Headphones with Sensor-Based Orientation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in correctly orienting headphones, especially when using spatial audio or engaging in activities like gaming or navigation, due to the need to visually check the orientation markings, which can be distracting and unsafe, especially while moving or driving.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors such as accelerometers, GPS, and microphones in headphones to automatically detect and correct the orientation by analyzing user motion, trajectory, and sound direction, eliminating the need for visual confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users visually check orientation markings on headphones before putting them on, then correct orientation is ensured, but user safety and convenience deteriorate due to distractions especially while moving or driving
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting its own orientation using sensors (accelerometer, GPS, microphone) and self-corrects by swapping audio channels when misorientation is detected, eliminating the need for user intervention and visual checking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual orientation checking method with an automated sensor-based detection system that uses accelerometers, GPS, and microphones to determine orientation and automatically corrects it through software control of audio channel assignment
2Ease of operation
If automatic orientation detection using sensors is implemented, then user safety and convenience improve by eliminating visual checks, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages sensors that serve multiple functions: accelerometers and GPS used for orientation detection can also support motion tracking, step counting, and location-based features, while microphones used for orientation can support voice commands and noise cancellation, thereby amortizing the complexity across multiple useful functions
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor data to detect orientation changes and provides real-time feedback by automatically adjusting audio channel assignment, creating a closed-loop system that maintains correct orientation without user intervention
3Device complexity
If manual orientation checking is required, then device complexity remains low, but productivity deteriorates due to time spent on orientation verification
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary orientation detection and correction automatically at the moment of headphone connection or when orientation change is detected, eliminating the need for subsequent manual checking and ensuring correct orientation before audio playback begins
Solution Approach 2:
The headphones automatically detect and correct their own orientation without requiring user time for verification, making the orientation process transparent and instantaneous from the user perspective
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 hands-free, safe, and correct headphone orientation, enhancing user experience by automating the channel correction process, reducing distractions, and improving usability during active tasks.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating sensors such as accelerometers, GPS, and microphones in headphones to automatically detect and correct the orientation by analyzing user motion
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating sensors such as accelerometers, GPS, and microphones in headphones to automatically detect and correct the orientation by analyzing user motion, trajectory
Implementation Method 3
Incorporating sensors such as accelerometers, GPS, and microphones in headphones to automatically detect and correct the orientation by analyzing user motion, trajectory, and sound direction
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided in order to determine a physical orientation of a headphone device, based on at least a direction and a motion of movement using one or more sensors located within the headphone device, wherein the motion of the movement is determined based on a determination of acceleration or trajectory of the headphone device, wherein the determined trajectory is a motion activity of the headphone device, and the direction of the movement is determined using at least another one of the one or more sensors using one or more sensors within the headphone device; determine whether a user is wearing the headphone device in a correct or incorrect headphone channel orientation based on the determined physical orientation using the determined at least a direction and a motion of movement based on the respective outputs from the one or more sensors, the correct headphone channel orientation being a left channel placed to a left ear of the user and a right channel placed to a right ear of the user; and provide an indication of the determined physical orientation or adjust the output channel configuration of the apparatus for the headphone device so that a left output channel is to be provided to the left ear and a right output channel is to be provided to the right ear even when the headphone channel orientation is incorrect.