Wire controller for audio equipment

Abstract

The application discloses a wire controller for an audio device, the wire controller comprising an elongated housing having a first end and a second end, where the first end and the second end receive an electrical wire; wherein the housing comprises a first longitudinal portion having an annular volume control wheel, the volume control wheel being rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the housing relative to a remainder of the housing, and wherein the volume control wheel is configured to be unlimitedly rotatable; the housing accommodates an encoder configured to provide a signal representing position information of the volume control wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wired controller, and in particular to a wired controller for audio equipment, such as a wired controller for wired headphones. The present invention also relates to a wired headphone with a wired controller. Background Art

[0002] A headphone inline controller should allow users to easily and intuitively adjust the volume and perform other actions. However, with current solutions, user interaction can be suboptimal, as users may not easily identify the buttons to press, may need to look at the user interface to perform the desired action, and / or may accidentally perform undesired actions. In particular, users often want to operate the inline controller with one hand, which can also be difficult. Furthermore, the inline controller needs to be compact to avoid being too heavy or annoying for the user.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a solution that can solve at least some of the above problems, and in particular to provide a solution that can realize a wired controller that is easy to operate and has a compact and ergonomic design. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention at least provides an alternative to the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a wired controller for an audio device is disclosed. The wired controller may include an elongated housing. The housing may have a first end and a second end. The first and second ends may receive electrical wiring. The housing may include a first longitudinal portion having an annular volume control wheel. The volume control wheel is rotatable relative to the remainder of the housing about a longitudinal axis of the housing. The volume control wheel may be configured to rotate indefinitely. The housing may also house an encoder configured to provide a signal indicating position information of the volume control wheel.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, an audio device having a wired connection to an audio source is disclosed. The audio source may be a base station connected to a telephone system, such as an Internet phone. Thus, the audio device can be used as a wired headset for a user of an Internet phone or other type of communication (including a landline or mobile phone) to communicate with a remote party. The audio device may include a controller disposed in the wire, and the controller may be a wired controller as described herein.

[0007] In another aspect, a method for operating a wired controller for an audio device is disclosed. The method may include setting a current volume of the audio device as a reference volume. The method may also include receiving a signal indicating position information of a volume control wheel of the wired controller, the volume control wheel being configured to be infinitely rotatable by a user of the audio device. The method may also include setting a new volume of the audio device based on the current volume and the received signal indicating the position information of the volume control wheel.

[0008] These aspects enable a compact and ergonomic inline controller with an integrated volume control wheel that rotates freely and low-frictionally through 360 degrees (or even more) in either direction, allowing for easy one-handed operation without having to look at the controller.

[0009] The disclosed device (eg, a wired controller and / or an audio device) may be configured to perform the steps of the disclosed method. Similarly, the disclosed method may be performed by the disclosed device (eg, a wired controller and / or an audio device), namely, the wired controller.

[0010] Furthermore, a computer program product is disclosed, which, when a corresponding computer program is executed by a processor of a device (eg, a wired remote control or an audio device), causes the device to perform the method according to any one of the exemplary aspects.

[0011] In certain aspects, the disclosed volume control wheel can be incorporated into different parts of an audio device, or even into a device other than an audio device. For example, in one example, the audio device can be headphones or a headset. Thus, in one example, the inline controller can be a remote controller for headphones. For example, in one example, the inline controller can be a remote controller for headphones. For example, according to one example, a headset having a boom can be disclosed. The boom can include a portion having a ring-shaped volume control wheel and, as described, can also accommodate an encoder.

[0012] The volume controlled by the volume control wheel can for example relate to the input or output volume.On the other hand, the disclosed volume control wheel can also be used to control other parameters that are different from the volume.

[0013] The audio device may, for example, be or may include headphones, such as in-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, or headphones. If it is a headphone, the audio device may further include a microphone or a microphone system. The electrical wiring received at the first end can connect the housing to the headphones of the audio device. The electrical wiring received at the second end can connect the housing to a connector (such as a USB type connector or a telephone jack), which can be connected to an audio source device (such as a computer, laptop, tablet computer, smartphone, audio device, etc.), and the audio source device provides an audio source signal to be output by the audio device. The electrical wiring can be connected to the first end and / or the second end of the housing via a strain relief mechanism.

