Wireless Headset Headband Gesture Sensing with Analog Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless headsets cannot detect headband gesture states when the headset is not being used or is being pried open, leading to inefficient power consumption and battery life.
Innovation Solution
A wireless headset equipped with a headband profile state sensor, such as a pressure sensor or strain gauge, that detects changes in resistance to determine whether the headset is worn, unworn, or being pried apart, allowing the headset to transition to a low power or sleep mode when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the wireless headset continuously monitors headset state to detect user interactions, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless headset performs periodic monitoring of headset state through the headband profile state sensor rather than continuous monitoring. The system checks the resistance value at predetermined intervals to detect changes in headset state (worn, unworn, or being pried apart), enabling accurate detection while allowing the processor to enter low-power modes between monitoring cycles, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The headband profile state sensor automatically detects changes in resistance caused by headset state changes without requiring active user input or complex processing. The sensor self-regulates by providing resistance value changes that directly indicate whether the headset is being worn, unworn, or pried apart, reducing the computational burden and power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy
2Duration of action of moving object
If the wireless headset uses a headband profile state sensor to detect headset state, then the battery life is extended through low power mode transitions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the headset state detection function from complex processor-based monitoring and implements it through a dedicated headband profile state sensor that measures resistance changes in the headband. This separates the detection function into a simple, low-power sensor component, extending battery life by enabling accurate state detection without requiring complex processing or continuous power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects headset state changes by monitoring parameter changes in electrical resistance through the headband profile state sensor. When the resistance value changes beyond a threshold, the system transitions between operational states (active, idle, or low-power mode), extending battery life through automated state transitions based on simple resistance measurements rather than complex sensor arrays
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
The solution enables the wireless headset to accurately detect user interactions, thereby reducing power consumption and extending battery life by automatically transitioning to a low power mode when the headset is not being used.
Implementation Method 1
A wireless headset equipped with a headband profile state sensor, such as a pressure sensor or strain gauge, that detects changes in resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless headset includes a microcontroller and a first earpiece and a second earpiece to provide audio output to a user. The wireless headset includes a flexible headband coupled to the first earpiece and second earpiece and a headband profile state sensor. The headband profile state sensor detects when the headset is in a headset un-worn headband gesture state and a worn headband gesture state by detecting a change in resistance value at a headband profile state sensor when a distance between the earpieces is increased and decreased thereby flexing the headband. A headband state circuit includes a comparator to detect a change in the resistance at the headband profile state sensor. The headband state circuit may be dynamically adjusted via bias gain used to ensure the headband state circuit is able to detect transitions between the headset un-worn headband gesture state and the headset worn headband gesture state.