Earphone Keyword Triggering for Automatic Ambient Sound Pass-Through
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sound isolating earphones disconnect users from their local environment, making it difficult for others to communicate with them, especially in critical situations, as existing technologies do not allow for automatic ambient sound pass-through when specific keywords are spoken.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses ambient sound microphones to detect keywords and automatically adjusts audio levels, allowing ambient sound to be passed through to the earphone user, enabling hands-free communication by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and using directional enhancement algorithms for improved keyword detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sound isolating earphones are used to block ambient noise, then audio content clarity is improved, but communication with people in the environment is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the ambient sound pass-through based on detected keywords. When a keyword is detected, the system automatically opens the ambient sound channel to allow communication; when no keyword is detected, the channel remains closed to maintain sound isolation. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the sound isolation level to the communication needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (keyword detection system) that mediates between sound isolation and ambient sound pass-through. The keyword detection system acts as a trigger that determines when to allow ambient sound through, enabling automatic hands-free communication while maintaining sound isolation during normal operation.
2Ease of operation
If ambient sound pass-through is enabled continuously, then communication capability is improved, but audio content quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic monitoring of ambient sound for keywords to control ambient sound pass-through. Instead of continuous pass-through, the system periodically checks for keywords and only enables ambient sound when triggered, thus maintaining audio content quality while enabling communication when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The ambient sound channel is dynamically opened only when keywords are detected, rather than being continuously open. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain high audio content quality during music playback while enabling communication capability when someone addresses the user by name or says emergency keywords.
3Measurement precision
If manual switching of sound isolation mode is used, then control precision is improved, but response time to communication needs worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting keywords and switching to ambient sound pass-through mode without requiring manual user intervention. When someone speaks the user's name or emergency keywords are detected, the system automatically opens the ambient channel, eliminating the time delay associated with manual switching while maintaining precise control through keyword-based triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the ambient sound environment (keyword detection) to automatically control the ambient sound channel. The feedback mechanism detects when communication is needed and automatically adjusts the sound isolation level, resolving the contradiction between precise control and fast response time.
Data Source
AI summary
At least one embodiment is directed to a method for automatically activating ambient sound pass-through in an earphone in response to a detected keyword in the ambient sound field of the earphone user, the steps of the method comprising at least receiving at least one ambient sound microphone (ASM) signal; receiving at least one audio content (AC) signal; and comparing the ASM signal to a keyword and if the ASM signal matches a keyword then an AC gain is created.