Audio Charging Case

Abstract

A charging case (208) for the wireless earphones (200) is connected to a computer (300, 356) and wirelessly transmits (406) audio from the computer to the earphones, allowing the computer audio to be heard without having to pair the earphones to the computer over Bluetooth® or disrupting an existing Bluetooth® connection. Additionally, the computer audio may be merged (408) with audio from a mobile device, and the mix may be controlled (410) by control elements (352, 354) on the charging case.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates generally to an audio charging case for wireless earbuds. [Background technology]

[0002] As recognized herein, wireless earphones are a popular tool that people use to listen to audio without wires dangling around their necks. Earphones typically pair via Bluetooth® to a portable audio source, such as a mobile phone. Summary of the Invention

[0003] As further understood herein, wireless earbuds, like all portable wireless devices, must be associated with a way to charge them, typically using a charging case that the earbuds can be placed in. The present principles further understand that such charging cases can be leveraged to increase functionality for the user.

[0004] The assembly thus includes a left earbud and a right earbud configured to engage a person's ears to play audio. The assembly also includes a charging case configured to charge batteries in the left earbud and the right earbud. The charging case, in turn, includes at least one processor configured with instructions for transmitting, via the at least one wireless interface, a signal from a first audio source representing audio to the earbuds for playback of the audio on speakers of the earbuds.

[0005] In examples, the first audio source may include, for example, a laptop or other computer or a mobile phone.

[0006] Optionally, the charging case may be configured to mix audio from a first audio source with audio from a second audio source. In one such embodiment, the charging case may include at least one selector operable by a user to establish the mix of audio.

[0007] In some embodiments, the charging case is configured to be communicatively connected to the first audio source.

[0008] In an example implementation, the charging case is configured with a first receptacle and a second receptacle configured to closely hold the respective left and right earbuds.

[0009] In another aspect, a method includes charging a left earbud and a right earbud using at least one charging case configured with a first receptacle and a second receptacle configured to hold the respective left earbud and right earbud, the method further including providing a wireless audio signal from the charging case to the earbuds for playing audio on the earbuds.

[0010] In another aspect, the charging case includes at least one contact electrically connected to a power source within the charging case and configured to engage contacts on the earbuds and charge a battery in the earbuds, and at least one audio signal path within the charging case for wirelessly transmitting an audio signal to the earbuds.

[0011] The details of the present application, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system in accordance with present principles; [Diagram 2]1 illustrates an exemplary earbud alongside an earbud charging case consistent with present principles. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram of an example earphone, charging case, and mobile device consistent with the present principles. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates exemplary logic in the form of an exemplary flow chart consistent with the principles of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is an exemplary screenshot of an exemplary user interface that may be presented on any display disclosed herein consistent with the present principles. [Figure 6] 1 is an exemplary screenshot of an exemplary user interface that may be presented on any display disclosed herein consistent with the present principles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present disclosure generally relates to computer ecosystems, including aspects of consumer electronics (CE) device networks, such as, but not limited to, computer gaming networks. The systems herein may include server and client components that may be connected over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client and server components. The client components may include one or more computing devices, including gaming consoles such as Sony PlayStation®, or gaming consoles manufactured by Microsoft or Nintendo or other manufacturers, virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) headsets, portable televisions (e.g., smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs), portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and smartphones and other mobile devices, including additional examples discussed below. These client devices may operate in a variety of operating environments. For example, some of the client computers may employ, as examples, a Linux® operating system, an operating system from Microsoft, or a Unix® operating system, or an operating system produced by Apple, Inc., or Google, or a Berkeley Software Distribution or Berkeley Standard Distribution (BSD) OS (including descendants of BSD). These operating environments may be used to run one or more browsing programs, such as browsers created by Microsoft, Google, or Mozilla, or other browser programs capable of accessing web sites hosted by the Internet servers discussed below. Also, operating environments according to present principles may be used to run one or more computer game programs.

[0014] Servers and / or gateways may be used that may include one or more processors that execute instructions that configure the server to receive and send data over a network such as the Internet. Alternatively, clients and servers may be connected via a local intranet or a virtual private network. The servers or controllers may be instantiated by game consoles such as the Sony PlayStation®, personal computers, and the like.

