WO2016046550A1

WO2016046550A1 - A personal listening device

Info

Publication number: WO2016046550A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/052760
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joshua Robert CHURCH
Original assignee: The Sound Venture Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-23
Filing date: 2015-09-23
Publication date: 2016-03-31
Also published as: GB201416794D0

Abstract

A personal listening device comprises an earphone(1112), a wire(1118),and connection means (1120)(1132)at both ends of the wire(1118) for electrical connection to two electrical devices(1122),the connection means(1120)at a first end of the wire(1118) being suitable for releasable electrical connection to the earphone(1112). One embodiment comprises a first electrical wire(1114)comprising an earphone (1112)at one end and connection means(1116) at the opposite end, a second electrical wire (1118) comprising a first connection means(1120)at one end for releasable electrical connection to the connection means(1116)of the first electrical wire(1114), and a second connection means (1132) at the opposite end for releasable electrical connection to an electrical device(1122). Further disclosed is a computer program product (800)and method which, when executed respectively, is capable of transferring electrical charge between electrically connected donor and recipient devices, comprising :a) determining an amount of electrical charge held in the first, donor device(S854);b) selecting an amount of electrical charge to be transferred to a second device, which is electrically connected to the first device(S858); and c) effecting transfer of the selected amount of electrical charge from the first, donor device to the second, recipient device via the electrical connection between the two devices(S864).

Description

A PERSONAL LISTENING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a personal listening device.

There are a variety of both over-ear headphones and in-ear earpieces available, which allow a user to listen to music or other audio streams in a variety of locations.

It is therefore common for users to carry headphones or in-ear earpieces, hereafter referred to collectively as "earphones", around with them, to enable them to listen to audio streams from their smartphones or other audio devices. Furthermore, improvements in audio and voice command technology and related applications may make earphones even more desirable to carry around, to allow users to interact with their smartphones or other electronic devices.

However, playing audio streams and/or using other applications on electrical devices such as smartphones uses up charge stored in the battery of the device. As a consequence, the battery will require re-charging to allow the user to continue using the device. Whilst re-charging the device is not usually problematic if the user is at home, it is more difficult away from home, where there may be a lack of available and secure charging points to which the phone can be connected, at least for sufficient time as to allow the battery to be re-charged as required. Furthermore, it will also be necessary for the user to carry around a suitable charger, for connecting the device to the charging point or power supply. As an alternative, portable battery packs can be connected to the electrical device to recharge it. However, not only does this require purchase of the battery pack, it also requires the user to carry the battery pack with them to allow portable charging, which may not always be convenient.

The present invention is intended to overcome or at least alleviate the problems with the prior art. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a personal listening device, comprising:

an earphone;

a wire; and

connection means at both ends of the wire for electrical connection to two electrical devices,

the connection means at one end of the wire being suitable for releasable electrical connection to the earphone.

The personal listening device may comprise a second earphone and the connection means at a second end of the wire may be suitable for releasable connection to the second earphone.

The wire may comprises a Bluetooth™ transceiver and optionally, a battery. The personal listening device may comprise a second wire having a first connection means at one end for releasable electrical connection to an electrical device and a second connection means releasably electrically connectible to the connection means at a second end of the first wire.

The second earphone may be connected to the second connection means of the second wire.

The second earphone may be permanently connected to the second connection means of the second wire.

The connection means may comprise USB connectors, micro-USB connectors or Lightning™ connectors, or a combination thereof.

The electrical devices may be mobile phones, tablet computers or smartwatches, or any combination thereof.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a personal listening device, comprising: a first electrical wire comprising an earphone at one end and connection means at the opposite end;

a second electrical wire comprising a first connection means at one end for releasable electrical connection to the connection means of the first electrical wire, and a second connection means at the opposite end for releasable electrical connection to an electrical device.

The present invention provides the benefit of both earphones and a

charger in a single arrangement, as well as the flexibility for a user to quickly and easily switch between an earphone configuration and a charger configuration. This eliminates the need for carrying round both earphones and a separate charger.

The charger configuration allows donor and recipient devices, such as a first and a second smartphone, to be electrically connected, to allow charge to be transferred from the donor device to the recipient device. This circumvents the need to find a secure static charging point to which the device can be left connected, and potentially unattended, which may be difficult to find, for example, in publically accessible areas.

