Electronic device and method for audio processing
By integrating feedback microphones and skin sensors into the headphones, the sound parameters are dynamically adjusted, resolving the conflict between in-ear and open-back headphones. This achieves optimized wearing comfort and noise isolation for the same headphones in different modes, thus enhancing the user experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MERRY ELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing in-ear headphones struggle to balance wearing comfort and noise isolation, while open-back headphones present a dilemma between noise isolation and sound leakage, requiring users to purchase multiple pairs of headphones to meet different needs.
An electronic device and method are provided to automatically switch between in-ear and open-back headphone modes and dynamically adjust sound parameters to match the current usage mode via a feedback microphone, skin sensor, and processor.
This technology optimizes wearing comfort and noise isolation for the same pair of headphones in different modes, reducing the need for users to use multiple pairs of headphones and improving the user experience.
Smart Images

Figure CN122069463A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of signal processing technology, and in particular to an electronic device and method for audio processing. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, the mainstream true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones on the market include in-ear earphones, open earphones, and semi-open earphones. In-ear earphones have the advantage of low leakage, effectively isolating ambient noise. However, in-ear earphones can easily put pressure on the user's ear canal, increasing discomfort and the risk of ear canal infection. Open / semi-open earphones do not put pressure on the user's ear canal, making them more suitable for situations requiring prolonged use. However, open / semi-open earphones have poorer sound isolation, making them unsuitable for noisy environments, and the sound output from open / semi-open earphones can easily leak, disturbing others. To enjoy the advantages of both in-ear and open / semi-open earphones simultaneously, users usually need to purchase multiple pairs of earphones. Summary of the Invention
[0003] Based on this, the present invention provides an electronic device and method for audio processing, which can configure sound parameters for headphones that can switch between in-ear headphone mode and open-ear headphone mode.
[0004] An electronic device for audio processing according to the present invention includes a feedback microphone, a speaker, and a processor. The feedback microphone detects sound signals. The processor is coupled to the feedback microphone and the speaker. The processor selects one of a first configuration and a second configuration of sound parameters based on the sound signal to obtain a selected configuration. The processor outputs audio through the speaker according to the selected configuration.
[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a skin sensor. The skin sensor is coupled to a processor and generates a detection result. The processor activates a feedback microphone to detect an audio signal based on the detection result.
[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the processor acquires a feature value corresponding to the sound signal and determines whether the feature value is greater than a threshold. In response to the feature value being greater than the threshold, the processor selects a first configuration as the selected configuration.
[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, in response to a feature value being less than or equal to a threshold, the processor selects a second configuration as the selected configuration.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned characteristic value includes the average root square volume.
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a filter. The filter is coupled to a processor. The processor uses the filter to process the audio signal to generate a filtered signal and obtains the characteristic values of the filtered signal.
[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic device further includes an ambient microphone. The ambient microphone is coupled to the processor and detects ambient sound signals. The processor determines a threshold based on the ambient sound signals.
[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a transceiver. The transceiver is coupled to a processor. The processor communicates with an external electronic device via the transceiver and receives calibration commands from the external electronic device. In response to the calibration commands, the processor detects a first sound signal and a second sound signal different from the first sound signal via a feedback microphone. The processor determines a threshold based on the first sound signal and the second sound signal.
[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned sound parameters include at least one of the following: equalizer parameters, active noise reduction parameters, and compensation parameters.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-described electronic device includes headphones.
[0014] An audio processing method according to the present invention includes: detecting a sound signal via a feedback microphone; selecting one of a first configuration and a second configuration of sound parameters based on the sound signal to obtain a selected configuration; and outputting audio via a speaker based on the selected configuration.
[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above method further includes: generating a detection result through a skin sensor; and activating a feedback microphone to detect a sound signal based on the detection result.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of selecting one of a first configuration and a second configuration of sound parameters based on a sound signal to obtain a selected configuration includes: obtaining a feature value corresponding to the sound signal and determining whether the feature value is greater than a threshold; and in response to the feature value being greater than the threshold, selecting the first configuration as the selected configuration.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of selecting one of a first configuration and a second configuration of sound parameters based on the sound signal to obtain the selected configuration further includes: selecting the second configuration as the selected configuration in response to a feature value being less than or equal to a threshold.
