DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0087] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to portable listening devices and
cases for containing and/or charging such devices that have improved features that can improve
the user experience associated with using the case and/or the portable listening device. While the
10 present disclosure can be useful for a wide variety of portable listening devices, some
embodiments of the disclosure are particularly useful for wireless earbuds and cases for wireless
earbuds as described in more detail below.
[0088] For example, in some embodiments a pair of wireless earbuds are sized and shaped to
fit within a case that can also include a rechargeable battery and charging circuitry. The pair of
15 earbuds can be charged when an earbud detector within the case detects that the earbuds are
placed within the case. Further the case can include sensors to detect if the lid is open such that
the wireless radio within each earbud can be activated so they are ready for use by the user.
Similarly, when the lid is closed the wireless radio can be shut off so the charge in the earbud
batteries is conserved.
20 [0089] In another example the case can have a pairing button on it that is operable to place the
earbuds in a pairing mode. In a further example the case can also have one or more charge
indicator lights to inform the user of the charge level in the case battery as well as the charge
level in each earbud.
[0090] In another example the case can have a lid with an over center configuration such that
25 the lid is in a first stable position when in a closed position and is in a second stable position
when in the open position, but is in an unstable position in-between the closed position and the
open position. In some embodiments the over center configuration can be achieved by using two
pairs of magnets while in other embodiments it can be achieved with a torsion spring. In further
15
examples the case can have one or more magnets within it to attract the earbuds into cavities
formed within the case and to retain them until a user removes them.
[0091] In another example the case can be liquid-tight to prevent liquid from damaging the
internal circuitry. The electrical connections for both the earbud recharging and for recharging
5 the case can be resistant to penetration by a liquid.
[0092] In another example the earbuds can have an acoustic insert that forms one or more
acoustic ports such as a bass port vent and a rear vent that enable the internal speaker to provide
audio performance in the confined space within the earbud housing.
[0093] In another example the earbud case can be used to initiate Bluetooth® pairing of the
10 earbuds with a host device. In one embodiment a lid position sensor detects when the lid is open
and initiates pairing of the earbuds.
[0094] In order to better appreciate the features and aspects of portable listening devices and
their cases according to the present disclosure, further context for the disclosure is provided in
the following section by discussing several particular implementations for earbuds and a case for
15 earbuds according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The specific embodiments
discussed are for example purposes only and other embodiments can be employed in other
portable listening devices and cases that can be used for other portable listening devices as well
as other devices.
[0095] As used herein, the term “portable listening device” includes any portable device
20 designed to play sound that can be heard by a user. Headphones are one type of portable
listening device, portable speakers are another. The term “headphones” represents a pair of
small, portable listening devices that are designed to be worn on or around a user’s head. They
convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound that can be heard by the user. Headphones
include traditional headphones that are worn over a user’s head and include left and right
25 listening devices connected to each other by a headband, headsets (a combination of a headphone
and a microphone); and earbuds (very small headphones that are designed to be fitted directly in
a user’s ear). Traditional headphones include both over-ear headphones (sometimes referred to
as either circumaural or full-size headphones) that have earpads that fully encompass a user’s
ears, and on-ear headphones (sometimes referred to as supra-aural headphones) that have earpads
16
that press against a user’s ear instead of surrounding the ear. As used herein, the term “earbuds”,
which can also be referred to as earphones or ear-fitting headphones, includes both small
headphones that fit within a user’s outer ear facing the ear canal without being inserted into the
ear canal, and in-ear headphones, sometimes referred to as canalphones, that are inserted in the
5 ear canal itself.
EARBUD CASE
[0096] FIG. 1 depicts a simplified plan view of a case 100 for a pair of wireless earbuds
according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, case 100 includes a
housing 105, also called a body, having one or more cavities 110a, 110b configured to receive a
10 pair of earbuds 115a, 115b. In some embodiments, cavities 110a, 110b can be positioned
adjacent to each other on opposite sides of a center plane of case 100. Each cavity 110a, 110b
can be sized and shaped to match that of its respective earbud 115a, 115b. Each cavity can
include a stem section 116a, 116b and a bud section 117a, 117b. Each stem section 116a, 116b
can be an elongated generally cylindrical cavity that extends from its respective bud section
15 117a,117b towards a bottom 106 of case 100. Each bud section 117a, 117b can be offset from its
respective stem section 116a, 116b and open at an upper surface 108 of housing 105.
Embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any particular shape, configuration or number
of cavities 110a, 110b and in other embodiments cavities 110a, 110b can have different shapes to
accommodate different types of earbuds, different configurations and/or can be a single cavity or
20 more than two cavities.
