Environmental Sensor Headset Alerts During Continuous Audio Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gaming headsets lack the ability to dynamically adjust audio output based on the surrounding environment, failing to provide effective notifications or improve the gaming experience by sensing external conditions.

Innovation Solution

Integration of environment sensors within the headset that allow it to detect and respond to external conditions by adjusting volume, generating notifications, and altering audio output, including visual and vibration alerts, to enhance the gaming experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional gaming headsets output audio continuously, then audio output is maintained, but user awareness of external events is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awareness of external eventsVSAvoidcontinuous audio output

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The headset dynamically adjusts audio output based on detected environmental conditions. Sensors detect events such as movement or presence of other people, and the system responds by muting or lowering audio output during these events, creating a dynamic adaptation between continuous audio output and user awareness needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to detect environmental conditions and feeds this information back to the audio output control. The detected events trigger automatic adjustments to audio levels, creating a feedback loop that balances continuous audio output with situational awareness requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If environment sensors are integrated into the headset, then environmental detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental detection capabilityVSAvoidheadset structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headset integrates multiple sensors (movement sensors, proximity sensors, light sensors) that serve multiple functions. These sensors not only detect environmental conditions for audio adjustment but can also provide data for other gaming enhancements, making the added complexity serve multiple purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines audio processing, sensor integration, and environmental detection into a single headset unit. By merging these functions into one device rather than separate components, the system reduces overall system complexity while maintaining environmental detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11791790B2Method and system for a headset with integrated environmental sensors

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 VOYETRA TURTLE BEACH INC

AI summary

An electronic device receives audio from an audio source and outputs the audio via speakers of the device. While outputting the audio via the speakers, the device senses its surrounding environment, and adjusts its operation, based on the sensed environment, to alert a listener wearing the device. The adjustment may comprise generation of one or more audio, visual, and/or vibration notifications to the listener using the device. A volume of the audio output via the speakers may be adjusted based on the sensed surrounding environment. The device may detect whether a first condition is present in the surrounding environment, decrease the volume when the first condition is detected in the surrounding environment, and increase the volume when the first condition is not detected in the surrounding environment.