System and method for reshaping fan noise in electronic equipment

Abstract

To provide systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods of reshaping fan noise of a fan of an electronic device.SOLUTION: An example system includes a microphone to detect a first acoustic signal including fan noise. The example system also includes a processor to: identify a tone in the first acoustic signal; and determine a gain to add to the first acoustic signal to mask the tone. In addition, the example system includes a sound transducer to present a second acoustic signal including the gain.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4E

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to noise reduction. And more specifically, it relates to systems and methods for reforming fan noise in electronic devices.

Background Art

[0002] Some electronic devices reduce fan noise by using a larger, quieter fan with a thicker fan. Also, some electronic devices reduce the noise level generated by the fan by capping the performance of the electronic device to require less cooling.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one exemplary electronic device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plot of an exemplary noise spectrum for an example of a fan of one exemplary electronic device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plot of an exemplary power spectral density as a function of frequency explaining different colors of noise. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of one exemplary fan according to the electronic device of FIG. 1, showing the position of one exemplary acoustic transducer. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a top view of the fan of FIG. 4A, showing two exemplary microphones in an exemplary fan housing. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a top view of the fan of FIG. 4A, showing six exemplary microphones in the fan housing. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D is a top view of the fan of FIG. 4A, with the top plate removed and showing one exemplary acoustic transducer. [Figure 4E]Figure 4E is an exploded view of the fan shown in Figure 4A. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a top perspective view of an exemplary fan of the electronic device in Figure 1, showing the location of an alternative exemplary acoustic transducer. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a top view of the fan shown in Figure 4A, with the top plate removed and two exemplary microphones visible. [Figure 5C] Figure 5C is a top view of the fan in Figure 5A, with the top plate removed and showing an alternative acoustic transducer. [Figure 5D] Figure 5D is an exploded view of the fan shown in Figure 5A. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram of one exemplary system for reshaping fan noise in electronic equipment according to the teachings of this disclosure. [Figure 7A] Figure 7A is a plot showing exemplary energy added to an exemplary acoustic signal to smooth out high tones. [Figure 7B] Figure 7B is a plot showing exemplary energy added to an exemplary acoustic signal to modify colored noise. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing machine-readable instructions that can be executed to implement the exemplary noise reshaping generator and system of Figure 6. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary processing platform configured to execute the instructions in Figure 8 in order to implement the exemplary noise reshaping generator and system of Figure 6.

[0004] The diagrams are not to scale. Instead, the thickness of layers or regions may be enlarged in the drawings. The diagrams show layers and regions with clean lines and boundaries, but some or all of these lines and / or boundaries may be idealized. In reality, boundaries and / or lines may be unobservable, mixed, and / or irregular. In general, the same reference number is used throughout the drawings and accompanying written descriptions to refer to the same or similar parts. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term “above” describes the relationship of two parts to Earth. If the second part has at least one part between Earth and the first part, then the first part is above the second part. Similarly, as used herein, if the first part is closer to Earth than the second part, then the first part is “below” the second part. As described herein, the first part may be above or below the second part, but the second part may have one or more of the following: there are no other parts between the second part and the first and second parts are in contact, or the first and second parts are not in direct contact with each other. As used herein, any part (e.g., a layer, film, area, region, or plate) being positioned on another part in any way (e.g., positioned, located, disposed, or formed) indicates that the reference part is in contact with the other part, or that the reference part is on another part where one or more intermediate parts are positioned between the other parts. As used herein, a connection reference (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) may include intermediate members between elements referenced by the connection reference, and / or relative movement between those elements, unless otherwise indicated. Thus, a connection reference does not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and / or have a fixed relationship with one another.As used herein, describing either part as being in "contact" with another part is defined as meaning that there is no intermediate part between the two parts.

[0005] Unless otherwise specified, descriptors such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used herein without imputing, or otherwise indicating, priority, physical order, placement in a list, and / or order in any way. However, they are used merely as labels and / or arbitrary names to distinguish elements for the ease of understanding the disclosed embodiments. In some examples, the descriptor “first” may be used to refer to an element in the detailed description, while the same element may be referred to in the claims using different descriptors such as “second” or “third.” In such cases, it should be understood that such descriptors are used merely to distinguish those elements, for example, which might otherwise share the same name. As used herein, “approximately” and “about” refer to dimensions that may not be exact due to manufacturing tolerances and / or other real-world imperfections. As used herein, “substantially real time” refers to an event occurring in a near-instantaneous manner, acknowledging that real-world delays may exist due to time, transmission, etc. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, “substantially real time” means real time + / - 1 second. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] Electronic devices such as laptops or notebooks use fans or blowers for cooling, which allows the system to operate at higher power and achieve higher performance. However, fans generate acoustic noise. Users of electronic devices often experience very irritating fan noise, especially when the device is running a heavy workload that increases fan operation.

[0007] The characteristics of problematic or irritating acoustic noise include the level (or volume) and severity (or quality) of the noise. In addition, human perception of noise also changes based on the color of noise profile.

[0008] The examples disclosed herein modify acoustic noise generated by fans in electronic devices. In the context of this patent, modifying noise includes reducing, mixing, canceling, flattening, controlling, reducing, smoothing, amplifying, subtracting, masking, reshaping, recoloring, or otherwise altering noise generated by fans within electronic devices. These terms can be used interchangeably throughout. These examples control the noise characteristics of a fan to improve human perception. Because the fan noise is controlled, the embodiments disclosed herein allow electronic devices to operate at higher power with increased fan operation and noise without causing discomfort to the human user. Thus, controlling noise characteristics enables higher system performance.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one exemplary electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 in Figure 1 is a laptop or notebook computer. In other examples, the electronic device 100 may be any type of electronic device that includes a fan or blower, or any other type of device or component that generates noise. The electronic device 100 in the illustrated example includes two fans 102. Figure 1 shows the location of the fans 102 inside the electronic device 100. Although two fans 102 are shown, in other examples, there may be different numbers of fans, such as one, three, etc. In addition, the location of the fans 102 may be any location within the electronic device 100.

[0010] The electronic device 100 also includes an exemplary microphone 104. The microphone 104 is a standard, system, or main microphone. These main microphones 104 are used, for example, to detect acoustic signals from a speaking user. In the illustrated example in Figure 1, two main microphones 104 are shown, but in other examples, there may be different numbers of main microphones, such as one, three, etc. In addition, the main microphones 104 may be located at any position within the electronic device 100.

[0011] The electronic device 100 also includes an exemplary speaker 106. The speaker 106 is a standard, system, chassis, or main speaker. These main speakers 106 include, for example, an acoustic medium for user use and are used to present, deliver, or otherwise output an acoustic signal from the electronic device 100. In the illustrated example in Figure 1, two main speakers 106 are shown, but in other examples, there may be different numbers of main speakers, for example, one, three, etc. In addition, the main speakers 106 may be located at any location within the electronic device 100.

