Earbud Earpiece Seal Measurement for Optimal Fit Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for selecting the optimal earpiece size for completely wireless earphones are cumbersome due to the need to measure multiple sizes, complicating the user's experience.

Innovation Solution

A measurement system and method involving two earphones with replaceable earpieces of different sizes, using microphones to assess ear sealing, and a wireless terminal for feedback on optimal earpiece size based on user input and measurement results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple earpieces of different sizes are measured to find the optimal size, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearpiece size selection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs seal verification measurements and determines the optimal earpiece size without requiring user intervention in the measurement process. The terminal device autonomously analyzes the picked-up sound signals and provides recommendations, eliminating the need for users to manually test multiple earpiece sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the microphone's sound pickup to verify earpiece seal status. By analyzing the sound signal returned from the ear canal, the system determines whether the earpiece is properly sealed and recommends the optimal size based on this feedback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple earpieces of different sizes are measured to find the optimal size, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearpiece size selection accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs seal verification measurements and determines the optimal earpiece size without requiring user intervention in the measurement process. The terminal device autonomously analyzes the picked-up sound signals and provides recommendations, eliminating the need for users to manually test multiple earpiece sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the microphone's sound pickup to verify earpiece seal status. By analyzing the sound signal returned from the ear canal, the system determines whether the earpiece is properly sealed and recommends the optimal size based on this feedback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If seal verification measurement is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearpiece seal verification accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a simplified seal verification measurement that uses partial action - playing a test sound and analyzing the returned signal - rather than requiring complete manual testing of all earpiece sizes. This partial measurement approach achieves sufficient precision to determine optimal fit without exhaustive testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs seal verification measurements and determines the optimal earpiece size without requiring user intervention in the measurement process. The terminal device autonomously analyzes the picked-up sound signals and provides recommendations, eliminating the need for users to manually test multiple earpiece sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Efficiently determines the optimal earpiece size for user's ears, improving convenience by simplifying the selection process.

Implementation Method 1

picks up a sound by the microphone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS12593187B2Measurement system and measurement method

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A measurement system includes two earphones in which a plurality of earpieces having different sizes are replaceably attached, and a wireless terminal carried by the user. The measurement system executes a measurement process at least once on whether the currently worn earpiece is sealed in an ear of the user. The wireless terminal receives an input operation related to a wearing feeling of the currently worn earpiece worn in the ear of the user, and displays, on the display unit, a notification indicating that a size of the currently worn earpiece worn by the user is a most suitable size among the sizes of the plurality of earpieces, or a notification for prompting replacement with another earpiece having a size larger or smaller than the size of the currently worn earpiece, based on the input operation related to the wearing feeling and a measurement result by the measurement process.