• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    REPOSITIONABLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE USE OF THE SAME. A system for controlling one or more functions of an electronic device is revealed. The system includes an electrical cable configured to be selectively coupled to the electronic device and transmit electrical signals to and from the electronic device; at least: two electrical conductors electrically coupled to the electrical cable; and a repositionable control device selectively coupled to at least two electrical conductors. The repositionable control device is configured to control one or more functions associated with the electronic device
    公开号:BR102013023263B1
    申请号:R102013023263-7
    申请日:2013-09-11
    公开日:2021-03-16
    发明作者:Matthew Nelson
    申请人:Apple Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [001] The following description relates in general to a repositionable control system and method for using it. In particular, the description relates to a repositionable control device for controlling functions associated with an audio listening device.
    [002] Audio listening devices (eg, earphones, headsets, headphones and microphone sets, etc.) are widely used in connection with listening or reproducing devices from a multitude of electronic devices, including , for example, portable audio devices, portable media players, mobile phones, smart phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), personal computers, exercise machines comprising a media player and any other electronic device comprising a media player. Audio listening devices can have a wired and / or wireless connection (for example, Bluetooth, radio frequency, WiFi, etc.) to an electronic device. For example, a wired audio listening device may include a wire or cable with a plug connector that is configured to be separably coupled to an electronic device to receive audio playback signals. On some commercially available models, the audio listening cable may include a second plug connector to separably attach the audio listening cable to the audio listening device as well.
    [003] Many audio listening cables include a control unit that is attached to the cable itself. The control unit can enable a user to control one or more audio playback features, including, for example, volume level, track selection, play / pause and more. For example, the control unit can be positioned near a central part of the audio listening cable, so that the user can quickly and easily access, for example, the volume controls without accessing the electronic device attached to the cable. . This is an especially convenient feature when the electronic device is placed far away in a pocket, shoulder bag or other location in order to leave the user's hands free.
    [004] Some commercially available audio listening devices include a microphone, for example, to carry out a telephone conversation and / or implement voice command features in association with the connected electronic device. On some devices, the microphone can be attached directly to a headphone portion of the audio listening device, for example, on an extension element that places the microphone closer to the user's mouth. On other devices, the microphone is attached to the audio cable, for example, on an upper part of the cable in order to optimally capture the user's voice signal. On some commercially available devices the microphone is included in the same housing as the audio playback control unit, and the control unit can be used to control the microphone as well as the audio playback features mentioned above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [005] The invention is defined by the embodiments. This description summarizes some aspects of the modalities and should not be used to limit the embodiments.
    [006] A modality includes a system for controlling one or more functions of an electronic device. The system includes an electrical cable configured to be selectively coupled to the electronic device and transmit electrical signals to and from the electronic device; at least two electrical conductors electrically coupled to the electrical cable; and a repositionable control device selectively coupled to at least two electrical conductors. The repositionable control device is configured to control one or more functions associated with the electronic device.
    [007] Other articles of manufacture, resources and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the drawings and detailed description below. All such articles of manufacture, features and additional advantages included in this description are intended to be within the scope of the invention, and to be protected by the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [008] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and emphasis is instead placed on clearly illustrating the principles described in this document. In the drawings, equal reference numbers designate corresponding parts across all the different views.
    [009] Figure 1A is an illustration of an exemplary repositionable control system, including a repositionable control device and an electrical cable, according to an embodiment;
    [0010] Figure 1B is a detailed view of a part of the repositionable control system of figure 1A;
    [0011] Figure 2 is a schematic of the positionable control system of figure 1A;
    [0012] Figure 3 is an image of an exemplary repositionable control system according to a second modality;
    [0013] Figure 4 is a schematic of an exemplary repositionable control system according to another modality;
    [0014] Figure 5 is a schematic of an exemplary positionable control system also according to another modality;
    [0015] Figure 6 is an illustration of an exemplary positionable control system according to a third modality;
    [0016] Figure 7 is an image of an exemplary electrical cable according to a modality;
    [0017] Figure 8 is an image of an exemplary electrical cable according to another modality; and
    [0018] Figure 9 is an image of an exemplary electrical cable, also in accordance with another modality.
