Ear device volume control

Abstract

Embodiments are described for volume control of ear devices.In one embodiment, a method comprises: determining a reference attitude of the ear device based on sensor data collected by motion sensors of the ear device; storing the reference attitude; receiving, with at least one processor, a first user input indicating a user request for a volume control mode of the ear device; receiving a rotation input; determining, with at least one processor, an amount by which the volume level should be increased / decreased based on a change in attitude relative to the reference attitude due to the rotation input; adjusting the volume level of the ear device in accordance with the increase / decrease in volume level; and receiving a second user input indicating a second user request to release the volume control mode. Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Volume control for ear devices technical field

[0001] This description relates generally to the volume control of ear devices.

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Headsets are speaker drivers worn on or over a user's ears. Earphones, earbuds, or in-ear monitors (IEMs) are speaker drivers that fit inside the user's ear canal. Bone-reduction headsets typically wrap around the back of the head and rest in front of the ear canal. Headsets include speakers and microphones, where the speakers may be earphones or IEMs. Each of these devices (hereinafter collectively referred to as "ear devices") can be connected to a companion audio device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer) with a wired or wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection).Some modern ear devices have inertial sensors (e.g., an accelerometer) and a touch interface that allows the user to implement a limited number of functions, such as skipping or pausing audio tracks.

[0004] In many of these ear devices, the user controls the volume level of the audio played by the ear devices at the level of the companion audio device by moving a mechanical input device (e.g., a dial or slider) or by moving an affordance on a touch interface (e.g., a virtual dial or slider). When using wireless ear devices, the user's hands may be occupied, preventing the user from adjusting the volume level at the level of the companion audio device. For example, the user may be exercising or performing other physical activity that would make it difficult or impractical to access the companion audio device to adjust the volume level.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments are described for controlling the volume of ear devices. In one embodiment, a method comprises: determining a reference attitude of the ear device based on sensor data collected by motion sensors of the ear device; storing the reference attitude; receiving, with at least one processor, a first user input indicating a user request for a volume control mode of the ear device; receiving a rotation input; and determining, with at least one processor, an amount by which the volume level should be increased / decreased based on a change in attitude relative to the reference attitude. reason for the rotation input; adjusting the volume level of the ear device according to the volume level increase / decrease; and receiving a second user input indicating a second user request to release the volume control mode.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first user input is a pressure and hold input.

[0008] In one embodiment, the second user input is a pressure release and hold input.

[0009] In one embodiment, after receiving the first user input, the ear device plays a tone or a message through a loudspeaker indicating that the ear device has transitioned to a volume control mode.

[0010] In one embodiment, the rotation input is a rotation of the ear device relative to the head of a user who is wearing the ear device.

[0011] In one embodiment, the rotation input is a rotation of the ear device jointly with the head of a user who is wearing the ear device as a single unit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the rotation input is due to a nod of the user's head.

[0013] In one embodiment, the rotation input is due to a rotation of the user's head around a rotation axis that is perpendicular to a vertex of the user's head.

[0014] In one embodiment, the determination of an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change of attitude relative to the reference attitude, further includes: the application of a logarithmic volume scaling function to the change of attitude, such that the volume increases or decreases exponentially with a change of attitude.

[0015] In one embodiment, an ear device comprises: a housing configured to be worn on or over the user's external ear or in the user's ear canal; included in the housing: a loudspeaker; at least one inertial sensor; an input device; and at least one processor; memory storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations including: determining a reference attitude of the ear device based on sensor data collected by at least one inertial sensor; storing the reference attitude in memory; and receiving, with the input device, a first user input indicating a user request for a control mode. of ear device volume; the reception, with at least one inertial sensor, of a rotation input; the determination of an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change in attitude relative to the reference attitude due to the rotation input; the adjustment of an ear device volume level in accordance with the increase or decrease in volume level; and the reception of a second user input indicating a second user request to release the volume control mode.