[0097] Case 100 further includes a lid 120 attached to housing 105. Lid 120 is operable
between a closed position where lid 120 is aligned over one or more cavities 110a, 110b fully
enclosing pair of earbuds 115a, 115b within the housing, and an open position where the lid is
displaced from the housing and cavities 110a, 110b such that a user can remove the earbuds from
25 the cavities or replace the earbuds within the cavities. Lid 120 can be pivotably attached to
housing 105 and can include a magnetic or mechanical system (not shown in FIG. 1) that
provides lid 120 with a bi-stable operation, as described more fully below. In some
embodiments case 100 can also include a charging system 125 configured to charge pair of
earbuds 115a, 115b; one or more magnets 130 configured to orient and retain the pair of earbuds
30 within one or more cavities 110a, 110b; and other features that are further described below.
17
[0098] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of system 200 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. System 200 can include pair of earbuds 202a, 202b, a case 204 for the pair of
earbuds, and a power source 205 for charging the case. Earbuds 202a, 202b can be positioned
within case 204 (e.g., within an interior space or cavity of the case defined by a housing or an
5 insert within the housing) where they can be conveniently stored and charged. Case 204 can be
representative of case 100 and earbuds 202a, 202b can be representative of earbuds 115a, 115b
discussed above with respect to FIG. 1.
[0099] Each earbud 202a, 202b can each have one or more inputs 255, internal components
260 and one or more outputs 265. In some embodiments one or more inputs 255 can be a
10 microphone input and one or more buttons or sensors that register a user’s touch. In various
embodiments an accelerometer or a capacitive sensor can be used as an input 255 and can be
activated, for example, by a user to answer a call or command earbuds 202a, 202b to enter a
pairing mode that can be indicated by a light on either or both earbuds. In various embodiments
one or more internal components 260 can include a speaker, a microphone, a rechargeable
15 battery, a processor, and/or other circuitry and components. In various embodiments one or
more outputs 265 can be audio from a speaker, a light or other indicator. In some embodiments
the indicator light can indicate an incoming call, a battery charge level, a pairing mode or other
function.
[0100] In some embodiments each of earbuds 202a, 202b can include a wireless radio that can
20 be both an input 255 and an output 265 device. The wireless radio can enable the earbuds to
receive an audio signal from an audio player, such as a smart phone. In some embodiments one
or more of earbuds 202a, 202b include a radio that can also transmit an audio signal such as a
microphone signal from one or more of the earbuds. In yet further embodiments, one or more of
earbuds 202a, 202b can include a radio that can transmit communication signals that can
25 command the receiving device (e.g., a host device such as a smartphone) to perform one or more
functions such as, but not limited to, connect a phone call, disconnect a phone call, pause audio
playback, fast forward or rewind audio playback or mute a microphone signal. The wireless
radio can employ any short range, low power communication protocol such as Bluetooth®, low
power Bluetooth®, or Zigbee among protocols.
18
[0101] Case 204 can include a case processor 210, an earbud detector 215, radio 217, a lid
sensor 220, case charging circuitry 225, a battery 227 and earbud charging circuitry 230. Case
204 can also include an earbud interface 245 that enables circuitry within case 204 to
communicate with and/or charge earbuds 202a, 202b and power source interface 250 that
5 couples the case to wired or wireless power source 205, such as an AC or DC power source or an
inductive charging pad. In some embodiments, case charging circuitry 225, battery 227, earbud
charging circuitry 230 and interfaces 245 and 250 are all representative components of charging
system 125 shown in Fig. 1.
[0102] Power source interface 250 can be part of a receptacle connector for a micro USB
10 connector, a Lightening connector or other connector that can provide power to earbud case 204.
Alternatively, or in addition to a receptacle connector, power interface 250 can include a wireless
power receiver, such as one or more wireless power receiving coils, that can receive inductive
power from power source 205. Earbud interface 245 can transfer power and/or data between
case 204 and the earbuds via case transfer interface 270 in each earbud. Earbud interface 245
15 can include an electrical connector, such as one of the connectors described herein with respect
to FIGS. 4A-8C, a different type of electrical connector, or a wireless power transmitter, such as
a wireless power transmitting coil that can transmit inductive power to an inductive power
receiver within the earbuds.
[0103] Case processor 210 can be configured to control various functions of case 204 as
20 described in more detail below. In some embodiments, earbud detector 215 includes one or
more sensors that detect when one or both of earbuds 202a, 202b are placed within case 204. In
one embodiment earbud detector 215 can be a circuit that periodically “pings” the earbud
contacts within case 204 to determine if either earbud 202a, 202b is present. In other
embodiments earbud detector 215 can be any type of mechanical or electrical sensor, such as, but
25 not limited to, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a switch, a hall effect sensor, a flux sensor, a
capacitive sensor, a photodetector, a proximity detector, a momentary switch or any other type of
sensor.
