Earpiece Acoustic Transparency via Canal Shape Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ear canal devices can cause a decrease in auditory acuity due to their position, leading to diminished auditory inputs, and there is a need to restore audio transparency while using these devices.
Innovation Solution
An earpiece with a processor, microphone, and speaker is placed within the external auditory canal to detect and reproduce ambient environmental sound, modifying it based on the canal's shape to provide acoustic transparency, and optionally includes biological sensors like a pulse oximeter and temperature sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ear canal device is placed within the external auditory canal to provide stable positioning and biometric monitoring, then device stability and monitoring capability are improved, but auditory acuity decreases due to blockage of the ear canal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of microphones positioned in the ear canal and speakers positioned near the eardrum. These intermediaries capture ambient sound waves before they reach the eardrum and reproduce them after passing through the device, thereby mediating the interaction between the blocking device and the auditory system to maintain auditory acuity while preserving device stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the auditory pathway into distinct functional zones: microphones capture sound in the outer ear canal, the processor analyzes and modifies the sound signal, and speakers reproduce the sound near the eardrum. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while collectively resolving the contradiction between device presence and auditory transparency
2Reliability
If the ear canal is blocked by the device to enable stable wear and biometric sensing, then device reliability is improved, but ambient sound detection is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by positioning microphones to capture ambient sound waves before they are blocked or distorted by the device structure. The sound capture occurs at the entrance of the ear canal where ambient sounds are still intact, allowing the system to preserve full ambient sound information despite the subsequent blockage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the device modifies ambient sound to account for ear canal shape, then acoustic transparency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting sound signal parameters (frequency response, amplitude, timing) based on the measured geometry of the individual user's ear canal. The processor modifies the ambient sound parameters to compensate for the specific acoustical characteristics of that user's ear canal, achieving acoustic transparency tailored to the individual while managing complexity through algorithmic processing
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 allows users to perceive ambient sounds as if the earpiece were not present, maintaining unaffected hearing and avoiding the need for diminished auditory inputs, while also enabling biometric monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing wherein the at least one earpiece is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound
Implementation Method 2
reproduce the ambient environmental sound at the at least one speaker within the earpiece housing
Data Source
AI summary
An ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal includes an earpiece housing configured for placement within the external auditory canal of the individual, a processor disposed within the ear piece housing, at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing wherein the at least one earpiece is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound, and at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing. The ear piece is configured to detect ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone and reproduce the ambient environmental sound at the at least one speaker within the earpiece housing. The processor is further configured to modify the ambient environmental sound based on shape of the external auditory canal such that audio perception of the ambient environmental sound is as if the ear piece was not present.