Ear device volume control

Abstract

To provide a method and a device for easily controlling the volume of an ear device.SOLUTION: A method includes: determining a reference attitude of an ear device based on sensor data collected by motion sensors of the ear device; storing the reference attitude; receiving, by using 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, by using the at least one processor, the amount of increase / decrease of the volume level based on an attitude change relative to the reference attitude due to the rotation input; adjusting the volume level of the ear device in accordance with the increase / decrease of the volume level; and receiving second user input indicating a second user request to release the volume control mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to volume controls for ear devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Headphones are loudspeaker drivers worn on or over a user's ears. Earbuds, earpieces, or in-ear monitors (IEMs) are loudspeaker drivers that fit into the user's ear canals. Bone conduction headphones typically wrap around the back of the head and rest in front of the ear canal. Headsets include loudspeakers and a microphone, and the loudspeakers can be headphones or IEMs. Each of these devices (hereinafter collectively referred to as "ear devices") can connect to a companion audio device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet computer) via a wired or wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth connection). Some modern ear devices have inertial sensors (e.g., accelerometers) and a touch interface that allows users to perform a limited number of functions, such as skipping or pausing audio tracks.

[0003] With many of these ear devices, the user controls the volume level of the audio played through the ear device with 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 a wireless ear device, the user's hands may be occupied, preventing the user from adjusting the volume level with the companion audio device. For example, the user may be engaged in exercise or other physical activity, making it difficult or inconvenient to access the companion audio device to adjust the volume level. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An embodiment for volume control of an ear device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a reference orientation of the ear device based on sensor data collected by a motion sensor of the ear device, storing the reference orientation, 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 rotational input, determining, with the at least one processor, an amount of increase / decrease in volume level based on an orientation change with respect to the reference orientation due to the rotational input, adjusting the volume level of the ear device according to the increase / decrease in volume level, and receiving a second user input indicating a second user request to cancel the volume control mode.

[0005] In one embodiment, the first user input is a press and hold input.

[0006] In one embodiment, the second user input is a press and hold release input.

[0007] In one embodiment, after receiving the first user input, the ear device plays a tone or message through the loudspeaker indicating that the ear device has transitioned to a volume control mode.

[0008] In one embodiment, the rotational input is a rotation of the ear device relative to the head of a user wearing the ear device.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rotational input is the rotation of the ear device together with the head of the user wearing the ear device as a single unit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the rotational input is by a nod of the user's head.

[0011] In one embodiment, the rotational input is by rotation of the user's head about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the top of the user's head.

[0012] In one embodiment, determining the amount of increase or decrease in the volume level based on the posture change relative to the reference posture further includes applying a logarithmic volume scaling function to the posture change such that the volume increases or decreases exponentially with the posture change.

[0013] In one embodiment, the ear device comprises a housing configured to be worn on or over a user's outer ear or in the user's ear canal, the housing including a loudspeaker, at least one inertial sensor, an input device, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations including: determining a home orientation of the ear device based on sensor data collected by the at least one inertial sensor; storing the home orientation in the memory; receiving, with the input device, a first user input indicating a user request for a volume control mode of the ear device; receiving, with the at least one inertial sensor, a rotational input; determining an amount of increase or decrease in the volume level based on an orientation change relative to the home orientation due to the rotational input; adjusting the volume level of the ear device according to the increase or decrease in the volume level; and receiving a second user input indicating a second user request to cancel the volume control mode.

[0014] Other embodiments may include an apparatus, a computing device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0015] Certain embodiments described herein may provide one or more of the following advantages: The disclosed embodiments for ear device volume control enable easy and repeatable volume level changes using existing hardware in many ear devices, such as touch interfaces and inertial sensors, allowing users to adjust the volume of audio content without accessing a companion audio device.

