WO2023033167A1

WO2023033167A1 - Hearable device and hearable system

Info

Publication number: WO2023033167A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/033240
Authority: WO
Inventors: 靖久山本; 裕史木下; 有樹山縣
Original assignee: 株式会社村田製作所
Priority date: 2021-09-06
Filing date: 2022-09-05
Publication date: 2023-03-09

Abstract

A hearable device (10) comprises a speaker (SP), a temperature detection circuit (20), an arithmetic circuit (31), a control circuit (32), an RF circuit (34), and an antenna (ANT). The temperature detection circuit (20) comprises a thermistor (21) and generates divided voltage measurement data according to the temperature of a member worn on the ear. The arithmetic circuit (31) detects the temperature from the divided voltage measurement data. The control circuit (32) uses a temporal change in temperature to generate off-information indicating that the device was removed from the ear. The RF circuit (34) transmits the off-information through the antenna (ANT) to the outside.

Description

Hearable devices and hearable systems

The present invention relates to a hearable device that is worn on the ear and provides sound to the user.

Patent Document 1 describes a device that detects wearing of earphones. The devices of Patent Literature 1 include earphones and portable audio equipment. The earphone includes a temperature measuring element and a control circuit.

The temperature measuring element is fixed to the earphone. The control circuit transmits a signal (temperature measurement signal) corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature measurement element to the portable acoustic device.

When the portable audio device detects that the earphone is removed from the ear using the temperature measurement signal, it switches the power supply of the earphone from on mode to off mode.

JP 2008-289033 A

However, with the device described in Patent Document 1, the user could not easily know that the earphone had come off the ear. For this reason, for example, in the case of wireless earphones, there is a high possibility that the earphones that have been detached from the ears will be lost.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technology that allows the user to easily know that the hearable device has been detached from the ear.

A hearable device of the present invention includes a speaker, a first temperature detection circuit, an OFF information generation section, and a transmission circuit. The first temperature detection circuit detects a first temperature of the earpiece. The off-information generating unit generates off-information indicating that the ear is out of the ear by using the temporal change of the first temperature. The transmission circuit transmits off information to the outside.

With this configuration, the state in which the hearable device is removed from the ear is detected by the difference in detected temperature between the state in which the hearable device is attached to the ear and the state in which the hearable device is removed from the ear. The detection information (off information) is transmitted to the outside (for example, a hearable device forming a pair) to notify the user.

According to this invention, the user can easily know that the hearable device has been removed from the ear.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of a schematic external appearance of the hearable device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of temporal changes in the temperature inside the ear and the outside air temperature. FIG. 4(A) is an image diagram when using a normal hearable device, and FIG. 4(B) is an image diagram of communication when the hearable device is detached from one ear. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the second embodiment. FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is an external view showing an example of a schematic external appearance of the hearable device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a hearable device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is an external view showing an example of a schematic external appearance of the hearable device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the sixth embodiment. FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the seventh embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
A hearable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of a schematic external appearance of the hearable device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hearable device 10 includes a temperature detection circuit 20, an arithmetic circuit 31, a control circuit 32, a power supply IC 33, an RF circuit 34, a D/A circuit 35, an amplifier 36, a memory 310, a battery 330, an antenna ANT. , and a speaker SP. A portion composed of the arithmetic circuit 31 and the control circuit 32 corresponds to the "off information generation section" of the present invention. A portion composed of the RF circuit 34 and the antenna ANT corresponds to the "transmitting circuit" of the present invention. Note that the off-information transmission circuit also functions as an off-information reception circuit. The power supply IC 33 corresponds to the "power supply controller" of the present invention. The temperature detection circuit 20 corresponds to the "first temperature detection circuit" of the present invention.

The temperature detection circuit 20, the arithmetic circuit 31, the control circuit 32, the power supply IC 33, the RF circuit 34, the D/A circuit 35, the amplifier 36, and the memory 310 are implemented by electronic circuit modules including chip-type electronic components, ICs, and the like. The antenna ANT is implemented by a conductor pattern having a predetermined shape, and the speaker SP is implemented by, for example, a chip-type speaker element. The battery 330 is, for example, a secondary battery, and supplies power to each functional unit of the hearable device 10 .

The temperature detection circuit 20 includes a thermistor 21, a resistive element 22, and an A/D circuit 23. The resistance element 22 and the thermistor 21 are connected in series. More specifically, one end of resistance element 22 is connected to battery 330 , and the other end of resistance element 22 is connected to one end of thermistor 21 . The other end of thermistor 21 is connected to the ground reference potential. Thereby, the voltage VBat from the battery 330 is supplied to the series circuit of the resistance element 22 and the thermistor 21 . The thermistor 21 corresponds to the "first thermistor" of the invention, and the voltage VBat corresponds to the "voltage for temperature detection" of the invention. A line connecting the battery 330 supplying the voltage VBat and the resistance element 22 corresponds to the "detection voltage supply line" of the present invention.

