Audio Echo Path Delay Estimation for Video Call Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Echo data interference complicates smooth functioning of electronic devices during audio data processing, particularly in video calls, leading to user communication difficulties.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with a wireless communication circuit, microphone, processor, and memory executes a method to transmit a trigger signal, receive a response signal, calculate echo path delay, and perform echo canceling operations based on the delay to optimize audio data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If echo cancellation devices and beamforming are used to reduce distortion, then audio data quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio data qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the audio processing system into multiple independent modules: beamforming module for spatial filtering, echo cancellation module for removing reflected audio, and noise suppression module for reducing background noise. Each module handles a specific aspect of audio purification, allowing complex processing to be achieved through coordinated simple components rather than a single complex system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary echo path estimation and adaptive filtering before final audio output. By pre-calculating echo paths and applying adaptive filters in advance, the system reduces distortion proactively rather than reactively, improving audio quality while maintaining efficient processing architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple echo canceling devices are included to remove echo, then echo suppression is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveecho suppressionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary echo path estimator that models the acoustic environment between the speaker and microphone. This estimator serves as a mediator that predicts echo characteristics without requiring direct physical echo cancellation hardware for every possible echo path, reducing the need for multiple complex echo canceling devices while maintaining effective echo suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If audio data is processed continuously to maintain quality, then audio function reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio function reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic audio processing at specific intervals rather than continuous processing. The beamforming and echo cancellation operations are performed at predetermined time points during video calls, maintaining audio quality reliability while reducing overall energy consumption by allowing the processing modules to enter low-power states between periodic operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12574676B2Audio data processing method and electronic device supporting same
Publication Date: 2026.03.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US12574676B2 patent drawing
  • US12574676B2 patent drawing
  • US12574676B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device comprising a wireless communication circuit, a microphone, an audio circuit, a processor, and a memory operatively connected to the processor are provided. When a designated application is executed, the electronic device transmits a trigger signal to the audio circuit, transmits the trigger signal to an external electronic device through the wireless communication circuit, acquires a response signal corresponding to the trigger signal by using the microphone from the external electronic device, calculates a path delay time by comparing the trigger signal with the response signal by using the audio circuit, and performs an echo canceling operation based on the path delay time.