Active Noise Cancellation Headphones Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones exhibit variability in performance due to differences in physical characteristics of headphones and users' ears, leading to suboptimal noise reduction for each user.

Innovation Solution

An ANC method and headphone design that includes a training signal generator, channel estimator, ANC filter tuner, microphones, and speakers, which estimate environment channels and tune ANC filters in a channel estimation mode to perform effective noise cancellation in a normal mode by generating and transmitting a training signal, capturing sounds, and isolating speakers from microphones to optimize noise cancellation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If extensive research and factory tests are performed for ANC headphones, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveANC performance consistencyVSAvoidtuning process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically estimating environment channels and tuning ANC filters based on captured audio signals, eliminating the need for extensive manual factory tests and research. The headphone adapts to each user's unique characteristics through automated channel estimation and filter tuning processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts ANC filter parameters based on estimated environment channels. By changing filter coefficients and transfer functions according to measured acoustic characteristics, the system achieves optimal performance for each user without requiring manual reconfiguration or extensive testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If ANC filters are tuned for each user, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cancellation effectivenessVSAvoidsetup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The headphone automatically performs channel estimation and filter tuning without requiring user intervention. The system captures audio signals, estimates environment channels, and adjusts ANC filters autonomously, making the customization process transparent and easy for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs all necessary tuning and adaptation actions before the user begins using the headphones. By pre-estimating environment channels and pre-tuning ANC filters based on initial captures, the system ensures optimal performance is ready before the user needs it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If physical characteristics of headphones and user ears are accounted for, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-specific optimizationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses microphones to capture audio signals from the user's ear and environment, then feeds this information back to estimate environment channels and adjust ANC filters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically adapts to each user's physical characteristics without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with signal processing-based adaptation. Instead of physical customization, the system uses digital signal processing to estimate channels and tune filters, achieving user-specific optimization through software rather than hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution ensures consistent and optimized ANC performance across different users by accurately estimating environment channels and tuning filters, resulting in improved noise reduction and enhanced listening experience.

Implementation Method 1

generating, transmitting and capturing a training signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic conversion:

Implementation Method 2

estimating a plurality of environment channels by generating, transmitting and capturing a training signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic signal detection:

Implementation Method 3

performing ANC on an input signal based on the plurality of ANC filters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic interference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS11019423B2Active noise cancellation (ANC) headphone and ANC method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 GEAR RADIO ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

Provided is an active noise cancellation (ANC) method applied for an ANC headphone. The ANC method includes: in a channel estimation mode, estimating a plurality of environment channels by generating, transmitting and capturing a training signal; in the channel estimation mode, tuning a plurality of ANC filters based on the estimated plurality of environment channels; and in a normal mode, performing ANC on an input signal based on the plurality of ANC filters.