Headphone comprising a biasing member between headband and earcup. method for manufacturing said headphone

Abstract

A headphone playback device comprises a first earcup comprising a first transducer and a second earcup comprising a second transducer. A headband spans between the first earcup and the second earcup. A connecting member connects the headband to the first earcup. The connecting member comprises a yoke structure extending from the headband and extending into the first earcup through a first portal. The yoke structure attaches internally to the first earcup at a first location on a first side of the first earcup and at a second location on a second side of the first earcup. A biasing member physically interfaces with the yoke structure and the first earcup. The biasing member is physically configured to bias the yoke structure away from a perimeter of the first portal.

Description

1 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A YOKE STRUCTURE FOR HEADPHONES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 520,779 filed on 21 August 2023 and entitled “YOKE STRUCTURE FOR HEADPHONES,” which application is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure is related to consumer goods and, more particularly, to methods, systems, products, features, services, and other elements directed to media playback or some aspect thereof. BACKGROUND

[0003] Options for accessing and listening to digital audio in an out-loud setting were limited until in 2002, when SONOS, Inc. began development of a new type of playback system. Sonos then filed one of its first patent applications in 2003, entitled “Method for Synchronizing Audio Playback between Multiple Networked Devices,” and began offering its first media playback systems for sale in 2005. The Sonos Wireless Home Sound System enables people to experience music from many sources via one or more networked playback devices. Through a software control application installed on a controller (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, voice input device), one can play what she wants in any room having a networked playback device. Media content (e.g., songs, podcasts, video sound) can be streamed to playback devices such that each room with a playback device can play back corresponding different media content. In addition, rooms can be grouped together for synchronous playback of the same media content, and / or the same media content can be heard in all rooms synchronously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology may be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, as listed below. A person skilled in the relevant art will understand that the features shown in the drawings are for purposes of illustrations, and variations, including different and / or additional features and arrangements thereof, are possible.

[0005] Figure 1A is a partial cutaway view of an environment having a media playback system configured in accordance with aspects of the disclosed technology.

[0006] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the media playback system of Figure 1A and one or more networks.

[0007] Figure 1C is a block diagram of a playback device.2 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A

[0008] Figure 1D is a block diagram of a playback device.

[0009] Figure 1E is a block diagram of a network microphone device.

[0010] Figure 1F is a block diagram of a network microphone device.

[0011] Figure 1G is a block diagram of a playback device.

[0012] Figure 1H is a partial schematic diagram of a control device.

[0013] Figure 2A is a front isometric view of a playback device configured in accordance with aspects of the disclosed technology.

[0014] Figure 2B is a front isometric view of the playback device of Figure 3A without a grille.

[0015] Figure 2C is an exploded view of the playback device of Figure 2A.

[0016] Figure 3A is a front view of a network microphone device configured in accordance with aspects of the disclosed technology.

[0017] Figure 3B is a side isometric view of the network microphone device of Figure 3A.

[0018] Figure 3C is an exploded view of the network microphone device of Figures 3A and 3B.

[0019] Figure 3D is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 3B.

[0020] Figure 3E is a block diagram of the network microphone device of Figures 3A-3D

[0021] Figure 3F is a schematic diagram of an example voice input.

[0022] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a user wearing headphones.

[0023] Figures 5A-5F depict various internal and external views of example headphones.

[0024] Figure 6 is a flowchart in a method of manufacturing headphones.

[0025] The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating example embodiments, but those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the technology disclosed herein is not limited to the arrangements and / or instrumentality shown in the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

[0026] Embodiments described herein relate to a yoke structure for connecting the headband of a headphone to an earcup of the headphone. The yoke structure can form an integral part of a headphone in as much as it can allow the earcups to tilt and move in order to properly fit a user’s head. Additionally, the yoke structure can impact the clamping force with which the headphone clamp to the user’s head.

[0027] Modern headphones have increasingly gained advanced features, such as noise cancellation, wireless connectivity, voice commands, spatial audio, and various other computationally intensive tasks. The addition of these features has added technical challenges to incorporating the necessary electronics within the headphone. For example, some areas of3 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A particular challenge relate to integrating the electronics within a physical headphone package that is visibly pleasing, provides sufficient protection to the electronics, and provides acceptable comfort to a user.

[0028] In some embodiments, for example, a headphone playback device comprises a first earcup comprising a first transducer and a second earcup comprising a second transducer. A headband spans between the first earcup and the second earcup. A connecting member connects the headband to the first earcup. The connecting member comprises a yoke structure extending from the headband and extending into the first earcup through a first portal. The yoke structure attaches internally to the first earcup at a first location on a first side of the first earcup and at a second location on a second side of the first earcup. A biasing member physically interfaces with the yoke structure and the first earcup. The biasing member is physically configured to bias the yoke structure away from a perimeter of the first portal.

[0029] While some examples described herein may refer to functions performed by given actors such as “users,” “listeners,” and / or other entities, it should be understood that this is for purposes of explanation only. The claims should not be interpreted to require action by any such example actor unless explicitly required by the language of the claims themselves.

[0030] In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify generally similar, and / or identical, elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of a reference number refers to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element 110a is first introduced and discussed with reference to Figure 1A. Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosed technology. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the various disclosed technologies can be practiced without several of the details described below. II. Suitable Operating Environment

[0031] Figure 1A is a partial cutaway view of a media playback system 100 distributed in an environment 101 (e.g., a house). The media playback system 100 comprises one or more playback devices 110 (identified individually as playback devices 110a-n), one or more network microphone devices 120 (“NMDs”) (identified individually as NMDs 120a-c), and one or more control devices 130 (identified individually as control devices 130a and 130b).

[0032] As used herein the term “playback device” can generally refer to a network device configured to receive, process, and output data of a media playback system. For example, a playback device can be a network device that receives and processes audio content. In some4 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A embodiments, a playback device includes one or more transducers or speakers powered by one or more amplifiers. In other embodiments, however, a playback device includes one of (or neither of) the speaker and the amplifier. For instance, a playback device can comprise one or more amplifiers configured to drive one or more speakers external to the playback device via a corresponding wire or cable.

[0033] Moreover, as used herein the term "NMD" (i.e., a “network microphone device”) can generally refer to a network device that is configured for audio detection. In some embodiments, an NMD is a stand-alone device configured primarily for audio detection. In other embodiments, an NMD is incorporated into a playback device (or vice versa).

[0034] The term “control device” can generally refer to a network device configured to perform functions relevant to facilitating user access, control, and / or configuration of the media playback system 100.

[0035] Each of the playback devices 110 is configured to receive audio signals or data from one or more media sources (e.g., one or more remote servers, one or more local devices) and play back the received audio signals or data as sound. The one or more NMDs 120 are configured to receive spoken word commands, and the one or more control devices 130 are configured to receive user input. In response to the received spoken word commands and / or user input, the media playback system 100 can play back audio via one or more of the playback devices 110. In certain embodiments, the playback devices 110 are configured to commence playback of media content in response to a trigger. For instance, one or more of the playback devices 110 can be configured to play back a morning playlist upon detection of an associated trigger condition (e.g., presence of a user in a kitchen, detection of a coffee machine operation). In some embodiments, for example, the media playback system 100 is configured to play back audio from a first playback device (e.g., the playback device 100a) in synchrony with a second playback device (e.g., the playback device 100b). Interactions between the playback devices 110, NMDs 120, and / or control devices 130 of the media playback system 100 configured in accordance with the various embodiments of the disclosure are described in greater detail below with respect to Figures 1B-1H.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1A, the environment 101 comprises a household having several rooms, spaces, and / or playback zones, including (clockwise from upper left) a main bathroom 101a, a main bedroom 101b, a second bedroom 101c, a family room or den 101d, an office 101e, a living room 101f, a dining room 101g, a kitchen 101h, and an outdoor patio 101i. While certain embodiments and examples are described below in the context of a home environment, the technologies described herein may be implemented in other types of environments. In some embodiments, for example, the media playback system 1005 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A can be implemented in one or more commercial settings (e.g., a restaurant, mall, airport, hotel, a retail or other store), one or more vehicles (e.g., a sports utility vehicle, bus, car, a ship, a boat, an airplane), multiple environments (e.g., a combination of home and vehicle environments), and / or another suitable environment where multi-zone audio may be desirable.

[0037] The media playback system 100 can comprise one or more playback zones, some of which may correspond to the rooms in the environment 101. The media playback system 100 can be established with one or more playback zones, after which additional zones may be added, or removed, to form, for example, the configuration shown in Figure 1A. Each zone may be given a name according to a different room or space such as the office 101e, main bathroom 101a, main bedroom 101b, the second bedroom 101c, kitchen 101h, dining room 101g, living room 101f, and / or the balcony 101i. In some aspects, a single playback zone may include multiple rooms or spaces. In certain aspects, a single room or space may include multiple playback zones.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1A, the main bathroom 101a, the second bedroom 101c, the office 101e, the living room 101f, the dining room 101g, the kitchen 101h, and the outdoor patio 101i each include one playback device 110, and the main bedroom 101b and the den 101d include a plurality of playback devices 110. In the main bedroom 101b, the playback devices 110l and 110m may be configured, for example, to play back audio content in synchrony as individual ones of playback devices 110, as a bonded playback zone, as a consolidated playback device, and / or any combination thereof. Similarly, in the den 101d, the playback devices 110h-j can be configured, for instance, to play back audio content in synchrony as individual ones of playback devices 110, as one or more bonded playback devices, and / or as one or more consolidated playback devices. Additional details regarding bonded and consolidated playback devices are described below with respect to Figures 1B and 1E.

