Attachable Optical Fiber Sensor for Silent Speech in Noisy Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional silent speech interface technologies require sound levels above a certain threshold and are sensitive to ambient noise and photographing angles, limiting their usability in everyday life and operational situations, and have a restricted range of recognizable pronunciations.
Innovation Solution
An attachable optical sensor system comprising optical fibers, light sources, and receivers, which detects subtle skin movements to generate sound data without actual voice, using an inference module and speaker unit for output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional silent speech interface technologies are used, then communication can be achieved without actual voice, but the system requires sound levels above a certain threshold and is sensitive to ambient noise and photographing angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic-based detection (microphones capturing sound waves) with optical fiber sensing (detecting light intensity changes caused by skin movements). This substitution eliminates dependence on acoustic conditions, ambient noise, and sound level thresholds, allowing reliable silent speech recognition in noisy environments without requiring specific photographing angles or light conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from acoustic pressure (sound waves) to optical intensity variations (light changes caused by skin movements). By measuring how skin movements modulate light transmission through optical fibers, the system achieves noise-robust detection that is independent of ambient acoustic conditions and photographing angles
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional silent speech interface technologies are used, then voiceless communication is enabled, but the range of recognizable pronunciations is very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into multiple independent optical fiber channels arranged in a grid pattern across different skin locations. Each optical fiber measures local skin movements independently, and the combined data from multiple channels provides comprehensive information about speech-related muscle movements, expanding the range of recognizable pronunciations while maintaining speech information fidelity
3Measurement precision
If optical fiber layers are arranged in a grid structure with multiple layers, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested multi-layer optical fiber structure where multiple optical fiber layers are stacked vertically, with each layer containing a grid of optical fibers. The support member provides a hierarchical framework that organizes these layers, enabling precise three-dimensional measurement of skin movements while maintaining a compact, integrated sensor design that manages structural complexity
4Reliability
If attachable optical sensor is used for silent speech communication, then communication in noisy environments and wartime scenarios is enabled, but the system requires multiple components including optical fiber layers, support members, light sources, and light receivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (optical fiber layers for sensing, support members for structural integrity, light sources for illumination, and light receivers for detection) into a single attachable optical sensor unit. This consolidation enables reliable silent speech communication in noisy environments while presenting a unified, manageable device that can be attached to the user's body
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
Enables robust communication in noisy environments and wartime scenarios, while also facilitating muscle and joint movement measurement for disease diagnosis and rehabilitation.
Implementation Method 1
optical fiber layers, a support member, light sources, and light receivers, wherein each optical fiber layer may include optical fibers arranged horizontally in a grid structure
Implementation Method 2
the light sources may be connected to one side of the optical fibers included in each optical fiber layer and one side of the optical fibers included in the support member, so as to supply light to the optical fibers
Implementation Method 3
the light receivers may be connected to the other side of the optical fibers included in each optical fiber layer and the other side of the optical fibers arranged in the support member, so as to sense the light passing through the optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a silent speech communication system and a method thereof using an attachable optical sensor, the attachable optical sensor including optical fiber layers, a support member, and light receivers, wherein each optical fiber layer may include optical fibers arranged horizontally in a grid structure, a plurality of optical fiber layers is provided and may be arranged in layers in a vertical direction relative to each other, the support member may include optical fibers arranged in the vertical direction, the support member may vertically connect the plurality of optical fiber layers arranged in the layers in the vertical direction to each other, and light sources may be connected to one side of the optical fibers included in each optical fiber layer and one side of the optical fibers included in the support member, so as to supply light to the optical fibers.