Collaborative filter

Abstract

A noise filtering method implemented by a first terminal (T1) equipped with a microphone (M1) and an audio output (SA), said first terminal being connected to a communication network (R) and used by a user (U1) wearing headphones connected to said first terminal (T1), said method comprising the following: - capturing (E201) a first noise (B1) from a source (S) using said microphone (M1), - generating (E202) or not a second noise (BF1) resulting from the application of a filter to the first noise (B1), - reproducing or not (E203) the second noise (BF1) to the user via the audio output (SA1) and through said headphones, characterized in that the method further comprises the following: - sending (E204) information relating to the first noise (B1) to at least one second terminal (T2) connected to the network (R), where this information is used by at least the second terminal (T2) for filtering the first noise (B1).

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] This invention relates to the field of active noise filtering.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to the prediction, detection and filtering of noise pollution, as well as the pooling of alerts for such noise pollution. Previous art

[0003] The densification of living spaces, the use of machines and communicating objects contribute to the multiplication of noise pollution: noise from vehicles, ringtones from portable electronic devices, construction work, etc.

[0004] Noise pollution can cause various health problems: irritability, insomnia, depression, hearing problems, and even hypertension and cardiovascular issues. In addition to its impact on health, noise pollution also has an economic and social impact, leading to workplace accidents and a general decrease in productivity.

[0005] Besides the direct reduction of noise emission sources, such as reducing air and road traffic, limiting work to restricted time slots, etc., various solutions exist to personally mitigate the absorption of noise resulting from noise pollution: isolating oneself, wearing earplugs or headphones, wearing an active noise reduction device, deploying acoustic panels or using noise reduction systems based on the diffusion of white noise.

[0006] However, these solutions have their own limitations: In the case of isolation, it is an individual solution and often limited by circumstances; fixed installations (acoustic walls or white noise diffusion) are often expensive and always confined to their installation location; conventional filtering systems (earplugs, passive headphones) can, on the other hand, increase the risk of accidents by preventing their user from hearing important signals.

[0007] This is a general limitation of passive filtering solutions, it being understood that some noises may also be useful to some agents / operators while constituting a nuisance for other individuals nearby.

[0008] This is the case, for example, with the audible feedback from cash registers in supermarkets. This "beep" type of audible feedback is useful for the cashier to know if a product has been correctly registered, but it also represents a nuisance for nearby colleagues: on average, a cashier can register up to 700 items per hour, which corresponds to that many "beeps" multiplied by the number of registers near each operator.

[0009] Conversely, other noises can be a nuisance for operators but useful for those nearby. This is particularly true of the sirens on emergency or construction vehicles: the sound level of a siren is approximately 110 dBm with a frequency of between 25 and 60 cycles per minute, which can make it difficult for the driver or passengers to tolerate on a daily basis. The same applies to construction equipment fitted with reversing alarms, which can emit signals of up to 87 dB, forcing workers to wear helmets or earplugs, thus hindering their communication.

[0010] One solution to this problem is to use active systems. These are often broadband systems that broadcast a sound that is the inverse of the captured sound in order to attenuate it, while maintaining the amplitude of the signals but opposing their phases. This is known as ANC: ( Active Noise Control » in English or « active noise control (in French). The most sophisticated ANC devices, known as adaptive ANC, incorporate detection of desired sounds and unwanted noises, and then, after processing, are able to broadcast a sound from which the unwanted noises have been filtered. To achieve this, these filters notably implement control functions based on the least squares method. These systems nevertheless have limitations: Only low frequencies below 1kHz can be properly filtered, which is sufficient to attenuate engine or rolling noises for example, but not voices, shouts, sirens, certain squeaks, etc. Only noises of a periodic or regular nature can be properly filtered, but not short or rare noises; in case of incorrect setting or inappropriate use, they can generate noise in the signal, by phase shift.

[0011] Finally, there are hybrid solutions integrating ANC systems and proactive and targeted systems that adapt according to configured or learned patterns, detected upstream.

[0012] Other solutions incorporate learning-based approaches, for example by using neural networks or the k nearest neighbors method.

[0013] However, these solutions do not claim, a priori, the ability to determine the nuisance or the degree of subjective nuisance of each noise from the point of view of each user, for example the "beep" of a till useful for the till operator but harmful for the operator of another till, the siren of an emergency vehicle useful for an adjacent driver but harmful for the driver or a person far from the road.