[0014] The electrical connection is typically configured to transmit digital or analog audio signals or data from the connector via the inline controller to the headphones of the audio device. As described in more detail below, the electrical connection may, for example, be connected to a circuit board at a first end and a second end. Thus, the inline controller can be integrated into the wiring of a wired audio device (e.g., a wired headphone).

[0015] The elongated housing can, for example, be substantially tubular. At least the portion containing the volume control wheel can be tubular. For example, the length of the housing can be less than 80 mm, preferably less than 70 mm. The length of the housing can be approximately 60 mm. The diameter of the housing can particularly be less than 12 mm, more particularly less than 11 mm. The diameter of the housing can be approximately 10 mm.

[0016] The housing may comprise a first longitudinal portion having an annular volume control wheel. The first portion may, for example, be located at one end (e.g., the first end) of the housing or extend to the end. The length of the first portion may, for example, be less than half the length of the housing, in particular less than a quarter of the length of the housing. As will be described in more detail below, the housing may comprise other portions. For example, the housing may comprise a (second) portion having other user interface elements. The volume control wheel may be hollow and substantially tubular. For example, the volume control wheel may have a structured surface (e.g., a groove), which may facilitate user identification and rotation of the volume control wheel. The volume control wheel may constitute the outer circumference of the first portion. The volume control wheel may rotate relative to the rest of the housing, for example, relative to the other longitudinal portions of the housing and / or relative to the first and / or second panels arranged at the respective ends of the housing.

[0017] The volume control wheel can be configured to be able to rotate without limit. In other words, no limit device is provided that would limit the rotation of the volume control wheel at any point. Instead, the volume control wheel can be configured to be freely and without limit rotated by the user in both directions. However, a certain friction is provided between the volume control wheel and the rest of the housing to avoid accidental rotation of the volume control wheel. As will be explained in more detail below, the method of the present invention allows the actual value of the volume to be set or determined by software or hardware components integrated in the housing or audio device (such as headphones) based on the relative position of the volume control wheel (for example, relative to the position of the volume control wheel when plugged in, turned on or woken up).

[0018] The housing may house an encoder or sensor configured to provide a signal representing (angular) position information of the volume control wheel. Thus, the method may comprise receiving a signal representing position information of the volume control wheel of the wired controller. The signal representing position information may be understood in a broad sense. Thus, the encoder may provide a signal representing, for example, the relative position, the absolute position or a change in position of the volume control wheel. That is, the signal representing the position of the volume control wheel does not necessarily indicate the absolute position of the volume control wheel, but may also represent a relative position or a change in position. As already mentioned above and described in more detail below, the method described herein does not require knowledge of the absolute position of the volume control wheel, as a reference position (e.g., the current position of the volume control wheel when the audio device is activated, turned on, or plugged into the audio device) may be used or set by software or hardware, and the user may then change the volume relative to the reference position via the volume control wheel.

[0019] The volume may refer to the volume of the audio signal transmitted from the audio source device via the wired controller to the earphone of the audio device. Alternatively, the volume may also relate to the volume of the microphone of the audio device (i.e., the gain set for the microphone).

[0020] An encoder may be or may include one or more of the following:

[0021] Rotary encoder;

[0022] Linear encoder;

[0023] ●Incremental encoder;

[0024] Absolute encoder;

[0025] Optical encoders;

[0026] Magnetic encoder;

[0027] Mechanical encoder;

[0028] ● electromechanical encoder; and / or

[0029] Piezoelectric encoders.

[0030] Rotary or angular magnetic encoders have been found to be particularly advantageous because they can be implemented in a compact, low-cost manner and with the required level of accuracy. However, optical encoders and mechanical switches can also be used and may be advantageous for certain use cases. For example, optical encoders have the advantage of being able to provide the absolute position of a volume control wheel. Mechanical encoders (such as switches or buttons) have the advantage of being able to provide a cost-sensitive solution. In addition, multiple encoders of the same or different types can be provided, which can particularly improve the accuracy of the position information. Various example embodiments using different encoders and their combinations are further provided below.

[0031] The method may include setting a new current volume of the audio device based on the current volume and the received signal indicating the position of the volume control wheel. Thus, the inline controller may be configured to set a new current volume of the audio device based on the current volume of the audio device and the signal indicating the position of the volume control wheel received from the encoder.

