Boomless Microphone Siren Detection via Spatial Signal Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless helmet communication technologies fail to detect and alert users to approaching emergency vehicles due to noise cancellation properties that block far-field signals like sirens, and are susceptible to interference from weather conditions, leading to safety risks for users.
Innovation Solution
A boomless microphone system with dual acoustic sensors mounted on a helmet's cheekpads and echo-cancelling speakers that selectively receive and enhance siren signals, filtering environmental noise and determining signal origin to alert users of emergency vehicles while protecting against weather damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If noise cancellation properties are used in the microphone, then near-field speech reception is improved, but far-field siren signal detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal processing is segmented into different spatial zones: a near-field zone for speech capture with noise cancellation, and a far-field zone for siren detection without noise cancellation. The system processes signals from these segmented zones differently to resolve the contradiction between speech quality and siren detection.
Solution Approach 2:
A beamforming region acts as an intermediary spatial zone between the microphone and the user's ear. This beamforming region selectively directs far-field siren signals while allowing near-field speech to pass through, mediating between the conflicting requirements of noise cancellation and siren detection.
2Ease of operation
If open helmet design is used, then communication clarity is improved, but susceptibility to weather damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover or shield is introduced as a flexible barrier that allows acoustic signals to pass through while protecting the speaker and microphone components from direct exposure to rain, snow, and other weather elements. This thin film structure maintains communication clarity while providing weather protection.
3Reliability
If beam forming region is created, then siren signal reception is improved, but interference from other directions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beamforming region is made dynamically adjustable, allowing the system to adapt the directional sensitivity and spatial coverage of the beamforming zone. This dynamic adjustment optimizes siren signal reception while minimizing interference from other directions based on the operational context.
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 system effectively detects and classifies siren signals, enhancing their intensity to alert users of approaching emergency vehicles, while minimizing interference and protecting against weather-related damage, thus improving user safety.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic component that receives an audio signal, wherein the acoustic component comprises a left acoustic sensor and a right acoustic sensor
Implementation Method 2
a speaker component that generates an echoless audio signal via signal inversion of the audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
Boomless-microphones are described for a wireless helmet communicator with siren signal detection and classification capabilities. An acoustic component receives an audio signal and comprises a left acoustic sensor and a right acoustic sensor. The left acoustic sensor is mountable or attachable to the surface of a left wall of a helmet and the right acoustic sensor is mountable or attachable to the surface of a right wall. A speaker component can generate an echoless audio signal via signal inversion of the audio signal, outputs to a left speaker mountable or attachable to a left ear area of the helmet and a right speaker mountable or attachable to a right ear area of the helmet. A signal enhancement component can increase an intensity of the first audio signal associated with an emergency siren based on a determined proximity of an emitting emergency vehicle or emergency object to the device.