Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090101433 | INVERTIBLE EAR TIPS FOR AN EAR PIECE - An ear piece for providing audio (e.g., from an electronic device) to the user is provided. The ear piece may include a compliant element operative to be inserted in the user's ear such that the compliant element deforms to retain the ear piece in the user's ear. The compliant element may include a connector portion coupling the compliant element to the ear piece housing, and an outer portion folded over the ear piece housing. To improve the user's comfort, the compliant element may be manufactured inverted, such that parting lines or other defects due to the manufacturing process are located on the outer surface of the inverted outer portion. Then, when the compliant element is inverted post-manufacturing, the parting lines and other manufacturing defects may be hidden from view and from touch (e.g., the parting lines are then on the inner surface of the outer portion). | 04-23-2009 |
20090103760 | Earphone with Removable Component - An earphone or a removable component for use with an earphone are disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be a cap, filter or cover. According to one aspect, a headphone can provide improved approaches to substantially prevent foreign matter from hindering performance. However, when foreign matter has nevertheless accumulated, a user of the headphone can themselves clean the accumulated foreign matter without any tools or professional assistance. In one embodiment, a cover or filter is position and removably secured proximate to an entry to an acoustic channel of the headphone so that the foreign matter can be substantially blocked from ever entering the acoustic channel. In one embodiment, the cover or filter can be provided as part of a removable structure, e.g., cap, so that the cover or filter can be cleaned, replaced or otherwise serviced. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103764 | Removable Ear Tip for Earphone - An earphone or a removable component for use with an earphone are disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be an ear tip. According to one aspect, an improved ear tip can be provided for use with a headphone. The ear tip is suitable for in-ear operation and has a deformable outer member. The deformable outer member enables the ear tip to readily conform to a user's ear. The ear tip can also include an inner member to structurally support the outer member and to facilitate attachment to a headphone. | 04-23-2009 |
20090122510 | IN CABLE MICRO INPUT DEVICES - The present description is directed to small form-factor input devices operative to be coupled to an electronic device using a cable. For example, in some embodiments, an input device is described for providing one or more inputs to an electrical device, wherein the input device comprises a circuit board having first and second sides; a first electrical switch disposed on the first side of the circuit board; a second electrical switch disposed on the first side of the circuit board; a third electrical switch disposed on the second side of the circuit board; a frame defining a periphery, wherein the circuit board is maintained within the periphery of the frame; top and bottom shells that house the circuit board, the top shell placed over the first side of the circuit board, and the bottom shell placed over the second side of the circuit board; and at least one clip coupled to each one of the top shell and the bottom shell, wherein the at least one clip is operative to engage the frame. | 05-14-2009 |
20090242364 | Multiple Function Inline Controller with Varying Oriented Buttons - Methods, apparatus and systems which provide buttons oriented at angles relative to each other as a part of a multiple function switch are disclosed. In one embodiment, the multiple function switch is part of an inline controller that is suitable for use to control features or functions of a portable electronic device. | 10-01-2009 |
20090245931 | SMALL LANYARD CONNECTOR FOR LOW PROFILE DEVICE - A miniaturized attachment mechanism for attaching a lanyard to a cell phone, MP3 player or other portable device having a hole in its outer casing is disclosed. The miniaturized attachment mechanism can have one end permanently fastened to a lanyard, and can include a spring-loaded ball detent within a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft diameter can be about 3 millimeters or less, while the diameter of the ball within the hollow shaft can be about 2 millimeters or less. The hollow shaft can be inserted into the casing hole such that the ball detent secures the mechanism to the casing until a pin release is used. In another embodiment, the miniaturized attachment mechanism can include a 1 millimeter shaft having a groove at an insertable end, while the casing encloses a two hole E-ring mechanism adapted to lock onto the groove when the shaft is inserted into the casing hole. | 10-01-2009 |
