Ear-Worn Device Pairing for Remote Microphone Speech Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ear-worn devices struggle to improve speech clarity in noisy environments due to challenges with traditional remote microphones, which are costly, cumbersome to set up, and socially awkward.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing other ear-worn devices as remote microphones through low-latency wireless communication, such as Bluetooth 5.2, to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio by pairing and sharing audio signals between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional remote microphones are used, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling ear-worn devices to serve dual functions: both as receivers for audio transmission and as transmitters for remote microphone functionality. Instead of requiring separate remote microphone hardware, the system leverages the existing microphones and communication capabilities already present in ear-worn devices, allowing them to function as both speakers and remote microphones depending on the pairing configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of remote microphones with existing ear-worn devices by establishing wireless communication pairs between them. The system combines the microphone, processing, and communication functions that were previously separate components into an integrated solution where ear-worn devices themselves become the remote microphones, eliminating the need for additional dedicated hardware.
2Reliability
If traditional remote microphones are used, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic device pairing and configuration. When two ear-worn devices are brought into proximity, the system automatically establishes the remote microphone connection without requiring manual setup or configuration by the user. The devices self-configure the wireless communication link and begin transmitting audio signals immediately, eliminating the cumbersome setup process of traditional remote microphones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring ear-worn devices with the necessary communication protocols and pairing capabilities during manufacturing. The devices are prepared in advance with the ability to automatically pair and establish audio transmission channels, so that when users bring devices together, the setup is already prepared and requires minimal user intervention beyond simply bringing the devices close together.
3Reliability
If traditional remote microphones are used, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but social acceptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by replacing the traditional remote microphone object with a functional copy that is already part of the conversation partner's existing ear-worn device. Instead of placing an external microphone on the conversation partner, the system utilizes their existing device's microphone capabilities, making the solution invisible and integrated into their natural communication behavior, thereby eliminating social awkwardness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication channel that mediates between the two ear-worn devices, enabling remote microphone functionality without requiring physical contact or visible external components. The wireless pairing creates an invisible bridge that allows audio transmission while maintaining the natural, unobtrusive interaction between conversation partners.
4Ease of operation
If ear-worn devices pair wirelessly, then ease of operation is improved, but communication reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the quality of the wireless communication link between paired ear-worn devices. The system exchanges status information and audio quality metrics between devices, allowing dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters to maintain reliable communication while preserving the ease of automatic pairing and operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a first ear-worn device worn by a first wearer and a second ear-worn device worn by a second wearer, in which the first ear-worn device is configured to generate an audio signal based on sound from its environment, generate a speech portion of the audio signal using a neural network-based noise-reduction pipeline in the first ear-worn device, and transmit the speech portion of the audio signal to the second ear-worn device. The first ear-worn device may be configured to determine whether to transmit the speech portion of the audio signal to the second ear-worn device based on an own-voice heuristic. The second ear-worn device may be configured to generate an output audio signal by applying a first weight to the speech portion of the first ear-worn device's audio signal and a second weight to the speech portion of its own audio signal.