Avnera Corporation

Other

James E Scanlan

Michael Jon Wurtz

Amit Kumar

Eric Sorensen

Manpreet Singh Khaira

Shankar Rathoud

Shawn O'Connor

Jiajin An

David B Wurtz

Many headsets include automatic noise cancellation (ANC) which dramatically reduces perceived background noise and improves user listening experience. Unfortunately, the voice microphones in these devices often capture ambient noise that the headsets output during phone calls or other communication sessions to other users. In response, many headsets and communication devices provide manual muting circuitry, but users frequently forget to turn the muting on and/or off creating further problems as they communicate. To address this, the present inventors devised, among other things, an exemplary headset that detects the absence or presence of user speech, automatically muting and unmuting the voice microphone without user intervention. Some embodiments leverage relationships between feedback and feedforward signals in ANC circuitry to detect user speech, avoiding the addition of extra hardware to the headset. Other embodiments also leverage the speech detection function to activate and deactivate keyword detectors, and/or sidetone circuits, thus extending battery.

User voice activity detection

The disclosure includes a headset comprising one or more earphones including one or more sensing components. The headset also includes one or more voice microphones to record a voice signal for voice transmission. The headset also includes a signal processor coupled to the earphones and the voice microphones. The signal processor is configured to employ the sensing components to determine a wearing position of the headset. The signal processor then selects a signal model for noise cancellation. The signal model is selected from a plurality of signal models based on the determined wearing position. The signal processor also applies the selected signal model to mitigate noise from the voice signal prior to voice transmission.

Automatic noise cancellation using multiple microphones

Many headsets include automatic noise cancellation (ANC) which dramatically reduces perceived background noise and improves user listening experience. Unfortunately, the voice microphones in these devices often capture ambient noise that the headsets output during phone calls or other communication sessions to other users. In response, many headsets and communication devices provide manual muting circuitry, but users frequently forget to turn the muting on and/or off, creating further problems as they communicate. To address this, the present inventors devised, among other things, an exemplary headset that detects the absence or presence of user speech, automatically muting and unmuting the voice microphone without user intervention. Some embodiments leverage relationships between feedback and feedforward signals in ANC circuitry to detect user speech, avoiding the addition of extra hardware to the headset. Other embodiments also leverage the speech detection function to activate and deactivate keyword detectors, and/or sidetone circuits, thus extending battery.

User voice activity detection methods, devices, assemblies, and components

A connector for attaching a beam of a modular structure to either a post or another beam whereby the number of different types of parts in inventory may be reduced. Tabs on an edge of the connecter engage longitudinal grooves formed in a beam surface and are laterally located. The tabs alternatively engage slots sized to a tab width in a wall of a post for precise attachment thereto. A pin is spring biased to protrude from the edge outwardly to engage an aperture in the beam or post to prevent upward movement of and thereby lock the connector thereto whereby the connector may be attached quickly and easily and without inadvertently causing already attached connectors to be disengaged from other walls of a post. A decorative kingpost flange cover is provided which has a hollow interior and an opening thereto for receiving the flange which is held in position by a pair of internal tabs which are flexibly biased to engage grooves in the flange walls whereby two such covers may engage each other along engagement lines less noticeably near the kingpost center for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and whereby a slot in the cover may be provided to securely attach a wall member directly to the kingpost.

Growing community of inventors

Bradford, PA, United States of America

James E Scanlan