Speaker Volume Control via Keyword Detection for Ambient Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio output devices, such as earphones, struggle with user convenience due to their design, which cancels ambient noise but can decrease the user's ability to hear important sounds, like a conversation, when wearing them.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a communication circuit, multiple microphones, a speaker, and a processor that can identify specific keywords in ambient noise and adjust audio output accordingly, allowing the user to hear important sounds while wearing the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ambient noise cancellation is implemented through the speaker, then audio quality for the user is improved, but the user's ability to hear important ambient sounds like conversations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The audio output device dynamically adjusts its operation mode between ambient noise cancellation and ambient sound transmission based on detected conditions. The processor monitors for specific patterns (e.g., conversation detection, user gestures) and switches the speaker's function accordingly, allowing the system to adapt between providing quiet audio playback and transmitting important ambient sounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the acoustic parameters of the speaker output by switching between two distinct modes: one mode generates anti-noise signals to cancel ambient noise for improved audio quality, while the other mode transmits ambient sounds directly to the user. This parameter switching allows the system to resolve the contradiction between audio quality and ambient sound awareness.
2Productivity
If ambient noise is completely cancelled, then user immersion in audio content is improved, but user convenience for hearing important sounds is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The audio output device automatically detects and responds to user needs without manual intervention. The processor continuously monitors ambient sounds and user behavior patterns, automatically switching between noise cancellation and sound transmission modes based on detected conversations or other important ambient events, making the system self-adjusting to maintain both immersion and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processor analyzes ambient sound inputs and user interactions to determine when to switch modes. By detecting patterns such as nearby conversations or user gestures indicating desire to hear ambient sounds, the system uses this feedback to automatically adjust its noise cancellation level, balancing immersion and convenience.
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 enhances user convenience by enabling the user to hear specific sounds, like a conversation, while wearing audio output devices, thereby improving their ability to engage in conversations and interact with their environment.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to output audio through the speaker
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of microphones... identify an utterance including a specified keyword received through at least some of the plurality of microphones
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a communication circuit, a plurality of microphones, a speaker, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to output audio through the speaker based on data received from an external electronic device through the communication circuit, identify an utterance including a specified keyword received through at least some of the plurality of microphones, based on identifying the utterance including the specified keyword, decrease the volume of the audio output through the speaker and perform an operation for providing a speech of a user of the electronic device and a speech of a person other than the user of the electronic device based on at least some of ambient sounds received through at least some of the plurality of microphones.