[0016] Other embodiments may include an apparatus, a computer device and a computer-readable non-transient storage medium.

[0017] Particular embodiments described herein provide one or more of the following advantages. The disclosed embodiments for controlling the volume of ear devices allow for easy and reproducible volume level changes using hardware already present in many ear devices, such as touch interfaces and inertial sensors. This allows users to adjust the volume of audio content without accessing a companion audio device.

[0018] Details of one or more implementations of the subject are shown in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] FIGS. IA, IB, IC, 1D illustrate a volume control of an ear device, according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate rotation methods for increasing / decreasing the volume level, according to one embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a descriptive diagram of a volume control process for an ear device, according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4 illustrates an example of an ear device, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figures [Fig. 1A] to IC illustrate a volume control of an ear device, according to one embodiment. With reference to [Fig. 1A], an ear device 100 is shown inserted into an ear canal 101. The user presses and holds a force sensor (for example, the force sensor 410 in [Fig. 4]) in the stem of the ear device 100 with their thumb and forefinger 102. Prior to the pressing and holding action, sensor data output by inertial sensors (for example, the IMU 405 in [Fig. 4]) in the ear device 100 is used by a processor (for example, the processor 406 in [Fig. 4]) in the ear device 100 to determine and store 100 (for example, store in the device's cache memory). ear 100) current attitude data (roll, pitch, yaw) of ear device 100. The current attitude data represents the current orientation of ear device 101 with respect to, for example, a body coordinate system, where the origin of the body coordinate system is at the center of gravity of ear device 100, and the three orthogonal axes of the body coordinate system are the principal axes of ear device 100 that rotate with ear device 100.

[0024] The stored attitude data is used as reference attitude data from which changes in volume level are measured as the user rotates the ear device 100, as shown in FIG. IC. For example, as the user rotates the ear device 100, attitude changes (yaw, pitch, and roll) are measured from the reference attitude. In one embodiment, the angle changes can be represented as delta quatemions. In one embodiment, the adjustable volume level range is made coextensive with the rotation angle displacement range, so that the volume level increases / decreases by an incremental amount as a function of the incremental angular displacement and uses the full rotation displacement range.For example, the rotation angle range may be limited so that the user does not have to make large rotations, which could dislodge the ear device 100 from the user's ear canal. The change in volume level L may increase / decrease with angular displacement according to a linear or non-linear function: .

[0025]

[0026] L=f(a,p,y)lU

[0027] where a, y are the roll, pitch and yaw angles, respectively. If the roll, pitch and yaw rotations do not align with the motion axes of the user's head, the sensor data can be rotated in a reference frame fixed to the user's head.

[0028] As described above, the volume level can be adjusted based on the user's head posture, including, but not limited to: nodding (moving the head up and down), rotating (moving the head left and right), and tilting (moving the head towards the shoulders). In one embodiment, touch and hold (or similar input) is used as the time-based gesture, and the head posture is used to initially determine the direction of volume change, so the user does not necessarily have to hold their head in a non-neutral position. In one embodiment, the volume level continuously corresponds to the head position.

[0029] In one embodiment, the user moves their head in a direction to indicate whether to increase or decrease the volume level, and then maintains this head position to repeatedly increment / decrement the volume level. Examples of steps for this embodiment are as follows.

[0030] 1. Wait for user interaction to indicate the start of a mode of volume change control via an input (e.g., touch contact, squeeze and hold, etc.).

[0031] 2. Store the first motion sensor sample as an attitude of baseline.

[0032] 3. For each subsequent sample, apply the baseline to obtain the relative rotation.

[0033] 4. Extract the rotation around the active axis (yaw, pitch, roll).

[0034] 5. If the relative rotation is greater than a certain positive threshold:

[0035] a. increment the volume increase

[0036] b. define the direction of volume change as increasing

[0037] c. start a repeating timer

[0038] 6. If the relative rotation is less than a certain negative threshold:

[0039] a. decrement the volume increase

[0040] b. define the direction of volume change as decreasing

[0041] c. start a repeating timer

[0042] 7. If the threshold has been exceeded in step 5 or 6, the user can return the head to a more natural position without impacting the volume control.

