Adaptive Fan Noise Mitigation for Clearer E-Conference Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computer fans in laptops can generate significant noise, which interferes with the intelligibility of a user's audio during e-conference calls, reducing the effectiveness of the conference.

Innovation Solution

A system that calculates a Fan Indicative Noise (FIN) score based on real-time hardware and software metrics, and mitigates fan noise by limiting fan operation when the FIN score exceeds a threshold, ensuring the laptop is not at risk of overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If fan speed is increased to cool computing components, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but noise level increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidfan noise
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts fan speed based on real-time detection of user speech during e-conference calls. When speech is detected, the fan speed is reduced or stopped temporarily; when speech is not detected, fan speed returns to normal cooling levels. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making fan operation adaptive to contextual needs rather than purely temperature-driven.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses microphone input to detect user speech and provides feedback to the fan control mechanism. The speech detection creates a feedback loop that informs fan speed adjustments, allowing the system to respond to acoustic environment changes and prioritize speech intelligibility over continuous cooling when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-generated harmful factors

If fan speed is reduced to decrease noise, then noise level is reduced, but cooling effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefan noiseVSAvoidcomponent temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic fan control that switches between different operational modes based on detected speech activity. During e-conference calls when speech is detected, the system prioritizes noise reduction by reducing fan speed; when speech is not detected, the system transitions back to normal cooling operation. This temporal dynamics allows the system to accept temporary cooling reduction in exchange for noise reduction only when speech intelligibility is the priority.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fan operation follows a periodic pattern of speed adjustment synchronized with speech detection during e-conference calls. The system continuously monitors for speech and periodically adjusts fan speed accordingly, creating a rhythm of noise reduction during speech segments and normal cooling during non-speech segments. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by making cooling effectiveness acceptable on average while providing noise reduction when most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If continuous cooling is maintained to prevent overheating, then device reliability is improved, but audio intelligibility during e-conference deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice reliabilityVSAvoidaudio intelligibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically balances reliability and audio intelligibility by adjusting fan operation based on speech detection. During e-conference calls, when user speech is detected, the system temporarily reduces fan speed to improve audio intelligibility; when speech is not detected or during non-critical periods, the system maintains or increases fan speed to ensure cooling and reliability. This dynamic balancing allows the system to optimize for the appropriate goal based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects speech before it significantly degrades audio quality and proactively adjusts fan speed to prevent noise interference. By using speech detection as a trigger, the system takes preliminary action to reduce fan noise before it compromises audio intelligibility, rather than waiting for degradation to occur. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain both reliability and audio quality by anticipating the need for noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12204296B2Dynamic mitigation of fan noise during e-conference based on real-time and retroactive data
Publication Date: 2025.01.21 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US12204296B2 patent drawing
  • US12204296B2 patent drawing
  • US12204296B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product for mitigating computer fan noise. The embodiment may include retrieving a previously generated baseline profile for a user participating in a real-time e-conference call via a computing device. The embodiment may include identifying real-time hardware and software metrics of the computing device. The embodiment may include calculating a current fan indicative noise (FIN) score for the call based on the baseline profile and the identified metrics. The embodiment may include determining whether the current FIN score is above a threshold value. In response to determining that the FIN score is above a threshold value, the embodiment may include determining whether the computing device is at risk of damage. In response to determining that the computing device is not at risk of damage, the embodiment may include limiting operation of one or more fans of the computing device.