Microphone Mute Decoupling Circuit for Switch Noise Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internet telephony microphone devices often use simple mechanical switches to mute noise, leading to poor sound quality due to noise leakage during switching, affecting both the caller and the recipient.

Innovation Solution

A decoupling circuit comprising a capacitor and a resistor, coupled with a switch, is designed to absorb noise generated by the mute button, preventing it from being perceived by the other party during switching, thus maintaining call quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a simple mechanical switch is used to implement mute function, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but noise is generated during switching which degrades sound quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A decoupling circuit comprising a capacitor and a resistor is introduced as an intermediary between the mechanical switch and the audio signal path. The capacitor couples to the first terminal of the audio source while the resistor couples to the second terminal, with the switch connected between these components. This intermediary circuit absorbs switching noise while allowing the simple mechanical switch to remain in the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling circuit converts the harmful switching noise into a beneficial filtering effect. The capacitor and resistor work together to absorb and dissipate the noise energy generated by the mechanical switch, transforming what would be a harmful interference into a controlled energy dissipation process that protects the audio signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If a mechanical switch is used for muting, then the device complexity is reduced, but noise leakage occurs during switching affecting call quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidnoise leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling circuit serves as a mediator that isolates the audio signal path from the noisy mechanical switch operation. The capacitor connects to the first terminal and the resistor to the second terminal, creating a noise-absorbing barrier that prevents switch-induced noise from leaking into the audio transmission while maintaining the simple switch architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a simple mechanical switch is used, then ease of operation is improved, but sound quality deteriorates due to noise during switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling circuit with capacitor and resistor acts as a mediator that preserves the ease of mechanical switch operation while eliminating its harmful noise effect. The simple push-button interface remains unchanged, but the decoupling circuit absorbs the switching noise before it can affect the audio signal transmitted to the other party.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively eliminates noise associated with the mute button's operation, ensuring that background noise and conversation content do not degrade the call quality, allowing seamless switching between mute and normal modes without disturbing the other party.

Implementation Method 1

A first terminal of the first capacitor is coupled to a first terminal of an audio source. A first terminal of the first resistor is coupled to a second terminal of the first capacitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A first terminal of the first resistor is coupled to a second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal of the first resistor is coupled to a second terminal of the audio source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS11057700B1Microphone device, telephone device, and decoupling circuit

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A microphone device, a telephone device, and a decoupling circuit are provided. The decoupling circuit includes a first capacitor, a first resistor, and a switch. A first terminal of the first capacitor is coupled to a first terminal of an audio source. A first terminal of the first resistor is coupled to a second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal of the first resistor is coupled to a second terminal of the audio source. A first terminal of the switch is coupled to the second terminal of the first capacitor and the first terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal of the switch is coupled to the second terminal of the audio source. The first capacitor and the first resistor are configured to absorb noise generated by the switch during switching.