Headset Audio Directionality Preservation via Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Closed-type audio systems distort sounds from the real world environment due to ear occlusion, and existing noise reduction technologies do not effectively preserve the directionality of external sounds.
Innovation Solution
A headset device with dual earpieces and a controller that generates and processes reference audio signals to maintain phase and amplitude relationships, using adaptive filters to compensate for distortion and occlusion effects, allowing external sounds to be reproduced with directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If closed-type audio systems are used to provide noise reduction, then noise isolation is improved, but sound directionality is lost due to ear occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from microphones that detect external sounds to generate anti-noise signals, creating an active noise control mechanism that preserves directional information while providing noise reduction. The feedback loop continuously adjusts the cancellation signals based on detected sound characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary processing through digital signal processing circuits that mediate between the occluding earcup and the user's ear. These circuits analyze and reconstruct directional sound information, acting as an intermediary that preserves directional cues despite the physical occlusion caused by closed-type earpieces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ear occlusion is increased to improve noise isolation, then external noise blocking is improved, but sound perception accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical passive noise isolation approach with an active electronic system. Instead of relying solely on physical earcup design to block noise, the system uses electronic signal processing, microphones, and speakers to actively cancel noise while preserving directional sound information, substituting mechanical isolation with electronic intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes acoustic parameters by generating anti-phase sound waves that cancel external noise. The digital signal processing circuits continuously adjust frequency, amplitude, and phase parameters of the cancellation signals to maintain noise blocking effectiveness while preserving the directional characteristics of desired sounds.
3Reliability
If adaptive filters are used to compensate for distortion, then sound quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptive filter system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it compensates for distortion caused by ear occlusion, maintains directional sound information, and works across different frequency ranges. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by delivering comprehensive sound quality improvement through a single integrated processing system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A headset device includes a first earpiece configured to receive a reference sound and to generate a first reference audio signal based on the reference sound. The headset device further includes a second earpiece configured to receive the reference sound and to generate a second reference audio signal based on the reference sound. The headset device further includes a controller coupled to the first earpiece and to the second earpiece. The controller is configured to generate a first signal and a second signal based on a phase relationship between the first reference audio signal and the second reference audio signal. The controller is further configured to output the first signal to the first earpiece and output the second signal to the second earpiece.