Microphone Environmental Sensing for Automatic Audio Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microphones are difficult to reconfigure remotely and lack environmental feedback, limiting their adaptability and requiring manual interaction for setting changes.

Innovation Solution

A microphone device equipped with sensor units for capturing environmental conditions and an automatic control system that adjusts settings dynamically based on real-time changes, utilizing AI and NFC for user-specific configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional microphones are placed in difficult-to-access locations, then audio capture coverage is improved, but reconfiguration capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio capture coverageVSAvoidreconfiguration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements environmental sensing capabilities that provide feedback about the physical environment (temperature, humidity, light levels, motion detection) to the microphone system. This feedback enables automatic adaptation of audio parameters based on real-time environmental conditions, allowing the microphone to reconfigure itself without manual intervention even when placed in difficult-to-access locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the microphone system to perform self-configuration and self-adjustment by incorporating onboard processors that automatically analyze environmental sensor data and modify audio settings accordingly. The system serves itself by detecting environmental changes and autonomously adjusting parameters such as gain, equalization, and noise suppression without requiring external manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If microphones are positioned fixedly at event locations, then audio capture stability is improved, but adaptability to environmental changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio capture stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to environmental changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the microphone system from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic system that continuously adapts to changing environmental conditions. The onboard processor receives real-time environmental data from sensors and dynamically adjusts audio parameters such as microphone gain, frequency response, and noise floor thresholds to maintain optimal performance despite positional fixedness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates environmental sensors that continuously monitor physical conditions (temperature, humidity, ambient light, motion) and feed this information back to the audio processing system. This feedback loop enables the microphone to detect environmental changes and automatically adjust its characteristics to maintain stable audio capture quality throughout the event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If manual configuration via software is required, then control precision is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary configuration actions by automatically analyzing environmental conditions before audio capture begins. The system pre-adjusts audio parameters based on sensor readings (temperature, humidity, ambient noise levels) so that the microphone is already optimally configured when the event starts, eliminating the need for manual setup and reducing operation time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting environmental conditions and adjusting audio settings without requiring user intervention. The onboard processor handles the configuration tasks that would otherwise require manual software input, thereby reducing operation time while the automated algorithms maintain control precision through sophisticated signal processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If sensor devices are added to capture environmental information, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental awarenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by integrating environmental sensors with audio processing capabilities into a single unified system. The same onboard processor that handles audio signal processing also manages environmental data from temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, and motion detectors, allowing one component to serve multiple functions and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the environmental sensing subsystem with the audio processing subsystem by combining sensors and processors into an integrated unit. Rather than having separate independent systems, the environmental data inputs are directly fed into the audio processing algorithms, creating a unified system that reduces complexity through consolidation while maintaining enhanced adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables remote, dynamic adjustment of microphone settings and provides real-time environmental feedback, enhancing adaptability and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

one or more sensor units configured for capturing contextual information indicative of one or more real-time conditions of an environment of the microphone device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

a digital signal processing (DSP) configuration corresponding to a user is automatically set up in response to the one or more sensor units reading an identifier of a user from a Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear Field Communication:

Data Source

PatentUS12356157B2Microphone with advanced functionalities
Publication Date: 2025.07.08 AUDIO TECHNICA US INC
  • US12356157B2 patent drawing
  • US12356157B2 patent drawing
  • US12356157B2 patent drawing

AI summary

One embodiment provides a microphone device with advanced functionalities. The microphone device comprises one or more microphone units, one or more sensor units, and an automatic control system. The one or more sensor units are configured for capturing contextual information indicative of one or more real-time conditions of an environment of the microphone device. The automatic control system is configured for detecting one or more real-time changes to the environment of the microphone device based on the contextual information, invoking display of a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising information indicative of the one or more real-time changes, and adjusting one or more settings for the microphone device in response to the one or more real-time changes.