[0014] In this context, we will define noise as a sound associated with potential nuisance, the degree of which depends on the person hearing the sound. Depending on the individual, the same noise may be filtered to the point of being inaudible / cancelled, that is, completely filtered, attenuated, or substituted (replaced by another sound). Object and summary of the invention

[0015] One of the aims of the invention is to remedy at least one of the drawbacks highlighted by the aforementioned prior art by proposing a noise filtering method based on mechanisms for the detection, prediction and collaborative sharing of noise nuisances.

[0016] To this end, an object of the present invention relates to a noise filtering method implemented by a first terminal equipped with a microphone and an audio output, said first terminal being connected to a communication network and used by a user equipped with a headset connected to said first terminal, said method comprising the following: to capture a first noise from a source using said microphone, to generate or not a second noise resulting from the application of a filter to the first noise, to reproduce or not the second noise to the user via the audio output and through said headphones, characterized in that the process further comprises the following: send information relating to the first noise to at least one second terminal, connected to the network, this information being usable by at least the second terminal to filter the first noise.

[0017] Sending this information about the first noise signal is advantageous for improving the filtering implemented by the second terminal or by any filtering device that receives this information via the second terminal. Receiving this information allows, in particular, for anticipating the noise to be filtered and for configuring in advance whether or not a second noise signal is generated as a result of applying a filter to the first noise.

[0018] This transmission of information relating to the first noise also contributes to the constitution of the communication network as a collaborative noise filtering network, allowing an improvement in the overall noise filtering of all terminals connected to this network.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment of the noise filtering process, the capture of the first noise by the first terminal is preceded by a step of receiving information relating to the first noise from a third terminal connected to the communication network and where this information is used by the first terminal to filter the first noise.

[0020] This embodiment has the advantage of allowing the first terminal to anticipate whether or not a second noise will be generated, resulting from the application of a filter to the first noise. This anticipation is made possible in particular by the fact that the transmission of noise information via the communication network can be faster than the transmission of noise through the air.

[0021] Receiving information about the initial noise allows, in particular: to know the context of the noise emission, even its meaning and / or its degree of subjective nuisance with respect to the user of the first terminal and by the same token to know whether the first terminal should generate a second noise as a result of the application of a filter applied to the first noise, if necessary to better parameterize the generation of a second noise, for example by determining whether the first noise should be obscured / cancelled, attenuated or substituted, to limit the computing resources by pooling certain processing related to the generation of the second noise.

[0022] This implementation also contributes to the consolidation and enrichment of the aforementioned collaborative noise filtering network, making it possible to optimize the improvement of the overall noise filtering of all terminals connected to this network.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the noise filtering process, the transmission of information relating to the first noise to the at least second terminal is implemented only if the second terminal picks up the first noise.

[0024] This embodiment has the advantage of not unnecessarily stressing the first terminal, by implementing such a transmission step, and the second terminal, by processing the received information, and therefore limiting their electrical consumption while limiting the congestion of the communication network.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the generation of the second noise is implemented partly from at least one filtering parameter specific to the first terminal.

[0026] This aspect of the invention offers the advantage of improving the generation or not of a second noise, taking into account the fact that the degree of nuisance associated with a noise is subjective and varies according to users.

[0027] For example, an emergency siren is a nuisance to the driver of an ambulance but is useful to drivers near said ambulance; a cash register "beep" is harmful to people nearby but is a useful confirmation signal for the cash register operator.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the generation or not of the second noise is followed by an evaluation of the filtering, this evaluation being used to improve said generation or not of the second noise.

[0029] Evaluating the filtering process makes it advantageous to refine whether or not a second noise is generated and helps to improve, if necessary, the parameters used to generate said second noise resulting from the application of a filter to the first noise.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the noise filtering process includes sharing with at least said second and / or third terminal(s) information relating to at least the first noise, said sharing being asynchronous with said capture of the first noise.

[0031] This embodiment advantageously allows newly connected network terminals to receive a set of data relating to at least one noise and to benefit from an upgrade of information relating to noises previously captured by all other terminals connected to the network, thus improving their overall ability to filter noises.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the generation of new noise and / or the evaluation and / or the filtering parameters are carried out by a server and the generation of new noise, the evaluation and the filtering parameters are carried out on the basis of information relating to noises sent by terminals connected to the network.

