  can extend from plug housing  112  to a single headphone  120  that can also be similar in construction, fit, materials, and the like as discussed above with respect to headphone  20  (and the corresponding components and features thereof). For example, headphone  120  can include a channel  128  within body  126  thereof. A bridge  140  can similarly capture cable  116  therein such that it can slide through a similarly configured aperture  142  therein such that a loop (not shown) similar to loop  48 ′ can be implemented and adjusted, as described above. Headphone assembly  110  can be similar in all general respects to headphone assembly  10 , as described above, except that only a single headphone  120  is included therein. In the example shown, the single headphone  120  is configured (according to the configuration discussed above) to be a right headphone  120  such that headphone  120  can fit within the right ear and adjacent component housing  176  of HMD  172 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . Cable  116  can be similarly relatively short in the manner of cable  16 , as discussed with respect to  FIG. 10 , above, and can in an example be between 7 and 20 mm. In another similar example, the single headphone can be configured as a left headphone and can be adapted to be used with an HMD that is generally a mirror image of the HMD  172  of  FIG. 12 . 
     In the example of headphone assembly  10 , discussed above, the separate headphones  20  and  22  were described as being configured to present the respective left and right audio channels included in a stereo audio signal. However, in the example of  FIGS. 11 and 12 , wherein a single headphone is included, headphone assembly  110  can be configured to transmit a monaural signal to headphone  120 . Such a monaural signal can be a native monaural signal, or can be combined or otherwise calculated or inferred from a two channel stereo signal. Such combining can be done by circuitry within headphone assembly  110  (such as within plug housing  112 ) or within HMD  172  (or other device with which assembly  110  is used). In an example HMD  172  can be configured to identify that a headphone assembly is being used therewith and can further identify that the headphone assembly  110  includes only a single headphone  120 . In such a situation, the HMD  172  can transmit a monaural signal to headphone assembly  110 . By way of example only, the headphone assembly  110  may include a mechanism to be automatically detected by the HMD  72 . For example, a resistor of varying value may be employed. In this case, when circuitry of HMD  72  detects the presence of the headphone assembly  110 , based on the resistor value, HMD  72  determines whether it is a mono headphone assembly or a stereo headphone assembly and transmit monaural or stereo signals accordingly. 
     Although the description herein has been made with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: h