The A/D circuit 23 is a circuit that converts analog signals into digital signals. The input terminal (analog input terminal) of the A/D circuit 23 is connected to the node between the resistance element 22 and the thermistor 21 . The output terminal (digital output terminal) of the A/D circuit 23 outputs to the arithmetic circuit 31 .

The A/D circuit 23 converts the divided voltage (analog signal) of the resistive element 22 and the thermistor 21 into digital divided voltage measurement data and outputs it to the arithmetic circuit 31 . The A/D circuit 23 generates divided voltage measurement data at a predetermined sampling period and outputs the data to the arithmetic circuit 31 .

By using the thermistor 21, the divided voltage and the divided voltage measurement data become values determined by the temperature detected by the thermistor 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hearable device 10 includes a body housing 11 and a mounting member 12. The outer shape of the mounting member 12 is generally in the shape of a human ear canal. The hearable device 10 is worn by the user by inserting the wearing member 12 into the ear canal of the user.

The thermistor 21 is arranged on the mounting member 12 . More preferably, the thermistor 21 is arranged near the outer surface of the mounting member 12 . More preferably, the thermistor 21 is arranged on an elastic ear tip arranged on the surface of the mounting member 12 . The configuration in which the thermistor 21 is arranged on the ear tip includes a configuration in which the thermistor 21 is attached to the surface of the ear chip, a configuration in which the thermistor 21 is partially exposed from the surface of the ear chip, and a configuration in which the thermistor 21 is attached to the ear tip. It means a configuration or the like built into a chip.

Therefore, when the user wears the hearable device 10, the thermistor 21 is located in the ear canal and near the skin of the ear. Therefore, the resistance value of the thermistor 21 is a value corresponding to the temperature inside the ear. Therefore, in this case, the divided voltage and the divided voltage measurement data are values corresponding to the temperature inside the ear. In particular, when the thermistor 21 is built into the ear tip, the temperature is stabilized, so the temperature inside the ear can be detected with higher accuracy.

On the other hand, when the hearable device 10 is removed from the user's ear, the thermistor 21 is affected by outside air. Therefore, the resistance value of the thermistor 21 becomes a value corresponding to the outside air temperature. Therefore, in this case, the divided voltage and the divided voltage measurement data are values corresponding to the outside air temperature.

The arithmetic circuit 31 detects the temperature using the divided voltage measurement data. For example, the arithmetic circuit 31 stores a database or a relational expression indicating the relationship between the value of the divided voltage measurement data and the temperature, and by using these, the temperature is detected from the divided voltage measurement data.

The arithmetic circuit 31 sequentially stores the detected temperatures in the memory 310 .

The arithmetic circuit 31 calculates temperature differences at a plurality of times. For example, the arithmetic circuit 31 calculates the temperature difference between the currently detected temperature and the temperature read out from the memory 310 a predetermined time ago. The arithmetic circuit 31 outputs the temperature difference to the control circuit 32 . This temperature difference corresponds to the "first temperature difference" of the present invention.

The control circuit 32 controls the overall operation of the hearable device 10. Furthermore, the control circuit 32 uses the temperature difference from the arithmetic circuit 31 to generate OFF information. The off information is information indicating that the hearable device 10 is removed from the ear.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of temporal changes in the temperature inside the ear and the outside temperature. In FIG. 3, time ts indicates the time when the hearable device 10 is attached to the ear, and time te indicates the time when the hearable device 10 is removed from the ear. A solid line indicates the temperature detected by the temperature detection circuit 20, and a dashed line indicates the outside air temperature.

As shown in FIG. 3, the detected temperature is a value corresponding to the outside air temperature until the hearable device 10 is worn on the ear. When the hearable device 10 is worn on the ear, the detected temperature rises and becomes substantially constant at a value corresponding to the temperature inside the ear. When the hearable device 10 is removed from the ear, the detected temperature decreases and gradually converges to a value corresponding to the outside temperature. Here, the "value corresponding to the outside air temperature" and the "value corresponding to the temperature inside the ear" are determined by the arrangement position of the thermistor 21 and the like. For example, if the thermistor 21 is exposed on the surface of the hearable device 10, the "value corresponding to the outside temperature" is approximately the same as the outside temperature, and the "value corresponding to the inside of the ear" is approximately the temperature inside the ear. be the same. On the other hand, if the thermistor 21 is arranged in the hearable device 10, the value corresponds to the arrangement position.

Note that if the outside air is used in a special environment where the temperature inside the ear is higher than the temperature inside the ear, the detected temperature decreases when the hearable device 10 is attached to the ear, and the detected temperature decreases when the hearable device 10 is removed from the ear. Temperature rises.

Therefore, the temperature difference between when the hearable device 10 is attached to the ear and when the hearable device 10 is removed from the ear is large at multiple times. On the other hand, when the hearable device 10 is stably worn on the ear, the temperature difference at multiple times is small.

