11820110317865A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0317865 A1
`Stevinson
`(43) Pub. Date: Dec. 29, 2011
`
`
`(54) ERGONOMIC SYSTEM FOR COMPACT
`WINDING AND STORAGE OF EARPHONE
`SET/HEADPHONES USED WITH DIGITAL
`MEDIA DEVICES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Dean Stevinson, Centennial, CO
`(US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`13/167,662
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 23, 2011
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/357,921, filed on Jun.
`23, 2010.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04R 1/10
`(52) U.S.Cl. ........................................................ 381/384
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A case stores an earphone set proximate to a digital media
`device (DMD). The case includes a top component that forms
`a storage compartment for storing the earphone set, and a
`coupling mechanism for attaching the top component to the
`DMD such that the storage compartment is proximate a rear
`side of the DMD. The earphone set may be wound onto a
`retaining clip that includes a first cutout sized to receive the
`two ear-pieces and a first pair of notches, disposed on oppo-
`site edges of the plate, about which the two wires are wound.
`A distance between inner segments of the notches is a func-
`tion of the length ofthe wires such that an inline control panel
`and a junction splitter of the earphone set are positioned
`within a periphery of the retaining clip.
`
`332(2)
`
`332(1)
`
`500
`
`328
`
`506
`
`
`
`APPLE1007
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1007
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 1 0f 51
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`336
`
`327
`
`323
`
` 3321
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`M] f303
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`III’
`
`302
`
`FIG. 1
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`312(1)
`
`317
`
`319
`
`(
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`334(1)
`
`337
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`307
`
`338
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`330
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`339
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`2
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`320
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`1
`
`
`
`377
`
`378
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`
`
`
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`FIG. 3
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`3
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 3 0f 51
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`512
`
`500
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 4 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
`
`620
`
`600
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`FIG. 6C
`
`5
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 5 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
`
`6
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 6 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`308
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`
`7
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 7 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
`
`8
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 8 0f 51
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`
`
`304
`
`700
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`
`FIG. 7H
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`9
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 9 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 10 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
`
`908
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 11 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`FIG. 1 OB
`
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 12 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
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`
`13
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 13 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
`
`1 108(2)
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 14 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 15 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1100
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`PatentApplication Publication
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`Dec. 29,2011 Sheet 16 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1200
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 17 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1200
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 18 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 19 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1310
`
`FIG. 13A
`
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`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 20 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
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`FIG. 148
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`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 21 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1412
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`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 22 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1512
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 23 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
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`FIG. 16
`
`24
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 24 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1702
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 25 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 26 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1800
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`
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 27 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1804(3)
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`
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`
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 28 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`1904 0
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 29 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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` FIG. 20A
`
`2004
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 30 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2102
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 31 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 32 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 33 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 34 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2400
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 35 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`FIG. 25A
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 36 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 37 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2600
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 38 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 39 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`3062
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 40 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2700 \
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 41 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2700
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`42
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 42 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2700
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 43 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2800
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 44 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2800
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`45