    [0019] Illustrative and exemplary modalities of the invention are described with additional details below with reference to the figures and in combination with them. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
    [0020] The following description describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of the invention according to its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the modalities described in this document, but instead it is to explain and show the principles of the invention in a way such as to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that, understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the modalities described in this document, but also other modalities that can be imagined according to these principles. The scope of the disclosure is intended to cover all such modalities that may be included in the scope of the embodiments, either literally or in accordance with the doctrine of equivalences.
    [0021] In this application, the use of the circuit breaker is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of defined or undefined articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to "the" object or "an" object is intended to also denote one of a possible plurality of such objects.
    [0022] A conventional control unit for an audio listening device can be bulky, uncomfortable and / or disturbing for some users, especially when exercising, playing sports or engaged in other physical activity. For example, when a runner wears headsets with a control unit attached to the headphone cable, the control unit housing, as well as the headphone cable, may be bouncing along with the user's movement. As a result, the fixed housing may hit or crash repeatedly against, for example, the runner's chest during the activity. As will be seen, the amount of force with which the housing reaches the user depends on a level of user activity using the headphones and / or the volume of the control unit.
    [0023] If, for example, a microphone device is included in the control unit, the housing may become even more bulky to accommodate the set of microphone circuits and related elements. And the control unit can be positioned higher up on the headset cable, for example, to be closer to the user's mouth. As a result, a control unit housing that includes a microphone can bounce more strongly and be closer to the user's face and possibly hit it, thereby increasing the user's annoyance with the control unit. Although it is unlikely that a user will be injured by the accommodation movement given the size and weight of a typical control unit, the user may be disturbed enough to choose a different type of headset while exercising. For example, the user may be forced to give up the convenience of having volume control keys easily accessible in exchange for a headset system that does not hit the user while exercising.
    [0024] As described in more detail below, the problems mentioned above can be solved and a technical advance can be achieved through a repositionable control device that can be selectively moved from a first position on an electrical cable to a second position on the electrical cable, the electrical cable being coupled to an electronic device, such as, for example, an audio listening system. The second position on the power cable can be selected specifically so that the repositionable control device does not inhibit a user while engaged in physical activity. And the electric cable can be designed to enable operational coupling with the control device repositionable in the first position, and in some modalities also in the second position. As exemplified, the electrical cable can be designed to enable operational coupling in any number of positions. Thus, a user of the repositionable control device described in this document may have the convenience of an easily accessible control unit without the inconvenience of being struck by the control unit housing while engaged in exercise or other physical activity.
    [0025] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a modality of a repositionable control system 100 to control one or more functions, for example, of an electronic device 105 that is electrically connected to an electrical cable 110 of the system 100. The electronic device 105 can include a set of mobile phone circuits to accept and make phone calls, an audio source to play music and other electrical audio signals, and / or a set of computing circuits to perform these and other functions associated with the electronic device 105. The cable electrical end 110 may include a first end 112 and a second end 114. first end 112 may include an electrical connector 116 for removable attachment of electrical cable 110 to electronic device 105. In one embodiment, electrical connector 116 may be an audio plug , and the electronic device 105 may include an input jack (not shown) correspondingly sized to receive er the audio plug. The electrical connector 116 can be any type of separable audio plug, including, but not limited to, a 6.35mm stereo plug, a 3.5mm stereo plug, a 2.5mm stereo plug mm, a TS connector, a TRS connector and / or a TRRS connector.
    [0026] As shown in figure 2, in some embodiments, the electrical cable 110 can carry electrical audio signals and other electrical signals from the electronic device 105 connected to the first end 112 to an audio listening device 118 connected to the second end 114. The audio listening device 118 can reproduce the received electrical audio signals, such as, for example, music signals, through the headphones 119 for a user's listening desire. In some embodiments, system 100 includes audio listening device 118 and electrical cable 110 is a dedicated cable for audio listening device 118. For example, the second end 114 of electrical cable 110 can be securely attached to the device listening device 118, so that cable 110 and device 118 form a single unit.
