In-Ear Headphone Fit Measurement for Ear Tip Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-ear headphones often provide a single 'one-size-fits-all' ear tips that may not fit properly in users' ears, leading to suboptimal sound quality and user inconvenience due to the need for manual trial and error to find the best fit.

Innovation Solution

An audio system that automatically determines the optimal ear tip fit by measuring the frequency response of the ear canal and comparing it to a target response, using wireless communication between the headphone and an audio source device to select the ear tip with the highest fit parameter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single 'one-size-fits-all' ear tip is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but fit quality and sound quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveear tip selection processVSAvoidear tip fit quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures the user's ear canal frequency response and compares it to target responses to determine the optimal ear tip fit. By changing the selection criterion from generic sizing to measured acoustic parameters, the system achieves precise fit quality while maintaining simple device design with only one ear tip size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic ear tip selection by measuring the user's own ear canal response and determining the optimal fit independently. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual trial and error or complex adjustment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual trial and error is used to find the best fit, then fit quality can be improved, but time consumption and user inconvenience increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveear tip fit qualityVSAvoidfitting process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical trial-and-error process with an acoustic measurement system. By using frequency response measurements and automated analysis, the system determines the optimal ear tip fit instantly without requiring manual insertion and removal of multiple ear tip sizes, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining fit quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures the actual ear canal frequency response and compares it to target responses to provide feedback on fit quality. This automated feedback mechanism instantly identifies the optimal ear tip fit without requiring iterative manual testing, resolving the contradiction between fit quality and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If improper ear tip fit is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but sound quality and noise isolation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveear tip configurationVSAvoidenvironmental noise leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses frequency response measurements to determine the optimal ear tip fit parameters. By selecting the ear tip configuration that matches the target frequency response, the system achieves proper noise isolation and sound quality while maintaining device simplicity with a single ear tip size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Automatically selects the most suitable ear tip, ensuring a proper seal and improved sound quality by minimizing environmental noise leakage and enhancing frequency response, thus eliminating the need for manual testing.

Implementation Method 1

obtain an audio signal for driving a speaker to output sound into the user's ear canal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

measure a frequency response of the ear canal responsive to the outputted sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12526567B2Setup management for ear tip selection fitting process

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 APPLE INC

AI summary

A method performed by a programmed processor of an in-ear headphone that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains, over a wireless communication link and via a first wireless connection that uses an accessory profile, a first request, from an audio source device, to start a measurement process. In response to obtaining the request, the method 1) establishes, over the link, a second wireless connection that uses an audio distribution profile between the headphone and the source device, 2) obtains, via the second wireless connection, an audio signal for driving a speaker of the headphone to output sound, 3) responsive to the outputted sound, determining a fit parameter, and 4) transmitting the fit parameter to the source device via the first wireless connection.