Adaptive interface in active noise cancellation (ANR) headphones

Abstract

Various aspects include active noise cancellation (ANR) headphones and methods for controlling such headphones. In some specific embodiments, a headphone includes: at least one electroacoustic transducer; and at least one control circuit coupled to the at least one electroacoustic transducer, the at least one control circuit being configured to detect acoustic interference in ambient sound, wherein the acoustic interference is characterized by a noise level in the ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold, and to disable an audio pass-through mode when the acoustic interference is detected.

Description

Priority Statement

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 371,144, filed on September 21, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to wearable audio devices, such as headphones. More specifically, this disclosure relates to active noise cancellation (ANR) headphones and related methods for controlling such headphones. Background Technology

[0003] Headphones with active noise cancellation (ANR) systems offer significantly enhanced user comfort and improved communication compared to headphones that only provide passive noise cancellation (or masking) (e.g., audio headphones). However, the interfaces used for ANR systems and associated acoustic components can be susceptible to false triggering in high-noise environments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.

[0005] Various specific embodiments of this disclosure include active noise cancellation (ANR) headphones and methods for controlling such headphones.

[0006] In some specific aspects, a headset includes: at least one electroacoustic transducer; and at least one control circuit coupled to the at least one electroacoustic transducer and configured to detect acoustic interference in ambient sound, wherein the acoustic interference is characterized by a noise level in the ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold, and by disabling an audio pass-through mode when the acoustic interference is detected.

[0007] In an additional specific aspect, a method for controlling active noise cancellation (ANR) headphones includes: detecting acoustic interference in ambient sound, wherein the acoustic interference is characterized by a noise level in the ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold, and disabling an audio pass-through mode when the acoustic interference is detected.

[0008] Specific implementations may include one of the following features, or any combination thereof.

[0009] In some cases, acoustic interference is detected based on the shape of the electrical pulse or waveform. In certain aspects, additional acoustic interference and / or contributing factors are compared to a noise threshold or otherwise contribute to the threshold, for example, the head movement of a user of headphones deviates from a head movement threshold, or the jaw movement of a user of headphones deviates from a jaw movement threshold.

[0010] In certain contexts, audio pass-through modes enable the pass-through (or audio output) of near-speech and other mid- and / or high-frequency sounds while eliminating low-frequency sounds such as aircraft noise. In other cases, audio pass-through modes can allow true or near-transparency, enabling the pass-through of virtually all ambient sounds. In still other cases, audio pass-through modes include frequency filters and / or another filter, such as an equalization filter or a volume adjustment filter (e.g., volume boost for a specific frequency).

[0011] In some respects, the at least one control circuit is configured to periodically or continuously sample ambient sounds.

[0012] In certain circumstances, the at least one control circuit is further configured to: sample the ambient sound after detecting the acoustic interference in the ambient sound, enable the audio pass-through mode in response to the ambient sound meeting a threshold, and maintain the audio pass-through mode disabled in response to the ambient sound deviating from the threshold.

[0013] In some implementations, acoustic interference is detected by ambient sound exceeding a noise threshold, such as that defined by the nominal noise level.

[0014] In some cases, the nominal noise level is equal to approximately 90 dB, approximately 95 dB, approximately 100 dB, approximately 105 dB, approximately 110 dB, approximately 115 dB, or approximately 120 dB.

[0015] In some respects, acoustic interference is detected by the ambient sound exceeding a noise threshold, such as that defined by the relative noise level over a given period of time.

[0016] In some specific implementations, the relative noise level is defined by the following noise increase: a) approximately 20 dB, approximately 25 dB, approximately 30 dB, approximately 35 dB, or approximately 40 dB in that period, or b) approximately 10%, approximately 15%, approximately 20%, approximately 25%, or approximately 30% in that period.

[0017] In some respects, a hysteresis factor is used when assessing ambient sound, compared to the noise threshold.

[0018] In certain circumstances, the at least one control circuit is further configured to filter speech signals from the ambient sound.

[0019] In some implementations, the at least one control circuit is configured to detect the acoustic interference within a limited frequency range of the ambient sound. In some cases, the limited frequency range includes lower frequencies (such as those occurring during flight) and / or higher frequencies (such as high-pitched alarms).

[0020] In some cases, disabling the audio pass-through mode is further based on the detected current load on at least one control circuit in the headset. In a particular example, the current load on at least one control circuit is affected by noise in the ambient sound and / or user actions such as a user tapping an ANR interface control and / or a user suddenly chewing or turning their head.

[0021] In some respects, the headset includes two earpieces, and the at least one control circuit is configured to verify the acoustic interference based on the acoustic characteristics of the ambient sound detected at both earpieces. In certain cases, the headset includes earcups or earplugs.

[0022] In some specific implementations, the headset also includes a first set of ANR microphones at the first earpiece of the two earpieces and a second set of ANR microphones at the second earpiece of the two earpieces, wherein the at least one control circuit is coupled to both the first set of ANR microphones and the second set of ANR microphones.

[0023] In certain cases, at least one control circuit is further configured to periodically or continuously sample ambient sound and define the average noise characteristics of the ambient sound over a period of time. Continuous sampling can be performed at defined intervals and / or dynamic intervals, or periodically at such intervals. The average noise characteristics can be measured, for example, as sound pressure level (SPL).

[0024] In some aspects, at least one control circuit is further configured to update the average noise characteristics on a rolling basis. In some cases, the average noise characteristics include a noise envelope, or a profile of the noise amplitude that changes and is updated over time.

[0025] In some cases, the threshold is specific to at least one of the following: the user of the headset (e.g., user profile), the user group, the type of environment in which the headset is used (e.g., aviation, automotive, industrial), or the type of vehicle in which the headset is operated (e.g., an aircraft with a noise spectrum (such as a high-frequency to low-frequency noise range that differs from the noise spectrum in an automotive or industrial environment).

[0026] In certain aspects, the audio pass-through mode is configured to be enabled or disabled via commands at the touch interface.

[0027] In some cases, disabling audio pass-through mode includes disabling commands from the touch interface.

[0028] In some specific implementations, when activated, the at least one control circuit is configured to apply ANR to the ambient sound using the at least one electroacoustic transducer.

[0029] In some cases, in audio pass-through mode, at least one control circuit is configured to reproduce ambient sound as audio output at the electroacoustic transducer.

[0030] In certain respects, acoustic interference is characterized by a nonlinear response of at least one control circuit to ambient sound. For example, the nonlinear response may occur during periods of high transient noise and / or crossover events, such as during taxiing, takeoff, and / or landing of an aircraft. In some examples, the crossover (or nonlinear) frequency is approximately 2.5 kHz.

[0031] In some respects, at least one control circuit is further configured to provide feedback to the user of the headset regarding disabling the audio pass-through mode, and to adjust the control circuit settings based on feedback from the user.

