Audio Output Device Biometric User Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless audio output devices, such as earphones, often provide the same music to multiple users when paired, leading to a degradation of user experience due to the inability to control each device independently based on individual user states.

Innovation Solution

An audio output device system that includes communication circuits and sensors to obtain biometric information from each user, determining similarity between users and allowing devices to operate either in coordination or independently based on specified conditions, enabling individual control and user interfaces for each user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If paired audio output devices provide the same music to multiple users, then device coordination is simplified, but user experience deteriorates due to inability to control each device independently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice coordinationVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the audio output control by detecting whether multiple users are present and dividing the operation mode accordingly - either coordinated mode (same music) or independent mode (different music selections) based on user presence, allowing each user to have independent control when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between coordinated and independent operation modes based on real-time detection of user presence using biometric sensors, enabling the devices to adapt their coordination level according to the actual usage scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If paired audio output devices operate independently for each user, then user experience is improved through individual control, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidsynchronization mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses biometric information as an intermediary to determine operation mode, which simplifies the control logic by providing a clear objective criterion for switching between coordinated and independent modes, reducing the complexity of user interface management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects user presence using biometric sensors and autonomously determines the appropriate operation mode without requiring manual user configuration, eliminating the need for complex setup procedures and user interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If biometric information is collected from each user, then individualized audio control is enabled, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividualized controlVSAvoiddata processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential biometric information needed for user identification and presence detection, rather than processing all possible biometric data, reducing the information processing load while maintaining the ability to provide individualized control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11140486B2Electronic device operating in associated state with external audio device based on biometric information and method therefor

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An audio output device is provided. The audio output device determines a similarity between a first external subject and a second external subject based on first biometric information about the first external object associated with the audio output device and second biometric information about the second external object associated with an external audio output device, and controls the audio output device and the external audio output device to operation in coordination or independently based on the similarity.