Silencer Arrangement for Speech Detection Sound Emission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speech detection arrangements, such as headsets and mobile devices, often emit unwanted sound into the environment, causing disturbance and compromising confidentiality, especially in public or shared spaces, where users attempt to mitigate this with ineffective and uncomfortable sound insulation methods.
Innovation Solution
A silencer arrangement is introduced that shields the microphone from the environment while allowing sound waves to reach the detection region, featuring a planar configuration with sound-absorbing structures, such as apertures and channels, and can be retrofitted or attached to existing devices, providing adjustable positioning to optimize sound attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the microphone is exposed to the environment for speech detection, then speech detection quality is improved, but sound emissions to the environment increase causing disturbance and confidentiality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The silencer arrangement applies sound-absorbing material only in specific regions (rear and lateral sides) while leaving the front speech detection region exposed. This localized application allows the microphone to detect speech effectively while preventing sound emissions to the environment from specific directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The silencer arrangement acts as an intermediary element between the microphone and the environment. It selectively blocks sound paths from the rear and lateral directions while maintaining the speech detection function from the front, thus mediating between speech detection quality and sound emission reduction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If sound insulation structures are arranged around the mouth or device, then sound emissions are reduced, but user comfort decreases and the structures are ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The silencer arrangement is separated from the main device body and positioned as a distinct component that can be attached to the headset. This extraction allows the sound insulation function to be provided without requiring the user to hold or interact with bulky insulation structures around the mouth.
Solution Approach 2:
The silencer arrangement is designed to be retrofittable to existing headsets, allowing the system to provide its own sound insulation capability without requiring additional user actions or external support structures. The arrangement serves itself by integrating directly onto the existing device.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If sound insulation walls are arranged in office environments, then sound emissions from speech detection arrangements are reduced, but cost increases and effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing large-scale sound insulation walls in the office environment, the sound insulation function is segmented and integrated directly onto individual headset devices. Each headset becomes a self-contained sound insulation unit, eliminating the need for complex environmental modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution shifts from addressing sound emissions at the environmental level (office walls) to the device level (headset attachment). This dimensional change from macro-environmental insulation to micro-device-level insulation simplifies the overall system and reduces cost.
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 silencer arrangement effectively reduces sound emissions by at least 30% to 50% compared to unattenuated cases, maintaining high-quality speech detection and user comfort by concentrating sound waves and absorbing unwanted noise.
Implementation Method 1
a silencer arrangement configured to limit sound emissions to the environment
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for speech detection is positionable on or close to a head of a speaking person. The apparatus includes an inner side and an outer side. The apparatus includes a speech detection region including a microphone. At least sections of the microphone face or form the inner side. The apparatus includes a silencer. At least part of the silencer faces or forms the outer side. The silencer has a front facing the person, a rear, and a silencer structure. At least part of the silencer structure extends between the front and the rear. The silencer includes at least one of (a) a vibroacoustic region and (b) at least in sections, a fibrous surface texture at the front with a plurality of protruding fibrous material sections.