IP Library Granted Patent US 11,829,518
Granted Patent B1
US 11,829,518 · App. 18/224,793 · Granted Nov 28, 2023

Head-worn device with connection region

Inventors: Thomas A. Howell (Palo Alto, CA); David Chao (Saratoga, CA); C. Douglass Thomas (Saratoga, CA); Peter P. Tong (Mountain View, CA)
Assignee: IngenioSpec, LLC
G06F3/01G02C5/001G02C5/14G02C5/143G02C11/10G06F1/163G10L15/22
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,829,518
App. No.
18/224,793
Granted
Nov 28, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

In one embodiment, an eyewear frame for a user includes at least a front portion with two side portions; two speakers, one in each side portion; a connection region at one side portion, with an electrical connector having two conductive pads to connect to corresponding conductive contacts of a counterpart connector; a rechargeable battery; a microphone in the frame; and wireless communication circuitry in the frame. The connection region can be provided at an inside surface of one of the side portions. The eyewear frame can also include a touch-sensitive input surface on the eyewear frame configured to provide an input to the frame to perform a function. Another embodiment includes a headset with a touch-sensitive input surface and an electrical connector having a conductive pad to connect to a corresponding conductive contact of a counterpart connector.

Claims (36)

1. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus at least configured for producing audio outputs for a user comprising:

a speaker in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus;

an electrical connector at the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus, wherein the electrical connector includes at least two conductive pads, with the at least two conductive pads both on at least a surface of the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus, and wherein the at least two conductive pads are configured to removably couple to corresponding conductive contacts of a counterpart connector external to and separate from the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus, at least via spring-force, to at least enable each of the at least two conductive pads electrically connected to its corresponding conductive contact;

a rechargeable battery in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus;

a microphone in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus; and

a touch-sensitive input surface on the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus, wherein the touch-sensitive input surface is configured to generate at least an electrical signal for an operation of the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus based on receiving at least a touch input.

2. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising:

wireless communication circuitry in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus configured for coupling to at least a Bluetooth network; and

a storage medium configured to store at least computer program codes for facilitating voice recognition to facilitate recognizing at least a word received by at least the microphone for an operation of the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus.

3. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising at least another microphone in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus,

wherein the microphone is configured to be positioned closer to mouth of the user and the another microphone is configured to be positioned further from the mouth of the user, when the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus is worn by the user, and

wherein at least the microphone and the another microphone are configured to receive audio inputs, with at least some noise in the audio inputs configured to be cancelled based on using at least the microphone and the another microphone.

4. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising a controller configured to identify a sliding action across at least a portion of the touch-sensitive input surface, and to facilitate a first or a second operation of the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus based on identifying whether the sliding action is in a first direction or a direction opposite from the first direction across the at least a portion of the touch-sensitive input surface.

5. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising a controller configured to determine whether the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus is being used based on outputs from a sensor at least partially in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus.

6. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising an accelerometer.

7. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising an area configured for attachment via magnetic force.

8. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 7 comprising a magnet in the area.

9. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising a force sensor.

10. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 3 comprising an area configured for attachment via magnetic force.

11. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim comprising an accelerometer.

12. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 10 comprising:

wireless communication circuitry in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus configured for coupling to at least a Bluetooth network; and

a storage medium configured to store at least computer program codes for facilitating voice recognition to facilitate recognizing at least a word received at least by the microphone for an operation of the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus.

13. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 12 comprising a controller configured to determine regarding whether the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus is being used based on outputs from a sensor at least partially in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus.

14. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to identify a sliding action across at least a portion of the touch-sensitive input surface, and to facilitate a first or a second operation of the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus based on identifying whether the sliding action is in a first direction or a direction opposite from the first direction across the at least a portion of the touch-sensitive input surface.

15. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 1 ,

wherein the apparatus is configured to be worn in an ear of the user.

16. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 15 comprising at least another microphone in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus,

wherein the microphone is configured to be positioned closer to mouth of the user than the another microphone, when the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus is worn by the user, and

wherein at least the microphone and the another microphone are configured to receive audio inputs, with at least some noise in the audio inputs configured to be cancelled based on using at least the microphone and the another microphone.

17. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 16 comprising an area configured for attachment via magnetic force.

18. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 17 comprising:

wireless communication circuitry in the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus configured for coupling to at least a Bluetooth network; and

a storage medium configured to store at least computer program codes for facilitating voice recognition to facilitate recognizing at least a word received by at least the microphone for an operation of the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus.

19. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 18 comprising a controller configured to determine whether the head-worn wireless electronic apparatus is being used.

20. A head-worn wireless electronic apparatus as recited in claim 19 comprising an accelerometer.

Continuity (17)
Division 18129660 · Mar 31, 2023
Continuation 16424018 · May 28, 2019
Continuation 13831419 · Mar 14, 2013
Continuation 13291020 · Nov 7, 2011
Continuation 12803732 · Jul 1, 2010
Continuation 11546685 · Oct 11, 2006
Continuation In Part 11183256 · Jul 15, 2005
Provisional Application 60846150 · Sep 20, 2006
Provisional Application 60787850 · Apr 1, 2006
Provisional Application 60725999 · Oct 11, 2005
Provisional Application 60725896 · Oct 11, 2005
Provisional Application 60647826 · Jan 31, 2005
Provisional Application 60647836 · Jan 31, 2005
Provisional Application 60620238 · Oct 18, 2004
Provisional Application 60618107 · Oct 12, 2004
Provisional Application 60605191 · Aug 28, 2004
Provisional Application 60592045 · Jul 28, 2004
Cited By (9)
US 12,216,341 US 12,238,494 US 12,242,138 US 12,248,198 US 12,313,913 US 12,345,955 US 12,535,698 US 12,573,865 US 12,699,287