Full Duplex Audio Echo Cancellation Using User Hearing Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face challenges in providing full duplex audio communication due to their small form factor, which results in distortion and echo issues, and they do not account for individual differences in hearing abilities, leading to suboptimal audio performance.
Innovation Solution
A full duplex system that uses audiogram information to configure dynamic range controller parameters, including high pass filter values and compression values, and generates an estimated echo feedback reference signal to improve echo cancellation, addressing both linear and non-linear echo, and optimizing audio quality based on user-specific hearing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If wearable devices use small speakers for full duplex audio communication, then device portability is improved, but audio quality deteriorates due to distortion and echo issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that includes echo cancellation algorithms and audio signal processing components. This intermediary layer processes the audio signals between the small speaker and the user's ear, canceling echo and reducing distortion to improve audio quality without changing the physical size of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting audio processing parameters such as echo cancellation coefficients, gain levels, and frequency response characteristics based on real-time detection of echo paths and audio conditions. This allows the system to optimize audio quality adaptively despite the constraints of small speakers.
2Device complexity
If standard audio processing is used in wearable devices, then device complexity is reduced, but audio performance deteriorates by not accounting for individual hearing differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring audio processing parameters based on user-specific hearing profile data obtained during an initial hearing assessment. This preliminary configuration tailors the audio processing to individual hearing capabilities before actual audio communication occurs, improving performance without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the audio processing system adaptive and configurable. The system can dynamically adjust processing parameters based on the user's hearing profile and can be reconfigured if hearing changes occur, transforming a static standard processing system into a dynamic, user-adapted system.
3Ease of manufacture
If echo cancellation is not optimized for small form factor devices, then device design is simplified, but echo distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the audio output from the small speaker and the resulting echo captured by the microphone. This feedback loop provides real-time information about echo paths, which is then used to adjust echo cancellation parameters and reduce echo distortion effectively in the constrained form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-characterizing the echo paths in small form factor devices during manufacturing or initial setup. By understanding and pre-compensating for the specific echo characteristics of small speakers and enclosures, the system can apply targeted echo cancellation strategies that are optimized for the device's physical constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a full duplex system may use information from a user of the device as a basis to configure parameters of a dynamic range controller system. The parameters may include high pass filter values, compression values, and masking values. The full duplex system may use a pre-distortion filter for generating an estimated echo feedback reference signal. For generating the estimated echo feedback reference signal, the pre-distortion filter uses an echo coupled reference signal via microphone path as a reference signal, and an echo feedback reference signal via speaker feedback path as the input. An echo canceller of the full duplex system may use the estimated echo feedback reference signal, which takes echo path distortion into consideration, for cancelling both linear and non-linear echo.