In-ear earpiece device and in-ear brain-computer interface system

Abstract

The application provides an in-ear ear device and an in-ear brain-computer interface system. The in-ear ear device comprises a shell and an electroencephalogram acquisition module, and the electroencephalogram acquisition module comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode and a fourth electrode. The first electrode is arranged on a first area of the shell, and the first area is attached to the inner wall of the ear canal when the in-ear ear device is in a wearing state. The second electrode is arranged on a second area of the shell, and the second area is attached to the concha cavity when the in-ear ear device is in the wearing state. The third electrode is arranged on a third area of the shell, and the third area is attached to the cymba concha when the in-ear ear device is in the wearing state. The fourth electrode is arranged on a fourth area of the shell, and the fourth area is attached to the area at the junction of the antihelix base and the concha cavity when the in-ear ear device is in the wearing state. The stability of electroencephalogram signal acquisition can be ensured while improving the wearing comfort through the multi-electrode structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of brain-computer interface technology, and in particular to an in-ear ear device and an in-ear brain-computer interface system. Background Technology

[0002] According to statistics, more than 300 million people in China suffer from varying degrees of sleep disorders, with an insomnia incidence rate as high as 38.2% among adults. Many insomnia sufferers seek non-drug therapies to solve their problems; therefore, accurate sleep monitoring has become a prerequisite for resolving insomnia.

[0003] In serious medical settings, polysomnography (PSG) is typically used to monitor sleep patterns. This device requires the patient to wear multiple sensors, including electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors, electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors, nasal airflow sensors, chest and abdominal movement sensors, and electromyography (EMG) sensors. These devices are bulky and complex to use, and their comfort issues negatively impact patient sleep, making them unsuitable for long-term use.

[0004] Currently, EEG data is typically collected from areas with hair or the forehead. Electrodes need to be coated with conductive gel or gel electrodes to ensure accurate EEG signals. While this design ensures conductivity and stability, it is still not comfortable enough to meet the needs of long-term wear. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, this application provides an in-ear ear device and an in-ear brain-computer interface system, which can improve wearing comfort while ensuring the stability of EEG signal acquisition through a multi-electrode structure.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an in-ear ear device, the in-ear ear device including a shell and an EEG acquisition module, the EEG acquisition module including a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode and a fourth electrode; The first electrode is disposed in a first region of the outer shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the first region is in contact with the inner wall of the ear canal; The second electrode is disposed in the second region of the outer shell, and the second region is in contact with the concha cavity when the in-ear ear device is worn; The third electrode is disposed in the third region of the outer shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the third region is in contact with the conchae. The fourth electrode is disposed in the fourth region of the outer shell. When the in-ear ear device is in the wearing state, the fourth region is in contact with the region at the junction of the base of the antitragus and the concha cavity.

[0007] In one possible embodiment, the first electrode is a ring structure, which is sleeved on the outer wall of the acoustic tube of the housing, and includes a conductive part and an insulating part. The conductive part includes a single conductive component or multiple conductive components, and the insulating part includes a single insulating component or multiple insulating components.

[0008] In one possible embodiment, under a preset three-dimensional coordinate system, the first region is located within a preset range of the first coordinate of the preset coordinate system; The second region is located within a preset range of the second coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, negative Y-axis direction, and positive Z-axis direction of the preset three-dimensional coordinate system; The third region is located within a preset range of the third coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, the negative Y-axis direction, and the positive Z-axis direction, and the third coordinate is lower than the second coordinate in the positive Z-axis direction; The fourth region is located within a preset range of the fourth coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, the positive Y-axis direction, and the positive Z-axis direction.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the first coordinate is the origin of the preset three-dimensional coordinate system, the Z-axis is the center line of the sound tube of the outer shell, the positive direction of the Z-axis is the opposite direction of the ear canal insertion direction, the X-axis is obtained by rotating the line connecting the center point of the first electrode and the center point of the third electrode by a preset angle, and the Y-axis is perpendicular to the Z-axis and the X-axis.

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the ear canal electrode insertion portion of the outer shell fits against the inner wall of the ear canal when worn, the outer side of the outer shell includes a raised arc surface that fits against the concha cavity when worn, and the upper extension portion of the outer shell contacts the cymba conchae when worn, so as to form a three-point fixation of the ear canal, concha cavity, and cymba conchae.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode include a first active EEG acquisition electrode, a second active EEG acquisition electrode, a ground electrode, and a reference electrode.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, a main circuit board is further included, which is disposed inside the cavity enclosed by the housing, and the main circuit board is used to receive EEG signals from the first EEG acquisition active electrode and / or from the second EEG acquisition active electrode.

