Multi-Sensor Speech Signal Optimization via Spatial Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speech processing systems are susceptible to environmental noise, such as wind noise, which degrades the performance of headphones and renders them unusable in outdoor settings.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor system incorporating acoustic sensors, including bone conduction and air conduction microphones, and an audio processing component that uses spatial filtering and beamforming techniques to differentiate and suppress noise, enhancing signal-to-noise ratios and improving speech communication in noisy environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional directional microphones are used to enhance signal-to-noise ratio, then speech communication quality is improved, but susceptibility to wind noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the audio capture function into multiple independent sensors: directional microphones for speech capture, omnidirectional microphones for environmental noise capture, and wind noise microphones specifically positioned to capture wind noise. This segmentation allows each sensor type to specialize in detecting particular noise components, enabling targeted cancellation strategies for each noise source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate processing components including noise estimation modules and adaptive filters that act as mediators between the raw sensor signals and the final speech output. These intermediaries analyze signals from multiple microphones, estimate noise components, and generate cancellation signals that are subtracted from the primary speech signal, thereby reducing wind noise while preserving speech quality.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are integrated to suppress environmental noise, then noise resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs omnidirectional microphones that serve multiple functions: they capture environmental noise for cancellation purposes, provide spatial awareness for beamforming operations, and contribute to overall noise profiling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated sensors for each noise type, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining robust noise resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple noise cancellation functions into a unified adaptive processing framework that simultaneously handles wind noise, environmental noise, and speech enhancement. By merging these functions into a single integrated signal processing pipeline with shared computational resources and coordinated control, the system achieves comprehensive noise suppression without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 enhances the performance of speech communication devices by reducing environmental noise, particularly wind noise, thereby improving user experience in noisy outdoor settings.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor component including acoustic sensors, e.g., microphones, a bone conduction microphone, an air conduction microphone, an omnidirectional sensor, etc. that can detect sound and generate, based on the sound, first sound information
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-sensor signal optimization is facilitated for speech communication. A sensor component including acoustic sensors can be configured to detect sound and generate, based on the sound, first sound information associated with a first sensor of the acoustic sensors and second sound information associated with a second sensor of the acoustic sensors. Further, an audio processing component can be configured to generate filtered sound information based on the first sound information, the second sound information, and a spatial filter associated with the acoustic sensors, determine noise levels for the first sound information, the second sound information, and the filtered sound information, and generate output sound information based on a selection of one of the noise levels or a weighted combination of the noise levels.