[0104] In embodiments where earbud detector 215 is a flux sensor, the flux sensor can be
beneficial to minimizing power consumption of case 204. As an example, a flux sensor can be
30 formed in case 204 for each earbud from a coil of wire and one or more magnets within earbuds
19
202a, 202b. Each flux sensor can be configured to generate a current in the coil of wire when an
earbud is inserted or withdrawn from case 204 and the magnet within the earbud passes through
the coil of wire. In a further example, a flux sensor can function as a completely passive sensor
that requires no power to operate, and generates its own energy to notify processor 210 of the
5 removal or replacement of either earbud 202a, 202b within case 204. In some embodiments a
hall effect sensor can also be beneficial to minimize power consumption. In various
embodiments, one or more sensors can be beneficial so that a voltage bias (e.g., a ping) need not
be applied to the earbud connectors, thus mitigating contact corrosion and/or oxidation in moist
environments.
10 [0105] In one example case 204 can include separate earbud receiving cavities within the case,
such as cavities 110a, 110b described above, and earbud detector 215 can include first and
second earbud detectors – one detector for each cavity. The first earbud detector can be
operatively coupled to detect when an earbud (e.g., a left earbud) is inserted within a first of the
cavities and the second earbud detector can be operatively coupled to detect when an earbud
15 (e.g., a right earbud) is inserted within the other cavity. In other embodiments a single detector
can detect when either earbud 202a, 202b is placed within case 204.
[0106] In response to detecting the insertion of an earbud within the case, earbud detector 215
can generate a detect signal that can be sent to and processed by other circuitry within case 204
to initiate charging of the buds. When earbud detector 215 includes first and second detectors
20 that can detect the insertion of the left and right earbuds (or first and second earbuds that are
interchangeable between the left and right ears), respectively, each earbud detector can generate
a separate detect signal that can initiate charging of the detected earbud only.
[0107] Similar to initiating charging, earbud detector 215 can also be used to stop charging.
For example, earbud detector 215 can detect when either or both of the earbuds are removed
25 from the case and generate a removal signal that stops the charging of the removed earbud or
earbuds.
[0108] In some embodiments earbud detector 215 can initiate the charging process of each
earbud 202a, 202b when the earbud detector detects that electrical contact is made between the
earbuds and corresponding charging contacts within the housing (e.g., within each cavity 110a,
30 110b). More specifically, in various embodiments earbud detector 215 can periodically “ping”
20
the charging contacts to see if either or both earbuds 202a, 202b are present within each cavity
110a, 110b. Even if either or both earbuds 202a, 202b have zero battery charge they can still
have a characteristic impedance or other electrical characteristic that enables earbud detector 215
to detect that they are connected to the charging contacts and initiate charging with earbud
5 charging circuitry 230. The charging contacts and electrical connection between earbuds 202a,
202b and case 204 will be discussed in detail below. In some embodiments earbud detector 215
is part of processor 210 and the processor does the sensing. In other embodiments, earbud
detector 215 is separate active/passive components. In various embodiments, case 204 does not
include a case processor 210 and instead, circuitry comprising various active and/or passive
10 components is configured to perform the functions described herein and attributed to the
processor.
[0109] In some embodiments case processor 210 can communicate with pair of earbuds 202a,
202b by sending and receiving data through earbud interface 245 (and through case interface of
either or both earbuds) and can communicate with power source 205 by sending and receiving
15 data through power source interface 250. That is, in various embodiments earbud interface 245
and power source interface 250 can be capable of carrying both power and data signals for single
or bidirectional communication. In some embodiments separate power and data contacts can be
used while in various embodiments one set of contacts is used for both power and data. For
example, in some embodiments power source 205 can be a computing device that communicates
20 with power source interface 250 through an interface (not shown), such as a USB interconnect or
a Lightning interconnect developed by Apple Inc. The interconnect can provide DC current to
case battery 227 for charging and can provide bidirectional communication between case
processor 210 and the computing device. In another example power source 205 can transmit
firmware updates to both case processor 210 and pair of earbuds 202a, 202b through the same
25 contacts that are used to charge the devices. Data communication between earbud interface 245
and pair of earbuds 202a, 202b can use a similar communication protocol as discussed above or
any other protocol such as, for example, serial communications.
[0110] In some embodiments case 204 can include a wireless radio 217 that enables the case to
transmit and receive data communications with earbuds 202a, 202b and a host device (e.g., a
30 smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer or the like) in addition to, or instead of, relying
21
on data exchange through interfaces 245 and 250. For example, wireless radio 217 can be used
to initiate a pairing sequence between earbuds 202a, 202b and a host device. In another example
radio 217 can be used to receive a music download from a host device to be stored in case 204.