[0032] Setting the current volume may be understood as either adjusting the audio signal to change the volume of the signal or sending a control signal indicating the volume to be set, so that the audio signal is subsequently changed, for example by another module or component of the audio device or by another device (e.g. a device providing the audio signal to be output).

[0033] The method may include setting the current volume of the audio device as the reference volume. Thus, for example, when the audio device is awakened, turned on, and / or plugged in, the inline controller may be configured to set the current volume of the audio device as the reference volume.

[0034] As described above, setting the volume to a reference volume via the wired controller can be achieved by adjusting the audio signal or by sending a corresponding control signal to the headphones or the device providing the source audio. The reference volume can be or can be based on a predetermined or fixed volume, such as a volume that is considered safe (i.e., a volume that is so low that it does not cause any harm to a person's hearing). Alternatively, the reference volume can be or can be based on the volume when the audio device is in a dormant, turned off, or unplugged state. When the audio device is awakened, turned on, and / or plugged in, this (predetermined or last known) volume can then become the reference volume, thereby being designated as the current reference position of the volume control wheel. The volume can then be adjusted based on the user's rotation of the volume control wheel relative to this reference position.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, a ring magnet is fixed to the volume control wheel. Therefore, the encoder can be a magnetic (rotary or angular) encoder that encodes the magnetic field of the ring magnet to provide a signal representing the position of the volume control wheel. The magnetic encoder can be or employ a Hall effect sensor. Since the magnetic field changes as the volume control wheel rotates, the encoder can detect changes in the magnetic field and, therefore, changes in the position of the volume control wheel.

[0036] The ring magnet can be magnetized along its circumference or across its periphery. For example, the ring magnet can be magnetized with a north pole on one semicircular segment and a south pole on the other semicircular segment. Thus, the ring magnet can be diametrically magnetized, with the north and south poles located on opposite sides of the ring magnet. While in the simplest example the ring magnet can be a dipole, other magnetic configurations are also contemplated, such as a quadrupole (having four alternatingly polarized arcuate segments) or a generally multipole magnet (e.g., with a higher pole count, such as 6, 8, or more). Additionally or alternatively, the ring magnet can be magnetized radially (with the north pole on the inside or outside). Additionally or alternatively, the ring magnet can be magnetized along its thickness (with the north and south poles on corresponding sides).

[0037] At least a portion of the electrical wiring received at the first end of the housing passes through the volume control wheel, and in particular, through the annular magnet. For example, at least a portion of the electrical wiring can be routed through the volume control wheel (and the annular magnet) and connected to a circuit board located within the housing. At least a portion of the electrical wiring received at the second end of the housing can also be connected to a circuit board located within the housing.

[0038] The magnetic encoder can be located (at least partially) longitudinally within the ring magnet, which enables precise measurement of position information. It has been found that an encoder, such as the magnetic rotary encoder described above, can also be located longitudinally (i.e., in a longitudinal cross-sectional view) outside the ring magnet, which can provide more space for other components within the housing or for routing electrical wiring through the volume control wheel.

[0039] The encoder can be located on the longitudinal axis of the housing, which allows for precise measurement of position information. Alternatively, the encoder can be offset from the longitudinal axis of the housing. It has been found that the encoder does not necessarily need to be located on the longitudinal axis, i.e., centered in the housing in a cross-sectional view. Even encoders such as the magnetic rotary encoder described above can be positioned offset from the longitudinal axis. This can facilitate routing electrical wiring through the volume control wheel and connecting it to a circuit board, for example.

[0040] The encoder may be a rotary encoder offset from the longitudinal axis and in contact with the inner side of the volume control wheel. The rotary encoder may include a rotatable wheel that is in contact with the volume control wheel. Rotation of the volume control wheel causes the wheel of the rotary encoder to rotate.

[0041] The encoder may be located on the longitudinal axis of the housing or offset from the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0042] The wired controller may further include a circuit board within the housing. The electrical wiring received at the first end may be connected to the circuit board, and the electrical wiring received at the second end may also be connected to the circuit board. An encoder may be disposed on the circuit board.

[0043] The second longitudinal portion may include one or more user interface elements, in particular one or more buttons. The one or more buttons may be associated with one or more functions related to the headset function, such as answering or rejecting a call, ending a call, or other user interaction operations.

[0044] The first longitudinal portion may extend to the first end of the housing and the second longitudinal portion may extend to the second end of the housing.

