PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8750527-B2
Application Number: US-201313779339-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device and headset with speaker seal evaluation capabilities

Abstract:
Electronic devices and accessories for electronic devices such as headsets are provided. The electronic devices may produce audio output. The headsets may include earbuds with speakers that play the audio output for a user while the earbuds are located in the user&#39;s ears. Circuitry in an electronic device and a headset may be used in evaluating how well the earbuds are sealed to the user&#39;s ears. In response to seal quality measurements, informative messages can be generated for the user, overall earbud volume may be increased, balance adjustments may be made to correct for mismatched balance between left and right earbuds, equalization settings may be adjusted, and noise cancellation circuitry settings can be changed. Electrical impedance measurements and acoustic measurements can be used in evaluating seal quality.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic audio device for use with an earbud having a microphone and a speaker located therein, comprising:
 audio processing circuitry to produce an audio signal for driving the speaker in the earbud, and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the earbud while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal; and 
 control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the earbud to a user&#39;s ear by monitoring resonance peak of impedance, wherein the resonance peak of impedance is determined based on the measured sound level. 
 
     
     
       2. The audio device of  claim 1  wherein the audio signal comprises a test tone in isolation. 
     
     
       3. The audio device of  claim 1  wherein the audio signal comprises a test tone combined with normal audio playback. 
     
     
       4. The audio device of  claim 3  wherein the test tone is a sinusoid between about 5 Hz and less than 15 Hz. 
     
     
       5. The audio device of  claim 1  wherein the audio signal comprises normal audio playback, the control circuitry to filter the audio signal that is driving the speaker in order to determine signal strength at a predetermined frequency, and to filter the output from the microphone at the predetermined frequency to measure sound level at the predetermined frequency. 
     
     
       6. The audio device of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluated seal quality is high when the resonance peak shifts to a higher frequency, and low when the resonance peak shifts to a lower frequency. 
     
     
       7. The audio device of  claim 1  further comprising a cable that plugs into the electronic device to receive the audio signal that drives the speaker located in the earbud. 
     
     
       8. A method for using an electronic device that provides audio for a user through a speaker contained in an earbud that is located in the user&#39;s ear, wherein the earbud also contains a microphone, the method comprising:
 with circuitry, driving an audio signal into the speaker in the earbud; 
 with circuitry, measuring sound level using output from the microphone in the earbud while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal; and 
 with circuitry, evaluating a seal quality of the earbud to the user&#39;s ear by monitoring resonance peak of impedance, wherein the resonance peak of impedance is determined based on the measured sound level. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein the audio signal comprises a test tone in isolation, and wherein measuring the sound level comprises filtering the output from the microphone to isolate the test tone. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8  wherein the audio signal comprises a test tone combined with normal audio playback. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8  wherein the test tone is a sinusoid between about 5 Hz and less than 15 Hz. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8  wherein the audio signal comprises normal audio playback, the method further comprising filtering the audio signal that is driving the speaker to determine signal strength at a predetermined frequency, and wherein measuring the sound level comprises filtering the output from the microphone at the predetermined frequency. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8  wherein the evaluated seal quality is high when the resonance peak shifts to a higher frequency, and low when the resonance peak shifts to a lower frequency. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8  further comprising displaying a warning message on a display in the electronic device in response to the evaluated seal quality. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 with circuitry, adjusting a volume level in the speaker based on the evaluated seal quality. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 8  further comprising inhibiting noise cancellation operations in the audio device when the evaluated seal quality is less than a given threshold. 
     
     
       17. An electronic audio device for use with an earbud having a speaker located therein, comprising:
 an audio processing circuitry to produce an audio signal for driving the speaker in the earbud; and 
 a control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the earbud to a user&#39;s ear by determining a resonance peak of impedance, wherein the determining of the resonance peak comprises measuring a current while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. 
 
     
     
       18. The electronic audio device of  claim 17 , wherein the current is measured by using a current sensing circuitry. 
     
     
       19. The electronic audio device of  claim 17 , wherein the current is measured by using a secondary sensing coil. 
     
     
       20. The electronic audio device of  claim 17 , wherein the control circuitry further adjusts equalization when driving the speaker based on the evaluated seal quality.