[0013] In one possible embodiment, an intervention module is also included, which is connected to the main circuit board via built-in wires. The intervention module includes a vibration module and / or an audio module and / or an electrical pulse module.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, if the in-ear device includes a left ear device and a right ear device and the left ear device and the right ear device are independent of each other, the left ear device and the right ear device respectively include the ground electrode and the reference electrode; If the left ear device and the right ear device are not independent of each other, the left ear device and the right ear device share a set of the ground electrode and the reference electrode.

[0015] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an in-ear brain-computer interface system, including an in-ear ear device as described in any of the first aspects of embodiments of this application.

[0016] As can be seen, the in-ear ear device and in-ear brain-computer interface system described above include a shell and an EEG acquisition module. The EEG acquisition module includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode. The first electrode is disposed in a first region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the first region is in contact with the inner wall of the ear canal. The second electrode is disposed in a second region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the second region is in contact with the concha. The third electrode is disposed in a third region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the third region is in contact with the cymba concha. The fourth electrode is disposed in a fourth region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the fourth region is in contact with the area at the junction of the base of the antitragus and the concha. By implementing this application, the multi-electrode structure can improve wearing comfort while ensuring the stability of EEG signal acquisition. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an in-ear ear device provided in this application embodiment. Figure 1 ; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an in-ear ear device provided in this application embodiment. Figure 2 ; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an in-ear ear device provided in this application embodiment. Figure 3 ; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an in-ear ear device provided in this application embodiment. Figure 4. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0020] The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0021] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. In the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0022] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one item" or its similar expression refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items. "One or more" means one or more, while "multiple" means two or more. For example, "at least one item" of a, b, or c can represent the following seven cases: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0023] In this application, the term "connection" refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices. This application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0024] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0025] The following describes the relevant content, concepts, meanings, technical issues, technical solutions, and beneficial effects involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0026] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an in-ear ear device provided in this application embodiment. Figure 1 It includes a housing 11, a speaker unit 12, a first electrode 13, a second electrode 15, a third electrode 14, and a fourth electrode 16.

[0027] The speaker unit 12 can be a moving coil unit. The moving coil unit uses composite materials such as paper, plastic, metal, and carbon fiber to make the diaphragm, which is driven to vibrate by a voice coil in a permanent magnetic field. The coil drives the diaphragm to produce sound under the drive of a signal current.

[0028] The outer shell 11 can adopt an ergonomic curved structure, and its overall shape fits the ear canal and auricle when worn. The ear canal electrode insertion part of the outer shell 11 fits the inner wall of the ear canal when worn. The outer side of the outer shell 11 includes a raised arc surface that fits the concha cavity when worn. The upper extension part of the outer shell 11 contacts the cymba conchae when worn, so as to form a three-point fixation of the ear canal, concha cavity, and cymba conchae.

[0029] In one possible embodiment, the non-electrode portion of the outer shell 11 can also fit closely to the corresponding curved surfaces of the ear canal and outer ear to distribute pressure, enhance support, and further improve the overall stability and comfort of wearing. Each electrode maintains close contact with the skin of the corresponding ear canal, concha, cymba conchae, and other areas to ensure the stability and high quality of EEG signal acquisition.

[0030] The first electrode 13 can be disposed in the first region of the outer shell 11, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the first region is in contact with the inner wall of the ear canal.

[0031] The second electrode 15 is disposed in the second region of the outer shell 11, and when the in-ear ear device is in the wearing state, the second region is in contact with the concha cavity; The third electrode 14 is disposed in the third region of the outer shell 11, and when the in-ear ear device is in the wearing state, the third region is in contact with the conchae. The fourth electrode 16 is disposed in the fourth region of the outer shell 11. When the in-ear ear device is in the wearing state, the fourth region is in contact with the region at the junction of the base of the antitragus and the concha cavity.

[0032] The first electrode 13, the second electrode 15, the third electrode 14, and the fourth electrode 16 include a first active EEG acquisition electrode, a second active EEG acquisition electrode, a ground electrode, and a reference electrode.

