In-Car Sound Pickup Speaker Control for Wind Noise Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, loud noise is produced when wind blows against microphones or when microphones are rubbed with a hand, causing unpleasant sound amplification through speakers during in-car communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A sound pickup loudspeaker apparatus with a noise level estimation unit and control unit that determines if the noise level exceeds a threshold, preventing sound amplification by interrupting the sound path from the microphone to the speaker when noise levels are high.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sound pickup signal is amplified and played back from speaker, then in-car communication function is provided, but loud noise is output when wind blows against microphone or microphone is rubbed with hand
Solution Approach 1:
A noise level estimation unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the microphone and speaker. This unit estimates the noise level of the sound pickup signal and provides control information to a control unit, which then decides whether to allow sound amplification. The intermediary noise estimation mechanism mediates between the desire to provide clear communication and the need to block harmful noise amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the sound pickup signal through the noise level estimation unit and using this information to control the amplification process. The control unit receives feedback about noise levels and adjusts the sound amplification accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing acoustic conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If noise level detection and control mechanism is added, then harmful noise amplification is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The noise level estimation unit and control unit are integrated into the existing sound pickup and amplification system, allowing these components to serve multiple functions. The same hardware infrastructure is used for both normal sound amplification and noise level monitoring, reducing the need for entirely separate dedicated noise-blocking hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sound pickup loudspeaker apparatus that has a mechanism for detecting situations in which sound amplification should not be performed and stopping sound amplification from a speaker. The sound pickup loudspeaker apparatus is installed in a vehicle. At least a sound pickup position and a sound amplification position are assumed to be present in the vehicle. The sound pickup loudspeaker apparatus includes a noise level estimation unit that determines a noise level that is an estimated value of the magnitude of a noise component included in a sound pickup signal obtained from a microphone that collects sound emitted from the sound pickup position, and a control unit that performs control such that (i) when the noise level is not greater than a predetermined threshold value or is less than the threshold value, an acoustic signal based on the sound pickup signal is played back from a speaker at the sound amplification position, and (ii) when the noise level is greater than the threshold value or is at least the threshold value, the acoustic signal is not played back from the speaker.