Automatic sound pass-through method and system for earphones

摘要

Earphone systems and methods for automatically directing ambient sound to an earphone device are provided. An ambient microphone signal from an ambient microphone proximate a sound isolating earphone or headset device is directed to a receiver within an earphone device according to mixing circuitry. The mixing circuitry is controlled by voice activity of the earphone device wearer. This enables hands-free operation of an earphone system to allow the earphone device wearer to maintain situation awareness with the surrounding environment. During detected voice activity, incoming audio content is attenuated while ambient sound is increased and provided to the earphone device. User voice activity is detected by analysis of at least one of an ear canal microphone signal or an ambient sound microphone signal.

主权项

1. A method for passing ambient sound to an earphone device configured to be inserted in an ear canal of a user, the method comprising the steps of:
capturing the ambient sound from an ambient sound microphone (ASM) proximate to the earphone device to form an ASM signal; receiving an audio content (AC) signal from a remote device; detecting voice activity of the user of the earphone device; mixing the ASM signal and the AC signal to form a mixed signal, such that, in the mixed signal, an ASM gain of the ASM signal is increased and an AC gain of the AC signal is decreased when the voice activity is detected; detecting a cessation of the voice activity; delaying modification of the ASM gain and the AC gain for a predetermined time period responsive to the detected cessation of the voice activity; and directing the mixed signal to an ear canal receiver (ECR) of the earphone device.