Headset Arrangement Echo Cancellation via Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a multi-headset listening environment, the direct transmission of speech can result in an unwanted 'echo' effect due to delayed speech transmission via headsets, leading to distractions in communication.
Innovation Solution
The headset arrangement includes multiple headsets with loudspeakers and microphones configured to capture and transmit speech, while using passive and/or active noise cancellation methods to suppress speech transmitted via a primary path, ensuring that speech is only received once at each listening position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If speech is transmitted via headset to other users, then communication capability is improved, but echo effect occurs due to delayed transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by using noise cancellation microphones to detect and counteract the direct speech transmission path before it reaches the listener's ear. The system generates an anti-phase signal to cancel out the direct speech, allowing only the processed headset transmission to be heard, thus preventing the echo effect while maintaining communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary noise cancellation mechanism that acts as a mediator between the direct speech transmission and the listener's perception. The noise cancellation microphone and processing system serve as an intermediary that filters out the direct speech path, allowing the headset transmission to be the sole audio source reached by the listener.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If noise cancellation is applied to suppress direct speech transmission, then echo effect is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headset system applies universality by making the loudspeakers serve multiple functions: they both transmit the processed communication signal to other users and generate the anti-phase noise cancellation signal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving echo suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the noise cancellation signal generation function with the existing loudspeaker output. Instead of requiring a separate signal generation path, the system utilizes the same processed signal that drives the loudspeakers to create the anti-phase cancellation component, thereby combining functions and reducing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces or eliminates the echo effect, providing distraction-free communication among users by ensuring that speech is synchronized and not duplicated at listening positions.
Implementation Method 1
each of the one or more loudspeakers being configured to radiate sound that corresponds to a sound signal towards at least one of two listening positions
Implementation Method 2
a first microphone configured to capture speech originating from the user related to the respective headset
Implementation Method 3
cancelling speech originating from the first user and being transmitted to the listening positions related to users of the respective one or more other headsets via a primary path by means of passive noise cancellation and/or an active noise cancellation method
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5B
Figure 6
AI summary
A headset arrangement comprises a plurality of headsets in a listening environment, each headset in the plurality of headsets comprising one or more loudspeakers, each of the one or more loudspeakers being configured to radiate sound that corresponds to a sound signal towards at least one of two listening positions related to a user of the respective headset, each of the two listening positions being located at an entrance of an ear canal of the respective user, one or more second microphones, each of the one or more second microphones being configured to pick up noise radiated by at least one noise source via a primary path to at least one of the two listening positions, and a first microphone configured to capture speech originating from the user related to the respective headset, wherein the headset arrangement is configured to capture speech originating from a first user related to a first headset in the plurality of headsets by means of the first microphone of the first headset, transmit the captured speech from the first headset to one or more other headsets in the plurality of headsets, reproduce the transmitted speech at respective listening positions related to users of the respective one or more other headsets by means of the one or more loudspeakers of the one or more other headsets, and cancel speech originating from the first user and being transmitted to the listening positions related to users of the respective one or more other headsets via a primary path by means of passive noise cancellation and/or an active noise cancellation method.