Patent Publication Number: US-2012029912-A1

Title: Hands-free Active Noise Canceling Device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to hands-free active noise-canceling wireless devices and, in particular, to a compact device that covers a user&#39;s mouth area comprising a loudspeaker that cancels out his voice. The device is generally used in association with a microphone located close to the user&#39;s larynx to capture his voice for processing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ambient noise or vocal noise is the undesirable soundwave emitted when a person speaks. The reporting device that was patented over 20 years ago in U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,754 Gore, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,114,802 Beguin, provided viable solutions in canceling undesirable sounds or noise when using a microphone in ruckus adverse environments such as courtrooms. These voice muffled devices have been found to be excellent devices for speech recognition systems due to its microphone being positioned at a constant distance from the speaker&#39;s mouth (essential in achieving a high rate of recognition success) and its superb capability at reducing signal distortion. However, since the effectiveness of the device necessitated that it be pressed firmly against a user&#39;s face, such effortful and awkward manipulation caused people to shun the device for other uses, e.g., as a cellphone noise-suppression accessory. 
     The Active Acoustic Attenuator that was patented over 20 years ago in U.S. Pat. No. 2,043,416 Lueg, provided a viable solution for active noise cancelation by using a microphone, amplifier and loudspeaker components to reduce undesirable sounds by feeding back a 180 degree phased signal of the original sounds. Prior arts such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,906 Warnaka et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,675 Bose, et al, made substantial improvements on the Lueg patent, such as speed and flexibility of the sound-canceling process but these devices were essentially for the reduction of ambient noise to be heard by the user, or basically for headphones and earphones. However, these apparatuses do not reduce the vocal noise generated by a user speaking into a microphone. They only cancel the noise that reaches the user&#39;s ears. The prior art such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,800 Resnick, provided an improved solution to the vocal noise in the immediate vicinity of a microphone talker but since the invention does not enclose the speaker&#39;s voice a substantial noise becomes scattered in the vicinity. Further, the inclusion of the signal processing circuitry would make the invention too bulky and would not be suitable for use as a mouthpiece, based on current state-of-the-art technology. 
     Thus, enclosing a loudspeaker inside a small housing that covers a speaker&#39;s mouth area and having the active noise canceling electronics located at a suitable distance away from that housing, such arrangement would allow a voice silencing device to be compact and convenient to use. A microphone that would provide the anti-noise signal can be located outside the device to eliminate undesirable echo that results when both a microphone and a loudspeaker are co-located inside an enclosure. An example of such a microphone is the throat microphone that can capture the user&#39;s voice from his throat area. This arrangement also allows the anti-noise electronics a few milliseconds of extra time to process the captured voice signal so that the output of the loudspeaker is 180 degrees out-of-phase with the user&#39;s voice as it comes out of his mouth. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention, comprises a soundproofed housing generally conforming to a user&#39;s mouth area further comprising a loudspeaker for outputting an anti-noise soundwave generated by a sound processing circuit to cancel out the user&#39;s voice. The device is generally associated with a microphone that is located close to the user&#39;s larynx to capture the user&#39;s voice to produce the anti-noise signal and the input for the wireless transmitter, and a sound processing circuitry located at a suitable proximity from the housing. 
     The invention may further be fixed onto a pivot mechanism and joined at the microphone end of an over-the-head headset boom such that when the invention is swung inwardly it will cover the user&#39;s mouth area thereby confining the user&#39;s voice inside the housing. After the user has finished speaking, he can then swing the invention outward to uncover his mouth thereby allowing his voice to be heard. 
     Alternatively, the invention may also be affixed onto a pivot mechanism with or without a support arm and mounted on a helmet&#39;s chin cup such that when the invention is swung upwardly it will cover the user&#39;s mouth area thereby confining the vocal noise inside the housing. After the user has finished speaking, he can then swing the invention downward to uncover his mouth thereby allowing his voice to be heard. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus that can be attached to a headband assembly. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus that can be mounted onto a helmet&#39;s chin cup. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus with a vent to reduce pressure build-up inside the device when the user speaks while the device is covering his mouth. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus whereby the microphone to capture a user&#39;s voice is a throat, bone, or similar type. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus that can be attached to a handle for handheld use. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus having a quick disconnect adapter or connector to readily link or unlink said device to a sound processing circuit. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus that can incorporate a removable sound absorbing interior housing, liner, or baffle component. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus that can contain germicidal, antibacterial, or odor suppressing materials. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an active noise canceling mouth apparatus that can easily be cleaned and sanitized. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial representation of the front side of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial representation of the rear side of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention with a protective cover of the loudspeaker. 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention showing the internal loudspeaker after the protective material has been removed. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line B-B in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is a pictorial representation of an embodiment of the invention shown with a language translation adapter assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a pictorial representation of an embodiment of the invention shown with two jacks on the rear side to accept an adapter assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is a pictorial representation of a language translation adapter assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is a pictorial representation of the rear side of a language translation adapter assembly shown with two plugs. 
