Active Noise Reduction Audio Devices with Ear Engagement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Active noise reduction (ANR) systems in headphones lack the ability to automatically adjust noise reduction levels based on whether the headphones are engaged with or removed from a user's ear, leading to inconsistent noise cancellation experiences.

Innovation Solution

The system generates control signals to adjust ANR parameters between a first and second ANR state, detecting engagement or removal of headphones using sensors, allowing for automatic adjustment of noise reduction levels when headphones are taken off or put back on, enabling seamless transitions between noise reduction settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ANR parameters are maintained at high noise reduction levels continuously, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but user convenience deteriorates when headphones are removed from ear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cancellation performanceVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ANR system dynamically adjusts noise reduction parameters based on detected ear engagement status. When the headphone is removed from the ear, the system automatically transitions from a first ANR state (high noise reduction) to a second ANR state (reduced noise reduction), allowing the noise cancellation level to change according to actual usage conditions rather than remaining static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to detect whether the headphone is engaged with or removed from the user's ear, and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust ANR parameters. This closed-loop control ensures the noise reduction level matches the actual wearing state, improving both performance reliability and user convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If ANR parameters are automatically adjusted when headphones are removed, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ANR system automatically detects ear engagement status through integrated sensors and self-adjusts noise reduction parameters without requiring manual user input. The system serves itself by monitoring its own wearing state and making appropriate parameter adjustments, reducing the need for complex user interfaces while improving convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11856377B2Active noise reduction audio devices and systems

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 BOSE CORP

AI summary

A method and system directed to controlling Active Noise Reduction (ANR) audio devices with active noise reduction. The system sets one or more ANR parameters of a first and a second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detects that the first wearable audio device is removed from a first ear of a user; and automatically adjusts the one or more ANR parameters of the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device is removed from the ear of the user, wherein the second ANR state comprises a reduction in a level of ANR compared to the first ANR state.