Distributed Audio Sensing for Background Noise Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio processing systems face limitations in isolating and suppressing background noise due to the limited capabilities of internal audio sensors, which can fail to effectively distinguish between user audio and external noise sources, especially in environments with overlapping spectral components.
Innovation Solution
The integration of spatially separate audio sensors and vibration sensors with audio processing systems, allowing for the capture of unique environmental information and adaptive processing to enhance noise suppression, including the use of algorithms like Fast Cochlea Transform for source separation and noise characterization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If internal audio sensors are used for noise suppression, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to isolate and suppress background noise is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple spatially distributed audio sensors rather than using a single internal sensor. This segmentation allows each sensor to capture audio from different locations, enabling better spatial separation of user audio from background noise through processing the combined inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial processing algorithms as an intermediary between the multiple audio sensors and the final audio output. These algorithms process the spatially distributed sensor inputs to extract and suppress background noise while preserving user audio, effectively mediating the transformation from raw sensor data to cleaned audio output.
2Measurement precision
If spatially separate audio sensors and vibration sensors are integrated, then noise suppression capability is significantly improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the audio processing system multi-functional by integrating both audio sensors and vibration sensors. These sensors serve dual purposes: capturing acoustic environmental information and detecting vibrational characteristics of background noise sources, allowing a single system to handle multiple types of environmental disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines different sensor types (audio sensors and vibration sensors) into a composite sensing system. This composite approach integrates sensors with different physical measurement capabilities to capture both acoustic and mechanical aspects of the environment, creating a more comprehensive noise characterization system.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to capture unique environmental information, then the ability to differentiate user and noise signals improves, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds spatial and vibrational dimensions to the audio processing by incorporating multiple spatially distributed audio sensors and vibration sensors. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to differentiate signals not just in the frequency domain but also in spatial and mechanical vibration domains, providing additional degrees of freedom for noise separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes associating a spatially separate audio sensor and/or a vibration sensor with an audio processing system having one or more audio sensor(s) associated therewith. The spatially separate audio sensor is on a remote location distinct from that of the one or more audio sensor(s). The method also includes capturing information uniquely associated with an external environment of the audio processing system through the spatially separate audio sensor and/or the vibration sensor and the one or more audio sensor(s), and adapting an audio output of the audio processing system based on the captured information uniquely associated with the external environment thereof.