Voice Signal Disturbance via Segmented Masking and Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to ensure complete privacy of phone conversations in mobile or dynamic environments, as users cannot always walk away from third parties, and existing sound masking systems are not effective in preventing conversations from being overheard.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that attenuate and mask voice signals by dividing them into segments, using feedback to combine attenuated and masked signals, outputting a disturbing sound that prevents third parties from recognizing the conversation while allowing participants to hear it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sound masking is applied to prevent phone conversations from being heard by third parties, then privacy protection is improved, but the conversation quality for active listeners may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing to different spatial locations: active listeners receive the original clear voice signal, while third parties hear the masked and attenuated signal. This is achieved by directing the disturbing sound specifically toward third-party areas while maintaining clear audio for participants
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the masking parameters based on real-time conditions. The disturbing sound generation unit continuously processes the voice signal to create masking sounds that adapt to the conversation content, ensuring effective privacy protection without compromising participant experience
2Reliability
If the voice signal is completely masked to prevent recognition by third parties, then privacy protection is improved, but the ability to hear the conversation for active listeners is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The voice signal processing is segmented into different paths: one path processes the signal for active listeners (maintaining clarity), while another path applies masking and attenuation for third-party output. This segmentation allows the system to protect privacy without interfering with the conversation for participants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary disturbing sound that is generated from the voice signal but modified to mask it. This intermediary signal serves as a mediator that prevents third-party recognition while not affecting the original voice signal quality for active listeners
3Reliability
If the disturbing sound intensity is increased to improve masking effectiveness, then privacy protection is improved, but the sound quality and comfort for active listeners is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The disturbing sound is directed specifically toward third-party areas rather than being omnidirectional. This localized approach ensures effective masking for third parties while minimizing the impact on active listeners, maintaining sound quality and comfort for participants
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the intensity and distribution of the disturbing sound based on real-time conditions. The disturbing sound generation unit adjusts the masking parameters to achieve effective privacy protection while maintaining acceptable sound quality for active listeners
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
Effectively prevents third parties from recognizing phone conversations by generating a disturbing sound that masks and attenuates the voice signal, ensuring privacy without interfering with the conversation for the involved parties.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing microphone to receive a feedback signal of the voice signal output by the sound output unit
Implementation Method 2
a first attenuation filter unit to attenuate the feedback signal received by the sensing microphone
Implementation Method 3
a disturbing sound output unit to combine the attenuated feedback signal and the masked voice signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus to disturb a voice signal by attenuating and masking the voice signal are provided. The method includes; receiving a voice signal from a wired or wireless network; obtaining a masked voice signal by dividing the received voice signal into a plurality of segments of the same size; outputting the received voice signal and receiving a feedback signal of the output voice signal; obtaining an attenuated voice signal by performing a first sound attenuation operation on the feedback signal; and combining the attenuated voice signal and the masked voice signal and outputting the result of the combination as disturbing sound.