VOX Threshold Switching for Natural Radio Call Initiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In radio communication devices with a Voice-operated Transmit (VOX) function, users must be conscious of voice levels to activate the VOX function, leading to potential latency in starting calls, as the device requires a predetermined voice level for activation and may not allow natural conversation initiation without intentionally high volumes.
Innovation Solution
A radio communication device incorporating a voice level comparator, transmission determination unit, timer, and VOX level selector to set adaptive VOX levels based on elapsed time since the switch is pressed, allowing for natural conversation initiation at normal volumes and minimizing latency by selecting a lower VOX level if the elapsed time is within a reference period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed VOX level threshold is used to activate transmission, then the device can reliably distinguish voice from noise, but users must consciously speak at high volume to activate the function, making natural conversation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the VOX level threshold variable rather than fixed. The threshold dynamically adjusts based on the detected noise level in the environment. When noise is high, the threshold increases to prevent false activation; when noise is low, the threshold decreases to enable natural conversation at normal volumes. This resolves the contradiction by allowing reliable voice activation while accommodating natural speaking volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the VOX threshold from a static value to a dynamic value that adapts to environmental conditions. By monitoring the noise level and adjusting the threshold accordingly, the system maintains reliable voice detection across different environments while enabling users to speak naturally without consciously controlling volume.
2Reliability
If a predetermined time delay is implemented for VOX activation, then the device can filter out brief noise spikes, but latency occurs preventing timely transmission of call initiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the activation threshold adaptive rather than using a fixed time delay. Instead of waiting for a predetermined time period which causes latency, the system dynamically adjusts the threshold based on environmental noise levels. This allows immediate activation when appropriate while still filtering noise, eliminating the time loss associated with fixed delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring the noise level and pre-adjusting the VOX threshold before voice activation is needed. This proactive approach allows the system to be ready for immediate activation when voice is detected, rather than reacting with a time delay, thus preventing call initiation latency while maintaining noise filtering capability.
3Ease of operation
If the VOX level is set low to enable natural conversation at normal volumes, then ease of operation improves, but the device becomes sensitive to background noise causing false activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the threshold parameter from a low fixed value to a dynamically adjusted value based on environmental noise. When background noise is detected, the threshold is raised to prevent false activation; when noise is low, the threshold is lowered to enable natural conversation. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the parameter to environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the threshold setting specific to each environmental context rather than uniform. The system detects local noise conditions and adjusts the threshold accordingly, allowing low thresholds in quiet environments for natural conversation while maintaining high thresholds in noisy environments to prevent false activation.
Data Source
AI summary
A voice level comparator compares a level of a voice signal collected by a microphone with a VOX level. A transmission determination unit instructs a transmitter to transmit the voice signal, when the level of the voice signal is equal to or greater than the VOX level, based on a comparison result by the voice level comparator. A timer starts to measure an elapsed time from a point of time when a switch is operated. A VOX level selector seta a first VOX level as the VOX level when the elapsed time measured by the timer exceeds a reference elapsed time, and sets a second VOX level which is smaller than the first VOX level as the VOX level when the elapsed time measured by the timer stays within the reference elapsed time.