Method for operating earphone and earphone

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for operating an earphone (200), in particular an in-ear earphone (200), comprising: receiving (101) measurement data from a pressure measuring device (201) of the earphone (200); ascertaining (103) a pressure difference between the first pressure (D1) and the second pressure (D2) on the basis of measurement data of the pressure measuring device (201); if it has been determined that the first pressure (D1) is higher than the second pressure (D2), identifying (105) that the earphone (200) is inserted into the auditory region (301) of the user; and / or, if it has been determined that the first pressure (D1) is lower than the second pressure (D2), it is detected (107) that the earphone (200) is removed from the auditory region (301). The invention also relates to an earphone (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating earphones. The present invention also relates to an in-ear earphone. Background Art

[0002] Headphones and methods for operating headphones are known from the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for operating a headset and an improved headset.

[0004] This object is achieved by a method for operating a headset and a headset. Advantageous embodiments are also described in the description.

[0005] According to one aspect, a method for operating headphones, in particular in-ear headphones, is provided, the method comprising:

[0006] Receiving measurement data of a pressure measuring device of a headset, wherein the measurement data represent a pressure difference between a first pressure of the external atmosphere at a first side of the headset and a second pressure of the external atmosphere at a second side of the headset, wherein the first side of the headset is to be inserted into the auditory region of an ear of a user of the headset In the embodiment, a second side of the earphone opposite to the first side should be arranged outside the auditory area;

[0007] determining a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure based on the measurement data of the pressure measuring device;

[0008] If it has been determined that the first pressure is higher than the second pressure, it is recognized that the earphone is inserted into the hearing area of ​​the user; and / or

[0009] If it has been determined that the first pressure is lower than the second pressure, then it is detected that the earphone has been removed from the auditory area.

[0010] The following technical advantage can thereby be achieved: an improved method for operating headphones, in particular in-ear headphones, can be provided. For this purpose, the position of the earphone in the auditory region of the ear of a user of the earphone is ascertained based on measured values ​​of a pressure measuring device, by means of which a pressure difference between a first pressure of the external atmosphere at a first side of the earphone and a second pressure of the external atmosphere at a second side can be measured.

[0011] The first side of the earphone is characterized in that it is to be inserted into the auditory region of the ear, while the second side of the earphone is arranged opposite to the first side and is therefore arranged outside the auditory region of the ear. Therefore, it can be detected by the pressure difference inside the auditory region and outside the auditory region whether the earphone is correctly inserted into the auditory region of the user's ear.

[0012] Thus, earphone loss due to earphones sliding out of the hearing area can be identified and / or avoided, and improved audio playback can be achieved by requiring the user to insert the earphones into the optimal position in the hearing area. Here, the hearing area includes at least the auricle or ear canal of the user's ear.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises: if the first pressure has been ascertained to be higher than the second pressure by a predetermined limit value, recognizing that the earphone has been inserted into the hearing area of ​​the user beyond the optimal position of the earphone.

[0014] Thus, the following technical advantage can be achieved: by identifying that the earphone is inserted into the auditory area beyond the optimal position based on the pressure difference of the external atmosphere at the first side and the second side of the earphone, damage to the user's ears or hearing due to audio playback can be avoided.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises: if the first pressure has been determined to be lower than the second pressure by a predetermined limit value, recognizing that the earphone has been suddenly removed from the user's auditory area, and / or the earphone has fallen and / or hit an object, and / or an external force has acted on the earphone.

[0016] Thus, the following technical advantages can be achieved: by identifying, based on the pressure difference at the first side and the second side of the earphone, that the earphone has been suddenly removed from the user's auditory area, and / or the earphone has fallen or hit an object, and / or external force has been applied to the earphone, the user can be prevented from losing the earphone.

[0017] Here, the external force may be, for example, a blow or airflow acting on the earphone. In this way, the user may notice that the earphone has been removed from the hearing area. Thus, the earphone may be prevented from being lost.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises: if it has been recognized that the earphone has been inserted into the hearing area, outputting feedback to the user that the earphone is positioned at a predefined optimal position in the hearing area and / or starting audio playback.

[0019] Thereby, the following technical advantage can be achieved: by giving feedback to the user that the earphone is positioned in a predefined optimal position in the auditory area and / or by starting audio playback, optimal operation of the earphone can be achieved.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises: turning off the earphones and / or interrupting audio playback of the earphones if it has been identified that the earphones have been removed from the auditory area and / or have been inserted too deeply into the auditory area, and / or the earphones have been dropped and / or hit against an object, and / or it has been identified that the earphones have been subjected to force.