[0015] Information may be exchanged between the clients and the servers over a network. For this purpose and for security, the servers and / or clients may include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storage, and proxies, as well as other network infrastructure for reliability and security. One or more servers may form an apparatus that implements a method for providing a secure community, such as an online social website or a gamer network, to network members.

[0016] The processor may be a single-chip or multi-chip processor capable of implementing logic through various lines, such as address lines, data lines, and control lines, as well as registers and shift registers.

[0017] Components included in one embodiment may be used in other embodiments in any suitable combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and / or illustrated in the figures may be combined, interchanged, or excluded from other embodiments.

[0018] "A system having at least one of A, B, and C" (also "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" and "a system having at least one of A, B, C") includes systems having A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 10 is shown, which may include one or more of the exemplary devices described above and further below in accordance with the present principles. A first of the exemplary devices included in the system 10 is a consumer electronics (CE) device, such as an audio-video device (AVD) 12, such as, but not limited to, an Internet-enabled TV with a TV tuner (equivalently, a set-top box that controls the TV). The AVD 12 may also alternatively be a computerized Internet-enabled ("smart") phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a head-mounted device (HMD) and / or a headset, such as smart glasses or a VR headset, another wearable computerized device, a computerized Internet-enabled music player, a computerized Internet-enabled headphones, a computerized Internet-enabled implantable device, such as an implantable skin device. It should be understood that the AVD 12 is nevertheless configured to implement the present principles (e.g., to communicate with other CE devices to implement the present principles, to execute the logic described herein, and to perform any other functions and / or operations described herein).

[0020] Thus, to realize such principles, AVD 12 can be established by some or all of the illustrated components. For example, AVD 12 can include one or more touch-enabled displays 14, which can be implemented by high-definition or ultra-high-definition "4K" or higher flat screens. Touch-enabled display(s) 14 can include, for example, a capacitive or resistive touch-sensing layer having a grid of electrodes for touch sensing consistent with the present principles.

[0021] The AVD 12 may also include one or more speakers 16 for outputting audio in accordance with the present principles, and at least one additional input device 18, such as an audio receiver / microphone, for inputting audible commands to the AVD 12 to control the AVD 12. The exemplary AVD 12 may also include one or more network interfaces 20 for communicating over at least one network 22, such as the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, etc., under the control of one or more processors 24. Thus, the interface 20 may be a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface, such as, but not limited to, a mesh network transceiver. It should be understood that the processor 24 controls the AVD 12 to implement the present principles, including other elements of the AVD 12 described herein, such as controlling the display 14 to present images thereon and receiving input therefrom. It should further be noted that the network interface 20 may be a wired or wireless modem or router, or a wireless telephone transceiver, or other suitable interface, such as a Wi-Fi transceiver as described above.

[0022] In addition to the above, AVD 12 may also include one or more input and / or output ports 26, such as a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port for physically connecting to another CE device, and / or a headphone port for connecting headphones to AVD 12 to present audio from AVD 12 to a user via the headphones. For example, input port 26 may be wired or wirelessly connected to a cable or satellite source 26a of audio-video content. Thus, source 26a may be a separate or integrated set-top box, or a satellite receiver. Alternatively, source 26a may be a game console or disc player containing content. When implemented as a game console, source 26a may include some or all of the components described below in connection with CE device 48.

[0023] AVD 12 may further include one or more computer memory / computer readable storage media 28, such as non-transitory disk-based or solid-state storage, possibly embodied within the AVD chassis as a standalone device or as a personal video recording device (PVR) or video disk player either inside or outside the AVD chassis for playing AV programs, or as a removable memory medium or server as described below. In some embodiments, AVD 12 may also include a position or location receiver, such as, but not limited to, a cellular receiver, a GPS receiver, and / or an altimeter 30 configured to receive geographic location information from a satellite or cellular tower and provide that information to processor 24 and / or determine the altitude at which AVD 12 is located with processor 24. Component 30 may also be implemented by an inertial measurement unit (IMU), which typically includes a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers for determining the position and orientation of AVD 12 in three dimensions, or by event-based sensors.