Furthermore, the charger configuration eliminates the requirement to carry a separate portable battery pack, since the donor device could be, for example, a smartphone belonging to a friend or colleague.

The charger configuration may also allow data to be transferred between donor and recipient devices.

The earphone may be an in-ear earpiece or an over-ear headphone.

The connection means of the first electrical wire may comprise a USB port or a micro-USB port, or a Lightning™ port.

The first connection means of the second electrical wire may comprise a USB connector, or a micro-USB connector, or a Lightning™ connector.

The second connection means may comprise a USB connector, or a micro-USB connector or a Lightning™ connector.

The second connection means may further comprise a phone connector. The phone connector may be a TRS connector.

The electrical device may be a mobile phone, or a tablet computer, or a smartwatch.

The first and second electrical wires may comprise an electrical wire

transferring both audio signals and electrical power and/ or data.

The first and second electrical wires may comprise an electrical wire for transferring audio signals and the second electrical wire may further comprise a separate electrical wire for transferring electrical power and/ or data.

The personal listening device may further comprise volume adjustment means.

The volume control means may be located at any point along either the first electrical wire, or the second electrical wire.

The connection means of the first electrical wire and/or the first connection means of the second electrical wire may comprise volume adjustment means.

The first electrical wire may be releasably connected to the earphone and the personal listening device may comprise a second earphone electrically connected to the first connection means of the second electrical wire.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a

computer program product which, when executed, is capable of transferring electrical charge between electrically connected donor and recipient devices, comprising:

a) determining an amount of electrical charge held in the first, donor device;

b) selecting an amount of electrical charge to be transferred to a second device, which is electrically connected to the first device; and c) effecting transfer of the selected amount of electrical charge from the first, donor device to the second, recipient device via the electrical connection between the two devices.

The present invention provides a user with the benefit of being able to conveniently transfer a selected amount of electrical charge between the donor device and the recipient device.

The donor and/or recipient devices may be mobile phones, or tablet computers, or smartwatches, or audio players, or any combination of these devices or other electrical devices.

The computer program may further comprise assigning "Donor" or "Recipient" status to each device. This may allow the transfer of available charge between devices, irrespective of which device has the greatest amount of available charge.

The computer program product may further comprise assigning a monetary value to the amount of electrical charge to be transferred, either in accordance with a pre-determined charge unit value or in response to user input.

The computer program product may further comprise effecting payment of the monetary value between accounts associated with the donor and recipient devices, respectively.

The computer program product may further comprise preventing transfer of a pre-determined amount of charge from the donor device. This may prevent the battery of the donor device from being completely discharged during charge transfer.

The personal listening device can be connected using the second connection means of the second electrical wire to an electrical device, such as a smartphone, to enable a user to listen to an audio stream from the smartphone. If the battery of the user's smartphone, or that of another smartphone requires charging, the connection means of the first electrical wire and the first connection means of the second electrical wire of the listening device, are separated, the first connection means of the second electrical wire can be connected to the other smartphone. The connection between the two smartphones triggers an app to load on one or both of the smartphones which enables a user to select an amount of charge to be transferred from one of the smartphones to the other. After transference of charge is complete, the smartphones can be disconnected from each other, and the earphones (and first electrical wire) can be reconnected to the second electrical wire to allow the user to listen to the audio stream on the smartphone again.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 a is a plan view of a first embodiment of personal listening device in accordance with the invention, illustrating the device with the earphones connected;

Fig 1 b is an exploded view of the personal listening device of Fig 1a, illustrating first and second connection means of a second electrical wire of the device;

Fig 2a is a plan view of the personal listening device of Fig 1 a, illustrating, in particular, the connection between first and second wires of the device and the wiring of the second connection means;

Fig 2b is a plan view of the personal listening device of Fig 2a, showing the first and second wires disconnected;

Fig 3a is a plan view of the personal listening device of Fig 2a, showing, in more detail, the electrical connection between the first and second electrical wires.

