Audio IC Headphone Transducer Microphone Recording
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ordinary earphones and headphones without a built-in microphone cannot be used for applications requiring a microphone, such as phone calls, and recording audio signals from inside the ear is useful for noise cancellation and other applications, but existing technologies lack a method to record audio signals from electro-acoustic output transducers used for both playback and recording.
Innovation Solution
An audio processing integrated circuit is adapted to connect an electronic resistance component between the client terminal's ground and the headphone's electro-acoustic output transducer, allowing the transducer to function as a microphone input for recording audio signals, even when simultaneously playing audio, using a rewiring adaptor device with a resistor between the headphone's ground and the client terminal's ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a headphone without a built-in microphone is used, then the device simplicity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the adaptability for recording applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the headphone's electro-acoustic output transducer to serve dual functions: audio playback and audio recording. By configuring the audio processing integrated circuit to connect the transducer to both output and microphone input channels, the system allows a single device (the transducer) to perform multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate microphones in headphones without built-in mics.
2Device complexity
If the electro-acoustic output transducer is used for both playback and recording simultaneously, then the device complexity is reduced, but the signal interference and recording quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements intermittent recording and playback cycles through the audio processing integrated circuit. The system alternates between recording mode and playback mode in time-division multiplexing fashion, allowing the electro-acoustic output transducer to be used for both functions without continuous interference. This periodic switching ensures that during recording intervals, the transducer captures audio signals while during playback intervals, it outputs audio signals, thereby maintaining signal quality while utilizing a single transducer.
3Measurement precision
If audio signals are recorded intermittently during normal headphone use, then the noise cancellation effectiveness is improved, but the user experience continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial recording action by intermittently activating the recording function during normal headphone playback. The audio processing integrated circuit captures audio signals through the electro-acoustic output transducer in periodic intervals rather than continuously. This partial action approach enables noise cancellation algorithms to function effectively with periodic data collection while minimizing disruption to the continuous audio playback experience, as the recording interruptions are brief and strategically timed.
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 recording of audio signals from headphones without a built-in microphone, allowing for applications like noise cancellation and pulse measurement, while maintaining inaudible interruptions during normal use by intermittently recording and playing audio signals.
Implementation Method 1
The headphones comprise one or more electro-acoustic output transducers designed specifically for audio output
Implementation Method 2
instructing an audio processing integrated circuit of a client terminal to connect an electrical resistance component between an electrical ground of a client terminal and an electrical ground of one or more electro-acoustic output transducer of a headphone
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of recording a signal from a headphone. The method may comprise instructing an audio processing integrated circuit of a client terminal to connect an electrical resistance component between an electrical ground of a client terminal and an electrical ground of one or more electro-acoustic output transducer of a headphone. The method may further comprise instructing the audio processing integrated circuit of the client terminal to accept as microphone input a signal from the one or more electro-acoustic output transducer of the headphone. The method may further comprise recording a signal from the one or more electro-acoustic output transducer of the headphone using the audio processing integrated circuit of the client terminal.