Listening devices, earphones and headphones

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a listening device, an earpiece, and a headset. The listening device includes: a first earpiece; a headband having a first end coupled to the first earpiece, the first earpiece including: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume; a speaker disposed within the interior volume; and a pivot mechanism coupled to the earpiece housing and operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a first axis away from the headband, and including: an orifice sized and shaped to receive one of the first end or the second end of the headband; a first pivot rod and a second pivot rod; a first cylinder having a first channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston mounted within the first channel and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the orifice and simultaneously resist rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims U.S. patent application No. 17 / 023231, filed on September 16, 2020, entitled “HEADPHONES WITH OFF-CENTERPIVOTING EARPIECE”; and U.S. patent application No. 17 / 023234, filed on September 16, 2020, entitled “HEADPHONES WITH ROTATABLE USER INPUT MECHANISM”; and U.S. patent application No. 17 / 023239, filed on September 16, 2020, entitled “SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR EARPIECE CUSHION”; and U.S. patent application No. 17 / 023240, filed on September 16, 2020, entitled “WIRELESS HEADPHONES WITH SLOTANTENNA”; and U.S. patent application No. 17 / 023251, filed on September 16, 2020, entitled “HEADPHONES WITH ON-HEAD SCALING TELEPHONES”. DETECTION”; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 023,244, filed on September 16, 2020, entitled “EARPIECE WITH CUSHION RETENTION,” the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments described herein generally relate to headphones, such as over-ear and on-ear headphones. More specifically, the various features described help improve the overall user experience by incorporating sensor arrays and new mechanical features into headphones. Background Art

[0004] Headphones have been in use for many years now. Consumers have become accustomed to regular, substantially annual improvements in size, functionality, and other design aspects of the various electronic devices used in consumers' daily lives, including devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers, as well as listening devices such as earbuds and headphones. Thus, while there are many headphone designs on the market, new and improved designs are continually sought to meet consumer needs and preferences. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present disclosure describes many improvements to the design of over-ear and over-ear headphones. The headphones may include space and weight saving features that enhance the comfort of the user when the user wears the headphones. The headphones may include a headband connected to the upper portion of the earpiece. The earpiece may include a pivot mechanism that allows the earpiece to rotate relative to the headband with a constant applied force. The rotation of the earpiece may be measured by one or more sensors in the pivot mechanism to determine the orientation of the earpiece. The orientation of the earpiece can be used to determine whether the earpiece should be switched between an operating mode and a standby mode.

[0006] The headset may also include an earpiece having a cushion with a variable thickness. The cushion with a variable thickness may be more comfortable to the user and may provide a better seal between the cushion and the user's head. The improved seal may reduce external noise that may reach the user. Various headsets may also include a headband having multiple parts formed into a single headband. The headband may be optimized for providing a tight, comfortable fit to the user and a clamping force that does not degrade over time. The headband may include a mesh component that may be formed to the user's head when the headset is being worn.

[0007] The earphones described herein may include an antenna for receiving and transmitting radio frequency (RF) waves. The antenna may use a capacitive component to receive and transmit RF waves across multiple frequency ranges. The antenna may include a plating layer to increase the transmission of the RF transmission and may be oriented in the earpiece to direct the RF waves toward the user.

[0008] The headset may include an input that may be optimized for the user. The input may be optimized for resistance to compression and rotation to allow the user to feel when the input has been compressed and / or rotated. Damping material may also be positioned in the input to reduce noise that may be generated when components contact each other. For example, damping material may be placed between two metal components to reduce or prevent the components from generating noise when they contact.

[0009] The earphones may include a detection system to determine when they have been put on or taken off. The detection system may emit light towards the user and detect the reflected light. The reflected light may be used to determine if the user is present and if their ear is positioned in the earpiece. If the user's ear is in the earpiece, the earphone may enter an operational mode.

[0010] The present invention discloses a listening device, and the listening device includes the following items: a first earpiece; a headband, the headband having a first end coupled to the first earpiece, the first earpiece including: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defining an internal volume; a speaker, the speaker being arranged in the internal volume; and a pivot mechanism, the pivot mechanism being coupled to the earpiece housing and being operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate separately from the headband along a first axis, the pivot mechanism including: an orifice, the size and shape of the orifice being set to receive one of the first end or the second end of the headband; a first pivot rod and a second pivot rod; a first cylinder, the first cylinder having a first channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston, the first piston being assembled in the first channel and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring, the first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and being positioned to be compressed relative to the orifice when the pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the first axis.

[0011] The present invention discloses an earpiece, and the earpiece includes the following items: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defines an internal volume; a speaker, the speaker is arranged in the internal volume; and a pivot mechanism, the pivot mechanism is arranged at a first end of the earpiece housing and can be operated to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a first axis, the pivot mechanism includes: an orifice, the size and shape of the orifice are set to receive the first end of the headband; a first pivot rod and a second pivot rod; a first cylinder having a first channel and a second cylinder having a second channel, the first cylinder and the second cylinder are coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston and a second piston, the first piston can be positioned in the first channel, the second piston can be positioned in the second channel, the first piston and the second piston are coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring and a second compression spring, the first compression spring at least partially surrounds the first piston and the first cylinder, the second compression spring at least partially surrounds the second piston and the second cylinder, and the first compression spring and the second compression spring are positioned to be compressed relative to the orifice when the pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the first axis.

[0012] The present invention discloses an earphone, and the earphone includes the following items: a first earphone, the first earphone includes a first earphone shell and a first pivot mechanism, the first earphone shell defines a first internal volume, the first pivot mechanism is coupled to the first earphone shell and can be operated to enable the first earphone to rotate around a first axis, the first pivot mechanism includes: a first orifice, the size and shape of the first orifice are set to receive the first end of the headband; a first pivot rod and a second pivot rod; a first cylinder, the first cylinder has a first channel and is coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston, the first piston is assembled in the first channel and is coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring, the first compression spring at least partially surrounds the first piston and the first cylinder and is positioned to rotate relative to the first pivot mechanism when the first pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction around the first axis. The headband is configured to be compressed at the first orifice; and a second earpiece, the second earpiece comprising a second earpiece housing and a second pivot mechanism, the second earpiece housing defining a second internal volume, the second pivot mechanism coupled to the second earpiece housing and operable to enable the second earpiece to rotate about a second axis, and the second pivot mechanism comprising: a second orifice, the second orifice being sized and shaped to receive a second end of the headband; a third pivot rod and a fourth pivot rod; a second cylinder, the second cylinder having a second channel and coupled to the third pivot rod; a second piston, the second piston being mounted in the second channel and coupled to the fourth pivot rod; and a second compression spring, the second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the second orifice when the second pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the second axis.

[0013] The present invention discloses an earphone, and the earphone comprises the following items: a headband; and an earpiece, the earpiece is coupled to one end of the headband, the earpiece comprises: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defines an orifice; a button assembly, the button assembly can be positioned in the orifice and comprises: a button housing, the button housing has an upper part and a lower part and defines a channel with a central axis; a crown, the crown is axially aligned with the central axis and is configured to move to engage with the button housing; a damper, the damper is positioned between the upper part and the crown of the button housing a hub coupled to the crown and positioned in the channel and capable of translating along and rotating about the central axis, the hub including one or more markings and configured to engage a compressible dome when the hub translates toward the interior of the earpiece housing; and a seal positioned between the hub and the button housing, one of the seals having a variable diameter and contacting the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the seal.

[0014] The present invention discloses an earpiece, and the earpiece includes the following items: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defines an aperture; a button assembly, the button assembly can be positioned in the aperture and includes: a button housing, the button housing has an upper portion and a lower portion and defines a channel with a central axis; a crown, the crown is axially aligned with the central axis and is configured to move to engage with the upper portion of the button housing; a first damper, the first damper is positioned between the button housing and the crown, and is configured to inhibit the crown from engaging the button housing. a hub coupled to the crown and positioned in the channel and capable of translating along the central axis and rotatable about the central axis, and the hub including one or more markings and configured to move between engaging the lower portion of the button housing and engaging the compressible dome when the hub translates toward the interior of the earpiece housing; and a second damper positioned between the hub and the lower portion of the button housing and configured to dampen vibrations when the hub engages the lower portion of the button housing.

[0015] The present invention discloses a listening device, and the listening device includes the following items: an earpiece, the earpiece having an earpiece housing defining an orifice; a button assembly, the button assembly can be positioned in the orifice and includes: a button housing, the button housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown, the crown is axially aligned with the central axis and is configured to move to engage with the upper portion of the button housing; a hub, the hub is coupled to the crown and positioned in the channel and can translate along the central axis and can rotate around the central axis, and the hub includes one or more markings and is configured to engage a compressible dome when the hub translates toward the interior of the earpiece housing; and a seal, the seal is positioned between the hub and the button housing, a first seal is positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the button housing and is configured to form a watertight seal, and a second seal is positioned between the hub and the compressible dome and has a variable diameter to contact the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the seal.

[0016] The present invention discloses an earphone, and the earphone includes the following items: a headband assembly; and a first earphone and a second earphone, the first earphone is coupled to the first end of the headband assembly, and the second earphone is coupled to the second end of the headband assembly, each of the first earphone and the second earphone includes: an earphone housing; an acoustic driver, the acoustic driver is arranged in the earphone housing; and an earphone pad assembly, the earphone pad assembly is coupled to the earphone housing to cooperatively define a cavity whose size is set to accommodate a user's ear, and the earphone pad assembly includes: an annular earphone pad; and a support structure, the support structure is arranged between the annular earphone pad and the earphone housing, the support structure includes a cantilevered support member distributed along the periphery of the cavity and protruding into the cavity.

[0017] The present invention discloses an earpiece suitable for use with an earmuff-type headphone, and the earpiece includes the following items: an earpiece housing; an earpiece pad assembly, the earpiece pad assembly is coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity whose size is set to accommodate a user's ear, the earpiece pad assembly includes an annular earpiece pad and a support structure arranged between the annular earpiece pad and the earpiece housing, the support structure includes a cantilever support member distributed around the cavity and protruding into the cavity; and an acoustic driver.

[0018] The present invention discloses an earphone, and the earphone includes the following items: a first earphone and a second earphone, each of the earphones includes: an earphone housing; an acoustic driver, the acoustic driver is arranged in the earphone housing; and an earphone pad assembly, the earphone pad assembly is coupled to the earphone housing, wherein each earphone pad assembly includes: an annular earphone pad; and a support structure, the support structure is arranged between the annular earphone pad and the earphone housing, the support structure includes a cantilever support member distributed around the annular earphone pad and supporting the annular earphone pad; and a headband assembly, the headband assembly mechanically couples the first earphone and the second earphone.

[0019] The present invention discloses an earpiece for a pair of headphones, and the earpiece includes the following items: a conductive earpiece shell, the conductive earpiece shell defines an internal volume having a central area and an outer area surrounding the central area, wherein the conductive earpiece shell includes a portion defining a ground layer element for an antenna and having an elongated slot formed through the ground layer element; and a slot antenna, the slot antenna is arranged in the outer area of ​​the internal volume and is electrically coupled to the ground layer element, the slot antenna includes a frame formed of a radio frequency transparent material and defining a closed internal cavity within the internal volume, wherein the frame includes a tongue-shaped portion, the tongue-shaped portion has opposite first and second surfaces protruding away from the internal cavity and a distal end facing the elongated slot and extending between the opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein the distal end of the tongue-shaped portion allows radio frequency waves to enter the internal cavity through the elongated slot, and the remainder of the exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal, and the one or more layers of metal prevent radio frequency waves from entering the internal cavity.

[0020] The present invention discloses an earpiece for a pair of headphones, and the earpiece includes the following items: a conductive earpiece shell, the conductive earpiece shell defines an internal volume having a central area and an outer spherical area surrounding the central area, wherein the conductive earpiece shell includes a portion defining a ground layer element for an antenna and having an elongated rectangular slot formed through the ground layer element; a wireless circuit, the wireless circuit is arranged in the internal volume; an audio processing circuit, the audio processing circuit is arranged in the internal volume and is operatively coupled to the wireless circuit; a microphone, the microphone is arranged in the internal volume and is operatively coupled to the audio processing circuit; a speaker, the speaker is arranged in the central area of ​​the internal volume and is operatively coupled to the audio processing circuit; a slot antenna, the A slot antenna is disposed within the spherical region of the internal volume and is operatively coupled to the wireless circuit, the slot antenna comprising a frame formed of a rigid RF-transparent material and defining an internal cavity within the internal volume, wherein the frame comprises a tongue having opposing first and second surfaces protruding away from the internal cavity and a distal end facing the elongated rectangular slot and extending between the opposing first and second surfaces, and wherein the distal end of the tongue allows RF waves to enter the internal cavity through the elongated slot, and the remainder of the exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal, the one or more layers of metal preventing RF waves from entering the internal cavity; and a ground connection, the ground connection being between the slot antenna and the ground layer element of the conductive earpiece housing.

[0021] The present invention discloses an earpiece for a pair of headphones, and the earpiece includes the following items: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defining an internal volume having a central area and an external area surrounding the central area, wherein the earpiece housing includes an elongated slot and an acoustic opening formed through the earpiece housing near the elongated slot; a slot antenna, the slot antenna is arranged in the external area of ​​the internal volume and includes a frame formed of a radio frequency transparent material and defining a closed internal cavity within the internal volume, wherein the frame includes a support structure and a tongue extending into the internal cavity, the tongue having a remote The frame includes a tongue-shaped portion having first and second opposing surfaces protruding from the interior cavity and a distal end facing the elongated slot and extending between the first and second opposing surfaces, and wherein the distal end of the tongue-shaped portion allows radio frequency waves to enter the interior cavity through the elongated slot, and the remainder of the exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal, and the one or more layers of metal prevent radio frequency waves from entering the interior cavity; and an acoustic pathway, the acoustic pathway being at least partially defined by an acoustic vent having an opening aligned with the acoustic opening, the acoustic pathway acoustically coupling the acoustic opening with the interior volume.

[0022] The present invention discloses an earpiece for a pair of headphones, and the earpiece includes the following items: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defines an internal volume, and the earpiece housing has an inner side wall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first orifice formed through the inner side wall surface; an earpiece cover, the earpiece cover is coupled to the earpiece housing and covers the central opening, the earpiece cover has: a plurality of sound openings, the plurality of sound openings are formed through a central area of ​​the earpiece cover; an outer side wall surface, the outer side wall surface extends around the central area and is aligned with and extends above the inner side wall surface of the earpiece housing; and a second orifice, the second orifice is formed through the outer side wall surface and is aligned with the first orifice; an annular earpiece pad, the annular earpiece pad is coupled to the earpiece housing around an ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; a speaker, the speaker is arranged within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy into the ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover; a carrier coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed above the first and second apertures, the carrier having a body formed between opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface facing the ear receiving area, and the second major surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the earpiece housing that is different from the first angle; an optical sensor including an optical transmitter and an optical receiver and coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier, the optical sensor being aligned to transmit radiation through the body of the carrier and through the first and second apertures into the ear receiving area and to receive radiation reflected back through the first and second apertures and through the body of the carrier.

[0023] The present invention discloses an earpiece, and the earpiece includes the following items: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defines an internal volume, the earpiece housing has an internal side wall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first aperture formed through the internal side wall surface; an annular earpiece cushion, the annular earpiece cushion is coupled to the earpiece housing around an ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; a speaker, the speaker is disposed in the internal volume and is positioned to direct sound energy into the ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; a carrier, the carrier is coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed above the first aperture, and the carrier has a body formed between opposing first and second main surfaces, the first main surface faces the ear receiving area, and the second main surface includes a mounting portion disposed at a second angle different from the first angle relative to the earpiece housing; an optical sensor, the optical sensor includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver and is coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier, and the optical sensor is aligned to transmit radiation through the body of the carrier and through the first aperture into the ear receiving area and receive radiation reflected back through the first aperture and through the body of the carrier.

[0024] The present invention discloses an earpiece, and the earpiece includes the following items: an earpiece shell, the earpiece shell defines an internal volume, the earpiece shell has an internal side wall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece shell at a first angle and a first orifice formed through the internal side wall surface; an annular earpiece pad, the annular earpiece pad is coupled to the earpiece shell around an ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; a speaker, the speaker is arranged in the internal volume and is positioned to guide sound energy into the ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; an optical sensor, the optical sensor is coupled to the internal side wall surface of the earpiece shell, and the optical sensor includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver and is aligned to transmit radiation into the ear receiving area through the first orifice and receive radiation reflected back through the first orifice.

[0025] The present invention discloses an earphone receiver, and the earphone receiver includes the following items: a shell, which defines an internal volume; a receiver cover, which is arranged in the internal volume and includes a first magnet and a metal shunt, and the metal shunt is positioned between the receiver cover and the first magnet; and an earphone pad assembly, which is removably coupled to the shell and includes an annular earphone pad coupled to a frame and a magnetic element arranged between the earphone pad and the frame, when the earphone pad assembly is coupled to the shell, the magnetic element is magnetically coupled to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet is configured to guide magnetic flux through the magnetic element to fix the earphone pad assembly to the shell.

[0026] The present invention discloses a handset, and the handset includes the following items: a shell, the shell defines an internal volume; a handset cover, the handset cover is coupled to the shell and includes: a central part, the central part is arranged in the internal volume; an annular shelf, the annular shelf surrounds the central part; a side wall, the side wall extends between the central part and the annular shelf around the central opening of the handset cover; and a first magnet and a metal shunt, the first magnet and the metal shunt are positioned on the annular shelf, the metal shunt is positioned between the handset cover and the first magnet; a speaker, the speaker is arranged in the internal volume and is positioned to guide sound energy through the central part of the handset cover; and a handset lining A pad assembly, the earpiece pad assembly is removably coupled to the earpiece cover and includes: a frame having a central portion; an annular surface, the annular surface surrounding the central portion of the frame; a side wall, the side wall extending between the central portion and the annular surface around the central portion of the frame; an earpiece pad, the earpiece pad is coupled to the annular surface of the frame; and a magnetic element, the magnetic element is disposed on the annular surface and between the earpiece pad and the frame, when the earpiece pad assembly is coupled to the housing, the magnetic element is magnetically coupled to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet is configured to guide magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece pad assembly to the housing.

[0027] The present invention discloses a handset, and the handset includes the following items: a shell, the shell defines an internal volume; a handset cover, the handset cover is coupled to the shell and includes: a central portion, the central portion is disposed in the internal volume; an annular shelf, the annular shelf surrounds the central portion; a side wall, the side wall extends between the central portion and the annular shelf around a central opening of the handset cover; and a first magnet, the first magnet is positioned on the annular shelf; a handset cushion assembly, the handset cushion assembly is removably coupled to the handset cover and includes: a frame, the frame having a central portion; an annular surface surrounding the central portion of the frame; a side wall surrounding the central portion of the frame and extending between the central portion and the annular surface; an earpiece cushion coupled to the annular surface of the frame; and a magnetic element disposed on the annular surface and between the earpiece cushion and the frame, the magnetic element magnetically coupling to the first magnet when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to direct magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing.

[0028] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention 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

[0029] The present disclosure will be readily understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like structural elements, and in which:

[0030] Figure 1 An exemplary view of an over-ear or on-ear headphone is shown;

[0031] Figure 2A and Figure 2B shows a simplified front view of an exemplary set of over-ear or on-ear headphones;

[0032] Figure 3A and Figure 3B shows a simplified front view of an earphone with an off-center pivoting earpiece according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a pivot mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 4B and 4C yes Figure 4A an exploded perspective view of the various components of the illustrated pivot mechanism;

[0035] Figure 4DShows Figure 4A A portion of the pivot mechanism shown;

[0036] FIG. 4E to FIG. 4G Shows Figure 4A a cross-sectional view of the pivot mechanism shown;

[0037] Figure 4H yes Figure 4A an exploded perspective view of the various components of the illustrated pivot mechanism;

[0038] Fig. 4I yes Figure 4A a perspective view of a portion of the pivot mechanism shown;

[0039] Figure 4J yes Figure 4A a cross section of a portion of the pivot mechanism shown;

[0040] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D shows a locking mechanism for attaching earpieces to a headband bar according to some embodiments;

[0041] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D Another locking mechanism for attaching earpieces to headband bars is shown according to some embodiments;

[0042] Figure 7 showing a perspective view of an earpiece contacting the side of a user's head;

[0043] Fig. 8A shows a perspective view of an earpiece housing and a cushion frame configured to support an earpiece cushion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 8B Shows the suitability for Fig. 8A A perspective view of an earpiece cushion for use with an earpiece housing and cushion frame is shown;

[0045] Figure 8C An embodiment is shown in which a different Fig. 8A The illustrated cushion frame has an integrally formed support structure in the form of an insert;

[0046] Fig.8D Shows Figure 8C How the support structure shown may include a webbing of fabric that forms a loose mechanical coupling between adjacent cantilevered support members;

[0047] Fig.9A shows a simplified cross-sectional view showing how an earpiece defines a cavity sized to receive an ear of a user;

[0048] Fig. 9BA cross-sectional view of a portion of an earpiece according to some embodiments is shown showing one of the cantilevered support members integrally formed with a cushion frame;

[0049] Fig. 9C showing a cross-sectional view of a portion of an earpiece excluding one of the cantilevered support members according to some embodiments;

[0050] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B shows the use of Figure 8C A cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of an earpiece cushion assembly of the support structure shown; and

[0051] Fig.11 shows a cross-sectional view of one side of an earpiece cushion assembly having a support structure embedded within a cover according to some embodiments;

[0052] Fig.12 shows a perspective view of a headset worn by a user according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0053] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13D Shows the composition Fig.12 perspective views of various embodiments of components of a cover structure for the illustrated earphone;

[0054] FIG. 13E to FIG. 13G is a simplified illustration of a mesh assembly that may be incorporated into a headband according to some embodiments;

[0055] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-component headband according to some embodiments;

[0056] Fig. 14C and Fig.14D Shows Fig.14A Additional views of the multi-part headband;

[0057] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C shows a vibration reduction device according to some embodiments;

[0058] Fig.16A shows a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary acoustic configuration within an earpiece according to some embodiments, which acoustic configuration may be applied to many of the earpieces previously described;

[0059] Fig. 16B Shows Fig.16A the exterior of the earpiece shown with the input panel removed to illustrate the shape and size of the interior volume associated with the speaker assembly;

[0060] Fig. 16C shows a microphone mounted within an earpiece according to some embodiments;

[0061] Fig.17A shows a headset including a slot antenna according to some embodiments;

[0062] Fig. 17B According to some embodiments Fig.17A A simplified cross section of the handset;

[0063] Fig. 17C According to some embodiments Fig.17A A simplified plan view of the handset;

[0064] Fig.17D According to some embodiments, the Fig.17A A simplified cross section of the handset;

[0065] Fig.17E is a perspective view of a slot antenna without an earpiece shown according to some embodiments;

[0066] Fig.17F According to some embodiments Fig.17A A view of a slot antenna;

[0067] Figure 17G According to some embodiments, the Fig.17A A simplified cross section of an earpiece of FIG. 1 to illustrate an acoustic path formed through the earpiece;

[0068] Fig.17H According to some embodiments, the Fig.17A A simplified cross section of an earpiece of FIG. 1 to illustrate an acoustic path formed through the earpiece;

[0069] Fig.17I According to some embodiments Fig.17H a detailed view of a portion of a cross section of an earpiece;

[0070] Fig.17J According to some embodiments Fig.17H A simplified view of a portion of an acoustic channel;

[0071] Figure 17K According to some embodiments Fig.17I another part of the acoustic passage;

[0072] Figure 17L According to some embodiments Fig.17I Additional part of the acoustic channel;

[0073] Fig.18 is a perspective view of a pair of headphones according to some embodiments;

[0074] Fig.19A and Fig.19BAccording to some embodiments Fig.18 A simplified cutaway view of a user input button for use with a headset;

[0075] Fig.19C is 19A according to some embodiments and Fig.19B A perspective view of a component of an input button;

[0076] Fig.19D According to some embodiments Fig.19A and Fig.19B A top view of the input button widget;

[0077] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D According to some embodiments Fig.18 a simplified cross-section of another exemplary user input button for use with a headset;

[0078] Fig.21 According to some embodiments Fig.18 A simplified cross-sectional view of another exemplary button for use with a headset;

[0079] Fig.22A and Fig. 22B According to some embodiments Fig.18 a cross-sectional view of a portion of an example button for use with a headset;

[0080] Fig.23 is a flow chart illustrating a process for performing on-ear detection using an on-ear detection system according to some embodiments;

[0081] Fig.24 An earpiece of a headset is shown positioned over an ear of a user;

[0082] Fig.25A shows a cross section of an earpiece with an on-ear detection system according to some embodiments;

[0083] Fig.25B According to some embodiments, Fig.25A Various components used in conjunction with the on-ear detection system;

[0084] Fig.26A shows a cross-section of a coupling component of an earpiece according to some embodiments;

[0085] Fig.26B According to some embodiments, Fig.26A a portion of a coupling member of a handset;

[0086] Fig.26C and Fig.26D According to some embodiments, Fig.26Aan alignment orientation of a coupling component of the earpiece;

[0087] Fig.27A and Fig.27B According to some embodiments, Fig.26A An exemplary pad identification system for use with a headset;

[0088] Fig.28A and Fig.28B According to some embodiments, Fig.26A Another exemplary pad for use with a headset of the invention is identified;

[0089] FIG. 29A to FIG. 29C shows cross-sections of various cushions for use with headphones according to some embodiments;

[0090] Fig.30 An exemplary headset in a flat position is shown, comprising earpieces joined together by a headband, according to some embodiments;

[0091] Fig.31 A carrying case is shown with earphones positioned therein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] Representative applications of the methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are provided only to add context and aid in understanding the described embodiments. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other cases, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments, well-known processing steps are not described in detail. Other applications are possible, so that the following examples should not be considered restrictive.

