Audio device with wingtip anchors

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to audio devices with wingtip anchors. Provided herein are portable ear-worn acoustic devices with wingtip anchors for improved anchoring on active users and adaptation to a wide variety of ear sizes and shapes. Such acoustic devices include an earbud device body and a wingtip anchor extending from the outer face of the device body. The wingtip anchor can include a base portion and a protruding portion that extends upward and is angled or curved inward to engage the upper concha of an ear. The wingtip anchor can be flexible such that engagement of the distal portion of the anchor exerts an inwardly directed spring force on the device body to hold the earbud device body within the ear. Such acoustic devices can also include a multifunction button that is integrally formed with the wingtip anchor such that the base portion of the wingtip anchor is a faceplate for the multifunction button.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 247,132, filed September 22, 2021, entitled “AUDIO DEVICE WITH WINGTIP ANCHOR,” and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 851,867, filed June 28, 2022, entitled “AUDIO DEVICE WITH WINGTIP ANCHOR,” filed under 35 USC §119(e), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to portable acoustic devices. Background Technology

[0004] Portable audio devices, such as headphones, can be used with a variety of electronic devices, such as portable media players, smartphones, tablets, laptops, stereo systems, and other types of devices. Historically, portable audio devices have included one or more small speakers configured to be placed on, inside, or near a user's ear, structural components to hold the speakers in place, and cables to electrically connect the portable audio device to an audio source. Wireless portable audio devices, which do not involve cables and instead receive audio data streams wirelessly from a wireless audio source, have become ubiquitous. Such wireless portable audio devices can include, for example, wireless earbuds or wireless in-ear hearing aids, which operate in pairs (one for each ear) or individually to output sound to and receive sound from the user.

[0005] Despite the widespread use and acceptance of such audio devices among the public, their use still presents challenges and drawbacks. For example, active users participating in various activities, such as exercise or running, occasionally experience earbuds slipping out of their ears or falling out. While various molding designs and protruding anchors have been developed to address this issue, many active users still experience earbud slippage during activity. This problem is further amplified for active users with ear volumes smaller or larger than average. Although some regular earbuds offer anchors of different sizes and shapes to accommodate different ear sizes and shapes, determining which size and shape best suits their specific ear shape is often very time-consuming and difficult for users. Additionally, removing and exchanging between multiple different anchors can be problematic, as this typically requires an iterative approach, during which time users may lose one or more anchors.

[0006] These challenges are even greater in wireless earbuds, which are often larger and heavier, making them more prone to slipping out of the user's ear. Furthermore, many such wireless earbuds include one or more user interface features, such as the ability to tap the earbud or squeeze or twist the antenna section, which can also cause the earbud to slip out of the user's ear.

[0007] While various improvements have been made to recent earbud designs, none have yet overcome the aforementioned challenges. Therefore, there is a need for improved earbud designs that securely anchor in the active user's ear, and earbuds that do not require multiple sizes of anchoring elements. There is also a need for improved earbud designs that allow the user to activate the earbud's functionality without causing it to shift or fall out. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure describes various embodiments of a portable audio device having a wingtip anchor design that provides a more secure anchoring in the ear for active users, accommodates a wide variety of different ear sizes and shapes, and allows users to easily activate the function by engaging the wingtip anchor itself.

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a portable acoustic device worn in a user's ear, the portable acoustic device comprising a device housing and an anchor (e.g., a wingtip anchor) extending from the device housing to secure the device in the ear. In some embodiments, the device includes a device housing defining an inner cavity, the device housing being sized and shaped to be located (at least partially) within the inferior concha of the user's ear, and having an inner side engaging the inferior concha and an outer side facing away from the user when worn in the ear. An acoustic aperture is formed through an acoustic nozzle defined by the device housing and aligned with the user's ear canal in the inferior concha. An audio driver is disposed within the device housing and aligned to emit sound through the acoustic aperture. The anchor may include a base portion and a protruding portion. In some embodiments, when the device is worn in the user's ear, the base portion is coupled to the device body and extends in a rearward direction, and the protruding portion extends distally upward and in a forward direction. In some embodiments, the protrusion also extends inward toward the user so that the distal end of the protrusion is positioned within the upper concha of the ear, which allows the force exerted by the lower root of the helix to secure the device body within the lower concha, wherein the acoustic aperture is secured within the ear canal. In some embodiments, the anchor is a one-piece component.

[0010] On the other hand, the acoustic device is designed such that the outward-facing side of the device housing is spaced at least 10 mm outward from the audio nozzle or at least 10 mm from the inner side of the device housing that engages with the lower concha, to provide sufficient clearance to extend above the helix of the ear, thus avoiding sensitive recessed areas of the ear. In some embodiments, the distal portion of the protrusion is angled inward at an angle between 40 and 50 degrees relative to the horizontal plane extending through the acoustic aperture, such that the distal portion enters the upper concha. In some embodiments, the base portion of the anchor extends rearward at an angle between 110 and 130 degrees relative to the horizontal plane extending through the acoustic aperture. In some embodiments, the protrusion extends upward from the horizontal plane extending through the acoustic aperture by a vertical distance between 15 mm and 25 mm to accommodate a range of ear sizes. In some embodiments, the protrusion extends along a curve extending rearward from the base portion and forward in the distal direction, wherein the radius of the curve is between 15 mm and 25 mm.

