Method and device for tuning ANC based on hearing threshold level

Abstract

The present subject matter provides a method and apparatus for tuning an ANC based on a user hearing threshold level, in which hearing threshold level data of a user is obtained by performing a hearing test on the user, and an ANC filter is tuned based on the hearing threshold level data of the user, thereby enabling the user to obtain a more optimized ANC effect.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates to audio processing, and more particularly, the present subject matter relates to a method of tuning active noise cancellation (ANC) based on a user's hearing threshold level and a system thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] As understood by those skilled in the art, sound is produced by the vibration of a sound source. The sound then propagates through a medium in the form of a wave. The propagation of sound in a medium produces a sound wave. Active noise cancellation (ANC) technology is a noise reduction technique that neutralizes external sound or noise by generating an anti-phase wave of the original noise. In theory, when the sound wave generated by the noise reduction system is consistent in amplitude and 180° out of phase with the noise to be eliminated, the noise can be completely eliminated.

[0003] However, when designing an ANC filter, it is difficult to ensure that the generated sound wave meets the required phase and amplitude conditions simultaneously in the full frequency range. Therefore, the phase and amplitude of the anti-phase wave must be balanced, which makes the performance of ANC better in some frequency ranges, but worse in other frequency ranges.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a technical solution that can tune ANC according to the hearing threshold characteristics of a user, combine hearing tests for the user with optimization of ANC filter configuration, and automatically update the ANC filter configuration using an adaptive ANC algorithm, so as to obtain personalized optimal ANC performance. SUMMARY

[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of tuning ANC based on a user's hearing threshold level is provided. The method obtains hearing threshold level data of a specific user by conducting a hearing test on the user. The method also individually sets or tunes an ANC filter based on the measured hearing threshold level data of the user, so that the user can obtain better ANC effect.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method of setting or tuning an ANC filter based on a user's hearing threshold level as provided by the present subject matter is provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] These and / or other features, aspects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from reading the following detailed description, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of ANC performance of different ANC filter configurations is exemplarily shown;

[0009] Figure 2 A graph showing the difference in hearing threshold levels of different users at different frequency ranges is shown by way of example;

[0010] Figure 3 A flowchart showing a method of tuning ANC based on a user's hearing threshold level according to one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter is shown by way of example;

[0011] Figure 4 A graph showing a user's hearing threshold level at various frequency points according to one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter is shown by way of example;

[0012] Figure 5 A graph showing the ANC effect corresponding to a pre-modulated ANC filter available for tuning according to one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter is shown by way of example; and

[0013] Figure 6 A block diagram showing an apparatus for tuning ANC based on a user's hearing threshold level according to one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter is shown by way of example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The following description of various embodiments is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

[0015] The hearing threshold (e.g., pure tone hearing threshold) reflects the minimum sound pressure level at which a human ear can just hear a sound in a quiet environment without interference. Thus, the hearing threshold refers to the lowest sound pressure level at which a particular person can hear. In addition, the hearing threshold level (hearing level) is used to indicate the number of decibels by which a person's hearing threshold at a certain frequency is higher than the normal hearing threshold, which can express the degree of hearing loss of a person's ear, in dB, and is related to the frequency.

[0016] A person whose hearing threshold level is no more than 10 dB within a test frequency range (e.g., 250 kHz to 8 kHz) is generally referred to as an otologically normal person in a hearing test. However, in daily life, people can normally have hearing loss due to age, such as presbycusis, or due to social environmental noise, such as social deafness, or due to occupational noise, such as noise-induced hearing loss. As mentioned above, the degree of hearing loss of a person is related to the frequency.

[0017] The present subject matter provides a method of tuning ANC based on a user's hearing threshold level. The method first obtains a user's hearing threshold level by conducting a hearing test on the user, then sets the ANC filter configuration or tunes the parameters of the ANC filter based on the determined hearing threshold level of the user, and executes an adaptive ANC algorithm, thereby optimizing the ANC performance and effect for the specific user.