    [0027] In other modalities, such as the modalities shown in figures 3-5, the electrical cable 110 can be configured as a stand-alone or separable cable that includes an electrical connector 120 on the second end 114 of the cable 110 to separately connect the device listening device 118 to it, in addition to the electrical connector 116 at the first end 112 to separately connect the electronic device 105 to it. In one embodiment, electrical connector 120 may be an audio plug, and audio listening device 118 may include one or more input sockets (not shown) correspondingly sized to receive electrical connector 120. In such embodiments, the device listening devices 118 may or may not be included in system 100. For example, it may be desirable not to include listening devices 118 so that system 100 can be used with a greater variety of listening devices 118, including any compatible devices that a user already has.
    [0028] The electrical connector 120 can be any type of separable audio plug, including, but not limited to, a 6.35 mm stereo plug, a 3.5 mm stereo plug, a 2 mm stereo plug , 5 mm, a TS connector, a TRS connector and / or a TRRS connector. The electrical connector 120 may be similar to or different from the electrical connector 116 included in the first end 112 of the electrical cable 110 for separably coupling the electronic device 105 to it. In some embodiments, the second end 114 of electrical cable 110 may include at least two electrical connectors 120, each electrical connector 120 being associated with a respective headset 119.
    [0029] In figure 1A, the audio listening device 118 is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the system 100 in any way. For example, electrical cable 110 can be attached to any type of audio listening device 118, including, but not limited to, headphones, earphones, ear buds, and more. In one embodiment, the audio listening device 118 may include only one headset 119. In some embodiments, the audio listening device 118 may include an internal audio source for reproducing electrical audio signals, such as music signals, directly via earphones 119. In an embodiment like this, the electrical cable 110 can carry, for example, other electrical audio signals from the electronic device 105 to the audio listening device 118, such as, for example, audio signals associated with video files, voice memos, email message attachments, video games, etc. and / or telephone audio signals where the electronic device includes telephone circuitry.
    [0030] As will be appreciated, the type of audio listening device 118 intended for use with system 100 can determine how the second end 114 of electrical cable 110 is configured. For example, in figure 1A, the audio listening device 119 includes two headphones 119a and 119b, and cable 110 splits into a “Y” connector on both segments 114a and 114b, with segment 114a being connected to the headset 119a and segment 114b connected to handset 119b. In embodiments that include a separable cable 110, each of the segments 114a and 114b may include an electrical connector 120 for separably coupling the cable 110 to the headphones 119. In another embodiment, the second end 114 of the electrical cable 110 may include a single separable electrical connector 120, and headphones 119 of the audio listening device 118 can be electrically coupled to a single input port that is configured to be separably coupled to electrical connector 120. As another example, for an audio device listening to single-earphone audio 118, earphone 119 can be coupled to electronic device 105 via a single cable 110.
    [0031] In addition to electrical cable 110, system 100 may include a repositionable control device 121 that can be operationally and mechanically coupled to electrical cable 110. According to the embodiment shown in figure 1A, repositionable control device 121 may include a housing 122 and keys 124 to receive user input. Although the embodiment of figure 1A includes three keys 124, the repositionable control device 121 can have any number of keys 124 in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, figure 6 shows an embodiment of the repositionable control system 100 that includes a repositionable control device 121 with a single key 124. In some embodiments, the repositionable control device 121 may also include a microphone 126 for capturing voice signals. , for example, as shown in figure 6. In such embodiments, the repositionable control device 121 can be configured to enable a user to control one or more functions associated with microphone 126, with the audio listening device 118 and / or with the electronic device 105 when pressing one or more of the keys 124 and / or when speaking commands to the microphone 126.
    [0032] As shown in figures 1A and 1B, in some modalities, the electrical cable 110 may include one or more electrical conductors 130 that are exposed at least partially on an external surface of the cable 110. In some embodiments, the electrical conductors 130 may internally coupled to one or more channels 132 included in electrical cable 110. For example, electrical conductors 130a and 130b can be electrically coupled to a microphone channel 132a and a grounding channel 132b, respectively, of electrical cable 110, such as as shown in figures 2, 4 and 5.