Fig 3b is a plan view of the personal listening device of Fig 3a, showing the first and second electrical wires disconnected;

Fig 4a is a perspective view of a second embodiment of personal listening device in accordance with the invention, illustrating the device with the earphones connected and the device connected to a smartphone; Fig 4b is an exploded view of the personal listening device of Fig 4a, illustrating the first and second connection means of the second electrical wire of the device;

Fig 5a is a plan view of the personal listening device of Fig 4a, illustrating in more detail, the connection between the first and second wires of the device;

Fig 5b is an exploded view of the personal listening device of Fig 5a;

Fig 6a is a plan view of the personal listening device of Fig 5a, showing, in more detail, the electrical connection between the first and second electrical wires;

Fig 6b is an exploded view of the personal listening device of Fig 6a;

Fig 7 is a perspective view of the personal listening device of Fig 5b, showing a first and a second smartphone connected by the second electrical wire, and the earphones and first electrical wire detached from the second electrical wire;

Fig 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of personal listening device, in accordance with the invention, illustrating the device comprising headphones and the device connected to a smartphone;

Fig 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of personal listening device, in accordance with the invention, illustrating the device comprising one detachable earphone and one fixed earphone; and

Fig 10 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of personal listening device, in accordance with the invention, illustrating the device comprising a Bluetooth™ transceiver and the device wirelessly connected to a smartphone via a Bluetooth™ connection;

Fig 11 is a flow chart showing, schematically, an embodiment of computer program product in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figs 12a (a)-(h) show a series of screenshots, illustrating one embodiment of the screen of a touchscreen smartphone which would appear during running of the computer program product of Fig 11 , when charge is transferred without payment being made; and Figs 12b (a)-(h) show a series of screen shots, illustrating the embodiment of the screen of Fig 12a, when charge is transferred in exchange for a payment being made.

In this description, the term "earphone" is intended to describe either an in-ear earpiece which, in use, is located within the user's ear, or an over-ear headphone, which, in use, is located over the user's ear.

The listening device shown in Figs 1 a to 3b comprises two identical, generally conventional in-ear earphones 112 each connected to one end of a respective first electrical wire 114, the other ends of which wires 1 14 terminate in a common micro-USB port component 116 of an electrical connector C. The micro-USB component 116 port is releasably engageable with a male micro-USB component 120 of the connector C, which is attached to one end of a second electrical wire 118, the other end of the wire 118 terminating in a smartphone connector 124 configured for releasable connection with a smartphone 122.

By connecting the male and female micro-USB components 1 16, 120 of the connector C and by connecting the smartphone connector 125 to the smartphone 122 as shown in Fig 1 a, electrical signals are conveyed to the earphones 1 12 via the wires 114, 1 18, where they are converted into sound. However, as shown in Fig 1 b, disengagement of the micro-USB port component 1 16 of the connector C disconnects the earphones from the smartphone 122 and reveals the male micro-USB connector 120 which can be releasably connected to a further smartphone (not shown), as will be explained, in order to transfer charge from the smartphone 122 to the further smartphone or vice versa.

The physical connection of the two smartphones causes a computer program, hereinafter referred to as "the transfer app", to launch on one or both of the smartphones, to allow the user to select an amount of charge to be transferred from one smartphone to the other. When the transfer of charge is complete, the male micro-USB connector component 120 of the connector C can be disconnected from the second smartphone and re-connected to the micro-USB port component 116 so as to reconnect the earphones 112, as will be explained.

Each of the first electrical wires 114 comprises an audio wire 126 which is connected, at one end, to the speaker (not shown) of the earphone 112, and connected, at the other end, to the micro-USB port component 116. It will be appreciated that the device comprises two earphones 112, one for each of the user's ears, the earphones being of identical construction.

The second electrical wire 118 comprises an audio wire 128 and a power wire 130. Each of the audio wire 128 and power wire 130 are connected, at one end to the male micro-USB component 120. At its opposite end, the second electrical wire 118 is connected to one side of the smartphone connector 124, which is in the form of an audio/charge hybrid connector. The smartphone connector 124 comprises a conventional male micro-USB connector 132 and a conventional TRS (Audio) phone connector 134 spaced apart from each other and extending from the opposite side of the body of the smartphone connector 124 to the second electrical wire 1 18. The micro- USB connector 132 and the TRS connector 134 correspond in size and spacing to the micro-USB port 136 and TRS port 138 located at one end of the smartphone 122. The power wire 130 is directly connected to the micro-USB connector 132 and the audio wire 128 is directly connected to the TRS connector 134. The body of the smartphone connector 124 houses the audio and power wires 128, 130 and is approximately the same width as the smartphone 122.