[0012] Figure 2 is a plot of an exemplary noise spectrum relating to an example of a fan in an exemplary electronic device. For example, one or both of the fans 102 of the electronic device 100 in Figure 1 may generate the acoustic signal shown in the plot in Figure 2. In the plot in Figure 2, background noise 202 is shown around -10 decibels (dB) along the bottom of the plot. Typical fan noise is shown in the exemplary acoustic signal 204. This fan noise may be generated, for example, by the fan 102 of the electronic device 100. In this example, there are high pitch tones appearing in the acoustic signal 204 between approximately 1000 hertz (Hz) and approximately 2000 Hz. Such high pitch tones are irritating to humans. In other examples, the acoustic signal 204 may have low pitch tones that are irritating to humans. For example, low pitch tones from approximately 10 Hz to approximately 200 Hz can be irritating to people. Low-pitched tones may be generated by one or more components of the electronic device 100. Some examples disclosed herein are described in terms of masking high tones, but these examples may be used to flatten an acoustic signal and / or mask high-pitched tones and / or low-pitched tones.

[0013] Figure 3 is an exemplary plot of power spectral density as a function of frequency describing different colored noises. Colored noise refers to the power spectrum of a noise signal. Different colored noises sound different to the human ear. The examples disclosed herein can be used to recolor, or otherwise modify, an acoustic signal toward pink noise for better human perception. In some examples, energy is added to the acoustic signal 204 to recolor it, as disclosed herein.

[0014] FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of one exemplary fan according to the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1, showing the position of one exemplary acoustic transducer. The fan 102 includes an exemplary cover or top plate 404, and an exemplary housing 406. In some examples, the top plate 404 of the fan has a thickness of about 0.5 millimeters (mm). The fan 102 also includes fan blades 408. The top cover 404 and the housing 406 protect the fan blades 408 from foreign objects such as dust, or minimize the effect of foreign objects on the fan blades 408. The fan blades 408 generate an air flow when rotating to dissipate the heat generated by the components of the electronic device 100.

[0015] The fan 102 also includes a lead wire that connects the fan 102 to other components of the electronic device 100. In the illustrated example of FIG. 4A, the lead wire is embodied on a flexible printed circuit (PFC) 410. The PFC 410 communicatively couples the fan 102 to, for example, one or more of the components of FIG. 6, such as a processing component.

[0016] Figure 4B is a top view of the fan 102 of Figure 4A, showing two exemplary microphones 412 within the top plate 404. To distinguish them from the main microphone 104, the microphones 412 within the top plate 404 of the fan 102 are referred to as fan microphones in this description. However, in the claims, the components may be referred to as microphones. The fan microphones 412 collect acoustic signals from the fan 102. In some examples, the fan microphones 412 are coupled to a microphone board 414, which is a flexible circuit board that couples the fan microphones 412 to the PFC 410. In the illustrated examples, the fan microphones 412 are located in the cutwater feature or region 416 of the fan 102 (see also Figure 4E). The cutwater region 416 is a tongue-shaped feature in the fan 102. The cutwater region 416 is used for air compression and is where fan noise is primarily generated. In some cases, the water-draining area 416 is where maximum or peak noise is observed. In some cases, the fan microphone 412 is also used to monitor system component noise inside the chassis of the electronic equipment 100, for example, when the fan noise pattern is abnormal due to dust or rotor failure. In some cases, the fan microphone 412 measures other high-frequency noise within the electronic equipment 100. For example, the fan microphone 412 can hear system noise such as a singing capacitor, power supply, and / or other components that degrade the signal-to-noise ratio of the main microphone 104. Thus, analysis and manipulation of the acoustic signal collected by the fan microphone 412 facilitates improvements in the quality of the main microphone 104.

[0017] In the example of FIG. 4B, two fan microphones 412 are shown, but in other examples, for example, one, three, four, etc., other numbers of fan microphones 412 may be used. In other examples, there may be more. For example, the fan 102 in the example of FIG. 4C includes six fan microphones on the top plate 404. In the example of FIG. 4C, the fan microphones 412 are arranged around the fan blade 408. In some examples, one or more fan microphones 412 are arranged in a tangential direction to the fan blade 408. Other arrangements and orientations of the fan microphones 412 can be implemented.

[0018] FIG. 4D is a top view of the fan 102 of FIG. 4A with the top plate 404 removed. The view of FIG. 4D shows the acoustic transducer 402. In the illustrated example, the acoustic transducer 402 is a speaker such as, for example, a dynamic speaker or a speaker driver. The acoustic transducer 402 sends out acoustic energy or a signal to reform the fan noise. In some examples, the acoustic transducer 402 is adjacent to and / or surrounded by the exemplary speaker or the sponge 418. The speaker sponge 418 alleviates or attenuates the influence of vibration when the acoustic transducer 402 operates.

[0019] As disclosed below, the fan microphone 412 detects fan noise, which is analyzed to identify high-pitched tones, or noise and / or severe noise. This analysis involves the application of an algorithm for generating a noise reshaping signal that can be used to blend, diffuse, or reshape high-pitched noise for better human perception. The noise reshaping signal used to reshape the fan noise is generated by an acoustic transducer 402. The reshaped fan noise masks high-pitched tones and is more aesthetically pleasing to the user. In the illustrated example, the acoustic transducer 402 is located within a water-draining area 416 and facilitates the induction of a noise reshaping signal at a noise source within the water-draining area to control, cancel, and / or reshape the noise at the source.

[0020] Figure 4E is an exploded view of the fan 102 of Figure 4A. The top plate 404 includes recesses 420 for housing fan microphones 412 and microphone boards 414. In the illustrated example, there is one recess 420 that houses two fan microphones 412. In other examples, there are additional fan microphones contained within recesses 420. In other examples, each fan microphone 412 has its own recess 420. The fan 102 also includes a bottom plate 422. In some examples, the fan microphones 412 and microphone boards 414 are coupled to the bottom plate 422 or are located within the bottom plate 422.

[0021] The fan housing 406 includes a recess 424 for an acoustic transducer 402. In this example, the recess 424 is located within the drainage area 416 such that the acoustic transducer 402 is close to the source of fan noise, or the main source or area of ​​fan noise. In addition, in the illustrated example, the drainage area 416 of the fan housing 406 is made of a non-functional plastic wall. In some examples, placing the acoustic transducer 402 within the drainage area 416 does not require increasing the size of the fan 102. In some examples, the fan 102 may have a width increase of 3-5 mm. In other examples, the size of the acoustic transducer 402 is reduced to avoid a change in the width of the fan 102. Also, in some examples, the acoustic transducer 402 may be located outside and adjacent to the fan 102.

[0022] Figure 5A is a top perspective view of an exemplary fan 102 of the electronic device 100 of Figure 1, showing the position 500 of an alternative exemplary acoustic transducer 502. Figure 5B is a top view of the fan 102 of Figure 4A, with the top plate 404 removed and showing the position of two exemplary fan microphones 412 relative to the acoustic transducer 502. Figure 5C is a top view of the fan 102 of Figure 5A, with the top plate 404 removed and showing an alternative acoustic transducer 502. In this example, the acoustic transducer 502 is a balanced armature. The balanced armature 502 has a miniaturized size and can be easily incorporated into the fan 102 without increasing the size of the fan 102.