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`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 45 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`2916(2)
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`2912
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`2900
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`FIG. 29A
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`2900
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`FIG. 29C
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`
`FIG. 29E
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`322
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`FIG. 29F
`
`46
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`46
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 46 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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` FIG. 30A
`
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`
`3016
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`FIG. 3GB
`
`47
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`47
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 47 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
`
`FIG. 30D
`
`48
`
`48
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 48 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`3006
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`3010
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`
`FIG. 30E
`
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`
`FIG. 30F
`
`49
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`49
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 49 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`3120
`
`3100
`
`
`
`FIG. 31A
`
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`
`FIG. 31B
`
`
`
`3120
`
`3120
`
`FIG. 31C
`
`50
`
`50
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 50 of 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`
`
`3202
`
`6023
`
`3212
`
`600
`
`FIG. 32A
`
`0223
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`
`3204
`
`FIG. 323
`
`51
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`51
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 51 0f 51
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`US 2011/0317865 A1
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`3300 \
`
`3306
`
`3302
`
`3308
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`3304
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`
`
`FIG. 33
`
`3400 K
`
`3402
`
`3404
`
`52
`
`

`

`US 2011/0317865 A1
`
`Dec. 29, 2011
`
`ERGONOMIC SYSTEM FOR COMPACT
`WINDING AND STORAGE OF EARPHONE
`SET/HEADPHONES USED WITH DIGITAL
`MEDIA DEVICES
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims priority to US. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 61/357,921, titled “Protective Holder for Digi-
`tal Media Device andAuxiliary Devices”, filed Jun. 23, 2010,
`and incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] This application relates to storage for an earphone
`set used with a portable digital media device.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] Hand held digital media devices (DMDs) come in
`many forms, such as: cellular phones, digital music players,
`digital Video players, AM/FM radios, and so on. Most DMDs
`are small enough to fit in a pocket, a purse or a briefcase, and
`many require the user to wear an earphone set or a headset (or
`similar listening device) for optimal enjoyment. However,
`these earphone sets (or other listening devices) easily become
`tangled, damaged, or are lost when transported unprotected,
`such as when wound around a DMD or carried loose in a
`
`pocket or bag. When included, a carrying case supplied with
`an earphone set is typically either a bulky hard structure or a
`cloth bag. Bulky earphone storage cases and cloth storage
`bags are additional items that a user must keep track of
`Although cloth bags are not bulky, they do nothing to neatly
`store and organize the earphone set. As a result, earphone
`sets/headsets are usually stored separate from the DMD and
`are thus easily lost, or are wrapped around the DMD and
`exposed to damage, and further inhibit use of the DMD.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In one embodiment, a retaining clip securely cap-
`[0004]
`tures and stores an earphone set. The earphone set comprising
`two ear-pieces, a length of cable divided into two wires at a
`junction splitter. Each of the wires couples to a different one
`of the earpieces and one of the wires has an inline control
`panel coupled thereto. An undivided end of the cable couples
`to a jack plug. The retaining clip includes a plate shaped and
`sized to securely capture the earphone set. The plate includes
`a first cutout sized to receive the two ear-pieces and a first pair
`of notches, disposed on opposite edges of the plate, about
`which the two wires are wound. The distance between inner
`
`segments ofthe notches is a function ofthe length ofthe wires
`such that the inline control panel and the junction splitter are
`positioned within a periphery of the retaining clip when the
`two wires are completely wound around the plate in a winding
`path between the notches. The j ack plug is retained within the
`periphery by the wires and the cable when the wires and the
`cable are wound around the plate.
`[0005]
`In another embodiment, a case stores an earphone
`set proximate to a digital media device (DMD). The case
`includes a top component that forms a storage compartment
`for storing the earphone set, and a coupling mechanism for
`attaching the top component to the DMD such that the storage
`compartment is proximate a rear side of the DMD.
`[0006]
`In another embodiment, a case stores an earphone
`set proximate to a digital media device (DMD). The case
`includes a protective DMD case that couples with the DMD,
`
`a storage compartment formed from stretchable material with
`an opening for accessing the storage compartment, and a
`retention clip for holding the earphone set in the storage
`compartment. The storage compartment is coupled to the
`protective DMD case, and the stretchable pocket conforms to
`a contour of the retention clip and the earphone set held
`thereby. The retention clip is removable from the storage
`compartment through the opening.
`[0007]
`In another embodiment, a retractable earphone stor-
`age case stores an earphone set proximate to a digital media
`device (DMD). The case includes a DMD protective case, a
`storage compartment with at least one opening positioned on
`a rear of the DMD protective case, and a retractable mecha-
`nism positioned within the storage compartment for storing
`the earphone set such that the earphone set may be withdrawn
`from the case.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 shows first exemplary prior art earphone set
`[0008]
`with ear-bud style earpieces.
`[0009]
`FIG. 2 shows second exemplary prior art earphone
`set with in-ear style earpieces.
`[0010]
`FIG. 3 shows the earphone set of FIG. 2 with a prior
`art lapel clip.
`[0011]
`FIG. 4 shows fourth exemplary prior art earphone
`set with in-ear style earpieces, a combined remote control and
`microphone and junction splitter, and a lapel clip.
`[0012]
`FIG. 5A shows one exemplary earphone retaining
`clip with winding notches and an earpiece alignment notch, in
`an embodiment.
`
`FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D are various views of the
`[0013]
`retaining clip of FIG. 5A retaining the earphone set of FIG. 2.
`[0014]
`FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are various views of one
`exemplary earphone retaining clip with winding notches, two
`earpiece retaining cutouts, and a j ack plug retaining cutout, in
`an embodiment.
`
`FIGS. 6D, 6E, and 6F are various views of the
`[0015]
`retaining clip of FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C retaining the earphone
`set of FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 7A shows one exemplary earphone retaining
`[0016]
`clip with two earpiece retaining cutouts, winding notches
`with two different distances and an earpiece alignment notch,
`in an embodiment.
