TWI597988B - Wired headset with integrated switch - Google Patents

Description

Wired earphone with integrated switch

The invention may relate to earphones, and more particularly to wired earphones including integral switches.

The present invention claims the application "SINGLE USER INPUT MECHANISM FOR" for the purpose of controlling the operation of electronic devices, as applied for in US Provisional Application No. 60/879,155, filed on Jan. 6, 2007, and on June 22, 2007. The right of each of the applications is incorporated by reference. In this article.

Electrical switches for controlling the function of electronic devices are well known. For example, some known media and communication devices include switches for activating a particular function of the device (eg, on/off, play, pause, select, or volume). To provide control of functionality at a location remote from the media or communication device, switches have been developed that are electrically connected to and incorporated into the wires attached to the device (eg, switches that plug into wired jacks in the jacks of the audio device) . For example, the headset can include a wheel switch for controlling the volume of music provided by an electronic device (eg, a portable music player). As another example, the headset can include a number of buttons (eg, play, next, previous, fast forward, and rewind buttons) for controlling playback of music.

The disadvantages of such switches that have been implemented in headphone cords are that they tend to be bulky and have limited control functions.

A switch is provided that can be incorporated into a line, has a small and non-obtrusive shape, and can control one or more functions of the device coupled to the line. A switch that is easy to use without the user having to look at the switch is also provided.

A wired peripheral assembly having an integral switch assembly is provided. The integral switch assembly can include a switch that is hidden by the housing. The switch can be activated when the user applies pressure to the outer casing. The outer casing may include a flexible outer casing that engages a switch contained in the outer casing when depressed. When engaged, the switch can be moved or "bited" within the housing to the switch activation position. When the outer casing is no longer squeezed, the switch can be returned to the standby position within the outer casing because the flexible outer casing can no longer be pressed so that it no longer engages the switch.

Incorporating the switch into the switch housing advantageously eliminates the need to provide a discrete switching component that is visible (e.g., protruding from the housing), thus providing a more aesthetically pleasing housing with a switching function. Moreover, starting a switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may be relatively easier than activating a peripheral assembly (e.g., an earphone) having discrete switching components, as it may not be necessary to discern where the switch is located to activate the switch. The user can simply activate the switch by squeezing the outer casing of the integral switch assembly.

The integral switch assembly can be placed anywhere along the core assembly, which can physically and electrically interconnect one or more peripheral assemblies to a plug or port that can communicate with the electronic device. The switch assembly can be used to control any suitable function of any suitable electronic device and/or any suitable peripheral assembly thereof. The electronic device can be in the form of a variety of suitable electronic devices including, but not limited to, a computer, a media system, a portable media device (eg, a portable music player such as an iPod available from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, California) ^TM ), cellular telephone, personal media device that can include telephony and digital music player capabilities, or a combination thereof. The one or more peripheral assemblies may each be in the form of a variety of suitable peripheral assemblies including, but not limited to, an acoustic assembly or transducer (eg, a speaker, earbud, or microphone), a visual assembly (eg, a camera) , video recorder, etc.) or a combination thereof. Functions that can be controlled using the switch assembly can be any of a variety of suitable functions including, but not limited to, microphone or speaker mute, volume control, media playback functions (eg, next, previous, pause, Play), dial, hang-up, or a combination thereof.

In certain earphone embodiments, for example, having a single peripheral assembly (eg, a monaural headset with a single speaker or earbuds), the integral switch assembly can be placed relatively close to the single along the core assembly The location of the surrounding assembly. In certain other earphone embodiments having two or more peripheral assemblies (eg, stereo headphones with left and right speakers or earbuds), the integral switch assembly can be generally associated with a perimeter assembly or another A perimeter assembly is associated and placed along the core assembly at a location relatively close to one or the other perimeter assembly. For example, when the peripheral assembly is placed in its intended position (eg, placed in one or both ears of the user or near one or both ears), the integral switch assembly can be along the core assembly The placement allows the user to position the switch housing relatively easily (rather than having the user groping around to find a switch that is positioned away from the perimeter assembly).

Moreover, in some earphone embodiments, for example, the switch assembly can include a microphone incorporated therein. When the peripheral assembly of the earphone is placed in its intended position (for example, placed in one or both ears of the user or in the vicinity of one or both ears), the integrated switch assembly and its microphone can be along the core The assembly is positioned relatively close to the appropriate acoustic signal source (eg, the user's vocal cord).

