Networked Headphones with Touch Sensor for Content Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current headphones lack the ability to control or interact with audio or visual content at the audio source and do not provide connectivity to networks for interactive content, social media, or other users.
Innovation Solution
The development of networked headphones that connect to a media player via hardwire or wireless connections, allowing users to interact with social media sites, email providers, and ad providers through touch sensor arrays, enabling commands for audio playback, social media interactions, and content sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If headphones are designed for basic audio playback only, then device complexity is low, but adaptability and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The headphone device is designed to perform multiple functions beyond basic audio playback, including controlling media playback, accessing social media, sending emails, and browsing the internet. The touch-sensitive surface and integrated processor enable the headphones to function as a remote control and mobile computing device, allowing one device to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for separate accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the headphones with additional functionality by integrating a touch-sensitive surface, processor, and network communication capabilities directly into the headphone structure. This merging of audio playback functions with computing and communication functions creates a unified device that eliminates the need for separate remote controls or mobile devices for content interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If headphones include network connectivity and interaction capabilities, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated processor and touch-sensitive surface enable the headphones to handle multiple tasks including media control, social media access, email communication, and internet browsing through a single interface, making the device universally applicable for various interaction types without requiring separate specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-sensitive surface acts as an intermediary interface between the user and the multiple functions available on the headphones, providing a unified method for controlling media playback, accessing networks, and interacting with content without requiring separate controls for each function.
3Ease of operation
If touch sensor arrays and network connectivity are added to headphones, then ease of operation for content control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive surface provides an intuitive self-service interface where users can directly control media playback, access social media, and interact with content through natural touch gestures on the headphone surface itself, eliminating the need for separate remote controls or complex manual interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-sensitive surface serves as an intermediary that simplifies user interaction by providing a direct, intuitive interface for controlling multiple functions including playback, social media, and content access through natural touching and swiping gestures rather than complex button combinations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for connecting an interactive wearable device with a network. In one aspect, a method includes loading content from a playlist; recognizing contextual information relating to the content; determining the location of the user; requesting supplemental content via a network based on the contextual information and the location; displaying supplemental information to a user; interacting with the supplemental information at least in part via an interactive apparatus.