[0043] 8. When the repeat timer is active, increase or decrease the volume by depending on the direction defined in steps 5 or 6.

[0044] 9. When the user requests to stop the volume change mode, stop the repeating timer and end the volume change control mode.

[0045] Position / volume correspondence

[0046] In one embodiment, the volume control is based on a relative rotation of the head opposite to an absolute orientation. If the motion sensor outputs an absolute orientation relative to an arbitrary zero reference orientation, the sensor data can be converted into actual relative rotation data as follows:

[0047] 1. If the sensor measurement is the first measurement after the start of the mode of volume control (via touch contact or other access), the measurement is stored in memory as a baseline from which subsequent rotations are measured.

[0048] 2. The baseline is applied to the new measurement (subtracted from the new measurement) to obtain a current relative rotation.

[0049] 3. The rotation is extracted around the active axis (yaw, pitch, roll)

[0050] 4. If the relative rotation is greater than a certain positive threshold:

[0051] a. increment the volume level

[0052] b. define the current absolute rotation as the new baseline

[0053] 5. If the relative rotation is less than a certain negative threshold:

[0054] a. decrement the volume level

[0055] b. define the current absolute rotation as the new baseline

[0056] In one embodiment, the example parameters in Table I can be used to refine the sensitivity and granularity of the user interaction. These parameters are interconnected, so that only two parameters need to be defined independently, and the other parameters are then determined.

[0057] [Table I] - Sensitivity / Granularity Parameters Parameter Description Degrees per Increment Amount of head movement required to increment the volume Number of Increments Number of increments in the full volume range Volume per Increment Amount of volume change in each increment Volume per Degree Amount of volume change per degree of head movement Total Range of Movement Amount of head movement for the full volume range

[0058] Continuous versus discrete

[0059] In one embodiment, the volume level can be controlled in discrete increments (as with physical volume knobs) or continuously (as with a slider). To avoid instability, the incoming sensor data can be filtered (for example, averaged).

[0060] Asymmetric matching

[0061] The matching effect when increasing the volume may differ from that when decreasing the volume. This can be helpful if a person has limited neck mobility in one direction (for example, as a result of trauma) or if you are starting the interaction off-center.

[0062] Non-linear matching

[0063] In one embodiment, the sensitivity of volume level adjustment is not uniform across the user's entire head movement range or volume range. For example, there may be a higher threshold to be crossed for the first increment to help reject accidental triggers, the volume change may be limited in intensity for hearing safety purposes, the sensitivity may vary with the speed of head movement, and the sensitivity may be higher or lower at the beginning of the interaction compared to near the end of the volume range.

[0064] Feedback

[0065] In one embodiment, audio feedback is used during user interaction. For example, any number and type of sound can be used for volume increments / decrements (upward may be different from downward) and to indicate when volume level limits (minimum and maximum) are reached. The sounds can be at any appropriate volume level and mixed with audio. In one embodiment, haptic feedback (for example, vibration) is used to indicate volume increments / decrements and / or when volume level limits are reached.

[0066] Accidental triggers

[0067] In one embodiment, accidental triggers can be rejected. As mentioned previously, a higher initial threshold can be used. The threshold can depend on the detection of another movement: stationary versus walking versus running. The correlation between the movement of the two earpieces can be used to reject accidental triggers during adjustment. The device form factor plays an important role in accidental events (for example, by separating an adjustment from an interaction). Design of an access point that is more resistant to accidental events.

[0068] Example of access

[0069] Although touch and hold gestures have been described here as access to enter and exit a volume control mode, a number of different options for accessing the interaction can be used, including, but not limited to: touch, force, button, tap, proximity and voice, as well as different variants of each, such as touch, touch and hold, tap, double tap and tap and a half.