[0093] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and in which specific embodiments according to the described embodiments are shown by way of example. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, it should be understood that these examples are not limiting; other embodiments may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments.

[0094] Headphones have been produced for many years, but there are still many design problems. For example, over-ear headphones tend to be large and bulky, making them less than ideal for use outside of a studio or home environment. One reason for the undesirable size and / or weight of some headphones is the earpiece pads that seal the earpieces of the headphones around the user's ears to provide passive acoustic noise cancellation / isolation during use of the headphones. The earpiece pads are typically larger and / or thicker than required for any particular user, so that the pads can form a stable acoustic seal for any user of the headphones. This additional padding is usually necessary to allow the pads to conform to users with various head sizes and shapes. For example, a user may have a significantly protruding bone that the earpiece pads need to accommodate.

[0095] As another example, some headphones are uncomfortably heavy and / or provide a less than ideal fit for many users. The location where the headband connects to the earpieces can be part of the problem with some such headphones. For example, many traditional headphones connect the headband at the midpoint of the earpieces to allow the earpieces to pivot. However, this can lead to user discomfort and / or an undesirable fit because a portion of each earpiece (e.g., the lower portion) can apply pressure to the user's head, while another portion (e.g., the top portion) can leave a gap, allowing external sounds to be heard.

[0096] As another example, some headphones are susceptible to undesirable noise that can be generated and heard during use of the headphones when a user activates an input button or similar feature to control one or more aspects of the headphones. For example, some input buttons may include a metal portion that contacts another metal component to activate a particular function of the headphones. The contact of the metal components may cause them to vibrate and generate a slight noise that can sometimes be heard by the user because the headphones are directly on the user's ears, resulting in a less than ideal user experience.

[0097] As described herein, the inventors have developed solutions to address the above-mentioned deficiencies and other shortcomings of some currently available headphones. Unless otherwise specified, the various solutions described herein may be used alone or in any suitable combination to improve the user's experience with headphones.

[0098] One solution designed by the inventor and described in this article for reducing the weight and / or size of the headset is to reduce the thickness of the earphone cushion and selectively strengthen the earphone cushion with a support structure, which includes a plurality of discrete cantilever support members distributed around the periphery of the central opening defined by each earphone cushion assembly. The cantilever support member increases the stiffness of the earphone cushion and has a size and shape that allows the cantilever support member to fully flex to conform to the contour of the user's head. The support structure allows the first area where the earphone cushion receives only a minimum amount of force to be fully supported by one or more cantilever support members in the cantilever support member maintained in an unflexed position. This first area of ​​the earphone cushion may correspond to a recessed portion or a flat area of ​​the user's head. The support structure also allows the second area where the earphone cushion receives a larger amount of force to be deformed by one or more cantilever support members, which flex to accommodate the movement of the material constituting the earphone cushion within the second area. Because each of the discrete cantilever support members is able to flex independently, a certain amount of force applied by the support structure is allowed to vary significantly between adjacent cantilever support members. For example, almost no force may be applied by a first cantilevered support member on the earpiece cushion, while an adjacent second cantilevered support member may experience a large amount of flexure. In this way, the earpiece cushion is able to change its shape significantly without relying on a thick cushion, while maintaining a consistent amount of force around the user's ear against a portion of the user's head.

[0099] A solution for improving the fit of earphones for some users described herein includes changing the position where the headband is connected to the earphone. For example, the headband can be connected to the earphone in the upper part of the earphone instead of in the central area as done in many traditional earphones. The earphone may include a pivot mechanism, which is connected to the end of the headband and allows the earphone to pivot at the upper part of each earphone. The earphone and the pivot mechanism can be further designed to apply a relatively constant pressure across the entire contact surface of the user's head. Constant pressure can provide a more comfortable fit for the user and produce a better seal to reduce the amount of external noise that can enter the earphone. In addition, in some embodiments, the pivot mechanism can use a spring-driven pivot mechanism that controls the movement of the earphone relative to the band to couple the headband rod to the earphone earphone. The spring-driven pivot mechanism can be positioned near the top of the earphone, thereby allowing it to be combined in the earphone instead of outside the earphone. In this way, the pivot function can be built into the earphone without increasing the overall volume of the earphone. Different types of springs can be used to control the movement of the earphone relative to the headband. The specific example including the compression spring is described in detail below. The spring associated with each earpiece can cooperate with the headband to set the amount of force applied to the user wearing the headphones. In some embodiments, the headband can include multiple parts formed together to minimize force variations applied to a wide range of users with different head sizes.

[0100] One solution described herein to the noise that can be produced by certain user input controls is to position damping material between components that contact each other. The damping material can mitigate the noise caused by the contact of the components.

[0101] The following references Figures 1 to 31 These and other embodiments will be discussed in detail; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

[0102] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary headset 100 suitable for use with the embodiments is shown. The headset 100 includes a headband assembly 102, which can be configured to mechanically couple and electrically couple an earpiece 104. The headband assembly 102 can include a headband 108 and a rod 106. The headband 108 can include a plurality of components and / or layers formed together as a single piece. For example, the headband 108 can include a material layered around a central structure. In some embodiments, the earpiece 104 can take the form of an earmuff, the size and shape of which are set to fit over and / or around the user's ear (that is, some embodiments relate to earmuff-type headphones), and in other embodiments, the earpiece 104 can take the form of a post-ear earpiece, the size and shape of which are set to fit against the user's ear (that is, some embodiments relate to ear-hook type headphones).

[0103] The earpiece 104 can be coupled to the opposite end of the headband assembly 102 by the rod 106 of the headband assembly 102. The rod 106 is arranged at the opposite end of the headband 108 and allows the earpiece 104 to be independently oriented toward the surface of the user's head. The rod 106 can rotate along one or more axes (e.g., along the deflection axis 114 and / or the rolling axis 116). The rod 106 of the earpiece 104 also allows the earpiece 104 of the headset 100 to be folded and / or oriented in a storage position. In some embodiments, the earpiece 104 can be separated from the rod 106. For example, the earpiece 104 can be disassembled and removed from the headband assembly 102.

[0104] Each earpiece 104 may include an earpiece housing 112 and an earpiece cushion assembly 110 coupled to the earpiece housing 112. The earpiece housing 112 defines a cavity that contains electronic components such as speakers, microphones, sensors, printed circuit boards, etc. In various embodiments, the earpiece housing 112 may be an integral aluminum structure or include an integral aluminum structure. The earpiece cushion assembly 110 may include a deformable material that is configured to deform to conform to the curvature of the user's head, thereby reducing and / or preventing sound from leaving and / or entering the earpiece 104. The deformable material may be, for example, silicone or foam, and may be wrapped in a leather or textile material layer, thereby providing good aesthetics and comfort for the user of the earphone 100. In some embodiments, each earpiece cushion assembly 110 may include multiple layers of different deformable materials and / or may include one or more parts with varying acoustic properties, as described below.

[0105] In some embodiments, the processor and the wireless communication module may be arranged in one or both of the earpiece 104. The wireless communication module provides a more convenient wireless use of the earpiece 100. The earpiece 100 may also include a wired earphone interface for receiving media. The earpiece 100 may receive media from one or more of a smart phone, a television, a computer, a stereo system, or any suitable media source via wired and / or wireless communication. In addition to helping manage the incoming media received via a wired or wireless receiver, the processor may also be configured to manage the sensors that help provide services, such as earphone orientation determination (e.g., for determining which stereo channel to be routed to which earpiece 104) and active noise cancellation. In some embodiments, the processor may store the media received from the media source. For example, the processor may store the media for the earpiece 100 to play back later.

[0106] Various embodiments of the headset 100 include user input controls 118 for controlling one or more aspects of the headset. For example, the user input controls 118 can control media playback (e.g., play or pause) and / or audio volume, answer and / or end phone calls, and other functions of the headset 100. The user input controls 118 can be or include buttons, knobs, touch sensors, or any suitable input device. Although Figure 1 Two user input controls 118 are shown, but the number of individual controls is not limited to any particular number and may vary from zero to four, six, or more in various embodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments, the user input controls 118 may be implemented by a single input control area, such as a touch screen, that may detect a user's touch and recognize gestures across a touch-sensitive area formed along an outer portion of the earpiece housing 112. In other embodiments, the input controls may be in the form of one or more buttons positioned along the outer perimeter of the earpiece housing 112, as discussed with respect to some of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.

[0107] Pivoting handset (torque comparison)

[0108] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A front view of an exemplary set of previously known over-ear or on-ear headphones 200 is shown. The headphones 200 include a headband 202 coupled to earpieces 204 at a pivot point 206. The pivot point 206 is located at the center of the earpieces 204, allowing the earpieces to pivot relative to the headband 202. For example, Figure 2B As shown, the earpiece 204 can pivot within a range of motion 208. A pivot point 206 located at the midpoint of the earpiece 204 allows the earpiece to pivot so that the earpiece is positioned approximately parallel to the surface of the user's head. Unfortunately, having a pivot point 206 located at the midpoint of the earpiece 204 requires bulky arms extending to either side of the earpiece 204, thereby significantly increasing the size and weight of the earpiece 204.

[0109] and Figure 2A and Figure 2B Compared to the earphone design shown, embodiments of the present disclosure include an earphone 300 having an eccentric pivoting earpiece. Earphone 300 can be the same or similar to earphone 100, however, earphone 300 can have additional and / or alternative components. Figure 3A and Figure 3B A front view of a headset 300 is shown, which may include a headband assembly 302 and earpieces 304. Each end of the headband assembly 302 may be coupled to an upper portion of the earpieces 304 via a pivot mechanism 306. In some embodiments, the pivot mechanism 306 enables the earpieces 304 to pivot around a pivot point that is spaced from the upper perimeter of each earpiece 304 by no more than 20% or 10% of the height (H) of the earpiece. This is different from conventional earphones 200 having a pivot point 206 positioned at or near the center of the earpiece 204. The earpieces 304 may pivot around the pivot mechanism 306 within a range of motion 308. The range of motion 308 may be configured to accommodate most user head sizes based on studies performed on average head size measurements.

[0110] Although the earphone 300 is compact in configuration, it can still perform the same functions as the earphone 200 of more traditional configuration, including applying force and establishing acoustic seal through the center of the earphone 304. In some embodiments, the range of motion 308 can be within the range between 10 degrees and 25 degrees. In other embodiments, the range of motion 308 may not have a limited stop (e.g., a hard stop point), but may gradually become more and more difficult to deform as it moves further and further away from the neutral position (e.g., the position where the earphones 304 are at a minimum distance from each other). The pivot mechanism 306 may include a spring element, which is configured to apply a retaining force to the user's ear when the earphone 300 is in use. Once the earphone 300 is no longer worn, the spring element can also restore the earphone to the neutral position.

[0111] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a pivot mechanism 400 according to some embodiments. The pivot mechanism 400 may represent Figure 3A , Figure 3B The pivot mechanism 306 shown in the figure can be positioned in the upper portion of the earpiece (e.g., the earpiece 304 according to some embodiments). The pivot mechanism 400 can be configured to accommodate movement around multiple axes, thereby allowing the earpiece 304 to be adjusted relative to the headband assembly 302. For example, the pivot mechanism 400 can rotate around the deflection axis 402 and the rolling axis 404. The pivot mechanism 400 may include an aperture 406 at least partially defined by a collar 409. The size and shape of the aperture 406 can be set to receive a portion of the headband assembly 302. The collar 409 can receive the headband assembly 302 and engage with the headband assembly (e.g., via a latch component that can couple the headband assembly 302 and the collar 409). The aperture 406 can receive the headband assembly 302 (e.g., an aperture in each of the left and right earpieces can receive one of two rods on opposite sides of the headband, such as rod 1208 discussed below) and allow the earpiece 304 to rotate about the yaw axis 402 and / or the roll axis 404.

[0112] One or more seals 408 may be positioned to at least partially, and in some embodiments, completely surround the aperture 406, and may seal the entrance to the aperture 406 from external contaminants and / or moisture. For example, a face seal 408a may be positioned to seal against the face of the pivot mechanism, and an O-ring seal 408b may be positioned to seal around the portion of the headband assembly 302 positioned in the aperture 406. The seals 408 may be made of a compressible material or the like.

[0113] One or more compression springs 410 can prevent rotation of the pivot mechanism 400 about the rolling axis 404. The compression springs 410 can be held in place by one or more spacers 412, which can separate the compression springs 410 and prevent lateral movement of the compression springs. Figure 4B As shown, the one or more spacers 412 may include a plurality of tubular segments that slide on a rod 413. The two compression springs 410 may be coupled to the spacers via an arrangement of pistons 450, as discussed below. The spacers 412 are not limited to Figure 4B For example, in some embodiments, the spacer 412 can be a rod or similar component having two grooves formed therein at desired spaced-apart locations for attaching springs.

[0114] In various embodiments, one or more connectors 414 can extend from the pivot mechanism 400 to electrically couple components attached to the pivot mechanism 400 with the headband assembly 302. For example, the connector 414 can electrically couple the two earpieces 304 to each other via the headband assembly 302.

[0115] Figure 4B and Figure 4C The various components of the pivot mechanism 400 are shown in an exploded state. The pivot mechanism 400 may include a roll bar 416 and a base 418, which may act as a central hub to receive various components (the base 418 may also be seen in FIG. Figure 4A ). The base 418 may also include an attachment portion 446 that enables the pivot mechanism to be attached to the housing of the earpiece via a fastener 448. The base 418 may receive a magnet 420 that may cooperate with a sensor configured to determine whether the earpiece 300 is being worn or removed (as described in reference to Figure 4D ). A latch plate 422 may also be positioned within the interior of the pivot mechanism 400 to secure a portion of the headband assembly 302 (see FIG. Figure 5A and Figure 5B described in more detail).

[0116] Seal 424 may be positioned between roll bar 416 and panel 426 (also seen in Figure 4A) to seal the entrance of the pivot mechanism 400 from moisture and / or dust particles. For example, a dynamic seal 424a can be used to seal the entrance between the panel 426 and the rolling bar 416. Similarly, an O-ring 424b can be positioned inside the pivot mechanism 400 to provide additional sealing of the entrance. The dynamic seal 424a may include a flexible material that allows the pivot mechanism to move (e.g., around the rolling axis 404). The seals 424a, 424b (collectively referred to as "seals 424" herein) can be or include elastomeric seals (e.g., silicone) and / or any suitable material for sealing the entrance to prevent external particles and / or moisture.

[0117] Figure 4C 4 shows various electronic connectors that may be included in some embodiments of the pivot mechanism 400. Various flexible connectors 428 may be used to connect various sensors in the pivot mechanism 400 to the processing components. For example, flexible connector 428a may be used to connect a Hall effect sensor to the processing components (see FIG. Figure 4D 404). The flexible connector 428b may be used to connect the headband socket 430 to the processing component. The flexible connector 428b may be a dynamically flexible connector that may move in response to rotation of the pivot mechanism 400 (e.g., movement about the yaw axis 402). The flexible connector cover 432 may be positioned within the pivot mechanism 400 to guide and / or protect the flexible connector 420b during movement of the flexible connector 420b. The flexible connector 420b may be electrically coupled to a cable 434 that may allow the pivot mechanism 400 to move about the roll axis 404. For example, when the pivot mechanism 400 moves about the roll axis 404, the cable 434 may have a length that allows the cable 434 to extend from a starting position.

[0118] Figure 4DA magnet 420 and a sensor 436 are shown positioned in the pivot mechanism 400. The magnets 420 can be positioned in an opposing orientation (e.g., a first magnet has a north pole oriented outward from the pivot mechanism 400 and a second magnet has a south pole oriented outward from the pivot mechanism 400). The opposing poles of the magnets 420 can generate a magnetic flux that travels between the two magnets. The sensor 436 can be or include a Hall effect sensor and / or a sensor that can detect a change in the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 420. The magnet 420 can rotate about the roll axis 404 (e.g., when the pivot mechanism 400 rotates about the roll axis 404), which can result in a change in the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 420. The sensor 436 can detect the change in the magnetic flux, which can be used to determine that the pivot mechanism 400 is rotating about the roll axis 404. Sensor 436 can detect changes in magnetic flux to determine when earphone 300 is being put on or taken off by a user based on rotation of pivot mechanism 400 about roll axis 404. For example, a user can rotate pivot mechanism 400 about roll axis 404 when earpieces 304 are pulled apart relative to each other. Pulling earpieces 304 apart relative to each other can indicate that earphone 300 is being put on or taken off. Flux shield 438 can be positioned above magnet 420 (e.g., between magnet 420 and the surrounding environment) to reduce or prevent magnetic flux from leaving pivot mechanism 400. For example, flux shield 438 can reduce or prevent magnetic flux from leaving pivot mechanism 400 and interfering with electronic components positioned within earpieces 304.

[0119] Figure 4E and Figure 4F A cross-sectional view of the pivot mechanism 400 is shown. Figure 4E The pivot mechanism 400 is shown in a relaxed position (eg, a state where no torque is applied to the pivot mechanism 400). For example, the pivot mechanism 400 can be in a relaxed state when the earphone 300 is taken off and / or when the earphone 300 is in a storage configuration. Figure 4FThe pivot mechanism 400 is shown in a rotated position (e.g., a state in which a torque is applied to the pivot mechanism 400 and / or the headset 300 is worn). For example, the pivot mechanism 400 may be in a rotated position when the earpieces 304 are pulled apart relative to each other and / or when the earpiece 300 is positioned on the user's head. Conventionally, as the pivot mechanism 400 is further pivoted away from the relaxed state, the force required to pivot the pivot mechanism 400 will continue to increase (i.e., it is relatively easy to initially rotate the earpiece 304, but the further the earpiece 304 is rotated, the more difficult it is to rotate the earpiece 304). In various embodiments described herein, the compression spring 410 can be mounted at an angle 449 relative to the deflection axis 402, which angle can allow the force required to pivot the pivot mechanism 400 to remain relatively constant when the pivot mechanism is pivoted away from the relaxed state (i.e., the same force can be used to rotate the earpiece 304 regardless of the rotational position of the earpiece). Maintaining a relatively constant pivot force for a variety of head sizes can enhance user comfort by applying the same force to the user's head by the earpiece 304. For example, the force applied by the earpiece 304 to a user with a larger head will be the same or similar to the force applied by the earpiece 304 to a user with a smaller head.

[0120] One or more compression springs 410 may be positioned to allow the pivot mechanism 400 to rotate about the rolling axis 404. Figure 4E and Figure 4F As shown, the scroll axis 404 extends out of the page pointing straight toward the viewer and is represented as a point. The compression spring 410 can be preloaded with a force and positioned at an angle relative to the yaw axis 402. The force 440 from the compression spring 410 can be resolved into a vertical force vector 440a (i.e., a force in the vertical direction) and 440b (i.e., a force in the horizontal direction).

[0121] The compression spring 410 may be attached at a first end 437 to the rotating beam 441 at a first pivot point 456. The first end 437 of the compression spring 410 may be connected to the rotating beam 441 at a horizontal distance 443 and a vertical distance 445 from the roll axis 404. The second end 439 of the compression spring 410 may be connected to the base 418 at a second pivot point 458 (i.e., the compression spring 410 may span between the first pivot point 456 and the second pivot point 458). The compression spring 410 may be mounted at the first pivot point 456 and the second pivot point 458 such that they are at an angle 449 relative to the yaw axis 402. The angle 449 may be in a range between 10 degrees and 80 degrees (e.g., 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, or 80 degrees). For example, the angle 449 may be in a range between 15 degrees and 60 degrees. In various embodiments, the compression spring 410 may be preloaded with force prior to being mounted to the first pivot point 456 and the second pivot point 458 .

[0122] When the pivot mechanism 400 is in the relaxed position, the compression spring 410 may be in the Figure 4E 4. For example, wherein the compression spring 410 has a first end 437 that is a horizontal distance 443a and a vertical distance 445a from the roll axis 404 and is at an angle 449a relative to the yaw axis 402. The torque generated by the compression spring 410 is the result of the vertical force vector 440a multiplied by the horizontal distance 443 plus the horizontal force vector 440b multiplied by the vertical distance 445. In various embodiments, the horizontal force vector 440b can be substantially in line with the roll axis 404 (i.e., the vertical distance 445 is substantially zero), and the resulting torque can be substantially zero. The vertical force vector 440a multiplied by the horizontal distance 443a can result in a resistive torque that can resist the movement of the pivot mechanism 400.

