Automatic Keyboard Noise Suppression in Audio Telecommunication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typing noises from computer keyboards are often picked up by microphones during audio telecommunication sessions, causing distraction and disruption, especially when there is strong mechanical and acoustic coupling between the keyboard and microphone.
Innovation Solution
An audio telecommunication system that automatically mutes the microphone in response to key events detected from a coupled keyboard, with a timer extending the mute period if additional key events occur, and restoring the microphone to its original state after a period of inactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the microphone is positioned close to the computer for desktop conferencing, then the convenience of computer control is improved, but keyboard noise transmission to far-end participants worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary noise detection mechanism that detects keyboard noise separately from the microphone signal. This intermediary detection system identifies keyboard events and triggers automatic microphone muting, thereby blocking the transmission path of keyboard noise to far-end participants while maintaining the convenient close positioning of the microphone for computer control operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the microphone is physically attached to the computer, then the system integration is improved, but the mechanical coupling that transmits keyboard noise worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors for keyboard noise events and automatically adjusts the microphone state in response. When keyboard noise is detected, the system provides feedback by muting the microphone, thereby creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates the harmful mechanical noise coupling effect while preserving the integrated design benefits.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If keyboard noise suppression is implemented, then the audio quality is improved, but the complexity of the communication system worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the communication system to automatically detect and suppress keyboard noise without requiring external intervention or complex processing. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring for keyboard events and automatically muting the microphone when needed, thereby improving audio quality while minimizing the addition of system complexity through self-contained automated functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system automatically mutes a microphone in response to a key event detected from a coupled keyboard to prevent delivery of noise generated by the keyboard to a far end of the communication session. A timer is initiated for a time period when the key event occurs, and the microphone remains muted for the time period of the timer. The timer may be restarted to maintain the microphone mute in response to a subsequent key event detected while the timer is running. If the timer expires before a subsequent key event is detected, the microphone can be restored to its previous state (usually un-muted). The system can be applied to a computer coupled to the keyboard and a microphone and having a communication application operating on the computer. Alternatively, the system can be applied to a computer coupled to the keyboard and coupled to an external conferencing unit having a communication application.