Earplug Acoustic Feedback for Sound Leakage and Abnormal Sound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in enjoying music at a satisfactory volume without compromising sound quality or disturbing others, especially when sound insulation is not available, and existing solutions like surround headphones do not allow for effective communication between multiple users.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic device with an earplug unit containing a speaker and microphone, along with a signal processing unit that amplifies and smooths frequency characteristics, includes a mute processing unit and abnormal sound detection to prevent sound leakage and maintain sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the volume is increased to enjoy music at a satisfactory level, then the music appreciation quality is improved, but sound leakage to the surrounding area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the audio output into two separate paths: one for the user's ear (through the earplug) and one for the surrounding environment (through the speaker). This segmentation allows the user to enjoy high-volume music privately while the speaker outputs a lower-volume version that does not disturb neighbors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different sound quality characteristics to different locations: the earplug delivers high-fidelity, high-volume sound directly to the user's ear, while the speaker provides lower-volume sound for the surrounding environment. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between user satisfaction and neighborhood consideration.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If surround headphones are used to enjoy music at satisfactory volume, then sound leakage is reduced, but communication between multiple users becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the system universally applicable to both individual and group usage scenarios. The speaker component enables multiple users to communicate and share the music experience, while the earplug component maintains individual sound isolation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between sound leakage prevention and communication capability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If sound insulation treatment is performed on an audio room, then sound leakage is reduced, but the complexity and cost of the setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sound isolation function from the room structure itself and relocates it to a portable earplug device. Instead of modifying the room with complex insulation treatments, the user simply inserts the earplug to achieve the same sound isolation effect, dramatically reducing the complexity and cost of the solution.
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 users to appreciate music at a satisfactory volume while minimizing sound leakage, protecting acoustic sense and maintaining sound quality without damaging the constructed music appreciation environment.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker arranged at an eardrum side
Implementation Method 2
a microphone arranged at a side opposite to the eardrum side, and a signal processing unit that processes an output signal of the microphone
Implementation Method 3
a volume adjusting unit that performs an amplification process on the output signal of the microphone
Implementation Method 4
a frequency characteristic is smoothed in a band larger than at least an audible frequency band in a system from the microphone to the speaker
Data Source
AI summary
An earplug unit includes a signal processing unit. The earplug unit is inserted into an external auditory canal and then used. In the earplug unit, a speaker is arranged at an eardrum side, and a microphone is arranged at a side opposite to the eardrum side. The microphone collects a sound in which a user's head shape or auricle characteristic is reflected. An output signal of the microphone is amplification-processed by a volume adjusting unit and then supplied to the speaker. An amplified sound is output from the speaker. A frequency characteristic is smoothed in a band larger than at least an audible frequency band in a system from the microphone to the speaker.