[0111] Lid sensor 220 can detect when a lid to the case (e.g., lid 120 shown in FIG. 1) is in the
5 open position and when the lid is in the closed position. In some embodiments case processor
210 is coupled to lid sensor 220 and receives signals from the lid sensor indicating when the lid
is opened and closed. More specifically, in some embodiments lid sensor 220 can generate and
send an “open” signal to processor 210 upon detecting when the lid is opened, and lid sensor 220
can generate and send a “closed” signal to processor 210 upon detecting the closure of the lid.
10 Processor 210 can be configured to communicate with pair of earbuds 202a, 202b to turn ON
their wireless radios when the lid is in the open position (e.g., in response to receiving the “open”
signal) so they are ready for use by a user and turn OFF their wireless radios when the lid is in
the closed position (e.g., in response to receiving the “closed” signal) to conserve their power. In
various embodiments lid sensor 220 can also trigger case processor 210 to enter a pairing mode
15 when the case lid is opened, as explained in more detail below. In some embodiments case
processor 210 can communicate with pair of earbuds 202a, 202b through earbud interface 245
and case interface 270 using a wired connection as discussed above, while in other embodiments
case processor 210 can communicate with earbuds 202a, 202b through interfaces 245 and 270
wirelessly in addition to, or instead of, using a wired connection. In some embodiments lid
20 sensor 220 can be any type of mechanical or electrical switch including, but not limited to, a
momentary switch, a capacitive sensor, a magnetic sensor (e.g., hall effect) or an optical sensor.
[0112] Case battery 227 provides power for the circuitry associated with case 204 and can be a
rechargeable battery that can be charged by power source 205 and enclosure charging circuitry
225 through power source interface 250. Case battery 227 is also coupled to earbud interface
25 245 and can charge pair of earbuds 202a, 202b in conjunction with earbud charging circuitry
230. In some embodiments earbud charging circuitry 230 can charge pair of earbuds 202a, 202b
anytime they are properly stored within cavities 110a, 110b even though case 204 is not coupled
to power source 205. Thus, case 204 can be capable of charging pair of earbuds 202a, 202b
while the case is, for example, in a user’s pocket as long as case battery 227 has sufficient
30 charge. In various embodiments case battery 227 can be sealed within case 204, while in some
22
embodiments the case battery can be removable for servicing and/or replacement with another
charged battery. Case processor 210 can additionally be coupled to case charging circuitry 225
that can control the charging of case battery 227 (e.g., control the voltage and current supplied to
the battery to optimize the speed of charging and the life of the battery). In some embodiments
5 case charging circuitry 225 can include a DC/DC converter, an AC/DC converter, battery voltage
level monitoring circuitry and/or safety features to properly charge case battery 227.
[0113] Similarly, in some embodiments case processor 210 can be coupled to earbud charging
circuitry 230 that can control the charging of batteries within pair of earbuds 202a, 202b (e.g.,
control the voltage and current supplied to the batteries to optimize the speed of charging and the
10 life of the batteries) through earbud interface 245. In various embodiments earbud charging
circuitry 230 can include a DC/DC converter, battery voltage level monitoring circuitry and/or
safety features to properly charge earbud batteries.
[0114] In various embodiments case 204 can include one or more charge indicators 235 that
can indicate a charge level of case battery 227 and/or the pair of earbud batteries such that a user
15 can see the indicators on an outer surface of case 100 (see FIG. 1). In some embodiments charge
indicators 235 can include three LEDs, one indicating the status for case battery 227 and one for
indicating the status of the battery in each of pair of earbuds 202a, 202b. In various
embodiments charge indicators 235 can be a first color (e.g., green) if the respective battery is
near full charge, a second color (e.g., amber) if the respective battery is less than 75 percent
20 charged and a third color (e.g., red) if there is no charge or limited charge. In some
embodiments, charge indicators 235 can include multiple LEDs for each of battery 227, earbud
115a and earbud 115b, where the number of LEDs lit indicate the strength of the battery for each
component. For example, in one particular instance three sets of three LEDs can be included on
case 204.
25 [0115] In some embodiments case 204 can also include one or more user input devices 240.