Description:
This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 12/622,371, filed on Nov. 19, 2009, entitled “Electronic Device and Headset with Speaker Seal Evaluation Capabilities”, currently pending. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     It is often desirable to use headphones when listing to music and other audio material. For example, users commonly use headphones when listening to music that is being played back from a portable music player. Over-the-ear headphones are sometimes used, particularly in environments in which size is not a major concern. When a compact size is desired, users often use in-ear headphones. Earbud headphones are popular because they form a seal in the ear that helps to reduce ambient noise while retaining the compact size of other in-ear designs. 
     The speakers in earbud headphone are encased in earbuds. During use, the earbuds are placed in the ears of a user. When properly seated in the user&#39;s ear, the earbuds form a seal. If the seal between the earbuds and the user&#39;s ear is formed correctly, music can be played back satisfactorily. Poor seals can adversely affect performance. For example, noise cancellation operations can be degraded and volume levels can be affected. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide improved headphones such as improved earbud headphones. 
     SUMMARY 
     Electronic devices and accessories for electronic devices such as headsets are provided that can assess how well speakers are seated in relation to a user&#39;s ears. The electronic devices may be portable music players, computers, cellular telephones, or other electronic devices that produce audio. The audio may be played back by the accessories. 
     The accessories may be headphones such as earbud headphones. Each earbud in an earbud headphone may contain a speaker. Audio performance may be affected by the degree to which the earbuds form seals with the user&#39;s ears. To compensate for potential variations in seal quality, seal quality measurements may be made during use of the earbuds and appropriate actions taken. 
     Control circuitry in an electronic device may be used to generate audio output signals during media playback operations. The control circuitry may also generate test signals such as sine wave test tones. Communications circuitry in the control circuitry of the electronic device may communicate with corresponding communications circuitry in control circuitry located in an attached headset. 
     Seal quality measurements may be made using speaker impedance measurements. With this type of arrangement, the control circuitry of the electronic device and headset may be used to apply signals to the speakers of the earbud while monitoring speaker currents. The signals that are applied to the earbud speakers may be test tones. While applying the test tones, speaker current measurements may be made using a current sensing resistor. Speaker current measurements may also be made by monitoring speaker current flow using a secondary speaker coil and associated current sensing circuitry. 
     Acoustic measurements may also be made to evaluate earbud seal quality. With this type of arrangement, the control circuitry of the electronic device and the headset may be used to drive the earbud speakers with an output signal while sound amplitude measurements are made using in-ear microphones. The signals that are used to drive the earbud speakers may be, for example, low frequency sine wave test tones. 
     The control circuitry in the electronic device and the headset may be used in evaluating how well the earbuds are sealed to the user&#39;s ears based on the results of the electrical impedance measurements and/or acoustic measurements. In headsets with noise cancellation circuitry, noise cancellation circuits can be used to produce an output that varies depending on the quality of the seal that is made with the user&#39;s ears. 
     Actions can be taken by the circuitry in the device and headset in response to seal quality measurements. Poor seal quality may result in performance degradation. For example, low quality earbud seals may result in poor stereo balance, loss in overall earbud volume, suboptimal equalization, and less effective noise cancellation. In response to measured reductions in seal quality, actions may be taken such as generating informative messages for the user, increasing overall earbud volume, correcting mismatched balance between left and right earbuds, adjusting equalization settings, and making adjustments to noise cancellation circuitry. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative system that includes an electronic device and an associated headset in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing circuitry that may be used in an electronic device and headset accessory in a system of the type shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative earbud that has been placed in a user&#39;s ear so as to form a high-quality seal between the earbud and ear that may be detected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the illustrative earbud of  FIG. 3  showing how the earbud may sometimes form a lower-quality seal with the user&#39;s ear that may be detected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a graph showing how the impedance of an earbud may exhibit measurable changes that reflect the quality of the seal between the earbud and a user&#39;s ear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a graph showing how acoustic measurements may be made to assess earbud seal quality for a headset in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a