Virtual Button Using Acoustic Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cost of manufacturing electrical equipment, such as smart speakers, is high due to the need for physical buttons and the complexity of voice interaction control systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 'virtual button' system using a microphone and loudspeaker, where a hole in the housing serves as a detection point for user input, allowing real-time detection of a finger's proximity to perform predetermined actions like activating voice interaction or standby mode, reducing the need for physical buttons and leveraging existing microphone and loudspeaker components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical buttons are used for control functions, then the reliability of button operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the button control function with the existing microphone and loudspeaker components. The microphone serves dual purposes: voice input and button press detection, while the loudspeaker serves dual purposes: voice output and acoustic signal generation for detection. This eliminates the need for separate physical buttons and their associated control circuits, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone and loudspeaker are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their primary functions (voice acquisition and output) and button control functions. The microphone detects both voice signals and button press acoustic signals, while the loudspeaker generates both voice output and detection acoustic signals. This universal usage of existing components eliminates the need for additional dedicated button hardware.
2Ease of operation
If physical buttons are used for control functions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the button control functionality with the existing acoustic components (microphone and loudspeaker), eliminating the need for separate physical buttons. This merging approach maintains ease of operation through intuitive acoustic interaction while significantly reducing manufacturing costs by removing the need for additional buttons, switches, and their associated control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button system with an acoustic field-based control system. Instead of mechanical contact through physical buttons, the system uses acoustic signals generated by the loudspeaker and detected by the microphone to sense button press actions. This substitution eliminates mechanical components while maintaining operational ease through natural acoustic interaction.
3Measurement precision
If tap detection mechanism is used to detect button press, then the detection precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own existing components (microphone and loudspeaker) to perform the detection function without requiring external or additional specialized sensors. The microphone, already present for voice input, automatically detects the acoustic signature of button presses, and the loudspeaker, already present for voice output, generates the acoustic signals. This self-service approach achieves precise detection while avoiding additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tap detection mechanisms with acoustic field detection. Instead of using mechanical sensors to detect button presses, the system uses the acoustic signals generated when a button is pressed (captured by the microphone) to detect the action. This substitution achieves precise detection through acoustic analysis while eliminating the need for complex mechanical detection systems.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing microphone and loudspeaker are used for virtual button function, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the detection reliability in noisy environments may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing the loudspeaker's acoustic output toward specific zones that do not include the microphone position. This spatial arrangement creates a controlled acoustic environment where the detection signals are directed away from the microphone's primary拾音 direction, reducing the impact of ambient noise and improving detection reliability in noisy environments while maintaining cost effectiveness.
5Reliability
If the loudspeaker directivity is oriented away from the microphone, then the detection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating a specific spatial relationship between the loudspeaker and microphone, where the loudspeaker's directivity pattern is oriented away from the microphone. This spatial arrangement improves detection reliability by reducing acoustic interference while the patent acknowledges that achieving precise spatial positioning and directivity control requires higher manufacturing precision. The benefit of improved detection reliability justifies the increased manufacturing precision requirements.
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 solution significantly reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for physical buttons and tap detection mechanisms, providing reliable and noise-independent control through inaudible sound signals, and allowing for multiple virtual buttons with distinct actions.
Implementation Method 1
emitter means arranged to emit an emitted detection sound signal via the loudspeaker
Implementation Method 2
a loudspeaker; emitter means arranged to emit an emitted detection sound signal via the loudspeaker
Implementation Method 3
processor means arranged to acquire a received detection sound signal via the microphone
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical equipment includes a housing having a hole formed therein; a microphone positioned inside the housing and in the proximity of the hole; a loudspeaker; emitter means arranged to emit an emitted detection sound signal via the loudspeaker; and processor means arranged to acquire a received detection sound signal via the microphone, to detect in real time from the received detection sound signal whether a user's finger is or is not positioned on or in the immediate proximity of the hole, and if a finger is positioned on or in the immediate proximity of the hole to cause a predetermined action to be performed.