Frequency-Domain Howling Suppression for Close-Device Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Howling occurs during voice calls when voice call devices are close to each other, leading to reduced call quality, and existing methods to adjust distance are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A method involving frequency domain transformation of audio signals to identify subbands, determining a target subband for howling suppression using gain coefficients based on howling and voice detection results, and applying suppression techniques to improve call quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice call devices are placed close to each other for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but howling occurs and voice call quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adjusting physical distance between devices with a digital signal processing approach. By using frequency domain transformation, subband decomposition, and adaptive gain control, the system suppresses howling through electronic means while maintaining the physical proximity of devices, thus preserving ease of operation while improving voice call quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the gain parameter of specific subbands dynamically based on detected howling characteristics. By identifying subbands containing howling signals and adjusting their gain coefficients differently from other subbands, the system suppresses howling while preserving voice quality, resolving the contradiction between device proximity and call quality.
2Reliability
If distance between voice call devices is adjusted to avoid howling, then voice call quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution of adjusting physical distance with a digital signal processing solution. The system processes audio signals in the frequency domain, identifies howling subbands, and applies selective gain control, thereby maintaining device proximity while improving voice call quality through electronic rather than mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary signal processing system between the microphones and speakers. This intermediary process decomposes audio signals into subbands, detects howling characteristics, and applies selective gain control, acting as a mediator that allows devices to remain close while preventing howling through intelligent signal manipulation.
3Reliability
If frequency domain transformation and subband processing are applied for howling suppression, then voice call quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio frequency spectrum into multiple subbands for targeted processing. By segmenting the frequency domain and applying different gain control strategies to different subbands, the system efficiently suppresses howling while maintaining overall voice quality. This segmentation approach manages complexity by focusing processing resources only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing characteristics to different subbands based on their specific characteristics. Subbands containing howling signals receive aggressive gain suppression, while subbands containing voice signals maintain higher gain. This local quality approach improves voice call quality by treating each subband according to its specific needs rather than applying uniform processing.
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to a howling suppression method and apparatus, a computer device, and a storage medium. The method includes obtaining a current audio signal corresponding to a current time period, and performing frequency domain transformation on the current audio signal; dividing the frequency domain audio signal and determining a target subband; obtaining a current howling detection result and a current voice detection result that correspond to the current audio signal, and determining a subband gain coefficient; obtaining a past subband gain corresponding to an audio signal within a past time period, and calculating a current subband gain corresponding to the current audio signal based on the subband gain coefficient and the past subband gain; and suppressing howling on the target subband based on the current subband gain, to obtain a first target audio signal corresponding to the current time period.