Rotatable Microphone Array for Ear-Mountable Listening Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ear-mounted listening devices, such as headphones and hearing aids, are not designed for all-day wear and fail to accurately reproduce environmental cues, leading to difficulties in localizing sounds and are not easily customizable or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
An ear-mountable listening device with a rotatable microphone array and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors that detect rotational position and apply rotational corrections to audio output, enabling improved sound localization and environmental interaction through acoustical beamforming and noise cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ear-mounted listening devices are used, then basic audio playback is achieved, but accurate sound localization and environmental cue reproduction are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rotatable microphone array that can dynamically adjust its orientation to track sound sources and environmental features. The array rotates to different angular positions based on detected acoustic scenes, enabling the device to maintain accurate sound localization across varying listening conditions rather than being fixed in a single orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical rotation with electromagnetic actuation using a voice coil motor system. The microphone array is positioned using electromagnetic forces generated by a voice coil and permanent magnet, eliminating mechanical friction and wear while enabling precise, controlled rotation to optimal listening orientations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed hearing aid designs are used, then amplification of sounds from directly in front is achieved, but complex auditory scenes and varied listening needs cannot be addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid incorporates a dynamically adjustable microphone array that can rotate to different orientations based on the auditory scene and user needs. This allows the device to adapt to complex listening environments by repositioning microphones to optimize capture of relevant sounds rather than being limited to a fixed forward-facing configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single ear-mounted device: audio playback, environmental sound capture, active noise cancellation, and adaptive sound localization. The rotatable microphone array serves multiple purposes including source tracking, environmental scanning, and optimization of acoustic capture for different listening scenarios.
3Ease of manufacture
If monolithic headphone designs are used, then simple construction is achieved, but customization and cost-effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the headphone system into separable modules: a fixed housing containing electronics and a rotatable microphone array assembly. This segmentation allows the microphone array to be independently optimized, replaced, or customized without affecting the main device structure, enabling cost-effective manufacturing and user-specific adaptations.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If standard headphones are worn all day, then continuous audio playback is achieved, but comfort and awareness of external environment are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements active noise cancellation that dynamically adjusts to external acoustic conditions, allowing the device to maintain comfort during extended wear by actively managing noise blocking rather than relying solely on passive physical barriers. The system can adapt noise cancellation levels based on environmental sound patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable microphone array provides continuous feedback about external acoustic environments, enabling the system to monitor and respond to outside sounds. This feedback mechanism allows the device to maintain awareness of the external environment while worn, adjusting audio processing to preserve important environmental cues.
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 allows for all-day comfort and effective sound localization and noise management, maintaining the user's natural Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) and providing customizable auditory experiences by dynamically adjusting audio signals based on rotational changes and user interactions.
Implementation Method 1
inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors that detect rotational position
Implementation Method 2
improved sound localization and environmental interaction through acoustical beamforming
Implementation Method 3
noise cancellation
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for rotational correction of a microphone array includes generating first audio signals representative of sounds emanating from an environment and captured with an array of microphones of an ear-mountable listening device; identifying a characteristic human behavior having at least one of a typical head orientation or a typical head motion associated with the characteristic human behavior by monitoring sensors mounted in fixed relation to the array of microphones; determining a rotational position of the array of microphones relative to the ear based at least in part upon identifying the characteristic human behavior; applying a rotational correction to the first audio signals to generate a second audio signal, wherein the rotational correction is based at least in part upon the rotational position; and driving a speaker of the ear-mountable listening device with the second audio signal to output audio into an ear.