[0123] A torque may be applied to pivot mechanism 400, causing pivot mechanism 400 to rotate about roll axis 404, thereby causing rotation of roll bar 416. Rotation beam 441 may be attached to roll bar 416 such that rotation of roll bar 416 about roll axis 404 causes rotation of rotation beam 441 about roll axis 404. In various embodiments, rotation beam 441 and roll bar 416 may rotate about roll axis 404 within a range of about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. For example, rotation beam 441 and roll bar 416 may rotate about roll axis 404 by about 20 degrees.

[0124] When the rotating beam 441 rotates about the rolling axis 404, the first end 437 of the compression spring 410 can move a vertical distance away from the rolling axis 404. In the resulting rotational position, as shown in FIG. Figure 4F As shown, the compression spring 410 may have a first end that is located at a horizontal distance 443b and a vertical distance 445b away from the roll axis 404 and at an angle 449b relative to the deflection axis 402. As the compression of the compression spring 410 increases, the compression spring 410 may generate a greater force to resist rotation. The horizontal force vector 440b may be positioned at a vertical distance 445b from the roll axis 404, which may result in a torque that is opposite (i.e., subtractive) from the increased torque caused by the compression of the compression spring 410. In various embodiments, the torque generated by the horizontal force vector 440b positioned at a vertical distance 445b from the roll axis is approximately equal to the increased force generated by the compression of the compression spring 410. Regardless of the pivot position of the pivot mechanism 400, the force required to rotate the pivot mechanism 400 about the roll axis 404 may remain approximately the same (i.e., the force used to rotate the pivot mechanism 400 about the roll axis 404 does not need to increase significantly as the pivot mechanism 400 moves away from the relaxed state).

[0125] Figure 4G A cross-sectional view of the compression spring 410 is shown, and Figure 4H An exploded view of a compression spring 410 is shown. The compression spring 410 may include a piston 450 that fits within a channel 451 in a cylinder 452. Both the piston 450 and the cylinder 452 are at least partially surrounded by the compression spring 410 (e.g., a portion of the piston 450 and the cylinder 452 extend beyond the length of the compression spring 410). The piston 450 and the cylinder 452 may each be attached to the pivot mechanism 400 at respective pivot points 456 and 458. The piston 450 may engage with the cylinder 452 (e.g., the piston 450 may fit within the channel 451 of the cylinder 452) and slide relative to the cylinder 452 as the pivot mechanism 400 rotates. When the compression spring 410 is compressed in response to the pivot mechanism 400 rotating, the piston 450 engaged with the cylinder 452 may reduce or prevent lateral movement of the compression spring 410. For example, the piston 450 engaged with the cylinder 452 may prevent the compression spring 410 from bending and / or warping in a lateral direction. In some embodiments, the piston 450 can engage the cylinder 452 to provide additional resistance to rotation of the pivot mechanism 400. For example, the cylinder 452 can provide resistance to sliding of the piston 450.

[0126] Each pivot point 456 and 458 may be or include a rod (e.g., rod 415 or rod 413) that allows the piston 450 and the cylinder 452 to rotate about the corresponding pivot point. For example, the first pivot point 456 may be or include rod 415, and the second pivot point 458 may be or include rod 413. When the pivot mechanism 400 pivots, the piston 450 may slide in and out of the cylinder 452 and the compression spring 410 may be prevented from buckling (e.g., bending) during compression.

[0127] The pivot mechanism 400 may be attached to the headband assembly 302 via a collar 409 . Fig. 4I A pivot mechanism 400 is shown with a headband assembly 302 positioned in a collar 409. The collar 409 may define an aperture 406 that may receive the headband assembly 302. The collar 409 and / or the headband assembly 302 may include an orientation element 460 that may orient the headband assembly 302 and prevent the headband assembly 302 from rotating relative to the collar 409 when the headband assembly 302 is inserted into the collar 409. The orientation element 460 may be positioned on an inner surface of the collar 409 and extend into the aperture 406. The orientation element 460 may engage with the headband assembly 302 to position the headband assembly 302 in the collar 409 (e.g., to align the headband assembly 302 substantially coaxially with the collar 409 and / or to orient the headband assembly 302 relative to the collar 409). The orientation element 460 may be or include metal, rubber, or a similar suitable material.

[0128] Figure 4J shows a positioning Fig. 4I409. In various embodiments, the orientation element 460 can be or include a keyway 460a and / or one or more bumpers 460b. The keyway 460a can engage with a notch 462 in the headband assembly 302. The keyway 460a can orient the headband assembly 302 relative to the collar 409 and prevent the headband assembly 302 from rotating relative to the collar 409. The keyway 460a can allow the headband assembly 302 to be inserted into the collar 409 in only one orientation (e.g., where the notch 462 is aligned with the keyway 460a). The notch 462 engaged with the keyway 460a can prevent the headband assembly 302 from rotating relative to the collar 409. The bumpers 460b can help position the headband assembly 302 in the collar 409. For example, the bumper 460b can substantially align the center of the insertion portion 464 of the headband assembly 302 with the central axis of the collar 409 (ie, the yaw axis 402).

[0129] Removable handset

[0130] In various embodiments, the earpieces 304 can be removably attached to the headband assembly 302. For example, a user may want to have two or more sets of earpieces 304 of different colors or designs. As another example, a user may want to have earpieces with audio components that are specially designed or calibrated for different types of music (e.g., classical music vs. electronic music genres) or other uses. As another example, a user may want to remove the earpieces for a more compact storage option for the headphones.

[0131] Some embodiments enable the earpieces 304 to be removed by the user for storage and / or replacement with another set of earpieces. In some embodiments, the earpieces 304 can be attached using a latch mechanism that is slightly difficult for the user to unlock, making it less likely that the earpieces will accidentally become detached. For example, the latch plate 422 (e.g., Figure 5C ) may be used to connect the headband assembly 302 to the pivot mechanism 400. Figure 5A The latch plate 422 is shown in a latched position. In the latched position, the latch plate 422 can be held in place by the compression spring 502 and can prevent the rod 504 of the headband assembly 102 from being removed from the pivot mechanism 400. Figure 5D As shown, the rod 504 may include a notched portion 506 having a smaller diameter that engages the latch plate 422 when the latch plate 422 is in the latched position.

[0132] like Figure 5CAs shown, the latch plate 422 may include an opening 508 (e.g., an asymmetric opening) that is wider than the diameter of the rod 504 at the first end 508a and has a diameter that is approximately the same as the notched portion of the rod 504 at the second end 508b (i.e., the second end 508b may have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the non-notched portion of the rod 504). In various embodiments, by providing the latch plate 422, the latch plate 422 may engage with the rod 504 and hold the rod in place to allow the rod 504 to be inserted through the first end 508a of the opening. The latch plate 422 and / or the rod 504 may be moved in a lateral direction until the rod 504 is positioned at the second end 504b of the opening (e.g., until a portion of the latch plate 422 engages with the notched portion 506 of the rod 504). The rod 504 may be held in place by the latch plate 422 because the diameter of the rod 504 is too large to fit through the second end 508b of the opening (e.g., the rod 504 cannot be pulled through the second end 508b of the opening of the latch plate 422). In some embodiments, the latch plate 422 is moved to position the rod 504 at the sending end of the opening by the compression spring 502. The compression spring 502 can apply a constant force to the latch plate 422 to hold the latch plate 422 in place (e.g., prevent the latch plate 422 from moving to a position that allows the rod 504 to be removed).

[0133] Figure 5B The rod 504 is shown unlocked from the latch plate 422. The rod 504 can be unlocked (i.e., removed) from the latch plate 422 by moving the latch plate 422 in a lateral direction until the rod 504 is positioned at the first end 504a. The rod 504 can then be removed from the opening 508 (e.g., by pulling the rod out of the opening 508). Unlocking the rod 504 from the latch plate 422 can allow the rod 504 to be removed from the pivot mechanism 400 and / or the earpiece 304. In multiple embodiments, the latch plate 422 may include an engagement point 510 for engaging with a pivot tool. The pivot tool can be used to move the latch plate 422 from a latched position to an unlocked position in a lateral direction. The pivot tool can be or include a tool external to the earpiece 304. For example, an external pivot tool can engage with the engagement point 510 via an opening in the earpiece 304. However, the pivot tool can be or include an internal mechanism that engages with the latch plate 422.

[0134] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D Another exemplary latch mechanism 600 is shown that can be used to connect the headband assembly 302 to the pivot mechanism 400. The latch mechanism 600 can form a substantially permanent coupling between the earpiece and the stem such that the earpiece cannot be easily removed by a user. Advantageously, however, the latch mechanism 600 allows a manufacturer to, for example, assemble the headband and earpiece separately, test the earpiece using appropriate equipment before attaching the earpiece to the headband, and then attach the earpiece to the headset in a substantially permanent manner if the given earpiece meets the manufacturer's requirements.

[0135] In some embodiments, the latch mechanism 600 can be a semicircular piece of material that can expand and return to its original shape (i.e., the latch mechanism 600 can deform and return to its original shape). The latch mechanism 600 can be or include steel, plastic, aluminum, or any suitable material that allows it to return to a relaxed state after being compressed. The latch mechanism 600 can have a relaxed diameter that is less than the diameter of the rod 604 and can expand to have a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the rod 604. The latch mechanism 600 can be inserted into the aperture 406 defined by the collar 602 before the rod 604 is inserted into the aperture 406. The collar 602 can represent Figure 4A , Figure 4B The collar 409 is shown. The rod 604 can engage with the latch mechanism 600 and move (e.g., push) the latch mechanism down along the collar 602. The rod 604 can include a tapered edge 606 that can engage with the latch mechanism 600 to push the latch mechanism 600 down along the collar 602. The rod 604 can also include a notch 608 having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the rod 604. In various embodiments, the notch 608 can have a diameter that is approximately the same as the diameter of the latch mechanism 600 in a relaxed state.

[0136] FIG. 6B to FIG. 6D A cross-sectional view of the latch mechanism 600 and rod 604 inserted into the collar 602 is shown. The latch mechanism 600 moves down the collar 602 until it reaches a recess 610 in the collar 602. Figure 6C The latch mechanism 600 is shown expanded into the recess 610. As the rod 604 moves downward along the collar 602, the tapered edge 606 can cause the latch mechanism 600 to expand into the recess 610. The latch mechanism 600 can be held expanded in the recess 610 by the rod 604 having a diameter greater than the relaxed diameter of the latch mechanism 600. While the latch mechanism 600 is held in the recess 610, the rod 604 can continue to move downward along the collar 602 until the rod 604 is seated in the collar 602 and / or the notch 608 is substantially aligned with the latch mechanism 600. Fig.6D The latch mechanism 600 is shown fixed in position on the notch 608. When the notch 608 has been moved down the collar 602 and aligned with the latch mechanism 600, the latch mechanism 600 can be retracted and engage the notch 608. The latch mechanism 600 can expand into the recess 610 when engaged with the notch 608 and prevent the rod 604 from being removed from the collar 602 or make it extremely difficult for a user to remove it. For example, removing the rod 604 from the collar 602 may require shearing the latch mechanism 600. In various embodiments, a tool can be inserted into the aperture 406 and used to disengage the latch mechanism 600 from the notch 608 and expand the latch mechanism 600 into the recess 610. The rod 604 can then be removed from the collar 602.

[0137] Cantilever support member for ear pads

[0138] Figure 7 A perspective view of the earpiece 104 contacting the side of the head of a user 702 is shown. This figure shows how the side of the head of the user 702 can vary greatly. One reason that the earpiece cushion assembly tends to be more stable in thickness is to accommodate the various skull contours commonly found on the sides of the user's head. Figure 7 The dashed lines depicted in FIG. 1 show the distance variation that the earpiece cushion assembly 110 needs to overcome in order to conform to the skull contour so that audio waves can be prevented from entering or leaving the area immediately adjacent to the user's ear. A conventional solution to this is to make the earpiece cushion assembly 110 thick enough to accommodate the variation depicted for most users. It should be noted that although Figure 7 A gradual change in contour is shown, but the change in some skull contours may be more abrupt. For example, some users may have prominent bones that cause a rapid change in the curvature of the outer surface of the user's head.

[0139] Fig. 8A A perspective view of an earpiece housing 112 and a cushion frame 802 configured to support an earpiece cushion according to some embodiments is shown. The cushion frame 802 may include a support structure including a plurality of radially distributed cantilevered support members 804 that protrude toward a central region of the cushion frame 802 and are movable independently of adjacent cantilevered support members in the cantilevered support members 804. The curvature of the cantilevered support members 804 may curve upward and away from the earpiece housing 112 to match the curvature of the earpiece cushion. The cantilevered support members 804 may be particularly helpful in reinforcing portions of the earpiece cushion that are positioned closer to the central region of the cushion frame 802.

[0140] While cantilever support members are shown in some cases as being separated from adjacent cantilever support members by as much as their own width, it should be understood that in some configurations, the cantilever support members may be much closer. For example, cantilever support members 804 may be separated by just enough space to prevent interference between adjacent cantilever support members during flexure of one or more of cantilever support members 804.

[0141] Figure 8B Shows the suitability for Fig. 8A806 is a perspective view of an earpiece cushion 806 used together with the earpiece housing 112 and the cushion frame 802 shown in the figure. As shown, the earpiece cushion 806 has an annular geometry that defines a central opening 808, and the size of the central opening is set to receive the user's ear. In some embodiments, the earpiece cushion 806 can be formed by performing a subtractive machining operation on an open-cell foam block. Alternatively, the earpiece cushion 806 can be formed by an injection molding operation. It should be noted that other elastic materials except foam can be used to form the earpiece cushion 806, including, for example, latex and silicon materials. The resulting thickness of the earpiece cushion 806 can be between about a quarter inch and half an inch.

[0142] Figure 8C A separate support structure 812 is shown, which may be in the form of an insert and not integrally formed with the cushion frame 802, such as Fig. 8A Instead, support structure 812 may sit atop cushion frame 802 or may be attached to cushion frame 802. In some embodiments, cantilevered support members 804 may vary in length and / or thickness. Thickening or thinning of specific ones of cantilevered support members 804 may be performed to customize the response of support structure 812 for a specific user or class of users. Manufacturing support structure 812 as an insert makes user customization more feasible because support structure 812 may be 3D printed from a polymer or other deformable material after measuring the user's head to achieve a customized fit. For a user having a similar Figure 7 For a user having a skull profile of the type shown, cantilever support members 804-1 through 804-6 may include less reinforcement because these cantilever support members 804 may be expected to experience a greater than normal amount of flexing due to the larger skull profile immediately above and below the user's ears. Cantilever support members 804-7 through 804-11 may include more reinforcement because these cantilever support members 804 may be expected to experience a much lower amount of flexing due to those cantilever support members 804 being positioned over a more concave portion of the user's head.

[0143] Fig.8DIt is shown how the support structure 812 may include a webbing 810 in some embodiments that forms a loose mechanical coupling between adjacent cantilever support members 804. Specifically, the webbing 810 is shown stretched between adjacent cantilever support members 804-7 and 804-8. This allows the curvature of the earpiece cushion assembly 110 to be partially constrained. For example, when the cantilever support member 804-7 undergoes a large amount of flexing to accommodate a particularly prominent skull contour but the cantilever support member 804-8 does not contact the particular skull contour, the webbing 810 may distribute a portion of the force located on the cantilever support member 804-7 to the cantilever support member 804-8. By distributing the force in this manner, excessive shear forces that may cause fatigue or fracture of the earpiece cushion 806 or other components adjacent to the support structure 812 may be avoided.

[0144] The strength and / or stiffness of the material used to form the webbing 810 may be selected to achieve a desired amount of force transfer between adjacent cantilevered support members 804. Generally, the webbing 810 will be more compliant than the material used to form the cantilevered support members 804. Examples of possible stretchable materials for connecting adjacent cantilevered support members 804 include woven polyester, spandex, etc. In some embodiments, the webbing 810 may be constructed of a more rigid material / webbing, but may leave a desired amount of slack between adjacent cantilevered support members so that force is only distributed to adjacent cantilevered support members 804 once a threshold amount of flexure is experienced. In other embodiments, the webbing may take the form of an elastic cord extending through an opening in each of the cantilevered support members 804, or having a discrete cord between each of the cantilevered support members 804. The fabric band 810 may include a dimple that fits over the end of each of the cantilevered support members 804 to help couple the cantilevered support members 804 together. Alternatively, the fabric band 810 may be adhesively coupled to adjacent cantilevered support members 804. In some embodiments, the fabric band 810 may be positioned only between selected ones of the cantilevered support members 804. For example, the cantilevered support members 804 on the sides of the earpiece 104 may all be connected, but the fabric band may be omitted from the cantilevered support members 804 on the top side of the earpiece 104. In some embodiments, the fabric band 810 may include padding that helps mask the presence of the discrete cantilevered support members 804 when the finger of the owner of the earphone 100 moves along the inner edge of the earpiece cushion assembly 110.

[0145] Fig.9AA simplified cross-sectional view showing how the earpiece 104 defines a cavity 902 that is sized to receive the ear 904 of the user 702 is shown. The inner-facing surface of the earpiece cushion assembly and the adjacent inner surface of the earpiece housing 112 operate to form an undercut 903, which is sized to accommodate the helix and earlobe of the ear 904 of the user 702. The headband assembly 102 typically includes a spring (e.g., a leaf spring) that is tuned to apply enough force to fully compress the earpiece 104 so that the earpiece cushion assembly forms an acoustic seal with the outer surface of the head of the user 702. The cavity 902 is defined in cooperation with the earpiece housing 112 and the earpiece cushion assembly 110. As shown, the undercut 903 of the cavity 902 accommodates the helix and earlobe of the ear 904 of the user 702 and leaves sufficient space for it. The undercut increases the amount of the area where the earpiece cushion assembly 110 contacts the user 702 without unduly increasing the overall size of the earpiece 104. The larger surface area of ​​the earpiece cushion assembly helps to evenly distribute the forces exerted by the headband assembly 102 on the user 702 through the earpiece 104 , thereby increasing the comfort of the headset 100 . Fig.9A Also shown is the location of an acoustic driver 905 (ie, a speaker) within the earpiece housing 112 and how the acoustic driver may be directed into the cavity 902 and subsequently into the ear canal of the ear 904 .

[0146] Fig. 9BA cross-sectional view of a portion of the earpiece 104 is shown, which shows a cantilever support member in a cantilever support member 804 integrally formed with a cushion frame 802. The cushion frame 802 provides a channel in which the earpiece cushion 806 can rest and be supported. The cantilever support member 804 is particularly helpful in supporting the downward facing surface of the earpiece cushion 806 shown as being conformable to the earpiece cushion assembly 110. The earpiece cushion assembly 110 also includes a cover 906, which is wrapped around the earpiece cushion 806 and can be formed by one or more layers of textile or leather. In addition to providing a luxurious and comfortable feel for the earpiece cushion assembly 110, the cover 906 also helps to conceal the existence of the cantilever support member 804. The cantilever support member 804 may have a flexural resistance, which causes the earpiece cushion 806 to be compressed before any of the cantilever support members 804 when the earpiece 104 is initially pressed against the side of the user's head. In locations where the earpiece cushion assembly 110 contacts a recessed portion of the user's head, one or more cantilever support members 804 located near the recessed portion may not move at all. This is because the amount of compression experienced by the earpiece cushion 806 is insufficient to resist the compression of that portion of the earpiece cushion 806 to exceed the resistance to the initial flexure of the corresponding cantilever support member 804. In locations or areas where the earpiece cushion assembly 110 contacts a raised area of ​​the user's head, once a portion of the earpiece cushion 806 exceeds a threshold amount of compression, the cantilever support members 804 will begin to deflect, such that the deflection of those cantilever support members 804 is equivalent to further compression of the earpiece cushion 806. This causes compression and flexure to occur until the earpiece cushion assembly 110 conforms to the various contours of the user's head and forms a secure acoustic seal around the user's ear.

[0147] Fig. 9B Also shown is how the earpiece cushion assembly 110 is engaged by the earpiece housing 112. In some embodiments, the earpiece housing 112 may include a recessed portion that is engaged by a snap on the cushion frame 802 that helps secure the cushion frame 802 to the earpiece housing 112. It should be noted that while no components are shown as being positioned within the earpiece housing 112, a portion of this space will be filled by electronics supporting one or more acoustic drivers, media processing, and other sensors supporting the earphone 100.

[0148] Fig. 9C A cross-sectional view of a portion of the earpiece 104 is shown without one of the cantilevered support members 804. This leaves a large portion of the earpiece cushion 806 unsupported. To this end, the spacing between the cantilevered support members 804 is important because the size of the gap between the cantilevered support members 804 and the size and shape of the cantilevered support members 804 can all be tuned to achieve a desired overall stiffness of the earpiece cushion assembly 110.

[0149] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The use of a separate support structure 812 (see Figure 8C ) is a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of the earpiece cushion assembly 110. Specifically, the support structure 812 and one of the cantilevered support members 804 are shown as being positioned atop the cushion frame 802. In some embodiments, the support structure 812 can be adhesively coupled to the cushion frame 802. In some embodiments, the cushion frame 802 can include alignment features such as a slightly recessed area to position the support structure 812. Once the cover is secured to the opposite side of the cushion frame 802, the support structure 812 is locked in place by being compressed between the cover 906 and the earpiece cushion 806.

[0150] Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of one side of an earpiece cushion assembly 110 having a support structure 812 embedded in a cover 906 is shown. When the cover 906 is formed of a knitted material, it is possible to incorporate or embed the support structure 812 in the cover 906, thereby allowing the cantilever support member 804 to be incorporated into the braid of the knitted material. In some embodiments, incorporating the support structure 812 in the cover 906 may involve using a higher strength material, such as stainless steel or titanium, having a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 2 mm. This profile thickness will allow the support structure 812 to maintain a desired level of stiffness without significantly interrupting the braid pattern of the cover 906. Combining the cover and support structure 812 can reduce the time spent in completing the final assembly of the earphone 100. The final assembly time is reduced because the two components become a single component, making it easier to handle, and because coupling the cover to the cushion frame 802 also forms an attachment of the support structure 812. Combining multiple components in this manner may also improve component alignment, as successfully coupling one component to the cushion frame 802 also results in successful coupling of another component.

[0151] Mesh headband

[0152] Fig.12A perspective view of a headset 1200 worn by a user is shown. The headset 1200 may include the same or similar components as the headset 100, however, the headset 1200 may include additional and / or alternative components not included in the headset 100. The headset 1200 may include an earpiece 1202 joined together by a headband 1204. The headband 1204 may include a rod 1208 that couples the headband 1204 to the earpiece 1202. The rod 1208 includes a telescopic telescopic member 1210 that telescopes in and out of a headband housing 1212 to adjust the size of the headset 1200 based on the size of the user's head. In some embodiments, the telescopic telescopic member 1210 may be configured to translate a certain distance within a range of about 10 mm to 50 mm. For example, the telescopic telescopic member 1210 may translate a distance of 34 mm.

