Alternating sampling method for non-echo duplex session in wearable device with multiple loudspeakers and microphones

Abstract

A wearable device includes a body having fasteners and a frame connected between the two fasteners. The frame includes first and second members. A first portion of the body includes a first component of the frame and a fastener, and a second portion of the body includes a second component of the frame and another fastener. A speaker and a microphone are connected to the first portion, and another speaker and another microphone are connected to the second portion. The body further includes a processor, a memory accessible to the processor, and a program in the memory to configure the processor to selectively activate the speakers and the microphones such that the first speaker emits an output sound signal while the first microphone and the second speaker are deactivated, and the second speaker emits an output sound signal while the first microphone and the second speaker are deactivated. A second microphone captures an input sound signal during the emission of the output sound signal by the first speaker.

Description

This application is a divisional application of the invention patent with the invention name of "Alternating Sampling Method for Non-Echo Duplex Conversations in Multi-Speaker and Microphone Wearable Devices", the application date of October 23, 2019, and the application number of 201980086277.1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application 62 / 753,529, filed in the United States on October 31, 2018, entitled “Alternating Sampling Method for Non-Echoic Duplex Conversation in Multi-Speaker and Microphone Wearable Devices,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to electronic wearable devices and configures embedded speakers and microphones to reduce echo during duplex communications of the wearer. background

[0003] Portable eyewear devices such as smart glasses, headgear, and headsets available today all incorporate microphones and speakers. Users of such portable eyewear devices can use the device to make phone calls or perform verbal messaging that requires speaking and listening at the same time, known as a duplex call. A duplex call can produce an echo, which is sound from the sending device's microphone returning to the sending device's speaker from the receiving device's microphone detecting the sound from the receiving device's speaker.

[0004] Limiting the amount of echo in a duplex call is useful. For example, echo adds distortion to the sound, and it can cause so much distortion that it makes the call unintelligible, confusing, or even confusing to the people participating in the duplex call. Reducing echo is a particularly pressing need in portable eyewear, but it is a long-standing need in many other types of wearable devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements, illustrate one or more embodiments by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

[0006] Figure 1A is a rear view of an example hardware configuration for the eyewear device, including a microphone and speaker connected to the left side of the eyewear frame, and a microphone and speaker connected to the right side of the eyewear frame for echo reduction during duplex calls.

[0007] Figure 1B is a rear view of an example hardware configuration for the eyewear, including a microphone attached to the bottom of the left edge, a speaker attached to the left eyewear leg, a microphone attached to the bottom of the right edge, and a speaker attached to the right eyewear leg, for echo reduction during duplex calls.

[0008] Figure 1C is a rear view of an example hardware configuration for an eye-mounted device, combining Figure 1A and Figure 1B The transmitter is shown with the microphone located at the bottom of the left and right edges, on the left and right blocks, and the speaker located on the left and right blocks, on the left and right eyewear legs, for reducing echo during duplex calls.

[0009] Figure 1D is a rear view of an example hardware configuration for the eyewear device, including speakers located at the bottom of the left and right edges, on the left and right blocks, and on the left and right eyewear legs, and microphones located at the bottom of the left and right edges for echo reduction during duplex calls.

[0010] Figure 1E is a rear view of an example hardware configuration for the goggles, including speakers on the left block and right goggles leg, and microphones on the bottom left edge and right block for echo reduction during duplex calls.

[0011] Figure 2A is a right side view of an example hardware configuration of an eye-mounted device, showing Figure 1A , which shows a right microphone and a right speaker connected to the inside of the right block of the eye-mounted device.

[0012] Figure 2B is a right side view of an example hardware configuration for a goggles, including the right microphone connected to the bottom of the right edge and the right speaker connected to the right goggles leg.

[0013] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through the right block of the eye-mounted device, including a microphone and a speaker connected to the inner surface of the right block.

[0014] Figure 4 is a front view of an example hardware configuration for a strapless watch device, including a microphone and speaker on the watch face, and a microphone and speaker on the bottom of the watch face.

[0015] Figure 5 is a front view of an example hardware configuration for a strap watch device, including a microphone and speaker on the watch face and a microphone and speaker in the strap buckle fastener.

[0016] Figure 6 is a front view of an example hardware configuration of a bracelet device, including a microphone and a speaker on the middle frame of the bracelet, and a microphone and a speaker in the clasp fastener of the bracelet strap.

[0017] Figure 7is a front view of an example hardware configuration for an elastic band device, including a microphone and speaker attached to a frame near the middle of the elastic band, and a microphone and speaker in a fastener closing the elastic band loop.

[0018] Figure 8 is a high-level functional block diagram of an example echo reduction system including a wearable device, a mobile device, a call-networked mobile device, and a server system connected via various networks.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of the operation of a wearable device when performing duplex call echo reduction by activating a speaker and a microphone separated by a wearer's body and using the same speaker and microphone during a call.

[0020] Fig.10 is a flow chart of the operation of a wearable device when performing duplex call echo reduction by alternating activation of a speaker on one side of the wearer and activation of a speaker on the other side of the wearer, wherein activation of a microphone on one side of the wearer and activation of a speaker on the other side of the wearer are such that the speaker and microphone on the same side of the wearer are never activated at the same time during a call. Detailed description

[0021] In the following detailed description, many specific details are set forth by way of example in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings can be implemented without these details. In other instances, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various aspects of the present teachings, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits will be described herein at a relatively high level without setting forth the details.

[0022] As used herein, the term "coupling" refers to any logical, optical, physical, or electrical connection, etc., through which a signal or sound generated or provided by one system element is transmitted to another coupled element. Unless otherwise specified, coupled elements or devices are not necessarily directly connected to each other and may be separated by intermediate components, elements, or propagation media that may modify, manipulate, or carry the sound or signal.

[0023] For purposes of illustration and discussion, orientations of wearable devices, related components, and any complete devices incorporating speakers and microphones as shown in any of the accompanying drawings are given by way of example only. In operation for a particular variable auditory processing application, the wearable device may be oriented in any other direction suitable for the particular application of the wearable device, such as upward, downward, sideways, or any other direction. In addition, as used herein, any directional terms such as front, rear, inward, outward, toward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, up, down, top, bottom, sideways, etc. are used only by way of example and are not limited to the direction or orientation of any transmitter or transmitter component constructed as otherwise described herein.

[0024] An example wearable device includes a body including a first fastener, a second fastener, and a frame coupled between the first fastener and the second fastener. The frame includes a first component and a second component. The body is divided into two parts, the first part of the body including the first component of the frame and the first fastener, and the second part of the body including the second component of the frame and the second fastener. At least one first speaker is connected to the first part of the body, at least one second speaker is connected to the second part of the body, at least one first microphone is connected to the first part of the body, and at least one second microphone is connected to the second part of the body. The body also includes a processor coupled to the body, a memory accessible by the processor, and programming in the memory.

