Selective Ambient Sound Processing Earpiece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio processing technologies, such as earplugs and active noise cancellation, fail to selectively filter out unwanted ambient sounds while preserving desired sounds, leading to incomplete noise reduction and potential hearing damage in loud environments.
Innovation Solution
An earpiece system combining active cancellation and passive attenuation, connected to a mobile device, uses microphones, digital signal processing, and filters to selectively modify ambient sound in real-time, allowing users to control and transform desired and undesired sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation is used to remove unwanted sounds, then noise reduction is improved, but it non-selectively removes all sounds equally including desired sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing characteristics to different frequency ranges and sound types. The system analyzes ambient sound spectrum and selectively applies noise cancellation to specific frequency bands while preserving others, allowing local differentiation between unwanted and desired sounds based on their acoustic properties
Solution Approach 2:
The audio spectrum is segmented into multiple frequency bands, each processed independently. The system divides the ambient sound into relevant and irrelevant portions based on frequency analysis, applying different gain adjustments to each segment to achieve selective noise reduction while preserving desired sounds
2Illumination intensity
If hearing aids increase volume of all audio received, then audibility is improved, but selectivity in controlling what aspects of audio to hear is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts audio processing parameters in real-time based on user input and environmental conditions. Users can modify which frequency ranges are enhanced or reduced during operation, and the system adapts its filtering characteristics continuously rather than using fixed settings
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing aid system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it amplifies desired sounds, reduces unwanted ambient noise, and provides user-controlled selective filtering. The device integrates both hearing assistance and active noise management capabilities in a single system
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ear plugs completely block ambient sound, then noise protection is improved, but audio experience quality deteriorates due to excessive muffling
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes acoustic parameters selectively rather than uniformly blocking all frequencies. It adjusts gain, phase, and frequency response parameters independently for different sound components, allowing noise reduction while maintaining natural audio quality and avoiding the muffling effect of traditional earplugs
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 real-time, selective noise reduction and sound enhancement, improving audio experience by allowing users to customize the audio environment, reducing the risk of hearing damage and enhancing audio quality.
Implementation Method 1
active cancellation and passive attenuation to create the deepest difference between ambient sound and the ear canal
Implementation Method 2
active cancellation and passive attenuation to create the deepest difference between ambient sound and the ear canal
Data Source
AI summary
Ambient sound is converted into digital signals. A processor performs active noise cancellation and/or a transformation operation that is distinct from the active noise cancellation on the digital signals. The active noise cancellation and the transformation operation transform the digital signals into modified digital signals. The modified digital signals are converted into modified analog signals. The modified analog signals are outputted as audio waves. An interior microphone is configured to output an output signal to the processor in response to receiving the modified analog signals. In response to receiving the output signal from the interior microphone, the processor is configured to determine whether the modified digital signals produce desired audio waves.