Wireless Earphone Proximity Alarm

Abstract

A motion sensor 324, such as an accelerometer, may be provided on the wireless earphones 200 and / or a charging case 208 for the earphones. The wireless earphones may be placed 402 on a table or floor, and an alarm may be remotely triggered 408 if the accelerometer detects nearby steps or disturbances. This may be useful for physical security in a hotel room or dining room, and may also generate an alert when the owner's attention is drawn to the XR or focused on a computer game.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application relates generally to wireless earphone proximity alarms. [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 will be further understood herein, the wireless earphones may find dual use as proximity alarms, for example, in restaurants, cafeterias, and other venues where the wearer may decide to use the facilities and temporarily set the earphones aside near a laptop or other higher value component.

[0004] A motion sensor, such as an accelerometer, may be provided in the wireless earphones and / or in a charging case for the earphones. The wireless earphones may be placed on a table or floor, and an alarm may be remotely triggered if the accelerometer detects nearby steps or disturbances. This may be useful for physical security in a hotel room or dining room, and may also generate an alert when the owner's attention is drawn to the XR or is focused on a computer game.

[0005] The assembly thus includes a left earbud and a right earbud configured to engage a person's ears to play audio. A charging case is configured to charge batteries in the left earbud and the right earbud. At least one motion sensor is supported by at least one of the earbuds or the charging case, and the at least one processor is programmed with instructions to receive at least one signal indicative of movement from the motion sensor and activate at least one alarm based at least in part on the signal.

[0006] In some examples, the motion sensor is supported by at least one of the earbuds. In other examples, the motion sensor is supported by the charging case. In yet other examples, the motion sensor is a first motion sensor supported by at least one of the earbuds and the assembly includes a second motion sensor supported by the charging case.

[0007] In some implementations, the alarm is activated on a device that is in near field communication with the earbuds or the charging case. If desired, the alarm can be activated on a device that is not in near field communication with the earbuds or the charging case.

[0008] An exemplary embodiment includes executable instructions to activate at least one alarm in response to the alarm function being enabled and to not activate the alarm otherwise based at least in part on the signal.

[0009] In some examples, the instructions may be executable to, in response to a Bluetooth signal strength between at least one earbud with a motion sensor or a charging case with a motion sensor and at least one device having a first strength, send a signal to the device via Bluetooth and activate an alarm on the device in response to the signal indicating motion. In such examples, the device may be a first device, and the instructions may be executable to, in response to the Bluetooth signal strength having a second strength less than the first strength, switch Bluetooth pairing to a second device, send a signal to the second device via Bluetooth and activate an alarm on the second device in response to the signal indicating motion, and send a signal to the first device via a wireless link other than Bluetooth and activate the alarm.

[0010] In another aspect, the method includes charging the left and right earbuds using at least one charging case configured with first and second receptacles configured to hold the left and right earbuds, respectively. The method further includes providing a motion signal using at least one of the left or right earbuds or the charging case to generate an alarm.

[0011] In another aspect, an apparatus includes at least one earbud configured to be positioned within a person's ear to provide audio to the ear. The apparatus also includes at least one charging case configured to charge at least one battery within the earbud, and at least one motion sensor coupled to the earbud or the charging case to generate a signal indicative of motion. Additionally, the apparatus includes at least one Bluetooth transceiver configured to transmit a motion signal to a device for activating an alarm based on the signal indicative of motion.

[0012] 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]

[0013] [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] 14 illustrates example logic in example flow chart form consistent with the present principles for enabling an alarm function for an earbud or its charging case. [Diagram 5] 13 illustrates exemplary logic in the form of an exemplary flow chart consistent with the present principles for pairing swap during alarm enablement. [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. [Figure 7] 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

[0014] 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 Microsoft, or Nintendo or other manufacturer gaming consoles, virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) headsets, portable televisions (e.g., smart televisions, Internet-enabled televisions), portable computers, such as laptops and tablet computers, other mobile devices, including smartphones, as well as additional examples described 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.

[0015] Servers and / or gateways may be used that may include one or more processors that execute instructions that configure the server to receive and transmit data over a network such as the Internet. Alternatively, the clients and servers may be connected via a local intranet or a virtual private network. The servers or controllers may be exemplified by game consoles such as the Sony PlayStation®, personal computers, and the like.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] "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.

[0020] 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).

