Patent Application
20150023517
The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication, and more particularly, to wireless streaming audio.
With the proliferation of various audio formats in recent years, users are increasingly relying on portable devices so they can allow users to enjoy music at convenient locations. Despite the portability offered by these devices, the operation of the devices is not always convenient. One major drawback of these devices is the necessity for a user's headphones to be connected or plugged into the device. Typically, in order for a user to listen to music from such a device, the user must wear headphones that are physically connected to the device. Such a configuration is not always ideal. For example, if a user is engaged in sporting activities, the physical connection of the headphones to the device may limit the user's mobility. Moreover, the possible jostling of the headphones during such activities may cause ear cups of the headphones to be dislodged from the user's ears, or cause the headphones to become disconnected from the device. In either case, the user may experience an undesirable interruption.
Another drawback of certain such devices is the need for a user to physically manipulate control buttons on the device in order to control the audio playback. Unfortunately, the need for the user to physically manipulate the controls requires the user to keep the device in relatively close proximity
Consequently, in view of the above, there is a need for providing wireless functionality to a set of headphones or other audio playback devices.
The features, nature, and advantages of the present aspects may become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more implementations in order to provide a basic understanding of some implementations. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated implementations, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all implementations nor delineate the scope of any or all implementations. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more implementations in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
According to one aspect, an apparatus for providing wireless transmission of audio content is provided. The apparatus may include a wireless module and a fastener for fastening the wireless module to an audio playback apparatus. The wireless module may include a wireless transceiver configured for receiving an audio stream and an audio output interface configured for sending an audio output stream.
According to one feature, the fastener may comprise a spring loaded grasping fastener. The grasping fastener may comprise a grasping fastener housing having a ring located between and integrally attached to a pair of tubular members; and a grasping arm having a friction grasping member secured to one or more rods configured to be movably received into the pair of tubular members.
According to another feature, the fastener may comprise a metal plate adapted to be affixed to the audio playback device; and one or more magnets affixed to the wireless module for securing the wireless module to the audio playback device by a magnetic force. In one non-limiting example, the metal plate may include a notch. The metal plate may be a ferromagnetic metal plate.
According to yet another feature, the fastener may comprise one or more claws hingedly attached to a fastener housing configured to clamp onto the audio playback device.
According to yet another feature, the fastener may comprise one or more clips secured to a fastener housing and configured to flex and clip onto the audio playback device.
According to yet another feature, the wireless module may further include a bottom panel having an outer surface and an opposing inner surface, the wireless transceiver secured to the inner surface of the bottom panel; an internal panel, in electrical communication with the wireless transceiver, the audio output interface secured to the internal panel; and a housing adapted to receive the internal panel and the bottom panel, the bottom panel configured to form a bottom of the housing.
According to yet another feature, the wireless module may further include a user interface, in electrical communication with the audio output interface, for enabling audio playback functionality, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of buttons. The user interface may be located on an outer surface of the housing and may be a tactile switch.
According to yet another feature, the audio playback device may be a set of headphones.
According to another aspect, an apparatus for providing wireless transmission of audio content is provided. The apparatus may include a wireless module and a fastener for fastening the wireless module to an audio playback apparatus. The wireless module may include a bottom panel having an outer surface and an opposing inner surface; a wireless transceiver, secured to the inner surface of the bottom panel, configured for receiving an audio stream; an internal panel, in electrical communication with the wireless transceiver, having an audio output interface configured for sending an audio output stream; a housing adapted to receive the internal panel and the bottom panel, the bottom panel configured to form a bottom of the housing; and a fastener for fastening the housing of the wireless module to an audio playback apparatus.
In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art would recognize, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the context of the present specification, when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or be indirectly on the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. Also, in the context of the present specification, when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or be indirectly connected or coupled to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. The term “audio playback apparatus” may refer to any type of output device configured to transmit audio information to one or more speakers, e.g., in a set of headphones, in a car, or any other desired destination of the audio information. The term “hole” may refer to any opening through a structure and/or component or a hollowed-out place in a structure and/or component, including apertures, bores, cavities, chambers, grooves, notches, passages, slits and slots. The term “protrusion” may refer to objects or parts projecting in an outward or upward manner from a structure and/or component.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to wireless modules (or wireless transceivers) for providing wireless transmission of audio content to an audio playback apparatus, such as a set of headphones or speakers. The wireless module may include a wireless transceiver configured for receiving an audio stream, an audio output interface configured for sending an audio output stream and a fastener for fastening the wireless transceiver to the audio playback apparatus. According to one aspect, the fastener may be a spring loaded grasping arm for grasping a headband of a set of headphones. According to another aspect, the fastener may include a metal plate affixed to an ear cup of a set of headphones and one or more magnets affixed to the wireless transceiver for securing the wireless transceiver to the ear cup by a magnetic force. According to yet another aspect, the fastener may be one or more claws attached to a housing utilizing a spring-loaded hinge, configured to clamp onto a headband of a set of headphones. According to yet another aspect, the fastener may be one or more clips configured to flex and clip onto a headband of a set of headphones.