[0032] In some cases, at least one control circuit is further configured to adjust the audio pass-through mode settings of the at least one control circuit via user interface commands. Pass-through mode settings may include profile settings and / or threshold settings.

[0033] In some respects, touch interfaces include capacitive touch interfaces.

[0034] In a specific implementation, the touch interface implements tap-based commands.

[0035] In some cases, at least one control circuit is coupled to the electronic flight bag and configured to detect acoustic interference based at least in part on flight indicators from the electronic flight bag.

[0036] In a particular implementation, the flight indicator indicates the speed of the aircraft in which the headset is being operated, or at least one of the phases of flight of the aircraft.

[0037] In some cases, at least one control circuit is configured to detect acoustic interference based on signals from a feedforward microphone.

[0038] In some respects, the at least one control circuit is configured to analyze the signal from the feedback microphone for residual noise after the audio pass-through mode is disabled and before the audio pass-through mode is enabled.

[0039] In a particular implementation, at least one control circuit is configured to automatically (e.g., without user interaction) control the switching between enabling and disabling the audio passthrough mode. In other cases, the switching between enabling and disabling the audio passthrough mode can be controlled via user interface commands.

[0040] In some cases, at least one control circuit is configured to control the switching between disabled and enabled audio pass-through modes based on a hysteresis factor. In some cases, a first threshold disables the audio pass-through mode, a second threshold enables the audio pass-through mode, and the hysteresis factor is used to prevent unintended switching between enabled and disabled modes. For example, the hysteresis factor can control unintended short-term switching between pass-through modes.

[0041] In a particular aspect, at least one control circuit is configured to revert to the most recent ANR setting after acoustic interference is no longer detected.

[0042] In some cases, aviation audio equipment includes this headset.

[0043] In certain implementations, disabling audio passthrough mode helps to comply with aviation-specific communication protocols, such as those related to communication drops, Bluetooth resets, unclear communication, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that require minimal (e.g., 10% or less) total harmonic interference (THD).

[0044] In other cases, communication audio devices include headphones.

[0045] In some aspects, headsets also include a suspended microphone coupled to control circuitry.

[0046] In a specific implementation, input from a suspended microphone is used to detect acoustic interference.

[0047] In some cases, suspended microphone inputs take into account the pressure gradient between far-field and near-field ambient sounds.

[0048] Two or more features described in this disclosure, including those described in the content section of this invention, may be combined to form specific embodiments not specifically described herein.

[0049] Details of one or more specific embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram based on various specific implementations of audio devices.

[0051] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of another audio device based on various specific implementations.

[0052] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of another audio device based on various specific implementations.

[0053] Figure 4It is a schematic diagram of electronic devices included in various specific implementations of audio equipment.

[0054] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of example functions in an active noise cancellation (ANR) engine based on various specific implementations of audio devices.

[0055] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of adjusting ANR and audio pass-through in audio devices according to various specific implementations.

[0056] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings for various specific embodiments are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are intended only to depict typical aspects of this disclosure and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, similar numbers denote similar elements between figures. Detailed Implementation

[0057] As noted herein, various aspects of this disclosure generally relate to active noise cancellation (ANR) headphones configured to control audio pass-through based on ambient acoustic conditions. In specific cases, the headphones (e.g., audio headphones) are configured to adjust the ANR configuration (e.g., enable, modify, or disable an audio pass-through mode) based on acoustic interference detected in the ambient sound. In more specific cases, the audio headphones are configured to adjust (e.g., disable) the audio pass-through mode when acoustic interference is detected.

[0058] For illustrative purposes, the parts usually labeled in the accompanying drawings are considered to be substantially equivalent, and redundant discussion of those parts is omitted for clarity.

[0059] As noted herein, ANR systems and associated acoustic components can provide significant benefits to users. ANR systems can be controlled by interface commands or triggers, including touch, tap, or other haptic commands, across various form factors. In certain respects, the interface may be susceptible to false triggering (e.g., during acoustic interference such as high-noise events). While noise is described herein as a type of acoustic interference, it should be understood that the term "acoustic interference" can refer to any number of deviations in acoustic characteristics of an environment (e.g., relative to averages, ranges, acoustic profiles, etc.). In a specific example, acoustic interference is measured relative to the noise level in ambient sound.

[0060] Compared to conventional systems, various implementations include headphones with control circuitry (e.g., including an ANR engine) configured to apply ANR to ambient sound (or residual sound from the earcups). In specific examples, the ANR engine is configured to detect acoustic interference in the ambient sound and disable an audio pass-through mode when such interference is detected. In some cases, disabling the audio pass-through mode includes disabling the interface commands used to trigger the audio pass-through mode. In various implementations, the acoustic interference is characterized by noise levels in the ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold.

[0061] The aspects and specific embodiments disclosed herein are applicable to a wide variety of wearable audio devices. In some cases, wearable audio devices may take on various form factors, such as headphones (whether on-ear or off-ear), headphones, watches, glasses, audio accessories or clothing (e.g., audio caps, audio goggles, audio jewelry), helmets (e.g., for military, industrial, or motorcycle applications), neck-worn speakers, shoulder-worn speakers, body-worn speakers, etc. Some of the disclosed aspects are particularly applicable to personal (wearable) audio devices, such as surround-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, in-ear headphones (also known as earbuds), audio glasses, or other head-mounted audio devices. This document primarily describes wearable audio devices in the context of head-mounted devices (e.g., over-ear or in-ear), but unless explicitly stated otherwise, this disclosure is not intended to be limited thereto.

[0062] Wearable audio devices described according to various specific embodiments may include features present in one or more other wearable electronic devices, such as smart glasses, smartwatches, etc. These wearable audio devices may include additional hardware components, such as one or more cameras, location tracking devices, microphones, etc., and are capable of voice recognition, visual recognition, and other smart device functions. The description of wearable audio devices included herein is not intended to exclude these additional functions in such devices.

[0063] The wearable audio devices described herein can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as aviation, aerospace, military (e.g., for use in vehicles and / or for disassembly applications), broadcasting, coaching (e.g., for sports / track and field, such as football matches), gaming, industrial (e.g., manufacturing, warehousing), construction, conferencing, vehicle-based transportation services (e.g., truck or van delivery), racing, locomotives or motorcycles, professional audio (e.g., studio production, audio mixing, live performance), and general lifestyle applications (e.g., consumer electronic wearable audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds), as well as other applications that may be understood based on this disclosure. Furthermore, a single wearable audio device (e.g., a single headset) can be used for multiple different applications because the audio device's control platform enables customization of the audio device to optimize its suitability for different applications. In some specific implementations, the customization of the audio device control platform occurs automatically based on one or more accessories connected to the audio device. Other triggering events can be used alternatively or additionally to customize the audio device, such as user input using a connected control module (e.g., using an embedded control module and / or a mobile device application), environmental conditions (e.g., ambient noise level), sensor input (e.g., atmospheric pressure), or other triggering events that will be apparent according to the invention.