[0018] Figure 1 A diagram 100 showing the ANC performance of different ANC filter configurations is shown exemplarily. As Figure 1 shown in the example, the external noise that the user can hear before wearing the ANC earphone is shown as a noise curve 110. Figure 1 The external noise shown in the example has been processed by zeroing, so the noise curve 110 is shown as a straight line.

[0019] After turning on the ANC function of the earphone. As Figure 1 shown, using the first ANC filter configuration, the sound pressure level of the noise that the user can hear can be reduced to that shown as the dark noise curve 120, and using the second ANC filter configuration, the noise that the user can hear can be reduced to that shown as the light noise curve 130. It can be understood that the lower the noise that the user hears after using the noise reduction function, the better the performance and effect of the noise reduction. Therefore, as Figure 1 can be seen, using the ANC filter of the first ANC configuration, the user hears the external noise in the frequency range of 500Hz-1kHz lower than when using the ANC filter of the second configuration. In contrast, when using the ANC filter of the second configuration, the user hears the noise in the frequency range of 125Hz-500Hz lower than when using the ANC filter of the first configuration. That is, for a user who is more sensitive to the frequency range of 125Hz-500Hz than to the frequency range of 500Hz-1kHz, the ANC filter of the second configuration can achieve a better noise reduction experience. Conversely, the ANC filter of the first configuration can achieve a better noise reduction experience.

[0020] Figure 2 A diagram 200 showing the difference in hearing threshold level of different users in different frequency ranges is shown exemplarily. In Figure 2 the example, the hearing threshold level of user 1 at each frequency point is marked with an "x" in Figure 2 , and connecting the hearing threshold level of user 1 at each frequency point can represent the hearing threshold level curve 210 of user 1. As Figure 2It can be seen that the ear of user 1 has a hearing threshold 10dB higher than the normal hearing threshold at 250Hz, and thus it can be determined that the ear of user 1 has hearing loss at 250Hz, and it is determined that the hearing of user 1 in the frequency range of 500Hz-1kHz is better than in the frequency range of 250Hz-500Hz.

[0021] Therefore, in combination with the two configurations of ANC filters in Figure 1 , for user 1, the ANC filter of the first configuration can be selected, which has the noise reduction performance as shown in the noise curve 120 in Figure 1 , that is, better noise reduction effect can be achieved in the frequency range of 500Hz-1kHz, so that user 1 can obtain better ANC effect in the frequency range of 500Hz-1kHz where the hearing is better.

[0022] In addition, referring back to Figure 2 , the hearing threshold level of user 2 at each frequency point has been marked with “●” in Figure 2 , and connecting the hearing threshold levels of user 2 at each frequency point can represent the hearing threshold level curve 220 of user 2. It can be seen from Figure 2 that the ear of user 2 has a hearing threshold 10dB higher than the normal hearing threshold at 1kHz, and thus it can be determined that the hearing of user 2 in the frequency range of 250Hz-500Hz is better than in the frequency range of 500Hz-1kHz.

[0023] Therefore, in combination with the two configurations of ANC filters in Figure 1 , for user 2, the ANC filter of the second configuration can be selected, which has the noise reduction performance as shown in the noise curve 130 in Figure 1 , so that user 2 can obtain better ANC effect in the frequency range of 250Hz-500Hz where the hearing is better.

[0024] Figure 3 An exemplary flowchart 300 of a method of tuning ANC based on the hearing threshold level of a user according to one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter is shown. As Figure 3 shown, in step S310, first, a hearing test is performed on the user. The hearing test can be performed on the ear of a specific user in a certain frequency range.

[0025] In the method of this invention, the hearing test for a user can be a subjective test. In one or more embodiments, test tones of different frequencies are first played to the user. For example, test tones can be played separately at several frequency points within a certain auditory frequency range. These test tones can be played to the user's ear via a transducer (e.g., headphones or a speaker). In some examples, hearing tests can be performed according to GB / T 7341 or IEC 60645 standards, which describe hearing tests for the human ear in the frequency range of 125Hz-8kHz. For example, test tones can be played at seven frequency points: 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 4kHz, and 8kHz, to test the user's auditory response at different frequency points. Playing test tones to the user can be done using various types of transducers. For example, test tones can be played to the user via headphones. For example, test tones can be played to the user via a speaker.