[0045] The encoder may be a mechanical encoder that interacts with a cam structure comprising one or more cams inside the volume control wheel. For example, the cam structure may comprise staggered protrusions or tips for driving the mechanical encoder.

[0046] For example, a mechanical encoder is or includes one or more of the following:

[0047] One or more switches;

[0048] ●One or more rocker switches;

[0049] ● one or more buttons; or

[0050] ●Rotary encoder.

[0051] One or more cams of the cam structure can be configured to drive at least one linear slider configured to interact with a mechanical encoder. The linear slider can also be considered an arm or lever. The mechanical encoder can be indirectly driven by the linear slider. The at least one linear slider is movable along the longitudinal direction of the housing. For example, the cam structure can cause the one or more linear sliders to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction, and the linear sliders can drive the mechanical encoder.

[0052] The encoder may be or include an optical encoder comprising an encoder structure or pattern on the inner side of the volume control wheel and one or more sensors for detecting the encoder structure or pattern. The encoder structure or pattern may be disposed on the inner surface of the volume control wheel so as to be visible in a radial direction of the volume control wheel. The encoder pattern may be disposed on the inner surface so as to be visible in a longitudinal direction, for example, on a radial protrusion of the volume control wheel. The encoder structure or pattern may be used not only to detect the relative position or position change of the volume control wheel, but also to determine the absolute position of the volume control wheel. One or more light sources may be provided to illuminate the encoder pattern.

[0053] The wired remote control may also include a circuit board, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), within the housing. The circuit board may in particular be housed at least in the second longitudinal portion of the housing (as further described below). For example, the circuit board may extend into the first portion having the annular volume control wheel. The circuit board may have a substantially planar design. The circuit board may have an elongated shape and may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing. In a cross-sectional view, the circuit board may in particular be substantially centered. However, the circuit board may also have a more complex geometry.

[0054] The electrical wiring received at the first end can be connected to a circuit board. The electrical wiring received at the second end can be connected to a circuit board. In addition, an encoder can be arranged on the circuit board. For example, the encoder can be located on the circuit board located in the first part and / or near the first end of the housing. This allows the encoder to be arranged close to the volume control wheel. However, the encoder can also be arranged in the second part and / or near the second end of the housing. In this example, it may be particularly advantageous when a linear slider is provided that is configured to interact with a (mechanical) encoder that is located at a distance.

[0055] The housing can include a second longitudinal portion adjacent to the first longitudinal portion. For example, the second portion can be located at or extend to an end of the housing (e.g., the second end). The length of the second portion can, for example, be greater than the length of the first portion. The length of the second portion can, for example, exceed half the length of the housing.

[0056] The second longitudinal portion may include one or more user interface elements, in particular one or more buttons. For example, the second portion may include a mute button, a hang-up button, an answer call button, a reject call button, and / or application-specific buttons (e.g., buttons for video conferencing software).

[0057] The outer side of the first longitudinal section may be substantially flush with the outer side of the second longitudinal section. In other words, the outer diameter of the first longitudinal section having the volume control wheel may be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the second longitudinal section. The first longitudinal section and / or the second longitudinal section may be substantially tubular. The first longitudinal section may extend to the first end of the housing, and the second longitudinal section may extend to the second end of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Various aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the drawings are schematic and simplified, showing only the details necessary for understanding the present invention and omitting other details. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The various features of each aspect may be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features, and / or technical effects will be apparent from and elucidated in conjunction with the following figures, in which:

[0059] Figure 1A Schematically shows a perspective view of an example wire controller 100;

[0060] Figure 1B Schematically shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the wired controller 100;

[0061] Figure 1C Schematically shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a volume control wheel of the wired controller 100;

[0062] Figure 2A Schematically illustrates a perspective view of an example wire controller 200;

[0063] Figure 2B Schematically shows a partially transparent perspective view of the wire controller 200;

[0064] Figure 2C Schematically illustrates an enlarged, partially transparent view of the wire controller 200;

[0065] Figure 3 Schematically shows a longitudinal cross-sectional top view of an example wire controller 300;

[0066] Figure 4 Schematically shows a longitudinal cross-sectional top view of an example wire controller 400;

[0067] Figure 5Schematically shows a longitudinal cross-sectional top view of an example wire controller 500;

[0068] Figure 6 Schematically shows a longitudinal cross-sectional top view of an example wire controller 600;

[0069] Figure 7 Schematically shows a longitudinal cross-sectional top view of an example wire controller 700;

[0070] Figure 8 Schematically shows a longitudinal cross-sectional top view of an example wire controller 800;

[0071] Figure 9 schematically illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional top view of an example wire controller 900; and

[0072] Figure 10 A longitudinal cross-sectional top view of an example wire controller 1000 is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] The detailed description presented below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings serves as a description of a variety of different configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of a plurality of different concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be implemented without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and method are described by a plurality of different blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). Depending on the specific application, design limitations or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs or any combination thereof.

