3D Earpiece Audio Routing for Concurrent Conversation Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems for mobile devices struggle to effectively manage concurrent voice calls and audio messages, leading to inconvenience and difficulty in distinguishing between multiple conversations, especially in multi-party scenarios where users may lose track of participants and experience cumbersome operations.

Innovation Solution

A personal communication system using a mobile device coupled with two wireless earpieces that employs three-dimensional sound effects and adjustable audio presentation to differentiate between multiple concurrent audio streams, allowing users to perceive messages/conversations as originating from specific spatial locations, and adjusts based on user interactions and preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional call waiting or voicemail methods are used to manage concurrent calls, then the system can handle multiple calls, but the user experience becomes awkward and cumbersome with numerous button presses and menu operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of managing concurrent callsVSAvoidcomplexity of call management operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical button presses and menu navigation with automatic voice-activated call management. The system uses speech recognition to identify when a user is engaged in a call and automatically handles incoming calls through voice commands, eliminating the need for manual button pressing and menu operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service call management by automatically detecting concurrent call situations and presenting call options without requiring user intervention. The mobile device autonomously manages the call state, identifies participants, and allows users to switch between calls through simple voice input rather than complex manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If conference calling techniques are used to manage multiple conversations, then the system can handle multiple participants, but users lose track of participant identities as anyone may speak at any time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle multi-party conversationsVSAvoidloss of participant identity tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing individualized audio processing for each participant in a multi-party conversation. The system identifies specific participants and directs their audio streams to appropriate output devices (earpiece, speakerphone, or Bluetooth device), allowing users to selectively focus on particular participants while maintaining awareness of others in the conversation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between the multiple audio streams and the user, using speech recognition and call management logic to mediate participant identification. The mobile device acts as a mediator that tracks participant identities and manages audio routing, preventing users from losing track of who is speaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple concurrent audio streams are played through traditional speakers or earpieces, then the system can deliver multiple messages, but users cannot easily distinguish between different conversations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to manage multiple conversationsVSAvoidability to distinguish between conversations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments multiple audio streams by directing them to different output channels or applying distinct audio processing treatments. The system separates concurrent conversations into identifiable streams, allowing users to distinguish between different participants and conversations even when multiple audio streams are active simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a spatial dimension to audio presentation by utilizing different output devices (left/right earpiece, speakerphone, Bluetooth headphones) to position audio streams in different spatial locations. This dimensional separation allows users to easily distinguish between multiple conversations by their spatial origin rather than relying solely on audio content differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9743259B2Audio systems and methods

Publication Date: 2017.08.22 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A system for receiving multiple conversations or messages and for playing the multiple conversations or messages with a mobile device and wireless earpieces. The system may determine various presentation parameters based on various characteristics of the received messages and may play the messages such that audio appears at distinguishing locations around the user. The system may change how messages and/or conversations are played in response to recognize a change in the focus of the user based on detected user inputs, such as body movement gestures.