US010455066B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 10,455,066 B2
`(10) Patent N0.:
`Kim
`
`(45) Date of Patent: *Oct. 22, 2019
`
`(54)
`
`MOBILE SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS
`EARBUD
`
`(71)
`
`Applicant: PINN, INC., Tustin, CA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Seung Jin Kim, Irvine, CA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: PINN, INC., Irvine, CA (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. N0.:
`
`15/563,937
`
`(22)
`
`PCT Filed:
`
`Apr. 4, 2016
`
`(86)
`
`(87)
`
`(65)
`
`(60)
`
`PCT No.:
`
`PCT/US2016/025936
`
`§ 371 (C)(1L
`(2) Date:
`
`Oct. 2, 2017
`
`PCT Pub. No.: W02016/161454
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Oct. 6, 2016
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2018/0131793 A1
`
`May 10, 2018
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Provisional application No. 62/ 142,978, filed on Apr.
`3, 2015, provisional application No. 62/199,943, filed
`on Jul. 31, 2015.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(51)
`
`H04M 1/05
`H04M 1/60
`
`US. Cl.
`
`(52)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`CPC ........... H04M 1/05 (2013.01); H04M1/6066
`(2013.01); H04M 1/7253 (2013.01); H04R
`1/1016 (2013.01); H04R 2420/07 (2013.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC
`H04M 1/6066; H04M 1/05; H04M 1/7253;
`H04R1/1041;H04R 1/1016; H04R
`1/1025; H04R 1/1091; H04R 2420/07
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,881,149 A
`6,424,820 B1
`
`3/1999 Weatherill
`7/2002 Burdick et a1.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`CN
`
`2489520 Y
`2783637 Y
`
`5/2001
`5/2006
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 11, 2016
`for PCT/USl6/25936 which is the parent applicationilO pages.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner 7 David L Ton
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Knobbe Martens Olson
`& Bear LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The disclosure herein provides a personal wireless media
`station including a base station and a wireless earbud. The
`personal wireless media station may detect that the wireless
`earbud is docked to the base station, play sound through a
`speaker of the base station while the wireless earbud is
`docked to the base station, detect that the wireless earbud is
`undocked from the base station, cease to play sound through
`the speaker of the base station in response to detecting that
`the wireless earbud is undocked from the base station, and
`cause sound to begin playing through the wireless earbud
`while the wireless earbud is undocked from the base station.
`
`38 Claims, 20 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`‘
`,1
`,
`1,
`1
`.
`bum/M CA (on 1
`
`MEVORVEQE
`
`1
`
`Fame?» DEWCE m
`comgpmkw
`
`
`
`ammms) 51
`
` outflows) 1.2 3
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1018
`
`APPLE 1018
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M ”725
`H04R 1/10
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`(200601)
`(200601)
`.
`References Clted
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,473,630 B1
`6,765,789 B2
`6,768,911 B2
`7,149,552 B2
`7,272,421 132
`7,292,880 B2
`7,418,277 B2
`D586,823 S
`7,548,040 B2
`D600,013 S
`7,590,233 B2
`7,643,283 B2
`7,738,247 B2
`7,778,601 B2
`7,869,195 B1
`7,885,645 B2
`8,116,832 B2
`8,121,329 B2
`8,204,435 B2
`8,213,666 B2
`8,238,967 B1
`D667,390 S
`8,384,527 B2
`8,582,755 B2
`8,867,748 BZ
`9,002,420 132
`D728,624 S
`9,170,612 B2
`9319766 B2
`9:344:793 132
`9,760,115 B2
`9,807,491 B2
`2003/0119565 A1
`2003;0224726 A1
`2005 0008147 A1
`2005/0026560 A1
`ggggégiggégg :1
`2006/0062400 A1
`2006/0111044 A1
`2006/0135218 A1
`2006/0166715 A1
`2006/0046656 A1
`2006/0262949 A1
`2007/0026908 A1
`2007/0147629 A1
`2007/0254695 A1
`2008/0070516 A1
`38888888888 :1
`2010/0245585 A1
`2010/0312944 A1
`2010/0320961 A1
`2011/0141357 A1
`2011/0148352 A1
`2011/0206217 A1
`2011/0244927 A1
`2012/0140963 A1
`2013/0065637 A1
`3813;893:2518; :1
`2013/0244633 A1
`2013/0297844 A1
`2014/0073256 A1
`2014/0116085 A1
`2014/0273851 A1
`2014/0279122 A1
`2014/0295758 A1
`
`10/2002 Baranowski et al.
