NFMI Whisper Interface for Hands-Free Mobile Voice Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices require hand-use for most user interactions, limiting their usability in scenarios where hands-free operation is desirable, such as when the user is engaged in other activities.
Innovation Solution
A voice interactive system utilizing near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) technology, including an intraoral device with a MEMS microphone and a neck-worn or earpiece bone-conducting microphone, enables low-decibel voice input detection and conversion to NFMI signals, which are then transmitted to a computing device for interaction without physical handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand-use mechanism is required for user interactions, then device operation precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates in hands-free scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical hand-operated interfaces with acoustic field-based voice recognition. The system uses microphones to capture voice commands, processes them through speech recognition algorithms, and executes corresponding operations, eliminating the need for physical contact with the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an acoustic field as an intermediary between the user and the device. Instead of direct mechanical interaction, the user's voice serves as the intermediary signal that triggers device operations through acoustic-to-digital conversion and natural language processing.
2Ease of operation
If voice recognition accuracy is improved, then ease of operation is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an acoustic field intermediary that captures voice commands and transmits them to a processing system. The acoustic field serves as the medium for both input capture and output delivery, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high recognition accuracy through sophisticated signal processing.
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 hands-free voice-based interaction with computing devices, allowing users to perform tasks and access services through whispered commands, enhancing usability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
An interactive system can implement near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) communications to enable a user to interact with a computing device
Implementation Method 2
an earpiece having a bone-conducting microphone that can detect low decibel voice inputs or subvocal inputs from a user wearing the device
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive system can utilize microtechnology (e.g., a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)), such as miniaturized microphone (e.g., a bone-conducting microphone), audio output device, microprocessor, and signal conversion and propagation means to create a personal area network (PAN) for a user. The system can include a voice input device (e.g., worn on one or more teeth of the user) that outputs a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) signal based on a whisper input by the user. The NFMI signal is either detected by the user's mobile device, or converted into a wireless signal (e.g., a Bluetooth RF signal) detectable by the user's mobile device, for receiving voice commands (e.g., to provide personal assistant services) via a designated application running on the mobile device.