Wearable Audio Conversation Routing by Head Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable audio systems lack the ability to seamlessly manage multiple conversations or audio interactions without user intervention, as they cannot discern the direction the user is facing to automatically route audio signals to appropriate destinations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating dual microphones positioned on either side of the neck or shoulder housing, a processor compares audio signals to determine the user's head orientation, allowing audio signals to be routed to different destinations such as voice user interfaces, virtual personal assistants, or active calls based on the user's direction of gaze, enabling hands-free management of multiple conversations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual control manipulation is required to manage multiple conversations, then user control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects head orientation using dual microphones and processors, and autonomously routes audio signals to appropriate destinations without requiring user intervention. The wearable audio system serves itself by continuously monitoring audio signals, determining head direction, and managing conversation routing independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control operations with an automated acoustic field-based system. Instead of physically manipulating controls, the system uses audio signal processing and directional detection to automatically manage conversation routing based on detected head orientation
2Adaptability or versatility
If dual microphones and signal processing are added to detect head orientation, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable audio system performs multiple functions using the same dual microphone infrastructure: it simultaneously captures audio for conversation processing, detects head orientation through signal comparison, and routes audio signals to different destinations. The same hardware components serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for additional specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines audio signal processing and head orientation detection functions into a unified system. The dual microphones serve both to capture conversation audio and to detect directional information by comparing signals, merging what could be separate functions into a single integrated process
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is configured to rest on a wearer's neck or shoulders, and has a first microphone positioned at a first position located on the right side of the wearer, when the apparatus is worn, and a second microphone positioned at a second position located on the left side of the wearer. A processor receives audio signals output by the first and second microphones, and compares the audio signals from the first microphone to the audio signals from the second microphone. Based on the comparison, the processor determines whether the wearer's head is rotated to the right, left, or center, during an instance of the user speaking. Based on the determination, the processor selects a first one of at least two audio signal destinations, and provides the audio signal from at least one of the microphones to the first selected audio signal destination.