Earphone Signal Processing Mode Switching for Speech Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Binaural headphones with microphones in the earphone casings face signal attenuation and environmental noise issues due to head shadowing and varying microphone positions, which affect speech communication quality.
Innovation Solution
A device with a processor and memory that detects the relative position of earphones and switches between binaural and monaural signal processing modes based on the position and source localization, using waveform similarity and head-related transfer functions to optimize noise suppression and speech clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If binaural recording mode is used with microphones in earphone casings, then 3-D stereo sound sensation is achieved, but speech signal is attenuated due to head shadowing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between binaural and monaural signal processing modes based on detected relative position of earphones. When earphones are detected to be in improper positions (causing excessive attenuation), the system transitions from fixed binaural mode to adaptive monaural mode, allowing the signal processing characteristics to change in response to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal processing parameters by switching between different processing modes (binaural vs. monaural). This parameter change allows the system to compensate for the harmful attenuation effect by adjusting how the audio signals are processed, thereby maintaining speech quality despite varying microphone positions relative to the head.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microphones are positioned on earphone casings for hands-free communication, then speech communication capability is enabled, but environmental noise adversely affects communication intelligibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic mode switching between binaural and monaural processing based on real-time detection of earphone position and speech source localization. When environmental noise is detected and earphones are in suboptimal positions, the system adapts by switching to monaural mode with appropriate signal processing, thereby maintaining communication intelligibility despite noisy conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from speech source localization algorithms to determine whether to apply binaural or monaural processing. By continuously analyzing the incoming signals to localize the speech source and detect earphone positions, the system adjusts its signal processing approach in response to environmental conditions, improving communication quality in noisy environments.
3Illumination intensity
If binaural signal processing is used, then 3-D stereo sound sensation is achieved, but speech clarity is reduced when earphones are not in proper positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the signal processing mode based on detected earphone positions and speech source localization. When earphones are detected to be in improper positions (reducing speech clarity), the system transitions from binaural to monaural processing mode, thereby maintaining speech intelligibility while sacrificing the 3-D stereo effect when conditions are suboptimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting earphone positions and speech source locations, then autonomously selecting the appropriate signal processing mode without user intervention. This self-service capability ensures that speech clarity is maintained by switching to monaural processing when binaural mode would degrade performance due to improper earphone positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device including a processor and a memory is disclosed. The memory includes programming instructions which when executed by the processor perform an operation. The operation includes detecting relative position of two earphones when connected to the device, determining if a binaural signal processing mode is appropriate based on the detected relative position and switching to the binaural signal processing mode. If it is determined that the binaural signal processing mode is not appropriate, switching to monaural processing mode.