[0011] On the other hand, the anchor has one or more flat surfaces to facilitate engagement for anchoring or manual engagement for operating the multifunction button. In some embodiments, the distal portion of the protrusion has a flat outer surface to facilitate abutment engagement with the inward-facing surface of the foot. The width of the flat outer surface along the distal portion can be between 2 mm and 5 mm. In some embodiments, the width of the flat outer surface of the protrusion is mostly between 2 mm and 8 mm. In some embodiments, the base portion has a flat outer surface defining the panel of the multifunction button. The width of the flat outer surface of the base portion can be mostly between 8 mm and 15 mm. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a polymer having a Shore hardness between 0 and 80 (preferably 50) on the Shore A scale.

[0012] In some embodiments, the device body is made of hard plastic, the shape and profile of which are configured to substantially fill the lower concha of the ear. The device body may have a generally elongated shape with a length between 15mm and 20mm, a height between 10mm and 15mm, and a width between 10mm and 15mm, in order to substantially fill the lower concha of the ear. In some embodiments, the anchor is a separate component coupled to the device housing via a base portion. In some embodiments, the anchor is attached to the device housing such that it cannot be removed by the user.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a portable acoustic device having a device body and an anchor extending from the device body, wherein the anchor is integrated with a multi-function button. In some embodiments, the device includes a rocker switch disposed within the device housing, the rocker switch being configured to control the function of the device upon actuation. The anchor includes a base portion and a distal projection, wherein the base portion is coupled adjacent to the rocker switch to the device housing such that manual contact with the anchor actuates the rocker switch. In some embodiments, the base portion of the anchor is movably attached to the device housing and covers the rocker switch within the device housing. The rocker switch may include a movable plunger that moves upon manual contact with the base portion of the anchor to actuate the rocker switch.

[0014] To better understand the spirit and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that each drawing is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Furthermore, as a general rule, and unless explicitly contrary to the description, elements in different figures using the same reference numerals are generally identical or at least similar in function or purpose. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a simplified illustration of an exemplary portable electronic audio device system according to some implementation schemes, the system having a host device configured as a smartphone, a box, and a pair of wireless audio earpiece devices;

[0016] Figure 2 These are exemplary audio devices according to some implementation schemes;

[0017] Figure 3 It is the anatomical structure of the human ear;

[0018] Figure 4 It is worn in the user's ear Figure 2 An exemplary audio device;

[0019] Figure 5A and Figure 5B These are views of the outward-facing and inward-facing sides of an audio device according to some implementation schemes;

[0020] Figure 6A and Figure 6B These are views of the front and rear sides of an audio device according to some implementation schemes;

[0021] Figure 7A and Figure 7B These are top and bottom views of an audio device according to some implementation schemes;

[0022] Figure 8A and Figure 8B It depicts the design of a conventional earbud worn in a user's ear;

[0023] Figure 9A and Figure 9B It depicts another conventional earbud design worn in the user's ear;

[0024] Figure 10 and Figure 11 An exemplary earplug wingtip design worn in a user's ear according to some implementation schemes is depicted;

[0025] Figure 12 Various dimensional aspects of exemplary earbud designs according to some implementation schemes are depicted;

[0026] Figure 13 Various dimensional aspects of exemplary earbud designs according to some implementation schemes are depicted;

[0027] Figures 14A to 14C Alternative earbud designs based on some implementation schemes are described;

[0028] Figures 15A to 15C Alternative earbud designs based on some implementation schemes are described;

[0029] Figure 16 An audio device with a wingtip is depicted according to some embodiments, the wingtip being transparent to show the interface between the wingtip anchor and the device body, as well as the components below;

[0030] Figure 17 An internal view of the equipment body intersecting with the wingtip anchor is shown according to some embodiments;

[0031] Figure 18 and Figures 19A to 19C Various partial cross-sectional views of an exemplary audio device and its interior are shown according to some embodiments; and

[0032] Figure 20 An external view of the interface between the wingtip anchor and the audio device body according to some embodiments is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] This disclosure relates to portable audio devices, specifically wireless portable audio devices, that can provide users with high-end acoustic performance and a pleasant and intuitive user experience. Specifically, this disclosure relates to portable audio devices with specially designed wingtip anchors that securely anchor the earbuds within the ear. Some embodiments involve a wingtip anchor with a universal design to accommodate a variety of adult and adolescent users with ears of different sizes and shapes. Thus, the universal wingtip anchor can be integrated into or attached to the earbud device body so that it cannot be removed by the user. Other embodiments involve an earbud anchor integrally formed with a multi-function button, such that manual engagement with the wingtip anchor activates the device functionality.

[0034] As used herein, the term "portable audio device" includes any portable device configured to be worn in a user's ear and positioned such that the speaker of the portable audio device is at least partially located inside the user's ear. A "portable wireless audio device" is a portable audio device capable of receiving audio data streams from and / or sending audio data streams to a second device using, for example, a wireless communication protocol, without requiring a wire to connect the portable wireless audio device to the second device.

[0035] Headphones are one type of portable audio device, over-ear headphones (a combination of headphones and an attached microphone) are another type, and hearing aids (in-ear devices designed to amplify sounds from the surrounding environment to improve a user's hearing) are still an additional type of portable audio device. The term "headphones" refers to a pair of small, portable audio devices designed to be worn on or around a user's head. They convert electrical signals into corresponding sounds that can be heard by the user. Headphones include traditional headphones, which are worn above the user's head and include left and right ear cups connected to each other by a headband, and earpieces (very small earpieces designed to fit directly into the user's ears). Traditional headphones include both: over-ear headphones (sometimes called over-ear or full-size headphones), which have ear pads that completely cover the user's ears; and on-ear headphones (sometimes called on-ear headphones), which have ear pads that press against the user's ears rather than surround them.