The body of the smartphone connector 124 is substantially rectangular cuboid shaped with a generally planar surface so that, when the connector 124 is connected to the smartphone 122, the body of the connector 124 forms a substantially continuous surface with the body of the smartphone 122. In use, when a user wishes to listen to music on the smartphone 122, then the complete personal listening device 100 is used to receive input electrical signals from the smartphone 122. This is achieved by connecting the first and second electrical wires 114, 1 18 by inserting the male micro-USB connector component 120 at one end of the second wire 118 into the micro-USB port component 116 connected to each of the first wires 114 and then connecting the TRS and micro-USB connectors 134, 132 of the smartphone connector 124 to the corresponding TRS and micro-USB ports 138, 136 of the smartphone 122. The earphone speaker located within the earphone 112 attached to the end of the first wire 114 then converts the received electrical signals into sound, in a conventional manner, thus allowing the user to listen to audio via the earphones 112.

When a user chooses to transfer charge, between their smartphone and another smartphone, the earphones 112 are disconnected from the second wire 118 by removing the male micro-USB connector component 120 of the connector C from the micro-USB port component 116 attached to each of the first wires 114.

The micro-USB connector component 120 of the second wire 118 can then be connected to a micro-USB power port on the other smartphone. Connecting the two smartphones causes a transfer app 800 to automatically load on one or both of the smartphones. In the following description, the smartphone transferring the charge is referred to as the "Donor" device and the smartphone receiving the charge is referred to as the "Recipient" device.

In the description of Figure 11 , references to a "step" will be abbreviated with "S", for example "S850", "S852" et cetera. The description of Figures 12a and 12b is with reference to a touch-screen smartphone but it is equally applicable to other types of smartphone. In Figures 12a and 12b, user selections are represented by a grey outline around the selected option. As illustrated in Figure 11 and Figures 12a, 12b (a) at S850, transfer app 800 stored on one or both of the smartphones connected by wire 1 18 detects connection of the two smartphones and at S852 automatically launches on one or both of the smartphones. In the event that the transfer app 800 does not automatically launch for any reason, then the app can be launched by touching the app icon displayed on the smartphone screen.

At S854 transfer app 800 determines the amount of available charge in each smartphone battery. This amount constitutes the maximum amount of charge available for transfer to the Recipient smartphone. At S854, the amount of charge available for transfer on each is displayed by the app 800, as illustrated in Figure 12a, 12b (b).

Although not illustrated in Figure 1 1 , when determining the amount of available charge in the Donor smartphone, the transfer app 800 excludes a nominal amount of charge, which can be referred to as the "critical amount", from the maximum amount of available charge. This critical amount is required for running essential functions of the Donor phone for a short period of time and prevents the battery of the Donor smartphone from being completely discharged during the charge transfer process. The critical amount can be determined by the smartphone user.

At S854, the transfer app 800 also displays Donor and Recipient options for the user to select from. These options allow the user to designate one smartphone as the

Donor device and the other smartphone as the Recipient device. The selection option allows a user to transfer charge between the smartphones irrespective of which device contains the greatest amount of available charge. After designation of the Donor and recipient devices, the available charge in each device is displayed by the app 800 as illustrated by the screen shot in Figure 12a, 12b (c), where the user is also prompted to continue or to exit the routine. At S856, the transfer app 800 then displays charge transfer options for the smartphone user to select from. In particular, the app 800 may display battery percentage choices, such as 20%, 30%, 40% etc of the available charge which can be selected to specify the amount of charge to be transferred to the Recipient smartphone (Figure 12a, 12b (d)). The available charge transfer options are calculated by the app based on a) the amount of available charge in the battery of the Donor smartphone; and b) the amount of available capacity in the battery of the Recipient smartphone. Therefore, at S856 only compatible charge transfer amounts are displayed for user selection, as shown in Figure 12a, 12b (d). For example, if the Donor smartphone has an available transfer amount of only 40%, the transfer app will not display charge transfer amounts in excess of 40%. Similarly, if the battery of the Recipient smartphone is 70% charged, only charge transfer amounts of 30% or less will be displayed for user selection.

At S856 (Figure 12a, 12b (d)), the user selects the required charge transfer amount from the available options by touching the smartphone screen in the appropriate location. At S858 this selection defines the amount of charge to be transferred.

