Dynamic Sound Mask Adjustment for Echo Canceller Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio conference systems face challenges in maintaining optimal echo cancellation performance due to dynamic changes in room dimensions, seating arrangements, and noise levels, requiring manual and intrusive calibration processes that disrupt meetings and are impractical in multi-use spaces.

Innovation Solution

A real-time adaptable echo canceller calibration method that dynamically adjusts a continuous echo calibration signal based on ambient noise parameters, using algorithms and hardware accelerators to maintain echo canceller performance by adjusting signal levels and update rates in response to changing noise conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calibration process is used to optimize audio signal performance, then echo cancellation accuracy is improved, but system complexity and calibration duration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveecho cancellation accuracyVSAvoidcalibration process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic calibration without requiring manual intervention. The calibration process is automated through software algorithms that sequentially activate speakers and capture microphone responses, eliminating the need for manual calibration while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process is performed in advance during system initialization or setup phase, storing the room transfer function data for later use during conference calls. This preliminary calibration eliminates the need for repeated manual calibration when room conditions change

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual calibration is redone after room setup changes, then audio performance is optimized, but productivity is reduced due to repeated calibration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio performance optimizationVSAvoidconference system availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects room changes and triggers recalibration without user intervention. The calibration process is initiated automatically when needed, maintaining audio performance without requiring manual redone calibration that would reduce productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration data is stored and reused continuously during conference calls. The system maintains optimized audio performance throughout the conference without requiring repeated calibration interruptions, ensuring continuous productive operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If echo canceller calibration is performed in real-time, then adaptability to room changes is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time adaptability to room changesVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration measurements in advance and stores the room transfer function characteristics. During real-time operation, the stored calibration data is applied to cancel echoes, providing real-time adaptability without the computational complexity of continuous real-time calibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses stored calibration data as an intermediary between the physical room characteristics and the echo cancellation process. This pre-measured reference data enables real-time echo cancellation without requiring complex real-time analysis of room acoustics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If calibration signal level is increased to improve measurement accuracy, then RTF measurement precision is improved, but sound mask becomes more audible and intrusive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRTF measurement accuracyVSAvoidaudible intrusion of calibration signal

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration signal is transmitted periodically at low levels during the sound mask rather than continuously at high levels. This periodic low-level transmission maintains measurement accuracy while minimizing audible intrusion, as the signal is brief and interspersed with the masking sound

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12462782B2System for dynamically adjusting a soundmask signal based on realtime ambient noise parameters while maintaining echo canceller calibration performance

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 NUREVA INC

AI summary

A system and method are provided for dynamic sound mask adjustment. A sound mask is used for obtaining an impulse response measurement that adjusts a generated sound mask dynamically based on real-time ambient noise parameters, while maintaining echo canceller calibration performance. The system includes a dynamic sound mask generator that includes a noise accumulator and monitor that includes a processor and memory including instructions executed by the processor for performing the dynamic sound mask adjustment. If the sound mask is not in the hysteresis range, the current sound mask level and iteration update rate are adjusted. if the sound mask is in the hysteresis range, the current sound mask level and iteration update rate are maintained.