Microphone Array Noise Suppression via 8cm Spaced Omni-Directional Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microphone arrays struggle to effectively suppress noise within the beam, particularly ambient noise, despite efforts to narrow the beam angle, as acoustic leakage and echo issues persist.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a microphone array comprising two identical omni-directional microphones placed in flexible boots within separate chambers, with acoustic openings spaced at least 8 cm apart, forming a super-short-heart-shaped beam to isolate the designated signal and suppress noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the beam angle is narrowed to reduce acoustic leakage, then the beam focus is improved, but ambient noise suppression within the beam remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the acoustic reception system into two separate omnidirectional microphones positioned at different locations (front and rear of the device, spaced at least 8 cm apart). Each microphone captures sound independently, and their outputs are processed separately to form a composite beam pattern. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a super-short-heart-shaped beam with better noise suppression by combining signals from multiple spatial positions rather than relying on a single narrow beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an asymmetric beam pattern (super-short-heart-shaped) by combining signals from two omnidirectional microphones positioned asymmetrically relative to the device axis. The front microphone and rear microphone have different spatial relationships to potential sound sources, and their weighted combination produces a beam pattern that is asymmetric in the horizontal plane, providing enhanced directional selectivity and noise suppression compared to symmetric beam patterns.
2Ease of operation
If two omnidirectional microphones are used to form a pie beam, then directional reception is achieved, but acoustic leakage occurs within the beam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from forming a two-dimensional pie-shaped beam to creating a super-short-heart-shaped beam pattern through the strategic positioning and signal processing of two omnidirectional microphones. By spacing the microphones at least 8 cm apart along the device axis and applying appropriate weighting and phase adjustment, the system creates a three-dimensional sound reception pattern that maintains directional selectivity while reducing acoustic leakage through the enhanced null regions in the beam pattern.
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
The solution effectively suppresses noise outside the beam, including echoes and background noise, by ensuring consistent sound spectrums from both microphones and optimizing their placement to prioritize signal strength over noise reception.
Implementation Method 1
The first microphone receives sound through the first acoustic opening. The second microphone receives the sound through the second acoustic opening.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a first acoustic opening, a first microphone, a second acoustic opening, a second microphone, two flexible boots, and two chambers. The first microphone receives sound through the first acoustic opening. The second microphone receives the sound through the second acoustic opening. The first and second acoustic openings are spaced at least about 8 cm. The first microphone and the second microphone are identical and disposed in the flexible boots. The flexible boots are identical and disposed in the chambers. The chambers are identical.