[0024] Continuing with the description of the AVD 12, in some embodiments, the AVD 12 may include one or more cameras 32, which may be a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, an event-based sensor, and / or a camera integrated into the AVD 12 and controllable by the processor 24 to collect pictures / images and / or videos in accordance with the present principles. Also included on the AVD 12 may be a Bluetooth transceiver 34 and other NFC elements 36 for communicating with other devices using Bluetooth and / or Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies, respectively. An exemplary NFC element may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) element.

[0025] Additionally, the AVD 12 may include one or more auxiliary sensors 38 (e.g., pressure sensors, motion sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, cyclometers, or magnetic sensors, infrared (IR) sensors, optical sensors, speed and / or cadence sensors, event-based sensors, gesture sensors (e.g., for sensing gesture commands)) that provide input to the processor 24. For example, one or more of the auxiliary sensors 38 may include one or more pressure sensors forming a layer of the touch-enabled display 14 itself, which may be, without limitation, piezoelectric pressure sensors, capacitive pressure sensors, piezoresistive strain gauges, optical pressure sensors, electromagnetic pressure sensors, etc.

[0026] The AVD 12 may also include an OTA TV broadcast port 40 for receiving over-the-air TV broadcasts that provide input to the processor 24. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that the AVD 12 may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and / or an IR receiver and / or an IR transceiver 42, such as an Infrared Data Association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided to power the AVD 12, and may also be a kinetic energy harvester that may convert kinetic energy into power to charge the battery and / or power the AVD 12. A graphics processing unit (GPU) 44 and a field programmable gate array 46 may also be included. One or more haptic / vibration generators 47 may be provided to generate haptic signals that can be sensed by a person holding or contacting the device. Thus, the haptic generator 47 may vibrate all or a portion of the AVD 12 using an electric motor connected to an off-center and / or off-balance weight via a rotatable shaft of the motor, so that the shaft rotates under control of the motor (which may in turn be controlled by a processor such as processor 24) to generate vibrations of various frequencies and / or amplitudes and force simulations in various directions.

[0027] In addition to the AVD 12, the system 10 may include one or more other CE device types. In one example, the first CE device 48 may be a computer game console that may be used to transmit computer game audio and video to the AVD 12 via commands sent directly to the AVD 12 and / or through a server, described below, and the second CE device 50 may include similar components as the first CE device 48. In the example shown, the second CE device 50 may be configured as a computer game controller operated by a player or a head-mounted display (HMD) worn by a player. The HMD may include a head-up transparent or non-transparent display for presenting AR / MR or VR content, respectively.

[0028] In the illustrated example, only two CE devices are shown, but it is understood that fewer or more devices may be used. The devices herein may implement some or all of the components shown for the AVD 12 and / or the CE devices. Any of the components shown in the following figures may incorporate some or all of the components shown for the AVD 12.

[0029] Referring now to the at least one server 52 mentioned above, it includes at least one server processor 54, at least one tangible computer-readable storage medium 56, such as disk-based storage or solid-state storage, and at least one network interface 58 that, under the control of the server processor 54, enables communication with the other illustrated devices over the network 22, and may indeed facilitate communications between the server and client devices in accordance with the present principles. It should be noted that the network interface 58 may be, for example, a wired or wireless modem or router, a Wi-Fi transceiver, or other suitable interface, such as, for example, a wireless telephone transceiver.

[0030] Thus, in some embodiments, server 52 may be an entire Internet server or server "farm," and may include and implement "cloud" functionality, such that, for example, in an exemplary embodiment for a network gaming application, devices of system 10 may access a "cloud" environment via server 52. Alternatively, server 52 may be implemented by one or more game consoles or other computers that are in the same room or nearby as the other devices shown.

[0031] The components shown in the following figures may include some or all of the components shown in this specification. Any user interfaces (UIs) described herein may be integrated and / or extended, and UI elements may be mixed and matched between UIs.

[0032] For example, the earbuds and charging case may implement some or all of the components shown for the CE device in FIG. 1, including those specifically shown in the figures described below.

[0033] 2 illustrates left and right earphones 200 capable of receiving a wireless signal from an audio source and converting the signal into sound that can be heard by a person wearing the earphones. In the illustrated example, the earphones 200 are shaped to fit in a person's respective ears, and thus have gently curved outer surfaces 202 configured for this purpose.