[0023] The balanced armature 502 is located in the drainage area 416 in the example shown in Figures 5A–5D. Figure 5D is an exploded view of the fan 102 of Figure 5A and shows a recess 504 in the fan housing 406 for holding the balanced armature 502. In other examples, the balanced armature 502 may be located at different locations within the fan 102, or adjacent to and / or external to the fan 102. Examples disclosed herein include, for example, acoustic transducers such as dynamic speakers and / or balanced armatures. In other examples, other acoustic transducers may be used, for example, as alternatives or additionally, as other types of acoustic transducers that are sufficiently powerful to subtract or reshape noise in the drainage area.

[0024] Figure 6 is a block diagram of one exemplary system 600 for reshaping fan noise of electronic equipment in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. The exemplary system 600 may be incorporated into electronic equipment 100. The exemplary system includes one or more exemplary human presence sensors 602, one or more main speakers 106, one or more acoustic transducers 402, 502, one or more main microphones 104, one or more fan microphones 412, and an exemplary noise reshaping signal generator 604. The noise reshaping signal generator 604 includes an exemplary transceiver 606, an exemplary analyzer 608, an exemplary database 610, an exemplary comparator 612, an exemplary tone discriminator 614, an exemplary calculator 616, and an exemplary signal modifier 618.

[0025] The human presence sensor 602 detects whether a human is present in the electronic device 100. The human presence sensor 602 generates a signal and / or data indicating the presence or absence of a human. If no human is present, the noise reshaping signal generator 604 does not operate to reshape the fan noise because there is no human to be annoyed by the fan noise. In some examples, the human presence sensor 602 detects whether the lid of the electronic device 100 is open or closed. In such examples, the presence of a human may be assumed based on the open position of the lid. In some examples, the human presence sensor 602 includes a user-facing camera that detects whether a person is within the camera's field of view. In some examples, the human presence sensor 602 includes a camera adjacent to the user-facing camera. In some examples, the human presence sensor 602 includes a low-resolution camera. In some examples, the human presence sensor 602 includes a clock for tracking time. The human presence sensor 602 may indicate the absence of a human after a threshold time after which the human presence sensor 602 no longer detects the presence of a human. The noise reshaping signal generator 604 receives signals and / or data from the human presence sensor 602 via the transceiver 606.

[0026] The main speaker 106 is also communicatively coupled to the noise reshaping signal generator 604 via the transceiver 606. The analyzer 608 determines whether the main speaker 106 is in use. For example, the analyzer 608 determines whether the main speaker 106 is outputting audio content to the user. If the main speaker 106 is outputting audio content to the user, the noise reshaping signal generator 604 does not operate to reshape the fan noise because the fan noise is obscured, or likely obscured, by the audio content emanating from the main speaker 106. In this mode of operation, the fan noise is unlikely to irritate the user.

[0027] When the noise reshaping signal generator 604 operates to reshape the fan noise, the fan microphone 412 collects an acoustic signal containing the fan noise from the fan 102 and communicates the signal to the noise reshaping signal generator 604 via the transceiver 606. In some examples, the main microphone 104 also collects an acoustic signal that may contain the fan noise. In such examples, the main microphone 104 communicates the signal to the noise reshaping signal generator 604 via the transceiver 606.

[0028] For noise reshaping operations, analyzer 608 determines the workload input of the electronic device 100. For example, analyzer 608 determines or accesses the power level of the central processing unit (CPU). In some examples, analyzer 608 accesses a basic input / output system (BIOS) table or other data structure that correlates fan noise with pulse width modulation (PWM) measurements. This data or table is generated by pre-calibration of the rough noise level for the PWM setting (fan speed setting). This table gives the expected rough noise level for the electronic device 100. An exemplary table includes: [Table 1] The CPU power level is dynamically set based on the workload. Higher power levels result in faster fan speeds and more noise. Using this information, analyzer 608 estimates the baseline fan noise. Analyzer 608 also determines background or ambient noise based on signals received from the main microphone 104 and / or fan microphone 412.

[0029] Comparator 612 compares the estimated ambient noise with the baseline fan noise. Based on the comparison, analyzer 608 determines whether there is a problem or anomaly in the system. In other examples, analyzer 608 identifies noise signals for reshaping based on the comparison. For example, fan noise exceeding ambient noise may be a candidate for noise signal reshaping.

[0030] The tone discriminator 614 identifies high-pitched tones in fan noise. An example of a high-pitched tone for a signal is shown in Figure 2. High-pitched tones are candidates for noise signals to be reshaped. Therefore, in some examples, all fan noise should be reshaped. In some examples, fan noise exceeding ambient noise should be reshaped. In some examples, high-pitched tones should be reshaped. As disclosed above, these embodiments are also applicable to low-pitched tones.

[0031] Computer 616 determines the gain to be added to the fan noise signal in order to reshape the signal, reshape it to mitigate the irritation caused by the noise, and blend in the noise. The signal with the gain determined by computer 616 is generated by acoustic transducers 402, 502. In some examples, this signal is a function of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of the signal collected from the fan microphone 412 (and / or the main microphone 104), and is the target noise response. In some examples, the target noise response is pink noise or white noise. In some examples, computer 616 calculates the gain (amplitude) as the product of the original amplitude and a function of the BIOS table data, system power, and FFT of the signal collected from the fan microphone 412 (and / or the main microphone 104).

[0032] In some examples, analyzer 608 identifies a critical band around high-pitched tones. Calculator 616 calculates the prominence ratio (PR). PR is a parameter indicating whether a tone is prominent or not; that is, PR represents the relative level of the tone compared to ambient tones. This parameter is used to determine or judge whether tones emitted by a machine (e.g., fan 102 of electronic equipment 100), such as mid-frequency or high-frequency tones (e.g., above 1000 Hz), may be bothersome to users. In some examples, PR is determined based on Equation 1.

number

[0033] Comparator 612 compares the PR to a threshold level. If the PR exceeds or falls below the threshold, the identified tone may be disruptive to the user. In some examples, the threshold is 9 dB. For example, if the problematic band (B) has a level 9 dB or more higher than the adjacent bands (A and C), that band will be disruptive to the user.

[0034] If PR is below a threshold decibel level, analyzer 608 can determine that fan noise reshaping is not necessary. If PR is greater than the threshold, calculator 616 determines at least one gain in the critical band so that PR becomes less than the threshold. In some examples, analyzer 608 adjusts the gain based on the position of fan 102 and / or acoustic transducers 402, 502. For example, the gain may be adjusted based on the relative positions of two or more of fan 102, acoustic transducers 402, 502, and / or fan microphones 412 (and / or main microphone 104).

