Wearable Audio Noise Control via Transport Mode Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable audio output devices with noise cancelling and noise masking capabilities lack effective methods to automatically adjust noise reduction levels based on the user's environment and activities, such as transport modes, leading to suboptimal audio experiences.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a combination of low-power and high-power detectors to analyze sound and motion data, determining the user's transport mode, and adjusting noise attenuation or masking levels accordingly, with the ability to configure preferences and enter power-saving states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a higher-power detector is continuously active to accurately determine transport mode, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into two separate detectors: a lower-power detector that continuously monitors for basic transport presence, and a higher-power detector that activates only when needed for detailed transport mode classification. This segmentation allows the system to maintain energy efficiency while preserving measurement precision when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The higher-power detector operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the lower-power detector detects transport-related sounds. This periodic operation significantly reduces overall power consumption while ensuring accurate transport mode determination when actually needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If automatic transport detection is implemented to improve audio experience, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable audio device automatically detects transport modes and adjusts noise reduction levels without requiring manual user input. The system uses its own built-in microphones and detectors to sense the environment and self-adjust audio parameters, improving adaptability while keeping the user interface simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport detection functionality is integrated into the existing wearable audio device by combining the microphones already present for audio processing with additional detection capabilities. This merging approach enables environmental adaptation without adding completely separate detection hardware.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If noise reduction level is increased to block external sounds, then harmful factors from external environment are reduced, but loss of information about external sounds occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction level is dynamically adjusted based on the detected transport mode. The system applies different attenuation levels for different scenarios (e.g., higher attenuation for train/subway modes, lower for car modes), allowing optimal noise blocking while preserving necessary external sound awareness for each specific situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio output parameters including noise reduction level and masking level are changed based on transport mode detection. The system modifies these parameters automatically to match the characteristics of different transport environments, reducing harmful noise while maintaining situational awareness when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a wearable audio output device worn by a user is provided for controlling the reproduction of external noise and/or noise masking. A first a first lower-power detector determines if the user is in transport or a change in the user's transport. In response to the determination, a second higher-power detector exits a power saving state and determines a mode of the transport based. The wearable audio output device adjust a level of attenuation applied by the wearable audio output device to the external noise or adjusting a level of noise masking output by the wearable audio output device based on the determined mode of the transport.