Apple patents magnetically detachable wireless earbuds for iPhone
Amid rumors claiming Apple's next iPhone heralds the inexorable demise of the 3.5mm headphone jack, the company on Tuesday was granted a patent for a hybrid headphone design capable of both corded and wireless operation.
Source: USPTO
As awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple's U.S. Patent No. 9,277,309 for a "Detachable wireless listening device" details a headphone that accepts audio signals via a traditional cord in one mode, and Bluetooth or other wireless protocol in another.
The patent shares design similarities with a pair of regular earbuds. For example, both appear to sport a main audio cord branching off into two leads -- one each for right and left earbuds. In practice, however, the invention relies on two separate cables; one connecting the stereo headphones together to form a listening subsystem, and another tethering that subsystem to a host device.
Crucial to Apple's invention is a magnetic attachment mechanism that connects the listening device (earbuds and accompanying cable) to the host cord for battery recharging and wired audio signal transmission. When the earbud-side cord becomes detached, the system can be programmed to detect the state change, automatically pause the charging process and activate wireless communications. The ability to free one's headphones from a bulky host device provides a host of benefits, not the least of which being freedom to move without fear of getting wrapped up in wires.
Apple's hybrid earbud concept came to light as a patent application in 2012, shortly after the company launched its redesigned EarPods headphones with iPhone 5. The intervening years have seen three iPhone iterations with no colorable headphone hardware modifications.
A closer look at the patent as granted reveals only minor changes from the 2012 application, the most prominent being mention of a magnetic attachment system in the patent's claim construction. Previously, the filing only alluded to a vague attachment mechanism. An easy-to-use docking/charging interface is key in creating a pair of functional wireless headphones, and a design riff on the familiar wired EarPods supplied with all iPhones isn't a bad way to start.
Last November, rumors surfaced claiming Apple plans to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from its next-generation iPhone design in favor of an all wireless or Lightning solution. While still an industry standard, the headphone jack is an aging relic of the analog era that stands in the way of thinner, more flexible iPhone designs.
It is possible that technology referenced in today's patent grant will make its way into a next-gen Apple headphone model, a development that at least seems feasible in light of Lightning's introduction and subsequent platform buildout. The foundation for Lightning-enabled audio equipment was laid in 2014 when Apple announced the Lightning headphone module, a piece of hardware that offers third-party manufacturers access to deeper system controls, direct analog audio out and enough juice to power attached accessories. Apple itself debuted Lightning-compatible headphones, albeit through the Beats by Dre brand.
As for the empty space left by a removal of iPhone's 3.5mm jack, the most recent rumblings say Apple could replace the audio module with a second speaker for stereo sound, though a lack of evidence precludes objective speculation. All will be revealed when the next flagship iPhone is announced, an event likely to take place this fall.
Apple's hybrid headphone patent was first filed for in March 2011 and credits Jorge S. Fino as its inventor.
Source: USPTO
As awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple's U.S. Patent No. 9,277,309 for a "Detachable wireless listening device" details a headphone that accepts audio signals via a traditional cord in one mode, and Bluetooth or other wireless protocol in another.
The patent shares design similarities with a pair of regular earbuds. For example, both appear to sport a main audio cord branching off into two leads -- one each for right and left earbuds. In practice, however, the invention relies on two separate cables; one connecting the stereo headphones together to form a listening subsystem, and another tethering that subsystem to a host device.
Crucial to Apple's invention is a magnetic attachment mechanism that connects the listening device (earbuds and accompanying cable) to the host cord for battery recharging and wired audio signal transmission. When the earbud-side cord becomes detached, the system can be programmed to detect the state change, automatically pause the charging process and activate wireless communications. The ability to free one's headphones from a bulky host device provides a host of benefits, not the least of which being freedom to move without fear of getting wrapped up in wires.