[0035] In some cases, analyzer 608 considers an acceptable noise threshold. The acceptable noise threshold is the level of noise that is acceptable or unirritating to the user. In some cases, the acceptable noise threshold is based on the net gain of the acoustic signal, based on the relative position, operating capability, and operating state of one or more of the components of the electronic device 102, including the fan 102, microphone 104, speaker 106, fan microphone 412, acoustic transducers 402, 502, and / or other components of the electronic device 102. Based on the acceptable noise threshold, analyzer 608 can adjust the gain, or masking noise, or energy. Therefore, in some cases, system 600, which reshapes the fan noise of the electronic device 100, can optimize the performance of the electronic device 100 based on the user-acceptable noise threshold. For example, if a higher acceptable noise threshold exists, the electronic device 100 can operate at higher performance.

[0036] The signal modifier 618 generates a signal or command for the gain, or masking noise, or energy to be generated to reshape the fan noise. The noise reshaping signal generator 604 transmits the signal or command for the gain, or masking noise, or energy to the acoustic transducers 402, 502 via the transceiver 606. The acoustic transducers 402, 502 generate an acoustic signal including the gain and reshape the fan noise. In some examples, the main speaker 106 is used in addition to, or as an alternative to, the acoustic transducers 402, 502 to generate an acoustic signal to reshape the noise. When both acoustic transducers 402, 502 and main speaker 106 are used, the noise reshaping signal generator 604 can achieve different levels of fine-tuning by using one set of speakers (e.g., acoustic transducers 402, 502 above or near fan 102), the other set of speakers (e.g., main speaker 106 on the system chassis), or both sets.

[0037] Accordingly, the exemplary system 600 uses the fan microphone 412 and / or main microphone 104, and acoustic transducers 402, 502 and / or main speaker 106 to generate an intentionally formed acoustic waveform and blend it into the existing fan noise. The resulting acoustic signal is less unpleasant noise for better human perception. Since the noise can be reshaped, the embodiment disclosed herein allows for more fan noise, which enables higher performance of the electronic equipment 100.

[0038] Figure 7A is a plot showing exemplary energy added to one exemplary acoustic signal to smooth high tones. Figure 7B is a plot showing exemplary energy added to one exemplary acoustic signal to modify colored noise. As shown in these embodiments, the energy added by acoustic transducers 402, 502 blends or diffuses high-pitched tones. Figure 7A shows fan noise, where the high-pitched tone (approximately 1000 Hz) is noise that is irritating to human perception. In these embodiments, a system 600 including a main microphone 104 and / or a fan microphone 412 detects the fan noise. An analyzer 608 uses the algorithm disclosed herein to identify the high-pitched noise of interest. A computer 616 then determines the signal required to blend and flatten this high-pitched signal. For better human perception, acoustic transducers 402, 502 and / or main speaker 106 can output signals and include additional frequency signals, or push colored noise (Figure 7B) toward pink noise.

[0039] In some examples, one dominant frequency greater than 1000 Hz in the fan noise spectrum is the blade passing frequency (BPF). The BPF is the product of the number of fan blades and the rotations per second. The examples disclosed herein allow us to track the BPF from the speed of fan 102, identify critical bands A and C, and then raise the level of the critical bands to an optimal level so that the PR is less than 9 dB.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6, the system 600 includes means for processing an acoustic signal. In this example, the processing means is implemented by any processor configured to perform the corresponding operation by executing software or firmware, or by hardware circuitry (e.g., individual and / or integrated analog and / or digital circuits, FPGAs, PLDs, FPLDs, ASICs, comparators, operational amplifiers (op-amps), logic circuits, etc.) configured to perform the corresponding operation without executing software or firmware, but other structures are equally suitable. In some examples, a noise reshaping signal generator 604 implements the processing means.

[0041] An exemplary method for implementing the noise reshaping signal generator 604 is shown in Figure 6, but one or more of the elements, processes, and / or devices shown in Figure 6 may be combined, divided, rearranged, omitted, removed, and / or implemented in any other way. Furthermore, the exemplary human presence sensor 602, exemplary transceiver 606, exemplary analyzer 608, exemplary comparator 612, exemplary tone discriminator 614, exemplary computer 616, exemplary signal modifier 618, and / or, more generally, the exemplary noise reshaping signal generator 604 in Figure 6 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. Accordingly, for example, an exemplary human presence sensor 602, an exemplary transceiver 606, an exemplary analyzer 608, an exemplary comparator 612, an exemplary tone discriminator 614, an exemplary computer 616, an exemplary signal modifier 618, and / or more generally, an exemplary noise reshaping signal generator 604 may be implemented by one or more analog or digital circuits, logic circuits, programmable processors, programmable controllers, graphics processing units (GPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), and / or field-programmable logic devices (FPLDs). If one reads any of the claims of the apparatus or system relating to this patent purely to cover the implementation of software and / or firmware, then at least one of the exemplary human presence sensor 602, exemplary transceiver 606, exemplary analyzer 608, exemplary comparator 612, exemplary tone discriminator 614, exemplary calculator 616, exemplary signal modifier 618, and / or exemplary noise reshaping signal generator 604 is expressly defined herein to include a non-temporary computer-readable storage device or recording disc such as memory, digital versatile disc (DVD), compact disc (CD), Blu-ray® disc, etc., and includes software and / or firmware.Furthermore, the exemplary noise reshaping signal generator 604 in Figure 6 may include, in addition to or instead of, one or more elements, processes, and / or devices shown in Figure 6, and / or one or all of the elements, processes, and devices shown. The phrase “in communication” as used herein, including its variations, encompasses direct communication and / or indirect communication via one or more intermediate components, and does not require direct physical (e.g., wired) communication and / or continuous communication, but rather additionally encompasses selective communication at periodic intervals, scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals, and / or one-off events.

[0042] Figure 8 shows a flowchart relating to exemplary hardware logic, machine-readable instructions, hardware implementation state machines, and / or any combination thereof for implementing the system 600 of Figure 6. The machine-readable instructions may be one or more executable programs or parts of executable programs for execution by a computer processor and / or processor circuit, for example, the processor 912 shown in the exemplary processor platform 900 described later in relation to Figure 9. The program can be implemented as software stored on a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, floppy disk, hard drive, DVD, Blu-ray disk, or memory associated with the processor 912; however, the entire program and / or parts thereof may instead be executed by a device other than the processor 912 and / or implemented in firmware or dedicated hardware. Furthermore, although the exemplary program is described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 8, many other methods for implementing the exemplary system 600 and / or noise reshaping signal generator 604 can also be used as alternatives. For example, the execution order of blocks may be changed, and / or some of the described blocks may be modified, deleted, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, some or all of the blocks may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits (e.g., individual and / or integrated analog and / or digital circuits, FPGAs, ASICs, comparators, operational amplifiers (op-amps), logic circuits, etc.) configured to perform the corresponding operations without running software or firmware. The processor circuits may be distributed across different network locations and / or locally distributed across one or more devices (e.g., a multi-core processor in a single machine, multiple processors distributed across server racks, etc.).

