Bone Conduction Sound Capture for Hands-Free Voice Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current portable electronic devices require users to hold them by hand, limiting other actions and causing user fatigue, as they need to be operated with a specific gesture and occupy significant space.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with a bone conducting unit that detects vibrations to capture sound, generating an alternating current signal for audio processing, allowing hands-free operation and improved audio quality without the need for traditional microphones, thus reducing space usage and protecting user voice input privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional microphone device is used to capture sound through air vibration, then sound capture capability is achieved, but device space is occupied and voice input privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound capture capabilityVSAvoiddevice space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional acoustic microphone system with a bone conduction-based vibration detection system. The bone conducting unit detects vibrations directly through bone contact, converting mechanical vibrations into electrical signals without requiring a traditional microphone, thereby eliminating the need for acoustic pathways and reducing device space while maintaining sound capture capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces bone conducting units as an intermediary mechanism between the sound source and the detection system. Instead of capturing sound waves through air directly to a microphone, the vibration from the sound source is transmitted through bone contact to the bone conducting unit, which then converts it to an electrical signal for processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a traditional microphone device is used to capture sound through air vibration, then sound capture capability is achieved, but voice input privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound capture capabilityVSAvoidvoice input privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the acoustic microphone system with a bone conduction vibration detection system. By detecting vibrations through bone contact rather than capturing air-borne sound waves, the system prevents external eavesdropping and protects voice input privacy while maintaining reliable sound capture capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If portable electronic devices are designed to be operated by hand holding, then device functionality is achieved, but user freedom of movement is limited and user fatigue occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiduser freedom of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the electronic device to function through multiple operation modes including bone conduction-based voice input and hands-free operation capabilities. This allows the device to be operated not only by hand holding but also through voice commands and other non-contact methods, increasing user freedom of movement while maintaining full device functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient sound capture through vibration detection, enhancing audio quality and user experience by allowing hands-free operation while minimizing device size and preventing unintended voice exposure.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first bone conducting unit, which is operable to detect vibration produced by an object in contact with the first bone conducting unit, and to generate an alternating current signal based on the detected vibration to capture a sound produced by the vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9578423B2Electronic device and sound capturing method

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 LENOVO SOFTWARE

AI summary

An electronic device and a sound capturing method are described. The electronic device includes at least one first bone conducting unit, which is operable to detect vibration produced by an object in contact with the first bone conducting unit, and to generate an alternating current signal based on the detected vibration to capture a sound produced by the vibration; and a processing unit, which is operable to receive the alternating current signal and to perform an audio processing on the alternating current signal.