The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 31, 2021

Filed:

Oct. 22, 2018
Applicant:

Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);

Inventors:

Ashley N. Saulsbury, Saratoga, CA (US);

Travis J. McQueen, San Jose, CA (US);

Assignee:

Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H04R 1/10 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H04R 1/1016 (2013.01); A61B 5/6803 (2013.01); A61B 5/6817 (2013.01); H04R 1/1041 (2013.01); H04R 2420/07 (2013.01);
Abstract

Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.


Find Patent Forward Citations

Loading…