Acoustic Camera Noise Source Visualization with Background Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing noise source visualization methods are hindered by background noise, which triggers unwanted measurements and buries the characteristic noise, making it difficult to accurately display and determine the positions of noise sources in machinery, electronic devices, and vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A noise source visualization data accumulation and display method using a system with MEMS acoustic sensors and a central processing unit that differentiates effective noise from background noise by analyzing beam power differences and standard deviations, allowing for the accumulation and display of noise levels over time, excluding external noise from the visualization screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a triggering technique using simple sound pressure size is used, then noise sources can be detected, but background noise triggers unwanted measurements and buries the characteristic noise of the target noise source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the triggering parameter from simple sound pressure size to a composite parameter that includes sound pressure level, standard deviation, and beam power. This multi-parameter approach allows the system to distinguish between background noise and actual noise sources by analyzing the statistical characteristics and spatial distribution of the sound signals, thereby improving both detection accuracy and triggering reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring acoustic signals, calculating beam power distribution, and adjusting triggering decisions based on the analyzed data. The feedback loop enables the system to learn from previous measurements and improve its ability to distinguish target noise sources from background noise over time
2Loss of information
If multiple acoustic data are collected at different moments, then noise sources at different positions can be discovered, but it becomes difficult to clearly determine positions and display noise levels in order
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms multi-temporal acoustic data into a spatial dimension by mapping noise sources onto a visual field using beamforming technology. Each noise source is represented by its spatial coordinates and intensity level, allowing multiple noise sources detected at different moments to be displayed simultaneously on a single screen in their respective positions, making it easy to determine locations and compare noise levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color coding to represent different noise levels and characteristics. By assigning different colors or intensity levels to noise sources based on their sound pressure levels, the system enables users to quickly distinguish between various noise sources and their relative intensities, simplifying the interpretation of multi-temporal data
3Quantity of substance
If external noise is included in the sound visualization screen, then all acoustic events are captured, but the characteristic noise of the target noise source is buried by undesired background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts target noise sources from the mixture of all acoustic events by using beamforming to calculate spatial distribution of sound sources. The system identifies and extracts characteristic noise patterns from the complete acoustic data set, separating target noise sources from background noise based on their spatial and temporal characteristics, thereby maintaining data completeness while improving target noise characterization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively identifies and displays noise sources at different points in time, enabling clear determination of noise positions and levels, while filtering out external noise, thus improving the accuracy of noise source analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic sensing device using a MEMS microphone array
Implementation Method 2
a microphone array beamformer as one of methods for investigating a position of a noise source is a method that measures sound waves generated from the noise source by using multiple microphone sensors and visualizes a distribution of the noise source
Data Source
AI summary
A noise source visualization data accumulation and display device is provided where at two or more acoustic data are generated by beamforming acoustic signals acquired at different moments by using a plurality of microphone arrays and thereafter, one selected among two or more acoustic data or acoustic data processed therefrom is mapped to one optical image to be displayed.