Active Acoustic Filter with Adaptive Sound Profile Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio filtering technologies fail to adaptively modify ambient sound to individual preferences in real-time, particularly in varying environments, as they do not effectively differentiate between desired and undesired sound frequencies, nor can they automatically adjust based on location or sound characteristics.

Innovation Solution

An active acoustic filter system that uses a personal computing device and a network connection to analyze ambient sound, automatically select processing parameters based on location and sound profiles, and apply filtering, equalization, and noise reduction to enhance or attenuate specific sound frequencies, incorporating user preferences and environmental data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing audio filtering technologies are used, then basic sound attenuation is achieved, but the system cannot adaptively modify ambient sound to individual preferences in real-time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptive modification of ambient soundVSAvoidautomatic adjustment based on environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts filter parameters in real-time based on ambient sound characteristics and user preferences. The filtering system transitions from static pre-programmed filters to dynamic adaptive filtering that continuously modifies attenuation levels across different frequency bands according to the current acoustic environment and individual user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including frequency-dependent attenuation levels, filter cutoff frequencies, and gain adjustments based on analyzed ambient sound profiles. These parameter modifications enable the system to adapt to different environments (concerts, airplanes, sports events) and apply location-based filter characteristics automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If manual filter adjustment is implemented, then user control over sound frequencies is achieved, but the system cannot automatically adjust based on location or sound characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic parameter selectionVSAvoidsystem architecture with analysis functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically analyzing ambient sound characteristics and selecting appropriate filter parameters without requiring manual user input. The embedded analysis function continuously monitors the acoustic environment and autonomously modifies filtering settings to match the detected sound profile and location-based characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback loop where the analysis function continuously monitors ambient sound and feeds this information back to the filtering function. This closed-loop control enables automatic adaptation to changing environmental conditions, with the system responding to real-time sound characteristic changes by adjusting filter parameters accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If frequency-specific attenuation is applied, then protection from harmful sound frequencies is achieved, but desired frequencies cannot be simultaneously enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from harmful soundVSAvoidsound quality enhancement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different filtering qualities to different frequency bands, allowing selective attenuation of harmful frequencies while preserving or enhancing desired frequencies. Each frequency band receives customized processing based on its characteristics and the detected ambient sound profile, enabling simultaneous noise reduction and sound quality enhancement in different spectral regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial attenuation to frequency bands rather than uniform filtering across the entire spectrum. By selectively applying attenuation only to harmful frequency ranges identified through ambient sound analysis, the system avoids excessive filtering that would degrade overall sound quality, while still providing protection from harmful sounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10466957B2Active acoustic filter with automatic selection of filter parameters based on ambient sound

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP

AI summary

Active acoustic filter systems and methods are disclosed. An active acoustic filter system includes a memory storing one or more stored sound profiles and a respective set of processing parameters associated with each of the one or more stored sound profiles. A processor coupled to the memory generates processed sound by processing ambient sound in accordance with a set of processing parameters retrieved from the memory based on results from comparing an ambient sound profile to at least one of the one or more stored sound profiles.