Wearable Audio Control Platform for Accessory-Based ANR Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable audio devices fail to adapt their functionality to distinct uses based on attached accessories, lacking the ability to apply distinct active noise reduction (ANR) configurations, equalization settings, and operating profiles.
Innovation Solution
The wearable audio device includes a control platform that manages accessory interactions by selecting and switching between different ANR configurations based on connected accessories, using processors to read accessory identifiers and respond to triggers, allowing customization of audio device settings such as ANR, EQ, and operating profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wearable audio device uses a single fixed ANR configuration, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot adapt to different accessories and use scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic ANR configuration switching based on accessory detection. The control platform automatically selects different ANR configurations (e.g., first ANR configuration for boom microphones, second ANR configuration for other accessories) by detecting which accessory is connected to the accessory port, enabling the device to adapt its noise reduction characteristics to match the specific accessory being used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the control platform continuously monitors accessory connections and automatically adjusts ANR configurations accordingly. When an accessory is detected at the accessory port, the system receives feedback about the accessory type and responds by selecting the appropriate pre-configured ANR profile, creating a closed-loop adaptation system.
2Productivity
If the device automatically switches between multiple ANR configurations, then the device can optimize performance for different accessories, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ANR configurations are pre-configured and stored in memory before runtime. Each configuration is optimized for specific accessory types (e.g., configurations tailored for boom microphones versus other accessories). When an accessory is connected, the control platform simply retrieves the appropriate pre-configured settings rather than calculating optimal parameters in real-time, significantly reducing processing complexity while maintaining optimization benefits.
3Measurement precision
If the device reads accessory identifiers to select ANR configuration, then the device can precisely identify and adapt to specific accessories, but the time required for configuration selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses accessory identifiers (such as USB device IDs or other unique identifiers) as simplified representations or 'copies' of the actual accessory characteristics. Instead of analyzing complex accessory properties in real-time, the system reads the identifier and maps it to a pre-configured ANR profile, enabling rapid and accurate configuration selection based on the identifier match.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects include wearable audio devices wearable audio devices with a control platform for managing external device interaction. In some particular aspects, a wearable audio device includes: an accessory port; at least one processor; and memory including multiple sets of active noise reduction (ANR) configurations (or more generally, multiple profiles), the memory including instructions executable by the at least one processor, where the instructions are configured to: select a first ANR configuration (or more generally, a first profile) upon powering on the wearable audio device, the selection of the first ANR configuration (or first profile) based on an accessory connected to the accessory port, and automatically switch to a second ANR configuration (or more generally, a second profile) in response to a trigger, where the second ANR configuration (or second profile) is different from the first ANR configuration (or first profile).