Audio Countering System for Voice Signal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voice recognition systems in devices that generate sound face challenges due to audio output mixing with voice commands, making it difficult to accurately identify voice-based signals.
Innovation Solution
An audio countering system that uses electronic system-based audio signals to cancel or counter the audio output from sound generating systems, enhancing voice-based signal isolation and recognition by compensating for distortion factors such as echo and reflections through calibration and digital/analog domain processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the sound generating system outputs audio signals, then the system can provide entertainment or information, but the audio output mixes with voice commands and masks them, making voice recognition difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the harmful audio output from the sound generating system and converts it into a useful signal for cancellation. By feeding the audio output to a canceller that generates an inverted phase signal, the system transforms the masking effect into a beneficial cancellation mechanism that enhances voice command recognition accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary anti-action by generating the audio cancellation signal in advance based on the captured audio output. The canceller processes the audio signal and produces the inverted phase signal before it can interfere with voice command recognition, thereby preemptively eliminating the harmful masking effect.
2Ease of operation
If voice recognition is performed in a sound generating system, then hands-free control is enabled, but the system's own audio output interferes with the voice signal detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary audio canceller between the sound generating system and the voice recognition system. This intermediary component captures the audio output, generates an inverted phase cancellation signal, and combines it with the microphone input, thereby mediating the interference between audio output and voice detection while preserving hands-free control capability.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses the same digital source to cancel audio output, then voice signal isolation is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional processing circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the audio cancellation function with the existing sound generating system by using the same digital audio source and integrating the canceller into the existing audio processing architecture. This combining approach improves voice signal isolation while minimizing the increase in system complexity by reusing existing components.
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
Effectively isolates and enhances voice-based signals, improving the accuracy of voice command identification and implementation in voice-controllable sound generating systems by mitigating the interference from sound output.
Implementation Method 1
The system may use the digital source to null, counterbalance, cancel, or compensate for the microphone to the sounds generated by the device. This may be performed in the digital domain. Furthermore, the system may compensate for system volume, speaker aberrations or anomalies, proximity to speaker, reflections, or echoes.
Implementation Method 2
the system may compensate for system volume, speaker aberrations or anomalies, proximity to speaker, reflections, or echoes
Data Source
AI summary
A system for enhanced processing of voice-based signals in a voice-controllable sound-generating system (SGS) is provided. An SGS audio source may communicate electronic SGS audio signals to both (a) one or more speakers, which output corresponding SGS sound waves and (b) an audio countering system. A microphone may detect sound waves and output corresponding audio signals including: (a) distorted SGS audio signals corresponding with SGS sound waves and (b) additional audio signals originated from other sources, e.g., including voice-based commands. The audio countering system may (a) receive the electronic SGS audio signals from the SGS audio source; receive signals from the microphone representing the microphone-detected sound waves, and (c) use the electronic SGS audio signals received to cancel or counter the distorted SGS audio signals included in the microphone-received audio signals, to thereby enhance any voice-based commands included in the received audio signals.