[0036] The term "earpiece" (also known as in-ear headphones) encompasses both: small earphones (sometimes called "earbuds") that fit inside the user's outer ear, facing the ear canal without being inserted into it; and in-ear headphones (sometimes called in-ear headphones) that are inserted into the ear canal itself. Thus, an earpiece can be another type of portable audio device configured to be positioned substantially inside the user's ear. As used herein, the term "earplug" (also known as an ear canal molding) includes a pre-formed, post-formed, or custom-molded sound-guiding structure that at least partially fits and seals within the ear canal. Typically, earplugs are thin, bell-shaped structures formed from thin, flexible silicone polymers to acoustically seal the ear canal and are designed for a comfortable fit that allows for extended wear. Earplugs are removable and interchangeable and can be configured in different sizes and shapes to achieve a better seal with the user's ear canal and / or ear cavity.

[0037] Exemplary wireless audio system

[0038] Figure 1 This is an example of a wireless audio system 100 according to some implementation schemes. System 100 may include a pair of portable audio earbuds 110, a host device 130, and a charging case 120 for charging the audio earbuds 10. The host device 130... Figure 1 The device is described as a smartphone, but can be any electronic device capable of transmitting audio data to the portable audio device 110. Other non-limiting examples of suitable host devices 130 include laptops, desktop computers, tablets, smartwatches, audio systems, video players, etc.

[0039] like Figure 1As depicted in the diagram, host device 130 can be wirelessly coupled to portable wireless audio device 110 and charging case 120 via wireless communication links 131 and 132. Similarly, portable wireless audio device 110 can be wirelessly coupled to charging case 120 via wireless communication link 133. Each of wireless communication links 131, 132, and 133 can be a known and established wireless communication protocol, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, or any other acceptable protocol that enables electronic devices to communicate wirelessly with each other. Therefore, host device 130 can directly exchange data with portable wireless audio device 110, such as audio data that can be transmitted to wireless audio device 110 via wireless link 131 for playback to a user, and audio data that can be received by host device 130 (e.g., recorded / input from a microphone in portable wireless audio device 110). The host device 130 can also be wirelessly coupled to the charging box 120 via a wireless link 132, so that the host device 130 can exchange data with the charging box, such as data indicating the battery charging level of the box 120, data indicating the battery charging level of the portable wireless audio device 110, and data indicating the pairing status of the portable wireless audio device 110.

[0040] The portable wireless audio device 110 can be stored in a case 120, which protects the device 110 from loss and / or damage when the device is not in use, and also provides power to recharge the battery of the portable wireless audio device 110, as discussed below.

[0041] According to some embodiments, each individual portable wireless audio device 110 may include a device body 10, a wingtip anchor 20 for anchoring the device 10 in a user's ear, and an earplug 30 attached to one end of the device body to achieve an acoustic seal within the user's ear canal. The device body 10 is defined by an outer housing 11, which may be formed of a single external structure and may include a nozzle defining an acoustic opening to which the earplug 30 can be removably attached. Figure 1 (Not visible in the image). In some embodiments, the housing 11 defines an acoustic aperture through the nozzle that directs sound from the internal audio driver out of the housing, through the earplug 30, and into the user's ear canal. The earplug 30 may be a deformable earplug that can be inserted into the user's ear canal to create a seal within the user's ear canal and enable the wireless audio device 110 to have the noise cancellation features described below.

[0042] As will be understood herein, the portable wireless audio device 110 can be small and light enough that the device can be comfortably worn by the user for extended periods of time, even all day. The wireless audio device 110 may provide an audio interface to the host device 130, so that the user may not need to utilize the graphical interface of the host device 130. In other words, the wireless audio device 110 can be sophisticated enough that it allows the user to perform certain everyday operations from the host device 130 simply by interacting with the wireless audio device 110. This creates further independence from the host device 130 by not requiring the user to physically interact with the host device 130 and / or view its display, especially when the functionality of the wireless audio device 110 is combined with the voice control capabilities of the host device 130. Therefore, the wireless audio device 110 can provide the user with a truly hands-free experience.

[0043] In some implementations, user input to the wireless audio device 110 and therefore to the host device 130 can be achieved via one or more microphones. Figure 1 (not shown in the image) and / or multi-function buttons ( Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). In some embodiments, a multi-function button is actuated by pressing a wingtip anchor on the earphone device. The multi-function button may be, for example, a rocker switch located in the earphone device body below the wingtip anchor, and the base portion of the wingtip anchor acts as the button's panel, such that contact with the wingtip actuates the rocker switch. In some embodiments, the rocker switch allows the user to input different commands based on the position of the user's press on the wingtip and the duration the multi-function button is pressed.

[0044] The earbud device body also includes electrical contacts 12 disposed along the outer surface of the housing for contacting corresponding electrical contacts in the charging case 120. In some embodiments, the contacts 12 may be flush with the outer surface of the housing and tightly sealed to prevent moisture or particles from entering the housing through openings for the contacts.

[0045] Exemplary audio device

[0046] Figure 2 This is an exemplary portable audio device 110 according to some embodiments. The portable audio device 110 includes a device body 10 defined by an outer housing 11, the device body including a nozzle 13 defining an optical aperture thereon for attaching an earplug 30. The outer housing 11 is typically formed of a rigid polymer shell, and its profile is configured to fit into the concha of a user's ear (see [link to documentation]). Figure 3 The wingtip anchor 20 is attached to the outward-facing surface of the device body 11 when worn by a user (see Anatomical Structure of the Middle Ear). Figure 4The wingtip anchor 20 includes a lower base portion 21 and an upper protrusion 22 attached to the device body 11. The upper protrusion extends upward to enter the upper concha of the user's ear and engage the lower foot of the user's ear to apply an inward force to the base portion like a spring to secure the device body 11 within the lower concha, wherein the earplug 30 securely seals the nozzle within the user's ear canal.

