Mobile Device Noise Estimation Using External Microphone Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital audio signal processing techniques in mobile devices face challenges in accurately discriminating between speech and background noise, leading to suboptimal noise suppression during calls or recordings, especially in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device utilizes external microphone signals to improve background noise estimation by establishing a wireless connection with external microphones, synchronizing and comparing signals to generate a noise profile, which is then used to suppress ambient noise, thereby enhancing speech intelligibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a secondary acoustic microphone is provided to pick up ambient sound, then noise estimation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an external device (such as another mobile device or audio device) as an intermediary to provide ambient noise references. Instead of adding a secondary microphone to the current device, the system leverages an external device's microphone to capture ambient sound, which is then transmitted wirelessly to the primary device for noise estimation and suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables mobile devices to serve multiple functions: not only do they handle their own audio processing, but they can also act as external noise reference sources for other devices. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to be used for both primary audio capture and ambient noise monitoring when connected wirelessly.
2Measurement precision
If external microphone signals are used to improve noise profile generation, then noise suppression quality is improved, but device complexity and wireless connection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the primary device receives ambient noise references from external devices, processes them to generate noise profiles, and applies noise suppression to the uplink signal. The system continuously monitors and adjusts noise suppression based on the received external microphone signals, creating a closed-loop feedback system for optimal noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary noise estimation by receiving and processing external microphone signals before the actual speech transmission. The system proactively builds noise profiles using ambient sound references from external devices, so that when speech needs to be transmitted, the noise suppression is already optimized based on pre-analyzed ambient conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device uses externals microphone signals to improve the estimate of background noise that it computes. In order to improve voice quality in a first signal that is produced by an internal microphone, the mobile device identifies an external microphone device within proximity of the mobile device. The mobile device establishes a wireless connection with the external microphone device. The mobile device receives a second signal from the external microphone device through the wireless connection. The second signal is produced by a microphone of the external microphone device. The mobile device generates a noise profile based on the second signal, and then suppresses background/ambient noise from the first signal based on the noise profile. Other embodiments are also described.