Extendable Microphone Rod for Earbuds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless earbuds with microphones positioned further from the user's mouth tend to pick up more background noise, leading to lower sound quality of the user's voice, especially in loud environments.
Innovation Solution
A headset with an extendable rod that includes a microphone, where a sensor detects incoming signals and an actuator extends or retracts the rod to optimize the microphone's position relative to the user's mouth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the microphone is positioned further from the user's mouth in wireless earbuds, then wireless freedom and mobility are improved, but background noise pickup increases and voice sound quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the microphone position adjustable rather than fixed. The extendable rod with motorized actuation allows the microphone to dynamically change its distance from the user's mouth based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between wireless freedom and noise pickup by enabling adaptive positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the headset into modular components, specifically separating the microphone assembly onto an extendable rod that can be independently controlled from the main earbud body. This segmentation allows the microphone to be positioned optimally for voice capture while the earbud remains in the ear for wireless freedom.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the microphone is positioned closer to the user's mouth, then voice sound quality improves and background noise pickup reduces, but device complexity and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the nesting principle by placing the extendable rod with microphone inside or alongside the earbud housing. The rod can be retracted into the body when not in use, keeping the device compact, and extended when voice capture is needed, thus reducing overall device complexity while enabling adjustable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an automated motorized actuation system controlled by sensors. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity of manual adjustment components while achieving precise microphone positioning through electronic control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual adjustment of microphone position is required, then voice capture quality can be optimized, but ease of operation decreases and user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by enabling the microphone positioning system to automatically adjust itself based on sensor inputs and detected conditions. The system self-regulates the microphone distance from the user's mouth without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining voice capture quality while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to detect user actions, voice patterns, or environmental conditions, and automatically adjusting the microphone position in response. This closed-loop feedback system optimizes voice capture quality while eliminating the need for manual adjustment, enhancing user convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
A headset includes a body, and at least one earpiece is connected to the body. The at least one earpiece includes a speaker. An extendable rod is arranged on an inner or an outer surface of the main body, the extendable rod having a first end and a second end. A microphone is proximally arranged at a second end of the extendable rod. A sensor is arranged in the body, the sensor is configured to detect an incoming signal. An actuator is attached proximal to the first end of the extendable rod. The actuator is configured to extend and/or retract the extendable rod in response to an output signal from the sensor.