Rotatable Dial Windscreen for TWS Headset Microphones

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Solution Overview

Problem

True wireless stereo (TWS) headsets face challenges in wind resistance protection of microphones, as existing solutions either increase device size or lack effective wind noise reduction, and often lack physical controls like volume knobs due to space constraints.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a rotatable dial or control knob over the microphone, which also serves as a wind protection mechanism, combined with porous materials and angularly spaced microphones for beamforming, allows for improved wind noise reduction without increasing the headset's size and enables the inclusion of a volume control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the microphone is placed close to the user's mouth or with directional pattern towards it, then the uplink voice audibility is maximized, but wind noise enters the microphone more easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice audibilityVSAvoidwind noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a windscreen as an intermediary component between the external environment and the microphone. This windscreen allows voice frequencies to pass through while blocking wind noise, effectively mediating between the need for clear voice capture and the need to exclude wind interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different acoustic properties to different parts of the microphone system. The windscreen has specific acoustic characteristics that allow high-frequency voice signals to pass while blocking low-frequency wind noise, creating local quality differentiation in the acoustic path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If a microphone boom extension is used to place the microphone close to the user's mouth, then the voice audibility is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice audibilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the microphone placement function with the existing headset housing structure. Instead of adding a separate boom extension, the microphone is integrated into the housing at an optimized position that achieves good voice capture without increasing overall device volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The headset housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses electronic components, and acts as the microphone mounting structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional boom extensions while maintaining voice capture effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the device size is reduced for modern TWS headphones, then the device becomes more compact and acceptable, but the microphone placement options are limited and physical controls like volume knobs cannot be included

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmicrophone placement options

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension and internal cavity space of the compact housing to position the microphone optimally. By exploring three-dimensional space efficiently and using beamforming with multiple microphones, the patent achieves effective voice capture in a reduced form factor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical volume control knobs with electronic touch controls or buttons integrated into the housing surface. This substitution eliminates the need for additional mechanical components while maintaining volume control functionality in the compact device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This configuration effectively reduces wind noise, prevents accidental handling noise, and allows for a user-friendly interface with a volume control, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and maintaining a compact device size.

Implementation Method 1

The front cavity of the microphone is arranged with a porous material configured to reduce the strength of turbulence in the wind

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

a dial rotatably attached to the housing through a pivot... the dial being further arranged to cover the at least one microphone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS12177617B2Wireless headset with improved wind noise resistance

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An earphone device and system for improving wind resistance protection as well as controllability of true wireless stereo (TWS) headsets are provided. The earphone device includes headset microphones in a housing facing outwards and configured to generate a microphone signal. The earphone device includes a control dial rotatably attached to the housing through a pivot. The dial is substantially flat and arranged to form a narrow gap between the housing and the dial. The dial is further arranged to cover each microphone, thereby providing wind and dirt protection but leaving a gap for the sound waves to reach the microphones.