         FIG. 13  is a top sectional view taken along line C-C in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side sectional view taken along line D-D in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 15  is a pictorial representation of a helmet embodiment of the invention showing a chin cup assembly and a mouthpiece assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is a rear elevational view of a chin cup assembly of a helmet embodiment of the invention shown with guide tracks and securing holes for accepting a support member. 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a chin cup assembly for a helmet embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken along line E-E in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a rear elevational view of another embodiment of the invention showing a chin cup assembly with a connector assembly, a video camera and an external microphone. 
         FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of a mouthpiece assembly for a helmet embodiment of the invention, shown with a support member. 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevational view of a mouthpiece assembly for a helmet embodiment of the invention, shown with a support member. 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom view of a mouthpiece assembly for a helmet embodiment of the invention, shown with a support member. 
         FIG. 23  is a pictorial representation of a typical transceiver assembly for a helmet embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a pictorial representation of a helmeted soldier using the invention in an active noise cancellation mode. 
         FIG. 25  is a pictorial representation of a helmeted soldier with the invention in an inactive mode. 
         FIG. 26  is a pictorial representation of a helmeted soldier using a language translation embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 27  is pictorial representation showing a helmeted soldier speaking to a foreigner in accordance with a language translation embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 28  is pictorial representation showing a foreigner speaking to a helmeted soldier in accordance with a language translation embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 29  is pictorial representation showing a helmeted soldier speaking to a fellow soldier in accordance with a language translation embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a pictorial representation of a headset embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a pictorial representation of a user using a headset embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a front view of a user using a headset embodiment of the invention whereby the mouthpiece assembly is seen in a closed position. 
         FIG. 33  is a front view of a user not using a headset embodiment of the invention whereby the mouthpiece assembly is seen in an open position. 
         FIG. 34  is a side view of a user using a headset embodiment of the invention whereby the mouthpiece assembly is seen in a closed position. 
         FIG. 35  is a side view of a user using a headset embodiment of the invention whereby the mouthpiece assembly is seen in an open position. 
         FIG. 36  is a pictorial representation of a user using a language translation component of a headset embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 37  is a pictorial representation showing a user speaking to a foreigner in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 38  is a pictorial representation showing a foreigner speaking to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a pictorial representation showing a user speaking to a fellow native speaker in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 40  is a flowchart diagram summarizing an active noise cancelling process in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 41  is a flowchart diagram summarizing a speech-to-speech language translation process in accordance with a language translation embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 42  is a diagram of a typical operational mode of the device in accordance with a helmet embodiment of the invention showing typical short range communication links. 
         FIG. 43  is a diagram of a typical operational mode of the device in accordance with a helmet embodiment of the invention showing some short and long range communication links. 
         FIG. 44  is a diagram of a typical operational mode of the device in accordance with a headset embodiment of the invention showing typical short range communication links. 
         FIG. 45  is a diagram of a typical operational mode of the device in accordance with a headset embodiment of the invention showing some short and long range communication links. 
         FIG. 46  is a pictorial representation of an embodiment of the invention showing the position of the invention in relation to a typical user when the device is being used. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As used herein, the term “user,” is intended but not limited, to generally refer to a person who is operating or manipulating or holding or grasping, or speaking to, or a combination thereof, a microphonic device having a purpose of effecting a translation of his or her speech to an intended language. Generally, the user is someone who wears a helmet, or someone who wears a headband or headset type apparatus, or someone using a gadget that can accommodate a mouthpiece, or a combination thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “foreigner,” is intended but not limited, to generally refer to someone who speaks a language that is different from the native language of a user of the invention. A foreigner may also be a person who is not operating, nor manipulating, nor holding, nor grasping, nor using, nor a combination thereof, a device of a user. 