The control circuit 32 stores the first threshold for the temperature difference. The first threshold is smaller than the temperature difference at multiple times when the hearable device 10 is removed from the ear (temperature difference at time of removal), and the temperature at multiple times when the hearable device 10 is stably attached to the ear. It is set larger than the difference (the temperature difference at the time of stable mounting). For example, the first threshold is set to an intermediate value between the temperature at the time of detachment and the temperature at the time of stable attachment. The first threshold is set in advance according to the outside air temperature, the body temperature of the user, and the like. Note that the first threshold may be set to a value that is substantially the same as the temperature difference between the inside of the ear and the outside air temperature, and is smaller than the temperature difference by considering the determination error.

The control circuit 32 generates OFF information if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first threshold. The control circuit 32 does not generate OFF information if the temperature difference is less than the first threshold. Off information is realized by, for example, an alert sound or a message sound. The control circuit 32 outputs the generated OFF information to the RF circuit 34 .

When the hearable device 10 is normally used, the RF circuit 34 performs wireless communication with external equipment through the antenna ANT. For example, the RF circuit 34 receives an acoustic signal from an external mobile terminal (smartphone or mobile audio player) through the antenna ANT. More specifically, the RF circuit 34 receives the digital acoustic signal on which the high frequency signal is superimposed through the antenna ANT and demodulates the digital acoustic signal. RF circuit 34 outputs a digital acoustic signal to D/A circuit 35 .

The D/A circuit 35 converts the digital acoustic signal into an analog acoustic signal and outputs it to the amplifier 36 . The amplifier 36 amplifies the analog acoustic signal and supplies it to the speaker SP. The speaker SP is excited by an analog acoustic signal and emits sound.

FIG. 4(A) is an image diagram when using a normal hearable device. As shown in FIG. 4A, during normal use, the user wears the hearable device 10R on the right ear and wears the hearable device 10L on the left ear, and listens to music or music from the mobile terminal 90. Voices of others can be heard through the

hearable devices

10R and 10L. These

hearable devices

10R, 10L and mobile terminal 90 constitute a hearable system.

Furthermore, when the OFF information is input from the control circuit 32, the RF circuit 34 transmits the OFF information to the outside through the antenna ANT. More specifically, RF circuitry 34 transmits off information to another hearable device that pairs with this hearable device 10 .

FIG. 4(B) is an image diagram of communication when the hearable device is removed from one ear. For example, in the case of FIG. 4B, when the hearable device 10R is detached from the right ear and falls, the hearable device 10R detects the detachment from the right ear as described above, and outputs the OFF information. Send to hearable device 10L.

The RF circuit 34 of the hearable device 10L that has received the OFF information demodulates the OFF information and outputs it to the D/A circuit 35 . The D/A circuit 35 of the hearable device 10L digital-analog converts the OFF information and outputs it to the amplifier 36, and the amplifier 36 supplies the OFF information to the speaker SP. The speaker SP of the hearable device 10L emits off information. This allows the user to hear the OFF information through the hearable device 10L still worn on the left ear. Therefore, the user can easily and more reliably know that the hearable device 10R for the right ear has been removed.

It should be noted that the transmission destination of the OFF information is not limited to the paired hearable device, and may be, for example, the mobile terminal 90 described above. In this case, for example, if the mobile terminal 90 has a display unit, the mobile terminal 90 can display an image or text indicating that the hearable device 10R is removed based on the OFF information. In addition, the mobile terminal 90 may transmit to the hearable device 10L that the hearable device 10R is disconnected, or perform abnormal volume adjustment such as increasing the volume of the sound or voice transmitted from the mobile terminal 90. you can go This allows the user to easily know that the hearable device 10R has been removed.

Also, when the control circuit 32 generates the OFF information, the control circuit 32 outputs to the power supply IC 33 a control command to stop the power supply to each functional unit of the hearable device 10 .

Upon receiving the stop control command, the power supply IC 33 stops power supply to each functional unit of the hearable device 10 such as the arithmetic circuit 31 and the RF circuit 34 . As a result, the hearable device 10 detached from the ear can suppress unnecessary power consumption.

At this time, the control circuit 32 and the power supply IC 33 stop supplying power after a predetermined time delay from the output of the OFF information from the control circuit 32 to the RF circuit 34 . More specifically, the control circuit 32 and the power supply IC 33 stop supplying power to the RF circuit 34 after a time delay for the RF circuit 34 to transmit off information to the outside through the antenna ANT. As a result, the hearable device 10 can more reliably notify the user that the hearable device 10 has been detached while suppressing unnecessary power consumption.

(Hearable Device Detachment Detection Method 1)
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the first embodiment. The detailed contents of each process shown in FIG. 5 have been described in the above explanation of the configuration, so the explanation will be omitted except for the parts that need to be added.