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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 motion sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers for determining the position and orientation of AVD 12 in three dimensions, or by event-based sensors.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 above, 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 IR 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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, such as a motion sensor, for purposes that will be disclosed shortly.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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, such as a motion sensor, 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.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates logic that may be executed by any of the processors herein, either alone or in conjunction with other processors.

[0041] At block 400, a motion signal may be received from one or both of the motion sensors in the earphones 200 and charging case 208. Decision diamond 402 indicates that if the motion signal indicates that the respective component is on a surface, such as by registering no movement for a threshold period of time, the logic may move to block 404 to enable a motion alarm function. For example, the processor 316 of the earphones 200 may determine whether to enable a motion alarm function on the earphones based on a signal from the motion sensors 324 of the earphones. Alternatively, the motion signal from the motion sensors 324 of the earphones 200 may be transmitted via Bluetooth to the phone 300, whose processor 328 may make a decision at decision diamond 402 and enable the alarm function at block 404.

[0042] As another example, the processor 340 of the charging case 208 can determine whether to enable a motion alarm function on the earbuds based on a signal from the motion sensor 344 of the charging case 208. Or, a motion signal from the motion sensor 344 of the charging case 208 can be transmitted via Bluetooth to the phone 300, whose processor 328 can make a decision at decision diamond 402 to enable the alarm function at block 404.

[0043] When the motion alarm feature is enabled, decision diamond 406 indicates that movement of the associated component(s) (earbuds, charging case) is monitored, and if a signal indicates movement that meets a threshold, such as a signal generated when the component is moved or vibrated by nearby movement on or near the surface on which it is placed, an alarm is activated in block 408.

[0044] In one example, the processor 316 of the earphones 200 monitors for motion signals from the motion sensors 324 of the earphones and, when motion is detected, sends a signal over Bluetooth to the phone 300 to activate an alarm 336 of the phone 300. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 316 of the earphones 200 monitors for motion signals from the motion sensors 324 of the earphones and, when motion is detected, sends a signal over Wi-Fi to the laptop 356 to activate an audible or visual or tactile alarm on the laptop. Furthermore, upon detecting motion, the processor 316 of the earphones 200 can first send an alarm signal over Bluetooth to the phone 300, then automatically exchange Bluetooth pairing with the laptop with which the earphones may be pre-registered to pair, and send the alarm signal to the laptop.

[0045] In other examples, a motion signal is sent from the earphones 200 and / or charging case 208 to the phone 300 and / or laptop 356, and a processor of the device(s) receiving the signal performs a motion decision at decision diamond 406.

[0046] 5 illustrates an optional feature in which, when the motion alarm feature is enabled, the Bluetooth® signal strength or other indication of a communication link presence is monitored in block 500. For example, when the alarm feature of the earphones 200 is enabled and the earphones are paired with the phone 300, the processor 328 of the phone 300 monitors the signal strength from the earphones 200. Alternatively, the processor 316 of the earphones 200 can monitor the signal strength in the Bluetooth® link from the phone 300. Note that the same logic can be applied when the earphones or charging case are paired with a laptop 356, in which case the signal strength of the link between the earphones / charging case and the laptop is monitored.

[0047] Yet again, when the alarm function of the charging case 208 is enabled and the charging case is paired with the phone 300, the processor 328 of the phone 300 monitors the signal strength from the charging case 208. Alternatively, the processor 340 of the charging case 208 can monitor the signal strength in the Bluetooth link from the phone 300.

[0048] Decision diamond 502 indicates that if the Bluetooth® signal strength falls below a threshold, the logic may move to block 504 to automatically switch the Bluetooth® pairing of earbuds 200 (and / or charging case 208) from phone 300 to laptop 356. It should be appreciated that if the initial pairing was with the laptop, then in block 504 the Bluetooth® pairing is switched from the laptop to the phone. Any subsequent motion alarm signals are sent in block 506 to the component pairing that was switched in block 504.

[0049] Further, in block 508, the device that received the motion alarm signal in block 506 may transmit the alarm signal to the device whose pairing was switched in block 504, for example, via Wi-Fi or other link (such as a wireless telephone link).

[0050] It can now be appreciated that a person working on laptop 356 while enjoying music on earphones 200 from phone 300 in a restaurant or other location may visit the establishment temporarily removing the earphones, placing them next to the laptop and with the phone in their pocket. If the laptop or earphones / charging case are moved in the owner's absence, the owner will receive a notification by an alarm on the phone 300 through the original Bluetooth® link with the earphones / charging case, or if that link becomes weak, through Wi-Fi or other means from the laptop according to FIG.