In some embodiments, the microphone can be included in the switch housing of the switch assembly and hidden. The housing cover may include a through hole for enabling an acoustic signal to be received by the microphone. The microphone can include two leads that are electrically coupled and physically coupled to a circuit board (eg, a printed wiring board). The circuit board can be electrically coupled and physically coupled to a line (eg, a MIC line and a ground line) that can extend along the core assembly to a plug connected thereto. The circuit board can act as a bridge that electrically couples the leads from the microphone to the line that extends along the core assembly to the plug. The board can electrically interact with the switch when the switch is pressed and placed in the switch enable position. For example, when the switch is activated, the switch can short-circuit the two microphone leads by applying a conductive component to the board, thereby activating or deactivating the microphone.

The integral switch assembly can include a core assembly fastener or flange that securely secures the switch assembly to the core assembly. For example, the first fastener can fasten the plug portion of the core wire assembly and the second fastener can secure the peripheral portion of the core wire assembly. The wires of the core assembly (eg, the positive and ground wires) can be routed through the switch assembly without disturbing the switch, and in some embodiments, do not interfere with the microphone. Additionally, the fastener can be located within the switch housing, thereby making the core assembly appear to be integral with the switch housing. This provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance and also allows the switch assembly to appear as a relatively indistinguishable and seamless extension of the core assembly.

The above and other features, the nature and the advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the aspects of the appended claims.

Switches are provided that can be incorporated into the wire to have a small and non-obtrusive shape and that can control one or more functions of the device coupled to the wire, which switches are described below with reference to Figures 1-10.

FIG. 1 shows a partial exploded view of a wired perimeter assembly system 100. System 100 can be a wired stereo headset having an integrated switch assembly and two peripheral acoustic assemblies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The headset system 100 can include a core assembly 110, an integral switch assembly 120, and a left acoustic assembly 140 and a right acoustic assembly 160. 10 shows a partial exploded view of a wired monaural headset 1000 with an integrated switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The headset 1000 can include substantially all of the same components as the stereo headset 100, with the exception that there is only one sound assembly instead of two. Thus, because there are repetitions in the same components between the earphones 100 and 1000, the following detailed discussion of the components of the earphone 100, such as one of the core assembly, the switch assembly, and the sound assembly, is equally applicable to the headset. These similar components of 1000.

The core assembly 110 can include a plug 112 and one or more wires (not shown) that can electrically couple the plug 112 to the integral switch assembly 120 and the left and right acoustic assemblies 140 and 160. The lines may be enclosed within a shield (shown as elements 114, 116, 118, and 119) that protects the lines from foreign matter such as water and dust. For example, the shroud 114 can include all of the wires that are electrically coupled to the plug 112, while the shroud 116 can include only the wires for the right acoustic assembly 160, and the shrouds 118 and 119 can only include the switch assembly. 120 and the line of the left sound assembly 140. The shroud interconnect 115 can interconnect the shrouds 114, 116, and 118, while the switch assembly 120 can interconnect the shrouds 118 and 119.

The acoustic assemblies 140 and 160 can be speakers that produce an acoustic signal in response to signals transmitted via the core assembly 110. The acoustic assemblies 140 and 160 can be earplugs as shown, or can be other in-ear, over-ear or over-the-ear speaker assemblies. The acoustic assembly 160, shown in an exploded view, can include a jacket 162, a housing 163, a pressure sensitive adhesive 164, a damper 165, and a driver unit 166. Pressure sensitive adhesive 164, damper 165, and driver unit 166 can be secured to housing 163, and line 169 from shroud 116 can be coupled to driver unit 166. The sheath 162 can also be coupled to the outer casing 163.

Switch assembly 120 can be integrated anywhere along core assembly 110. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, switch assembly 120 can be integrated with the wire and the shroud associated with one of the acoustic assemblies. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the switch assembly 120 can appear to be incorporated into the shroud 118 that exists between the left acoustic assembly 140 and the interconnector 115. In other embodiments (not shown), the switch assembly 120 can be generally associated with the right acoustic assembly 160 and incorporated into the shroud 116, or the switch assembly 120 can be generally associated with the plug 112 and incorporated In the shield 114.