In one example, the wireless module 100 (or wireless transceiver) may include a Bluetooth transceiver circuit configured to receive a wireless transmission, e.g., including audio information, from one or more external Bluetooth transceiver circuits (not illustrated). As one non-limiting example, a personal computer that includes a Bluetooth transceiver may be configured to stream audio data, stored in its hard drive, to the wireless or Bluetooth module 100, such that the wireless module 100 may receive and enable playback of the audio stream as described below. Of course, any source of a wireless stream may be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure.
As shown in
In some examples, the audio cable interface 114 may provide an audio output signal, which may or may not be amplified internal to the wireless module 100. Here, the audio cable interface 114 may be enabled to electrically couple the wireless module 100 to an output device (not illustrated), to transmit audio information to one or more speakers, e.g., in a set of headphones, in a car, or any other desired destination of the audio information.
In one example, the data/charging interface 116 may be configured to accept a standard micro-USB or mini-USB jack, although any suitable interface for enabling the connection of any size or configuration data/charging cable (or no data/charging interface) may be included in a particular implementation. When a micro-USB data/charging interface 116 is included, a user may be enabled to plug a male micro-USB jack into the data/charging interface 116 to provide power to charge a battery 118 internal to the wireless module 100, to provide active power for operation of the wireless module 100, and/or for single-direction or bi-directional data communication with the wireless module 100.
In one example, the wireless module 100 may include a switch 120, such as a tactile switch, for controlling and/or operating the power button 102, play/pause button 104, forward/next track button 106 and the reverse/previous track button 108 of the user interface. In one non-limiting example, the switch 120 may be a tactile switch 120; however any type of switch known in the art may be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure. A foam ring 122, having a generally circular configuration, may be located between the tactile switch 120 and the internal panel 117 to provide cushioning when a user depressing any of the buttons on the user interface, i.e. the power button 102, play/pause button 104, forward/next track button 106 and/or the reverse/previous track button 108. An outer ring or housing 124 may be placed over the tactile switch 120, the foam ring 122 and the internal panel 117 and secured to the bottom panel 110.
According to one embodiment, one or more protrusions 126 may extend perpendicularly outward from the inner surface 110b of the bottom panel 110 and adapted to be received or inserted into one or more corresponding holes 128 in the outer ring/housing 124 securing the outer ring/housing 124 to the bottom panel 110. Furthermore, the bottom panel 110 may have a diameter larger than the diameter of the outer ring/housing 124 forming a flange 111 on the bottom panel 110 which may be utilized to secure a grasping fastener 200 to an audio playback device, as described in further detail below.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the wireless module 100 may be configured to be mounted onto audio playback, including but not limited to a set of headphones, a car stereo including an “AUX” (auxiliary) media input jack, a home stereo including a media input, or any other suitable apparatus for audio playback.
As one example, the wireless module 100 (or wireless transceiver) may be configured to utilize a grasping fastener 200 for mounting the wireless module to the audio playback device.
In various examples within the scope of the present disclosure, the grasping fastener 200 may include a grasping fastener housing 202 for generally securing the wireless module 100, and a grasping arm 204 for securing the combined wireless module 100 and grasping fastener 200 to the audio playback device, such as a set of headphones.