    [0033] The number of channels 132 included in the electrical cable 110 may depend on the type of audio signal (for example, mono or stereo sound) that can be reproduced, for example, by an audio source included in the electronic device 105. As will be realized, cable 110 may require more channels 132 to reproduce stereo sound signals than to reproduce mono sound signals. For example, in Figure 2, electrical cable 110 includes three channels, a microphone channel 132a, a grounding channel 132b and a signal channel 132c. Thus, the cable 110 of figure 2 can be used, for example, to reproduce mono sound signals. As another example, Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the electrical cable 110 which has four channels 132: the microphone channel 132a, the grounding channel 132b, a left signal channel 132d and a right signal channel 132e. And figure 5 also illustrates another modality of the electric cable 110 that has five channels 132: the microphone channel 132a, the left ground signal channel 132b, a right ground signal channel 132f, the left signal channel 132d and the right signal channel 132e. The cable 110 of figure 4 or figure 5 can be used, for example, to reproduce mono or stereo sound signals, since there are two signal channels in both modes. As will be appreciated, electrical cable 110 can include any number and / or type of channels 132 and is not limited to the illustrated modalities.
    [0034] As shown in figures 7-9, the shape and size of electrical conductors 130 may vary, for example, depending on the type of electrical cable 110 and / or depending on the mechanism used to attach the repositionable control device 121 to the electrical cable 110. As an example, in both figures 7 and 8, electrical cable 110 is shown as a flat cable. However, in figure 7 the electrical conductors 130 are shown as having a square shape, while in figure 8 the electrical conductors 130 are shown as having a circular shape. As another example, in figure 9, electrical cable 110 is shown as a round cable, and electrical conductors 130 are shown to be rectangular in shape and can be placed at least partially around cable 110. As will be seen, the electrical conductors 130 can be of any size or shape that fits the particular electrical cable 110 and are not limited to the illustrated examples. In one embodiment, electrical conductors 130 are exposed only on one side of electrical cable 110. Electrical conductors 130 may be made of copper or any other conductive material.
    [0035] The electrical conductors 130 can serve as an electrical interface between the electrical cable 110 and the repositionable control device 121, for example, when the control device 121 is attached to the cable 110. In some embodiments, the housing 122 of the control device repositionable control 121 may comprise one or more points of electrical contact, an outer surface of which is exposed on a lower surface (not shown) of housing 122 and an inner surface of which is electrically coupled to the control circuitry (not shown) included in the housing 122 of the control device 121. By attaching the control device 121 to the cable 110, the external surface (s) of the electrical contact point (s) of the housing 122 can (m) ) stay substantially aligned with the exposed surface (s) of the electrical conductor (s) 130, in order to create a connection or electrical interface between the two surfaces. This interface can be used to send electrical signals between the repositionable control device 121 and, for example, electronic device 105 using electrical cable 110.
    [0036] The electric conductor (s) 130 is not limited to the configuration described above and can be implemented in accordance with other arrangements. For example, in one embodiment, the electrical conductor (s) 130 may be embedded in the electrical cable 110, and one or more openings in the electrical cable 110 may provide access to the electrical cable (s). electric conductor (s) 130. According to this modality, the repositionable control device 121 may have one or more electrically conductive pins, or any other type of protuberance, attached to the lower surface of the control device 121. The (s) ) pin (s) can be sized to fit inside the opening (s) of the cable 110 so that when the pin (s) touches the conductor (s) ( s) electrical (s) 130, an electrical interface can be created between the electrical cable 110 and the repositionable control device 121.