The actual position of the switch assembly 120 can be placed at a predetermined distance from the sound assembly 140 to provide a relatively easy access to the switch assembly 120 by the user when the assembly 140 is in the user's ear. For example, when the headset 100 is in use, the switch located near the sound assembly can be more easily accessed than the switch located near the plug 112. Moreover, in embodiments where the switch assembly 120 includes a microphone such as the microphone 132, the switch assembly 120 can be positioned away from the sound assembly (eg, assembly 140) at a predetermined distance to maximize voice to the user. receive.

As shown in the exploded views of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, for example, the switch assembly 120 can be integrated into a shroud 118 that exists between the left acoustic assembly 140 and the interconnector 115. Switch assembly 120 can be constructed such that each assembly component (eg, latch 124, insulator 126, switch 128, circuit board assembly 130, and microphone 132) can be substantially packaged within housing core 134. The outer casing core 134 can protect the components from damage and can hold the components securely therein.

As shown, the integral switch assembly 120 can also include a top outer casing cover 122 and a bottom outer casing cover 136 that can substantially enclose the outer casing core 134 and the components 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. An illustration of an assembled switch assembly 120 can be seen, for example, in Figures 5-8, which shows a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, a cross-sectional perspective view, and a level of an assembled switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Cross-sectional view. As shown, for example, the top cover 122 can have one or more protrusions 121 that can be tightly engaged in the buckle 124 and the recess in the core 134, while the bottom cover 136 can have a Or a plurality of protrusions 135 that can be tightly engaged in the recesses in the core 134 to enclose other components of the assembly 120 between the covers 122 and 136. The top outer casing cover 122 and the bottom outer casing cover 136 can conceal the components contained within the switch assembly 120, thereby providing a switch (eg, switch 128 of FIGS. 1-3) to be hidden from the body switch assembly.

In some embodiments, the microphone 132 can be included within the housing of the switch assembly 120 and can be hidden as the switch 128. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-8, for example, the outer casing cover 136 can include a through hole 137 for enabling an acoustic signal to be received by the microphone 132. The microphone can include two leads (see, for example, leads 131 and 133) that can be electrically coupled and physically coupled to circuit board 130 (eg, a printed wiring board). The circuit board 130 can be electrically coupled and physically coupled to a line (eg, MIC line 131A and ground line 133A) that can extend along the core assembly 110 toward the plug 112 that is coupled to the core assembly 110. Accordingly, the circuit board 130 can serve to electrically couple the leads 131 and 133 from the microphone 132 to the shroud interconnect 115 from the assembly 120 along the core assembly 110 within the shroud 118 (and, ultimately, toward the plug) 112) The bridges of the extended lines 131A and 133A.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the circuit board 130 can be configured to electrically interact with the switch 128 when the switch is depressed and placed in the switch activation position. For example, when the switch 128 is activated, the switch can cause two microphone leads (eg, leads 131 and 133) by applying one or more conductive components to one or more of the contacts 129 in the circuit board 130. ) Short circuit. Thus, in some embodiments, the switch 128 of the assembly 120 can activate or deactivate the start microphone 132. Alternatively, switch 128 can change another function of microphone 132 (e.g., change the sensitivity of the microphone). It should be understood that two or more switches 128 may be provided to interact with the circuit board 130 such that a user may use multiple switches to jointly switch various functions of the microphone 132.

One advantage of the switch assembly 120 is that the user can squeeze the total cost to perform a switch activation event (this event can be performed when the switch 128 is pressed). That is, it may not be necessary to provide discrete switches protruding from, for example, the housing to enable the user to perform a switch activation event. Thus, incorporating switch 128 into housing covers 122 and 136 provides an easy to use and aesthetically pleasing switch assembly.

For example, in some embodiments, the switch 128 of the integral switch assembly 120 can be activated when the housing is squeezed. For example, the top outer casing cover 122 can be a flexible outer casing that, when depressed, can engage a switch 128 (in some embodiments, engaged via the buckle 124) contained within the outer casing core 134. When engaged, the switch 128 can move or "bite" within the assembly 120 to the switch activation position. When the outer casing of the assembly 120 is no longer squeezed, the switch 128 (and (in some embodiments) the latch 124) can be returned to the standby position within the assembly 120 because the flexibility can no longer be depressed The top outer casing 122, and thus the switch 128, may no longer be engaged. Thus, the housing of the assembly 120 can conceal the switch 128 from the user's line of sight, thereby providing the electronic device with a small and aesthetically pleasing switch assembly having an unobtrusive appearance.