[0021] The following technical advantage can thereby be achieved: an optimal operating state of the headphones can be achieved by switching off the headphones or interrupting audio playback in response to a situation in which it has been detected that the headphones have been removed from the auditory area and / or have been inserted too deeply into the auditory area or that the headphones have fallen or forces have acted on the headphones.

[0022] Furthermore, the above-mentioned display can draw the user's attention to relevant situations, thereby avoiding hearing loss or loss of the earphones or damage to the earphones.

[0023] According to one embodiment, an earphone comprises a sound generating structure having at least two movably supported sound generating elements, wherein the sound generating structure is fluidically connected to a first side and a second side of the earphone, wherein the at least two movably supported sound generating elements can be positioned in a first position and in a second position relative to each other, wherein if a first pressure is higher than a second pressure, the at least two sound generating elements can be positioned in the first position, wherein if the first pressure is lower than the second pressure, the at least two sound generating elements can be positioned in the second position, wherein a measurement value of a pressure measuring device indicates that the at least two sound generating elements are positioned in the first position or in the second position, wherein determining the pressure difference comprises:

[0024] Based on the measured values ​​of the pressure measuring device, the positioning of the at least two sound-generating elements in the first position or in the second position is ascertained.

[0025] Thus, the following technical advantages can be achieved: pressure measurement values ​​of a first pressure at a first side and a second pressure at a second side of the earphone can be determined simply. The pressure is determined depending on the positioning of the sound generating element of the sound generating structure. Thus, the pressure measuring device makes use of existing elements (i.e. the sound generating structure, which is mainly used to generate the sound for the audio playback of the earphone). Thus, additional elements (e.g. pressure sensors) can be avoided.

[0026] This simplifies the structure of the earphone, reduces manufacturing costs and enables a configuration of the earphone that saves as much space as possible. In addition, by determining the first position and the second position of the sound generating element in the sound generating structure (which respectively correspond to the first pressure at the first side and the second pressure at the second side of the earphone), the first pressure and the second pressure or the pressure difference at the first side and the second side of the earphone can be clearly determined.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the pressure measuring device comprises an electrode element, which is connected to the sound generating structure, wherein the measured value comprises a capacitance value of the electrode element, wherein determining the position determination comprises:

[0028] If the capacitance value of the electrode element is less than or equal to a predefined limit value, determining that the at least two sound generating elements are positioned in a first position; and

[0029] If the capacitance value of the electrode element is greater than a predefined limit value, it is determined that at least two sound-generating elements are positioned in the second position.

[0030] Thus, the following technical advantages can be achieved: the electrode element electrically connected to the sound generating structure can accurately determine the position of the sound generating element at the first position or the second position. The position of the sound generating element in the sound generating structure can be determined by determining the capacitance value of the electrode element.

[0031] By positioning the sound generating element, a correlation can be created with a first pressure and a second pressure of the external atmosphere present at the first and second sides of the earphone. Thus, the pressure difference at the first and second sides of the earphone can be measured in a technically simple manner by measuring the capacitance value of the electrode element. To this end, it may be necessary to calibrate the capacitance value of the electrode element relative to the positioning of the sound generating element within the sound generating structure or relative to the first and second pressure of the external atmosphere present at the first and second sides of the earphone.

[0032] According to the invention, the pressure measuring device does not necessarily measure absolute pressure measurements of a first pressure at the first side of the earphone and a second pressure at the second side. Instead, the pressure measuring device primarily determines, in the form of a pressure difference between the first pressure at the first side of the earphone and the second pressure at the second side, whether the first pressure at the first side of the earphone is greater than, less than or equal to the second pressure at the second side of the earphone. The method according to the invention does not require determining absolute pressure values.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0034] checking whether audio playback is implemented based on a control signal of a control unit of the headset;

[0035] If audio playback is not implemented, implement the above method steps;

[0036] If audio playback is performed:

[0037] then checking whether the capacitance value of the electrode element is correlated with the manipulation of the sound generating structure;

[0038] then checking whether the capacitance value of the electrode element is greater than the capacitance value expected according to the audio playback;

[0039] If the capacitance value is less than the desired capacitance value, outputting feedback to the user that the earphone is positioned at a predefined optimal position in the hearing area; and

[0040] If the capacitance value is greater than the expected capacitance value, the earphone is turned off and / or audio playback of the earphone is interrupted.

[0041] As a result, the following technical advantage can be achieved: even during audio playback operation, the above-described functions of determining the position of the earphone in the auditory area or determining the removal or drop of the earphone and the impact on the earphone can be implemented.