[0047] Portable wireless audio device 110 includes various internal components (not shown) configured to perform its audio functions and associated control capabilities. For example, the earbud device body may include a computing system that executes computer-readable instructions stored in storage to perform various functions of the portable wireless audio device. The computing system may be one or more suitable computing devices, such as a microprocessor, computer processing unit (CPU), digital signal processing unit (DSP), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The computing system may be operatively coupled to a user interface system, a communication system, and a sensor system to enable the portable wireless audio device to perform one or more functions. For example, the user interface system may include a driver (e.g., a speaker) for outputting sound to a user, one or more microphones for inputting sound from the environment or the user, one or more LEDs for providing visual notifications to the user, a pressure sensor or touch sensor (e.g., a resistive or capacitive touch sensor) for receiving user input, and / or any other suitable input or output device. In some embodiments, the user interface may include a multi-function button (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 5A and Figures 16 to 19C (This will be discussed in further detail below.)

[0048] The communication system may include wireless and wired communication components to enable the portable wireless audio device 110 to send data / commands and receive data / commands from the host device 130. For example, in some embodiments, the communication system may include circuitry enabling the portable wireless audio device 110 to communicate with the host device 130 via Bluetooth or other wireless communication protocols through a wireless link 131. In some embodiments, the communication system may also enable the portable wireless audio device 110 to communicate wirelessly with the charging case 120 via a wireless link 133. The sensor system may include optical sensors, accelerometers, microphones, and any other type of sensor capable of measuring parameters of external entities and / or the environment.

[0049] The portable wireless audio device 110 may also include a battery, which can be any suitable energy storage device capable of storing and releasing energy to operate the audio device, such as a lithium-ion battery. The discharged energy can be used to power the electronic components of the portable wireless audio device. In some embodiments, the battery may be a rechargeable battery, allowing it to be repeatedly charged as needed to replenish its stored energy. For example, the battery may be coupled to a battery charging circuit (not shown), which is operatively coupled to receive power from a charging case interface. The case interface may then be electrically coupled to a PWLD interface of the charging case 120. In some embodiments, electrical contacts may receive power from the charging case 120 via electrical contacts within the case interface (e.g., contacts 12 at the outer surface of the audio device 110). In some embodiments, the portable wireless audio device 110 may wirelessly receive power via a wireless power receiving coil within the charging case 120.

[0050] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the anatomy of the human ear. As shown, the external auditory canal, which receives sound, is located in a large, indented region called the inferior concha. This indented region then curves backward and upward through a narrow region into an upper indented region called the superior concha. This narrow region is sensitive compared to other areas of the outer ear and is defined in a posterior direction by the antihelix. The superior and inferior conchas are separated by a raised feature called the crus of the helix, which extends upward into the helix and outer edge of the ear. Another raised feature located inside the ear above the superior concha (the inferior crus or inferior root of the antihelix) extends into the antihelix.

[0051] like Figure 3As can be seen, the anatomy of the human ear is complex. Many early earbud designs (primarily wired) were relatively small and located within the lower concha without any additional anchoring support. However, as earbuds improved in sound quality and functionality, their size and weight also increased. Therefore, newer earbud designs incorporate various anchoring features. Typically, these anchoring features are flexible protrusions that extend within the common vertical plane of the earbud and curve through a curved recess extending from the lower concha to the upper concha, including the sensitive area. While such designs do provide improved anchoring for many users, several challenges exist. Most importantly, the size and shape of each user's ear vary considerably. Therefore, a curved anchoring feature suitable for a smaller ear is unlikely to fit a larger ear. For this reason, many conventional earbud designs utilize removable anchoring portions that allow users to attach anchors of different sizes and shapes. While this approach has been successful to some extent, it presents users with additional challenges in determining the appropriate anchor size. Due to the significant differences in ear size, it is often uncertain what size anchor corresponds to a user's ear. Furthermore, removable anchors may be lost during the process of determining the most suitable size and shape for the anchor. Additionally, because the standard wingtip design bends through the narrow, sensitive area between the lower and upper conchas, this can cause the earplugs to be more noticeable and less comfortable when worn for any length of time. The improved wingtip anchor design described in this article overcomes these challenges.

[0052] Figure 4 It shows what it looks like when worn inside the user's ear. Figure 2 An exemplary earplug device 110 is shown. As illustrated, the outline and shape of the device body 10 are configured to be primarily located within the lower concha (although the outward-facing portion of the device may protrude outward from the lower concha). In this embodiment, the device body 10 extends along a horizontal axis h and substantially fills the entire lower concha, such that the device body itself provides a degree of anchorage through its engagement with protruding features of the ear surrounding the lower concha. Wingt anchors 20 extend from the device body and project vertically to engage the upper concha of the ear. Figure 4 As can be seen, the wingtip base portion 21 is attached to the device body 10 along its outward-facing side. The base portion 21 extends rearward and supports a protrusion 22 that extends rearward over the helical foot and then bends or angles forward and inward so that the distal end of the protrusion 22 enters the concha and abuts against the lower foot above the concha. In this embodiment, the protrusion has a partially flat outer surface to facilitate engagement with the lower foot.

[0053] While the main body of the device has a generally rigid construction, such as hard plastic, the wingtip anchor has a more flexible construction, such as a silicone polymer with a hardness between 40 and 60 on the Shore A scale (typically 50 Shore A). Furthermore, the reduced size and distal taper of the wingtip portion achieves flexibility, particularly along the distal portion of the engagement foot. This flexibility allows the wingtip to engage with the foot and bend slightly, acting as a spring to exert an inward force against the user's outward-facing side of the earplug, thus securing the earplug within the ear. This flexibility also provides improved user comfort and maintains anchoring force during the active user's movement.