As shown in FIG. 5, the temperature detection circuit 20 and the arithmetic circuit 31 of the hearable device 10 detect temperature (S11). The arithmetic circuit 31 of the hearable device 10 stores the temperature in the memory 310 (S12). The arithmetic circuit 31 of the hearable device 10 calculates the temperature difference (temperature difference) at a plurality of times (S13).

If the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the determination threshold (first threshold) (S14: YES), the control circuit 32 of the hearable device 10 transmits OFF information through the RF circuit 34 and the antenna ANT (S15). If the temperature difference is less than the determination threshold value (first threshold value) (S14: NO), the control circuit 32 of the hearable device 10 repeats the processes from temperature detection to temperature difference calculation.

After transmitting the off information, the control circuit 32 of the hearable device 10 turns off the power through the power supply IC 33 (S16).

[Second embodiment]
A hearable device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the hearable device 10A according to the second embodiment differs from the hearable device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a microphone MIC and an A/D circuit 37. Also, the hearable device 10A differs from the hearable device 10 in processing when it is removed from the ear. The rest of the configuration and processing of the hearable device 10A are the same as those of the hearable device 10, and the description of the same portions will be omitted.

The hearable device 10A includes a microphone MIC and an A/D circuit 37. The microphone MIC picks up the user's voice and outputs it to the A/D circuit 37 .

The A/D circuit 37 digitally converts the analog audio signal and outputs it to the RF circuit 34 and D/A circuit 35 .

When the hearable device 10A is used as a hearing aid, the D/A circuit 35 converts the digital audio signal into analog and outputs it to the amplifier 36. The amplifier 36 amplifies the audio signal and supplies it to the speaker SP. The speaker SP is excited by the supplied audio signal and emits sound. At this time, wind noise and noise may be input to the amplifier 36 after noise cancellation is performed by signal processing.

When the hearable device 10A is used for a wireless phone, the RF circuit 34 superimposes a digital audio signal on the RF communication signal and transmits it from the antenna ANT.

In such a configuration, when OFF information is input as described above, the RF circuit 34 and the antenna ANT transmit the OFF information and transmit the audio signal picked up by the microphone MIC. As a result, the other paired hearable device can emit sound picked up by the hearable device 10A removed from the ear. The other hearable device that forms a pair may directly receive the off information, or may receive the off information via a mobile terminal or the like.

As a result, the user can easily know that the hearable device 10A has been detached from the ear, and can hear the surrounding sounds of the detached hearable device 10A. Therefore, the user can estimate the place where the hearable device 10A came off and fell from the ambient sound.

As another aspect, the hearable device 10A suppresses the sound pickup signal supplied to the speaker SP as a process separate from the transmission of the OFF information by the RF circuit 34. For example, the amplifier 36 suppresses the gain for the collected sound signal. Alternatively, the amplifier 36 may turn off the gain for the collected sound signal supplied to the speaker SP. As a result, howling due to the system (acoustic loop) of the microphone MIC and the speaker SP can be suppressed. For example, in the case of hearing aids attached to both ears independently, the sound picked up by the hearable device attached to one ear is emitted by the hearable device attached to the other ear. In such a case, when howling occurs, a howling sound is emitted from the hearable device that is still worn, giving an unpleasant feeling. However, by performing the control described above, howling can be suppressed, which is effective. Note that the amplifier 36 corresponds to the "collected sound signal level suppression unit" of the present invention.

(Hearable device detachment detection method 2)
FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7A shows the case of transmitting the collected sound signal, and FIG. 7B shows the case of suppressing the collected sound signal. The detailed contents of each process shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B have been described in the above description of the configuration, so the description will be omitted except for parts that require additional notes. 7A and 7B, only parts different from FIG. 5 will be described below. Further, in FIGS. 7A and 7B, description of detailed functional units that execute processing is omitted.

(When sending picked-up signals)
The hearable device 10A performs steps S11-S15 in the same way as the hearable device 10 described above. The hearable device 10A transmits an audio signal (collected sound signal) picked up by the microphone MIC (S21). After transmitting the collected sound signal, the hearable device 10A performs power control during OFF information (S16o). For example, in the off-information power control, power supply for temperature detection is stopped and power supply for RF signal transmission is continued. Alternatively, in the off-information power control, the power is turned off after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

(When suppressing the picked-up signal)
The hearable device 10A performs steps S11-S15 in the same way as the hearable device 10 described above. The hearable device 10A performs processing for suppressing the level of the audio signal (collected sound signal) picked up by the microphone MIC (S22). The hearable device 10A turns off the power (S16). Note that the hearable device 10A may perform both suppression of the level of the picked-up sound signal and transmission of the above-described picked-up sound signal (S21).

[Third Embodiment]
A hearable device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is an external view showing an example of a schematic external appearance of the hearable device according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the hearable device 10B according to the third embodiment differs from the hearable device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a temperature detection circuit 20i and a temperature detection circuit 20o. The difference is in the processing in the arithmetic circuit 31B and the control circuit 32B. The rest of the configuration and processing of the hearable device 10B are the same as those of the hearable device 10, and the description of the same portions will be omitted.

