Boomless Headset Microphone Array Spatial Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Boom microphone headsets are prone to breakage and require manual adjustment, which can be inconvenient and affect speech quality.
Innovation Solution
A microphone system for a boomless headset comprising a microphone array with Q microphones, including at least one microphone on each earcup and a third microphone displaced laterally and vertically from one of the first two microphones, along with a processing unit that performs spatial filtering using a trained model to generate a beamformed output signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a boom microphone is used to achieve best speech quality, then speech quality is improved, but the device becomes more prone to breakage and requires manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the boom microphone structure entirely and extracts only the essential function of capturing speech signals. By placing microphones directly on the earcups and using digital signal processing to achieve spatial filtering, the physical boom structure is eliminated, resolving the contradiction between speech quality and hardware durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical boom adjustment system with an electronic/digital system. Instead of manually positioning a physical boom, the system uses multiple microphones on the earcups combined with digital beamforming algorithms to achieve directional speech capture, eliminating the mechanical components that are prone to breakage.
2Measurement precision
If a boom microphone is used to achieve best speech quality, then speech quality is improved, but manual adjustment is required which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-adjusting system where the microphones on the earcups automatically capture speech without requiring user intervention. The digital beamforming algorithm automatically adapts to the user's speech patterns and position, eliminating the need for manual boom adjustment while maintaining high speech quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to user movements and speech patterns in real-time. The beamforming algorithm continuously adjusts the spatial filtering parameters based on incoming audio signals, allowing the system to maintain optimal speech capture without requiring manual repositioning as the user moves or turns their head.
3Measurement precision
If multiple microphones are disposed on earcups for spatial filtering, then speech quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the earcups serve multiple functions: they not only deliver audio to the user but also carry the microphones for speech capture. This multi-functional design integrates the microphone array into existing headset components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to perform spatial filtering and directional speech capture.
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
The solution provides best speech quality without the need for a boom microphone, enhancing user convenience and reducing the risk of hardware damage.
Implementation Method 1
The microphone array comprises Q microphones that detect sound and generate Q audio signals
Implementation Method 2
performing spatial filtering over the Q audio signals using a trained model based on an arc line with a vertical distance and a horizontal distance from a first midpoint between the first and the second microphones, a main time delay range for the first and the second microphones and coordinates of the Q microphones
Implementation Method 3
generate a beamformed output signal originated from zero or more target sound sources inside a target beam area (TBA), where Q>=3. The TBA is a collection of intersection planes of multiple surfaces and multiple cones
Data Source
AI summary
A microphone system for a boomless headset is disclosed, comprising a microphone array and a processing unit. The microphone array comprises Q microphones and generates Q audio signals. A first microphone and a second microphone are disposed on different earcups, and a third microphone is disposed on one of two earcups and displaced laterally and vertically from one of the first and the second microphones. The processing unit performs operations comprising: performing spatial filtering over the Q audio signals using a trained model based on an arc line with a vertical distance and a horizontal distance from a midpoint between the first and the second microphones, a time delay range for the first and the second microphones and coordinates of the Q microphones to generate a beamformed output signal originated from zero or more target sound sources inside a target beam area, where Q>=3.