`
`FIGS. 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G, and 7H are various
`[0017]
`views showing the retaining clip of FIG. 7A retaining the
`ear-bud style earphone set of FIG. 1.
`[0018]
`FIGS. 8A and 8B are different views of one exem-
`plary earphone retaining clip with an earpiece retaining cut-
`out, winding notches, and a jack plug retaining cutout, in an
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 8C shows the earphone retaining clip of FIGS.
`[0019]
`8A and 8B retaining the earphone set of FIG. 1.
`[0020]
`FIGS. 9A and 9B are views of one exemplary ear-
`phone retaining clip with two earpiece retaining cutouts, and
`winding notches, in an embodiment.
`[0021]
`FIG. 9C shows the earphone retaining clip of FIGS.
`9A and 9B retaining the earphone set of FIG. 1.
`[0022]
`FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are various views show-
`ing one exemplary earphone retaining clip that is shaped and
`sized for storing in-ear style earphone set, in an embodiment.
`[0023]
`FIGS. 10D and 10E show the earphone retaining
`clip of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, retaining the earphone set of
`FIG. 2.
`
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`

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`
`Dec. 29, 2011
`
`FIG. 11A shows one exemplary in-ear style ear-
`[0024]
`phone retaining clip that provides additional protection of the
`earphone set, in an embodiment.
`[0025]
`FIGS. 11B-H illustrate exemplary winding of the
`earphone set of FIG. 4 onto the earphone retaining clip of
`FIG. 11A.
`
`FIGS. 12A-G are various views of one exemplary
`[0026]
`retaining and protective clip for retaining in-ear style ear-
`phone set, in an embodiment.
`[0027]
`FIGS. 12H-L show exemplary winding of the ear-
`phone set of FIG. 3 on the clip of FIGS. 12A-G.
`[0028]
`FIGS. 13A-D show an exemplary earphone storage
`device using the clip of FIGS. 12A-L integrated with a
`stretchable pouch, in an embodiment.
`[0029]
`FIGS. 14A-C show an exemplary carrying case for
`storing an earphone set wound onto the retaining clip of
`FIGS. 8A and 8B, in an embodiment.
`[0030]
`FIGS. 14D-F show use ofthe carrying case ofFIGS.
`14A-C for storing the earphone set of FIG. I wrapped onto the
`earphone retaining clip of FIGS. 8A-C, in an embodiment.
`[0031]
`FIG. 15 shows one exemplary storage case, similar
`to the carrying case of FIGS. 14A-F, that attaches to a digital
`media device (DMD) for storing an earphone set (or other
`items) together with the DMD, in an embodiment.
`[0032]
`FIG. 16 shows one exemplary storage case attached
`to a DMD by a hook and loop method for storing an earphone
`set and a retaining clip such as the clip of FIGS. 6A-C,
`together with the DMD, in an embodiment.
`[0033]
`FIGS. 17A-D are various views of one exemplary
`system for attaching the storage case of FIG. 15 or FIG. 16 to
`a DMD, in an embodiment.
`[0034]
`FIGS. 18A-D are various views showing one exem-
`plary hard shell carrying case formed as an earphone storage
`case and DMD protection case that couple together, in an
`embodiment.
`
`FIGS. 19A-D show one exemplary hard shell carry-
`[0035]
`ing case that is similar to the earphone storage case of FIGS.
`18A-D but formed with a flat slot across the finger grips to
`accommodate a hand strap used with DMD, in an embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIGS. 20A-B are perspective views showing one
`[0036]
`exemplary earphone storage and DMD protection case with a
`slide coupling between a storage compartment and a protec-
`tive DMD case, in an embodiment.
`[0037]
`FIG. 20C shows one exemplary hard shell earphone
`storage and DMD protection case with a slide coupling
`between a storage compartment and a protective DMD case,
`in an embodiment.
`
`FIGS. 21A-C and 21D are end and bottom views,
`[0038]
`respectively, showing one exemplary hard shell earphone
`storage and DMD protection case with a slide coupling
`between a storage compartment and a protective DMD case,
`in an embodiment.
`
`FIGS. 22A-C are various views of one exemplary
`[0039]
`hard shell earphone storage and DMD protection case with a
`slide coupling between a storage compartment and a protec-
`tive DMD case, in an embodiment.
`[0040]
`FIGS. 23A-C are various views of one exemplary
`zippered storage case for protecting a DMD and storing
`accessories, in an embodiment.