The hearable device 10B includes a temperature detection circuit 20i and a temperature detection circuit 20o. The temperature detection circuit 20i includes a thermistor 21i, a resistive element 22i, and an A/D circuit 23i. The temperature detection circuit 20i has the same circuit configuration as the temperature detection circuit 20 according to the first embodiment. The temperature detection circuit 20i corresponds to the "first temperature detection circuit" of the present invention. The thermistor 21i corresponds to the "first thermistor" of the invention, and the thermistor 21o corresponds to the "second thermistor" of the invention.

The temperature detection circuit 20o includes a thermistor 21o, a resistive element 22o, and an A/D circuit 23o. The temperature detection circuit 20o has the same circuit configuration as the temperature detection circuit 20 according to the first embodiment. The temperature detection circuit 20o corresponds to the "second temperature detection circuit" of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the thermistor 21i is arranged on the mounting member 12. As shown in FIG. More preferably, the thermistor 21 o is arranged near the outer surface of the mounting member 12 .

The thermistor 21 o is arranged in the main housing 11 . More preferably, the thermistor 21o is arranged at the end of the body housing 11 opposite to the side where the mounting member 12 is connected. Conceptually, the thermistor 21o is positioned as far away from the ear as possible when the hearable device 10B is attached to the ear so that the thermistor 21o is less or not affected by the temperature inside the ear. means that For example, the thermistor 21 o is arranged near the arrangement area of the antenna ANT in the main housing 11 . That is, in order to improve communication characteristics, it is preferable to arrange the antenna ANT at the end of the body housing 11 opposite to the side where the attachment member 12 is connected. Therefore, the thermistor 21o should be placed near the antenna ANT.

With this configuration, the temperature detection circuit 20i detects the temperature inside the ear when the hearable device 10B is attached to the ear, and detects the outside temperature when the hearable device 10B is removed from the ear. The temperature detection circuit 20o detects the ambient temperature regardless of whether the hearable device 10B is worn on the ear.

The arithmetic circuit 31B stores the divided voltage measurement data (first divided voltage measurement data) from the temperature detection circuit 20i and the divided voltage measurement data (second divided voltage measurement data) from the temperature detection circuit 20o. is entered.

The arithmetic circuit 31B detects the first temperature using the first divided voltage measurement data. The arithmetic circuit 31B detects the second temperature using the second divided voltage measurement data. The arithmetic circuit 31B calculates the temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. The arithmetic circuit 31B outputs the temperature difference to the control circuit 32B.

The control circuit 32B generates OFF information using the temperature difference from the arithmetic circuit 31B.

The control circuit 32B stores a second threshold for the temperature difference. The second threshold is larger than the temperature difference (the temperature difference between the first temperature (value corresponding to the outside temperature) and the second temperature (value corresponding to the outside temperature)) when the hearable device 10B is removed from the ear. , the temperature difference when the hearable device 10B is stably attached to the ear (the temperature difference between the first temperature (value corresponding to the temperature inside the ear) and the second temperature (value corresponding to the outside temperature)) is set smaller than For example, the second threshold is set to the middle value of the temperature difference between these two states.

The control circuit 32B generates OFF information if the temperature difference is less than the second threshold. The control circuit 32B does not generate OFF information if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

With such a configuration, the hearable device 10B, like the hearable device 10, can detect that the hearable device 10B is removed from the ear. Therefore, the user can easily and more reliably know that the hearable device 10B has been removed from the ear.

Also, the hearable device 10B does not need to store temperature differences over time. Then, the hearable device 10B can easily and more reliably know that the hearable device 10B has been removed from the ear without using changes in detected temperature over time.

(Detachment detection method 3 of hearable device)
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the third embodiment. Note that the details of each process shown in FIG. 10 have been described in the above description of the configuration, so the description will be omitted except for parts that require additional notes.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hearable device 10B detects the temperature of the target site (first temperature) (S111) and detects the outside temperature (second temperature) (S112). The hearable device 10B calculates the temperature difference (S13B).

If the temperature difference is less than the determination threshold (second threshold) (S14B: YES), the hearable device 10B transmits OFF information (S15). If the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the determination threshold value (second threshold value) (S14B: NO), the hearable device 10B repeats the processes from temperature detection to temperature difference calculation.

After transmitting the off information, the hearable device 10B turns off the power (S16).

[Fourth embodiment]
A hearable device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a hearable device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is an external view showing an example of a schematic external appearance of the hearable device according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the hearable device 10C according to the fourth embodiment differs from the hearable device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a temperature detection circuit 20i1 and a temperature detection circuit 20i2. The difference is in the processing in the arithmetic circuit 31C and the control circuit 32C. The rest of the configuration and processing of the hearable device 10C are the same as those of the hearable device 10, and descriptions of similar parts are omitted.

