Audio Processing System for Echo-Free Multi-Device Conferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In video conferences where multiple participants use different terminal devices in the same space, echo issues arise due to devices picking up sounds from each other, making it inconvenient for multiple-person conferences as participants need to turn off their microphones or share a single device.
Innovation Solution
An audio processing system and method that involves a first and second terminal device and an electronic device, where the electronic device performs signal processing on audio signals from both terminal devices to generate a processed audio signal, which is then transmitted to a selected device for output, preventing simultaneous sound reception and thus echo generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple participants use different terminal devices in the same space, then each participant can independently participate in the video conference, but echoes are generated due to microphones receiving sounds from other devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio processing system as an intermediary between multiple terminal devices. This system includes an audio mixing device that receives audio signals from all participants' devices, processes them to eliminate echoes, and transmits the cleaned audio signals back to participants. The intermediary processing layer separates the harmful echo effect from the useful audio content, allowing multiple devices to operate independently without mutual interference.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If participants turn off their microphones when others are speaking, then echoes are avoided, but the ease of operation is reduced as participants must manually control microphone states
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing system implements self-service by automatically detecting and eliminating echoes without requiring participant intervention. The system continuously monitors audio signals from all devices, identifies echo patterns, and applies processing algorithms to remove them automatically. This eliminates the need for participants to manually manage microphone states, as the system handles echo prevention autonomously based on real-time audio analysis.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple participants share a same terminal device, then echo problems are avoided, but the ease of operation and participant independence are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio processing function across multiple independent terminal devices while maintaining centralized echo handling. Each device retains its own microphone and audio input capabilities, allowing independent operation. The audio mixing device segments the audio signals from different devices, processes them individually to eliminate echoes, and redistributes the cleaned signals to appropriate devices. This segmentation allows multiple participants to use separate devices without compromising echo prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio processing system and an audio processing method are provided. The audio processing method includes: capturing a first audio signal and transmitting the first audio signal to a first electronic device by a first terminal device; capturing a second audio signal and transmitting the second audio signal to the first electronic device by a second terminal device; performing signal processing on the first audio signal and the second audio signal to generate a first processed audio signal and transmitting the first processed audio signal to a selected device by the first electronic device, wherein the selected device is one of the first terminal device and the second terminal device; and transmitting the first processed audio signal to a remote system by the selected device.