[0025] The processor executes the programming to configure the wearable device to perform functions, including the function of selectively activating at least one of the first speaker or the second speaker. The processor executes the programming to further configure the wearable device to selectively activate at least one of the first microphone or the second microphone. The processor executes the programming to further configure the wearable device to transmit an output sound signal via the activated first speaker when the first microphone and the second speaker are deactivated. In addition, the processor executes the programming to further configure the wearable device to capture an input sound signal via the activated second microphone during the emission of the output sound signal by the activated first speaker.

[0026] Other purposes, advantages and novel features of the examples will be described in part in the following description, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art after viewing the following drawings, or may be learned by the production or operation of the examples. The purposes and advantages of the subject matter may be realized and obtained by the methods, means and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed below.

[0028] Figure 1A1 is a rear view of an example hardware configuration of an eye-mounted device 100, including a frame 105 having a left side 170A including a left block 110A and a left eye-mounted device leg 125A, and a right side 170B including a right block 110B and a right eye-mounted device leg 125B. In the example shown, the purpose of the two eye-mounted device legs 125 is to secure the eye-mounted device to the user's head. Each eye-mounted device leg 125 has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being the end connected to the frame 105 in this example, and the distal end being the end extending away from the frame and typically having an earpiece. The left block is connected to a left microphone 116 and a left speaker 121, while the right block is connected to a right microphone 115 and a right speaker 120. As shown in FIG. Figure 1A As shown, the eye-mounted device 100 is configured for a user to wear. Figure 1A In the example of the embodiment, the eyewear device 100 is glasses. The eyewear device 100 can take other forms and can be combined with other types of frames, such as head-mounted devices, headphones, or helmets. Other frames can also include watches, bracelets, or necklaces.

[0029] In the glasses example, the eyewear device 100 includes a frame 105 including a left edge 107A connected to a right edge 107B via a nose bridge 106 adapted to the user's nose. The left and right edges 107A-B include respective holes 175A-B that hold respective optical elements 180A-B, such as lenses. As used herein, the term "lens" refers to a transparent or translucent glass or plastic cover having curved and / or flat surfaces that cause light to converge / diverge or cause little or no convergence or divergence.

[0030] Although shown as having two optical elements 180A-B, the eye-mounted device 100 may include other arrangements, such as a single optical element or may not include any optical elements 180A-B, depending on the application or intended user of the eye-mounted device 100. As further shown, the eye-mounted device 100 includes a left block 110A adjacent to the left side 170A of the frame 105 and a right block 110B adjacent to the right side 170B of the frame 105. The blocks 110A-B may be integrated into the frame 105 on the respective sides 170A-B (as shown) or implemented as separate components attached to the frame 105 on the respective sides 170A-B. Alternatively, the blocks 110A-B may be integrated into an eye-mounted device leg (not shown) attached to the frame 105. As used herein, the blocks 110A-B may include a housing enclosing some processor, camera, transmitter, etc. (e.g., different for the right and left sides) contained in the housing.

[0031] exist Figure 1AIn the example of , the left block 110A includes a left microphone 116 and a left speaker 121. The right block 110B includes a right microphone 115 and a right speaker 120. Microphones 115, 116 are transducers configured to convert sound into electrical signals. Speakers 120, 121 are transducers configured to convert electrical signals into sound. In this example, these transducers are shown as four separate transducers. However, it is also possible to make a left transducer perform both the tasks of a left speaker 121 and a left microphone 116, and a right transducer perform both the tasks of a right speaker 120 and a right microphone 115. In addition, in a configuration where there are multiple left speakers or microphones, or multiple right speakers and microphones, substantially any number of left speakers and left microphones can be compressed into substantially any number of left transducers, and any number of right speakers and right microphones can be compressed into substantially any number of right transducers. As described in further detail below, at least one of the frame 105 or the left and right blocks 110A-B includes a circuit board that includes a left microphone 116, a right microphone 115, a left speaker 121, and a right speaker 120. The microphones 115, 116 and the speakers 120, 121 may be connected to the circuit board by, for example, soldering.

[0032] Other arrangements of microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121 can be implemented, including arrangements where the left microphone 116 and the left speaker 121 are different from the right microphone 115 and the right speaker 120. The left microphone 116 can also be multiple microphones, and the left speaker 121 can also be multiple speakers, located anywhere on the left half or left side of the frame. The number of left microphones 116 and left speakers 121 does not need to be related. Similarly, the right microphone 115 can also be multiple microphones, and the right speaker 120 can also be multiple speakers, located anywhere on the right half or right side of the frame. The number of right microphones 115 and right speakers 120 does not need to be related. The function of the echo reduction device and method is based on the bilateral nature of the device-the composition, position and number of speakers or microphones on either side are not the focus. Transducers capable of receiving sound and transmitters capable of generating sound (these transmitters can be the same physical transmitters) on both the left and right sides (or first and second sides) of the wearable device are the minimum configuration. Additional speakers and microphones on either side of the wearable device may improve ease of use but are not limiting of the invention.

[0033] The microphones 115, 116 and the speakers 120, 121 are arranged to face inwardly toward the user in order to obtain voice input from the user and output sound directly to the user more efficiently. The microphones 115, 116 and the speakers 120, 121 facing outwardly can be used for more speakerphone types.

[0034] In the example, microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121 work together to improve the quality of phone calls. When a duplex call is received to the wearable device, the processor activates the left microphone 116 and the right speaker 120, while deactivating the right microphone 115 and the left speaker 121. This double-sided call mode uses the user's head to block the sound, so that the left microphone 116 reduces the absorption of the sound produced by the right speaker 120. This can reduce the echo felt by the device communicating with the wearable device. If the left microphone 116 and the left speaker 121 are used at the same time, the above-mentioned echo will be generated. If these two components are located on the same side of the user, the wearable device will only experience minimal occlusion because the distance to attenuate the sound waves is shorter and there are fewer solid materials to attenuate the sound waves. The example also works using the opposite pairing, so that when a call is received, the processor activates the right microphone 115 and the left speaker 121, while deactivating the left microphone 116 and the right speaker 120. This can also reduce the echo generated by using the right microphone 115 and the right speaker 120 at the same time.

[0035] In another example, microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121 work together to improve phone call quality. Similar to the first example, the processor activates the pairing of the left microphone 116 with the right speaker 120 or the right microphone 115 with the left speaker 121, and the other pairing is deactivated. However, in this second example, the processor rapidly alternates activation / deactivation of the pairings (left microphone 116 and right speaker 120, right microphone 115 and left speaker 121) at a speed greater than the human ear can notice the activation cycle. This has a low threshold of 5Hz, and an optimal speed of 40Hz or faster (e.g., 44.8Hz and above), but the cycle can be as fast as the wearable device is technically capable of cycling these transmitter energies. When the device cycles at these speeds, the user perceives sound from both the left speaker 121 and the right speaker 120, even though in reality the speakers 120, 121 only produce sound for each 1 / 2 duration of the call. The same is true for microphones 115, 116, so that the microphone at the other end of the call perceives a continuous stream of sound, even though the microphone on each side is only active for 1 / 2 the duration of the call.