[0054] Figure 5A and Figure 5B These are views of the outward-facing and inward-facing sides of an exemplary audio device 110. It can be seen that the audio device body 110 has a generally spherical shape and extends along a horizontal axis (see [reference]). Figure 4 This shape typically corresponds to the shape and size of the inferior concha, causing the device body to essentially fill the inferior concha. For example... Figure 5A As shown, the wingtip anchor 20 extends from the outward-facing side 11a of the device body 10 and vertically upward to engage the upper concha when worn. The wingtip anchor 20 includes a base portion 21 extending substantially across the outer side 11a of the device body 11. The base portion 21 extends in a generally rearward and upward direction to a protrusion 22, which extends further upward and rearward before bending or angulating in a forward and upward direction. This shape allows the wingtip anchor 20 to extend above the protruding helix foot before the distal portion 22 enters the upper concha. The protrusion also tapers distally to engage the distal portion 22 of the lower foot. Typically, these different portions of the wingtip are all parts of the same monolithic component or formed of the same material. In other embodiments, the wingtip may be formed of multiple components with different materials or different material properties. The earbud device may also include an integrated multi-function button 50 (the area shown in dashed lines) such that pressing the indicated area of ​​the wingtip base portion 21 activates the function of the earbud device 110.

[0055] Figure 6A and Figure 6B They are Figure 2 The exemplary audio device 110 shown includes a front-facing side view and a rear-facing side view. Figure 6AAs can be seen, the wingtip base portion 21 is a relatively thin, flat panel that covers most of the outward-facing side 11a of the device body 11. In this embodiment, the outward-facing side 11a of the device body protrudes outward from the lower concha, such that extending the wingtip anchor upward from this outward-facing side and angled or bent the distal protrusion 22 inward, allows the protrusion 22 to extend above the helix foot and into the upper concha without engaging most of the narrow, sensitive area between the conchas. Figure 6A As can be seen, the inward angle of the protruding wingtip is angled to provide sufficient clearance above the helix foot. Figure 6A This shows the same inward protrusion of the wingtip section from the rearward-facing side. (As shown) Figure 6B As can be seen, the outward-facing surface of the wingtip includes a flat planar area. The flat planar area 21a on the base portion acts as a panel, allowing the user to manually press the base portion to actuate the underlying or integrated multi-function button. The flat portion 23a on the distal portion 23 facilitates engagement with the lower leg. These same features can also be seen in… Figure 7A and Figure 7B These are views of the front and rear sides of the audio device, respectively. Additionally, in Figures 7A to 7B The spherical elongated shape of the main device 11 and the protrusion of its outward-facing surface 11a can be seen more clearly in the image.

[0056] Figure 8A and Figure 8B A conventional earbud design is depicted when worn in a user's ear. This conventional design is for a hardwired earbud comprising an earbud body 1, an earplug 2 positioned above a nozzle having an audio port, and a wingtip anchor 3 extending from the body 1. Therefore, the earbud body 1 is circular and relatively small, so that it does not substantially fill the lower concha. To provide proper anchoring, the design must rely at least in part on a wingtip base portion 3a positioned opposite the earplug 2 along the nozzle axis. Therefore, the base portion 3a must extend from the rearward side of the body to engage the rear of the lower concha. The wingtip anchor 3 then extends upward, with the middle portion engaging the sensitive area between the conchas and the distal portion 3b extending into the upper concha. As shown, in a non-displaced configuration, the wingtip portions extend through a common vertical plane aligned with the earbud body. Therefore, this design cannot provide the inwardly pointing spring force offered by the previously discussed improved designs, but instead relies primarily on an interference fit along a curved recess in the ear to provide anchoring. This interference fit provides greater force along more features of the ear, which may reduce comfort and wearing performance for some users. Furthermore, because this design engages along the curve between the conchas of the ear, it may be less suitable for ears of different sizes, particularly those larger than or smaller than the average ear volume. Figure 8B As can be seen, in smaller ears, the distal portion 3c may experience interference with the lower crus of the upper concha, which complicates its use and may reduce user comfort.

[0057] Figure 9A and Figure 9B This depicts another conventional earbud design worn in the user's ear. Similar to... Figures 8A to 8B In this design, the earbud device is a hardwired earbud, making the body 1 round and relatively small, and essentially not filling the entire lower concha. This design relies at least in part on the wingtip base portion 3a' that engages with the rear of the lower concha, while the protruding portion 3b' extends along the sensitive area and only partially enters the upper concha. This wingtip design relies in part on the engagement of the protruding portion 3b' with the rear of a recessed feature of the ear, which can vary significantly between ears of different sizes and shapes. Therefore, each of these wingtip designs can be removed by the user from the device body to allow replacement with different wingtip anchors of different sizes and shapes.

[0058] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Depicting the wearing in the user's ear Figure 2 An exemplary earbud device. For example... Figure 10 and Figure 11 As can be seen, the main body 10 of the device is an elongated spherical shape that essentially fills the lower concha, such that the rear portion of the main body 10 engages with the antitragus along the rear portion of the lower concha (which is opposite to the nozzle along the nozzle axis), thus providing a certain degree of anchorage within the lower concha. The wingtip base portion 21 extends from the outward-facing surface 11a, angled backward and upward to substantially avoid the central sensitive area of ​​the ear's recess, and then bends or angles forward and inward, such that the distal portion 23 enters the upper concha and engages with the lower foot. Figure 11 As shown in the lower part of the figure, the distal portion 23 enters the upper concha and abuts against the downward-facing surface of the lower foot, such that the force applied to the lower foot (solid arrow) causes an opposing force in the inward direction (dashed arrow) through the wingtip anchor, thereby securing the device body inside the ear and sealingly engaging the earplug 30 with the ear canal.