graph showing how adjustable system parameters may be controlled or other suitable actions may be taken based on measured earbud seal quality in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing how an earbud may be provided with a microphone that is used in making acoustic measurements to determine how well the earbud is sealed to the user&#39;s ear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing circuitry that may be used in evaluating earbud seal quality in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in making acoustic measurements with a microphone to determine earbud seal quality and in taking appropriate actions based on the measured seal quality in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in using current sensing circuitry to make speaker drive current measurements to determine earbud seal quality and in taking appropriate actions based on the measured seal quality in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in using a secondary speaker coil to make speaker drive current measurements to determine earbud seal quality and in taking appropriate actions based on the measured seal quality in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electronic devices such as computers, cellular telephones, and portable music players are often connected to headphones and other accessories with speakers. In a typical arrangement, a headset has a cable that is plugged into an audio jack in an electronic device. The headset has speakers that are used to play back audio material from the electronic device. For example, the headset may play a song for a user of a music player or may be used to present telephone call audio signals to the user of a cellular telephone. 
     Earbud headsets have speakers that are housed in earbuds. The earbuds may have elastomeric features that conform to the ear canal of a user&#39;s ear. For example, an earbud may have a foam structure or soft plastic fins that help seat the earbud in the user&#39;s ear. 
     When properly positioned in the user&#39;s ear, the earbud forms a seal with the user&#39;s ear. The seal blocks ambient noise. The seal also forms an enclosed cavity adjacent to the ear. 
     A poor seal generally results in poor earbud performance. For example, a poor seal may change the acoustic properties of the enclosed cavity in a way that disrupts the normal operation of the earbud speaker. Bass response may be significantly reduced. Noise cancellation performance may also suffer. A poorly sealed earbud may also sound much quieter to the user than a well sealed earbud, so a poor seal may adversely affect the balance between right and left channels during stereo playback. 
     These issues can be addressed in a system of the type shown in  FIG. 1  by monitoring ear seal quality and taking appropriate action. As shown in  FIG. 1 , system  8  may include an electronic device such as electronic device  10  and may include an accessory such as headset  18 . 
     Device  10  may be a cellular telephone with media playback capabilities, a portable computer such as a tablet computer or laptop computer, a desktop computer, a television, an all-in-one computer that is housed in the case of a computer monitor, television equipment, an amplifier, or any other suitable electronic equipment. Device  10  may have input-output components such as button  12  and display  14 . Display  14  may be a touch screen or a display  14 . Display  14  may be a touch screen or a display without touch capabilities. 
     Accessory  18  may be a headset or other device that includes speakers. Accessory  18  may, for example, be a headset that includes a voice microphone for handling telephone calls, a pair of stereo headphones that contains speakers but that does not include a voice microphone, a single-speaker device such as a wireless earpiece, hearing aid, or monaural headphone, etc. Arrangements in which accessory  18  is implemented using one or more earbud-styles speakers (i.e., arrangements in which accessory  18  is a set of earbud headphones) are sometimes described herein as an example. 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , headset  18  has earbuds  24 . Button assembly  26  may include user-controlled buttons and an optimal voice microphone. Circuitry for headset  18  may be housed in button assembly  26  or in earbuds  24  (as examples). If desired, headset  18  may have different types of user input interfaces (e.g., interfaces based on microphones, touch screens, touch sensors, switches, etc.). The inclusion of button assembly  26  in headset  18  of  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative. 
     Cables such as cables  22  may be used to interconnect earbuds  24 , button assembly  26 , and plug  20 . Plug  20  may be implemented using an audio plug (e.g., a 3.5 mm tip-ring-ring-sleeve or tip-ring-sleeve connector), using a digital connector (e.g., a universal serial bus connector or a 30-pin data port connector), or using any other suitable connector. Connector  20  may have contacts that mate with corresponding contacts in port  16 . For example, if connector  20  is a four-contact 3.5 mm audio plug, port  16  may be a mating four-contact 3.5 mm audio jack. 