Each included input device 240 can be a button or other type of input that, in response to being
activated by or otherwise receiving input from a user, generates a signal that can be
communicated to processor 210 or other circuitry within case 204. Processor 210, or the other
circuitry, can then act upon the signal. For example, in various embodiments the wireless radios
30 used by pair of earbuds 202a, 202b can be a Bluetooth® or other radio system that requires a
23
pairing sequence to establish communication between the pair of earbuds and a wireless
transmitter in an electronic device. In such embodiments, if input device 240 is a wireless
pairing button, processor 210 can send a signal to the earbuds via earbud interface 245 to place
the wireless radios within pair of earbuds 202a, 202b into a pairing mode. More specifically, in
5 some embodiments the user can depress a pairing button located on case 204 that notifies case
processor 210 to instruct pair of earbuds 202a, 202b via interface 245 to enter a pairing mode. In
some embodiments pair of earbuds 202a, 202b can be required to be within the case (e.g., within
cavities 110a, 110b as shown in FIG. 1) while entering the pairing mode while in other
embodiments the earbuds may not need to be within case 204 and only need to be within
10 wireless communication range of the case. Further details with regard to wireless pairing will be
discussed later in the application.
[0116] Now referring to FIG. 3, a simplified cross-sectional perspective view of case 100 is
illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3, case 100 includes housing 105 having cavities 110a, 110b for
holding pair of earbuds 115a, 115b and various electronic circuitry. Case 100 further includes
15 lid 120 attached to housing 105 and operable between a closed position where lid 120 is aligned
over one or more cavities 110a, 110b fully enclosing pair of earbuds 115a, 115b within housing
and an open position where the cavities 110a, 110b are exposed such that a user can remove or
replace the earbuds within the cavities.
[0117] As discussed above, lid 120 can be pivotably attached to housing 105 with joint 305
20 enabling the lid to be operable between a closed position and an open position. In some
embodiments lid 120 can have a bi-stable position where it is stable in the closed and open
positions, but unstable between those positions such that it tends to be attracted to either the
closed or the open position. In various embodiments the bi-stable operation can be enabled by
employing a first pair of magnetic elements 310a, 310b and a second pair of magnetic elements
25 315a, 315b, as discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments a lid sensor 220 can be
disposed in housing 105 and configured to detect when lid 120 is in the closed position (e.g.,
when a detectable medium 320 is adjacent the lid sensor) and when the lid is in the open position
(e.g., when the detectable medium is not adjacent the lid sensor). In some embodiments the
detectable medium can be a magnetic material.
24
[0118] Pair of earbuds 115a, 115b can fit within cavities 110a, 110b each of which is sized and
shaped to accept one of the earbuds. In some embodiments, when each earbud is fully inserted
within its respective cavity 110a, 110b, a portion of each earbud extends out of the cavity
enabling a user to easily grab and remove the earbud from the case. Lid 120 can include a cavity
5 (or pair of cavities 360a, 360b as shown in FIG. 3) into which the portion of each earbud that
extends out of its respective cavity 110a, 110b, extents into. While not shown in FIG. 3, each
cavity 360a, 360b can be sized and shaped to match the size and shape of the portion of each
earbud the cavity surrounds to more securely store the earbuds within case 100.
[0119] Each earbud can include a speaker assembly (not shown in FIG. 3) disposed within a
10 housing of the earbud. The speaker assembly can include a driver unit aligned to emit sound
from the directional sound port. The driver unit can include an electromagnetic voice coil, a
speaker diaphragm and a driver magnet (shown in FIG. 3 as magnet 325) operatively coupled to
the voice coil to move the diaphragm in response to electrical signals and produce sound. In
addition to the driver magnet, earbuds according to some embodiments of the disclosure can
15 include an additional magnetic plate 330 that is not operatively coupled to the voice coil. Either
or both of magnet 325 and magnetic plate 330 can be attracted to at least one housing magnetic
component 130 disposed within case 100. The attraction can be strong enough to magnetically
secure first earbud 115a into first cavity 110a and second earbud 115b into second cavity 110b,
as discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments magnetic plate 330 can be made from a
20 magnetic material and in various embodiments it can be made with a metal injection molding
process. In some embodiments magnetic plate 330 is magnetized while in other embodiments it
is not magnetized but is magnetically attractable.
[0120] To increase the magnetic attraction between magnetic component 130 and magnetic
plate 330, the magnetic plate 330 in each earbud can be positioned direction adjacent to the
25 earbud housing. Additionally, the magnetic plate be contoured to match the curvature of the
housing thereby ensuring a minimum distance between the magnetic plate and the housing across
the surface are of the magnetic plate. Similarly, at least some or the housing magnetic
components 130 can be disposed as close as possible to the surface of the receiving cavity at a
location that is spaced directly apart from where the magnetic plate 330 will be when an earbud
30 is received within the cavity. In some embodiments the housing components 130 can be
25
contoured to match the curvature of the receiving area (which matches the curvature of its
respective earbud) to minimize the distance between the housing magnetic component 130 and
the magnetic plate 330.
[0121] In some embodiments housing 105 and lid 120 can be made from the same material
5 while in various embodiments they can be made from different materials. In some embodiments
both housing 105 and/or lid 120 can be made from a plastic material, stainless steel, aluminum or
any other material.
