Hearing Protection Earphone with Dynamic Volume Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hearing protection solutions for audio devices are inadequate as they do not account for individual user preferences and environmental noise levels, leading to ineffective hearing protection and user discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A hearing protection earphone with a sound control system that includes a wearing-status sensing module and a main control module, which adjusts volume based on wearing time and environmental noise, enabling denoising operations to optimize audio experience and protect hearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If volume is increased to better hear music content, then audio quality is improved, but hearing damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio qualityVSAvoidhearing damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the volume parameter based on accumulated listening time. Initially, the volume is maintained at a comfortable level for the user, but as listening time accumulates, the volume is automatically reduced to prevent hearing damage. This parameter change over time resolves the contradiction between maintaining good audio quality and preventing hearing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller monitors listening time and uses this information to adjust volume settings. The feedback loop continuously evaluates the relationship between listening duration and volume level, automatically reducing volume when thresholds are exceeded, thus preventing hearing damage while maintaining user comfort during normal listening periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If volume threshold is set to protect hearing, then hearing damage risk is reduced, but user comfort deteriorates due to perceived volume reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing damage riskVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary action by monitoring and accumulating listening time before actually reducing volume. The volume reduction is not immediate but occurs after a predetermined period of continuous listening, allowing users to enjoy full volume comfort during normal listening while automatically protecting hearing when listening becomes excessive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The volume control system is dynamic rather than static. Instead of setting a fixed volume threshold that immediately reduces comfort, the system dynamically adjusts volume based on the duration of listening. This dynamic approach maintains user comfort during normal use while automatically implementing protection when listening patterns indicate potential harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If listening time is extended to satisfy user needs, then user satisfaction is improved, but hearing damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser satisfactionVSAvoidhearing damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring of listening time with automatic volume reduction at predetermined intervals. This periodic action allows users to listen for extended periods with full volume comfort, but automatically intervenes when listening duration reaches thresholds that could cause hearing damage, thus balancing user satisfaction with hearing protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Device complexity

If simple volume reduction method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiduser adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service by automatically monitoring individual user listening patterns and adapting volume control accordingly. Each user's listening time is independently tracked and processed, allowing the system to automatically adjust volume for each user based on their specific usage patterns without requiring manual configuration or complex user profiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10674247B2Hearing protection earphone, hearing protection method and computer program storage medium for the same

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 MERRY ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a hearing protection earphone, a hearing protection method and a computer program storage medium, comprising a sound control system including a wearing-status sensing module for monitoring a current wearing status of the hearing protection earphone, sending a first monitoring signal when it is determined that the hearing protection earphone is in a wearing state, and sending a second monitoring signal when it is determined that the hearing protection earphone is in a non-wearing state; and a main control module for enabling a play function corresponding to a play mode which is adapted to the hearing protection earphone currently when the first monitoring signal sent from the wearing-status sensing module is received, and counting a stand-by time of the protection earphone and turning off the hearing protection earphone after a preset stand-by time elapses when the second monitoring signal sent from the wearing-status sensing module is received.