[0036] The speed of sound as a factor in the algorithm that controls the alternation of microphone / speaker pairings is negligible in terms of the distance at which the wearable device is used. Larger wearable devices, wearable devices that cannot take advantage of the occlusion effect caused by the user's body, wearable devices that alternate faster than the best example, or wearable devices that do not perfectly alternate between microphone / speaker pairings (total activation time is less than 1 / 2 + 1 / 2 = 1) can take sound speed into account to provide improved results, for example, adjusting the alternation to introduce a lag period between deactivating the speaker and activating the microphone.

[0037] Despite Figure 1A 843 and memory 844, such as in the eye-mounted device 100 itself or in another part of the system. The eye-mounted device 100 is subsequently processed by the system, for example, using the memory 844 and processor 843 coupled in the system to process the sound captured from the microphones 115, 116, process the sound output to the speakers 120, 121, and drive the activation of the microphone / speaker pairing to reduce the echo effect discussed above. In addition, some or all of these functions can be performed by the digital signal processor (DSP) 812 instead. The DSP 812 is a dedicated processor for performing sound processing, and using the DSP to perform sound processing and / or microphone / speaker switching can allow the more general processor 843 to handle other tasks, such as network communications, power management, and other computing tasks necessary for the continued operation of the wearable device 100.

[0038] Figure 1B FIG. 1 is another rear view of an example hardware configuration of the eye-mounted device 100. The device is similar to Figure 1A The device is shown, except that there are no microphones 115, 116 or speakers 120, 121 in any of the blocks 110 in this example. Instead, the left microphone 116 is located in the left edge 107A, the right microphone 115 is located in the right edge 107B, the left speaker 121 is located on the left eye-mounted device leg 125A, and the right speaker 120 is located on the right eye-mounted device leg 125B. In this example, the microphones 115, 116 are closer to the user's mouth (e.g., within 2 cm), and the speakers 120, 121 are closer to the user's ears (e.g., within 2 cm), which increases occlusion due to the increased distance between the microphone / speaker pair, requires lower sound to be produced by the speakers 120, 121 due to the proximity of the speakers 120, 121 to the user's ears, and requires lower sound for a clear signal to the microphones 115, 116 due to the proximity of the microphones 115, 116 to the user's mouth, all of which help reduce echo.

[0039] Figure 1CFIG. 1 is another rear view of an example hardware configuration of the eye-mounted device 100. The device is similar to Figure 1A The device shown has a left microphone 116A in the left edge 107A in addition to the left microphone 116B in the left block 110A in this example. In addition to the left microphone 116B in the left block 110A, there is a left speaker 121A in the left eyewear leg 125A. This is parallel on the right side: in addition to the right microphone 115B in the right block 110B, there is a right microphone 115A in the right edge 107B. In addition to the right microphone 115B in the right block 110B, there is a right speaker 120A in the right eyewear leg 125B. Figure 1C Is from Figure 1A and Figure 1B The advantages of this design are that there are more microphones working together on either side, allowing for better absorption of sound from the user, and multiple speakers working together on either side, allowing for a reduction in volume perceived by an outside observer while maintaining the same volume for the user, for example, to increase the privacy of a call. This example also shows that there can be multiple left microphones 116A-B, right microphones 115A-B, left speakers 121A-B, and right speakers 120A-B working together in the manner of individual left microphones 116, right microphones 115, left speakers 121, and right speakers 120.

[0040] Figure 1D FIG. 1 is another rear view of an example hardware configuration of the eye-mounted device 100. The device is similar to Figure 1A The device is similar to the one shown, except that in this example, the left microphone 116 is located in the left edge 107A and the right microphone 115 is located in the right edge 107B. Instead, each side of the eye-mounted device has three speakers: a left speaker 121A in the left edge 107A, a left speaker 121B in the left block 110A, and a left speaker 121C in the left eye-mounted device leg 125A. Additionally, there is a right speaker 120A in the right edge 107B, a right speaker 120B in the right block 110B, and a right speaker 120C in the right eye-mounted device leg 125B. Figure 1C By comparison, this example further emphasizes the privacy effect: using three speakers per side allows each speaker to be quieter in order to produce the same perceived volume for the user. Due to the lower volume of a single speaker, it will be more difficult for an outside observer to hear the speaker's content. This example also demonstrates that the number of speakers 120, 121 does not need to match the number of microphones 115, 116.

[0041] Figure 1EFIG. 1 is another rear view of an example hardware configuration of the eye-mounted device 100. The device is substantially similar to Figure 1A 107A, while the right microphone has not left the right panel 110B. Additionally, the left speaker 121 remains in the left panel 110A, while the right speaker 120 has been moved to the right eyewear leg 125B. This example will illustrate that the left microphone 116 and the right microphone 115 do not need to exhibit left-right symmetry. The left speaker 121 and the right speaker 120 also do not need to exhibit symmetry. Here, the lack of symmetry is exaggerated, but even small differences in symmetry are still supported.

[0042] Figure 2A 1 is a side view of an example hardware configuration of the eye-mounted device 100. Figure 1A The same configuration is illustrated, showing the right side of the eye-mounted device 100. This example shows the right microphone 115 and the right speaker 120 as being attached to the right block 110B and on the inside of the eye-mounted device 100 to facilitate collecting user input and sending call output.

[0043] Figure 2B 1 is another side view of an example hardware configuration of the eye-mounted device 100. In this example, the right microphone 115 is connected to the right edge 107B to achieve a shorter distance for the input sound to propagate from the user's mouth to the right microphone 115. In addition, the right speaker 120 is located at the far rear of the inside of the right eye-mounted device leg 125B. This position also shortens the propagation distance of the output sound by shortening the distance between the user's ear and the right speaker 120.

[0044] Figure 3 is through Figure 1A and Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the right block 110B, right eyewear leg 125B, and frame 105 is shown. This example emphasizes that the right microphone 115 and the right speaker 120 are located on the inner-facing surface 391 of the right block 110B (e.g., as opposed to the outer-facing surface 392). Within the block body 311 itself are computing components that may include a processor 843, memory 844, and a digital signal processor 812 (if present).

[0045] Figure 4 4 is a front view of an example hardware configuration of a wearable device configured to operate like a watch. A strap can be connected to a fastener 425, such as a leather strap, a NATO strap, a tension strap, or any other strap used to secure a watch in place. In this example, attaching the strap or operating the watch without the strap does not materially affect the functionality of the watch.