[0153] The headband housing 1212 may define a central opening configured to accommodate a layer of a conformable mesh assembly 1214 configured to evenly distribute pressure across the user's head. The central opening may be defined by two headband arms 1216 of the headband housing 1212. In some embodiments, the headband arms 1216 may have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and accommodate wiring of a conductive pathway configured to synchronize the operation of the earpieces 1202. The headband arms may also include spring members configured to maintain the shape of the headband arms 1216 and help keep the headset 1200 securely attached to the user's head.

[0154] The earpiece 1202 may also include a user interface 1206 positioned on the outside of one or more of the earpieces in the earpiece 1202. In some embodiments, the user interface 1206 may be configured to allow the user to manipulate the settings and playback of the media. For example, the user interface 1206 may be or include a button that is configured to receive user input and cause volume changes, next track / previous track, pause, stop, etc. In another embodiment, the user interface 1206 may be positioned on each side of the rod 1208. The user interface 1206 may be positioned on the earpiece 1202 to allow the user to determine which interface they are interacting with based on the position of the user interface 1206 relative to the rod 1208. For example, the first button of the user interface 1206 may be positioned on the side of the rod 1208 that is closer to the user's face and controls the playback of the audio. In some embodiments, the user interface 1206 may include a crown assembly and an extension button that is connected to the crown assembly relative to the crown assembly described below. Fig.18 Input terminal 1808 described above with reference to FIG. 22 is the same as or similar to input terminal 1806 .

[0155] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13E Shows the composition Fig.12 Perspective views of various embodiments of components of a cover structure for earphone 1200 are shown. Fig.13AA perspective view of a conformable mesh component 1214 and a close-up view of a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the perimeter of the conformable mesh component 1214 are shown. As shown, the perimeter of the conformable mesh component 1214 includes a locking feature 1302 overmolded around the edge of the mesh material 1218. The mesh material 1218 may be formed of nylon, PET, a monoelastic or bielastic woven fabric, or a polyether-polyurea copolymer having a thickness of about 0.6 mm. The locking feature 1302 may be formed of a durable and flexible thermoplastic material such as TR90, and in some cases extends through an opening in the mesh material 1218. In some embodiments, the locking feature 1302 may define an alignment feature in the form of a notch 1304, thereby helping to confirm the correct alignment of the conformable mesh component 1214 with the central opening.

[0156] Fig. 13B The headband housing 1212 is shown and how the locking features 1302 of the conformable mesh assembly 1214 may be aligned with the channel defined by the headband arms 1216 of the headband housing 1212 before pressure 1305 is applied to the conformable mesh assembly 1214 to engage the locking features 1302 within the channel. Fig. 13C Shown are a channel 1306 defined by the headband arm 1216 and a central opening 1308 defined by the headband arm 1216. The channel 1306 can have an internal t-shaped geometry configured to receive and retain the locking feature 1302 of the conformable mesh assembly 1214. Fig.13D The conformable mesh assembly 1214 is shown positioned within the central opening 1308.

[0157] Fig.13E It is shown how the mesh material 1218 that forms the majority of the conformable mesh component 1214 may have a substantially uniform consistency / mesh pattern. The mesh material 1218 may be flexible so as to prevent excessive forces from being applied to the user's head. Fig.13F An alternative embodiment is shown in which the conformable mesh assembly 1214 includes a first mesh material 1218 extending across a central portion of the conformable mesh assembly 1214 and a second mesh material 1230 extending across a peripheral portion of the conformable mesh assembly 1214. The first mesh material 1218 may be formed of a more flexible / compliant material than the second mesh material 1230, thereby allowing the central portion of the conformable mesh assembly 1214 to deform significantly more than the peripheral portion of the conformable mesh assembly 1214. This also allows the peripheral portion of the conformable mesh assembly to be stronger and less likely to tear or damage.

[0158] Figure 13GIt is shown how the conformable mesh component 1214 may include three different types of mesh materials 1218, 1230, and 1222, thereby allowing the conformable portion to gradually become stiffer toward the periphery. In some embodiments, the stiffness of the conformable mesh component 1214 may even change more rapidly across its entire area. Specifically, the mesh may include meshes with gradually changing mesh sizes, so that the central portion of the conformable mesh component 1214 may have a significantly lower elasticity ratio than the periphery of the conformable mesh component 1214. In this way, the portion of the mesh material that may experience the greatest amount of displacement may have the lowest elasticity ratio, thereby significantly increasing comfort by reducing the possibility of force concentration at a specific point or area of ​​the user's head. In some embodiments, the arrangement of the reinforcing member may be used in combination with the mesh material 1218 to change the amount of force transmitted to the user by the mesh material constituting the conformable mesh component 1214. In some embodiments, a gap may be left in the central area of ​​the mesh material 1218 to reduce the force in the central area of ​​the mesh material 1218.

[0159] Multi-component headband

[0160] Fig.14A A cross-sectional view of a multi-component headband 1400 including two arms 1416 is shown. The multi-component headband 1400 can be used with the earpieces 104 to form the headset 100. The multi-component headband 1400 can include a spring 1402 (e.g., a center spring) surrounded by one or more layers of material. For example, Fig.14A and Fig. 14B , which is a simplified cross-sectional view of one of the arms 1416, the multi-component headband 1400 may include a spring 1402 made of metal and surrounded by multiple layers of material (e.g., plastic). In various embodiments, a different material is used for each layer. For example, a first layer 1404a can be or include a hard plastic material, a second layer 1404b can be or include a soft plastic layer, and a third layer can be or include a plastic with decorative properties. A channel 1406 can be formed in the spring 1402 and / or the material. A recess 1408 can be formed in the material layer for receiving the material. For example, the recess 1408 can receive a reference FIG. 13A to FIG. 13E The mesh.

[0161] In various embodiments, the multi-component headband 1400 can be tuned to have a clamping force within a desired range. In various embodiments, the clamping force is within a range between about 4 Newtons and about 6 Newtons. For example, the clamping force may be between 4.8 Newtons and 5.4 Newtons. The clamping force may provide enhanced comfort to the user and improve the acoustic seal of the earpiece compared to a conventional headband. The tuning of the multi-component headband 1400 may also prevent the multi-component headband 1400 from loosening over time, thereby causing the clamping force of the multi-component headband 1400 to fall outside the desired range. The multi-component headband 1400 may be tuned by heating and cooling the headband for one or more cycles. The heating cycle may cause the multi-component headband 1400 to relax, which may prevent or reduce future relaxation of the headband. For example, the multi-component headband 1400 may have a clamping force higher than the desired range, and may undergo a thermal cycle until the clamping force is within the desired range.

[0162] Fig. 14C and Fig.14D Multiple components that can be joined to form a multi-component headband 1400 are shown. The multi-component headband 1400 may include a spring 1402 connected to two brackets 1410. The brackets 1410 may be welded to the springs 1402 at opposite ends of the springs 1402. The brackets 1410 may each receive an arm connected to the earpiece 104. The spring 1402 may include a channel 1406 along the length of the arm 1416. The channel 1406 may receive a cable 1412 for transmitting electrical signals between the earpieces 104. In various embodiments, a portion of the cable 1412 may include a dummy cable that does not transmit electrical signals. The cable 1412 may be coiled in a portion of the bracket 1410 to allow the earpiece to move relative to the multi-component headband 1400. For example, coiling the cable 1412 may allow the arm positioned in the bracket 1410 to extend away from the multi-component headband 1400.

[0163] Shock absorbers

[0164] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to headphones that include rigid materials that are lightweight and provide a comfortable fit for the wearer. For example, an earpiece such as earpiece 104 may include a rigid material (eg, a metal material). Fig.15A 1 is a simplified illustration of a pair of headphones 1500 according to some embodiments. Headphones 1500 may represent headphones 100 as well as other embodiments of headphones according to the present disclosure and described herein. Fig.15A As shown, earphone 1500 includes earpieces 1504 that can contact each other when force 1502 is applied to one or both of the earpieces 1504. Force 1502 can cause earpieces 1504 to contact each other. When earpieces 1504 are made of a rigid material (e.g., metal), components within the earpieces can experience shock from the sudden deceleration caused by the contact of earpieces 1504.

[0165] like Fig. 15B As shown, one or more of the components may be mounted on a board 1506 (e.g., a main logic board (MLB)) made of a semi-rigid material. Board 1506 may flex in response to an impact caused by earpieces 1504 contacting each other. The impact may cause component 1508 mounted on board 1506 to move. For example, the flexing of board 1506 may cause component 1508 to move along direction 1510. The movement of component 1508 may damage component 1508 (e.g., causing calibration errors or failures). For component 1508 (e.g., sensitive electronic components), repeated movement (e.g., more than thousands of times) caused by the flexing of board 1506 may cause failures.

[0166] In various embodiments, one or more blocks 1512 positioned on the plate 1506 can be used to reduce the effects of shock caused by contact of the earpieces 1504. The blocks 1512 can be positioned to reduce the acceleration of the plate 1506 caused by the shock caused when the earpieces 1504 contact each other. Reducing the acceleration of the plate 1506 can reduce the deflection of the plate 1506 and the movement of the component 1508. The blocks 1512 can be or include a dense material (e.g., tungsten) mounted on the plate. The blocks 1512 can be static blocks or dynamic blocks that can move in response to the movement of the plate 1506.

[0167] Fig. 15C Various mounting locations of block 1512 on board 1506 are shown. In some embodiments, block 1512 and / or component 1508 can be mounted at optimized locations on board 1506 to reduce deflection of board 1506. For example, blocks 1512a, 1512b, and 1512c can be mounted at various locations on board 1506 based on the component 1508 mounted on the board and / or the sensitivity of the component 1508. For example, the location of block 1512 can be optimized to reduce deflection of the board at the location where component 1508 (e.g., sensitive electronic components such as accelerometers, etc.) is mounted. In various embodiments, the material of board 1506 can be additionally or alternatively optimized to reduce the stiffness of board 1506, which in turn can reduce deflection of board 1506.

[0168] In some embodiments, the plate 1506 can be mounted using a shock absorbing material 1514. For example, the shock absorbing material 1514 can be mounted between the plate 1506 and a component mounted to the plate 1506. The shock absorbing material 1514 can additionally or alternatively be mounted between a fastener and the plate 1506. The shock absorbing material 1514 can absorb some of the forces caused by the flexing of the plate 1506. Reducing the flexing of the plate 1506 can in turn reduce the movement of the component 1508 mounted to the plate 1506.

[0169] Earpiece assembly

[0170] Fig.16A A cross-sectional side view of an exemplary acoustic configuration within earpiece 1600 is shown, which can be applied to any earpiece previously described. The acoustic configuration can include a speaker assembly 1602, which in turn can include a diaphragm 1604 and a conductive coil 1606. The conductive coil 1606 can be configured to receive an electric current for generating a moving magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic field emitted by the permanent magnets 1608 and 1610. The interaction between the magnetic fields can cause the diaphragm 1604 to oscillate and generate audio waves that, for example, leave the earpiece assembly through a perforated wall 1609. In some embodiments, the perforated wall 1609 can include one or more openings, for example to allow one or more sensors to detect an object adjacent to the perforated wall 1609. A hole can be drilled through the central region of the permanent magnet 1608 to define an opening 1612, which allows the rear air volume behind the diaphragm 1604 to be in fluid communication with the internal volume 1614 through the mesh layer 1616, thereby increasing the effective size of the rear volume of the speaker assembly 1602. The interior volume 1614 extends all the way to the vent 1618. The vent 1618 can be configured to further increase the effective size of the rear volume of the speaker assembly 1602. The rear volume of the speaker assembly 1602 can be further defined by a speaker frame member 1620 and a housing 1622. In some embodiments, the housing 1622 can be separated from the speaker frame member 1620 by about 1 mm. The speaker frame member 1620 defines an opening 1624 that allows audio waves to travel under an adhesive channel 1626 defined by a protrusion 1628 of the speaker frame member 1620. In various embodiments, the housing 1622 can be positioned to protrude at least partially from the earpiece 1600. For example, the housing 1622 can be or include a button positioned to interact with a user.

[0171] Fig. 16B The exterior of the earpiece 1600 is shown with the housing 1622 removed to illustrate the shape and size of the internal volume associated with the speaker assembly 1602. As shown, the central portion of the earpiece 1600 includes permanent magnets 1608 and 1610. The speaker frame member 1620 includes a recessed area that defines an internal volume 1614. The internal volume 1614 may have a width of approximately 20 mm and a height of approximately 1 mm, as shown in FIG. Fig.16A At the end of the interior volume 1614 is an opening 1624 defined by a speaker frame member 1620 that is configured to allow the rear volume to continue under an adhesive channel 1626 and extend to a vent 1618 leading out of the earpiece 1600 .

[0172] Fig. 16CA cross-sectional view of a microphone mounted within the earpiece 1600 is shown. In some embodiments, the microphone 1630 is secured across an opening 1632 defined by the speaker frame member 1620. The opening 1632 is offset from the microphone intake vent 1634, thereby preventing the user from viewing the opening 1632 from outside the earpiece 1600. In addition to providing an aesthetic improvement, this offset opening configuration also tends to reduce the incidence of microphone 1630 picking up noise from air rapidly passing through the microphone intake vent 1634.

[0173] Slot Antenna

[0174] In some embodiments, the earpiece 104 may include a housing made of a material that hinders and / or blocks radio frequency (RF) emissions. For example, the earpiece 104 may include aluminum and / or similar metals that isolate the earpiece from RF emissions. However, when the RF antenna is positioned inside the earpiece, the RF emissions need to travel through a path of the housing.

[0175] Some embodiments form one or more slots 1702 (ie, openings or apertures) through the earpiece housing to allow RF emissions to travel into and / or out of the housing. The slot 1702 may include an elongated slot 1702 formed in the housing 1704. Fig.17A is a simplified perspective view of an earpiece 1700 including an elongated slot 1702 formed in a housing 1704 having an earpiece cushion 1701 attached to the housing. Earpiece 1700 may represent Figure 1 One or both of the earpieces 104 shown. Fig. 17B 1706) can be formed within the housing 1704. For example, the housing can define a ground plane element for a slot antenna, and an elongated slot 1702 can be formed through the ground plane element portion of the housing to form a portion of the antenna. In some embodiments, the earpiece housing 1704 has a curvature along an outer portion of its thickness, and the elongated slot 1702 can be formed through the apex of the curvature (i.e., through the widest portion of the housing).

[0176] Fig. 17B is a simplified cross-section of the earpiece 1700 taken along its length. Fig. 17BAs shown, the housing 1704 forms an internal volume including a central region 1705a and an annular spherical region 1705b surrounding the central region. For example, the annular spherical region 1705b may extend 360 degrees around the central region 1705a. For convenience, the combined internal volume of the central region 1705a and the annular spherical region 1705b is sometimes referred to herein as the "inner volume 1705". The housing 1704 may be made of and / or include a conductive material (e.g., aluminum), and may be or include a rigid or semi-rigid structure forming the internal volume 1705. The RF antenna 1706 (which may be a slot antenna in some embodiments) may be positioned within the annular spherical region 1705b of the internal volume 1705.

[0177] The housing 1704 may have an opening on the front side of the housing that enables components such as an acoustic driver 1708 to be placed within the housing. A cover 1707 may be attached to the housing in the area of ​​the opening and, for example, positioned over the central area 1705a to complete the encapsulation of the interior volume 1705. The cover 1707 may include one or more apertures 1707a that allow sound waves generated by the acoustic driver 1708 to exit the housing 1704. In some embodiments, the cover 1707 may be made of plastic or a similar rigid material.

[0178] Various components of the earpiece 1700 may be positioned in the interior volume 1705. For example, an acoustic driver 1708 (e.g., a speaker) and / or electronic components 1709 (e.g., wireless circuits, audio processing circuits, and / or components that may be electrically coupled to a main logic board (MLB)) may be positioned in a central region 1705a of the interior volume 1705. For example, the acoustic driver 1708 may be electrically coupled to the electronic components 1709 to generate sound for output through the acoustic driver based on audio data wirelessly received through the RF antenna 1706 and processed by the electronic components 1709.

[0179] The earpiece cushion 1701 may be coupled to the housing 1704 at an outer annular portion of the housing 1704. The shape and structure of the earpiece 1700 (including the earpiece cushion 1701 and the housing 1704) enables the acoustic driver 1708 to be recessed from the earpiece cushion 1701 and the outer annular portion of the housing 1704 to a certain extent so that the earpiece can accommodate the user's ear. The area between the acoustic driver 1708 and the earpiece cushion 1701 can be a front volume 1717. When the earphone is worn and the earpiece cushion 1701 is compressed against the user's head, the front volume 1717 can be completely sealed or partially sealed, which can cause the front volume 1717 to be pressurized. The front volume 1717 can be fluidly coupled to a release port (e.g., orifice 1703a) that allows pressure to be released from the front volume 1717. The rear volume 1719 can improve the efficiency of the system at certain frequencies (e.g., low frequencies) and / or allow tuning of the acoustic driver. The back volume 1719 may be fluidly coupled to one or more outputs (eg, orifice 1703b), such as via an acoustic channel.

[0180] In some embodiments, the RF antenna 1706 can receive RF emissions and / or direct RF emissions out of the housing 1704 through the slot 1702. The slot 1702 can be formed through the housing 1704. For example, the slot 1702 can be formed through the housing 1704 at a bottom portion of the housing (i.e., the portion of the housing opposite the location on the earpiece where the stem is coupled to the earpiece). The location along the bottom portion of the housing is advantageous because when the earpiece 1700 is positioned on the user's head, RF emissions can be received or sent to or from the host electronic device (e.g., a smartphone streaming music to the earphones) through the slot, such that when the host device is in the user's pants pocket (a common scenario), the radiation vector of the antenna is pointed toward the host electronic device.

[0181] Fig.17D 17 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of the earpiece 1700 taken through line AA' and thus through a portion of the RF antenna 1706. Fig.17D As shown, the RF antenna 1706 may include a frame 1713 that defines a cavity 1714. The frame 1713 may be or include a radio frequency transparent material (e.g., a rigid plastic made by an injection molding process) and may be formed in any suitable shape to define the cavity 1714. The frame 1713 may be plated with one or more layers of a backing 1716 to form the RF antenna 1706. In some embodiments, the end surface of the tongue 1725 adjacent to and extending along a majority of the length of the slot 1712 may be or include a material that allows RF emissions to enter and / or exit the RF antenna 1706 through the tongue 1725, and the metal plating may substantially surround the cavity 1714. For example, as shown in FIG. Fig.17DAs shown in the expanded view portion of , the tongue 1725 may include a first opposing surface 1726 and a second opposing surface 1728 that protrude away from the cavity 1714, and an end surface 1724 that extends between the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface and faces the slot 1702. The cavity 1714 can guide RF emissions through the tongue 1725 and out of the slot 1702. The tongue 1725 can be or include a radio transparent and / or radio opaque material. For example, the end surface 1724 can be or include a radio transparent material that allows RF emissions to enter and / or exit the tongue 1725. The cavity 1714 can be a void (e.g., filled with air) to provide minimal RF energy loss for the RF emissions.

[0182] In various embodiments, the slot 1702 can act as an antenna for the earpiece 1700. For example, a coaxial cable can be electrically coupled to the housing 1704 and receive / transmit RF emissions through the slot 1702. In such embodiments, the slot antenna 1706 may not need to be located in the earpiece 1700. However, the antenna 1706 can be located in the earpiece 1700 and the coaxial cable can be electrically coupled to the housing 1704, and one or both can receive / transmit RF emissions. The slot 1702 can direct the RF emissions to the interior of the earpiece, for example, into the cavity 1714. In other embodiments, the RF emissions can be received in the cavity 1714 without passing through the tongue 1725 (e.g., the RF emissions may not need to pass through the end surface 1724).

[0183] In some embodiments, the backing 1716 (e.g., metal coating) may include multiple layers of separate metal coatings. The backing 1716 may reflect RF emissions that would otherwise be directed into the earpiece out of the housing 1704 (e.g., via the slot 1702), thereby forming a cavity-backed slot antenna. Reflecting RF emissions out of the housing 1704 may reduce latency by increasing the efficiency of the RF antenna 1706. For example, in one specific embodiment, the RF antenna may have a 3db improvement using the backing 1716.

[0184] The thickness of the backing 1716 and / or the materials used in the backing 1716 can be optimized for different RF bands. For example, the thickness of the backing 1716 can be optimized for 2.4 GHz. However, the backing 1716 can be optimized for any suitable radio frequency (e.g., 5 GHz). The backing 1716 can be or include a copper layer, a nickel layer, and / or a gold layer. Each of these layers can have the same thickness, or different layers can have different thicknesses. For example, the backing 1716 can include a first copper layer having a thickness between about 15um and 30um, a second nickel layer having a thickness of about 5um, and a third gold layer having a thickness of less than 5um.

[0185] In various embodiments, the slot 1702 can be sealed from external elements by a seal 1720. The seal 1720 can seal some or all of the slot 1702 and prevent or reduce moisture and / or dust from entering the housing 1704, while still allowing RF emissions to exit through the slot 1702. The seal 1720 can also prevent the slot 1702 from widening due to forces on the housing 1704. For example, when a force is applied to the housing 1704, the seal 1720 can maintain the slot 1702 at the same approximate width. The seal 1720 can be or include an epoxy or similar material suitable for sealing the slot 1702. In some embodiments, the portion of the seal 1720 that faces the exterior of the housing 1704 can be completed together with the housing 1704. The completion of the seal 1720 and the housing 1704 together can allow the seal 1720 and the housing 1704 to have minimal or no gaps and present an aesthetically pleasing design.

[0186] In various embodiments, the frame 1713 can include one or more stabilizing structures. For example, the frame 1713 can include ribs 1736 extending into the cavity 1714 to provide additional structure and / or support to the RF antenna 1706.

[0187] In various embodiments, the RF antenna 1706 can be used as a connection point (e.g., mechanical and / or electrical) for one or more components. For example, the RF antenna 1706 can be positioned in the housing 1704 and act as a mechanical coupling point for the microphone 1730. The microphone 1730 can be positioned between the housing 1704 and the RF antenna 1706 and can be operably coupled to receive sound through a microphone aperture 1703c formed through the housing 1704. The RF antenna 1706 can act as a check to keep the microphone 1730 in place. In addition or alternatively, the RF antenna 1706 can serve as an electrical connection point for components in the earpiece 1700. For example, the RF antenna 1706 can be connected to a common ground shared by the housing 1704 via a foam 1722 positioned against the housing 1704. The RF antenna 1706 acting as a common ground can provide a ground connection to other components in the earpiece 1700. In various embodiments, a circuit 1732 (e.g., a flexible or flex circuit) can be coupled to the microphone 1730. Circuitry 1732 may be routed around the RF antenna (eg, on top of the antenna) for connection with audio processing components or other components in earpiece 1700 .