[0033] According to another embodiment, noise-related information, sent and / or received, includes any of the following data: an audio signature of the first noise, quantification data of the first noise, contextual data relating to the source of the first noise and / or the periodicity of the emission of the first noise, identification data of the at least first terminal which captured the first noise, a spatiotemporal position of the at least first terminal which captured the first noise, data relating to the generation or not of the second noise by at least the first terminal, evaluation data relating to the generation or not of the second noise by at least the first terminal, data relating to at least the user of said first terminal.

[0034] This information allows for various improvements in the quality and relevance of the filtering implemented by devices connected to the network: The reception of the audio signature of the first noise by a terminal allows the latter to anticipate the generation of a secondary noise; the context data allows the generation of a second noise to be configured or not, and, if necessary, the generation of this second noise to be configured in order to cancel the first noise, attenuate it or replace it, depending on the degree of nuisance that this noise represents for the user of the terminal likely to capture said first noise; the spatiotemporal position of the first terminal allows a map of noises over time to be created and to warn terminals entering a geographical area at a given time of noises that will potentially need to be filtered.

[0035] According to another embodiment: said second terminal is a terminal similar to the first terminal or a server, the third terminal is a terminal similar to the first terminal, a server or a connected micro.

[0036] This embodiment offers the advantage of enabling the process to be implemented within a network of heterogeneous terminals, covering a greater number of implementation contexts: An implementation between communicating terminals similar to the first terminal allows for the creation of a peer-to-peer network where each terminal alternately acts as a client and a server. This type of architecture has the advantage of being robust and limiting the centralization of information that could pose a risk in terms of personal data security. An implementation between dissimilar terminals, for example between a terminal similar to the first terminal and a server, allows certain data processing tasks to be advantageously shared at the server level, thus optimizing the energy consumption of the communication network. An implementation between dissimilar terminals, for example between a terminal similar to the first terminal and a connected computer, allows for the integration of more varied terminals into the network and the transmission of broader and more comprehensive information related to noise.

[0037] The various modes or embodiments mentioned above can be added independently or in combination with each other to the noise filtering process as defined above.

[0038] The invention also relates to a terminal equipped with a microphone and an audio output, said terminal being connected to a communication network and used by a user wearing a headset connected to said terminal, and where said terminal is configured to: to capture a first noise from a source using said microphone, to generate or not a second noise resulting from the application of a filter to the first noise, to reproduce or not the second noise to the user via the audio output and through said headphones, characterized in that the terminal is further configured to implement the following: send information relating to the first noise to at least one other terminal connected to the network, this information being usable by at least the other terminal to filter the first noise.

[0039] Such a terminal is particularly suitable for implementing the noise filtering process according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0040] The invention further relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the noise filtering method as mentioned above.

[0041] Such instructions can be stored permanently in a non-transient memory medium implementing the noise filtering process according to the invention.

[0042] This program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or code somewhere between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0043] The invention also relates to a recording medium or information medium readable by a computer, and comprising instructions for a computer program for the implementation of the noise filtering process as mentioned above.

[0044] The storage medium can be any entity or module capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage means, such as a ROM (“ Read Only Memory (in English), for example a CD-ROM ( “Compact Disc Read-Only Memory(in English), synthetic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a mobile medium, a hard drive or an SSD ( Solid State-Drive " in English).

[0045] On the other hand, the recording medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio, or by other means, so that the computer program it contains can be executed remotely. The program according to the invention can, in particular, be uploaded to a network, for example, an Internet-type network.

[0046] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the aforementioned noise filtering process.

