Identification Tags for Personal Audio Cushioning Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal audio devices lack the ability to adapt their behavior based on the specific characteristics of removable cushioning members, such as ear tips and cushions, which can affect sound quality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating identification tags with encoded data on cushioning members that are readable by the audio device, allowing the device to modify its behavior and communicate with host devices based on the type and properties of the attached cushioning member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If identification tags and sensors are added to enable cushioning member recognition, then adaptability and personalized audio settings are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simplified identification tags (such as RFID tags, NFC tags, or passive magnetic tags) that copy or represent the cushioning member's identity characteristics, allowing the system to recognize different cushioning members without complex sensing mechanisms. The tag contains encoded information about the cushioning member type, and the sensor simply reads this pre-encoded data, avoiding the need for complex active sensing or communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification functionality is extracted from the main audio processing system and implemented as a separate, independent tag-sensor mechanism. This modular approach allows the identification system to operate autonomously without interfering with core audio functions, reducing the complexity burden on the main system while still enabling adaptive behavior based on cushioning member detection.
2Measurement precision
If multiple identification tags with encoded data are integrated into cushioning members, then measurement precision of cushioning member characteristics is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal identification tag formats (such as standard RFID or NFC tags) that can be manufactured using conventional processes and then programmed with specific cushioning member identifiers. This approach separates the physical manufacturing from the data encoding, allowing standard manufacturing techniques to produce the tags while the identification data is later programmed in, rather than requiring precision manufacturing of the data encoding itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification tags are implemented as inexpensive, simple components that can be easily replaced or reprogrammed. Rather than using complex, precision-manufactured identification mechanisms, the system uses low-cost tags with encoded identifiers that can be mass-produced through standard electronics manufacturing, significantly reducing the precision requirements while maintaining accurate identification capability.
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
Enables personalized audio settings, improved sound quality, and enhanced user experience by allowing the device to adjust equalizer settings, noise cancellation profiles, and volume limits based on the specific characteristics of the attached cushioning member.
Implementation Method 1
a tag sensor that generates a signal responsive to an electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, optical, geometrical, or mechanical characteristic of the identification tag
Data Source
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AI summary
A personal audio device (e.g., headphones, earphones) can have an earpiece (e.g., an ear cup or earbud) with a removable cushioning member (e.g., headphone cushions or ear tips for earbuds). The cushioning member can include an identification tag that encodes identification data for the cushioning member. When the cushioning member is attached to the earpiece, the identification tag is brought into proximity with a tag sensor in the earpiece and the earpiece can read the identification tag to determine identification data for the cushioning member. The identification data can be used to modify a behavior of the earpiece and/or of a host device communicably coupled to the earpiece.