[0188] In various embodiments, the earpiece 1700 can communicate with each other to coordinate the use of RF antenna 1706, for example, to reduce the delay between the device and the earpiece 1700. The earpiece 1700 can communicate with each other via wired and / or wireless connection. In various embodiments, the earpiece 1700 can each have an RF antenna 1706 and each receive some or all of data from the device to avoid data loss. In some embodiments, an earpiece 1700 can have an RF antenna 1706 to receive data and send the data (for example, audio data) to another earpiece 1700 via a wired connection. In other embodiments, the earpiece 1700 can communicate to determine which earpiece 1700 has a better connection with a host device such as a smart phone or other electronic devices that transmit data to one or two earpieces in the earpiece 1700. The earpiece 1700 that has a better connection with the equipment can receive data from the equipment.

[0189] RF antenna 1706 can be designed to allow the antenna to send and / or receive RF transmissions across one or more RF bands. The elongated slot 1702 can have a length dimension and a width dimension that determine the operating wavelength of the antenna. In some embodiments, the slot 1702 can have a width in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm and a length in the range between 60 mm and 90 mm. For example, the slot 1702 can have a width 1740 of approximately 1.2 mm and a length 1748 of approximately 80 mm. In various embodiments, the size and shape of the slot 1702 can be set to be used for RF transmissions under a specific frequency band. For example, in some embodiments, the size and shape of the slot 1702 can be set to allow RF transmissions to travel through the housing 1704 at 2.4 GHz. In other embodiments, the size and shape of the slot 1702 and / or the transceiver 1715 can be set to allow RF transmissions to travel through the housing 1704 at 5 GHz or at any suitable radio frequency.

[0190] Since physics dictates that the size of the radiating elements in the RF antenna 1706 is a function of the desired resonance, some embodiments add passive elements to the antenna pattern to effectively shift the tuning of the antenna to a specific frequency. For example, the slot 1702 may be divided into two or more sections for tuning the RF antenna 1706 to one or more radio frequencies, such as Fig.17E The segments may be defined by one or more tuning components 1742 (eg, passive components, capacitive components, and / or surface mount technology (SMT) pads) positioned in the antenna pattern defined by the slot 1702 and the tongue 1725. For example, Fig.17E The slot 1702 of the RF antenna 1706 is shown divided into two sections by the tuning component 1742. The different sections can allow the RF antenna 1706 to have multiple antenna resonant frequencies. The multiple antenna resonant frequencies can allow RF transmission at multiple frequency bands. For example, Fig.17FAs shown, tuning component 1742 can divide the slot antenna into two sections, where length 1748a is used to generate an RF band of a first frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz) and length 1748b is used to generate an RF band of a second frequency (e.g., 5 GHz). The frequencies can be generated by RF antenna 1706 simultaneously (e.g., RF antenna 1706 can generate RF transmissions of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time), or the frequencies can be generated one at a time.

[0191] For an effective antenna design, the dimensions of cavity 1714 should be large and hollow. In some embodiments, cavity 1714 may effectively be twice the acoustic volume to transfer bass response and a pressure relief port for the front volume. Figure 17G 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of the earpiece 1700 taken through line BB'. Figure 17G As shown, an acoustic channel 1754 may be formed through a cavity 1714 and a backing 1716 in a portion of the RF antenna 1706. The acoustic channel 1754 may form a passage between the interior of the housing 1704 and the orifice 1711. The acoustic channel 1754 may be made by forming openings 1756 and 1758 in the RF antenna 1706. The size of the openings 1756 and 1758 may be set to be smaller than the diameter of the RF wavelength, thereby allowing air to pass through but preventing RF energy from passing through. In some embodiments, the openings 1756 and 1758 have a diameter of 3 mm or less. The acoustic channel 1754 may serve as a pressure relief for the air displaced by the acoustic driver. The acoustic channel 1754 may additionally or alternatively provide a passage for the air to reach the microphone 1730.

[0192] In various embodiments, acoustic passages to the front volume 1717 and / or the rear volume 1719 may be formed separately from the cavity 1714 . Fig.17H is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of earpiece 1700 taken through line BB' showing an alternative acoustic channel 1760, and Fig.17I yes Fig.17H The acoustic channel 1760 can acoustically couple the front volume 1717 with an aperture (e.g., aperture 1703) in the housing 1704. In various embodiments, the acoustic channel 1760 can be defined by a hollow fastener 1762 (e.g., a hollow screw), a frame 1764, and / or a hole 1766 that allows air to flow out of the housing 1704 (e.g., via aperture 1703) from the front volume 1717 and / or from the rear volume 1719.

[0193] Fig.17JA top view of a front volume 1717 including an acoustic driver 1708, a hollow fastener 1762, and a fastener 1768 is shown. The front volume 1717 can be defined by a seal 1770 that can prevent air from escaping the front volume 1717. The hollow fastener 1762 can allow air to leave the front volume 1717, for example, to relieve increased pressure that can occur when the earpiece 1700 is worn by a user. The hollow fastener 1762 and the fastener 1768 can couple the acoustic driver 1708 to the frame 1764. The frame 1764 can hold the acoustic driver 1708 in place within the earpiece 1700 (e.g., keep the acoustic driver 1708 centered relative to the housing 1704).

[0194] In various embodiments, such as Figure 17K and Figure 17L As shown, the frame 1764 may include one or more acoustic channels 1760. For example, the acoustic channel 1760a may couple the hollow fastener 1762 with the hole 1766, and the acoustic channel 1760b may couple the rear volume 1719 with the hole 1766. The hole 1766 may include the acoustic channels 1760a, 1760b and allow air from the front volume 1717 and the rear volume 1719, respectively, to exit the earpiece 1700 via openings 1772a and 1772b. The openings 1772a and 1772b may be aligned with the aperture 1703 in the housing 1704.

[0195] user interface

[0196] Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a user interface on the headset that enables the user to control one or more functions of the headset, such as audio playback. For example, the user may want to control the volume of the audio, play / pause the audio, go to the next track, and / or go to the previous track. When in use, the headset is placed directly on the user's ear, and therefore, any noise generated by the components of the headset that mechanically interact with each other can be amplified and disruptive or unpleasant to the user. The user interface of the headset may include various aspects to reduce component noise and help the user when interacting with the interface.

[0197] Fig.181800 is a simplified perspective view of a pair of headphones 1800 including a first input 1806 and a second input 1808 (e.g., user controls) located on one of the earpieces 1804 of the headphones. The headphones 1800 may represent the headphones 100 or any other earphone embodiment of the present disclosure. The inputs 1806, 1808 may be or include buttons positioned along the upper portion of one of the earpieces 1804. In some embodiments, the inputs 1806, 1808 may be positioned on opposite sides of the headband assembly 1802. For example, the inputs 1806, 1808 may be positioned so that the user knows which input button they are interacting with based on the position of the input buttons relative to the headband assembly 1802. The inputs 1806, 1808 may be received in the housing 1810 of the earpieces 1804. For example, the housing 1810 may include an aperture that enables a first portion of the inputs 1806 , 1808 (eg, the portion that a user directly interfaces with) to be external to the housing 1810 and a second portion to be internal to the housing 1810 .

[0198] While each of inputs 1806, 1808 may take the form of a button or any other input control, in some implementations, input 1806 is an elongated button and input 1808 is a rotatable and depressible button. FIG. 19A to FIG. 21 Examples of inputs 1806 , 1808 that may be used with headphones 1800 are shown.

[0199] In various embodiments, input 1808 may include a button that can perform more than one function (eg, a button that can be pressed and rotated). Fig.19A and Fig.19B is with Fig.18 A cross section of an exemplary input terminal 1808 for use with headphone 1800. Fig.19A The input terminal 1808 is shown in an uncompressed state, and Fig.19B The input end 1808 is shown in a compressed state. A portion of the input end 1808 can be received into the housing 1810 via a button housing 1902 (e.g., a sleeve) that defines a cavity 1904. The button housing 1902 can help secure one or more components of the input end 1808 to the housing 1810 and can be used to help seal the entrance to the cavity 1904. In various embodiments, a portion of the input end 1808 can extend from the button housing 1902 and / or the housing 1810 and form a crown 1906. The crown 1906 can include materials and / or features that help a user rotate and / or press the input end 1808. For example, the crown 1906 can include grooves that allow a user to more easily grasp the crown and rotate the input end 1808. The crown 1906 can be coupled to a stem 1908 that extends into the button housing 1902 and engages with a coupling member 1910 (sometimes referred to herein as a hub).

[0200] like Fig.19C , which is a perspective view of a coupling member 1910 according to some embodiments, which may include a channel 1912 (e.g., a central channel) extending through its length for receiving a rod 1908. The coupling member 1910 and the rod 1908 may be engaged via the channel 1912 such that rotating the crown 1906 causes the rod 1908 and the coupling member 1910 to rotate.

[0201] In various embodiments, coupling member 1910 can include indicia on at least a portion of the outer surface. The indicia can be formed based on the characteristics of the material of coupling member 1910. For example, the indicia can be a discolored area on the surface of coupling member 1910. In some embodiments, the indicia can be formed (e.g., etched, laser etched, and / or machined) on the exterior of coupling member 1910. Fig.19C As shown, the coupling member 1910 may include a groove 1914 extending completely around the perimeter of the coupling member 1910 between the upper edge and the lower edge of the member. The groove 1914 forms an encoder portion that can be detected by the sensor 1916 to detect movement of the coupling member 1910 (e.g., movement caused by a user applying force to the crown 1906). For example, the sensor 1916 can detect rotation and / or translation of the coupling member 1910. The groove 1914 can allow for more accurate detection of the rotation and / or translation of the coupling member 1910 compared to using a color change or similar marking on the exterior of the coupling member 1910 to detect rotation and / or translation. For example, the groove 1914 can cause the sensor 1916 to detect less noise, which can increase the sensitivity of the sensing system.

[0202] The sensor 1916 may be or include an optical sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a capacitive sensor, a light sensor, an image sensor, a pressure or force sensor, or any suitable sensor for detecting data associated with the input 1808. In various embodiments, the sensor 1916 may include an optical transmitter 1917 (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) and a receiver 1919 (e.g., an optical receiver and / or an electrical diode). The transmitter may direct light reflected back to the receiver 1919 to the coupling component 1910. In some embodiments, some or all of the button housing 1902 (e.g., the portion between the seals 1924a and 1924b) may include a coating to prevent the emitted light from being reflected by the button housing 1902 and generating noise in the system. For example, the coating may absorb light in a wavelength range between 700 nm and 900 nm. The sensor 1916 may be electrically coupled to an electrical control circuit (e.g., an audio control circuit) that may receive the optical data and determine whether the input 1818 is being rotated (e.g., by a user). The electrical control circuitry may determine the direction and amount of rotation of the input 1818 and adjust the audio output (eg, volume up or volume down).

[0203] Coupling member 1910 can couple rod 1908 to stopper 1918. Stopper 1918 can include a step 1920 extending around an outer surface. Step 1920 can have a larger diameter than button housing 1902 and can help seal the entrance of button housing 1902 and / or cavity 1904 when input end 1808 is in an uncompressed state.

[0204] In various embodiments, seals 1924a, 1924b, 1924c, and / or 1924d (e.g., O-rings) may be positioned in and around cavity 1904 to seal the entrance of cavity 1904 and / or button housing 1902 to prevent foreign particles and / or moisture. The seals collectively referred to herein as "seals 1924" may be or may include a self-lubricating material. Seal 1924a may be positioned in cavity 1904, for example, near an upper portion of coupling member 1910. Seal 1924a may seal the entrance of cavity 1904 to prevent debris and / or moisture from reaching coupling member 1910 and / or sensor 1916. Seal 1924a may also prevent light from entering cavity 1904. For example, seal 1924a may be black to prevent possible light contamination from entering cavity 1904. Preventing light from entering cavity 1904 may allow sensor 1916 to collect better sensor data. The seal 1924b can facilitate alignment of the stem 1908, coupling member 1910, and / or stopper 1918 in the button housing 1902. For example, the seal 1924b can be or include an O-ring that prevents or reduces lateral movement of the stem 1908, coupling member 1910, and / or stopper 1918.

[0205] like Fig.19D As shown, one or more of the seals 1924 may be or include an O-ring 1940. The O-ring 1940 may include a large diameter portion 1942 and a small diameter portion 1944. The large diameter portion 1942 may have an inner face 1946 that may engage with the stopper 1918 and / or the stem 1908 and an outer face 1948 that may engage with the button housing 1902. The large diameter portion 1942 may reduce contact points compared to an O-ring having a constant diameter. For example, the O-ring 1940 may be positioned between the button housing 1902 and the stopper 1918, wherein the large diameter portion 1942 engages with the button housing 1902 and the stopper 1918, and the small diameter portion 1944 may not engage with the button housing 1902 and the stopper 1918. Reducing the contact points may reduce the friction and / or resistance caused by the O-ring 1940, which may reduce the force required to compress the input end 1808. O-ring 1940 may be or include silicon, plastic, a self-lubricating material, and / or any suitable material.

[0206] like Fig.19B As shown, seals 1924a and / or 1924b can move with stopper 1918 (e.g., in the vertical direction) to seal the entrance of button housing 1902 (i.e., when the crown moves in the vertical direction, the entrance remains sealed by seals 1924a and / or 1924b). Seals 1924c and 1924c can be positioned between crown 1906 and button housing 1902 to help seal the entrance of button housing 1902 and / or cavity 1904. In some embodiments, seal 1924 can change the force required to compress input end 1808. For example, seal 1924a can be made of a material that reduces the force required to compress input end 1808. Seal 1924 can be or include a compressible material and / or a self-lubricating material. In various embodiments, seal 1924 can be or include silicon, rubber, or any suitable material.

[0207] Fig.19B Input 1808 is shown in a compressed state. In the compressed state, stop 1918 may engage dome 1926. Dome 1926 may be or include a resilient and flexible material that collapses or flexes under a predetermined force level and returns to its original shape when the force is removed. For example, dome 1926 may be or include rubber and / or silicone. Dome 1926 may collapse (e.g., in response to stop 1918 pressing dome 1926) and cause contact element 1928 to generate an electrical signal (e.g., by completing an open circuit on contact element 1928). The electrical signal may indicate that a user has triggered the input (e.g., pressing input 1808).

[0208] In various embodiments, the dome 1926 can be optimized to resist a certain amount of applied force before collapsing (i.e., the snap ratio of the dome 1926). An increasing force (e.g., applied by a user) can be applied to the dome 1926 (e.g., via the crown 1906) until the dome 1926 can no longer resist the force and begins to collapse. The force at which the dome 1926 begins to collapse is the peak force of the dome 1926. The peak force can be a single force value or a range of force values. For example, the dome 1926 can have a peak force between 4N and 8N. The dome 1926 reaching the peak force and collapsing can provide feedback to the user. For example, the user can be alerted that an action has occurred because the force required to move the dome 1926 decreases as the dome 1926 collapses.

[0209] The force may continue to be applied to dome 1926 until dome 1926 makes contact with contact element 1928. The force ratio (e.g., snap ratio) of dome 1926 may be determined by subtracting the bottom force from the peak force and dividing the resulting value by the peak force. As an illustrative example, if the peak force (i.e., the force required to collapse dome 1926) is 6N and the bottom force (i.e., the force required to move dome 1926 into contact with contact element 1928 after dome 1926 has collapsed) is 1N, the resultant force ratio would be 0.83 (i.e., 0.98). ). A larger force ratio can provide better feedback to the user and enhance the user's interaction with the input terminal 1818.

[0210] In various embodiments, damping material 1930 may be positioned between components to reduce or prevent vibration (e.g., noise) when the components are in contact. Noise generated by components in contact with each other is more concerning when the components are made of or include metal. In conventional headphones, these metal components are allowed to contact each other and may generate contact noise that is unpleasant to the user. Damping material 1930 may be positioned between components (e.g., metal components) to reduce noise generated when the components are in contact with each other. In various embodiments, damping material 1930 may be positioned between crown 1906 and button housing 1902 to reduce noise generated when crown 1906 contacts button housing 1902 (e.g., when crown 1906 is pressed). Damping material 1930 may extend into button housing 1902 and bend to be positioned between the lower surface of crown 1906 and button housing 1902. Additionally or alternatively, the step 1920 may be or include a damping material 1930 to reduce noise generated when the step 1920 engages the button housing 1902 (e.g., when the crown 1906 is released). The damping material 1930 may be a component with an annular opening (e.g., a collar or channel). The damping material 1930 may be or include plastic (e.g., soft plastic), rubber, silicone, foam, and / or a similar material that reduces noise when the components come into contact.

[0211] In an embodiment, it may be desirable to prevent the stopper 1918 from rotating directly on the dome 1926, as continued rotation on the dome 1926 may cause damage. Additionally, it may be desirable to optimize the force required to rotate the input 1808. FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D Shown with Fig.18 A cross-sectional view of the various components used in conjunction with the input terminal 1808. Fig. 20A 1904. The retaining member 2002 may be coupled to the coupling member 1910 and laterally held in position in the cavity 1904 by the bearing 2004. The separator may be positioned in the cavity 2008 of the retaining member 2002. The separator 2006 may include a rotating surface 2010 for engaging with the retaining member 2002. The rotating surface 2010 may allow for rotation of the coupling member 1910. Rotation on the rotating surface 2010 allows the input end 1808 to rotate without rotating on the dome 1926.

[0212] FIG. 20B to FIG. 20D Shows that Fig. 20A The components used together with the components to optimize the rotational force of the input end 1808. Optimizing the rotational force allows the user to make accurate selections using the rotation of the input end 1808 without applying excessive force. The rotational force can be optimized by changing the resistance between the separator 2006 and the holding component 2002. Fig. 20B The use of shims 2012 positioned in the cavity 2008 of the retaining member 2002 to vary the friction between the separator 2006 and the retaining member 2002 is shown. Different sized shims 2012 may be used to optimize the rotational force for the components in the input 1808. Fig. 20C The use of an expansion member 2014 positioned in the separator 2006 to adjust the friction between the separator 2006 and the retaining member 2002 is shown. The expansion member 2014 can include a spring 2016 that can be varied to optimize the rotational force. Fig.20D The use of an elastic material 2018 (eg, a seal) to adjust resistance is shown. Similar to the spacer 2012, the elastic material 2018 can be varied until the rotational force has been optimized.

[0213] Go to Fig.21, a cross section of an example input end 1806 is shown. The input end 1806 may have the same or similar components as the input end 1808, however, the input end 1806 may have additional and / or alternative components. Two sleeves 2102 and 2104 may be received in corresponding apertures 2106 and 2108 in the housing 1810. The sleeves 2102, 2104 may define corresponding cavities 2110 and 2112. The cavities 2110 and 2112 may receive corresponding rods 2114 and 2116. The rods 2114, 2116 may be connected via a plate 2117 so that applying a force to the plate 2117 causes the rods 2114, 2116 to move downward in the sleeves 2102, 2104. The plate may be or include a metal and / or similar material that can resist bending and / or flexing. In various embodiments, the length of the rods 2114, 2116 can be optimized for alignment in the sleeves 2102, 2104. For example, the rods 2114, 2116 can be made longer to better align in the sleeves 2102, 2104. Bushings 2118 can be positioned between the rods 2114, 2116 and the sleeves 2102, 2104 to align the rods 2114, 2116 in the sleeves 2102, 2104 and / or reduce the friction between the rods 2114, 2116 and the sleeves 2102, 2104, respectively. Bushings 2118 can be or include self-lubricating materials to reduce friction. In various embodiments, a portion of bushings 2118 can be positioned above the sleeve 2104 (e.g., between ...).

[0214] In various embodiments, rods 2114, 2116 may be inserted into sleeves 2102, 2104, and sleeves 2102, 2104 may be positioned in apertures 2106, 2108. In various embodiments, apertures 2106, 2108 may have different diameters. For example, aperture 2108 may have a diameter that is smaller than aperture 2106. The difference in diameter of apertures 2106, 2108 may help align input end 1806. Orifice 2108 may form a tight fit with sleeve 2104, and orifice 2106 may form a loose fit with sleeve 2102. The difference in fit may allow sleeve 2102 to move sideways in aperture 2106. Lateral movement of sleeve 2102 in aperture 2106 may allow rod 2114 to remain aligned in sleeve 2102 during installation of sleeve 2102. The sleeves 2102, 2104 may be positioned in the apertures 2106, 2108 and secured in place (eg, glued or secured with fasteners).

[0215] In various embodiments, rods 2114, 2116 may be connected via connector 2120. Connector 2120 may engage rods 2114, 2116 so that movement of the two rods 2114, 2116 causes movement of connector 2120. Connector 2120 may be positioned above dome 2126 (e.g., a collapsible dome). Dome 2126 may be the same or similar to dome 1926. For example, dome 2126 may be or include a deformable material that may be compressed and return to its initial shape. In various embodiments, dome 2126 may be optimized to have a high force (i.e., snap ratio) to enhance user feedback that input end 1806 has been pressed. Dome 2126 may collapse and contact contact element 2128. The contact of dome 2126 may cause contact element 2128 to generate an electrical signal. Contact element 2128 may be electrically connected to one or more electronic components in earpiece 1804. For example, contact element 2128 can be electrically connected to an audio control circuit. Contact element 2128 can send an electrical signal to the audio control circuit, which can adjust the audio output (e.g., play, pause, next track, skip track). In some embodiments, the electrical signal can cause the audio control circuit to switch the earpiece 1804 between two or more modes (e.g., noise cancellation mode and listening mode).

[0216] In various embodiments, the input end 1806 may include one or more seals (e.g., seals 2124a-2124d, collectively referred to herein as "seals 2124") that may be positioned in the sleeves 2102, 2104. The seals 2124 may seal the entry of foreign debris and / or moisture in the cavities 2110, 2112. Additionally or alternatively, the seals 2124 may assist in the alignment of the rods 2114, 2116 in the sleeves 2102, 2104. In various embodiments, one or more of the seals 2124 may be or include an O-ring. For example, seals 2124a and 2124c may be or include self-lubricating O-rings that may help reduce friction of the rods 2114, 2116 when the input end 1806 is depressed. In additional embodiments, seals 2124b and 2124d may be or include O-rings in which portions of the O-rings have a larger diameter. The portions of the seals 2124b, 2124d having larger diameters may reduce contact points between the seals 2124b, 2124d and the sleeves 2102, 2104 and / or bushing 2118, which may reduce friction caused by the seals 2124b, 2124d.

[0217] In various embodiments, inputs 1806 and 1808 may include deformable domes (e.g., domes 2126 and 1926, respectively). Fig.22A and Fig. 22BAs shown, dome 2200 can be or include a deformable material that can collapse and return to its original shape. In various embodiments, dome 2200 can include a low friction surface 2202. Low friction surface 2202 can be attached to dome 2200 and / or can be or include a part of the material that processes dome 2200. Low friction surface 2202 can interact with stopper 1918 of input end 1808 and / or connector 2120 of input end 1806. Low friction surface 2202 can be or include a material with a low friction coefficient (e.g., silicon, silicon dioxide, and / or a self-lubricating material). In various embodiments, low friction surface 2202 can be formed by irradiating UV light onto the upper portion of dome 2200. For example, UV light can be irradiated onto the upper portion of dome 2200 including silicon to form silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, low friction surface 2202 can be or include a replaceable gasket. The shims may be varied to optimize the friction of the low friction surface 2202. In further embodiments, the low friction surface 2202 may be or include a lubricant deposited onto the dome 2200.