The grasping fastener housing 202 may include a ring 202a located between and integrally attached to a pair of tubular members 202b. The grasping arm 204 may include a friction grasping member 204a for contacting with and grasping onto the headband of a set of headphones, and one or more rods 204b configured to be received into the corresponding tubes 202b in the grasping fastener housing 202. In some examples, the grasping fastener 200 may further include one or more springs (not illustrated) within the tubes in pair of tubular members 202b, configured to exert a pulling force on the rods 204b, to enable the user to pull the grasping arm 204 out from the housing, but to pull the grasping arm 204 back towards the grasping fastener housing 202 to provide a grasping force onto the headband of the set of headphones. Here, the housing 202 may additionally include a wall 204c opposite the grasping arm 204 to provide an opposing surface, such that the grasping force provided by the springs to the grasping arm 204 may be met with an opposing grasping force to secure the wireless module 100 to the headphones.
For example,
In the illustrated examples, the wireless module 100 may be secured to the grasping fastener 200 by means of the flange 111 extending around a circumference of an outer surface 110a of the bottom panel 110 of the wireless module 100, as seen in
Of course, the use of the flange 111 stop opposed to support from a headband 300 or other surface underneath the wireless module 100, is not limited to the example described above utilizing the grasping fastener 200. That is, this mechanism may be utilized to secure the wireless module 100 within any suitable fastener, housing, or other apparatus.
As another example, the wireless module 100 may be configured to utilize a magnetic or sticky fastener 400 for mounting the wireless module 100. Utilizing the metal plate 400 allows a user to mount or remove the wireless module 100 easily.
For example, as seen in
Returning to
In the illustration of
Clamping Fastener
As another example, the wireless module 100 may be configured to utilize a clamping fastener 700 for mounting the wireless module 100.
In various examples within the scope of the present disclosure, the clamping fastener 700 may include a housing (e.g., a ring) 702 that secures the wireless module 100 to the headband in the same or a similar way as described above for the grasping fastener 200.
As illustrated, the clamping fastener 700 includes a plurality of claws 704 for clamping onto an apparatus, such as a headband 300 of a set of headphones. Here, the claws 704 may be secured onto the housing 702 of the clamping fastener 700 by hinges 706, which enable the claws 704 to operate between an open position and a closed position. In this way, the headband 300 may be inserted between the claws 704 in an open position. Further, the hinges 706 may include springs (not illustrated), such that once the headband 300 is inserted into the claws 704, the claws 704 may retract into the closed position in such a way as to clamp onto the headband 300. In this way, the clamping fastener 700 may hold the wireless module 100 onto the headband 300 by a friction fit, wherein the claws 704 grasp onto or around the headband 300. According to one aspect, the claws 704 may have a generally L-shaped configuration.
The spring-loaded hinges may be configured to enable a clamping force at a range of positions, enabling clamping onto a range of sizes of headband 300. For example,
As another example, the wireless module 100 may be configured to utilize a clip fastener 800 for mounting the wireless module.
In various examples within the scope of the present disclosure, the clip fastener 800 may include a housing 802 (e.g., a ring) that secures the wireless module 100 to the headband in the same or a similar way as described above for the grasping fastener 200.
As illustrated, the housing 802 of the clip fastener 802 may include a clip 804 for clipping onto an apparatus, such as a headband 300 of a set of headphones. Here, the clip 804 may be secured onto the housing 802 of the clip fastener 800 utilizing any suitable securement mechanism. In the illustrated clip fastener 800, the clip 804 may be permanently affixed to the housing, may be semi-permanently affixed to the housing, or may be friction or slip-fitted onto the housing 802.
The clip 804 may be a flexible material, such as plastic, rubber or metal, configured to clip the wireless module 100 onto a headband (such as a large sized headband 302a or a small sized headband 302b) or other apparatus utilizing a friction hold, e.g., by way of flexing around the headband 300 to hold the clip fastener 800 in place.
In
In the illustrations herein, particularly
By utilizing any of the fasteners described above, within the scope of the present disclosure, a user may be enabled to utilize any conventional set of headphones as wireless headphones. Furthermore, a user may be enabled to utilize any desired audio playback apparatus, not limited to headphones but also including a car stereo, a home stereo, etc., as a wireless audio playback apparatus simply by fastening the disclosed wireless circuitry 100 to (or nearby) the audio playback apparatus and plugging in the audio cable interface as described.
In the foregoing specification, certain representative aspects of the invention have been described with reference to specific examples. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. For example, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.
Furthermore, certain benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to a problem, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims.
As used herein, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition, or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
Moreover, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”
The present Application for Patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/856,826 entitled “Apparatus for Providing Wireless Functionality to Conventional Headphones”, filed Jul. 22, 2013, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61856826 | Jul 2013 | US |
