Acoustic Ambience Classification for Noise-Adaptive System Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data processing systems face challenges in effectively adapting to and improving the operation of electronic systems within environments with varying acoustic ambience, such as noise from weather, mechanical devices, and human activity, which can disrupt tasks like automated speech recognition.

Innovation Solution

An audio processing system that utilizes multiple microphones and environmental sensors to classify acoustic ambience, allowing it to modify the operation of electronic systems, such as media players and speech recognition systems, by interpreting and responding to the detected sounds and user interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automated speech recognition systems operate in noisy environments, then they can function in various physical settings, but their recognition accuracy deteriorates due to background sounds and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidspeech recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the ambient noise itself as a training signal to learn and adapt to the acoustic environment. By processing the harmful noise through neural networks, the system converts the adverse acoustic conditions into useful information for improving speech recognition accuracy in that specific environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts acoustic parameters and processing strategies based on the detected ambient noise characteristics. By changing parameters such as noise suppression levels, frequency filtering, and recognition thresholds according to the measured acoustic environment, the system maintains high recognition accuracy across diverse settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If electronic systems operate in varying acoustic environments, then they can be deployed broadly, but their performance consistency deteriorates due to unpredictable noise conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidperformance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the acoustic environment and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust its operation. By implementing closed-loop control where the measured ambient noise feeds back into the system to modify processing parameters, the system maintains consistent performance across varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static, fixed-parameter operation to dynamic, adaptive operation. By making the system's acoustic processing parameters changeable in real-time based on environmental conditions, it achieves both deployment flexibility and performance consistency through continuous adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If noise suppression techniques are applied to improve speech recognition, then recognition accuracy improves, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeech recognition accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs its own acoustic environment adaptation autonomously without requiring manual configuration or complex external processing. By using self-supervised learning where the system trains itself on the ambient noise it encounters, it achieves high recognition accuracy while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3090429B1Modifying operations based on acoustic ambience classification
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 GRACENOTE INC
  • EP3090429B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3090429B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3090429B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and systems for modification of electronic system operation based on acoustic ambience classification are presented. In an example method, at least one audio signal present in a physical environment of a user is detected. The at least one audio signal is analyzed to extract at least one audio feature from the audio signal. The audio signal is classified based on the audio feature to produce at least one classification of the audio signal. Operation of an electronic system interacting with the user in the physical environment is modified based on the classification of the audio signal.