    [0037] In one embodiment, the control circuitry within the repositionable control device 121 can generate a control signal in response to user input (for example, user selection of key (s) 124 and / or user command via microphone 126) and can send the control signal to a predetermined destination (for example, electronic device 105, microphone 126 and / or audio listening device 118) via electrical cable 110. In some modalities, the control circuitry may include one or more electrical switches (not shown) to detect user selection of key (s) 124, such as, for example, an articulated switch, a pushbutton switch , a touch sensitive switch, or any other type of switch that can be implemented within the repositionable control device 121. In one embodiment, for each key 124, the control circuitry may include an associated electrical switch. In some embodiments, user selection of the 124 key may cause a change in electrical continuity through the corresponding electrical switch. The control circuitry can be configured to detect the accompanying voltage change and generate an appropriate control signal for transmission to the electronic device 105, to the audio listening device 118 and / or to the microphone 126 via the electrical cable 110 In embodiments that include microphone 126, the control circuitry can be electrically connected to microphone 126 within housing 122 and can be configured to control electrical audio signals associated with microphone 126. For example, key 124 can be configured to enable a user to control operation of the microphone 126 in association with the electronic device and / or the audio listening device 118.
    [0038] In response to the control signals received from the repositionable control device 121, one or more functions associated with the electronic device 105, with the audio listening system 118 and / or with the microphone 126 can be controlled, adjusted or affected accordingly. another way. For example, the repositionable control device 121 can be configured to enable control of a mute / mute function, a volume control function, a call answer / reject function, a call hold function, a function start / end call, a power on / off function, a voice command on / off function, a track selection function, a track search function, a play / pause function, a selection and any other function that can be associated with the system 100 and / or any components connected to it.
    [0039] According to some modalities, in a current operating mode of the system 100, the electronic device 105, the audio listening device 118 and / or the microphone 126 can determine which functions are controllable by the repositionable control device 121 in a given time. For example, in an embodiment where the electronic device 105 includes both a set of mobile phone circuits and an audio source, possible operating modes may include an incoming call mode, an active call mode, a voice command mode , an audio playback mode, an audio selection mode or something like that. In some modalities, more than one operational mode can be active simultaneously. For example, system 100 may be in voice command mode while also being in audio playback mode.
    [0040] When in audio playback mode (for example, while music audio signals are being played through the audio listening device 118), in some embodiments, electronic device 105 can determine which (s) to ( s) key (s) 124 controls (m) pre-designated audio playback functions, such as, for example, the play / pause function, the volume control function and / or the track selection function. In other embodiments, the key (s) 124 can be configured to control the voice command on / off function during audio playback mode, in addition to audio playback functions or on their place. As will be appreciated, the number of keys included in the repositionable control device 121 can determine the number of functions that can be controlled in this way. For example, according to the modality shown in figure 1A, during audio playback mode, keys 124a and 124c can be used to control the volume control function (for example, increase volume and decrease volume, respectively), while the 124b key can control the play / pause function. In another example, where repositionable control device 121 includes a single key 124, as shown in figure 6, key 124 can be used to control only the play / pause function during audio playback mode. As will be understood, the key (s) 124 can be used to control any of several functions, including, but not limited to, those described in this document and any others that are known in the technical.
    [0041] When in the incoming call mode (for example, upon detecting an incoming call), in some modalities, the electronic device 105 can determine that the key (s) 124 controls (m), for example , the call answer / reject function and / or the voice command function. For example, in one mode, during incoming call mode, a user selection of the 124 key and / or an “Accept” voice command can generate an “answer call” command that can be sent to the electronic device 105. Upon receiving the call answer command, the electronic device 105 can switch the audio signals being played, for example, via the audio listening device 118 from music audio signals to telephone audio signals, thereby introducing the active call mode. In one embodiment, during active call mode, electronic device 105 can determine that key (s) 124 control (s) pre-designated phone call functions, such as, for example, a mute function / with sound or a call termination function. Upon detecting the end of the telephone call, the electronic device can automatically resume playing the audio music signals through the audio listening device 118.
