Audio Signal Processing via Frequency Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High noise levels in emergency rescue operations, such as those conducted by firefighters, hinder effective communication due to the inability of existing technologies to distinguish and process important acoustic signals from background noise, leading to either amplified noise interference or ineffective hearing protection.
Innovation Solution
A device incorporating a correction microphone, a reference microphone, a classification unit, and an active noise cancellation (ANC) unit that processes audio signals by classifying noise components and selectively amplifying or attenuating them based on their classification, ensuring important signals are preserved while suppressing distracting noises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hearing protection gear is used to block noise, then noise protection is improved, but important acoustic signals are also blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic spectrum into different frequency ranges, applying different processing strategies to each. High-frequency signals (important for speech) are preserved and transmitted to the listener, while low-frequency noise is actively cancelled. This segmentation allows selective protection without blocking critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different frequency bands. High-frequency components receive amplification and preservation treatment, while low-frequency components receive active noise cancellation. This local differentiation of signal treatment resolves the contradiction by protecting against harmful noise frequencies while preserving important speech frequencies.
2Productivity
If electronic communication equipment amplifies all signals, then communication is improved, but noise interference is also amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system segments signals by frequency, amplifying only the useful speech frequencies while leaving noise frequencies to be cancelled by the ANC mechanism. This selective amplification improves communication effectiveness without proportionally amplifying noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage between signal capture and delivery that separates useful signals from noise through frequency analysis. This intermediary classification mechanism enables differential treatment of signals, amplifying communication content while suppressing noise through the ANC unit.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation is applied to all frequencies, then noise suppression is improved, but important signals are also attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The ANC system is segmented to operate only in specific low-frequency ranges where noise predominates. High-frequency important signals are excluded from ANC processing and pass through unchanged or amplified. This frequency-based segmentation prevents attenuation of important signals while maintaining noise suppression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Active noise cancellation is applied with local quality differentiation across the frequency spectrum. Low-frequency noise regions receive strong ANC treatment, while high-frequency speech regions receive minimal or no ANC processing. This localized application resolves the contradiction by suppressing noise where it occurs without affecting important signals.
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
The device effectively enhances communication by allowing critical signals to remain perceptible while providing hearing protection, with adjustable settings for different noise types and environments, ensuring clear audio output even in high-noise conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a correction microphone (110) arranged in an immediate vicinity of an area (114) intended for an ear of a user of the device, adjacent to the ear of a user of the device, and configured to pick up acoustic signals in the area intended for the ear and to forward (output) a correction signal based on the acoustic signals
Implementation Method 2
The ANC unit is configured to receive the correction signal, to process the correction signal based on the classified signal and to output a corresponding audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
An audio processing device (100) includes a correction microphone (110), a reference microphone (120), a classification unit (130), an active noise cancellation (ANC) unit (140), and a speaker (150). The correction microphone is arranged in an area adjacent to an ear of a user of the device and picks up acoustic signals in the area and outputs same as a correction signal. The reference microphone picks up surrounding noises (124) from a surrounding area of the user and outputs same as a reference signal. The classification unit receives the reference signal and splits the reference signal corresponding to a spectrum and amplitude thereof into signal components of two or more classes and outputs a classified signal. The ANC unit receives and processes the correction signal based on the classified signal and outputs a corresponding audio signal. The speaker receives the audio signal and provides a corresponding acoustic signal output.