Wearable Headset Vocal Feedback Signal Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headsets lack real-time vocal feedback and vocal command capabilities, making it difficult for users to adjust their vocal volume, pitch, and ambient noise levels during communications, leading to poor quality interactions with humans or machines, and limiting their ability to control mobile device functions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A wearable wireless stereo headset with a self-contained signal processing unit that focuses on vocal frequencies, providing real-time feedback and allowing vocal commands to be sent wirelessly to connected devices for voice recognition, application control, and authentication, using a U-shaped frame for comfort and stability around the neck.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing headsets are used for communication, then basic audio transmission is achieved, but real-time vocal feedback and vocal command capabilities are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevocal feedback and control capabilitiesVSAvoidsignal processing unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headset integrates multiple functions including vocal feedback, vocal command recognition, ambient noise control, and audio transmission into a single device. The signal processing unit handles both audio signal transmission and vocal command processing, making the headset versatile for communication, control, and training applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the microphone and the user's ear. The signal processing unit captures vocal input, processes it through filtering and enhancement circuits, and provides real-time feedback through the earpiece, acting as a mediator that enhances vocal quality and provides control capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If users communicate without vocal feedback, then simple audio transmission is maintained, but ability to adjust vocal volume, pitch, and ambient noise levels is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevocal adjustment capabilityVSAvoidtime delay in feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The headset implements a feedback loop where the user's vocal input is captured by the microphone, processed by the signal processing unit, and immediately returned to the user's ear through the earpiece. This real-time feedback allows users to monitor and adjust their vocal volume, pitch, and tone, as well as control ambient noise levels during communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The signal processing unit performs preliminary processing on vocal signals before they are transmitted or fed back to the user. Filtering and enhancement circuits prepare the vocal signal in advance, ensuring optimal quality and readiness for immediate feedback without noticeable delay

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If headsets provide basic audio transmission, then device simplicity is maintained, but communication quality with humans or machines is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidsignal processing circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal processing unit applies localized processing to different frequency ranges of the vocal signal. Filtering circuits target specific frequency bands to enhance vocal quality while suppressing ambient noise, providing selective quality improvement in different parts of the audio spectrum rather than uniform processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If vocal commands are not supported, then device control is limited, but wireless vocal command transmission adds functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice command controlVSAvoidvocal command processing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headset's signal processing unit is designed to handle both traditional audio transmission and vocal command recognition. The same microphone and processing circuits that handle communication audio also capture and process vocal commands, allowing the device to control external devices wirelessly while maintaining basic communication functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9788105B2Wearable headset with self-contained vocal feedback and vocal command

Publication Date: 2017.10.10 OV LOOP INC

AI summary

A headset includes a wearable body, first and second earphones extending from the wearable body, controls for controlling an external communication/multimedia device wirelessly, a microphone for picking up vocal data from a user of the headset system and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit includes circuitry for processing the vocal data into a distinctly audible vocal feedback signal, circuitry for enhancing the vocal feedback signal thereby producing an enhanced vocal feedback signal and circuitry for mixing the enhanced vocal feedback signal with audio signals originating from the external communication/multimedia device, thereby producing a mixed output signal and then sending the mixed output signal to the user via the earphones. The external communication/multimedia device comprises a vocal command application and the headset further comprises a vocal command control for sending vocal commands to the external communication/multimedia device and to the vocal command application.