System and method to detect close voice sources and automatically enhance situation awareness
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for close proximity detection and automatic audio mixing performed by a processor suitable for use with an earphone, the method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring sound from an ambient sound microphone communicatively coupled to the processor;
automatically activating a voice timer responsive to detecting voice activity or a cessation of voice activity in the sound as part of the close proximity detection;
adjusting a mixing gain of an audio content signal delivered to the earphone with the ambient sound pass-through during a voice timer pending voice activity; and
wherein the audio content is one of a voice signal, music content, or audible sound delivered to the internal speaker for audible reproduction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for enhancing two-way conversation between a user wearing at least one communication system or earphone and a second individual in proximity to the user is provided. The method includes detecting a spoken voice of the user from sounds captured at an ambient sound microphone, automatically activating a voice timer and setting a voice activity threshold for the voice timer responsive to detecting spoken voice, and adjusting a mixing gain of an audio content signal delivered to the earphone or communication system by way of the internal speaker with an ambient sound pass-through during activation of the voice timer. Separate mixing gains can be adjusted independently in accordance with spoken voice activity and reproduced audio content characteristics. Other embodiments are disclosed.
69 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for close proximity detection and automatic audio mixing performed by a processor suitable for use with an earphone, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring sound from an ambient sound microphone communicatively coupled to the processor; automatically activating a voice timer responsive to detecting voice activity or a cessation of voice activity in the sound as part of the close proximity detection; adjusting a mixing gain of an audio content signal delivered to the earphone with the ambient sound pass-through during a voice timer pending voice activity; and wherein the audio content is one of a voice signal, music content, or audible sound delivered to the internal speaker for audible reproduction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An communication system for close proximity detection and audio mixing, comprising:
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a first ambient sound microphone; an internal speaker for generating audible sounds configured to be directed towards an ear canal; and a processor operatively coupled to the communication system, the first ambient sound microphone and the internal speaker, wherein the processor monitors sound from the first ambient sound microphone; automatically activates a voice timer responsive to detecting voice activity or a cessation of voice activity in the sound as part of the close proximity detection; adjusts a mixing gain of an audio content signal delivered to the communciation system by way of the internal speaker with an ambient sound pass-through during the voice timer; and wherein the audio content is one of a voice signal, music content, or audible sound delivered to the internal speaker for audible reproduction. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for enhancing two-way conversation, the method implemented by a processor operatively coupled to an earphone comprising the steps of:
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detecting a spoken voice from sounds captured at an ambient sound microphone communicatively coupled to the earphone; automatically activating a voice timer and setting a voice activity threshold for the voice timer responsive to detecting spoken voice as part of a close proximity detection; adjusting an ambient sound pass-through of the ambient sound microphone reproduced by an internal speaker of the earphone during activation of the voice timer while a level of the spoken voice is above the voice activity threshold; and adjusting a mixing gain of an audio content signal delivered to the earphone by way of the internal speaker with the ambient sound pass-through during activation of the voice timer and the close proximity detection, wherein the earphone is configured to provide sound isolation from ambient sounds external to an ear canal in which the earphone is inserted and from acoustic sounds internal to the ear canal, wherein the audio content is one of a voice signal, music content, or audible sound delivered from a mobile device to the internal speaker for audible reproduction. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification