Dynamic Audio Focus Arrangement for Directional Noise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio capture technologies face challenges in selectively amplifying desired audio while attenuating unwanted noise and maintaining privacy, particularly in scenarios where multiple audio sources are present, such as a children's party, leading to potential privacy concerns and noise interference.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a first user device with an audio focus beam to amplify audio within a defined direction while allowing a second user device to send messages to the first device to suspend or modify the audio focus arrangement, thereby attenuating or not amplifying noise sources, using local communication protocols like Bluetooth, to control audio amplification dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If audio focus arrangement is used to amplify audio in the direction the user device is directed, then the desired audio capture is improved, but unwanted noise is boosted and privacy concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio capture directionalityVSAvoidunwanted noise and privacy issues
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The audio focus arrangement is made dynamic by allowing real-time modification through received instructions. The system transitions from a static directional amplification mode to a dynamically adjustable mode where the audio focus can be suspended or modified based on external control signals, enabling adaptation to different operational scenarios while maintaining the core directional audio capture capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the audio focus arrangement by receiving instructions that can suspend or modify the audio focus. This allows the audio processing parameters to be adjusted in real-time, switching between different states (active audio focus, suspended audio focus, modified audio focus) to balance audio capture quality with noise reduction and privacy protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If manual device settings changes are required during recording, then audio focus can be adjusted, but operational complexity increases and user convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio focus controlVSAvoidmanual settings adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically adjusting the audio focus arrangement based on received instructions without requiring manual user intervention. The user device autonomously processes control signals and modifies its audio focus state, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate settings menus or adjust parameters during recording sessions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary communication mechanism is introduced where instructions are transmitted between devices to control the audio focus arrangement. This intermediary layer allows remote or automated control of audio focus settings, bridging the gap between user intent and device configuration without requiring direct manual interaction with the device interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3528509B9Audio data arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3528509B9 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3528509B9 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3528509B9 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer readable medium is described in which audio data from multiple directions are received at a first user device (such as a mobile communication device). Instructions are received at the first user device from a remote device. An audio focus arrangement in the form of a direction-dependent amplification of the received audio data is generated. The audio focus arrangement is dependent on an orientation direction of the first user device and is modified in accordance with the instructions from the remote device.