[0047] In an example implementation, this technique is implemented using software and / or hardware components. In this context, the term "module" may refer in this document to a software component, a hardware component, or a set of hardware and software components. Brief description of the drawings

[0048] Other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: There [ Fig. 1 ] represents an example of an architecture in which the noise filtering process is implemented. The [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates the steps of the process according to one implementation method. The [ Fig. 3 ] illustrates the steps of the process according to another embodiment. The [ Fig. 4 ] illustrates the steps of the process according to another embodiment. The [ Fig. 5] illustrates the steps of the process according to another embodiment. The [ Fig. 6 ] represents an example of a noise filtering terminal, in one embodiment of the invention. Detailed description Description of an example architecture in which the noise filtering process is implemented

[0049] With reference to the [ Fig. 1 An example of an architecture is described in which the noise filtering process is implemented. This architecture includes: a source S (for example an alarm or a cash register) emitting a noise B 1 , a terminal T 1 placed at a distance d 1 from the source S , a terminal T 2 placed at a distance d 2 from the source S , a user U 1 using the terminal T 1 , a communication network R.

[0050] Terminal T1 is a communicating terminal, such as a smartphone or tablet, and is equipped with: of a microphone M 1, an audio output SA 1, a computing unit UC 1, a communication module MC 1 allowing it to connect to the network R.

[0051] User U 1 is equipped with an audio headset Ci connected to the audio output SA 1 of terminal T 1. Here the term "audio headset" covers over-ear headphones (open or closed), earpieces, in-ear headphones or any other listening device known to a person skilled in the art.

[0052] According to some embodiments, the T 1 terminal is connected via its audio output to a non-personal listening device such as a speaker or sound panel.

[0053] According to some embodiments, the terminal T 1 and the audio headset Ci are joined together and constitute a single terminal T 1, for example a connected headset or an augmented reality headset.

[0054] Terminal T2 is connected to network R and is placed at a distance d2 from source S.

[0055] Depending on the embodiment, terminal T 2 is a communicating terminal similar to terminal T 1 or any other communicating terminal, for example a server or a laptop.

[0056] The communication network R, to which terminals T1 and T2 are connected, constitutes a collaborative noise filtering network.

[0057] Depending on the implementation, the R network takes the form of a peer-to-peer network where each terminal alternately plays the role of client and the role of server.

[0058] According to other embodiments, the R network takes the form of a centralized or semi-centralized network with specialized terminals having a specific server role and others only a client role.

[0059] The methods for pairing terminals or registering with one or more dedicated servers (not shown) of this network vary depending on the implementation. Such methods are implemented, for example, after a terminal has registered with the R network, or automatically based on the geographical proximity of terminals, or when a terminal enters a given geographical area.

[0060] Depending on the embodiment, the terminals associated with the communication network R, in particular the first and second terminals T1, T2, can exchange information such as: identity data (user and / or terminal), geolocation data, technical data specific to the terminal, all other data processed by one of the communicating terminals associated with said communication network R, etc. This data can be exchanged in various ways, such as as soon as a new terminal connects to the R communication network or at regular time intervals. Description of the main actions implemented in the noise filtering process

[0061] The figure [ Fig. 2 ] represents the steps implemented by the noise filtering process, in a particular embodiment of the invention, the process being implemented in an architecture similar to that described in the figure [ Fig. 1 ].

[0062] In E201, terminal T1 captures, via its microphone M1, a first noise B1 emitted by the source S. This noise is captured after the sound wave of said noise has traveled the distance d1 that separates the source S from terminal T1, i.e. d 1 vitesse du son second(s).

[0063] In E202, terminal T1 generates, or does not generate, a second noise BF1 resulting from the application of a filter to noise B1.

[0064] The generation of this second noise is part of the implementation of active noise control (ANC) techniques known to those skilled in the art.

[0065] Whether or not this second noise is generated depends on at least one characteristic of the noise and at least one filtering parameter specific to the first terminal.

[0066] Depending on the possible implementation methods, the characteristics of the noise fall under: of one or more objective characteristics of the first noise (intensity, wavelength, audio signature, ...) and / or, of one or more contextual characteristics (time of emission, nature of the emission source, meaning / sense, ...) and / or, of one or more subjective characteristics entered on the terminal with respect to this noise or type of noise (degree of subjective nuisance, particular meaning for the user, ...), etc.

[0067] According to a particular embodiment, these characteristics can be collected based on data already recorded in the first terminal or on data received from third-party terminals. This embodiment is illustrated in particular in Figure [ Fig. 3 ].

[0068] Depending on the possible embodiments, the filtering parameters specific to the first terminal may correspond to: Filter noises exceeding a certain number of decibels, filter unidentified noises, filter ringing noises from all phones other than the user's, filter all noises reported as harmful by the user.

