Headset with listen-through mode and method of operation thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a headset with a hear-through mode and a method of operating the same. The headset comprises at least one earpiece with a loudspeaker and one or more microphones. The headset is configured to operate in a first mode in which an electronic noise cancellation circuit is configured to receive ambient audio via at least a first microphone of the one or more microphones to implement an active noise cancellation function and to provide a noise cancellation audio signal to the loudspeaker, and a second mode in which the ambient audio is provided as a hear-through audio signal to the loudspeaker. The headset for voice communication is configured to detect whether a call is ongoing and to provide a call signal in response to the detection. The headset comprises an electronic noise cancellation circuit, a voice activity detection unit configured to indicate when a user is speaking, a switching element configured to switch the headset between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.

Description

[0001] This disclosure is a divisional application of application number 201611238966.4, filed on December 28, 2016, entitled "Headphone with Listening Mode and its Operation Method", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] A headset for voice communication is provided, as well as a method for operating a headset for voice communication with noise cancellation function. In particular, a headset and method for automatically selecting a listening mode are disclosed. Background Technology

[0003] Headphones are widely used in noisy environments, office environments, and anywhere for listening to music or entertainment.

[0004] Many headphones include one or both passive and active noise cancellation features, which limit a user's exposure to external or ambient noise by preventing ambient noise from reaching the user's ears.

[0005] Passive noise reduction in headphones typically occurs by means of an outer cover (e.g., ear pads) surrounding the user's outer ear, or by means of an ear gel, for example, that extends into and at least partially blocks the ear canal, by attenuating sound waves as they reach the user's ear.

[0006] Active noise-canceling headphones typically include electronic circuitry that generates an anti-noise signal that disrupts ambient sound to eliminate it. Active noise-canceling headphones can have different settings, allowing for varying degrees of noise cancellation effectiveness to suit different user preferences.

[0007] For such headphones that include either passive or active noise cancellation, a hear-through function is typically provided. This allows the user to hear his or her own voice in a more natural way, which increases the user's level of comfort while speaking, and also allows the user to speak at a volume level appropriate to the current audio level in the environment.

[0008] Typically, headphones include a switch for selecting when the listening mode should be activated.

[0009] However, in some cases, it is advantageous to automatically change the settings of the headphones.

[0010] For example, it is known from US8,798,283 that certain external events, such as voice or alarms, can trigger the call-to-action mode. However, in the absence of such a specific event, the user will have to manually trigger, for example, the call-to-action mode. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to improve the functionality of a headset for voice communication with active noise cancellation.

[0012] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a headset for voice communication is provided, the headset including at least one earpiece having a speaker and one or more microphones, the headset being configured to operate in the first mode and the second mode, wherein in the first mode, an electronic noise cancellation circuit is configured to receive ambient audio via at least a first microphone of the one or more microphones to achieve active noise cancellation and to provide a noise-cancelled audio signal to the speaker, and in the second mode, the ambient audio is provided to the speaker as an audio signal for hearing. The headset for voice communication is configured to detect whether a call is in progress and to provide a call signal in response to detection. The headset includes an electronic noise cancellation circuit, a voice activity detection unit configured to indicate when a user speaks, and a switching element configured to switch the headset between operation in the first mode and operation in the second mode, wherein when the headset is operating in the first mode and the call signal indicates that the user is not making a call, and additionally when the voice activity detection unit indicates that the user is speaking, the switching element is configured to switch the headset from operation in the first mode to operation in the second mode.

[0013] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for operating a headset with noise cancellation functionality for voice communication. The headset includes a speaker, one or more microphones, and electronic noise cancellation circuitry implementing the noise cancellation functionality. The method includes: in a first operating mode, receiving ambient audio via at least a first microphone of the one or more microphones to provide a first received ambient audio signal, providing the received ambient audio signal to the electronic noise cancellation circuitry to obtain a noise cancellation signal, and supplying the noise cancellation signal to the speaker. In a second operating mode, receiving ambient audio via at least a second microphone of the one or more microphones and providing the ambient audio as a call signal to the speaker. The method further includes detecting whether a call is in progress and, in response to detecting and providing a call signal, wherein when the headset operates in the first mode and the call signal indicates that the user is not on a call, a voice activity detector is used to detect whether the user is speaking, and if the voice activity detector detects that the user is speaking, the method switches to the second operating mode.

[0014] In another aspect of this disclosure, a headset for voice communication is provided, comprising at least one earpiece having a speaker and one or more microphones. The headset is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, input audio is provided to the speaker as a noise-cancelled audio signal, and in the second mode, ambient audio is provided to the speaker as an audio signal for hearing. The headset for voice communication is configured to detect whether a call is in progress and, in response to detection, to provide a call signal. The headset includes electronic noise cancellation circuitry, a voice activity detection unit configured to indicate when a user speaks, and a switching element configured to switch the headset between operation in the first mode and operation in the second mode.

