Multi-point Connection Device for Audio Signal Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multipoint control systems cannot effectively control input signals for each component element corresponding to each sound source, leading to inadequate noise suppression and reduced sound quality due to insufficient noise suppression or invalid settings, resulting in residual noise and distortion.

Innovation Solution

A multipoint control unit comprising signal receiving units, analysis information mixing units, and output signal generation units that analyze and mix signals and analysis information to control input signals based on component element characteristics, allowing for tailored noise suppression and improved sound quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If noise suppression is applied in existing multipoint control systems, then noise reduction is achieved, but residual noise and distortion remain due to insufficient control precision for each component element

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidcontrol precision for each component element

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the input signal into multiple component elements (desired sound, background noise, other sound sources) and applies independent control to each component. The signal separation unit divides the mixed signal from multiple terminals into distinct component elements, allowing precise individual control of noise suppression for each element rather than applying uniform suppression to the entire signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different noise suppression characteristics to different component elements based on their local characteristics. The noise suppression unit generates different suppression coefficients for desired sound, background noise, and other sound sources, enabling tailored noise suppression for each component element according to its specific properties and the listening environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If uniform noise suppression is applied to all signals, then processing simplicity is maintained, but sound quality deteriorates due to inability to differentiate between desired sound and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing complexityVSAvoidsound quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary signal separation before noise suppression, dividing the mixed signal into component elements (desired sound, background noise, other sound sources) in advance. This preliminary classification enables subsequent targeted noise suppression for each element, improving sound quality while maintaining reasonable processing complexity through structured preprocessing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate representation (component elements) between the raw mixed signal and the final noise suppression output. The signal separation unit creates component elements as intermediaries that capture the essential characteristics of different sound sources, enabling more effective and differentiated noise suppression while preserving desired sound quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If noise suppression parameters are fixed, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different listening environments and sound sources is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configuration simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different listening environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic noise suppression by generating suppression coefficients adaptively for each component element based on the specific listening environment and sound source characteristics. The noise suppression unit dynamically adjusts suppression parameters for desired sound, background noise, and other sound sources according to real-time signal characteristics and environmental conditions, enhancing adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9118805B2Multi-point connection device, signal analysis and device, method, and program

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 NEC CORP

AI summary

Provided is a multi-point connection device including: a first signal receiving unit which receives a first signal containing a plurality of constituent elements and first analysis information expressing the relationship between the constituent elements contained in the first signal; a second signal receiving unit which receives a second signal containing a plurality of constituent elements and second analysis information expressing the relationship between the constituent elements contained in the second signal; a signal mixing unit which mixes the first signal and the second signal; and an analysis information mixing unit which mixes the first analysis information and the second analysis information.