[0016] The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates a volume control for an ear device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] 1 illustrates a volume control for an ear device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1C] 1 illustrates a volume control for an ear device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1D] 1 illustrates a volume control for an ear device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates a rotation method for increasing / decreasing volume level according to one embodiment. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates a rotation method for increasing / decreasing volume level according to one embodiment. [Figure 2C] 1 illustrates a rotation method for increasing / decreasing volume level according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a process for volume control of an ear device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary ear device, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] 1A-1C illustrate a volume control for an ear device, according to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1A, an ear device 100 is shown inserted into an ear canal 101. A user presses and holds a force sensor in the stem of the ear device 100 (e.g., force sensor 410 in FIG. 4) with their thumb and index finger 102. Prior to the press-and-hold action, sensor data output by an inertial sensor (e.g., IMU 405 in FIG. 4) of the ear device 100 is used by a processor (e.g., processor 406 in FIG. 4) of the ear device 100 to determine and store (e.g., in a cache memory of the ear device 100) current attitude data (roll, pitch, yaw) of the ear device 100. The current posture data represents, for example, the current orientation of the ear device 101 relative to a body coordinate system, the origin of which is at the center of mass of the ear device 100 and the three orthogonal axes of the body coordinate system are the principal axes of the ear device 100 that rotate together with the ear device 100.

[0019] 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. 1C . For example, as the user rotates the ear device 100, changes in attitude (yaw, pitch, and roll) from the reference attitude are measured. In one embodiment, the angular change can be expressed as a delta quaternion. In one embodiment, the range of adjustable volume levels can be coextensive with the rotational angular displacement range, such that the volume level increases / decreases with incremental mounting as a function of incremental angular displacement and utilizes the full range of rotational displacement. For example, the range of rotational angular displacement can be limited so that the user does not need to make large rotations that could dislodge the ear device 100 from the user's ear canal. The change in volume level L can increase / decrease with angular displacement according to a linear or nonlinear function f(). L=f(α,β,γ), [1] where α, β, and γ are roll, pitch, and yaw, respectively. If the roll, pitch, and yaw rotations do not align with the axis of motion of the user's head, the sensor data can be rotated into a reference frame fixed to the user's head.

[0020] As mentioned above, the volume level can be adjusted based on the user's head pose, including but not limited to nodding (moving the head up and down), swiveling (moving the head side to side), and tilting (moving the head toward the shoulder). In one embodiment, a touch and hold (or similar input) is used as a time-based gesture, and the head pose is used to initially determine the direction of the volume change, so that the user does not need to hold their head in a non-neutral position. In one embodiment, the volume level is continuously mapped to head position.

[0021] In one embodiment, the user moves their head in a direction indicating whether to increase or decrease the volume level, and then holds the head position to repeatedly increment / decrement the volume level. Exemplary steps for this embodiment are as follows: 1. Wait for a user interaction to indicate the start of a volume change control mode via input (e.g., touch, squeeze, hold, etc.). 2. Store the first motion sensor sample as the baseline pose. 3. For each subsequent sample, apply a baseline to obtain the relative rotation. 4. Extract rotations around the active axes (yaw, pitch, roll). 5. If the relative rotation is greater than a certain positive threshold, a.Volume up increment b. Set the volume change direction to increase c. Start a repeating timer 6. If the relative rotation is less than a certain negative threshold, a. Decrease volume up b. Set the volume change direction to decrease c. Start a repeating timer 7. If the threshold is exceeded in steps 5 or 6, the user can return their head to a more natural position without affecting the volume control. 8. When the repeat timer is activated, increase or decrease the volume depending on the direction set in step 5 or 6. 9. When the user requests to stop the volume change mode, the repeat timer is stopped and the volume change control mode is terminated. Position vs. Volume Mapping

[0022] In one embodiment, the volume control is based on relative head rotation as opposed to absolute orientation. If the motion sensor outputs absolute orientation relative to an arbitrary zero reference orientation, the sensor data can be converted to current relative rotation data as follows: 1. If the sensor measurement is the first measurement after initiating volume control mode (via touch or other gate), the measurement is stored in memory as a baseline for measuring subsequent rotations. 2. Apply the baseline to the new measurement (subtracted from the new measurement) to get the current relative rotation. 3. Extract rotations around the active axes (yaw, pitch, roll). 4. If the relative rotation is greater than a certain positive threshold, a. Increment the volume level b. Set the current absolute rotation as the new baseline 5. If the relative rotation is less than a certain negative threshold, a. Decrement the volume level b. Set the current absolute rotation as the new baseline

[0023] In one embodiment, the sensitivity and granularity of user interaction can be adjusted using the example parameters in Table I. These parameters are interrelated, so only two parameters need to be set independently, which then determines the other parameters. [Table 1] Continuous vs. Discrete

[0024] In one embodiment, the volume level can be controlled in discrete increments (such as with a physical volume button) or continuously (such as with a slider). The incoming sensor data can be filtered (e.g., averaged) to avoid jitter. Asymmetric Mapping

