TWS Earphone Volume Control Using Short and Long Touch Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional true wireless stereo (TWS) Bluetooth earphones face challenges in volume control due to limited operation buttons and increased manufacturing costs, with existing solutions either requiring additional parts or complicating the miniaturization process, and failing to allow immediate volume adjustment in both directions.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a single touch switch or mechanical button to control volume by distinguishing between short and long touches during media playback or phone calls, allowing incremental volume adjustments in both directions without additional hardware, thereby simplifying the operation logic and reducing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single touch switch is used for volume control, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the ease of operation is limited due to inability to control volume in both directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the single touch switch by introducing different touch durations (short touch vs. long touch) to achieve different functions. A short touch increases volume while a long touch decreases volume, allowing bidirectional volume control without additional buttons. This parameter-based differentiation resolves the contradiction by enabling multiple functions from a single control element.
2Ease of operation
If additional buttons or touchpad are added for volume control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single touch switch universal by assigning it multiple functions through different operational modes. The same button performs both volume up (short touch) and volume down (long touch) functions, as well as other controls like play/pause and call management. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for separate buttons while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
3Volume of moving object
If the main body of Bluetooth unit is miniaturized, then the portability is improved, but the number and size of operation buttons are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single multi-functional touch switch that performs multiple operations including volume up, volume down, play/pause, and call management. This universal control element fits within the miniaturized form factor while providing comprehensive operation capabilities, resolving the conflict between small size and operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different touch parameters (duration, pattern) on the single button to achieve multiple functions. This allows the miniaturized device to maintain full operational capability without requiring multiple physical buttons, as the same small button can be operated in different ways to perform various functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for controlling volume of a true wireless stereo bluetooth earphone including a pair of left and right touch switches, the method including recognizing a user's touch during media playback or a phone call; determining whether the touch is a shorter touch or a longer touch than a configuration time; increasing the volume by one increment while entering a volume-up mode when the touch is a short touch, according to the determining; determining whether there is an additional short touch within the configuration time; returning to the increasing of the volume by one increment each time there is an additional short touch, according to the determining; returning to checking whether a first volume control mode is entered by existing the volume-up mode when there is no touch for the configuration time; and several additional determining.