[0015] When the headset is operating in the first mode and a call signal indicates that the user is not on a call, an instruction from the voice activity detection unit to prompt the user to speak can trigger a switching element to switch the headset from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

[0016] Input audio, such as ambient audio or audio received via an audio input port (such as an audio jack), can be provided to an electronic noise cancellation circuit configured to receive input audio, such as via at least a first microphone of one or more microphones, or any other input audio port (such as an audio jack) to achieve active noise cancellation.

[0017] The advantage of this invention is that the second mode, in which a call-through audio signal is provided to the speaker, allows the user to participate in a conversation with another person near the user without turning off the headphones, because the call-through function allows the user to hear ambient sounds.

[0018] In some implementations, the headset may be configured to also have a third operating mode. The third operating mode could be a call-through sidetone mode that allows the user to naturally hear their own voice during a conversation.

[0019] In the third mode, the communication microphone can be mounted on a microphone boom or in the headset, and the audio signal from the communication microphone can be provided to the speaker as a side-tone audio signal for a call. The audio signal from the communication microphone can be processed before being provided to the speaker, and for example, it can be attenuated before being provided to the speaker as a side-tone audio signal for a call.

[0020] Therefore, the method according to this disclosure may further include: in a third operating mode, receiving voice via a communication microphone to provide a voice signal, and supplying the voice signal as a call-through sidetone signal to a speaker, wherein when the headset operates in a first mode and a call signal indicates that the user is on a call, a voice activity detector is used to detect whether the user is speaking, and if it is determined that the user is on a call and is speaking, switching to the third operating mode to provide the call-through sidetone signal to the speaker.

[0021] Headsets for voice communication typically include at least one earpiece having a speaker and one or more microphones, wherein the speaker is configured to provide audio signals to the user's ears when the headset is positioned in a desired operating position on the user's head. The headset may additionally include at least one communication microphone configured and correspondingly positioned to receive the user's voice when positioned in the desired operating position on the user's head. The communication microphone may be located within the earpiece, or it may be located in a microphone boom of the headset, the boom being configured to accommodate one or more communication microphones.

[0022] Headsets for voice communication can be used in various settings or scenarios with different noise levels, including indoors and outdoors, office environments, call center environments, street environments, manufacturing environments, machinery operating environments, and heavy equipment environments. Headsets can be mono or stereo.

[0023] Users typically find comfort in headphones that include noise cancellation features, such as those provided in headphones. It should be understood that the term noise cancellation in this disclosure includes noise suppression, noise attenuation, etc. Therefore, noise cancellation features as disclosed herein can be used to reduce the noisy portion of a signal. In some embodiments, the noise cancellation feature may include, for example, attenuating ambient noise by at least 3 dB, such as at least 6 dB, such as at least 12 dB, within at least a certain frequency range, e.g., within at least an optimal frequency range.

[0024] Headphones can also include passive noise cancellation functionality. For example, passive noise cancellation can utilize the physical characteristics of the headphones, such as their design and the materials used. Some headphones may be padded, and the headphones may be designed to cover the entire ear when worn in the intended operating position on the user's head. Typically, such passive noise cancellation can be designed to provide insulation against ambient noise and can be particularly well-suited for filtering out irregular noise and / or high-frequency noise, such as speech in an office environment.

[0025] To provide active noise cancellation, ambient audio is typically detected and analyzed, with the ambient audio being canceled after a noise cancellation signal is generated. Therefore, the electronic noise cancellation circuitry of headphones is typically configured to receive ambient audio via at least a first microphone from one or more microphones to achieve active noise cancellation and to provide a noise-cancelled audio signal to the speaker. Thus, at least a first microphone from one or more microphones can convert the received ambient audio into an ambient audio signal provided to the active noise cancellation function.

[0026] In some embodiments, an attenuation audio signal is provided via at least a second microphone from one or more microphones. The attenuation signal can therefore be an attenuation ambient signal, and the second mode can be an attenuation ambient mode. The at least second microphone can be an ambient microphone that provides an audio signal replicating audio from the surrounding environment of the headset. The at least second microphone can receive ambient audio and convert it into an ambient audio signal provided to a speaker. In some embodiments, the ambient audio signal can be processed before being provided to the speaker. Therefore, before being provided to the speaker and thus to the user, the ambient audio signal can be received by one or more processing elements, processing circuitry, and / or a processor for processing the ambient audio signal. In the one or more audio signal paths that receive the ambient audio, this processing can apply any combination of known signal processing techniques (e.g., amplification, attenuation, noise reduction, frequency filtering, spatial filtering, beamforming, acoustic feedback reduction, level compression, etc.).

[0027] The audio signal can be provided by at least the second microphone of one or more microphones; however, it should be assumed that one or more microphones can contribute to the generation of the audio signal.

[0028] For example, a second main microphone, a second auxiliary microphone, etc., can receive ambient audio, and the generated second main ambient signal, the generated second auxiliary ambient signal, etc., can be combined to form a listening signal. Therefore, a listening signal with, for example, improved directionality can be provided.

[0029] In some implementations, the audio signal can be provided from an opening in the headphones, such as an opening in the earphone.

[0030] In some implementations, the first microphone and the second microphone can be the same microphone. Therefore, the first received ambient audio signal to be provided to the electronic noise cancellation circuit to obtain a noise cancellation signal can be obtained using the same microphone as the ambient audio that will be provided to the speaker as a listening audio signal.