At S859 (Figure 12a, 12b (e)), the user is given the option of transferring the selected amount of charge either with or without payment. If no payment is required, the user touches "Touch to transfer without payment" and the program moves to S864 (Figure 12a, 12b(f)), where the user is prompted to confirm the transfer. (If "other %" is chosen at S856, a keyboard will be displayed for entering the relevant percentage before the program moves to S859).

If payment is required at S859, the program moves to S860 (Figure 12b (e'), where payment for the charge amount can be exchanged between an account associated with the Recipient smartphone and an account associated with the Donor smartphone via a program command within the transfer app 800 which communicates with known payment exchange programs (Figure 12b(e")). This enables the user of the

Recipient smartphone to pay the user of the Donor smartphone for the charge transfer amount, if necessary. In the event that no payment is required, then this step can be skipped, by touching the "Touch to transfer without payment" icon of the smartphone screen (Figure 12a, 12b (e)). This prompts the app 800 to present the next screen (Figure 12a, (f)) which requires the user to confirm charge transfer.

At S864, in response to user input confirming that charge transfer is to take place (Figure 12a, 12b(f)), the charge transfer from the Donor device to the Recipient device starts. At S866 the transfer app 800 measures the amount of charge transferred to the Recipient smartphone in relation to the total amount to be transferred, as selected by the user. When the app 800 detects that the pre-determined amount of charge has been transferred, charge transfer is terminated. At S868 the app then displays a message to the user that charge transfer is complete (Figure 12a, 12b(h)) and the app closes.

At S859, if payment is required, then a separate payment screen (Figure 12b(e')) is displayed before charge transfer begins, which presents the user with a series of payment options (Figure 12b(e")). Upon selecting the required payment method (Figure 12b (e^iN), the app 800 connects to a website or payment app associated with the selected payment method, e.g. PayPal™ or Pingit™. Once payment is confirmed (Figure 12b(e'")) and completed (Figure 12b(e^iv)), then transfer of charge begins (Figure 12a, 12b(f))and the user is presented with the "transferring" status bar 805. Upon completion of the transfer of the required amount, the user is presented with a confirmation screen (Figure 12a, 12b(h)), confirming that charge transfer is complete.

Following completion of the charge transfer, the user can touch the screen to exit the app 800 as illustrated in screenshot (Figure 12a, 12b(h)).

The micro-USB connector 120 of the second wire 118 can then be removed from the micro-USB port of the other smartphone. However, the skilled person will understand that the app may be configured such that disconnection of the micro-USB connector 120 from the other smartphone may also cause the app 800 to close, which negates the requirement for the user to manually exit the app by touching the screen as described above.

It will be apparent that, during the charge transfer process, the earphones 1 12 and first wire 114 of the personal listening device 100 are not required and so can be temporarily stored away.

After the charge transfer process is complete, the first wire 114 and second wire 1 18 of the personal listening device 100 can be reconnected, by reconnecting the micro- USB port component 116 and male micro-USB component 120 of the connector C respectively. This reconnects the earphones 112 to the smartphone 122, thus allowing the user to listen to music or other audio streams, on the smartphone 122, if desired.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs 4a to 6b.

The second embodiment of the personal listening device 1100 is similar to the first embodiment, and corresponding features have been given the same reference numerals but increased by 1000. The main difference is that the smartphone connector 124 of the first embodiment is replaced by a single micro-USB smartphone connector 1132, capable of transferring both audio signals and power. Consequently, the separate audio and power wires 128, 130 of the first embodiment are replaced with a single wire 1138, capable of transferring both audio signals and power.

The first electrical wires 11 14 are substantially identical to the first wires 1 14 of the first embodiment in that earphones 1112 are connected at one end of each wire and a common micro-USB port component 1 116 is connected at the other end. The micro- USB port component 11 16 is releasably connectible to a micro-USB connector 1 120 located at one end of a second electrical wire 1118, in a manner substantially identical to that of the first embodiment.

At the opposite end of the second wire 11 18 is a further male micro-USB connector 1132. The micro-USB connector 1 132 is adapted to fit inside a micro-USB port 1136 on the smartphone 1122, in a manner substantially identical to the way in which the micro-USB connector 132 on the hybrid connector 124 of the first embodiment is connected to a smartphone 122.

