Acoustic Processor for Haptic Actuator Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices equipped with haptic actuators often produce audible noise during operation, degrading the user experience, due to motor noise, device noise, and environmental noise, which existing technologies have not effectively mitigated.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic processor is introduced that includes a vibration noise analyser and controller to adapt the vibration drive signal based on noise metrics, generating cancellation signals to reduce noise output, and using active noise cancellation techniques to minimize audible noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a haptic actuator is activated to generate vibration alerts or haptic patterns, then the user experience is enhanced through tactile feedback, but audible noise is produced that degrades the user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the audible noise generated by the haptic actuator as a feedback signal to create an anti-phase cancellation signal. The harmful noise is converted into useful information that enables its own cancellation through active noise control, thereby maintaining haptic feedback quality while reducing audible noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an acoustic processor as an intermediary component between the haptic actuator and the environment. This processor analyzes the noise generated by the haptic actuator and generates cancellation signals through a speaker, acting as a mediator that eliminates the harmful noise while preserving the beneficial haptic feedback.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the haptic actuator is tightly attached to the device housing to reduce device noise, then mechanical stability is improved, but the complexity of the acoustic processing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic processing system is integrated into the mobile device itself, using the device's existing speaker and processor capabilities to generate and analyze cancellation signals. The system serves itself by utilizing the haptic actuator's own noise output as the input for generating the cancellation signal, eliminating the need for external complex processing equipment.
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
The acoustic processor effectively reduces audible noise generated by haptic actuators, maintaining noise levels within acceptable limits and enhancing the user experience by adapting drive signal amplitude and frequency, and using cancellation signals to destructively interfere with noise.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic sensor input for receiving a vibration noise signal corresponding to a vibration noise output from the haptic actuator
Implementation Method 2
the controller may be configured to generate a cancellation signal for transmission via a loudspeaker to destructively interfere with the vibration noise output
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of acoustic processing for a mobile device having a haptic actuator is described. A vibration drive signal for driving a haptic actuator is received. A vibration noise output from a haptic actuator is detected. At least one vibration noise metric from the detected vibration noise output and the vibration drive signal is generated. The vibration noise output level is adapted in dependence of the at least one vibration noise metric.