Earphone Control Device for Abnormal Sound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anti-interference earphones, while effective in reducing ambient noise, can prevent users from detecting abnormal sounds in their environment, potentially leading to safety hazards as they may not be aware of impending dangers such as vehicles or other hazards.
Innovation Solution
An earphone control device with an acquisition module to collect external environment sounds, a processing module to identify abnormal sounds, and an output module to alert the user through a prompt tone, which can be directed to specific earphone units based on the sound's orientation, ensuring the user is aware of potential dangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-interference earphones shield most of the sound in external environment, then noise reduction performance is improved, but user safety is worsened due to inability to hear abnormal sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound processing function into two independent pathways: one for noise reduction (shielding external sounds) and one for safety monitoring (detecting abnormal sounds). The acquisition module collects external environment sounds separately from the music playback path, allowing the processing module to analyze safety-critical sounds independently while maintaining effective noise shielding for the user's music listening experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing module that acts as a mediator between the external sound environment and the user's perception. This module selectively processes external sounds by identifying abnormal sound patterns and triggering prompt tones only when necessary, rather than blocking all external sounds. The intermediary enables the system to maintain noise shielding while selectively transmitting safety information to the user.
2Loss of information
If the earphone outputs prompt tone to alert user of abnormal sound, then user awareness of hazards is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical safety monitoring function from the overall earphone system. The acquisition module selectively captures external environment sounds separate from the music playback, and the processing module extracts only abnormal sound patterns from this external audio feed. This extraction approach adds minimal complexity by focusing solely on safety-critical processing rather than analyzing all audio inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified copying approach where the acquisition module creates a duplicate audio feed from external sounds, which then feeds into the processing module for safety analysis. This separate copy of the audio signal path allows independent safety monitoring without interfering with the primary music playback function, adding minimal complexity through signal duplication rather than requiring complete system redesign.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sound sensors are disposed at different positions to identify sound source orientation, then directional accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning sound sensors at specific locations on the earphone body where they can optimally detect external sounds from different directions. Rather than requiring complex three-dimensional sensor arrays, the system uses strategically placed sensors at key locations (such as on the housing surface) to achieve sufficient directional accuracy for safety monitoring purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the sound sensors multi-functional by using them for both music playback (as output transducers) and external sound detection (as input transducers). This dual functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated microphones, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the capability for directional sound source identification through the existing sensor positions.
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 device effectively alerts users to abnormal sounds in noisy environments, enhancing their awareness of potential hazards and enabling them to take necessary precautions, thereby improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
an acquisition module 100, configured to collect an external environment sound
Implementation Method 2
the filter amplification unit is configured to filter and amplify the analog sound signals
Data Source
AI summary
An earphone control device, an earphone and a control method for the earphone are disclosed. The earphone control device includes: an acquisition module, configured to collect external environment sound; an output module, configured to output a prompt tone to a first sounding unit and/or a second sounding unit of the earphone; and a processing module, configured to determine whether abnormal sound is included in the external environment sound and control the output module to output the prompt tone in a case where the abnormal sound is present.