[0074] The electronic hardware may include microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), (e.g., application specific) integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gating logic, discrete hardware circuits, printed circuit boards (PCBs) (e.g., flexible PCBs), and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described in this specification, such as sensors for sensing and / or recording physical properties of the environment, device, user, etc. A computer program shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, an instruction set, code, a code segment, program code, a program, a subroutine, a software module, an application, a software application, a software package, a routine, a subroutine, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, a function, or the like, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, a hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0075] Generally speaking, in the following, identical components of different embodiments will be denoted by identical reference numerals, but with different leading digits corresponding to the respective figures.

[0076] Figure 1A、 1B 1C and 1C show a wired controller 100 according to the first embodiment. More specifically, Figure 1A Schematically shows a perspective view, Figure 1B is a side view of the wire controller 100, and Figure 1C Schematically shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the volume control wheel. Figures 1A-1C This embodiment of the wire controller 100 will be described.

[0077] The wire controller 100 can be part of an audio device (not shown), for example, the audio device can be headphones. The wire controller 100 includes an elongated housing 101 having a first end 103 and a second end 105. The first end 103 and the second end 105 each receive an electrical connection 107 and 108. The housing 101 includes a first longitudinal portion 102 and an adjacent second longitudinal portion 104. The first longitudinal portion 102 extends to the first end 103 of the housing 101, and the second longitudinal portion 104 extends to the second end 105 of the housing 101. The wire controller 100 also includes a circuit board 110 in the housing 101. The electrical connections 107 and 108 to which the first end 103 and the second end 105 are connected are connected to the circuit board 110.

[0078] The second longitudinal portion 104 includes a plurality of user interface elements 109, in this example buttons for functions such as mute or hang up.

[0079] The first longitudinal portion 102 has a user interface in the form of an annular volume control wheel 106 that is rotatable relative to the rest of the housing 101 about the longitudinal axis of the housing 101. The volume control wheel 106 is configured to be infinitely rotatable by a user of the audio device. In order to determine the relative position or position change of the volume control wheel 106, a dipole ring magnet 111 that is polarized along its circumference and thus radially polarized is fixed to the inside of the volume control wheel 106. The housing 101 houses an encoder 112 on a circuit board 110. In this example, the encoder 112 is a magnetic rotary or angular encoder for encoding the magnetic field of the ring magnet 111 and is therefore configured to provide a signal that is representative of the relative position or position change of the ring magnet 111 and the volume control wheel 106.

[0080] In this embodiment, encoder 112 is located within annular magnet 111. However, the encoder may also be located longitudinally outside of annular magnet 111. Furthermore, in this embodiment, encoder 112 is positioned slightly offset from the longitudinal axis of housing 101. Furthermore, electrical wiring 107 connected to first end 103 of housing 101 can advantageously be routed through volume control wheel 106, and in particular, through annular magnet 111.

[0081] The wire controller 101 is configured to set a new volume of the audio device based on the current volume of the audio device and a signal received from the encoder 112 indicating the position information of the volume control wheel 106. If the volume control wheel 106 is rotated in one direction, the volume increases; if the volume control wheel 106 is rotated in the other direction, the volume decreases. Since the volume control wheel 106 has no limit device, the volume control wheel 106 can rotate infinitely and there is no absolute position that defines a specific volume. Therefore, when the audio device is awakened, turned on and / or plugged in, the wire controller 100 can set the current volume of the audio device to a reference volume, which can be a predetermined or fixed volume, or the volume when the audio device is in sleep, turned off or unplugged.

[0082] Figure 2A 、 2B 2C shows another embodiment of a wire controller 200. More specifically, Figure 2A A perspective view of an example wire controller 200 is schematically shown. Figure 2B and 2C A partially transparent perspective view is shown.