[0034] As shown, each earbud 200 includes at least one, and in the illustrated example, three, electrical contacts 204 for engaging with respective charging contacts 206 of charging case 208. The charging contacts 206 align with and contact the earbud contacts 204 to charge the battery within the respective earbud when the earbuds are placed within a charging receptacle 210 of charging case 208. The charging receptacle 210 has an outer periphery 212 that matches an outer periphery 214 of the earbuds 200 such that the earbuds 200 fit snugly within the receptacle 210 during charging, as can be understood with reference to FIG.

[0035] 3 illustrates exemplary components within the earbuds 200 and charging case 208, as well as within an audio source, such as a mobile device 300. An alternating current (AC) power source 302, such as an electrical socket, can be engaged with an AC-DC converter 306 in the charging case 208 via a cord 304. The output of the converter 308 can be used to charge one or more batteries 310 in the charging case in the illustrated exemplary non-limiting architecture. A direct current (DC) power source 312 can also be engaged with the charging case 208 to charge the battery 310, if desired. In the illustrated exemplary architecture, the charging contacts 206 are electrically connected to the battery 310 and provide DC power through the earbud contacts 204 to charge one or more batteries 314 in the earbuds 200 when the earbuds are placed in the receptacle 210 of the charging case 208. It should be understood that the charging case battery 310 may be omitted and the charging case contacts 206 may be directly connected to the DC source 312 and / or the AC-DC converter 308.

[0036] One or more batteries 314 of the earphones 200 power one or more processors 316 that access one or more disk-based or solid-state computer storage 318 within the earphones to play audio on one or more speakers 320 within the earphones 200. Audio may be received via wireless signals from an audio source, such as a mobile device 300, which may be configured as a wireless telephone, through one or more wireless interfaces 322, such as one or more transceivers, such as a Bluetooth transceiver and / or a Wi-Fi transceiver. The earphones 200 may also include one or more sensors 324 for purposes that will be disclosed shortly.

[0037] The mobile device 300 may include one or more wireless interfaces 326, such as one or more transceivers, such as a Bluetooth transceiver and / or a Wi-Fi transceiver, for communicating with the earphones 200. The mobile device 300 may also include one or more processors 328 that access one or more disk-based or solid-state computer storage 330, which may contain audio tracks. The mobile device 300 may include one or more displays 332, one or more cameras 334, and one or more audible and / or visual and / or tactile alarms 336 controlled by the processor 328.

[0038] In the illustrated example, in addition to the charging components described above, the charging case 208 may include one or more wireless interfaces 338, such as Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi transceivers controlled by one or more processors 340 that access one or more disk-based or solid-state computer storage 342. The processor 340 may also communicate with one or more sensors 344, one or more audible and / or visual and / or tactile alarms 346, one or more microphones 348, and one or more imaging devices 350, such as a still or video camera. The charging case 208 may further carry human-operable phone and computer selectors 352, 354 for increasing and decreasing the mix of audio played by the earphones 200 from the mobile device 300 and from a laptop or laptop / PC 356, respectively, which may communicate with any or all of the components shown in FIG. 3. It should be noted that while FIG. 3 shows hardware-implemented phone and computer selectors 352, 354, the selectors may also be implemented in software, for example using a touch-sensitive display. Additionally, one or more selectors may be provided on the case for gain control of the audio playback.

[0039] 4 illustrates that the charging case 208 may be advantageously employed not only to charge the earphones 200, but also to charge an audio device when connected to, for example, a laptop or PC 356 or other audio source. Note that the charging case 208 may be plugged into and receive audio from a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector on the phone 300. Additionally, note that the logic of FIG. 4 may be executed by any processor herein, including the charging case processor 346, either alone or in cooperation with other processors described herein.

[0040] Beginning at block 400, the charging case 208 may be connected via a wired or wireless path to an audio source, such as a laptop / PC 356 and / or phone 300. Block 402 indicates that Bluetooth® pairing or other near field communication pairing may be established between the earbuds 200 and the wireless charging case 208.

[0041] Proceeding to block 404, the charging case 208 can receive audio signals from a source, such as the laptop 356, as well as from the phone 300. Note that the earphone microphone signal can be sent to the laptop / PC 356 and / or the phone 300 to play the signal from the earphone microphone on the laptop / PC speaker and / or the phone speaker.