20090290296 | SMALL LANYARD CONNECTOR FOR LOW PROFILE DEVICE - A miniaturized attachment mechanism for attaching a lanyard to a cell phone, MP3 player or other portable device having a hole in its outer casing is disclosed. The miniaturized attachment mechanism can have one end permanently fastened to a lanyard, and can include a spring-loaded ball detent within a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft diameter can be about 3 millimeters or less, while the diameter of the ball within the hollow shaft can be about 2 millimeters or less. The hollow shaft can be inserted into the casing hole such that the ball detent secures the mechanism to the casing until a pin release is used. In another embodiment, the miniaturized attachment mechanism can include a 1 millimeter shaft having a groove at an insertable end, while the casing encloses a two hole E-ring mechanism adapted to lock onto the groove when the shaft is inserted into the casing hole. | 11-26-2009 |
20090305565 | COMPACT POWER ADAPTER - A compact power adapter is disclosed. In one embodiment, a compact power adapter is facilitated by improved approaches to construct and assemble the power adapter. According to one aspect, connectors can serve to electrically couple blades (or prongs) of a power adapter plug to a printed circuit board assembly internal to a housing for the power adapter. The connectors serve to couple AC power to the printed circuit board assembly where the AC power can be converted to DC power. The connectors also facilitate assembly of the power adapter in that reliable interconnections can be provided without wires, soldering or other custom assembly operations. In one embodiment, a base for a power adapter plug of a power adapter can include a metal base connected to a blade (or prong) of the power adapter plug. The metal base can provide mechanical support to the blade as well as electrical connectivity to an internal terminal for the power adapter plug. The internal terminals used by a power adapter plug of a power adapter can be coupled to a printed circuit board assembly using connectors, thereby facilitating interconnection with electrical components used by the power adapter. | 12-10-2009 |
20090311915 | LOW PROFILE PLUGS - Apparatus, systems, and methods for assembling a plug with a low profile for use with an electronic device are provided. In some embodiments, a 4-pin plug may include a diameter similar to the diameter of a 3-pin plug. In some embodiments, the fourth pin may be coupled to the plug such that a portion of the fourth pin may be coupled to any suitable device on an internal surface of the plug. In some embodiments, the fourth pin may dive into the plug at the same depth as one of the other three pins of the plug. The pins within the plug may be coupled (e.g., soldered) at the ends that may emerge underneath an overmold to any other suitable device to form electrical connections. The plug may be used to transmit audio or transfer data to a user of the electronic device. | 12-17-2009 |
20090316944 | In-the-ear porting structures for earbug - Systems, apparatus and methods are discussed for controlling resonance in in-the-ear headphones. Resonance effects resulting from wave reflection and superposition can occur in the cavity formed by the port tube of an earbud and the wearer's ear canal. In this invention, acoustically resistive structures are provided to create sound diffusion in the cavity. In one embodiment, a spring coil with several adjustable parameters is inserted into the port tube. In another embodiment, a pattern of grooves is carved into the inner surface of the port tube. Porous filters can also be used in conjunction with both of the embodiments described above. The result of providing the resistive structures in an earbud is a flattened cavity frequency response and improved sound quality. | 12-24-2009 |
20100009575 | Audio plug with cosmetic hard shell - Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials. | 01-14-2010 |
20100054493 | ACCESSORY CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Accessories such as headsets for electronic devices are provided. A headset may be provided with a button controller assembly that has user-actuated buttons. The button controller assembly may be formed of housing portions that float with respect to each other. Plastic engagement structures may limit the amount of unimpeded travel that is exhibited by the housing portions. The housing portions may be formed from first and second housings. A rigid frame may be mounted within the second housing. The first housing may flex along its length when the user squeezes the first and second housings together to actuate a desired button. Housings may be formed as double-shot plastic parts having first and second plastics with different properties. Integrated circuits and a microphone may be mounted within the button controller assembly. A nonoperational microphone port may be provided as a visual indicator that the button controller contains a microphone. | 03-04-2010 |
20100224305 | Adhesive Having UV-Reactive Colorization - An adhesive having a light-activated distinctive appearance is disclosed. The adhesive in the presence of a certain type of light can project a distinctive color. In one embodiment, an adhesive can have a light-activated colorization. The light used to activate the colorization can be Ultraviolet (UV) light. The adhesive can be used in an assembly and/or review process for consumer products to facilitate assembly and/or review of consumer products assembled at least in part using adhesive. | 09-09-2010 |