`7/2004 Yang
`7/2004 Hino et al.
`12/2006 Lair
`”007 Bang et al~
`11/2007 Lehtonen
`8/2008 Tsa1
`2/2009 Anderson et al.
`6/2009 Lee et al.
`9/2009 McCune
`.
`9/2009 Chlloyan.
`1/2010 Jubellrer et al.
`.
`6/2010 Ch01
`.
`8/2010 Seshadrl et al.
`1/2011 Patton
`2/2011 Postma et al.
`2/2012 Wang et al.
`2/2012 Groset et al.
`.
`6/2012 Seshadrl et al.
`7/2012 Groesch
`8/2012 Arnold et al.
`9/2012 Matera
`2/2013 Irwin
`11/2013 Bradford et al.
`10/2014 P052}
`4/2015 Pattlkonda et 31~
`5/2015 Akana et al.
`10/2015 Farjami
`4/2016 Weinstein et al.
`5/2016 Selig et 31.
`9/2017 Farjami
`10/2017 Kim ........................ H04M1/05
`6/2003 Lin
`12/2003 Shearer et al.
`1 2005 Lee
`2/2005 Vlllaverde et 31'
`@3882 3:01; et 31.
`3/2006 Chia-Chun
`5/2006 Keller
`6/2006 Son et al.
`7/2006 Van Engelen et 31.
`10/2006 Yang
`11/2006 Cho et a1.
`2/2007 Chen
`6/2007 Chiloyan
`11/2007 Langberg et 3L
`3/2008 Lee et 31'
`1
`i
`38888 89% i
`9/2010 Firslheil’etréile a.
`12/2010 Walker
`'
`12/2010 Castillo ................. H02J 7/0044
`320/107
`6/2011 Price et 31.
`6/2011 Wang et al.
`8/2011 Weis
`10/2011 Kari
`6/2012 Larsen et al.
`3/2013 Tasl<er
`.
`$381; Eflnsteln et 31'
`un
`9/2013 Jacobs
`11/2013 Rosenberg et al.
`3/2014 Newham et al.
`5/2014 Lam
`9/2014 Donaldson et al.
`9/2014 Luna
`10/2014 Pedersen
`
`2015/0078557 A1
`3818888333 iii
`2015/0245125 A1
`2015/0245126 A1
`2015/0326990 A1
`2015/0373448 A1
`2016/0004277 A1
`2016/0073189 A1
`2016/0360350 A1
`2017/0013342 A1
`2017/0272561 A1
`
`3/2015 Li
`888i? Edi-g e8 31'
`arjam1
`8/2015 Shaffer
`8/2015 Shaffer
`11/2015 Yeh et al.
`12/2015 Shaffer
`1/2016 Farjami
`3/2016 Linden et al.
`12/2016 Watson et al.
`1/2017 Watson et al.
`9/2017 Kim et al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
`JP
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`201045758 Y
`201122956 Y
`201315619 Y
`203193717 U
`203720788 U
`103815628 B
`204090096 U
`2012100248 A
`2002/39600 A2
`2003/098901 A1
`2005/053289 A1
`2005064813 A1
`2008/033491 A2
`2010/083829 A1
`
`4/2008
`9/2008
`9/2009
`9/2013
`12/2013
`1/2014
`1/2015
`5/2012
`5/2002
`11/2003
`6/2005
`7/2005
`3/2008
`7/2010
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Jul. 17,
`P
`PP
`2016 for PCTflJSl6/25936 which is the
`arent a
`licationi8
`
`.