[0043] The machine-readable instructions described herein may be stored in one or more of the following formats: compressed format, encrypted format, fragmented format, compiled format, executable format, packaged format, etc. The machine-readable instructions described herein may be stored as data or as data structures (e.g., instruction parts, code, code representations, etc.) that can be used to create, manufacture, and / or generate machine-executable instructions. For example, machine-readable instructions may be fragmented and stored in one or more storage devices and / or computing devices (e.g., servers) located in the same or different locations on a network or a set of networks (e.g., a cloud, edge devices, etc.). Machine-readable instructions may require one or more of the following processes to be directly readable, interpretable, and / or executable by computer devices and / or other machines: installation, modification, adaptation, updating, combination, supplementation, configuration, decryption, decompression, deployment, distribution, reassignment, compilation, etc. For example, machine-readable instructions may be stored in multiple parts, each individually compressed, encrypted, and stored on separate computing devices. These parts, when decrypted, decompressed, and combined, form a set of executable instructions that implement one or more functions, which together can form a program like those described herein.

[0044] In another example, machine-readable instructions may be stored in a state where they can be read by processor circuitry, but additional libraries (e.g., dynamic link libraries (DLLs)), software development kits (SDKs), application programming interfaces (APIs), etc., may be required to execute the instructions on a particular computing device or other device. In yet another example, machine-readable instructions (e.g., stored settings, data inputs, recorded network addresses, etc.) may need to be configured before the machine-readable instructions and / or corresponding programs are executed in whole or in part. Thus, the machine-readable medium used herein may contain machine-readable instructions and / or programs, regardless of their specific format or state, whether stored or otherwise stationary or in transit.

[0045] The machine-readable instructions described herein can be expressed in past, present, or future instruction languages, scripting languages, programming languages, etc. For example, machine-readable instructions can be expressed using any of the following languages: C, C++, Java, C#, Perl, Python, JavaScript, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Structured Query Language (SQL), Swift, etc.

[0046] As described above, the exemplary process in Figure 8 may be carried out using executable instructions (e.g., computer and / or machine-readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and / or machine-readable medium, such as a hard disk drive, flash memory, read-only memory, compact disk, digital multipurpose disk, cache, random access memory, and / or any other storage device or recording disk on which the information is stored for any duration (e.g., for an extended period, permanently, for short instances, for temporary buffering, and / or for caching information). As used herein, the term “non-transitory computer-readable medium” is defined to include any type of computer-readable storage device and / or recording disk and to exclude propagating signals and transmission media.

[0047] The terms “including” and “comprising” (and all their forms and tenses) are used herein as open-ended terms. Therefore, when a claim uses either “including” or “comprising” (e.g., comprise, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within any type of claim recitation, it is understood that additional elements, terms, etc., may exist without exceeding the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. For example, when the term “at least” is used as a transition term in the claim preamble, as used herein, it is open-ended in the same way that the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended. The term “and / or” refers to any combination or subset of A, B, and C, such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A and B, (5) A and C, (6) B and C, and (7) A, B, and C, when used in the form of A, B, and C. In the context of describing structures, components, items, objects, and / or things as used herein, the term “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to an implementation that includes any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects, and / or things, as used herein, the term “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to an implementation that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B.As used herein, in the context of describing the execution or performance of a process, instruction, action, behavior, and / or step, the term “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to an implementation that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein, in the context of describing the execution or performance of a process, instruction, action, behavior, and / or step, the term “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to an implementation that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B.

[0048] As used herein, singular references (e.g., “a” or “an”), “first” or “second”) do not exclude plurals. The term “a” or “an” refers to one or more of its entities, as used herein. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” may be used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, multiple means, elements, or method operations, although listed individually, may be implemented, for example, by a single unit or processor. In addition, individual features may be included in different embodiments or claims, but they may be combined, and inclusion in different embodiments or claims does not mean that the combination of features is not viable and / or advantageous.

[0049] The program 800 in Figure 8 includes a human presence sensor 602 that detects whether a human is present in front of the electronic device 100 (block 802). The presence of a human in the electronic device 100 shows that the exemplary system 600 in Figure 6 may be implemented to reshape fan noise in order to improve the user experience by masking irritating fan noise. In some examples, analyzer 608 determines whether a human is present based on data provided to or collected by the noise reshaping signal generator 604. If no human is present, the noise reshaping signal generator 604 and system 600 generally do nothing for reshaping fan noise (block 804).

[0050] If a human is present (block 802), analyzer 608 determines whether one or more of the main speakers 106 of the electronic device 100 are being used (block 806). If one or more main speakers 106 are being used, the user of the electronic device 100 is likely consuming audio media, and the fan noise will be obscured. If the main speakers 106 are being used, the noise reshaping signal generator 604 and system 600 generally do nothing for the reshaped fan noise (block 804).

[0051] If the main speaker 106 is not in use, analyzer 608 accesses the workload, operating power level, or CPU power level of the electronic device 100 (block 808). Based on the workload or operating power level of the electronic device 100, analyzer 608 estimates the baseline fan noise (block 810).

[0052] The fan microphone 412 detects ambient noise (block 812). For example, the fan microphone 412 detects background noise in the fan 102. In some examples, the main microphone 104 supplements the data collected from the fan microphone 412. In other examples, the main microphone 104 is used instead of the fan microphone 412.

[0053] Comparator 612 compares ambient noise to baseline fan noise (block 814). Tone discriminator 614 identifies high-pitched tones (block 816). In some examples, tone discriminator 614 identifies high-pitched tones in the fan noise signal. In some examples, tone discriminator 614 identifies high-pitched tones in comparison between fan noise and ambient or background noise.

[0054] Analyzer 608 identifies the critical band around the identified high-pitched tone (block 818). Calculator 616 calculates the prominence rate based on the identified high-pitched tone and critical band (block 820). In some examples, calculator 616 determines the PR using Equation 1.

[0055] Comparator 612 compares PR to a threshold (block 822). If PR is below the threshold, or otherwise does not meet the threshold, analyzer 608 can determine that the fan noise signal is not reshaped. Exemplary process 800 continues, and analyzer 608 determines whether another high-pitched tone should be identified (block 824). If another high-pitched tone should be identified, the tone discriminator identifies another high-pitched tone (block 816), and process 800 proceeds as described above. If analyzer 608 determines that no other tone should be identified, process 800 terminates.

[0056] If PR is above or below the threshold (block 822), the computer determines the gain for at least one critical band so that PR falls below the threshold (block 826). In some examples, analyzer 608 determines whether the gain should be adjusted based on the fan position and / or acoustic transducer position (block 828). If the gain should be adjusted, analyzer 608 adjusts the gain based on the position of fan 102 and / or acoustic transducers 402, 502 (block 830).