[0218] In various embodiments, the dome 2200 can include one or more features for engaging the low friction surface 2202. For example, the dome 2200 can include a protrusion 2204. The protrusion 2204 can be used to align the low friction surface 2202 with the dome 2200. Additionally or alternatively, the protrusion 2204 can be used to retain the low friction surface 2202 on the dome 2200.

[0219] In various embodiments, dome 2200 may be positioned above sheet 2206 (e.g., a deformable sheet). Dome 2200 may be formed directly on the deformable sheet and / or joined to the deformable sheet using an adhesive and / or fastener extending through dome 2200 and a portion of sheet 2206. Sheet 2206 may be deformed by dome 2200 to contact conductive film 2208 to electrical traces 2210 (e.g., separate so that they form electrical contacts that open the circuit). Conductive film 2208 may contact electrical traces 2210 and complete the circuit. Electrical traces 2210 may be electrically connected to one or more circuits in earpiece 1804 and may send electrical signals to the circuit when conductive film 2208 contacts electrical traces 2210.

[0220] In some embodiments, dome 2200 may include conductive material 2212. For example, Fig. 22BAs shown, dome 2200 may include a conductive insert 2214. In embodiments having a conductive material 2212, conductive film 2208 may not need to be positioned between dome 2200 and electrical traces 2210. For example, conductive insert 2214 may engage electrical traces 2210 to close a circuit between electrical traces 2210 and send a signal to a circuit in earpiece 1804. In various embodiments, conductive material 2212 may be positioned on an outer surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of dome 2200. Conductive material 2212 may be or include conductive silicone and / or a similar conductive material.

[0221] Head detection

[0222] It may be desirable to determine when the headset 100 is worn by a user and when the headset 100 has been taken off by the user. For example, when the headset 100 is taken off, the headset may be placed in a low power mode (e.g., a sleep or standby mode), and when the headset is worn, the headset may be changed from the low power mode to a higher power mode that enables functions not available in the low power mode or activates features not available in the low power mode. Additionally or alternatively, audio playback may automatically begin (e.g., audio may start playing) when the headset 100 has been determined to be worn by the user, and audio playback may automatically stop (e.g., audio may be paused) when the headset 100 has been determined to be taken off by the user.

[0223] While determining when a headset is placed on a user's head may be desirable and beneficial, making such a determination accurately in all use case scenarios may be challenging. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may perform a multi-step process to accurately make such a determination. Fig.23 An example process 2300 is shown that may be used by the pair of headphones disclosed herein to detect when a user has put on the pair of headphones. Fig.23 As shown, a pair of headphones can start in a low-power operating state, such as a sleep state, a standby state, a low-power state 2302, in which only certain components, such as one or more sensors within the headphones that can detect environmental changes, receive power and are operational. In some embodiments, low-power state 2302 can be an intermediate power state. For example, in some embodiments, the headphones can have an extremely low power (or deep sleep state), in which the headphones can be stored in a charging box for a longer period of time while consuming minimal power. When removed from the headphone box, for example, the headphones can exit the deep sleep state and enter a second low-power state, in which certain sensors receive power that do not receive power in the deep sleep state.

[0224] In some embodiments, when the headset is in low power state 2302, a sensor that detects whether the earpiece is pulled apart or otherwise rotated is operable. Process 2300 can be a multi-step process in which a circuit within the headset (e.g., a process or other type of controller) determines whether the headset is worn based on readings from different sensors. For example, a mechanism that allows the earpiece to rotate and pivot (such as the pivot mechanism 400 described above) can be used to provide an initial indication that the user may have worn or is about to wear a pair of headphones. A sensor associated with the pivot mechanism can detect that the earpiece has been bent or pulled apart (frame 2304) by detecting an angular change in the earpiece relative to the headband along the rolling axis 404. When higher than a predetermined amount (e.g., greater than 10 degrees or greater than 15 degrees or greater than 20 degrees), such an angular change may indicate that the earpiece has moved into a wearable configuration, and process 2300 may proceed to the next step in its head detection algorithm. On the other hand, if the roll axis sensor detects that the earpiece has been pulled apart but not pulled apart enough to indicate that the earpiece is on the user's ear or is about to be placed on the user's ear (i.e., the angle change is less than a predetermined amount), process 2300 can maintain the earpiece in low power state 2302.

[0225] However, only in frame 2304, based on the sufficient movement of the earpiece relative to the rolling axis, the head detection determination can lead to false triggering. For example, the user can pull the earpiece apart to prepare to put on the earphone, but then change his mind and put the earphone away. Therefore, some embodiments can use a second group of sensors, such as an optical sensor or another appropriate type of proximity sensor or other sensor that can determine whether the user's ear or other object is placed in the inner part of the earpiece, to confirm and finally determine that the earphone has been put on (frame 2306). In some embodiments, an optical transmitter and an optical receiver may be included in one or both earpieces as a second sensor. If the earphone is placed on the user's head, the optical transmitter may emit one or more radiation beams from the earpiece toward the user's ear. Then, if the earphone is worn, the optical sensor may detect the radiation reflected back from the user's ear. Then if, for example, the intensity of the detected radiation is higher than a predetermined threshold, the detected radiation may be sent to the processor to confirm that the earphone has been placed on the user's head (frame 2306, yes). If no radiation (or radiation below a threshold intensity value) is reflected back, an embodiment may determine that the headset is not on the user's ear (block 2306 , no), and process 2300 may maintain the headset in low power state 2302 .

[0226] When process 2300 determines that the earpiece has been rotated along the roll axis more than a predetermined amount 2308 and the second set of sensors has determined that the earpiece is on the user's ear, process 2300 may change the operating state of earpiece 100 from a low power state 2302 (e.g., a mode in which wireless circuitry for receiving and sending audio data between the earpiece and a host device is not operating) to a higher power operating mode (e.g., a mode in which audio data can be transmitted wirelessly between the earpiece and the host device).

[0227] Notably, relying on output from only the second sensor without making an initial determination in block 2304 may also result in false positives. For example, if the headset is placed with the earpiece facing downward on top of a reflective surface (such as a white tabletop), the second sensor (or sensor group) used in block 2306 may generate a false positive sensor signal indicating that the headset is being worn. Thus, by combining the sensor readings from blocks 2304 and 2306, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a reliable indication of when a user is wearing a pair of headphones.

[0228] Some embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to optical sensors that can generate highly accurate sensor readings that can be used in block 2306 for improved on-head detection determinations compared to previously known optical sensors. In some cases, a simple optical sensor such as a light emitting diode and photodiode combination can relatively easily detect reflected radiation that can indicate when the earphone is on the user's ear. For example, Fig.24 A simplified cross section of an earpiece 2400 is shown, which includes a sensor 2402 (e.g., an optical sensor) for determining when the earphone 100 is put on or taken off by a user 2405. The earpiece 2400 may define an area 2408 within the inner periphery of the earpiece thereof, in which a portion of the user 2405 (e.g., the user's ear) may be located. The sensor 2402 may be positioned in the earpiece 2400 and oriented to detect whether the user's ear is positioned within the area 2408. For example, the sensor 2402 may emit optical radiation into the area 2408 and detect whether any portion of the emitted light is reflected back to a photosensor within the sensor 2402.

[0229] In many use case scenarios, when the headset is on the user's head, the photodiode in the sensor 2402 can easily detect the light emitted from the LED in the sensor 2402. However, in some cases, such detection can become more difficult, resulting in false negative determinations. For example, a user may have hair colors with different reflectivity levels, some of which may adversely affect the sensor readings, resulting in an erroneous determination that the headset is not being worn. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to optical sensors that can detect when a user's ear is placed within the region 2408 in use case scenarios where other sensors may generate false negative readings.

[0230] Fig.25A is a simplified illustration of a portion of an earpiece 2500 including an on-ear detection optical sensor according to some such embodiments. The earpiece 2500 may represent a Figure 1 One or both of the earpieces 104 discussed, or may represent any of the other earpieces described in the present disclosure. Earpiece 2500 may include a housing 2502 and a cover 2504 (e.g., an earpiece cover) attached to housing 2502, the cover including a plurality of perforations to enable sound from an acoustic driver positioned within the housing to be directed out of housing 2502 toward an ear of a user. Earpiece cushion assembly 2506 may be attached to housing 2502 and cover 2504.

[0231] A sensor 2520 (e.g., an optical sensor) may be attached to the housing 2502 and oriented to detect a portion of a user (e.g., an ear of a user) positioned in an area 2505 within the inner perimeter of the earpiece cushion assembly 2506. For example, the sensor 2520 may have a relatively wide cone of field of view (FOV) 2522 (the area where light is emitted from the sensor and the area where the sensor can detect reflected light) to cover a large area within the area 2505 but be limited to the inner perimeter of the earpiece cushion assembly. The sensor 2520 may be an electro-optical device that includes one or more emitters (e.g., one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, VCSELs) and an optical receiver (e.g., an array of light sensors). In some embodiments, the sensor 2520 includes a single nanosecond pulsed VCSEL laser in the infrared wavelength range and a beam steering device that can direct laser pulses at different individual fields of view within the larger FOV 2522 of the sensor 2520.

[0232] In some embodiments, the sensor 2520 also includes a SPAD array as a receiver, which can detect reflected beams from within the FOV 2522. Therefore, when the earpiece 2500 is placed on the user's head, the sensor 2520 emits a collimated beam of pulsed radiation at different positions within the FOV 2522. The pulsed laser beam can be reflected from the user (e.g., from the user's ear or the portion of the user's skull surrounding the ear) and detected by the SPAD array optical receiver. The processor or similar control circuit (not shown) in the earpiece 2400 can be coupled to the sensor 2520 to control the timing of the laser pulse and receive the detection signal generated by the optical receiver. The processor can use the known timing of the laser pulse and other known information to determine the distance from the user's ear (or other reflective objects) using the time-of-flight calculation technique. For example, the time of flight can be determined by emitting a beam at the object and measuring the time it takes for the receiver to detect the light reflected from the object. In some embodiments, the sensor 2520 can detect objects between about zero and at least about 300mm from the sensor. For example, the sensor 2520 may detect an object positioned approximately 1 mm to approximately 100 mm from the sensor 2520 .

[0233] Sensor 2520 may be electrically coupled to a processor for processing data detected by the SPAD, as discussed above. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may change the headset between a standby mode and an operating mode (e.g., between a low power mode and a higher power mode), such as with respect to Fig.23 The processor may determine whether the intensity of the reflected light meets a certain threshold and whether the distance of the object indicates that it is within the region 2505. In some cases, the SPAD is a highly sensitive device that can detect radiation as small as a single photon. Due to the sensitivity of the SPAD optical receiver array and the ability of the sensor 2520 to detect both the intensity of the reflected radiation and the distance from the sensor to the object from which the pulsed beam is reflected, the embodiments of the present disclosure may use these two pieces of information to determine whether the earpiece is on the user's head in the box 2306 discussed above. For example, at box 2306, the process 2300 may include receiving reflected radiation data (e.g., photon counts) detected by the SPAD array, and determining whether the intensity of the reflected radiation meets a threshold and / or whether the distance from the object from which the radiation is reflected is greater than a predetermined distance. If the intensity of the reflected radiation is below a threshold, the processor may determine that the earpiece is not on the user's head. When the intensity of the reflected radiation is above a threshold but the distance from the object is greater than a predetermined distance (e.g., greater than the boundary of the region 2505), the processor may also determine that the earpiece is not actually worn by the user. If the intensity of the reflected radiation is above a threshold and the distance is less than a predetermined distance, the processor may determine that the headset is on the user's head.

[0234] like Fig.25A As shown, the sensor 2520 can be positioned behind an aperture 2508 formed in a sidewall portion 2510 of the housing 2502 and the cover 2504 to enable the sensor 2520 to project radiation into the area 2505 and receive radiation reflected back to the optical sensor from one or more surfaces within the area 2505. In various embodiments, the sensor 2520 can be positioned on a carrier 2521 that can be coupled to the sidewall portion 2510 and span the width of the aperture 2508. In some embodiments, the sidewall portion 2510 can be at an angle 2511 relative to the axis 2513. For example, the sidewall portion 2510 can be at an angle 2511 in a range between 20 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the axis 2513. In other embodiments, the sensor 2520 can be oriented at an angle 2515 relative to the sidewall portion 2510, for example, at an angle 2515 in a range between 15 degrees and 50 degrees. Design considerations require that the angle of the sidewall portion 2510 of the cover 2504 be such that an optical sensor mounted directly to the housing 2502 (which includes a sidewall surface directly behind the sidewall portion 2510) directs at least some radiation toward the earpiece cushion assembly 2506. Radiation directed to the earpiece cushion can easily reflect back to the sensor 2520 and generate false positive readings. To prevent such situations and limit the field of view of the sensor 2520 to the area within the earpiece cushion, as shown by the FOV 2522, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a carrier 2524 coupled between the sensor 2520 and the housing 2502. The carrier 2524 may include an angled portion 2526 for mounting the sensor 2520 at an optimized angle relative to the housing 2502 and the cover 2504 so that the field of view of the sensor 2520 can detect the user's ear without covering any portion of the earpiece cushion assembly 2506. In some embodiments, the portion 2526 of the carrier enables the sensor 2520 to be oriented at an angle within a range between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the housing 2502 of the earpiece 2400. For example, the sensor 2520 can be oriented at a 32 degree angle relative to the housing 2502.

[0235] In some embodiments, the sensor 2520 can emit radiation at infrared wavelengths, and the portion 2526 can be transparent to the emitted IR wavelengths. Because some portion of the emitted radiation can reflect away from the housing 2502 in the area of ​​the aperture 2508, some portions of the present disclosure coat the back surface 2528 of the carrier 2524 (in the area around the angled portion 2526) with an IR absorbing material to absorb IR light that can reflect away from the inner surface of the housing and back toward the sensor.

[0236] Fig.25BPortions of earpiece 2500 that can be used with sensor 2520 are shown. Earpiece 2500 may include cover 2504 and earpiece cushion assembly 2506. Earpiece cushion assembly 2506 may include aperture 2530 that allows sensor 2520 to transmit radiation through the cushion assembly and into housing 2502, as described above. Cover 2504 may include carrier 2524 positioned above aperture 2530 that allows IR light to pass through while blocking non-IR light. Additionally or alternatively, cover 2412 may include or be made of a scratch-resistant material that can resist damage that can cause noise in the detection system. Cover 2412 may be or include nickel titanium oxide (NiO3Ti).

[0237] In some embodiments, the earpiece 2500 may include two sensors 2520 on opposite sides of the earpiece, wherein one of the sensors may be blocked by the cover 2504 and / or the earpiece cushion assembly 2506 (e.g., such as sensor 2520a is positioned adjacent to a side of the cover 2504 that does not include the aperture 2508). The sensor 2520 may detect the presence of something blocking the sensor based on detecting constant substantially stable data and / or time-of-flight readings that indicate the presence of an object positioned proximate to the sensor 2520. In response to determining that the sensor 2520 is blocked, an indication may be sent to the user. For example, the indication prompts the user that the cover 2504 is not properly installed in the earpiece 2500.

[0238] Removable earpiece cushion

[0239] The user may want to replace one or more components of the earphone 100 to customize and / or enhance the comfort of the earphone. For example, the user may desire to replace the earphone cushion assembly 110 with a newer and / or different earphone cushion. The earphone cushion assembly 110 may include components that allow the earphone cushion assembly 110 to be removed and attached from the earphone 104. Fig.26A An example of an attachment assembly 2600 for use with earpiece 104 is shown. Attachment assembly 2600 may include cover 2602 and frame 2604. Cover 2602 may represent a Fig.25A , Fig.25B The cover 2504 is discussed and is attached to the earpiece housing 112 of the earpiece 104. The frame 2604 can be attached to the earpiece cushion assembly 110.

[0240] One or more fixing mechanisms can be used to removably couple (e.g., magnetically couple) the cover 2602 and the frame 2604. When the frame 2604 is positioned in the cover 2602, the fixing mechanism can removably couple the frame 2604 to the cover 2602. For example, when the frame 2604 is already positioned in the cover 2602, the fixing mechanism can prevent the frame 2604 from being removed until a certain force threshold is reached. In various embodiments, the fixing mechanism can be or include a plurality of components that engage with each other to attach the cover 2602 and the frame 2604. For example, a magnetic element 2606 (such as a metal plate) can be positioned on the frame 2604, and a magnetic array 2608 can be positioned on the cover 2602. The fixing mechanism can be or include a latch, a hook and loop connector, and / or any suitable connector for removably coupling the cover 2602 and the frame 2604.

[0241] Fig.26B An example securing mechanism 2601 for use with the attachment assembly 2600 is shown. The securing mechanism 2601 may include a magnetic element 2606 positioned on the frame 2604 and removably coupled to a magnetic array 2608 positioned on the cover 2602. A metal shunt 2610 may be positioned on the cover 2602 (e.g., between the magnetic array 2608 and the electronic components positioned within the earpiece housing 112). The metal shunt 2610 may prevent or reduce magnetic flux from the magnetic array 2608 from interfering with the electronic components contained in the earpiece 104. In some embodiments, the magnetic element 2606 may be positioned on the cover 2602 and the magnetic array 2608 may be positioned on the frame 2604. The magnetic element 2606 can be or include a magnet and / or a metal plate comprising one or more of steel, iron, nickel, cobalt, stainless steel, aluminum, gold, a metal plate, a magnet, and / or any suitable component capable of magnetically coupling to the magnetic array 2608.

[0242] The magnetic array 2608 may include one or more magnets that generate a magnetic flux. The magnetic flux may act on the magnetic elements 2606 to hold the frame 2604 in place when the insert has been positioned in the carrier. In various embodiments, the magnets in the magnetic array 2608 may be arranged in a pattern based on their orientation. For example, the magnetic array 2608 may include magnets arranged in a Halbach array (e.g., a rotational orientation pattern of magnets), an alternating array (e.g., the orientation of the magnets alternates), and / or a monopolar orientation (e.g., the magnets are oriented in the same direction).

[0243] In some embodiments, the magnets of the magnetic array 2608 can be arranged in an alternating pole design (e.g., the poles of the magnets are oriented in north, south, south, north (NSSN) or south, north, north, south (SNNS)). In other embodiments, the magnetic element 2606 can be or include steel, and the alternating pole magnetic array 2608 can direct magnetic flux into the steel element. The steel element and the alternating pole magnetic array 2608 can have a magnetic coupling that can have advantages over other arrangements of the magnetic array 2608 and / or the materials used in the magnetic element 2606. For example, the alternating pole magnetic array 2608 and the steel magnetic element can interact to have a greater holding force than other designs and / or materials. Additionally and / or alternatively, the steel magnetic element positioned on the frame 2604 can prevent or reduce magnetic flux from entering the front volume of the earpiece 204. For example, the steel magnetic element 2606 can reduce or prevent magnetic flux from interfering with metal (e.g., earrings) worn by the user.

[0244] In various embodiments, the cover 2602 and frame 2604 can include an annular surface 2620 (i.e., an annular shelf) surrounding a central portion 2622. The magnetic element 2606 can be positioned on the annular surface 2620 of the frame 2604 and / or the magnetic array 2608, and / or the metal shunt 2610 can be positioned on the annular surface 2620 of the cover 2602. When the magnetic element 2606 is coupled to the magnetic array 2608, the central portion 2622 of the frame 2604 and the cover 2602 can be aligned.

[0245] In other embodiments, the cover 2602 and / or the frame 2604 may include an opening in the sidewall (e.g., opening 2624). When the frame 2604 is coupled to the cover 2602, the opening 2624 may be aligned. In some embodiments, the opening 2624 may represent an alignment relative to the Fig.25A , Fig.25B The orifices 2508 and / or 2530 discussed.

[0246] In some embodiments, one or more layers of foam may be positioned between the cover 2602 and the frame 2604. A first layer of foam may be positioned, for example, on the annular surface 2620 of the frame 2604 (e.g., attached to the annular surface 2620 that engages the annular surface 2620 of the cover 2602). For example, the foam may be positioned on the area where the magnetic element 2606 is positioned on the annular surface 2620. A second layer of foam may be positioned above the first layer (e.g., between the first layer of foam and the cover 2602). The second layer may extend around the annular surface 2620 (e.g., around the periphery of the central portion 2622). The foam may provide a seal between the cover 2602 and the frame 2604. The seal may provide an acoustic seal for the earpiece 104 (e.g., providing an acoustic seal between the cover 2602 and the frame 2604). The foam may additionally or alternatively allow consistent magnetic coupling of the cover 2602 and the frame 2604. In further embodiments, one or more layers may be a rigid foam that allows for optimized retention between the cover 2602 and frame 2604, minimal flexing of the cover 2602 and / or frame 2604 during engagement, and / or maximizes tear strength.

[0247] The magnetic array 2608 and the magnetic elements 2606 may be arranged in corresponding patterns on the cover 2602 and the frame 2604, respectively. Fig.26C and Fig.26D As shown, the magnetic array 2608 and the magnetic elements 2606 can be arranged such that the magnetic elements 2606 on the cover 2602 can engage with the magnetic array on the frame 2604 in only one orientation. Fig.26C The frame 2604 is shown properly oriented relative to the cover 2602 so that when the frame 2604 is positioned in the cover 2602, the magnetic array 2608 will engage the magnetic elements 2606 and hold the frame 2604 in place. Fig.26D Frame 2604 is shown improperly oriented relative to cover 2602, such that when frame 2604 is positioned in cover 2602, magnetic array 2608 will not engage magnetic elements 2606, and frame 2604 will not remain in place. The arrangement of magnetic array 2608 and magnetic elements 2606 in a corresponding pattern allows for simple user feedback on the orientation of frame 2604 and cover 2602. For example, a user will know that frame 2604 is in the correct orientation because it will engage with cover 2602. Similarly, a user will know that frame 2604 is in an incorrect orientation because it will not engage with cover 2602.

[0248] In various embodiments, the attachment assembly 2600 may include an identification system that can distinguish the earpiece cushion assembly 110. Fig.27A and Fig.27B An example identification system 2700 is shown, and Fig.28A and Fig.28BAn additional example identification system 2800 is shown that can distinguish between two types of earpiece cushion assemblies 110. The identification system 2700, 2800 may include one or more sensors 2702, 2802 that can detect magnetic flux from the magnetic array 2708, 2808. The sensors 2702, 2802 may be or include Hall effect sensors and / or suitable sensors for detecting magnetic flux. In various embodiments, the sensors 2702, 2802 may be positioned on one, some, or all of the fixing mechanisms 2601.

[0249] like Fig.27A and Fig.27B As shown, the identification system 2700 may include two metal plates 2706a and 2706b of different sizes. The size and shape of the first metal plate 2706a may be set to direct the magnetic flux 2704 away from the sensor 2702. For example, the first magnetic element 2606a may not extend beyond the magnetic array 2708 and will direct the magnetic flux 2704 from one side of the magnetic array to the other side in a circular pattern, where the sensor 2702 is positioned outside the circle. The size and shape of the second metal plate 2706b may be set to direct the magnetic flux 2704 through the sensor 2702. Fig.28A and Fig.28B As shown, identification system 2800 may include a single-piece metal plate 2806a and a multi-piece metal plate 2806b. The size and shape of single-piece metal plate 2806a may be set to direct magnetic flux 2804 around sensor 2802, and the size and shape of multi-piece metal plate 2806b may be set to direct magnetic flux 2804 through sensor 2802.