`[0041]
`FIGS. 24A and 24B are perspective views of one
`exemplary combined earphone storage and DMD protection
`case coupled with a bottom surface of a DMD, in an embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIGS. 25A-D are perspective views of one exem-
`[0042]
`plary earphone retaining clip for use with a stretchable cover
`integrated with a DMD protective case, in an embodiment.
`[0043]
`FIGS. 26A-I and 26] are side views and a perspec-
`tive view, respectively, of one exemplary split storage and
`protective case 2600 that protects a DMD and provides stor-
`age for an earphone set, in an embodiment.
`[0044]
`FIGS. 27A-E illustrate one exemplary sprung stor-
`age and protective case for a DMD, in an embodiment.
`[0045]
`FIGS. 28A-E are various views of one exemplary
`integrated hard storage and protective case, in an embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIGS. 29A-C are various views of one exemplary
`[0046]
`shaped earphone retaining clip for retaining an in-ear style
`earphone set using reduced height, in an embodiment.
`[0047]
`FIGS. 29D-F show exemplary winding of the ear-
`phone set of FIG. 2 onto the earphone retaining clip of FIGS.
`29A-C.
`
`FIGS. 30A-F show a retractable earphone set in one
`[0048]
`exemplary storage case that attaches to a protective case of a
`DMD, in an embodiment.
`[0049]
`FIGS. 31A and 31B are side views ofone exemplary
`storage case for storing a Bluetooth earpiece with a DMD, in
`an embodiment.
`
`FIG. 31C shows a foam former ofthe storage case of
`[0050]
`FIGS. 31A and 31B.
`
`FIGS. 32A and 32B show one exemplary storage
`[0051]
`case configured to replace a battery compartment cover for a
`DMD, in an embodiment.
`[0052]
`FIG. 33 is a top view of one exemplary earphone set
`storage clip formed with a base portion that is substantially
`flat with a raised former that has recesses sized and shaped to
`receive earpieces of an earphone set, in an embodiment.
`[0053]
`FIG. 34 is a top view of one exemplary earphone set
`storage clip formed with a base portion that is substantially
`flat, narrow, and has a raised former with recesses sized and
`shaped to receive earpieces of an earphone set, in an embodi-
`ment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0054] The present disclosure may be understood by refer-
`ence to the following detailed description considered in con-
`junction with the drawings. Note that, for purposes of illus-
`trative clarity, certain elements in the drawings are not drawn
`to scale. Reference numbers for items that appear multiple
`times may be omitted for clarity. Where possible, the same
`reference numbers are used throughout the drawings and the
`following description to refer to the same or similar parts.
`[0055]
`In the following embodiments, reference is made to
`a digital media device (DMD) that may be selected from the
`group including an iPod, an iPhone, an iPad, an iTouch, a
`notebook computer, a laptop computer, a personal DVD
`player, an MP3 player, a cell phone, a hand-held recording
`device and a personal digital assistant (PDA).
`[0056]
`FIGS. 1 through 4 show exemplary earphone sets
`and their characteristics. These earphone sets are used to
`illustrate use of retaining clips and storages cases in certain
`embodiments described herein. Although a particular ear-
`phone may be used to describe a certain feature, features of
`other earphone sets may also apply. That
`is, within the
`described embodiments, earphone sets may be interchange-
`able without departing from the scope hereof.
`[0057]
`FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary prior art earphone set
`300 with a jack plug 302 coupled with a cable 304 that splits
`
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`
`Dec. 29, 2011
`
`into wires 306(1) and 306(2) at a junction splitter 308, a
`remote control and microphone 310 positioned inline with
`wire 306(1), and two ear-bud style earpieces 312(1) and 312
`(2), each having a stem 314(1) and 314(2) that couples to
`wires 306(1) and 306(2), respectively. Earpieces 312 have a
`diameter D that allows their use within a human ear. Earpieces
`312 have a depth 315 and a length 316. Remote control and
`microphone 310 has a length 318 and is positioned a distance
`317 from stem 314(1) along wire 306(1), which has an overall
`length 307. Cable 304 has a length 319 from junction splitter
`308 to jack plug 302, which has a length 303. Jack plug 302,
`junction splitter 308, remote control and microphone 310,
`and earpieces 312 are substantially rigid. Earphone set 300
`may represent prior art ear-bud style earphone sets sold by
`AppleTM, for example.
`[0058]
`FIG. 2 shows second exemplary prior art earphone
`set 320 of an in-ear style that include a jack plug 322 coupled
`with a cable 324 that splits into wires 326(1) and 326(2) at a
`junction splitter 328, a remote control and microphone 330
`positioned inline with wire 326(1), and two in-ear style ear-
`pieces 332(1) and 332(2), each having a stem 334(1) and
`334(2) that couples to wires 326(1) and 326(2), respectively.
