Haptic Headphone Calibration for Bass Sensation and Acoustic Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headphones, particularly mobile devices, struggle to produce an immersive bass experience without increasing sound pressure levels (SPL) or consuming excessive power, and lack the ability to tailor sound profiles to individual users, genres, or songs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a haptic device in headphones that provides vibrations through the headband, combined with sound processing components to enhance bass sensation and using metadata to match sound profiles to user preferences, genres, or songs, while minimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If large drivers (subwoofers) are used to generate bass, then bass volume is improved, but device size and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebass volumeVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional acoustic drivers with a haptic actuator that generates bass sensations through tactile feedback rather than acoustic pressure. The actuator vibrates the headphone structure to create bone conduction effects, substituting mechanical acoustic generation with direct mechanical vibration transmission to the user's skull.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from three-dimensional acoustic wave propagation in air to direct one-dimensional mechanical vibration transmission through solid structures (headphone frame to skull). This dimensional change allows bass generation without requiring large driver surfaces or high acoustic power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stress or pressure

If large amplifiers are used to drive subwoofers, then bass output is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebass outputVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces high-power acoustic amplification with low-power haptic actuation. The haptic actuator requires minimal electrical power to generate vibrations that are mechanically amplified through the rigid headphone structure and transmitted directly to the skull, avoiding the need for large amplifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The headphone structure itself serves as the vibration transmission medium, eliminating the need for separate high-power amplification systems. The rigid frame and earcup structures naturally amplify and transmit the haptic vibrations to the user's skull through bone conduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stress or pressure

If sound pressure levels are increased to enhance bass, then bass sensation is improved, but hearing safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebass sensationVSAvoidhearing safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces acoustic pressure stimulation with mechanical vibration stimulation through bone conduction. The haptic actuator vibrates the headphone structure which directly transmits mechanical energy to the skull bones, bypassing the eardrum and inner ear, thereby avoiding damage to the delicate acoustic structures while still providing strong bass sensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If sound profiles are customized for users and genres, then auditory experience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound profile customizationVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-configured sound profiles for different music genres and user preferences that are automatically applied based on metadata analysis. The customization logic and frequency response adjustments are predetermined and stored, requiring minimal real-time processing when a user selects a profile or genre.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 bass sensation and auditory experience by delivering immersive audio and tactile feedback without increasing SPL, while reducing power requirements and allowing personalized sound adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a haptic device in headphones that provides vibrations through the headband

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

provides vibrations through the headband, combined with sound processing components to enhance bass sensation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction:

Data Source

PatentUS12445790B2Reproducing audio signals with a haptic apparatus on acoustic headphones and their calibration and measurement

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 ALPINE ELECTRONICS OF SILICON VALLEY INC

AI summary

Method and devices for testing a headphone with increased sensation are provided. The headphone can filter and amplify low frequency audio signals, which are then sent to a haptic device in the headphone. The haptic device can cause bass sensations at the top of the skull and at both ear cups. The testing system can evaluate the haptic and acoustic sensations produced by the headphone to evaluate if they have been properly assembled and calibrate the headphones if necessary.