Headphone Signal Processing for Critical External Sound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users wearing headphones often miss important external sound signals due to the isolation provided by the headphones, which can lead to missed information during conversations or other activities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that alternately records external environment sound and conversation sound through headphones, filters out conversation voices to isolate external sound, identifies feature audio, and prompts the user about critical sounds, allowing them to process external sounds based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If headphones provide sound insulation and noise reduction, then listening experience is improved, but external sound signals are blocked causing users to miss important information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing into multiple components: recording external sound through the headphone, separating conversation audio from external sound, identifying feature sounds, and providing selective reminders. This segmentation allows the system to maintain noise reduction while preserving important external information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the processing device) that mediates between the isolated user and the external environment. This intermediary records, analyzes, and selectively presents external sounds, allowing users to benefit from both noise reduction and awareness of important external information without continuously removing headphones.
2Loss of information
If users remove headphones to hear external sounds, then external sound signals are detected, but conversation continuity is interrupted and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-recording external sounds during the conversation and pre-identifying feature sounds before the user needs to hear them. When users show interest in external sounds, the system can immediately present the pre-processed information without interrupting the conversation flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring user interactions with external sound reminders and using this information to adjust the system behavior. The system learns from user preferences about which external sounds are important, improving the accuracy of future sound selection and reminder timing.
3Loss of information
If all external sounds are presented to users, then complete information is provided, but important information cannot be distinguished from irrelevant noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between different types of external sounds and applying different processing levels. Feature sounds (important information) are identified and presented with higher priority and distinct characteristics, while irrelevant sounds are filtered or presented with lower prominence, allowing users to focus on important information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses auditory differentiation (analogous to color changes) to distinguish feature sounds from other external sounds. By applying different audio processing characteristics to different sound types, the system makes important information stand out and easily distinguishable from background noise.
4Loss of information
If headphones continuously record external sounds, then all external information is captured, but battery consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively processing only certain external sounds rather than continuously analyzing all recorded audio. The system identifies and processes feature sounds (important information) while ignoring irrelevant sounds, reducing computational load and energy consumption while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes processing parameters dynamically based on conversation context and user behavior. The system adjusts the sensitivity and scope of external sound analysis according to the situation, intensifying processing when important information is likely present and reducing processing during less critical moments, thereby optimizing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing signals, a terminal device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are provided. The method includes the following. When a user talks through the headphone, a first sound signal of external environment and a second sound signal of a talking party are alternately recorded with a headphone. A third sound signal of external environment is obtained, by eliminating voices in the first sound signal according to the second sound signal. Feature audio in the third sound signal of external environment is identified and reminding information corresponding to the feature audio is acquired. Inquire of the user whether the third sound signal is critical according to the reminding information, when the talk ends. An input operation of the user is detected and the third sound signal is processed according to the input operation of the user.