[0057] If analyzer 608 determines that the gain should not be adjusted (block 828), or after the gain has been adjusted (block 830), signal adjuster 618 generates signals or commands about the generated gain, or masking noise, or energy, and reshapes the fan noise. Acoustic transducers 402 and 502 generate masking noise, which is an acoustic signal containing the gain, and reshape the fan noise (block 832).

[0058] The exemplary process 800 continues, and the analyzer 608 determines whether another high-pitched tone should be identified (block 824). If another high-pitched tone should be identified, the tone discriminator identifies another high-pitched tone (block 816), and process 800 proceeds as described above. If the analyzer 608 determines that no other tone should be identified, process 800 terminates.

[0059] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary processor platform 900 configured to execute the instructions in Figure 8 in order to implement the system in Figure 6. The processor platform 900 can be used, for example, in servers, personal computers, workstations, self-learning machines (e.g., neural networks), and mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, smartphones, iPads). TMThis could include tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), internet appliances, DVD players, CD players, digital video recorders, Blu-ray players, game consoles, personal video recorders, set-top boxes, headsets, or other wearable devices, or any other type of computer device.

[0060] The illustrated example processor platform 900 includes a processor 112. The illustrated example processor 912 is hardware. For example, the processor 912 may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors, GPUs, DSPs, or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. The hardware processor may be a semiconductor-based (e.g., silicon-based) device. In this example, the processor 912 performs a noise reshaping signal generator 604, a transceiver 606, an analyzer 608, a comparator 612, a tone discriminator 614, a calculator 616, and a signal tuner 618.

[0061] The illustrated example processor 912 includes local memory 913 (e.g., cache). The illustrated example processor 912 communicates with main memory, which includes volatile memory 914 and non-volatile memory 916, via bus 918. The volatile memory 914 may be implemented by synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), RAMBUS(D) dynamic random access memory (RDRAM(D)), and / or any other type of random access memory device. The non-volatile memory 916 may be implemented by flash memory, and / or any other desired type of memory device. Access to main memory 914, 916 is controlled by a memory controller.

[0062] The illustrated example processor platform 900 also includes an interface circuit 920. The interface circuit 920 can be implemented by any type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Bluetooth® interface, Near Field Communication (NFC) interface, and / or PCI Express interface.

[0063] In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 922 are connected to the interface circuit 920. The input devices 922 allow the user to input data and / or commands to the processor 1012. The input devices may be implemented, for example, by acoustic sensors, microphones, cameras, keyboards, buttons, mice, touchscreens, trackpads, trackballs, IsoPoints, and / or voice recognition systems.

[0064] One or more output devices 924 are also connected to the interface circuit 920 of the illustrated example. The output devices 1024 may be implemented by, for example, display devices (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), cathode ray tubes (CRTs), in-plane switching (IPS) displays, touchscreens, etc.), haptic output devices, printers, and / or speakers. Accordingly, the interface circuit 920 of the illustrated example typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip, and / or a graphics driver processor.

[0065] The illustrated example interface circuit 920 also includes communication devices such as transmitters, receivers, transceivers, modems, residential gateways, wireless access points, and / or network interfaces via the network 926 to facilitate data exchange with external machines (e.g., any type of computing device). Communication may be via, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection, a telephone line connection, a coaxial cable system, a satellite system, a line-of-site wireless system, a cellular telephone system, etc.

[0066] The illustrated example processor platform 900 also includes one or more mass storage devices 928 for storing software and / or data. Examples of such mass storage devices 1028 include floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, redundant array (RAID) systems of independent disks, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives.

[0067] The machine-executable instructions 932 in Figure 8 may be stored in a mass storage device 928, in volatile memory 914, in non-volatile memory 916, and / or on a removable non-temporary computer-readable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.

[0068] From the above, it will be understood that exemplary systems, devices, articles, and methods have been disclosed for mitigating, canceling, reducing, reshaping, or masking acoustic noise generated by fans in electronic devices. These examples control the noise characteristics of fans for improved human perception. The exemplary fan hardware designs disclosed herein cancel noise at the fan source. The examples disclosed herein enable reshaping and mitigating noise without using thicker designs with larger blowers. These embodiments disclosed herein also do not require a redesign of the cooling fan itself. The embodiments disclosed herein also do not limit the workload or power level performance of the electronic device 100. Because the fan noise is controlled, the embodiments disclosed herein enable the electronic device to operate at higher power with increased fan operation and noise without causing discomfort to the human user. Thus, noise characteristic control using the examples disclosed herein improves the operation of computing devices by enabling higher system performance with improved thermal control.

[0069] Typically, fan performance is limited by its noise. For example, a fan may be able to supply open-air airflow of up to 10 cubic feet / minute (CFM), but the noise level at this fan speed can reach 50 dB, which is much higher than the specifications of most original device manufacturers (ranging from approximately 40 dB to 45 dB). In the embodiments disclosed herein, fan noise can be reduced by several decibels, which is sufficient for the fan to perform and operate without constraint. These examples also increase system-on-chip power and system performance. Reducing noise by several decibels at maximum fan speed is beneficial to the user because it allows electronics to be more powerful, thinner, and lighter without compromising system noise.

[0070] Example 1 includes a system for reshaping fan noise of an electronic device fan. The system includes a microphone for detecting a first acoustic signal containing fan noise. The system also includes a processor that identifies the tone in the first acoustic signal and, The system includes a processor for determining a gain to be applied to the first acoustic signal in order to mask the tone. The system also includes an acoustic transducer for providing a second acoustic signal including the gain.

[0071] Example 2 includes the system of Example 1 and optionally includes the microphone, which is coupled to the housing of the fan inside the electronic device.

[0072] Example 3 includes either system from Example 1-2 and optionally includes the microphone, which is located in or near the fan's drainage area.

[0073] Example 4 includes any of the systems from Examples 1-3, and optionally includes a microphone which is a first microphone, and the system includes a second microphone for detecting the first acoustic signal.

[0074] Example 5 includes any system from Examples 1-4 and optionally includes the acoustic transducer, which is coupled to the fan housing inside the electronic device.

[0075] Example 6 includes any system from Examples 1-5 and optionally includes the acoustic transducer, which is a dynamic speaker.

[0076] Example 7 includes any system from Examples 1-6 and optionally includes the acoustic transducer, which is a balanced armature.

[0077] Example 8 includes any system from Examples 1-7 and optionally includes the processor for identifying a critical band adjacent to the tone, calculating the prominence rate for the tone, and determining the gain based on the pre-prominence rate.

[0078] Example 9 includes any system from Examples 1-8 and optionally includes a processor that identifies a first critical band adjacent to the tone, identifies a second critical band adjacent to the tone, calculates a prominence rate for the tone based on the first and second critical bands, compares the prominence rate to a threshold, and determines to add the gain if the prominence rate does not satisfy the threshold. The gain includes a first gain for the second acoustic signal in the first critical band and a second gain for the second acoustic signal in the second critical band.

[0079] Example 10 includes any system from Examples 1-9 and optionally includes the gain, which is adjusted based on the position of at least one of the fan, the microphone, or the acoustic transducer.

