Privacy Mask Sound Directing Device for Mobile Phones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound-directing devices for mobile communication fail to effectively minimize voice disturbance while preserving sound quality, often causing pressure buildup, echo, and resonance, and require adjustable valves or electronic components, which are impractical for all users.
Innovation Solution
A sound-directing device with a privacy mask and transfer tube, lined with a heavy or soft foam layer, that allows free breathing and voice transmission without adjustable valves, using materials like polyurethane foam and transparent plastic, ensuring comfort and effective noise reduction without electronic noise cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sound barrier with heavy layer is used to block low frequency sounds, then noise reduction effectiveness is improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound barrier is divided into two functional layers: a compliant foam layer for high frequency absorption and a heavy massback layer for low frequency blocking. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its optimal frequency range, achieving comprehensive noise reduction without requiring a single complex heavy structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound barrier combines two different materials with complementary properties: soft foam (compliant material) and heavy layer (massback). This composite structure leverages the sound absorption characteristics of foam for high frequencies and the sound blocking characteristics of heavy material for low frequencies, achieving broad-spectrum noise reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a mask structure is used to direct sound, then voice disturbance is reduced, but breathing and mouth movement are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The mask structure is segmented with dedicated openings: a first opening for microphone access and a second opening for breathing. This segmentation allows the mask to perform sound direction for the microphone while simultaneously providing unobstructed breathing pathways, resolving the conflict between voice disturbance reduction and breathing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer tube acts as an intermediary element that connects the mask interior to the external environment. It provides a dedicated channel for sound transmission to the microphone while the separate breathing opening allows air flow, mediating between sound direction requirements and breathing requirements.
3Stress or pressure
If adjustable valves are added to control pressure, then pressure buildup is prevented, but device complexity and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The breathing opening serves a dual function: it allows the user to breathe freely (preventing pressure buildup) and provides structural simplicity by eliminating the need for adjustable valves. The system self-regulates pressure through the user's natural breathing action, making the device self-service in pressure management.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If electronic noise cancellation components are used, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic noise cancellation systems with a passive acoustic solution: a mask structure with specific geometry and material properties (foam lining, heavy layer) that physically blocks and absorbs sound waves. This mechanical/acoustic approach substitutes for complex electronic processing while achieving effective noise reduction.
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 device provides effective noise reduction, maintains voice quality, and allows free breathing, eliminating the need for adjustable valves and electronic components, while being ergonomic and comfortable for users, suitable for various environments and languages.
Implementation Method 1
The inner surface of the privacy mask is lined with a heavy layer or a soft foam layer, or combination thereof
Implementation Method 2
For these lower frequencies, the best barrier is the so-called heavy layer, as it is known from acoustical insulation inside buildings
Implementation Method 3
a transfer tube, having an inner and outer surface, with the inner surface of the transfer tube being smooth
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention employs a privacy mask, with elongated mouth-piece, having a semi-circular opening for a user's mouth and a second opening coupled with a transfer tube in which a user's voice travels until it reaches the receiver of a mobile phone or computer, inserted in a head-set equipped with ear-pieces. The present invention is a telecommunication device allowing both speaking and listening with privacy, since it prevents both the user's voice to spread in the surrounding and outside noises to disturb the communication.