[0031] To achieve adequate noise reduction, many headphones employ both passive and active noise cancellation. Passive noise cancellation is typically achieved through acoustic suppression in structural components such as the headphone shell and ear pads. Active noise cancellation, on the other hand, actively cancels out ambient audio, or acoustic noise, that approaches the wearer's ears, attempting to eliminate and thus remove noise from the sound reaching the ears.

[0032] Passive noise cancellation is generally most effective above approximately 1 kHz, with the effect decreasing towards lower frequencies, and practically nonexistent below approximately 100 Hz. Conversely, active noise cancellation is generally most effective below approximately 1 kHz, but struggles to achieve good results at higher frequencies. Therefore, in principle, noise cancellation using a combination of passive and active noise cancellation can be effective across the entire audio frequency range.

[0033] For active noise cancellation, ambient audio is typically recorded by one or more microphones (such as one or more first microphones, such as a first main microphone, a first auxiliary microphone, etc.) and provided to a processor that provides a noise cancellation signal as an inverse signal relative to the ambient audio (which is perceived as noise by the user). One or more microphones may be positioned outside the headphones to provide a feedforward microphone signal to the active noise cancellation circuitry. Alternatively, one or more microphones may be positioned inside the headphones to provide a feedback microphone signal to the active noise cancellation circuitry. Typically, the active noise cancellation circuitry is an analog active noise cancellation circuitry. However, it is conceivable that the active noise cancellation circuitry may also be implemented in the processor (e.g., for digital processing of the first microphone signal).

[0034] Using more than one microphone to record ambient sounds may be advantageous, as this can provide an improved estimate of ambient sounds and therefore an improved estimate of ambient noise.

[0035] In some embodiments, at least the first microphone provides a feedforward signal to the electronic noise cancellation circuit. Alternatively, at least the first microphone may provide a feedback signal to the electronic noise cancellation circuit. In some embodiments, the headset includes one or more first microphones, and at least one of the one or more first microphones may provide feedforward signals to the electronic noise cancellation circuit, and additionally, at least another microphone of the one or more first microphones may provide feedback signals to the electronic noise cancellation circuit.

[0036] The headphones can therefore be configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the electronic noise cancellation circuit is configured to receive ambient audio via at least a first microphone of one or more microphones to achieve active noise cancellation and to provide a noise-cancelled audio signal to a speaker. In the second mode, the ambient audio is provided to the speaker as an audio signal for listening. The headset for voice communication further includes a switching element configured to switch the headset between operation in the first mode and operation in the second mode.

[0037] The switching element can be located inside the headphones and can electrically switch between providing audio from a first microphone to a speaker and providing audio from a second microphone to the speaker, to respectively provide an active noise cancellation signal or an on / off signal to the speaker. The switching element can be implemented as an on / off switch. In some embodiments, the switching element can be an analog switching element, or the switching element can be implemented in a processor.

[0038] The headset also includes a voice activity detection unit configured to indicate when a user speaks, and a switching element configured to switch the headset from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation when the voice activity detection unit indicates that the user is speaking.

[0039] The voice activity detection unit can be any voice activity detection unit known in the art and can include transducers, such as vibration sensors and / or microphones for detecting voice activity. The voice activity detection unit can include a processor for processing transducer input to identify voice activity, and various algorithms can be used to process transducer signals, such as microphone signals or vibration sensor signals, to determine the presence of voice activity.

[0040] The voice activity detection unit can provide an indication signal to instruct the user to speak, so that when the voice activity detection unit determines that voice activity exists, it then provides an indication signal.

[0041] Therefore, the voice activity detection unit may further include a processor for receiving transducer signals, such as vibration sensor signals and / or voice activity microphone signals, the processor being configured to process and / or evaluate the transducer signals, such as vibration sensor signals and / or voice activity microphone signals, to identify voice activity. The processor may be configured to provide an indication signal instructing the user to speak.

[0042] Headsets for voice communication may also include call processing functions for answering, initiating, and / or terminating calls. In some embodiments, a connection from the headset to a telephone network is provided via a network gateway.

[0043] Headsets used for voice communication may additionally include call analysis capabilities that distinguish between periods of interactive conversation and periods when the user has just listened to a call.

[0044] Headphones can be wired or wireless. Therefore, the connection from the headphones to the unit used for voice communication can be wired or wireless, and thus the headphones can have wired or wireless connections to telephones, computers, etc., to provide access to telephone networks. Wireless connections can be provided using any wireless standard, such as DECT, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, etc.

[0045] The DECT standard (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) is a standard primarily used for generating cordless telephone systems. DECT can be used in home and small office systems, as well as in PBX systems for many medium and large enterprises. The DECT standard includes standardized interoperability profiles for basic telephone capabilities (known as GAP), which most manufacturers implement. GAP conformance enables DECT headsets and base stations from different manufacturers to interoperate at the most basic functional level—making and receiving calls. The standard also includes several other interoperability profiles for data and radio local loop services.