[0026] In one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the results of a hearing test can be obtained by a user, as the test subject, providing feedback on the test tones they hear. The user's hearing test responses at various frequencies can be obtained, for example, by the user providing feedback on their hearing threshold levels for the test tones at different frequencies they can hear. In some examples, the user's feedback on the test tones they hear (or cannot hear) can be obtained through user input. For example, an application (App) can be set up in the user's device, with a corresponding user interface, allowing the user to manually provide feedback on the test tones played to them through the App.

[0027] In some examples, for a test tone played at a specific frequency, the user can provide feedback on their perception of that test tone, such as the sound pressure level and clarity. The user can provide feedback on their perception of the test tone they hear. For example, when a test tone at a certain frequency is played, with the sound pressure level gradually decreasing from normal, the user can provide feedback on their device's app regarding whether they perceive the test tone as clear, average, inaudible, or inaudible. For instance, the application's user interface can present these options regarding the current test tone perception for the user to choose from. Next, in step S320, the user's hearing threshold data is obtained. The system can record the sound pressure levels at which the user cannot hear the test tone at different frequencies, reflecting the user's hearing threshold at those frequencies, thereby measuring the user's hearing loss at those different frequencies.

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic diagram 400 illustrating the hearing threshold levels of a user 3 at various frequencies according to one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter is shown. (Refer to the preceding text.) Figure 2As can be seen from the above, the hearing threshold level of user 3 at each frequency point is... Figure 4 The values ​​marked with "x" and connecting the hearing threshold levels of user 3 at various frequency points represent the hearing threshold level curve 410 of user 3. Figure 4 It is evident that User 3's hearing threshold is 0 dB at 125 Hz, 250 Hz, and 500 Hz, meaning that User 3's hearing is very sensitive within the frequency range of 125 Hz to 500 Hz (420). At 1 kHz and 2 kHz, User 3's hearing threshold is 10 dB higher than normal, indicating that User 3's hearing is relatively normal within the frequency range of 1 kHz to 2 kHz (430). However, at 4 kHz and 8 kHz, the hearing threshold is 20 dB higher than normal, indicating that User 3 may experience hearing loss within the frequency range of 4 kHz to 8 kHz (440).

[0029] Therefore, by using User 3's subjective feedback on the played test sounds during the hearing test, the result of User 3's hearing test can be obtained. In this example, User 3's hearing test result is as follows:

[0030] Test audio point Threshold level (hearing loss) 125 Hz 0 dB 250 Hz 0 dB 500 Hz 0 dB 1 k Hz 10 dB 2 k Hz 10 dB 4 k Hz 20 dB 8 k Hz 20 dB

[0031] return Figure 3 In step S330, the ANC filter is set based on the user's hearing threshold level. Once the user's hearing threshold level is obtained, it can be determined which frequency range of noise the user is insensitive to. In this way, the ANC filter can be set. Furthermore, since the adaptive ANC algorithm can automatically update the ANC filter configuration, the user's hearing test can be combined with adaptive ANC to establish an adaptive ANC algorithm based on the user's hearing threshold level, thereby achieving optimal ANC performance and providing better ANC results for the user within their sensitive frequency range.

[0032] The method provided by this invention is based on setting an optimized ANC filter within the frequency range to which the user's hearing is sensitive. For example, an adaptive ANC algorithm automatically tunes the ANC filter within this frequency range to achieve better ANC performance. Therefore, the user's hearing level or sensitivity can first be ranked based on the previously obtained hearing threshold data to identify the frequency range to which the user is sensitive. For example, different priorities can be set based on the degree of hearing loss in each frequency range. In some examples, the frequency range to which the user's hearing is more sensitive is given higher priority.