     As used herein, the term “interpreter,” or “language interpreter,” is intended but not limited, to generally refer to a person or a machine that is able to understand and vocalize a foreign language. Further, an interpreter may be a person who is not operating, nor manipulating, nor holding, nor grasping, nor using, nor a combination thereof, a user&#39;s device. 
     As used herein, the term “housing” is intended but not limited, to generally refer to a component such as a protective cover, casing, case, shell or enclosure designed to contain, enclose or support mechanical, electrical, electronic components, or a combination thereof. It can be homogeneous, heterogeneous, multi-layered, multi-bodied, multi-frame, multi-colored or any combination thereof. It may be rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, supple, or a combination thereof. It may also have properties such as sound absorption, soundproofing, sound muffling, noise canceling, sound blocking, sound baffling, sound distorting, anti-bacterial, germicidal, anti-viral, anti-odor, electromagnetic shielding, radiation shielding, or a combination thereof. The function of the housing includes confining or suppressing sound and may further include an additional housing. 
     As used herein, the term “translator,” or “Personal Translator,” or “remote translator,” is intended but not limited, to generally refer to a human interpreter, a software program, a machine or hardware interpreter, or a similar instrument that converts a user&#39;s native language into another native or foreign language. The translator can be located on a user&#39;s body or at a remote location. It may have a transceiver, an amplifier, a sound processor, or a combination thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “processor,” or “sound processor,” or “speech processor,” or “voice processor,” is intended but not limited, to generally refer to an audio system having a hardware and software components such as a computer, application processor, memory, sound quality optimizer, transceiver, translator, power supply, battery, battery charger, timer, test and monitoring circuitry, amplifier, video circuit, digital and analog processors, AF or RF signal conditioners, automatic volume or gain control circuitry, active noise cancelation electronics, other associated mechanical, electronic and electrical components, or a combination thereof. Further, the function of the processor includes: converting voice signals into anti-noise signals; transmitting voice signals to a remote receiver; or receiving RF analog and/or digital signals; or translating languages; or a combination thereof. The transmission and reception mode of a transceiver can also be simplex, half-duplex or multiplex. 
     As used herein, the term “battery”, or “battery pack”, is intended but not limited, to generally refer to a direct-current voltage source made up of one or more units that convert chemical, thermal, nuclear, mechanical or solar energy into electrical energy. It can be disposable, rechargeable type and/or a combination thereof. A power source such as an AC adapter can also be referred to as battery. It is understood that the battery technology is constantly evolving and improving, therefore the type or kind of battery that the present invention may adopt will depend on the preference of an application or manufacturer. 
       FIGS. 1-8  are views of the present invention, seen as general reference  10 , comprising a housing  11  having a generally concave shape conforming to the contour of a user&#39;s mouth area whereby the housing  11  further comprises: a loudspeaker  16  that produces an anti-noise soundwave to cancel out the user&#39;s voice and a wiring harness  14  to connect the loudspeaker  16  to a sound processing system  40  located at a suitable proximity from the housing  11 . 
     The cable  14  may be terminated by separate plugs or adapters that correspond to the receiving unit&#39;s jacks such as the ones used to connect to a typical PC&#39;s sound card. The invention  10  is similar in functionality to a peripheral device such as a PC printer that outputs data only, including sending status signals back to the PC. The housing  11  can have a protective foam or liner  13  to reduce the vocal noise emitted by a user speaking into the invention  10 . A flexible absorbing material or cushion  12  affixed to the rim portion of said housing  11  may be implemented on said invention  10  to provide comfort to the user. 
     In order to minimize the echo that gets generated inside the housing  11 , a microphone  90  is placed at a suitable location, generally on the exterior part of the housing  11 , although an echo canceling and/or noise canceling type of microphone makes its emplacement inside the housing viable. The canceling microphone should be positioned at a suitable distance between a user&#39;s mouth and said housing  11  to take into account the incremental delay in the processing of the user&#39;s voice by the processor  40 . The microphone  90  may be of the throat type, where it is generally positioned next to a user&#39;s larynx to capture the user&#39;s voice at the earliest stage of development to allow a processor  40  a few milliseconds time to process and output the desired inverted sound wave. A bone type may also be used instead of the throat type microphone. A wiring hole  14   a  is provided for cable  14  to pass the wires of the invention to a processor  40 . To reduce unwanted pressure build-up inside the invention  10  during its operation, an air vent, preferably of the one-way type, may be located on or inside the housing  31 .  FIG. 3  shows the invention  10  with a protective foam cover  13  in place while  FIG. 4  shows the invention  10  without it. A sensor may be implemented or incorporated inside the housing  11  to detect or monitor the status of invention  10 . One or more internal microphone may also be implemented with the invention  10  by using a microphone that has echo and/or noise canceling characteristics positioned at a suitable distance between a user&#39;s mouth and said housing  11 . 