[0064] Some exemplary implementations involve audio devices including aviation headsets. Pilots in both general aviation and commercial aviation use aviation headsets. Such headsets can be connected to aircraft communication systems, for example, to communicate with air traffic control (ATC) or with other pilots. Headsets can also be used as public address systems, for example, for pilots to speak with passengers on board the aircraft. Aircraft communication systems typically include analog communication systems, such as walkie-talkies. In some cases, such walkie-talkie systems can be configured to communicate in the ultra-high frequency (VHF) band (e.g., 18 MHz to 136.975 MHz), where each channel is separated from adjacent channels by a pre-specified bandwidth (e.g., 8.33 kHz in Europe, 25 kHz elsewhere). Analog modulation techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM) can be used for communication, and sessions can be performed in simplex mode. In some cases, such as for transoceanic flights, other bands, such as the high frequency (HF) band, can be used for satellite communication. For example, aviation headsets can be used by, for example, pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate with each other. Even within the context of aviation use cases, headsets can be optimized based on the category or specific aircraft used. For example, the category could include, for instance, propeller aircraft, jet aircraft, or helicopters, while the specific aircraft could include, for instance, a Boeing 737, Boeing 777, Airbus A320, or McDonnell Douglas DC-9.

[0065] Figure 1An example of a wearable audio device 10 including an aviation-style headset 100 is shown. In certain cases, the headset 100 includes a frame having at least one earpiece (e.g., earmuff) 105 on each side, which is adapted to fit on, around, or above a user's ear. In some cases, the frame is optional, such that the earpiece 105 is tethered or wirelessly connected to other components in the wearable audio device 10. Each earmuff 105 houses an acoustic transducer or speaker. The headset 100 also includes a headband (e.g., an over-the-head bridge) 110 for connecting the two earpieces (e.g., earmuffs) 105. In various specific embodiments, the headset 100 is configured to position at least one, and in some cases two, earpieces 105 close to the user's ears. For example, the headset 100 (and other headset forms of the audio device 10 described herein) may be configured to position the earpieces 105 close to the user's ears when worn by the user. In some cases, this proximity includes positioning the earpiece 105 on or above the ear (e.g., using an earmuff), in the ear (e.g., using an earplug), resting on the ear (e.g., using an ear hook), etc. In some cases, proximity positioning results in the user's ear being completely, partially, or unobstructed.

[0066] In some implementations, electronic components (e.g., microphones, such as hanging microphones) 115 may be physically connected to one of the earcups 105. The headset 100 may be connected to an aircraft intercom system using a connecting cable 120, which may also include a control module 125 comprising one or more controls for the headset 100. In some cases, analog signals to or from the aircraft intercom system are transmitted via a wired connection provided by the connecting cable 120. In other, or additional, cases, the headset 100 may include electronics 70, such as control chips and / or circuitry, electroacoustic transducers, microphones and associated modules, power components such as batteries and / or connectors, and interface components such as capacitive touch interface components. In certain cases, electronics 70 includes a controller coupled to the electroacoustic transducer, wherein the controller is also configured to connect to the electronics (e.g., when in a locked position with audio device 10). In various specific implementations, the controller includes one or more processors and is configured to communicate with onboard memory and / or one or more remote storage devices.

[0067] It should also be understood that the electronic device 70 may include other components not specifically depicted in the figures, such as communication components (e.g., a wireless transceiver (WT)) configured to communicate with one or more other electronic devices connected via one or more wireless networks (e.g., a local WiFi network, Bluetooth connection, or radio frequency (RF) connection), as well as amplification and signal processing components. The electronic device 70 may also include motion and / or position tracking components, such as optical tracking systems, inertial measurement units (IMUs), and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices such as those combining multi-axis accelerometers, gyroscopes, and / or magnetometers.

[0068] Although Figure 1 The examples illustrate aviation headsets including over-ear earcups, but aviation headsets with other form factors (including those with in-ear or on-ear headphones) are also compatible with the technology described herein. In examples involving in-ear headphones, the over-the-head bridging may be omitted, and a suspended microphone may be attached to the user via the headset or via a separate structure. Moreover, as used in this document, the term headset includes various types of acoustic devices that can be used for aviation purposes, including, for example, headphones and earplugs. For example, additional headset features are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 238,259 (filed August 16, 2016, “Communications Using Aviation Headsets”) and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 953,272 (filed November 19, 2020, “Wearable Audio Device with Control Platform”), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0069] It should also be understood that any component described as being connected to or coupled to audio device 10 or another component in other systems disclosed according to a particular embodiment can communicate using any conventional hardwired connection and / or additional communication protocols. In some cases, the communication protocol may include Wi-Fi protocols using wireless local area networks (LANs), communication protocols such as IEEE 802.11 b / g, cellular network-based protocols (e.g., third-, fourth-, or fifth-generation (3G, 4G, 5G cellular networks) or one of several Internet of Things (IoT) protocols, such as Bluetooth, BLE Bluetooth, ZigBee (mesh LAN), Z-wave (sub-GHz mesh networking), 6LoWPAN (lightweight IP protocol), LTE protocol, RFID, ultrasonic audio protocols, etc. In various specific embodiments, components separately housed in audio device 10 are configured to communicate using one or more conventional wireless transceivers.

[0070] It should be understood that wearable audio devices 10 may incorporate additional form factors depending on their specific implementation. For example, Figure 2 A wearable audio device 10 in the form of a personal communication headset 10 (e.g., an aviation headset) is shown. Reference numerals followed by "A" or "B" indicate features corresponding to the right or left side of the audio device 10, respectively. The audio device 10 includes a headband having an arcuate section 130, a right end, and a left end. A right shell 132A and a left shell 132B are located at the right and left ends of the headband, respectively. The arcuate section 130 serves as an over-the-head bridging member between the right and left shells 132. A spring band 134 (e.g., spring steel) extends from the right shell 132A through the arcuate section 130 to the left shell 132B. The spring band 134 provides clamping force to move the shells 132 toward each other (approximately along a horizontal plane passing through the wearer's head) while the user wears the headband. The right and left shells 132 may move upward and toward the arcuate section 130 or downward and away from it to accommodate smaller or larger heads, respectively.