[0046] The strapless watch 400 has a frame 405 that can be divided into two parts. The first part connects a first fastener 425A, which in this example is a watch lug with a spring ear, a first microphone 115, and a first speaker 120. The second part connects a second fastener 425B, which in this example is also a watch lug with a spring ear, a second microphone 116, and a second speaker 121. The fasteners 425 need not specifically be watch lugs and spring ears: they can omit the spring ears, or they can be a proprietary system for hooking or fastening a watch band to a strapless watch. The fasteners 425 are capable of accepting and connecting to some type of watch band that can usually be worn on the wrist.

[0047] The two parts of the strapless watch 400 are capable of performing Figure 1A The same function of the eye-mounted device (i.e., securing the watch to the wearer), using the display 450 and the user's arm as an occlusion device to improve the sound quality when conducting a duplex call. It is able to use a method of activating a single microphone 115, 116 and a single opposing speaker 121, 120, maintaining the selected initial pairing for the entire duration of the call, or alternating between pairings (first microphone 115 and second speaker 121, second microphone 116 and first speaker 120), with an alternating speed high enough to simulate the sound from the two parts of the strapless watch 400 to the user making a phone call conversation. Similar to the eye-mounted device 100, the location and number of speakers 120, 121 and microphones 115, 116 do not need to be the same between the two parts of the strapless watch 400. A single transmitter can perform the tasks associated with a portion of the microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121.

[0048] Figure 5 is a front view of an example hardware configuration for a wearable device configured to operate like a watch. This specific watch has a strap attached to the device.

[0049] The watch with a strap 500 has a frame 505, which can be divided into two parts. The first part connects the first fastener 525A, the first microphone 115 and the first speaker 120. In this example, the first fastener 525A is a buckle, which is connected to the frame 505 through the first strap 526A. Other first fasteners 525A can be hooks, Velcro or other common watch fasteners.

[0050] The composition of the strap 526 can be any common material used for straps. Some examples are leather, cloth, or metal. The strap 526 and fastener 525A can also be semi-elastic, curved, and tensioned so that both can bend under pressure to open and allow the user's wrist to enter. As the pressure is removed, the strap 526 and fastener 525A return to their original shape, forcing the strapped watch 500 to remain on the wrist until such pressure is applied again and the wrist is removed.

[0051] The first strap 526A has internal electrical components (e.g., electrical connectors such as wires, connectors or other electrical contacts) that connect the first microphone 115 and the first speaker 120 to the frame 505. The frame 505 contains a processor 843 or digital signal processor 812 and a memory 844. The second portion of the frame 505 connects the second fastener 525B, the second strap 526B, the second microphone 116 and the second speaker 121.

[0052] In this example, the second fastener 525B is a series of holes on the second strap 526B that are intended to receive the buckle first fastener 525A. The second fastener 525B can be any fastener that can be connected to an embodiment of the first fastener 525A.

[0053] The second microphone 116 and the second speaker 121 are connected to the frame 505 which contains the processor 843 or the digital signal processor 812 and the memory 844. The two parts of the watch 500 can perform the same Figure 1A The same functionality as an eye-mounted device. When conducting a duplex call, the display 450 and the user's arm are used as an occlusion device to improve the sound quality. The watch with a wristband 500 is able to use a method of activating a single microphone 115, 116 and a single opposing speaker 121, 120, keeping the selected initial pairing activated for the entire duration of the call, or alternating between pairings (first microphone 115 and second speaker 121, second microphone 116 and first speaker 120), with the alternation speed being high enough to simulate the sound from both parts of the watch with a wristband 500 to the user making a phone call conversation.

[0054] Similar to the eye-mounted device 100, the location and number of speakers 120, 121 and microphones 115, 116 need not be the same between the two parts of the watch 500. A single transmitter can perform the tasks associated with the microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121 of one part.

[0055] Figure 66 is a front view of an example hardware configuration of a wearable device, configured to operate like a bracelet 600. The bracelet 600 has a frame 605 that can be divided into two parts. The first part connects a first fastener 625A, a first microphone 115, and a first speaker 120. In this example, the first fastener 625A is a tight chain terminating in a clasp, connected to the frame 605. Other first fasteners 625A can be buckles, Velcro, or other common watch fasteners. The fastener 625A can also be semi-elastic, curved, and tensioned so that the strap can bend under pressure to open and allow the user's wrist to enter. As the pressure is removed, the fastener returns to its original shape, forcing the bracelet to remain on the wrist until such pressure is applied again and the wrist is removed.

[0056] The first fastener 625A has internal electrical components (eg, electrical connectors such as wires, connectors or other electrical contacts) that connect the first microphone 115 and the first speaker 120 to the frame 505 containing the processor 843 or digital signal processor 812 and the memory 844 .

[0057] The second portion connects the second fastener 525B, the second microphone 116, and the second speaker 121. In this example, the second fastener 625B is a fastener terminating in a complementary hook, configured to receive the hook first fastener 625A. The second fastener 625B can be any fastener that can be connected to an embodiment of the first fastener 625A.

[0058] The second fastener 625B has internal electrical components (e.g., electrical connectors such as wires, connectors or other electrical contacts) that connect the second microphone 116 and the second speaker 121 to the frame 505 containing the processor 843 or digital signal processor 812 and the memory 844. The two parts of the bracelet 600 can perform the same Figure 1A The same functionality as the eye-mounted device. When performing a duplex call, the length of the first fastener 625A and the user's arm are used as an occlusion device to improve the sound quality. The bracelet 600 is able to use a method of activating a single microphone 115, 116 and a single opposing speaker 121, 120, keeping the selected initial pairing activated for the entire duration of the call, or alternating between pairings (first microphone 115 and second speaker 121, second microphone 116 and first speaker 120), with the alternating speed being high enough to simulate the sound from the two parts of the bracelet 600 to the user's phone conversation.

[0059] Similar to the eye-mounted device 100, the location and number of speakers 120, 121 and microphones 115, 116 need not be the same between the two parts of the bracelet 600. A single transmitter can perform the tasks associated with the microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121 of one part.

[0060] Figure 7 is a front view of an example hardware configuration of a wearable device configured to operate like band 700. Such a band may be worn on the head, but other bands may be worn around different parts of the user's body.

[0061] The strap 700 has a frame that can be divided into two parts. The first part connects the first fastener 725A, the first microphone 115 and the first speaker 120. The first fastener in this example is a plastic hook and is connected to the frame 705 by an elastic band 726, which extends from the first fastener 725A through the frame 705 to the second fastener 725B. Other first fasteners can be buckles, Velcro or other common strap fasteners.

[0062] The first fastener 725A and the elastic band 726 have internal electrical components (such as electrical connectors such as wires, connectors or other electrical contacts) that connect the first microphone 115 and the first speaker 120 to the frame 705 containing the processor 843 or digital signal processor 812 and the memory 844.