[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned characteristic value includes the average root square volume.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of obtaining feature values corresponding to a sound signal includes: processing the sound signal using a filter to generate a filtered signal, and obtaining feature values of the filtered signal.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: detecting ambient sound signals through an ambient microphone; and determining a threshold based on the ambient sound signals.
[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: receiving a calibration command from an external electronic device; detecting a first sound signal and a second sound signal different from the first sound signal via a feedback microphone in response to the calibration command; and determining a threshold based on the first sound signal and the second sound signal.
[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned sound parameters include at least one of the following: equalizer parameters, active noise reduction parameters, and compensation parameters.
[0023] Based on the above, the electronic device of the present invention can configure the best sound parameters for the headphones according to the headphone mode, so that the audio output by the headphones matches the headphone mode. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electronic device for audio processing is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Figure 2 A flowchart of an audio processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0026] Figure 3 A flowchart of a method for audio processing is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0028] 100: Electronic devices;
[0029] 110: Processor;
[0030] 120: Storage media;
[0031] 130: Transceiver;
[0032] 140: Speaker;
[0033] 150: Skin sensor;
[0034] 160: Feedback microphone;
[0035] 170: Ambient microphone;
[0036] 180: Filter;
[0037] S201, S202, S203, S204, S205, S206, S207, S301, S302, S303: Steps. Detailed Implementation
[0038] To make the content of this invention more readily apparent, the following specific embodiments are provided as examples on which this invention can indeed be practiced. Furthermore, wherever possible, elements / components / steps referred to by the same reference numerals in the drawings and embodiments represent the same or similar parts.
[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 for audio processing is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 100 is, for example, an earphone. In one embodiment, the earphone may be configured to switch between an in-ear headphone mode and an open / semi-open headphone mode. For example, the earphone may include a mechanism for securing ear tips. When ear tips are attached to the earphone, the earphone may be in in-ear headphone mode. When ear tips are not attached to the earphone, the earphone may be in open-ear headphone mode. The electronic device 100 may include a processor 110, storage media 120, a transceiver 130, a speaker 140, a skin sensor 150, a feedback microphone 160, an ambient microphone 170, and a filter 180.
[0040] Processor 110 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microcontroller (MCU), microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable controller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), graphics processing unit (GPU), image signal processor (ISP), image processing unit (IPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), complex programmable logic device (CPLD), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other similar elements or combinations thereof. Processor 110 may be coupled to storage medium 120, transceiver 130, speaker 140, skin sensor 150, feedback microphone 160, ambient microphone 170, or filter 180, and access and execute multiple modules and various applications stored in storage medium 120.
[0041] Storage medium 120 may be, for example, any type of fixed or removable random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), or similar components or combinations thereof, for storing multiple modules or various applications executable by processor 110. In one embodiment, storage medium 120 may store multiple configurations of sound parameters.
[0042] Transceiver 130 transmits or receives signals wirelessly or via a wired connection. Transceiver 130 can also perform operations such as low-noise amplification, impedance matching, mixing, up- or down-frequency conversion, filtering, amplification, and similar functions. Processor 110 can communicate with external electronic devices via transceiver 130.
[0043] The loudspeaker 140 may include a dynamic speaker, an electrostatic speaker, a planar magnetic speaker, or a piezoelectric speaker.
[0044] A skin sensor 150 may be disposed on the surface of the earphone and may generate a detection result. The skin sensor 150 may be configured to contact the user's skin when the user wears the electronic device 100. The detection result of the skin sensor 150 may indicate whether the user's skin is in contact with the skin sensor 150. If the detection result indicates that the user's skin is in contact with the skin sensor 150, the processor 110 may determine that the electronic device 100 is being worn by the user based on the detection result. If the detection result indicates that the user's skin is not in contact with the skin sensor 150, the processor 110 may determine that the electronic device 100 is not being worn by the user based on the detection result.
