US 11,997,447 B2
Method and apparatus for earpiece audio feeback channel to detect ear tip sealing
Deeder M. Aurongzeb, Austin, TX (US); and Peng Lip Goh, Singapore (SG)
Assigned to DELL PRODUCTS LP, Round Rock, TX (US)
Filed by Dell Products, LP, Round Rock, TX (US)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/870,735.
Prior Publication US 2024/0031728 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. H04R 29/00 (2006.01); G10K 11/178 (2006.01); H04R 1/10 (2006.01)
CPC H04R 1/1083 (2013.01) [G10K 11/17815 (2018.01); G10K 11/17823 (2018.01); H04R 1/1016 (2013.01); H04R 1/1041 (2013.01); H04R 2460/15 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An earpiece comprising:
a housing comprising:
a sound output channel operatively coupled to a speaker formed within the housing, the sound output channel extending into a user's ear when the earpiece is worn;
a speaker to play audio of a host audio data stream received at the earpiece;
an ear canal feedback channel extending alongside the sound output channel and operatively coupled to a microphone formed within the housing, the ear canal feedback channel extending into the user's ear when the earpiece is worn;
a digital signal processor (DSP) operatively coupled to the microphone, the DSP including a voice activity detection module to detect a microphone audio data stream and discern between host audio data stream of audio played by the speaker and external ear canal noise captured in the microphone audio data stream at the microphone at the ear canal feedback channel; and
an audio processor to receive the detected external ear canal noise and generate audio data descriptive of an opposite waveform to the detected external ear canal noise to playback and reduce the detected external ear canal noise, the opposite waveform to be replicated at the speaker of the sound output channel with the host audio data stream.