20100246879 | Deformable Ear Tip for Earphone and Method Therefor - A removable component for use with an earphone is disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be an ear tip. According to one aspect, an improved ear tip can be provided for use with a headphone. The ear tip is suitable for in-ear operation and can have a cosmetic deformable outer member. The deformable outer member can enable the ear tip to readily conform to a user's ear. The ear tip can also include an inner member to structurally support the outer member and to facilitate attachment to a headphone. Methods for forming such ear tips are also disclosed. | 09-30-2010 |
20110007929 | EARBUDS WITH ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION - To avoid undesirable electrostatic discharge events while maintaining low leakage currents, earbuds may be provided with controlled electrostatic discharge paths. The discharge paths may include discrete components such as resistors or more distributed resistive components such as resistive elastomers. A resistive elastomer may be incorporated into an interior portion of an earbud between an earbud housing structure and a ground path. A resistive elastomer may also be used in forming an ear bud tip. | 01-13-2011 |
20110021084 | AUDIO PLUG WITH COSMETIC HARD SHELL - Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials. | 01-27-2011 |
20110073505 | BUTTON MECHANISMS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASES - A case for electronic devices having buttons may include button mechanisms that allow the case slide over an electronic device without impacting the buttons. Each button mechanism may include a sheet spring that biases the button mechanism away from the buttons. When a user presses the button mechanism, the button mechanism may transmit force from the user to one of the buttons and actuate that button. One type of button mechanism may transmit force that actuates a single push-button. A second type of button mechanism may transmit forces that actuate a rocker switch with two actuation modes such as a volume rocker with a volume up mode and a volume down mode. The button mechanisms may be configured to provide tactile feedback to the user that is similar to the tactile feedback of the electronic device's buttons when the electronic device is not mounted in the case. | 03-31-2011 |
20110124227 | COMPACT POWER ADAPTER - A compact power adapter is disclosed. In one embodiment, a compact power adapter is facilitated by improved approaches to construct and assemble the power adapter. According to one aspect, connectors can serve to electrically couple blades (or prongs) of a power adapter plug to a printed circuit board assembly internal to a housing for the power adapter. The connectors serve to couple AC power to the printed circuit board assembly where the AC power can be converted to DC power. The connectors also facilitate assembly of the power adapter in that reliable interconnections can be provided without wires, soldering or other custom assembly operations. In one embodiment, a base for a power adapter plug of a power adapter can include a metal base connected to a blade (or prong) of the power adapter plug. The metal base can provide mechanical support to the blade as well as electrical connectivity to an internal terminal for the power adapter plug. The internal terminals used by a power adapter plug of a power adapter can be coupled to a printed circuit board assembly using connectors, thereby facilitating interconnection with electrical components used by the power adapter. | 05-26-2011 |
20110255260 | BUTTON STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - An electronic device may have buttons, a display, and a vibrator unit. Buttons may be included in electronic devices such as glass buttons, metal buttons, buttons that are assembled on printed circuit boards, and buttons that are partly formed from antenna structures. Button coatings may be used to improve the sliding performance of metal-on-metal buttons. A layer of polymer may be interposed between a button plate and a housing structure. A glass button member may have an underside on which a layer of patterned ink is formed. Elastomeric members may be used to reduce button rattle. Portions of a button may be provided with conductive features that form portions of an antenna. | 10-20-2011 |
20110297578 | Ring-Shaped Cover for Portable Electronic Device - An outer cover for an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device, is disclosed. Since portable electronic devices are often portable, they can be damaged, such as scratched, dented, broken, and the like, when transported or used. The outer cover can serve to provide a protective member over part of the housing for the electronic device. The protective member, when placed on the portable electronic device can serve to reduce damage to sides of the portable electronic device. While the outer cover can provide side and/or edge protection, the outer cover need not also provide front or rear protection. | 12-08-2011 |
