Sound Conditioning Optimizer for Dynamic User Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound conditioning techniques in communication devices are sub-optimal when users move out of the designated region of optimal sensitivity, leading to degraded sound quality due to ineffective noise and echo cancellation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a sound conditioning optimizer that evaluates the quality of sound signals and provides user feedback through visual and audio indicators to guide users back into the optimal sound conditioning region, optimizing noise and echo cancellation operations based on the microphone array's specific mode and environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sound conditioning is optimized for a specific region of optimal sensitivity, then sound quality is improved within that region, but sound quality degrades when users move outside that region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sound conditioning by continuously monitoring user position and adjusting the sound conditioning parameters in real-time. The system transitions from a static, fixed-region optimization approach to a dynamic adaptation approach where the optimal sound conditioning region moves with the user, thereby maintaining high sound quality regardless of user position while preserving the precision of sound conditioning within the optimal region.
2Reliability
If the microphone array operates in a fixed mode with a designated optimal sensitivity region, then noise and echo cancellation are effective within that region, but effectiveness decreases when users move outside it
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms by automatically detecting user position through microphone array analysis and autonomously adjusting sound conditioning parameters without requiring user intervention. The system monitors its own performance metrics and reconfigures the optimal sensitivity region dynamically, eliminating the need for users to manually position themselves while maintaining reliable noise and echo cancellation effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If visual and audio feedback indicators are provided to guide users to the optimal region, then user positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where visual and audio indicators provide real-time guidance to users about their position relative to the optimal sensitivity region. This feedback loop enables users to self-correct their positioning, achieving high measurement precision for user position accuracy. The feedback system integrates with the existing microphone array and processing units, leveraging available hardware resources to minimize the increase in overall device complexity while delivering precise positioning guidance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example implementations disclosed herein can be used to generate a local sound signal corresponding to utterances of a user and other sounds detected by a microphone array coupled to a communication device and to condition the local sound signals to separate the utterances of the user from the other sounds to generate a conditioned sound signal. The conditioned sound signals are evaluated to generate a local quality score for the conditioned sound signals, and when the local quality score of the conditioned sound signals is below a threshold associated with the communication device, a local feedback message indicating a local user position change can be generated. The local feedback message can include instructions for the user to move to another location to improve the quality of the condition sound signals.