Force-activated earphone
US11910149B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 2022 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2420/07
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.