[0063] The second portion is connected to the second fastener 725B, the second microphone 116, and the second speaker 121. The second fastener 725B can be substantially any fastener that can be connected to an embodiment of the first fastener 725A. The second microphone 116 and the second speaker are connected to the second portion of the frame 705 containing the processor 843 or digital signal processor 812 and the memory 844. The two portions of the band 700 can perform Figure 1A The same functionality as the eye-mounted device. When conducting a duplex call, the user's body is used as an occlusion device to improve the sound quality. The band 700 is able to use the method of activating a single microphone 115, 116 and a single opposing speaker 121, 120, keeping the selected initial pairing activated for the entire duration of the call, or alternate between pairings (first microphone 115 and second speaker 121, second microphone 116 and first speaker 120) at a high enough rate to simulate the sound from both parts of the band 700 to the user making a phone call.

[0064] Similar to the eye-mounted device 100, the location and number of speakers 120, 121 and microphones 115, 116 need not be the same between the two parts of the band 700. A single transmitter can perform the tasks associated with the microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121 of one part.

[0065] Figure 8890 is a high-level functional block diagram of an example wearable device echo reduction system 800 for an echo-free duplex conversation. The wearable device echo reduction system 800 includes the wearable device 810 itself, a mobile device 890, and a server system 898. The mobile device 890 can be a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, an access point, or any other such device capable of connecting to the wearable device 810 using a wireless connection 837. The mobile device 890 is connected to the server system 898 and a network 895. The network 895 can include wired and / or wireless connections. For a duplex call, there is also another networked mobile device 892 operated by the second party on the duplex call. The networked mobile device 892 sends and receives digital audio signals to the mobile device 890 via the network 895, and the mobile device 890 can process the audio data and then forward it to the wearable device 810.

[0066] The server system 898 may be one or more computing devices as part of a service or network computing system, for example including a processor, memory, and a network communication interface to communicate with the mobile device 890 and the wearable device 810 via the network 895. Programming executed by the processor of the server system 898 may cause the server system 898 to perform some or all of the functions described herein, such as converting the sound patterns from the first microphone array 115 and the second microphone array 116 into a single stereo stream, or splitting the stereo stream into separate streams for the first speaker array 120 and the second speaker array 121.

[0067] Wearable device 810 may optionally include other peripheral elements and a display integrated with wearable device 810. Such peripheral elements may include biometric sensors, additional sensors, or display elements integrated with wearable device 810. For example, the peripheral elements may include any I / O component, including an output component, a motion component, a position component, or any other such component described herein.

[0068] Output components include visual components (such as displays such as plasma display panels (PDPs), light-emitting diode (LED) displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or projectors), acoustic components not used in duplex calls (such as speakers), tactile components (such as vibration motors), other signal generators, etc. Input components include alphanumeric input components (such as keyboards, touch screens configured to receive alphanumeric input, optical keyboards, or other alphanumeric input components), point-based input components (such as mice, touch pads, trackballs, joysticks, motion sensors, or other pointing instruments), tactile input components (such as physical buttons, touch screens or other tactile input components that provide touch positions and touch forces or touch gestures), and audio input components not used in duplex calls, etc. (such as microphones).

[0069] For example, the biometric component may include components for detecting expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, vocal expressions, body postures, or eye tracking), measuring biological signals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, perspiration, or brain waves), identifying people (e.g., voice recognition, retinal recognition, facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, or electroencephalogram-based recognition), etc. The motion component includes an acceleration sensor component (e.g., an accelerometer), a gravity sensor component, a rotation sensor component (e.g., a gyroscope), etc. The location component includes a location sensor component that generates location coordinates (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) receiver component), a WiFi or Bluetooth receiver component that generates location coordinates, etc. TM transceiver, altitude sensor component (e.g., an altimeter or barometer, a barometer is used to detect air pressure from which altitude can be derived), direction sensor component (e.g., a magnetometer), etc. Such location coordinates can also be received from mobile device 890 via wireless circuitry 845 using wireless connection 837.

[0070] The wearable device 810 includes a body including a first speaker array 120, a second speaker array 121, a first microphone array 115, a second microphone array 116, and in this example, includes an optional digital signal processor 812. The body can be roughly divided into two parts. The function of the digital signal processor can be fully or partially integrated into the function of the processor 843, the mobile device 890 or the server system 898. The speaker arrays 120, 121 and the microphone arrays 115, 116 can each have one or more speakers or microphones in their arrays, and one array is an effective array. In addition, physical microphones such as 120A and 115A can be combined into a single physical transmitter. Arrays 115, 116, 120, 121 are conceptual and do not necessarily exist physically. For example, they allow for easy discussion of the relationship between speakers, microphones, outputs, and inputs, but a physical implementation will typically see the digital signal processor 812 or processor 843 having an array 115, 116, 120, 121 programmed to know which concept a speaker 120A-C, 121A-C or microphone 115A-C, 116A-C belongs to. The speakers 120A-C in the first speaker array 120 are all physically located on the first side of the wearable device body. The speakers 121A-C in the second speaker array 121 are all physically located on the second side of the wearable device body. The microphones 115A-C in the first microphone array 115 are all physically located on the first side of the wearable device body. The microphones 116A-C in the second microphone array 116 are all physically located on the second side of the wearable device body. The components within the wearable device 810 are located on one or more circuit boards, such as PCBs or flexible PCBs, in a block or frame. Alternatively or in addition, the components described may be located in the body, frame, or fastener of the wearable device.

[0071] In one example, the digital signal processor (DSP) 812 includes a microprocessor integrated circuit (IC) that is customized to process electrical signals from the microphones 115, 116 into digital output signals that can be effectively transmitted out of the wearable device 810, and to process digital input signals into electrical signals for output as audio by the speakers 120, 121. The digital output includes two audio output channels, one channel for each microphone 115, 116, which are respective complementary parts of the digital stereo output signal. Similarly, the digital input includes two audio input channels that will be provided to each of the speakers 120, 121, which are respective complementary parts of the digital stereo input signal. The DSP812 utilizes volatile memory. In order to reduce the time it takes for the DSP812 to power up and process data, a non-volatile read-only memory (ROM) may be integrated on the IC with instructions for operating or booting the DSP812. The ROM may be minimized to match the minimum size required to provide the basic functions of collecting electrical and acoustic signals from the microphones 115, 116 and sending the electrical and acoustic signals to the speakers 120, 121, so that there are no additional functions that would cause a delay in the startup time. The ROM may be configured with direct memory access (DMA) to the volatile memory of the microprocessor of the DSP812. DMA allows memory-to-memory transfer of data from the ROM to the system memory of the DSP812, regardless of the operation of the main controller of the DSP812. Providing DMA to the boot ROM further shortens the time from when the DSP812 is powered up to being able to process and store sound data from the microphones 115, 116 and to the speakers 120, 121. In some examples, minimal processing of sound signals from microphones 115 , 116 and to speakers 120 , 121 is performed by DSP 812 , with other processing performed by processor 843 and applications running on mobile device 890 or server system 898 .

