User State Recognition for Automatic Headset Audio Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of head-mounted audio devices face the need for complex operations to activate or deactivate noise reduction and ambient functions as their state or situation changes, requiring frequent adjustments and removal of the device.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that recognizes a user's state through detection and controls audio output using a function map, allowing seamless switching between noise reduction and ambient functions without manual intervention, by associating settings with various user states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If noise reduction and ambient functions are selectively activated/deactivated according to user state changes, then audio output suitability is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio output suitabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects user state through sensors (acceleration, gyroscope, proximity) and switches between noise reduction and ambient functions without user intervention. The device serves itself by monitoring its own usage context and adjusting audio output mode accordingly, eliminating the need for manual function switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-associates function maps that define appropriate audio output settings for various user states before actual state changes occur. When a state change is detected, the corresponding pre-prepared function map is immediately applied, enabling seamless transitions without requiring real-time decision-making or user input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual switching between noise reduction and ambient functions is required, then function control precision is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction control precisionVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors user state through sensor feedback (acceleration, gyroscope, proximity detections) and automatically adjusts audio output functions based on the detected state. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures precise function control matched to actual usage conditions while eliminating the time delay associated with manual switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual switching system with an automated electronic control system that uses sensor data and pre-defined function maps to switch between noise reduction and ambient modes. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual operation while maintaining precise control through electronic state detection and automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11256473B2Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

To enable listening to audio in a more suitable mode without any complicated operation even in a situation in which the user's state or situation successively changes. An information processing device including: a recognition processing unit that recognizes a user's state in accordance with a detection result of a predetermined state or situation; and an output control unit that controls audio output from a predetermined output unit on the basis of a function map, which is selected in accordance with a predetermined condition, in which a setting related to control of the audio output is associated with each of a plurality of candidates for the user's state, and the recognized user's state.