[0059] Because conventional wingtip designs extend roughly in-plane and engage with a pre-set curved portion of the ear's concave portion, a given wingtip provides insufficient anchoring in larger concave volumes and often does not fit in smaller concave volumes. Therefore, these conventional devices typically require either selecting a specific device size or exchanging between wingtip sizes to accommodate a user's ear size. In contrast, because the wingtip anchor described herein does not rely on continuous engagement with the inner curved portion of the ear's concave portion, but instead extends from the outside of the earpiece device, then angles or bends above the helix foot and enters the upper concave, this design adapts to a wide range of ear sizes and shapes (including ears with volumes smaller than and larger than the average concave volume) in essentially the same way to provide improved anchoring and user comfort.

[0060] Figures 12 to 13 Depicting Figure 2 The various dimensional aspects of the exemplary earbud designs described herein are particularly advantageous in providing a satisfactory fit and anchoring across a wide range of ear volumes (e.g., fitting all general-purpose designs). While these dimensions are typical features of exemplary embodiments, it should be recognized that various other designs may also utilize various other dimensions and remain consistent with the inventive concepts described herein.

[0061] like Figure 12As shown, in this embodiment, the length L1 of the elongated device body between the vertical planes of the rearmost and frontmost surfaces of the audio nozzle 13 is between 15 mm and 25 mm, typically between 18 mm and 22 mm, and preferably about 21 mm. The height H1 between the nozzle axis 13' at the center of the audio channel running longitudinally through the nozzle 13 and the horizontal plane at the rearmost extension point of the wingtip anchor 20 is between 5 mm and 15 mm, typically between 7 mm and 11 mm, and preferably about 10 mm. The height H2 between the horizontal plane along the nozzle axis 13' and the highest point of the wingtip anchor 20 is between 15 mm and 25 mm, typically between 18 mm and 22 mm, and preferably about 20 mm. The maximum length L2 of the earbud device body 10 along a plane parallel to its outward-facing surface is between 10 mm and 25 mm, typically between 15 mm and 20 mm, and preferably about 18 mm. The rearward extension angle α1 of the wingtip anchor 20 from the base portion 21 relative to the horizontal plane extending along the nozzle axis 13' is between 110 degrees and 130 degrees, typically between about 115 degrees and 125 degrees, and preferably about 120 degrees. The width w1 of the lower portion of the protrusion 22 of the wingtip anchor 20 is between 2 mm and 7 mm, typically between 2 mm and 5 mm, and preferably about 4.5 mm. The protrusion gradually tapers distally, such that the width w2 of the distal portion 23 is between 2 mm and 6 mm, typically between 2 mm and 4 mm, and preferably about 3.5 mm. The radius of curvature R1 of the outward-facing surface of the wingtip anchor 20 is between 15 mm and 25 mm, typically between 18 mm and 22 mm, and preferably about 20 mm.

[0062] like Figure 13 As shown, in this embodiment, the horizontal distance d1 between the audio nozzle 13 of the device body and the wingtip base portion 21 is at least 10 mm, typically between 10 mm and 18 mm, and preferably about 14 mm. The inward angle a2 between the protruding portion 22 of the wingtip anchor 20 and the horizontal plane along the nozzle axis 13' is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, typically between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and preferably about 48 degrees. The vertical distance H3 between the distal tip 23 of the wingtip anchor 20 and the horizontal plane along the nozzle axis 13' is between 10 mm and 25 mm, typically between 25 and 20, and preferably about 17 mm. The horizontal distance d2 between the distal tip 23 of the wingtip anchor 20 and the vertical plane extending through the nozzle 13 is between 2 mm and 6 mm, typically between 2 mm and 5 mm, and preferably 3.5 mm.

[0063] Figures 14A to 14CAlternative earbud designs according to some embodiments are depicted. It should be recognized that these embodiments utilize concepts similar to those described above, but may include different sizes than those specified in the previous embodiments. Figure 14A Earbud design 141 is shown, which has a width ratio Figure 2 The implementation scheme features a larger wingtip anchor 41, allowing the protruding portion to have less flexibility. Some active users may prefer this design because it provides greater, more consistent force to the lower foot and further improves anchoring. Figure 14B An earplug design 142 with a large, upwardly extending wingtip anchor 42 is shown. Some users at the high end of a larger concha volume may prefer this design because it can apply greater force to the lower foot and further improve anchoring for larger ears. Figure 14C An earplug design 143 with a shorter wingtip anchor 43 than in the previous embodiment is shown. Some users with a smaller concha volume at the lower end may prefer this design because it allows for less force to be applied to the lower foot.

[0064] Figures 15A to 15C Additional optional earbud designs based on some implementation schemes are described. Figure 15A An earplug design 151 is shown with a wingtip portion 51 similar to those previously described; however, the wingtip interior also includes a deflectable support wire 51a, which allows the user to adjust the shape and / or curvature of the wingtip protrusion for further improvement in comfort or anchoring. Figure 15B An earplug design 152 with a wingtip anchor 52 is shown, the wingtip anchor having a distal end with an opening 52' such that the distal portion can collapse. The width w3 of the material on either side of the opening 52' is approximately 2 mm, and the opening is approximately the same or larger width, such that the total width of the distal end can collapse by a distance d5, which is between 1 mm and 3 mm, typically between 2 mm and 2.5 mm. Figure 15C An earplug design 153 is shown, which has a wingtip anchor 53 with a movable distal end portion 53a to allow the user to move the distal end for improved anchoring or comfort. The distal end can be movably attached by a hinge, pivot, or any suitable component.

