Earphone Insertion Detection Using Proximity and Motion Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earphone identification methods using proximity sensors have high false-positive error rates, leading to incorrect activation and reduced battery life due to high power consumption from additional sensors like biosensors and contact sensors.
Innovation Solution
Combining a proximity sensor with an acceleration sensor and a signal analysis device to filter and analyze signals, reducing false-positive results by confirming earphone insertion based on stabilization of acceleration signals and monotonicity of proximity sensor profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If proximity sensors are used to identify earphone insertion, then true-positive and true-negative identification rates are improved, but false-positive error rate increases leading to incorrect activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines proximity sensor data with acceleration sensor data to determine earphone insertion status. The signal analysis device integrates signals from both sensors, using the acceleration sensor to detect movement patterns that confirm or reject proximity sensor indications, thereby reducing false-positive errors while maintaining true-positive detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the acceleration sensor to validate proximity sensor readings. When the proximity sensor indicates insertion, the acceleration sensor provides feedback about movement patterns to confirm whether the earphone was actually placed in the ear or merely approached it, enabling correction of false-positive identifications
2Reliability
If additional sensors like biosensors or contact sensors are used to reduce false-positives, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-power biosensors and contact sensors with an acceleration sensor that consumes significantly less power. The acceleration sensor detects movement patterns and gravitational changes to distinguish between earphone insertion and other scenarios, achieving false-positive reduction without the high energy consumption of biological or contact-based sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sensing parameter from biological/contact-based measurements to acceleration-based measurements. By monitoring acceleration patterns, movement dynamics, and gravitational orientation changes, the system achieves reliable insertion detection with much lower power consumption compared to biosensor alternatives
3Measurement precision
If proximity sensor threshold is lowered to increase sensitivity, then true-positive detection is improved, but false-positive results increase due to ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of acceleration patterns before finalizing insertion detection. By examining movement dynamics, velocity profiles, and acceleration sequences in advance, the system can distinguish between intentional earphone placement and accidental proximity events, enabling confident detection even with sensitive proximity thresholds
Data Source
AI summary
An earphone including a proximity sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a signal analysis device. The signal analysis device identifies an approaching movement of the earphone to an object using the proximity sensor signal. The signal analysis device ascertains whether the approaching movement is a movement of the earphone to an ear of the user. By filtering the acceleration sensor signal, the signal analysis device generates a high-pass filtered acceleration signal and a low-pass filtered acceleration signal. The signal analysis device determines an end time of the approaching movement based on a stabilization of the acceleration, using the low-pass filtered acceleration signal. The signal analysis device confirms that the approaching movement is a movement of the earphone to an ear of the user based on changes in the high-pass filtered acceleration signal after the ascertained end time of the approaching movement.