Input Device Microphone Placement for Hand Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The position of the microphone in input devices can interfere with sound collection due to the user's hand or finger operating the device, leading to hindered audio data generation.
Innovation Solution
The input device features a middle portion with a first microphone located behind its center in the front-rear direction and a second microphone positioned below the first, allowing for reduced interference from the user's hand and fingers during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the microphone is positioned in the middle portion of the input device, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the user's hand or finger may interfere with sound collection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions microphones at different spatial locations within the middle portion - specifically, one microphone is placed in the front region and another in the rear region along the front-rear direction. This dimensional arrangement ensures that at least one microphone remains unobstructed by the user's hand or finger, resolving the contradiction between simplified manufacturing and sound collection interference.
2Volume of moving object
If the microphone is positioned closer to the operation members for compact design, then device size is reduced, but sound collection is hindered by the hand holding the device
Solution Approach 1:
The middle portion is segmented into different regions (front region and rear region) for microphone placement. By dividing the space and strategically positioning microphones in both regions, the design achieves compact dimensions while ensuring that at least one microphone (in the rear region) remains accessible to sound waves without hand interference.
3Measurement precision
If adaptive beamforming processing is implemented with multiple microphones, then speech voice acquisition is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complex beamforming algorithms with multiple microphones, the patent adopts a simpler approach by strategically positioning just two microphones at different locations in the middle portion. This partial action - using basic microphone placement rather than advanced processing - achieves adequate speech acquisition without the excessive complexity of full beamforming systems.
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
This configuration improves the acquisition performance of the user's speech voice by minimizing interference and enhancing the directivity of the microphones towards the sound source.
Implementation Method 1
a first microphone arranged inside the middle portion and located behind a center of the middle portion in a front-rear direction, and a second microphone arranged inside the middle portion
Data Source
AI summary
An exterior member for an input device includes: a housing having an upper surface on which one or more operation members for manipulation by a user are arranged, and a middle portion located between right and left portions, respectively of the housing; a first sound hole extending from an exterior, through the exterior member, to an interior of the housing, the first sound hole allowing sound to propagate to a first location within the housing; a second sound hole extending from the exterior, through the exterior member, to the interior of the housing, the second sound hole allowing sound to propagate to a second location within the housing, wherein a position of the first sound hole and a position of the second sound hole are separated in at least one of the front-rear direction and an up-down direction.