[0045] Feedback microphone 160 or ambient microphone 170 may include a dynamic microphone, a condenser microphone, an electret condenser microphone, a micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) microphone, a ribbon microphone, or a carbon microphone. When a user wears headphones (e.g., electronic device 100), feedback microphone 160 can be used to detect sound signals near the user's ear canal. Ambient microphone 170 can be used to detect ambient sound signals from the surrounding environment. Feedback microphone 160 and ambient microphone 170 may be the same or different microphones.
[0046] Filter 180 can be configured in a filtering circuit between processor 110 and feedback microphone 160. Processor 110 can use filter 180 to process the audio signal detected by feedback microphone 160 to generate a filtered signal. Filter 180 is, for example, a high-pass filter for filtering out audio signals with frequencies below 1000 Hz.
[0047] Figure 2 A flowchart of an audio processing method is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the audio processing method may be performed by, for example... Figure 1 The electronic device 100 shown is implemented.
[0048] In step S201, the processor 110 can obtain the detection results through the skin sensor 150.
[0049] In step S202, the processor 110 can determine whether the electronic device 100 is being worn by the user based on the detection result. If the detection result indicates that the user's skin is in contact with the skin sensor 150, the processor 110 can determine that the electronic device 100 is being worn by the user and execute step S203. If the detection result indicates that the user's skin is not in contact with the skin sensor 150, the processor 110 can determine that the electronic device 100 is not being worn by the user and re-execute step S201.
[0050] In step S203, the processor 110 may activate the feedback microphone 160 to detect sound signals based on the detection results. Specifically, when the electronic device 100 is not worn by the user, the processor 110 may disable the feedback microphone 160 to save power. After the processor 110 determines that the electronic device 100 is worn by the user, the processor 110 may activate the feedback microphone 160 to detect sound signals.
[0051] In step S204, the processor 110 may use the filter 180 to process the sound signal to generate a filtered signal and obtain the feature values of the filtered signal. In one embodiment, the feature values may include the average root square volume, as shown in formula (1), where F is the average root square volume, n is the total number of samples of the filtered signal, and xi is the value of the i-th sample among the n samples.
[0052] ……(1)
[0053] In step S205, the processor 110 determines whether the feature value is greater than a threshold. If the feature value is greater than the threshold, it indicates that the electronic device 100 may be in in-ear headphone mode. Accordingly, the processor 110 executes step S206. If the feature value is less than or equal to the threshold, it indicates that the electronic device 100 may be in open-ear headphone mode. Accordingly, the processor 110 executes step S207.
[0054] In one embodiment, the processor 110 can detect ambient sound signals via the ambient microphone 170 and determine a threshold based on the ambient sound signals. For example, if the value of the ambient sound signal exceeds a default value, the processor 110 can determine that the electronic device 100 is in a noisy environment. Accordingly, the processor 110 can raise the threshold to avoid the processor 110 being affected by noise and incorrectly determining that the electronic device 100 has switched from open-ear headphone mode to in-ear headphone mode. On the other hand, if the ambient sound signal does not exceed the default value, the processor 110 can determine that the electronic device 100 is in a quiet environment. Accordingly, the processor 110 can lower the threshold.
[0055] In one embodiment, a user can operate an external electronic device (e.g., a smartphone) to determine the threshold. Specifically, the user can operate the external electronic device to transmit a calibration command to the processor 110, wherein the calibration command can be used to instruct the user to wear the electronic device 100 in both in-ear headphone mode and open-ear headphone mode. While the user is wearing the electronic device 100 in in-ear headphone mode, the processor 110 can detect a first sound signal via a feedback microphone 160. Conversely, while the user is wearing the electronic device 100 in open-ear headphone mode, the processor 110 can detect a second sound signal via the feedback microphone 160. The processor 110 can determine the threshold based on the first and second sound signals.
[0056] In step S206, the processor 110 may select a first configuration of sound parameters corresponding to the in-ear headphone mode as the selected configuration. The processor 110 may output audio through the speaker 140 according to the selected configuration. The sound parameters may include equalizer parameters, active noise cancellation (ANC) parameters, or compensation parameters.
