Earphone Speaker Dual-Use for Biometric Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for biometric and aural sound measurements require dedicated hardware and electronics, increasing costs and development time, and are sensitive to background noise and user motion, limiting their use in everyday activities.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing the electro-acoustic output transducers of earphones to record and process aural sound signals for temperature, pulse rate, and voice signal measurements, leveraging existing off-the-shelf earphones and client terminals without special sensors or hardware, and employing audio processing circuits to compute these measurements during music playback or phone conversations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated temperature sensors and pulse rate sensors are added to earphones, then measurement functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the earphone output speaker to serve dual purposes: audio playback and biometric sensing. The electro-acoustic transducer records aural sound signals containing temperature, pulse rate, and voice information while simultaneously playing audio content. This eliminates the need for dedicated temperature sensors and pulse rate sensors, reducing hardware complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using the earphone's own output speaker to perform sensing functions. The electro-acoustic transducer that plays audio also captures aural sound signals for biometric measurements. This self-servicing approach removes the need for separate dedicated sensors, simplifying the device structure and reducing component count while enabling continuous biometric monitoring during everyday earphone use.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated sensors are used for biometric measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and continuous monitoring capability deteriorate due to stationary use requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous monitoring during daily activities by making the earphone output speaker multi-functional. The electro-acoustic transducer continuously records aural sound signals containing biometric information while the user engages in everyday activities like walking, exercising, or working. This eliminates the stationary use requirement of dedicated sensors, allowing uninterrupted biometric monitoring whenever the earphones are worn.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring by having the earphone output speaker continuously record aural sound signals during audio playback. The electro-acoustic transducer operates throughout the entire duration of earphone use, capturing temperature, pulse rate, and voice signals without interruption. This provides uninterrupted biometric data for health tracking and analysis during all daily activities.
3Measurement precision
If specialized sensors are incorporated into earphones, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and development time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost and development time by making the earphone output speaker multi-functional. The existing electro-acoustic transducer is configured to both play audio and record aural sound signals for biometric measurements. This eliminates the need to source, integrate, and calibrate separate dedicated temperature sensors, pulse rate sensors, and associated electronics, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing development timelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements cost reduction by having the earphone's output speaker perform sensing functions independently. The electro-acoustic transducer uses its inherent capability to convert electrical signals to acoustic signals and back, enabling it to capture biometric information without requiring external specialized sensors. This self-servicing approach eliminates additional component costs, assembly steps, and calibration requirements associated with dedicated sensing hardware.
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 convenient and continuous biometric and environmental measurements, reducing costs and enhancing usability by allowing measurements during daily activities without the need for stationary use or specialized equipment.
Implementation Method 1
Earphones for mobile devices contain dedicated electro-acoustic output transducers, also referred to as earphone output speakers, to play music and/or voice signals from remote participants
Implementation Method 2
The method may comprise instructing an audio processing integrated circuit of a local client terminal to record a voice signal from the one or more electro-acoustic output transducer
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of using an earphone output speaker as a microphone for a phone call between two and/or more participants, or for measuring biometric data of a user. The method may comprise playing a received signal to an electro-acoustic output transducer of an earphone. The method may comprise instructing an audio processing circuit of a local client terminal to record an audio signal from the same electro-acoustic output transducer. The method may comprise calculating a voice signal and/or a biometric measurement based on a function combining the recorded audio signal, the received signal, and filtration coefficients, using a processing unit of the local client terminal. The method may comprise sending the voice signal and/or a biometric measurement through an output interface of the local client terminal.