# US 10,313,775 B2 · Portable listening device system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,313,775 B2 - Document ID: US10313775B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/948,968 - Filed: 2018-04-09 - Published: 2018-09-06 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-06 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: M. Evans Hankey; Emery A. Sanford; Christopher D. Prest; Way Chet Lim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10313775B2 ## CPC - H04R 1/1025: Accumulators specially adapted for earpieces; Arrangements specially adapted for charging thereof - H01R 13/6205: {Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet} - H02J 7/00: Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H04M 1/05: specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast - H04M 1/6066: {including a wireless connection} - H04R 1/1016: {Earpieces of the intra-aural type} - H04R 1/1041: {Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H)} - H04R 1/105: {Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks (for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335)} - H04W 52/0274: {by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof} - H04B 2001/3866: {carried on the head} - H04M 1/026: {Details of the structure or mounting of specific components} - H04M 1/0262: {for a battery compartment} - H04M 1/0274: {for an electrical connector module} - H04M 1/0277: {for a printed circuit board assembly} - H04M 1/22: Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials - H04M 1/6058: {involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone} - H04M 2250/02: including a Bluetooth® interface - H04R 25/556: {External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules (H04R25/607 takes precedence)} - H04R 25/558: {Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency} - H04R 25/602: {of batteries} - H04R 25/603: {of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements} - H04R 2201/105: Manufacture of mono- or stereophonic headphone components - H04R 2201/107: Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication - H04R 2420/07: Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones - H04R 2420/09: Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones - H05K 1/147: {at least one of the printed circuits being bent or folded, e.g. by using a flexible printed circuit (H05K1/148 takes precedence)} - H05K 1/189: characterised by the use of flexible or folded printed circuits - Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract An in-ear hearing device having an ear interfacing portion integrally formed with an elongated stem portion, wherein the ear interfacing portion extends away from the elongated stem portion; a first acoustic port formed in the ear interfacing portion; a speaker disposed in the ear interfacing portion and aligned to emit sound from the acoustic port; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at an end of the stem portion, the plurality of electrical contacts including first and second contacts; a second acoustic port formed at the end of the elongated stem portion between the first and second contacts; a microphone disposed in the stem portion; and a channel that fluidically couples the microphone to the second acoustic port. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable listening device system comprising: (a) an earbud comprising: an earbud housing having a speaker housing integrally formed with and protruding away from a first end of an elongated tube; a first acoustic port formed through the speaker housing; a speaker disposed in the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the first acoustic port; a second acoustic port formed at a second end of the elongated tube opposite the first end; a third acoustic port positioned on a side surface of the speaker housing and configured to provide a path for acoustic pressure to vent; a microphone disposed in the elongated tube; a channel fluidically coupled between the microphone and the second acoustic port; and a rechargeable battery disposed within the elongated tube; and battery charging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery and positioned within the earbud housing, the battery charging circuitry configured to charge the rechargeable battery when connected to an external power supply; and (b) an apparatus for charging the earbud, the apparatus comprising: a case housing socket configured to receive the earbud; and power transmitting circuitry configured to: when the earbud is received in the socket, electrically couple with and provide power to the battery charging circuitry in the earbud. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 1 wherein the earbud further comprises a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at an exterior surface of the earbud housing, the plurality of electrical contacts including at least one contact coupled to its respective battery charging circuitry and configured to receive electrical power from the power transmitting circuitry. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 1 wherein the earbud further comprises a wireless antenna disposed within the elongated tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 3 wherein the wireless antenna comprises a resonating element formed from a flex circuit containing a strip of conductor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 3 wherein the earbud further comprises a plurality of electrical components placed on a circuit board disposed within the elongated tube and having one or more flexible portions, wherein the flexible portions of the circuit board are folded or bent at one or more locations forming a stack of electrical components within the elongated tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 3 wherein the earbud further comprises RF circuitry configured to input and output RF signals for wireless communications. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 3 wherein the earbud housing is formed from a radio transparent material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 7 wherein the earbud housing is formed from a plastic material and wherein the speaker housing protrudes perpendicularly away from the first end of the elongated tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 1 wherein the battery charging circuitry is positioned within the elongated tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 1 wherein the earbud further comprises a microphone disposed at a second end of its elongated stem opposite the first end. ### Claim 11 A portable listening device system comprising: (a) an earbud comprising: an earbud housing having a speaker housing integrally formed with and protruding away from a first end of an elongated tube; an indicator light positioned on the earbud housing at a location adjacent to where the speaker housing extends away from the elongated tube; a first acoustic port formed through the speaker housing; a speaker disposed in the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the first acoustic port; a second acoustic port formed at a second end of the elongated tube opposite the first end; a microphone disposed in the elongated tube; a channel fluidically coupled between the microphone and the second acoustic port; a rechargeable battery disposed within the elongated tube; and battery charging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery and positioned within the earbud housing, the battery charging circuitry configured to charge the rechargeable battery when connected to an external power supply; and (b) an apparatus for charging the earbud, the apparatus comprising: a case housing configured to receive the earbud; and power transmitting circuitry configured to: when the earbud is received in the case housing, electrically couple with and provide power to the battery charging circuitry in the earbud. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 11 wherein the earbud further comprises a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at an exterior surface of the earbud housing, the plurality of electrical contacts including at least one contact coupled to its respective battery charging circuitry and configured to receive electrical power from the power transmitting circuitry. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 12 wherein the indicator light on the earbud comprises an aperture through the earbud housing and a light source disposed within the earbud housing adjacent to the aperture. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 13 wherein the aperture on the earbud is formed through the elongated tube of the earbud housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 13 wherein the aperture is formed through the earbud housing at a location opposite where the speaker housing extends away from the elongated tube. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 13 wherein the indicator light further comprises a diffuser disposed between the light source and the aperture, the diffuser configured to diffuse light from the light source such that light exiting from any portion of the diffuser towards the aperture will have substantially even illumination. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 11 wherein the speaker housing protrudes perpendicularly away from the first end of the elongated tube and wherein the battery charging circuitry is positioned within the elongated tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 17 wherein the earbud further comprises a wireless antenna disposed within the elongated tube. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 18 wherein the microphone on the earbud is disposed at a second end of elongated stem opposite the first end. ### Claim 20 A portable listening device system comprising: (a) an earbud comprising: an earbud housing having a speaker housing integrally formed with and protruding away from a first end of an elongated tube; a user interface button disposed on the earbud housing at a location adjacent to where the speaker housing extends away from the elongated tube, the user interface button operable to control a function of the earbud; a first acoustic port formed through the speaker housing; a speaker disposed in the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the first acoustic port; a second acoustic port formed at a second end of the elongated tube opposite the first end; a microphone disposed in the elongated tube; a channel fluidically coupled between the microphone and the second acoustic port; a rechargeable battery disposed within the elongated tube; and battery charging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery and positioned within the earbud housing, the battery charging circuitry configured to charge the rechargeable battery when connected to an external power supply; and (b) an apparatus for charging the earbud, the apparatus comprising: a case housing configured to receive the earbud; and power transmitting circuitry configured to: when the earbud is received in the case housing, electrically couple with and provide power to the battery charging circuitry in the earbud. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 20 wherein the earbud further comprises a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at an exterior surface of the earbud housing, the plurality of electrical contacts including at least one contact coupled to the battery charging circuitry and configured to receive electrical power from the power transmitting circuitry. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 21 wherein the earbud housing and the user interface button is formed from a plastic material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 22 wherein the speaker housing protrudes perpendicularly away from the first end of the elongated tube and wherein the battery charging circuitry is positioned within the elongated tube. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 22 wherein the earbud further comprises a wireless antenna disposed within the elongated tube. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 24 wherein the microphone is disposed at a second end of elongated stem opposite the first end. ### Claim 26 A portable listening device system comprising: (a) an earbud comprising: an earbud housing having a speaker housing integrally formed with and protruding away from a first end of an elongated tube; a first acoustic port formed through the speaker housing; a speaker disposed in the speaker housing and aligned to emit sound through the first acoustic port; a second acoustic port formed at a second end of the elongated tube opposite the first end; a microphone disposed in the elongated tube and configured to receive sound through the second acoustic port; a third acoustic port positioned on a side surface of the speaker housing and configured to provide a path for acoustic pressure to vent; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at an exterior surface of the elongated tube; a rechargeable battery disposed within the elongated tube; and battery charging circuitry positioned within the earbud housing and coupled to the rechargeable battery and the plurality of electrical contacts, the battery charging circuitry configured to charge the rechargeable battery when connected to an external power supply; and (b) an apparatus for charging the earbud, the apparatus comprising: a case housing socket configured to receive the earbud; and power transmitting circuitry configured to: when the earbud is received in the socket, electrically couple with and provide power to the battery charging circuitry in the earbud. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 26 wherein the earbud further comprises a wireless antenna disposed within the elongated tube. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 26 wherein the earbud further comprises a plurality of electrical components placed on a circuit board disposed within the elongated tube and having one or more flexible portions, wherein the flexible portions of the circuit board are folded or bent at one or more locations forming a stack of electrical components within the elongated tube. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 27 wherein the earbud further comprises RF circuitry configured to input and output RF signals for wireless communications. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The portable listening device system set forth in claim 26 wherein the microphone on the earbud is disposed at a second end of elongated stem opposite the first end.