[0042] Moving to block 406, the charging case 208 can transmit audio signals to the earphones 200 via Bluetooth® or other communications link, allowing the earphones to hear audio from the laptop 356 without having to pair the earphones with the laptop via Bluetooth® and without disrupting the existing Bluetooth® connection. In one embodiment, the charging case processor 340 can act as a master in transmitting audio signals to the earphones. Alternatively, the charging case 208 and earphones 200 may all be connected to the phone 300 or charging case 208, and one of the earphones 200 may connect to the phone 300 and act as a master to feed audio to the other components for mixing.

[0043] Block 408 indicates that audio from, for example, the laptop 356 over Wi-Fi or other sources may be merged with the audio received from the mobile device 300, as desired. This mix may be performed, for example, by the earphone processor 328 or by the charging case processor 340. Moving to block 410, as the user manipulates the phone and computer selectors 352, 354 on the charging case 208 to increase and decrease the mix of audio played by the earphones 200 from the mobile device 300 and from the laptop or laptop / PC 356, respectively, the mix changes accordingly, in block 412. In block 414, audio is played on the earphones.

[0044] 5 and 6 are example screenshots of an example user interface that may be presented on any display 500 disclosed herein consistent with the present principles.

[0045] 5 shows three selectors: one for selecting to play audio on the earphones sourced from the phone (at 502), one for selecting to play audio from the laptop 356 (at 504), and a third selector 506 for selecting to play a mix of audio from the phone and laptop. When the charging case 208 is the master, the selection is sent to the charging case, which provides the selected audio to the earphones either directly from the charging case 208 to the earphones, or from the phone or laptop, which accesses the associated file and is controlled by the charging case processor 346.

[0046] Assuming the user selected a mix in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 so informs the user at 600 and advises the user at 602 to change the mix as desired by manipulating the phone and computer selectors 352, 354 on the charging case 208 to increase and decrease the mix of audio played by the earphones 200 from the mobile device 300 and from the laptop or laptop / PC 356, respectively.

[0047] Although particular embodiments have been shown and described in detail herein, it should be understood that the subject matter encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. An assembly comprising: left and right earphones configured to engage the person's ears to reproduce audio; a charging case configured to charge batteries in the left earbud and the right earbud, the charging case comprising at least one processor configured with instructions for transmitting, via at least one wireless interface, signals from a first audio source representing audio to the earbuds for playback of the audio on speakers of the earbuds.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first audio source comprises a laptop computer.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first audio source comprises a mobile phone.

4. 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the charging case is configured to mix audio from the first audio source with audio from a second audio source.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the charging case comprises at least one selector operable by a user to establish the audio mix.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the charging case is configured to be communicatively connected to the first audio source.

7. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the charging case is configured with first and second receptacles configured to closely hold the left and right earbuds, respectively.

8. 1. A method comprising: Charging a left earbud and a right earbud using at least one charging case configured with a first receptacle and a second receptacle configured to hold the left earbud and the right earbud, respectively; providing a wireless audio signal from the charging case to the earphones to play audio on the earphones.

9. 10. The method of claim 8, comprising establishing at least one wireless link between the charging case and the earbuds.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the wireless link comprises a Bluetooth link.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the wireless link comprises a Wi-Fi link.

12. The charging case receives an audio signal from a first audio source, and the method includes: mixing audio from the first audio source with audio from a second audio source to provide mixed audio; and playing the mixed audio through the earphones.

13. The method of claim 12 , comprising establishing the mixed audio based at least in part on a mix signal input by a user into the charging case.

14. A charging case, at least one contact electrically connected to a power source in the charging case and configured to engage contacts on the earbuds to charge a battery in the earbuds; at least one audio signal path within the charging case for wirelessly transmitting an audio signal to the earbuds.

15. The charging case of claim 14, wherein the audio signal path includes a Bluetooth transceiver.

16. The charging case of claim 14, wherein the audio signal path includes a communications link to a first audio source.

17. 17. The charging case of claim 16, comprising at least one selector operable by a user to establish a mix of audio from the first audio source and audio from a second audio source and to provide the mix to the earphone for playback on the earphone.

18. The charging case of claim 16, wherein the first audio source includes a laptop computer.

19. The charging case of claim 16, wherein the first audio source includes a mobile phone.

20. The charging case of claim 14 comprising the earphones.

Images