Earbud Camera Night Vision Audio Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless earphones with camera capabilities lack real-time audio feedback and are limited in low-light conditions, making them ineffective for spying and other applications that require environmental awareness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating two intelligent wireless cameras with near-infrared capabilities and AI processing, integrated into earbud casings, which provide 3D information and night vision, while maintaining audio functionality through microcontrollers and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth communication, allowing for real-time data processing and integration with external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing in-ear earphones with camera are used for spying, then video recording capability is provided, but real-time audio feedback about surrounding environment is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone device integrates multiple functions including camera recording, audio feedback, night vision, and environmental sensing into a single wearable unit. The camera captures video frames while microphones capture audio, and both are processed to provide comprehensive environmental awareness through the speaker, making the device universal for both audio listening and visual surveillance purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the camera module, microphones, speaker, and processing unit into an integrated earphone system. The camera and microphones work together to capture both visual and auditory environmental data, which are then merged and processed to provide real-time audio feedback about the surrounding environment through the speaker.
2Illumination intensity
If existing earphones with camera are used, then video recording is enabled, but night vision capability in low-light conditions is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone incorporates an infrared LED that emits infrared light to illuminate the environment in low-light conditions. The camera captures images in the infrared spectrum, which is invisible to the human eye but provides night vision capability. This allows the device to 'see' in darkness by capturing infrared radiation and converting it into visible image data.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared LED acts as an intermediary light source that enables the camera to capture images in low-light conditions. The LED emits infrared radiation that illuminates the scene, allowing the camera sensor to detect and capture images that would otherwise be invisible in darkness, thus providing night vision capability.
3Speed
If existing spying earphones are used, then camera recording is provided, but wireless connectivity and real-time data transmission are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired connections with wireless Bluetooth communication for data transmission. The camera and microphones transmit their captured data wirelessly to a connected device, eliminating the need for physical cables and enabling real-time remote access to environmental data captured by the earphone sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by continuously capturing environmental data through camera and microphones, processing the information, and transmitting it wirelessly to a connected device. This creates a continuous feedback loop where the user can monitor the surrounding environment in real-time through the transmitted audio and visual data.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing in-ear earphones are used, then audio functionality is provided, but camera facing the ear canal cannot be used for spying
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is positioned to face outward toward the environment rather than inward toward the ear canal. This dimensional reorientation allows the camera to capture external environmental scenes for spying purposes while the earphone remains inserted in the ear, separating the camera's line of sight from the ear canal direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The earphone device serves dual purposes: it functions as a conventional audio device for music and calls while simultaneously operating as a surveillance device with outward-facing camera and microphones for environmental monitoring. This multi-functionality allows the same device to be used for both audio listening and visual/spatial awareness.
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 real-time audio and visual data capture and processing, enhancing spying capabilities and providing valuable information for users, especially in low-light conditions, while maintaining audio functionality and compatibility with VR/AR devices.
Implementation Method 1
a camera module located in the earbud casing, the camera module being configured to obtain images captured by at least one near-infrared camera and using at least one near-infrared light source
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless, in-ear, or non-in-ear, earphone comprising a microphone, a speaker, and a camera module in the earbud casing, the camera module is configured to obtain images of the user's environment, the camera module comprising a near-infrared camera to capture the images using a near-infrared LED. The earphone comprises an internal microcontroller configured to obtain information extracted from processing the captured images. Image processing applies computer vision and can be executed by the microcontroller of the earphone and/or a guest device with which the microcontroller is communicated through a wireless communication interface by means of an on-chip antenna. The earphone further comprises a short-range wireless communication module to receive audio information and to play the received audio in the speaker.