The hearable device 10C includes a temperature detection circuit 20i1 and a temperature detection circuit 20i2. The temperature detection circuit 20i1 includes a thermistor 21i1, a resistive element 22i1, and an A/D circuit 23i1. The temperature detection circuit 20i1 has the same circuit configuration as the temperature detection circuit 20 according to the first embodiment. The temperature detection circuit 20i1 corresponds to the "first temperature detection circuit" of the present invention.

The temperature detection circuit 20i2 includes a thermistor 21i2, a resistive element 22i2, and an A/D circuit 23i2. The temperature detection circuit 20i2 has the same circuit configuration as the temperature detection circuit 20 according to the first embodiment. The temperature detection circuit 20i2 corresponds to the "second temperature detection circuit" of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12, the thermistor 21i1 and the thermistor 21i2 are arranged on the mounting member 12. As shown in FIG. More preferably, the thermistor 21 i 1 and the thermistor 21 i 2 are arranged near the outer surface of the mounting member 12 . At this time, the thermistor 21i1 and the thermistor 21i2 are separated from each other. For example, the thermistor 21i1 is arranged near one end of the mounting member 12 in the horizontal direction, and the thermistor 21i2 is arranged near the other end of the mounting member 12 in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the thermistor 21i1 is arranged near one end of the mounting member 12 in the longitudinal direction, and the thermistor 21i2 is arranged near the other end of the mounting member 12 in the longitudinal direction. Note that these arrangement examples of the thermistor 21i1 and thermistor 21i2 are only examples, and it is sufficient if they are separated from each other.

With this configuration, if the hearable device 10C is stably attached to the ear, the temperature detection circuits 20i1 and 20i2 are detected in the ear at the positions of the thermistor 21i1 and the thermistor 21i2, respectively. to detect the temperature of On the other hand, if the hearable device 10C is precariously attached to the ear (for example, if it is about to come off), the temperature sensing circuit, including the thermistor that is out of the ear, will detect the outside temperature and A temperature sensing circuit containing a thermistor in the ear senses the temperature in the ear.

The arithmetic circuit 31C stores the divided voltage measurement data (first divided voltage measurement data) from the temperature detection circuit 20i1 and the divided voltage measurement data (second divided voltage measurement data) from the temperature detection circuit 20i2. is entered.

The arithmetic circuit 31C detects the first temperature using the first divided voltage measurement data. The arithmetic circuit 31C detects the second temperature using the second divided voltage measurement data. The arithmetic circuit 31C calculates the temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. The arithmetic circuit 31C outputs the temperature difference to the control circuit 32C.

The control circuit 32C generates mounting defect information using the temperature difference from the arithmetic circuit 31C.

The control circuit 32C stores the third threshold for the temperature difference. The third threshold value is greater than the temperature difference (the temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature) when the hearable device 10C is worn unstably on the ear, and the hearable device 10C is stably attached to the ear. It is set to be smaller than the temperature difference (the temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature) when it is worn. For example, the third threshold is set to the middle value of the temperature difference between these two states.

The control circuit 32C generates mounting defect information if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to the third threshold. The control circuit 32C does not generate mounting defect information if the temperature difference is less than the third threshold.

With such a configuration, the hearable device 10C can detect that the hearable device 10C is not stably attached to the ear. Therefore, the user can easily and more reliably know that the hearable device 10C is not stably attached to the ear.

(Hearable Device Detachment Detection Method 4)
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the fourth embodiment. Note that the details of each process shown in FIG. 13 have been described in the above description of the configuration, so the description will be omitted except for parts that require additional notes.

As shown in FIG. 13, the hearable device 10C detects the temperature of the first target site (first site temperature) (S111C), and detects the temperature of the second target site (second site temperature) (S112C). . The hearable device 10C calculates the temperature difference (S13C).

If the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the determination threshold (third threshold) (S14C: YES), the hearable device 10C transmits mounting defect information (S15C). If the temperature difference is less than the determination threshold value (third threshold value) (S14C: NO), the hearable device 10C repeats the processes from temperature detection to temperature difference calculation.

[Fifth Embodiment]
A hearable device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the hearable device 10D according to the fifth embodiment differs from the hearable device 10B according to the third embodiment in that it includes a temperature detection circuit 20D. The rest of the configuration and processing of the hearable device 10D are the same as those of the hearable device 10B, and the description of the same portions will be omitted.

The hearable device 10D includes a temperature detection circuit 20D. The temperature detection circuit 20D includes a thermistor 21i, a thermistor 21o, a resistive element 22, an A/D circuit 23, a switch 24i, and a switch 24o. A portion including the switches 24i and 24o corresponds to the "switch circuit" of the present invention.

The thermistor 21i and the switch 24i are connected in series. The thermistor 21o and the switch 24o are connected in series. Thermistor 21i and thermistor 21o are connected to the ground reference potential. The switches 24i and 24o are connected. In other words, the series circuit of thermistor 21i and switch 24i and the series circuit of thermistor 21o and switch 24o are connected in parallel.