[0080] Example 11 includes any system from Examples 1-10 and optionally includes the gain, which is adjusted based on the relative positioning between the fan, the microphone, and the acoustic transducer.

[0081] Example 12 includes any system from Examples 1-11 and optionally includes the gain, which is adjusted to vary the colored noise.

[0082] Example 13 includes any system from Examples 1-12 and optionally includes the processor which accesses data indicating the presence of a human being near the electronic device and identifies the tone based on the presence.

[0083] Example 14 includes any of the systems from Examples 1-13, and optionally accesses data indicating when the speaker of the electronic device is being used, the speaker is configured to provide audio content to the user of the electronic device, and The processor includes a function that identifies the tone based on whether the speaker is not being used.

[0084] Example 15 includes a system for reshaping fan noise of an electronic device fan. The system includes means for detecting a first acoustic signal containing fan noise. The system includes means for processing the acoustic signal, which includes identifying a tone in the acoustic signal and determining a gain to be added to the acoustic signal to mask the tone. The system also includes means for generating a second acoustic signal containing the gain.

[0085] Example 16 includes the system of Example 15 and optionally includes the detecting means coupled to the fan housing inside the electronic device.

[0086] Example 17 includes any system from Examples 15-16 and optionally includes the detection means located in or near the fan's drainage area.

[0087] Example 18 includes any system from Examples 15-17 and optionally includes the detecting means, which includes two microphones for detecting the first acoustic signal.

[0088] Example 19 includes any system from Examples 15-18 and optionally includes the generating means coupled to the fan housing inside the electronic device.

[0089] Example 20 includes the generating means, which includes any system from Examples 15-19 and optionally includes a dynamic speaker.

[0090] Example 21 includes the generating means, which includes any system from Examples 15-20 and optionally includes a balanced armature.

[0091] Example 22 includes any system from Examples 15-21 and optionally includes processing means for identifying a critical band adjacent to the tone, calculating the prominence rate for the tone, and determining the gain based on the pre-prominence rate.

[0092] Example 23 comprises any system from Examples 15-22 and optionally includes processing means for identifying a first critical band adjacent to the tone, identifying a second critical band adjacent to the tone, calculating a prominence rate for the tone based on the first and second critical bands, comparing the prominence rate to a threshold, and determining to add the gain if the prominence rate does not satisfy the threshold, wherein the gain includes a first gain for the second acoustic signal in the first critical band and a second gain for the second acoustic signal in the second critical band.

[0093] Example 24 includes any of the systems from Examples 15-23, and optionally, The gain is adjusted based on the position of at least one of the fan, the detecting means, or the generating means.

[0094] Example 25 includes any system from Examples 15-24, and optionally, the gain is adjusted based on the relative positioning between the fan, the sensing means, and the generating means.

[0095] Example 26 includes any system from Examples 15-25, and optionally, the gain is adjusted to vary the colored noise.

[0096] Example 27 includes any system from Examples 15-26 and optionally includes means for accessing data indicating the presence of a human being near the electronic device and, based on the presence, identifying the tone.

[0097] Example 28 includes any system from Examples 15-27 and optionally includes processing means for accessing data indicating whether the speaker of the electronic device is being used, the speaker being positioned to provide audio content to the user of the electronic device, and identifying the tone based on whether the speaker is not being used.

[0098] Example 29 includes a device for reshaping fan noise of an electronic device fan. The device includes a memory and a processor circuit, which, upon executing an instruction, identifies a tone in a detected first acoustic signal, determines a gain to be added to the first acoustic signal to mask the tone, and causes an acoustic transducer to generate a second acoustic signal including the gain.

[0099] Example 30 includes the apparatus of Example 29 and optionally includes the processor circuit for identifying a critical band adjacent to the tone, calculating the prominence rate for the tone, and determining the gain based on the pre-prominence rate.

[0100] Example 31 includes any apparatus from Examples 29-30 and optionally includes the processor circuit which identifies a first critical band adjacent to the tone, identifies a second critical band adjacent to the tone, calculates a prominence rate for the tone based on the first and second critical bands, compares the prominence rate to a threshold, and determines to add the gain if the prominence rate does not satisfy the threshold, the gain includes a first gain for the second acoustic signal in the first critical band and a second gain for the second acoustic signal in the second critical band.

[0101] Example 32 includes any apparatus from Examples 29-31 and optionally includes the processor circuit for adjusting the gain based on the position of at least one of the fan, the microphone for detecting the first acoustic signal, or the acoustic transducer.

[0102] Example 33 includes any apparatus from Examples 29-32 and optionally includes the processor circuit that adjusts the gain based on the relative positioning between the fan, the microphone for detecting the first acoustic signal, and the acoustic transducer.

[0103] Example 34 includes any apparatus from Examples 29-32 and optionally includes the processor circuit that adjusts the gain to vary the colored noise.

[0104] Example 35 includes any of the devices from Examples 29-34 and optionally includes the processor circuit that accesses data indicating the presence of a human being near the electronic device and identifies the tone based on the presence.

[0105] Example 36 includes any of the devices from Examples 29-35, and optionally accesses data indicating that the speaker of the electronic device is being used, the speaker is configured to provide audio content to the user of the electronic device, and The processor circuit includes a component that identifies the tone based on whether the speaker is not being used.

[0106] Embodiment 37 includes a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium containing instructions. When the instructions are executed, one or more processors are instructed to at least identify a tone in a detected first acoustic signal, determine a gain to be applied to the first acoustic signal to mask the tone, and cause an acoustic transducer to generate a second acoustic signal containing the gain.

[0107] Example 38 includes the medium of Example 37 and optionally includes the instruction causing one or more processors to identify critical bands adjacent to the tone, calculate the prominence rate for the tone, and determine the gain based on the previous prominence rate.

[0108] Example 39 comprises any medium from Examples 37-38 and optionally includes instructions causing one or more processors to identify a first critical band adjacent to the tone, identify a second critical band adjacent to the tone, calculate a prominence rate for the tone based on the first and second critical bands, compare the prominence rate to a threshold, and decide to add the gain if the prominence rate does not satisfy the threshold, the gain comprising a first gain for the second acoustic signal in the first critical band and a second gain for the second acoustic signal in the second critical band.

[0109] Example 40 includes any medium from Examples 37-39 and optionally includes the instruction causing one or more processors to adjust the gain based on the position of at least one of the fan, the microphone that detects the first acoustic signal, or the acoustic transducer.

[0110] Example 41 includes any medium from Examples 37-40 and optionally includes the instruction causing one or more processors to adjust the gain based on the relative positioning between a fan, a microphone for detecting the first acoustic signal, and the acoustic transducer.

[0111] Example 42 includes any medium from Examples 37-41 and optionally includes the instruction causing one or more processors to adjust the gain to change the colored noise.

[0112] Example 43 includes any medium from Examples 37-42 and optionally includes the instruction causing one or more processors to access data indicating the presence of a human being near an electronic device and to identify the tone based on the presence.

