Earphone Smartcase Audio Processor Selective Noise Amplification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hearing interface devices inadequately improve perception of individual sounds in noisy environments, as they uniformly amplify all sounds, leading to background noise interference and difficulty in distinguishing desired sounds, such as a voice, and lack advanced processing capabilities for navigation and object identification.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising earphones with integrated microphones and processors that capture and process audio signals, optionally in conjunction with image data, to generate processed audio signals by selectively amplifying desired sounds and suppressing background noise, using an earphone case with additional processing capabilities for enhanced audio processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional hearing interface devices uniformly amplify all sounds, then the volume of all sounds is increased, but the clarity of desired sounds deteriorates due to background noise interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamplification capabilityVSAvoidsound perception clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform amplification to selective amplification. The audio processor analyzes the audio signal and applies different gain factors to different frequency components or sound sources. Desired sounds (e.g., speech) receive amplification while background noise receives less or no amplification, thereby improving clarity while maintaining appropriate volume levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of amplification from a uniform scalar multiplication to a frequency-dependent or source-dependent transformation. The audio processor modifies the spectral characteristics of the audio signal by applying different processing parameters to different frequency bands or identified sound sources, enabling selective enhancement of desired sounds over background noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If conventional hearing interface devices uniformly amplify all sounds, then the overall sound level is increased, but the ability to distinguish desired sounds from background noise deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound amplification powerVSAvoidsound distinction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful background noise components from the audio signal and separates them from the desired sounds. The audio processor identifies and isolates background noise frequencies or sources, then applies selective amplification only to the remaining desired sound components, thereby maintaining sound distinction capability while providing necessary amplification power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful background noise into useful information about the acoustic environment. The audio processor analyzes the spectral characteristics of background noise to identify patterns and characteristics, then uses this information to design filters and processing parameters that selectively enhance desired sounds while suppressing identified noise patterns, turning the noise problem into a benefit for sound distinction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional functionality for navigation and object identification is added, then the device capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation and identification capabilityVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by integrating multiple capabilities into a single audio processing system. The audio processor not only performs audio amplification and noise suppression but also incorporates navigation assistance and object identification functions, allowing the device to serve multiple purposes and reduce the need for separate dedicated devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges previously separate functions (audio processing, navigation, object identification) into a single integrated system. The audio processor combines these functions to share computational resources, sensors, and processing algorithms, thereby achieving enhanced functionality while controlling overall system complexity through consolidation rather than separate independent modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12200446B2Earphone smartcase with audio processor

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 ORCAM TECH

AI summary

A system for generating processed audio signals may include an earphone comprising a microphone configured to capture sounds from an environment of the earphone, a first communication component, and a first processor; and an earphone case comprising an earphone compartment configured to receive the earphone, a second communication component, and a second processor. The first processor may be programmed to receive a captured audio signal representative of the sounds captured by the microphone; and transmit the captured audio signal via the first communication component. The second processor may be programmed to receive the captured audio signal via the second communication component; generate a processed audio signal based on analysis of the captured audio signal; and transmit the processed audio signal via the second communication component to the first communication component.