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Wireless ear buds with proximity sensors

A proximity sensor, sensor technology, used in wearable electronic devices such as earplugs, wearable electronic devices, and can solve the problem of misleading audio signals

Active Publication Date: 2018-06-08
APPLE INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, the audio signal can sometimes be misleading

Method used

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  • Wireless ear buds with proximity sensors
  • Wireless ear buds with proximity sensors
  • Wireless ear buds with proximity sensors

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0016] Electronic devices such as host devices may have wireless circuitry. Wireless wearable electronic devices such as wireless earbuds can communicate with a host device and with each other. In general, any suitable type of host electronic device and wearable wireless electronic device may be used in this type of arrangement. The use of a wireless host such as a cell phone, computer, or watch is sometimes described herein as an example. Additionally, any suitable wearable wireless electronic device can communicate wirelessly with a wireless host. The use of wireless earbuds to communicate with a wireless host is exemplary only.

[0017] A schematic diagram of an exemplary system in which a host wireless electronic device wirelessly communicates with an accessory device, such as an earbud, is at figure 1 shown in . Host electronic device 10 may be a cellular phone, may be a computer, may be a watch device or other wearable device, may be part of an embedded system (e.g.,...

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PUM

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Abstract

The issue of the invention is wireless ear buds with proximity sensors. The invention provides ear buds that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.

Description

[0001] This patent application claims priority to patent application 15 / 270,445, filed September 20, 2016, and provisional patent application 62 / 233,848, filed September 28, 2015, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety . Background technique [0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to wearable electronic devices such as earbuds. [0003] Cellular phones, computers, and other electronic devices generate audio signals during media playback operations and phone calls. Users often use microphones and speakers in these devices for phone calls and media playback. Sometimes the earbuds have a cord that allows the earbuds to be plugged into electronic devices. [0004] Wireless earbuds offer users more flexibility than wired earbuds, but can be challenging to use. It is not always clear whether the wireless earbuds are in a pocket, resting on a table, or in the user's ear. Therefore, audio signals can somet...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): H04R1/10A61B5/00
CPCH04R1/1016H04R1/1041G01V8/20G01S7/481H04R2420/07A61B5/6803A61B5/6817
Inventor A·N·绍尔思巴莱T·J·马克奎因
Owner APPLE INC
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