`.
`.
`Page?
`Archlved copy of webs1te, http://myplnn.com 1n 4 pages. The
`website, http://mypinn.com, was first published on May 5, 2016 and
`archived on Jun. 26, 2016. Archived copy was downloaded from
`https://web.archive.org/web/20160626155438/http://mypinn.com/ on
`Apr. 13, 2017.
`Website, http://mypinn.com/ in 5 pages. The copy was downloaded
`on Apr. 13, 2017.
`Website, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/906938906/pinn-all-
`in-one-earbud-mic-and-oled-display-for-sm?ref:discoveryin20 pages.
`The webs1te was publlshed on Aug. 10, 2016 and the copy was
`downloaded 0“ AP” 13’ 2017'
`.
`Webs1te, https://www.banggood.com/Separate-Des1gn-Bluetooth-
`Handsfree-Headset-Sports-Watch-For-Phone-6-p-951983.html in 6
`pages. The copy was downloaded on Jun. 15, 2017.
`Website, https://www.banggood.com/Link Dream Separate Design
`Bluetooth Headset Sports Watch for iPhone 6-p-951983.html in 12
`pages. The copy was downloaded on May 1, 2016.
`Communication in cases for which no other form is applicable dated
`Aug. 15, 2017 in corresponding PCT application No. PCT/US2016/
`025936 in 12 Page
`“Jabm Mini User Manual”*18 Pages (2013)
`“Jabra Mini Bluetooth Headset”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?
`XEBBXLigfiFEJDSeCjOE$3131)
`E b d ,, K km <http //
`arlni
`e
`or
`s m es
`1re ess
`ar u s ,
`1c s
`er
`s:
`www.kickstarter.com/projects/earin/earin-the-worlds-smallest-wireless-
`earbuds?ref:emai1715 pages (accessed Oct. 5, 2018).
`BRAGI LLC, “The DashiWireless Smart in Ear Headphones”,
`Kickstarter <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hellobragi/the-
`dash-wireless-smart-in-ear-headphonesi29 pages (accessed Oct.
`5,2018).
`“Voyager Legend UC: Wireless Headset System (B235 and B235-
`M)” Plantronicsil8 pages.
`’
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`“”8““ Chargmg case unboelllg (.V‘de") .
`Bragl (company), <https:/en.w1k1pedla.org/w1k1/Brag17(company),
`111 9 pages (accessed 011 Mar. 9, 2019)..
`Bragli The Dash PR0 Qulck Start Gmdei15 pages (2015).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 1 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 2 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 3 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 4 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 5 of 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`32
`
`>x>x>x>x>x>»x
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 6 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 7 of 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`mowzowfifim«5&2mmm‘wmmgszmmmn”
`
`
`
`
`
`mummemm00mg
`
`
`
`flow.mowomzzou
`
`l
`
`Nwzcmbfimmmqm
`
`szfi<DEm§§OO
`
`Mam£3003“
`
`mam\EOEmE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Smwmmfimwwmgwmé
`
`E5:230mamosmzzou
`
`mzoflwxowzaédoo
`
`3mflame:
`
`
`
`ommom/ma>m§§mnw
`
`9
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 8 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`800 m\\
`
`AUTOMATECALLY RED§RECT§NG SOUND PLAYBACK
`
`
`
`DETERMENE WHETHER EARBEJD ES SECURE—21X
`DOCKEQ T0 BASE STARON
`
`
`
`
`
`[I 835
`
`PLAY SGUND THROUGH BASE 8TAT§ON SPEAKER
`WHiLE EARBUD CONNECTOR 18 CONNECTES TO 5
`BASE SYATEON CONNECYOR
`
`"""fiéi‘éfiiifiii‘éfifiéifié {EE‘E‘g‘G‘r-Efié‘éiiéfinfizyé‘iSfi?