[0051] 6 and 7 show a user interface (UI) that may be presented on any display 600 disclosed herein, such as the display 332 of the phone 300 or the display of the laptop 356. A prompt 602 may be presented to the user as to whether to enable the motion alarm feature described above. The user may choose not to enable the feature (equivalently, to turn the feature off when the user decides to place the earbuds back on their ears to hear the audio). The user may also choose to enable the alarm feature at 604, in which case a prompt may be presented to place the earbuds (or charging case) on a surface, as shown.

[0052] 7 shows at 700 a non-limiting example of a visual alarm that motion has occurred while in alarm function mode. An advisory 702 may be presented specifying that the earbuds or charging case or laptop may be in motion. Additionally or alternatively, other visual alarms, such as flashing light devices on the phone 300 and / or laptop 356 may be activated in response to motion signals from the earbuds and / or charging case. Furthermore, audible alarms may be emitted from any of the devices herein, as well as haptic-based tactile alarms.

[0053] Note that when both the charging case 208 and the earbuds 200 are equipped with motion sensors for this purpose, in one implementation a motion signal from only one is required to trigger an alarm, whereas in other implementations a motion signal must be received from both the earbuds and the charging case to trigger an alarm, to reduce the chance of false alarms.

[0054] 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; at least one motion sensor supported by at least one of the earbuds or the charging case; receiving at least one signal indicative of movement from the motion sensor; at least one processor programmed with instructions for activating at least one alarm based at least in part on the signal.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the motion sensor is carried by at least one of the earbuds.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the motion sensor is supported by the charging case.

4. 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is a first motion sensor carried by at least one of the earbuds, and the assembly comprises a second motion sensor carried by the charging case.

5. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the alarm is activated on a device in near field communication with the earbuds or the charging case.

6. 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the alarm is activated on a device that is not in near field communication with the earbuds or the charging case.

7. The instruction:

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is executable, based at least in part on the signal, to activate the at least one alarm in response to an alarm function being enabled, and not to activate the alarm otherwise.

8. The instruction:

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is executable to: in response to a Bluetooth signal strength between the at least one earbud with the motion sensor or a charging case with the motion sensor and at least one device having a first strength, send a signal via Bluetooth to the device, and in response to the signal indicating motion, activate the alarm on the device.

9. The device is a first device, and the instructions include:

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the assembly is executable to: in response to the Bluetooth signal strength having a second strength less than the first strength: switch Bluetooth pairing to a second device; send a signal to the second device via Bluetooth; and in response to the signal indicating motion, activate an alarm on the second device; and send a signal to the first device via a wireless link other than Bluetooth to activate an alarm.

10. 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.

11. 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 motion signal using at least one of the left earbud or the right earbud or a charging case to generate an alarm.

12. The method of claim 11 , comprising providing a motion signal using at least one of the left earphone or the right earphone.

13. The method of claim 11 , comprising providing a motion signal using the charging case.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, comprising transmitting the motion signal from at least one of the earbuds or the charging case to a device via near field communication.

15. 12. The method of claim 11, comprising transmitting the motion signal from at least one of the earbuds or the charging case to a device via a link other than near field communication.

16. 12. The method of claim 11, comprising activating the at least one alarm in response to an alarm function being enabled based at least in part on the signal, and not activating the alarm otherwise.

17. 12. The method of claim 11, comprising: in response to a Bluetooth signal strength between at least one of the earbuds or a charging case having a first strength, sending a signal to a device via Bluetooth, and activating the alarm on the device in response to a motion signal.

18. The device is a first device, and the method includes:

18. The method of claim 17, comprising: switching Bluetooth pairing to a second device in response to the Bluetooth signal strength having a second strength less than the first strength; sending a signal to the second device via Bluetooth to activate an alarm on the second device in response to the motion signal; and sending a signal to the first device via a wireless link other than Bluetooth to activate an alarm.

19. An apparatus comprising: at least one earphone configured to be positioned at a person's ear to provide audio to said ear; at least one charging case configured to charge at least one battery in the earbud; at least one motion sensor coupled to the earbuds or charging case for generating a signal indicative of movement; and at least one Bluetooth transceiver configured to transmit a motion signal to a device for activating an alarm based on the signal indicative of movement.

20. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, comprising the device, the device configured to activate the alarm in response to receiving the motion signal.

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