Microphone State Control via Acoustic Event Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote control devices with microphones require manual operation to enable or disable audio capture, limiting convenience and battery life due to the need for push-to-talk buttons.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an event detector and a microphone control component that automatically enables or disables audio processing based on detected events, such as user presence or audio similarity analysis, allowing the microphone to operate independently without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the microphone is continuously enabled for hands-free operation, then convenience is improved, but battery power is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the microphone's operational state based on real-time event detection. The microphone transitions between enabled and disabled states according to detected events (claps, drops, glass breaking), allowing the system to maintain convenience when needed while conserving energy during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The listening device automatically detects events and controls its own microphone without requiring manual user input. The event detector monitors environmental sounds and the microphone control component autonomously enables or disables the microphone based on detected events, eliminating the need for push-to-talk buttons while optimizing battery usage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the microphone is manually controlled via push-to-talk button, then battery power is conserved, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical push-to-talk button system with an acoustic event detection system. Instead of requiring mechanical button presses, the system uses the event detector to monitor environmental sounds and automatically control the microphone, substituting mechanical interaction with acoustic sensing and automated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-control of the microphone through automated event detection. The listening device monitors its own operational context and autonomously adjusts microphone states without requiring manual user intervention, combining battery conservation with improved convenience.
3Ease of operation
If the microphone is automatically enabled based on event detection, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the automatic control function into distinct modular components: an event detector component that monitors environmental sounds, a microphone control component that decides when to enable/disable the microphone, and the microphone itself. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, managing overall system complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone control component acts as an intermediary between the event detector and the microphone. It receives event information from the detector, processes the determination of whether microphone enablement is appropriate, and then controls the microphone accordingly. This intermediary layer simplifies the control logic and manages complexity by creating a clear decision-making interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for automatic processing state control of a microphone of a listening device. A signal is received. A first event is detected based on an analysis of the signal. A determination to enable processing of audio captured by a microphone of a listening device is made based at least on the detected first event. Responsive to said determination, a first command is transmitted to the listening device. The first command includes instructions to enable processing of the audio captured by the microphone. In a further aspect, a determination to cease processing of audio captured by the microphone is made based on a detected second event. Responsive to the determination to cease processing, a second command is transmitted to the listening device to cease processing audio captured by the microphone.