# US 2020/0288233 A1 · System with wireless earphones > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0288233 A1 - Document ID: US20200288233A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/884,691 - Filed: 2020-05-27 - 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/US20200288233A1 ## 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 Headphones comprising: 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 a user on respective ears of the user; a wireless communication circuit configured for: communicating wirelessly with a handheld, wireless computer device of the user; and receiving audio content streamed wirelessly to the headphones, wherein the first and second acoustic transducers are for playing the audio content streamed wirelessly to the headphones; and a processor circuit in communication with the wireless communication circuit and the first and second earphones, wherein the processor circuit is configured to, in response to detecting an incoming wireless communication to the headphones: mute the audio content streamed wirelessly to the headphones being played by the first and second acoustic transducers; and output audio of the incoming wireless communication via the first and second acoustic transducers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The headphones of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication circuit is for streaming the audio content from a remote network server. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The headphones of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to communicate wirelessly with the handheld, wireless computer device via a Bluetooth link. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The headphones of claim 4, wherein the wireless communication circuit is for streaming the audio content from the handheld, wireless computer device via the Bluetooth link. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The headphones of claim 5, wherein: the first and second earphones are physically separate such that when the headphones are worn by the first user, the first and second earphones are not physically connected; the wireless communication circuit of the headphones comprises first and second wireless communication circuits: the processor circuit of the headphones comprises first and second processor circuits; the first earphone comprises the first wireless communication circuit and the first processor circuit; the second earphone comprises the second wireless communication circuit and the second processor 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 headphones. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The headphones of claim 6, wherein: the first earphone further comprises: a first microphone; and a first memory for storing firmware that is executed by the first processor circuit; and the second earphone further comprises: a second microphone; and a second memory for storing firmware that is executed by the second processor circuit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The headphone of claim 7, wherein: the first earphone further comprises a first earbud; and the second earphone further comprises a second earbud. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The headphones of claim 7, wherein the first processor circuit is configured to, upon activation of a user-control of the headphones, initiate transmission of a request to a remote network server that is in wireless communication with the handheld, wireless computer device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The headphones of claim 9, wherein the first processor circuit is further for receiving a response to the request. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The headphones of claim 7, wherein the first and second memories are configured to store firmware upgrades transmitted wirelessly to the headphones. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The headphones 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 streamed wirelessly to the headphones 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 13 (depends on 7) The headphones of claim 7, wherein the first processor circuit is for: processing audible utterances by the user picked up by the first microphone in response to activation of the first microphone by the user; and transmitting a wireless communication from the headphones based on the audible utterances. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The headphones 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 headphones and the second digital audio source. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The headphones of claim 13, wherein the first digital audio source is the handheld, wireless computer device of the first user. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The headphones of claim 7, wherein the first processor circuit is configured such that upon activation of the first microphone by the user, data are transmitted about the headphones to a remote device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 7) The headphones of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second earphones further comprises: an adjustable, curved hanger bar that sits upon an upper external curvature of the user's ear, behind an upper portion of an auricula of the first user's ear, when the headphones are worn by the user; and a body connected to the hanger bar. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The headphones of claim 17, wherein the body of each of the first and second earphones comprises an earbud. ### Claim 19 (depends on 7) The headphones of claim 7, wherein: the first earphone comprises a first buffer that caches audio content received wirelessly by the headphones 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 headphones prior to the audio content being played by the second earphone. ### Claim 20 (depends on 7) The headphones of claim 7, 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 21 (depends on 20) The headphones of claim 20, wherein: the first earphone comprises a first earbud; and the second earphone comprises a second earbud. ### Claim 22 (depends on 7) The headphones of claim 7, further comprises a docking station for charging a rechargeable battery of the first earphone. ### Claim 23 (depends on 2) The headphones of claim 2, 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 24 (depends on 23) The headphones of claim 23, further comprising a baseband processor circuit that is in communication with the wireless communication circuit.