`BASE smmm WH¥LE SOUND 5s 35% PLAYED
`THRouGH BASE STAT§ON SPEAKER
`
`CEASE TO PLAY SOUND THROUGH BASE STATEN
`
`5
`
`SPEAKER EN RESPONSE TO DETECTENG THAT
`EARBUD ES UNDOCKEB FROM BASE STATEON
`
`5
`
`‘MRELESSLY SEND A8330 DAYA TO EARBUD AND
`CAUSE SOUND TO BE PLAYED THROUGH EARBUD
`WH§LE EARBUQ CONNECTOR ES NQT CQNNECTEQ
`TO BASE 813333003 CGNEEC?OR
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 9 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`iNETiATENG SOUNQ PLAYBACK 3N RESPONSE TO USER REQUEST
`
`990 N};
`
`
`
`RECEEVE USER REQUEST TO mama 300050
`PLAYBACK
`
`
`
`NO
`
`////f\\\
`ES
`EARBUD
`DOCKEQ?
`
`//
`
`I'"-ua
`
`\\\/» 904
`
`YES
`
`.fififlflfiW
`
`
`
`» 906
`1/
`Y
`/ ,
`‘5
`
`'
`PROViDE SOUNB DATA TO BASE
`
` PROVEE SOUND DATA TO EARBUB
`smmm
`
`
`x 908
`
`
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 10 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`SENDiNG SCUM} DAYA FROM PREMARY BEViCE TO EARBUD
`
`QGQONO“
`
`PRiMARY DEViCE RECESVES USER REQUEST TO
`ENWEATE SOUND PLAYBACK
`
`EARBUB PLAYS SOUND US$036 THE SOUND GATA
`
`PREMARY DEWCE WiRELESSLY SENDS SOUND
`DATA T0 EARBUD
`
`
`
`
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 11 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`AUTOMATECALLY REDERECTENG SOUND PLAYBACK
`
`WHEN EARBUD BECOMES UNDOCKED WHiLE MUSSC SS PLAYENG
`
`§1{){}M\
`3%
`
`
`
`
`PROWDE SOUND PLA‘Y’BACK
`THROUGH BASE STATEQN SPEAKER
`
`3102
`
`
`
`
`
`/ \
`// EARBUD \\/
`00130010110
`
`1104
`
`
`
`
`
`//1i{‘26
`
`
`
`CEASE PROVEDWG SOUND PLAYBACK
`THRQUGH BASE STATEON SPEAKER
`
`
`
`/1168
`
`
`
`BEGEN PRQViDiNG SOQND PLAYBACK
`THROUGH EARBUD SPEAKER
`
`
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 12 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`AUTQMAECALLY REDERECTWG SOUND PLAYBACK
`WHEN EARBUD BECOMES DOCKEE} WHiLE MUSiC i3 PLAYéNG
`
`1200
`
`\
`
`
`
`1 208
`
`1 208
`
` -/
`
`START
`
`
`PROVéfiE SOUND PLAYBACK THROUGH EARBUD
`SPEAKER
`
`
`NO
`//// EARBUD \ /1204
`’
`900mm
`
` \
`
`
`CEASE PRQ‘JéDiNG SQUNQ
`PLAYBACK THROBGH EARBUD
`
`........................................................
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BEGiN PRO‘V’SBWG $08M) PLAYBACK
`TERQUGH BASE STATEON SPEAKER
`
`
`
`
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 13 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 14 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 15 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 16 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 17 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 18 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 19 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2019
`
`Sheet 20 0f 20
`
`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`
`
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`

`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`1
`MOBILE SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS
`EARBUD
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`The present disclosure relates to mobile consumer elec-
`tronic devices and, more particularly, to devices connected
`to smart phones and tablets for delivering sound and Visual
`information to users. Today, mobile devices such as smart
`phones and tablet computers are often used in conjunction
`with mobile accessories that facilitate user access to the
`
`inputs and outputs (e.g., display, speaker, microphone, etc.)
