Dynamic Venting Equalization for Wearable Audio Roll-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable sound devices experience low-frequency roll-off due to occlusion effects caused by sealed ear canals, leading to degraded audio quality and user experience, especially during movements that generate bone-conducted sound.
Innovation Solution
A wearable sound device with a venting module and controller that adjusts the degree of opening of vents to counteract frequency roll-off by generating an equalized input signal, using multiple equalization curves to maintain consistent frequency responses across different venting statuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealed volume is used in the wearable sound device, then occlusion effect is reduced and ear canal pressure is relieved, but low frequency roll off occurs and audio quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The venting module is designed to dynamically adjust the degree of opening among multiple statuses, allowing the system to adapt between sealed and vented configurations. This dynamic adjustment enables the device to relieve occlusion effect while compensating for low frequency roll-off through controller-generated equalized signals corresponding to each opening degree.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller generates different equalized input signals based on the degree of opening of the venting module. By changing the equalization parameters according to the venting status, the system compensates for low frequency roll-off that occurs when the vent is opened, thereby maintaining audio quality across different operating conditions.
2Stress or pressure
If the venting module is opened to release pressure, then ear canal pressure is reduced, but low frequency roll off problem worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the status of the venting module and generates appropriate equalized input signals based on the detected degree of opening. This feedback mechanism ensures that when the vent is opened to relieve pressure, the controller simultaneously applies compensatory equalization to counteract the resulting low frequency roll-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller proactively generates equalized input signals in anticipation of or in response to venting module opening, before the low frequency roll-off fully degrades audio quality. This preliminary anti-action compensates for the expected loss in low frequency response when pressure relief is activated.
3Reliability
If multiple equalization curves are used to compensate roll-off, then audio quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it monitors the venting module status, selects appropriate equalization curves, generates equalized input signals, and manages audio output. By consolidating these functions in a single controller, the system maintains audio quality across different venting statuses without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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
The solution enhances low-frequency sound production and maintains consistent audio quality by compensating for roll-off effects, improving user experience and reducing ear canal pressure through dynamic venting and equalization.
Implementation Method 1
releasing the pressure inside a closed field chamber
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic transducer, configured to form at least one opening to connect a volume within the wearable sound device and ambient and configured to produce sound according to an equalized input signal
Implementation Method 3
a controller generates the equalized input signal according to a degree of opening among the plurality of degrees of opening, in order to counteract a roll off caused by the at least one vent
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable sound device includes a venting module, configured to form at least one vent to connect a volume within the wearable sound device and ambient, and a sound producing device, configured to produce sound according to an equalized input signal. The venting module, including at least one venting device, operates among a plurality of statuses corresponding to a plurality of degrees of opening. A controller generates the equalized input signal according to a degree of opening among the plurality of degrees of opening, in order to counteract a roll off caused by the at least one vent.