Application Sound Filtering via Digital Signal Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
During voice communications using VOIP, users face challenges with unwanted sounds from other applications being broadcasted, such as alarms and background music, which can disrupt conversations and require muting the soft phone, preventing users from speaking or transmitting background noise.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to selectively filter sounds from specific applications by monitoring digital audio signals at the RAM level, converting them to analog, inverting, and combining with the microphone input to cancel out unwanted sounds, ensuring voice communications are not interrupted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If users mute their soft phones to prevent broadcasting alarms and pop-up sounds, then unwanted application sounds are blocked, but users cannot speak on conference calls
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments audio filtering by application source, allowing selective muting of specific applications (e.g., email, instant messaging) while keeping the soft phone unmuted for voice communication. This enables granular control over which application sounds are blocked without affecting the ability to speak on calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft phone application acts as an intermediary that monitors digital audio signals from other applications and selectively filters them before they reach the microphone. This intermediary filtering mechanism blocks unwanted sounds without requiring the user to mute the soft phone, thus preserving voice communication capability.
2Ease of operation
If users un-mute their soft phone to speak, then voice communication is enabled, but sounds from other applications are broadcast
Solution Approach 1:
The soft phone application serves as an intermediary that monitors digital audio signals from other applications and selectively filters them. This allows the soft phone to remain unmuted for voice communication while simultaneously blocking unwanted application sounds from being broadcast through the microphone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring digital audio signals from applications in real-time and dynamically filtering those signals before they reach the microphone. This continuous monitoring and filtering process ensures that unwanted sounds are blocked while maintaining voice communication capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If local speakers are muted to block application sounds, then unwanted sounds are blocked, but users cannot hear certain alarms or pop-up sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments audio filtering by application source rather than applying a global mute to all sounds. Users can select specific applications to filter (e.g., email, instant messaging) while allowing important sounds from other applications to play through the speakers, enabling selective blocking without missing important alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering mechanism applies different quality characteristics to different audio sources. Important sounds from selected applications pass through unchanged while unwanted sounds from other applications are filtered, creating localized quality differences in the audio output based on the source application.
4Adaptability or versatility
If users transmit background music through the microphone during VOIP calls, then background music is shared with participants, but it disrupts the conversation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments audio transmission by application source, allowing users to selectively enable or disable specific applications during calls. Users can allow video narration from presentation software while blocking background music from media players, enabling controlled sharing of audio content without conversation disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering configuration is dynamic and can be adjusted during calls based on the current situation. Users can change which applications are filtered in real-time, allowing flexible control over what audio is transmitted to adapt to different conversation needs and contexts.
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
Enables users to transmit desired sounds, like video narration, while blocking unwanted application sounds, allowing seamless voice communication without interrupting voice streams or transmitting background noise.
Implementation Method 1
converting them to analog, inverting, and combining with the microphone input to cancel out unwanted sounds
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and program product are provided for filtering sound from a selected application on a computer without interrupting voice communications on the computer. The method comprises: monitoring a selected program for an outgoing digital audio signal from a selected application; detecting said digital audio signal; and filtering an analog microphone input with the digital audio signal.