Directional Signal Processing in Acoustic Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional signal processing methods for acoustic systems often completely suppress strong interference signals, which is undesirable for safety and spatial auditory perception, particularly in environments like road traffic where interference from other users should remain audible.
Innovation Solution
A method for directional signal processing that generates intermediate signals with different directional characteristics, allowing for a superposition parameter to be adjusted such that the interference signal from a specific direction experiences maximum attenuation while maintaining a non-zero gain, ensuring the interference signal remains audible in the output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive interference signals are completely suppressed by targeted alignment of directional characteristic, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but interference signals from important sources (e.g., other road users) are completely suppressed and become imperceptible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different gain values for different spatial directions. Specifically, it creates a directional characteristic where the gain varies with direction, allowing strong attenuation in the direction of the dominant interference signal source while maintaining non-zero gain in other directions. This ensures that interference signals from important sources remain audible while still improving the overall signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of gain from a uniform value to a direction-dependent value. By introducing a directional gain function that varies with angle, the system transforms the single-parameter gain control into a multi-parameter system where gain becomes a function of direction. This allows selective attenuation of interference from specific directions while preserving signals from other directions.
2Power
If strongly directional interference signal source is almost completely suppressed, then signal energy is optimized, but spatial auditory perception and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the gain parameter adaptive and direction-dependent rather than static and uniform. The system dynamically adjusts the gain applied to signals based on their direction of origin, using a directional gain function that can vary continuously with angle. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize signal energy by attenuating interference from specific directions while maintaining reliability by preserving spatial auditory perception through non-zero gain in other directions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If maximum attenuation is applied in a target direction, then interference from that direction is minimized, but the interference signal remains completely suppressed and unusable for safety purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing attenuation that is strong but not complete. Instead of using maximum attenuation that would completely suppress the interference signal, the system uses a directional gain function that provides significant attenuation (reducing harmful factors) while maintaining a non-zero gain that preserves the interference signal for safety purposes. This partial attenuation approach balances interference reduction with information preservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for directional signal processing for an acoustic system, wherein first and second input transducers generate a first and a second input signal from an ambient sound. First and second intermediate signals are generated from the first and second input signal, wherein a preliminary superposition parameter is obtained for a first superposition of the first intermediate signal and the second intermediate signal in such a way that for the first superposition an attenuation in a first target direction has a maximum. A superposition parameter is formed from the preliminary superposition parameter so that a second superposition of the first and second intermediate signals, formed in the first target direction with the superposition parameter, has a pre-specified first value for a gain that is greater than zero. An output signal of the acoustic system is formed from the second superposition.