Headset Adapter Auto-Configuration via Maximal Length Sequence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current telephone headset adapters require manual configuration to match host phone wiring and signal gain settings, leading to complexity and potential errors in signal quality, especially with the introduction of digital signal processing which can cause delayed sidetone issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of a maximal length sequence (MLS) noise as comfort noise to automate the headset adapter installation process, allowing for detection of host phone hookswitch state, configuration of wiring, determination of sidetone gain, and measurement of sidetone path impulse response for adaptive filter initialization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration is used to match host phone wiring and gain settings, then the headset adapter can be customized for specific phone models, but the setup process becomes complex and time-consuming for users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidsetup process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting host phone characteristics and adjusting wiring and gain settings without user intervention. The controller cycles through switch options and measurements to autonomously determine optimal settings, eliminating the need for manual user configuration while maintaining signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically changes configuration parameters including wiring settings and gain levels based on detected host phone characteristics. The controller adjusts transmit and receive signal gains dynamically to match the specific host phone model, achieving optimal signal quality through automated parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If digital signal processing is introduced to handle sidetone delays, then echo cancellation capability is improved, but the system requires accurate gain settings to prevent convergence failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveecho cancellationVSAvoidgain setting requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary gain setting and characterization before echo cancellation operations begin. By pre-configuring transmit and receive gains and characterizing the host phone's sidetone path in advance, the system ensures that echo canceller convergence conditions are met from the start, preventing convergence failure before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from host phone characterization measurements to automatically adjust gain settings. By measuring the host phone's transmit and receive circuit characteristics and using this feedback to set appropriate gain levels, the system ensures echo canceller convergence without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If automatic configuration using test tones is implemented, then user setup effort is reduced, but the system may select incorrect settings due to erroneous signal levels from hum and buzz

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser setup effortVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes unwanted noise components including hum and buzz from the signal measurements. By filtering out these erroneous signal components before analysis, the system prevents incorrect configuration selections while maintaining automated user setup benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary characterization process that mediates between raw test signals and final configuration decisions. By using maximal length sequence signals as intermediaries and processing them through correlation analysis, the system accurately identifies host phone characteristics while ignoring spurious hum and buzz signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wiring configuration settings are provided on the adapter, then compatibility with different host phones is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehost phone compatibilityVSAvoidswitch matrix configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic switching controlled by a controller to adapt wiring configuration based on detected host phone characteristics. Rather than requiring manual user selection from multiple static options, the controller dynamically configures the switch matrix automatically, maintaining versatility while reducing user-facing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8254561B1Headset adapter with host phone detection and characterization

Publication Date: 2012.08.28 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Systems and methods for a headset adapter circuit are disclosed. The headset adapter circuit generally includes a maximal length sequence generator circuit coupled to the adapter transmit signal line for injecting a maximal length sequence signal. A maximal length sequence cross-correlator circuit is coupled to the adapter receive signal line for capturing a receive signal sample and convolving the receive signal sample with the maximal length sequence signal to generate a host phone sidetone path impulse response.