       FIGS. 9-14  show a language translation embodiment of the invention  10   a  generally comprising the invention  10  having female jacks  19   a / 19   b  to accept an adapter and an attachable translator assembly  50 . The assembly  50  generally comprises: a housing  51  which further comprises a microphone  55  directed towards a foreigner to capture said foreigner&#39;s speech, a loudspeaker  56  directed towards a foreigner for outputting the translated speech of a user; and connector plugs, male connectors, prongs or adapters  59   a  and  59   b  that correspond to the mouthpiece  30  jacks  19   a / 19   b  to provide electrical connections for the microphone  55  and loudspeaker  56 . 
     The connectors may incorporate different sizes of plugs  59   a / 59   b  that correspond to the appropriate jacks  19   a / 19   b . For example, the plug  59   a  can be made smaller than plug  596   b  to prevent the language accessory plugs from being incorrectly inserted into the mouthpiece&#39;s sockets. Further, said connectors may have provisions for additional components such as a video camera system to capture a foreigner&#39;s gestures or an ultrasonic distance detection system to allow for automatic volume control of loudspeaker  56  or other distance enhancement functions. The anti-noise loudspeaker  16  and anti-noise circuitry in the sound processor  40  may be disabled when the device  10   a  is used for language translation to reduce the battery drain or signal feedback issues. 
       FIG. 15  shows a helmet embodiment of the present invention  10 , seen as general reference  100 , comprising mainly of a chin cup assembly  20  and mouthpiece assembly  30  whereby said chin cup  20  is the base that the mouthpiece  30  can be mounted onto. The mouthpiece assembly  30  is an embodiment of the invention  10  that is affixed to a rotatable arm support member and can be pressure fitted and mounted onto the chin cup assembly  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , the chin cup assembly  20  is generally a retrofittable component and further comprises: a rigid housing or hard shell  23  having a contour shape conforming to a person&#39;s chin; a flexible impact absorbing material or cushion  21  affixed to the inner portion of said housing  23  to provide comfort to the user; a strap  22  that has the same material used to secure a helmet firmly on a user&#39;s head; and a securing hole  24  located on the exterior portion of the housing  23  to allow the mouthpiece arm support member  38  to rotate on its pivot member  33  while fully engaged and mounted onto the chin cup  20 . A fastener, clasp, or latch  25  may be implemented to lock or hold the mouthpiece arm support member  38  in place when the device  10  is in use. Further, a magnetic or electromagnetic latch mechanism  25  may also be implemented for locking the chin cup  20  in place. A guide track  26  allows the positioning and stabilizing of the mouthpiece  30  to the securing hole  24  on chin cup assembly  20 . The guide facilitates the mounting of the rotatable mouthpiece assembly  30  on the chin cup assembly  20 . 
       FIG. 16  shows the front view of the chin cup assembly  20 . The succeeding views demonstrate further the arrangements of the general components of the chin cup  20  starting with the top view ( FIG. 17 ) and finally the side sectional view ( FIG. 18 ). 
       FIG. 19  shows the front view of an enhanced embodiment of the chin cup assembly  20   a  generally comprising a chin cup housing  20 , an external microphone  137  positioned or directed towards a foreigner to capture said foreigner&#39;s speech for translation into the user&#39;s language and to enhance the quality of said captured speech, a quick-disconnect adaptor  143   a  that corresponds to a plug  143   b , and a video camera  144 . Microphone  137  can also be implemented to capture a user&#39;s speech when the mouthpiece  30  is inactive or detached from the chin cup  20  allowing the user to continue to have telecommunications capabilities. Electrical conductors or contacts for the wires of said microphone  39  may be situated on the surfaces of securing holes  24  whereby said contacts correspond to conductors located on the surfaces of pivot members  33  that connect to electrical and electronic components on the invention  10 . A quick-connect adaptor  143   a  that corresponds to plug  143   b  allows the facilitation of the connection or disconnection of the electrical and electronic components of said assembly  20   a  and the mouthpiece  30  to the language translation assembly  40 . The wiring harness  114  connects the electrical/electronic components on the device to external units such as a transceiver or sound processor. The video camera  144  is generally positioned on the exterior of assembly  30  to capture a foreigner&#39;s gestures, thereby enhancing the device&#39;s capabilities. It is understood, however, that most soldiers that are currently in combat in Iraq already have such a component  144  as part of their gear and therefore in such embodiment the translation assembly  40  will have in place the necessary circuitry and software to complement the existing hardware. 