`of the mobile devices. For example, if a user wishes to listen
`to music from his smart phone without disturbing those
`around him, he may plug a set of earphones into the smart
`phone and listen through the earphones. If the user wishes to
`type faster on his smart phone, he may connect a Bluetooth
`keyboard to the smart phone and type on the Bluetooth
`keyboard. Thus, using such mobile accessories can improve
`how users communicate with the mobile devices.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`One aspect of the invention provides a personal wireless
`media station in communication with a paired mobile com-
`puting device of a user for playing sound and displaying data
`based on communication with the paired mobile computing
`device. The personal wireless media station comprises: a
`base station comprising an information display, a base
`station speaker, a wireless module, a base station connector
`and a docking bay; a wireless earbud comprising an earbud
`speaker and a earbud connector, the wireless earbud com-
`prising a body configured to dock to the docking bay or
`undock from the docking bay, wherein when the earbud is
`docked to the docking bay of the base station, the wireless
`earbud and the base station form a single integrated body
`and the earbud connector and the base station connector
`
`form electrical contact with each other; wherein the personal
`wireless media station is configured to play sound through
`the base station speaker when the wireless earbud is in a
`docked state in which the wireless earbud is docked to the
`
`docking bay, wherein the personal wireless media station is
`configured to play sound through the earbud speaker when
`the wireless earbud is in an undocked state in which the
`
`wireless earbud is undocked from the docking bay.
`The personal wireless media station is programmed: to
`determines a docked-to-undocked change in which the wire-
`less earbud becomes undocked from its docked state, upon
`determining the docked-to-undocked change, while sound is
`being played on the base station speaker, to cease playing
`sound on the base station speaker and to begin playing sound
`on the earbud speaker, to determines a undocked-to-docked
`change in which the wireless earbud becomes docked from
`its undocked state, upon determining the undocked-to-
`docked change, while sound is being played on the earbud
`speaker, to cease playing sound on the earbud speaker and
`to begin playing sound on the base station speaker.
`the
`In the foregoing personal wireless media station,
`wireless earbud may comprise a head portion, a waist
`portion and an ear portion, the ear portion configured to be
`inserted into the user’s ear to provide sound playback,
`wherein the earbud connector may be provided on the waist
`portion such that the earbud connector is in electrical contact
`with the base station connector when the wireless earbud is
`
`in the docking state. The base station may comprise two
`docking arms that extending generally parallel to each other
`with a gap therebetween, which provides the docking bay,
`
`2
`
`wherein the base station may comprise at least one locking
`device on an inner surface of one of the two docking arms
`for engaging with the waist portion of the wireless earbud
`when the wireless earbud is in the docking state. The
`wireless earbud may comprise a recess formed into the waist
`portion, wherein the locking device of the base station may
`comprise a locking protrusion configured to spatially corre-
`spond to the recess when the wireless earbud is in its docked
`state, wherein the recess may be configured to receive the
`locking protrusion when the wireless earbud is in its docked
`state.
`
`In some aspects, a personal wireless media station is in
`communication with a paired mobile computing device of a
`user for playing sound and displaying information based on
`communication with the paired mobile computing device.
`The personal wireless media station includes a base station,
`a wireless earbud, a first wireless module, and a second
`wireless module. The base station includes an information
`
`display, a speaker, the fire and second wireless modules, and
`a base station connector. The wireless earbud includes an
`earbud connector that is mateable with the base station
`connector. The wireless earbud and the base station form a
`
`single integrated body when the earbud connector and the
`base station connector are connected with each other. The
`
`first wireless module wirelessly communicates with a
`mobile computing device that has been paired with the
`personal wireless media station. The second wireless mod-
`ule wirelessly communicates with the wireless earbud.
`In some aspects, the personal wireless media station plays
`sound through the speaker or causes the wireless earbud to
`play sound when the personal wireless media station
`receives audio data from the paired mobile computing
`device via the first wireless module. The personal wireless
`media station is programmed to detect when the earbud
`connector connects to the base station connector, play sound
`through the speaker of the base station while the earbud
`connector is connected to the base station connector, detect
`when the earbud connector disconnects from the base station
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`connector, stop playing sound through the speaker when it is
`detected that the earbud connector is disconnected from the
`
`base station connector, and wirelessly send audio data to the
`earbud and cause to play sound through the earbud while the
`earbud connector is not connected to the base station con-
`nector.