20110303447 | LOW PROFILE TAPE STRUCTURES - Electronic devices may include electronic device structures such substrates, structures with cavities, and housing structures. Tape may be used to seal components to the surface of a substrate or within a cavity. The tape may have a nonstick polymer layer such as a layer of parylene and one or two layers of adhesive. The nonstick layer may be formed in a pattern so that some of the layer of adhesive is uncovered by the nonstick layer. The nonstick layer may be oriented so that the adhesive is interposed between the nonstick layer and a sealed component or may be oriented so that the nonstick layer is interposed between the adhesive layer and the sealed component. The component that is sealed by the tape may be an electrical component such as a dome switch or other mechanical or electrical component. | 12-15-2011 |
20120244343 | BONDING STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES USING THERMALLY ACTIVATED ADHESIVE - Techniques for optically activating thermally activated adhesives are disclosed. In one embodiment, a laser can be used to activate thermally activated adhesive. In one implementation, a laser output can be directed through a structural component being coupled to another structural component through use of the thermally activated adhesive. As a result, the structural components to be adhered together can, first, be placed in the appropriate position with the adhesive in a non-active state, and second, a laser can provide the laser output to activate the adhesive (whereby the adhesive transitions from the non-active state to an active state). | 09-27-2012 |
20120312628 | DEFORMABLE EAR TIP FOR EARPHONE AND METHOD THEREFOR - A removable component for use with an earphone is disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be an ear tip. According to one aspect, an improved ear tip can be provided for use with a headphone. The ear tip is suitable for in-ear operation and can have a cosmetic deformable outer member. The deformable outer member can enable the ear tip to readily conform to a user's ear. The ear tip can also include an inner member to structurally support the outer member and to facilitate attachment to a headphone. Methods for forming such ear tips are also disclosed. | 12-13-2012 |
20130081845 | HOUSING FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - Improved techniques are disclosed for housing electronic components. A first housing member can be made to have an exterior surface that covers a majority of the housing. The first housing member can be of unitary construction. The first housing member can be seamlessly constructed. The first housing member can be formed in one injection molding. An electrical power conduction pin can extend through an aperture in a cover plate, and can be arranged for mechanically coupling the cover plate with a major interior surface of the first housing member, so as to secure the cover plate to the first housing member. | 04-04-2013 |
20130244500 | COMPACT POWER ADAPTER - A compact power adapter is disclosed. In one embodiment, a compact power adapter is facilitated by improved approaches to construct and assemble the power adapter. According to one aspect, connectors can serve to electrically couple blades (or prongs) of a power adapter plug to a printed circuit board assembly internal to a housing for the power adapter. The connectors serve to couple AC power to the printed circuit board assembly where the AC power can be converted to DC power. The connectors also facilitate assembly of the power adapter in that reliable interconnections can be provided without wires, soldering or other custom assembly operations. In one embodiment, a base for a power adapter plug of a power adapter can include a metal base connected to a blade (or prong) of the power adapter plug. The metal base can provide mechanical support to the blade as well as electrical connectivity to an internal terminal for the power adapter plug. The internal terminals used by a power adapter plug of a power adapter can be coupled to a printed circuit board assembly using connectors, thereby facilitating interconnection with electrical components used by the power adapter. | 09-19-2013 |
20130287222 | EARBUDS WITH ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION - To avoid undesirable electrostatic discharge events while maintaining low leakage currents, earbuds may be provided with controlled electrostatic discharge paths. The discharge paths may include discrete components such as resistors or more distributed resistive components such as resistive elastomers. A resistive elastomer may be incorporated into an interior portion of an earbud between an earbud housing structure and a ground path. A resistive elastomer may also be used in forming an ear bud tip. | 10-31-2013 |
20130341168 | IN CABLE MICRO INPUT DEVICES - A small form-factor input device operative to be coupled to an electronic device using a cable may include a circuit board; a first electrical switch disposed on a first side of the circuit board; a second electrical switch disposed on a second side of the circuit board; a frame defining a periphery, wherein the circuit board is maintained within the periphery of the frame; first and second shells that house the circuit board, the first shell placed over the first side of the circuit board, and the second shell placed over the second side of the circuit board; and at least one clip coupled to each one of the first shell and the second shell, wherein the at least one clip is operative to engage the frame. | 12-26-2013 |