Ambient Volume Modification Through Environmental Microphone Feedback Loop System and Method

• US 20180242085A1
• Filed: 04/11/2018
• Published: 08/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Inventors: Dohmen, David K., Kosider, Gwenael, Boesen, Peter Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 10,412,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

A system, method and one or more wireless earpieces for performing self-configuration. A user is identified utilizing the one or more wireless earpieces. Noises from an environment of the user are received utilizing the one or more wireless earpieces. An audio profile associated with the noises of the environment of the user is determined. The components of the one or more wireless earpieces are automatically configured in response to the audio profile and the user identified as utilizing the one or more wireless earpieces.

Claims

1. A method for configuring one or more wireless earpieces, the method comprising:

identifying a user utilizing the one or more wireless earpieces;

receiving noises from an environment of the user utilizing the one or more wireless earpieces;

determining an audio profile associated with the noises of the environment of the user;

configuring components of the one or more wireless earpieces automatically in response to the audio profile and the user identified as utilizing the one or more wireless earpieces;

learning preferences of the user over time and associated differing environmental conditions with a specific configuration of the one or more wireless earpieces;

wherein each of the one or more wireless earpieces comprises an ear piece frame, at least one microphone positioned to detect environment audio including the noises from the environment, and one or more speakers;

wherein each of the one or more wireless earpieces provide for passthrough of the environment audio by detecting the environment audio, processing the environment audio to provide processed environment audio, and reproducing the processed environment audio at the one or more speakers; and

wherein the automatically configuring the components provides for altering the processing of the environment audio.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying is performed automatically in response to the one or more wireless earpieces being powered on and worn by the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the noises of the environment of the user are categorized into one of a plurality of audio profiles utilizing one or more thresholds.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically configuring comprises adjusting the volume levels of one or more speakers of the one or more wireless earpieces.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically configuring comprises adjusting the microphone sensitivity of one or more microphones of the one or more wireless earpieces.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more microphones include an ear bone microphone of the one or more wireless earpieces utilized to receive a voice of the user in response to the audio profile being associated with a high noise environment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wireless earpieces prevent pass-through of noises of the environment through one or more speakers of the one or more wireless speakers in response to determining the audio profile is associated with a dangerous noise level in the environment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is identified as utilizing one or more biometric including one or more of voice characteristics and ear topography.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wireless earpieces are a pair of wireless earpieces.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calibrating one or more sensors of the one or more wireless earpieces to ensure accurate readings of the environment and the user.

11. A wireless earpiece comprising:

an ear piece frame;

at least one microphone positioned to detect environment audio including the noises from the environment;

one or more speakers;

a processor for executing a set of instructions;

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to;

identify a user utilizing the wireless earpiece;

receive noises from an environment of the user utilizing the wireless earpiece;

determine an audio profile associated with the noises of the environment of the user;

automatically configure components of the wireless earpiece in response to the audio profile and the user identified as utilizing the wireless earpiece; and

learn preferences of the user over time and associated different environmental conditions with a specific configuration of the wireless earpieces set by the user at the associated different environmental conditions.

12. The wireless earpiece of claim 11, wherein the user is identified in response to the wireless earpiece being powered on and worn by the user.

13. The wireless earpiece of claim 11, wherein the noises of the environment of the user are categorized into one of a plurality of audio profiles utilizing one or more thresholds.

14. The wireless earpiece of claim 11, wherein the set of instructions for automatically configuring the components of the wireless earpiece are further executed to adjust the volume levels of one or more speakers of the wireless earpiece.

15. The wireless earpiece of claim 11, wherein the set of instructions for automatically configuring the components of the wireless earpiece are further executed to adjust the microphone sensitivity of one or more microphones of the wireless earpiece.

16. The wireless earpiece of claim 15, wherein the one or more microphones include an ear bone microphone of the wireless earpiece utilized to receive a voice of the user in response to the audio profile being associated with a high noise environment.

17. The wireless earpiece of claim 11, wherein the user is identified as utilizing one or more biometric including one or more of voice characteristics and ear topography.

18. The wireless earpiece of claim 11, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

calibrate one or more sensors of the one or more wireless earpieces to ensure accurate readings of the environment and the user.

19. A wireless earpiece comprising:

an ear piece frame;

at least one microphone positioned to detect environment audio including the noises from the environment;

one or more speakers;

a processor for executing a set of instructions;

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to;

identify a user utilizing the wireless earpiece;

receive noises from an environment of the user utilizing the wireless earpiece;

determine an audio profile associated with the noises of the environment of the user; and

learn preferences of the user over time and associated different environmental conditions with a specific configuration of the wireless earpieces set by the user at the associated different environmental conditions.

20. The wireless earpiece of claim 19, wherein the set of instructions are executed to automatically configure components of the wireless earpiece in response to the audio profile and the user identified as utilizing the wireless earpiece.