Ear proximity detection
Embodiments of the disclosure include methods, apparatus and computer programs for detecting the proximity of an ear to an audio device. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a system for detecting the presence of an ear in proximity to an audio device. The system comprises: an input for obtaining a data signal from the environment of the audio device; and an ear biometric authentication module configured to: compare one or more ear biometric features, extracted from the data signal, to an ear biometric template; and generate a first output indicative of the presence or absence of any ear in proximity to the audio device based on the comparison of the one or more extracted ear biometric features to the ear biometric template.
1. A system for detecting the presence of an ear in proximity to an audio device, the system comprising:
an input for obtaining a data signal from the environment of the audio device; and
an ear biometric authentication module configured to:
extract one or more first ear biometric features from a first number of data frames of the data signal;
calculate a first score being indicative of a distance between the one or more extracted ear biometric features and an ear biometric template of an authorised user;
compare the first score to a first threshold to determine the presence or absence of any ear in proximity to the audio device;
responsive to a determination of the presence of any ear in proximity to the audio device, extract one or more second ear biometric features from a second number of data frames of the data signal, the second number of data frames being greater than the first number of data frames;
calculate a second score being indicative of a distance between the one or more second extracted ear biometric features and the ear biometric template of the authorised user; and
compare the second score to a second threshold, different from the first threshold, to determine the presence or absence of an ear of the authorised user in proximity to the audio device.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second number of data frames include the first number of data frames and one or more additional data frames.
3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more additional data frames are obtained after the determination of the presence of any ear in proximity to the audio device.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more second extracted ear biometric features include the one or more first extracted ear biometric features.