[0070] With reference to [Fig. IB], the user is shown pressing and holding the protruding stem of the ear device 100 with fingers 102. In the embodiment shown, the protruding stem includes a force sensor 410 that responds to pressure as described previously. In other embodiments, the protruding stem of the ear device 100, or any part of the housing The earpiece 100 may include a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive sensor). After N seconds (e.g., N = 1 or 2 seconds) of continuous pressure and hold input (or touch and hold input), the earpiece 100 plays a tone and / or an audio message indicating to the user that the earpiece 100 has been placed in a volume level change mode. The user can then rotate the earpiece 100 relative to their head or nod / rotate their head and the earpiece as a single unit to adjust the volume as described with reference to [Fig. 2A] to [Fig. 2C]. After the user stops the pressure and hold input, the new volume level takes effect as shown in [Fig. 1D].

[0071] In some embodiments, rather than pressing and holding, the user can use a different type of touch control, such as tapping or quickly swiping the communication interface. In some embodiments, the user can use a combination of touch / gesture contact on the communication interface and a voice instruction. In some embodiments, other functions can be implemented besides volume changes. For example, by rotating the ear device or nodding / rotating the head, a user can fast-forward or rewind, skip tracks, or implement any other function.

[0072] With reference to [Fig. 2A], in a first embodiment, after the tone or message is played, the user can rotate the ear device 100 relative to the user's head about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the ear 101 (parallel to the longitudinal length of the ear canal) as shown (for example, a pitch axis). In one embodiment, a clockwise rotation about the axis of rotation decreases the volume and a counterclockwise rotation increases the volume, or vice versa.

[0073] With reference to [Fig. 2B] and 2C, in a second embodiment, after the tone or message is played, the user can nod their head around the axis of rotation, so that the ear device 100 and the user's head rotate as a single unit. In one embodiment, a clockwise nod around the axis of rotation decreases the volume and a counterclockwise nod increases the volume, or vice versa. It should be noted that the user can place their hand on their cheek to ensure that the ear device 100 and their head rotate together as a unit. Otherwise, if the user nods while pressing and holding the force sensor 410, the ear device 100 may not rotate with the head.

[0074] With reference to [Fig. 2C], in a third embodiment, after the tone or message is read the user can rotate their head around of a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the top of the user's head as shown (e.g., a yaw axis).

[0075] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram describing a volume control process 300 for an ear device 100, according to one embodiment. The process 300 can be implemented by one or both earpieces of a wireless headset, as described with reference to Figure 4.

[0076] The process 300 begins by capturing a reference attitude of the ear device (301) worn on or over the external ear or in the ear canal of a user. For example, a snapshot of the attitude can be taken by a processor in the ear device based on sensor data (e.g., acceleration data) and stored, for example, in flash memory or a processor cache memory (not shown) of the ear device. It should be noted that acceleration data can be used to determine a gravity vector that can be subtracted from the acceleration data using techniques known in the art.

[0077] Process 300 continues with the reception of a first user input (e.g., a press-and-hold input) from the user of the ear device (302). For example, the user may press and hold a force or capacitive touch sensor, as described with reference to [Fig. 4]. In some embodiments, other touch inputs and / or gestures may be used, such as tapping and rapid swiping on a touch surface. In some embodiments, a touch / gesture input may be used in combination with other inputs, such as spoken instructions from the user.

[0078] Process 300 continues by playing a tone / volume control message through the speakers of one or both of the ear devices (303). In one embodiment, the tone may be one or more beeps or any other pattern of tones. In one embodiment, an audio message may be played, such as playing the phrase "volume control" or any other suitable phrase. In another embodiment, both tones and an audio message may be played.