However, in the present embodiment, the first and second wires 1 114, 1 118 comprise a single internal wire 1 138, capable of transferring both audio signals and power. Figures 6a and 6b schematically illustrate, with dotted lines, the electrical contact points of each of the micro-USB port 11 16 of the first wire 1 1 14 and the micro-USB connector 1 120 of the second wire 11 18 which is releasably connectible to the micro- USB port 11 16 of the first wire 1 114. When the first and second wires 11 14, 1 118 are connected as shown in Figure 6a, the electrical contacts on either side of the micro-USB connector 1120 of the second wire 1 118 are brought into contact with corresponding electrical contacts lining at least a part of the micro-USB port 11 16 of the first wire 11 14, substantially in accordance with known USB and micro-USB connections, thus forming an electrical circuit between the first and second wires 1 1 14, 1 118. When the first and second wires 11 14, 11 18 are disconnected, as shown in Figure 6b, the electrical circuit between the first and second wires 1 114, 1 118 is broken. However, when the disconnected micro-USB connector 1120 of the second wire 1118 is connected to another smartphone 2122 for charge transfer purposes, as described with reference to the first embodiment, the electrical contacts of the micro-USB connector 1 120 are brought into contact with corresponding electrical contacts (not shown) lining at least a part of the micro-USB port 2136 on the other smartphone 2122. This connection establishes a wired electrical connection between the two smartphones 1 122, 2122, as illustrated in Figure 7, which launches the transfer app in the manner previously described in relation to the first embodiment.

A third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 8. The third embodiment of the personal listening device 2100 is similar to the second embodiment, and corresponding features have been given the same reference numeral, but increased by 1000. The main difference is that the earphones 11 12 of the second embodiment are replaced by headphones 2112.

The first electrical wire 21 14 is substantially identical to the first wires 11 14 of the second embodiment, in that the headphones 21 12 are connected at one end of the wire 21 14 and a common micro-USB port component 21 16 is connected at the other end. The micro-USB port component 2116 is releasably connectible to a micro-USB connector 2120 located at one end of a second electrical wire 21 18, in a manner substantially identical to that of the first embodiment. It will be noted however, that the third embodiment only comprises a single first electrical wire 2114, which delivers audio signals and power to each speaker of the headphones 2112.

In all other respects, the third embodiment of the invention is substantially identical to the second embodiment, for example, in terms of the connectivity between the first and second wires and in terms of how the personal listening device 2100 connects with and transfers charge between two smartphones.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 9. The fourth embodiment 3100 comprises two substantially identical, generally conventional in-ear earphones 3112. One of the earphones 3112 is fixedly connected to an electrical wire 31 14, whereas the other earphone 31 12 is releasably connected to an electrical wire 31 14 via a micro-USB connection. Each end of the electrical wire 3114 which is releasably connected to the earphone 3112 terminates in a male micro-USB connector 3113 which is releasably engageable with a common micro-USB port component 3115 located in the base of the earphone 3112 and with a common micro-USB port component 31 19 located in the upper part of a connector 3120. The electrical wire fixedly connected to the other earphone is fixedly connected to the connector 3120, adjacent the common micro-USB component 3115. The connector 3120 is attached to a further electrical wire 31 18, the other end of the wire 31 18 terminating in a smartphone connector 3132 configured for releasable connection with a smartphone 3122, in a substantially identical manner to that described in relation to Figs 5-8.

By connecting the male and female components 3113, 3115 of the electrical wire 3114 and earphone 3112 and the male and female components 31 13, 3119 of the electrical wire 3114 and connector 3120, and by connecting the smartphone connector 3132 to the smartphone 3122, electrical signals are conveyed to the earphones 3112 via the wires 3114, 31 18, where they are converted into sound. However, as represented by the double-headed arrows in Fig. 9, disengagement of the micro-USB connector 3113 from each of the micro-USB ports 3115, 3119 of the earphone 3112 and connector 3120, respectively, reveals the male micro-USB connector 3113 at each end of the electrical wire 31 14. Each of the male micro-USB connectors 3113 can be used to releasably connect the smartphone 3122 to a further smartphone (not shown), in order to transfer charge from the smartphone 3122 to the further smartphone, or vice versa, in a substantially identical manner to that described in relation to the earlier embodiments.