A node of the switch 24 i and the switch 24 o is connected to the resistance element 22 . A voltage VBat from the battery 330 is supplied to the circuit of the thermistor 21i, the thermistor 21o, the resistance element 22, the switch 24i, and the switch 24o. The resistance element 22 corresponds to the "common resistance" of the present invention.

The nodes of the switch 24i, the switch 24o, and the resistance element 22 are connected to the input terminal (analog input terminal) of the A/D circuit 23.

When the switch 24i is controlled to be conductive, the switch 24o is controlled to be open. At this time, the temperature detection circuit 20D generates divided voltage measurement data based on the temperature sensed by the thermistor 21i.

When the switch 24i is controlled to be open, the switch 24o is controlled to be conductive. At this time, the temperature detection circuit 20D generates divided voltage measurement data based on the temperature sensed by the thermistor 21o.

In this way, the hearable device 10D switches between temperature detection at the position where it is worn on the ear and temperature detection of the outside air temperature.

As a result, the hearable device 10D can integrate the A/D circuits while detecting temperatures at two locations. Therefore, the hearable device 10D can be simplified in configuration. Also, the hearable device 10D can reduce power consumption during temperature detection.

It should be noted that the switching period of the switches in the hearable device 10D is preferably shorter than the time constant of the temperature drop when the hearable device 10D is removed from the ear. As a result, the hearable device 10D can more accurately detect that the hearable device 10D is removed from the ear.

[Sixth embodiment]
A hearable device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hearable device according to the sixth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the hearable device 10E according to the sixth embodiment differs from the hearable device 10D according to the fifth embodiment in that it includes a temperature detection circuit 20E. The rest of the configuration and processing of the hearable device 10E are the same as those of the hearable device 10D, and descriptions of similar parts are omitted.

The hearable device 10E includes a temperature detection circuit 20E. The temperature detection circuit 20E has a configuration in which a switch 25 is added to the temperature detection circuit 20D.

The switch 25 is connected in series with the resistive element 22 . The switch 25 may be arranged closer to the resistance element 22 than the nodes of the switches 24 i , 24 o and the A/D circuit 23 .

The switch 25 is controlled to an open state when off information is generated or when temperature detection is not performed such as immediately after starting the hearable device 10E. The switch 25 is controlled to be conductive when temperature detection is performed. Such control of the switch 25 is performed by the control circuit 32, for example. The switch 25 corresponds to the "detection voltage control switch" of the present invention, and the control circuit 32 corresponds to the "detection voltage control circuit" of the present invention.

As a result, the hearable device 10E can achieve the same effects as the hearable device 10D, and can suppress erroneous detection when the hearable device 10E is activated. Also, the hearable device 10E can further reduce unnecessary power consumption. For example, when information such as music is not input from the RF circuit, the hearable device 10E determines that it is not operating, does not measure temperature, and measures temperature when music is playing. With this determination, it is possible to reduce battery consumption.

[Seventh embodiment]
A hearable device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the above-described embodiments, the mode of detecting detachment from the ear in one hearable device has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the temperature detected by each of the pair (two) hearable devices is used to detect that one of the hearable devices is detached from the ear.

FIGS. 16(A) and 16(B) are flowcharts showing a method for detecting detachment of a hearable device according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 16(A) is a basic flowchart, and FIG. 16(B) is a derivative flowchart of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16(A).

A pair of hearable devices has the same configuration as the hearable device according to the first embodiment described above, and detailed description of the configuration is omitted.

(basic processing)
As shown in FIG. 16A, the paired hearable devices detect their temperatures (S11). Paired hearable devices transmit their detected temperature.

The paired hearable device receives the temperature detected by the paired hearable device (paired device detected temperature ("paired temperature" of the present invention)) (S71).

The paired hearable device calculates the temperature difference between the temperature detected by its own device (own device detected temperature) and the paired device detected temperature (S72).

The paired hearable device transmits OFF information when the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the determination threshold (fourth threshold) (S14: YES) and the device detected temperature is lower than the paired device detected temperature (S73: YES). (S15).

After transmitting the off information, the hearable device that transmitted the off information turns off the power (S16).

If the temperature difference is less than the determination threshold (fourth threshold) (S14: NO), the paired hearable device repeats the temperature detection and temperature difference calculation processes.

When the paired hearable device has a detected temperature higher than the detected temperature of the paired device (S73: NO) and receives off information from the other hearable device, it emits off information to notify the wearer. .

(Processing of derivation)
As shown in FIG. 16B, the derived process differs from the basic process shown in FIG. 16A in that step S74 is added. Other processing in the derived processing is the same as the basic processing, and descriptions of similar parts are omitted.

If the temperature difference of the paired hearable device is equal to or greater than the determination threshold value (fourth threshold value) (S14: YES), and if the detected temperature of the own device is higher than the detected temperature of the paired device (S73: NO), the hearable device of the other party An off control request is sent to the device (S74).