[0033] For example, refer to Figure 4Based on user 3's feedback in the description, user 3's hearing threshold data can be as follows: In the frequency range of 125Hz-500Hz (420), user 3 has very sensitive hearing (priority 1 for ANC filter performance optimization is set to high in this frequency range); in the frequency range of 1kHz-2kHz (430), user 3 has moderate hearing (priority 2 is set to medium); and in the frequency range of 4kHz-8kHz (440), user 3 experiences hearing impairment (hearing threshold exceeding 10dB, priority 3 is set to low). Therefore, for user 3, the priority order for these three frequency ranges in the ANC filter configuration performance optimization can be:

[0034] Based on the frequency range 420 > frequency range 430 > frequency range 440, the ANC filter can be optimized by setting the ANC filter parameters suitable for user 3, thereby enabling user 3 to achieve better ANC performance. For example, when designing an ANC filter for user 3, priority can be given to optimizing the noise reduction performance in the frequency range 420 (125Hz-500Hz), followed by optimizing the noise reduction in the frequency range 430 (1kHz-2kHz), and finally optimizing the noise reduction in the frequency range 440 (4kHz-8kHz).

[0035] In some examples, different optimization weights can be assigned to the ANC filter across different frequency ranges, with higher-priority frequency ranges receiving larger weights and lower-priority frequency bands receiving smaller weights. For example, in... Figure 4 In the example, a higher weighting value, such as 60%, can be set for the frequency range 420 of 125Hz-500Hz; a weighting value, such as 35%, can be set for the frequency range 430 of 1kHz-2kHz; and a lower weighting value, such as 5%, can be set for the frequency range 440 of 4kHz-8kHz.

[0036] For optimizing ANC filter configurations, in some examples, ANC parameters matched to a specific user's hearing condition can be invoked. This method requires pre-modulating multiple different sets of ANC filter parameters and storing them in, for example, the headphone's storage device. Each stored set of ANC parameters is actually a set of ANC filters. A pre-configured ANC library, composed of multiple callable ANC filters, is stored in the headphone's storage device, where each ANC filter parameter includes, for example, filter type, filter gain, frequency, quality factor, etc. The function of the ANC filter is to process the noise signal picked up by the microphone to generate a noise-reduced signal that matches the noise signal to be canceled, such as generating a noise-reduced signal with the opposite phase and the same amplitude and frequency as the noise signal, and playing it through the speaker, thereby achieving noise reduction by canceling and neutralizing the noise signal.

[0037] Figure 5 A schematic diagram 500 is shown exemplarily of the ANC effect corresponding to a pre-modulated, callable ANC filter according to one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Figure 5 It includes three pre-modulated ANC filters: ANC 1, which has an ANC noise reduction curve 510 as shown by a solid line; ANC 2, which has an ANC noise reduction curve 520 as shown by a dashed line; and ANC 3, which has an ANC noise reduction curve 530 as shown by a dotted line.

[0038] In some examples, such as relative to the aforementioned reference Figure 4 In the example considering user 3's hearing condition, the priority for ANC performance optimization determined for user 3 is: 125Hz-500Hz > 1kHz-2kHz > 4kHz-8kHz. Therefore, based on the weight values ​​assigned to these frequency ranges in this example, ANC 1 can be preferentially selected for ANC noise reduction with 60% weight in the 125Hz-500Hz frequency range to achieve better ANC performance as shown in ANC noise reduction curve 510 within that range. ANC 2 can be preferentially selected for ANC noise reduction with 35% weight in the 1kHz-2kHz frequency range to achieve better ANC performance as shown in ANC noise reduction curve 520 within that range. Furthermore, ANC 3 can be preferentially selected for noise reduction with 5% weight in the 4kHz-8kHz frequency range to achieve better ANC performance as shown in ANC noise reduction curve 530 within that range.

[0039] In other examples, ANC optimization can also be achieved by automatically updating the ANC filter configuration using a real-time adaptive ANC algorithm based on minimum mean square error (LMS). For instance, new matching ANC parameters can be obtained through iterative computation using an adaptive ANC algorithm. The advantage of this approach is that it eliminates the need to pre-customize or set the ANC parameters.