In certain embodiments, the integral switch assembly 120 can include a core assembly fastener or flange 170 that securely secures the switch assembly to the core assembly. For example, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 7-9, the first fastener 170A can secure the shield 118 to the assembly 120, and the second fastener 170B can secure the shield 119 to the total Into 120. Additionally, the fastener 170 can be located within the outer casing of the switch assembly 120, thereby making the core assembly 110 appear to be integral with the switch housing. This can provide an aesthetic appearance and can also make the switch assembly 120 look like a relatively indistinguishable and seamless extension of the core assembly 110.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 7-9, certain lines of the core assembly 110 (eg, the positive line 141 and the ground line 143) may be pulled from the left sound assembly 140 and the shield 119 via the buckle. The pieces 170A and 170B pass through the switch assembly 120 and enter the shroud 118 toward the shroud interconnect 115 and the plug 112 without interfering with the switch 128 or any other components of the assembly 120. However, in other embodiments, one or more wires (eg, wires 141 and 143) that are directed from the plug 112 toward the left acoustic assembly 140 can be electrically coupled and physically coupled to the circuit board 130 such that when the switch is activated At 128 hours, the switch can change the function of the left sound assembly 140. In yet another embodiment, the switch 128 of the assembly 120 can be coupled to the other by shorting other leads that extend from the circuit board 130 toward the plug 112 (the leads are independent of the microphone 132 and the left acoustic assembly 140). Another function of the device of plug 112.

FIG. 1A is an illustrative simplified schematic of a headset system 100 having a switch assembly 120 configured such that the switch 128 can change the functionality of the microphone 132. The system 100 may be by any suitable embodiment of an electronic device, such as an audio and / or video devices (e.g., portable music players, such as may be available from the Cupertino, California, the Apple Computer, Inc. iPod ^TM), a communication device ( For example, a cellular phone), a personal media device that can include telephony and digital music player capabilities, or any other electronic device that can operate with the switch. System 100 will now be described in the context of a circuit coupled to a cellular telephone, but it should be understood that this situation is merely illustrative and that system 100 can be coupled to any other suitable device.

As shown in FIG. 1A, for example, and as described above, system 100 can include a plug 112, a left sound assembly 140, a right sound assembly 160, and a microphone 132 that can be activated by a switch 128 of the switch assembly 120. The plug 112 that can be inserted into a cellular phone (not shown) includes four sections: a left path section L, a right path section R, a microphone section MIC, and a ground section GND. The line can connect the right sound assembly 160 to the right passage section R and the ground section GND. Lines (eg, lines 141 and 143) may connect left acoustic assembly 140 to left path section L and ground section GND. Lines (eg, lines 131A and 133A) may connect microphone 132 to microphone section MIC and ground section GND via switch 128. In some embodiments, the switch 128 can be coupled to each of the wires that connect the microphone 132 to the plug 112 (not shown).

The cellular telephone coupled to circuit 100 can respond to signals provided by switch 128 in any suitable manner. For example, when the switch 128 is in the closed switch position, the software implemented on the cellular phone can detect the presence of a signal provided via the microphone section MIC of the plug 112. The software can process the signal and determine that the microphone 132 has been activated. Next, the cellular phone can transmit the sound (eg, voice) picked up by the microphone 132 to another cellular phone via a cellular connection. As another example, when the switch 128 is in the open switch position, the software implemented on the cellular telephone can determine that no signal is received in the microphone section MIC and disconnect the microphone function of the cellular telephone. That in US patent application Ser. No. (Attorney Docket number 104677-0040) section of commonly assigned application for cellular phones can discover how to make it respond to the more detailed description of the start switch, the full text of the application of reference and the Into this article.

Although earphones having an integral switch have been described, it is to be understood that many changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it should be understood that although the switch assembly 120 has been described as being integrated into a wired headset 100 that includes one or more acoustic assemblies, the switch assembly 120 of the present invention can be integrated into any number of various types of perimeters Any suitable wired peripheral assembly system of assemblies (such as cameras). It will also be understood that various orientations and orientations such as "top" and "bottom" are used herein for convenience only, and the use of such terms does not imply a fixed or absolute orientation or orientation limitation. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than the embodiments of the described embodiments. .