[0250] The identification system 2700, 2800 can distinguish between two different earphone cushion assemblies 110 based on whether the sensor 2702, 2802 detects the magnetic flux 2704, 2804. The detection or non-detection of the magnetic flux 2704, 2804 can correspond to earphone cushion assemblies 110 having different properties. For example, an earphone that causes the identification system 2700, 2800 to detect the magnetic flux 2704, 2804 can correspond to an earphone cushion assembly 110 that is different and / or has different properties from an earphone cushion assembly 110 that does not cause the identification system 2700, 2800 to detect the magnetic flux 2704. In various embodiments, the earphone cushion assemblies 110 can differ due to the materials used in the earphone cushion assemblies 110, the size and / or shape of the earphone cushion assemblies 110, or their intended purpose (e.g., a sports earphone cushion assembly 110 or a comfortable earphone cushion assembly 110).

[0251] In some embodiments, identifying an earpiece cushion assembly 110 that has been attached to an earpiece 104 may be used to adjust audio settings of the headset 100. For example, identifying an earpiece cushion assembly 110 having a known internal volume may allow automatic adjustment of audio settings to optimize audio playback for the identified earpiece cushion assembly 110. The earpiece cushion assembly 110 may be identified using, for example, the identification system 2700, 2800.

[0252] Ear pads - passive attenuation

[0253] Fig.29A , Fig.29B and Fig.29C A cross section of a different embodiment of a cushion assembly 2900 for use with an earpiece 104 is shown. The cushion assembly 2900 may include a cushion filler 2902 that enhances the comfort of the user when the earpiece 100 is worn. The cushion filler 2902 may be used to enhance comfort, but may allow a certain level of external audio to penetrate the earpiece 104, which may adversely affect the active noise cancellation (ANC) system of the earpiece. Additional layers of stiffer and / or thicker material may be added to the cushion assembly to reduce external noise, however, this may result in a stiffer cushion that reduces comfort and may cause a gap between the earpiece and the user's head when the earpiece is worn, thereby allowing sound to reach the user.

[0254] In various embodiments, a noise damping layer (e.g., noise canceling material) 2904 may be added to the cushion assembly 2900. The noise damping material 2904 may be added to the interior side of the cushion assembly 2900 to reduce or prevent sound from penetrating the earpiece. For example, the noise damping material 2904 may be disposed on the interior side of the cushion assembly between the outer wrap 2906 and the cushion filler 2902. The noise damping material 2904 may be injected into the cushion filler 2902 and / or may be a layer of material positioned on the cushion filler. The noise damping material 2904 may be or include silicon and / or a silicon blend that reduces sound penetration while having a minimal effect on the stiffness of the cushion assembly 2900. In some embodiments, such as Fig.29B As shown, the noise damping material 2904 may be dispersed over only a portion of the interior surface of the cushion filler 2902. Spacing out the noise damping material 2904 may further reduce any reinforcing effect that the noise damping material 2904 may have on the cushion filler 2902.

[0255] In some embodiments, the noise damping material 2904 can be or include variable thickness silicone (e.g., a variable thickness silicone wall). The variable thickness noise damping material 2904 can allow for tuning of the cushion assembly 2900. For example, the thickness can be increased in areas of the cushion assembly 2900 for additional noise damping, and the thickness can be reduced in these areas for reduced cushion stiffness. The noise damping material 2904 can additionally or alternatively be strategically thickened to tune the noise cancellation in the earpiece 104. For example, a first portion of the noise damping material 2904 can be thicker than a second portion of the noise damping material 2904 (e.g., a top portion can be thicker than a bottom portion, a front portion can be thicker than a back portion, and a side portion can be thicker than an opposing side portion).

[0256] like Fig.29C As shown, the noise damping material 2904 can be a low durometer silicone gel that penetrates into a portion of the cushion filler 2902, thereby adding mass to the cushion assembly without increasing stiffness. For example, the noise damping material 2904 can penetrate into the cushion filler 2902 a distance from the inner surface of the cushion assembly 2900. The noise damping material 2904 can penetrate into the cushion filler 2902 by being deposited onto the outer surface of the cushion filler 2902, injected into the cushion filler, and / or integrated into the foam matrix.

[0257] Charging case

[0258] Fig.30Earphone 3000 is shown, and this earphone comprises earphone 3002 and 3004 that are joined together by headband 3006.Earphone 3000 can be identical or similar with earphone 100, yet earphone 3000 can comprise additional and / or alternative parts.The center part of headband 3006 has been omitted to focus on the parts in earphone 3002 and 3004.Specifically, earphone 3002 and 3004 can comprise the mixing of Hall effect sensor and permanent magnet.As shown in the figure, earphone 3002 comprises permanent magnet 3008 and Hall effect sensor 3010.Permanent magnet 3008 generates the magnetic field that south pole extends away from earphone 3002.Earphone 3004 comprises Hall effect sensor 3012 and permanent magnet 3014.In the configuration shown, permanent magnet 3008 is positioned to output sufficiently strong magnetic field to saturate Hall effect sensor 3012. The sensor reading from Hall effect sensor 3012 can be enough to earphone 3000 prompting earphone 3000 not being actively used and can enter energy-saving mode.In some embodiments, this configuration can also be positioned in the box and should enter low power operation mode to save battery power to earphone 3000 prompting earphone 3000. Earpiece 3002 and 3004 are turned over 180 degrees separately and the magnetic field that permanent magnet 3014 launches is made Hall effect sensor 3010 saturated, thereby also will allow this equipment to enter low power mode.In some embodiments, may expect to confirm that earpiece 3002 and 3004 face the ground before entering low power state using the accelerometer sensor in one or two earpieces 3002, because the user may expect that earpiece 3002 and 3004 are set to face upward to operate the earphone that breaks away from head configuration, and should continue audio playback in this case.

[0259] Fig.31 A carrying case 3100 is shown for use with an earphone (e.g., earphone 3000) positioned therein. Earphone 3000 is shown to include an ambient light sensor 3102. In some embodiments, input from the ambient light sensor 3102 can be used to determine when to close the case 3100 when the earphone is disposed within the case 3100. Similarly, when the sensor reading from the ambient light sensor 3102 indicates an amount of light consistent with the carrying case 3100 being open, the processor within the earphone 3000 can determine that the carrying case 3100 has been opened. In some embodiments, when other sensors onboard the earphone 3000 indicate that the earphone 3000 is positioned within a recess defined by the carrying case 3100, sensor data from the ambient light sensor 3102 can be sufficient to determine when to open or close the carrying case 3100.

[0260] In various embodiments, the Hall effect sensor 3104 may be positioned within the earpiece 3002 and 3004 and configured to detect a magnetic field emitted by a permanent magnet 3106 disposed within the stowage box 3100. This second set of sensor data can significantly reduce the incidence of sensor data from the ambient light sensor 3102 being erroneously associated with box opening and closing events. Sensor readings from other types of sensors (such as strain gauges, time-of-flight sensors, and other ear-frame configuration sensors) may also be used to make operational state determinations. In addition, these sensors may be activated at different frequencies depending on the determined operational state of the earphone 3000. For example, when the stowage box 3100 is determined to be closed around the earphone 3000, sensor readings may only be collected at rare frequencies, while when in active use, these sensors may be operated more frequently.

[0261] For purposes of illustration, the foregoing description describes embodiments in relation to headphones to provide a thorough understanding of the components. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the components are not limited to use with headphones. For example, the components described herein may be used with a head mounted device (HMD), augmented reality, virtual reality devices, and / or any suitable audio device. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations of the components and / or embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings.

[0262] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments can be practiced without specific details. Therefore, the foregoing description of specific embodiments is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are feasible.

[0263] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0264] All patents, publications and specification abstracts cited above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The above description of the embodiments, including the exemplary aspects of the embodiments, is presented for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications, adaptations and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0265] Aspect 1 is a listening device comprising: a first earpiece; a headband having a first end coupled to the first earpiece, the first earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an internal volume; a speaker disposed within the internal volume; and a pivot mechanism coupled to the earpiece housing and operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate separately from the headband along a first axis, the pivot mechanism comprising: an orifice sized and shaped to receive one of the first end or the second end of the headband; a first pivot rod and a second pivot rod; a first cylinder having a first channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston mounted within the first channel and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the orifice when the pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the first axis.

[0266] Aspect 2 is a listening device according to Aspect 1 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises: a second cylinder having a second channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a second piston mounted in the second channel of the second cylinder and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the orifice when the pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the first axis.

[0267] Aspect 3 is a listening device according to Aspect 1 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a collar defining the opening to receive one of the first end or the second end of the headband; the collar having a protrusion for aligning the corresponding first end or the corresponding second end of the headband with the pivot mechanism and being configured to allow the pivot mechanism to rotate about a second axis.

[0268] Aspect 4 is a listening device according to aspect 3 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the first axis is a roll axis and the second axis is a yaw axis.

[0269] Aspect 5 is a listening device according to aspect 1 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a sensor configured to detect rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis.

[0270] Aspect 6 is a listening device according to aspect 1 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism is positioned off-center from the first earpiece.

[0271] Aspect 7 is an earpiece, comprising: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defining an internal volume; a speaker, the speaker being disposed within the internal volume; and a pivot mechanism, the pivot mechanism being disposed at a first end of the earpiece housing and being operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a first axis, the pivot mechanism comprising: an orifice, the size and shape of the orifice being set to receive a first end of a headband; a first pivot rod and a second pivot rod; a first cylinder having a first channel and a second cylinder having a second channel, the first cylinder and the second cylinder being coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston and a second piston, the first piston being positionable within the first channel, the second piston being positionable within the second channel, the first piston and the second piston being coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring and a second compression spring, the first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder, the second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder, and the first compression spring and the second compression spring being positioned to be compressed relative to the orifice when the pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the first axis.

[0272] Aspect 8 is an earpiece according to Aspect 7 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a magnet and a sensor, the sensor being configured to detect changes in the magnetic field of the magnet to detect rotation of the pivot mechanism around the first axis.

[0273] Aspect 9 is an earpiece according to aspect 7 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the first axis is a roll axis, and the pivot mechanism is further operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a yaw axis.

[0274] Aspect 10 is an earpiece according to Aspect 7 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a collar defining the aperture, the collar comprising a protrusion configured to engage an alignment notch of the headband.

[0275] Aspect 11 is an earpiece according to aspect 10 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the collar further defines a notch configured to receive a locking member that prevents the headband from being removed from the pivot mechanism.

[0276] Aspect 12 is an earpiece according to Aspect 7 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a gasket configured to prevent moisture from entering between the headband and the orifice and to flex in response to rotation of the pivot mechanism.

[0277] Aspect 13 is an earphone, comprising: a first earpiece, the first earpiece comprising a first earpiece housing and a first pivot mechanism, the first earpiece housing defining a first internal volume, the first pivot mechanism coupled to the first earpiece housing and operable to enable the first earpiece to rotate about a first axis, and the first pivot mechanism comprising: a first orifice, the size and shape of the first orifice being set to receive a first end of a headband; a first pivot rod and a second pivot rod; a first cylinder, the first cylinder having a first channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston, the first piston being assembled in the first channel and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring, the first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and being positioned relative to the first pivot mechanism when the first pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the first axis. an orifice compresses; and a second earpiece, the second earpiece comprising a second earpiece housing and a second pivot mechanism, the second earpiece housing defining a second internal volume, the second pivot mechanism coupled to the second earpiece housing and operable to enable the second earpiece to rotate about a second axis, and the second pivot mechanism comprising: a second orifice, the second orifice being sized and shaped to receive a second end of the headband; a third pivot rod and a fourth pivot rod; a second cylinder, the second cylinder having a second channel and coupled to the third pivot rod; a second piston, the second piston being mounted in the second channel and coupled to the fourth pivot rod; and a second compression spring, the second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the second orifice when the second pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the second axis.

[0278] Aspect 14 is an earphone according to Aspect 13 (or alone or in combination with any other preceding or subsequent aspects), wherein the first pivot mechanism also includes: a third cylinder having a third channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a third piston, mounted in the third channel and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a third compression spring, at least partially surrounding the third piston and the third cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the first orifice when the first pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the first axis; and the second pivot mechanism also includes: a fourth cylinder having a fourth channel and coupled to the third pivot rod; a fourth piston, mounted in the fourth channel and coupled to the fourth pivot rod; and a fourth compression spring, at least partially surrounding the fourth piston and the fourth cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the second orifice when the second pivot mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the second axis.

[0279] Aspect 15 is an earphone according to Aspect 13 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the first axis and the second axis are roll axes, the first pivot mechanism is further operable to enable the first earpiece housing to rotate about a first deflection axis, and the second pivot mechanism is further operable to enable the second earpiece to rotate about a second deflection axis.

[0280] Aspect 16 is an earphone according to aspect 13 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the first earpiece comprises a first sensor configured to detect rotation of the first earpiece about the first axis.

[0281] Aspect 17 is an earphone according to aspect 16 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the second earpiece comprises a second sensor configured to detect rotation of the second earpiece about the second axis.

[0282] Aspect 18 is an earphone according to Aspect 13 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the first pivot mechanism and the second pivot mechanism are positioned offset from the center of the corresponding first earpiece and the corresponding second earpiece.

[0283] Aspect 19 is an earphone according to Aspect 13 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the first pivot mechanism includes a collar defining the first aperture, the collar including a protrusion engageable with the first end of the headband.

[0284] Aspect 20 is an earphone according to Aspect 13 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the first pivot mechanism includes a gasket configured to prevent moisture from entering between the first end of the headband and the first opening, and the gasket is configured to flex in response to rotation of the first pivot mechanism.

[0285] Aspect 21 is a headset comprising: a headband; and an earpiece coupled to one end of the headband, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defining an orifice; a button assembly, the button assembly being positionable in the orifice and comprising: a button housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move into engagement with the button housing; a damper positioned between the upper portion of the button housing and the crown, and and is configured to suppress vibration caused when the crown engages the button housing; a hub, which is coupled to the crown and positioned in the channel and is capable of translating along the central axis and rotatable about the central axis, and the hub includes one or more markings and is configured to engage a compressible dome when the hub translates toward the interior of the earpiece housing; and a seal, which is positioned between the hub and the button housing, one of the seals having a variable diameter and contacting the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the seal.

[0286] Aspect 22 is an earphone according to Aspect 21 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the button assembly also includes a sensor positioned within a portion of the button housing and configured to detect rotation of the hub about the central axis.

[0287] Aspect 23 is an earphone according to Aspect 22 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the hub includes a plurality of grooves formed along the length, the grooves being detectable by the sensor to detect rotation of the hub.

[0288] Aspect 24 is an earphone according to aspect 21 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein at least one of the seals comprises a self-lubricating material.

[0289] Aspect 25 is an earphone according to aspect 21 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the compressible dome is capable of engaging with an open circuit to form a closed circuit.

[0290] Aspect 26 is an earphone according to Aspect 25 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the compressible dome comprises a conductive material capable of engaging with the open circuit to form the closed circuit.

[0291] Aspect 27 is an earphone according to aspect 21 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the damper is a first damper and a second damper is positioned between the hub and the lower portion of the housing.

[0292] Aspect 28 is an earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an aperture; a button assembly capable of being positioned in the aperture and comprising: a button housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move into engagement with the upper portion of the button housing; a first damper positioned between the button housing and the crown and configured to dampen vibrations caused when the crown engages the button housing; a hub coupled to the crown and positioned in the channel and capable of translating along the central axis and rotatable about the central axis, the hub including one or more markings and configured to move between engaging the lower portion of the button housing and engaging a compressible dome when the hub translates toward the interior of the earpiece housing; and a second damper positioned between the hub and the lower portion of the button housing and configured to dampen vibrations when the hub engages the lower portion of the button housing.

[0293] Aspect 29 is an earpiece according to aspect 28 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the hub includes a plurality of grooves formed along the length, wherein the grooves are detectable by a sensor positioned within a portion of the button housing.

[0294] Aspect 30 is an earpiece according to Aspect 28 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a seal positioned between the hub and the button housing, at least one of the seals comprising a self-lubricating material.

[0295] Aspect 31 is an earpiece according to aspect 30 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein a first of the seals has a variable diameter and contacts the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the first seal.

[0296] Aspect 32 is an earpiece according to Aspect 28 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the button assembly also includes a separator coupled to the hub and capable of translating along the central axis to engage the compressible dome, and the separator is configured to allow the hub to rotate relative to the separator.

[0297] Aspect 33 is an earpiece according to Aspect 32 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the separator includes an adjustable resistance component, the adjustable resistance component is configured to adjust the resistance between the separator and the button housing, and the adjustable resistance component includes at least one of a gasket, a spring or an elastic wedge.

[0298] Aspect 34 is a handset according to aspect 28 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the compressible dome is configured to engage with a flexible sheet comprising a conductive material, the flexible sheet being configured to engage an open circuit to form a closed circuit.

[0299] Aspect 35 is a listening device comprising: an earpiece having an earpiece housing defining an orifice; a button assembly capable of being positioned in the orifice and comprising: a button housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move to engage with the upper portion of the button housing; a hub coupled to the crown and positioned in the channel and capable of translating along the central axis and capable of rotating about the central axis, and the hub including one or more markings and configured to engage a compressible dome when the hub translates toward the interior of the earpiece housing; and a seal positioned between the hub and the button housing, a first seal positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the button housing and configured to form a watertight seal, and a second seal positioned between the hub and the compressible dome and having a variable diameter to contact the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the seal.

[0300] Aspect 36 is an earpiece according to Aspect 35 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a first damper positioned between the upper portion of the button housing and the crown and configured to dampen vibrations caused when the crown engages the button housing.

[0301] Aspect 37 is an earpiece according to Aspect 36 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a second damper positioned between the hub and the lower portion of the button housing and configured to engage with the lower portion of the button housing when the button assembly is in an unpressed state.

[0302] Aspect 38 is an earpiece according to aspect 35 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein at least one of the seals comprises a self-lubricating material.

[0303] Aspect 39 is an earpiece according to Aspect 35 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a sensor positioned within a portion of the button housing and configured to detect rotation of the hub about the central axis.

[0304] Aspect 40 is an earpiece according to aspect 39 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the hub comprises a plurality of grooves formed along a length, the grooves being detectable by the sensor.

[0305] Aspect 41 is an earphone, comprising: a headband assembly; and a first earpiece and a second earpiece, the first earpiece being coupled to a first end of the headband assembly, the second earpiece being coupled to a second end of the headband assembly, each of the first earpiece and the second earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing; an acoustic driver, the acoustic driver being disposed within the earpiece housing; and an earpiece padding assembly, the earpiece padding assembly being coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity sized to accommodate an ear of a user, and the earpiece padding assembly comprising: an annular earpiece padding; and a support structure, the support structure being disposed between the annular earpiece padding and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising a cantilevered support member distributed along the periphery of the cavity and protruding into the cavity.

[0306] Aspect 42 is an earphone according to Aspect 41 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein each of the cantilevered support members has a curved geometry that follows the curvature of a portion of the annular earpiece cushion.

[0307] Aspect 43 is an earphone according to aspect 41, further comprising a cushion frame, wherein the support structure is integrally formed with the cushion frame, and the cushion frame is directly coupled to the earpiece housing.

[0308] Aspect 44 is an earphone according to Aspect 43 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the support structure and the pad frame cooperate to define an annular channel, and the annular earpiece pad is disposed within the annular channel.

[0309] Aspect 45 is an earphone according to Aspect 41 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the earpiece cushion assembly further comprises a protective cover that wraps around both the annular earpiece cushion and at least a portion of the support structure.

[0310] Aspect 46 is an earphone according to aspect 45 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the cover comprises a material selected from leather and textile materials.

[0311] Aspect 47 is an earphone according to Aspect 41 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the earpiece cushion assembly also includes a protective cover, and wherein one or more of the cantilevered support members are embedded in the protective cover.

[0312] Aspect 48 is an earphone according to aspect 41 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), further comprising a ribbon fabric coupling adjacent cantilevered support members together.

[0313] Aspect 49 is an earphone according to aspect 48 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the stiffness of the ribbon fabric is lower than the stiffness of the cantilever support member.

[0314] Aspect 50 is an earpiece suitable for use with an over-ear headphone, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing; an earpiece cushion assembly coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity sized to accommodate a user's ear, the earpiece cushion assembly comprising an annular earpiece cushion and a support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising a cantilevered support member distributed around the cavity and protruding into the cavity; and an acoustic driver.

[0315] Aspect 51 is an earpiece according to Aspect 50 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the earpiece cushion assembly also includes a protective cover, and wherein one or more of the cantilevered support members are embedded in the protective cover.

[0316] Aspect 52 is a handset according to Aspect 50 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein a first of the cantilevered support members has a different size or shape than a second of the cantilevered support members.

[0317] Aspect 53 is an earpiece according to aspect 50 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the annular earpiece cushion is formed of an open-cell foam.

[0318] Aspect 54 is an earpiece according to aspect 50 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the interior-facing surface of the annular earpiece cushion and the adjacent interior surface of the earpiece housing operate to form an undercut.

[0319] Aspect 55 is a handset according to aspect 50 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein each of the cantilevered support members has the same size and shape.

[0320] Aspect 56 is an earpiece according to aspect 50 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein each of the cantilevered support members is curved toward the annular earpiece cushion.

[0321] Aspect 57 is a headset, comprising: a first earpiece and a second earpiece, each of the earpieces comprising: an earpiece housing; an acoustic driver, the acoustic driver being disposed within the earpiece housing; and an earpiece padding assembly, the earpiece padding assembly being coupled to the earpiece housing, wherein each earpiece padding assembly comprises: an annular earpiece padding; and a support structure, the support structure being disposed between the annular earpiece padding and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising a cantilevered support member distributed around the annular earpiece padding and supporting the annular earpiece padding; and a headband assembly, the headband assembly mechanically coupling the first earpiece and the second earpiece.

[0322] Aspect 58 is an earphone according to aspect 57 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the annular earpiece cushion comprises a foam cushion disposed within a protective cover.

[0323] Aspect 59 is an earphone according to Aspect 57 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the annular earpiece cushion further comprises a cushion frame, and wherein the cantilevered support member is integrally formed with the cushion frame.

[0324] Aspect 60 is an earphone according to aspect 57 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the cantilevered support member is configured to independently reinforce selected areas of the annular earpiece cushion.