[0071] A pad (right pad 136A or left pad 136B, collectively referred to as 136) is attached to each housing 132 and serves to comfortably secure the headset 10 to the head. As used herein, "pad" means a compliant component that can compress and / or deform under applied pressure and is configured to contact the user's head in a manner that supports the headband. In some cases, when the audio device (headset) 10 is worn on the head, each pad 136 extends from its front end above the ear to its rear end, which is lower on the head and behind the ear. In some cases, each pad 136 has a contoured surface 138 for contacting the user's head. A microphone boom 140 extends from a rotatable base 142 near the bottom of one of the housings (e.g., right housing 132A, as illustrated) and serves to position and support a microphone 144 attached to the other end. The microphone boom 140 can be partially adjusted by rotating about its base 142 to position the microphone 144 appropriately relative to the user's mouth. Microphone boom 140 may be permanently attached to housing 132A or may be removable, allowing audio device 10 to be used for both aerospace and non-aerospace applications (e.g., music playback). A connector 146 for a communication cable extends from the bottom of the right housing 132A. An earpiece (e.g., earbud) connector cable 148 extends from one end of each housing 132 and connects to an earpiece 150, such as an earbud or other type of in-ear headphone. Described in U.S. Patent No. 10,187,718. Figure 2 Additional features of the audio device 10 in the United States, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] Figure 3Another audio device 10 is depicted, which includes over-ear headphones 310. Headphones 310 may include a pair of earpieces (e.g., earmuffs) 320 configured to fit over or on a user's ears. A headband 330 spans between the pair of earpieces 320 and is configured to rest on the user's head (e.g., across or around the head). In some embodiments, headband 330 may include head pads 340. Depending on a particular embodiment, electronics 70 and other components for controlling headphones 310 are stored within one or both earpieces 320. Electronics 70 may include portions of one or more electronic components or connectors for one or more electronic components, as described with respect to audio device 10 herein. It should be understood that the various wearable audio devices described herein may utilize features of various embodiments, and references are made to... Figures 1 to 3 The wearable audio device 10 shown and described is merely illustrative. In addition to electronics 70, various specific embodiments of the audio device (or headphones) 10 may include one or more accessory ports for receiving (e.g., docking or connecting to) accessories, such as a hanging microphone, battery module, power connector, sensor module, communication module (e.g., wireless module, such as for enabling Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and / or wired module), self-powered communication module (e.g., self-powered Bluetooth module), and / or microphone module. In certain cases, the accessory may be coupled to one or more portions of the headphones 10, for example, via an earpiece or earcups. Other connection configurations are also possible in various specific embodiments. Additional details of an exemplary accessory connection for the earpiece 400 are included in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 930,579 (filed July 16, 2020, “Wearable Audio Device with Modular Component Attachment”), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of example electronics 70 in a headset 10 according to various specific embodiments. As described herein, in some embodiments, one or more components of electronics 70 may be located in a separate device (e.g., a smart device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, control module, electronic flight bag, etc.). Additionally, one or more functions performed by components in electronics 70 may be performed at a device separate from or replicated at the wearable audio device 10. In various specific embodiments, each earpiece in the headset includes a separate electronics 70.

[0074] In any case, return to Figure 4The electronic device 70 may include at least one transducer 500 for providing audio output. The electronic device 70 may also include one or more sensors 510, such as location-based sensors (e.g., geolocation sensors), motion-based sensors (e.g., inertial measurement units or IMUs), optical sensors, one or more microphones (e.g., microphone arrays), etc. The electronic device 70 may also include one or more communication devices 520, such as one or more transmitters and / or receivers (e.g., wireless and / or hardwired transmitters / receivers). In various specific embodiments, the communication devices 520 are configured for various communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, BLE, Zigbee, etc., as well as radio communication and walkie-talkie communication. The electronic device 70 may also include an accessory port connector 530 for detecting connections (e.g., electrical and / or communication connections) to accessories (e.g., accessory 420). At least one power source 540 (e.g., one or more batteries, charging devices, and / or hardwired power sources) and an interface 550 (e.g., a user interface such as a touchscreen, capacitive touch interface, gesture detection interface, voice command interface, etc.) are shown.

[0075] Transducer 500, sensor 510, communication device 520, connector 530, power supply 540, and / or interface 550 may be connected to control circuitry (or controller) 560, which in some cases includes one or more processors (PUs) for performing the functions described herein. In various embodiments, the processor is coupled to a memory. In some cases, the functions of different processors are performed in different controllers 560 (not depicted). However, in other cases, controller 560 may include one or more processors (or control circuitry) for performing functions, for example, those specified by the execution of instructions stored in memory. In a particular embodiment, controller 560 may include ANR circuitry 570 for controlling the active noise cancellation (ANR) function in the headset 10. The ANR circuit 570 includes an ANR engine (or ANR subsystem) 580 configured to control the audio output to the transducer 500 (e.g., adjusting the gain on an amplifier such as a differential amplifier) ​​based on inputs from the sensor 510 (e.g., inputs from the feedback microphone and inputs from the feedforward microphone (e.g., after passing through a feedback filter)). Additional features of the ANR circuit 570 are described and depicted in certain examples in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 122,855 (filed March 17, 2022, "Power-Adaptive Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headset").

[0076] In various specific implementations, the headset 10 includes two earpieces (e.g., earmuffs or earplugs), and the ANR engine 580 is configured to verify acoustic interference based on the acoustic characteristics of ambient sounds detected at both earpieces. In a particular example, the headset includes a first set of ANR microphones (e.g., sensor 510) at a first earpiece and a second set of ANR microphones (e.g., sensor 510) at a second earpiece. In a particular case, the ANR engine 580 is coupled to both the first and second sets of microphones.

[0077] As described herein, ANR circuit 570 (including ANR engine 580) can be configured to adjust the audio output at transducer 500 based on acoustic interference detected in ambient sound. In certain cases, ANR circuit 570 is configured to disable audio pass-through mode when acoustic interference is detected. Certain functions are described with respect to ANR circuit 570 and / or ANR engine 580. It should be understood that in some cases, these functions may be performed by either or both components. In some examples, ANR engine 580 is used as a sub-component within ANR circuit 570 (e.g., a software module and / or a programmable circuit component).

[0078] In certain aspects, audio pass-through mode enables pass-through (or audio output) of near-speech and other mid- and / or high-frequency sounds, while eliminating low-frequency sounds such as aircraft noise. In other cases, audio pass-through mode can allow true or near-transparency, thus enabling pass-through of virtually all ambient sounds. In still other cases, audio pass-through mode includes frequency filters and / or another filter, such as an equalization filter or volume adjustment filter (e.g., volume boost for a specific frequency). In some examples, in audio pass-through mode, the ANR engine 580 is configured to pass through transducer 500 ( Figure 4 The ambient sound is reproduced as audio output at the location. Audio pass-through mode may also be referred to as a pass-through feature, a pass-through feature, a transparent mode, or some other description of the purposeful transmission of at least some ambient sound to the user. Such purposeful transmission of at least some ambient sound to the user can be achieved by using one or more microphones to record sound and then playing back the recorded sound (whether modified or not) to the user via an audio playback device, such as via at least one electroacoustic transducer (e.g., transducer 500). However, in other specific implementations, at least some of the ambient sound can be passed through to the user by modifying the device that blocks ambient sound, such as reducing ANR or physically opening at least one port of the earcups or earplugs to remove or reduce passive blocking of ambient sound.