       FIGS. 20-22  show a mouthpiece assembly  30  comprising the invention  10  and an arm support member  38  further comprising a pivot member  33  and a fastener, clasp, detent or latch mechanism  39  to hold the mouthpiece  30  in place when it is being used. The pivot  33  is associated with the securing hole  24  located on the chin cup  20  and allows for the mouthpiece  30  to swivel up or down while fully engaged and mounted onto said chin cup  20 . To join or mount the mouthpiece  30  to the chin cup  20 , the mouthpiece  30  is grasped and manipulated such that the pivots  33  align with their corresponding securing holes  24 , pressure fitting the mouthpiece  30  onto chin cup  20 . The pivotal axis defined by pins  33  allows the mouthpiece  30  to swivel up to cover the user&#39;s mouth area and swivel down to uncover the user&#39;s mouth area, depending on the desired application. To detach or disengage the mouthpiece  30  from the chin cup  20 , the mouthpiece  30  is grasped and pulled outwardly, withdrawing the pins  33  from their corresponding securing holes  24 , and pulling or moving the mouthpiece  30  completely away from the chin cup  20 . A suitable vent may also be incorporated on the mouthpiece  30  to lessen the sound pressures that may build up inside. 
     The latch  39  is associated with the fastener  25  located on the chin cup  20 . It may also incorporate or be incorporated with a pushbutton switch or a sensor component. The sensor can detect and perform functions such as causing the device  10  to get activated when it is in the closed or up position, and to deactive the invention  10  when in the open or down position. A photodiode sensor, proximity sensor, or distance detector located inside the mouthpiece  30  may be implemented instead of the sensor component. The sensor which detects the status of the invention  10 , whether it is in-use or not, should be positioned in a suitable location on housing  31 . The microphone  90  in conjunction with voice command or similar software can also be used as part of a control component for automatically adjusting the output or volume of the language loudspeaker  56 , especially in situations where a foreigner is standing further away. 
       FIG. 23  shows a typical transceiver and/or sound processor assembly  40  that can be located at a suitable proximity from the invention  10 . It generally comprises a transceiver  41 , a battery  42 , a microphone jack  43 , an earphone  44 , and wiring harness  14 . The battery as well as the anti-noise processor may be integrated with the transceiver  41 . The microphone jack is used to connect microphones such as a throat microphone  90 , a bone microphone, or other similar microphones. The earphone  44  allows the user to hear the received signals such as audio, vocalized control commands, interpreted speeches, and other voice signals. 
       FIG. 24  shows an embodiment of the invention  100  being used by a helmeted person whereby the mouthpiece  30  is swiveled upwards and covering the user&#39;s mouth thereby muffling his speech by means of anti-noise intervention and passive voice muffling materials. An earpiece, earcup or earphone  44  connected to a transceiver or amplifier unit allows a user to hear received audio, feedback data, or other audio functionalities thereof 
       FIG. 25  shows the invention  100  not being used by a helmeted person whereby the mouthpiece  30  is swiveled downwards and not covering the user&#39;s mouth thereby allowing the user&#39;s voice not to be muffled or cancelled out. In this situation, the device  10  is either deactivated, on standby, or powered down and allows the user to converse or speak in a normal manner. 