[0042] As mentioned above, the sound generating structure is mainly used to generate sound for the audio playback of the earphone. In order to generate sound, the sound generating element is moved accordingly in the sound generating structure by actuation, so as to generate a sound signal for the audio playback.

[0043] In order to determine the pressure difference at the first and second side of the earphone by determining the positioning of the sound generating element within the sound generating structure, a corresponding control of the sound generating structure for generating the sound must be taken into account during audio playback.

[0044] When generating sound, it is first determined whether the control signal for actuating the sound generating structure is correlated with the capacitance value of the electrode element, by means of which the positioning of the sound generating element within the sound generating structure is determined. If there is a correlation between the control signal and the capacitance value of the electrode element, the above method steps are carried out.

[0045] If there is no correlation between the control signal and the capacitance value, it is checked whether the measured capacitance value of the electrode element is greater than the capacitance value expected when the sound is generated according to the control signal.

[0046] Even when there is a pressure balance between the first pressure and the second pressure at the first and second sides of the earphone, during audio playback, a corresponding capacitance value is measured by the electrode element and, associated therewith, by the relative movement of the sound generating elements of the sound generating structure. However, the capacitance value corresponds to the control signal and is therefore not caused by a pressure difference at the first and second sides of the earphone, but is based solely on the movement of the sound generating elements for generating sound.

[0047] However, if the capacitance value measured when the sound is generated is higher than the capacitance value expected based on the control signal, the earphone is turned off or the audio playback is interrupted. If the capacitance value is higher than the expected capacitance value, it indicates that the first pressure at the first side of the earphone is lower than the second pressure at the second side of the earphone.

[0048] On the contrary, if the measured capacitance value of the electrode element is less than the expected capacitance value, it indicates that the first pressure at the first side of the earphone is higher than the pressure at the second side of the earphone, and the user is displayed that the earphone is positioned in a predefined optimal position in the auditory area and / or audio playback is started.

[0049] The method can therefore be carried out without problems during audio playback and the above-described method steps can be used to determine the corresponding positioning of the earphone in the auditory area.

[0050] According to one aspect, a computing unit is provided which is configured to carry out a method for operating a headset.

[0051] According to one aspect, an earphone is provided, which has a sound generating structure, a pressure measuring device and a computing unit.

[0052] As a result, the following technical advantage can be achieved: an improved headset can be provided, which is configured to carry out the above-described method for operating a headset having the listed technical advantages.

[0053] According to one embodiment, a sound generating structure is fluidically connected to an external environment of the earphone at a first side of the earphone and is fluidically connected to an external environment of the earphone at a second side of the earphone, wherein the sound generating structure includes at least two movably supported sound generating elements, and the at least two movably supported sound generating elements are capable of being positioned in a first position and a second position relative to each other, wherein if a first pressure of the external atmosphere at the first side of the earphone is greater than a second pressure of the external atmosphere at the second side of the earphone, the at least two sound generating elements are capable of being positioned in the first position, wherein if the first pressure is greater than the second pressure, the at least two sound generating elements are capable of being positioned in the second position, wherein the measurement value of the pressure measuring device indicates the positioning of the at least two sound generating elements in the first position or the second position.

[0054] Thus, the following technical advantage can be achieved: by determining the position of the sound generating element within the sound generating structure, the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure at the first side and the second side of the earphone can be accurately determined. Therefore, no additional components such as pressure sensors are required to implement the method according to the invention.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the sound generating structure includes a housing unit, wherein at least two movably supported sound generating elements are arranged in a receiving space of the housing unit, wherein at least one first opening is arranged at a first side of the housing unit, wherein at least one second opening is arranged at a second side of the housing unit, wherein the first side of the earphone should be inserted into the auditory area of ​​a user of the earphone, wherein the second side of the earphone opposite to the first side should be arranged outside the auditory area, wherein a fluid technology connection is achieved between the external atmosphere at the first side of the earphone and the external atmosphere at the second side by means of the receiving space through the first opening and the second opening of the earphone, wherein at least one first opening is arranged at a height between the at least two sound generating elements, wherein the second opening is arranged offset relative to the first opening and adjacent to the two sound generating elements.

[0056] Thus, the following technical advantages can be achieved: by arranging the first opening and the second opening at the first side and the second side of the shell unit of the sound generating structure, it can be achieved that when there is a first pressure at the first side of the earphone, which is greater than the second pressure at the second side of the earphone, the sound generating element is positioned in the first position in the shell unit based on the pressure difference.

