Dual-Pressure Sensor Sound Signal Detection via Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless devices, such as earbuds, face challenges in accurately detecting sound signals due to limitations in directional microphones, leading to false triggers and susceptibility to environmental noise, which affects voice recognition and speech processing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual-pressure sensor system with wireless devices configured to capture and enhance acoustic energy using beamforming techniques, allowing for improved noise reduction and accurate detection of predefined sound signals like voice commands or environmental sounds, even in noisy environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If directional microphones are used in wireless devices, then sound signal detection capability is improved, but false triggers and susceptibility to environmental noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wireless devices (e.g., earbuds) with pressure sensors to form a distributed acoustic detection network. By merging the sensing capabilities of multiple devices and combining their signals through beamforming, the system achieves improved sound signal detection while reducing false triggers through spatial correlation analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beamforming as an intermediary signal processing technique that combines acoustic signals from multiple pressure sensors. This intermediary process enhances the desired sound signal while suppressing environmental noise and false triggers through constructive and destructive interference patterns
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple wireless devices with pressure sensors are used to capture acoustic energy, then noise reduction capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing wireless devices (earbuds, smartphones) multi-functional by equipping them with both audio playback capabilities and acoustic detection functions. The pressure sensors serve dual purposes: capturing acoustic energy for sound signal detection and enabling noise reduction through beamforming, without requiring completely separate dedicated devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables wireless devices to self-organize into acoustic detection networks using their existing communication protocols. Each device independently captures acoustic energy, processes its signal, and contributes to the collective beamforming effort, reducing the need for centralized control infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If acoustic energy is captured and processed continuously, then sound signal detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of acoustic energy within defined time windows rather than continuous processing. The system activates pressure sensors and signal processing only during specified intervals, allowing the wireless devices to enter low-power states between measurements while still maintaining effective sound signal detection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of acoustic energy captures to determine whether they contain meaningful sound signals before initiating full processing. By pre-screening captured energy and applying probability calculations, the system avoids unnecessary processing of background noise, reducing power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy
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 enhances the accuracy of sound signal detection by reducing ambient noise interference and improving voice recognition, leading to more reliable voice commands and speech processing, while also reducing power consumption by optimizing data transfer based on probability calculations.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure sensor having a first acoustical profile and configured to capture a first set of acoustic energy
Implementation Method 2
apply a signal enhancement technique to the first and second sets of acoustic energy based on the first and second acoustical profiles
Data Source
AI summary
One example discloses an apparatus for sound signal detection, comprising: a first wireless device including a first pressure sensor having a first acoustical profile and configured to capture a first set of acoustic energy within a time window; wherein the first wireless device includes a wireless signal input; wherein the first wireless device includes a processing element configured to: receive, through the wireless signal input, a second set of acoustic energy captured by a second pressure sensor, having a second acoustical profile, within a second wireless device and within the time window; apply a signal enhancement technique to the first and second sets of acoustic energy based on the first and second acoustical profiles; search for a predefined sound signal within the enhanced sets of acoustic energy; and initiate a subsequent set of sound signal detection actions if the search finds the sound signal.