       FIG. 26  shows an embodiment of the invention  100   a  comprising a chin cup  20  and mouthpiece assembly  30   a  being used by a helmeted person for language translation. The assembly  30   a  further comprises a mouthpiece  10   a , a support  38 , a pivot  33 , and a latch  39 . When the mouthpiece  30   a  is swiveled upwards relative to the chin cup  20 , covering the user&#39;s mouth, some of the unwanted untranslated speech are kept from being heard by a foreigner by the soundproofing and/or active-noise-canceling properties of the device  10 . The user&#39;s speech is captured by microphone  90  or external microphone  55  and gets translated by a translator  40  or remotely by a translation system  80 . The loudspeaker  56 , seen on the exterior of mouthpiece  30   a , outputs the translated speech for a foreigner to hear. The exterior microphone  55  seen on the front of the mouthpiece  30   a  generally captures the speech of a foreigner whereby it is translated and the translation is outputted on the earphone  44  for a user to hear. Microphone  55  may also be used to capture the user&#39;s speech by the implementation of a tubing or similar medium of channeling the user&#39;s voice to the microphone  55 . The translator  40  or a transceiver  41  can be mounted securely on a user&#39;s helmet or clothing or other parts of his body, either inside or outside, by Velcro tape, hooks, or other mechanical fasteners that would facilitate the detachment from the mouthpiece  30   a.    
       FIGS. 27-29  are pictorial representations describing a typical usage of the language embodiment of the invention  10  detailing further the explanations provided by the previous paragraphs between a user  1 , a foreigner  2 , and another user  1 . In  FIG. 27 , the user  1  is seen translating his speech by speaking into the mouthpiece  10   a  that covers his mouth area preventing the foreigner  2  from hearing his untranslated speech or vocal noise wherefor subsequently said speech is translated by a translator. The translated speech is then amplified and consequently fed to the loudspeaker  56  producing a suitable output for a foreigner to hear. 
     In  FIG. 28 , the foreigner  2  is seen speaking into the external microphone  55  located on the exterior of the user&#39;s mouthpiece  30   a  whereby his untranslated speech gets sent to a translator system  40  (local) or  80  (remote). The translated speech of the foreigner  2  is then conditioned and subsequently fed to the earphone  44  producing a suitable output for the user  1  to hear. 
     In  FIG. 29 , the user  1  is seen speaking to another user  1  but this time his mouthpiece  30   a  is not covering his mouths thereby allowing his untranslated speech to be heard by the other user  1  who speaks with the same native language. 
       FIG. 30  shows a headset embodiment of the present invention, seen as general reference  200 , comprising a mouthpiece assembly further comprising the invention  10  and a pivot mechanism  224 , and a headband assembly further comprising an adjustable over-the-head arcuate component  221 , a rotating boom component  222  having one end attached to the arcuate unit  221  by a pivot mechanism  225  and the other end having a socket (part of a ball-and-socket unit) or a pivot mechanism  224  that connects to the invention  10 , and a temple pad portion  223  positioned at the other end of arcuate unit  221  to ensure that the headband assembly stays firmly on a user&#39;s head. Located on the opposite or interior side of the pivot member  225  is an earcup component  244  that allows a user to hear feedback or proofreading data or any audio or other audio functionalities thereof. 
     The pivot unit  224  allows the invention  10  to swivel and/or rotate generally sideways to cover a user&#39;s mouth area. A detent functionality of said mechanism  224  may be implemented to keep the invention  10  in place during operation and/or non-operation, preventing the invention assembly  10  from flopping about. Further, the other end of arcuate  221  may be terminated with a structure that can accommodate a second earcup component  244  in place of a temple pad  223 . To use the headset embodiment  200  effectively, the invention  10  may be made to touch or press lightly against a user&#39;s face, covering much of the user&#39;s mouth area whereby it can confine or interfere with most of the user&#39;s voice. 
       FIG. 31  shows a pictorial representation of the headset  200  in a general adaptation. A sound processing assembly  240  such as a transceiver  41  or a translator  40 / 80  may be located on the top portion of the arcuate component  221 . A battery pack or compatible power source  249  that is rechargeable, detachable, and/or replaceable can also be implemented for the headset  200  and mounted in proximity with the translator  240 . 
     The main function of the sound processor assembly  240  is for noise reduction and is achieved by using prior art techniques such as utilizing microphone, amplifier, and loudspeaker components to reduce undesirable soundwaves by feeding back a 180 degree phased (anti-noise) signal of the original soundwaves and causing the signals to cancel each other out. A language translation functionality can be integrated with the sound processor  240 . 
       FIGS. 32 and 34  are pictorial representations of a headset  200 , shown with the mouthpiece  10  covering a user&#39;s mouth or in the closed position, causing his voice to be confined inside the housing while it is also being canceled out by the loudspeaker inside. A microphone  90  captures his voice and conveys it to the processor  240 . 