[0039] In some aspects, one or more of the playback zones in the environment 101 may each be playing different audio content. For instance, a user may be grilling on the patio 101i and listening to hip hop music being played by the playback device 110c while another user is preparing food in the kitchen 101h and listening to classical music played by the playback device 110b. In another example, a playback zone may play the same audio content in synchrony with another playback zone. For instance, the user may be in the office 101e listening to the playback device 110f playing back the same hip hop music being played back by playback device 110c on the patio 101i. In some aspects, the playback devices 110c and 110f play back the hip hop music in synchrony such that the user perceives that the audio content is being played seamlessly (or at least substantially seamlessly) while moving between6 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A different playback zones. Additional details regarding audio playback synchronization among playback devices and / or zones can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No.8,234,395 entitled, “System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. a. Suitable Media Playback System

[0040] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the media playback system 100 and a cloud network 102. For ease of illustration, certain devices of the media playback system 100 and the cloud network 102 are omitted from Figure 1B. One or more communication links 103 (referred to hereinafter as “the links 103”) communicatively couple the media playback system 100 and the cloud network 102.

[0041] The links 103 can comprise, for example, one or more wired networks, one or more wireless networks, one or more wide area networks (WAN), one or more local area networks (LAN), one or more personal area networks (PAN), one or more telecommunication networks (e.g., one or more Global System for Mobiles (GSM) networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks, 5G communication network networks, and / or other suitable data transmission protocol networks), etc. The cloud network 102 is configured to deliver media content (e.g., audio content, video content, photographs, social media content) to the media playback system 100 in response to a request transmitted from the media playback system 100 via the links 103. In some embodiments, the cloud network 102 is further configured to receive data (e.g., voice input data) from the media playback system 100 and correspondingly transmit commands and / or media content to the media playback system 100.

[0042] The cloud network 102 comprises computing devices 106 (identified separately as a first computing device 106a, a second computing device 106b, and a third computing device 106c). The computing devices 106 can comprise individual computers or servers, such as, for example, a media streaming service server storing audio and / or other media content, a voice service server, a social media server, a media playback system control server, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the computing devices 106 comprise modules of a single computer or server. In certain embodiments, one or more of the computing devices 106 comprise one or more modules, computers, and / or servers. Moreover, while the cloud network 102 is described above in the context of a single cloud network, in some embodiments the cloud network 102 comprises a plurality of cloud networks comprising communicatively coupled computing devices. Furthermore, while the cloud network 102 is shown in Figure 1B as having three of the computing devices 106, in some embodiments, the cloud network 102 comprises fewer (or more than) three computing devices 106.7 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A

[0043] The media playback system 100 is configured to receive media content from the networks 102 via the links 103. The received media content can comprise, for example, a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and / or a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). For instance, in some examples, the media playback system 100 can stream, download, or otherwise obtain data from a URI or a URL corresponding to the received media content. A network 104 communicatively couples the links 103 and at least a portion of the devices (e.g., one or more of the playback devices 110, NMDs 120, and / or control devices 130) of the media playback system 100. The network 104 can include, for example, a wireless network (e.g., a WiFi network, a Bluetooth, a Z-Wave network, a ZigBee, and / or other suitable wireless communication protocol network) and / or a wired network (e.g., a network comprising Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and / or another suitable wired communication). As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, as used herein, “WiFi” can refer to several different communication protocols including, for example, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11af, 802.11ah, 802.11ai, 802.11aj, 802.11aq, 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.15, etc. transmitted at 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz), 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and / or another suitable frequency.

[0044] In some embodiments, the network 104 comprises a dedicated communication network that the media playback system 100 uses to transmit messages between individual devices and / or to transmit media content to and from media content sources (e.g., one or more of the computing devices 106). In certain embodiments, the network 104 is configured to be accessible only to devices in the media playback system 100, thereby reducing interference and competition with other household devices. In other embodiments, however, the network 104 comprises an existing household communication network (e.g., a household WiFi network). In some embodiments, the links 103 and the network 104 comprise one or more of the same networks. In some aspects, for example, the links 103 and the network 104 comprise a telecommunication network (e.g., an LTE network, a 5G network). Moreover, in some embodiments, the media playback system 100 is implemented without the network 104, and devices comprising the media playback system 100 can communicate with each other, for example, via one or more direct connections, PANs, telecommunication networks, and / or other suitable communication links. The network 104 may be referred to herein as a “local communication network” to differentiate the network 104 from the cloud network 102 that couples the media playback system 100 to remote devices, such as cloud services.

[0045] In some embodiments, audio content sources may be regularly added or removed from the media playback system 100. In some embodiments, for example, the media playback system 100 performs an indexing of media items when one or more media content sources are8 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A updated, added to, and / or removed from the media playback system 100. The media playback system 100 can scan identifiable media items in some or all folders and / or directories accessible to the playback devices 110 and generate or update a media content database comprising metadata (e.g., title, artist, album, track length) and other associated information (e.g., URIs, URLs) for each identifiable media item found. In some embodiments, for example, the media content database is stored on one or more of the playback devices 110, network microphone devices 120, and / or control devices 130.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1B, the playback devices 110l and 110m comprise a group 107a. The playback devices 110l and 110m can be positioned in different rooms in a household and be grouped together in the group 107a on a temporary or permanent basis based on user input received at the control device 130a and / or another control device 130 in the media playback system 100. When arranged in the group 107a, the playback devices 110l and 110m can be configured to play back the same or similar audio content in synchrony from one or more audio content sources. In certain embodiments, for example, the group 107a comprises a bonded zone in which the playback devices 110l and 110m comprise left audio and right audio channels, respectively, of multi-channel audio content, thereby producing or enhancing a stereo effect of the audio content. In some embodiments, the group 107a includes additional playback devices 110. In other embodiments, however, the media playback system 100 omits the group 107a and / or other grouped arrangements of the playback devices 110.

[0047] The media playback system 100 includes the NMDs 120a and 120d, each comprising one or more microphones configured to receive voice utterances from a user. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1B, the NMD 120a is a standalone device and the NMD 120d is integrated into the playback device 110n. The NMD 120a, for example, is configured to receive voice input 121 from a user 123. In some embodiments, the NMD 120a transmits data associated with the received voice input 121 to a voice assistant service (VAS) configured to (i) process the received voice input data and (ii) facilitate one or more operations on behalf of the media playback system 100.

[0048] In some aspects, for example, the computing device 106c comprises one or more modules and / or servers of a VAS (e.g., a VAS operated by one or more of SONOS®, AMAZON®, GOOGLE® APPLE®, MICROSOFT®). The computing device 106c can receive the voice input data from the NMD 120a via the network 104 and the links 103.

[0049] In response to receiving the voice input data, the computing device 106c processes the voice input data (i.e., “Play Hey Jude by The Beatles”), and determines that the processed voice input includes a command to play a song (e.g., “Hey Jude”). In some embodiments, after processing the voice input, the computing device 106c accordingly transmits commands to the9 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A media playback system 100 to play back “Hey Jude” by the Beatles from a suitable media service (e.g., via one or more of the computing devices 106) on one or more of the playback devices 110. In other embodiments, the computing device 106c may be configured to interface with media services on behalf of the media playback system 100. In such embodiments, after processing the voice input, instead of the computing device 106c transmitting commands to the media playback system 100 causing the media playback system 100 to retrieve the requested media from a suitable media service, the computing device 106c itself causes a suitable media service to provide the requested media to the media playback system 100 in accordance with the user’s voice utterance. b. Suitable Playback Devices

[0050] Figure 1C is a block diagram of the playback device 110a comprising an input / output 111. The input / output 111 can include an analog I / O 111a (e.g., one or more wires, cables, and / or other suitable communication links configured to carry analog signals) and / or a digital I / O 111b (e.g., one or more wires, cables, or other suitable communication links configured to carry digital signals). In some embodiments, the analog I / O 111a is an audio line-in input connection comprising, for example, an auto-detecting 3.5mm audio line-in connection. In some embodiments, the digital I / O 111b comprises a Sony / Philips Digital Interface Format (S / PDIF) communication interface and / or cable and / or a Toshiba Link (TOSLINK) cable. In some embodiments, the digital I / O 111b comprises a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface and / or cable. In some embodiments, the digital I / O 111b includes one or more wireless communication links comprising, for example, a radio frequency (RF), infrared, WiFi, Bluetooth, or another suitable communication protocol. In certain embodiments, the analog I / O 111a and the digital 111b comprise interfaces (e.g., ports, plugs, jacks) configured to receive connectors of cables transmitting analog and digital signals, respectively, without necessarily including cables.