By performing this kind of processing, even if the hearable device detached from the ear makes an erroneous judgment, the power of this hearable device can be controlled to be turned off.

It should be noted that, in each of the above-described embodiments, a mode using a thermistor has been shown. A chip-type electronic component is generally used for the thermistor here. However, the thermistor in the present application may be one whose electrical properties change according to the ambient temperature, more specifically, those whose electrical properties change according to the temperature within the body temperature range of the animal.

Also, the configuration and processing of each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate, and effects can be obtained according to each combination.

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10L, 10R: Hearable device 11: Main housing 12: Mounting

members

20, 20D, 20E, 20i, 20i1, 20i2, 20o:

Temperature detection circuits

21, 21i, 21i1 , 21i2, 21o:

thermistors

22, 22i, 22i1, 22i2, 22o:

resistance elements

23, 23i, 23i1, 23i2, 23o: A/D circuits 24i, 24o, 25: switches 31, 31B, 31C:

arithmetic circuits

32, 32B , 32C: control circuit 33: power supply IC
34: RF circuit 35: D/A circuit 36: Amplifier 37: A/D circuit 90: Portable terminal 310: Memory 330: Battery ANT: Antenna MIC: Microphone SP: Speaker

Claims

a speaker;
a first temperature detection circuit that detects a first temperature of a member attached to the ear;
an off-information generation unit that generates off-information indicating that the ear is out of the ear using the change in the first temperature over time;
a transmission circuit that transmits the OFF information to the outside;
A hearable device with
The OFF information generation unit
continuously storing the first temperature;
calculating a first temperature difference between the first temperatures at a plurality of times;
generating the OFF information when the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to a first threshold;
A hearable device according to claim 1 .
a speaker;
a first temperature detection circuit that detects a first temperature at a first location of the ear-worn member;
a second temperature detection circuit that detects a second temperature at a second location different from the first location;
an off-information generation unit that generates off-information indicating that the ear is out of the ear by using the temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature;
a transmission circuit that transmits the OFF information to the outside;
A hearable device with
The first temperature detection circuit includes a first thermistor,
The second temperature detection circuit includes a second thermistor,
The first temperature detection circuit and the second temperature detection circuit are
common resistance and
a switch circuit that selectively connects the first thermistor and the second thermistor to the common resistor;
comprising
4. A hearable device according to claim 3.
The second thermistor is
arranged at an end opposite to the mounting member in a body housing different from the mounting member,
wherein the second temperature detection circuit detects an outside air temperature;
5. A hearable device according to claim 4.
The OFF information generation unit
generating the OFF information when the temperature difference between the first temperature and the outside air temperature is less than a second threshold;
A hearable device according to claim 5 .
The second thermistor is
arranged at a position different from the arrangement position of the first thermistor in the mounting member,
5. A hearable device according to claim 4.
The OFF information generation unit
generating the OFF information when a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is equal to or greater than a third threshold;
8. A hearable device according to claim 7.
a detection voltage control switch connected to a detection voltage supply line that supplies a temperature detection voltage to the common resistor;
a detection voltage control circuit that controls the detection voltage control switch to an open state when it is detected that the ear has been removed;
5. The hearable device of claim 4, comprising:
a speaker;
a first temperature detection circuit that detects a first temperature of a member attached to the ear;
a receiving circuit that receives the pair temperature detected by another paired hearable device;
an off-information generation unit that generates off-information indicating that the ear is out of the ear, using the temperature difference between the first temperature and the paired temperature;
a transmission circuit that transmits the OFF information to the outside;
A hearable device with
The OFF information generation unit
generating the OFF information when a temperature difference between the first temperature and the pair temperature is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold and the first temperature is lower than the pair temperature;
11. A hearable device according to claim 10.
A power control unit that turns off the power after transmitting the off information,
A hearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
Equipped with an additional microphone,
The transmission circuit is
transmitting a sound pickup signal of the microphone when transmitting the off information;
13. A hearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
Further comprising a sound pickup signal level suppression unit that suppresses the level of the sound pickup signal of the microphone when the off information is generated,
14. A hearable device according to claim 13.
a microphone and
a sound pickup signal level suppression unit that suppresses the level of the sound pickup signal of the microphone when the off information is generated;
13. The hearable device of any of claims 1-12, further comprising:
comprising an elastic ear tip attached to the ear mounting side of the mounting member,
at least a portion of the first thermistor is disposed on the eartip;
5. A hearable device according to claim 4.
A hearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 16;
a terminal that communicates with the hearable device and transmits a signal for the hearable device to emit sound to the hearable device;
with
the hearable device transmits the off information to the terminal;
hearable system.
the hearable device being a first hearable device;
a second hearable device different from the first hearable device;
the terminal transmits the off information to the second hearable device;
18. A hearable system according to claim 17.