Headset Signal Multiplexing via Frequency Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headset systems face challenges in transmitting multiple signals and providing power over standard TRS-type interconnections without requiring hardware modifications, leading to compatibility issues and increased costs due to the need for additional conductors and processing electronics.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of frequency division multiplexing to combine carrier and audio signals onto a common conductor, allowing power delivery and multiple microphone signals to be transmitted without modifying existing hardware, using a modulator and signal combining circuitry in the headset to create composite downlink and uplink signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple conductors and connector contacts are added to transmit more signals and provide power, then signal transmission capability and power delivery are improved, but hardware compatibility with legacy equipment deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signals (microphone outputs from multiple microphones) and power delivery into a single existing conductor by modulating the microphone signals onto the power conductor using frequency modulation. This merging allows multiple functions to coexist on one conductor without adding physical contacts, resolving the contradiction between signal quantity and hardware compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The existing power conductor is made universal by enabling it to carry both power delivery and modulated microphone signals simultaneously. The terminal device can detect the modulated signals on the power conductor and process them accordingly, allowing the same hardware interface to serve multiple functions without requiring additional conductors or contacts
2Quantity of substance
If multiple conductors and connector contacts are added to transmit more signals, then signal transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal transmission functions into the existing power delivery conductor through frequency modulation. Instead of adding separate conductors for each microphone signal, the system modulates multiple microphone outputs onto the power conductor at different frequencies, significantly reducing cable and connector complexity while maintaining full signal transmission capability
3Productivity
If processing electronics are added to the headset to handle multiple microphone signals, then signal processing capability is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex signal processing functions from the headset and relocates them to the terminal device. The headset only performs simple frequency modulation of microphone signals onto the power conductor, while the terminal device handles the complex tasks of demodulation, signal separation, and processing. This extraction dramatically reduces headset electronics complexity while maintaining high signal processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency modulation as an intermediary mechanism that enables simple headset electronics to achieve complex signal processing capabilities. By modulating microphone signals onto the power conductor at different frequencies, the headset can transmit multiple signals without complex processing electronics, while the terminal device uses the frequency modulation as a mediator to separate and process the signals
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the use of multiple microphone signals and power delivery over existing connectors, maintaining compatibility with legacy headsets and terminals, reducing the need for additional conductors and processing electronics, and enhancing speech recognition performance by leveraging terminal processing power.
Implementation Method 1
a modulator in the headset is configured to receive a carrier signal and the output signal of the second acoustic sensor. The modulator is configured for modulating the carrier signal with the output signal of the second acoustic sensor
Implementation Method 2
signal combining circuitry, such as a multiplexer, in the headset is coupled to the modulator and receives the output signal of the first acoustic sensor and the modulated output signal of the modulator. The signal combining circuitry combines the modulated output signal and the output signal of the first acoustic sensor to produce a composite downlink signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for supplying power to a headset, and for transmitting multiple signals generated in the headset to a terminal using frequency division multiplexing. An audio signal and a carrier signal are generated in the terminal and summed together to form a composite uplink signal. The composite uplink signal is provided to a headset over a first physical channel. At the headset, the audio and carrier signals are separated, and the carrier signal is used to generate power in the headset. Signals generated by a plurality of acoustic sensors in the headset are combined using frequency division multiplexing to generate a composite downlink signal, which is transmitted to the terminal over a second physical channel. One or more carrier signals used to generate the composite downlink signal are provided by either a carrier source in the headset, or by recovering the carrier signal from the composite uplink signal.