ANC Headset Audio Source Detection for External Sound Awareness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active noise cancellation (ANC) systems in headsets require manual adjustment by users, leading to inconvenience and potential missed important information due to the user's inability to hear external audio while wearing the headset.
Innovation Solution
An audio playback manager in a mobile device or headset detects a trigger word and adjusts ANC or pauses audio playback based on the user's location and preferences, using machine learning to determine relevant audio data to present to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation is enabled to block ambient noise, then the user can better hear audible media from the headset, but the user cannot hear external audio sources such as people speaking
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the audio environment using microphones to detect external sound sources and analyzes their characteristics (volume, frequency, direction) to dynamically adjust ANC settings. This feedback loop allows the system to respond to changing environmental conditions and user needs in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The ANC system transitions from a static on/off state to a dynamic, continuously adjustable system that modifies noise cancellation levels based on detected audio sources. The system can smoothly transition between different ANC intensities to balance media playback quality with external audio awareness
2Loss of information
If the user manually adjusts ANC settings to hear external audio, then the user can access external information, but the user must continuously monitor and adjust settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system autonomously monitors the audio environment and automatically adjusts ANC settings without requiring user intervention. The audio processing circuitry detects external sound sources and independently determines when to reduce or suspend noise cancellation, freeing the user from manual adjustment tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from microphones and audio sensors to automatically trigger ANC adjustments when external audio sources are detected, eliminating the need for manual user monitoring and adjustment of settings
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically detects audio sources to adjust ANC, then the user experience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing microphones and audio processing circuitry designed for media playback and environmental sound capture, making these existing components serve multiple functions including ANC control and external audio detection, thereby avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the audio source detection functionality with the existing ANC control system, merging the trigger word detection, audio source identification, and ANC adjustment functions into a unified control architecture that shares processing resources and circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
In aspects of ending active noise cancellation based on a detected audio source, a mobile device implements an audio playback manager that detects a headset employing active noise cancellation (ANC) of audio in communication with a mobile device in an environment of the mobile device. The audio playback manager receives a selection of at least one audio source that triggers adjustment of the ANC and detects sound originating from the at least one audio source that triggers adjustment of the ANC. Based on detecting the sound originating from the at least one audio source, the audio playback manager adjusts the ANC.