[0083] In general, the wired controller 200 is similar to the wired controller 100. Figures 1A-1C . Therefore, similar to the wire controller 100, the wire controller 200 can also be part of an audio device (such as headphones) and includes an elongated housing 201 having a first end 203 and a second end 205, each of which receives an electrical connection 207, 208. The housing 201 includes a first longitudinal portion 202 extending to the first end 203 and an adjacent second longitudinal portion 204 extending to the second end 205. The wire controller 200 also includes a circuit board 210 within the housing 201. The electrical connections 207, 208 are connected to the circuit board 210. The second longitudinal portion 204 of the wire controller 200 also includes a plurality of user interface elements 209. The annular volume control wheel 206 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the housing 201 relative to the rest of the housing 201. The volume control wheel 206 is configured to be rotatable indefinitely by a user of the audio device. To determine the relative position or position change of the volume control wheel 206, the wired controller 200 also includes a dipole ring magnet 211 fixed to the inner side of the volume control wheel 206. The encoder 212 is also a magnetic rotary or angular encoder, which is used to encode the magnetic field of the ring magnet 211 to provide a signal indicating the relative position or position change of the volume control wheel 206.

[0084] Unlike wired controller 100, encoder 212 is mounted on circuit board 210, longitudinally outside or offset from annular magnet 211 (i.e., farther from first end 203 than annular magnet 211). Furthermore, circuit board 210 is T-shaped, allowing magnetic encoder 212 to be mounted on a panel of circuit board 210 facing magnet 211.

[0085] The wired controllers 100 and 200 use a miniature magnetic rotation sensor on the circuit board, which is located close to the center line (this is not absolutely necessary). As previously mentioned, although the magnets are two semicircular ring magnets mounted on the inner surface of the volume control wheel, various types of magnets, such as multi-polar magnets, can also be used. It is necessary to adopt a ring-shaped or tubular structure so that the center area can be used for interconnection (mainly wiring) without making the product larger. It should be noted that the disclosed magnetic encoder or sensor arrangement can use multiple sensors to improve resolution when necessary.

[0086] As described above, the wired remote is configured to record the angular position of the magnet. For example, if an audio device (such as headphones) is disconnected and then reconnected, the wired remote can adjust the volume to a predetermined safe level to prevent harm to the user. Traditional volume control knobs generally do not have this function. The wired remote can be adjusted to have a lower sensitivity (lower than the sensitivity allowed by the encoder / sensor itself), allowing the user to quickly adjust the volume from one extreme to the other without much effort.

[0087] This also means that the system is scalable and can be used with other compact user interfaces, such as on a headphone boom.

[0088] Figures 3 to 10 The wired controllers 300 - 1000 of other embodiments are shown in schematic longitudinal cross-sectional top views. The wired controllers 300 - 1000 provide signals indicating position information of the volume control wheel in different ways.

[0089] First of all, it should be emphasized that the wire controller 300-1000 Figures 1A-1C and Figures 2A-2C The wire controllers 100 and 200 shown in FIG are similar. Therefore, regarding components and functions, reference may first be made to FIG. Figures 1A-1C, 2A-2C. More specifically, all wire controllers 300-1000 can also be part of an audio device (such as headphones) and include an elongated housing 301-1001 having a first end 303-1003 and a second end 305-1005, each of which receives an electrical connection 307-1007 and 308-1008. The housing 301-1001 includes a first longitudinal portion 302-1002 extending to the first end 303-1003 and an adjacent second longitudinal portion 304-1001 extending to the second end 205-1005. The wire controller 300-1000 also includes a circuit board 310-1010 within the housing 301-1001. The electrical connections 307-1007, 308-1008 are connected to the circuit board 310-1010. The second longitudinal portion 304-1004 of the wired controller 300-1000 also includes a plurality of user interface elements 309-1009. An annular volume control wheel 306-1006 is rotatable relative to the remainder of the housing 301-1001 about the longitudinal axis of the housing 301-1001. The volume control wheel 306-1006 is configured to be infinitely rotatable by a user of the audio device. To determine the relative position or position change of the volume control wheel 306-1006, the wired controller 306-1006 includes a respective encoder 312-1012, which will be described in more detail below.