Apple's hybrid earbud concept came to light as a patent application in 2012, shortly after the company launched its redesigned EarPods headphones with iPhone 5. The intervening years have seen three iPhone iterations with no colorable headphone hardware modifications.
A closer look at the patent as granted reveals only minor changes from the 2012 application, the most prominent being mention of a magnetic attachment system in the patent's claim construction. Previously, the filing only alluded to a vague attachment mechanism. An easy-to-use docking/charging interface is key in creating a pair of functional wireless headphones, and a design riff on the familiar wired EarPods supplied with all iPhones isn't a bad way to start.
Last November, rumors surfaced claiming Apple plans to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from its next-generation iPhone design in favor of an all wireless or Lightning solution. While still an industry standard, the headphone jack is an aging relic of the analog era that stands in the way of thinner, more flexible iPhone designs.
It is possible that technology referenced in today's patent grant will make its way into a next-gen Apple headphone model, a development that at least seems feasible in light of Lightning's introduction and subsequent platform buildout. The foundation for Lightning-enabled audio equipment was laid in 2014 when Apple announced the Lightning headphone module, a piece of hardware that offers third-party manufacturers access to deeper system controls, direct analog audio out and enough juice to power attached accessories. Apple itself debuted Lightning-compatible headphones, albeit through the Beats by Dre brand.
As for the empty space left by a removal of iPhone's 3.5mm jack, the most recent rumblings say Apple could replace the audio module with a second speaker for stereo sound, though a lack of evidence precludes objective speculation. All will be revealed when the next flagship iPhone is announced, an event likely to take place this fall.
Apple's hybrid headphone patent was first filed for in March 2011 and credits Jorge S. Fino as its inventor.
Comments
Anyhow .... what sense do "stereo" speakers make on a phone? The amount of separation would be meaningless.
Firstly, it's not even close to being a relic. The age of a technology has nothing to do with it's practicality, usefulness or technical merit. I wonder how long we have been using knives, laces and buttons? This nonsense of analogue audio somehow being a thing of the past that has been superseded is very ignorant. Our ears decode analogue waveforms, not digital.
Secondly, it doesn't stand in the way of a thinner iPhone. The Vivo Air is just 5.1mm thick and manages to have a 3.5mm headphone socket. I would say that unless you want to make a phone less than 4.5mm thick, you don't have to forego a headphone socket, unless you wan't to make the claim that Apple's design and manufacturing prowess isn't up with that of a tiny Chinese manufacturer.
Apple seemed perfectly happy to increase the thickness of the 6+ in order to accommodate force touch, something which is of far less utility than a headphone socket.
5.1mm thin:
My daughter has a set of earbuds with a magnetic coupling in the cable, so I doubt Apple can be trying to patent this aspect of the design.
No.
"for battery recharging and wired audio signal transmission"
Perhaps the novelty and patentability here is the battery charging aspect.
https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Dx5cSswRDaQAW3L2.medium
They charge in under 30 minutes and go for about a day and a half of continuos use. I use them mainly for texting, telephone calls, answering email, maps, etc but occasionally for music too. I say "occasionally" because when you're business IS music you try not to listen to music when you're not working. <GRIN>
The music quality is so good we use these for double checking the final EQ before mastering. I can't tell you how many times its caught small changes because it gives an intimacy and spatial perspective that speakers just can't provide sometimes
When I purchased the very first iPhone on day one, non of my headphones worked with it and I needed to buy an adapter. It was a bulky solution to a problem that should not have existed.
To this day I still use all of those same headphones and my first iPhone sits in a drawer. A relic of yesterdays technology.
I hope that Apple does not eliminate the 3.5mm jack.
Mmm. Dunno.
When Apple talks about tolerances measured in microns then 0.38% actually sounds like quite a lot. I hadn't actually thought that the problem Apple had with the connector was how much space it takes inside the device.
Having said that, so far we only have one headphone manufacturer using the lightning connector; I just don't see anyone else following them.