     Circuitry that may be used in device  10  and headset  18  of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  may include control circuitry  28  and accessory  18  may include control circuitry  34 . Circuitry  28  and  34  may include storage and processing circuitry that is based on microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits, audio chips (codecs), video integrated circuits, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (e.g., audio digital signal processors), memory devices such as solid state storage, volatile memory (e.g., random-access memory), and hard disk drives, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , circuitry  28  may, if desired, include noise cancellation circuitry and other audio processing circuitry  30 . Circuitry  34  may include noise cancellation circuitry and other audio processing circuitry  36 , if desired. Circuitry  28  may include input-output circuitry  32 . Circuitry  34  may include input-output circuitry  38 . Input-output circuitry  32  and  38  may include user input devices such as buttons, touch pads, track pads, keyboards, switches, microphones, and touch screens. Input-output circuitry may also include output devices such as displays, speakers, and status indicators. 
     Input-output circuitry  32  and  38  may include communications circuitry that is associated with ports such as port  16  of device  10  and plug  20  of accessory  18 . This communications circuitry may be used to transmit analog and/or digital signals between device  10  and headset  18 . Cables such as cable  22  and connectors such as connectors  16  and  20  may form a communications path that can be used in conveying signals between device  10  and headset  18 . The communications path may be used to transmit audio from circuitry  28  to earbuds  24  during playback operations. 
     The communications path may also be used to convey noise cancellation signals. Noise cancellation may, for example, be performed using the processing circuitry of device  10  (e.g., using noise cancellation circuitry  30 ). In this type of arrangement, noise cancellation microphone signals from headset  18  may be routed to circuitry  30 . Circuitry  30  may then route audio signals from which the noise has been cancelled to headset  18 . If desired, noise cancellation operations may be performed locally in headset  18 . With this type of arrangement, noise cancellation circuitry  36  in headset  18  can receive audio playback signals from device  10  and can receive noise cancellation microphone signals from noise cancellation microphones in headset  18 . Circuitry  36  can then cancel noise from the played back audio. 
     The quality of the seals that are formed between earbuds  24  and a user&#39;s ears affects performance. For example, satisfactory noise cancellation can become difficult when is high-quality seal is not present. Poor earbud-to-ear seals can also affect audio quality in other ways. For example, left-right balance (volume) and equalization can be affected by seal quality. 
       FIG. 3  shows how an earbud may be positioned within an ear to form a high-quality seal. In the example of  FIG. 3 , earbud  22  has been inserted into the ear canal portion of ear  44  sufficiently to form a seal between the outer surfaces of earbud  24  and the corresponding surfaces of ear  40 . In the  FIG. 4  example, earbud  24  has only been partly inserted into ear  40 , resulting in gap  42 . The presence of gap  42  reduces the quality of the seal in the  FIG. 4  arrangement relative to the quality of the seal in the  FIG. 3  arrangement. Larger gaps will result in poorer seal quality, whereas smaller gaps will exhibit better seal quality. 
     During operation, circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  of  FIG. 2  may be used in assessing earbud seal quality in real time and in taking appropriate actions. Seal quality may be measured by determining the impedance of the earbud speakers in headset  18  using current measurements and/or by making acoustic measurements. In headsets with noise cancellation circuitry, the noise cancellation circuitry may also supply an output that is indicative of the level of noise cancellation that is being used and that is therefore indicative of seal quality. 
     An illustrative graph showing how earbud impedance (e.g., in ohms) may vary as a function of signal frequency f (e.g., in Hz) is shown in  FIG. 5 . Solid line  44  corresponds to earbud impedance in the presence of a high-quality seal. Dashed line  46  corresponds to earbud impedance in the presence of a low-quality seal. Earbud-to-ear seals of intermediate quality will tend to exhibit characteristics between those of lines  44  and  46 . 
     As the  FIG. 5  example demonstrates, the impedance-versus-frequency curve for headset  18  responds to seal quality changes differently in different frequency ranges. 
     At frequencies in the vicinity of frequency f 1 , the lowering of seal quality causes resonance peak  48  of solid line  44  to shift to the position occupied by peak  50  of dashed line  46  (i.e., to shift from frequency f 1  to frequency f 2 ). Frequency f 1  may be, for example, 250 Hz and frequency f 2  may be, for example, 230 Hz (as an example). Circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  can monitor the position of the resonance peak and can assess seal quality from the measured frequency of the peak. If desired, a series of impedance data points may be periodically acquired and analyzed to determine the current peak location and thereby compute a seal quality value. 