The fixedly connected earphone 31 12 remains capable of receiving electrical signals from a smartphone or other electrical device which can be connected via the smartphone connector 3132 located at the end of the second electrical wire 31 18. This enables the possibility of charging two devices using the personal listening device 3100, whilst also listening to audio on a third device.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 10. The fifth embodiment of listening device 4100 comprises two identical, generally conventional in- ear earphones 4112, each releasably connected to opposite ends of an electrical wire 41 14 via a micro-USB connection. Each end of the electrical wire 4114 terminates in a male micro-USB connector 4113 which is releasably engageable with a common micro- USB port component 4115 located in the base of each earphone 4112.

The electrical wire 41 14 comprises a Bluetooth™ transceiver 4117 and power supply (not illustrated), for supplying the earphones 4112 with audio signals and power. The Bluetooth™ transceiver 4117 communicates with a Bluetooth™ transceiver (not illustrated) in a paired smartphone 4122, which allows audio signals to be transferred from the smartphone 4122 to the earphones 4112 in a conventional manner.

By connecting the male and female micro-USB components (4113, 4115) and by pairing the listening device 4100 with the smartphone 4122 as shown in Figure 10, electrical signals are conveyed to the earphones 41 12 via the Bluetooth™ connection B and electrical wire 4114, where they are converted into sound. However, as illustrated by the double headed arrows in Figure 10, disengagement of the micro-USB connector 41 13 from each of the micro-USB port components 4115 disconnects the earphones 41 12 from the electrical wire 4114 and reveals the male micro-USB connector 4113 at each end of the electrical wire 41 14 which can be releasably connected to two smartphones, such as the paired smartphone 4122 and a further smartphone (not shown), in order to transfer charge from the paired smartphone 4122 to the further smartphone or vice versa.

The physical connection of the two smartphones causes the transfer app 800 to launch on one or both of the smartphones, to allow the user to select an amount of charge to be transferred from one smartphone to the other, as previously explained.

It will be appreciated that the electrical devices described herein as suitable for use with the invention are not limited to the specific examples described above. For example, the invention can be used with any combination of electrical devices with the ability to receive and/or transfer charge, such as, but not limited to smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the skilled person will readily understand that the connection means of the invention are not necessarily restricted to the examples given herein. For example, the invention may comprise any cable/ connector combination which enables the transfer of voltage and audio or data signals, including but not limited to the examples given above, and/ or USB Type C (USB-C) cables.

The connection means may also comprise male to male connection arrangements, such as a Lightning™ to Lightning™ connector, a micro-USB to micro- USB connector or a USB-C to USB-C connector. The connection means may, or may not comprise a volume control, track control and/or a microphone.

Some embodiments of the invention may comprise a Digital Analogue Converter (DAC). The DAC converts the digital data stream (usually binary) received from the electrical device into an analogue signal, to drive the earphones in order to produce sound. The DAC may be located within any suitable part of the personal listening device, such as within one of the connection means, for example, but not exclusively, a micro- USB port component. The DAC may be any suitable type of DAC.

By way of example, the embodiment of invention shown in Figure 5b may comprise a DAC within the micro-USB connector 11 16. When the two micro-USB connectors 11 16 and 1120 are connected, digital signals from the smartphone 1122 are transferred from the phone 1122 via the wire 1 118 and connectors 1132 and 1 120, to the micro-USB connector 11 16. The DAC in the micro-USB connector 1 116 converts the digital signal into an analogue signal which drives the earphones 1 112 to produce sound. Some embodiments of the invention may further comprise an earphone amplifier. In such embodiments which also comprise a DAC, the DAC converts the digital data stream received from the electrical device to drive the loudspeaker amplifier in order to produce sound.

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Claims

1. A personal listening device, comprising:

an earphone;

a wire; and

the connection means at a first end of the wire being suitable for releasable electrical connection to the earphone.

2. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a second earphone and wherein the connection means at a second end of the wire is suitable for releasable connection to the second earphone.

3. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wire comprises a Bluetooth™ transceiver.

4. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a second wire having a first connection means at one end for releasable electrical connection to an electrical device and a second connection means releasably electrically connectible to the connection means at a second end of the first wire.

5. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second earphone is connected to the second connection means of the second wire.

6. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second earphone is permanently connected to the second connection means of the second wire.

7. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connection means comprise USB connectors, micro-USB connectors or Lightning™ connectors, or a combination thereof.

8. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electrical devices are mobile phones, tablet computers or smartwatches, or any combination thereof.

