Portable Multi-Track Recording With Echo-Cancelled Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices struggle to perform multi-track recording efficiently, particularly when outputting previously recorded audio tracks concurrently with new audio input, often leading to re-recording of the output tracks and requiring complex setups or additional hardware.
Innovation Solution
A single application on portable devices enables multi-track recording by using echo cancellation and machine learning models to suppress previously recorded audio from new audio inputs, allowing simultaneous output and recording without re-recording, utilizing a single device with multiple microphones and speakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If previously recorded audio tracks are output through speakers while recording new audio input, then multi-track recording functionality is enabled, but the output tracks are re-recorded by microphones causing echo and degradation of recording quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the previously recorded audio content from the new audio input signal using echo cancellation algorithms. This allows the system to keep only the original new audio input while eliminating the re-recorded speaker output, thereby preventing echo and maintaining recording quality while enabling multi-track functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the output audio signal is fed back to the echo canceller, which then subtracts this feedback signal from the microphone input. This closed-loop feedback approach continuously identifies and removes the re-recorded speaker output, effectively eliminating echo while preserving the ability to record multiple tracks simultaneously.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional hardware or complex setups are used to prevent re-recording of output tracks, then recording quality is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based echo prevention systems with software-based echo cancellation algorithms. Instead of using additional microphones, acoustic isolation chambers, or complex signal routing hardware, the system uses digital signal processing to identify and remove re-recorded audio, thereby maintaining recording quality while significantly reducing hardware complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The echo canceller acts as an intermediary processing layer between the microphone input and the final recorded signal. This intermediary component analyzes the audio signal, identifies portions that correspond to speaker output, and selectively removes them before the signal is finalized, thereby maintaining quality without requiring complex hardware modifications.
3Manufacturing precision
If echo cancellation and machine learning models are used to suppress previously recorded audio, then recording quality is maintained without re-recording, but processing requirements and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial echo cancellation by focusing computational resources on identifying and removing only the specific portions of the audio signal that correspond to speaker output. Rather than processing the entire audio signal with full machine learning models, the system uses targeted algorithms that apply suppression only where needed, thereby maintaining recording quality while reducing overall computational power requirements.
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
Enables efficient multi-track recording on portable devices, allowing users to record and playback multiple tracks simultaneously without echo, enhancing creativity and flexibility in audio production.
Implementation Method 1
an echo canceller responsive to receiving the first audio input and the second audio input, and removing, using the first audio input, the first audio content in the second audio input
Implementation Method 2
a speaker, and a second microphone farther from the first speaker than the first microphone is to the first speaker
Implementation Method 3
a first microphone, and a second microphone farther from the first speaker than the first microphone is to the first speaker
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for multi-track recording are provided. Multi-track recording may include outputting, using a speaker of a device, a first track that was previously recorded by that device, while receiving a new audio input with two or more microphones of that device. Because the output of the first track may also be received by the two or more microphones, the device may then use the new audio input to one of the microphones to cancel content corresponding to the first track in the new audio input to another of the microphones. In this way, a new track including substantially only the new audio input may be generated and stored.