Microphone-Driven Babble Noise Masking for VoIP Speech Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In open-office environments, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calls can be overheard due to the lack of sound blocking by headsets and internet cables, causing distractions for others.
Innovation Solution
A device with a processor and storage that receives input from a microphone, identifies sound parameters, and outputs babble noise to mask the VoIP conversation, dynamically adjusting based on language, frequency, and volume levels to effectively camouflage speech.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If no sound blocking is provided by headset or cable, then VoIP call can be conducted freely, but speech can be overheard by others causing distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the harmful speech signal through the microphone and converts it into a beneficial masking noise by processing it through audio editing software to create babble noise. This transformed noise is then output through speakers to mask the original speech, turning the problem of speech leakage into a solution where the same speech signal becomes the masking agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system consisting of a processor, audio editing software, and speaker output. This intermediary takes the raw speech signal from the microphone, transforms it into babble noise through digital processing, and outputs it as masking sound. The intermediary converts the harmful direct speech transmission into a controlled masking noise that obscures the original speech.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If babble noise is output to mask speech, then speech privacy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the device multi-functional by enabling it to both conduct VoIP calls through the headset microphone and simultaneously process that same microphone signal to generate masking babble noise through the speaker. The microphone serves dual purposes: capturing speech for the call and capturing speech for masking generation. This eliminates the need for separate hardware components dedicated solely to noise masking.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves itself by using its own microphone input to generate the masking noise it needs. The speech captured by the microphone during the VoIP call is processed and output as babble noise, allowing the device to mask its own speech leakage without requiring external noise sources or additional dedicated hardware. The system is self-sufficient in generating its masking signal.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If higher masking volumes are used to ensure privacy, then speech privacy is improved, but environmental noise levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the parameters of the masking noise, including its volume level, frequency characteristics, and temporal patterns, to match the detected speech parameters. By changing these parameters based on real-time speech analysis, the system achieves effective masking at lower overall volumes compared to static high-volume masking approaches. The masking noise adapts its characteristics to maintain privacy while minimizing energy consumption and environmental noise disruption.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a device may include at least one processor and storage accessible to the at least one processor. The storage may include instructions executable by the at least one processor to receive input from at least one microphone accessible to the at least one processor and, based at least in part on the input, identify at least a first parameter related to sound indicated in the input. The instructions may also be executable to, based on the first parameter, output first babble noise via at least one speaker accessible to the at least one processor.