[0046] For all wired and wireless connections, headsets used for voice communication connect to telephone networks, such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and software applications or programs that implement voice over IP, such as Skype, Skype for Business, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft Messenger, etc. Typically, a network gateway provides connectivity to the telephone network in any form.

[0047] For example, the DECT standard fully specifies devices for portable units such as cordless phones to access fixed telecommunications networks via radio, but does not specify any internal aspects of the fixed networks themselves. Connections to fixed networks, which can have many different types, are accomplished through base stations or "radio fixed sections" for terminating radio links and network gateways for connecting calls to the fixed network. Network gateway connections can be to the public switched telephone network or telephone jacks, or to programs or applications that implement voice over IP.

[0048] In some implementations, a network gateway provides connectivity from the headset to the telephone network. The network gateway is on when the user is on a call and off when the user is not on a call. A call signal can indicate whether the network gateway is on or off.

[0049] Typically, the network gateway is on when a user is on a call, and typically, it is off when the user is not on a call. Therefore, when the network gateway is on, the user is considered to be on a call, and thus there is a connection between the headset and the telephone network. Similarly, when the network gateway is off, the user is considered to be not on a call, and thus there is no connection between the headset and the telephone network.

[0050] A headset used for voice communication can be configured to detect whether a call is in progress and, in response to detection, provide a call signal. Therefore, the call signal can indicate whether a network gateway is open or closed.

[0051] The call signal can be provided to the switching element and can at least partially control the switching element to switch between a first mode and a second mode, or vice versa.

[0052] In some embodiments, the headset is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the electronic noise cancellation circuit is configured to receive ambient audio via at least a first microphone of one or more microphones to achieve active noise cancellation and to provide a noise-cancelled audio signal to a speaker. In the second mode, the ambient audio is provided to the speaker as an audio signal for listening. When the headset operates in the first noise cancellation mode and the user of the headset is not making a call, a voice activity detection unit can detect the user speaking. In such a case, a switching element is configured to switch the headset from the first noise cancellation mode to the second listening mode.

[0053] When a user is not on a call, and when the user starts talking, it is most likely that the user is talking to someone nearby and expects to hear any response that can be provided in response to the speech, which is advantageous for switching to call mode.

[0054] Therefore, after switching to the second mode, the headphones can operate in the second mode, the listening mode, for a period of time so that the user can hear any answers provided.

[0055] In some implementations, a third mode can be provided, which is a call-through sidetone mode that allows the user to naturally hear their own voice while talking. It may be advantageous to use a third microphone, such as a communication microphone mounted on a microphone boom, or otherwise configured to detect the user's voice during a call, to provide the call-through sidetone mode. In some implementations, it may be advantageous to operate the headset in third mode when the user is on a call, particularly in noisy environments, because the user will then primarily hear their own voice naturally, but not necessarily the ambient audio.

[0056] In the third mode, a hear-through sidetone audio signal is provided to the speaker, and the audio signal from the communication microphone used to pick up the user's own voice is appropriately processed, for example, typically attenuated, and provided to the speaker as a hear-through sidetone audio signal. The headset can be configured to switch back to first mode operation by explicitly reactivating user actions in the first mode, by the expiration of a timer that times out the absence of voice activity detection, or by the termination of the call.

[0057] The operation of the headset for voice communication in different modes, depending on the user situation, can be shown in Table I:

[0058]

[0059] Table I

[0060] In the examples discussed above, where a third mode can be provided to allow the user to naturally hear their own voice while on a call, the operation of the headset for voice communication can be shown in Table II:

[0061]

[0062] Table II

[0063] In some implementations, an additional switching element may be provided for switching between the third mode of operation and the first mode of operation. Alternatively, a single switching element may be provided for switching between the first mode of operation, the second mode of operation, and the third mode of operation.

[0064] In some implementations, the switching element can be configured to switch the headset between a first mode of operation and a third mode of operation to provide a call-through sidetone audio signal to the speaker. Therefore, when the headset is operating in the first mode and a call signal indicates that the user is on a call, the switching element can be configured to switch the headset from the first mode of operation to the third call-through sidetone mode when the voice activity detection unit indicates that the user is speaking. The third call-through sidetone mode allows the user to hear their own voice, thus mitigating the Lombard effect, thereby improving the user's speech level when they cannot hear their own voice. Therefore, a more natural speaking and listening experience can be obtained.

[0065] In some implementations, the headset may further include a system for analyzing calls based on voice activity detection and distinguishing between periods when the user is only answering (“in call, answering state”) and periods when the user is engaged in interactive conversation (“in call, interactive state”). During the in call interactive state, the headset may operate in a third mode. The transition from the in call interactive state to the in call answering state can be determined by the expiration of a timer, for example, by the timing of a lack of voice activity.

[0066] The present invention relates to various aspects of a headset for voice communication and a method of operating the headset for voice communication as described above and below, as well as corresponding elements, units, methods, devices, systems, intermediate systems, networks, kits, uses and / or product devices, each producing one or more benefits and advantages described in conjunction with the aspects first mentioned, and each having one or more embodiments corresponding to the embodiments described in conjunction with the aspects first mentioned and / or disclosed in the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0067] The above and other features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0068] Figure 1 An example of a headset used for voice communication is illustrated schematically;

[0069] Figure 2 Another example of a headset used for voice communication is illustrated schematically;

[0070] Figure 3 Another example of a headset for voice communication is illustrated schematically;

[0071] Figure 4 The graphs illustrate noise reduction using passive and active noise cancellation as examples.

[0072] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the operation method of a headset used for voice communication;

[0073] Figure 6 A schematic illustration of headphones with noise cancellation functionality;

[0074] Figure 7 A decision tree for operation of headphones according to this disclosure is shown;

[0075] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates a state diagram of operation for a headset according to the present disclosure; and

[0076] Figure 9 A diagram showing a headset according to the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0077] Various embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar reference numerals always refer to similar elements. Therefore, similar elements are not described in detail in every drawing description. It should also be noted that the drawings are intended only to facilitate the description of embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, the illustrated embodiments do not need to have all the aspects or advantages shown. The aspects or advantages described in conjunction with the specific embodiments are not limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiment, even if not shown or explicitly described therein.

[0078] Throughout the text, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts.

[0079] Figure 1 A headset 10 for voice communication is shown. The headset 10 includes earpieces 11, a wearing type element (i.e., headband 9), a microphone boom 8, and a support member 2. The earpieces 11 are configured to be placed over a user's ear so that the user can hear audio transmitted to the headset. The wearing type element is configured to rest on the head of the user wearing the headset. The microphone boom 8 is attached to the earpieces and includes one or more communication microphones 14 for capturing the user's voice. The support member 12 supports the headset to the user's head at the ear opposite to the ear where the earpieces 11 are placed. Alternatively, the headset includes headphone pads 19. This disclosure is conceivable to relate to any headset for voice communication, and therefore, to headsets with any wearing type, including those worn on the head, behind the neck, above the ear, inside the ear, etc. Furthermore, any positioning of the communication microphone 14 for capturing the user's voice is envisioned, and therefore the headset may have a communication microphone 14 for capturing the user's voice located in or on a microphone boom, or the communication microphone 14 for capturing the user's voice may be located in the cable or wire connected to the headset. Similarly, the headset may be a mono headset with a single earpiece, or a stereo headset with two earpieces. The earpiece may be an in-ear headphone, an ear-hook headphone, an ear-hook headphone, etc.

[0080] The headset can be wired or wireless, or any combination thereof, and as shown, can be configured to communicate directly via wireless link 4 or via electronic device 5 to network 3. When headset 10 is connected to network 3, a network gateway (not shown) is opened between headset 10 and network 3. The network can be any network, such as the Internet for IP communication, a cellular network, or a public switched telephone network.

[0081] exist Figure 2 The image shows the headset 11 in more detail. The headset 11 has a speaker 12 and one or more microphones 13, 13'. The headset further includes electronic noise cancellation circuitry 15. Typically, the electronic noise cancellation circuitry is configured to generate an anti-noise signal that disrupts ambient sound to eliminate it.

[0082] The electronic noise cancellation circuit 15 of the headset is configured to receive ambient audio via at least a first microphone of one or more microphones 13, 13' to achieve active noise cancellation and provide a noise-cancelled audio signal to the speaker 12. The headset further includes a voice activity detection unit 16 configured to indicate when a user speaks. The voice activity detection unit 16 typically receives input from voice activity detection sensors, such as microphone 14, vibration sensors (not shown), etc. A switching element 17 is configured to switch the headset between a first mode of operation providing a noise cancellation signal 33 to the speaker and a second mode of operation providing an attenuation signal 34 (i.e., ambient audio) to the user. The switching element 17 may include a controller 18 that controls the switching of the switching element 17. The switching element 17 may be an electronically controlled switching element.

[0083] Figure 3 Another exemplary earphone 30 according to this disclosure is shown. The earphone 30 is an over-ear headphone. It can be seen that the ear 7 is covered by the earphone, and a pad 19 rests on the user's head 6 to provide a closed front cavity 21. The pad 19 is arranged and adapted to attenuate sound signals entering the front cavity 21 from the ambient space 22 when the earphone 30 is positioned in an operating position covering the user's ear. The ear pad 19 can be permanently or detachably attached to the housing 25 by any known means, for example, by means of adhesives, screws, quick couplings, and / or bayonet couplings. Figure 3 As shown, the noise cancellation circuit 15, the voice activity detection unit 16, and the switching element 17 are disposed inside the earphone housing 25. However, it is conceivable that one or more components may be disposed outside the earphone housing, on the cable, in the microphone boom, attached to the headband, etc. The rear cavity 20 is separated from the front cavity 21 and from the surrounding ambient space 22 via the earphone housing 25.

[0084] During use, the first microphone 23 can provide a feedforward signal 31 to the noise cancellation circuit 15, and / or the second microphone 24 can provide a feedback signal 32 to the noise cancellation circuit 15 to achieve a noise cancellation signal. The call signal 34 can be provided directly to the speaker 12, or it can be amplified, filtered, beamformed, etc., before being transmitted to the speaker 12. In some embodiments, the call signal is provided via microphones 13 and 23; in other embodiments, the call signal can be provided via an opening (not shown) in the earphone housing 25, such as an opening that can be closed when a call signal is not desired.

