Google llc (20240098409). HEAD-WORN COMPUTING DEVICE WITH MICROPHONE BEAM STEERING simplified abstract

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HEAD-WORN COMPUTING DEVICE WITH MICROPHONE BEAM STEERING

Organization Name

google llc

Inventor(s)

Steven Benjamin Goldberg of Los Altos Hills CA (US)

HEAD-WORN COMPUTING DEVICE WITH MICROPHONE BEAM STEERING - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240098409 titled 'HEAD-WORN COMPUTING DEVICE WITH MICROPHONE BEAM STEERING

Simplified Explanation

The disclosed devices and methods provide beamforming for a head-worn microphone array that can adapt to changes in the user's head position/orientation. The microphone array may be part of a head-worn computing device, which can automatically detect a direction for the beamforming based on computer-assisted recognition of a conversation with a participant. After the participant is identified, the beamforming can automatically steer the sensitivity of the microphone array towards the participant regardless of the position of the head user to improve a quality of the captured audio without constraining movement of a user. The improved audio may be used to aid in a user's hearing of the conversation, aid an augmented reality application corresponding to the conversation, and/or provide a degree of privacy by limiting sensitivity to participants in the conversation.

  • Head-worn microphone array with adaptive beamforming technology
  • Automatic detection of conversation direction for beamforming
  • Steers sensitivity towards conversation participant for improved audio quality
  • Enhances user's hearing and aids augmented reality applications
  • Provides privacy by limiting sensitivity to conversation participants

Potential Applications

This technology can be applied in various fields such as:

  • Communication devices
  • Augmented reality headsets
  • Hearing aids
  • Video conferencing systems

Problems Solved

  • Improved audio quality in head-worn microphone arrays
  • Enhanced user experience in conversations and augmented reality applications
  • Privacy concerns in capturing audio in public settings

Benefits

  • Enhanced audio quality without restricting user movement
  • Improved user experience in various applications
  • Privacy control for sensitive conversations

Potential Commercial Applications

Optimized for SEO: "Adaptive Beamforming Technology in Head-Worn Microphone Arrays for Communication Devices"

  • Communication device manufacturers
  • Augmented reality headset developers
  • Hearing aid companies
  • Video conferencing system providers

Possible Prior Art

There are existing technologies in the field of beamforming and microphone arrays, but the specific combination of adaptive beamforming in a head-worn device for conversation recognition may be a novel approach.

Unanswered Questions

How does the technology handle background noise in conversation settings?

The article does not address how the adaptive beamforming technology deals with background noise interference in capturing audio during conversations.

What are the power consumption implications of implementing this technology in head-worn devices?

The article does not mention the power requirements or efficiency of the adaptive beamforming technology when integrated into head-worn devices.


Original Abstract Submitted

the disclosed devices and methods provide beamforming for a head-worn microphone array that can adapt to changes in the user's head position/orientation. the microphone array may be part of a head-worn computing device, which can be configured to automatically detect a direction for the beamforming based on computer-assisted recognition of a conversation with a participant. after the participant is identified, the beamforming can automatically steer the sensitivity of the microphone array towards the participant regardless of the position of the head user to improve a quality of the captured audio without constraining movement of a user. the improved audio may be used to aid in a user's hearing of the conversation, aid an augmented reality application corresponding to the conversation, and/or provide a degree of privacy by limiting sensitivity to participants in the conversation.