    [0042] To enhance the control options for the repositionable control device 121 (regardless of whether it is a three-key control device as shown in figures 1A and 2, a one-key control device as shown in figure 6 , or another configuration or number of keys), in some embodiments, the system 100, the electronic device 105, the audio listening device 118 and / or the microphone 126 can be configured to detect different types and / or combinations of depressions key on key (s) 124 and to correspondingly control functions other than electronic device 105, microphone 126 and / or audio listening device 118. As an example, different types of key depressions may include, but are not limited to these, a standard keystroke, a short keystroke, a long keystroke, a double keystroke, a single keystroke, a double keystroke and any other type of key depression lasting a predetermined amount of time. For example, in a mode, a short press can be a press that lasts less than two seconds, a long press can be a press that lasts more than two seconds, and a double press can be two short key presses in short succession ( for example, less than a second between the two presses). As will be realized, the principles described in this document are not limited to the exact amount of time associated with each type of keystroke or the exact type of key depression that is associated with controlling a particular function.
    [0043] To illustrate how a user can operate the key (s) 124 of the system 100, in one mode, during the active call mode, the user can decrease the sound of the call by means of a short press of the key 124 and you can end the call with a long press of the same 124 key. As another example, when operating simultaneously in the voice command mode and in the audio playback mode, a short press of the 124 key can be associated with selecting the play / pause function of audio playback mode, a long press of the 124 key can be associated with selecting the on / off voice command function of the voice command mode, and a double press of the 124 key can be associated with selection of the track search function of the audio playback mode. Other combinations of key depressions can be used to control the various functions associated with the 100 system.
    [0044] As mentioned earlier, in some modes, the system 100 and / or components connected to it (for example, the electronic device 105, the audio listening device 118 and / or the microphone 126) may be operating in the voice command at a given time. During voice command mode, microphone 126 can be used to capture voice signals that can be processed and converted into a control signal to control various functions associated with the system 100 and / or components connected to it. For example, during incoming call mode, the user can be guided by the electronic device to speak "Accept" to answer the call or "Reject" to ignore the call. Microphone 126 can capture the user's voice command and, for example, using electrical conductor 130a and microphone channel 132a within electrical cable 110, can transmit the voice signal to electronic device 105 for speech detection and other signal processing. Microphone 126 can be any type of known microphone capable of being housed within housing 122 and operating in association with system 100, electronic device 105 and / or with audio listening device 118. In one embodiment, microphone 126 it can be a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) microphone, a condenser microphone, a dynamic microphone, or any type of digital microphone.
    [0045] The repositionable control device 121 may have configurations or combinations of components other than those illustrated in the figures and / or described previously. For example, in some embodiments, the repositionable control device 121 includes at least one key 124 and does not include a microphone. According to this embodiment, the repositionable control device 121 can still be used to control the system 100, the electronic device 105 and / or the audio listening device 118.
    [0046] In some embodiments, the positionable control device 121 may include a fixing mechanism (not shown) for fixing the housing 122 of the control device 121 to the electrical cable 110. The fixing mechanism disclosed in this document allows the control device repositionable 121 is selectively repositioned from a first position 134 on electrical cable 110 to at least a second position 136 on electrical cable 110.
    [0047] In some embodiments, the first position 134 on the electric cable 110 can be located in an upper part of the electric cable 110, closer, for example, to the second end 114 of the electric cable 110. In a modality that includes microphone 126 the location of the first position 134 can be selected to optimize voice signal detection and capture using microphone 126. For example, in figure 6, the repositionable control device 121 is positioned over segment 114a of electrical cable 110. In this position, the microphone 126 can be closer to the user's mouth and easily extend towards the user's mouth as needed. As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, the repositionable control device 121 can be positioned over segment 114a or over segment 114b of electrical cable 110 to provide the same result. In another embodiment, the location of the first position 134 can be selected to provide easy and natural access to the control device 121 when the user is using the audio listening device 118. For example, in figure 1A, the repositionable control device 121 is positioned below connector Y where cable 110 is divided into segments 114a and 114b.
    [0048] In either mode, the second position 136 on the electrical cable 110 can be located, for example, on a lower part of the electrical cable 110, closer, for example, to the first end 112 of the electrical cable 110. In figure 1A , the repositionable control device is attached to the electric cable 110 in the second position 136. As an example, a user may prefer to place the control device 121 in the second position 136 while running or engaged in other physical activity, at least because, while in the At second position 136, the control device 121 may not hit the user's face or otherwise disturb the user during the activity. As will be appreciated, the present disclosure is not limited to an exact location of the first position 134 and / or the second position 136.
