Noise Control via Spatial Zone Segmentation and User Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing noise control methods are costly and often interrupt vital sounds, such as conversations, due to the need for specialized soundproof facilities, which are not practical for everyday use in workplaces.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device that determines a main work space and a sub work space based on a user's facing direction and rotating speed, using microphones and sensors to sense noise and provide offsetting sounds or alarms, allowing for flexible noise control without physical separation of spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If soundproof facilities are used to control noise, then noise control effectiveness is improved, but cost increases and vital sounds are interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise control effectivenessVSAvoidinterruption of vital sounds

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the workspace into multiple virtual zones (first workspace, second workspace, third workspace) based on spatial coordinates and user position. Each zone has different noise control characteristics, allowing selective noise management without physically isolating the user, thus avoiding interruption of vital sounds from other zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary computational model that processes spatial information, user position, and noise characteristics to dynamically adjust noise control. This intermediary layer enables intelligent differentiation between harmful noise and vital sounds, applying noise control only where necessary while preserving important audio information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If soundproof facilities are used to control noise, then noise control effectiveness is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise control effectivenessVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces physical soundproof facilities with a computational noise control system that uses microphones, processors, and algorithms to manage noise. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive physical soundproofing structures while achieving effective noise control through digital signal processing and spatial zone management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The noise control system is designed to be universally applicable across different workspace configurations and scenarios. It can adapt to various environments (offices, study areas, collaborative spaces) and adjust its behavior based on user position, facing direction, and detected sound characteristics, providing cost-effective noise control without requiring specialized facilities for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If noise control is applied continuously, then work efficiency is improved, but flexibility to receive important sounds is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility to receive important sounds

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The noise control system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time conditions including user position, facing direction, detected sound sources, and zone configurations. When the user faces a specific direction or when important sounds are detected in certain zones, the system modifies its noise control application, allowing flexibility to receive vital sounds while maintaining work efficiency during focused tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor user behavior, detected sounds, and environmental conditions to continuously optimize noise control application. This feedback enables the system to recognize when important sounds occur and adjust noise control accordingly, balancing work efficiency with the ability to receive critical audio information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 noise control in a flexible and cost-effective manner, allowing users to focus while maintaining the ability to receive important sounds from sub work spaces, improving work efficiency without the need for expensive soundproofing.

Implementation Method 1

a microphone configured to sense noise around the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS10306048B2Electronic device and method of controlling noise by using electronic device

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of controlling noise using an electronic device and the electronic device are provided. The method includes: determining a main work space of a user; determining at least one among a facing direction of the user and a rotating speed of the user; sensing noise around the user; and providing the wearable device with a sound for offsetting the sensed noise based on at least one among the determined main work space, the facing direction of the user, and the rotating speed of the user.