[0025] The mapping for volume up can be different from volume down, which can be useful if a person has limited neck movement in one direction (e.g., as a result of an injury) or if they initiate interactions off-center. Nonlinear Mapping

[0026] In one embodiment, the sensitivity of the volume level adjustment is not uniform across the range of the user's head motion or the entire volume range: for example, there may be a larger threshold above the first increment to help reject accidental triggers, the volume change may be rate-limited for hearing safety, the sensitivity may vary with the rate of head motion, and the sensitivity may be higher or lower at the beginning of an interaction versus near the end of the volume range. feedback

[0027] In one embodiment, audio feedback is used during user interaction. For example, any number and type of sounds can be used for volume increment / decrement (increment can be different from decrement) and when volume level limits (minimum and maximum) are reached. The sounds can be at any suitable volume level and can be mixed with the audio. In one embodiment, haptic feedback (e.g., vibration) is used to indicate volume increment / decrement and / or when volume level limits are reached. Accidental triggers

[0028] In one embodiment, accidental triggering can be rejected. As mentioned above, a larger initial threshold can be used. The threshold can depend on the detection of other motions, i.e., stationary vs. walking vs. running. Correlation between the motion of the two earphones can be used to reject accidental triggering when one is adjusted. The form factor of the device plays an important role in accidents (e.g., separating fit adjustment from interaction). Design a gate that is more tolerant to accidents. Exemplary Gates

[0029] Although the touch and hold gesture has been described herein as a gate for entering and exiting volume control mode, several different options for gating the interaction can be used, including, but not limited to, touch, force, button, tap, proximity and voice, and different variants of each such as touch, touch and hold, tap, double tap, and tap and a half.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1B , a user is shown pressing and holding the protruding stem of the ear device 100 with a finger 102. In the embodiment shown, the protruding stem includes a force sensor 410 that responds to pressure, as described above. In other embodiments, the protruding stem of the ear device 100, or any portion of the housing of the earbud 100, may include a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive sensor). After N seconds (e.g., N=1 or 2 seconds) of continuous press-and-hold input (or touch-and-hold input), the ear device 100 plays a tone and / or audio message indicating to the user that the ear device 100 is in a volume level change mode. The user can then adjust the volume by rotating the ear device 100 relative to their head, or by nodding / rotating their head and the ear device as a single unit, as described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C . After the user stops the press-and-hold input, the new volume level takes effect, as shown in FIG. 1D .

[0031] In some embodiments, instead of pressing and holding, the user can use a different type of touch control, such as tapping or swiping the communication interface. In some embodiments, the user can use a combination of touch / gestures on the communication interface and voice commands. In some embodiments, other functions besides volume changes can be performed. For example, by rotating the ear device 100 or nodding / rotating the head, the user can fast forward or rewind, skip tracks, or perform any other function.

[0032] 2A , in a first embodiment, after a tone or message is played, the user can rotate the ear device 100 relative to the user's head about an axis of rotation (e.g., pitch axis) that is perpendicular to the ear 101 (parallel to the longitudinal length of the ear canal) as shown. In one embodiment, rotating clockwise about the axis of rotation decreases the volume and rotating counterclockwise increases the volume, or vice versa.

[0033] 2B and 2C , in a second embodiment, after a tone or message is played, the user can nod their head about an axis of rotation such that the ear device 100 and the user's head rotate as a single unit. In one embodiment, nodding their head clockwise about the axis of rotation decreases the volume, and nodding their head counterclockwise increases the volume, or vice versa. Note that the user may place their hand on their cheek to ensure that the ear device 100 and their head rotate together as one unit. Otherwise, if the user nods their head while pressing and holding the force sensor 410, the ear device 100 may not rotate with their head.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2C, in a third embodiment, after a tone or message is played, the user can rotate their head around an axis of rotation (e.g., a yaw axis) perpendicular to the top of the user's head, as shown.

[0035] 3 is a flow diagram of a process 300 for volume control of ear device 100, according to one embodiment. Process 300 can be implemented by one or both earphones of a wireless headset, as described with reference to FIG.

[0036] Process 300 begins by capturing a reference orientation of the ear device worn on or over a user's outer ear or in the user's ear canal (301). For example, a snapshot of the orientation may be taken by a processor in the ear device based on sensor data (e.g., acceleration data) and stored, for example, in the ear device's flash or processor cache memory (not shown). Note that the acceleration data may be used to determine a gravity vector, which may be subtracted from the acceleration data using techniques known in the art.