[0051] The playback device 110a, for example, can receive media content (e.g., audio content comprising music and / or other sounds) from a local audio source 105 via the input / output 111 (e.g., a cable, a wire, a PAN, a Bluetooth connection, an ad hoc wired or wireless communication network, and / or another suitable communication link). The local audio source 105 can comprise, for example, a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer) or another suitable audio component (e.g., a television, a desktop computer, an amplifier, a phonograph, a Blu-ray player, a memory storing digital media files). In some aspects, the local audio source 105 includes local music libraries on a smartphone, a computer, a networked-attached storage (NAS), and / or another suitable device configured to store media files. In certain embodiments, one or more of the playback devices 110, NMDs 120, and / or10 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A control devices 130 comprise the local audio source 105. In other embodiments, however, the media playback system omits the local audio source 105 altogether. In some embodiments, the playback device 110a does not include an input / output 111 and receives all audio content via the network 104.

[0052] The playback device 110a further comprises electronics 112, a user interface 113 (e.g., one or more buttons, knobs, dials, touch-sensitive surfaces, displays, touchscreens), and one or more transducers 114 (referred to hereinafter as “the transducers 114”). The electronics 112 are configured to receive audio from an audio source (e.g., the local audio source 105) via the input / output 111 or one or more of the computing devices 106a-c via the network 104 (Figure 1B)), amplify the received audio, and output the amplified audio for playback via one or more of the transducers 114. In some embodiments, the playback device 110a optionally includes one or more microphones 115 (e.g., a single microphone, a plurality of microphones, a microphone array) (hereinafter referred to as “the microphones 115”). In certain embodiments, for example, the playback device 110a having one or more of the optional microphones 115 can operate as an NMD configured to receive voice input from a user and correspondingly perform one or more operations based on the received voice input.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1C, the electronics 112 comprise one or more processors 112a (referred to hereinafter as “the processors 112a”), memory 112b, software components 112c, a network interface 112d, one or more audio processing components 112g (referred to hereinafter as “the audio components 112g”), one or more audio amplifiers 112h (referred to hereinafter as “the amplifiers 112h”), and power 112i (e.g., one or more power supplies, power cables, power receptacles, batteries, induction coils, Power-over Ethernet (POE) interfaces, and / or other suitable sources of electric power). In some embodiments, the electronics 112 optionally include one or more other components 112j (e.g., one or more sensors, video displays, touchscreens, battery charging bases).

[0054] The processors 112a can comprise clock-driven computing component(s) configured to process data, and the memory 112b can comprise a computer-readable medium (e.g., a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium loaded with one or more of the software components 112c) configured to store instructions for performing various operations and / or functions. The processors 112a are configured to execute the instructions stored on the memory 112b to perform one or more of the operations. The operations can include, for example, causing the playback device 110a to retrieve audio data from an audio source (e.g., one or more of the computing devices 106a-c (Figure 1B)), and / or another one of the playback devices 110. In some embodiments, the operations further include causing the playback device 110a to send audio data to another one of the playback devices 110a and / or another device (e.g., one of the11 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A NMDs 120). Certain embodiments include operations causing the playback device 110a to pair with another of the one or more playback devices 110 to enable a multi-channel audio environment (e.g., a stereo pair, a bonded zone).

[0055] The processors 112a can be further configured to perform operations causing the playback device 110a to synchronize playback of audio content with another of the one or more playback devices 110. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, during synchronous playback of audio content on a plurality of playback devices, a listener will preferably be unable to perceive time-delay differences between playback of the audio content by the playback device 110a and the other one or more other playback devices 110. Additional details regarding audio playback synchronization among playback devices can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No.8,234,395, which was incorporated by reference above.

[0056] In some embodiments, the memory 112b is further configured to store data associated with the playback device 110a, such as one or more zones and / or zone groups of which the playback device 110a is a member, audio sources accessible to the playback device 110a, and / or a playback queue that the playback device 110a (and / or another of the one or more playback devices) can be associated with. The stored data can comprise one or more state variables that are periodically updated and used to describe a state of the playback device 110a. The memory 112b can also include data associated with a state of one or more of the other devices (e.g., the playback devices 110, NMDs 120, control devices 130) of the media playback system 100. In some aspects, for example, the state data is shared during predetermined intervals of time (e.g., every 5 seconds, every 10 seconds, every 60 seconds) among at least a portion of the devices of the media playback system 100, so that one or more of the devices have the most recent data associated with the media playback system 100.

[0057] The network interface 112d is configured to facilitate a transmission of data between the playback device 110a and one or more other devices on a data network such as, for example, the links 103 and / or the network 104 (Figure 1B). The network interface 112d is configured to transmit and receive data corresponding to media content (e.g., audio content, video content, text, photographs) and other signals (e.g., non-transitory signals) comprising digital packet data including an Internet Protocol (IP)-based source address and / or an IP-based destination address. The network interface 112d can parse the digital packet data such that the electronics 112 properly receives and processes the data destined for the playback device 110a.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1C, the network interface 112d comprises one or more wireless interfaces 112e (referred to hereinafter as “the wireless interface 112e”). The wireless interface 112e (e.g., a suitable interface comprising one or more antennae) can be configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more other devices (e.g., one or more of the12 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A other playback devices 110, NMDs 120, and / or control devices 130) that are communicatively coupled to the network 104 (Figure 1B) in accordance with a suitable wireless communication protocol (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, LTE). In some embodiments, the network interface 112d optionally includes a wired interface 112f (e.g., an interface or receptacle configured to receive a network cable such as an Ethernet, a USB-A, USB-C, and / or Thunderbolt cable) configured to communicate over a wired connection with other devices in accordance with a suitable wired communication protocol. In certain embodiments, the network interface 112d includes the wired interface 112f and excludes the wireless interface 112e. In some embodiments, the electronics 112 excludes the network interface 112d altogether and transmits and receives media content and / or other data via another communication path (e.g., the input / output 111).

[0059] The audio components 112g are configured to process and / or filter data comprising media content received by the electronics 112 (e.g., via the input / output 111 and / or the network interface 112d) to produce output audio signals. In some embodiments, the audio processing components 112g comprise, for example, one or more digital-to-analog converters (DAC), audio preprocessing components, audio enhancement components, digital signal processors (DSPs), and / or other suitable audio processing components, modules, circuits, etc. In certain embodiments, one or more of the audio processing components 112g can comprise one or more subcomponents of the processors 112a. In some embodiments, the electronics 112 omits the audio processing components 112g. In some aspects, for example, the processors 112a execute instructions stored on the memory 112b to perform audio processing operations to produce the output audio signals.

[0060] The amplifiers 112h are configured to receive and amplify the audio output signals produced by the audio processing components 112g and / or the processors 112a. The amplifiers 112h can comprise electronic devices and / or components configured to amplify audio signals to levels sufficient for driving one or more of the transducers 114. In some embodiments, for example, the amplifiers 112h include one or more switching or class-D power amplifiers. In other embodiments, however, the amplifiers include one or more other types of power amplifiers (e.g., linear gain power amplifiers, class-A amplifiers, class-B amplifiers, class-AB amplifiers, class-C amplifiers, class-D amplifiers, class-E amplifiers, class-F amplifiers, class- G and / or class H amplifiers, and / or another suitable type of power amplifier). In certain embodiments, the amplifiers 112h comprise a suitable combination of two or more of the foregoing types of power amplifiers. Moreover, in some embodiments, individual ones of the amplifiers 112h correspond to individual ones of the transducers 114. In other embodiments, however, the electronics 112 includes a single one of the amplifiers 112h configured to output13 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A amplified audio signals to a plurality of the transducers 114. In some other embodiments, the electronics 112 omits the amplifiers 112h.

[0061] The transducers 114 (e.g., one or more speakers and / or speaker drivers) receive the amplified audio signals from the amplifier 112h and render or output the amplified audio signals as sound (e.g., audible sound waves having a frequency between about 20 Hertz (Hz) and 20 kilohertz (kHz)). In some embodiments, the transducers 114 can comprise a single transducer. In other embodiments, however, the transducers 114 comprise a plurality of audio transducers. In some embodiments, the transducers 114 comprise more than one type of transducer. For example, the transducers 114 can include one or more low frequency transducers (e.g., subwoofers, woofers), mid-range frequency transducers (e.g., mid-range transducers, mid-woofers), and one or more high frequency transducers (e.g., one or more tweeters). As used herein, “low frequency” can generally refer to audible frequencies below about 500 Hz, “mid-range frequency” can generally refer to audible frequencies between about 500 Hz and about 2 kHz, and “high frequency” can generally refer to audible frequencies above 2 kHz. In certain embodiments, however, one or more of the transducers 114 comprise transducers that do not adhere to the foregoing frequency ranges. For example, one of the transducers 114 may comprise a mid-woofer transducer configured to output sound at frequencies between about 200 Hz and about 5 kHz.

