Noise-Cancelling Audio Device Interrupt System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Noise-cancelling audio devices often prevent users from hearing external sounds they desire, such as voices of known contacts, without proper authorization mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that automatically switches from noise-cancelling mode to a transparent mode when an interrupt-authorized contact is detected, using machine learning models trained on voice profiles and proximity information to identify and authorize external voices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If noise-cancelling mode is activated to reduce external noise, then audio quality and focus are improved, but the ability to hear important external sounds is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between noise-cancelling mode and transparent mode based on real-time detection of authorized contacts. The audio processing mode is not fixed but adapts automatically when a contact is detected, allowing the system to transition from isolating external noise to transmitting external sounds as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses microphones to continuously monitor the audio environment and detect voices of authorized contacts. This feedback mechanism triggers automatic mode switching from noise-cancelling to transparent mode when an authorized contact is detected, and returns to noise-cancelling mode when the contact is no longer detected.
2Productivity
If noise-cancelling features are implemented to block external sounds, then listening focus is improved, but communication with external contacts is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the presence of authorized contacts and switches modes without requiring manual user intervention. The user simply needs to have contacts pre-designated as interrupt-authorized, and the system handles the rest automatically through voice detection and mode switching.
Solution Approach 2:
Users can pre-designate contacts as interrupt-authorized before using the audio device. This preliminary setup allows the system to automatically recognize and respond to these contacts when they approach, enabling seamless communication without requiring real-time user configuration.
3Speed
If automatic mode switching is implemented to respond to external voices, then responsiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and analyzes only the critical feature of voice identification (contact recognition) rather than processing all audio data comprehensively. By focusing specifically on detecting authorized contacts through voice profiles, the system achieves fast response with reduced processing complexity compared to full audio analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the subject technology provide systems and methods for determining whether to interrupt a user of an audio device that is operating in a noise-cancelling mode of operation. For example, the user may desire to be interrupted by one or more pre-designated contacts that are identified at an associated electronic device as interrupt-authorized contacts, or by a person who speaks a designated keyword to the user.