ANR Headset Adaptive Interface for False Triggering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Active noise reduction (ANR) headsets are susceptible to false triggering in high-noise environments, leading to undesired switching between noise reduction and audio pass-through modes, which can disrupt user experience and communication.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a control circuit in ANR headsets that detects acoustic disturbances by monitoring environmental noise levels and disabling the audio pass-through mode when noise exceeds a defined threshold, using a hysteresis factor to prevent false triggering, and enabling the mode only when conditions are suitable, thereby maintaining effective noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If audio pass-through mode is enabled in high-noise environments, then user can hear ambient sound, but false triggering occurs and noise reduction effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio pass-through modeVSAvoidfalse triggering

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit continuously monitors environmental noise levels and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the audio pass-through mode. When noise exceeds a threshold, the system automatically disables pass-through mode, preventing false triggering while maintaining adaptability to acoustic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of audio pass-through mode based on environmental noise levels. By monitoring noise threshold deviations and adjusting the pass-through enablement state accordingly, the system resolves the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If noise threshold is set low to detect acoustic disturbances early, then responsiveness improves, but false triggering increases in high-noise environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection responsivenessVSAvoidfalse triggering

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The noise threshold is not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on environmental conditions. The control circuit adapts the threshold level to account for ambient noise characteristics, enabling early detection of acoustic disturbances while preventing false triggering in high-noise environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses continuous feedback from the noise monitoring circuit to adjust detection sensitivity. By comparing environmental noise levels against adaptive thresholds, the system maintains responsiveness while minimizing false positives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If audio pass-through mode is continuously enabled for transparency, then user experience improves, but noise reduction effectiveness is compromised in noisy settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidnoise reduction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The audio pass-through mode transitions from a static enabled/disabled state to a dynamic mode that automatically adjusts based on environmental noise levels. This maintains user experience through transparency in quiet environments while preserving noise reduction effectiveness in noisy settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the harmful high-noise environment as a trigger to automatically disable pass-through mode, converting the harmful condition into a beneficial automatic protection mechanism that preserves noise reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances user experience by reducing false triggering and maintaining effective noise reduction in high-noise environments, ensuring clear communication and improved user safety, particularly in aviation and other noisy settings.

Implementation Method 1

detect an acoustic disturbance in environmental sound, wherein the acoustic disturbance is characterized by a noise level in the environmental sound deviating from a noise threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic detection: Sound

Implementation Method 2

at least one electro-acoustic transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-acoustic transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS20250106544A1Adaptive Interface in Active Noise Reduction (ANR) Headset

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 BOSE CORP

AI summary

Various aspects include active noise reduction (ANR) headsets and methods of controlling such headsets. In some implementations, a headset includes: 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 environmental sound, wherein the acoustic disturbance is characterized by a noise level in the environmental sound deviating from a noise threshold, and disable an audio pass-through mode while the acoustic disturbance is detected.