[0040] In these examples of the present invention, the user's hearing threshold level is obtained through testing, not by preset parameters. The purpose of obtaining the user's hearing threshold level through testing is to indicate directions for improving the ANC experience, serving as a basis for algorithm optimization. Therefore, in the method provided by the present invention, as long as the user's hearing threshold level is obtained and the data is transmitted to the system, the system can automatically complete the allocation of frequency band priorities and the optimization of ANC performance.

[0041] As previously described, the method provided by the present invention can be implemented using different types of headphones. For example, these different types of headphones may include on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, bone conduction headphones, etc. In some examples, those skilled in the art will envision that the method provided by the present invention can also be used in other transducers, such as loudspeakers.

[0042] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 of an apparatus for tuning an ANC based on a user's hearing threshold level, according to one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter, is illustrated. The apparatus for tuning an ANC based on a user's hearing threshold level provided by the inventive subject matter can be implemented by a user as described in the references... Figure 3 The described method. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the hearing test module 610 can be configured to perform hearing tests on a user. The hearing test can be performed on a specific user's ear within a certain frequency range. In some examples, the hearing test module 610 can be configured to first play test tones of different frequencies to the user. For example, test tones can be played separately at several frequency points within a certain auditory frequency range to test the user's auditory response at different frequency points. Playing test tones to the user can be done using various types of transducers.

[0043] The results of the hearing test can be fed back to the hearing test module 610 by the user, as the test subject, providing feedback on the test tones they hear. The user's hearing test responses at various frequencies can be obtained, for example, by the user's feedback on the hearing threshold level of the test tones at different frequencies they can hear. In some examples, the user's feedback on the test tones they hear (or cannot hear) can be obtained through user input. For example, an application (App) can be set up in the user's device, with a corresponding user interface, allowing the user to manually provide feedback on the test tones played to them through the App.

[0044] like Figure 6 As shown, the noise reduction optimization module 630 can be configured to read the hearing test results of a specific user from the hearing test module 610, thereby obtaining the user's hearing threshold level data. The noise reduction optimization module 630 can also be configured to set the ANC filter based on the user's hearing threshold level. For example, once the user's hearing threshold level is obtained, the user can be prioritized according to hearing sensitivity within the frequency range where their hearing is tested, so that the frequency range where the user is more sensitive can be optimized first. In this way, the optimized settings of the ANC filter can be achieved.

[0045] Elements of various real-time schemes for implementing the methods provided by the inventive subject matter may be manufactured as one or more electronic devices residing on the same chip or in a chipset, including but not limited to arrays of fixed or programmable logic elements (e.g., transistors or gates). One or more elements of various embodiments of the devices described herein may also be implemented wholly or partially as one or more instruction sets that can be arranged on one or more arrays of fixed or programmable logic elements (e.g., microprocessors, embedded processors, IP cores, digital signal processors, FPGAs, ASSPs, and ASICs, etc.) for execution.

[0046] The device for tuning ANC based on the user's hearing threshold level provided by the present invention can be applied to headphones, for example, including at least one of on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, and bone conduction headphones.

[0047] Based on the foregoing description of the embodiments, suitable modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments based on the above description, or such modifications and changes can be obtained from practicing the methods described. For example, unless otherwise stated, one or more of the described methods can be performed by suitable means and / or combinations of means. The methods can be performed by executing stored instructions with one or more logical means (e.g., processors) in conjunction with one or more additional hardware elements (such as storage devices, memories, hardware network interfaces / antennas, switches, actuators, clock circuits, etc.). In addition to the order described in this application, the described methods and associated actions can also be performed in parallel and / or simultaneously in various orders. The described systems are exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. The subject matter of the inventive subject includes all novel and non-obvious combinations of the various systems and configurations disclosed, as well as other features, functions, and / or properties.

[0048] Examples of one or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter are described in the following clauses:

[0049] Clause 1. A method for a user-based hearing threshold-tuned ANC filter, the method comprising the following steps:

[0050] The user's hearing threshold level data is obtained by conducting a hearing test using a hearing test module.