[0057] If, in contrast, the second pressure at the second side of the earphone is greater than the first pressure at the first side of the earphone, the sound generating element is positioned in the housing unit in a second position via a correspondingly arranged second opening.

[0058] Thus, the pressure determination or the determination of the pressure difference at the first side and the second side of the earphone can be realized purely passively in that the sound generating element is positioned in the first position and the second position within the sound generating structure primarily by the pressure difference at the first side and the second side of the earphone. Correspondingly, the capacitance value of the electrode element is also determined passively in that the capacitance value changes automatically with a change in the position of the sound generating elements relative to one another.

[0059] As already mentioned above, the ascertainment of the pressure difference based on the positioning of the sound generating element carried out in this way can also take place during the actuation of the sound generating element to generate sound for audio playback.

[0060] According to the invention, in order to determine the pressure difference, it is not necessary to determine the exact position of the first position and the second position of the sound generating element in the sound generating structure. Instead, the capacitance value of the electrode element is determined. This can be interpreted as the corresponding position of the sound generating element in the sound generating structure.

[0061] However, in order to determine the pressure difference, it is not necessary to generate an exact position of the sound generating element within the sound generating structure. For this purpose, it is only necessary to determine whether the capacitance value of the electrode element is greater than or less than or equal to a predefined limit value.

[0062] Thus, the capacitance value of the electrode element determined, which is greater than, less than or equal to the limit value, can correspond to a corresponding positioning of the sound generating element within the sound generating structure and thus to a corresponding pressure difference between a first pressure at the first side and a second pressure at the second side of the earphone. Thus, the described method also works during audio playback.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the pressure measuring device comprises an electrode element connected to the sound generating structure.

[0064] Thus, the following technical advantages can be achieved: through the electrode element and the corresponding capacitance value of the electrode element, as described above, the first position and the second position of the sound generating element in the sound generating structure are determined, and the corresponding pressure difference between the first pressure at the first side of the earphone and the second pressure at the second side is determined in association therewith.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the sound-generating structure is designed as a MEMS structure and the earphone is designed as a MEMS earphone.

[0066] Thereby, the following technical advantages can be achieved: a headset with powerful performance is provided.

[0067] According to one aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed by a data processing unit, cause the data processing unit to implement the method for operating a headset according to any one of the preceding embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings. The drawings show:

[0069] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a headset according to one embodiment;

[0070] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an earphone and sound generating structure according to an embodiment;

[0071] Figure 3 Another schematic diagram showing a sound generating structure according to another embodiment;

[0072] Figure 4 Another schematic diagram showing a sound generating structure according to another embodiment;

[0073] Figure 5 A flow chart showing a method for operating a headset according to one embodiment; and

[0074] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating a computer program product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a headset 200 is shown according to one embodiment.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the earphone 200 comprises a body 229 and an insertion element 227, which is connected to the body 229. A sound generating element 209 and at least one control unit or computing unit 225 are formed in the body 229. The earphone 200 has a first side 203, which is formed at the insertion element 227 and can be inserted into the auditory region 301 of the ear 300 of the user of the earphone 200, and a second side 205, which is arranged opposite the first side 203 and is therefore not inserted into the auditory region 301. The body 229 and the insertion element 227 can be formed according to in-ear earphones known from the prior art and have corresponding features.

[0077] There is a first pressure D1 at the first side 203 and a second pressure D2 at the second side 205. Here, the first pressure D1 describes the pressure of the external atmosphere within the auditory area 301 when the earphone 200 is inserted into the auditory area 301. In contrast, the second pressure D2 describes the pressure of the external atmosphere outside the earphone 200 and outside the auditory area 301.

[0078] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an earphone 200 and a sound generating structure 207 is shown according to one embodiment.

[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 229 in FIG. a) includes a pressure measuring device 201 in addition to the sound generating structure 207 and the control unit / computing unit 225. The pressure difference between the first pressure D1 at the first side 203 of the earphone 200 and the second pressure D2 at the second side 205 can be obtained by the pressure measuring device 201.

[0080] The sound generating structure 207 is fluidically connected to the external environment at the first side 203 and at the second side 205 of the earphone 200 .

[0081] FIG. b) shows a schematic diagram of the sound generating structure 207. In the illustrated embodiment, the sound generating structure 207 is configured as a MEMS structure, and the sound generating structure includes a housing unit 213 and a plurality of sound generating elements 209 arranged in the housing unit 213.

