Sensor Processing Unit for Music Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile electronic devices face challenges in efficiently detecting and identifying music in real-time while conserving power, as existing solutions require significant computational resources and battery life, especially when the host processor is in low-power mode or busy with other tasks.
Innovation Solution
A mobile electronic device equipped with a sensor processing unit that operates independently to detect music activity using a microphone, performing frequency analysis and harmonic detection, and communicates with a host processor to identify music, even when the host processor is in low-power mode, thereby offloading intensive tasks and conserving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the host processor performs music detection and identification, then music identification accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The music detection system is segmented into two independent parts: a sensor processing unit that performs lightweight frequency analysis and harmonic detection, and a host processor that performs music identification only when needed. This segmentation allows the heavy computational task of music identification to be separated from continuous monitoring, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The music detection functionality is extracted from the host processor and placed in a dedicated sensor processing unit. This extraction removes the power-intensive detection tasks from the main processor, allowing the host processor to remain in low-power mode while still benefiting from accurate music identification through the sensor unit's analysis.
2Speed
If the host processor remains active for continuous music detection, then detection responsiveness is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor processing unit is designed to be self-sufficient for music detection tasks, performing frequency analysis and harmonic detection independently without requiring constant host processor intervention. This self-service capability allows the sensor unit to operate autonomously in low-power mode, maintaining detection responsiveness while preserving battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor processing unit performs preliminary frequency analysis and harmonic detection before the host processor needs to identify the music. This preliminary action prepares the data in advance, allowing the host processor to quickly complete identification tasks when activated, thus maintaining responsiveness without requiring continuous host processor activity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a dedicated sensor processing unit is introduced for music detection, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor processing unit is designed with multi-functionality, handling not only music detection but also other sensor processing tasks that would otherwise require the host processor. This universal design justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single dedicated unit, thereby reducing overall system power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor processing unit acts as an intermediary between the microphone and the host processor, performing preliminary processing tasks and only communicating necessary information to the host processor. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by creating a clear separation of concerns, where the sensor unit handles detection and the host processor handles identification, reducing the complexity of continuous host processor engagement.
4Measurement precision
If frequency analysis and harmonic detection are performed continuously, then music detection accuracy is improved, but computational resources are exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The computationally intensive music identification task is replaced with a simpler mechanical/acoustic analysis system in the sensor processing unit. Instead of using complex digital signal processing on the host processor, the sensor unit performs frequency analysis and harmonic detection using dedicated acoustic sensors and simplified processing algorithms, maintaining accuracy while improving computational efficiency.
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 continuous music detection and identification with reduced power consumption, allowing the device to operate efficiently and accurately even when the host processor is not fully active, by using a dedicated sensor processor for music activity detection and identification tasks.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile electronic device with a sensor processing unit that includes a microphone
Implementation Method 2
performing frequency analysis and harmonic detection
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor processing unit comprises a sensor processor. The sensor processor is configured to communicatively couple with a microphone. The sensor processor is configured to acquire, from the microphone, a sample captured by the microphone from an environment in which the microphone is disposed. The sensor processor is configured to perform music activity detection on the audio sample to detect for music within the audio sample. Responsive to detection of music within the audio sample, the sensor processor is configured to send a music detection signal to an external processor located external to the sensor processing unit, the music detection signal indicating that music has been detected in the environment.