TODAY’S PATENT – WIRELESS EARBUDS WITH PROXIMITY SENSORS

The said invention (US11711643B2) was invented by Ashley N. Saulsbury and Travis J. McQueen. It was patented by USPTO on July 25^th, 2023. Currently, it stands assigned to Apple Inc.

This innovation offers enhanced wireless earbuds that establish a wireless connection with electronic devices, such as mobile phones and wristwatches. The distinguishing feature of these ear buds is in their sensor circuitry, which incorporates proximity sensors equipped with infrared light-emitting diodes and detectors on both the main body and stem. These sensors precisely detect the condition of the ear buds, such as whether they are in a case, on a table, or in a user’s ear, and adjust the audio routing appropriately.

For instance, when the earbuds are inserted into the ear, any audio from a call or media playback is instantly redirected to the earbuds. Conversely, when the earbuds are withdrawn, the audio switches back to playing via the device’s speaker. This guarantees the accurate routing of audio signals, improving user convenience and the performance of wireless earbuds.