Earpiece Position Detection Using Dual Microphone Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal acoustic devices face issues with user safety and ease of use due to cumbersome controls and inconveniently located control interfaces, often leading to forgotten operations when positioning or removing the device from the ear.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the operating state of an earpiece or the entire personal acoustic device by analyzing signals from inner and outer microphones, using transfer functions to differentiate between being positioned near an ear and not, and taking actions such as altering power, noise reduction, or signaling other devices accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If controls are minimized in physical size to reduce device weight and size, then device portability is improved, but control operability becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects earpiece positioning state through microphone signal analysis and autonomously operates controls (power switching, noise reduction activation) without requiring manual user interaction. The device serves itself by using its own microphones to detect state changes and trigger appropriate control actions.
Solution Approach 2:
Physical mechanical controls are replaced with automated electronic detection and control systems. The mechanical act of pressing buttons or switches is substituted by electronic signal processing that automatically detects earpiece insertion/removal and triggers corresponding control functions through the control circuit.
2Ease of operation
If control interfaces are integrated onto the personal acoustic device to improve accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing microphones, originally designed for audio processing, are made multi-functional by also using them for positioning state detection. The control circuit leverages existing hardware components (microphones, signal processing capabilities) to perform both audio functions and positioning detection, avoiding the need for separate dedicated sensors or control interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own existing resources (microphones and control circuit) to automatically detect positioning state and operate controls, eliminating the need for additional external control interfaces or separate detection systems.
3Ease of operation
If automated positioning detection is implemented to improve safety and ease of use, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is enhanced to perform dual functions: traditional audio signal processing and positioning state detection. By making the control circuit multi-functional and leveraging existing microphone hardware, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated detection systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall 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
Enhances user safety and ease of use by automatically determining the device's state, reducing the likelihood of forgotten operations and improving control convenience through automated adjustments and notifications.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing an inner signal output by an inner microphone disposed within a cavity of a casing of an earpiece of a personal acoustic device and an outer signal output by an outer microphone disposed on the personal acoustic device so as to be acoustically coupled to an environment external to the casing of the earpiece
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for determining an operating state of an earpiece of a personal acoustic device and/or the entirety of the personal acoustic device through tests to determine the current operating state, wherein the tests differ depending on a current power mode of the personal acoustic device, and wherein at least one lower power test is employed during at least one lower power mode.