Tunable ANC Filter for User-Specific Noise Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and resource-intensive calibration processes for active noise cancellation (ANC) audio devices, such as headphones, hinder widespread adoption due to manufacturing variations and individual fit differences, leading to inconsistent noise cancellation performance.
Innovation Solution
An active noise cancellation system with a tunable filter that adjusts coefficients in real-time based on user feedback, using a graphical user interface to modify parameters and generate a tailored anti-noise signal, reducing the need for laborious production line calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laborious production line calibration is performed to achieve consistent noise cancellation performance, then noise cancellation performance consistency is improved, but production cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables end-users to perform their own calibration through a graphical user interface that guides them to adjust tunable parameters based on their subjective listening experience. This self-service calibration approach eliminates the need for laborious production line calibration while achieving consistent noise cancellation performance tailored to individual users' ears and preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements tunable parameters that allow dynamic adjustment of the noise cancellation filter coefficients. These parameters can be modified in real-time based on user feedback, enabling the system to adapt to different users and environments without requiring physical recalibration or manufacturing changes.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed production line calibration is performed to account for manufacturing variations and individual fit differences, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By shifting the calibration burden from the manufacturing process to the end-user, the system eliminates costly production line calibration equipment and labor. Users independently adjust the tunable parameters to match their specific ear anatomy and noise cancellation preferences, achieving personalized optimization without adding manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically adjustable parameters that can be modified after manufacturing to account for individual variations. This dynamic adaptability allows a single standardized manufacturing process to serve multiple unique user configurations, eliminating the need for costly unit-by-unit calibration while maintaining high performance.
3Device complexity
If a fixed predetermined model is used for noise cancellation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to individual users decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fixed predetermined model with dynamically tunable parameters. The base filter provides stable noise cancellation performance, while the tunable parameters allow users to adjust specific aspects of the noise cancellation to their preferences. This dynamic element adds adaptability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise cancellation filter is segmented into a fixed predetermined model component and separate tunable parameters. This segmentation allows the complex adaptive behavior to be isolated into specific adjustable parameters rather than requiring complete model redesign, maintaining simplicity while enabling user-specific customization.
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 cost-effective, user-specific noise cancellation by allowing end-users to optimize ANC performance based on their subjective experience, thereby reducing production costs and improving consistency across devices.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor operable to sense environmental noise and generate a corresponding reference signal
Implementation Method 2
A loudspeaker is provided to receive the anti-noise signal and generate anti-noise to cancel the noise in a cancellation zone
Implementation Method 3
The noise and anti-noise signal cancel each other acoustically
Data Source
AI summary
An active noise cancellation system includes a sensor operable to sense environmental noise and generate a corresponding reference signal, a fixed noise cancellation filter including a predetermined model of the active noise cancellation system operable to generate an anti-noise signal, and a tunable noise cancellation filter operable to modify the anti-noise signal in accordance with stored coefficients, wherein the tunable noise cancellation filter is further operable to modify the stored coefficients in real-time based on user feedback and generate a tuned anti-noise signal that models tunable deviations from the predetermined noise model. A graphical user interface is operable to receive user adjustments of tunable parameters in real-time, the tunable parameters corresponding to at least one of the stored coefficients.