Integrated Stereo Microphone Array for Noise Cancellation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gamers face challenges with traditional boom microphones that require frequent positioning, disrupting their gaming experience due to the need to move them away from the mouth for eating or drinking, and existing solutions do not effectively cancel background noise in noisy environments.

Innovation Solution

A stereo headset or earbuds with an integrated array of microphones utilizing an adaptive beam forming algorithm, allowing for noise cancellation without the need for manual microphone positioning and effective in noisy environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a close talking boom microphone is used, then voice clarity is improved, but the device requires frequent manual positioning which disrupts gaming experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice clarityVSAvoidmanual positioning frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic near-end speech detection and beamforming without requiring user intervention. The microphone array autonomously tracks and focuses on the user's voice by analyzing acoustic signals and adjusting beam patterns in real-time, eliminating the need for manual repositioning while maintaining voice clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical positioning system (manual boom microphone adjustment) with an electronic signal processing system. Instead of physically moving the microphone to track the user's mouth, the system uses adaptive beamforming algorithms to electronically focus on the speech source, substituting mechanical action with computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a close talking boom microphone is used, then voice clarity is improved, but the user cannot eat or drink conveniently during gaming sessions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice clarityVSAvoidcompatibility with eating/drinking activities

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously and automatically detects the user's speech presence and dynamically adjusts the beamforming pattern to track the mouth position. This self-adjusting capability allows the user to move their head and perform actions like eating or drinking without needing to manually reposition the microphone, as the system autonomously maintains optimal voice capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If traditional microphones are used, then device complexity is reduced, but background noise cancellation in noisy environments is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrophone array configurationVSAvoidbackground noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the audio capture function into multiple independent microphone elements arranged in an array. Each microphone captures the acoustic environment from its specific position, and the system processes these segmented signals separately through beamforming algorithms to selectively enhance speech while suppressing background noise from different spatial directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The beamforming system applies different processing weights to signals from different microphone elements based on their spatial positions and the detected speech direction. This creates a directional sensitivity pattern where microphones oriented toward the user's mouth receive higher gain while those capturing background noise receive lower gain, achieving local optimization of signal quality in different spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution provides a high-fidelity, boom-free microphone experience with improved noise cancellation, maintaining performance and convenience by automatically focusing on the user's voice in noisy settings, such as game arenas or internet cafes.

Implementation Method 1

A stereo headset or earbuds with an integrated array of microphones utilizing an adaptive beam forming algorithm, allowing for noise cancellation without the need for manual microphone positioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam forming:

Data Source

PatentUS10015598B2System, device, and method utilizing an integrated stereo array microphone

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 ANDREA ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

The invention relates to an audio device for use proximate a user's ears. The audio device includes first and second audio transmitting/receiving devices that are capable of operating in stereo. The audio device may be used within a system for manipulating audio signals received by the device. The manipulation may include processing received audio signals to enhance their quality. The processing may include applying one or more audio enhancement algorithms such as beamforming, active noise reduction, etc. A corresponding method for manipulating audio signals is also disclosed.