Covert Two-Way Communication System Using Bone Conduction and NFMI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems for covert operations are not fully effective due to visible components and poor signal-to-noise ratios in loud environments, failing to provide clear two-way communication while maintaining situational awareness.
Innovation Solution
A two-way communication system with a mouthpiece component that uses bone conduction and integrated microphones, allowing users to hear their environment unobstructed, featuring a low-profile housing that attaches to teeth, and utilizing Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) for wireless communication, enabling clear audio transmission even in high noise situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional communication systems are used, then two-way communication is achieved, but the components are visible and audio awareness is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is divided into separate functional components: a mouthpiece component positioned in the user's mouth for speech input, and an earpiece component for audio output. This segmentation allows each component to be minimized and positioned strategically to reduce overall visibility while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional earpiece-in-ear canal design to a behind-the-ear positioning system, utilizing the space behind the ear to house communication components. This dimensional change reduces obstruction of the ear canal and improves situational awareness while maintaining covert operation capability.
2Reliability
If traditional microphones are used in loud environments, then speech capture is attempted, but signal-to-noise ratio is poor
Solution Approach 1:
A noise cancellation system is introduced as an intermediary between the microphone and the user's speech. This system actively detects environmental noise and generates anti-phase signals to cancel the noise, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio and communication clarity in loud environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces passive acoustic microphone design with an active electronic noise cancellation system that uses sensors and signal processing to dynamically counteract environmental noise, providing superior performance in challenging acoustic conditions.
3Power
If earpieces are placed in the ear canal, then audio transmission is achieved, but situational awareness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The audio transmission system is repositioned from inside the ear canal to behind the ear, utilizing the post-aural space. This dimensional relocation maintains effective audio transmission through the ear canal while leaving the ear canal partially open for environmental sound awareness, thus preserving situational awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides differentiated audio delivery: important communication signals are transmitted effectively through the ear canal, while environmental sounds can still be perceived through the partially open ear canal. This local quality differentiation ensures both communication effectiveness and situational awareness.
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 complete audio situational awareness and clear communication in various noise environments, including loud conditions, by using bone conduction and embedded microphones, while being minimally visible and reducing external noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
A two-way communication system with a mouthpiece component that uses bone conduction and integrated microphones, allowing users to hear their environment unobstructed
Implementation Method 2
the housing having an integrated antenna with one or more loop coils arranged (e.g., symmetrically or asymmetrically) within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The two-way communication system comprises a non-invasive and non-implanted system which remains completely invisible to an outside observer when in use by an operator or user and allows for clear two-way communications. This system is generally comprised of a mouthpiece component, relay component, infrastructure communication device, and an optional system control which may interface with the relay component.