[0037] Process 300 continues by receiving a first user input (e.g., a press and hold input) from a user of the ear device (302). For example, the user may press and hold a force sensor or a capacitive touch sensor, as described with reference to FIG. 4. In some embodiments, other touch inputs and / or gestures, such as taps and swipes on the touch-sensitive surface, may be used. In some embodiments, the touch / gesture input may be used in combination with other inputs, such as voice commands spoken by the user.

[0038] Process 300 continues by playing a volume control tone / message through one or both ear device loudspeakers (303). In one embodiment, the tone may be one or more beeps or any other tone pattern. 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 a tone and an audio message may be played.

[0039] Process 300 continues by receiving rotational 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 a rotational axis perpendicular to the user's ear. The rotation is sensed by one or more inertial sensors (e.g., IMU 405) in the ear device. 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 FIGS. 2A-2C. The rotation angle and direction can be calculated by the processor based on the sensor data, for example, as a delta quaternion in body-frame coordinates.

[0040] The process 300 may continue by determining (305) the amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on the change in attitude (e.g., change in pitch angle) relative to the stored reference attitude.

[0041] The process 300 may continue by adjusting the volume level according to the determined amount of volume increase / decrease (306). For example, an audio amplifier in an ear device may be adjusted to increase / decrease the volume level.

[0042] The process 300 may continue by receiving a second user input (e.g., a press and hold release input) 307. In response to the second user input, the new volume becomes effective in the ear device.

[0043] 4 illustrates an exemplary ear device according to one embodiment. In this example, the ear device is an earphone of a wireless headset as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,913,022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4 , a wireless headset earphone 400 is worn on a user's right ear. A similar earphone can be worn on the user's left ear. The earphone 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 toward the eardrum, and the rear microphone faces away from the eardrum. The end microphone 409 is located at the end of the earphone 401 near the user's mouth. In one embodiment, a beamformer pattern is formed using the rear microphone 404 and the end microphone 409 to capture the user's speech (left pattern) and ambient noise (right pattern), respectively.

[0045] In one embodiment, processor 406 may be a digital signal processing (DSP) chip that provides audio signals to loudspeaker 402, processes noise and wind noise levels captured by at least one of microphones 403, 404, 409, and processes spoken commands captured by end microphone 409. Processor 406 also captures and processes output from IMU 405, such as receiving sensor data from IMU 405, and determines changes in roll, pitch, and yaw angles in body-frame coordinates based on sensor data (e.g., acceleration data, rotational rate) provided by inertial sensors in IMU 405. IMU 405 may include one or more inertial sensors, such as one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyro sensors. Processor 406 also captures and processes output from force sensor 410 to determine whether a particular type of input has been provided by the user, such as a press-and-hold input or a press-and-hold release, as described above. Processor 406 may include cache memory for storing data such as the reference attitude data (eg, delta quaternions) described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D.

[0046] The communication interface 407 may include a wireless transceiver chip (e.g., a Bluetooth™ chip) for communicating bidirectionally with a companion device such as a smartphone or computer.

[0047] The battery device 408 may include a rechargeable battery and associated charging circuitry, including but not limited to power management circuitry and inductive charging circuitry for inductively charging the ear device through the carrying case.

[0048] The force sensor 410 is used to receive input from the user. The force sensor 410 is a transducer that converts input mechanical compression or pressure into an electrical output signal. This output can be coupled to the processor 406, which can count presses and detect holds input by the user, as described above. As described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D and 2A-2C, there can be one or more force sensors 410 in either or both of the right and left earbuds, and each force sensor can perform a different function by detecting a press-and-hold input, such as skipping tracks, invoking noise cancellation, switching to transparency mode, and controlling volume. In some embodiments, a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive sensor) can also be included in the earbud 401 to receive touch input or gestures.

[0049] While the specification contains numerous specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or the scope that may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that are specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented separately in multiple embodiments or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, while features may be described above as working in a particular combination, or even originally claimed as such, in some instances, one or more features of a claimed combination can be deleted from that combination. Claimed combinations can also be directed to subcombinations or variations of subcombinations.