`
`In some aspects, the personal wireless media station is
`further programmed to stop wireless sending of audio data
`to the earbud when it is detected that the earbud connector
`
`has got connected to the base station connector, and start
`wireless sending of audio data to the earbud when it is
`detected that the earbud connector has got disconnected
`from the base station connector. In some aspects, the first
`wireless module performs two-way wireless data commu-
`nication with the paired mobile computing device,
`the
`second wireless module performs one-way wireless data
`communication to send data to the wireless earbud, and the
`wireless earbud is not capable of wirelessly sending data to
`the personal wireless media station.
`In some aspects, the wireless earbud is not capable of
`wirelessly sending data to the personal wireless media
`station, and the wireless earbud is capable of performing
`two-way wired data communication with the personal wire-
`less media station when the earbud connector is connected
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`to the base station connector. In some aspects, the personal
`wireless media station plays sound only as it receives from
`the paired mobile computing device audio data for the sound
`to play. In some aspects, the personal wireless media station
`does not include a digital storage device for storing a library
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`3
`of audio contents that are not being played through either the
`speaker or the earbud. In some aspects, the personal wireless
`media station further includes a mechanical clip attached to
`the base station for clipping the wireless media station to a
`person’s clothing or accessory.
`In some aspects, both the earbud connector and the base
`station connector are audio connectors, wherein one of the
`audio connectors is a female audio connector and the other
`
`is a male audio connector. In some aspects, the personal
`wireless media station further includes a camera module
`
`10
`
`4
`
`FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate different views of a personal
`wireless media station, according to an example embodi-
`ment;
`FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15A and 15B illustrate different views of
`a wireless earbud, according to an example embodiment;
`FIG. 16 illustrates a personal wireless media station
`having multiple wireless earbuds docked to the base station,
`according to an example embodiment;
`FIGS. 17A-17D illustrate a personal wireless media sta-
`tion having an alternative docking mechanism, according to
`an example embodiment;
`FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate a personal wireless media sta-
`tion having an alternative docking mechanism, according to
`an example embodiment;
`FIGS. 19A-19E illustrate a personal wireless media sta-
`tion having an alternative docking mechanism, according to
`an example embodiment;
`FIGS. 20A-20D illustrate a personal wireless media sta-
`tion having an alternative docking mechanism, according to
`an example embodiment;
`FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate a personal wireless media sta-
`tion having an alternative docking mechanism, according to
`an example embodiment; and
`FIGS. 22A-22C illustrate a personal wireless media sta-
`tion having an alternative docking mechanism, according to
`an example embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`
`Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
`
`reference to the accompanying figures. The terminology
`used in the description presented herein is not intended to be
`interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply
`because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed
`description of certain specific embodiments of the invention.
`Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may comprise
`several novel features, no single one of which is solely
`responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential
`to practicing the inventions herein described.
`Need for Convenient Access to Primary Devices
`Today, many mobile electronic accessories are available
`for use in conjunction with mobile electronic devices such as
`smart phones, tablet computers, and other primary devices.
`Some of these accessories allow the user to switch between
`
`the different ways of accessing the content provided on the
`primary device. For example, if a user wishes to listen to
`music without disturbing others around him, rather than
`using the speaker on his phone, he can use a set of head-
`phones that wirelessly connects to his phone and listen to the
`music stored on his phone through the headphones. Other
`accessories allow the user to access the content provided on
`the primary device in a more convenient manner. For
`example, a user may keep her smart phone in her purse (e. g.,
`her smart phone may be too big to fit in her pocket). If she
`does not wish to constantly reach into her purse and take out
`her phone to check the messages received on her phone, she
`can use a smart watch that wirelessly connects to her phone
`and read and respond to the messages using the touch screen
`on the smart watch.
