EEG Earphone Eartip Structure for Stable Ear Canal Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional earphones fail to maintain consistent electrode contact with varying ear shapes and ear canals, leading to inaccurate electroencephalogram signal acquisition and estimation.

Innovation Solution

The earphones feature elastic eartips and housings with adjustable joint mechanisms, along with elastic electrodes and grounding electrodes, ensuring precise electroencephalogram signal acquisition by conforming to individual ear shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional rigid electrodes are used in earphones, then manufacturing is simple, but electrode contact with varying ear shapes is poor leading to inaccurate electroencephalogram signal acquisition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectroencephalogram signal acquisition accuracyVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible eartips made of elastic material that can deform to conform to the unique shape of each user's ear canal. These flexible eartips integrate electrodes that maintain stable contact with the ear canal wall, solving the problem of poor electrode contact with varying ear shapes while enabling accurate electroencephalogram signal acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the electrode structure from rigid to flexible by using elastic materials for the eartips. This parameter change allows the electrode-bearing eartips to adapt their shape dynamically, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If generalized models are used for state estimation, then processing is simple and fast, but state estimation accuracy for individual users is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate estimation accuracyVSAvoidmodel processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-learning mechanism where the system automatically adapts to each user's characteristics through continuous data collection and model training. The processing unit learns individual user patterns over time, enabling accurate state estimation customized for each user without requiring manual configuration or complex initial setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where electroencephalogram signal data is continuously collected, used to train and refine the learning model, and then applied to improve state estimation accuracy. This feedback mechanism enables the system to progressively adapt to individual user characteristics, enhancing measurement precision while managing processing complexity through iterative improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 electrode contact and accuracy in electroencephalogram signal acquisition, allowing for personalized state estimation using customized models.

Implementation Method 1

a housing (112) having elasticity on at least one end portion side; an eartip (110) that is mounted on the end portion side of the housing (112) having the elasticity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250375137A1Earphone, information processing device, and information processing method
Publication Date: 2025.12.11 VIE INC
  • US20250375137A1 patent drawing
  • US20250375137A1 patent drawing
  • US20250375137A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is an earphone in which electroencephalogram electrodes come into close contact more readily when worn. An earphone includes a housing having elasticity on at least one end portion side outer layer, a speaker accommodated inside the housing, and an eartip that is fixed on the end portion side of the housing having the elasticity, and that includes a sound conduit portion through which sound from the speaker passes, and an elastic electrode that performs sensing of an electroencephalogram of a wearer.