Audio Processing System for Simultaneous Microphone Speaker Abnormality Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for abnormality testing in multiple microphones and speakers in vehicles, such as aircraft, are time-consuming and inefficient, making it difficult to quickly determine the presence or absence of abnormalities during maintenance or pre-flight preparations.

Innovation Solution

An audio processing system that includes a CPU, microphones, and speakers, which uses correlation value calculations and threshold comparisons to simultaneously test multiple microphones and speakers by outputting audio signals through different frequency bands and delay times, allowing for rapid abnormality determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional abnormality testing methods are used for multiple microphones and speakers, then measurement precision can be maintained, but the testing time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting timeVSAvoidtesting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the abnormality testing process into multiple frequency bands (first frequency band and second frequency band). Different microphones and speakers are assigned to different frequency bands, allowing parallel testing across multiple bands simultaneously. This segmentation enables the system to test multiple components at once rather than sequentially, significantly reducing total testing time while maintaining measurement precision through band-specific correlation analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic action by outputting test signals at different delay times for different frequency bands. The audio processing device outputs a first test signal with a first delay time for the first frequency band and a second test signal with a second delay time for the second frequency band. This periodic signaling approach allows the system to systematically test multiple microphones and speakers in an organized sequence that enables parallel processing and reduces overall testing duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If multiple microphones and speakers are tested simultaneously, then testing efficiency improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidabnormality detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency spectrum into distinct bands and assigns specific microphones and speakers to each band. By calculating correlation values separately for each frequency band rather than mixing all signals together, the system maintains measurement precision for each individual component even while testing multiple components in parallel. The abnormality determinator analyzes correlation values band-by-band, ensuring accurate abnormality detection without cross-interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces delay time as an intermediary parameter to distinguish between different test signals in the time domain. By applying different delay times to test signals for different frequency bands, the system creates temporal separation that prevents signal interference. This intermediary delay mechanism allows simultaneous testing of multiple components while maintaining the ability to precisely measure each component's response through correlation analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach significantly reduces the time required for abnormality testing, enabling efficient maintenance and pre-flight preparations by accurately identifying abnormal microphones and speakers within a vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

a speaker sp1 that outputs audio

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of microphones mc1 to mc3 that collect the audio

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 3

calculates a correlation value of the plurality of audio signals respectively delayed by the plurality of delayers 31 to 33 and a speaker signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrelation analysis:

Data Source

PatentEP3468232B1Audio processing system, audio processing device, and audio processing method
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3468232B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3468232B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3468232B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An audio processing system is provided with a speaker, a plurality of microphones, and an audio processing device. The audio processing device includes a plurality of filters that allow audio signals of audio collected by the plurality of microphones to pass any respective first bands included in a band of the audio output from the speaker, a plurality of delayers that delay the audio signals passed through the plurality of filters by delay times corresponding to the first bands respectively, a correlation value calculator that calculates a correlation value of a plurality of audio signals delayed respectively by the plurality of delayers and an audio signal of the audio output from the speaker, and a determinator that determines presence or absence of abnormality in the plurality of microphones and the speaker based on the correlation value.