[0062] By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. presently offers (or has offered) for sale certain playback devices including, for example, a “SONOS ONE,” “PLAY:1,” “PLAY:3,” “PLAY:5,” “PLAYBAR,” “PLAYBASE,” “CONNECT:AMP,” “CONNECT,” and “SUB.” Other suitable playback devices may additionally or alternatively be used to implement the playback devices of example embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, one of ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that a playback device is not limited to the examples described herein or to SONOS product offerings.

[0063] For instance, one or more playback devices 110 may comprise wired or wireless headphone playback devices (e.g., over-the-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, in-ear earphones). In some examples, the headphone playback device may be configured to operate in various operational modes dependent upon media-type and / or synchronized devices (e.g., music, home theater, etc.). For example, one mode may be a synchronized playback mode where the headphone playback device plays back audio content that is synchronized with playback of content output by another device. In one example, the synchronized playback mode includes a first headphone playback device playing back audio that is synchronized with a television set's playback of video corresponding to the audio that the first playback headphone device is playing back. In some examples, the audio may be home theater or surround sound14 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A audio. In another example, the synchronized playback mode includes the first headphone playback device playing back audio that is synchronized with a second headphone playback device's playback of the same audio that the first headphone device is playing. In yet another example, the synchronized playback mode includes the first playback device playing back audio that is synchronized with both (i) a television set's playback of video corresponding to the audio that the first headphone playback device is playing back and (ii) a second headphone playback device's playback of the same audio that the first headphone playback device is playing. Another mode may be a non-synchronized playback mode where the first headphone playback device plays back audio content that is not synchronized with content output by other devices (e.g., headphone playback device playing only audio content without synchronization to other devices).

[0064] In some embodiments, one or more of the playback devices 110 comprise a docking station and / or an interface configured to interact with a docking station for personal mobile media playback devices. In certain embodiments, a playback device may be integral to another device or component such as a television, a lighting fixture, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use. In some embodiments, a playback device omits a user interface and / or one or more transducers. For example, FIG. 1D is a block diagram of a playback device 110p comprising the input / output 111 and electronics 112 without the user interface 113 or transducers 114.

[0065] Figure 1E is a block diagram of a bonded playback device 110q comprising the playback device 110a (Figure 1C) sonically bonded with the playback device 110i (e.g., a subwoofer) (Figure 1A). In the illustrated embodiment, the playback devices 110a and 110i are separate ones of the playback devices 110 housed in separate enclosures. In some embodiments, however, the bonded playback device 110q comprises a single enclosure housing both the playback devices 110a and 110i. The bonded playback device 110q can be configured to process and reproduce sound differently than an unbonded playback device (e.g., the playback device 110a of Figure 1C) and / or paired or bonded playback devices (e.g., the playback devices 110l and 110m of Figure 1B). In some embodiments, for example, the playback device 110a is full-range playback device configured to render low frequency, mid- range frequency, and high frequency audio content, and the playback device 110i is a subwoofer configured to render low frequency audio content. In some aspects, the playback device 110a, when bonded with the first playback device, is configured to render only the mid- range and high frequency components of a particular audio content, while the playback device 110i renders the low frequency component of the particular audio content. In some embodiments, the bonded playback device 110q includes additional playback devices and / or another bonded playback device.15 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A c. Suitable Network Microphone Devices (NMDs)

[0066] Figure 1F is a block diagram of the NMD 120a (Figures 1A and 1B). The NMD 120a includes one or more voice processing components 124 (hereinafter “the voice components 124”) and several components described with respect to the playback device 110a (Figure 1C) including the processors 112a, the memory 112b, and the microphones 115. The NMD 120a optionally comprises other components also included in the playback device 110a (Figure 1C), such as the user interface 113 and / or the transducers 114. In some embodiments, the NMD 120a is configured as a media playback device (e.g., one or more of the playback devices 110), and further includes, for example, one or more of the audio components 112g (Figure 1C), the amplifiers 114, and / or other playback device components. In certain embodiments, the NMD 120a comprises an Internet of Things (IoT) device such as, for example, a thermostat, alarm panel, fire and / or smoke detector, etc. In some embodiments, the NMD 120a comprises the microphones 115, the voice processing 124, and only a portion of the components of the electronics 112 described above with respect to Figure 1B. In some aspects, for example, the NMD 120a includes the processor 112a and the memory 112b (Figure 1B), while omitting one or more other components of the electronics 112. In some embodiments, the NMD 120a includes additional components (e.g., one or more sensors, cameras, thermometers, barometers, hygrometers).

[0067] In some embodiments, an NMD can be integrated into a playback device. Figure 1G is a block diagram of a playback device 110r comprising an NMD 120d. The playback device 110r can comprise many or all of the components of the playback device 110a and further include the microphones 115 and voice processing 124 (Figure 1F). The playback device 110r optionally includes an integrated control device 130c. The control device 130c can comprise, for example, a user interface (e.g., the user interface 113 of Figure 1B) configured to receive user input (e.g., touch input, voice input) without a separate control device. In other embodiments, however, the playback device 110r receives commands from another control device (e.g., the control device 130a of Figure 1B).

[0068] Referring again to Figure 1F, the microphones 115 are configured to acquire, capture, and / or receive sound from an environment (e.g., the environment 101 of Figure 1A) and / or a room in which the NMD 120a is positioned. The received sound can include, for example, vocal utterances, audio played back by the NMD 120a and / or another playback device, background voices, ambient sounds, etc. The microphones 115 convert the received sound into electrical signals to produce microphone data. The voice processing 124 receives and analyzes the microphone data to determine whether a voice input is present in the microphone data. The voice input can comprise, for example, an activation word followed by an utterance including16 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A a user request. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, an activation word is a word or other audio cue signifying a user voice input. For instance, in querying the AMAZON® VAS, a user might speak the activation word "Alexa." Other examples include "Ok, Google" for invoking the GOOGLE® VAS and "Hey, Siri" for invoking the APPLE® VAS.

[0069] After detecting the activation word, voice processing 124 monitors the microphone data for an accompanying user request in the voice input. The user request may include, for example, a command to control a third-party device, such as a thermostat (e.g., NEST® thermostat), an illumination device (e.g., a PHILIPS HUE ® lighting device), or a media playback device (e.g., a Sonos® playback device). For example, a user might speak the activation word “Alexa” followed by the utterance “set the thermostat to 68 degrees” to set a temperature in a home (e.g., the environment 101 of Figure 1A). The user might speak the same activation word followed by the utterance “turn on the living room” to turn on illumination devices in a living room area of the home. The user may similarly speak an activation word followed by a request to play a particular song, an album, or a playlist of music on a playback device in the home. d. Suitable Control Devices

[0070] Figure 1H is a partial schematic diagram of the control device 130a (Figures 1A and 1B). As used herein, the term “control device” can be used interchangeably with “controller” or “control system.” Among other features, the control device 130a is configured to receive user input related to the media playback system 100 and, in response, cause one or more devices in the media playback system 100 to perform an action(s) or operation(s) corresponding to the user input. In the illustrated embodiment, the control device 130a comprises a smartphone (e.g., an iPhone™, an Android phone) on which media playback system controller application software is installed. In some embodiments, the control device 130a comprises, for example, a tablet (e.g., an iPad™), a computer (e.g., a laptop computer, a desktop computer), and / or another suitable device (e.g., a television, an automobile audio head unit, an IoT device). In certain embodiments, the control device 130a comprises a dedicated controller for the media playback system 100. In other embodiments, as described above with respect to Figure 1G, the control device 130a is integrated into another device in the media playback system 100 (e.g., one more of the playback devices 110, NMDs 120, and / or other suitable devices configured to communicate over a network).

[0071] The control device 130a includes electronics 132, a user interface 133, one or more speakers 134, and one or more microphones 135. The electronics 132 comprise one or more processors 132a (referred to hereinafter as “the processors 132a”), a memory 132b, software components 132c, and a network interface 132d. The processor 132a can be configured to17 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A perform functions relevant to facilitating user access, control, and configuration of the media playback system 100. The memory 132b can comprise data storage that can be loaded with one or more of the software components executable by the processor 302 to perform those functions. The software components 132c can comprise applications and / or other executable software configured to facilitate control of the media playback system 100. The memory 112b can be configured to store, for example, the software components 132c, media playback system controller application software, and / or other data associated with the media playback system 100 and the user.

[0072] The network interface 132d is configured to facilitate network communications between the control device 130a and one or more other devices in the media playback system 100, and / or one or more remote devices. In some embodiments, the network interface 132d is configured to operate according to one or more suitable communication industry standards (e.g., infrared, radio, wired standards including IEEE 802.3, wireless standards including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, 4G, LTE). The network interface 132d can be configured, for example, to transmit data to and / or receive data from the playback devices 110, the NMDs 120, other ones of the control devices 130, one of the computing devices 106 of Figure 1B, devices comprising one or more other media playback systems, etc. The transmitted and / or received data can include, for example, playback device control commands, state variables, playback zone and / or zone group configurations. For instance, based on user input received at the user interface 133, the network interface 132d can transmit a playback device control command (e.g., volume control, audio playback control, audio content selection) from the control device 304 to one or more of the playback devices 100. The network interface 132d can also transmit and / or receive configuration changes such as, for example, adding / removing one or more playback devices 100 to / from a zone, adding / removing one or more zones to / from a zone group, forming a bonded or consolidated player, separating one or more playback devices from a bonded or consolidated player, among others.

