Earphone Wearing State Detection via Tilt Sensor Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic devices, such as earphones, face power wastage issues due to the need for additional components like contact switches to detect fitting states, increasing the number of components and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic device with an operating portion and a control unit that determines the wearing state of earphones using a detection unit, such as a tilt sensor, to implement noise cancelling or energy-saving functions, reducing power consumption without increasing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact switches are provided in the earphone portion to detect fitting state, then the fitting state can be detected, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted from the earphone portion and relocated to the operating portion (remote controller). The operating portion generates information for determining the wearing state, while the earphone portion simply outputs sound, thereby reducing components in the earphone portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating portion is given multiple functions: it not only controls sound playback but also generates information for determining the wearing state. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection components in the earphone portion.
2Ease of operation
If sound playback continues in non-fitting state, then user convenience is maintained, but power is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives information from the operating portion about the wearing state and automatically adjusts sound playback accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic power management without requiring user intervention, resolving the contradiction between convenience and energy efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If detection unit is built-in in earphone portion, then wearing state can be detected, but the size of earphone portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit is extracted from the earphone portion and its functionality is transferred to the operating portion. The operating portion generates information for determining the wearing state, allowing the earphone portion to maintain a compact size without built-in detection components.
4Reliability
If noise cancelling function is implemented continuously, then sound quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The noise cancelling function is made dynamic by enabling it only when the wearing state is confirmed. The control unit implements the noise cancelling function based on the determined wearing state, adjusting system behavior according to actual usage conditions to optimize both sound quality and power consumption.
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
The solution effectively reduces power consumption by determining the earphone state and adjusting functions accordingly, minimizing component count and preventing false detection, thus optimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
The operating portion may include a tilt sensor as the detection unit
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic device according to the present technology includes an operating portion and a control unit. The operating portion generates information for determining whether a state of an earphone portion is a wearing state in which the earphone portion is worn by the user, or a non-wearing state in which the earphone portion is not worn by the user. The control unit determines whether the earphone portion is in the wearing state or in the non-wearing state on the basis of output from the operating portion, and implements a function based on a result of the determination.