US 9,445,183 Sound system with ear device with improved fit and sound
3 defendants · 3 suits · updated October 6, 2026
Also cited as U.S. Patent No. 9,445,183 · US9445183B2 · US 9,445,183 B2 · 9445183 · the '183 patent
Helical LLC has filed 3 patent-infringement suits on US 9,445,183, "Sound system with ear device with improved fit and sound" since July 2, 2026, all in the E.D. Tex., against 3 distinct defendants including Audio Partnership PLC, Audio-Technica Corporation and Hifiman Technology Group Co., Ltd.. The patent was granted September 13, 2016 on a priority date of February 27, 2008. Its abstract opens: "A system for audio content delivery to an in-the-ear device from a local computing device." The examiner cited 6 references during prosecution.
- Assignee
- Helical LLC
- Priority date
- February 27, 2008
- Granted
- September 13, 2016
- Expires
- February 27, 2028
- Status
- Active
- Claims
- 24 (3 independent)
- Inventors
- Linda D. Dahl
- Full text
- Google Patents
The suits
3 cases · E.D. Tex. (3)
| Filed | Defendant | Plaintiff | Court | Docket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-02 | Audio Partnership PLC | Helical LLC | E.D. Tex. | 2:26-cv-00541 |
| 2026-07-02 | Audio-Technica Corporation | Helical LLC | E.D. Tex. | 2:26-cv-00542 |
| 2026-07-02 | Hifiman Technology Group Co., Ltd. | Helical LLC | E.D. Tex. | 2:26-cv-00543 |
Docket links open the public record on CourtListener. Filing dates are the complaint's.
Independent claims
What is actually asserted, verbatim.
1. An audio content delivery device comprising: a main in-the-ear body portion with a first side distal to a user, a second side medial to the user, a center of gravity, at least one speaker and a sound channel with a cavity; the speaker positioned within the cavity such that the center of gravity of the audio content delivery device is closer to the second side and more medial to the user for ensuring that the audio content delivery device remains situated in the user's ear during physical activity; the audio content delivery device further comprising in the cavity a wireless receiver with antenna, a processor, a memory, and a power supply for receiving digital audio content and transmitting the digital audio content to the at least one speaker.
7. An audio content delivery system comprising: at least one in-the-ear device and a local computing device in digital communication; the at least one in-the-ear device comprising a main body portion with a first side distal to a user, a second side medial to the user, a center of gravity, a speaker and a sound channel with a cavity; the speaker positioned within the cavity such that the center of gravity of the in-the-ear device closer to the second side and more medial to the user for ensuring that the in-the-ear device remains situated in the user's ear; the local computing device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the local computing device streaming audio content to the at least one in-the-ear device and controlling the at least one in-the-ear device.
15. An audio content delivery system comprising: at least one in-the-ear device, a local computing device and an audio content provider in digital communication through a network; the at least one in-the-ear device comprising a main body portion with a first side distal to a user, a second side medial to the user, a center of gravity, a speaker and a sound channel with a cavity; the speaker positioned within the cavity such that the center of gravity of the in-the-ear device is closer to the second side and more medial to the user for ensuring that the in-the-ear device remains situated in the user's ear; the local computing device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the audio content provider comprising at least one computing device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory; the audio content provider streaming audio content to the local computing device and the local computing device streaming audio content to the in-the-ear device and controlling the in-the-ear device.
Art before the examiner
12 references of record, 6 cited by the examiner.
Everything listed here was before the Office and is what a challenge must go beyond. Art the examiner never saw is where an invalidity search starts.
Examiner-cited
- US4565904A — Removal handle for in-the-ear hearing aids (Qualitone Hearing Aids, Division Of Xcor Corp.)
- US20090097683A1 — Method and apparatus for a hearing assistance device using mems sensors (Starkey Laboratories, Inc.)
- US20110158440A1 — 3D Stereo earphone with multiple speakers (Cyber Group USA Inc.)
- US20120224734A1 — Hearing aid and method of fabricating the same (Objet Ltd.)
- US20150146909A1 — Double Seal Moldable Earpiece System (Decibullz Llc)
- US20160050479A1 — Thermal powered wearable device (Logitech Europe S.A)
Applicant-cited and other (6)
- US5659156A — Earmolds for two-way communications devices
- US20040096077A1 — Hearing coupler shells of soft pliable thermoplastic material
- US20050111686A1 — Otoplasty for behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
- US20050169492A1 — Hearing aid with a face plate that is automatically manufactured to fit the hearing aid shell
- US20090123010A1 — Hearing device with an open earpiece having a short vent
- US7856111B2 — Hearing aid with sound tube serving for retention in concha
Classification
- H04R1/1058primary — Manufacture or assembly
- H04R1/1016 — Earpieces of the intra-aural type
- H04R2201/107 — Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
- H04R25/656 — Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal
- H04R25/658 — Manufacture of housing parts
- H04R3/00 — Circuits for transducers
Family
- US9445183B2 — B2 (2016)
- US20150201269A1 — A1 (2015)
Abstract
A system for audio content delivery to an in-the-ear device from a local computing device. Also, a system for audio content delivery to an in-the-ear device from a content delivery network. The in-the-ear device is sized and shaped such that it universally and ergonomically fits into the human ear without slipping out and provides the user with a comfortable fit. The in-the-ear device is secured in the user's ear taking advantage of the natural curvature of the human to provide support and shift the center of gravity from outside the ear to further inside the pinna to prevent the device from slipping out while retaining a high level of comfort.
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This page is assembled from public records — federal court dockets and the patent's own file — and is updated as the case list changes. It states what the record shows and is not an opinion on the validity or infringement of any claim. Patent data via Google Patents; docket data via CourtListener.