[0033] In one possible embodiment, the first electrode 13 can be a first active EEG acquisition electrode, the second electrode 15 can be a second active EEG acquisition electrode, the third electrode 14 can be a ground electrode, and the fourth electrode 16 can be a reference electrode. It should be noted that the positions of the first active EEG acquisition electrode, the second active EEG acquisition electrode, the ground electrode, and the reference electrode can be flexibly interchanged as needed. For example, the first electrode 13 can be used as the second active EEG acquisition electrode, the ground electrode, or the reference electrode; the second electrode 15 can be used as the first active EEG acquisition electrode, the ground electrode, or the reference electrode; the third electrode 14 can be used as the first active EEG acquisition electrode, the second active EEG acquisition electrode, or the reference electrode; and the fourth electrode 16 can be used as the first active EEG acquisition electrode, the second active EEG acquisition electrode, or the ground electrode. No specific limitations are imposed here.

[0034] In one possible embodiment, a more preferred approach is that the first electrode 13 can be any one of the first active EEG acquisition electrode, the second active EEG acquisition electrode, the ground electrode, and the reference electrode; the second electrode 15 can be any one of the first active EEG acquisition electrode, the second active EEG acquisition electrode, the ground electrode, and the reference electrode; the third electrode 14 can be any one of the first active EEG acquisition electrode, the second active EEG acquisition electrode, the ground electrode, and the reference electrode; and the fourth electrode 16 can be any one of the ground electrode and the reference electrode. This is because the fourth electrode is located in the region at the junction of the base of the antitragus and the concha, which is farther from the head than the other electrodes. To ensure more accurate acquisition of EEG signals, the fourth electrode does not act as either the first or second active EEG acquisition electrode.

[0035] Among them, the first active EEG acquisition electrode can be used as the electrode with the highest priority for acquiring EEG signals; the second active EEG acquisition electrode can be used as a backup electrode for acquiring EEG signals. When the electrode signal acquired by the first active EEG acquisition electrode is insufficient or the contact of the first active EEG acquisition electrode is poor, it can provide a supplementary acquisition channel. The EEG signals acquired by the second active EEG acquisition electrode can also be used as a regular signal source for system analysis and processing; the ground electrode provides a stable grounding point for EEG signal acquisition, improving the anti-interference performance of the signal; the reference electrode provides a stable reference signal channel to assist the active electrode in completing high-quality acquisition of EEG signals.

[0036] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an in-ear ear device provided in this application embodiment. Figure 2 It includes a main circuit board 17, a battery 18, and charging contacts 19.

[0037] The main circuit board 17 is disposed inside the cavity enclosed by the outer shell 11, and the main circuit board 17 is used to receive EEG signals from the first EEG acquisition active electrode and / or from the second EEG acquisition active electrode.

[0038] The charging contact 19 is located on the outer surface of the in-ear device and is used to connect to the charging case to charge the battery 18.

[0039] In one possible embodiment, the in-ear device further includes an intervention module connected to the main circuit board 17 via an internal wire. The intervention module includes a vibration module and / or an audio module and / or an electrical pulse module.

[0040] In one possible embodiment, the intervention module may include an electrical pulse module for generating a first electrical pulse when the sleep stage is identified as a light sleep stage based on electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. The duration of the first electrical pulse can be preset, such as not exceeding 30 minutes, and automatically stopping after 30 minutes. Alternatively, a stop command can be sent to the electrical pulse module to stop the first electrical pulse once the user enters deep sleep. The frequency and intensity of the first electrical pulse can adopt the frequency and intensity of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to promote user relaxation, aid sleep, and improve sleep quality. In one possible embodiment, the electrical pulse module can generate a second electrical pulse upon detecting snoring. The frequency and intensity of the second electrical pulse can be positively correlated with the severity of the snoring; that is, the higher the severity of the snoring, the higher the frequency and intensity of the second electrical pulse. It should be noted that the highest frequency and intensity of the second electrical pulse will not cause harm to the user. Percutaneous vagus nerve electrical stimulation can be performed in the concha to intervene in snoring. Once the user's snoring stops, a stop command can be sent to the electrical pulse module to stop the second electrical pulse, without disturbing the user's sleep.

[0041] In one possible embodiment, the intervention module may include an audio module, which is configured to play sleep-aid audio in response to a first instruction corresponding to the light sleep stage when the sleep stage is a light sleep stage; or, the audio module is configured to play wake-up audio in response to a first instruction corresponding to the near-wake stage when the sleep stage is a near-wake stage. Upon detecting that the user has entered a deep sleep stage, a stop instruction can be sent to the audio module to stop the sleep-aid audio, ensuring no audio interference during deep sleep and maintaining sleep efficiency. The wake-up audio can be a gentle audio to prevent startling the user and to gradually wake them up. The sleep-aid audio can be audio preferred by the user, etc., without specific limitations. It is understood that the audio module can reuse the speaker unit 12, without specific limitations.

