Tracking-controlled directional noise canceling device

Abstract

To provide local noise cancellation in the surrounding space of a user without wearing earphones or the like, even in an environment where noise changes as the user moves. The device is equipped with a tracking device 1 that detects the user's position in real time using image recognition, a microphone 2 that picks up environmental sounds, an anti-phase generating device 3 that generates anti-phase audio signals, and a directional speaker 4 that can control the output direction according to the user's position. This reduces noise around the user while they are moving, making it possible to create a quiet space without contact or wearing the device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a noise canceling device that reduces ambient noise, and in particular to a device that detects the user's position using tracking technology and emits anti-phase sound from a directional speaker toward that position, thereby creating a localized quiet space around the user. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional noise canceling technology is limited to devices that fit snugly against the user's ear, such as earphones and headphones, making it difficult to provide localized silence in an environmental space. Also, while directional speaker technologies such as parametric speakers exist, they are primarily used for fixed, one-way sound transmission, and have not been able to achieve sound field control that follows a dynamically moving user in real time. Furthermore, while motion sensors can detect posture and movement, technology for tracking the surrounding space without contact and controlling directionality has not been fully developed. Problems that the invention aims to solve

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a noise canceling device that can provide a quiet space around the user even when the user is moving freely. In particular, it applies tracking technology using image recognition to detect the user's position in real time without the need for wearing the device, and emits anti-phase sound in that direction from a directional speaker, thereby enabling effective noise suppression no matter where the user is.

[0004] The noise canceling device of the present invention has the following configuration. 1. Tracking Method (1) Using a camera and image recognition processing (MediaPipe, ARKit, etc.), 3D position information including the positions of the user's face, head, and left and right ears is detected in real time, and their position coordinates are acquired. To acquire ear positions with high accuracy, ear landmarks from MediaPipe Face Mesh or head point cloud data from a depth camera may be used. 2. Microphone (2) A microphone that picks up ambient sounds. Multiple microphones can be placed to capture a wide range of noise throughout the space. 3. Inverse phase generation means (3) Processes the audio signal acquired by the microphone and generates an inverse phase audio signal. The adaptive algorithm, Filtered Least Squares (FxLMS), can be used to generate the inverse phase. 4. Directional Speaker (4) A speaker that can emit sound in a specific direction, such as a parametric speaker or beamforming speaker. 5. Control means (5) The control means adjusts the speaker output direction in real time based on the user's location information detected by the tracking means. Furthermore, it may be configured to use machine learning to predict the user's movements and future location and proactively optimize the output direction. 6. Housing (6) Configuration (Optional) Of the above components, the microphone and speaker can be integrated into an integrated housing, which is expected to improve installation ease and sound control accuracy.

[0005] This device creates a localized quiet space around the user while they are on the move, without the need for earphones or other devices. This allows for noise cancellation optimized for each individual user, even in public spaces (offices, libraries, medical facilities, etc.). Furthermore, image recognition-based contactless tracking eliminates the hassle of wearing the device, making it suitable for multiple users and potentially scalable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the present invention for detecting a user's position and controlling a directional speaker; An embodiment of the present invention is shown below.

[0007] -The webcam connected to the laptop is used as a tracking method, and the user's face coordinates are detected using MediaPipe. Surrounding sounds are picked up using a USB microphone, and reverse phase processing (simple FxLMS) is performed in real time using a Python program. -Directional speakers (parametric speakers) are automatically directed toward the user and send out anti-phase sound. The direction of the speaker can be controlled physically in conjunction with a servo motor, or electronically using beamforming. This device can detect the user's position and cancel out surrounding noise even in spaces where it is difficult to use headphones or earphones due to radio wave interference or metal device restrictions, such as movie theaters and MRI examination rooms, thereby enabling a contactless and non-wearable environment for concentrated visual and auditory use. [Industrial Applicability]

[0008] This device can be effectively used in a variety of settings where noise suppression is required. Its ability to provide a personal, quiet space for each user without the need for headphones is particularly promising, as it offers differentiated application development from conventional technologies, particularly in offices, hospitals, educational institutions, public transportation, and smart home environments. Furthermore, it offers significant industrial utility in creating an individually optimized acoustic space without the need for headphones, even in spaces where individual sound environment adjustment is required, such as movie theaters, theaters, and museums, or in special environments where wearing electronic devices is restricted, such as MRI examination rooms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0009] (1) Tracking methods (2) Microphone (3) Opposite phase generation means (4) Directional speaker (5) Control means (6) Housing (7) Ear position detection unit

Claims

1. The device comprises a tracking means for detecting the user's position using a camera and image recognition processing, a microphone for collecting environmental sounds, a directional speaker, an anti-phase generating means for generating an anti-phase audio signal based on the audio signal collected by the microphone, and a control means for controlling the output direction of the directional speaker based on the user's position information detected by the tracking means, A noise canceling device, characterized in that the antiphase audio signal generated by the antiphase generating means is output from the directional speaker, thereby reducing environmental noise in the space surrounding the user.

2. 2. The noise canceling device according to claim 1, wherein the antiphase generating means is configured by a filtered-x least mean squares (FxLMS) method, which is an adaptive algorithm.

3. 2. The noise canceling device according to claim 1, wherein the directional speaker is a parametric speaker using an ultrasonic carrier wave.

4. 2. The noise cancelling device according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes an artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithm for predicting the user's position.

5. 2. The noise canceling device according to claim 1, wherein the microphone and the directional speaker are integrally provided within a housing.

6. The noise canceling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A noise canceling device characterized in that the tracking means (1) includes an ear position detection unit that detects the positions of the user's left and right ears.

Images