Headphone Transparency Interface for Balancing External and Media Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of audio devices with external microphone signal pass-through functionality face challenges in determining appropriate gains for environmental and media signals, leading to inaudible external sounds due to masking by media signals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a graphical user interface that uses geometric shapes on a display to control headphone transparency settings, where the size of the shape corresponds to external microphone signal and media signal gain settings, allowing users to adjust settings intuitively without requiring knowledge of specific gain settings, and incorporates sensor systems for digit motion input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If headphones create a substantially closed system to attenuate outside sounds, then media signal quality is improved, but external sound audibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external microphone as an intermediary device that captures outside sounds and transmits them through the headphone system. This mediator allows external sounds to be heard inside the closed headphone system without compromising the acoustic isolation that provides good media signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio system is segmented into separate signal paths: media signals processed through the closed acoustic system for high quality, and external microphone signals processed separately and mixed in. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each path - the closed system for media and the external mic for environmental awareness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external microphone signal gain is increased to make outside sounds audible, then external sound audibility is improved, but media signal clarity deteriorates due to masking
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes audio parameters (gain levels) of both external microphone signals and media signals based on environmental conditions and user preferences. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains external sound audibility while preventing media signal masking through adaptive gain control.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio mixing system is made dynamic rather than static. The relative levels of external mic and media signals are continuously adjusted based on ambient noise conditions, ensuring external sounds remain audible without consistently masking the media signal.
3Device complexity
If traditional GUI controls are used for adjusting audio parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to technical knowledge requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service through automatic detection and adjustment of audio parameters. The external microphone gain and media signal levels are automatically optimized based on environmental conditions, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust technical parameters while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Audio parameters are automatically changed based on sensor inputs and environmental conditions rather than requiring manual user adjustment. This automatic parameter adaptation simplifies the user interface while maintaining optimal audio performance across different listening environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling headphones having external microphone signal pass-through functionality may involve controlling a display to present a geometric shape on the display and receiving an indication of digit motion from a sensor system associated with the display. The sensor system may include a touch sensor system or a gesture sensor system. The indication may be an indication of a direction of digit motion relative to the display. The method may involve controlling the display to present a sequence of images indicating that the geometric shape either enlarges or contracts, depending on the direction of digit motion and changing a headphone transparency setting according to a current size of the geometric shape. The headphone transparency setting may correspond to an external microphone signal gain setting and/or a media signal gain setting of the headphones.