[0090] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example of , the wired controllers 300 and 400 also each include a dipole ring magnet 311 and 411 fixed to the inside of the volume control wheel 306 and 406. The encoder 312 and 412 are also magnetic rotary or angular encoders for encoding the magnetic field of the ring magnet 311 and 411 to provide a signal indicating the relative position or position change of the volume control wheel 306 and 406. The magnetic encoder 312 and 412 are not located inside the ring magnet 311 and 411, but are located outside the ring magnet 311 and 411 and biased in the direction of the second end 305 and 405. This enables the use of a larger encoder and / or a ring magnet with a smaller inner diameter, which can improve the ability to detect the rotation of the ring magnet and enable the use of the space inside the ring magnet to place other components, such as allowing the electrical wiring 307 and 407 to pass through.

[0091] Different from the wired controllers 300 and 400, the circuit board 510 is T-shaped (see Figure 5 The dotted area in the figure shows a side view of the circuit board 510 and the encoder 512), so that the magnetic encoder 512 can be mounted on a panel of the circuit board 510 facing the magnet 511.

[0092] See also Figure 6, the wired controller 600 includes an encoder 612, which is an optical encoder and includes two sensors for detecting an encoder structure or pattern, which is disposed on the inner side of the volume control wheel 606. This enables the relative position or position change of the volume control wheel 606 to be determined and the volume to be set or changed in the manner described above.

[0093] See also Figure 7 The wired controller 700 includes an encoder 712, which is a mechanical encoder in the form of two buttons. When the volume control wheel 706 rotates, a cam structure 713, including one or more cams, on the inner side of the volume control wheel 706 repeatedly triggers these buttons, thereby determining the relative position or position change of the volume control wheel 706 and setting or changing the volume in the above manner.

[0094] Figure 8 The example shown is the same as Figure 7 , i.e., encoder 812 is a mechanical encoder comprising two buttons. In this example, as volume control wheel 806 rotates, a cam structure 813 comprising one or more cams inside volume control wheel 806 also repeatedly actuates these buttons. However, cam structure 813 pushes linear slider 814, which moves back and forth, thereby actuating the buttons of encoder 812. This enables the relative position or position change of volume control wheel 806 to be determined and the volume to be set or changed in the manner described above.

[0095] Figure 9 The example shown is the same as Figure 8 Similar to the example of FIG, volume control wheel 906 also includes a cam structure 913 with one or more cams on its inner side. Encoder 912 is also a mechanical encoder, triggered by cam structure 913 via linear slider 914. However, in this example, mechanical encoder 912 is a rotary encoder. There are two linear sliders or push / pull arms extending from first portion 702 to second portion 904 of housing 901. When volume control wheel 906 is rotated by the back-and-forth movement of linear sliders 914, rotary encoder 912 also rotates back and forth. This similarly enables the relative position or position change of volume control wheel 906 to be determined and the volume to be set or changed in the manner described above.

[0096] Figure 10 The example of a mid-range remote 1000 also uses a mechanical rotary encoder 1012. However, rotary encoder 1012 is offset from the longitudinal axis and contacts the inner side of volume control wheel 1006. When the user rotates volume control wheel 1006, rotary encoder 1012 also rotates. This also enables the relative position or position change of volume control wheel 906 to be determined and provides a signal indicating the position information of the volume control wheel, so that the volume can be set or changed in the manner described above.

[0097] As shown above, these examples implement a compact and ergonomic controller in a cost-effective manner. The rotating user interface area in the first portion of the housing provides a hollow shaft that supports the volume control wheel on the outside while allowing the circuit board to guide the cable through and interconnect with the audio device (such as headphones) or a wired connector or interface. The hollow shaft can also be a ring-shaped light guide to indicate several states to the user by using different colors (for example, red when on a call). The shape of the light indication is not limited to a ring or a single uniform color.

[0098] Generally speaking, more components, such as a microphone or an accelerometer, may also be added to the disclosed wire controller.

[0099] Structural features of the apparatus described above, described in detail in the "Detailed Description of the Invention" and / or defined in the claims may be combined with the steps of the method of the present invention when appropriately replaced by corresponding processes.

[0100] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the singular forms "a", "the" and "the" used herein include the plural form (i.e., having the meaning of "at least one"). It should be further understood that the terms "having", "including" and / or "comprising" used in the specification indicate the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or combinations thereof. It should be understood that, unless expressly stated otherwise, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be an intermediate intervening element. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more listed related items. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed.

[0101] It should be understood that references in this specification to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an aspect," or features that "may" include, mean that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in conjunction with that embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, or characteristics may be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles described herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0102] Unless expressly stated otherwise, elements referred to in the singular do not mean “one and only one” but rather “one or more.” Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “some” means one or more.

[0103] Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be judged based on the following claims.

[0104] Reference Signs List

[0105] Audio devices 100, 200, …, 1000

[0106] Housing 101, 201, …, 1001

[0107] Part 1 102, 202, …, 1002

[0108] First end 103, 203, …, 1003

[0109] Part 2 104, 204, …, 1004

[0110] Second end 105, 205, …, 1005

[0111] Volume control wheels 106, 206, …, 1006

[0112] Connections 107, 207, …, 1007

[0113] Connections 108, 208, …, 1008

[0114] Buttons 109, 209, …, 1009

[0115] Printed circuit boards 110, 210, …, 1010

[0116] Magnets 111, 211 …, 511

[0117] Encoder 112, 212, …, 1012

[0118] Cam structures 713, 813, 913

[0119] Linear Slides 814, 914

Claims

1. A wire controller (100-1000) for an audio device, the wire controller comprising: An elongated housing (101-1001) having a first end (103-1003) and a second end (105-1005), wherein the first end and the second end receive electrical wiring (107-10007, 108-1008); wherein the housing includes a first longitudinal portion (102-1002), the first longitudinal portion having an annular volume control wheel (106-1006), the volume control wheel being rotatable relative to a remainder of the housing about a longitudinal axis of the housing, wherein the volume control wheel is configured to be infinitely rotatable; The housing houses an encoder (112-1012) configured to provide a signal representing position information of a volume control wheel.

2. The wired controller according to claim 1, wherein the encoder is or includes one or more of the following: Rotary encoder; Linear encoder; Incremental encoder; Absolute encoder; Optical encoders; Magnetic encoder; Mechanical encoder; ● electromechanical encoder; and / or ●Piezoelectric encoder.

3. The wired controller according to claim 1 or 2, configured as follows: ● setting a new volume for the audio device based on the current volume of the audio device and the signal received from the encoder indicating the position of the volume control wheel; and / or ●When the audio device is awakened, turned on and / or plugged in, the current volume of the audio device is set as the reference volume.

4. A wired controller according to any preceding claim, wherein: The annular magnet (111-511) is fixed on the volume control wheel, wherein the encoder is a magnetic encoder for encoding the magnetic field of the annular magnet to provide a signal indicating the position information of the volume control wheel.

5. The wired controller according to claim 4, wherein: The ring magnet is one or more of the following: ●Magnets magnetized along the circumference of the ring magnet; ●Radially magnetized magnets; ●Dipole, quadrupole or multipole magnets.

6. The wired controller according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: At least a portion of the electrical wiring received by the first end of the housing passes through the volume control wheel, in particular, through the annular magnet.

7. The wired controller according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The encoder is located inside the ring magnet or outside the ring magnet in the longitudinal direction.

8. The wired controller according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The encoder is a rotary encoder that is offset from the longitudinal axis and contacts the inside of the volume control wheel.

9. The wired controller according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The encoder is a mechanical encoder that interacts with a cam structure (713, 813, 913) comprising one or more cams inside the volume control wheel.

10. The wired controller according to claim 9, wherein: One or more cams of the cam structure are configured to drive at least one linear slide (814, 914) configured to interact with a mechanical encoder.

11. The wired controller according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: Mechanical encoders include one or more of the following: ●One or more switches; ●One or more rocker switches; ● one or more buttons; or Rotary encoder.

12. The wired controller according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The encoder is or includes an optical encoder, the optical encoder including: ● an encoder structure or pattern on the inside of the volume control wheel; and • One or more sensors for detecting the encoder structure or pattern.

13. A wired headset comprising the wired controller according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. A method for operating a wire controller of an audio device, the method comprising: Set the current volume of the audio device as the reference volume; Receiving a signal representing position information of a volume control wheel of a wired controller, the volume control wheel being configured to be infinitely rotatable by a user of the audio device; ●Setting a new current volume of the audio device based on the current volume and the received signal representing the position information of the volume control wheel.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The reference volume is or is based on one or more of the following: Predetermined or fixed volume; ●The volume level when the audio device is in sleep, turned off, or unplugged.

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