Deformable Microphone Unit for Face Mask Voice Clarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearing face masks, especially in noisy environments or during the COVID-19 pandemic, has made communication difficult due to voice muffling, requiring individuals to speak louder and compromising private conversations.

Innovation Solution

A face mask communication system with a removable, deformable microphone unit that forms a custom fit over the nose bridge, connected via Bluetooth to a mobile device, allowing clear and private communication through a conversation application that initiates and secures conversations and configures microphone settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a face mask is worn to prevent virus spread, then health protection is improved, but voice communication clarity deteriorates due to voice muffling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealth protectionVSAvoidvoice communication clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication function from the mask structure by adding a separate electronic component (microphone unit) that can be attached to the mask. This microphone unit captures voice signals directly near the mouth, bypassing the muffling effect of the mask material, thereby extracting the voice transmission function from the protective barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electronic system (microphone, transmitter, mobile device, receiver) between the speaker and listener. This intermediary system captures, transmits, and reproduces voice signals electronically, mediating the communication process to overcome the physical barrier of the mask material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If speakers increase volume to overcome mask muffling, then communication reach is improved, but privacy and comfort deteriorate due to forced loud speaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reachVSAvoidspeaking comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical acoustic system (direct voice transmission through air) with an electronic system (microphone capture, electronic transmission, speaker reproduction). This substitution allows clear communication at normal speaking volumes by capturing voice signals electronically rather than relying on acoustic propagation through mask material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a deformable microphone unit is added to achieve custom fit, then voice capture precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice capture precisionVSAvoidmicrophone unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible housing for the microphone unit that can be deformed to match the contours of the user's face and nose bridge. This flexible shell maintains secure contact and optimal microphone positioning without requiring complex rigid structures, achieving precise voice capture through adaptability rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11689933B2Face mask communication system with an embeddable microphone

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system and method for a face mask communication system. The face mask communication system includes a removable microphone that can be installed in a face mask to allow the wearer to clearly and privately communicate with another user over a Bluetooth enabled mobile device such as a cell phone. In illustrated examples, a microphone unit is deformable to enable the microphone unit to form a custom fit over the nose bridge to seal the mask on the user's face. The face mask communication system includes an application program operating on the mobile device that allows a user to initiate and secure private conversations with other users.