[0085] Figure 4 The attenuation from active, passive, and total noise suppression is shown as a function of frequency. It can be seen that passive noise suppression, or passive noise reduction, curve 41, for example, as provided in earpad 19, is most effective at frequencies above 1 kHz, in which region it can be, for example, greater than 20 dB, greater than 10 dB, or greater than 6 dB. From... Figure 4 As can be further seen, active noise suppression or active noise cancellation, curve 42, is most effective at frequencies below approximately 1 kHz. The total noise suppression provided by the combination of active and passive noise suppression is shown by curve 43, and it can be seen that noise reduction is provided at both low and high frequencies, however, there are several peaks 44 in the low-frequency range.

[0086] Figure 5 This is a flowchart 50 of the method according to the present disclosure. In step 51, ambient audio is received in the headset and a signal of the initially received ambient audio is provided. In step 52, it is determined whether the headset is operating in a first mode, or possibly a third mode. If not, processing ends at 53. If yes, it is determined in step 54 whether a call is in progress. If yes, and therefore it is determined that a call is in progress, a call signal is provided in step 55 to indicate that the call is in progress, for example by instructing a network gateway to open. In step 56, the first mode, and / or possibly the third mode, is maintained and the received ambient audio signal is provided to an electronic noise cancellation circuit to obtain a noise cancellation signal. In step 57, the noise cancellation signal is provided to a speaker. If it is determined in step 54 that a call is not in progress, a call signal indicating that no call is in progress is provided in step 58, for example by instructing a network gateway to close. Therefore, in step 59, it is determined, for example, by using a voice activity detector (VAD) to determine whether the user is speaking. If the user is not speaking, processing ends at step 53. If the user speaks, the headset is switched to a second mode in step 60, and ambient audio is provided to the speaker as an audio signal in step 61. This allows, for example, the user to hear the response of the person speaking to them.

[0087] It should be envisioned that the first mode providing active and / or passive noise cancellation to the user is the normal usage mode, configured for use during normal use and while wearing the headset during calls. Thus, the user can experience active and / or passive noise cancellation during normal use and during calls. While the headset is operating in the first mode, and when the user is on a call, an additional mode, a third mode, can be applied, providing the user with active and / or passive noise suppression during calls, while simultaneously allowing the user to hear their own voice naturally. This can be particularly advantageous in noisy environments where users rely on the noise suppression features of the headset to be able to conduct telephone conversations.

[0088] The advantage of the headset according to at least some embodiments of the invention is that, when wearing the headset in the operating position, the user can begin to talk to, for example, someone nearby, whereby the headset automatically switches to a call-through mode, allowing the user to hear any response or feedback in response to the user's conversation, without having to manually adjust the headset or switch it from one operating mode to another. It should be envisioned that the operating elements of the headset are typically small and delicate, and manually switching from one mode to another may be difficult, or may require removing the headset from the operating position to switch modes. Therefore, it is advantageous that the invention allows for automatic mode adjustment, for example, automatically switching to call-through mode when the user is talking but not making a call.

[0089] After the headset switches to Listen Mode, Listen Mode can be maintained for a specific time. Alternatively, the specific time can be reset for each VAD signal indicating that the user is speaking, so that the headset maintains Listen Mode for a specific time after each detected voice activity when the user is not in a call. The VAD can check voice activity continuously, or it can check voice activity discretely. In some instances, when the VAD includes a microphone to check voice activity, the microphone signal can be digitized and sampled at a sampling frequency of, for example, 16 kHz, and can be divided into overlapping frames, such as frames of 20-40 ms in length. Frames can be extracted every 10 ms (such as every 20 ms, etc.), so each frame can include multiple samples. Therefore, the VAD can check voice activity, for example, every 10 ms, such as every 20 ms, etc.

[0090] Figure 6A pair of headphones 70, such as over-ear headphones, with a feedback active noise cancellation design is schematically shown. The headphones 70 can operate in a noise cancellation mode where received audio is noise-cancelled, or in a non-noise cancellation mode where received audio is provided to the user without noise reduction. Audio, such as input audio, like music, radio, or voice, is received via an audio jack 62. The audio is fed to a differentiator 63, which receives the input audio signal from the audio jack 62 and receives a feedback signal through a filter 73 to provide a noise cancellation signal 68, or the audio is provided directly to a switch 64. The switch 64 allows switching between a noise cancellation mode (where the switch 64 switches the noise cancellation signal 68 to the speaker 66) and a non-noise cancellation mode (where the switch 64 switches the received audio as an on signal 67 to the speaker 64 without noise cancellation). An amplifier 65 can amplify the signal before it is provided to the speaker 66. A bias voltage 74 is provided as shown. Feedback microphone 69 receives ambient audio from inside the headphones and feeds it back to differentiator 63 via gain 71, differentiator 72, and filter 73. Differentiator 72 receives input from feedback microphone 69 and input audio. This headphone design allows for the provision of noise-cancelled audio signals to the user when operating in active noise cancellation mode.