[0069] The terminal-specific filtering parameters are stored as configuration data. Depending on the possible embodiments, this configuration data for the filtering parameters is stored in the first terminal or in a server (not shown) connected to the communication network R.

[0070] If the first noise is identified as useful—that is, if it is associated with no degree of annoyance and the headphones do not block out the first noise (for example, in the case of open-back headphones or a wall of sound)—no second noise is generated. Conversely, if the first noise is identified as useful and the headphones block out external noise (for example, in the case of closed-back headphones or earplugs), then the second noise is an unfiltered retransmission of the first noise.

[0071] Depending on the possible embodiments, the generation of the second noise BF 1 varies according to the filtering parameter(s) configured in the first terminal and according to the ability of the audio equipment to passively block out the first noise B 1. Depending on these elements, the second noise BF 1 can cancel out the first noise B 1, attenuate it by reducing its intensity or even replace it with another noise / sound.

[0072] Depending on the possible embodiments, the generation or not of a second noise is carried out directly by the computing unit UC 1 of the first terminal or within a server (not shown) connected to the communication network R.

[0073] In E203, terminal T 1 provides noise B 1 or BF 1 to the user via audio output SA 1 and through headphones Ci.

[0074] In accordance with the principles of active noise control, the reproduction of the second noise BF 1 is contiguous with the capture of the first noise B 1 by the microphone M 1, so that the superposition or substitution of the two sounds is substantially imperceptible to the user U 1.

[0075] If the generation or not of a second noise resulted in no second noise being generated, then this step is not implemented.

[0076] In E204, terminal T1 sends terminal T2 information I T1 (B1) relating to the first noise B1, so that this information can be used by said terminal T2 to be able to filter the noise B1 as best as possible.

[0077] Depending on the possible embodiments, information relating to noise B1 may cover different types of data, such as, for example: the audio signature of the first noise B1, the audio signature of the second noise BF1, quantification data of the first noise B1, such as sound frequency, duration, intensity or any other sound quantifications known to a person skilled in the art, contextual data relating to the source S and the periodicity of its emission, for example whether it is a connected terminal, a bell, an ambulance siren, where applicable this data may include the identity, geographical position, network address (in the case of communicating equipment) or any other information relating to the source of the noise, data relating to the identity and / or nature of the terminal that captured the first noise B1, the spatiotemporal position of the first terminal when sending E204 the information relating to the noise B1 that the first terminal captured in E201, where applicable,data as implemented by terminal T1 that generated noise BF1 relating to: -- the configuration of noise filtering parameters (for example, the degree of nuisance of noise B1 from the point of view of user U1 of said terminal T1, the meaning of noise B1 from the point of view of the user (for example, the ringing of their telephone, the "beeps" of their cash register, etc.), -- filtering of noise B1, -- an evaluation of filtering of noise B1, data relating to user U1 of terminal T1 that captured and filtered noise B1, which includes, for example, the meaning of noise B1 from the point of view of this user, etc.

[0078] If terminal T1 is closer to the noise source S B1 than terminal T2, then d1 <d 2 , et que les informations relatives au bruit B 1 sont transmises au terminal T 2 avant que le bruit B 1 ne soit capté par le terminal T 2 , alors ces informations sont utilisées directement par le terminal T 2 pour améliorer le filtrage du bruit B 1 en amont de la captation de ce bruit par le terminal T 2 . A titre d'exemple, le terminal T 2 ayant connaissance de la signature sonore d'une bruit nuisible à venir, il peut générer un bruit filtré BF 1 avant que ledit bruit ne soit capté par ledit terminal T 2 .

[0079] Otherwise, this information is used indirectly by terminal T2 to improve noise filtering, for example, in the case of iterations of noise B1 or by helping to draw up a detailed map of noise sources around terminal T2.

[0080] Depending on the possible embodiments, terminal T 1 can send information relating to noise B 1 to other terminals connected to the communication network R.

[0081] According to the possible embodiments, information relating to the first noise B1 is sent by terminal T1 to at least terminal T2 only if terminal T2 can detect noise B1. Thus, for example, if terminal T1 identifies that terminal T2 is too far away for noise B1 to be detected by the latter or its user, terminal T1 does not send information relating to noise B1 to terminal T2. Otherwise, terminal T1 sends this information to terminal T2. Description of the steps in the noise filtering process according to another embodiment

[0082] The figure [ Fig.3 ] represents the steps implemented by the noise filtering process according to another embodiment.

