Headphone Sensor Module for Automatic Playback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headphones do not automatically manage music playback or power states based on user wear status, leading to interruptions and inconsistent listening experiences due to user forgetfulness.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a sensor module that detects elastic deformation of the headphone when worn or removed, triggering automatic control of music pause/start or power on/off actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the headphone is removed temporarily, then the user can be affected by surrounding environment, but the music playback continues running causing inconsistent listening experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurrounding environment interferenceVSAvoidlistening experience consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module continuously detects whether the headphone is worn by the user and provides feedback to the control module, which automatically adjusts music playback state accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the system responds dynamically to user needs, pausing music when removed and resuming when worn, thereby maintaining consistent listening experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The headphone system automatically manages its own playback state based on sensor detection without requiring manual user intervention. The control module autonomously pauses or resumes music based on the detected wear status, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for users to manually pause music before removing headphones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the user manually pauses music before removing headphone, then the listening experience consistency is improved, but the operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelistening experience consistencyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the pause/resume action automatically based on sensor detection of wear status. The control module monitors the sensor module's output and autonomously controls the music playback state, completely eliminating the need for manual user operations while maintaining consistent listening experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor module provides continuous feedback on wear status to the control module, which automatically adjusts playback accordingly. This automated feedback-loop eliminates manual intervention requirements while ensuring music is paused only when appropriate, simplifying user operation while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If a sensor module is added to detect wear status, then the automatic control function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic playback controlVSAvoidheadphone structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical switches or buttons with a sensor module that detects wear status through elastic deformation or contact pressure. This substitution using sensing technology simplifies the overall control mechanism while achieving more reliable and automatic detection compared to traditional mechanical approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor module serves multiple functions: detecting wear status, triggering playback control, and potentially enabling other smart features. By designing a multi-functional component, the patent minimizes the addition of separate dedicated parts, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving automatic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures seamless music experience by automatically managing playback and power states based on user interaction, enhancing user convenience and consistency.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic deformation will occur at a headband (1) and a joining structure (3) of the headphone (100) while wearing and taking off the headphone (100). The headphone (100) detects usage states thereof by sensing the foregoing elastic deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2894875B1Headphone
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 CHENG UEI PRECISION IND CO LTD
  • EP2894875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2894875B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2894875B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A headphone includes a headphone assembly which includes a head band, two joining structures and two in-ear components pivoted to two ends of the head band by the joining structures, and a sensor module which is disposed in the headphone assembly and includes an upper part, a lower part and a press sensor disposed between the upper part and the lower part and having a sensing face. The upper part and the lower part are designated with inner structures of the head band or the in-ear components. The press sensor detects the states of the headphone by judging whether the sensing face is pressed by the upper or lower part by virtue of elastic deformation or movement of the upper part and the lower part at the head band and the joining structure while wearing and removing the headphone. The headphone reacts the signals received from the press sensor to control actions thereof.