Optical Finger Navigation Module for Headphone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headphones, especially in-ear types, suffer from discomfort and difficulty in operation due to the lack of control buttons, while circumaural types are cumbersome and interfere with glasses when worn together. Wireless headphones lack suitable control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an optical finger navigation module on the headphone body that detects finger movements to generate control signals, allowing users to operate the device without visual input, using Bluetooth or NFC technology for communication with audio generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an in-ear type headphone device is used, then the headphone device is small and easily carried, but the user may be suffered from foreign body sensation and poor wear comfort in the ear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the headphone system into separate functional components: the earphone body for audio output and a separate control device for operation. This allows the earphone to remain small and comfortable while the control functions are handled by an external device, resolving the contradiction between compact size and operational comfort.
2Ease of operation
If a circumaural type headphone device is used, then the user's ear is surrounded by the headphone body providing comfort, but the headphone device is larger and difficulty carried
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control functionality from the headphone body itself and places it in a separate control device that can be carried independently. This allows the headphone body to be optimized for comfort without the bulk of control mechanisms, while the control device handles all operational functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the glasses and the circumaural type headphone device are simultaneously worn, then the glasses and the headphone device may interfere with each other, but it is difficult to wear both
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless control device as an intermediary between the user and the headphone system. This mediator handles all control operations wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical buttons on the headphone body that would interfere with glasses, while maintaining full functionality.
4Ease of operation
If plural buttons are installed on the connecting wire of the wired in-ear type headphone device, then the user can operate the headphone device, but the wireless headphone device is not suitably equipped with the plural buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control device with the user's smartphone or audio player, combining the control functions with an existing device the user already carries. This eliminates the need for separate physical buttons on the wireless headphone while maintaining full control functionality through the integrated device.
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 comfortable and efficient operation of headphones of various types, including in-ear and circumaural, without visual input, and accommodates users wearing glasses by providing a compact and cost-effective control solution.
Implementation Method 1
The optical finger navigation module is installed on the headphone body and exposed to an operating surface of the headphone body. When an operation on the optical finger navigation module with a finger of the user is detected by the optical finger navigation module, the optical finger navigation module generates a control signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A headphone device with a controlling function is provided. The headphone device includes a headphone body and an optical finger navigation module. The optical finger navigation module is installed on the headphone body and exposed to an operating surface of the headphone body. When the optical finger navigation module is operated with the user's finger, an audio generator in communication with the headphone device is correspondingly controlled. Since the optical finger navigation module is slim and small, the optical finger navigation module can be applied to various types of headphone devices.