[0083] The process takes place in an architecture similar to that illustrated in [Fig.1]. Such an architecture additionally includes a communicating terminal T0 placed at a distance d0 from the source S.

[0084] Terminal T0 is also connected to the R communication network.

[0085] Depending on the possible embodiments, terminal T 0 is a communicating terminal similar to terminal T 1 or any other communicating terminal, for example a connected micro or a server.

[0086] In E300, terminal T1 receives information I T0 (B1) relating to the first noise B1 from terminal T0, where terminal T0 is positioned so as to capture noise B1 before terminal T1.

[0087] According to other embodiments, terminal T0 does not capture the first noise B1, but receives information about this noise from another terminal not shown in the figure [ Fig. 3], and sends them to terminal T1 before it picks up noise B1.

[0088] According to other embodiments, terminal T 0 can be a server connected to a database such as a registry of information relating to a noise or a multitude of different noises, the server being configured to send all or part of this information to terminal T 1.

[0089] According to other embodiments, terminal T 0 can be coordinated with the noise source, for example by being physically associated with the source or by controlling it, and send information about the noise upstream of the noise emission B 1 to terminal T 1.

[0090] Information relating to noise B1 can cover different types of data and is similar to the description given in figure [ Fig. 2 For this reason, they will not be described again.

[0091] Step E301 is similar to step E201 and will not be described again.

[0092] In E302, similarly to step E202 described in figure [ Fig. 2 ], terminal T 1 generates, or does not generate, a second noise BF 1 resulting from the application of a filter to noise B 1. However, information relating to noise B 1 received from the third terminal T 0 is also used to improve the filtering and the relevance of the filtering of the noise BF 1 generated or not.

[0093] Example 1: Terminal T1 receives information from a communicating cash register regarding the noise emitted when an item is scanned, as well as information regarding the identity of the cash register user. In this way, if the identity of the user of terminal T1 matches that of the cash register user, the noises emitted by the latter are filtered in a certain way (for example, by attenuation or substitution), while if the identity of the user of terminal T1 does not match that of the cash register user, terminal T1 filters the noises in another way (by attenuating them or by completely blocking / canceling them).

[0094] Example 2: An ambulance driver U1, equipped with a terminal T1, is driving his emergency vehicle when he receives information from the on-board computer T0 corresponding to the audio signature of an ambulance siren B1, as well as the GPS position (“ Global Positioning System " in English, " Global Positioning System(in French) of said ambulance. During the BF1 noise generation step, terminal T1 compares its geolocation data to that of the source S and establishes that user U1 and the source are moving along the same vector and that user U1 is in the ambulance. As a result, terminal T1 generates a BF1 noise in E302 that masks the siren noise. Conversely, if user U1 does not have geolocation data similar to that of source S in time—for example, if this user is walking on a sidewalk near the ambulance—then terminal T1 generates a BF1 noise in E302 that attenuates the B1 noise of the siren so that user U1 can still be alerted to the proximity of an emergency vehicle, such as the ambulance in this example.

[0095] Example 3: Information relating to a noise identified as periodic, such as a bell sound for example, allows terminal T 1 to anticipate the emission of the noise by source S, which only activates during the phases of noise emission and goes into standby mode outside of that time.

[0096] Step E303 is similar to step E203 and will not be described again.

[0097] In E304, similarly to step E204 in the figure [ Fig. 2 ], the first terminal T 1 sends to terminal T 2 information I T1 (B 1 ) relating to the first noise B 1 , so that this information can be used by terminal T 2 to be able to filter the noise B 1 as best as possible.

[0098] According to other possible embodiments, the first terminal T1 also sends the following to terminal T2: the information I T0 (B 1 ) received from the third terminal T 0, and where applicable, information relating to the first noise received from any other terminal connected to the communication network R. Description of the steps in the noise filtering process according to another embodiment

[0099] The figure [ Fig. 4 ] represents the steps implemented by the noise filtering process according to another embodiment, the process taking place in an architecture similar to that illustrated in the [ Fig.1 ].

