Self-Organized Acoustic Signal Cancellation Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current noise cancellation technologies are impractical and costly in shared-space environments due to the need for predefined source locations and the use of expensive microphone arrays, which fail to effectively counteract ambient noise and interfering audio signals.

Innovation Solution

A self-organized acoustic signal cancellation system that utilizes electromagnetic waves to calculate and apply cancellation signals before interference signals arrive, by broadcasting device identities, conducting channel measurements, and transmitting digitized interference signals to enhance communication quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microphone arrays are used to counteract interfering audio signals via dynamic acoustic beam steering, then noise cancellation effectiveness is improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cancellation effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy of the interference signal at the source device and transmits it through the network to the affected device. This digital replica is then used to generate cancellation signals, eliminating the need for complex physical microphone arrays while achieving the same noise cancellation effect through signal processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical microphone array system with an electromagnetic communication-based system. Instead of using multiple physical microphones and complex beamforming hardware, the solution uses digital signal transmission over network infrastructure, substituting mechanical/acoustic systems with electromagnetic field-based communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If predefined source locations are required for noise cancellation, then cancellation accuracy is improved, but adaptability to dynamic environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancellation accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to dynamic environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs channel measurements and obtains digital copies of interference signals in advance, before the actual interference occurs. By preparing the cancellation signal data beforehand through preliminary channel characterization, the system achieves both accuracy and adaptability without requiring predefined source locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the acoustic channel characteristics and updates the cancellation signals based on real-time feedback from the environment. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining cancellation accuracy, eliminating the need for fixed source location assumptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If electromagnetic waves are used to transmit interference signals for cancellation, then real-time cancellation is achieved, but signal transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages existing universal communication infrastructure (wireless networks, Bluetooth, etc.) to transmit the digital interference signals. By making the system compatible with standard electromagnetic communication protocols, it achieves fast signal transmission without adding specialized complex transmission hardware or protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach effectively reduces interference in real-time communications by calculating cancellation signals prior to interference arrival, improving communication quality without the need for expensive equipment.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting an acoustic sounding signal to an interfering device to perform a channel measurement for a channel between the interfering device and an interferee device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

The system and methods take advantage of the fact that electromagnetic waves propagate through air significantly faster than acoustic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10242658B2Self-organized acoustic signal cancellation over a network

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A system for self-organized acoustic signal cancellation over a network is disclosed. The system may transmit an acoustic sounding signal to an interfering device so that a channel measurement may be performed for a channel between the interfering device and an interferee device. The system may receive the channel measurement for the channel from the interfering device and also receive a digitized version of an audio interference signal associated with the interfering device. Based on the channel measurement and the digital version of the interference signal, the system may calculate a cancellation signal prior to the arrival of the original over-the-air audio interference signal that corresponds to the digital version of audio interference signal. The system may then apply the cancellation signal to an audio signal associated with the interferee device to remove the interference signal from the audio signal.