[0079] In various specific implementations, wearable audio devices with ANR capabilities may include interfaces that allow adjustment of ANR settings (e.g., Figure 4Interface 550). In examples of wearable audio devices used in aviation, interfaces such as interface 550 may include tap- or touch-based interfaces, such as capacitive touch interfaces. In some specific implementations, the interface is located in the earcups (e.g., Figure 1 Earmuffs 105 and / or Figure 3 Earmuffs 320), earplugs (e.g., Figure 2 Earplugs 150) or connectors such as headbands (e.g., Figure 1 The headband is 110; Figure 2 Headband 130; Figure 3 On a portion of the headband 330. In high-noise environments (as an example), acoustic interference in ambient sound can erroneously trigger tap- or touch-based interfaces, resulting in unintended switching between ANR modes. In certain conventional devices, acoustic interference is recorded by the ANR circuitry as electrically equivalent to tap- or touch-based commands (e.g., based on the current load on the ANR engine). In these cases, the ANR circuitry may unintendedly enable (or trigger) audio pass-through modes during high-noise events, making it difficult for the user to hear desired sounds, communications, etc.

[0080] Various specific implementations include an ANR engine 580, which is configured to control audio pass-through settings during acoustic interference, thereby mitigating unwanted switching between pass-through modes. In some cases, disabling the audio pass-through mode is further based on the detected current load on the ANR engine 580 in the headset. In a particular example, the current load on the ANR engine 580 is affected by noise in the ambient sound and / or user actions such as a user tapping an ANR interface control (e.g., interface 550) and / or a user suddenly chewing or turning their head.

[0081] like Figure 5 As illustrated, the ANR circuit 570, including engine 580, includes a thresholding module 590 and, in some cases, a hysteresis module 600. In various specific implementations, the ANR engine 580 is configured to control the audio pass-through mode based on detected sensor input 610 (e.g., from sensor 510). Figure 6 As illustrated in the process flowchart, in various specific implementations, the ANR engine 580 is configured to perform processes including, in an optional pre-process (P1), applying active noise cancellation (ANR) to ambient sound (or earmuff residual sound) to provide audio output at transducer 500. In process (P2), the ANR engine 580 via sensor input 610 ( Figure 5 (For example, sensor 510 from the microphone included in ANR device 10) Figure 4The ANR engine 580 samples ambient sounds from the input of the ambient sound. In decision (D3), the ANR engine 580 compares the sampled ambient sounds with a noise threshold (or multiple thresholds), and if the sound deviates from the threshold (yes for D3), then in process (P4), the ANR engine 580 adjusts the ANR settings to disable the audio pass-through mode. If no (no for D3) the ambient sounds do not deviate from the threshold, then in process (P5), the ANR engine 580 maintains the pass-through mode settings and continues to sample ambient sounds periodically and / or continuously (returning to process (P2)). In various additional embodiments, the ANR engine 580 is further configured to return to process (P2) after adjusting the ANR settings to disable the audio pass-through mode (P4), for example, in response to changes in ambient sound conditions. In these specific implementations, the ANR engine 580 samples ambient sound after detecting acoustic interference (and disabling audio pass-through mode), and maintains the pass-through mode disabled (P4) or enabled (P5) based on a comparison with a threshold (D3). In some exemplary cases, the ANR engine 580 is configured to revert to the most recent ANR settings after acoustic interference is no longer detected. In these examples, audio pass-through mode may be enabled, and further, the touch command interface may be enabled after acoustic interference is no longer detected.

[0082] In some cases, the audio pass-through mode is configured to be enabled or disabled via commands at interface 550 (e.g., a touch interface). In such implementations, disabling the audio pass-through mode may include disabling commands from the touch interface. In some of these cases, controller 560 disables (e.g., ignores or otherwise disregards) commands from interface 550 when the audio pass-through mode is disabled. More specifically, disabling the audio pass-through mode may include: i) disabling the ability to activate the audio pass-through mode, for example, via input on the device such as button presses at interface 550, touch interface commands and / or knob actuation, tap commands detected by ANR engine 580 or sensors 510 such as accelerometers or IMUs, and / or via connected devices such as smart devices coupled to audio device 10; and / or ii) automatically disabling the audio pass-through mode if it has already been enabled (when a trigger is detected), i.e., without requiring user input to disable it.

[0083] In various specific implementations, the ANR engine 580 is configured to sample ambient sounds periodically (e.g., at regular or irregular intervals). In some cases, the ANR engine 580 is configured to sample ambient sounds continuously (e.g., every X seconds) or constantly while the ANR engine 580 is active.

[0084] In certain cases, the ANR engine 580 is further configured to periodically or continuously sample ambient sound and define the average noise characteristics of the ambient sound over a period of time. Continuous sampling can be performed at defined intervals and / or dynamic intervals, or periodically at such intervals. The average noise characteristics can be measured, for example, as sound pressure level (SPL). In some aspects, the ANR engine 580 is further configured to update the average noise characteristics on a rolling basis. In some cases, the average noise characteristics include a noise envelope, or a profile of noise amplitude that changes and is updated over time. These updates can be propagated to the thresholding module 590 ( Figure 5 ( ) to define the threshold used to determine acoustic interference.

[0085] In some cases, acoustic interference is detected based on the shape of the electrical pulse or waveform. In certain aspects, additional acoustic interference and / or contributing factors are compared to a noise threshold (e.g., at thresholding module 590). Figure 5 This could be due to factors such as head movement deviating from a head movement threshold or jaw movement deviating from a jaw movement threshold. Depending on the specific aspect, acoustic interference is characterized by the nonlinear response of the ANR Engine 580 to ambient sound. For example, a nonlinear response may occur during periods of high transient noise and / or crossover events, such as during taxiing, takeoff, and / or landing of an aircraft. In some examples, the crossover (or nonlinear) frequency is approximately 2.5 kHz.

[0086] Thresholding module 590 ( Figure 5 This may include multiple thresholds for determining whether sensor input 610 (e.g., microphone input) indicates acoustic interference. In some implementations, acoustic interference is detected by ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold, such as that defined by a nominal noise level. For example, the noise threshold may be based on a defined noise level and / or a noise level range that may indicate whether to switch between audio pass-through settings. In some cases, the nominal noise level is equal to approximately 90 dB, approximately 95 dB, approximately 100 dB, approximately 105 dB, approximately 110 dB, approximately 115 dB, or approximately 120 dB.

