After canceling the 3.5mm independent headphone jack on the iPhone 7, Apple introduced the smart headset AirPods, which was favored by the market. Subsequently, more and more mobile phone manufacturers followed up to eliminate the headphone jack, which fundamentally promoted the headset industry to true. The direction of wireless changes.
At present, more and more smart earphones are springing up. Whether it is Apple, Samsung, Amazon, Google and other technology giants, Sony, Bose and other traditional headset audio companies, or smart hardware startup companies, content service companies are eyeing Smart headsets, have a patent layout, and launched or plans to launch smart headset products. Industry insiders predict that smart headsets will become another smart speaker after the 'explosion'. In response, experts said that the face of the prospect of smart headphones In the vast blue ocean market, while Chinese companies are solidly developing technology research and development and product development, they should also strengthen intellectual property protection in a timely manner, establish the concept of 'not moving products, prioritize patents', and give full play to the escort effect of patents on enterprises participating in market competition.
Innovative products varied
Once the headset is removed, it can be connected to various devices, put in the ear, and instantly complete the connection. Tap twice to summon Siri... Wireless Without tedious user experience, AirPods is known as an epoch-making product for wireless headsets, especially when it is launched. In the first month after that, it won 26% market share of the American wireless headset network marketing market. At present, it has become the best-selling accessory product in Apple's history. For a time, this light and small comfort, wireless portable, and convenient connection The headset experience is quickly sought after by users, liberating the final 'line' between the ears for industry trends.
In October 2017, Google introduced the Pixel Buds headset, which integrates the Google Voice Assistant. After activation, the user can activate navigation lines, set reminders or control music, and perform real-time matching with the Pixel mobile phone. Translation. In the same period, Samsung also launched its own smart headset product Gear IconX, which can be a key to call the voice assistant Bixby, with voice control, motion tracking and other functions. In addition, Sony Xperia Ear Duo headphones can intelligently adjust the earphone volume according to the ambient noise The user shook his head to answer or reject calls, switch songs, etc. Amazon also made a patented layout around the smart noise reduction headphones.
In China, MIBI and MIDA's smart headset, Moebius, has four major functions: voice dialogue, motion monitoring, intelligent translation, and navigation. 咕咚, 1MORE (Tianwan Magic), Tencent Jingle Co., Ltd. builds a smart headset product iBFree 2 also has voice interaction, motion tracking and other features. Asked to go out and launched the smart headset product Apple AirPods TicPods Free, and said 'the next tip of voice interaction is the headset.'
'Smart earphones involve core technologies such as infrared sensors, optical sensors, and beamforming technology. Take the Apple AirPods as an example. Through the built-in infrared sensors of the earphones, it can automatically recognize whether the earphones are automatically played in the ear, and achieve intelligent control of playback through headphones. With the built-in optical sensor and accelerometer, double-clicking on the wireless headset activates Siri, which enables the headset to be intelligent and wireless.' Huang Yanli, general manager of Beijing Ningchuang Xinye Intellectual Property Services Co., Ltd., said in an interview with the China Intellectual Property News reporter.
Patent layout abroad dominant
It is noteworthy that, at present, Apple is also accelerating the smart upgrade of AirPods. Apple submitted a patent application shows that Apple will add AI chips in the second generation, support Siri evoke, can actively reduce noise, etc. This means that the headset will not only For listening to music, it will become an audible smart device. Some industry insiders predict that Apple may lead a new round of smart headset competition. As giant companies enter the game, smart headphones will become the next wave after smart speakers. The key to competition.
'Based on the patented layout of smart wireless headsets, foreign companies occupy a significant competitive advantage, and our Chinese companies are still lagging behind. 'Based on smart headset technology, Huang Yanli's patent search found that so far, related to smart wireless headsets worldwide There are more than 500 patent applications for technology, and the number of patent applications for foreign companies such as Samsung, LG, Bragi, Koss, and Apple ranks high. The related technologies cover the key technologies of smart wireless headsets such as sensors, wireless communications, and transmission. , Domestic enterprises went out to ask questions. A total of 7 patent applications were submitted around the smart headset products. The core technologies involved telephone communications, data records, etc.. HKUST submitted an invention patent application involving an adaptive active noise reduction method. Domestic Headphones The company Magic has submitted 59 patent applications around wireless headset related technologies, including 3 invention patent applications, 30 utility model patent applications and 26 exterior design patent applications. 'Out-of-the-desk Inquiries and HKUST's patent applications filed No key technologies such as sensors, transmissions, and wireless communications are involved. But none of the three companies for international patent portfolio, are detrimental to further explore the international market. 'Huang Yanli representation.
As an important accessory for interaction with the human body, intelligent, wireless and interactive smart headsets have great market prospects. Some analysts pointed out that the revolution of wireless smart headsets is not only reflected in the field of smart terminal equipment, in medical, military, noise Isolation and other areas will also have a huge market space. The third-party organization WiFore Consulting pointed out in the "Smart Phone Market 2016-2020" report that by 2020 the overall market size of the wireless headset industry is expected to reach between $30 billion and $40 billion. .
'Challenges and opportunities coexist, although most of the key technologies are in the hands of established foreign companies, but in the face of the broad market prospects of smart headsets, Chinese companies still have a lot of room for growth.' Huang Yanli suggested that domestic companies compete in the market, first of all It is necessary to keep abreast of market trends, accurately position product demands in the market, and conduct solid research and development of products and products. It is necessary to do research on key basic technologies and to develop technological innovations with distinctive innovations so as to develop a product that meets the needs of the market. Differentiated and unique products. In addition, when companies conduct research and development of technology and products, they should strengthen intellectual property protection in a timely manner, and provide multi-dimensional protection for technological innovation achievements through various methods such as submitting patent applications. 'Based on market positioning and overseas markets The strategic plan, timely development of international patents, establish the concept of 'impossible market, patent first' and make full use of the protection role of intellectual property, can enable enterprises to maintain competitive advantages in entering and exploiting overseas markets. 'Huang Lili said.