Wearable ANC Mode Switching via IMU Bone Conduction Voice Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable electronic devices, such as earphones, require manual control of active noise cancellation (ANC) functions, lacking the ability to automatically adjust operation modes based on user dialog situations.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electronic apparatus equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor to detect bone conduction signals, identifying the presence or absence of a user's voice to automatically switch between ANC mode and other operation modes like Ambient or Noise Focusing modes, and revert to ANC mode when no voice is detected for a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of ANC function is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to needing direct user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects user voice presence through bone conduction signals and autonomously switches between ANC mode and other operation modes without requiring manual user input. The IMU sensor continuously monitors bone conduction signals, and the processor automatically determines and changes operation modes based on voice detection results, enabling the device to serve itself rather than requiring direct user control.
2Ease of operation
If automatic voice detection is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The IMU sensor, originally designed for motion detection, is utilized for dual purposes: detecting bone conduction signals for voice presence detection and maintaining its original motion sensing functionality. This multi-functional use allows the system to achieve automatic voice detection without adding separate dedicated hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If continuous voice monitoring is performed, then adaptability improves by responding to dialog situations, but use of energy increases due to continuous signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs voice detection through periodic sampling of bone conduction signals rather than continuous uninterrupted processing. The processor divides the signal into frames and analyzes them at predetermined intervals, maintaining adaptability to voice presence while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring. This periodic analysis allows the system to respond appropriately to dialog situations without sustained high energy usage.
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
Enhances user convenience by automatically adjusting operation modes based on dialog situations, providing improved noise management without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by an inertial measurement unit sensor, a bone conduction signal corresponding to vibration generated in the user's face
Data Source
AI summary
A controlling method of a wearable electronic apparatus includes: receiving, by an IMU sensor, a bone conduction signal corresponding to vibration in the user's face, while the wearable electronic apparatus is operated in an ANC mode; identifying a presence or an absence of the user's voice based on the bone conduction signal; based on the identifying the presence of the user's voice, controlling an operation mode of the wearable electronic apparatus to be a different operation mode from the ANC mode; while the wearable electronic apparatus is operated in the different operation mode, identifying presence or absence of the user's voice based on the bone conduction signal; and based on the absence of the user's voice being identified for a predetermined time while the wearable electronic apparatus is operated in the different operation mode, controlling the different operation mode to return to the ANC mode.