       FIGS. 32 and 35  show pictorial front and side views of how device  200 , shown with the mouthpiece  10  not covering a user&#39;s mouth or is in the open position, would look like when it is ‘not used’. In this open position, the device  10  is deactivated, powered down, or in standby mode, and therefore his voice will be heard by others when he speaks. 
       FIG. 36  is a perspective pictorial view of a headset language translation embodiment of the invention  10  generally referenced as device  200   a  being used for translating speech comprising of a headband assembly  200  and a translator mouthpiece  10   a.    
       FIGS. 37-39  are pictorial representations illustrating in more detail the typical scenarios provided in the previous paragraph between a headset language translation user  1 , a foreigner  2 , and another user  1 . In  FIG. 37 , the user  1  is seen translating his speech by speaking into the microphone  55  of the mouthpiece  10   a  that is covering his mouth preventing the foreigner  2  from hearing his untranslated speech. The translated speech is received and then processed where it is consequently fed to the loudspeaker  56  producing a suitable output for a foreigner to hear. 
     In  FIG. 38 , the foreigner  200  is seen speaking into the microphone  55  of the mouthpiece  10   a  whereby his untranslated speech gets sent to a translator  40 / 80 . The translated speech of the foreigner  2  is then conditioned and consequently fed to the earphone  244  producing a suitable output for the user  1  to hear. 
     In  FIG. 39 , the user  1  can be seen speaking to another person  1  who speaks the same language and this time the mouthpiece  10  is not covering said user&#39;s mouth thereby allowing his untranslated speech to be heard by the other person  1  normally. 
       FIG. 40  shows a flowchart diagram of the anti-noise cancellation process of an embodiment of the invention  1  whereby the device  10  is first checked if it is in an in-use status (event  201 ). If it is, then the user operates the device  10  by speaking into the mouthpiece (event  202 ). His speech is however captured by the external microphone  90  and processed by a processor  40 . If device  10  is not in on or in-use mode, then the process is ended. The soundwaves from the user&#39;s voice that are generated by such processes, for purposes of simplification, can be demonstrated as generally divided into 3 different pathways. 
     The first pathway points out that some of the soundwaves are eliminated by the sound absorbers  13  embedded in the mouthpiece  10  (event  203 ). Event  204  shows some of the soundwaves being captured by microphone  90  are processed and split into two signals, one signal is converted into radio waves and sent to remote sound processors by a transceiver (event  205 ), and the other signal is reverse phased to produce the output that loudspeaker  16  generates as the anti-noise wave (event  206 ). The third set of soundwaves, shown in event  207 , are dispersed and confined inside the mouthpiece, becoming unwanted sound or referred to as vocal noise. Finally, in event  208 , this vocal noise is interfered by the anti-noise wave generated in event  206  causing them to cancel each other out and become faint or inaudible. 
       FIG. 41  shows a flowchart diagram of an embodiment of the invention  10  summarizing an integrated computerized system process for speech-to-speech language translation whereby the process starts by checking to see if user  1  is using the invention  10   a , such as when the mouthpiece is swiveled inward covering a user&#39;s mouth area or closed (step  301 ). If the mouthpiece  10   a  is not being used, i.e., the mouthpiece  10   a  is in an open or swiveled outward arrangement, and is not powered up, then the process terminates (step  302 ). If the invention  10   a  is in a standby mode or powered up, then as soon as the mouthpiece  10   a  is closed (covering user&#39;s mouth), the microphone  90  will be primed to receive and process the speech of a user  100  (step  303 ). It should be noted that when the device  10   a  is in use, a translating mode (the speech of user  1  is being translated) and a listening mode (the speech of foreigner  2  is being translated) can happen simultaneously (step  303 ). It is preferred that the translation and listening processes do not happen simultaneously in order to achieve an effective dialogue between the user  1  and the foreigner  2 . The default arrangement therefore is that the microphone  90  is the only one that should be active initially. After the user  1  issues a command such as “over” then the arrangement reverses and the microphone  90  goes dead and the external microphone  55  goes live. One way of achieving the abovementioned arrangement is through a firmware or software program. However, in situations where full realtime two-way translation is desired, an alternative method such as using separate frequencies, telephone lines, or channels for the two translation processes can be implemented. For example, the translator  40 / 80  may use channel  1  for translating the speech of the user  1  and channel  2  for translating the speech of the foreigner  2 . This means that while the user  1  is speaking and thereby having said speech getting translated, the foreigner  2  can also be speaking and having his speech getting translated simultaneously. 