    [0049] In some embodiments, the first position 134 on the electric cable 110 includes the electrical conductors 130, and the second position 136 does not include any electrical conductors 130. In this way, when in the first position 134, the control device 121 can be operationally coupled to the electric cable 110 by means of the electric conductors 130, and when in the second position 136 the control device 121 cannot be operationally coupled to the electric cable 110 (for example, it cannot be used to control functions associated with the system 100). In such embodiments, for example, the second position 136 can be considered a storage position for the control device 121. In other embodiments, the second position includes a second pair of electrical conductors 130 for operationally coupling the repositionable control device 121 to the electrical cable 110. In such embodiments, the system 100 provides the user with the two operating positions 134, 136 on the electrical cable 110 for securing the positionable control device 121. In other embodiments, instead of one or more predetermined securing positions, the repositionable control device 121 can be repositioned to any location on cable 110. As will be seen, in such embodiments, at least one of the locations on cable 110 will be an operational location (for example, where control device 121 is electrically connected to electrical conductors 130).
    [0050] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism may be a mechanism based on mechanical friction that uses frictional forces to hold housing 122 in place on the cable 110. In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism may include, for example, a key which, when pressed, releases the frictional forces and allows the housing 122 to be moved to another position. To reconnect control device 121 to electrical cable 110, the user can press the key on the clamping mechanism again to reapply frictional forces between the clamping mechanism and cable 110. In one embodiment, the key on the clamping mechanism it can be a spring-driven button. In other embodiments, the clamping mechanism may use magnetic forces to hold housing 122 in place on cable 110. According to some embodiments, the clamping mechanism may be incorporated and / or attached to housing 122 of the repositionable control device 121 In other embodiments, the clamping mechanism can be partially included in the repositionable control device 121 and a remainder of the clamping mechanism can be included in the electrical cable 110.
    [0051] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism can be configured to allow complete detachment of the repositionable control device 121 from the electrical cable 110. For example, in one embodiment, the control device 121 can be completely removed or separated from its position on electrical cable 110 before being re-attached to a desired position on the electrical cable. In other embodiments, the clamping mechanism can be configured to slide the repositionable control device 121 slidably to the electric cable 110. In such embodiments, for example, the repositionable control device 121 can be detached or partially detached from its position in the electrical cable 110 and slid up or down along electrical cable 110 until a desired re-coupling position is reached. In such an embodiment, the clamping mechanism can be configured to be placed around the electric cable 110, so that at least part of the electric cable 110 is always enclosed within the clamping mechanism.
    [0052] In some embodiments, the housing 122 may include one or more openings through which a respective part of the key (s) 124 may be exposed for user selection and, if present, a part of the microphone 126 may be exposed to capture voice signals. In one embodiment, the opening in housing 122 for microphone 126 may be located on one side of housing 122 opposite that of the openings for key (s) 124. In another embodiment, all of the openings may be located in the same side of housing 122. Housing 122 may be made of plastic or any other lightweight, non-conductive material.
    [0053] It should be emphasized that the modalities described above, particularly any "preferred" modalities, are possible examples of implementations, exposed only for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications can be made to the previously described embodiment (s) of the invention without substantially diverging from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be included in this document within the scope of this disclosure and are protected by the embodiments.
    权利要求:
    Claims (20)
    [0001]
    1. System for controlling one or more functions of an electronic device, characterized by the fact that it comprises: an electrical cable including a first coupler positioned in a first longitudinal position and a second coupler positioned in a second longitudinal position, and a plurality of conductors electrical cables that extend between the first coupler and the second coupler and exposed to an external surface of the electrical cable in the first coupler and the second coupler, in which the electrical conductors are configured to selectively couple to an electronic device and to transmit electrical signals to the electronic device and from it, a repositionable control device selectively affixable to the electric cable in each of the first longitudinal position and the second longitudinal position, in which the second longitudinal position is spaced from the first longitudinal position, and the repositionable control device couples the one or more of the conductors electrical cable s when the repositionable control device is affixed to both the first longitudinal position and the second longitudinal position to control one or more functions associated with the electronic device.