[0079] Process 300 continues with the reception of a rotation input from the user (304). For example, while pressing and holding the force sensor or touch surface, the user can rotate the ear device around an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to one of the user's ears. The rotation is detected by one or more inertial sensors in the ear device (e.g., the IMU 405). A clockwise rotation can decrease the volume and a counterclockwise rotation can increase the volume, or vice versa. In another embodiment, the user nods or rotates their head as described with reference to the [Fig.2A] to 2C. The angle and direction of rotation can be calculated by the processor on the basis of sensor data, for example, as delta quatemion in body system coordinates.

[0080] The process 300 can continue by determining an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on the change in attitude (e.g., a change in pitch angle) relative to the stored reference attitude (305).

[0081] Process 300 can continue by adjusting the volume level according to the determined amount of volume increase / decrease (306). For example, an audio amplifier in the ear device can be adjusted to increase / decrease the volume level.

[0082] Process 300 can continue by receiving a second user input (for example, a pressure release and hold input) (307). In response to the second user input, the new volume will be in effect on the ear device.

[0083] Figure 4 illustrates an example of an ear device according to one embodiment. In this example, the ear device is an earpiece of a wireless headset described in US Patent No. 9,913,022, which is included herein in its entirety by way of reference.

[0084] With reference to [Fig. 4], the earpiece 400 of a wireless headset is worn in the user's right ear. A similar earpiece can be worn in the user's left ear. The earpiece 400 includes a housing 401 containing a loudspeaker 402, a front microphone 403, a rear microphone 404, an IMU 405, a processor 406, a communication interface 407, a battery device 408, an end microphone 409, and a force sensor 410. The front microphone 403 faces the direction of the eardrum, and the rear microphone faces the opposite direction from the eardrum. The end microphone 409 is located in an end portion of the earpiece 401, near the user's mouth.In one embodiment, beamformer patterns are formed using the rear microphone 404 and the end microphone 409 to capture user speech (left pattern) and to capture ambient noise (right pattern), respectively.

[0085] In one embodiment, the processor 406 may be a digital signal processing (DSP) chip that provides audio signals to a loudspeaker 402, processes noise and wind levels captured by at least one of the microphones 403, 404, 409, and processes voice instructions captured by the end microphone 409. The processor 406 also captures and processes output from the IMU 405, such as receiving sensor data from the IMU 405 and determining changes in roll, pitch, and yaw angles in body system coordinates based on sensor data (e.g., acceleration data, rotational speeds) provided by inertial sensors in the IMU 405. The IMU 405 may include One or more inertial sensors, such as one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopic sensors. The processor 406 also captures and processes the output of the force sensor 410 to determine whether a particular type of input has been provided by the user, such as a pressure-and-hold input or a pressure-and-hold release, as described previously. The processor 406 may include cache memory for storing data, such as reference attitude data (e.g., a delta quatemion) described with reference to [Fig. 1A] in 1D.

[0086] The communication interface 407 may include a wireless transceiver chip (e.g., a Bluetooth™ chip) for bidirectional communication with a companion device, such as a smartphone or computer.

[0087] The battery device 408 may include a rechargeable battery and an associated charging circuit, including, but not limited to, a power management circuit and an induction charging circuit for charging ear devices by induction via a carrying case.

[0088] The force sensor 410 is used to receive input from a user. The force sensor 410 is a transducer that converts an input mechanical compression or pressure into an electrical output signal. The output can be coupled to the processor 406, which can count pressures and detect holds entered by the user, as described previously. There may be one or more force sensors 410 in one and / or the other of the right and left earcups, and each force sensor can implement different functions, such as track omission, noise cancellation, switching to a transparency mode, and volume control by detecting a pressure and hold input, as described with reference to [Fig. 1A] to 1D and [Fig. 2A] to 2C.In some embodiments, a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive sensor) may also be included in the 401 earpiece to receive touch input or gestures.

[0089] While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of any inventions or what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although the features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, a or several features of a claimed combination may in some cases be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination may relate to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

[0090] Similarly, while operations are represented in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be carried out in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all the illustrated operations be carried out, to obtain desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program and system components can generally be integrated together in a single software product or grouped into multiple software products.