     In the translating mode, the user  1  speaks into the microphone  90 , his speech is thereupon translated by the translator (step  304 ). The user  1  may use or say the word “over” (or something similar) to command the translator that he now wants his sentence to be translated. This can also allow the translator to disable the microphone  90  and enable the external microphone  55 . 
     A short while thereafter, the translator produces and amplifies the translated speech (step  305 ). 
     The final step of the translation process further includes the amplified translated speech signal being fed to an external loudspeaker  56  positioned on the exterior of the mouthpiece  10   a  producing an audible output for a foreigner  2  to hear the translation (step  306 ). 
     In the listening mode, the foreigner  2  speaks in the general direction of the user or device  10   a , specifically towards microphone  55  located on the exterior of the mouthpiece, whereby the speech of the foreigner  2  is captured and thereupon gets translated by the language translator (step  307 ). 
     A short while thereafter, although at times almost instantaneously, the language translator produces the translated speech and conditions said translation signal (step  308 ). 
     As a final step in the listening mode, the processed or conditioned translated speech signal is outputted to an earphone  244  thereby allowing the user  1  to hear the translated speech of the foreigner  2  (step  309 ). The user  1  may then use or say the word “understand” (or something similar) to inform the translator that he&#39;s clear about what the foreigner was conveying and thus wants the circuitry of the translator to disable the external microphone  55  and enable the microphone  90 . 
       FIG. 42  shows a diagram of a helmet  100  embodiment of the invention  10  whereby the integrated transceiver is telecommunicating with either a mobile phone  60  or with a wireless headset  50  or with a cordless earphone  49  or a combination thereof. The device  100  also sends and/or receives other wireless signals such as control, monitoring, and/or management data from a mobile phone  60  or a headset  50  or a combination thereof. The mobile phone  60  generally connects to a cellphone service provider such as Verizon or AT&amp;T which can provide translation services, and other vendors such as Interpreters Unlimited which provide telephone interpretation services. A user of invention  1  may also telecommunicate with a device having the functionalities of a wireless headset  50  or another compatible device  100 . 
       FIG. 43  shows a diagram of a helmet  100  embodiment of the invention  10  telecommunicating with a wireless headset  50  or a wireless base station unit  70  or a RF transceiver station  70  that connects to a system  80  that further connects to subsystems such as a PC, a computer file server, a video processing system, a voice recognition system, a cellphone service provider, an automatic language translation system, a human interpreter, a telephone interpreter service, a machine translator, TELCO, POTS, a transcription machine, other voice input processors and/or a combination thereof. The device  100  can also receive wireless signals such as voice commands, test signals, control signals, video signals, monitoring and management signals from other systems  80  through base station or transceiver  70  or a headset  50  or a combination thereof. 
       FIG. 44  shows a diagram of a headset  200  embodiment of the invention  10  whereby the integrated transceiver is telecommunicating with either a mobile phone  60  or with a wireless headset  50  or with a cordless earphone  49  or a combination thereof. The device  200  also sends and/or receives other wireless signals such as control, monitoring, and/or management data from a mobile phone  60  or a headset  50  or a combination thereof. The mobile phone  60  generally connects to a cellphone service provider such as Verizon or AT&amp;T which can provide translation services, and other vendors such as Interpreters Unlimited which provide telephone interpretation services. A user of invention  10  may also telecommunicate with a device having the functionalities of a wireless headset  50  or another compatible device  100 . 
       FIG. 45  shows a diagram of a headset  200  embodiment of the invention  10  telecommunicating with a wireless headset  50  or a wireless base station unit  70  or a RF transceiver station  70  that connects to a system  80  that further connects to subsystems such as a PC, a computer file server, a video processing system, a voice recognition system, a cellphone service provider, an automatic language translation system, a human interpreter, a telephone interpreter service, a machine translator, TELCO, POTS, a transcription machine, other voice input processors and/or a combination thereof. The device  200  can also receive wireless signals such as voice commands, test signals, control signals, video signals, monitoring and management signals from other systems  80  through base station or transceiver  70  or a headset  50  or a combination thereof. 
       FIG. 46  shows the invention  10  in relation to a typical person who would be utilizing it. Since the invention  10  is considered a peripheral, the support structure that it can be adapted to such as a helmet or a headset is not presented herein.