[0042] In one possible embodiment, the vibration module can vibrate upon detecting snoring, wherein the frequency and intensity of the vibration can be positively correlated with the severity of the snoring; that is, the higher the severity of the snoring, the higher the frequency and intensity of the vibration. It should be noted that the highest frequency and intensity of the vibration will not cause harm to the user. Vibration can be used to intervene in snoring. Once the user's snoring is detected to have stopped, a stop command can be sent to the vibration module to stop the vibration without disturbing the user's sleep.

[0043] In one possible embodiment, the in-ear device may further include a sound sensor for collecting sound data of the user during sleep.

[0044] In one possible embodiment, the in-ear device further includes a vital signs sensor for collecting vital signs data of the user during sleep. Vital signs sensors can include photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, typically composed of one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a photodetector. When light emitted by an LED shines on the skin surface, some of the light is absorbed by tissues such as skin, bone, and muscle, while the rest is absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood. Because the blood volume in arteries changes periodically with the heartbeat, when the heart contracts, the arteries dilate, increasing blood flow and thus the amount of light absorbed; conversely, when the heart relaxes, the arteries constrict, decreasing blood flow and thus the amount of light absorbed. The photodetector detects this change in light intensity caused by changes in blood volume, converts it into an electrical signal, and after amplification and filtering, obtains a pulse wave signal reflecting the heartbeat and blood circulation. For example, a reflective PPG sensor can be used, with the LED and photodetector located on the same side of the tissue being measured. Vital signs sensors can also include electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors, which will not be elaborated upon here. In one possible embodiment, after the user wears the in-ear device, the vital signs sensor can be located at the user's auricle or at other suitable locations for collecting the user's vital signs data, which will not be elaborated here.

[0045] It needs to be explained that, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrative description using a distributed structure of left and right earphones is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. In-ear devices can take various forms, such as wireless headphones, ear-hook headphones, bone conduction headphones, wired headphones, earbuds, etc., and can be customized according to the shape of the user's ear canal to ensure user comfort while collecting more accurate EEG signals from the ear canal. No specific limitations are made here. It is understood that when the in-ear device is a headphone, it may also include components required for headphones, such as a sound playback module and a voice call module; when the in-ear device is an earbud, these components are not required, and no specific limitations are made here.

[0046] In one possible embodiment, if the in-ear device includes a left ear device and a right ear device, and the left ear device and the right ear device are independent of each other, the left ear device and the right ear device respectively include the ground electrode and the reference electrode. That is, if the in-ear device is a split structure, the left ear device requires at least one ground electrode and at least one reference electrode, and the right ear device requires at least one ground electrode and at least one reference electrode. Simultaneously, the left ear device requires at least one active EEG acquisition electrode, and the right ear device requires at least one active EEG acquisition electrode.

[0047] If the left ear device and the right ear device are not independent of each other, they share a set of grounding electrodes and reference electrodes. That is, if the in-ear device is a one-piece structure, it requires at least one grounding electrode, at least one reference electrode, and at least one active electrode for EEG acquisition. The left and right channels can share a set of reference and grounding electrodes to achieve a closed-loop system.

[0048] As can be seen, the aforementioned in-ear ear device includes a shell and an EEG acquisition module. The EEG acquisition module includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode. The first electrode is disposed in a first region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the first region is in contact with the inner wall of the ear canal. The second electrode is disposed in a second region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the second region is in contact with the concha. The third electrode is disposed in a third region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the third region is in contact with the cymba concha. The fourth electrode is disposed in a fourth region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the fourth region is in contact with the area at the junction of the base of the antitragus and the concha. By implementing this application, the multi-electrode structure can improve wearing comfort while ensuring the stability of EEG signal acquisition.

[0049] In one possible embodiment, the first electrode 13 can be a non-ring structure or a ring structure, and may not be limited to a ring, but can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, polygonal or other irregular shapes.

[0050] In one possible embodiment, when the first electrode 13 is a ring structure, the ring structure is sleeved on the outer wall of the acoustic tube of the housing and includes a conductive part and an insulating part. The conductive part includes a single conductive component or multiple conductive components, and the insulating part includes a single insulating component or multiple insulating components. The conductive part and the insulating part can be alternately arranged. If the conductive part includes a single conductive component, then the insulating part also includes a single insulating component, and the single conductive component and the single insulating component constitute a ring structure; if the conductive part includes multiple conductive components, then the insulating part also includes multiple insulating components, and the multiple conductive components and the multiple insulating components are alternately connected to form a ring structure. For example, the conductive components and the insulating components are alternately distributed in the circumferential direction of the ring structure. The conductive components can occupy any angle range from 0° to 360° and can be a single or multiple discontinuous conductive arc segments. The insulating components can also occupy any angle range from 0° to 360° and can be a single or multiple discontinuous insulating arc segments.