[0065] Figure 16 Depicting Figure 2Additional details of the exemplary earbud, particularly the details of the attachment interface between the wingtip anchor 20 and the device body 10, and the features of the multifunction button (the wingtip anchor 20 is transparent to better show the components below). The wingtip anchor 20 includes a threaded insert 14 along its underside that receives a screw fed into the housing 11 of the device body 10. The earbud includes an antenna 15 along the outward-facing surface of the housing to facilitate wireless communication with external devices, such as the case 120 or the host device 130. The earbud body also includes an in-molded plunger 51 that facilitates actuation of the multifunction button by pressing a panel on the base portion 21 of the wingtip anchor 20.

[0066] Figure 17 An internal view of the housing 11 of the device body 10 and various internal components is shown. A screw 40 extends through a threaded insert 14 and into a wingtip anchor 20 to secure the wingtip anchor 20 to the device body 10. A plunger 51 is surrounded by a flexible washer 51 fitted into a bore in the housing. The washer 51 is flexible to allow the plunger to move back and forth to actuate the switch below. A retaining clip 54 secures the washer and plunger assembly and the movement when pressed. The configuration and operation of the multi-function button are further described below.

[0067] Figure 18 and Figures 19A to 19C Various cross-sectional views of the interior of the device body 10, which intersects with the wingtip anchor 20, are shown according to some embodiments. Figure 19A and Figure 19B The cross-sectional views AA and BB shown respectively illustrate the internal components of the multi-function button 50. Figure 19A As shown in cross-section AA, the integrated multifunction button 50 includes a wingtip base portion 21 defining the button panel. The underside of this panel supports an in-mold plunger 51, which can move downwards when the outer side of the wingtip base portion 21 is pressed to actuate a switch 55 disposed on a multifunction button frame 56 within the device body housing 11. A gasket / inner bore seal 52 supports the underside of the base portion 21, slightly spaced from the housing 11 (e.g., 0.5 mm or less), where the plunger 51 disengages from the switch. (While "downwards" refers to the orientation shown in the figure, it should be understood that when the earpiece device is worn in the ear, this "downwards" orientation will actually be towards the user inwards.) The gasket / inner bore seal 52 is coupled to a retaining clip 53, and the gasket / inner bore seal 52 is flexible such that pressing the panel / wingtip base portion 21 causes the gasket / inner bore seal 52 to bend downwards, and the gasket / shoulder 53 pushes the plunger 51 downwards to engage the switch 55. Figure 19BAs can be seen in the cross-section BB, the gasket / inner bore seal 52 allows the wingtip base portion 21 to be preloaded into the disengaged switch position with the panel / wingtip base portion 21, while the retaining clip 54 provides hard stop when the base portion 21 and the plunger 51 are pressed toward the switch. Figure 19C The wingtip anchor 20 is shown to be securely attached to the housing 11 of the device body by a screw 40, which engages with a threaded insert 14 in the wingtip portion 20. The screw 40 is inserted during assembly of the device body, making the wingtip anchor 20 non-removable by the user. This attachment point allows the wingtip anchor 20 to pivot, allowing the outer surface of the base portion 21 to move slightly back and forth to actuate the multifunction button. As shown, the base portion 21 is preloaded to be slightly spaced from the housing 11 of the device body 10. This aspect is... Figures 19A to 19B In the cross section and in Figure 20 The external view shows this. In this embodiment, the wingtip base portion 21 is spaced d4 from the housing 11 of the earphone device body, which is 2 mm or less, typically 1 mm or less, and preferably about 0.4 mm.

[0068] Further details regarding the internal components and multifunction buttons of the earbud device body can be understood by referring to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 17 / 223,655, filed February 26, 2021, entitled "Wireless Audio Device," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. While the aforementioned wingtip anchor can be used in most earbud devices, including hardwired earbuds, this design is particularly advantageous for use in wireless acoustic earbuds, which are typically bulky due to their larger acoustic volume and heavy due to additional components including wireless antennas and user interface features such as multifunction buttons.

[0069] For illustrative purposes, the foregoing description uses specific names to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required to practice the described embodiments. Therefore, the foregoing description of specific embodiments described herein is presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Furthermore, while different embodiments of the invention have been disclosed above, specific details of particular embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention. Additionally, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above. As used herein, the term “about” should be understood to mean + / - 10%.

[0070] Finally, it is widely recognized that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are generally accepted to meet or exceed industry or governmental requirements for protecting 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 authorized use should be clearly explained to users.

Claims

1. A portable acoustic device worn in a user's ear, the device comprising: A device housing defining an inner cavity, wherein the size and shape of the device housing are configured to be located at least partially within the concha of the user's ear, wherein the device housing has an inner side that engages with the concha and an outer side that faces away from the user when worn in the ear; An acoustic aperture, formed through an acoustic nozzle defined by the housing of the device, is aligned with the user's ear canal in the lower concha; An audio driver, which is disposed within the device housing and aligned to emit sound through the acoustic aperture; as well as An anchoring element extending from the device housing for securing the device within the user's ear, wherein the anchoring element includes a base portion and a protruding portion, and extends above the helix foot when the device is worn in the user's ear. The base portion is coupled to the device housing and extends in a rearward direction when the device is worn in the user's ear; When the device is worn in the user's ear, the protrusion extends distally upward and forward, and then inward toward the user, such that the distal end of the protrusion is positioned within the upper concha of the ear, such that a force applied by the lower root of the helix secures the device housing within the lower concha, wherein the acoustic aperture is secured within the ear canal.

