Earphone Box-Entry Detection Using Microphone Acoustic Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing earphone charging boxes require additional sensors, such as Hall switches, light sensors, and acceleration sensors, to detect earphone box-entering, which complicates design, increases cost, and can lead to false triggering and poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

The method involves acquiring an acoustic signal picked up by the earphone and determining if it matches a preset acoustic signal, eliminating the need for additional sensors and relying solely on the microphone in the earphone for detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional sensors (Hall switches, light sensors, acceleration sensors) are added to the charging box to detect earphone box-entering, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebox-entering detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The earphone uses its own built-in microphone to detect the box-entering event by capturing the acoustic signal generated during insertion. The earphone independently processes the acoustic signal through spectrum analysis and pattern matching to determine whether it has been placed in the charging box, eliminating the need for external sensors in the charging box.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical sensor-based detection system in the charging box with an acoustic signal-based detection system. Instead of using Hall switches, light sensors, or acceleration sensors to detect physical presence or motion, the system uses the microphone to capture acoustic signals and analyzes their spectral characteristics to infer the box-entering event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If additional sensors are added to the charging box for box-entering detection, then the detection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebox-entering detection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The earphone leverages its existing microphone component, which is already part of its standard design for audio functions. By repurposing this existing component for box-entering detection, the system achieves reliable detection without requiring any additional sensors or components in the charging box, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The microphone in the earphone serves multiple functions: it captures audio signals for standard audio processing and simultaneously detects the box-entering event by analyzing the acoustic signature of the insertion action. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated detection sensors, reducing overall system cost while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If additional sensors are used in the charging box for box-entering detection, then the detection precision is improved, but false triggering occurs and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebox-entering detection precisionVSAvoidfalse triggering rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms the detection parameter from physical presence detection (using sensors that detect position, light, or magnetic field changes) to acoustic signal analysis. By analyzing the frequency spectrum and temporal characteristics of the acoustic signal generated during insertion, the system achieves precise detection with reduced false positives, as the acoustic signature of correct insertion is distinct from other sounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If the existing microphone in the earphone is used for box-entering detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection capability must be sufficient without additional sensors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor quantityVSAvoidbox-entering detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic signal processing techniques, including real-time spectrum analysis and temporal pattern recognition, to extract box-entering detection capability from the acoustic signal. The detection algorithm dynamically adapts to the acoustic characteristics of the insertion event, achieving high detection precision using only the existing microphone without requiring additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach simplifies the design, reduces costs, and improves user experience by accurately detecting earphone box-entering without additional sensors, using the acoustic signal from the collision between the earphone and the box.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring an acoustic signal picked up by an earphone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic signal generation through collision: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

acquiring an acoustic signal picked up by an earphone; the predetermined acoustic signal includes at least one of the following: an acoustic signal determined based on a collision between the earphone and an earphone box

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic signal detection: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP4498696A1Earphone box-entering detection method and apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4498696A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4498696A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4498696A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an earphone box-entering detection method, an apparatus, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: acquiring (S101) an acoustic signal picked up by an earphone; and determining (S102) that the earphone is in a box-entering state in response to determining that the acoustic signal matches a predetermined acoustic signal in the earphone. Through the present disclosure, the design can be simple and the cost is not high.