    [0002]
    2. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the repositionable control device includes one or more keys, each key electronically configured to selectively control at least one of the one or more functions associated with the electronic device .
    [0003]
    3. System according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the repositionable control device additionally includes a microphone.
    [0004]
    4. System according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the repositionable control device includes at least one key that is electronically configured to selectively control one or more functions associated with the microphone.
    [0005]
    5. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the repositionable control device includes a clamping mechanism configured to separately connect the repositionable control device to one or more electrical conductors.
    [0006]
    6. System, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the fixation mechanism is configured to enable movement of the repositionable control device from the first longitudinal position to the second longitudinal position on the electrical cable.
    [0007]
    7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the fixing mechanism is configured to allow the repositionable control device to slide from the first longitudinal position to the second longitudinal position without completely separating the repositionable control device of the electrical cable.
    [0008]
    8. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the plurality of electrical conductors includes a set of electrical conductors corresponding to the first longitudinal position, the repositionable control device being attachable to the set of electrical conductors corresponding to the first longitudinal position .
    [0009]
    9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the plurality of electrical conductors also includes a second set of electrical conductors corresponding to the second longitudinal position, the repositionable control device being coupled to the second set of conductors electrical.
    [0010]
    10. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the repositionable control device is configured to be completely separated from the electrical cable before being re-connected to the electrical cable.
    [0011]
    11. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the one or more functions associated with the electronic device include at least one of a mute function, a volume control function, a track selection function , a pause function, a voice command function, an answer function and a track search function.
    [0012]
    12. System, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electronic device is a mobile phone.
    [0013]
    13. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electronic device includes a media player.
    [0014]
    14. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electrical cable is configured to be electrically coupled to a headset system and to transmit electrical signals from the electronic device to the headset system.
    [0015]
    15. System, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it still comprises: a headphone system electrically coupled to the electrical cable, the electrical cable configured to transmit electrical signals from the electronic device to the headset system head.
    [0016]
    16. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one of the electrical conductors is exposed on a surface of the electrical cable.
    [0017]
    17. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the plurality of electric conductors comprises a set of electric conductors corresponding to the first longitudinal position, in which the control device is repositionable and electrically coupled to the set of corresponding electric conductors to the first longitudinal position.
    [0018]
    18. System according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that the set of electrical conductors comprises a first set of electrical conductors, wherein the plurality of electric conductors further comprises a second set of electrical conductors corresponding to a second position longitudinal, in which the control device is still repositionable and electrically coupled to the second set of electrical conductors corresponding to the second longitudinal position, and in which the first set of electrical conductors differs from the second set of electrical conductors.
    [0019]
    19. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cable defines a first main surface and a second opposite main surface, and in which the first main surface defines the outer surface for which the plurality of electrical conductors is exposed.
    [0020]
    20. System according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the outer surface to which the plurality of electrical conductors are exposed defines a flat surface.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CA2826426A1|2014-03-11|
    ZA201306822B|2014-05-28|
    CA2826426C|2016-08-23|
    US20140072137A1|2014-03-13|
    EP2706758A3|2015-06-17|
    CN103702252A|2014-04-02|
    US9106995B2|2015-08-11|
    CN103702252B|2018-06-08|
    GB201316148D0|2013-10-23|
    EP2706758A2|2014-03-12|
    BR102013023263A2|2015-06-30|
    GB2508265A|2014-05-28|
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    法律状态:
    2015-06-30| B03A| Publication of an application: publication of a patent application or of a certificate of addition of invention|
    2016-08-02| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: APPLE INC. (US) |
    2018-11-21| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|
    2020-04-14| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: suspension of the patent application procedure|
    2021-01-05| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2021-03-16| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 11/09/2013, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/610,615|2012-09-11|
    US13/610,615|US9106995B2|2012-09-11|2012-09-11|Repositionable control system and method for using the same|
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