Sound Processing Device for Off-Microphone Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound processing technologies fail to effectively output a sound signal adapted to an intended use, particularly in off-microphone sound amplification scenarios where howling occurs and sound quality is compromised due to high acoustic coupling, requiring measures to suppress howling and reduce reverberation.
Innovation Solution
A sound processing device and method that employs beamforming processing and howling suppression techniques to differentiate between recording and amplification sound signals, using adaptive beamformers and howling suppression filters to reduce sensitivity to unwanted sound directions and eliminate howling, while maintaining high-quality sound for recording and amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If off-microphone sound amplification is performed in high acoustic coupling environments, then sound amplification effectiveness is improved, but howling occurs and sound quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates sound signal processing into distinct pathways: recording sound signals are processed differently from amplification sound signals. The beamforming processing part creates different beamforming parameters for recording versus amplification, allowing optimized handling of each signal type to prevent howling while maintaining amplification effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing characteristics to different signal streams. Recording sound signals undergo processing optimized for quality preservation, while amplification sound signals undergo processing optimized for howling suppression. This local differentiation allows each signal type to be handled according to its specific requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If beamforming processing is applied to suppress howling, then howling suppression is improved, but sound quality for recording may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides beamforming parameter generation into separate pathways: one set of parameters is optimized for howling suppression in amplification signals, while another set preserves sound quality for recording signals. This segmentation allows each parameter set to be independently optimized for its specific purpose without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects different beamforming parameters based on the signal type. The beamforming processing part adjusts parameters in real-time depending on whether the input is a recording sound signal or an amplification sound signal, allowing adaptive optimization for each case.
3Device complexity
If sound signals are processed through a single series, then processing simplicity is maintained, but inability to optimize for different intended uses occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate processing series: one series for recording sound signals and another for amplification sound signals. Each series has its own optimized parameters and processing characteristics, enabling adaptation to different intended uses while maintaining clear structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound processing device is designed to handle multiple types of sound signals (recording and amplification) through a unified system that automatically routes signals to appropriate processing pathways. This multi-functionality allows the same device to optimize for different intended uses without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present technology pertains to a sound processing device, a sound processing method, and a program that enable output of a sound signal fitting a purpose. By providing this sound processing device provided with a signal processing unit that processes a sound signal collected by a microphone so as to generate a recording sound signal for being recorded in a recording device and a sound amplification sound signal, different from the recording sound signal, to be outputted from a speaker, it is possible to output a sound signal fitting a purpose. The present technology is applicable to a sound amplification system that performs off-microphone sound amplification, for example.