[0082] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sound generating elements 209 are designed as beam elements or surface elements. The sound generating elements 209 are arranged in a receiving space 215 of a housing unit 213 so as to be supported so as to be movable relative to one another along the z direction of the coordinate system shown.

[0083] The housing unit 213 has a first opening 219 at a first side 217. The housing unit 213 has a second opening 223 at a second side 221. The sound generating structure 207 is arranged in the body 229 of the earphone 200 so that the first side 217 of the housing unit 213 is arranged adjacent to the first side 203 of the earphone 200, and correspondingly so that the second side 221 of the housing unit 213 is arranged adjacent to the second side 205 of the earphone 200.

[0084] As shown in FIG. b), the first opening 219 and the second opening 223 of the housing unit 213 are arranged offset relative to each other along the z-axis. Therefore, with reference to the z-axis of the coordinate system shown, the first opening 219 is arranged between the two second openings 223.

[0085] Furthermore, the pressure measuring device 201 is directly connected to the sound generating element 209 of the sound generating structure 207. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pressure measuring device 201 is designed as an electrode element 211.

[0086] Figure 3 Another schematic diagram of a sound generating structure 207 according to another embodiment is shown.

[0087] Figures a) and b) show two scenarios in which, within the receiving space 215 of the shell unit 213 of the sound generating structure 207, the sound generating element 209 is positioned to a first position P1 and a second position P1 by the air pressure of the external atmosphere at the first side 203 and the second side 205 of the earphone 200.

[0088] Figure a) shows a scenario in which a first pressure D1 at the first side 203 of the earphone 200 is greater than a second pressure D2 at the second side 205 of the earphone 200. Therefore, air from the external atmosphere flows into the receiving space 215 through the first opening 219 of the first side 217 of the housing unit 213. As a result, the sound generating element 209 is pressed from the first opening 219 of the housing unit 213 toward the second opening 223 of the second side 221 in the z-direction of the coordinate system shown or in a direction opposite to the z-direction.

[0089] Figure b) shows the opposite situation, in which the second pressure D2 at the second side 205 of the earphone 200 is greater than the first pressure D1. Therefore, the air of the external atmosphere flows into the receiving space 215 through the second opening 223 at the second side 221 of the housing unit 213 of the sound generating structure 207. Accordingly, the sound generating element 209 is pressed away from the second opening 223 toward the first opening 219 of the housing unit 213 and is thus positioned at the second position P2.

[0090] Correspondingly, the capacitance value measured by the electrode element 211 is different between the situations shown in Figures a) and b), so that the different positions P1 and P2 of the sound generating element 209 in the sound generating structure 207 can be calculated based on the capacitance value of the electrode element 211, and the pressure difference between the first pressure D1 and the second pressure D2 can be calculated accordingly.

[0091] Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of a sound generating structure 207 according to another embodiment is shown.

[0092] Figure 4 The embodiment of the sound generating structure 207 shown is based on Figure 2 and Figure 3 The present invention is an embodiment of the sound generating structure 207 of the present invention and includes all the features shown therein. As long as these features remain unchanged, no further detailed description will be given.

[0093] and Figure 2 Similarly, the sound generating structure 207 is shown in a rest position. This can be achieved by making the first pressure D1 and the second pressure D2 at the first side 203 and the second side 205 of the earphone 200 equal.

[0094] and Figure 2 and Figure 3 Unlike the embodiment of the present invention, the sound generating structure 207 further includes two driving elements 231. The driving elements 231 can be used to place the sound generating elements 209 in relative motion with each other to generate sound for the audio playback of the earphone 200.

[0095] The sound generating elements 209 can thus be moved relative to one another in the z-direction of the coordinate system shown or in a direction opposite to the z-direction. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the drive element 231 is also designed as an electrode element.

[0096] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method 100 for operating a headset 200 according to one embodiment is shown.

[0097] In the exemplary embodiment shown, for the operation of headphones 200 , a check is first performed in method step 123 to determine whether audio playback is being carried out via headphones 200 .

[0098] If audio playback through the earphone 200 is not implemented, firstly measurement data of the pressure measuring device 201 is received in method step 101. The measurement data represents the pressure difference between a first pressure D1 of the external atmosphere at the first side 203 of the earphone 200 and a second pressure D2 at the second side 205 of the earphone 200. According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the pressure measuring device 201 includes an electrode element 211.

[0099] With the aid of electrode elements 211 , positions P1 , P2 of sound-generating elements 209 of sound-generating structure 207 embodied as MEMS structures can be ascertained.

