Sound Collection Equipment Feedback Prevention via Test Tone Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound collection equipment, such as hearing aids, experience audio feedback due to high frequency sounds generated when the microphone and speaker are in close proximity, leading to unpleasant user experiences.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a processor unit with a frequency detection module, volume detection module, and control module in sound collection equipment to generate a test sound and determine if the energy of the external sound received by the microphone exceeds a predetermined value, thereby distinguishing between environmental sounds and the test sound to assess the device's usage state and prevent feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the microphone is placed close to the speaker for compact device design, then the device size is reduced, but audio feedback occurs due to high frequency sounds being picked up by the microphone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidaudio feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection by generating a test sound from the speaker and detecting it with the microphone before normal operation. This preliminary action identifies the close proximity condition between speaker and microphone, allowing the system to preemptively prevent audio feedback by adjusting gain or disabling the microphone before feedback occurs during actual use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the microphone and speaker are in close proximity during operation, then the device structure is simplified, but annoying high frequency sounds are generated causing unpleasant user experiences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidhigh frequency sounds

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a feedback mechanism where the microphone detects sounds from the speaker, and this detected signal is fed back to the processor. The processor analyzes the detected sound characteristics and adjusts the speaker output or microphone gain accordingly to eliminate the annoying high frequency sounds, thus resolving the issue while maintaining the simple close-proximity structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sound amplifier continuously amplifies all sounds received by the microphone, then the device responds to all environmental sounds, but it cannot distinguish between environmental sounds and test sounds leading to detection errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound response capabilityVSAvoidusage state detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the sound detection process into distinct phases: test sound detection phase and environmental sound amplification phase. During the test phase, the system specifically detects the generated test sound to determine usage state. During normal operation, the amplifier processes environmental sounds. This segmentation allows accurate usage state detection without interfering with normal sound amplification functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Effectively reduces or eliminates audio feedback by accurately determining the device's usage state and controlling the sound amplifier to prevent unwanted amplification, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The speaker is used for generating a test sound having a first frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

The microphone is used for receiving an external sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 3

The frequency detection module is used for determining if a frequency range of the external sound includes the first frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency analysis:

Implementation Method 4

The volume detection module is used for determining if the energy of the external sound exceeds a predetermined energy value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS10547940B1Sound collection equipment and method for detecting the operation status of the sound collection equipment

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 AIROHA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

AI summary

A sound collection equipment is disclosed. The sound collection equipment includes a speaker, a microphone and a processing unit. The speaker is used for generating a test sound having a first frequency. The microphone is used for receiving an external sound. The processing unit is electronically connected to the microphone and the processing unit. The processing unit is used for determining whether a frequency range of the external sound includes the first frequency and whether the energy of the external sound exceeds a predetermined energy value, and for judging that the sound collection equipment is in a usage state when the frequency range of the external sound includes the first frequency and the energy of the external sound does not exceed the predetermined energy value.