[0073] The user interface 133 is configured to receive user input and can facilitate control of the media playback system 100. The user interface 133 includes media content art 133a (e.g., album art, lyrics, videos), a playback status indicator 133b (e.g., an elapsed and / or remaining time indicator), media content information region 133c, a playback control region 133d, and a zone indicator 133e. The media content information region 133c can include a display of relevant information (e.g., title, artist, album, genre, release year) about media content currently playing and / or media content in a queue or playlist. The playback control region 133d can include selectable (e.g., via touch input and / or via a cursor or another suitable selector) icons to cause one or more playback devices in a selected playback zone or zone group to perform18 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A playback actions such as, for example, play or pause, fast forward, rewind, skip to next, skip to previous, enter / exit shuffle mode, enter / exit repeat mode, enter / exit cross fade mode, etc. The playback control region 133d may also include selectable icons to modify equalization settings, playback volume, and / or other suitable playback actions. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 133 comprises a display presented on a touch screen interface of a smartphone (e.g., an iPhone™, an Android phone). In some embodiments, however, user interfaces of varying formats, styles, and interactive sequences may alternatively be implemented on one or more network devices to provide comparable control access to a media playback system.

[0074] The one or more speakers 134 (e.g., one or more transducers) can be configured to output sound to the user of the control device 130a. In some embodiments, the one or more speakers comprise individual transducers configured to correspondingly output low frequencies, mid-range frequencies, and / or high frequencies. In some aspects, for example, the control device 130a is configured as a playback device (e.g., one of the playback devices 110). Similarly, in some embodiments the control device 130a is configured as an NMD (e.g., one of the NMDs 120), receiving voice commands and other sounds via the one or more microphones 135.

[0075] The one or more microphones 135 can comprise, for example, one or more condenser microphones, electret condenser microphones, dynamic microphones, and / or other suitable types of microphones or transducers. In some embodiments, two or more of the microphones 135 are arranged to capture location information of an audio source (e.g., voice, audible sound) and / or configured to facilitate filtering of background noise. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the control device 130a is configured to operate as playback device and an NMD. In other embodiments, however, the control device 130a omits the one or more speakers 134 and / or the one or more microphones 135. For instance, the control device 130a may comprise a device (e.g., a thermostat, an IoT device, a network device) comprising a portion of the electronics 132 and the user interface 133 (e.g., a touch screen) without any speakers or microphones. III. Example Systems and Devices

[0076] Figure 2A is a front isometric view of a playback device 210 configured in accordance with aspects of the disclosed technology. Figure 2B is a front isometric view of the playback device 210 without a grille 216e. Figure 2C is an exploded view of the playback device 210. Referring to Figures 2A-2C together, the playback device 210 comprises a housing 216 that includes an upper portion 216a, a right or first side portion 216b, a lower portion 216c, a left or second side portion 216d, the grille 216e, and a rear portion 216f. A plurality of fasteners19 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A 216g (e.g., one or more screws, rivets, clips) attaches a frame 216h to the housing 216. A cavity 216j (Figure 2C) in the housing 216 is configured to receive the frame 216h and electronics 212. The frame 216h is configured to carry a plurality of transducers 214 (identified individually in Figure 2B as transducers 214a-f). The electronics 212 (e.g., the electronics 112 of Figure 1C) is configured to receive audio content from an audio source and send electrical signals corresponding to the audio content to the transducers 214 for playback.

[0077] The transducers 214 are configured to receive the electrical signals from the electronics 112, and further configured to convert the received electrical signals into audible sound during playback. For instance, the transducers 214a-c (e.g., tweeters) can be configured to output high frequency sound (e.g., sound waves having a frequency greater than about 2 kHz). The transducers 214d-f (e.g., mid-woofers, woofers, midrange speakers) can be configured output sound at frequencies lower than the transducers 214a-c (e.g., sound waves having a frequency lower than about 2 kHz). In some embodiments, the playback device 210 includes a number of transducers different than those illustrated in Figures 2A-2C. For example, as described in further detail below with respect to Figures 3A-3C, the playback device 210 can include fewer than six transducers (e.g., one, two, three). In other embodiments, however, the playback device 210 includes more than six transducers (e.g., nine, ten). Moreover, in some embodiments, all or a portion of the transducers 214 are configured to operate as a phased array to desirably adjust (e.g., narrow or widen) a radiation pattern of the transducers 214, thereby altering a user’s perception of the sound emitted from the playback device 210.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 2A-2C, a filter 216i is axially aligned with the transducer 214b. The filter 216i can be configured to desirably attenuate a predetermined range of frequencies that the transducer 214b outputs to improve sound quality and a perceived sound stage output collectively by the transducers 214. In some embodiments, however, the playback device 210 omits the filter 216i. In other embodiments, the playback device 210 includes one or more additional filters aligned with the transducers 214b and / or at least another of the transducers 214.

[0079] Figures 3A and 3B are front and right isometric side views, respectively, of an NMD 320 configured in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. Figure 3C is an exploded view of the NMD 320. Figure 3D is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 3B including a user interface 313 of the NMD 320. Referring first to Figures 3A-3C, the NMD 320 includes a housing 316 comprising an upper portion 316a, a lower portion 316b and an intermediate portion 316c (e.g., a grille). A plurality of ports, holes or apertures 316d in the upper portion 316a allow sound to pass through to one or more microphones 315 (Figure 3C)20 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A positioned within the housing 316. The one or more microphones 315 are configured to received sound via the apertures 316d and produce electrical signals based on the received sound. In the illustrated embodiment, a frame 316e (Figure 3C) of the housing 316 surrounds cavities 316f and 316g configured to house, respectively, a first transducer 314a (e.g., a tweeter) and a second transducer 314b (e.g., a mid-woofer, a midrange speaker, a woofer). In other embodiments, however, the NMD 320 includes a single transducer, or more than two (e.g., two, five, six) transducers. In certain embodiments, the NMD 320 omits the transducers 314a and 314b altogether.

[0080] Electronics 312 (Figure 3C) includes components configured to drive the transducers 314a and 314b, and further configured to analyze audio data corresponding to the electrical signals produced by the one or more microphones 315. In some embodiments, for example, the electronics 312 comprises many or all of the components of the electronics 112 described above with respect to Figure 1C. In certain embodiments, the electronics 312 includes components described above with respect to Figure 1F such as, for example, the one or more processors 112a, the memory 112b, the software components 112c, the network interface 112d, etc. In some embodiments, the electronics 312 includes additional suitable components (e.g., proximity or other sensors).

[0081] Referring to Figure 3D, the user interface 313 includes a plurality of control surfaces (e.g., buttons, knobs, capacitive surfaces) including a first control surface 313a (e.g., a previous control), a second control surface 313b (e.g., a next control), and a third control surface 313c (e.g., a play and / or pause control). A fourth control surface 313d is configured to receive touch input corresponding to activation and deactivation of the one or microphones 315. A first indicator 313e (e.g., one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or another suitable illuminator) can be configured to illuminate only when the one or more microphones 315 are activated. A second indicator 313f (e.g., one or more LEDs) can be configured to remain solid during normal operation and to blink or otherwise change from solid to indicate a detection of voice activity. In some embodiments, the user interface 313 includes additional or fewer control surfaces and illuminators. In one embodiment, for example, the user interface 313 includes the first indicator 313e, omitting the second indicator 313f. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the NMD 320 comprises a playback device and a control device, and the user interface 313 comprises the user interface of the control device .

[0082] Referring to Figures 3A-3D together, the NMD 320 is configured to receive voice commands from one or more adjacent users via the one or more microphones 315. As described above with respect to Figure 1B, the one or more microphones 315 can acquire, capture, or record sound in a vicinity (e.g., a region within 10m or less of the NMD 320) and transmit21 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A electrical signals corresponding to the recorded sound to the electronics 312. The electronics 312 can process the electrical signals and can analyze the resulting audio data to determine a presence of one or more voice commands (e.g., one or more activation words). In some embodiments, for example, after detection of one or more suitable voice commands, the NMD 320 is configured to transmit a portion of the recorded audio data to another device and / or a remote server (e.g., one or more of the computing devices 106 of Figure 1B) for further analysis. The remote server can analyze the audio data, determine an appropriate action based on the voice command, and transmit a message to the NMD 320 to perform the appropriate action. For instance, a user may speak “Sonos, play Michael Jackson.” The NMD 320 can, via the one or more microphones 315, record the user’s voice utterance, determine the presence of a voice command, and transmit the audio data having the voice command to a remote server (e.g., one or more of the remote computing devices 106 of Figure 1B, one or more servers of a VAS and / or another suitable service). The remote server can analyze the audio data and determine an action corresponding to the command. The remote server can then transmit a command to the NMD 320 to perform the determined action (e.g., play back audio content related to Michael Jackson). The NMD 320 can receive the command and play back the audio content related to Michael Jackson from a media content source. As described above with respect to Figure 1B, suitable content sources can include a device or storage communicatively coupled to the NMD 320 via a LAN (e.g., the network 104 of Figure 1B), a remote server (e.g., one or more of the remote computing devices 106 of Figure 1B), etc. In certain embodiments, however, the NMD 320 determines and / or performs one or more actions corresponding to the one or more voice commands without intervention or involvement of an external device, computer, or server.