[0100] Steps E401, E402, E403 and E404 are respectively similar to steps E201, E202, E203 and E204 of the [ Fig. 2 For this reason, they will not be described again.

[0101] In E405, terminal T 1 evaluates whether or not a second noise BF 1 is generated as a result of applying a filter to the first noise B 1, in order to improve the next generations of second noise BF 1, as well as the configuration of the second noise generation parameters.

[0102] Depending on the envisaged embodiments, the evaluation of the filtering consists of directly questioning the user U 1 via a form / request for evaluation of the noise filtering B 1 . The completion of this form can be carried out on the terminal T 1 if it is equipped with a dedicated user interface (touch screen, keyboard and screen, voice command, etc.) or from any other communicating terminal.

[0103] In other possible embodiments, the filtering evaluation is automated and based on an analysis of user behavioral data captured elsewhere, for example via biometric data or head movement data. This data is captured by the first terminal T1 or by a dedicated terminal known to a person skilled in the art.

[0104] According to other conceivable embodiments, the evaluation of the filtering is automated and is based on an analysis of the signal representative of the second noise BF 1 and on a detection, in this signal, of parasitic signals indicating inadequate processing or is based on any other signal processing implemented in the means of strengthening active noise control techniques known to the person skilled in the art.

[0105] Depending on the possible embodiments, the filtering evaluation may consist of automatically modifying certain configuration parameters relating to the selection of one or more filters and the generation of filtered noise.

[0106] Depending on the conceivable embodiments, the filtering evaluation implements different types of automated learning: incremental learning, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning or any other form of learning known to the person skilled in the art.

[0107] Depending on the envisaged embodiments, the evaluation of the filtering is carried out after each implementation of the noise filtering process or periodically, for example every week, every month or after a predefined number of implementations of the noise filtering process. Description of the steps in the noise filtering process according to another embodiment

[0108] The figure [ Fig. 5] represents the steps implemented by the noise filtering process according to another embodiment, the process taking place in an architecture similar to that illustrated in [Fig. 1] or implemented in Figure [ Fig. 3 ].

[0109] Steps E501, E502, E503 and E504 are respectively similar to steps E201, E202, E203 and E204 of the [ Fig. 2 For this reason, they will not be described again.

[0110] In E506, terminal T1 exchanges, that is, sends and / or receives information I(B1, Bn) with other terminals connected to the communication network R.

[0111] This information is of the same nature as the information relating to noise B 1 described in the description of the figure [ Fig. 2 ] and incorporate at least the information I(B 1 ) relating to noise B 1.

[0112] According to other conceivable embodiments, the information I(B 1 ,B n ) encompasses all information relating to noises generated and / or received, known by terminal T 1.

[0113] Depending on the possible embodiments, the information exchanged also includes data relating to the terminal sending this data, for example: The terminal identifier(s), including a serial number or a name known on the network, the type of terminal (smartphone, tablet, communication device, computer, vehicle, etc.), technical data specific to that type (the list of noises it can generate, the sensitivity of its microphone, etc.), its geographical location, its speed or altitude (if applicable), its battery level, all configuration parameters relating to the generation of filtered noise, etc.

[0114] Depending on the possible embodiments, the information exchanged also includes data relating to the terminal user, for example: user identity data, user role or function in a given organization, set of personal parameters for filter selection configuration and filtered noise generation, etc.

[0115] Depending on the possible embodiments, this information exchange step takes place when a terminal connects to the R network, at regular intervals or when terminals are placed close to each other or in a specific geographical area. Description of a noise filtering terminal, in one embodiment of the invention.

[0116] The figure [ Fig. 6 ] presents the simplified structure of a TFB noise filtering terminal according to a particular embodiment of the invention implemented in an architecture as illustrated in [ Fig. 1According to the invention, the aforementioned terminals T0, T1 and T2 correspond to the TFB noise filtering terminal.

[0117] Such a terminal comprises, according to the invention, a microphone M 1 and an audio output SA 1, a communication module MC allowing connection to a communication network R and is used by a user equipped with a headset connected to said terminal TFB.

