Configurable Noise Cancellation Across Frequency Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing noise cancellation systems in audio devices often result in undesirable distortion of desired audio signals and have limited effectiveness across varying environmental conditions, as they apply noise cancellation uniformly or allow selective exclusion of frequency ranges, which can exacerbate distortion and reduce noise cancellation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A noise reduction system that allows users to configure different noise cancellation profiles for specific frequency ranges, enabling selective adjustment of noise cancellation levels through a user interface, which can be applied to headsets and audio players to optimize noise reduction based on the environment or audio content, using a microprocessor to automate noise cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If uniform noise cancellation is applied across all frequency ranges, then background noise reduction is improved, but desired audio signal distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency spectrum into multiple discrete frequency ranges (e.g., low, mid, high frequencies) and applies different noise cancellation levels to each range independently. This segmentation allows the system to selectively cancel background noise in specific frequency bands while preserving desired audio signals in other bands, thereby resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and signal distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements differential noise cancellation where different quality levels of noise suppression are applied to different frequency ranges based on local conditions. The system analyzes the spectral characteristics of both background noise and desired signals, then applies stronger cancellation only where background noise dominates, while maintaining weaker cancellation or no cancellation where desired signals are present, thus achieving local optimization of noise reduction without global signal distortion.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If noise cancellation level is adjusted globally, then distortion reduction is improved, but noise cancellation effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the noise cancellation control into multiple independent frequency range controls, allowing each frequency band to have its own cancellation level setting. This enables the system to maintain high cancellation effectiveness in frequency ranges where background noise is dominant while applying lower cancellation levels in ranges where desired signals are present, thus avoiding the need for uniform global adjustment that would compromise overall effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic noise cancellation control where the cancellation level for each frequency range can be independently adjusted in real-time based on the spectral analysis of incoming audio signals. The system continuously monitors the ratio of background noise to desired signal in each frequency band and dynamically adjusts the cancellation level accordingly, allowing the noise cancellation effectiveness to adapt to changing acoustic conditions while minimizing distortion.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If specific frequency ranges are excluded from noise cancellation, then audio signal distortion is reduced, but noise cancellation effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by analyzing the spectral content of both background noise and desired signals in each frequency range, then selectively applying noise cancellation only where the signal-to-noise ratio indicates background noise dominance. This localized approach ensures that frequency ranges containing desired signals are excluded from aggressive cancellation, preventing distortion, while frequency ranges dominated by background noise receive full cancellation effectiveness.
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 reduces distortion of desired audio signals and provides effective noise cancellation across different environments by allowing tailored noise reduction settings, enhancing the user's ability to perceive both desired sounds and environmental cues while minimizing background noise.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone incorporated into the headset receives background sounds from the environment
Implementation Method 2
This sound is translated into a waveform, which is then processed to generate a sound cancellation waveform that is 180 degrees out of phase with the sound received by the microphone
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for customizable reduction of perceived ambient sounds are disclosed. Customizable reduction can be achieved via an application operable in conjunction with an audio player or a headset having a microphone.