Earphone Housing Movement Sensor for Simultaneous Command Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing earbuds lack an intuitive and user-friendly method for users to provide multiple commands, relying primarily on buttons or sensors that are limited in functionality and convenience.

Innovation Solution

An earphone design incorporating both an activation sensor and an adjustment sensor, where the adjustment sensor detects movement of the earphone housing, allowing simultaneous activation and adjustment inputs to execute commands, with a processing unit to process these signals and perform actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors and control units are added to enable multiple command options, then the functionality and user interaction are enhanced, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand optionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the activation sensor and adjustment sensor into a single integrated sensing system within the earphone housing. The processing unit receives both activation signals and adjustment signals and processes them together to execute commands, merging multiple functions into a unified control architecture that enhances versatility without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing unit is designed to handle multiple types of inputs (activation signals from activation sensor and adjustment signals from adjustment sensor) and execute various commands based on the combination of these signals. This multi-functional processing capability allows a single component to perform multiple command operations, improving adaptability while controlling device complexity

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors and control units are added to enable multiple command options, then the functionality and user interaction are enhanced, but the space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand optionsVSAvoidearphone housing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The activation sensor and adjustment sensor are integrated within the same earphone housing space, sharing the same physical envelope. This merging of sensing functions into a compact arrangement allows multiple command capabilities to be achieved without proportionally increasing the overall earphone volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing components are nested within the earphone housing structure, with the activation sensor and adjustment sensor arranged in a space-efficient configuration. The processing unit is also integrated within the same housing, creating a nested arrangement where multiple functional elements occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial volumes, thereby minimizing the total space required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4340388A1An earphone and a method of performing a command by an earphone
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 GN AUDIO AS
  • EP4340388A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4340388A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4340388A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is an earphone (100, 200). The earphone (100, 200) comprises an earphone housing (160, 260). The earphone (100, 200) further comprises an activation sensor (120, 220). The activation sensor (120, 220) is configured to sense an activation input from the user (10) and provide an activation signal. The earphone (100, 200) further comprises an adjustment sensor (140, 240). The adjustment sensor (140, 240) is configured to sense an adjustment input from the user (10) and provide an adjustment signal. The adjustment input is a movement of the earphone housing (160, 260). The earphone (100, 200) further comprises a processing unit (150, 250). The processing unit (150, 250) is configured to receive the adjustment signal and execute a command if the adjustment signal is received simultaneously with provision of the activation signal.