`Personal Wireless Media Station
`
`In one aspect, the invention provides a personal wireless
`media station 100 as exemplified in FIGS. 1-3. The personal
`wireless media station 100 can be wireless connected to the
`
`integrated with the base station. In some aspects, the per-
`sonal wireless media station further includes a microphone
`integrated with the base station, wherein the personal wire-
`less media station plays sound of telephonic conversation
`from the paired mobile computing device. When the earbud
`connector is connected to the base station connector, the
`sound of telephonic conversation plays through the earbud
`while the user’s voice is inputted through the microphone of
`the base station.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages
`of the present invention are described in detail below with
`reference to the drawings of various embodiments, which
`are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. The
`
`drawings comprise the following figures in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example use of a personal wireless
`media station in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 2 illustrates an example use of a personal wireless
`media station in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 3 illustrates an example use of a personal wireless
`media station in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a personal
`wireless media station in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a personal
`wireless media station in a docked position in accordance
`with an embodiment;
`FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a base station of
`the personal wireless media station in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a base station of the
`personal wireless media station in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 6Aillustrates a perspective view of a wireless earbud
`of the personal wireless media station in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of a wireless earbud of the
`
`personal wireless media station in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a personal wireless
`media station in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart depicting an example
`method of redirecting sound playback in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart depicting an example
`method of initiating sound playback in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart depicting an example
`method of initiating sound playback via the earbud speaker
`in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart depicting an example
`method of redirecting sound playback in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart depicting an example
`method of redirecting sound playback in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`user’s primary device 200 (e.g., smart phones, tablet com-
`puters, etc.) and facilitate the user’s access to the content
`provided on the primary device 200. For example, once
`wirelessly connected to the primary device 200, the personal
`24
`
`24
`
`

`

`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`5
`wireless media station 100 can display messages received on
`the primary device 200 and play music stored on or streamed
`to the primary device 200.
`Base Station and Earbud
`
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the personal wireless media
`station 100 includes a base station 102 and a wireless earbud
`
`104. The base station 102 includes a speaker for providing
`sound data and a display surface for providing visual data.
`The wireless earbud 104 includes a speaker for providing
`sound data. The wireless earbud 104 is configured to be
`docked (e.g., connected both mechanically and electrically)
`to the base station 102. In embodiments, the playing mode
`of the personal wireless media station 100 may be based on
`whether or not the wireless earbud 104 is docked to the base
`station 102.
`
`Wearing and Carrying Personal Wireless Media Station
`The clip provided on the base station 102 allows the
`personal wireless media station 100 to be clipped to the
`user’s clothing or other possessions. The clip allows the user
`to keep the personal wireless media station 100 in a place
`that is easily accessible and visible as illustrated in FIGS.
`1-3.
`
`Accessing Primary Device Content Via Base Station
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the wireless earbud
`104 is docked to the base station 102. As shown in FIG. 1,
`the user can leave his primary device 200 in his pocket and
`access the content on the primary device 200 via the
`personal wireless media station 100. For example, when a
`new message arrives on the primary device 200, the user can
`check the content of the message by simply gripping and
`turning the base station 102 with fingers such that the display
`surface faces upward for him to read the message displayed
`on the display surface. As another example, the user can play
`the music stored on the primary device 200 through the
`speaker provided on the personal wireless media station 100.
`As illustrated by these examples,
`the personal wireless
`media station 100 provides convenient wireless access to the
`content on the primary device 200 without requiring the user
`to physically maneuver the primary device 200.
`Accessing Primary Device Content Via Base Station and
`Wireless Earbud
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the wireless earbud
`104 is undocked from the base station 102. As shown in FIG.
`
`2, the user can undock the wireless earbud 104 and plug it
`into his ear to listen to the music stored on the primary
`device 200 through the speaker on the wireless earbud 104.