[0325] Aspect 61 is an earpiece for a pair of headphones, the earpiece comprising: a conductive earpiece housing, the conductive earpiece housing defining an internal volume having a central area and an outer area surrounding the central area, wherein the conductive earpiece housing includes a portion defining a ground layer element for an antenna and having an elongated slot formed through the ground layer element; and a slot antenna, the slot antenna being disposed within the outer area of ​​the internal volume and electrically coupled to the ground layer element, the slot antenna comprising a frame formed of a radio frequency transparent material and defining a closed internal cavity within the internal volume, wherein the frame comprises a tongue portion, the tongue portion having opposing first and second surfaces protruding away from the internal cavity and a distal end facing the elongated slot and extending between the opposing first and second surfaces, and wherein the distal end of the tongue portion allows radio frequency waves to enter the internal cavity through the elongated slot, and the remainder of the exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal, the one or more layers of metal preventing radio frequency waves from entering the internal cavity.

[0326] Aspect 62 is an earpiece according to Aspect 61, wherein: the earpiece housing also includes an acoustic opening proximate to the elongated slot; and the frame includes a first orifice and a second orifice formed through the one or more layers of metal plating, and a channel extending through the internal cavity defined by the frame and having walls formed by the RF-transparent material, wherein the second orifice is aligned with the acoustic opening in the earpiece housing, and the channel acoustically couples the first orifice to the second orifice to provide a pressure relief vent through the earpiece housing.

[0327] Aspect 63 is a handset according to Aspect 61, wherein the slot antenna defines an antenna pattern, and the handset further comprises a passive component positioned within the antenna pattern and configured to divide the slot antenna into two or more segments, the two or more segments tuning the antenna to at least two different radio frequencies.

[0328] Aspect 64 is an earpiece according to aspect 61, wherein the outer region of the interior volume has a spherical cross-sectional shape extending 360 degrees around the central region.

[0329] Aspect 65 is an earpiece according to aspect 61, further comprising a sealant disposed within and filling the elongated slot and being co-complete with the earpiece housing.

[0330] Aspect 66 is a handset according to aspect 61, wherein the one or more layers of metal include a copper layer, a gold layer, and a nickel layer disposed between the copper layer and the gold layer.

[0331] Aspect 67 is an earpiece for a pair of headphones, the earpiece comprising: a conductive earpiece housing, the conductive earpiece housing defining an internal volume having a central area and an outer spherical area surrounding the central area, wherein the conductive earpiece housing includes a portion defining a ground layer element for an antenna and having an elongated rectangular slot formed through the ground layer element; a wireless circuit, the wireless circuit being disposed within the internal volume; an audio processing circuit, the audio processing circuit being disposed within the internal volume and operatively coupled to the wireless circuit; a microphone, the microphone being disposed within the internal volume and operatively coupled to the audio processing circuit; a speaker, the speaker being disposed within the central area of ​​the internal volume and operatively coupled to the audio processing circuit; a slot antenna, the slot antenna Disposed within the spherical region of the internal volume and operatively coupled to the wireless circuit, the slot antenna includes a frame formed of a rigid radio frequency transparent material and defining an internal cavity within the internal volume, wherein the frame includes a tongue portion having opposing first and second surfaces protruding away from the internal cavity and a distal end facing the elongated rectangular slot and extending between the opposing first and second surfaces, and wherein the distal end of the tongue portion allows radio frequency waves to enter the internal cavity through the elongated slot, and the remainder of the exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal, the one or more layers of metal preventing radio frequency waves from entering the internal cavity; and a ground connection, the ground connection being located between the slot antenna and the ground layer element of the conductive earpiece housing.

[0332] Aspect 68 is an earpiece according to Aspect 67 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein: the earpiece housing also includes an acoustic opening proximate to the elongated slot; and the earpiece also includes an audio port component, the audio port component including an opening aligned with the acoustic opening and an acoustic channel acoustically coupling the acoustic opening with the internal volume.

[0333] Aspect 69 is an earpiece according to aspect 68 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the acoustic channel includes a hollow fastener defining an opening in a support structure coupled to the speaker.

[0334] Aspect 70 is an earpiece according to Aspect 67 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), further comprising: a first terminal feature portion electrically coupled to the microphone; and a second terminal feature portion electrically coupled to the audio processing circuit.

[0335] Aspect 71 is an earpiece according to aspect 67 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the frame includes a plurality of ribs that protrude into the interior cavity and provide additional strength to the frame.

[0336] Aspect 72 is an earpiece according to Aspect 67 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the earpiece also includes a speaker cover, the speaker cover including a plurality of audio openings, the speaker cover coupled to the earpiece housing and positioned above the central area of ​​the earpiece housing.

[0337] Aspect 73 is a handset according to aspect 67 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the one or more layers of metal include a copper layer, a gold layer, and a nickel layer.

[0338] Aspect 74 is an earpiece according to aspect 73 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the copper layer is positioned on the exterior of the frame and is disposed between the copper layer and the gold layer.

[0339] Aspect 75 is an earpiece for a pair of headphones, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defining an internal volume having a central area and an outer area surrounding the central area, wherein the earpiece housing includes an elongated slot and an acoustic opening formed through the earpiece housing adjacent to the elongated slot; a slot antenna, the slot antenna being disposed within the outer area of ​​the internal volume and comprising a frame formed of a radio frequency transparent material and defining a closed internal cavity within the internal volume, wherein the frame includes a support structure and a tongue extending into the internal cavity, the tongue having a shape remote from the internal cavity. The tongue-shaped portion comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the tongue-shaped portion protruding from the inner cavity and a distal end facing the slender slot and extending between the first and second surfaces opposite to the tongue-shaped portion, and wherein the distal end of the tongue-shaped portion allows radio frequency waves to enter the inner cavity through the slender slot, and the remainder of the exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal, and the one or more layers of metal prevent radio frequency waves from entering the inner cavity; and an acoustic pathway, the acoustic pathway being at least partially defined by an acoustic vent having an opening aligned with the acoustic opening, the acoustic pathway acoustically coupling the acoustic opening with the inner volume.

[0340] Aspect 76 is an earpiece according to Aspect 75 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the frame includes a first opening and a second opening formed through the one or more layers of metal plating, and the acoustic pathway extends through the internal cavity defined by the frame and includes a wall formed by the RF-transparent material, and wherein the acoustic vent includes the second opening, and the acoustic pathway acoustically couples the first opening to the second opening to provide a pressure relief vent through the earpiece housing.

[0341] Aspect 77 is an earpiece according to aspect 75 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the acoustic pathway comprises a hollow fastener acoustically coupling an interior volume of the earpiece with the acoustic opening.

[0342] Aspect 78 is an earpiece according to Aspect 75 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the slot antenna defines an antenna pattern, and the earpiece includes an antenna tuning component positioned within the antenna pattern and configured to divide the slot antenna into a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments tuning the slot antenna to at least two radio frequencies.

[0343] Aspect 79 is an earpiece according to aspect 75 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein a microphone is positioned between the slot antenna and the earpiece housing and aligned with a microphone aperture in the earpiece housing.

[0344] Aspect 80 is an earpiece according to Aspect 75 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the elongated slot includes a sealant disposed within the elongated slot, and wherein the sealant is configured to prevent moisture from entering the elongated slot and allow radio frequency waves to pass through.

[0345] Aspect 81 is an earpiece for a pair of headphones, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defining an internal volume, the earpiece housing having an inner side wall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first orifice formed through the inner side wall surface; an earpiece cover, the earpiece cover coupled to the earpiece housing and covering the central opening, the earpiece cover having: a plurality of sound openings formed through a central area of ​​the earpiece cover; an outer side wall surface extending around the central area and aligned with and extending above the inner side wall surface of the earpiece housing; and a second orifice formed through the outer side wall surface and aligned with the first orifice; an annular earpiece pad, the annular earpiece pad coupled to the earpiece housing around an ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; a speaker, the speaker being disposed in the inner a housing having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are disposed above the first aperture and the second aperture, and wherein the housing has a main body formed between first and second opposing main surfaces, the first main surface facing the ear receiving area, and the second main surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the ear housing that is different from the first angle; an optical sensor including an optical transmitter and an optical receiver and coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier, and wherein the optical sensor is aligned to transmit radiation through the main body of the carrier and through the first aperture and the second aperture into the ear receiving area and to receive radiation reflected back through the first aperture and the second aperture and through the main body of the carrier.

[0346] Aspect 82 is an earpiece according to aspect 81 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the optical sensor has a field of view confined to an area within an inner periphery of the earpiece cushion.

[0347] Aspect 83 is a handset according to aspect 81 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the optical emitter is an infrared laser.

[0348] Aspect 84 is a handset according to aspect 81 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the carrier comprises a material transparent to infrared radiation, and the first major surface of the carrier comprises an infrared radiation absorbing material.

[0349] Aspect 85 is a handset according to aspect 81 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the optical sensor comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array.

[0350] Aspect 86 is a handset according to aspect 85 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the handset further comprises a processor programmed to calculate time-of-flight distance information received from the VCSEL and the SPAD.

[0351] Aspect 87 is an earpiece, comprising: an earpiece housing, the earpiece housing defining an internal volume, the earpiece housing having an inner side wall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first aperture formed through the inner side wall surface; an annular earpiece cushion, the annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing around an ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; a speaker, the speaker disposed within the internal volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy into the ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; a carrier, the carrier coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed above the first aperture, and the carrier having a body formed between opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface facing the ear receiving area, and the second major surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the earpiece housing that is different from the first angle; an optical sensor, the optical sensor including an optical transmitter and an optical receiver and coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier, and the optical sensor is aligned to transmit radiation through the body of the carrier and through the first aperture into the ear receiving area and to receive radiation reflected back through the first aperture and through the body of the carrier.

[0352] Aspect 88 is an earpiece according to Aspect 87 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), further comprising: an earpiece cover coupled to the earpiece housing and covering the central opening, and the earpiece cover having a plurality of sound openings formed through a central area of ​​the earpiece cover; an outer side wall surface extending around the central area and aligned with and extending above the inner side wall surface of the earpiece housing; and a second orifice formed through the outer side wall surface and aligned with the first orifice, wherein the speaker is positioned to direct the acoustic energy through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover, and the optical sensor is aligned to emit radiation through the first orifice and the second orifice and receive radiation reflected through the first orifice and the second orifice.

[0353] Aspect 89 is an earpiece according to aspect 87 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the optical sensor has a first field of view contained within an inner periphery of the ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece.

[0354] Aspect 90 is an earpiece according to Aspect 89 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the optical sensor further comprises a beam steering device configured to direct the radiation to a plurality of separate fields of view contained within the first field of view.

[0355] Aspect 91 is a handset according to aspect 87 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the optical sensor comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array.

[0356] Aspect 92 is a handset according to aspect 91 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the handset further comprises a processor programmed to calculate time-of-flight distance information received from the VCSEL and the SPAD.

[0357] Aspect 93 is a handset according to aspect 87 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the carrier comprises a material transparent to infrared radiation and the first major surface of the carrier comprises an infrared radiation absorbing material.

[0358] Aspect 94 is an earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an internal volume, the earpiece housing having an internal side wall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first orifice formed through the internal side wall surface; an annular earpiece pad coupled to the earpiece housing around an ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; a speaker disposed within the internal volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy into the ear receiving area of ​​the earpiece; an optical sensor coupled to the internal side wall surface of the earpiece housing, the optical sensor comprising an optical transmitter and an optical receiver and aligned to transmit radiation into the ear receiving area through the first orifice and to receive radiation reflected back through the first orifice.

[0359] Aspect 95 is an earpiece according to Aspect 94 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), further comprising a carrier coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed above the first opening, the carrier having a body formed between opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface facing the ear receiving area, and the second major surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the earpiece housing that is different from the first angle, wherein the optical sensor is coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier and is aligned to emit radiation through the body of the carrier and receive reflected radiation.

[0360] Aspect 96 is an earpiece according to Aspect 95 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), further comprising: an earpiece cover coupled to the earpiece housing and covering the central opening, and the earpiece cover having a plurality of sound openings formed through a central area of ​​the earpiece cover; an outer side wall surface extending around the central area and aligned with and extending above the inner side wall surface of the earpiece housing; and a second orifice formed through the outer side wall surface and aligned with the first orifice, wherein the speaker is positioned to direct the acoustic energy through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover, and the optical sensor is aligned to emit radiation through the first orifice and the second orifice and receive radiation reflected through the first orifice and the second orifice.

[0361] Aspect 97 is a handset according to aspect 95 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the carrier comprises a material transparent to infrared radiation and the first major surface of the carrier comprises an infrared radiation absorbing material.

[0362] Aspect 98 is an earpiece according to aspect 94 (or according to any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the optical sensor has a field of view confined to an area within an inner periphery of the earpiece cushion.

[0363] Aspect 99 is a handset according to aspect 94 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the optical emitter is an infrared laser.

[0364] Aspect 100 is a handset according to aspect 94 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the optical sensor comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array.

[0365] Aspect 101 is an earphone receiver assembly comprising: a housing defining an internal volume; an earpiece cover disposed in the internal volume and comprising a first magnet and a metal shunt positioned between the earpiece cover and the first magnet; and an earpiece pad assembly removably coupled to the housing and comprising an annular earpiece pad coupled to a frame and a magnetic element disposed between the earpiece pad and the frame, wherein the magnetic element is magnetically coupled to the first magnet when the earpiece pad assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to guide magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece pad assembly to the housing.

[0366] Aspect 102 is an earphone receiver assembly according to aspect 101 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the magnet comprises a magnetic array having alternating magnetic pole orientations.

[0367] Aspect 103 is an earphone receiver assembly according to aspect 101 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the metal shunt is configured to direct flux away from electronic components positioned in the interior volume of the housing.

[0368] Aspect 104 is the earphone receiver assembly of aspect 101 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the magnetic element comprises a metal plate or a magnet.

[0369] Aspect 105 is the earphone receiver assembly of aspect 101 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the cover and the frame each include an annular surface surrounding a central portion.

[0370] Aspect 106 is an earphone receiver assembly according to Aspect 105 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the magnet and the metal shunt are disposed on the annular surface of the cover, and the magnetic element is disposed on the annular surface of the frame.

[0371] Aspect 107 is an earphone receiver assembly according to Aspect 105 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein a plurality of magnets are arranged in a certain pattern on the annular shelf of the cover, and a plurality of magnetic elements are arranged in the pattern on the annular surface of the cover.

[0372] Aspect 108 is a handset comprising: a housing defining an internal volume; a handset cover coupled to the housing and comprising: a central portion disposed in the internal volume; an annular shelf surrounding the central portion; a side wall extending between the central portion and the annular shelf around a central opening of the handset cover; and a first magnet and a metal shunt positioned on the annular shelf, the metal shunt being positioned between the handset cover and the first magnet; a speaker disposed within the internal volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy through the central portion of the handset cover; and a handset cushion assembly, the The earpiece cushion assembly is removably coupled to the earpiece cover and includes: a frame having a central portion; an annular surface, the annular surface surrounding the central portion of the frame; a side wall, the side wall extending between the central portion and the annular surface around the central portion of the frame; an earpiece cushion, the earpiece cushion coupled to the annular surface of the frame; and a magnetic element, the magnetic element being disposed on the annular surface and between the earpiece cushion and the frame, the magnetic element being magnetically coupled to the first magnet when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to guide magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing.

[0373] Aspect 109 is an earphone earpiece assembly according to Aspect 108 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein a plurality of sound openings are formed through the central portion of the earpiece cover, and the speaker is positioned to direct acoustic energy through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover.

[0374] Aspect 110 is the earphone earpiece assembly of aspect 108 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the earpiece cover sidewall defines a first aperture and the frame sidewall defines a second aperture.

[0375] Aspect 111 is an earphone receiver assembly according to aspect 110 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned when the receiver cover is coupled to the receiver cushion assembly.

[0376] Aspect 112 is an earphone receiver assembly according to Aspect 108 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein a plurality of magnets are arranged in a certain pattern on the annular shelf of the cover, and a plurality of magnetic elements are arranged in the pattern on the annular surface of the cover.

[0377] Aspect 113 is an earphone receiver assembly according to aspect 108 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the magnetic shunt is configured to direct flux away from the speaker in the interior volume.

[0378] Aspect 114 is the earphone receiver assembly of aspect 108 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the magnet comprises an array of magnets arranged in a pattern.

[0379] Aspect 115 is a handset comprising: a housing defining an internal volume; a handset cover coupled to the housing and comprising: a central portion disposed in the internal volume; an annular shelf surrounding the central portion; a side wall extending between the central portion and the annular shelf surrounding a central opening of the handset cover; and a first magnet positioned on the annular shelf.

[0380] Aspect 115 is an earpiece cushion assembly that is removably coupled to the earpiece cover and includes: a frame having a central portion; an annular surface that surrounds the central portion of the frame; a side wall that extends around the central portion of the frame between the central portion and the annular surface; an earpiece cushion that is coupled to the annular surface of the frame; and a magnetic element that is disposed on the annular surface and between the earpiece cushion and the frame, and when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, the magnetic element is magnetically coupled to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet is configured to guide magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing.

[0381] Aspect 116 is an earphone receiver assembly according to Aspect 115 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), further comprising a speaker disposed within the internal volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy through the central portion of the receiver cover.

[0382] Aspect 117 is an earphone receiver assembly according to aspect 116 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), further comprising a metal shunt positioned on the annular shelf between the receiver cover and the first magnet.

[0383] Aspect 118 is an earphone receiver assembly according to aspect 117 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the metal shunt is configured to direct flux away from electronic components positioned in the interior volume of the housing.

[0384] Aspect 119 is an earphone receiver assembly according to aspect 115 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspect, alone or in combination), wherein the magnet comprises a magnetic array having alternating magnetic pole orientations.

[0385] Aspect 120 is an earphone receiver assembly according to Aspect 115 (or any other preceding or subsequent aspects, alone or in combination), wherein a plurality of magnets are arranged in a certain pattern on the annular shelf of the cover, and a plurality of magnetic elements are arranged in the pattern on the annular surface of the cover.

Claims

1. A listening device, comprising: First receiver; a headband having a first end coupled to the first earpiece, the first earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume; a speaker disposed within the interior volume; and a pivot mechanism coupled to the earpiece housing and operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a first axis away from the headband, the pivot mechanism comprising: an aperture sized and shaped to receive one of the first end or the second end of the headband; a first pivoting rod and a second pivoting rod; a first cylinder having a first passage and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston fitted within the first passage and coupled to the second pivot rod; and A first compression spring at least partially surrounds the first piston and the first cylinder and is positioned to be compressed relative to the orifice while resisting rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis.

2. The listening device of claim 1 , wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a collar defining the aperture to receive one of the first end or the second end of the headband; the collar having a protrusion for aligning the corresponding first end or the second end of the headband with the pivot mechanism and being configured to allow the pivot mechanism to rotate about a second axis. 3 . The listening device of claim 2 , wherein the first axis is a roll axis and the second axis is a yaw axis.

4. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the pivot mechanism is positioned off-center from the first earpiece.

5. The listening device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a sensor configured to detect rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis.

6. The listening device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises: a second cylinder having a second passage and coupled to the first pivot rod; a second piston fitted within the second passage of the second cylinder and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the orifice while resisting rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis.

7. A handset, comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume; a speaker disposed within the interior volume; as well as A pivot mechanism disposed at a first end of the earpiece housing and operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a first axis, the pivot mechanism comprising: an aperture sized and shaped to receive a first end of a headband; a first pivoting rod and a second pivoting rod; a first cylinder having a first passage and a second cylinder having a second passage, the first cylinder and the second cylinder being coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston positionable within the first passage and a second piston positionable within the second passage, the first piston and the second piston coupled to the second pivot rod; and and a first compression spring and a second compression spring, wherein the first compression spring at least partially surrounds the first piston and the first cylinder, and the second compression spring at least partially surrounds the second piston and the second cylinder, and the first compression spring and the second compression spring are positioned to be compressed relative to the orifice and simultaneously resist rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis.

8. The earpiece of claim 7, wherein the first axis is a roll axis, and the pivot mechanism is further operable to enable rotation of the earpiece housing along a yaw axis.

9. The earpiece of claim 7, wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a collar defining the aperture, the collar comprising a protrusion configured to engage an alignment notch of the headband.

10. The earpiece of claim 9, wherein the collar further defines a notch configured to receive a locking member that prevents the headband from being removed from the pivot mechanism.

11. The handset according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a magnet and a sensor configured to detect changes in the magnetic field of the magnet to detect rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis.

12. An earpiece according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a gasket configured to prevent moisture from entering between the headband and the aperture and to flex in response to rotation of the pivot mechanism.

13. Earphones, comprising: A first earpiece, the first earpiece comprising a first earpiece housing and a first pivot mechanism, the first earpiece housing defining a first interior volume, the first pivot mechanism coupled to the first earpiece housing and operable to enable the first earpiece to rotate about a first axis, and the first pivot mechanism comprising: a first aperture sized and shaped to receive a first end of a headband; a first pivoting rod and a second pivoting rod; a first cylinder having a first passage and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston fitted within the first passage and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the first aperture while resisting rotation of the first pivot mechanism about the first axis; and a second earpiece, the second earpiece comprising a second earpiece housing and a second pivot mechanism, the second earpiece housing defining a second interior volume, the second pivot mechanism coupled to the second earpiece housing and operable to enable the second earpiece to rotate about a second axis, and the second pivot mechanism comprising: a second aperture sized and shaped to receive a second end of the headband; a third pivot rod and a fourth pivot rod; a second cylinder having a second passage and coupled to the third pivot rod; a second piston fitted within the second passage and coupled to the fourth pivot rod; and A second compression spring at least partially surrounds the second piston and the second cylinder and is positioned to be compressed relative to the second aperture while resisting rotation of the second pivot mechanism about the second axis.

14. The headset of claim 13, wherein the first axis and the second axis are roll axes, the first pivot mechanism is further operable to rotate the first earpiece housing about a first yaw axis, and the second pivot mechanism is further operable to rotate the second earpiece about a second yaw axis.

15. The headset of claim 13, wherein the first earpiece comprises a first sensor configured to detect rotation of the first earpiece about the first axis.

16. The headset of claim 15, wherein the second earpiece comprises a second sensor configured to detect rotation of the second earpiece about the second axis.

17. The earphone according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first pivot mechanism further comprises: a third cylinder having a third passage and coupled to the first pivot rod; a third piston mounted within the third passage and coupled to the second pivot rod; and a third compression spring at least partially surrounding the third piston and the third cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the first aperture while resisting rotation of the first pivot mechanism about the first axis; as well as The second pivot mechanism also includes: a fourth cylinder having a fourth channel and coupled to the third pivot rod; a fourth piston mounted in the fourth channel and coupled to the fourth pivot rod; and a fourth compression spring at least partially surrounding the fourth piston and the fourth cylinder and positioned to be compressed relative to the second orifice and simultaneously resist rotation of the second pivot mechanism about the second axis.

18. The earphone according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first pivot mechanism and the second pivot mechanism are positioned off-center from the respective first earpiece and the second earpiece.

19. An earphone according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first pivot mechanism comprises a collar defining the first aperture, the collar comprising a protrusion engageable with the first end of the headband.

20. The headset of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first pivot mechanism comprises a gasket configured to prevent moisture from entering between the first end of the headband and the first aperture, and configured to flex in response to rotation of the first pivot mechanism.

Images