[0051] The ANC filter is set based on the user's hearing threshold data via the noise reduction optimization module.

[0052] Clause 2. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the hearing test includes playing a test tone to the user at at least one frequency point within at least one frequency range, wherein the hearing test includes obtaining the user's hearing threshold level data from the user's feedback at the at least one frequency point.

[0053] Clause 3. The method according to Clause 1 or 2, wherein the user provides feedback on the user's hearing threshold data through a user interface of an App deployed on the user's device.

[0054] Clause 4. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein the at least one frequency range of the hearing test includes at least one frequency range from 125 Hz to 8 kHz, wherein the at least one frequency point includes at least one of 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz.

[0055] Clause 5. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4 further includes optimizing the ANC filter parameters via the noise reduction optimization module in at least one frequency range in which the user's hearing is more sensitive.

[0056] Clause 6. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5 further includes determining, via the noise reduction optimization module, a priority of at least one frequency range for ANC optimization based on the user's hearing threshold data, wherein determining the priority includes setting at least one frequency range to which the user's hearing is more sensitive as a higher priority.

[0057] Clause 7. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6 further includes selecting a set of ANC filter parameters from at least a pre-defined set of ANC filter parameters based on the priority via the noise reduction optimization module, wherein the at least one set of ANC filter parameters includes at least one of filter type, filter gain, frequency point, and quality factor.

[0058] Clause 8. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 7 further includes optimization achieved by automatically tuning the ANC filter parameters via the noise reduction optimization module using a real-time LMS adaptive ANC algorithm.

[0059] Clause 9. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 8, wherein the headphones include at least one of on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, and bone conduction headphones.

[0060] Clause 10. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein the hearing test is performed in accordance with GB / T 7341 or IEC 60645 standards.

[0061] Clause 11. An apparatus for a user-based hearing threshold-tuned ANC filter, comprising:

[0062] A hearing test module is configured to perform a hearing test on the user and obtain the user's hearing threshold level data;

[0063] The noise reduction optimization module is configured to set the ANC filter based on the user's hearing threshold data.

[0064] Clause 12. The apparatus according to Clause 11, wherein the hearing test module is further configured to play a test tone to the user at at least one frequency point within at least one frequency range, wherein the hearing test module is further configured to obtain the user's hearing threshold level data from feedback by the user at the at least one frequency point.

[0065] Clause 13. The apparatus according to Clause 11 or 12, wherein the user provides feedback on the user's hearing threshold data via a user interface of an App deployed on their user device.

[0066] Clause 14. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 11 to 13, wherein the at least one frequency range of the hearing test includes at least one frequency range from 125 Hz to 8 kHz, wherein the at least one frequency point includes at least one of 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz.

[0067] Clause 15. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 11 to 14, wherein the noise reduction optimization module is further configured to optimize the ANC filter parameters within at least one frequency range to which the user's hearing is sensitive.

[0068] Clause 16. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 11 to 15, wherein the noise reduction optimization module is further configured to determine the priority of at least one frequency range for ANC optimization based on the user's hearing threshold data, wherein determining the priority includes setting at least one frequency range to which the user's hearing is more sensitive as a higher priority.

[0069] Clause 17. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 11 to 16, wherein the noise reduction optimization module is further configured to select a set of ANC filter parameters from at least a pre-defined set of ANC filter parameters based on the priority, wherein the at least one set of ANC filter parameters includes at least one of filter type, filter gain, frequency point, and quality factor.

[0070] Clause 18. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 11 to 17, wherein the noise reduction optimization module is further configured to achieve optimization by automatically tuning the ANC filter parameters using a real-time LMS adaptive ANC algorithm.

[0071] Clause 19. The device according to any one of Clauses 11 to 18, wherein the device can be applied to headphones, wherein the headphones include at least one of on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, and bone conduction headphones.

[0072] Clause 20. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 11 to 18, wherein the hearing test module is configured to perform hearing tests according to GB / T 7341 or IEC 60645 standards.

[0073] Clause 21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method of a user-based hearing threshold level tuned ANC filter as described in any one of Clauses 1 to 10.

