Wearable Audio Position Detection via Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable electronic devices lack an effective method to determine their installation position on a user's body, such as on a limb or in an ear, which is crucial for proper functionality and user experience, especially for audio devices that require accurate channel delivery.
Innovation Solution
The use of sensors like accelerometers and magnetometers to acquire and process data, computing aggregate metrics and identifying intersection conditions to determine the installation position of wearable audio devices, allowing for correct audio signal delivery and improved functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wearable electronic devices are used without installation position detection, then device simplicity is maintained, but audio signal delivery accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual position determination methods with sensor-based detection systems. Accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes automatically detect installation position through physical measurements, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex mechanical switches while achieving precise position detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device automatically detects and determines its own installation position using integrated sensors and processing units. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-configuration by analyzing sensor data to identify whether the device is worn on the left or right limb, eliminating the need for external intervention or user input.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to detect installation position, then position detection accuracy is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensors (accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope) that serve dual purposes: they detect installation position while also enabling motion tracking, activity recognition, and orientation detection. This multi-functionality justifies the added weight by providing multiple valuable capabilities from a single sensor suite.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses different sensor parameters and data processing methods to achieve accurate position detection. By analyzing acceleration patterns, magnetic field orientations, and rotational velocities, the system can determine installation position without requiring excessive sensor quantity, optimizing the weight-accuracy tradeoff.
3Reliability
If sensor data processing is performed continuously, then installation position detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of sensor data rather than continuous processing. The system collects sensor readings at defined intervals and processes them batch-wise, reducing computational load and energy consumption while maintaining reliable position detection through sufficient sampling frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes sensor data selectively based on detected motion events or state changes. Rather than continuously analyzing all sensor inputs, the processor activates position detection algorithms only when relevant motion patterns or orientation changes occur, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining detection reliability during critical moments.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device that can be worn by a user can include a processing unit and one or more sensors operatively connected to the processing unit. The processing unit can be adapted to determine an installation position of the electronic device based on one or more signals received from at least one sensor.