[0051] In one possible embodiment, the insulating components may also be made without any material. The multiple conductive components of the ring structure are spaced apart, with these spaces serving as insulating components. For example, four conductive components may occupy a range of 30°–90°, 120°–180°, 210°–270°, or 300°–360°, while the four insulating components serving as the spaces may occupy a range of 0°–30°, 90°–120°, 180°–210°, or 270°–300°. Further details are omitted here.

[0052] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an in-ear ear device provided in this application embodiment. Figure 3 The first electrode has a ring-shaped structure. The conductive component 13a is located in the lower half of the ring structure, defined as the 0° to 180° range of the ring structure. When worn, the conductive component 13a forms stable contact with the skin of the lower wall of the ear canal, achieving effective signal acquisition. The insulating component 13b is located in the upper half of the ring structure, defined as the 180° to 360° range of the ring structure, avoiding discomfort caused by continuous friction with the upper skin wall. The two dividing boundaries of the conductive component 13a and the insulating component 13b are located at the radial generatrices at θ=0° and θ=180°, respectively. This "half-circumferential conduction, half-circumferential insulation" design ensures both wearing comfort and stable acquisition of high-quality EEG signals in the key contact area. It can be understood that the proportion of the conductive and insulating parts in the circumferential direction can be adjusted according to design requirements. Figure 3 This is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0053] To provide a detailed description of the first electrode, second electrode, third electrode, and fourth electrode, this application may also establish a preset three-dimensional coordinate system.

[0054] In a preset three-dimensional coordinate system, the first region is located within a preset range of the first coordinate of the preset coordinate system; The second region is located within a preset range of the second coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, negative Y-axis direction, and positive Z-axis direction of the preset three-dimensional coordinate system; The third region is located within a preset range of the third coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, the negative Y-axis direction, and the positive Z-axis direction, and the third coordinate is lower than the second coordinate in the positive Z-axis direction; The fourth region is located within a preset range of the fourth coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, the positive Y-axis direction, and the positive Z-axis direction.

[0055] Wherein, the first coordinate is the origin of the preset three-dimensional coordinate system, the Z-axis is the center line of the sound tube of the outer shell, the positive direction of the Z-axis is the opposite direction of the ear canal insertion direction, the X-axis is obtained by rotating the line connecting the center point of the first electrode and the center point of the third electrode by a preset angle, and the Y-axis is perpendicular to the Z-axis and the X-axis.

[0056] Specifically, the preset angle can be 100.2°. The plane of the X-axis and Y-axis is used as the zero-degree reference plane. Observing from the outside to the inside along the Z-axis, with Π0 as θ = 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° up to 360° are defined in the clockwise direction.

[0057] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an in-ear ear device provided in this application embodiment. Figure 4 As can be seen, under the preset three-dimensional coordinate system, the coordinates of the center points of the four key electrodes in this embodiment are as follows (unit: mm): Coordinates of the center point of the first electrode: (0.00, 0.00, 0.00); The coordinates of the center point of the second electrode are: (-8.26, -6.07, 8.77). The coordinates of the center point of the third electrode are: (-8.76, 4.89, 14.78). The coordinates of the center point of the fourth electrode are: (-2.94, -16.33, 7.91).

[0058] As can be seen, if the first electrode is the first active electrode for EEG acquisition, it is located at the origin, i.e., at the exit of the vocal tract, and is used to acquire EEG signals within the ear canal; if the second electrode is the second active electrode for EEG acquisition, it is located in the upper region of the negative X, negative Y, and positive Z directions, i.e., the position that is in contact with the concha cavity; if the third electrode is the ground electrode, it is located in the middle region of the negative X, negative Y, and positive Z directions, i.e., the position that is in contact with the cymba conchae; if the fourth electrode is the reference electrode, it is located in the region further inward of the negative X, positive Y, and positive Z directions, i.e., the position that corresponds to the junction of the tragus base and the concha cavity.

[0059] This application also provides an in-ear brain-computer interface system, including the in-ear ear device described in any of the above embodiments.

