Speech-Noise Mixing Control for Selective Audio Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio devices lack the ability to selectively filter speech and noise, often providing only binary noise suppression or fixed noise reduction, which limits user control over the audio output.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control system that allows users to select a mixture value within a range to generate a control output signal, enabling the audio processor to process the audio signal to selectively retain or suppress speech and ambient noise based on the selected mixture value, using a sound suppression function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If binary noise suppression is applied, then noise reduction is achieved, but control flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control mechanism where users can adjust a mixture value parameter to continuously vary the degree of noise suppression applied to audio signals. This transforms the static binary suppression into a dynamic, adjustable process that adapts to different user preferences and listening conditions, resolving the contradiction between achieving noise reduction and maintaining control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a mixture value parameter that ranges from 0 to 1, where different values correspond to different levels of noise suppression. By changing this parameter, users can control the balance between original audio and processed audio, enabling flexible adjustment of noise reduction intensity without losing the ability to hear speech or ambient sounds when needed.
2Manufacturing precision
If selective filtering of speech and noise is implemented, then audio quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary processing approach where the audio signal passes through a noise suppression function that acts as a mediator between the original audio and the final output. This intermediary layer applies selective filtering based on the mixture value parameter, improving audio quality by separating speech from noise while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture through software-based processing rather than complex hardware modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system can be controlled by a method that includes obtaining a mixture value from a user, where the mixture value has a value in a range from a first value for a first state to a second value for a second state, with the first state corresponding to a desired sound having substantially all of a first content and substantially nil amount of a second content, the second state corresponding to a desired sound having substantially nil amount of the first content and substantially all of the second content, and the mixture value being a selected one among multiple values in the range. The multiple values include an unprocessed mixture value for an unprocessed state corresponding to a desired sound having unprocessed first and second contents. The method can further include generating a control output signal based on the selected mixture value, and processing an audio signal based on the control output signal to generate a sound having the first content and/or the second content according to the selected mixture value.