     At higher frequencies, the lowering of seal quality may result in an overall reduction in impedance. For example, at frequency f 3 , impedance may drop from point  56  (when seal quality is high) to point  58  (when seal quality is low). Similarly, impedance may drop from point  60  (corresponding to a high seal quality at frequency f 4 ) to point  62  (corresponding to a low seal quality at frequency f 4 ). The range of frequencies in which seal quality reductions result in corresponding impedance reductions of the type illustrated in connection with frequencies f 3  and f 4  may be, for example, frequencies in the upper range of the audible spectrum (e.g., 10-20 kHz) or, more typically, ultrasonic frequencies. To determine seal quality at frequencies f 3  and  14 , one or more impedance measurements may be made and, if desired, curve-fitting techniques may be used to determine whether the earbud is exhibiting an impedance behavior such as the high-quality-seal impedance-behavior of line  44  or such as the low-quality-seal impedance behavior of line  46 . 
     The impedance measurements of  FIG. 5  may be made using current sensing circuitry in the audio signal output path, using a secondary sensing coil in the speaker, or using other suitable impedance monitoring arrangements. Acoustic seal-quality measurements may be made using a speaker to generate sound and a corresponding microphone to measure sound. For example, an earbud speaker or other transducer may be used to generate an audio signal such as a test tone while the earbud is located in the user&#39;s ear. A microphone in the earbud may be used to make real time measurements to assess seal quality. 
     If seal quality is high, the amplitude of the sound that is generated in the user&#39;s ear may be characterized by a curve such as solid curve  64  of  FIG. 6 . For example, at frequency fm, the amplitude of the sound that is measured by the microphone may be represented by point  68  on line  64 . If seal quality drops, the amplitude of the sound that is present in the user&#39;s ear may be characterized by a curve such as dashed curve  66  of  FIG. 6 . For example, at frequency fm, the amplitude of the measured sound may be represented by point  70  on line  66 . 
     The frequencies at which sound amplitude is most sensitive to seal quality tend to be fairly low (e.g., about 5 Hz, 10 Hz, less than 15 Hz, etc). This allows seal quality to be assessed by generating a 5 Hz tone (for example) with the earbud speaker while measuring the resulting sound amplitude at 5 Hz with the earbud microphone. If the measured sound level is high, seal quality is high. If the measured sound level is low, seal quality is low. The sound at 5 Hz (or other suitable low frequency) can be produced using a 5 Hz test tone or measurements may be performed during normal audio playback (e.g., by filtering the audio output signal to determine signal strength at 5 Hz and by filtering the corresponding microphone to determining the corresponding sound amplitude at 5 Hz). 
     Once seal quality has been evaluated, appropriate actions may be taken. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for example, the amount of response that is made may vary as a function of measured sound quality level. Examples of parameters that may be varied as a function of measured earbud seal level include, sound volume, equalization (i.e., frequency-dependent sound volumes), balance (i.e., sound volumes of the left speaker relative to the right speaker in a stereo headset), noise cancellation level (e.g., active noise cancellation in situations in which the seal is adequate and disabled noise cancellation in situations in which the seal is poor), etc. If desired, low seal quality levels (e.g., levels below one or more different thresholds) may result in warnings. For example, if the seal quality level drops below a first threshold, display  14  of  FIG. 1  may be used to present a warning such as “your earbuds are not seated properly, please adjust for optimum sound quality.” If the seal quality level drops below a second threshold, device  10  may use display  14  to display a more severe warning such as “earbuds are not sufficiently sealed, noise cancellation has been turned off.” Although the example of  FIG. 7  shows how the magnitude of the action or parameter adjustment that is made in response to the measured earbud seal quality has a linear behavior, this is merely illustrative. Any suitable degree of response may be made as a function of measured seal quality level if desired. 
     An illustrative arrangement that may be used in making acoustic measurements to determine seal quality is shown in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , earbud  24  may be placed in the ear canal of a use&#39;s ear (ear  40 ). In this position, ear canal air cavity  76  is formed between earbud  24  and ear  40 . Paths  78  may be used to convey electrical signals to and from microphone  72  and to and from speaker driver  74 . For example, paths  78  may be used to convey normal analog audio output signals to speaker  74  and/or analog test tones (e.g., a 5-15 Hz test tone). Paths  78  may also be used to gather corresponding microphone signals from microphone  72 . If seal quality is high, the sound that is created by speaker driver  74  in cavity  76  (e.g., the sound amplified at the 5-15 Hz test frequency) will be fairly high (for a given drive signal level) and the resulting measured sound level from microphone  72  will be fairly high. Low quality seals will be reflected in reduced sound levels in cavity  76  and reduced output from microphone  72 . Seal quality assessment operations can be performed using circuitry  34  in headset  18  and/or circuitry  28  in device  10 . 
