IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,993,012
Granted Patent B2
US 10,993,012 · App. 16/726,440 · Granted Apr 27, 2021

Magnetic earphones holder

Inventor: Rob Honeycutt (Berkeley, CA)
Assignee: Snik LLC
H04R1/1033H04R1/028H04R1/1016H04R1/1041H04R2201/023
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,993,012
App. No.
16/726,440
Granted
Apr 27, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A set of earphones enable a user to automatically activate and/or deactivate an electronic device. The earphones comprise an electronic device controller which controls the operation of an electronic device. The controller is configured to send a signal to an electronic device activation circuit which operates the electronic device based upon a coupling status of the earbuds with the one or more magnetically attractable surfaces and/or one or more magnets. The earphones are usable with an electronic device that is able to be customized to blend in with its background such as when worn with specific clothing.

Claims (39)

1. A set of earphones comprising:

a. a first earbud comprising a first earbud magnet;

b. a second earbud comprising a second earbud magnet; and

c. an electronic device controller coupled to the first earbud and the second earbud,

wherein the first earbud magnet of the first earbud and the second earbud magnet of the second earbud are configured to removably couple with a first holder body magnet of a first form fitting opening and a second holder body magnet of a second form fitting opening of an earphones holder body, and wherein the electronic device controller receives an activation signal based on a magnetic decoupling of the first earbud magnet with the first holder body magnet of the first form fitting opening and a magnetic decoupling of the second earbud magnet with the second holder body magnet of the second form fitting opening.

2. The set of earphones of claim 1 , wherein audio is enabled to be transmitted from an electronic device to the first earbud and the second earbud when the electronic device controller receives the activation signal.

3. The set of earphones of claim 2 , wherein the electronic device controller receives a deactivation signal when one of the first earbud magnet is coupled to the first holder body magnet of the first form fitting opening and the second earbud magnet is coupled to the second holder body magnet of the second form fitting opening, wherein the deactivation signal enables the electronic device to stop transmitting audio to the first earbud and the second earbud.

4. The set of earphones of claim 2 , wherein the transmitted audio comprises a phone call.

5. The set of earphones of claim 2 , wherein the transmitted audio comprises one of music, a video game, a movie and a media stream from the electronic device.

6. The set of earphones of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a phone, a tablet and a watch.

7. The set of earphones of claim 1 , wherein the activation signal comprises a wireless signal.

8. The set of earphones of claim 1 , wherein the earphones are wireless earphones.

9. The set of earphones of claim 1 , wherein the earphones holder body comprises a charging port.

10. An earphones system comprising:

a. a first earbud comprising a first earbud magnet;

b. a second earbud comprising a second earbud magnet;

c. a holder body comprising:

i. a first form fitting opening for removably receiving the first earbud, wherein the first form fitting opening comprises a first holder body magnet; and

ii. a second form fitting opening for removably receiving the second earbud, wherein the second form fitting opening comprises a second holder body magnet;

d. an earbud engagement detector for detecting an engagement of one or both of the first earbud magnet and the second earbud magnet with one of the first holder body magnet and the second holder body magnet; and

e. an electronic device controller, wherein the electronic device controller receives an activation signal based on a magnetic decoupling of one or both of the first earbud magnet and the second earbud magnet from one of the first holder body magnet and the second holder body magnet.

11. The earphones system of claim 10 , wherein audio is enabled to be transmitted from an electronic device to one or both of the first earbud and the second earbud when the electronic device controller receives the activation signal.

12. The earphones system of claim 11 , wherein the electronic device controller receives a deactivation signal when one or both of the first earbud magnet and the second earbud magnet are coupled to one of the first holder body magnet and the second holder body magnet, wherein the deactivation signal enables the electronic device to stop transmitting audio to the first earbud.

13. The earphones system of claim 11 , wherein the transmitted audio comprises a phone call.

14. The earphones system of claim 11 , wherein the transmitted audio comprises one of music, a video game, a movie and a media stream from the electronic device.

15. The earphones system of claim 14 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a phone, a tablet and a watch.

16. The earphones system of claim 10 , wherein the activation signal comprises a wireless signal.

17. The earphones system of claim 10 , wherein the first earbud is wireless.

18. A method of utilizing one or more earbuds comprising:

a. decoupling a first earbud magnet of a first earbud from a first holder body magnet of a first holder body form fitting opening;

b. decoupling a second earbud magnet of a second earbud from a second holder body magnet of a second holder body form fitting opening;

c. receiving an activation signal at an electronic device controller based on one or both of the magnetic decoupling of the first earbud magnet from the first holder body magnet and a magnetically decoupling of a second earbud magnet from the second holder body magnet.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein audio is enabled to be transmitted from an electronic device to the first earbud when the electronic device controller receives the activation signal.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the electronic device controller receives a deactivation signal when the first earbud magnet is coupled to the first holder body magnet and the second earbud magnet is coupled to the second holder body magnet, wherein the deactivation signal enables the electronic device to stop transmitting audio to the first earbud.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the transmitted audio comprises a phone call.

22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the transmitted audio comprises one of music, a video game, a movie and a media stream from the electronic device.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a phone, a tablet and a watch.

24. The method of claim 18 , wherein the activation signal comprises a wireless signal.

25. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first earbud is wireless.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 24, 2019
From: HONEYCUTT, ROB
To: SNIK LLC
Reel/Frame 051362/0522 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 14853876 · Sep 14, 2015
Continuation In Part 14215833 · Mar 17, 2014
Continuation In Part 13734871 · Jan 4, 2013
Provisional Application 61601722 · Feb 22, 2012
Provisional Application 61671572 · Jul 13, 2012
Provisional Application 61712136 · Oct 10, 2012
Related Publication 20200137477A1 · Apr 30, 2020