Meta platforms technologies, llc (20240105156). ADAPTIVE ANC BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS simplified abstract

ADAPTIVE ANC BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS

Organization Name

meta platforms technologies, llc

Inventor(s)

Andrew Lovitt of Redmond WA (US)

Antonio John Miller of Woodinville WA (US)

Philip Robinson of Seattle WA (US)

Scott Phillip Selfon of Kirkland WA (US)

ADAPTIVE ANC BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240105156 titled 'ADAPTIVE ANC BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS

Simplified Explanation

The disclosed computer-implemented method involves applying sound cancellation through a sound reproduction system to reduce the amplitude of various sound signals. The method also includes identifying an external sound among the signals to be reduced by the cancellation, analyzing the external sound to determine if it should be made audible to the user, and modifying the cancellation to make the external sound audible if necessary.

• Sound cancellation applied via a sound reproduction system
• Identification of external sound to be reduced
• Analysis of external sound to determine user audibility
• Modification of cancellation to make external sound audible

Potential Applications

This technology could be applied in noise-canceling headphones, audio systems, and communication devices to enhance user experience by selectively allowing certain external sounds to be heard.

Problems Solved

This technology addresses the issue of over-reliance on noise cancellation, which can sometimes block out important external sounds that the user needs to hear for safety or communication purposes.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include improved user awareness of their surroundings, increased safety in noisy environments, and enhanced customization of sound cancellation preferences.

Potential Commercial Applications

Potential commercial applications of this technology include noise-canceling headphones for outdoor activities, communication devices for professionals working in noisy environments, and audio systems for public transportation.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology is the use of adaptive noise cancellation in headphones and audio systems, where external sounds are analyzed and canceled out to provide a better listening experience for the user.

How does the technology differentiate between external sounds that should be made audible and those that should be canceled out?

The technology uses advanced algorithms to analyze the characteristics of the external sound and determine its importance for the user. This process involves a combination of signal processing techniques and user preferences to make the decision.

What are the potential limitations of this technology in real-world applications?

One potential limitation of this technology is the accuracy of the analysis in determining which external sounds should be made audible. In noisy environments with overlapping sounds, the system may struggle to differentiate between important and irrelevant sounds, leading to potential errors in the modification of the cancellation.

Original Abstract Submitted

the disclosed computer-implemented method may include applying, via a sound reproduction system, sound cancellation that reduces an amplitude of various sound signals. the method further includes identifying, among the sound signals, an external sound whose amplitude is to be reduced by the sound cancellation. the method then includes analyzing the identified external sound to determine whether the identified external sound is to be made audible to a user and, upon determining that the external sound is to be made audible to the user, the method includes modifying the sound cancellation so that the identified external sound is made audible to the user. various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.