Networked Speaker Noise Cancellation via Spatial Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless speaker systems struggle to effectively cancel unwanted external noises, particularly in home entertainment settings where multiple speakers are used, as they fail to accurately determine and counteract noise amplitudes and phases across a large area.
Innovation Solution
A networked speaker system that utilizes microphones both inside and outside the room, along with processors, to calculate and emit noise cancellation signals with opposing phases and amplitudes at the listener's location, based on room and speaker configurations, improving noise cancellation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional single-speaker noise cancellation is used, then noise can be cancelled at a specific location, but the cancellation effect cannot be maintained across a large area or multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the noise cancellation task into multiple independent processing channels, with each speaker acting as an independent noise cancellation unit. Each speaker receives the noise signal and calculates its own cancellation signal based on its location and the target listener position, enabling coverage across multiple locations simultaneously while maintaining accuracy at each specific point
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point noise cancellation to multi-point cancellation by introducing spatial dimensionality. By distributing multiple speakers throughout the room and calculating cancellation signals for each speaker's specific position relative to the listener, the system achieves three-dimensional noise cancellation coverage throughout the entire space
2Area of stationary object
If multiple speakers are distributed across a large area, then noise cancellation coverage is improved, but the complexity of determining noise characteristics at each location increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal noise cancellation algorithm that can be applied to any speaker position and any listener position. The same core calculation methodology is used for all speakers, with each speaker adapting the algorithm to its specific location parameters. This universal approach simplifies system configuration and reduces complexity by avoiding the need for separate customization for each speaker
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from room information, speaker location information, and listener location information to dynamically adjust noise cancellation calculations. By continuously incorporating spatial configuration data into the calculation process, the system automatically adapts to different room layouts and speaker positions without requiring manual reconfiguration, thereby reducing operational 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 significantly reduces unwanted noise interference, enhancing the audio experience by accurately determining and counteracting noise characteristics at the listener's location, thereby improving sound quality.
Implementation Method 1
causing the at least one speaker to emit a noise cancelation signal calculated to have an amplitude equal to the amplitude of the noise at the target listener location and a phase opposite to the phase of the noise at the target listener location
Data Source
AI summary
A networked-speaker system which includes noise cancelling for active suppression of unwanted sounds. Feed-forward or feed-back cancelation can be used as appropriate for the location of the microphone sensing the noise.