Wearable Earphone Use-State Detection With Force And IMU Sensors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for controlling electronic device features, such as wireless headphones, require manual user input, which is cumbersome and inefficient, and lack the ability to utilize multiple sensor modalities for determining use states to automatically power on or off the device and enable/disable features.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a force sensor and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor to detect changes in force and inertia on a wearable device, processing this data to determine an active or inactive use state, and automatically power on or off the device and configure features accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control methods are used for device features, then device functionality can be controlled, but user convenience deteriorates and operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects use state through multiple sensors (force sensor, IMU, proximity sensor) and autonomously powers the device on or off without requiring manual user input. The device serves itself by monitoring its own state through sensor data processing and automatically transitioning between powered and powered-off states based on detected use conditions.
2Reliability
If automatic power control based on single sensor modality is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but detection accuracy and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple sensor modalities (force sensor, IMU, proximity sensor) into a unified detection system. The processor integrates data from all sensors to comprehensively determine use state, where force sensor detects headband extension force, IMU detects device orientation and motion, and proximity sensor detects ear proximity, creating a reliable multi-modal detection mechanism that overcomes limitations of single-sensor approaches.
3Use of energy by moving object
If device remains powered on continuously, then user accessibility improves, but energy consumption increases and battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sensing and state evaluation, where sensors continuously monitor conditions and the processor periodically determines whether to power on or off the device. This periodic operation allows the device to remain accessible when needed (detected through sensor input) while conserving energy during non-use periods by automatically transitioning to powered-off state, creating an efficient on-demand operation cycle.
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 automatic configuration of device features without manual input, improving user experience and battery efficiency by accurately detecting use states to power on when in use and power down when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor of the plurality of sensors is a force sensor
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor of the plurality of sensors is an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for configuring one or more features of a wearable device based on a detected use state of the wearable device, the system including a wearable device including a first housing, a first earphone unit located within the first housing, and a plurality of sensors, wherein a first sensor of the plurality of sensors is a force sensor and a second sensor of the plurality of sensors is an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor, at least one processor and memory configured to process data from the plurality of sensors to detect a use state of the wearable device such that: if the detected use state is an active use state, the processor generates a signal to power on the wearable device, and if the detected use state is an inactive use state, the processor generates a signal to power down the wearable device.