Spatial Audio Noise Cancellation for Selective Sound Source Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active noise cancellation (ANC) technologies lack the ability to selectively cancel specific sound sources based on user preference, failing to distinguish between different sound sources and requiring all-or-nothing noise cancellation.
Innovation Solution
A system that identifies multiple sound sources using microphones and remote devices, allowing users to select specific sound sources for cancellation through spatial perception, generating anti-noise signals to cancel those sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional active noise cancellation is used to cancel all environmental noises, then noise reduction is achieved, but the user loses the ability to hear desirable sounds and must choose between noisy or noise-free environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio environment into multiple sound sources and categorizes them into noise categories (e.g., continuous, intermittent, impulsive, low-frequency noises). This allows the system to selectively cancel specific noise sources while preserving desirable sounds, rather than treating all environmental sounds uniformly. The segmentation enables users to choose which noise categories to cancel while maintaining awareness of important audio information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different noise cancellation strategies to different noise categories and spatial locations. The system can selectively cancel continuous noises, intermittent noises, impulsive noises, or low-frequency noises based on user preferences and spatial characteristics. This local quality approach allows targeted noise reduction in specific frequency ranges and spatial directions while preserving other sounds.
2Loss of time
If remote microphones are used to enable look-ahead cancellation of impulsive noises, then cancellation timing is improved, but the system cannot distinguish between different sound sources for selective cancellation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capabilities of remote microphones (for look-ahead detection) with local microphones (for spatial perception and sound source identification). By combining multiple microphone inputs, the system achieves both timely cancellation of impulsive noises and accurate identification of sound sources, enabling selective cancellation based on both timing and spatial characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial perception algorithms as an intermediary between microphone input and noise cancellation output. These algorithms process audio signals from multiple microphones to identify and locate sound sources, providing spatial information that enables selective cancellation. The intermediary layer transforms raw audio data into actionable spatial awareness without losing timing information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spectrum-based noise cancellation is used to selectively cancel noise, then specific frequency ranges can be targeted, but the system cannot identify specific sound sources for user control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the spatial dimension to traditional spectrum-based noise cancellation. While spectrum-based methods operate in the frequency domain, the patent incorporates spatial perception to identify and locate sound sources in three-dimensional space. This dimensional enhancement allows users to select noise sources based on their spatial location and characteristics, providing intuitive control beyond frequency-based selection.
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
Enables users to selectively cancel unwanted sounds by identifying and designating sound sources spatially, providing intuitive user control and effective noise cancellation.
Implementation Method 1
Multiple sound sources are identified in the listener's environment using some combination of microphones and/or remote devices associated with specific sound sources
Implementation Method 2
the audio information captured by the microphones is processed to generate an anti-noise signal presented to the listener to cancel the sounds originating from the selected sound sources
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, systems, and media for selectively cancelling sounds at a listener's location are described. Sound sources are identified in the listener's environment using microphones and/or remote devices associated with specific sound sources. A user is presented with information identifying the sound sources, including spatial information, and prompting the user to select one or more of the sound sources. After the user designates a sound source as noise, microphones are used to monitor for sound originating from the designated sound source, and the audio information captured by the microphones is processed to generate an anti-noise signal presented to the listener to cancel sounds originating from the selected sound source. A user may designate multiple sound sources as noise and leave other sound sources unfiltered. The techniques may be used in single-listener and multi-listener applications, and in listening and speaking applications.