[0060] As can be seen, the in-ear ear device and in-ear brain-computer interface system described above include a shell and an EEG acquisition module. The EEG acquisition module includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode. The first electrode is disposed in a first region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the first region is in contact with the inner wall of the ear canal. The second electrode is disposed in a second region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the second region is in contact with the concha. The third electrode is disposed in a third region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the third region is in contact with the cymba concha. The fourth electrode is disposed in a fourth region of the shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the fourth region is in contact with the area at the junction of the base of the antitragus and the concha. By implementing this application, the multi-electrode structure can improve wearing comfort while ensuring the stability of EEG signal acquisition.

[0061] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the above embodiments are all described as a series of actions. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the described order of actions, as some steps in the embodiments of this application can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments, and the actions, steps, modules, or units involved are not necessarily essential to the embodiments of this application.

[0062] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment in this application have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0063] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, portable hard disk, read-only optical disk (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Furthermore, the ASIC can reside in a terminal device or management device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the terminal device or management device.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0065] The modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or a combination of both. For example, for devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The implementation is achieved through a software program that runs on the processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into terminal equipment, each of their modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal equipment. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented through a software program that runs on the processor integrated within the terminal equipment, while the remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0066] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made on the basis of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An in-ear ear device, characterized in that, The in-ear ear device includes a shell and an EEG acquisition module, the EEG acquisition module including a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode and a fourth electrode; The first electrode is disposed in a first region of the outer shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the first region is in contact with the inner wall of the ear canal; The second electrode is disposed in the second region of the outer shell, and the second region is in contact with the concha cavity when the in-ear ear device is worn; The third electrode is disposed in the third region of the outer shell, and when the in-ear ear device is worn, the third region is in contact with the conchae. The fourth electrode is disposed in the fourth region of the outer shell. When the in-ear ear device is in the wearing state, the fourth region is in contact with the region at the junction of the base of the antitragus and the concha cavity.

2. The in-ear ear device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first electrode is a ring structure, which is sleeved on the outer wall of the acoustic tube of the housing, and includes a conductive part and an insulating part. The conductive part includes a single conductive component or multiple conductive components, and the insulating part includes a single insulating component or multiple insulating components.

3. The in-ear ear device according to claim 1, characterized in that, In a preset three-dimensional coordinate system, the first region is located within a preset range of the first coordinate of the preset three-dimensional coordinate system; The second region is located within a preset range of the second coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, negative Y-axis direction, and positive Z-axis direction of the preset three-dimensional coordinate system; The third region is located within a preset range of the third coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, the negative Y-axis direction, and the positive Z-axis direction, and the third coordinate is lower than the second coordinate in the positive Z-axis direction; The fourth region is located within a preset range of the fourth coordinates in the negative X-axis direction, the positive Y-axis direction, and the positive Z-axis direction.

4. The in-ear ear device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first coordinate is the origin of the preset three-dimensional coordinate system, the Z-axis is the center line of the sound tube of the outer shell, the positive direction of the Z-axis is the opposite direction of the ear canal insertion direction, the X-axis is obtained by rotating the line connecting the center point of the first electrode and the center point of the third electrode by a preset angle, and the Y-axis is perpendicular to the Z-axis and the X-axis.

5. The in-ear ear device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The ear canal electrode insertion portion of the outer shell fits against the inner wall of the ear canal when worn. The outer side of the outer shell includes a raised arc surface that fits against the concha cavity when worn. The upper extension portion of the outer shell contacts the cymba conchae when worn, thus forming a three-point fixation of the ear canal, concha cavity, and cymba conchae.

6. The in-ear ear device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode include a first active EEG acquisition electrode, a second active EEG acquisition electrode, a ground electrode, and a reference electrode.

7. The in-ear ear device according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a main circuit board, which is disposed inside the cavity enclosed by the outer shell. The main circuit board is used to receive EEG signals from the first EEG acquisition active electrode and / or from the second EEG acquisition active electrode.

8. The in-ear ear device according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes an intervention module, which is connected to the main circuit board via built-in wires. The intervention module includes a vibration module and / or an audio module and / or an electrical pulse module.

9. The in-ear ear device according to claim 6, characterized in that, If the in-ear device includes a left ear device and a right ear device, and the left ear device and the right ear device are independent of each other, the left ear device and the right ear device respectively include the ground electrode and the reference electrode; If the left ear device and the right ear device are not independent of each other, the left ear device and the right ear device share a set of the ground electrode and the reference electrode.

10. An in-ear brain-computer interface system, characterized in that, Including the in-ear ear device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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