[0087] In other respects, acoustic interference is detected by deviations of ambient sound from a noise threshold defined as a relative noise level over a given period of time. In some specific implementations, the relative noise level is defined by an increase in noise of approximately: a) 20 dB, approximately 25 dB, approximately 30 dB, approximately 35 dB, or approximately 40 dB over that period of time; or b) approximately 10%, approximately 15%, approximately 20%, approximately 25%, or approximately 30% over that period of time. The noise threshold (e.g., used for switching between audio passthrough modes) may also include a relative decrease in noise over a given period of time (e.g., a decrease of 20 dB or 15% over that period of time). In other cases, the noise threshold is adjusted over time (e.g., based on the most recent history of sampled ambient sound).

[0088] In some cases, the threshold is specific to at least one of the following: the user of the headset 10 (e.g., user profile), the user group, the type of environment in which the headset 10 is used (e.g., aviation, automotive, industrial), or the type of vehicle in which the headset 10 is operated (e.g., an aircraft with a noise spectrum (such as a high-frequency to low-frequency noise range that is different from the noise spectrum in an automotive or industrial environment)).

[0089] Various embodiments include methods for disabling functionality at headset 10 based on detected ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold, with audio pass-through modes specifically discussed. However, additional embodiments may include disabling one or more additional or alternative features of headset 10 based on detected ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold. For example, additional embodiments may include disabling changes to the ANR state of headset 10 based on detected ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold. Further embodiments may include disabling changes to the audio input configuration of headset 10 based on detected ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold. In these examples, the audio input configuration may be headset-specific and / or headset-type-based, for example, changing the primary / secondary audio input settings of an aviation headset (such as how inputs are prioritized, mixed, and / or muted). Additional embodiments may include disabling secondary audio inputs based on detected ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold, for example, disabling Bluetooth streaming and maintaining only the primary audio input of headset 10 (such as an aviation headset) used for voice communication. Other specific implementations may include disabling power state changes based on the detected ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold (e.g., preventing the headphones 10 from being powered off if the ambient noise is too high).

[0090] In some cases, the control circuitry is coupled to the electronic flight bag (e.g., via connecting cable 120, Figure 1Furthermore, the ANR engine 580 is configured to detect acoustic interference based at least in part on flight indicators from the electronic flight bag. In some cases, the flight indicators indicate at least one of the speed of the aircraft in which the headset 10 is operating or the phase of flight of the aircraft. For example, the electronic flight bag may provide indicators of the status of the aircraft to which it is connected, such as indicators that the aircraft is starting or has entered a taxiing, takeoff, or landing phase of flight, and / or indicators that the speed of the aircraft is changing or has recently changed.

[0091] As noted herein, in various specific implementations, the ANR engine 580 can use input from sensor 510 (e.g., a microphone) to detect acoustic interference. In some aspects, the ANR engine 580 is configured to detect acoustic interference based on signals from the feedforward microphone. In a further specific implementation, the ANR engine 580 is configured to analyze signals from the feedback microphone for residual noise after disabling the audio pass-through mode and before enabling it. In these examples, the ANR engine 580 uses residual noise from the feedback microphone as a check before re-enabling the audio pass-through mode (e.g., when previous acoustic interference has triggered the disabling of the audio pass-through mode). This approach helps prevent unnecessary switching between audio pass-through modes and enhances the user experience.

[0092] As this article also points out, the ANR engine 580 ( Figure 5 The ANR engine 580 may include a hysteresis module 600, which can be used to mitigate erroneous or unintended switching between audio pass-through modes based on results from a thresholding module 590. That is, at least one hysteresis factor can be used to evaluate ambient sound compared to a threshold in the thresholding module 590. In some cases, the ANR engine 580 is configured to control switching between disabled and enabled audio pass-through modes based on the hysteresis factor. In some cases, a first threshold disables the audio pass-through mode, a second threshold enables the audio pass-through mode, and the hysteresis factor is used to prevent unintended switching between enabled and disabled modes. For example, rotating propeller (e.g., helicopter) blades can trigger switching between audio pass-through modes, and the hysteresis factor can control those unintended short-term switchings between modes. In this example, rotating propeller blades can cause detectable acoustic interference multiple times per second (through intermediate intervals in the noise), and if the ANR engine 580 were to respond to each interference, the user might experience frequent and unintended switching between pass-through modes. In some cases, the hysteresis factor is equal to a delay of approximately a few seconds or less, such as three or four seconds or less. In other cases, the lag factor is equal to a delay of about one or two seconds or less (and in other cases, less than one second).

[0093] As noted herein, in certain situations, the ANR Engine 580 is configured to automatically (e.g., without user interaction) control the switching between disabling and enabling the audio pass-through mode. In other situations, the switching between enabling and disabling the audio pass-through mode can be controlled via user interface commands (e.g., voice commands, touch commands, or commands on connected devices such as smart devices or flight control systems).

[0094] In certain examples, the ANR circuit 570 is further configured to filter speech signals from ambient sound (e.g., before processing as input at the ANR engine 580, such as sensor input 610). In some specific implementations, the ANR circuit 570 is configured to detect acoustic interference within a limited frequency range of ambient sound (e.g., in a frequency band or below / above a threshold frequency). In some cases, the limited frequency range includes lower frequencies (such as those occurring during flight) and / or higher frequencies (such as high-pitched alarms).

[0095] In some additional aspects, the control circuitry (e.g., controller 560) is further configured to provide feedback to the user of the headset 10 regarding disabling the audio pass-through mode, and to adjust the settings of the ANR engine 580 based on the feedback from the user. For example, the user may wish to enable the audio pass-through mode during periods of greater (e.g., louder) acoustic interference, or disable it during periods of less (e.g., quieter) acoustic interference. In additional cases, the user may wish to enable or disable the audio pass-through mode based on certain additional triggers (e.g., flight phase, time of day, presence or type of connected accessories). In other cases, controller 560 is further configured to adjust the audio pass-through mode settings of the ANR engine 580 via user interface commands. The pass-through mode settings may include profile settings and / or threshold settings.

[0096] As noted herein, in some respects, the touch interface (e.g., interface 550) includes a capacitive touch interface capable of enabling touch-based and / or tap-based commands. In some cases, upon detecting acoustic interference, the ANR engine 580 is configured to restrict (e.g., constrain) audio pass-through mode commands from interface 550. In some of these cases, the controller 560 ignores or does not log commands from interface 550 when audio pass-through mode is disabled.

