U.S. patent application number 17/004596 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-17 for method for eliminating sound and electronic device performing the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is UNLIMITER MFA CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kuo-Wei KAO, Jian-Ying LI, Cheng-Te WANG, Po-Jui WU, Kuo-Ping YANG.
Application Number | 20200395032 17/004596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005051777 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200395032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAO; Kuo-Wei ; et
al. |
December 17, 2020 |
METHOD FOR ELIMINATING SOUND AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE PERFORMING THE
SAME
Abstract
A method for eliminating sound is disclosed. The method is
applied to an electronic device capable of connecting with a sound
playback device and includes a microphone. The method includes the
following steps of: receiving a previous input sound via the
microphone to generate a previous input sound signal; transmitting
the previous input sound signal to the sound playback device;
receiving a current input sound via the microphone to generate a
current input sound signal; filtering the current input sound
signal by removing the previous input sound from the current input
sound signal; playing the filtered current input sound signal.
Inventors: |
KAO; Kuo-Wei; (Taipei,
TW) ; WANG; Cheng-Te; (Taipei, TW) ; WU;
Po-Jui; (Taipei, TW) ; LI; Jian-Ying; (Taipei,
TW) ; YANG; Kuo-Ping; (Taipei, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNLIMITER MFA CO., LTD. |
Eden Island |
|
SC |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005051777 |
Appl. No.: |
17/004596 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16188409 |
Nov 13, 2018 |
10796708 |
|
|
17004596 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10L 21/0232 20130101;
G06F 3/165 20130101; H04R 29/001 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G10L 21/0232 20060101
G10L021/0232; H04R 29/00 20060101 H04R029/00; G06F 3/16 20060101
G06F003/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 2018 |
TW |
10 7133654 |
Claims
1. A method for eliminating sound, which is applied to an
electronic device capable of connecting with a sound playback
device and comprises a microphone, the method comprising the
following steps: receiving a previous input sound via the
microphone to generate a previous input sound signal; transmitting
the previous input sound signal to the sound playback device;
receiving a current input sound via the microphone to generate a
current input sound signal; filtering the current input sound
signal by removing the previous input sound signal from the current
input sound signal; and playing the filtered current input sound
signal.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic device
is connected with the sound playback device via an internet, such
that the previous input sound signal is transmitted to the sound
playback device via the internet.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between the
electronic device and the sound playback device is less than 2
meters.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein removing the previous
input sound signal includes identifying a difference in generation
times between the previous input sound signal and the current input
sound signal relayed by the sound playback device and received by
the electronic device.
5. An electronic device, which is capable of connecting with a
sound playback device, comprising: a microphone, used for receiving
a previous input sound to generate a previous input sound signal; a
microcontroller, electrically connected with the microphone,
comprising: a control module, used for controlling the previous
input sound signal to be transmitted to the sound playback device;
the microphone being further used for receiving a current input
sound to generate a current input sound signal after the previous
input sound signal is transmitted to the sound playback device; a
filter module, used for filtering the current input sound signal by
removing the previous input sound from the current input sound
signal; and a speaker, used for playing the filtered current input
sound signal.
6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
electronic device is connected with the sound playback device via
an internet, such that the previous input sound signal is
transmitted to the sound playback device via the internet.
7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a distance
between the electronic device and the sound playback device is less
than 2 meters.
8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein removing
the previous input sound from the current input sound signal
includes identifying a difference in generation times between the
previous input sound signal and the current input sound signal
relayed by the sound playback device and received by the electronic
device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for eliminating
sound and an electronic device performing the same, in particular
to a method for eliminating sounds generated by other devices and
an electronic device performing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] With gradual upgrades in the efficacy of handheld devices,
many video games can be played on smart phones or tablets. In
addition, because of advances in network communications, many
players can synchronously communicate by voice with other players
participating in the same game via the internet. However, some of
the players participating in the same game may actually be sitting
next to each other. When one of them talks with a remote player via
the internet, the sound from the talking player will be sent back
via a handheld device held by another player who is next to the
talking player, which can result in the same sound being repeatedly
transmitted and played back. This can create a feedback loop, which
generates unexpected sound that is commonly known as feedback.