[0122] Charging system 125 can include a circuit board 335 or other electrical routing
structure, a rechargeable case battery 227, electrical interconnects 340 to pair of earbuds 115a,
10 115b, one or more electronic components, such as case processor 210, and an electrical
connector 345 for connecting to power source 205 (see FIG. 2). In some embodiments connector
345 can, for example, be a non-proprietary interface such as a USB connector or can be a
proprietary interface such as the Lightning connector developed by Apple Inc. In various
embodiments connector 345 can be liquid-tight, as discussed in more detail below. One or more
15 charge indicators 235 can be visible on an exterior surface 350 of case 100. In some
embodiments each earbud in pair of earbuds 115a, 115b can be electrically coupled to charging
system 125 by a connector 347 disposed at an end of a stem portion of each earbuds 115a, 115b,
as discussed in more detail below.
EARBUD CONNECTORS
20 [0123] FIGS. 4A-8C illustrate several examples of electrical connectors that can be used
between each individual earbud in pair of earbuds 115a, 115b and case 100 (see FIG. 3), similar
to connector 347 in FIG. 3. While each of FIGS. 4A-8C illustrate an earbud connector for a first
earbud 115a, it is to be understood that second earbud 115b can be configured identical to first
earbud 115a and thus include a similar electrical connector. Additionally, while the
25 embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4A-8C include external contacts that are disposed at the end of
a stem of the earbud, the contacts can be at different locations in other embodiments.
[0124] FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified cross-sectional views of an electrical connector 400
that can be incorporated into earbud case 100 and an electrical connector 405 at the end of a stem
portion of an earbud 115a according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Electrical connector
26
405 can be used to conduct power and/or data according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
Connector 405 can be part of an earbud interface and can include first and second earbud
contacts 410, 415, respectively. A bottom view of electrical connector 405 is illustrated in FIG.
4B. In some embodiments, earbud contacts 410, 415 can be annular and separated by an
5 insulator 420. Receptacle connector 400 can be used in a case such as case 100 illustrated above
and can have a first earbud case contact 425 and a second earbud case contact 430. First annular
contact 410 can interface with first earbud contact 425 and second annular contact 415 can
interface with second earbud contact 430. First and second annular contacts 410, 415 can be any
type of conductive material including gold, silver or palladium plated copper.
10 [0125] In some embodiments first and second earbud contacts 410, 415, respectively are power
and ground contacts. That is, either of first and second earbud contacts 410, 415, respectively
can be used for power while the other can be used for ground. As examples, in some
embodiments first contact 410 is used for power and second contact 415 is ground while in other
embodiments first contact 410 is used for ground and second contact 415 is used for power. In
15 various embodiments other connector configurations can be used that have more than two
contacts.
[0126] First and second earbud case contacts 425, 430 can be coupled to charging system 125
(see FIG. 3) with electrical interconnects 340 in case 100 to facilitate charging and
communication of each earbud 115a, 115b. In various embodiments a circular microphone
20 aperture 435 can be located in the center of second annular contact 415 of each earbud 115a,
115b to facilitate two way telephonic communication and/or noise cancellation. Microphone
aperture 435 can be covered by an aesthetic acoustic mesh to protect the microphone from debris
and damage.
[0127] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another example receptacle connector 500 that can be
25 incorporated into earbud case 100 and an electrical connector 505 at the end of a stem portion of
an earbud 115a according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Connector 500 has one annular
contact and one center contact, however, as described in more detail below. Connector 505 can
be part of an earbud interface and can include first and second earbud contacts 510, 515,
respectively. A bottom view of electrical connector 505 is illustrated in FIG. 5B. In some
30 embodiments, ring contact 510 can be ring shaped and circular contact 515 can be circular with
27
the contacts separated by an insulator 520 (e.g., insulator 520 can be an air gap). Ring contact
510 can interface with first earbud contact 525 and circular contact 515 can interface with second
earbud contact 530. In various embodiments a circular microphone aperture 535 can be located
between ring contact 510 and circular contact 515 so one or more of pair of earbuds 115a, 115b
5 can be used for two way telephonic communication.
[0128] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another example receptacle connector 600 that can be
incorporated into earbud case 100 and an electrical earbud connector 605 disposed at the end of a
stem portion of an earbud 115a according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Receptacle
connector 600 can make electrical contact with electrical earbud connector 605 as described in
10 more detail below. Earbud connector 605 can be part of an earbud interface and can include first
and second earbud contacts 610, 615, respectively. A bottom view of electrical earbud connector
605 is illustrated in FIG. 6B. As shown in FIG. 6B, contacts 610, 615 can be spaced from each
other in an oppositional and symmetrical relationship. In some embodiments, each of earbud
contacts 610 and 615 can have a partial annular shape (i.e., a partial ring) with the open portions
15 of each contact facing the other. For example, contact 610 can include ends 610a, 610b and
contact 615 can include ends 615a, 615b where end 610a is spaced apart from end 615a and end
610b is spaced apart from end 615b. While FIG. 6B illustrates each of contacts 610, 615 as half
rings, in other embodiments the contacts can include shorter length arcs and/or have different
opposing shapes altogether.
