Microphone Vibrational Noise Suppression via Motion Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for suppressing unwanted noise in audio signals caused by microphone motion, such as impacts or vibrations, often result in abrupt muting of desired audio components or fail to effectively eliminate noise below certain intensity thresholds.
Innovation Solution
An audio system that includes a microphone, a motion sensor, an analog-to-digital converter, a motion signal conversion module, and a noise suppression module. This system converts the motion signal into a digital audio noise signal synchronized with the digital audio signal and then suppresses the noise signal to generate a noise-suppressed digital audio signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a limiter is used to limit the intensity of the microphone audio signal output, then the unwanted noise intensity is reduced, but the desired audio components are abruptly muted together with the noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing into two independent pathways: one for capturing desired audio components and another for detecting motion-induced noise. By separating the noise detection function into a dedicated motion sensor, the system can selectively remove only the noise portion without affecting the desired audio signal, thus resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and information preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a motion sensor as an intermediary device that indirectly measures the noise caused by microphone motion. Instead of directly analyzing the audio signal for noise, the motion sensor provides a separate motion signal that serves as a proxy for noise intensity, enabling precise noise suppression without impacting the desired audio components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the microphone audio signal is muted or suppressed when intensity exceeds a threshold, then strong unwanted noise is reduced, but the audio signal is abruptly cut off and noise below the threshold is not suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the motion sensor continuously monitors microphone motion and provides real-time motion signals. This continuous feedback enables dynamic noise suppression that adapts to varying motion conditions, replacing the abrupt threshold-based muting with a continuous, smooth suppression process that maintains audio signal continuity while effectively reducing noise across all intensity levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static threshold-based suppression approach to a dynamic motion-signal-driven suppression approach. The noise suppression level continuously adapts based on the real-time motion signal intensity, allowing smooth transitions and maintaining audio continuity while effectively suppressing noise at any intensity level, thereby improving operational smoothness
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional noise suppression methods are used, then noise above a certain intensity threshold is suppressed, but noise below the threshold is not effectively eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a separate copy of the noise information through the motion sensor, which independently measures microphone motion without being affected by the audio signal processing. This motion-based noise copy can be processed and suppressed with high precision across the full intensity range, including low-level noise that traditional audio-signal-based methods cannot detect, thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing noise suppression effectiveness
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 system effectively suppresses unwanted noise caused by microphone motion while preserving desired audio components, even for noise below traditional thresholds, thereby improving the quality of the audio signal.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor configured to sense motion associated with the microphone and generate a motion signal representative of the motion associated with the microphone
Implementation Method 2
an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC) configured to convert the analog audio signal to a digital audio signal having a first bit rate
Implementation Method 3
a motion signal conversion module configured to convert the motion signal to a digital audio noise signal having a second bit rate synchronized with the first bit rate
Implementation Method 4
a noise suppression module configured to at least partially suppress the digital audio noise signal relative to the digital audio signal to generate a noise-suppressed digital audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system may include a microphone configured to sense sound and generate an analog audio signal; an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC) configured to convert the analog audio signal to a digital audio signal having a first bit rate; a motion sensor configured to sense motion associated with the microphone and generate a motion signal representative of the motion associated with the microphone; a motion signal conversion module configured to convert the motion signal to a digital audio noise signal having a second bit rate synchronized with the first bit rate; and a noise suppression module configured to at least partially suppress the digital audio noise signal relative to the digital audio signal to generate a noise-suppressed digital audio signal.