[0050] Similarly, although operations are depicted in the figures in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring the operations to be performed in the order shown, or sequentially, or that all of the operations shown be performed to achieve desirable results. In certain situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the above-described embodiments should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated together into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0051] As noted above, some aspects of the subject matter herein involve collecting and using data available from various sources to improve the services that a mobile device can provide to a user. The present disclosure contemplates that, in some cases, this collected data may identify a particular location or address based on device use. Such personal information data may include location-based data, addresses, subscriber account identifiers, or other identifying information.

[0052] This disclosure further contemplates that entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transmission, storage, or other uses of such personal information data will comply with well-defined privacy policies and / or practices. Specifically, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the strict confidentiality of personal information data. For example, personal information from users should be collected for the entity's lawful and legitimate uses and should not be shared or sold except for those lawful uses. Furthermore, such collection should occur only after the user's informed consent is obtained. In addition, such entities will take all necessary measures to protect and secure access to such personal information data and to ensure that others with access to that personal information data comply with their privacy policies and procedures. Furthermore, such entities may submit themselves to third-party assessments to demonstrate their compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices.

[0053] In the case of public announcement distribution services, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which a user selectively blocks use of or access to personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and / or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of an advertisement distribution service, the present technology may be configured to allow a user to select "opt-in" or "opt-out" of participating in the collection of personal information data during registration for the service.

[0054] Thus, while this disclosure broadly encompasses the use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, this disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments may be implemented without requiring access to such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable by the absence of all or part of such personal information data. For example, content may be selected and delivered to a user by inferring preferences based only on a minimal amount of non-personal information or personal information, such as content requested by devices associated with the user, other non-personal information available at content delivery services, or publicly available information.

Claims

1. 1. A method comprising: determining, using at least one processor of an ear device, a reference orientation of the ear device based on sensor data collected by a motion sensor of the ear device; storing, with the 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 the at least one processor, a rotational input based on an amount of rotation of the ear device; determining, with the at least one processor, an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change in orientation relative to the reference orientation due to the rotational input; adjusting, with the at least one processor, a volume level of the ear device in accordance with the increase or decrease in the volume level, the volume level increasing or decreasing by an incremental amount as a function of the incremental angular displacement resulting from the rotational input; receiving, with the at least one processor, a second user input indicating a second user request to exit the volume control mode; Including, the ear device is a first earphone of a pair of earphones worn on the left and right ears of a user, the first earphone being rotatable with respect to the head of the user wearing the first earphone independently of a second earphone of the pair of earphones that is different from the first earphone; The method, wherein the rotational input is a rotation of the first earphone relative to the head of the user wearing the first earphone.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first user input is a press-and-hold input.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second user input is a press-and-hold release input.

4. The method of 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. determining an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a posture change relative to the reference posture, applying a logarithmic volume scaling function to the posture change so that the volume increases or decreases exponentially with the posture change; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first or second input is a touch input or a gesture.

7. An ear device, a housing configured to be worn on or over a user's outer ear or within the user's ear canal; The housing includes: A loudspeaker; at least one inertial sensor; An input device; at least one processor; a memory that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: determining a reference orientation of the ear device based on sensor data collected by the at least one inertial sensor; storing the reference attitude in the memory; receiving, with the input device, a first user input indicating a user request for a volume control mode of the ear device; receiving, with the at least one inertial sensor, a rotational input based on an amount of rotation of the ear device; determining an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change in posture relative to the reference posture due to the rotational input; adjusting a volume level of the ear device in accordance with the increase or decrease in the volume level, the volume level increasing or decreasing by an incremental amount as a function of the incremental angular displacement resulting from the rotational input; receiving a second user input indicating a second user request to exit the volume control mode; a memory storing instructions for performing operations including: Contains, the ear device is a first earphone of a pair of earphones worn on the left and right ears of a user, the first earphone being rotatable with respect to the head of the user wearing the first earphone independently of a second earphone of the pair of earphones that is different from the first earphone; the rotational input being a rotation of the first earphone relative to the head of the user wearing the first earphone; Ear device.

8. The ear device of claim 7 , wherein the first user input is a press and hold input.

9. The ear device of claim 7 , wherein the second user input is a press and hold release input.

10. 8. The ear device of 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. determining an amount of increase or decrease in volume level based on a change in posture relative to the reference posture, applying a logarithmic volume scaling function to the posture change so that the volume increases or decreases exponentially with the posture change; The ear device of claim 7 further comprising:

12. The ear device of claim 7 , wherein the first or second input is a touch input or a gesture.

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