[0118] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the actions performed by the TFB terminal, within the framework of the implementation of the noise filtering method of the present invention, are implemented by instructions from a computer program PG. For this purpose, the TFB terminal has the classic architecture of a computer and includes in particular a MEM memory, a processing unit UTR, equipped for example with a PROC processor, and controlled by the computer program PG stored in MEM memory.

[0119] The PG computer program includes instructions for implementing the steps of the noise filtering process, in particular the aforementioned actions: capture a first noise B 1 from a source S using said microphone M 1, generate or not a second noise BF 1 resulting from the application of a filter to the first noise B 1, reproduce or not the second noise BF 1 to the user via the audio output SA 1 and through said headphones, send information relating to the first noise B 1 to at least one other terminal connected to the network R, where this information is used by at least this other terminal to filter the first noise B 1.

[0120] According to other embodiments, based on a so-called cloud computing architecture (“ cloud computing (in French), the PROC processor, the MEM memory can be associated with another terminal, different from the noise filtering terminal.

Claims

1. Noise filtering method implemented by a first terminal (T1) equipped with a microphone (M1) and an audio output (SA), said first terminal being connected to a communication network (R) and used by a user (U1) equipped with a headset connected to said first terminal (T1), said method comprising the following: - picking up (E201) a first noise (B1) coming from a source (S) using said microphone (M1), - generating (E202) or not a second noise (BF1) resulting from an application of a filter to the first noise (B1), - restoring or not (E203) the second noise (BF1) to the user via the audio output (SA1) and via said headset, characterized in that the method further comprises the following: - sending (E204) information relating to the first noise (B1) to at least one second terminal (T2) connected to the network (R), this information being usable by at least the second terminal (T2) to filter the first noise (B1).

2. Noise filtering method according to claim 1, in which the capture of the first noise (B1) by the first terminal (T1) is preceded by a step (E300) of receiving information relating to the first noise (B1) from a third terminal connected (T0) to said communication network (R) and where this information is used by the first terminal (T1) to filter the first noise (B1).

3. Noise filtering method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, in which the generation of the second noise (BF1) is implemented partly from at least one filtering parameter specific to the first terminal (T1).

4. Noise filtering method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the generation or not of the second noise is followed by an evaluation (E405) of the filtering, this evaluation being used to improve said generation or not of the second noise (BF1).

5. Noise filtering method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including sharing (E506) with at least said second and / or third terminal(s), information relating to at least the first noise (B1), said sharing being asynchronous with said capture of the first noise (B1).

6. A noise filtering method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the generation of a new noise and / or the evaluation and / or the parameterization of filtering are carried out by a server and wherein the generation of a new noise, the evaluation and the parameterization of the filtering are carried out on the basis of information relating to noises sent by terminals connected to the network (R).

7. A noise filtering method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information relating to the first noise (B1), sent and / or received, comprises any of the following data: - an audio signature of the first noise (B1), - quantification data of the first noise (B1), - contextual data relating to the source (S) of the first noise (B1) and / or to the periodicity of the emission of the first noise (B1), - identification data of the at least first terminal having picked up the first noise (B1), - a spatiotemporal position of the at least first terminal having picked up the first noise (B1), - data relating to the generation or not of the second noise (BF1) by at least the first terminal, - evaluation data relating to the generation or not of the second noise (BF1) by at least the first terminal, - data relating to at least the user of said first terminal.

8. A noise filtering method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said transmission of information relating to said first noise (B1) to said at least second terminal (T2) is implemented only if said second terminal (T2) picks up said first noise (B1).

9. Terminal (T1) equipped with a microphone (M1) and an audio output (SA), said terminal being connected to a communication network (R) and used by a user (U1) equipped with a headset connected to said terminal (T1) and where said terminal is configured to: - pick up a first noise (B1) coming from a source (S) using said microphone (M1), - generate or not a second noise (BF1) resulting from an application of a filter to the first noise (Bi), - restore or not the second noise (BF1) to the user via the audio output (SA1) and via said headset, characterized in thatthe terminal (T1) is further configured to implement the following: - send information relating to the first noise (B1) to at least one other terminal (T2) connected to the network (R), this information being usable by at least the other terminal (T2) to filter the first noise (B1).

10. Computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the noise filtering method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, when executed on a computer.

11. Information medium readable by a computer, and comprising instructions of a computer program for implementing the noise filtering method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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