[0072] The processor 843 can be substantially any processor capable of managing any general purpose computing system communications and operations required by the wearable device 810. The processor 843 includes processing resources required to manage the transmission of high speed data to a wireless local area network (WLAN) over a wireless connection 837 using a high speed wireless circuit 936. The processor 843 can also be configured to receive input signals or command communications from the mobile device 890 via the wireless connection 837 using low power. In some examples, the processor 843 executes a LINUX operating system or other such operating system. In addition to any other duties, the processor 843 executing the wearable device 810 software architecture is used to manage data transmissions for the wireless circuit 845.

[0073] Wireless circuit 845 includes circuit elements that implement a wireless communication system via a network. Bluetooth TM Smart, also known as Bluetooth Low Energy TM , is a standard implementation of a wireless communication system that may be used to implement wireless circuitry 824. In other examples, other communication systems may be used, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 communication standard, also referred to herein as Wi-Fi.

[0074] The memory 844 includes substantially any storage device capable of storing audio data generated by the microphones 115, 116, the DSP 812, the processor, and incoming audio data from the mobile device 890. Although the memory 834 is shown integrated with the circuit, in other examples, the memory 844 can be a separate element of the wearable device 810. In some examples, electrical routing lines can provide a connection from the DSP 812 to the memory 844 through a chip containing the processor 843.

[0075] There is programming specifically for the echo-free duplex calling feature. This programming can be implemented in the DSP 812, processor 843, mobile device 890, or server system 898. In this example, the programming for this feature is entirely in the DSP 812 to make the management of the microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121 as straightforward as possible.

[0076] There is programming to process the analog audio signal 854, which is output to the speakers 120, 121 or input from the microphones 115, 116. The programming converts between the analog waveform of the sound signal and the digital transformation of the waveform for more efficient storage and transmission. The programming can also process the data to remove duplex audio echo using algorithms known to those skilled in the art, similar to the algorithms in noise cancellation headphones.

[0077] There is also programming to compress and decompress these digital audio signals 846. As an example, this includes programming to compress the signal into a smaller storage space, similar to applying the PKZIP compression algorithm to a common file. The programming may also include any algorithm that determines the standard human voice frequency range and removes audio data outside of that range.

[0078] Additionally, there is optionally programming to perform stereoscopic projection processing 848 to best determine at what volume the various speakers 120, 121 should be operated relative to each other in order to produce clear but relatively low decibel sound for the listening user.

[0079] There is more programming to control the sound array 850, microphones 115, 116, and speakers 120, 121. This programming determines when certain arrays are activated and allows audio data to flow to or from these arrays to increase call clarity. This programming activates the left microphone array 115 (including any attached microphones 115A-C), and activates the right speaker array 121 (including any attached speakers 121A-C), while deactivating or disabling the right microphone array 116 (including any attached microphones 116A-C), and deactivating or disabling the right speaker array 121 (including any attached speakers 121A-C). It also includes programming to do the opposite, meaning activating the right microphone array 116 and the left speaker array 120, and deactivating or disabling the left microphone array 115 and the right speaker array 121.

[0080] In addition, the programming may include a function to perform alternating sampling on a duplex call 852. The programming uses the functionality provided by the sound array activation function 850, but alternates between performing the two functions, with the alternating rate being high enough to create the illusion that both speaker arrays 120, 121 are activated simultaneously, when in reality each speaker array is only activated when the other speaker array is deactivated, which in one example is approximately half the time. This alternation allows the user to perceive duplex audio from their speakers, while their microphone array 115 (which has a much higher sampling rate than the human ear) can record the alternation of speakers, and therefore can only pick up sound from the cycle where the activated speaker is on the opposite side of the wearable device, which will be attenuated by the occlusion caused by the increased distance between the microphone and the speaker and between the user's body. The microphone array will not pick up sound from the speaker array on the same side of the wearable device because that speaker array will not produce sound when the microphone array is activated and detecting sound.

[0081] Fig. 9 8 is a high-level functional block diagram of an example of a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 890) that connects to an eye-mounted device (e.g., eye-mounted device 100) implemented by a wearable device (e.g., wearable device 810) and then receives and conducts a duplex call with a networked mobile device (e.g., networked mobile device 892) while reducing echo by activating a microphone (e.g., microphone 115) and a speaker (e.g., speaker 121) located on opposite sides of the eye-mounted device. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The operations of the functional block diagrams are described in terms of the devices described herein, but one skilled in the art will appreciate from the description herein other devices suitable for performing the operations.

[0082] In operation 900, the eye-mounted device 100 is connected to the mobile device 890. In the example, the connection is BluetoothTM Connection. The eye-mounted device 100 can be connected (ie, paired) with the mobile device 890 in a manner known to those skilled in the art from the description herein.

[0083] In operation 905 , the mobile device 890 receives a duplex telephone call signal request from a networked second mobile device 892 via the network 895 .

[0084] In operation 910, the mobile device 890 indicates to the eye-mounted device that a duplex call is incoming. The user may press a first button on the eye-mounted device 100 in operation 915 to signal that they want to accept the duplex call. This indication is passed from the eye-mounted device 100 to the mobile device 890, initiating the duplex call. The user may signal to the eye-mounted device that they wish to answer the call by, for example, pressing a button on the eye-mounted device or mobile device, touching a touch-sensitive area of ​​the eye-mounted device or mobile device, or an eye tracking device associated with the eye-mounted device or mobile device looking for a particular pattern from the user's eyes.

[0085] In operation 920, the eye-mounted device activates the left microphone 115 and the right speaker 121 for the conversation while deactivating the right microphone 116 and the left speaker 120. The eye-mounted device 100 activates the left microphone 115 and the right speaker 121 while keeping the left speaker and the right microphone deactivated (or vice versa) in order to reduce undesirable echoes for duplex calls. When the left microphone is activated, the eye-mounted device deactivates (e.g., disables or suspends) the right microphone 116 and blocks output from the left speaker 120 (or vice versa). The occlusion provided by the distance between the left microphone 115 and the right speaker 121 and the user's body (e.g., head in this implementation) reduces echoes for duplex calls that would exist if the right microphone 116 or the left speaker 120 were activated and receiving and producing sound.

[0086] In operation 925, the call is conducted with the user's voice picked up by the left microphone 115, and the voice of the networked mobile device 892 is presented by the right speaker throughout the call. Both the user of the eye-mounted device / mobile device 890 and the user of the networked mobile device 892 experience less duplex echo than the user would experience if all speakers and microphones were activated.

[0087] At operation 930, the eye-mounted device or the mobile device 890 receives an indication that the call is complete. The user may signal the eye-mounted device 100 that the call is complete by pressing a button (e.g., a second button) on the eye-mounted device or the mobile device 890. The eye-mounted device then deactivates the left microphone 115 and the right speaker 121 and signals the mobile device 890 to disconnect from the duplex call, thereby completing operation 935. Finally, at operation 940, the mobile device 890 disconnects from the duplex call relayed via the network 895.

