Microphone Handling Noise Reduction via Touch Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microphone designs fail to effectively reduce handling noise, as solutions like suspension systems or large masses increase the device size or provide limited noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a touch sensor that detects user contact and adjusts signal processing to attenuate or compress the microphone signal when touched, switching back to normal processing when not touched, using a capacitive touch sensor or other proximity detection methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If suspension systems or large masses are attached to the microphone element to reduce handling noise, then handling noise is reduced, but the size of the overall design increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling noiseVSAvoidmicrophone size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical noise reduction systems (suspension systems and large masses) with an electronic solution consisting of a touch sensor and signal processing circuitry. The touch sensor detects when the microphone is being handled, and the processor applies modified signal processing to reduce handling noise in the output signal, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the microphone system by detecting touch conditions and dynamically adjusting signal processing parameters. When touch is detected, the system switches to a different signal processing mode that attenuates or compresses the microphone output signal to reduce handling noise, while maintaining normal operation when not touched.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If suspension systems or large masses are attached to the microphone element to reduce handling noise, then handling noise is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling noiseVSAvoidmicrophone structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical noise reduction systems with a simpler electronic system comprising a touch sensor and processor-based signal processing. This substitution reduces structural complexity while achieving the same noise reduction goal through electronic control rather than mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The processor in the microphone system performs multiple functions: it processes the microphone output signal under normal conditions and also detects touch conditions to apply modified signal processing when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for noise reduction, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the microphone signal is attenuated or compressed when touched, then handling noise is reduced and system distortion is prevented, but audio signal quality may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling noise and system distortionVSAvoidaudio signal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic signal processing that adapts to the operational state of the microphone. The system continuously monitors touch conditions and dynamically switches between normal signal processing and handling noise reduction modes. This dynamic approach ensures that audio quality is maintained during normal operation while handling noise is reduced only when necessary, preventing permanent degradation of signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The touch sensor provides feedback to the processor about the current handling state of the microphone. Based on this feedback, the processor adjusts the signal processing parameters in real-time, applying attenuation or compression only when touch is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures that audio signal quality is preserved during normal use while effectively reducing handling noise when the microphone is being handled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Significantly reduces handling noise by maintaining a controlled signal level, preventing system distortion and stabilizing AGC systems, while maintaining optimal audio quality.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor is a capacitive touch sensor that detects changes in capacitance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8787599B2Reduced microphone handling noise

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 SIEMENS AUDIOLOGISCHE TECHNIK GMBH

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses for reduced microphone handling noise are disclosed. In one example, a microphone system includes a microphone to output a microphone output signal and a sensor adapted to output a sensor signal indicating whether the sensor is in proximity to or touching a user finger. A processor is adapted to process the microphone output signal using touch mode signal processing responsive to a determination the sensor is in proximity to or touching the user finger.