Neck-Worn Audio Routing by Head Direction Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable audio systems lack the ability to intelligently control conversations based on user gestures and head direction, limiting their functionality in managing multiple calls and interactions with voice user interfaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating microphones on both sides of the neck-worn component of wearable audio devices to detect changes in voice levels, phases, and spectral shapes, allowing the system to determine the user's direction of gaze and route audio and commands accordingly, enabling seamless interaction with multiple destinations such as phone calls and virtual personal assistants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If microphones are added to both sides of the neck-worn component to detect voice direction, then the ability to route audio to different destinations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio detection system is segmented into multiple independent microphones positioned at different locations (earbud microphones and neck-worn microphones). Each microphone captures audio independently, and the system processes signals from each segment to determine the direction of speech, enabling sophisticated audio routing without requiring a single complex microphone array.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple microphones to detect voice direction and phase, then the precision of determining user gaze direction is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different microphones are positioned at specific locations with distinct functional roles. The earbud microphones are placed near the user's ear for capturing speech directed toward the ear, while neck-worn microphones are positioned on the neck band to capture speech directed sideways or away from the ear. This local specialization simplifies manufacturing by allowing each microphone to be optimally positioned for its specific function rather than requiring precise alignment of a single complex array.
3Ease of operation
If the system routes audio based on detected gaze direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs audio routing based on detected speech direction without requiring manual user input. The microphones continuously monitor the acoustic environment, automatically determine which destination the user intends to address based on the direction of speech, and route audio accordingly. This self-service capability provides hands-free control while the automated processing handles the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the microphones to continuously monitor speech direction and adjust audio routing in real-time. The detected phase differences and voice levels from multiple microphones provide feedback about the user's gaze direction, which the system uses to dynamically route audio to the appropriate destination, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to user behavior.
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 users to direct their speech to different audiences by changing their gaze, allowing for advanced voice user interface operations like muting calls, sending messages, and interacting with virtual assistants without manual interface use, enhancing the functionality of wearable audio products.
Implementation Method 1
microphones on both sides of the neck-worn component of wearable audio devices to detect changes in voice levels, phases, and spectral shapes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus is configured to rest on a wearers neck or shoulders, and has a first microphone positioned at a first position located on the right side of the wearer, when the apparatus is worn, and a second microphone positioned at a second position located on the left side of the wearer. A processor receives audio signals output by the first and second microphones, and compares the audio signals from the first microphone to the audio signals from the second microphone. Based on the comparison, the processor determines whether the wearers head is rotated to the right, left, or center, during an instance of the user speaking. Based on the determination, the processor selects a first one of at least two audio signal destinations, and provides the audio signal from at least one of the microphones to the first selected audio signal destination.