     Illustrative circuitry that may be used in making electrical measurements of speaker-impedance is shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , earbud  24  may include a speaker driver such us speaker driver  104 . Speaker driver  104  may have a diaphragm such as diaphragm  108  that is vibrated to create sound. Primary driver coil  102  may be used to displace diaphragm  108 . During normal operation, audio signals are driven through coil  102  from path  98 . The magnitude of the current I that flows in path  98  is indicative of the impedance of the earbud. If the current I is large for a given drive signal strength, impedance is low. If the current I is low for a given drive signal strength, impedance is high. 
     The magnitude of current I can be measured using current sensing circuitry  86 . Current sensing circuitry  86  may be based on a current sensing resistor such as resistor  92 . Resistor  92  may be connected in series with one of the wires in path  98 . As current I flows through resistor  92  and through coil  102 , a voltage drop develops across resistor  92 . Voltage detector  88  has terminals coupled to nodes  90  and  94 , which allows voltage detector  88  to measure the voltage drop across resistor  92 . Ohm&#39;s law may then be used to calculate current I. The output of voltage detector  88 , which is indicative of speaker impedance and therefore seal quality, may be supplied to circuitry  34  and/or circuitry  28  on output line  96 . 
     The current I may also be measured using a secondary (tap) coil such as coil  106 . Coil  106  and primary coil  102  may be wrapped around a common core. When coil  102  is driven by an output signal and current I flows through coil  102 , electromagnetic coupling causes a proportional current to flow through secondary coil  106 . This current (and therefore proportional current I) can be measured using path  100  and current sensing circuitry  101 . 
     Circuitry  34  and/or circuitry  28  ( FIG. 2 ) may be used to process the measured value of I (and the resulting measured impedance and resulting measured seal quality) and may be used to take appropriate action. 
     If desired, earbud  24  (or other structures in headset  18  or device  10 ) may be provided with noise cancellation circuitry  82  (i.e., circuitry  30  or  36  of  FIG. 2 ). Microphone  84  may monitor noise in the vicinity of the ear (i.e. in cavity  76  of  FIG. 8 ) and may provide corresponding microphone signals to noise cancellation circuitry  82 . Noise cancellation circuitry  82  may also receive audio output signals (e.g., played back music). Noise cancellation circuitry  82  can process the signals from microphone  84  and the audio output signals and can produce a corresponding version of the audio output signals from which noise has been canceled. In this type of scenario, the amount of noise cancellation that is being performed may, if desired, be monitored to assess earbud seal quality. For example, if noise cancellation circuitry  82  is performing a large amount of noise cancellation, it can be concluded that the level of noise in cavity  76  is high and that seal quality is low. If noise cancellation circuitry  82  is performing a relatively small amount of noise cancellation, it can be concluded that the level of noise in cavity  76  is low and that seal quality is high. The amount of noise cancellation that is being performed at any given time can be output from noise cancellation circuitry  82  in the form of a noise cancellation metric (analog or digital noise cancellation magnitude information), as indicated schematically by output line  80 . This noise cancellation metric can be evaluated by circuitry  34  and/or circuitry  28 . 
     Illustrative steps involved in evaluating earbud seal quality using a microphone such as microphone  72  of  FIG. 8  are shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     At step  110 , circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  may be used to generate a drive signal for speaker  104 . The drive signal may be, for example, a test tone signal at a suitable frequency or set of frequencies. As described in connection with  FIG. 6 , the acoustic behavior of earbud  24  tends to be sensitive at low frequencies such as 5 Hz, so an example of a suitable test tone that may be used is a 5 Hz sine wave. The test tone may be impressed on top of normally playing audio signals (e.g., music) or may be played in isolation. 
     At step  112 , microphone  72  may make corresponding sound measurements. If music is playing at the same time as the test tone, a filtering operation may be performed (e.g., using circuitry  34  and/or circuitry  28 ) to isolate the amount of sound at the test tone frequency. 
     The amount of sound that is measured at the test tone frequency is an indicator of seal quality as described in connection with  FIG. 6 . At step  114 , control circuitry such as control circuitry  28  in device  10  and/or control circuitry  34  in headset  18  may be used to determine the quality of the earbud seal from the sound level measurements made at step  112 . 
     At step  116 , appropriate actions may be token by device  10  and/or headset  18  based on the measured seal quality. If, for example, seal quality is low, a warning or other message may be displayed for the user. Low seal quality in an earbud may also be counteracted by adjusting the playback volume (e.g., to raise the volume of the audio in that earbud to compensate for the loose seal). By performing volume adjustments on an earbud-by-earbud basis, balance between the two earbuds (i.e., left-right stereo balance) may be improved. If desired, the volume that is adjusted may be adjusted more at one frequency than another. Bass performance tends to suffer when seal quality is poor, so increasing the bass portion of the played back audio in response to detection of a poor earbud seal may help compensate for this effect. More than one of these approaches may be used simultaneously if desired. For example, bass may be accentuated while increasing the overall volume level of an earbud and while simultaneously displaying an informative message for the user and temporarily disabling noise cancellation. 
