# US 2020/0288232 A1 · System with wireless earphones

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- Number: US 2020/0288232 A1
- Document ID: US20200288232A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/881,488
- Filed: 2020-05-22
- Published: 2020-09-10
- Earliest claimed: 2008-04-07
- Assignees: Koss Corporation
- Applicants: Koss Corporation
- Inventors: Michael J. Koss; Michael J. Pelland; Michael Sagan; Steven R. Reckamp; Gregory J. Hallingstad; Jeffery K. Bovee; Morgan J. Lowery
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200288232A1

## CPC

- H04R 1/1041: {Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H)}
- G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
- G06F 8/65: Updates (security arrangements therefor G06F21/57)
- G06F 8/654: using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories
- H03G 3/02: Manually-operated control {(H03G3/001 and H03G3/002 take precedence)}
- H03K 17/9622: {using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard}
- H04H 20/95: characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream
- H04M 1/0254: {comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules}
- H04R 1/02: Casings; Cabinets {; Supports therefor;} Mountings therein (H04R1/28 takes precedence {; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075})
- H04R 1/1083: {Reduction of ambient noise (active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06)}
- H04R 1/1091: {Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083}
- H04R 3/00: Circuits for transducers (arrangements for producing a reverberation or echo sound G10K15/08; amplifiers H03F)
- H04R 3/04: for correcting frequency response
- H04R 5/033: Headphones for stereophonic communication {(details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10)}
- H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)}
- H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
- H04W 48/20: Selecting an access point
- H04W 76/20: Manipulation of established connections
- H03K 2217/960785: with illumination
- H04L 2101/668: Internet protocol [IP] address subnets
- H04R 25/554: {using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils}
- H04R 2201/103: Combination of monophonic or stereophonic headphones with audio players, e.g. integrated in the headphone
- H04R 2201/107: Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
- H04R 2225/55: Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
- H04R 2420/07: Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
- H04W 84/12: WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
- H04W 84/18: Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
- H04W 84/22: with access to wired 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)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H03G: CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION
- H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M)
- H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N)
- 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)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

Apparatus comprises adapter and speaker system. Adapter is configured to plug into port of personal digital audio player. Speaker system is in communication with adapter, and comprises multiple acoustic transducers, programmable processor circuit, and wireless communication circuit. In first operational mode, processor circuit receives, via adapter, and processes digital audio content from personal digital audio player into which adapter is plugged, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the received audio content from the personal digital audio player. In second operational mode, wireless communication circuit receives digital audio content from a remote digital audio source over a wireless network, processor circuit processes the digital audio content received from remote digital audio source, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the audio content received from the remote digital audio source.

## Claims

### Claim 1

(canceled)

### Claim 2

A system comprising:
a handheld, wireless computer device of a first user; and
a first earphone set of the first user, wherein the first earphone set comprises:
a first earphone comprising a first acoustic transducer; and
a second earphone comprising a second acoustic transducer, wherein the first and second earphones are configured to be worn simultaneously by the first user on respective ears of the first user; and
a wireless communication circuit configured for:
communicating wirelessly with the handheld, wireless computer device; and
receiving audio content streamed wirelessly to the first earphone set, wherein the first and second acoustic transducers are for playing the audio content streamed wirelessly to the first earphone set; and
wherein the handheld, wireless computer device is configured to receive an activation for the audio content streamed to the first earphone set to be simultaneously streamed wirelessly to a second earphone set of a second user, such that, in response to the activation, the first and second earphone sets play the streaming audio content simultaneously for the first and second users.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, further comprising a remote network server for streaming the audio content to the first and second earphone sets.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to communicate wireless with the handheld, wireless computer device via a Bluetooth link.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the handheld, wireless computer device is configured to stream the audio content to the first earphone set via the Bluetooth link.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein:
the first and second earphones are separate such that when the first earphone set is worn by the first user, the first and second earphones are not physically connected;
the wireless communication circuit of the first earphone set comprises first and second wireless communication circuits:
the first earphone comprises the first wireless communication circuit;
the second earphone comprises the second wireless communication circuit; and
each of the first and second wireless communication circuits are configured to:
communicate wirelessly with the handheld, wireless computer device; and
receive the audio content streamed wirelessly to the first earphone set.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the first earphone set further comprises:
a microphone;
a processor circuit; and
a memory for storing firmware that is executed by the processor circuit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the processor circuit is configured to, upon activation of a user-control of the first earphone set, initiate transmission of a request to a remote network server that is in wireless communication with the handheld, wireless computer device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The headphones of claim 8, wherein the processor circuit is further for receiving a response to the request.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the memory is configured to store firmware upgrades transmitted wirelessly to the first earphone set.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein:
in a first audio play mode, the first and second earphones play audio content stored on the handheld, wireless computer device and transmitted to the first earphone set from the handheld, wireless computer device via the Bluetooth link; and
in a second audio play mode, the first and second earphones play audio content streamed from a remote network server.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the processor circuit is for:
processing audible utterances by the first user picked up by the microphone in response to activation of the microphone by the first user; and
transmitting a wireless communication from the first earphone set based on the audible utterances.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the first and second earphones are configured to transition automatically from playing audio content streamed from a first digital audio source to playing audio content streamed from a second digital audio content based on, at least, a signal strength level for wireless signals between the first earphone set and the second digital audio source.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the first digital audio source is the handheld, wireless computer device of the first user.

### Claim 15 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the processor circuit is configured such that upon activation of the microphone by the first user, data are transmitted about the first earphone set to a remote device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein:
the wireless communication circuit is located in the first earphone; and
the first earphone set further comprises a connection wire between the first and second earphones to carry the received audio content from the first earphone to the second earphone.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, the first earphone set further comprises a headband; wherein the headband carries the connection wire.

### Claim 18 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein each of the first and second earphones further comprises:
an adjustable, curved hanger bar that sits upon an upper external curvature of the first user's ear, behind an upper portion of an auricula of the first user's ear, when the first earphone set is worn by the first user; and
a body connected to the hanger bar.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The system of claim 18, wherein the body of each of the first and second earphones comprises an earbud.

### Claim 20 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein:
the first earphone comprises a first processor circuit, a first memory and the first wireless communication circuit; and
the second earphone comprises a second processor circuit; a second memory and the second wireless communication circuit.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, wherein:
the first earphone comprises a first buffer that caches audio content received wirelessly by the first earphone prior to the audio content being played by the first earphone; and
the second earphone comprises a second buffer that caches audio content received wirelessly by the second earphone prior to the audio content being played by the second earphone.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, wherein:
the first earphone comprises a first SOC, wherein the first SOC comprises the first processor circuit, the first memory and the first wireless communication circuit; and
the second earphone comprises a second SOC, wherein the second SOC comprises the second processor circuit, the second memory and the second wireless communication circuit.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The system of claim 22, wherein:
the first earphone comprises a first earbud; and
the second earphone comprises a second earbud.

### Claim 24 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, further comprises a docking station for charging a rechargeable battery of the first earphone.

### Claim 25 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second earphones comprise an on-ear speaker element.

### Claim 26 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second earphones comprises an over-ear speaker element.

### Claim 27 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the processor circuit comprises a digital signal processor circuit that provides a sound quality enhancement for the audio content played by the acoustic transducers.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The system of claim 27, further comprising a baseband processor circuit that is in communication with the wireless communication circuit.