Textile-Embedded MEMS Microphone for Hands-Free Voice Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice communication systems lack effective hands-free solutions for users in environments like vehicles, where traditional microphone placement is impractical and echo cancellation is a significant challenge.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with embedded MEMS microphones and processors that utilize a textile structure to capture and process audio signals, employing differential subarrays and echo cancellation techniques to provide clear voice communication without altering the device's thickness or appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional microphones are used in voice communication systems, then voice capture is achieved, but hands-free operation in vehicles is impractical and echo cancellation becomes a significant challenge
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio capture function into multiple distributed microphones (first audio sensor, second audio sensor) positioned at different locations within the wearable device. This segmentation enables spatial audio processing and beamforming techniques that improve voice capture while providing natural acoustic isolation for echo cancellation
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device itself acts as an intermediary between the user and the voice communication system. By embedding microphones within the wearable structure, the device mediates audio capture in a way that provides both hands-free operation and acoustic isolation, naturally reducing echo issues without requiring complex cancellation algorithms
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio sensors are embedded in a textile structure, then voice capture is enabled in wearable devices, but the device thickness and appearance may be altered
Solution Approach 1:
The audio sensors and associated circuitry are nested within the textile structure's existing layers. The first audio sensor is positioned between the first surface and second surface of the textile structure, utilizing the natural thickness and structure of the wearable material without adding external protrusions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses thin-film audio sensors that can be integrated into flexible textile structures. These thin-film sensors maintain the flexibility and thinness of the wearable device while enabling effective audio capture functionality
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
Enables hands-free voice communication by effectively capturing and processing audio signals within a wearable device, reducing echo and noise, and allowing for voice-controlled operations in vehicles and other environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first audio sensor that captures an acoustic input and generates a first audio signal based on the acoustic input, wherein the first audio sensor is positioned between a first surface and a second surface of a textile structure
Implementation Method 2
the first audio sensor is a microphone fabricated on a silicon wafer
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and media for voice communication are provided. In some embodiments, a system for voice communication is provided, the system including: a first audio sensor that captures an acoustic input; and generates a first audio signal based on the acoustic input, wherein the first audio sensor is positioned between a first surface and a second surface of a textile structure. In some embodiments, the first audio sensor is positioned in a region located between the first surface and the second surface of the textile structure. In some embodiments, the first audio sensor is positioned in a passage located between the first surface and the second surface of the textile structure.