Earphone Wearing Orientation Detection Using Concha Distance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless earphone products are often difficult to distinguish between left and right earpieces, leading to user confusion and inconvenience in wearing.
Innovation Solution
An earphone device equipped with a distance sensor that determines the orientation of wearing by configuring reference distances based on the contours of the cavum concha and cymba concha, allowing for accurate identification of whether the left or right ear is being worn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If earphone devices are designed in paired form with left and right earpieces, then audio content can be emitted differently to each ear, but the left and right ear devices become indistinguishable, causing user confusion and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation through color coding or distinct visual markers on the earphone devices. One earpiece is marked with a specific color or visual indicator (e.g., a dot, stripe, or colored ring) that allows users to easily distinguish between left and right earpieces at a glance, eliminating confusion while maintaining the functional pairing of the devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric design elements such as different shapes, sizes, or structural features on the left and right earpieces. For example, the earphones may have asymmetric vent configurations, different ear tip shapes, or non-symmetric housing designs that make them inherently distinguishable, allowing users to correctly identify which earpiece belongs to which ear without additional markings
2Reliability
If users manually identify the correct orientation for wearing earphones, then accurate audio delivery can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic orientation detection functionality that allows the earphones to self-identify their correct wearing orientation. The system uses sensors (such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, or distance sensors) to detect the position of the earpiece relative to the user's ear and automatically adjusts audio delivery accordingly, eliminating the need for manual orientation identification by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the earphone system continuously monitors the wearing status through sensors and provides real-time information to the user. This may include visual indicators on a companion app, haptic feedback through vibrations, or audio cues that guide the user to the correct orientation, ensuring accurate audio delivery without requiring the user to manually determine the correct ear placement
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 universal wearing of earphones without the need to identify the orientation, enhancing user convenience and accuracy in wearing.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor configured to obtain distance information
Data Source
AI summary
An earphone device and an identifying method of wearing are provided. The upper limit distance and the lower limit distance of the reference range are configured, where the upper limit distance and the lower limit distance are based on the distances between the reference position of the earphone device and the contour of the cavum concha or the cymba concha, respectively. Whether the distance information obtained by the distance sensor is within the reference range is determined, to generate left and right decision information, where the left and right decision information is whether the right ear is worn or the left ear is worn.