[0088] Fig.10 8 is a high-level functional block diagram of an example of a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 890) that is connected to an eye-mounted device (e.g., eye-mounted device 100) implemented by a wearable device (e.g., wearable device 810) and then receives and conducts a duplex call with a networked mobile device (e.g., networked mobile device 892) while reducing echo by activating microphones (e.g., microphone 115) and speakers (e.g., speaker 121) located on opposite sides of the eye-mounted device. Additionally, in this example, the eye-mounted device has programming that allows it to alternately activate the microphones 115, 116 and speakers 120, 121 on opposite sides of the eye-mounted device, for example, at a speed that simulates a user making a stereo call.

[0089] In operation 1000, the eye-mounted device 100 is connected to the mobile device 890. In the example, the connection is Bluetooth TM Connection. The eye-mounted device 100 can be connected (ie, paired) with the mobile device 890 in a manner known to those skilled in the art from the description herein.

[0090] In operation 1005 , the mobile device 890 receives a duplex telephone call signal request from a networked second mobile device 892 via the network 895 .

[0091] In operation 1010, the mobile device 890 indicates to the eye-mounted device that a duplex call is incoming. The user may press a first button on the eye-mounted device 100 in operation 1015 to signal that they want to accept the duplex call. This indication is passed from the eye-mounted device 100 to the mobile device 890, initiating the duplex call. The user may signal to the eye-mounted device that they wish to answer the call by, for example, pressing a button on the eye-mounted device or mobile device, touching a touch-sensitive area of ​​the eye-mounted device or mobile device, or an eye tracking device associated with the eye-mounted device or mobile device looking for a particular pattern from the user's eyes.

[0092] In operation 1025, the eye-mounted device 100 alternates between operation 1026 and operation 1027 to reduce unwanted echo during a duplex call. In operation 1025, operation 1026 may be performed first, and then operation 1027 may be performed. Thereafter, during the call, the eye-mounted device alternates between operation 1026 and operation 1027. This alternation may occur at a sampling rate equal to or higher than that of the human ear. For example, the alternation frequency is approximately 40 Hz (e.g., greater than 44 Hz).

[0093] In operation 1026, the digital signal processor 812 activates the left microphone 115 and the right speaker 121 while deactivating the left speaker and the right microphone. When the left microphone is activated, the digital signal processor 812 deactivates (e.g., disables or suspends) the right microphone 116 and blocks output from the left speaker 120. The occlusion provided by the distance between the left microphone 115 and the right speaker 121 and the user's body (e.g., head in this implementation) reduces the echo of a duplex call that would exist if the right microphone 116 or the left speaker 120 were activated and receiving and producing sound.

[0094] Operation 1027 involves the digital signal processor 812 activating the right microphone 116 and the left speaker 120 while deactivating the right speaker and the left microphone. When the right microphone is activated, the digital signal processor 812 deactivates (e.g., disables or suspends) the left microphone 115 and blocks output from the right speaker 121. The occlusion provided by the distance between the right microphone 116 and the left speaker 120 and the user's body (e.g., head in this implementation) reduces the echo of a duplex call that would exist if the left microphone 115 or the right speaker 121 were activated and receiving and producing sound.

[0095] As a result of operation 1025, the user will perceive stereo sound. Although each speaker 120, 121 is activated for only half or less of the duration of the alternating operation 1025, the switching occurs quickly enough so that the user's ears perceive a constant sound from the left speaker 120 and the right speaker 121. In addition, the networked mobile device 892 will perceive a constant sound signal from the wearable device 810, although each microphone 115, 116 of the wearable device 810 is activated for only half or less of the duration of the alternating operation 1025.

[0096] In operation 1030, corresponding to the current cycle of alternating operation 1025, the call proceeds with the user's voice being picked up by the activated microphone (either the left side 115 or the right side 116) and the networked mobile device 892's voice being presented by the activated speaker (either the right side 121 or the left side 120). Assuming that both the eye-mounted device and the networked mobile device implement the methods described herein, the user of the eye-mounted device / mobile device 890 and the user of the networked mobile device 892 will experience less duplex echo than if all speakers 120, 121 and microphones 115, 116 were activated for the entire duplex call.

[0097] At operation 1035, the eye-mounted device or the mobile device 890 receives an indication that the call is complete. The user may signal the eye-mounted device 100 that the call is complete by pressing a button (e.g., a second button) on the eye-mounted device or the mobile device 890. The eye-mounted device then deactivates the microphones 115, 116 and the speakers 120, 121 and signals the mobile device 890 to disconnect from the duplex call, completing operation 1040. Finally, at operation 1045, the mobile device 890 disconnects from the duplex call relayed via the network 895.

[0098] It should be understood that, in addition to the specific meanings set forth in this article, the terms and expressions used herein have the common meanings consistent with these terms and expressions relative to their respective fields of study. For example, the first and second relationship terms can be used only to distinguish an entity or action from another entity or action, without requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between these entities or actions. The term "includes", "comprising" or any other variation thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the process, method, article or equipment including or including a list of elements or steps not only includes those elements or steps, but can also include other elements or steps that are not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, article or equipment. The element with the word "one" or "an" in front does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or equipment including the element without further restriction.

[0099] Unless otherwise indicated, any and all measurements, values, ratings, positions, sizes, dimensions and other specifications set forth in this specification (including the appended claims) are approximate and imprecise. Such quantities are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the functions to which they are related and the practices in the art to which they are related. For example, parameter values, etc. may vary from the stated quantity by ±10% unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0100] For ease of reading, in the foregoing detailed description, the terms "left" and "right" are used in some places instead of "first" and "second". It will be understood that if "left" refers to "first", then "right" refers to "second". Conversely, if "left" means "second", then "right" means "first". As previously discussed, absolute sagittal, transverse, coronal or directional markings for the first and second sides, microphones, speakers and other elements are not substantive, and the focus is on the separate nature of the wearable device and the relative positioning of the first or second or left and right elements with respect to the relative labeling elements.

[0101] In addition, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various examples in order to simplify the present disclosure. This disclosure method should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed examples require more features than those explicitly recited in each claim. On the contrary, as reflected in the following claims, the subject matter to be protected lies in less than all the features of any single disclosed example. Therefore, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim independently serving as a separately claimed subject matter.

[0102] Although what is considered to be the best mode and other examples have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications may be made therein, the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and they may be applied to many applications, only some of which are described herein. The following claims are intended to claim any and all modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present concept.

