Self-Adjusting Microphone Gain for Noisy Voice Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Voice-enabled devices face challenges in noisy environments, as they struggle to recognize human voice due to background noise, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption in attempts to improve voice recognition.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that dynamically adjust the microphone gain based on environmental audio levels, using a processor and pre-amplifier to filter and amplify voice signals effectively, allowing for clear voice recognition without requiring users to raise their voices and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If software-based noise filtering is used to improve voice recognition in noisy environments, then voice recognition accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice recognition accuracyVSAvoidsoftware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex software-based noise filtering with a hardware-based solution using an operational amplifier circuit that dynamically adjusts gain based on ambient noise levels. This substitution of mechanical/electrical system for software system reduces device complexity while maintaining voice recognition accuracy in noisy environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the gain parameter of the microphone amplifier dynamically based on ambient noise levels. By adjusting the amplification factor in real-time according to environmental conditions, the system maintains optimal voice recognition accuracy without requiring complex software processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If software-based noise filtering is implemented to improve voice recognition, then voice recognition accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice recognition accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces power-intensive software-based noise filtering with a low-power hardware operational amplifier circuit that automatically adjusts gain based on ambient noise. This hardware substitution significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining voice recognition accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The operational amplifier circuit automatically adjusts its own gain parameter based on ambient noise levels without requiring complex software control or processing. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for power-consuming software-based noise filtering while maintaining optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If fixed microphone gain is used, then device complexity is reduced, but voice recognition performance deteriorates in noisy environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrophone gain controlVSAvoidvoice recognition performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic gain adjustment in the microphone amplifier circuit, where the gain parameter changes automatically based on ambient noise levels. This dynamic adjustment maintains simple hardware architecture while significantly improving voice recognition performance in varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the amplification parameter of the microphone based on environmental noise conditions. By dynamically adjusting this parameter, the system achieves high voice recognition performance without increasing device complexity, as the adjustment is handled by simple analog circuitry rather than complex software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances voice recognition in noisy environments by adjusting microphone gain to match environmental noise levels, improving user interaction and reducing power consumption in voice-enabled devices.

Implementation Method 1

applying the gain-adjustment value to an operational amplifier of the voice-enabled device, whereby the operational amplifier amplifies the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOperational amplifier amplification:

Implementation Method 2

filtering the signal with a bandpass filter of the voice-enabled device, resulting in a filtered signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBandpass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS11165401B2Dynamic and self-adjusting microphone gain for voice-enabled devices

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 IP3 2023 SERIES 923 OF ALLIED SECURITY TRUST I

AI summary

Various acoustic manipulation and microphone gain adjustment techniques are enabled. For instance, a method comprises receiving, by a voice-enabled device comprising a processor and from a microphone, an input comprising environmental audio, determining, by the voice-enabled device, a level of the environmental audio, determining, by the voice-enabled device, a gain-adjust value based on the environmental audio, and adjusting, by the voice-enabled device, a gain of the microphone by the gain-adjust value.