[0003] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method to resolve
the abovementioned issue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a method
for eliminating sound and an electronic device performing the
same.
[0005] To achieve the above object, the method for eliminating
sound of the present invention is applied in an electronic device.
The electronic device is connected with a sound playback device and
comprises a microphone. The method for eliminating sound of the
present invention comprises the following steps of: receiving a
previous input sound via the microphone to generate a previous
input sound signal; transmitting the previous input sound signal to
the sound playback device; receiving a current input sound via the
microphone to generate a current input sound signal; and filtering
the current input sound signal by removing the previous input sound
from the current input sound signal; and playing the filtered
current input sound signal.
[0006] The electronic device of the present invention is capable of
connecting with a sound playback device and comprises a microphone,
a microcontroller, and a speaker. The microphone is used for
receiving a previous input sound to generate a previous input sound
signal. The microcontroller is electrically connected with the
microphone and comprises a control module and a filter module. The
control module is used for transmitting the previous input sound
signal to the sound playback device. The microphone is further used
for receiving a current input sound to generate a current input
sound signal after the previous input sound signal is transmitted
to the sound playback device. The filter module is used for
filtering the current input sound signal by removing the previous
input sound from the current input sound signal. The speaker is
used for playing the filtered current input sound signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following descriptions of
the accompanying drawings, which disclose several embodiments of
the present invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are
to be used for purposes of illustration only, and not as a
definition of the invention.
[0008] In the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote
similar elements throughout the several views:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a device architecture diagram of the electronic
device of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a step flowchart of a method for eliminating sound
of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] The following embodiments are provided in order to further
explain the implementations of the present invention. It should be
noted that the objects used in the diagrams of the embodiments are
provided with proportions, dimensions, deformations, displacements
and details as examples and that the present invention is not
limited thereto; identical components in the embodiments are given
the same component numbers.
[0012] First, refer to FIG. 1, which is a device architecture
diagram of the electronic device of the present invention.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the present
invention, an electronic device 1 of the present invention is
capable of connecting with a sound playback device 90 via an
internet 60. The sound playback device 90 comprises a second
communication module 91, a processor 92, and a speaker 93. The
processor 92 is electrically connected with the second
communication module 91 and the speaker 93. The electronic device 1
comprises a microphone 10, a first communication module 20, a
microcontroller 30 and a speaker 40. In a specific embodiment of
the present invention, the electronic device 1 and sound playback
device 90 are a smart phone, but the scope of the present invention
is not limited thereto.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the present
invention, the microphone 10 is used for receiving sounds from the
outside, including a first input sound 80 generated by a user and a
second input sound 70 generated by the sound playback device 90.
The microphone 10 generates a first input sound signal 81 according
to the first input sound 80 after receiving the first input sound
80. The first input sound signal 81 is transmitted to the
microcontroller 30. Similarly, the microphone 10 generates a second
input sound signal 71 according to the second input sound 70 after
receiving the second input sound 70. The second input sound signal
71 is also transmitted to the microcontroller 30.
[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first
communication module 20 is used for signally connecting to the
second communication module 91 of the sound playback device 90,
such that the electronic device 1 is connected with the sound
playback device 90. In a specific embodiment of the present
invention, the first communication module 20 and the second
communication module 91 are a network interface card so that the
electronic device 1 is capable of connecting with the sound
playback device 90 via the internet 60, but the scope of the
present invention is not limited thereto. Communication between the
electronic device 1 and the sound playback device 90 may also occur
by any known communication method, such as Bluetooth.
