Headphone Wear Detection Using Coded Audio Reflection Timing
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) systems face issues with power consumption when not in use due to the lack of effective wear detection mechanisms, often relying on additional mechanical sensors that increase cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing an existing speaker as the audio playback unit and a feedback microphone with the ANC system as the audio receiving unit to transmit and receive coded audio signals at varying frequencies, determining wear status based on the time points of signal reflection, without requiring additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional mechanical sensors such as touch sensors or magnets are used to detect wear status, then wear detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing headphone components (speaker and microphone used for ANC) perform dual functions: their original audio functions plus wear detection function. The speaker plays coded signals and the microphone receives reflected signals, enabling wear status detection without adding dedicated sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The headphone system uses its own existing components to detect its own wear status. The speaker and microphone that are already part of the headphone structure are utilized for self-detection, eliminating the need for external or additional detection devices.
2Measurement precision
If additional mechanical sensors such as touch sensors or magnets are used to detect wear status, then wear detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing headphone components (speaker and microphone used for ANC) perform dual functions: their original audio functions plus wear detection function. The speaker plays coded signals and the microphone receives reflected signals, enabling wear status detection without adding dedicated sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The headphone system uses its own existing components to detect its own wear status. The speaker and microphone that are already part of the headphone structure are utilized for self-detection, eliminating the need for external or additional detection devices.
3Reliability
If the headphone continues to operate without wear detection, then operational reliability is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wear detection is performed periodically by sending coded signals at specific intervals rather than continuously monitoring. The signal processor transmits coded signals through the speaker and measures reflection time periodically to determine wear status, allowing the system to remain operational while consuming less power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the reflected signals to determine wear status. The microphone receives reflected coded signals, and the signal processor analyzes the reflection time to detect whether the headphone is being worn, enabling automatic power management decisions.
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
Enables accurate wear status detection without increasing cost or complexity, ensuring efficient power management by using existing headphone components for ANC systems.
Implementation Method 1
The signal processor obtains a plurality of first time points at which the first audio receiving unit receives the plurality of first audio signals that are reflected for the first time
Data Source
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AI summary
A headphone (100) and a headphone status detection method are provided. A signal processor (101) of the headphone (100) transmits a plurality of code messages to a first audio playback unit (102), so that the first audio playback unit (102) plays a plurality of first audio signals with different frequencies corresponding to the code messages according to a playback sequence. The signal processor (101) obtains a plurality of first time points at which a first audio receiving unit (103) receives the first audio signals that are reflected for the first time. The signal processor (101) determines a wear status of the headphone according to the plurality of first time points.