[0057] In step S207, the processor 110 may select a second configuration of sound parameters corresponding to the open headphone mode as the selected configuration. The processor 110 may output audio through the speaker 140 according to the selected configuration.
[0058] Figure 3 A flowchart of a method for audio processing is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the method may be performed by, for example Figure 1 The illustrated electronic device 100 is implemented. In step S301, a sound signal is detected via a feedback microphone. In step S302, one of a first configuration and a second configuration of sound parameters is selected based on the sound signal to obtain a selected configuration. In step S303, audio is output via a speaker according to the selected configuration.
[0059] In summary, the electronic device of this invention can detect ambient sound through a feedback microphone to determine whether to switch to in-ear headphone mode or open-back headphone mode based on the detection result. The electronic device can configure sound parameters based on the headphone mode to match the audio output of the device with the current headphone mode. To save energy, the electronic device can determine whether it is being worn based on the detection result of a skin sensor. If the electronic device is not being worn by the user, the feedback microphone can be disabled to reduce power consumption.
Claims
1. An electronic device for audio processing, characterized in that, include: Feedback microphone to detect sound signals; speaker; as well as A processor, coupled to the feedback microphone and the speaker; The processor selects one of a first configuration and a second configuration of sound parameters based on the sound signal to obtain a selected configuration; the processor outputs audio through the speaker according to the selected configuration.
2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes: A skin sensor, coupled to the processor, generates detection results; The processor activates the feedback microphone to detect the sound signal based on the detection result.
3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The processor obtains a feature value corresponding to the sound signal and determines whether the feature value is greater than a threshold. Wherein, in response to the feature value being greater than the threshold, the processor selects the first configuration as the selected configuration.
4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, In response to the feature value being less than or equal to the threshold, the processor selects the second configuration as the selected configuration.
5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The characteristic value includes the root square volume.
6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes: A filter, coupled to the processor; The processor uses the filter to process the sound signal to generate a filtered signal and obtains the characteristic values of the filtered signal.
7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes: An ambient microphone is coupled to the processor and detects ambient sound signals; The processor determines the threshold based on the ambient sound signal.
8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes: Transceiver, coupled to the processor; The processor communicates with an external electronic device via the transceiver and receives calibration commands from the external electronic device. In response to the correction command, the processor detects a first sound signal and a second sound signal different from the first sound signal via the feedback microphone; The processor determines the threshold based on the first sound signal and the second sound signal.
9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The sound parameters include at least one of the following: equalizer parameters, active noise cancellation parameters, and compensation parameters.
10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device includes headphones.
11. A method for audio processing, characterized in that, include: Sound signals are detected via a feedback microphone; Based on the sound signal, one of the first configuration and the second configuration of the sound parameters is selected to obtain the selected configuration; as well as According to the selected configuration, audio is output through a speaker.
12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Detection results are generated through skin sensors; and The feedback microphone is activated based on the detection results to detect the sound signal.
13. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The step of selecting one of the first configuration and the second configuration of the sound parameters based on the sound signal to obtain the selected configuration includes: Obtain feature values corresponding to the sound signal, and determine whether the feature values are greater than a threshold; and In response to the feature value being greater than the threshold, the first configuration is selected as the selected configuration.
14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The step of selecting one of the first configuration and the second configuration of the sound parameters based on the sound signal to obtain the selected configuration further includes: In response to the feature value being less than or equal to the threshold, the second configuration is selected as the chosen configuration.
15. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The characteristic value includes the root square volume.
16. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the feature value corresponding to the sound signal includes: The sound signal is processed using a filter to generate a filtered signal, and the characteristic values of the filtered signal are obtained.
17. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Detecting ambient sound signals through an environmental microphone; and The threshold is determined based on the ambient sound signal.
18. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive calibration commands from external electronic devices; In response to the correction command, a first sound signal and a second sound signal different from the first sound signal are detected through the feedback microphone; and The threshold is determined based on the first sound signal and the second sound signal.
19. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The sound parameters include at least one of the following: equalizer parameters, active noise cancellation parameters, and compensation parameters.