`Dimension of earphone set 320 may be similar to those of
`earphone set 300, except that depth 335 may be larger than
`depth 315 due to the in-ear styling. Earpieces 332 have a
`depth 335 and a length 336. Remote control and microphone
`330 has a length 338 and is positioned a distance 337 from
`stem 334(1) along wire 326(1), which has an overall length
`327. Cable 324 has a length 339 from junction splitter 328 to
`jackplug 322, which has a length 323. Jack plug 322, junction
`splitter 328, remote control and microphone 330, and ear-
`pieces 332 are substantially rigid. Earphone set 320 may
`represent in-ear style prior art earphone devices sold by
`AppleTM, for example.
`[0059]
`FIG. 3 shows earphone set 320 of FIG. 2 with an
`additional prior art lapel clip 342 positioned on wire 306(1)
`below remote control and microphone 330. Lapel clip 342
`forms another rigid structure of earphone set 320 with a width
`346 and length 344.
`[0060]
`FIG. 4 shows fourth exemplary earphone set 360
`with a jack plug 362 coupled with a cable 364 that splits into
`wires 366(1) and 366(2) at a junction splitter 368 that is
`combined with a remote control and microphone 370 posi-
`tioned inline with cable 364, a lapel clip 384 and two in-ear
`style earpieces 372(1) and 372(2), each having a stem 374(1)
`and 374(2) that couples to wires 366(1) and 366(2), respec-
`tively. Earpieces 372 have a depth 375 and a length 376.
`Remote control and microphone 370 has a length 378. Wires
`366 each have a length 377. Cable 364 has a length 379 from
`remote control and microphone 370 to jack plug 362, which
`has a length 363. Jack plug 362, junction splitter 368, remote
`control and microphone 370, and earpieces 372 are substan-
`tially rigid. Earphone set 360 may represent prior art in-ear
`style earphone devices sold by V—ModaTM, for example.
`[0061]
`It should be noted that size and position of rigid
`components vary for earphone sets from different manufac-
`turers, and for different models from the same manufacturer.
`Safe storage of earphone sets 300, 320, and 360 thus requires
`either a dedicated retaining clip or a versatile clip that allows
`positioning of rigid components for optimal compactness, or
`for optimal fit to an ergonomically styled case, as described in
`detail below.
`
`FIG. 5A shows one exemplary earphone retaining
`[0062]
`clip 500 with winding notches 504(1) and 504(2) and an
`
`alignment notch 502. Clip 500 is formed from a substantially
`flat material, such as plastic and/or metal, or any other easily
`fabricated material. FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D show alternate
`views of retaining clip 500 of FIG. 5A retaining earphone set
`320 of FIG. 2. FIGS. 5A-D are best viewed together with the
`following description.
`[0063] Notch 502 receives wires 326 with earpieces 332
`positioned against a front surface 506 ofretaining clip 500, as
`shown in FIG. 5B. Winding notches 504 have a distance W
`between inner segments thereof Distance W is selected, based
`upon earphone set 320, such that as wires 326 and cable 324
`are wound around winding notches 504, earpieces 332 are
`retained in position and junction splitter 328, remote control
`and microphone 330, and jack plug 322 lay adjacent to front
`surface 506 without any substantial slack in cable 324 and
`wires 326. Retaining clip 500 neatly retains earphone set 320.
`Height H and distance W of clip 500 are selected based, at
`least in part, upon measurements 334-341 of earphone set
`320. In particular, height H and distance W of clip 500 may be
`selected based upon size ofrigid components 312, 310, 308,
`and 302, and lengths 307, 317, and 319 of earphone set 300,
`such that earphone set, when wrapped on clip 500, are tidy
`and take up as small a space as possible. Distance W is equal
`or greater than a maximum of length 303 and length 318, for
`example, such that jack plug 302 and inline control panel 310
`may be positioned between edges of notches 505. Optionally,
`clip 500 may include one or more securing holes 508, through
`which jack plug 322 may be passed to prevent cable 304 (and
`wires 306) from unwinding, and/or a jack plug retaining slot
`510 for receiving jack plug 322 such that jack plug 322 may
`be tucked under, and retained by, windings of cable 304
`and/or wires 306. Clip 500 may also optionally include one or
`more additional notches 512 that allow the length of one or
`more windings to be varied when clip 500 is used for retaining
`earphone sets of different lengths. Thus, earphone retaining
`clip 500 may be manufactured to retain in-ear style head-
`phones, such as sold by AppleTM and V—ModaTM, among
`others.