`Even when the wireless earbud 104 is undocked from the
`
`base station 102, the user can still use the display surface of
`the base station 102 to access the content provided on the
`primary device 200, such as text, email, and other data. For
`example, the display surface on the base station 102 may
`display the name and/or lyric of the song that is currently
`being played through the speaker on the wireless earbud 104
`or display an incoming message received on the primary
`device 200.
`
`Reading Messages and Answering Calls without Touching
`Your Phone
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates another example in which the wireless
`earbud 104 is docked to the base station 102. The personal
`wireless media station 100, which is clipped to the top of the
`purse and sitting in plain view, is much more accessible than
`the primary device 200 buried at the bottom of the purse. For
`example,
`the user can read incoming messages via the
`display surface on the base station 102 and answer incoming
`calls using the wireless earbud 104 without touching the
`phone as is in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`
`6
`Docking and Undocking of Personal Wireless Media Station
`In embodiments, the wireless earbud 104 can be docked
`to and undocked from the base station 102. The base station
`102 provides a docking bay 112 to receive the wireless
`earbud 104. Referring to FIG. 4A, the earbud 104 can be
`docked to the base station 102 by moving the earbud 104
`along the X axis toward the base station 102 (specifically to
`the docking bay 112) while generally maintaining the earbud
`104 at a position in the Y and Z axes corresponding to the
`docking bay 112. FIG. 4B illustrates a state in which the
`earbud 104 is docked with the base station 102, in which a
`waist portion (middle in the Y axis) of the earbud 104 is
`located within the docking bay 112. Referring back to FIG.
`4A, the earbud 104 can be undocked from the base station
`102 by moving the earbud 104 along the X axis away from
`the base station 102.
`Base Station
`Referring to FIG. 5A, the base station 102 includes a
`display surface 106, a docking bay 112, contact connectors
`115, and a clip 116. Although not shown in FIG. 4B, in
`embodiments, the base station 102 includes at least one
`speaker, a battery, and/or a microphone. In some embodi-
`ments, the base station includes one or more of volume
`control buttons 108, a function control button 110 and a
`camera.
`
`Display Surface
`In embodiments, a display panel is provided under the
`display surface 106. The display panel may incorporate an
`available display technology such as LCD and OLED tech-
`nologies. In embodiments, the display surface 106 is capable
`of displaying information including incoming call informa-
`tion, song information, text information, email information,
`photographic information and the like.
`Volume Control Buttons
`In embodiments, the volume control buttons 108 are used
`to increase or decrease the volume of the speaker of the base
`station 102 and/or the speaker of the wireless earbud 104.
`When the earbud 104 is docked to the base station 102, in
`response to a volume control input at the volume control
`buttons 108, base station increase or decrease the volume of
`its own speaker, i.e., the speaker of the base station 102.
`When the earbud 104 is undocked from the base station 102,
`however, in response to a volume control input at the volume
`control buttons 108, the base station 102 wirelessly com-
`municates with the earbud 104 to increase or decrease the
`
`volume of the speaker of the earbud 104. In the alternative,
`when the earbud 104 is undocked from the base station 102,
`in response to a volume control input at the volume control
`buttons 108, the base station 102 wirelessly communicates
`with the primary device 200 for controlling the volume of
`the speaker of the earbud 104. In addition,
`the volume
`control buttons 108 can be used to increase or decrease the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`size of the text displayed on the display surface 106, to
`increase or decrease the scrolling speed of the text displayed
`on the display surface, and/or to go to the next page or the
`previous page of the text, email, or other information
`displayed on the display surface 106.
`Function Control Button
`In embodiments, the function control button 110 is used
`to activate or deactivate a variety of functions available on
`the personal wireless media station 100. One or more
`functions described herein (e.g., enabling/disabling modes
`or components, activating/deactivating modes or compo-
`nents, causing the personal wireless media station 100 to
`perform certain actions, etc.) may be activated or deacti-
`vated by pressing the function control button, pressing and
`holding the function control button for a threshold period of
`time (e.g.,
`1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, or any other
`25
`
`60
`
`65
`
`25
`
`

`

`US 10,455,066 B2
`
`7
`dura