[0091] Figure 7 A decision tree is shown for the operation of a headset according to this disclosure, wherein the headset is configured to operate in a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. Decision tree 80 indicates that in 81, ambient audio is received and in 82, the user's voice audio signal is received. Step 83 determines whether the user is on a call. If not, in step 84, it is determined whether the user is talking. If not, in step 85, the headset operates in the first mode (continuous), wherein an active noise cancellation signal is received at the speaker. If it is determined in step 84 that the user is talking, then in step 86, the second mode is activated, i.e., ambient audio is heard.

[0092] If it is determined in step 83 that the user is on a call, then in decision step 87 it is determined whether the user is interactive during the call. If it is determined that the user is not interactive during the call and is therefore only listening, then in step 85 the headset is operated in the first mode (i.e., ANC mode cf). If it is determined in step 87 that the user is interactive during the call, in step 88 the third mode (i.e., listening-through sidetone mode during a call) is activated.

[0093] Figure 8A state diagram 90 for operating a headset according to this disclosure is shown. State 91 shows that when the user is in a NOT IN CALL state, the headset operates in a first mode, i.e., ANC mode. When voice is detected, for example, by the voice detection unit as described above, timer T1 is activated, and the headset operates in a second mode, see state 92, NOT IN CALL TALKING, where ambient audio is provided to the speaker. Each time voice activity is detected, timer T1 is restarted, see 93. If no voice activity is detected, timer T1 expires, and based on the expiration of timer T1, operation returns to the NOT IN CALL mode, state 91.

[0094] In state 94, the headset operates in IN CALL INTERACTIVE mode, for example, when a new call comes in or goes out. Timer T2 starts as soon as a call is initiated. If voice is detected, timer T2 restarts. When T2 expires, the headset operates in IN CALL LISTENING mode in state 95, and operates in mode one, ANC mode. If voice is detected during a call, timer T2 restarts, and the headset operates in mode three, i.e., in-call sidetone mode. When the call ends, the headset returns to state 91 NOT IN CALL and operates in mode one.

[0095] Figure 9 A diagram of a headset 111 according to this disclosure is shown. The headset 111 includes an ambient sound microphone 113 typically used for voice communication and a voice pickup microphone 114. Input audio can be received via an input receiver 116, such as an audio jack. For example, the input audio can be a received call, audio, or music. The ambient sound signal from the microphone 113 can be provided directly to a first switch 117, or the ambient sound signal from the microphone 113 can be provided to an active noise cancellation circuit 115 before being provided to the first switch 117. The active noise cancellation signal can be added to the input audio before switching. Therefore, the first switch 117 can switch between a first mode (or a third mode) and a second mode, i.e., between ANC / sidetone audio and call-through audio.

[0096] The second switch 118 is configured to switch between a first mode and a third mode, i.e., between active noise cancellation audio and sidetone audio heard during a call. However, it should be envisioned that in some embodiments, the sidetone signal from microphone 114 can be provided to speaker 112 as an additional signal. The signal from voice pickup microphone 114 can be processed, such as attenuated, in the processor or circuitry 119 that implements the sidetone function. It should be noted that processors or circuitry 115 and 119 are variable and can be disconnected.

[0097] The speaker 112 delivers the audio signal determined by the switches 117 and 118 to the user's ears.

[0098] Reference number:

[0099] 2 Support component; 3 Network; 4 Wireless connection; 5 Electronic device; 6 User's head; 7 User's ear; 8 Microphone boom; 9 Headband; 10 Headphones; 11 Earphone; 12 Speaker; 13, 13' Microphone; 14 Microphone for voice communication, third microphone; 15 Electronic active noise cancellation circuit; 16 Voice activity detection unit; 17 Switching element; 18 Controller; 19 Ear pad; 20 Rear cavity; 21 Front cavity; 22 Ambient space; 23 First microphone; 24 Second microphone; 25 Earphone shell; 30 Earphone; 31 Feedforward signal; 32 Feedback signal; 33 Noise cancellation signal; 34 Listening signal; 41 Passive noise suppression; 42 Active noise suppression; 43 Total noise suppression; 44 Low-frequency peak; 62 Audio jack; 63 Differentiator; 64 Switch; 65 Amplifier; 66 Speaker; 67 Listen-through signal; 68 Noise cancellation signal; 69 Feedback microphone; 70 Headphone; 71 Gain; 72 Differentiator; 73 Filter; 74 Bias; 111 Headphones; 112 Speaker; 113 Microphone; 114 Microphone for voice communication, third microphone; 115 Electronic active noise cancellation circuit; 116 Receiver for receiving input audio; 117 First switching element; 118 Second switching element; 119 Sidetone processor.