[0113] Example 44 includes any medium from Examples 37-43 and optionally includes the instruction causing one or more processors to access data indicating whether the speaker of the electronic device is in use, that the speaker is positioned to provide audio content to the user of the electronic device, and to identify the tone based on whether the speaker is not in use.

[0114] Example 45 includes a method for reshaping fan noise of an electronic device fan. The method includes the steps of: identifying a tone in a first acoustic signal, which includes fan noise, by executing an instruction using a processor; determining a gain to be added to the first acoustic signal to mask the tone, by executing an instruction using the processor; and providing a second acoustic signal which includes the gain.

[0115] Example 46 includes the method of Example 45 and optionally includes the steps of: identifying a critical band adjacent to the tone by executing an instruction using the processor; calculating a prominence rate for the tone by executing an instruction using the processor; and determining the gain based on the pre-prominence rate by executing an instruction using the processor.

[0116] Example 47 includes any of the methods of Examples 45-46 and optionally includes the steps of: identifying a first critical band adjacent to the tone by executing an instruction using the processor; identifying a second critical band adjacent to the tone by executing an instruction using the processor; calculating a prominence rate for the tone based on the first and second critical bands by executing an instruction using the processor; comparing the prominence rate with a threshold by executing an instruction using the processor; and determining to add the gain if the prominence rate does not satisfy the threshold by executing an instruction using the processor, wherein the gain includes a first gain for the second acoustic signal in the first critical band and a second gain for the second acoustic signal in the second critical band.

[0117] Example 48 includes any method of Examples 45-47 and optionally includes the step of adjusting the gain based on the position of at least one of the fan, the microphone that detects the first acoustic signal, or the acoustic transducer by executing an instruction using the processor.

[0118] Example 49 includes any of the methods of Examples 45-48 and optionally includes the step of adjusting the gain based on the relative positioning between the fan, the microphone for detecting the first acoustic signal, and the acoustic transducer by executing instructions using the processor.

[0119] Example 50 includes any of the methods of Examples 45-49 and optionally includes the step of adjusting the gain to change the colored noise by executing instructions using the processor.

[0120] Example 51 includes any of the methods of Examples 45-50 and optionally includes the steps of accessing data indicating the presence of a human being near the electronic device, and identifying the tone based on the presence by executing instructions using the processor.

[0121] Example 52 includes any method of Examples 45-50 and optionally includes the steps of accessing data indicating whether the speaker of the electronic device is being used, the speaker being arranged to provide audio content to the user of the electronic device, and identifying the tone based on whether the speaker is not being used by executing an instruction using the processor.

[0122] In some of Examples 1-52, the tone is a high-pitched tone. In some of Examples 1-52, the tone is a low-pitched tone. In some of Examples 1-52, the tone is a combination of tones including high-pitched and / or low-pitched tones.

[0123] While certain exemplary methods, apparatus, and articles have been disclosed herein, the scope of protection of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent fairly covers all methods, apparatus, and articles that fall within the scope of these claims.

[0124] The following claims are incorporated by reference into this detailed description, and each claim stands alone as a distinct embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A system for reshaping the fan noise of electronic devices, A microphone for detecting a first acoustic signal including fan noise, and placed in the water drainage area of ​​the fan, It is a processor, Identify the tone in the first acoustic signal, and, To mask the aforementioned tone, the gain of the second acoustic signal is determined. A processor for, An acoustic transducer for providing the second acoustic signal including the gain, Includes, The aforementioned acoustic transducer is a dynamic speaker or a balanced armature, and The acoustic transducer is located away from the speaker of the system and in the drainage area of ​​the fan. The aforementioned processor, Identify the first critical band adjacent to the aforementioned tone, A second critical band adjacent to the aforementioned tone is identified, Based on the first critical band and the second critical band, the prominence rate for the tone is calculated. The aforementioned prominence rate is compared with a threshold, If the prominence rate does not satisfy the threshold, it is decided to add the gain. Adjust the gain to change the colored noise. system.

2. The microphone is coupled to the fan housing inside the electronic device. The system according to claim 1.

3. The microphone is the first microphone, and The system includes a second microphone for detecting the first acoustic signal. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The acoustic transducer is coupled to the fan housing inside the electronic device. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned acoustic transducer is a dynamic speaker. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The aforementioned acoustic transducer is a balanced armature. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The gain includes a first gain for the second acoustic signal in the first critical band and a second gain for the second acoustic signal in the second critical band. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The gain is adjusted based on the position of at least one of the fan, the microphone, or the acoustic transducer. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The gain is adjusted based on the relative positioning between the fan, the microphone, and the acoustic transducer. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The aforementioned processor, Accessing data indicating the presence of a human being near the electronic device, and, Based on the presence of the aforementioned, to identify the tone, The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The aforementioned processor, Access data indicating that the speaker of the electronic device is in use, and that the speaker is configured to provide audio content to the user of the electronic device, Based on the fact that the speaker is not being used, the tone is identified. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for reshaping the fan noise of an electronic device's fan, The steps include identifying the tone in a first acoustic signal detected by a microphone, wherein the first acoustic signal includes fan noise, and the microphone is placed in the drainage area of ​​the fan, The steps include determining the gain of a second acoustic signal in order to mask the aforementioned tone, The step is to provide the second acoustic signal, including the gain, by an acoustic transducer, The aforementioned acoustic transducer is a dynamic speaker or a balanced armature, and The acoustic transducer is located away from the speaker of the system that reshapes the fan noise, and is positioned in the drainage area of ​​the fan. Steps and Includes, The above method further, The steps include identifying a first critical band adjacent to the tone, The steps include identifying a second critical band adjacent to the aforementioned tone, A step of calculating the prominence rate for the tone based on the first critical band and the second critical band, The steps include comparing the prominence rate with a threshold, The step of deciding to add the gain if the prominence rate does not satisfy the threshold, The steps include adjusting the gain to change the colored noise, including, method.

13. The gain includes a first gain for the second acoustic signal in the first critical band and a second gain for the second acoustic signal in the second critical band. The method according to claim 12.

14. The above method further, The step includes adjusting the gain based on the position of at least one of the fan, the microphone that detects the first acoustic signal, or the acoustic transducer. The method according to claim 12 or 13.

15. The above method further, The step includes adjusting the gain based on the relative positioning between the fan, the microphone for detecting the first acoustic signal, and the acoustic transducer. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. The above method further, The steps include accessing data indicating the presence of a human being near the electronic device, The step of identifying the tone based on the presence of the aforementioned, The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15.

17. The above method further, The steps include: accessing data indicating that the speaker of the electronic device is being used, wherein the speaker is configured to provide audio content to the user of the electronic device; The step of identifying the tone based on whether the speaker is not being used, The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16.

18. A machine-readable storage medium containing instructions, When the instruction is executed, one or more processors are made to perform the method according to any one of claims 12 to 17. Machine-readable storage medium.

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