9. A personal listening device, comprising: a first electrical wire comprising an earphone at one end and connection means at the opposite end;

10. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the earphone is an in-ear earpiece or an over-ear headphone.

11. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the connection means of the first electrical wire comprises a USB port or a micro-USB port, or a Lightning™ port.

12. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the first connection means of the second electrical wire comprises a USB connector, or a micro-USB connector, or a Lightning™ connector.

13. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the second connection means comprises a USB connector, or a micro-USB connector or a Lightning™ connector.

14. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second connection means further comprises a phone connector.

15. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the phone connector is a TRS connector.

16. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the electrical device is a mobile phone, or a tablet computer, or a smartwatch.

17. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 9 to 16, wherein the first and second electrical wires comprise an electrical wire for transferring both audio signals and electrical power.

18. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the first and second electrical wires comprise an electrical wire for transferring audio signals and the second electrical wire further comprises a separate electrical wire for transferring electrical power.

19. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 9 to 18, further comprising volume adjustment means.

20. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the connection means of the first electrical wire and/or the first connection means of the second electrical wire comprise volume adjustment means.

21. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 9 to 20, wherein the first electrical wire is releasably connected to the earphone.

22. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising a second earphone electrically connected to the first connection means of the second electrical wire.

23. A personal listening device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, further comprising a Digital Analogue Converter (DAC).

24. A personal listening device as claimed in claim 23, wherein one of the connection means comprises the DAC.

25. A computer program product which, when executed, is capable of transferring electrical charge between electrically connected donor and recipient devices, comprising: a) determining an amount of electrical charge held in the first, donor device;

b) selecting an amount of electrical charge to be transferred to a second device, which is electrically connected to the first device; and

c) effecting transfer of the selected amount of electrical charge from the first, donor device to the second, recipient device via the electrical connection between the two devices.

26. A computer program product as claimed in claim 25, wherein the donor and/or recipient devices are mobile phones, or tablet computers or smartwatches, or any combination thereof.

27. A computer program product as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, further comprising assigning a monetary value to the amount of electrical charge to be transferred, either in accordance with a pre-determined charge unit value or in response to user input.

28. A computer program product as claimed in claim 27, further comprising effecting payment of the monetary value between accounts associated with the donor and recipient devices, respectively.

29. A computer program product as claimed in any of claims 25 to 28, further comprising preventing transfer of a pre-determined amount of charge from the donor device.

30. A method of transferring electrical charge between electrically connected donor and recipient devices, the method comprising:

a) determining an amount of electrical charge held in the first, donor device;

31. A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the donor and/or recipient devices are mobile phones.

32. A method as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31 , further comprising assigning a monetary value to the amount of electrical charge to be transferred, either in accordance with a predetermined charge unit value or in response to user input.

33. A method as claimed in any of claims 30 to 32, further comprising effecting payment of the monetary value between accounts associated with the donor and recipient devices, respectively.

34. A method as claimed in any of claims 30 to 33, further comprising preventing transfer of a pre-determined amount of charge from the donor device.

35. A system for transferring electrical charge between electrically connected donor and recipient devices, the system comprising:

a) means for determining an amount of electrical charge held in the first, donor device; b) means for selecting an amount of electrical charge to be transferred to a second device, which is electrically connected to the first device; and c) means for effecting transfer of the selected amount of electrical charge from the first, donor device to the second, recipient device via the electrical connection between the two devices.

36. A system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the donor and/or recipient devices are mobile phones.

37. A system as claimed in claim 35 or claim 36, further comprising means for assigning a monetary value to the amount of electrical charge to be transferred, either in accordance with a pre-determined charge unit value or in response to user input.

38. A system as claimed in any of claims 35 to 37, further comprising means for effecting payment of the monetary value between accounts associated with the donor and recipient devices, respectively.

39. A system as claimed in any of claims 35 to 38, further comprising means for preventing transfer of a pre-determined amount of charge from the donor device.

40. A personal listening device substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying Figures 9 and 10.

41. A personal listening device substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 a to 8.

42. A computer program product substantially as herein described and with reference to Figures 11 to 12b.

43. A method substantially as herein described and with reference to Figures 10 to 1 1 b.

44. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause a 3D printer to print the personal listening device of any of claims 1 to 24.

G:\CLIENT\440-445\CAZ7\ 43557\WO\CLAIMS for filing 23 September 2015.docx