100. . . Wired Peripheral Assembly System / Headset System / Stereo Headphones

110. . . Core assembly

112. . . plug

114. . . Shield

115. . . Shield interconnector/shield interconnect

116. . . Shield

118. . . Shield

119. . . Shield

120. . . One-piece switch assembly

121. . . Protrusion

122. . . Top housing cover

124. . . Lock

126. . . Insulator

128. . . switch

129. . . Contact

130. . . Circuit board assembly

131. . . lead

131A. . . MIC line

132. . . microphone

133. . . lead

133A. . . Ground wire

134. . . Shell core

135. . . Protrusion

136. . . Bottom housing cover

137. . . Through hole

140. . . Left sound assembly

141. . . Positive line

143. . . Ground wire

160. . . Right sound assembly

162. . . jacket

163. . . shell

164. . . Pressure sensitive adhesive

165. . . Damper

166. . . Drive unit

169. . . line

170A. . . First fastener

170B. . . Second fastener

1000. . . Wired monaural headphones

GND. . . Grounding section

L. . . Left path section

MIC. . . Microphone section

R. . . Right passage section

1 shows a partial exploded view of a wire assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

1A is an illustrative simplified schematic view of the assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 1A in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the assembly of Figures 1-2, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

4 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of FIGS. 1-3, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of Figures 1-4, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of Figures 1-5, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly of Figures 1-6, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly of Figures 1-7, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly of Figures 1-8, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a partial exploded view of a wire assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

100. . . Wired Peripheral Assembly System / Headset System / Stereo Headphones

110. . . Core assembly

112. . . plug

114. . . Shield

115. . . Shield interconnector/shield interconnect

116. . . Shield

118. . . Shield

119. . . Shield

120. . . One-piece switch assembly

122. . . Top housing cover

124. . . Lock

126. . . Insulator

128. . . switch

130. . . Circuit board assembly

132. . . microphone

134. . . Shell core

136. . . Bottom housing cover

140. . . Left sound assembly

160. . . Right sound assembly

162. . . jacket

163. . . shell

164. . . Pressure sensitive adhesive

165. . . Damper

166. . . Drive unit

169. . . line

Claims (16)

A wired earphone comprising an integrated switch housing, the earphone comprising: a housing core including a switch holding area, the core having a first end region and a second end region; and the first end region and the first a switch in the switch holding area between the two end regions; a microphone disposed in the core of the casing; and a top cover and a bottom cover coupled to the top cover to hide the outer casing core, the a microphone and the switch, wherein: the switch is activated in response to providing a force to at least one of the top cover and the bottom cover, the top cover and the bottom cover including one opening for the microphone, and the The switch and the microphone are located between the top cover and the bottom cover. The wired headset of claim 1, wherein the top cover and the bottom cover do not have indicia or protruding features. The wired headset of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board disposed in the housing core between the top cover and the bottom cover. The wired headset of claim 1, further comprising a core assembly and a plug extending from the core assembly. A wired headset as claimed in claim 4, wherein the switch is configured to control a function of the electronic device when the plug is inserted into an electronic device. The wired headset of claim 5, wherein the function comprises at least one volume control and one media playback. The wired headset of claim 1, wherein the top cover and the bottom cover are separated from the core assembly. The wired headset of claim 1, wherein the top cover and the bottom cover are combined to hide the switch. The wired headset of claim 1 further comprising an electrical contact, wherein when the force is provided to the top cover, the top cover moves to activate the switch to electrically couple the switch to the electrical contact. A wired earphone comprising: a core assembly comprising a plug at a first end and an acoustic assembly at a second end opposite the first end; and a core assembly One central portion is integrated into an integrated switch housing, the switch housing includes a switch completely covered by a top cover and a bottom cover, the switch is activated when the switch housing is squeezed, the switch provides a volume control; a microphone electrically coupled to the plug and the hidden switch by the switch housing; and an insulator positioned between the top cover and the bottom cover. As for the wired headset of claim 10, the sound always becomes a speaker. A wired headset as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the switch housing engages the core assembly. A wired headset as claimed in claim 12, wherein the switch housing comprises an opening of the microphone. A wired headset as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switch housing includes the opening to permit audio transmission of the microphone. A wired headset as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switch is configured to control a function of the electronic device when the plug is inserted into an electronic device. The wired headset of claim 10, further comprising an electrical contact, wherein in response to the pressing event, the housing cover moves to activate the switch.