Bone Conduction Sensor Self-Voice Naturalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices with listen-through features struggle to seamlessly distinguish between self-voice and external audio signals due to different distortion patterns, leading to unnatural audio experiences.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bone conduction sensor and multiple microphones to detect and filter audio signals, updating the bone conduction input based on errors calculated from differences between outer and inner microphone inputs, and equalizing the outer microphone input to enhance self-voice naturalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single microphone is used to capture audio signals in transparent mode, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot distinguish between self-voice and external audio signals leading to unnatural audio experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio capture function into multiple microphones positioned at different locations (outer microphone for external sounds, inner microphone for self-voice, bone conduction sensor for bone conduction signals). Each microphone captures different audio paths, allowing the system to segment and process self-voice and external sounds separately to achieve natural audio experience.
2Ease of operation
If multiple microphones and bone conduction sensors are added to distinguish self-voice from external sounds, then audio signal quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing elements (outer microphone, inner microphone, bone conduction sensor) into a single wearable device structure. The microphones and sensor are integrated to work together, with their signals processed jointly to achieve self-voice naturalization while maintaining a compact wearable form factor.
3Measurement precision
If bone conduction sensor input is updated based on error calculation, then self-voice naturalization accuracy improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by calculating the error between the actual bone conduction sensor input and the expected input derived from outer and inner microphone signals. This error is then used to update and refine the bone conduction sensor input, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves self-voice detection accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If filtering is applied to bone conduction signal based on frequency sets, then self-voice quality improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies filtering selectively to specific frequency ranges associated with self-voice rather than processing the entire audio spectrum. By focusing processing efforts on the frequency bands most relevant to self-voice signals, the system achieves high self-voice quality while minimizing unnecessary processing time.
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 users to perceive both self-voice and external sounds naturally by suppressing low-frequency build-ups and maintaining high-frequency ranges, improving the transparency mode in wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a bone conduction sensor (140-b) inside the ear
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for signal processing are described. Generally, as provided for by the described techniques, a wearable device to receive an input audio signal from one or more outer microphones, an input audio signal from one or more inner microphones, and a bone conduction signal from a bone conduction sensor based on the input audio signals. The wearable device may filter the bone conduction signal based on a set of frequencies of the input audio signals, such as a low frequency portion of the input audio signals. For example, the wearable device may apply a filter to the bone conduction signal that accounts for an error in the input audio signals. The wearable device may add a gain to the filtered bone conduction signal and may equalize the filtered bone conduction signal based on the gain. The wearable device may output an audio signal to a speaker.