Audio Filtering System for Multi-User Content Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio output devices cannot effectively present multiple audio content streams to different users in the same environment, resulting in an ambient audio signal that sounds like gibberish, as they lack the ability to dynamically analyze and filter out unwanted audio tracks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an audio filtering system that generates an inverse sound wave corresponding to unwanted audio data, using a reference signal to adjust the filtering level and account for environmental effects, allowing each user to hear only their intended audio stream through headphones or audio devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single audio output device presents multiple audio content streams simultaneously, then resource usage is minimized and device quantity is reduced, but the audio quality deteriorates as the ambient audio signal becomes indistinguishable gibberish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mixed audio signal into distinct content streams by identifying and separating individual audio tracks. Each user's audio content is extracted from the combined audio output, allowing selective filtering and independent control of each content stream's audio signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio filtering system as an intermediary between the audio output device and users. This system includes a reference signal generator that creates a template of the mixed audio, and a filter that uses this reference to selectively remove unwanted audio tracks while preserving the desired content for each user.
2Device complexity
If conventional audio output devices present multiple audio streams, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect and measure specific audio tracks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the mixed audio signal to identify and characterize individual audio tracks before filtering. The system pre-processes the audio to create reference signals that capture the temporal and spectral characteristics of each content stream, enabling subsequent selective filtering without requiring complex real-time separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the audio filtering system continuously monitors the output and adjusts filtering parameters based on detected audio characteristics. The reference signal generator uses feedback from the mixed audio to adaptively track and maintain accurate templates of individual content streams, improving detection and separation performance.
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 multiple users to independently experience different audio content from a single audio output device without interference, reducing the need for separate audio devices and minimizing resource usage in network environments.
Implementation Method 1
an audio filtering system, embodied within the wearable device, generates a device filter signal, comprising an inverse sound wave corresponding to audio data of another user's content
Data Source
AI summary
In example embodiments, a system and method for presenting a combined audio stream from a single presentation system to a plurality of users is provided. The method comprises receiving an audio filtering signal, the audio filtering signal corresponding to unwanted audio data to be filtered from an ambient audio signal that includes a combined audio stream output from an audio output device of the single presentation system. A device filtering signal is generated based on the audio filtering signal. The device filtering signal is output by an audio device of a user (e.g., headphone). The device filtering signal is played through the audio device to filter out the unwanted audio data while allowing other audio data in the ambient audio signal to be heard by the user.