[0100] For this purpose, in a further method step 103 , a pressure difference between a first pressure D1 at a first side 203 and a second pressure D2 at a second side 205 of the earphone 200 is ascertained based on the measurement data of the pressure measuring device 201 .

[0101] For this purpose, in method step 117 , the positioning of sound generating element 209 of sound generating structure 207 within receiving space 215 of housing unit 213 of sound generating structure 207 is ascertained.

[0102] Subsequently, in method step 119 , it is determined that the sound-generating element 209 is positioned in the first position P1 if the capacitance value of the electrode element 211 of the pressure measuring device 201 is less than or equal to a predefined limit value.

[0103] In a further method step 121 , on the other hand, if the capacitance value of the electrode element 211 is greater than a predefined limit value, it is determined that the sound generating element 209 is positioned in the second position P2 .

[0104] If the sound generating element 209 is located at the first position P1 based on the capacitance value of the electrode element 211, this is equivalent to the first pressure D1 at the first side 203 of the earphone 200 being greater than the second pressure D2 at the second side 205 of the earphone 200. On the contrary, if the sound generating element 209 is located at the second position P2 based on the capacitance value of the electrode element 211, this is equivalent to the second pressure D2 being greater than the first pressure D1.

[0105] In a further method step 105 , if it has previously been determined that the first pressure D1 is higher than the second pressure D2 , it is therefore recognized that the earphone 200 is inserted into the auditory region 301 of the user.

[0106] In a further method step 107 , if it has previously been determined that first pressure D1 is lower than second pressure D2 , it is therefore detected that earphone 200 has been removed from auditory region 301 .

[0107] In a further method step 109, if it has previously been determined that the first pressure D1 is higher than the second pressure D2 by a predetermined limit value, it is recognized that the earphone 200 is inserted into the auditory region 301 beyond the optimal position of the earphone 200. The deeper the earphone 200 is inserted into the auditory region 301 of the user, the further the air volume in the auditory region 301 (i.e., in the ear canal) is compressed, which leads to an increase in the air pressure (i.e., the pressure D1 at the first side 203 of the earphone 200).

[0108] If the pressure exceeds a previously set limit value, it is recognized that the earphone 200 is inserted into the auditory area 301 beyond the optimal position.

[0109] In a further method step 111, if the first pressure D1 has been determined to be lower than the second pressure D2 by a predetermined limit value, it is recognized that the earphone 200 has been suddenly removed from the user's auditory area 301 and / or the earphone 200 has been dropped or hit against an object and / or an external force has acted on the earphone 200. In the case of mechanical action on the earphone, the cause of the movement of the sound generating element is no longer the pressure difference, but the inertia of the sound generating element.

[0110] If the earphone 200 is suddenly removed from the user's auditory region 301 (i.e., ear canal), the air volume in the ear canal suddenly increases, thereby causing a significant pressure drop in the first pressure D1 at the first side 203 of the earphone 200. If the pressure drop in the pressure D1 exceeds a predetermined limit value, it is recognized that the earphone 200 is suddenly removed from the auditory region 301, which may be caused, for example, by the earphone 200 being dropped or lost.

[0111] Accordingly, a force applied to the earphone 200 primarily at the second side 205 or an impact of the earphone 200 against an object can lead to a significant increase in the second pressure D2 relative to the first pressure D1, so that the first pressure D1 correspondingly decreases relative to the second pressure D2. If the first pressure D1 again falls below a predetermined limit value, the aforementioned situation is detected, which in turn indicates that the earphone 200 has been lost.

[0112] In a further method step 113, if it has been recognized that the earphone 200 has been inserted into the auditory area 301, feedback is output to the user that the earphone 200 is positioned in a predefined optimal position in the auditory area 301 and / or audio playback is started. For example, the feedback may be implemented by an audio signal.

[0113] In contrast, in method step 115 , if it has previously been recognized that earphone 200 has been removed from auditory area 301 and / or has been inserted too deeply into auditory area 301 and / or earphone 200 has fallen or hit an object and / or force has acted on earphone 200 , earphone 200 is turned off or audio playback of earphone 200 is interrupted.

[0114] This ensures that the operation of the earphone 200 stops automatically when the earphone 200 is removed from the auditory area 301, in order to avoid unnecessary strain on the battery charge of the earphone 200 and to avoid damage to the sound generating element and thus the earphone in the event of excessive deflection.

[0115] If, on the other hand, it is determined in method step 123 that an audio playback is being performed, then in a further method step 125 it is checked whether the capacitance value of electrode element 211 is associated with the actuation of sound generating structure 207. To this end, it is checked whether the capacitance value of electrode element 211 is associated with a control signal for actuating sound generating element 209 of sound generating structure 207 to generate sound and audio playback.