[0100] While specific embodiments have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the claimed invention is not intended to be limited to preferred embodiments, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The claimed invention is intended to include substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

1. A headset for voice communication, the headset comprising at least one earpiece having a speaker and one or more microphones, the headset being configured to operate in a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode, wherein in the first mode, an electronic noise cancellation circuit is configured to receive ambient audio via at least a first microphone of the one or more microphones to achieve active noise cancellation and to provide a noise-cancelled audio signal to the speaker; in the second mode, ambient audio is provided to the speaker as a call pass-through audio signal; the headset for voice communication is configured to detect whether a call is in progress and to provide a call signal in response to the detection; and in the third mode, voice is received via a communication microphone to provide a voice signal as a call pass-through sidetone signal to the speaker, the headset comprising: The electronic noise cancellation circuit; The voice activity detection unit is configured to indicate when the user speaks; A first switching element is configured to selectively connect the electronic noise cancellation circuit and the speaker to provide the noise-cancelled audio signal to the speaker, or connect the one or more microphones and the speaker to provide the listening audio signal to the speaker. The first switching element is configured to automatically switch the headset between operation in a first mode and operation in a second mode. In the first mode, one end of the first switching element is connected to the electronic noise cancellation circuit; in the second mode, the one end of the first switching element is connected to at least the first microphone among the one or more microphones. The voice activity detection unit is connected to the first switching element and further includes a processor for receiving vibration sensor signals and / or voice activity microphone signals. The processor is configured to evaluate the vibration sensor signals and / or the voice activity microphone signals to provide an indication signal to the first switching element instructing the user to speak, allowing the first switching element to switch the headset from operation in the first mode to operation in the second mode. The communication microphone is used to detect the voice of a user making a call. A second switching element is configured to selectively connect the electronic noise cancellation circuit and the first switching element to provide the noise-cancelled audio signal to the speaker via the first switching element, or to connect the communication microphone and the first switching element to provide the voice signal to the speaker via the first switching element. The second switching element is configured to switch the headset between a first mode of operation and a third mode of operation. When the second switching element switches the headset to the first mode of operation, the first switching element switches the headset between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation. Wherein, when the headset is operating in the first mode, when a call signal indicating that the user is not on a call is received and the voice activity detection unit instructs the user to speak, the first switching element is configured to switch the headset from operation in the first mode to operation in the second mode, characterized in that, When an indication is received that the user is in a call and the voice activity detection unit indicates that the user is speaking, the first switching element is configured to maintain operation in the first mode; and When the user is indicated to be in a call and the voice activity detection unit indicates that the user is not speaking, the first switching element is configured to remain in operation in the first mode.

2. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, The headphones further include passive noise cancellation functionality.

3. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, The audio signal is provided via at least a second microphone from the one or more microphones.

4. The headphones according to claim 3, wherein, The at least second microphone is an ambient microphone that provides an audio signal that replicates the audio in the surrounding environment of the headset.

5. The headphones according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The first microphone and the second microphone are the same microphone.

6. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the one or more microphones provides a feedback signal or a feedforward signal to the electronic noise cancellation circuit.

7. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, The first switching element is implemented in the processor.

8. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, The voice activity detection unit includes a vibration sensor and / or a microphone for detecting voice activity.

9. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, The headset for voice communication further includes call processing functions for answering, initiating, and / or ending calls.

10. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, A gateway provides connectivity from the headset to the telephone network, the gateway being open when the user is on a call and closed when the user is not on a call, wherein the call signal indicates whether the gateway is open or closed.

11. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, The call signal at least partially controls the first switching element to switch between the first mode and the second mode.

12. The headphones according to claim 1, wherein, in, When a call signal indicating that the user is in a call is received and the voice activity detection unit indicates that the user is speaking, the second switching element is configured to switch to the third mode to provide the speaker with the call-through side tone signal.

13. A method of operating a headset for voice communication according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising: In the first operating mode, Ambient audio is received via at least a first microphone of the one or more microphones to provide the initially received ambient audio signal. The received ambient audio signal is provided to the electronic noise cancellation circuit to obtain a noise cancellation signal. The noise cancellation signal is supplied to the speaker. In the second operating mode, Ambient audio is received via at least a second microphone of the one or more microphones, and The ambient audio is provided to the speaker as a listening audio signal. Detect whether a call is in progress and provide a call signal in response to the detection. The method further includes the following when the headset is operated in the first operating mode: When the voice activity detection unit detects that the user is speaking, and when the voice activity detection unit detects that the user is speaking and receives a call signal indicating that the user is not on a call, the system switches to the second operating mode. The characteristic is that, in the first operating mode: The user is detected speaking using a voice activity detection unit, and when the voice activity detection unit detects that the user is speaking and receives a call signal indicating that the user is on a call, the user continues to operate in the first operating mode; and When the voice activity detection unit detects that the user is not speaking, and when the voice activity detection unit detects that the user is not speaking and receives a call signal indicating that the user is on a call, the operation remains in the first operation mode.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The method further includes In the third operating mode, Voice is received via the communication microphone to provide a voice signal. The voice signal is supplied to the speaker as a sidetone signal during a call. Specifically, when the voice activity detection unit detects that the user is speaking, the headset operates in the first operating mode, and the call signal indicates that the user is on a call. The voice activity detection unit is used to detect whether the user is speaking, and When it is determined that the user is on a call and speaking, switch to the third operating mode to provide the call-through side tone signal to the speaker.

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