     As illustrated by line  117 , the operations of steps  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116  may be repeated during operation of device  10  and headset  18 . 
     Illustrative steps involved in evaluating earbud seal quality using current sensing circuitry such as current sensing circuitry  86  of  FIG. 9  are shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     At step  118 , circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  may generate drive signals for speaker  104  at one or more desired test frequencies. The test frequencies may be low frequencies (e.g., frequencies in the hundreds of Hz) when it is desired to detect impedance peak shifts as described in connection with peaks  48  and  50  of  FIG. 5 . The test frequencies may be generated at higher frequencies to detect changes such as the change from point  56  to point  58  or the change from point  60  to point  62  in  FIG. 5 . High frequency signals may, for example, be generated at ultrasonic frequencies (e.g., at one or more frequencies above 20 kHz). A set of ultrasonic frequencies may, for example, be generated in series at frequencies of 50 kHz, 60 kHz, 70 kHz, and 80 kHz (as examples). As each test tone is generated at a known strength, current sensing circuitry  86  may be used to gather corresponding current measurements that are provided to circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34 . 
     At step  120 , the current measurements from current sensing circuitry  86  and the known value of the test tone signals are processed using circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  to produce corresponding impedance measurement data. 
     The impedance data that is produced using the operations of step  120  may be analyzed to determine the quality of the earbud seal at step  122 . Circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  may be used in performing the analysis operations of step  122 . 
     At step  124 , appropriate actions may be taken by device  10  and/or headset  18  based on the measured seal quality. If seal quality is low, a warning or other message may be displayed for the user (as an example). Audio adjustments may also be made using circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34 . Low seal quality in an earbud may, for example, be addressed by adjusting the volume of the output audio (e.g., to raise the volume of the audio in that earbud to compensate for a poor seal). Volume adjustments may include balance adjustments, equalization adjustments, combinations of balance, total volume, and equalization adjustments, etc. If desired, noise cancellation settings may be adjusted based on the measured seal quality (e.g., to adjust noise cancellation strength or to turn on or off noise cancellation). 
     As illustrated by line  126 , the operations of steps  118 ,  120 ,  122 , and  124  may be repeated. For example, the operations of  FIG. 11  may be repeated continuously in real time during operation of device  10  and headset  18 . 
       FIG. 12  shows illustrative steps that may be used in evaluating earbud seal quality using a tap coil such as tap coil  106  of  FIG. 9 . 
     At step  128 , circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  may generate drive signals for speaker  104  at one or more desired test frequencies. As with the measurements described in connection with  FIG. 11 , the test frequencies that are generated at step  128  of  FIG. 12  may be at low frequencies (e.g., frequencies in the hundreds of Hz) or may be at higher frequencies. One or more test signal frequencies may be used. Low frequency signals may be used as test signals when it is desired to detect impedance peak shifts of the type described in connection with peaks  48  and  50  of  FIG. 5 . Higher frequencies such as ultrasonic frequencies may also be used (e.g., at frequencies of 50 kHz, 60 kHz, 70 kHz, and 80 kHz). Test tones may be provided in the form of sine waves. As each test tone is generated, current sensing circuitry may be used to monitor the current flowing through tap coil  106 . These current measurements may then be provided to circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  84 . 
     At step  130 , the current measurements and the known test tone signal magnitudes are processed using circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  to produce corresponding impedance measurement data. 
     The impedance measurement data that is produced using the operations of step  130  may be analyzed to determine the quality of the earbud seal at step  132 . Circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  may be used in performing the analysis operations of step  132 . 
     At step  134 , appropriate actions may be taken by device  10  and/or headset  18  based on the measured seal quality. Warnings or other messages may be displayed for the user if the seal quality drops below a given threshold amount. Audio adjustments may be made using circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  to compensate for performance losses produced by lowered seal quality. Circuitry  28  and/or circuitry  34  may compensate for low seal quality by adjusting the volume of the output audio. For example, the volume of the audio may be raise to compensate for sound loss due to a poor seal. Balance adjustments, equalization adjustments, noise cancellation circuitry adjustments, and combinations of balance, overall volume, equalization, and noise cancellation adjustments may also be made. 
