Earphone Head Turning Detection via Gyro-Acceleration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headphone systems fail to accurately detect head turning for earphones and head-mounted displays without a headband, leading to unnatural sound localization and image adjustment, as traditional gyro sensors are not effectively positioned in in-ear or ear-hook types.
Innovation Solution
A sound processing apparatus with a gyro sensor and acceleration sensor combination that detects head turning and inclination, correcting the gyro sensor's output to maintain sound image localization at a fixed position, suitable for in-ear and ear-hook type earphones and head-mounted displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional gyro sensor is used in in-ear or ear-hook type earphones without a headband, then the device structure is simplified and ease of manufacture is improved, but the detection precision of head turning is insufficient leading to unnatural sound localization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor into a single detection system. The gyro sensor detects head turning angle while the acceleration sensor detects head inclination, and their outputs are integrated through coordinate transformation to achieve precise head orientation detection without requiring a headband structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical headband structure with a sensor-based detection system. Instead of using a physical headband to stabilize the gyro sensor, the system uses combination of gyro and acceleration sensors with coordinate transformation algorithms to achieve accurate head orientation detection in headless earphone designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gyro sensor detection axis is not aligned with the vertical direction in in-ear type earphones, then the device can be worn comfortably on various ear shapes, but the detection precision of head turning is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the detection parameters by performing coordinate transformation based on head inclination angle. When the gyro sensor detection axis is not vertical, the system calculates the inclination from acceleration sensor data and transforms the gyro output coordinates accordingly, maintaining detection precision regardless of wearing style or ear shape variations.
3Device complexity
If sound image localization is performed using HRTF without head turning correction, then the sound processing is simple, but the sound image remains localized in the head making the sound field unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where head orientation detection results (from gyro and acceleration sensors) are continuously fed back to the sound image localization processing section. The system dynamically adjusts HRTF parameters based on detected head turning and inclination, maintaining natural sound field perception even with simple earphone structures.
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 accurate detection and adjustment of sound image localization, maintaining a natural sound field and appropriate image orientation even with varied ear shapes and wearing styles.
Implementation Method 1
a gyro sensor 16 for detecting turning of a head of the user
Implementation Method 2
an acceleration sensor 17 for detecting inclination of the gyro sensor 16
Data Source
AI summary
A sound processing apparatus includes: sound image localization processing means for performing a sound image localization process on a sound signal to be reproduced; a speaker section placeable over an ear of a user and supplied with the sound signal to emit sound in accordance with the sound signal; turning detection means provided in the speaker section to detect turning of the head of the user; inclination detection means provided in the speaker section to detect inclination of the turning detection means; turning correction means for correcting detection results from the turning detection means on the basis of detection results of the inclination detection means; and adjustment means for controlling the sound image localization processing means so as to adjust the localized position of a sound image on the basis of the detection results from the turning detection means corrected by the turning correction means.