Noise Suppression Device with Event Sound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active noise control techniques may inadvertently suppress critical external sounds, such as emergency vehicle sirens, leading to situations where users are not alerted to important events.
Innovation Solution
A noise suppression device that allows users to recognize specific events by identifying event sounds amidst ambient noise, using sensors and signal processing to generate notification signals even during active noise suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise control suppresses all external sounds, then noise around the user is reduced, but the user cannot recognize critical events such as emergency vehicle sirens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing into two distinct pathways: a noise suppression pathway that processes general ambient noise, and an event detection pathway that processes sounds for event recognition. This segmentation allows the system to suppress unwanted noise while preserving the ability to detect critical events by analyzing different signal components separately
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary event detection mechanism that operates between the noise suppression process and the user experience. This intermediary layer analyzes the original or residual audio signals for event characteristics and generates notification signals when events are detected, mediating between the noise suppression function and the user's need for event awareness
2Ease of operation
If noise suppression is strengthened to block all external noise, then user comfort is improved, but user safety is compromised due to inability to hear emergency signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the audio environment for event sounds and provides feedback through notification signals when events are detected. This feedback loop ensures that even when noise suppression is active, the system can detect and alert users to critical events, thereby maintaining user safety while preserving comfort
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 users to be aware of critical events, such as approaching emergency vehicles, while still suppressing unwanted ambient noise, thereby ensuring user safety and awareness.
Implementation Method 1
In active noise control techniques, systems which include a reference microphone which picks up noise, an error microphone which picks up sound at a user's position, a noise suppression device which generates an erasure sound signal for eliminating noise from a noise signal which is an output of the reference microphone and an error signal which is an output of the error microphone
Data Source
AI summary
A noise suppression technique which allows a user to recognize that a specific event occurs when the event that the user needs to be aware of occurs even during a process of suppressing noise around the user is provided. When the noise around the user includes a sound originating from a predetermined event (hereinafter referred to as “event sound”), a noise suppression device allows a user to recognize that the event occurs.