Audio Processing System for Speech Intelligibility in Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consuming media content with dialog on mobile devices in noisy environments poses challenges due to ambient noise interference and limitations in audio quality, where existing solutions like noise-cancelling headphones can be costly and disconnect users from important ambient sounds.
Innovation Solution
The development of audio processing systems and methods that create customized audio adjustment profiles for users based on ambient noise conditions, allowing for dialog boost and graphic equalizer settings to be configured and applied, enhancing speech intelligibility without isolating ambient noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If noise-cancelling headphones are used to improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments, then speech intelligibility is improved, but the user is disconnected from important ambient sounds and the solution becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the speech components from the audio signal using speech detection algorithms, rather than blocking all ambient noise. The speech signal is then enhanced and output, allowing users to hear speech clearly while remaining aware of ambient sounds like car horns and sirens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary processing stage that detects speech in the audio signal and applies selective enhancement. This intermediary processing allows the system to differentiate between speech and ambient noise, enhancing only the speech portion while preserving ambient sound awareness.
2Measurement precision
If noise-cancelling headphones are used to improve speech intelligibility, then speech intelligibility is improved, but the solution becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/acoustic solution of noise-cancelling headphones with an electronic/digital signal processing solution. By using speech detection algorithms and digital audio processing on mobile devices, the system achieves speech enhancement without requiring expensive specialized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing multi-functional capabilities of mobile devices (processors, microphones, speakers) to perform speech enhancement, rather than requiring dedicated noise-cancelling hardware. This universal approach uses existing device resources to achieve the desired function at lower cost.
3Manufacturing precision
If audio playback is optimized for quiet environments, then audio quality is maintained, but speech intelligibility deteriorates in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts audio processing based on the ambient environment. Speech detection algorithms continuously analyze the audio signal and adjust enhancement parameters in real-time, allowing the system to optimize speech intelligibility in noisy environments while maintaining natural audio quality in quiet environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes audio processing parameters based on detected speech characteristics and ambient noise levels. By dynamically adjusting gain, frequency response, and signal processing parameters, the system maintains audio quality across different environments while improving speech intelligibility when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Novel methods and systems for creating and using user profiles for dialog boost and sound equalizer adjustment to compensate for various ambient sound situations. For creating profiles when not at the ambient sound, a synthesized/pre-recorded ambient noise can be mixed with the media to simulate the noise conditions.