20 [0129] Earbud contacts 610, 615 can be separated from each other by an insulator 620 (e.g.,
insulator 620 can be a dielectric material as discussed in more detail below). Earbud contact 610
can interface with first earbud case contact 625 and earbud contact 615 can interface with second
earbud case contact 630. In various embodiments a circular microphone aperture 635 can be
located between earbud contacts 610 and 615 enabling pair of earbuds 115a, 115b to be used for
25 two way telephonic communication. Receptacle connector 600 can include a contact carrier 640
that retains earbud case contacts 625, 630 as described in more detail below. In some
embodiments, contact carrier 640 can make earbud receptacle cavity 645 liquid-tight.

I/We Claim:
1. A case for transporting and charging a portable listening device that
includes a rechargeable battery and a pair of listening device contacts, the case comprising:
a housing configured to receive the portable listening device;
5 case contacts configured to couple to the pair of listening device contacts
when the listening device is placed within the housing; and
charging circuitry configured to supply charging current to the rechargeable
battery.
2. The case of claim 1 further comprising a detector configured to detect
10 when the portable listening device is received within the housing.
3. The case of any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the case charges the
portable listening device when the portable listening device is received within the housing.
4. The case of any of claims 1 through 3, wherein the portable listening
device comprises a pair of earbuds, each earbud of the pair of earbuds having an ear
15 interface portion formed to fit at least partially within a user’s ear.
5. A case for a portable listening device, the case comprising:
a housing having a cavity to receive the portable listening device;
a lid attached to the housing with a pivotable joint allowing the lid to rotate
between a closed position and an open position; and
20 a magnetic over-center mechanism for the lid.
6. The case of claim 5 wherein the case and the lid are arranged in a
clamshell configuration.
7. The case of any of claims 5 and 6, wherein the magnetic over-center
mechanism includes a plurality of magnets disposed in the case and in the lid.
25 8. The case of any of claims 5 through 7, wherein the magnetic
over-center mechanism enables the lid to pivot between a first stable position when in the
closed position and a second stable position when in the open position, but is in an unstable
position in-between the closed position and the open position.
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9. A case for an electronic device having a wireless radio, the case
comprising:
a housing configured to receive the electronic device;
a lid attached to the housing and operable between a closed position and an
5 open position; and
circuitry configured to turn on the wireless radio when the lid is moved from
the closed position to the open position and to turn off the wireless radio when the lid is
moved from the open position to the closed position.
10. The case of claim 9 wherein the case further comprises a cavity
10 configured to receive the electronic device.
11. The case of claims 9 and 10, wherein the circuitry comprises a lid
sensor to detect a position of the lid.
12. The case of any of claims 9 through 11, wherein the case further
comprises an electrical connector configured to provide power to the electronic device.
15 13. A portable listening device comprising:
a housing defining a cavity; and
an acoustic insert positioned within the housing and including a front surface
at least partially defining a back volume for a driver.
14. The portable listening device of claim 13 wherein the acoustic insert
20 further comprises one or more walls that extend from a back surface to the housing to at
least partially define a multiport chamber that is coupled to the back volume.
15. The portable listening device of claims 13 and 14, further comprising
a rear vent defined by the acoustic insert and coupled to the back volume.
16. The portable listening device of any of claims 13 through 15, wherein
25 the acoustic insert is attached to an interior surface of the housing with a laser bonded
interface.
17. A case for a portable listening device that includes a wireless radio,
the case comprising:
an input device including circuitry configured to detect a user interaction with the
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case and to generate a signal in response to the detected user interaction; and
a processor coupled to the input device, the processor configured to send an
instruction to the portable listening device to initiate wireless pairing of the portable
listening device to a host electronic device in response to the generated signal.
5 18. The case of claim 17 wherein the case further comprises a cavity
configured to receive the portable listening device.
19. The case of claims 17 and 18, further comprising a lid coupled to a lid
sensor that detects a position of the lid and generates the signal in response to a position of
the lid.
10 20. The case of any of claims 17 through 19, wherein the case further
comprises an electrical connector configured to provide power to the portable listening
device.
21. A case for a portable listening device comprising:
a housing; and
15 an electrical connector configured to electrically couple to the portable
listening device.
