Auditory Device Dynamic Range Adjustment for Noise Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical auditory devices face challenges in maintaining sound quality in noisy or varying environments due to fixed input dynamic ranges and complex multi-stage signal processing, leading to unpredictable system effects and poorer performance in real-world listening conditions.

Innovation Solution

An auditory device with a processor that adjusts the input dynamic range based on noise estimates and percentile measures of the audio signal, applying rules to ensure appropriate dynamic range settings and smooth adjustments, thereby enhancing sound processing and reducing noise interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed input dynamic range is used in auditory devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the sound quality deteriorates in noisy or varying environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound qualityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the input dynamic range by the processor based on real-time analysis of the audio signal characteristics and noise estimates. Instead of using a fixed dynamic range, the system continuously adapts the dynamic range parameters to match the current listening environment, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and achieving environmental adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If complex multi-stage signal processing is applied, then noise suppression improves, but system unpredictability and performance in real-world conditions worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise suppressionVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously monitors the audio signal and noise levels, then adjusts the dynamic range parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that noise suppression is achieved while maintaining predictable and reliable system performance in real-world listening conditions, resolving the contradiction between aggressive noise suppression and system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic range adjustment based on noise estimates is implemented, then listening experience in varying environments improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into the processor, including noise estimation, dynamic range calculation, signal analysis, and parameter adjustment, all within a single processing unit. This multi-functional approach achieves environmental adaptability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by consolidating processing tasks rather than adding separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10003892B2Systems and methods for altering the input dynamic range of an auditory device

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An auditory device according to one embodiment includes a processing unit configurable to determine a noise estimate and a measure for one of a plurality of samples of an audio signal. The measure relates to an upper volume bounds. The processing unit is configured to apply at least one rule using the noise estimate and/or the measure to identify an input dynamic range for mapping the audio signal to a corresponding stimulation signal.