Earphone System With Remote Noise Analysis Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional earphones designed for sleep are either too large due to the need for active noise cancellation (ANC) or have limited battery life for noise masking, making them uncomfortable to wear and inefficient in use.
Innovation Solution
An earphone system with a remote unit that analyzes ambient noise and controls earphones wirelessly, optimizing noise masking and ANC only when needed, reducing power consumption by performing signal processing remotely and deactivating functions during sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation (ANC) is implemented in earphones, then noise reduction capability is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex signal processing function from the earphone device and relocates it to a separate server system. The earphone only retains the essential sound reproduction function, while the server remotely performs ambient sound analysis, noise identification, and generates cancellation signals. This extraction of complex processing functions resolves the contradiction by enabling ANC capability without requiring large onboard processing units or batteries in the earphone itself.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If noise masking function is provided continuously, then sleep quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the server system intermittently analyze ambient sound and generate noise masking signals only when needed, rather than continuous operation. The server monitors the environment and activates noise masking functions selectively based on detected noise levels and types, thereby improving sleep quality while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The server system automatically detects ambient noise characteristics and autonomously generates appropriate noise masking signals without requiring user intervention. The system self-adjusts the noise masking parameters based on real-time environmental conditions, providing continuous sleep protection while optimizing power usage through intelligent, condition-based activation rather than constant operation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased for long-lasting noise masking, then duration of action is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server system as an intermediary that handles the computationally intensive tasks of ambient sound analysis and noise masking signal generation. This mediator takes over the power-consuming processing functions from the earphone device, allowing the earphone to use a small battery while still providing long-lasting noise masking through the server's remote processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical battery-power system with a wireless communication-based solution. Instead of relying on large onboard batteries to power local processing, the system substitutes with wireless transmission of control signals from a server that performs the actual processing remotely. This substitution eliminates the need for large batteries while maintaining long duration of action.
4Speed
If ambient sound analysis is performed locally in earphones, then response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall noise control system into two distinct functional parts: a simple earphone device for sound reproduction and a separate server system for complex ambient sound analysis and signal processing. This segmentation allows the complex processing functions to be performed remotely while the earphone remains simple in design, resolving the contradiction between response time and device complexity.
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 comfortable, long-lasting noise masking and ANC without the need for large batteries, optimizing power use and adapting to varying noise levels for improved sleep quality.
Implementation Method 1
a remote unit that is separate from each of the at least one earphone, wherein the remote unit includes at least one microphone configured to capture ambient sound
Data Source
AI summary
An earphone system comprises at least one earphone configured to be inserted in an ear of a user, wherein each of the at least one earphone comprises at least one sound reproduction unit, and a remote unit that is separate from each of the at least one earphone, wherein the remote unit comprises at least one microphone configured to capture ambient sound. The remote unit is configured to evaluate, analyze and/or process the ambient sound captured by the at least one microphone, to determine one or more of at least one ambient sound parameter, at least one control parameter, and at least one control command, based at least on the evaluation, analysis and/or processing of the ambient sound, and to send the at least one ambient sound parameter, the at least one control parameter and/or the at least one control command to the at least one earphone.