2. The portable acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring element is an integrally formed component.

3. The portable acoustic device of claim 1, wherein the base portion extends from the outward-facing side of the device housing.

4. The portable acoustic device of claim 3, wherein the outer side of the device housing protrudes at least 10 mm from the inner side of the engagement of the device housing with the lower concha to provide a gap sufficient to extend over the crus of the helix of the ear.

5. The portable acoustic device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the protrusion is angled inward at an angle between 40 and 50 degrees relative to a horizontal plane extending through the acoustic aperture, such that the distal portion enters the upper concha.

6. The portable acoustic device of claim 5, wherein the base portion of the anchor extends in a rearward direction between 110 and 130 degrees relative to the horizontal plane extending through the acoustic aperture.

7. The portable acoustic device of claim 5, wherein the protrusion extends upward at a vertical distance between 15 mm and 25 mm from the horizontal plane extending through the acoustic aperture to accommodate a range of ear sizes.

8. The portable acoustic device of claim 5, wherein the distal portion of the protrusion has a flat outer surface to facilitate engagement of the inward-facing surface abutting the foot.

9. The portable acoustic device of claim 8, wherein the width of the flat outer surface along the distal portion is between 2 mm and 5 mm.

10. The portable acoustic device of claim 8, wherein the width of the flat outer surface of the protruding portion is mostly between 2 mm and 8 mm.

11. The portable acoustic device of claim 5, wherein the base portion has a flat outer surface of a panel defining a multi-function button.

12. The portable acoustic device of claim 11, wherein the width of the flat outer surface of the base portion is mostly between 8 mm and 15 mm.

13. The portable acoustic device of claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is curved along a curve extending rearward from the base portion and forward in a distal direction, wherein the radius of the curve is between 15 mm and 25 mm.

14. The portable acoustic device of claim 1, wherein the device housing is made of hard plastic, the shape and profile of which are configured to fill the concha of the ear.

15. The portable acoustic device of claim 1, wherein the device housing has an elongated shape with a length between 15 mm and 20 mm, a height between 10 mm and 15 mm, and a width between 10 mm and 15 mm, so as to fill the concha of the ear.

16. The portable acoustic device of claim 1, wherein the anchor is a separate component coupled to the device housing via the base portion.

17. The portable acoustic device of claim 16, wherein the anchor is attached to the device housing such that the anchor cannot be removed by the user.

18. The portable acoustic device of claim 16, wherein the anchor comprises a polymer having a Shore hardness between 0 and 80 on the Shore A scale.

19. The portable acoustic device of claim 16, wherein the anchor comprises a polymer having a Shore hardness of 50 on the Shore A scale.

20. A portable acoustic device worn in a user's ear, the device comprising: A device housing defining an inner cavity, wherein the size and shape of the device housing are configured to be located at least partially within the concha of the user's ear; An acoustic aperture, formed by passing through an acoustic nozzle defined by the housing of the device, is aligned with the ear canal in the concha of the ear. An audio driver, which is disposed within the device housing and aligned to emit sound through the acoustic aperture; A rocker switch, which is disposed in the device housing and configured to control the function of the device when actuated; as well as An anchor extending away from the device housing for securing the device inside the user's ear, wherein the anchor includes a base portion and a distal projection, wherein the base portion is coupled to the device housing adjacent to the rocker switch such that manual contact with the anchor actuates the rocker switch.

21. The portable acoustic device according to claim 20, The base portion of the anchor is movably attached to the device housing and covers the rocker switch within the device housing.

22. The portable acoustic device of claim 21, wherein the rocker switch includes a movable plunger that moves upon manual contact with the base portion of the anchor to actuate the rocker switch.

23. The portable acoustic device of claim 20, wherein the device housing has an elongated shape with a length between 15 mm and 20 mm, a height between 10 mm and 15 mm, and a width between 10 mm and 15 mm, so as to fill the concha of the ear.

24. The portable acoustic device of claim 20, wherein the device housing is made of hard plastic, the profile of which is configured to engage with and fill the inferior concha of the ear.

25. The portable acoustic device of claim 20, wherein the anchor is a separate, integral component coupled to the device housing via the base portion.

26. The portable acoustic device of claim 20, wherein the anchor is attached to the device housing such that the anchor cannot be removed by the user.

27. The portable acoustic device of claim 20, wherein the anchor comprises a polymer having a Shore hardness between 0 and 80 on the Shore A scale.

28. The portable acoustic device of claim 20, wherein the anchor is coupled to the outside of the device housing and includes a protrusion that is angled or bent in the forward direction when the device is worn in the user's ear.

29. The portable acoustic device of claim 28, wherein when the device is worn in the ear, the protrusion is angled or bent in an inward direction such that the distal end of the protrusion engages the concha.

30. A portable acoustic device worn in the ear, the device comprising: A device housing defining an inner cavity, wherein the device housing has a circular elongated shape, the size of which is set to be placed in the concha of the ear and has an inwardly facing side for engaging with the concha; An acoustic aperture is formed by an acoustic nozzle extending through the housing of the device and defined along the inward-facing side surface; An audio driver, which is disposed within the device housing and aligned to emit sound through the acoustic aperture; as well as An anchoring element, coupled to the device housing, comprising a base portion and a protruding portion. The base portion is coupled to the outer side of the device housing when worn in the ear and extends in the upward and rearward directions, wherein the base portion is configured to be at least 10 mm away from the acoustic aperture in the outward direction, such that the anchor extends above the helix foot; The protrusion extends distally in a forward direction and then extends inward at an angle between 40 and 50 degrees, such that the distal end of the protrusion engages with the concha.

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