Barrier Sound Discernment via Vibration Sensor Adaptive Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to effectively enhance the discernability of sounds produced on one side of a barrier, such as vehicle barriers, due to damping effects and interference from internal sounds, which hinders the perception of external sounds by listeners on the other side.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a vibration sensor and microphone to sense and digitize signals, with adaptive filtering techniques to isolate and amplify external sounds by equalizing signal amplitudes and applying constraints to prevent cancellation of external sound components, allowing for improved sound discernability without requiring weather-resistant equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the barrier is made more soundproof to damp external sounds, then the comfort of drivers and passengers is improved, but the ability to discern external sounds such as sirens deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the barrier into two functional zones: an external side that blocks noise from reaching the interior, and an internal side with integrated sensors (microphone and vibration sensor) that detect external sounds through the barrier. This segmentation allows the barrier to simultaneously provide soundproofing comfort while enabling external sound detection for safety applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibration sensors and microphones as intermediary devices attached to the internal side of the barrier. These sensors detect vibrations and sounds transmitted through the barrier material itself, acting as mediators that bridge the gap between the soundproofed interior and the external environment without compromising the barrier's noise-blocking performance.
2Measurement precision
If traditional microphones are used to pick up external sounds, then sound detection is possible, but the microphones are susceptible to harsh environmental conditions such as rain, wind, and hail
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the microphone on the external side of the barrier where it would be exposed to harsh weather conditions, the patent inverts the approach by placing the microphone and vibration sensor on the internal side of the barrier. The sensors detect sounds transmitted through the barrier from the outside, allowing the microphone to remain in a protected, weather-resistant environment while still capturing external sound information.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If internal sounds such as radio or music are played to provide comfort, then passenger comfort is improved, but the discernability of external sounds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses vibration sensors attached to the barrier to detect external sounds independently of the interior acoustic environment. By sensing vibrations directly through the barrier structure, the system obtains feedback about external sounds that is not contaminated by internal noise sources such as radio or music, allowing external sound detection to proceed regardless of interior audio playback.
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 effectively enhances the perception of external sounds by filtering out internal noise, improving sound discernability in various applications like vehicles, while ensuring the equipment does not need to be weather-resistant.
Implementation Method 1
sensing vibrations of the barrier by means of a vibration sensor
Implementation Method 2
sensing the sound on the internal side of the barrier by means of a microphone
Implementation Method 3
adaptive filtering the digitized signal from the vibration sensor, using the digitized signal from the microphone as reference signal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method and an apparatus for discerning sound produced outside a barrier to a listener located on its other side. The method includes sensing vibrations of the barrier by a vibration sensor (VS), sensing the sound on the internal side of the barrier by a microphone, digitizing the microphone and VS signals, and adaptive filtering the digitized VS signal, using the digitized microphone signal as a reference signal, to thus improve the quality of discerning. The apparatus includes a VS to sense vibrations of a barrier, a microphone located at the barrier internal side, analog to digital converters for digitizing the signals from the VS and microphone, respectively, and an adaptive filter receiving the vibration signal as a primary signal and the microphone signal as a reference signal, the adaptive filter comprising connected in series an adaptation algorithm unit, a linear filter and a subtractor.