[0074] The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, their practical application, or improvements to techniques found in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0075] In the foregoing, reference has been made to the embodiments presented in this disclosure. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the specifically described embodiments. Rather, any combination of the foregoing features and elements, whether or not relating to different embodiments, is contemplated as an implementation and practice of the contemplated embodiments.

[0076] Furthermore, while the embodiments disclosed herein may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, the scope of this disclosure is not limited regardless of whether a given embodiment achieves a particular advantage. Therefore, the foregoing aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are merely illustrative and should not be considered as elements or limitations of the appended claims unless expressly stated in the claims.

[0077] While the foregoing describes embodiments of this disclosure, other and further embodiments of this disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope of this disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for a user-based threshold-tuned ANC filter, the method comprising the following steps: The user's hearing threshold level data is obtained by conducting a hearing test using a hearing test module. The ANC filter is tuned based on the user's hearing threshold data via a noise reduction optimization module.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, The hearing test includes playing a test tone to the user at at least one frequency point in at least one frequency range via the hearing test module, wherein the hearing test includes obtaining the user's hearing threshold level data based on the user's feedback at the at least one frequency point.

3. The method as described in claim 2, wherein, The user provides feedback on their hearing threshold data through a user interface on an app deployed on their device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The at least one frequency range of the hearing test includes at least one frequency range from 125 Hz to 8 kHz, wherein the at least one frequency point includes at least one of 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising optimizing the ANC filter parameters via the noise reduction optimization module in at least one frequency range in which the user's hearing is more sensitive.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining, via the noise reduction optimization module, the priority of at least one frequency range for ANC optimization based on the user's hearing threshold data, wherein, Determining the priority includes setting at least one frequency range in which the user's hearing is more sensitive to a higher priority.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising selecting a set of ANC filter parameters from at least one pre-defined set of ANC filter parameters based on the priority via the noise reduction optimization module, wherein, The at least one set of ANC filter parameters includes at least one of the following: filter type, filter gain, frequency, and quality factor.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising optimizing the ANC filter parameters by automatically tuning them based on a real-time LMS adaptive ANC algorithm via the noise reduction optimization module.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, The method is applied to headphones, wherein the headphones include at least one of on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, and bone conduction headphones.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The hearing test is conducted in accordance with GB / T 7341 or IEC 60645 standards.

11. An apparatus for a user-based hearing threshold-tuned ANC filter, comprising: A hearing test module is configured to perform a hearing test on the user and obtain the user's hearing threshold level data; A noise reduction optimization module is configured to tune the ANC filter based on the user's hearing threshold data.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The hearing test module is further configured to play a test tone to the user at at least one frequency point within at least one frequency range, wherein the hearing test module is further configured to obtain the user's hearing threshold data based on the user's feedback at the at least one frequency point.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, The user provides feedback on their hearing threshold data through a user interface on an app deployed on their device.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, The at least one frequency range of the hearing test includes at least one frequency range from 125 Hz to 8 kHz, wherein the at least one frequency point includes at least one of 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The noise reduction optimization module is also configured to optimize the ANC filter parameters in at least one frequency range where the user's hearing is more sensitive.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The noise reduction optimization module is further configured to determine the priority of at least one frequency range for ANC optimization based on the user's hearing threshold data, wherein determining the priority includes setting at least one frequency range to which the user's hearing is more sensitive as a higher priority.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein, The noise reduction optimization module is further configured to select a set of ANC filter parameters from at least one pre-defined set of ANC filter parameters based on the priority, wherein the at least one set of ANC filter parameters includes at least one of filter type, filter gain, frequency point, and quality factor.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein, The noise reduction optimization module is also configured to automatically tune the ANC filter parameters using a real-time LMS adaptive ANC algorithm to achieve optimization.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein, The device can be applied to headphones, wherein the headphones include at least one of on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, and bone conduction headphones.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The hearing test module is configured to perform hearing tests according to GB / T 7341 or IEC60645 standards.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method for a user-based hearing threshold-tuned ANC filter as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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