[0116] If it is determined that a correlation exists, the above-described method steps 101 to 121 are carried out again.

[0117] If, on the other hand, no correlation is found, it is checked in a further method step 127 whether the capacitance value of the electrode element 211 is greater than the capacitance value expected according to the audio playback. As described above, by actuating the sound generating structure 207, the sound generating element 209 is deflected from the rest position and positioned to the corresponding first position P1 or second position P2. As a result, the corresponding capacitance value is measured by the electrode element 211.

[0118] If the capacitance value measured by the electrode element 211 is less than the capacitance value expected based on the control signal used to manipulate the sound generating structure 207 for audio playback, it indicates that the earphone 200 is inserted into the user's auditory area 301, and therefore feedback is output to the user in method step 113 that the earphone 200 is positioned at a predefined position in the auditory area 301.

[0119] In contrast, if the capacitance value measured by electrode element 211 is less than or equal to the capacitance value expected according to the control signal for the manipulation of sound generating structure 207 , this indicates that earphone 200 is located outside auditory area 301 .

[0120] Here, there is no pressure difference between the pressures D1 and D2 at the first side 203 and the second side 205 of the earphone 200, and therefore the atmospheric pressures D1 and D2 have no effect on the positioning of the sound generating element 209 in the sound generating structure 207, so that the measured capacitance value of the electrode element 211 is completely based on the manipulation of the sound generating structure 207 and is therefore equal to the capacitance value expected according to the manipulation of the audio playback.

[0121] On the other hand, if the capacitance value measured by the electrode element 211 is greater than the capacitance value expected for the manipulation based on the audio playback, it indicates that the earphone 200 is actively removed from the auditory area 301 or the earphone 200 falls or hits an object. Accordingly, according to method step 115, the earphone 200 is turned off or the audio playback of the earphone 200 is interrupted.

[0122] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a computer program product 400 is shown, which includes instructions which, when the program is executed by a data processing unit, cause the data processing unit to carry out the method 100 for operating the headset 200 .

[0123] In the illustrated embodiment, the computer program product 400 is stored on a computing unit or storage medium 401. The storage medium 401 may be any storage medium known in the art.

Claims

1. A method (100) for operating a headset (200), in particular an in-ear headset (200), comprising: Receiving (101) measurement data of a pressure measuring device (201) of an earphone (200), wherein the measurement data represents a pressure difference between a first pressure (D1) of the external atmosphere at a first side (203) of the earphone (200) and a second pressure (D2) of the external atmosphere at a second side (205) of the earphone (200), wherein the first side (203) of the earphone (200) is to be inserted into an auditory region (301) of an ear (300) of a user of the earphone (200), wherein a second side (205) of the earphone (200) opposite to the first side (203) is to be arranged outside the auditory region (301); Determining (103) a pressure difference between a first pressure (D1) and a second pressure (D2) based on measurement data of a pressure measuring device (201); If it has been determined that the first pressure (D1) is higher than the second pressure (D2), it is recognized (105) that the earphone (200) is inserted into the user's auditory area (301); and / or If it has been determined that the first pressure (D1) is lower than the second pressure (D2), it is detected (107) that the earphone (200) has been removed from the auditory area (301).

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: If the first pressure (D1) is determined to be higher than the second pressure (D2) by a predetermined limit value, it is detected (109) that the earphone (200) is inserted into the user's auditory region (301) beyond an optimal position of the earphone (200).

3. The method (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: If it has been determined that the first pressure (D1) is lower than the second pressure (D2) by a predetermined limit value, it is recognized (111) that the earphone (200) has been suddenly removed from the user's auditory area (301), and / or the earphone (200) has fallen and / or hit an object, and / or an external force has acted on the earphone (200).

4. The method (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: If it has been identified that the earphone (200) has been inserted into the hearing area (301), feedback is output (113) to the user that the earphone (200) is positioned at a predefined optimal position in the hearing area (301) and / or audio playback is started.

5. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: If it is detected that the earphone (200) has been removed from the hearing area (301) and / or has been inserted too deeply into the hearing area (301), and / or the earphone has been dropped and / or hit against an object, and / or it is detected that the earphone has been subjected to force, the earphone (200) is turned off (115) and / or audio playback of the earphone (200) is interrupted.

6. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The earphone (200) comprises a sound generating structure (207) having at least two movably supported sound generating elements (209), wherein the sound generating structure (207) is fluidically connected to a first side and a second side (203, 205) of the earphone (200), wherein the at least two movably supported sound generating elements (209) can be positioned relative to each other in a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), wherein if the first pressure (D1) is higher than the second pressure (D2), the at least two sound generating elements (209) can be positioned in the first position (P1), wherein if the first pressure (D1) is lower than the second pressure (D2), the at least two sound generating elements (209) can be positioned in the second position (P2), wherein the measured value of the pressure measuring device (201) indicates the positioning of the at least two sound generating elements (209) in the first position or in the second position (P1, P2), wherein determining (103) the pressure difference comprises: The positioning of at least two sound-generating elements (209) in a first position (P1) or a second position (P2) is determined (117) based on the measured values ​​of the pressure measuring device (201).

7. The method (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The pressure measuring device (201) comprises an electrode element (211), the electrode element being connected to the sound generating structure (207), wherein the measured value comprises a capacitance value of the electrode element (211), wherein determining (117) the position comprises: If the capacitance value of the electrode element (211) is less than or equal to a predefined limit value, determining (119) that at least two sound generating elements (209) are positioned in a first position (P1); and If the capacitance value of the electrode element (211) is greater than a predefined limit value, it is determined (121) that at least two sound generating elements (209) are positioned in a second position (P2).

8. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Checking (123) whether audio playback is being implemented based on a control signal of a control unit of the headset (200); If audio playback is not implemented, method steps (101) to (121) are implemented; If audio playback is performed: then checking (125) whether the capacitance value of the electrode element (211) is associated with the manipulation of the sound generating structure (207); then checking (127) whether the capacitance value of the electrode element (211) is greater than the capacitance value expected according to the audio playback; If the capacitance value is less than the desired capacitance value, outputting (113) feedback to the user that the earphone (200) is positioned at a predefined optimal position in the auditory area (301); and If the capacitance value is greater than the expected capacitance value, the earphone (200) is turned off (115) and / or audio playback of the earphone (200) is interrupted.

9. A computing unit (225) configured to carry out the method (100) for operating a headset (200) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8.

10. An earphone (200) having a sound generating structure (207), a pressure measuring device (201) and a computing unit (225) according to claim 9.

11. The earphone (200) according to claim 10, wherein: The sound generating structure (207) is fluidically connected to the external environment of the earphone (200) at a first side (203) of the earphone (200) and is fluidically connected to the external environment (200) of the earphone (200) at a second side (205) of the earphone (200), wherein the sound generating structure (207) includes at least two movably supported sound generating elements (209), wherein the at least two movably supported sound generating elements (209) are positionable relative to each other in a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), wherein if the earphone If a first pressure (D1) of the external atmosphere at a first side (203) of the headset (200) is greater than a second pressure (D2) of the external atmosphere at a second side (205) of the headset (200), at least two sound generating elements (209) can be positioned at a first position (P1), wherein if the first pressure (D1) is higher than the second pressure (D2), at least two sound generating elements (209) can be positioned at a second position (P1), wherein the measurement value of the pressure measuring device (201) indicates the positioning of the at least two sound generating elements (209) at the first position or the second position (P1, P2).

12. The earphone (200) according to claim 11, wherein: The sound generating structure (207) comprises a housing unit (213), wherein the at least two movably supported sound generating elements (209) are arranged in a receiving space (215) of the housing unit (213), wherein at least one first opening (219) is arranged at a first side (217) of the housing unit (213), wherein at least one second opening (223) is arranged at a second side (221) of the housing unit (213), wherein the first side (203) of the earphone (200) is to be inserted into an auditory area (301) of a user of the earphone (200), wherein the earphone (200) is in contact with the earphone (200) The second side (205) opposite the first side (203) should be arranged outside the auditory area (301), wherein a fluid connection between the external atmosphere at the first side (203) of the earphone (200) and the external atmosphere at the second side (205) is achieved by means of a receiving space (215) via a first opening and a second opening (219, 223), wherein at least one first opening (219) is arranged at a height between at least two sound generating elements (209), wherein the second opening (223) is arranged offset relative to the first opening (219) and adjacent to the two sound generating elements (209).

13. The earphone (200) according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein: The pressure measuring device (201) comprises an electrode element (211) which is connected to the sound generating structure (207).

14. The earphone (200) according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 13, wherein: The sound generating structure (207) is constructed as a MEMS structure.

15. A computer program product (400) comprising instructions which, when executed by a data processing unit, cause the data processing unit to carry out the method (100) for operating a headset (200) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8.

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