Microphone Error Detection via Audio Loudness Deviation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face inefficiencies in detecting errors in audio components due to the requirement for large data dumps, which affects the accuracy and speed of identifying issues in audio processing modules.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a processor configured to identify deviations in audio signal loudness and determine errors in microphones based on these deviations, using standard deviation analysis and echo signal information, allowing for efficient detection and potential microphone swapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital input/output dump is used to detect audio component errors, then error detection capability is provided, but data capacity requirements increase (approximately 11 Mbyte for EVS call)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoiddata capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential error detection information from the audio signal processing chain, specifically monitoring the standard deviation of audio energy in the echo signal rather than dumping all PCM data. This selective extraction of critical parameters dramatically reduces the data capacity required while maintaining error detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using the conventional approach of dumping raw audio data and analyzing it afterward, the patent inverts the approach by directly monitoring statistical properties (standard deviation of audio energy) of the echo signal during processing. This inversion enables real-time error detection with minimal data storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If large data dumps are required for error determination, then comprehensive error analysis is possible, but processing efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror analysis comprehensivenessVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the critical statistical parameter (standard deviation of audio energy) from the echo signal, eliminating the need to process and store large volumes of raw PCM data. This extraction approach maintains sufficient error analysis capability while dramatically improving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the raw audio signal data into a statistical parameter (standard deviation of audio energy) that captures error information in a condensed form. This parameter transformation enables efficient processing while preserving the essential error detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11190891B2Method for determining whether error has occurred in microphone on basis of magnitude of audio signal acquired through microphone, and electronic device thereof

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and a method for detecting an error of an audio component in an electronic device. The electronic device includes: at least one sound output device; at least one microphone; and a processor, and the processor is configured to identify a deviation related to a loudness of an audio signal acquired through the at least one microphone, and to determine whether an error related to the at least one microphone occurs, based at least on the deviation. Other embodiments are possible.