     As illustrated by line  136 , the operations of steps  128 ,  130 ,  132 , and  134  may be repeated. For example, the operations of  FIG. 12  may be repeated continuously in real time during operation of device  10  and headset  18 . 
     Although examples in which headset  18  uses earbuds that form seals with a user&#39;s ears have sometimes been described as an example, the seal assessment techniques described herein may be used in the context of other types of headsets (e.g., headsets with over-the-ear speakers, etc.). 
     In general, seal quality assessment operations can be performed using circuitry  34  in headset  18 , using circuitry  28  in electronic device  10 , or using circuitry  28  and  34  together. Appropriate actions based on the seal quality assessment results may likewise be performed using circuitry  34  in headset  18 , using circuitry  28  in electronic device  10 , or using both circuitry  28  and  34 . 
     For example, circuitry  34  may be used to perform seal assessment operations locally in headset  18 , without significant assistance from device  10 . In this type of arrangement, circuitry  34  may use noise cancellation circuitry output to assess seal quality. Circuitry  34  may also generate test tones and may perform impedance measurements and/or acoustic measurements with an earbud microphone to gather impedance data and/or sound amplitude data. The data that is acquired in this way may be processed locally using the circuitry in headset  18 . Circuitry  34  in headset  18  may also use locally-generated output from noise cancellation circuitry in headset  18  in assessing seal quality. Headset  18  may take a corresponding action based on the measured seal quality using local circuitry  34  or may use circuitry  34  to inform circuitry  28  of device  10  of the seal quality so that device  10  can respond accordingly. 
     Seal assessment locations may, if desired, be performed primarily or exclusively using circuitry  28 . For example, circuitry  28  may generate test tones that are applied to the earbud speaker while using a current sensing circuit in circuitry  28  to monitor resulting drive currents. In this type of situation, the process of generating the test tone signal and the process of evaluating the resulting speaker current can be performed using circuitry  28 . Circuitry  28  may similarly drive a test tone onto the earbud speaker while monitoring the current from a secondary coil. If desired, circuitry  34  in headset  18  may monitor the secondary coil current and may transmit a corresponding digital or analog signal to circuitry  28  so that circuitry  28  may compute the speaker impedance. Circuitry  28  may, if desired, generate a test signal for making acoustic seal measurements. For example, circuitry  28  may generate a test tone such as a sine wave test tone at a low frequency (e.g., a frequency of less than 15 Hz). This test tone may be driven through the headset speaker. Circuitry  28  may evaluate the resulting microphone signals gathered by an in-ear microphone. Seal quality may also be assessed based on the current operating settings of noise cancellation circuitry  30  in circuitry  28 . Once the seal quality has been assessed, device  10  can respond accordingly. Device  10  can also send control signals to headset  18  to adjust headset  18  (e.g., to increase the gain of an amplifier that is located in circuitry  34 , to adjust noise cancellation circuitry in circuitry  34 , etc.). 
     In some situations, seal assessment operations can be performed by taking raw data measurements in headset  18  and by performing corresponding data analysis operations in device  10 . For example, device  10  may instruct circuitry  34  to generate a test tone and may instruct circuitry  34  to measure a resulting current or to make an acoustic amplitude measurement using an earbud microphone. Circuitry  34  may then generate appropriate test signals and may gather the resulting electrical or acoustic data. Data for noise cancellation circuitry in circuitry  34  may also be gathered. Communications circuitry in circuitry  34  may transmit the gathered measurements to circuitry  28  in device  10  for additional processing. For example, circuitry  28  in device  10  may perform Impedance calculations, calculations to determine a seal quality parameter from raw current and voltage data, or other suitable seal assessment calculations that are based on the data transmitted from circuitry  34  of device  10 . Appropriate seal-quality-based actions may then be taken in device  10  and/or in headset  18 . 
     As these examples demonstrate, seal assessment operations can be implemented using any suitable division of the resources located in device  10  and headset  18 . Resulting actions may likewise be taken by device  10 , headset  18 , or both device  10  and headset  18 . The descriptions of possible divisions of resources that are provided herein are merely illustrative. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20130227
Publication Date: 20140610
Grant Date: 20140610
Priority Date: 20091119
Inventors: TISCARENO VICTOR
TERLIZZI JEFFREY J.
SANDER WENDELL B.
BEAUCHAMP CHRISTOPHER TODD
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R5/033", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1016", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R29/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 44011304