[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the
microcontroller 30 is electrically connected to the microphone 10
and the first communication module 20. The microcontroller 30
comprises a control module 31, a calculation module 33 and a filter
module 35. It should be noted that the above respective modules may
not only be configured as hardware devices, software programs,
firmware, or combinations thereof, but also configured by circuit
loop or other suitable types. Also, each of the modules can be
configured individually or in combination. A preferred embodiment
is that all of the modules are configured as software programs,
which are installed into a memory (not shown in figures) of the
micro controller 30 and implemented by a processor (not shown in
figures) of the micro controller 30 to achieve their functions.
Additionally, the preferred embodiment of the present invention
described herein is only illustrative. To avoid redundancy, not all
the possible combinations of changes are documented in detail.
However, it shall be understood by those skilled in the art that
each of the modules or elements described above may not be
necessary. For the implementation of the present invention, the
present invention may also contain other detailed, conventional
modules or elements. Each module or component is likely to be
omitted or modified depending on various demands. Other modules or
elements may not necessarily exist between any two modules.
[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control
module 31 is used for recording the first input sound signal 81 and
for controlling the first input sound signal 81 to be transmitted
to the sound playback device 90 via the first communication module
20. The processor 92 of the sound playback device 90 will transmit
the first input sound signal 81 to the speaker 93 after the second
communication module 91 of the sound playback device 90 receives
the first input sound signal 81. The speaker 93 can generate a
second input sound 70 according to the first input sound signal
81.
[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the calculation
module 33 is signally connected to the control module 31. The
calculation module 33 is used for determining a difference in
generation times between the first input sound signal 81 and the
second input sound signal 71. The calculation module 33 can record
the amount of time that has passed since receiving the first input
sound signal 81, so the calculation module 33 can determine the
difference in generation times between the first input sound signal
81 and the second input sound signal 71 after the micro controller
30 acquires the second input sound signal 71.
[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter module
35 is signally connected to the calculation module 33. The filter
module 35 is used for filtering the second input sound signal 71
according to the difference in generation times between the first
input sound signal 81 and the second input sound signal 71, and
according to the first input sound signal 81. It should be noted
that the term "filter" used herein refers not to the complete
elimination of the second input sound signal 71 but includes the
situation that some residual signals may remain due to the limits
of the filtering technique. In a specific embodiment of the present
invention, the filter module 35 is an Adaptive Filter, but the
scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. The method
of using the difference in generation times between the first input
sound signal 81 and the second input sound signal 71 and using the
first input sound signal 81 to filter the second input sound signal
71 will be detailed elsewhere and is omitted herein.
[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the speaker 40 is
electrically connected to the microcontroller 30. The speaker 40 is
used for generating sound according to an output sound signal
generated by the microcontroller 30.
[0021] Next, refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a step flowchart
of a method for eliminating sound of the present invention. The
steps shown in FIG. 2 are further presented in detail in FIG. 1. It
should be noted that the following implementation is based on the
electronic device 1 described previously to illustrate the method
for eliminating sound according to the present invention. However,
the scope of the method for eliminating sound according to the
present invention is not limited to the electronic device 1
described previously.
[0022] First, executing step S1: receiving a first input sound 80
via a microphone 10 to acquire a first input sound signal 81.
[0023] Assume that an electronic device 1 used by a first user and
a sound playback device 90 used by a second user are together
connected to a device used by a third user at a remote location via
an internet 60 to play a video game, and that a distance between
the electronic device 1 and the sound playback device 90 is less
than 2 meters. When the first user using the electronic device 1
speaks toward a microphone 10 to talk to the third user, the
microphone 10 will receive a first input sound 80 from the user
using the electronic device 1 and generate a first input sound
signal 81 according to the first input sound 80. The first input
sound signal 81 can be transmitted to the microcontroller 30 such
that the microcontroller 30 receives and acquires the first input
sound signal 81.