[0083] Figure 3E is a functional block diagram showing additional features of the NMD 320 in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. The NMD 320 includes components configured to facilitate voice command capture including voice activity detector component(s) 312k, beam former components 312l, acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) and / or self-sound suppression components 312m, activation word detector components 312n, and voice / speech conversion components 312o (e.g., voice-to-text and text-to-voice). In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 3E, the foregoing components 312k-312o are shown as separate components. In some embodiments, however, one or more of the components 312k-312o are subcomponents of the processors 112a.

[0084] The beamforming and self-sound suppression components 312l and 312m are configured to detect an audio signal and determine aspects of voice input represented in the detected audio signal, such as the direction, amplitude, frequency spectrum, etc. The voice22 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A activity detector activity components 312k are operably coupled with the beamforming and AEC components 312l and 312m and are configured to determine a direction and / or directions from which voice activity is likely to have occurred in the detected audio signal. Potential speech directions can be identified by monitoring metrics which distinguish speech from other sounds. Such metrics can include, for example, energy within the speech band relative to background noise and entropy within the speech band, which is measure of spectral structure. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, speech typically has a lower entropy than most common background noise. The activation word detector components 312n are configured to monitor and analyze received audio to determine if any activation words (e.g., wake words) are present in the received audio. The activation word detector components 312n may analyze the received audio using an activation word detection algorithm. If the activation word detector 312n detects an activation word, the NMD 320 may process voice input contained in the received audio. Example activation word detection algorithms accept audio as input and provide an indication of whether an activation word is present in the audio. Many first- and third-party activation word detection algorithms are known and commercially available. For instance, operators of a voice service may make their algorithm available for use in third-party devices. Alternatively, an algorithm may be trained to detect certain activation words. In some embodiments, the activation word detector 312n runs multiple activation word detection algorithms on the received audio simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously). As noted above, different voice services (e.g. AMAZON's ALEXA®, APPLE's SIRI®, or MICROSOFT's CORTANA®) can each use a different activation word for invoking their respective voice service. To support multiple services, the activation word detector 312n may run the received audio through the activation word detection algorithm for each supported voice service in parallel.

[0085] The speech / text conversion components 312o may facilitate processing by converting speech in the voice input to text. In some embodiments, the electronics 312 can include voice recognition software that is trained to a particular user or a particular set of users associated with a household. Such voice recognition software may implement voice-processing algorithms that are tuned to specific voice profile(s). Tuning to specific voice profiles may require less computationally intensive algorithms than traditional voice activity services, which typically sample from a broad base of users and diverse requests that are not targeted to media playback systems.

[0086] Figure 3F is a schematic diagram of an example voice input 328 captured by the NMD 320 in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. The voice input 328 can include an activation word portion 328a and a voice utterance portion 328b. In some embodiments, the activation23 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A word 557a can be a known activation word, such as “Alexa,” which is associated with AMAZON's ALEXA®. In other embodiments, however, the voice input 328 may not include an activation word. In some embodiments, a network microphone device may output an audible and / or visible response upon detection of the activation word portion 328a. In addition or alternately, an NMB may output an audible and / or visible response after processing a voice input and / or a series of voice inputs.

[0087] The voice utterance portion 328b may include, for example, one or more spoken commands (identified individually as a first command 328c and a second command 328e) and one or more spoken keywords (identified individually as a first keyword 328d and a second keyword 328f). In one example, the first command 328c can be a command to play music, such as a specific song, album, playlist, etc. In this example, the keywords may be one or words identifying one or more zones in which the music is to be played, such as the Living Room and the Dining Room shown in Figure 1A. In some examples, the voice utterance portion 328b can include other information, such as detected pauses (e.g., periods of non-speech) between words spoken by a user, as shown in Figure 3F. The pauses may demarcate the locations of separate commands, keywords, or other information spoke by the user within the voice utterance portion 328b.

[0088] In some embodiments, the media playback system 100 is configured to temporarily reduce the volume of audio content that it is playing while detecting the activation word portion 328a. The media playback system 100 may restore the volume after processing the voice input 328, as shown in Figure 3F. Such a process can be referred to as ducking, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 438,749, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. III. Example Headphone Playback Devices

[0089] In some embodiments disclosed herein, at least one playback device 110 is a headphone having transducers, such as two or more speaker drivers, and electronics for receiving, generating, and / or processing an audio signal such as those described above with respect to Figure 1C. The speaker drivers may be housed in a left earcup and a right earcup that each also have an earpad or ear cushion for resting on a user's head. In several embodiments, the earcups are joined by a headband. In further embodiments, the wireless headphone is a playback device 110 that also includes a network microphone device ( NMD ), equipped with a microphone, such as those described above with respect to Figure 1F. These headphones may be utilized in a media playback system such as those illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0090] Playback of audio in a headphone typically utilizes one or more audio drivers within each earcup to create sound waves that travel to a user’s ear. In various embodiments, the24 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A playback of audio in the headphones is controlled using an external control device 130 (e.g., a smartphone), through voice commands received at an NMD 120 (including an NMD 120 integrated into the headphone), and / or through a user interface 313 integrated into the headphone 400 itself.

[0091] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a user wearing an example pair of headphones 400 (also referred to herein as “headphone”). The depicted headphone 400 comprises a headband 410 and an earcup 420. Another earcup (not shown) may also be present on the opposite side of the headphone 400. The headband 410 spans between the two earcups and is connected to the earcup 420 through a connecting member 430.

[0092] The headphone 400 may comprise one or more transducers within the earcup 420. The one or more transducers may comprise speakers and / or microphones. In at least one embodiment, a first transducer is located within a first earcup 420 and a second transducer is located within the other earcup. Additionally, the headphone 400 may comprise various other components including, but not limited to, a wireless network interface (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular, etc.), a battery, a user interface, one or more processors, and / or computer-readable storage. In at least one embodiment, the headphone 400 may function as a playback device 110 and / or an NMD 120 as described herein.

[0093] Figures 5A-5F depict external and internal views of example headphones. Specifically, Figures 5A-5D depicts an internal view of earcup 420. The internal view shows a yoke structure 500 that extends from the headband 410. In at least one embodiment the connecting member 430 comprises the yoke structure 500. The connecting member 430 and the yoke structure 500 may comprise a single continuous structure or multiple discrete structures. The depicted connecting member 430 comprises the yoke structure 500 extending from the headband 410 and extending into the earcup 420 through a portal 440. The yoke structure 500 is attached internally to the earcup 420 at a first location 510a on a first side of the earcup and at a second location 510b on a second side of the earcup 420.

[0094] Additionally, the connecting member 430 may comprise a biasing member 520 physically interfacing with the yoke structure 500 and the earcup 420. The biasing member 520 may be physically configured to bias the yoke structure 500 away from a perimeter of the portal 440. As such, when external forces are removed, the biasing member 520 may cause the headband 410 to center itself substantially in the center of the portal 440.

[0095] Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5E depict that the yoke structure 500 may comprise a main structural portion 560 attached to the headband 410. The main structural portion 560 may comprise a portion of the yoke structure 500 that attaches directly to the headband 410 or the main structural portion 560 may attach to the headband 410 through one or more intermediate25 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A components. Additionally or alternatively, the main structural portions 560 may be physically contiguous with the headband 410 such that the headband 410 and the main structural portion 560 comprise single physical unit.

[0096] As shown in Figures 5A and 5E, the yoke structure 500 may also comprise a first structural extension 562 and a second structural extension 564 that extend from the main structural portion 560 and extend away from each other. The first structural extension 562 and a second structural extension 564 may be positioned within a common plane that spans across the width of the earcup 420. Additionally or alternatively, the first structural extension 562 and a second structural extension 564 may extend away from each other such that they create a horseshoe shape. In at least one embodiment, the first structural extension 562 and a second structural extension 564 are completely contained internally within the earcup 420.

[0097] The first structural extension 562 may attach at the first location 510a on a first side of the earcup 420. The second structural extension 564 may attach at a second location 510b on a second side of the earcup 420. As shown by bisecting line 512, the first location 510a and the second location 510b may substantially bisect the first earcup. When the first location 510a and the second location 510b substantially bisect the first earcup, the headphone 400 may apply an even pressure across the earcup 420 with the user’s head. In at least one embodiment, the application of even pressure to the earcup 420 increases the comfort of wearing the earcup. Additionally, the even distribution of pressure may increase the seal of the earcup 420 over a user’s ear with the user’s head for passive noise reduction, which in turn creates a better sound environment for listening to music and active noise reduction. Additionally or alternatively, the first location 510a and the second location 510b may substantially bisect the transducer 530. In at least one embodiment, the first location 510a and the second location 510b bisect the earcup 420 but do not bisect the transducer 530. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to bisect the earcup 420 while shifting the transducer 530 with respect to the bisecting line 512 for other design considerations.

[0098] In at least one embodiment, the first location 510a comprises a clip 570 (shown in Figure 5E) that connects to the first structural extension 562 and allows rotational movement of the first structural extension 562 with respect to the clip 570. Figure 5E depicts the second structural extension 564 comprising a clip stub 572 that is shaped to mate with a clip 570. The clip stub 572 allows rotational movement by the yoke structure 500 with respect to the clip 570. In at least one embodiment, the clip 570 and clip stub 572 may comprise physical protrusions that limit the rotational range of the first structural extension 562 with respect to the clip 570. Additionally or alternatively, in at least one embodiment, the rotational range of the first structural extension 562 with respect to the clip 570 is limited by the size of the26 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A perimeter of the portal 440. One of skill in the art will appreciate that that the second location 510b may also comprise a clip (e.g., clip 570) that connects to the second structural extension 564 and allows rotational movement of the first structural extension 562 with respect to the clip.

[0099] Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the yoke structure 500 comprises a passageway 566 (shown in Figure 5A) for one or more electric cables to travel along at least a portion of the yoke structure 500. For example, the one or more electric cables may pass through the headband 410 such that the earcups 420 are electrically connected to each other. The passageway 566 may extend down at least a portion of the first structural extension 562. Because the yoke structure 500 is internal to the earcup 420, the yoke structure can provide a beneficial passageway 566 for passing the one or more electric cables into the earcup 420 while providing support and protection to the electric cables.

[0100] Figure 5C depicts a cross-sectional view of the connecting member 430 and the earcup 420. Figure 5C also depicts a cross-sectional view of the biasing member 520. As mentioned above, the biasing member 520 physically interfaces with the yoke structure 500 and the first earcup 420. The biasing member 520 is physically configured to bias the yoke structure 500 away from a perimeter of the portal 440. The biasing member 520 may comprise a membrane that extends between the yoke structure 500 and the earcup 420. In particular, the membrane may cover the area between the perimeter of the portal 440 and the yoke structure 500. In at least one embodiment, the biasing member 520 is completely internal to the earcup 420, such that no portion of the biasing member 520 extends beyond the outer shell of the earcup 420. The biasing member 520 may comprise silicon, plastic, rubber, or some other elastomeric material that provides elastic properties allowing for movement of the connecting member 430 within the portal 440.

[0101] In at least one embodiment, the biasing member 520 also functions as a barrier between the outside environment and the inside of the earcup 420. For example, the biasing member 520 may provide a watertight barrier, a water resistant barrier, and / or a dust barrier to prevent the internal components of the earcup 420 from contacting pollutants. For example, the biasing member 520 may provide protection against particulate ingress to at least a level commensurate with IP5X. Additionally or alternatively, the biasing member 520 may provide protection against moisture to at least a level commensurate with IPX1.

[0102] In at least one embodiment, the biasing member 520 is attached to the earcup 420 through a clamp feature 540 (shown in Figure 5D). For example, an outer perimeter 524 (shown in Figure 5C) of the membrane may be bonded to the clamp feature 540 such that clamp feature 540 attaches to the earcup 420 and applies pressure to the outer perimeter 524 of the membrane27 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A as shown in Figures 5B and 5C. The biasing member 520 may be bonded to the clamp feature 540 through a compression mold process, through adhesive, through a physical friction connection, or through any other means of connection. The biasing member 520 may comprise an inner perimeter 522 through which the yoke structure 500 passes. The inner perimeter 522 may be compressed to the yoke structure 500 with an O-ring 550. As such, in at least one embodiment, the biasing member 520 comprises a donut shape with the connecting member 430 passing through the donut hole and the outer perimeter of the donut shape being compressed, or other bonded, to the earcup 220. The donut shape may comprise the biasing member 520 extending downward from an outer perimeter 524 of the membrane and then sloping back upwards towards the inner perimeter 522. As such, the donut shape may provide a trough that extends around the biasing member and is capable of catching moisture and debris that may otherwise enter into the earcup 420.

[0103] Figure 5F depicts a close-up view of the connecting member 430 in a middle position and at an extreme angular position with respect to the portal 440. In at least one embodiment, the middle position comprises the position where no external forces are applied to the headband and / or the earcup. As depicted, the portal 440 may be located on a top surface of the earcup 420. Additionally, the perimeter of the portal 440 may be sized such that the connecting member 430 is physically limited by the perimeter to less than 10 degrees of travel with respect to the center of the portal 440. Additionally or alternatively, the angular movement 580 of the connecting member 430 with respect to the center of the portal 440 may comprise less than 8 degrees, between 8 degrees and 7 degrees, less than 7 degrees, between 7 and 6 degrees, or less than 6 degrees. The angular movement 580 allowed by the portal 440 may have significant impacts on the internal design of the earcup 420 due to the amount of movement allowed to the yoke structure 500. Further, in some embodiments, a smaller portal 440 may provide a more visually appealing design and a smaller entry way for particles to enter into the internals of the earcup 420.

[0104] Accordingly, disclosed embodiments provide for a yoke structure 500 that is contained within an earcup 420. In contrast to conventional headphone systems where the yoke mounts to the outside of the earcup, disclosed embodiments mount the yoke structure 500 internally within the earcup 420. Further, disclosed embodiments include a biasing member 520 that biases the connecting member 430 away from the perimeter of the portal 440 through which the connecting member 430 passes into the earcup 420. The biasing member 520 may also function as a sealing component that keeps particles and / or moisture from entering the earcup 420 through the portal 440.28 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A

[0105] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart for a method 600 of manufacturing headphones. Method 600 includes an act 610 of attaching a yoke structure to a headband 410. Act 610 may comprise attaching a first portion of a yoke structure 500 to a first side of a headband 410. In at least one embodiment, attaching the yoke structure 500 to the headband 410 comprises indirectly attached the yoke structure 500 to the headband 410 though one or more intermediate components. Alternatively, attaching the yoke structure 500 to the headband 410 comprises forming the yoke structure 500 and the headband 410 out of a single common materials, for example, in a mold.

[0106] Method 600 also includes an act 620 of attaching the yoke structure 500 internally to the first earcup 420 at a first location 510a. Act 620 may comprise attaching the yoke structure internally to the first earcup at a first location on a first side of the earcup. As depicted and described above with respect to Figures 5A-5F, the yoke structure 500 may be attached at the first location 510a through a first clip 570. In additional or alternative embodiments, the yoke structure 500 may be attached at the first location 510a through an elastomeric connection, a rotating bolt, a pivot point, a spring, a gear, or through any other connection that provides some forward and backwards movement of the connecting member 430 within the portal 440.

[0107] Additionally, method 600 includes an act 630 of attaching the yoke structure 500 internally to the first earcup 420 at a second location 510b. Act 630 may comprise attaching the yoke structure internally to the first earcup at a second location 510b on a second side of the earcup. As explained above, the yoke structure 500 may be attached at the second location 510b through a second clip (e.g., clip 570). In additional or alternative embodiments, the yoke structure 500 may be attached at the second location 510b through an elastomeric connection, a rotating bolt, a pivot point, a spring, a gear, or through any other connection that provides some forward and backwards movement of the connecting member 430 within the portal 440.

[0108] Further, method 600 includes an act 640 of placing a biasing member 520 between the yoke structure 500 and the first earcup 420. Act 640 comprises placing a biasing member 520 between the yoke structure and the first earcup, the biasing member 520 physically configured to bias the connecting member 430 away from a perimeter of the first portal 440. For example, the biasing member 520 may comprise an elastomeric material that elastically biases the connecting member 430 towards the center of the portal 440. Additionally or alternatively, the biasing member 520 may comprise a spring, a coil, a magnet, or any other component or device capable of applying a mechanical bias against the connecting member 430. V. Features29 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A

[0109] The disclosed technology is illustrated, for example, according to various features described below. Various examples of features of the disclosed technology are described as numbered features (1, 2, 3, etc.) for convenience. These are provided as examples and do not limit the disclosed technology. It is noted that any of the dependent features may be combined in any combination, and placed into a respective independent features. The other features can be presented in a similar manner.

[0110] Features 1. A headphone playback device comprising: a first earcup comprising a first transducer and a second earcup comprising a second transducer; a headband spanning between the first earcup and the second earcup; and a connecting member connecting the headband to the first earcup, wherein the connecting member comprises: a yoke structure extending from the headband and extending into the first earcup through a first portal, the yoke structure attaching internally to the first earcup at a first location on a first side of the first earcup and at a second location on a second side of the first earcup, and a biasing member physically interfacing with the yoke structure and the first earcup, the biasing member physically configured to bias the yoke structure away from a perimeter of the first portal.

[0111] Feature 2. The headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein the yoke structure comprises: a main structural portion attached to the headband; a first structural extension and a second structural extension that extend from the main structural portion and extend away from each other; the first structural extension attaching at the first location on the first side of the first earcup, and the second structural extension attaching at the second location on the second side of the first earcup.

[0112] Feature 3. The headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein the first location and the second location substantially bisect the first earcup.

[0113] Feature 4. The headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein: the first location comprises a first clip that connects to the first structural extension and allows rotational movement of the first structural extension with respect to the first clip; and the second location comprises a second clip that connects to the second structural extension and allows rotational movement of the second structural extension with respect to the second clip.

[0114] Feature 5. The headphone playback device as recited in in any of the preceding features, wherein the yoke structure comprises a passageway for one or more electric cables to travel along at least a portion of the yoke structure.

[0115] Feature 6. The headphone playback device as recited in any preceding claim, wherein: the first portal is located on a top surface of the first earcup; and the perimeter of the first portal30 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A is sized such that the connecting member is physically limited by the perimeter to less than 10 degrees of travel with respect to a center of the first portal.

[0116] Feature 7. The headphone playback device as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the biasing member comprises a membrane that extends between the yoke structure and the first earcup.

[0117] Feature 8. The headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein the membrane covers an area between the perimeter of the first portal and the yoke structure.

[0118] Feature 9. The headphone playback device as recited in in any of the preceding features, further comprising an outer perimeter of the membrane bonded to a clamp feature, wherein the clamp feature attaches to the first earcup and applies pressure to the outer perimeter of the membrane.

[0119] Feature 10. The headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, further comprising an inner perimeter through which the yoke structure passes, the inner perimeter compressed to the yoke structure with an O-ring.

[0120] Feature 11. A method for manufacturing a headphone playback device comprising: attaching, through a connecting member, a first portion of a yoke structure to a first side of a headband; attaching the yoke structure internally to a first earcup at a first location on a first side of the first earcup; attaching the yoke structure internally to the first earcup at a second location on a second side of the first earcup; and placing a biasing member between the yoke structure and the first earcup, the biasing member physically configured to bias the yoke structure away from a perimeter of a first portal into the first earcup.

[0121] Feature 12. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein the yoke structure comprises: a main structural portion attached to the headband; a first structural extension and a second structural extension that extend from the main structural portion and extend away from each other; the first structural extension attaching at the first location on the first side of the first earcup, and the second structural extension attaching at the second location on the second side of the first earcup.

[0122] Feature 13. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein the first location and the second location substantially bisect the first earcup.

[0123] Feature 14. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, further comprising: attaching the first structural extension to a first clip located at the first location, wherein the first clip allows rotational movement of the first structural extension with respect to the first clip; and attaching the second structural31 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A extension to a second clip located at the second location, wherein the second clip allows rotational movement of the second structural extension with respect to the second clip.

[0124] Feature 15. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein the yoke structure comprises a passageway for one or more electric cables to travel along at least a portion of the yoke structure.

[0125] Feature 16. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein: the first portal is located on a top surface of the first earcup; and the perimeter of the first portal is sized such that the connecting member is physically limited by the perimeter to less than 10 degrees of travel with respect to a center of the first portal.

[0126] Feature 17. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein the biasing member comprises a membrane that extends between the yoke structure and the first earcup.

[0127] Feature 18. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, wherein the membrane covers an area between the perimeter of the first portal and the yoke structure.

[0128] Feature 19. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, further comprising: bonding an outer perimeter of the membrane to a clamp feature; and attaching the clamp feature to the first earcup such that the attachment applies pressure to the outer perimeter of the membrane.

[0129] Feature 20. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in any of the preceding features, further comprising: inserting the yoke structure through an inner perimeter of the membrane; and compressing the inner perimeter to the yoke structure with an O-ring. VI. Conclusion

[0130] The above discussions relating to playback devices, controller devices, playback zone configurations, and media content sources provide only some examples of operating environments within which functions and methods described below may be implemented. Other operating environments and configurations of media playback systems, playback devices, and network devices not explicitly described herein may also be applicable and suitable for implementation of the functions and methods. For example, a head mounted display may comprise a linear-travel mechanical switch.

[0131] The description above discloses, among other things, various example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture including, among other components, firmware and / or software executed on hardware. It is understood that such examples are merely32 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of the firmware, hardware, and / or software aspects or components can be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. Accordingly, the examples provided are not the only ways) to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and / or articles of manufacture.

[0132] Additionally, references herein to “embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one example embodiment of an invention. The appearances of this phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. As such, the embodiments described herein, explicitly and implicitly understood by one skilled in the art, can be combined with other embodiments.

[0133] The specification is presented largely in terms of illustrative environments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble the operations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These process descriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it is understood to those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without certain, specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description of embodiments.

[0134] When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and / or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at least one example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible, non-transitory medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing the software and / or firmware.

Claims

33 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A CLAIMS 1. A headphone playback device comprising: a first earcup comprising a first transducer and a second earcup comprising a second transducer; a headband spanning between the first earcup and the second earcup; and a connecting member connecting the headband to the first earcup, wherein the connecting member comprises: a yoke structure extending from the headband and extending into the first earcup through a first portal, the yoke structure attaching internally to the first earcup at a first location on a first side of the first earcup and at a second location on a second side of the first earcup, and a biasing member physically interfacing with the yoke structure and the first earcup, the biasing member physically configured to bias the yoke structure away from a perimeter of the first portal.

2. The headphone playback device as recited in claim 1, wherein the yoke structure comprises: a main structural portion attached to the headband; a first structural extension and a second structural extension that extend from the main structural portion and extend away from each other; the first structural extension attaching at the first location on the first side of the first earcup, and the second structural extension attaching at the second location on the second side of the first earcup.

3. The headphone playback device as recited in claim 2, wherein the first location and the second location substantially bisect the first earcup.

4. The headphone playback device as recited in claim 2 or 3, wherein: the first location comprises a first clip that connects to the first structural extension and allows rotational movement of the first structural extension with respect to the first clip; and34 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A the second location comprises a second clip that connects to the second structural extension and allows rotational movement of the second structural extension with respect to the second clip.

5. The headphone playback device as recited in one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the yoke structure comprises a passageway for one or more electric cables to travel along at least a portion of the yoke structure.

6. The headphone playback device as recited in any preceding claim, wherein: the first portal is located on a top surface of the first earcup; and the perimeter of the first portal is sized such that the connecting member is physically limited by the perimeter to less than 10 degrees of travel with respect to a center of the first portal.

7. The headphone playback device as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the biasing member comprises a membrane that extends between the yoke structure and the first earcup.

8. The headphone playback device as recited in claim 7, wherein the membrane covers an area between the perimeter of the first portal and the yoke structure.

9. The headphone playback device as recited in claim 8, further comprising an outer perimeter of the membrane bonded to a clamp feature, wherein the clamp feature attaches to the first earcup and applies pressure to the outer perimeter of the membrane.

10. The headphone playback device as recited in claim 9, further comprising an inner perimeter through which the yoke structure passes, the inner perimeter compressed to the yoke structure with an O-ring.

11. A method for manufacturing a headphone playback device comprising: attaching, through a connecting member, a first portion of a yoke structure to a first side of a headband; attaching the yoke structure internally to a first earcup at a first location on a first side of the first earcup;35 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A attaching the yoke structure internally to the first earcup at a second location on a second side of the first earcup; and placing a biasing member between the yoke structure and the first earcup, the biasing member physically configured to bias the yoke structure away from a perimeter of a first portal into the first earcup.

12. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in claim 11, wherein the yoke structure comprises: a main structural portion attached to the headband; a first structural extension and a second structural extension that extend from the main structural portion and extend away from each other; the first structural extension attaching at the first location on the first side of the first earcup, and the second structural extension attaching at the second location on the second side of the first earcup.

13. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in claim 12, wherein the first location and the second location substantially bisect the first earcup.

14. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in claim 12 or 13, further comprising: attaching the first structural extension to a first clip located at the first location, wherein the first clip allows rotational movement of the first structural extension with respect to the first clip; and attaching the second structural extension to a second clip located at the second location, wherein the second clip allows rotational movement of the second structural extension with respect to the second clip.

15. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the yoke structure comprises a passageway for one or more electric cables to travel along at least a portion of the yoke structure.

16. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in one of claims 11 to 15, wherein: the first portal is located on a top surface of the first earcup; and36 Docket No.23-0507-PCT_22711.15A the perimeter of the first portal is sized such that the connecting member is physically limited by the perimeter to less than 10 degrees of travel with respect to a center of the first portal.

17. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the biasing member comprises a membrane that extends between the yoke structure and the first earcup.

18. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in claim 17, wherein the membrane covers an area between the perimeter of the first portal and the yoke structure.

19. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in claim 18, further comprising: bonding an outer perimeter of the membrane to a clamp feature; and attaching the clamp feature to the first earcup such that the attachment applies pressure to the outer perimeter of the membrane.

20. The method for manufacturing a headphone playback device as recited in claim 19, further comprising: inserting the yoke structure through an inner perimeter of the membrane; and compressing the inner perimeter to the yoke structure with an O-ring.

Images