Dental Appliance Biometric Sensor for Vocal Tract Acoustic Reflectometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current human-machine interfaces are not adequately developed to utilize biological signals beyond limb motion for controlling machines, particularly for individuals with disabilities or in environments where hands/legs are occupied, lacking sufficient biometric sensors to effectively probe the vocal tract's geometric shape.

Innovation Solution

A biometric-sensor assembly incorporating a dental appliance with an acoustic sensor and an optional headset, which includes a boom arm for additional sensors or a video camera, enables secure placement in the mouth to track vocal tract movements, emitting and detecting acoustic waves to characterize the geometric configuration and generate control signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If biometric sensors are integrated into the vocal tract for probing geometric shape, then control precision over machines is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevocal tract geometric shape measurementVSAvoidsensor assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor assembly is divided into separate functional modules: acoustic sensors for geometric probing, video cameras for visual tracking, and processing units. Each module can be independently optimized, manufactured, and replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The biometric sensor assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: acoustic reflectometry for vocal tract shaping, video recording for lip movement tracking, and integration with various machine control systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall control system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If acoustic sensors are placed inside the mouth for tracking vocal tract movements, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and user comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevocal tract movement trackingVSAvoidmouthpiece placement and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dental appliance housing for acoustic sensors is designed as a flexible, thin-film structure that conforms to the individual user's dentition. This flexible design eliminates discomfort from rigid structures while maintaining precise sensor positioning against the vocal tract walls for accurate movement tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Custom dental appliances are created by taking impressions of the user's mouth and creating precise copies (models) that serve as templates for sensor placement. This ensures optimal sensor positioning for measurement precision while guaranteeing comfort and ease of operation for that specific user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If multiple sensors are integrated into the dental appliance for comprehensive vocal tract probing, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevocal tract geometric informationVSAvoiddental appliance with integrated sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is segmented into acoustic sensors for internal vocal tract geometry and video cameras for external lip movement. These segmented sensor types can be manufactured separately using different processes and then integrated into the dental appliance, simplifying manufacturing while capturing comprehensive vocal tract information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 users to control machines using nonverbal vocal tract signals, allowing for precise control of machines in various situations, including those under high-g forces or in hostile environments, by accurately interpreting the geometric shape changes of the vocal tract.

Implementation Method 1

acoustic waves generated by the first acoustic speaker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic waves: Sound

Implementation Method 2

acoustic waves reflected from the vocal tract

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8666738B2Biometric-sensor assembly, such as for acoustic reflectometry of the vocal tract

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

AI summary

A biometric-sensor assembly, e.g., for acoustic reflectometry of the vocal tract. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly includes a dental appliance for in-mouth mounting, an acoustic sensor attached to the dental appliance, and an optional headset. The dental appliance enables secure placement of the acoustic sensor in the mouth of the user, e.g., for tracking movements of the tongue and/or other internal articulators of the vocal tract. A boom arm of the headset can be used for holding an additional acoustic sensor and/or a miniature video camera, e.g., for tracking movements of the lips.