Sound Feedback Elimination in Internet-Connected Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Feedback loops occur when players in close proximity communicate via internet-connected devices, causing unwanted sound feedback during multiplayer games, as sounds are repeatedly transmitted and played back.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a microphone and microcontroller filters out feedback sounds by determining the difference in generation times between input and playback signals, using a control, calculation, and filter module to eliminate the feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If players use internet-connected devices for voice communication during multiplayer games, then remote communication capability is improved, but feedback loops occur when players are in close proximity causing unwanted sound repetition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote communication capabilityVSAvoidfeedback loop sound

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by capturing the output sound from the sound playback device through the microphone, processing it to identify feedback characteristics, and then applying cancellation techniques to eliminate the harmful feedback loop while maintaining useful remote communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary between the microphone and sound playback device, intercepting the sound signal flow, analyzing feedback characteristics, and applying cancellation algorithms to eliminate harmful feedback before the sound is played back

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the microphone continuously monitors all sound signals, then feedback detection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by recording and storing reference sound signals during normal operation, so when feedback is detected, the comparison can be made quickly against pre-stored references rather than analyzing all historical data, reducing real-time processing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by monitoring sound signals selectively rather than continuously analyzing all audio data at full processing capacity, using threshold-based detection to trigger detailed analysis only when feedback conditions are suspected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10796708B2Method for eliminating sound and electronic device performing the same

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 AIROHA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

AI summary

A method for eliminating sound is disclosed. The method is applied to an electronic device capable of connecting with a sound playback device and includes a microphone. The method includes the following steps of: receiving a first input sound via the microphone to acquire a first input sound signal; recording the first input sound signal and transmitting the first input sound signal to the sound playback device; receiving a second input sound from the sound playback device to acquire a second input sound signal, wherein the second input sound is generated by the sound playback device according to the first input sound signal; determining a difference in generation times between the first input sound signal and the second input sound signal; and filtering the second input sound signal according to the difference in generation times and the first input sound signal.