22. The case of claim 21 wherein the case further defines a cavity
configured to receive the portable listening device.
23. The case of claims 21 and 22, wherein the electrical connector
20 includes a contact assembly configured to provide power to the portable listening device.
24. The case of any of claims 21 through 22, wherein the case further
comprises a debris recess positioned adjacent the electrical connector.
25. A portable listening device comprising:
a housing;
25 a rechargeable battery;
a speaker; and
an electrical connector coupled to the rechargeable battery.
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26. The portable listening device of claim 25 wherein the electrical
connector includes first and second external contacts.
27. The portable listening device of claims 25 and 26, wherein the
housing includes a stem portion and the electrical connector is positioned at a distal end of
5 the stem portion.
28. The portable listening device of any of claims 25 through 27, further
comprising data communication circuitry coupled to the electrical connector.
29. A system comprising:
a portable listening device comprising an ear interface portion; and
10 a case for the portable listening device comprising:
a receiving cavity sized and shaped to accept the portable listening
device; and
a plurality of housing magnetic components each having a contoured
top surface that substantially matches a portion of a shape of the ear interface
15 portion.
30. The system of claim 29 wherein the ear interface portion has a
generally convex shape.
31. The system of claims 29 and 30, wherein each of the plurality of
housing magnetic components form a portion of a concave surface having one or more
20 discontinuities.
32. The system of any of claims 29 through 31, wherein the case further
comprises a lid configured to cover the receiving cavity.
33. A case for a portable listening device, the case comprising:
a housing having one or more cavities configured to receive the portable
25 listening device and an exterior charging surface; and
a charging system including a receiving coil positioned within the housing
adjacent to the exterior charging surface, the receiving coil configured to wirelessly receive
power from a transmitting coil of an electronic device positioned outside the housing
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adjacent to the exterior charging surface.
34. The case of claim 33 wherein the case further comprising a battery
configured to receive power from the charging system.
35. The case of claims 33 and 34, further comprising a portable listening
5 device charging system configured to transmit power to the portable listening device.
36. The case of any of claims 33 through 35, wherein the case further
comprises an alignment feature that aligns the transmitting coil on a mutual axis with the
receiving coil.
37. An electrical receptacle connector comprising:
10 a housing comprising an electrically insulative polymer that extends between
a receiving face and a rear face, the housing defining a cavity that communicates with an
opening in the receiving face to receive a plug portion of a mating plug connector; and
a plurality of contacts, each contact having a tip positioned within the cavity.
38. The connector of claim 37 wherein each contact of the plurality of
15 contacts comprises an anchor portion, a beam portion that connects the tip to the anchor
portion and an electrical lead extending from the anchor portion.
39. The connector of claims 37 and 38, wherein the cavity includes slots
that align with each of the plurality of contacts.
40. The connector of any of claims 37 through 39, further comprising a
20 dielectric overmold formed over the plurality of contacts and configured to form a
liquid-tight seal to each of the plurality of contacts.
41. A portable listening device comprising:
a housing including a touch sensitive region at an exterior surface of the
housing and an interior surface opposite the exterior surface; and
25 a capacitive sensor insert positioned adjacent the interior surface.
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42. The portable listening device of claim 41 wherein the capacitive
sensor insert includes a surface having metallized circuitry formed thereon and positioned
adjacent the interior surface of the housing.
43. The portable listening device of claims 41 and 42, wherein the
5 capacitive sensor insert includes one or more acoustic apertures formed therethrough.
44. The portable listening device of any of claims 41 through 43, wherein
the housing defines a cavity and the capacitive sensor insert is positioned within the cavity.
45. A case for a portable listening device, the case comprising:
a housing having a cavity to receive the portable listening device;
10 a lid attached to the housing with a pivotable joint allowing the lid to rotate
between a closed position where the lid is aligned over the cavity and an open position
where the lid is angularly displaced; and
an over-center mechanism coupled to the lid.
46. The case of claim 45 wherein the over-center mechanism resists the
15 lid rotating from the open position and from the closed position.
47. The case of claims 45 and 46, wherein the over-center mechanism
includes an extension attached to the lid wherein the extension is in contact with an arm that
resists the lid rotating from the open position to the closed position until the lid is moved
past an over-center position.
20 48. The case of any of claims 45 through 47, wherein the over-center
mechanism includes an extension attached to the lid wherein the extension is in contact with
an arm that resists the lid rotating from the closed position to the open position until the lid
is moved past an over-center position.
49. A case for an electronic device, the case comprising:
25 a housing configured to receive the electronic device.
50. A portable electronic listening device comprising:
a wireless radio;
a rechargeable battery coupled to supply power to the wireless radio; and
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a speaker coupled to the wireless radio.