[0091] As described above, certain aspects of the subject matter of this specification include the collection and use of data available from various sources to improve services that a mobile device can provide to a user. This disclosure considers that, in some cases, this collected data may allow the identification of a particular location or address based on device usage. Such personal information may include location data, addresses, subscriber account identifiers, or other identifying information.

[0092] This disclosure further considers that entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and / or privacy practices. In particular, such entities must consistently implement and use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting, or exceeding, industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information data. For example, users' personal information must be collected for the entity's legitimate and reasonable uses and must not be shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Furthermore, such collection must only occur after obtaining the users' informed consent.Furthermore, such entities would take all necessary measures to safeguard and secure access to such personal information and ensure that other individuals with access to this data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. In addition, such entities may submit to third-party assessments. to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices.

[0093] In the case of ad serving services, this description also considers modes of operation in which users selectively block the use of or access to personal information data. In other words, this disclosure considers that hardware and / or software components may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of ad serving services, this technology may be configured to allow users to choose to "accept" or "decline" to participate in the collection of personal information data during service registration.

[0094] Therefore, although this disclosure largely covers the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed embodiments, this disclosure also considers that the various embodiments may also be implemented without the need to access such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of this technology are not rendered inoperative by the absence of all or part of such personal information data.For example, content can be selected and provided to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information or a strict minimum of personal information, such as content requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available for content delivery services, or publicly available information.

Claims

Demands

1. A method comprising: determining, with at least one processor of an ear device, a reference attitude of the ear device based on sensor data collected by motion sensors of the ear device; storing, with at least one processor, the reference attitude; receiving, with at least one processor, a first user input indicating a user request for a volume control mode of the ear device; receiving, with at least one processor, a rotation input of the ear device relative to the head of a user who is wearing the ear device; determining, with at least one processor, an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change in attitude relative to the reference attitude due to the rotation input;the adjustment, with at least one processor, of a volume level of the ear device in accordance with the increase or decrease in volume level; and the reception, with at least one processor, of a second user input indicating a second user request to release the volume control mode.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first user input is a pressure and hold input.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the second user input is a pressure release and hold input.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein after receiving the first user input, the ear device plays a tone or message through a loudspeaker indicating that the ear device has transitioned to a volume control mode.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change in attitude relative to the reference attitude further comprises:

6.

7.

8. The application of a logarithmic volume scaling function to the change in attitude, such that the volume increases or decreases exponentially with a change in attitude. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first or second input is a touch input or a gesture. Ear device comprising: a housing configured to be worn on or over a user's external ear or in the user's ear canal; included in the housing: a loudspeaker; at least one inertial sensor; an input device; and at least one processor; of memory storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause at least one processor to implement operations including: determining a reference attitude of the ear device based on sensor data collected by at least one inertial sensor; the storage, in memory, of the reference attitude; the reception, with the input device, of a first user input indicating a user request for a volume control mode of the ear device; the reception, with at least one inertial sensor, of a rotation input of the ear device relative to the head of a user who is wearing the ear device; the determination of an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change in attitude relative to the reference attitude due to rotation input; adjusting the volume level of the ear device in accordance with the increase or decrease in volume level; And the receipt of a second user input indicating a second user request to release the volume command mode. Ear device according to claim 7, wherein the first user input is a pressure and hold input.

9. Ear device according to claim 7, wherein the second user input is a pressure release and hold input.

10. Ear device according to claim 7, wherein after receiving the first user input, the ear device plays a tone or message through a loudspeaker indicating that the ear device has transitioned to a volume control mode.

11. Ear device according to claim 7, wherein the determination of an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change of attitude relative to the reference attitude further comprises: applying a logarithmic volume scaling function to the change in attitude, such that the volume increases or decreases exponentially with a change in attitude.

12. Ear device according to claim 7, wherein the first or second inputs are a touch input or a gesture.

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