Dual Microphone Proximity Detection for Call Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices struggle to accurately determine the call mode based on the user's proximity and environment, leading to unintended interactions or power inefficiencies while providing call services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with two microphones spaced apart to generate digital signals, allowing a digital signal processor to compare signal differences and determine the call mode based on the number of unique samples or time differences, thereby adjusting the device's operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single microphone is used to detect user proximity, then the device structure is simple, but the accuracy of determining call mode and user proximity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single microphone detection function into multiple microphones (first microphone and second microphone) positioned at different locations. Each microphone captures sound signals from different perspectives, and the processor compares these segmented signals to determine user proximity and call mode with higher accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple microphone signals and processes them together through a processor. The processor integrates the first signal from the first microphone and the second signal from the second microphone, comparing them to extract information about user proximity and environmental characteristics, thereby improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the device continuously monitors user proximity to accurately determine call mode, then the call mode determination accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs comparison of microphone signals at specific intervals or triggered by events rather than continuously. The system monitors sound signals periodically or when changes are detected, maintaining accurate proximity detection while reducing overall power consumption during call operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing sound signals captured for call functionality as the basis for proximity detection. The same microphone signals used for voice communication are also analyzed to determine user proximity and call mode, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring systems and reducing additional power consumption.
3Reliability
If the device uses multiple microphones and signal comparison to determine call mode, then unintended interactions are reduced, but the processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based proximity sensing systems with an acoustic signal processing approach. By using microphones and digital signal comparison, the system achieves reliable call mode determination and unintended interaction prevention through software-based acoustic analysis rather than additional mechanical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone system serves multiple functions: it captures sound for call communication and simultaneously analyzes signal characteristics to determine user proximity, environmental conditions, and call mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, balancing reliability improvement with controlled complexity.
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
This solution enables precise determination of the call mode, reducing unintended device interactions and improving power management by accurately assessing the user's proximity and environment.
Implementation Method 1
a first microphone, a second microphone, a digital signal processor, and a detector. The first microphone is at a first location and samples a sound from a sound source to generate a first signal. The second microphone is at a second location spaced from the first location and samples the sound from the sound source to generate a second signal.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a first microphone, a second microphone, a digital signal processor, and a detector. The first microphone samples a sound from a sound source at a first location to generate a first signal. The second microphone samples the sound from the sound source at a second location spaced from the first location to generate a second signal. The digital signal processor compares the first signal and the second signal to obtain external environment information associated with a location of the sound source. The detector determines a call mode, based on the external environment information.