Communication Device Speaker Orientation for Echo Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication devices face challenges in providing effective noise canceling during speech, particularly in hands-free mode, due to the positioning of microphones and speakers, which can lead to echo and compromised noise canceling performance.
Innovation Solution
The communication device employs a processor to manage noise canceling by strategically positioning microphones and speakers, allowing the processor to collect transmission sound using either the first or second microphone and execute noise canceling processing based on the speech function, with the third microphone used for noise reduction, thereby optimizing sound output and reducing echo.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the speaker is positioned close to the microphone for compact design, then device size is reduced, but echo and noise canceling performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the speaker to face the abutment surface between the front case and physical keypad, utilizing the z-axis dimension (depth) rather than only the x-y plane. This spatial arrangement in three dimensions allows the speaker and microphone to be close in terms of device footprint while maintaining adequate acoustic separation to reduce echo.
2Device complexity
If a single microphone is used for both transmission sound collection and noise canceling, then device complexity is reduced, but noise canceling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio collection function into two separate microphones: the first microphone collects transmission sound during speech, while the third microphone collects sound specifically for noise canceling processing. This segmentation allows each microphone to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall noise canceling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The third microphone acts as an intermediary element dedicated to noise canceling. It collects ambient noise and interference sounds separately from the transmission sound, enabling the processor to effectively cancel unwanted noise without interfering with the primary speech signal collection.
3Ease of operation
If the speaker emits sound toward the microphone for hands-free operation, then ease of operation is improved, but noise canceling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an asymmetric acoustic path where the speaker faces the abutment surface between the front case and physical keypad, while the first microphone is positioned to collect transmission sound from a different direction. This asymmetric arrangement enables hands-free operation by allowing sound to travel from the user to the microphone without requiring the speaker to emit sound directly toward the microphone, thereby reducing echo.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes a processor configured to execute speech processing using a first speech function of providing radio device service requiring a predetermined operation for transmitting transmission sound during speech or speech processing using a second speech function of providing telephone service requiring no predetermined operation for transmitting transmission sound during speech, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing formed by joining a front case and a rear case, a physical keypad mounted at an outer wall surface side of the front case, a speaker storage part provided at an inner wall surface side of the front case, and a speaker mounted on the speaker storage part with an orientation capable of emitting sound to the inner wall surface side in such a manner as to face an abutment surface between the front case and the physical keypad.