`
`FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show views of one exemplary
`[0064]
`earphone retaining clip 600 with winding notches 608(1) and
`608(2), two earpiece retaining cutouts 602(1) and 602(2), a
`jack plug retaining cutout 617, and a plurality ofnotches 607.
`Clip 600 is formed from a substantially flat material, such as
`plastic or other easily fabricated material. Optionally, clip
`600 includes a retaining band 620 made out of elastic material
`that may be used to further secure the earphone set wound
`onto clip 600. Earphone retaining clip 600 is ideally suited for
`retaining earphone sets with ear-bud style earpieces such as
`earphone set 300 of FIG. 1.
`[0065] Winding notches 608 are formed with a distance W
`between inner segments thereof. Clip 600 allows an earphone
`set to be wound around winding notches 608 resulting in a
`winding with fewer turns and with a thinner profile, as com-
`pared to winding on clips 700, 800, and 900 ofFIGS. 7, 8 and
`9, described below. Clip 600 is particularly suited for use
`where larger areas (e.g., when associated with larger digital
`media devices) are available for storage of the earphone set.
`Optionally, clip 600 may include one or more holes 618,
`through whichjack plug 302 may be passed to help secure the
`earphone set onto clip 600.
`[0066] Earphone sets of various dimensions may be wound
`neatly onto earphone retaining clip 600 by passing cable 304
`and/or wires 306, for one or more turns, through one or more
`notches 607 rather than around winding notches 608, as
`55
`
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`

`US 2011/0317865 A1
`
`Dec. 29, 2011
`
`needed to adjust the position of the rigid components (e.g.,
`remote control and microphone 310, junction splitter 308,
`and jack plug 302) ofthe earphone set. Specifically, by wind-
`ing cable 304 and/or wires 306 through one or more notches
`607 instead of around winding notches 608, junction splitter
`308 and remote control and microphone 310 may be posi-
`tioned adjacent a front surface 603 of clip 600 and jack plug
`302 may be positioned within jack plug retaining cutout 617
`without leaving slack in cable 304 and wires 306. In particu-
`lar, rigid components of earphone set 300 may be positioned
`within a periphery of clip 600.
`[0067]
`FIGS. 6D, 6E, and 6F show front, perspective and
`side views of retaining clip 600 of FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C
`retaining earphone set 300 of FIG. 1. Rigid components 302,
`308, and 310 of earphone set 300 are positioned within a
`periphery (that is, inside the boundaries) of retaining clip 600
`and earphone set 300 are neatly organized on clip 600 for easy
`storage. Earpiece retaining cutouts 602 are located at one end
`of clip 600.
`[0068] Earpieces 312 are positioned within cutouts 602 and
`wrapping of wires 306 and cable 304 proceeds around wind-
`ing notches 608 (see, e.g., FIG. 6A). If rigid components 308
`and 310 are not positioned as desired with front surface 603
`(e. g., relatively flush with front surface 603) component 310,
`wires 306 may be passed through one or more ofnotches 607
`to adjust a winding length of one or more turns until rigid
`components 308, 310 are positioned within the periphery of
`front surface 603. In one example of winding, wires 306
`and/or cable 304 passes through one notch 607 and then
`wraps around secondary winding edges 609(1) and 609(2)
`(i.e., substantially perpendicular to winding notches 608).
`Secondary winding edges 609 are not parallel. Jack plug 302
`is positioned within (i.e., tucked into) jack plug cutout 617
`beneath wound wires 306 and cable 304.
`
`[0069] By including notches 607, a winding length of each
`turn of wires and cables onto clip 600 may be adjusted to
`match most earphone configurations, such that long axes of
`the rigid components are positioned substantially parallel to
`front surface 603 of clip 600.
`[0070]
`FIG. 7A shows one exemplary earphone retaining
`clip 700 with two earpiece retaining cutouts 702(1) and 702
`(2), two first winding notches 704(1) and 704(2) and two
`second winding notches 705(1) and 705(2) that have different
`winding widths W1 and W2, respectively, and an earpiece
`alignment notch 706 for compact storage of an earphone set
`(e.g., earphone set 300 of FIG. 1). Clip 700 may optionally
`include an elastic band 708 for use in securing wrapped the
`earphone set to clip 700. Cutouts 702(1) and 702(2) are par