[0097] In some specific implementations, the headset includes a communication headset that includes a suspended microphone coupled to the ANR circuit 570 (e.g., Figure 1 Microphone 115 or Figure 2(Microphone 144). In such cases, the ANR engine 580 can use input from the suspended microphone to detect acoustic interference as described herein. In some aspects, the suspended microphone input takes into account the pressure gradient between far-field and near-field ambient sounds. In some such cases, the suspended microphone may include, for example, a pressure gradient type microphone or a far-field noise cancellation microphone. In some of these aspects, the sound pressure from a far-field origin produces a very small pressure gradient or no pressure gradient, such that the suspended microphone does not respond to such far-field origin sound. In these examples, the crossover frequency is set to the frequency at which the pressure gradient between far-field and near-field ambient sounds becomes insignificant or negligible.

[0098] In certain situations, the ANR engine 580 is configured to sample ambient sounds on a cyclical basis and dynamically adjust the pass-through mode (e.g., disable pass-through mode) in response to ambient sound indications of acoustic interference (e.g., disable pass-through mode). In some aspects, this repetitive occurrence is based on continuous sampling and / or periodic sampling. In some examples, continuous sampling is performed at defined intervals and / or dynamic intervals. In some additional cases, the ANR engine 580 samples ambient sounds in response to triggers. Various non-limiting trigger events may include detecting changes in accessory connections of the audio device 10, detecting changes in power supply 540 (e.g., changes between batteries or between a battery and a hardwired power supply), detecting changes in the power state of the audio device 10 (e.g., power cycling, powered on, sleep mode), detecting changes in ambient acoustic conditions (e.g., significant changes in ambient noise levels), or user interface commands for initiating or changing the operating mode of the audio device 10.

[0099] As noted herein, various aspects of the headset 10 may be beneficial in consumer applications, commercial aircraft use, private aircraft use, transportation, military use, and so on. In some specific implementations, the headset 10 is part of an aviation audio device that needs to comply with aviation-specific communication protocols. In some examples, adjusting the audio pass-through mode (e.g., disabling the mode, and in some cases, disabling the touch commands used to access the mode) helps to comply with protocols related to communication drops or disconnections, Bluetooth (BT) resets, unclear communication, and / or total harmonic interference (THD) standards. In specific cases, adjusting the compressor threshold 660 helps to comply with aviation-specific communication protocols that require 10% or less THD (e.g., the Federal Aviation Administration protocol).

[0100] As noted herein, various specific implementations enable headphones to adaptively control (e.g., disable) audio pass-through functionality in an ANR system based on the characteristics of acoustic interference in the environment. These implementations can sample ambient sound periodically, continuously, or responsively (e.g., in response to a trigger) and adjust the audio pass-through mode functionality accordingly. Furthermore, these implementations can disable interface commands (e.g., touch-based or tap-based commands) based on detected acoustic interference.

[0101] Furthermore, various embodiments of the headset 10 can be configured to assign different acoustic interference thresholds for different ANR profiles. For example, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 953,272 (formerly incorporated by reference), the headset can be configured to apply different ANR profiles based on one or more inputs or trigger events. ANR modes can differ from each other based on multiple acoustic characteristics, including but not limited to maximum noise cancellation level, filter coefficients, equalization, spectrum, etc. The headset 10 can, for example, use interface 550 to switch ANR profiles. For example, interface 550 may include a touch interface, button, switch, or other physical interface for selecting or switching between ANR configurations. In some embodiments, interface 550 may include a mechanical switch, such as a two-position or three-position switch, that allows a user to command controller 560 to switch between profiles, ANR configurations, and / or other settings. In some examples, interface 550 includes a mechanical switch that allows a user to switch between at least two ANR configurations. For example, the mechanical switch enables switching between an application-specific ANR configuration (e.g., an aviation-specific ANR configuration) and another application-specific ANR configuration (e.g., a broadcast-specific ANR configuration or a music playback-specific ANR configuration).

[0102] Additionally, various specific embodiments of the headset 10 can be configured to respond to the connection of an accessory at the headset 10 and / or the disconnection of the accessory 420 at the headset 10. Figure 4The ANR circuit 570 samples ambient sound. In some cases, the ANR circuit 570 is further configured to adjust the acoustic interference threshold based on the type of accessory 420 connected to the headset 10. Non-limiting examples of accessories may include: a cable (e.g., a connector cable) configured to attach the headset 10 to at least one other device (e.g., an electronic flight bag, an external sensor module, etc.), a microphone or microphone array, one or more image capture devices (such as a camera), one or more light capture devices (such as one or more photodetectors, lidar sensors, or optoelectronic devices (e.g., for scanning or transmitting / receiving)), and a positioning system (such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), a Local Positioning System, or an Indoor Positioning System, etc.). Additional triggers that can be used to initiate sampling of acoustic interference in ambient sound (e.g., to adjust thresholds for disabling and / or enabling audio pass-through modes) are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 953,272 (previously incorporated by reference).

[0103] Various specific embodiments include headphones configured to perform active noise cancellation (ANR) according to the methods described herein. Further aspects of ANR compatible with the specific embodiments herein are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 788,365 (computed February 12, 2020, “Computational Architecture for Active Noise Reduction”), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0104] As noted herein, the headset 10, according to various embodiments, offers several benefits compared to conventional audio devices. For example, the headset 10, according to various embodiments, implements customized audio pass-through (and interface functions) based on variations in ambient sound conditions. Compared to conventional systems, the embodiments can enhance the user experience (e.g., reduce the pass-through of loud noise to the user, improve communication), and assist in regulatory compliance. Additionally, in some cases, the headset 10 is configured for use in multiple scenarios and / or industries, for example, from casual consumer use to professional use by pilots, military personnel, sports coaches, or entertainment professionals. The headset 10 is further configured to adapt different audio pass-through thresholds based on the characteristics of acoustic interference, the use of the headset 10, and / or the user profile. Furthermore, the headset 10 disclosed herein improves user safety because the disclosed system and method prevents (whether accidental or intentional) pass-through in situations such as when loud ambient sounds are present. This not only helps protect the user's ears and hearing but also helps prevent the user from performing unintended actions (e.g., being startled when loud sounds are pass-through). Additionally, in the case of pilots (e.g., aircraft pilots), since particularly loud ambient sounds may exist during takeoff and landing, the technology helps prevent interruptions in the necessary attention during those events or other high-noise events, thereby improving the safety of the pilot and all passengers. Compared to conventional audio equipment, the headset 10, shown and described according to various specific embodiments, enhances the user experience and improves performance and safety.

[0105] Although elements in several views of the accompanying drawings may be shown and described as discrete elements in the block diagram and may be referred to as “circuits,” unless otherwise specified, these elements may be implemented as analog circuits, digital circuits, or one or more microprocessors executing software instructions, or a combination thereof. Software instructions may include digital signal processing (DSP) instructions. Operations may be performed by analog circuits or by a microprocessor executing software that performs mathematical or logical operations equivalent to analog operations. Unless otherwise specified, signal lines may be implemented as discrete analog signal lines or discrete digital signal lines, a single discrete digital signal line with appropriate signal processing capable of handling individual audio signal streams, or elements of a wireless communication system. Some processes within the block diagram may be described. Activities performed in each block may be performed by one or more elements and may be temporally separated. Elements performing activities in a block may be physically separated. Unless otherwise specified, audio signals may be encoded and transmitted in digital or analog form; conventional digital-to-analog converters or analog-to-digital converters may be omitted from the drawings. Some figures in the drawings may include logic elements such as decision blocks, comparators, or logic gates. The output of a logic element will be specified as "0" (which corresponds to "No", "Low", or "Open") or "1" (which corresponds to "Yes", "High", or "Closed").