Claims

1. A method for receiving and conducting a duplex telephone call using a mobile device and a wearable device, the wearable device comprising: A body having a first portion and a second portion, a first speaker and a first microphone connected to the first portion of the body, and a second speaker and a second microphone connected to the second portion of the body, the method comprising: The wearable device is connected to the mobile device; The mobile device receives a duplex telephone call signal request; The mobile device establishes a duplex telephone connection; and For the duration of a duplex telephone connection: selectively activating the first and second speakers to emit respective first and second output sound signals, and selectively activating the first and second microphones to capture respective first and second input sound signals; and Alternate between activating the first speaker to emit the first output sound signal and the second microphone to capture the first input sound signal during periods when the first microphone and the second speaker are deactivated, and activating the second speaker to emit the second output sound signal and the first microphone to capture the second input sound signal during periods when the second microphone and the first speaker are deactivated.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The mobile device indicates to the wearable device that the duplex telephone call is incoming; as well as The mobile device receives an indication that a user wishes to accept the duplex telephone call.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The first speaker converts a first output audio channel into the first output sound signal, and the second speaker converts a second output audio channel into the second output sound signal, wherein the first output sound signal and the second output sound signal are combined to produce a stereo sound signal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the alternating occurs at a rate faster than 40 times per second to simulate stereo sound.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The first microphone converts the first input sound signal into a first input channel, and the second microphone converts the second input sound signal into a second input channel, wherein the first input channel and the second input channel are combined to create a stereo electrical signal.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Acoustic echo cancellation is performed on the second input sound signal from the first microphone and the first input sound signal from the second microphone, and acoustic echo cancellation is performed on the first output sound signal to the first speaker and the second output sound signal to the second speaker.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device receives an indication that the user wishes to accept the duplex telephone call, including receiving an indication of a button press on a button of the wearable device or the mobile device, an indication of a touch on a touch-sensitive area of ​​the wearable device or the mobile device, or receiving an indication of a specific pattern from an eye tracking device associated with the wearable device or the mobile device.

8. A wearable device comprising: a body having a first portion and a second portion; a first speaker and a first microphone connected to the first portion of the body; a second speaker and a second microphone connected to the second portion of the body; processor; processor-accessible memory; as well as programming in the memory, wherein execution of the programming by the processor configures the wearable device to perform a function, the function comprising: Establish a full-duplex telephone connection with a mobile device; and For the duration of a duplex telephone connection: selectively activating the first and second speakers to emit respective first and second output sound signals, and selectively activating the first and second microphones to capture respective first and second input sound signals; and Alternate between activating the first speaker to emit the first output sound signal and the second microphone to capture the first input sound signal during periods when the first microphone and the second speaker are deactivated, and activating the second speaker to emit the second output sound signal and the first microphone to capture the second input sound signal during periods when the second microphone and the first speaker are deactivated.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the body comprises: buckle; Strap; as well as a frame connected between the buckle and the strap, the frame having a first part and a second part, the first portion of the body including the first part of the frame and the buckle connected to the first part of the frame, and the second portion of the body including the second part of the frame and the strap connected to the second part of the frame, Wherein the first microphone and the first speaker are connected to the buckle, and the second microphone and the second speaker are connected to the second part of the frame.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the body comprises: First temple; Second temple; as well as a frame connected between the first temple and the second temple, the frame having a first part and a second part, the first temple connected to the first part of the frame at a proximal end of the first temple, and the second temple connected to the second part of the frame at a proximal end of the second temple, the first portion of the body including the first part of the frame and the first temple, and the second portion of the body including the second part of the frame and the second temple; Wherein, the first speaker and the first microphone are connected to the first temple, and the second speaker and the second microphone are connected to the second temple.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the body comprises: First lug and raw lug; Second lug and spring lug; as well as a frame connected between the first and second lugs and ears, the frame having a first part and a second part, the first portion of the body including the first part of the frame and the first lug and ears connected to the first part of the frame, the second portion of the body including the second part of the frame and the second lug and ears connected to the second part of the frame, Wherein, the first microphone and the first speaker are connected to a first part of the frame, and the second microphone and the second speaker are connected to a second part of the frame.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the body comprises: First hook; Second hook; as well as a frame connected between the first hook and the second hook, the frame having a first part and a second part, the first portion of the body including the first part of the frame and a first hook connected to the first part of the frame, the second portion of the body including the second part of the frame and a second hook configured to be connected to the first hook, the second hook connected to the second part of the frame, Wherein, the first microphone and the first speaker are connected to the first hook, and the second microphone and the second speaker are connected to the second part of the frame.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the body comprises: a first fastener; a second fastener; as well as a frame connected between the first fastener and the second fastener, the frame having a first part and a second part, the first portion of the body including the first part of the frame and a first fastener connected to the first part of the frame, the second portion of the body including the second part of the frame and a second fastener connected to the second part of the frame, Wherein, the first microphone and the first speaker are connected to the first fastener, and the second microphone and the second speaker are connected to the second part of the frame.

14. The system includes: Mobile devices that establish a duplex telephone connection; as well as Wearable devices, including: a body having a first portion and a second portion; a first speaker connected to the first portion of the body; a second speaker connected to the second portion of the body; a first microphone connected to the first portion of the body; a second microphone connected to the second portion of the body; processor; processor-accessible memory; and programming in the memory, wherein execution of the programming by the processor configures the wearable device to perform a function, the function comprising: connecting the wearable device to the mobile device; and For the duration of a duplex telephone connection: selectively activating the first and second speakers to emit respective first and second output sound signals, and selectively activating the first and second microphones to capture respective first and second input sound signals; and Alternate between activating the first speaker to emit the first output sound signal and the second microphone to capture the first input sound signal during periods when the first microphone and the second speaker are deactivated, and activating the second speaker to emit the second output sound signal and the first microphone to capture the second input sound signal during periods when the second microphone and the first speaker are deactivated.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: The mobile device indicates to the wearable device that a duplex telephone call is incoming; and The mobile device receives an indication from the wearable device that the user wishes to accept the duplex telephone call.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the function of alternating between activating the first speaker to transmit the first output sound signal and the second microphone to capture the first input sound signal during periods when the first microphone and the second speaker are deactivated, and activating the second speaker to transmit the second output sound signal and the first microphone to capture the second input sound signal during periods when the second microphone and the first speaker are deactivated further comprises: The first speaker converts a first channel into the first output sound signal, and the second speaker converts a second channel into the second output sound signal, wherein the first output sound and the second output sound signal are combined to generate a stereo sound signal.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the alternation at a rate faster than 40 times per second simulates the function of stereo sound.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the functionality of alternating between activating the first speaker to emit the first output sound signal and activating the second microphone to capture the first input sound signal during periods when the first microphone and the second speaker are deactivated, and the functionality of activating the second speaker to emit the second output sound signal and activating the first microphone to capture the second input sound signal during periods when the second microphone and the first speaker are deactivated further comprises: The first microphone converts the first input sound signal into a first input channel, and the second microphone converts the second input sound signal into a second input channel, wherein the first input channel and the second input channel are combined to create a stereo electrical signal.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor executing the programming further configures the wearable device to perform the following functions: Acoustic echo cancellation is performed on the second input sound signal from the first microphone and the first input sound signal from the second microphone, and on a first output sound signal of the first speaker and a second output sound signal of the second speaker.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the wearable device further comprises: A first transducer, wherein the first microphone and the first speaker are co-located in the first transducer.

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