Bi-directional Audio Device External Speaker Echo Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bi-directional audio devices face challenges in reducing echo effects during communication sessions due to mechanical vibrations and reflected audio signals, which degrade the clarity and fidelity of speech, and existing echo cancellation methods are ineffective in such cases.
Innovation Solution
The device includes an internal microphone and speaker, with a controller that detects an external speaker connection, disabling the internal speaker and increasing the output power of the external speaker to reduce echo signals by determining the optimal power level based on the external speaker's properties, distance, and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the internal speaker outputs egress audio signals, then the user can hear the second user's speech, but the microphone detects the speaker's output creating echo
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the speaker function from the audio device by detecting when an external speaker is connected and disabling the internal speaker. This separates the harmful echo-generating component (internal speaker) from the useful audio output function, allowing the device to use the external speaker instead when available.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to cancel the echo from the internal speaker through traditional echo cancellation methods, the patent inverts the approach by switching to an external speaker for audio output while keeping the internal microphone active, thereby eliminating the echo problem at its source.
2Power
If the external speaker is used with increased power level, then the audio output quality improves, but the distance from the device increases reducing sound clarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the controller detect the connection status of the external speaker and adjust the power level accordingly. The system monitors the operational state and dynamically adjusts the power output to optimize audio quality while accounting for the external speaker's distance and characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power level parameter of the external speaker based on detected conditions. The controller adjusts the power level to an increased setting when an external speaker is connected, optimizing the balance between output power and distance-related sound degradation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the internal microphone is disabled when external speaker is connected, then echo is reduced, but the device loses bi-directional audio capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the microphone configuration adaptive rather than fixed. The internal microphone is dynamically enabled or disabled based on whether an external speaker is detected, allowing the system to switch between different operational modes (full bi-directional when external speaker is present, half-duplex when absent).
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an apparatus comprises: a housing; an internal speaker housed within the housing; an internal microphone housed within the housing; an interface; and a controller configured to: receive, using the internal microphone, ingress audio signals; output, using the internal speaker, first egress audio signals at a first power level when the internal microphone receives the ingress audio signals; detect that an external speaker is connected to the interface; based on detecting that the external speaker is connected to the interface, disable the internal microphone; and output, using the external speaker, second egress audio signals when the internal microphone receives the ingress audio signals, the second egress audio signals being output at a second power level higher than the first power level.