[0106] In various embodiments, components described as "coupled" to each other may be joined along one or more interfaces. In some embodiments, these interfaces may include joints between different components, and in others, these interfaces may include solid and / or integrally formed interconnects. That is, in some cases, components "coupled" to each other may be formed simultaneously to define a single continuous member. However, in other embodiments, these coupled components may be formed as separate members and subsequently joined by known processes (e.g., welding, fastening, ultrasonic welding, bonding). In various embodiments, accessories described as "coupled" (e.g., electronic components) may be linked via conventional hardwiring and / or wireless means, enabling these accessories to transmit data to each other. Additionally, sub-components within a given component may be considered to be linked via conventional paths, which may not necessarily be illustrated.

[0107] Other embodiments not specifically described herein are also within the scope of the following claims. Elements of the different embodiments described herein can be combined to form other embodiments not specifically set forth above. Some elements can be removed from the structures described herein without adversely affecting their operation. Furthermore, various independent elements can be combined into one or more individual elements to perform the functions described herein.

Claims

1. A headphone comprising: at least one electro-acoustic transducer; and at least one control circuit coupled with the at least one electro-acoustic transducer, the at least one control circuit configured to detect an acoustic disturbance in ambient sound, wherein the acoustic disturbance is characterized by a noise level in the ambient sound that deviates from a noise threshold, and disable an audio pass-through mode while the acoustic disturbance is detected.

2. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is configured to periodically or continuously sample ambient sound.

3. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is further configured to: sample the ambient sound after detecting the acoustic disturbance in the ambient sound, enable the audio pass-through mode in response to the ambient sound satisfying a threshold, and maintain a disablement of the audio pass-through mode in response to the ambient sound deviating from the threshold.

4. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the acoustic disturbance is detected by the ambient sound exceeding the noise threshold as defined by a nominal noise amount equal to approximately 90 decibels (dB), approximately 95 dB, approximately 100 dB, approximately 105 dB, approximately 110 dB, approximately 115 dB, or approximately 120 dB.

5. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the acoustic disturbance is detected by the ambient sound exceeding the noise threshold as defined by a relative noise amount over a time period, wherein the relative noise amount is defined by a noise increase of approximately: a) 20 decibels (dB), approximately 25 dB, approximately 30 dB, approximately 35 dB, or approximately 40 dB over the time period, or b) approximately 10%, approximately 15%, approximately 20%, approximately 25%, or approximately 30% over the time period.

6. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is further configured to filter speech signals from the ambient sound.

7. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is configured to detect the acoustic disturbance in a limited frequency range of the ambient sound.

8. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the disabling of the audio pass-through mode is further based on a detected current load on an ANR engine in the headphone.

9. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the headphone comprises two earpieces, and wherein the at least one control circuit is configured to verify the acoustic disturbance based on acoustic characteristics of the ambient sound as detected at both of the two earpieces, wherein the headphone further comprises a first set of ANR microphones at a first earpiece of the two earpieces and a second set of ANR microphones at a second earpiece of the two earpieces, wherein the at least one control circuit is coupled with both the first set of ANR microphones and the second set of ANR microphones.

10. The headphones of claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is further configured to periodically or continuously sample the ambient sound and define an average noise characteristic of the ambient sound over a certain period of time, wherein the at least one control circuit is further configured to update the average noise characteristic on a rolling basis.

11. The headset of claim 1, wherein the threshold is specific to at least one of: the user of the headset, a user group, the type of environment in which the headset is used, or the type of vehicle in which the headset is operated.

12. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the audio pass-through mode is configured to be enabled or disabled via a command at a touch interface coupled with the at least one control circuit, wherein disabling the audio pass-through mode comprises: Disable commands from the touch interface.

13. The headphones of claim 1, wherein when activated, the at least one control circuit is configured to apply ANR to the ambient sound using the at least one electroacoustic transducer.

14. The headset of claim 1, wherein in audio pass-through mode, the at least one control circuit is configured to reproduce the ambient sound as an audio output at the electroacoustic transducer, and wherein the acoustic interference is characterized by a nonlinear response of the at least one control circuit to the ambient sound.

15. The headset according to claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is further configured to: Adjustments to the audio pass-through mode settings for the at least one control circuit can be enabled via user interface commands. The headset user is prompted with feedback regarding disabling the audio pass-through mode, and Adjust ANR engine settings based on the feedback from the user.

16. The headset of claim 1, further comprising a touch interface coupled to the at least one control circuit and enabling tap-based commands.

17. The headset of claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is coupled to an electronic flight pack, wherein the at least one control circuit is configured to detect the acoustic interference based at least in part on a flight indicator from the electronic flight pack, wherein the flight indicator indicates at least one of the speed of the aircraft in which the headset is operating or the flight phase of the aircraft.

18. The headset of claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is configured to analyze the signal from the feedback microphone for residual noise before enabling the audio pass-through mode after disabling the audio pass-through mode.

19. The headset of claim 1, wherein the at least one control circuit is configured to automatically control the switching between disabling and enabling the audio pass-through mode based on a hysteresis factor.

20. An aviation audio device comprising a headset according to claim 1, wherein disabling an audio pass-through mode facilitates compliance with aviation-specific communication protocols.

21. The headset of claim 1, further comprising a suspended microphone coupled to the at least one control circuit, wherein input from the suspended microphone is used to detect the acoustic interference, wherein the suspended microphone input takes into account the pressure gradient between far-field ambient sound and near-field ambient sound.

22. A method for controlling an active noise-canceling (ANR) headset, the method comprising: Acoustic interference in ambient sound is detected using at least one control circuit, wherein the acoustic interference is characterized by a noise level in the ambient sound deviating from a noise threshold, and The audio pass-through mode is disabled when the acoustic interference is detected.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one control circuit is configured to periodically or continuously sample ambient sound.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one control circuit is further configured to: The ambient sound is sampled after the acoustic interference in the ambient sound is detected. The audio pass-through mode is enabled in response to the ambient sound meeting a threshold, and The audio passthrough mode is disabled in response to the ambient sound exceeding the threshold.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the acoustic interference is detected by ambient sound exceeding a noise threshold defined as a nominal noise level or a relative noise level over a period of time.

Images