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Headphones with sensors

A sensor and capacitive sensor technology, applied in the direction of sensors, sensor parts, microphones, etc., can solve the problems of automatic adjustment of earphones, power reduction, battery life, etc.

Active Publication Date: 2021-12-24
APPLE INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, it may be difficult or impossible to automatically adjust the operation of the headset to reduce power for extended battery life or to dynamically adjust media playback

Method used

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  • Headphones with sensors
  • Headphones with sensors
  • Headphones with sensors

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0024] Electronic devices may have components such as speakers for presenting audio to a user. The electronic device may be a wearable device, such as a headset. The earphones may be worn over the ear or on the user's ear. Earhooks or other support structures may be used to help hold the earphones adjacent to the user's ears.

[0025] Sensors can be used in headsets to gather input from the user and from the environment. For example, an optical sensor may be used to determine whether the headset is worn by the user or placed on a table (for example). Capacitive sensors can also be used in headphones. For example, a capacitive sensor may be formed using capacitive sensor electrodes in the earhooks of a pair of earphones.

[0026] A capacitive sensor can be used to sense whether the headset is being worn by the user. Capacitive sensors can consume significantly less power than optical sensors, so, in some configurations, an optical sensor in a pair of earphones can be power...

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PUM

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Abstract

The invention is entitled "Earphones with Sensors". The present invention discloses an electronic device, such as an earphone, which may have a sensor circuit. The sensor circuitry may include optical proximity sensors and capacitive sensor circuitry. Ear support structures such as earhooks may be used to hold the earphones adjacent to the user's ears. In this position, the speakers in the headset can be used to present audio to the user. The earhooks may be formed from an insulating elastomeric polymer. Stainless steel wires or other structural support members capable of bending may be embedded within the elastomeric polymer. The bendable member can maintain the earhook in the desired bend shape after being bent by the user. The capacitive sensor circuit may include one or more capacitive sensor electrodes coupled to the capacitive-to-digital converter circuit. The control circuit can activate the optical proximity sensor in response to detecting the capacitance to confirm that the headset is being worn.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 019,432, filed June 26, 2018, and Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 562,987, filed September 25, 2017, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety way incorporated into this article. technical field [0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to wearable electronic devices such as earphones. Background technique [0003] Cellular phones, computers, and other electronic devices generate audio signals for media playback operations and phone calls. Speakers in these electronic devices can be used to play audio to the user. Accessories such as headphones can also be used to play audio to the user. Headphones and other devices with speakers may contain audio processing circuitry and communication circuitry. Some headsets contain batteries to support wireless operation. [0004] Controlling the operation of a device such as a headset ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(China)
IPC IPC(8): H04R1/10
CPCH04R1/1041H04R2201/105H04R1/1008H04R1/105H04R1/1066H04R2460/03H04R5/0335H04R2201/10
Inventor G·J·鲍威尔M-A·P·卡里诺纳琛
Owner APPLE INC