[0024] Executing step S2: recording the first input sound signal 81
and transmitting the first input sound signal 81 to the sound
playback device 90.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control
module 31 of the electronic device 1 can record the first input
sound signal 81 and control the first input sound signal 81 to be
transmitted to other devices which are connected with the
electronic device 1, including the sound playback device 90, via
the first communication module 20.
[0026] Executing step S3: receiving a second input sound 70 from
the sound playback device 90 via the microphone 10 to acquire a
second input sound signal 71, wherein the second input sound 70 is
generated by the sound playback device 90 according to the first
input sound signal 81.
[0027] When the sound playback device 90 receives the first input
sound signal 81, the speaker 93 of the sound playback device 90 can
generate a second input sound 70 according to the first input sound
signal 81 (assuming that no earphones are used for the sound output
of the sound playback device 90 and that the speakers of the sound
playback device 90 are activated). Because the distance between the
electronic device 1 and the sound playback device 90 is short
(about 2 meters or less), the microphone 10 of the electronic
device 1 will receive the second input sound 70 generated by the
speaker 93 of the sound playback device 90 and generate a second
input sound signal 71 according to the second input sound 70.
Similarly, the second input sound signal 71 can be transmitted to
the microcontroller 30.
[0028] Executing step S4: determining a difference in generation
times between the first input sound signal 81 and the second input
sound signal 71.
[0029] When the microcontroller 30 receives and acquires the second
input sound signal 71, the calculation module 33 can determine a
difference in generation times between the first input sound signal
81 and the second input sound signal 71.
[0030] Execute step S5: filtering the second input sound signal 71
according to the difference in generation times between the first
input sound signal 81 and the second input sound signal 71, and
according to the first input sound signal 81.
[0031] The voice content of the second input sound 70 is actually
the same as that of the first input sound signal 81, so the
microcontroller 30 of the electronic device 1 of the present
invention will filter out the second input sound signal 71 to avoid
repeated transmission and playback. After step S4 is performed, the
filter module 35 of the microcontroller 30 will determine and
generate an estimated signal which is the same as or similar to the
second input sound signal 71 according to the difference in
generation times between the first input sound signal 81 and the
second input sound signal 71, and according to the previously
recorded first input sound signal 81. The filter module 35 will
eliminate the second input sound signal 71 by the estimated signal
so that the second input sound signal 71 is filtered. In a specific
embodiment, the filter module 35 of the microcontroller 30 may be a
conventional adaptive filter, which is widely used for eliminating
feedback sound. The adaptive filter can generate an estimated
signal which is the same as or similar to the feedback sound by
adjusting the weight of the filter immediately to eliminate the
feedback sound by the estimated signal. In general, the adaptive
filter needs a previous signal to be the basis for calculation and
generation of an estimated signal in order that the adaptive filter
can quickly calculate and generate the estimated signal. In this
embodiment, the generation time of the first input sound signal 81
and that of the second input sound signal 71 are quite different
because the first input sound signal 81 is transmitted to the sound
playback device 90 via the internet 60. If the difference in
generation times between the first input sound signal 81 and the
second input sound signal 71 is not determined, the first input
sound signal 81 to be utilized cannot be quickly and accurately
found, and the calculation for a processing unit will consume a lot
of time or even be impossible. Thus, in the embodiment of the
present invention, the microcontroller 30 first determines a
difference in generation times between the first input sound signal
81 and the second input sound signal 71, and then quickly
identifies the first input sound signal 81 according to the
difference. The microcontroller 30 can determine an estimated
signal which is the same as or similar to the second input sound
signal 71 according to the first input sound signal 81 and then
filter the second input sound signal 71 by the estimated signal.
Determining a later signal by a previous signal is a prior art for
eliminating a sound signal and is known by many skilled persons and
detailed in many articles, so description of that method is omitted
herein.
[0032] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and
modifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is
intended to include all such variations, modifications and
equivalents which fall within the scope of the invention, as
defined in the accompanying claims. It is to be understood that
many other possible modifications and variations can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *