Ear Canal Sound Pickup Device Auricle Wire Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound pickup devices do not effectively measure ear canal transfer characteristics necessary for out-of-head localization techniques, as they require a microphone to be placed near the ear or eardrum while wearing headphones, without blocking the ear canal and maintaining accurate sound pickup positions.
Innovation Solution
A sound pickup device with flexible wire and microphone placement along the auricle, allowing for precise positioning near the ear hole without blocking the ear canal, and using a hook part to secure the device on the ear, enabling measurement of ear canal transfer characteristics while wearing headphones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microphone is placed near the ear or eardrum to measure ear canal transfer characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but the ear canal becomes blocked and headphones cannot be worn properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the microphone laterally at the ear hole rather than inserting it into the ear canal. This dimensional change from axial insertion to lateral placement allows the microphone to capture sound waves at the ear canal entrance without blocking the passage, enabling simultaneous headphone wear and accurate measurement of ear canal transfer characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible wire as an intermediary carrier to hold the microphone at the precise lateral position near the ear hole. This wire acts as a mediator that maintains the microphone's optimal positioning while allowing the ear canal to remain unobstructed, thus resolving the conflict between measurement accuracy and ear canal patency
2Adaptability or versatility
If headphones are worn to perform out-of-head localization, then sound localization capability is improved, but it becomes difficult to position the microphone accurately near the eardrum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible wire to pre-position the microphone at the optimal lateral location near the ear hole before headphones are worn. This preliminary positioning ensures that the microphone remains in the correct location throughout the measurement process, even when headphones are placed over the ear, thereby facilitating both headphone wear and accurate measurement
3Measurement precision
If the microphone is placed inside the ear canal to capture sound accurately, then sound pickup quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to insertion mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the microphone from the ear canal insertion configuration and repositions it laterally at the ear hole. This extraction eliminates the need for complex insertion mechanisms while maintaining sound pickup quality by capturing sound waves at the ear canal entrance where they naturally converge, thereby simplifying the overall device structure
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 accurate measurement of ear canal transfer characteristics for out-of-head localization, allowing for improved sound localization techniques without interfering with the headphones or blocking the ear canal.
Implementation Method 1
a wire having flexibility and configured to extend to the sound pickup position, wherein at least part of the wire is formed along an auricle
Data Source
AI summary
A sound pickup device according to this embodiment includes a microphone part placed at a sound pickup position in close proximity to an ear hole without blocking an ear canal, and positioned so as to face outside of the ear canal, and a wire having flexibility and extending to the sound pickup position. Further, in this embodiment, at least part of the wire is formed along an auricle.