IP Library Granted Patent US 11,399,227
Granted Patent B2
US 11,399,227 · App. 17/261,373 · Granted Jul 26, 2022

Wireless earphone charger, wireless earphone and wireless earphone system

Inventors: Kazuhiro Onizuka (Tokyo, JP); Yasuyuki Morimoto (Kanagawa, JP); Takashi Nara (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: AUDIO—TECHNICA CORPORATION
H04R1/1025H02J7/0044H02J7/0047H02J7/02H02J50/10H04R1/02H04R1/1016H04R2420/07
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,399,227
App. No.
17/261,373
Granted
Jul 26, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided are a wireless earphone charger, a wireless earphone, and a wireless earphone system that improve visibility and design of an indicator of the charger. The wireless earphone charger 3 is configured to charge a wireless earphone including a receiving circuit 141, 241 configured to receive a sound signal via a wireless communication line, and an earphone rechargeable battery 15, 25 configured to charge power to be supplied to the receiving circuit. The wireless earphone charger includes a rechargeable battery 35 configured to charge power to be supplied to the earphone rechargeable battery, an indicator 34 A configured to indicate a plurality of indication modes, and a controller 39 configured to switch the indication modes. The indication modes of the indicator include a first indication mode for indicating a remaining power of the rechargeable battery, and a second indication mode for indicating a remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery. The indicator indicates only one of the indication modes.

Claims (64)

1. A wireless earphone charger for a wireless earphone comprising a receiving circuit configured to receive a sound signal via a wireless communication line and an earphone rechargeable battery configured to charge power to be supplied to the receiving circuit, the wireless earphone charger comprising:

a rechargeable battery configured to charge power to be supplied to the earphone rechargeable battery;

an indicator configured to indicate a plurality of indication modes,

a controller configured to switch the indication modes;

a cable connection terminal to which a power supply cable for supplying power to be charged to the rechargeable battery is connected; and

a detector configured to detect a connection of the power supply cable to the cable connection terminal, wherein

the indication modes of the indicator include a first indication mode for indicating a remaining power of the rechargeable battery, and a second indication mode for indicating a remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery,

the controller is configured to switch the indication modes of the indicator based on a detection result of the detector, and

the indicator is configured to indicate the first indication mode when the power supply cable is connected to the cable connection terminal.

2. The wireless earphone charger according to claim 1 , wherein

the first indication mode includes a plurality of individual indication modes,

the individual indication modes include a connected individual indication mode when the power supply cable is connected to the cable connection terminal, and an unconnected individual indication mode when the power supply cable is not connected to the cable connection terminal, and

the connected individual indication mode is different from the unconnected individual indication mode.

3. The wireless earphone charger according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a case that houses the wireless earphone; and

a button that is operated to switch the indication modes of the indicator, wherein

the button is a push button disposed in the case, and

the controller is configured to switch the indication modes based on an operation to the button.

4. The wireless earphone charger according to claim 3 , wherein the indicator is exposed to an outside of the case.

5. The wireless earphone charger according to claim 3 , further comprising:

a second indicator configured to indicate the remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery; and

a lid openable and closable with respect to the case, wherein

the second indicator is visible from the outside of the case only when the lid is open with respect to the case.

6. The wireless earphone charger according to claim 5 , wherein

a plurality of indication modes of the second indicator include a connected indication mode when the power supply cable is connected to the cable connection terminal, and an unconnected indication mode when the power supply cable is not connected to the cable connection terminal, and

the connected indication mode is different from the unconnected indication mode.

7. A wireless earphone charged by a wireless earphone charger, wherein

the wireless earphone charger is the wireless earphone charger of claim 1 , and

the wireless earphone comprises:

a receiving circuit configured to receive a sound signal via a wireless communication line,

an earphone rechargeable battery configured to charge power to be supplied to the receiving circuit,

a power receiving terminal configured to receive power from the wireless earphone charger, and

a transmitting terminal configured to transmit a signal that indicates a remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery to the wireless earphone charger.

8. A wireless earphone system comprising:

a wireless earphone; and

a wireless earphone charger configured to charge the wireless earphone, wherein

the wireless earphone comprises:

a receiving circuit configured to receive a sound signal via a wireless communication line;

an earphone rechargeable battery configured to charge power to be supplied to the receiving circuit;

a power receiving terminal configured to receive power from the wireless earphone charger; and

a transmitting terminal configured to transmit a signal that indicates a remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery to the wireless earphone charger, wherein

the wireless earphone charger comprises:

a rechargeable battery configured to charge power to be supplied to the earphone rechargeable battery;

an indicator configured to indicate a plurality of indication modes;

a controller configured to switch the indication modes;

a cable connection terminal to which a power supply cable for supplying power to be charged to the rechargeable battery is connected;

a detector configured to detect a connection of the power supply cable to the cable connection terminal;

a power supply terminal; and

a receiving terminal, wherein

the indication modes of the indicator include:

a first indication mode for indicating a remaining power of the rechargeable battery; and

a second indication mode for indicating the remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery, wherein

the controller is configured to switch the indication modes of the indicator based on a detection result of the detector,

the indicator is configured to indicate the first indication mode when the power supply cable is connected to the cable connection terminal,

the power supply terminal is connected to the power receiving terminal to supply power to the power receiving terminal, and

the receiving terminal is connected to the transmitting terminal to receive a signal that indicates the remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery.

9. The wireless earphone system according to claim 8 , wherein

the wireless earphone charger further comprises a detection terminal configured to detect a connection between the power receiving terminal and the power supply terminal,

the wireless earphone further comprises a connection terminal configured to connect to the detection terminal, and

the supply of power from the power supply terminal starts when the detection terminal and the connection terminal are connected.

10. The wireless earphone system according to claim 9 , wherein

the wireless earphone charger further comprises a second indicator, and

the second indicator is configured to indicate a connection state between the detection terminal and the connection terminal, and the remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery.

11. The wireless earphone system according to claim 8 , wherein the indicator indicates the remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery based on the signal that indicates the remaining power of the earphone rechargeable battery received by the receiving terminal.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2021
From: ONIZUKA, KAZUHIRO; MORIMOTO, YASUYUKI; NARA, TAKASHI
To: AUDIO-TECHNICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054954/0084 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2018-136863 · Jul 20, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210289282A1 · Sep 16, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,732,021