Acoustic Device Wearing Detection Through Speaker-Microphone Reflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic devices struggle to accurately detect wearing status due to proximity sensors mistakenly identifying the device as worn when held by hand, leading to incorrect functionality activation.
Innovation Solution
A method using the response characteristics of signals from a speaker and microphone within the device to determine its wearing state, analyzing acoustic signal reflections to differentiate between being held by hand and actually worn in the ear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a proximity sensor is used to detect wearing status, then the device can automatically pair with external devices, but the device may be incorrectly identified as worn when held by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into multiple independent measurement components: proximity detection, acoustic reflection analysis, and signal response characteristics. Each component provides a separate indicator that is综合分析 (comprehensively analyzed) to determine wearing status, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary medium between the device and the user's ear. By analyzing how acoustic waves reflect and propagate through the ear canal, the system obtains indirect but more accurate information about wearing status, resolving the false positive problem of direct proximity sensing.
2Measurement precision
If acoustic signal analysis is used to detect wearing status, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing speaker and microphone serve dual functions: their primary functions for audio output and input, and an additional function for wearing status detection. By outputting test signals through the speaker and analyzing reflections through the microphone, the system achieves accurate detection without adding specialized hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own built-in acoustic components (speaker and microphone) to perform self-diagnosis of wearing status. The system generates acoustic signals, analyzes their reflections, and determines wearing state autonomously without requiring external detection equipment, thereby managing complexity through self-contained functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately distinguishes between being held by hand and being worn in the ear, enabling precise control of device functions and preventing incorrect activation.
Implementation Method 1
output a first signal through a speaker; receive a second signal corresponding to the first signal
Implementation Method 2
analyzing acoustic signal reflections to differentiate between being held by hand and actually worn in the ear
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An acoustic device that includes a housing, a nozzle portion, a speaker hole, a first microphone hole, a speaker, a first microphone, and a processor configured to output a first signal through the speaker, receive a second signal corresponding to the first signal through the first microphone, output a third signal through the speaker when a magnitude of a first frequency band component of the second signal is greater than a first value, receive a fourth signal corresponding to the third signal through the first microphone, and determine that the protruding end surface of the nozzle portion is blocked and the acoustic device is not worn in a user's ear when a magnitude of a second frequency band component of the fourth signal is greater than a second value.