Audio Playback System Speech Leakage Privacy Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile devices face challenges in maintaining privacy during calls due to leakage of downlink speech, which is often intelligible and compromises privacy, especially when the device is held against the ear, and existing solutions either fail to effectively mask this leakage or increase ambient noise levels.
Innovation Solution
A sound reproduction system comprising an earpiece and an integrated hands-free speaker, where the hands-free speaker acts as a subwoofer to enhance bass response and a masking signal is generated to prevent intelligibility of leaked speech, while maintaining unobtrusiveness and not increasing ambient noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a masking signal is generated to prevent intelligibility of leaked speech, then privacy is preserved, but ambient noise levels may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing the masking signal specifically toward the leakage path rather than omnidirectionally. The hands-free speaker generates masking sound that is acoustically targeted at the earpiece location where speech leakage occurs, making the masking effect localized to the privacy protection zone without unnecessarily increasing ambient noise levels in other directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of speech leakage into a benefit by using the same leakage path as the delivery mechanism for the masking signal. The earpiece, which inadvertently leaks speech, is simultaneously used as the acoustic pathway to deliver the masking sound to listeners, transforming the privacy vulnerability into a controlled masking delivery system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the hands-free speaker is used to provide masking signal, then privacy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the hands-free speaker serve multiple functions: its primary function for hands-free calling and its secondary function for generating masking signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated masking hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining privacy protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by using the device's own existing audio components (hands-free speaker and earpiece) to generate and deliver the masking signal, rather than requiring external or dedicated masking hardware. The device serves its own privacy protection needs using its built-in resources.
3Ease of operation
If downlink audio signal is provided to earpiece, then communication functionality is maintained, but speech leakage occurs compromising privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing the masking signal simultaneously with the downlink audio signal to the earpiece. The masking sound is generated in advance and delivered through the same acoustic path as the speech, creating a protective acoustic environment before speech leakage can occur, thereby preemptively counteracting the privacy vulnerability.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one earpiece, at least one hands-free speaker, and a sound reproduction system. The sound reproduction system includes the at least one earpiece and the at least one hands-free speaker. The sound reproduction system is configured to provide a downlink audio signal to the at least one earpiece and a corresponding audio signal associated with the downlink audio signal to the at least one hands-free speaker.