Closed loop control system for active noise reduction and method for active noise reduction

• US 9,275,627 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2012
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ams AG (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: ams AG (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Schoerkmaier, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fahnert, Friedrich W
• Application Number:
  US14/002,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20140051483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 381/71.6, 381/71.7, 381/71.11, 381/74, 381/94.1, 381/94.9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/175 using interference effects; Masking sound
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17813 characterised by the analysis of the acoustic paths, e.g. estimating, calibrating or testing of transfer functions or cross-terms
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17853 of the filter
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17857 Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17861 using additional means for damping sound, e.g. using sound absorbing panels
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17881 the reference signal being an acoustic signal, e.g. recorded with a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17885 additionally using a desired external signal, e.g. pass-through audio such as music or speech
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1081 Earphones, e.g. for telephones, ear protectors or headsets
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3026 Feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3027 Feedforward
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3055 Transfer function of the acoustic system
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/01 Hearing devices using active noise cancellation

Abstract

The invention relates to a closed loop control system for active noise reduction, comprising a speaker and an adding device connected to the speaker. A feedforward control and a feedback control each comprise a microphone for recording noise interference or for recording a sound output by the speaker. Control networks for forming a corresponding control parameter are coupled to the corresponding microphones and are connected to the adding device at the output side thereof. According to the invention, the feedback control for noise reduction is adapted on the basis of a first acoustic ratio and the feedforward control for noise reduction is adapted on the basis of a second acoustic ratio. The control network of the feedback control is designed to at least partially compensate for the control parameter of the feedforward control when current acoustic ratios change in the direction of the first acoustic ratio.

Claims

1. A closed loop control system for active noise reduction, comprising:

a loudspeaker for outputting sound;

an adding device that features a first and a second input and to which the loudspeaker is connected;

a feedforward control with

a first microphone for receiving noise interference, and

a first control network with at least one filter for forming a first controlled variable, wherein the first control network is coupled to the first microphone on its input side and is coupled to the adding device on its output side in order to supply the first controlled variable;

a feedback control with

a second microphone for receiving a sound being output by the loudspeaker, and

a second control network with at least one filter for forming a second controlled variable, wherein the second control network is coupled to the second microphone on its input side and is coupled to the adding device on its output side,

wherein the feedback control is tuned to a noise reduction based on a first acoustic ratio, the feedforward control is tuned to a noise reduction based on a second acoustic ratio, and the second control network is designed for at least partially compensating the first controlled variable when the current acoustic ratios change in the direction of the first acoustic ratio, and

wherein the tuning of the feedforward control and the feedback control is unchangeable at least during the operation of the control system.

2. The closed loop control system according to claim 1, wherein the first acoustic ratio corresponds to a first distance between the loudspeaker and an ear drum of a user and the second acoustic ratio corresponds to a second distance between the loudspeaker and the ear drum, and

wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

3. The closed loop control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first acoustic ratio corresponds to an essentially tight seal between the loudspeaker and an ear of a user, and

wherein the second acoustic ratio corresponds to an untight seal between the loudspeaker and the ear.

4. The closed loop control system according to claim 1, wherein the first acoustic ratio corresponds to an essentially fixed air volume between the loudspeaker and an ear of a user, and

wherein the second acoustic ratio corresponds to a variable, but at least significantly larger air volume between the loudspeaker and the ear than at the first acoustic ratio.

5. The closed loop control system according to claim 1, wherein the first acoustic ratio corresponds to a first extreme value of potential acoustic ratios and the second acoustic ratio corresponds to a second extreme value of the potential acoustic ratios.

6. The closed loop control system according to claim 1, wherein the first or the second control network has a variable gain amplification that is adapted to the respective acoustic ratio.

7. The closed loop control system according to claim 1, wherein the first or the second control network feature at least one series connection of a variable gain amplifier and an RC filter.

8. The closed loop control system according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second control network are based on an entirely analog control.

9. The closed loop control system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a loudspeaker housing that essentially encloses a first air volume and serves for accommodating the loudspeaker; and

an auxiliary housing that essentially encloses a second air volume and is arranged in a preferred direction for the sound radiation of the loudspeaker housing.

10. The closed loop control system according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary housing is designed for accommodating the second microphone.

11. The closed loop control system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second control network is tuned to a noise reduction that is based on the first and the second air volume.

12. The closed loop control system according to claim 1, wherein the feedforward control has a higher control bandwidth than the feedback control.

13. A method for active noise reduction for a loudspeaker that serves for the output of sound, the method comprising:

making available a feedback control for noise reduction that is tuned to a first acoustic ratio;

making available a feedforward control for noise reduction that is tuned to a second acoustic ratio; and

compensating a controlled variable of the feedforward control with a controlled variable of the feedback control when current acoustic ratios change in the direction of the first acoustic ratio,

wherein the tuning of the feedforward control and the feedback control cannot be changed at least during the control operation.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first acoustic ratio corresponds to a first distance between the loudspeaker and an ear drum of a user,

wherein the second acoustic ratio corresponds to a second distance between the loudspeaker and the ear drum, and

wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first acoustic ratio corresponds to an essentially tight seal between the loudspeaker and an ear of a user, and

wherein the second acoustic ratio corresponds to an untight seal between the loudspeaker and the ear.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first acoustic ratio corresponds to an essentially fixed air volume an untight seal between the loudspeaker and an ear of a user, and

wherein the second acoustic ratio corresponds to a variable, but at least significantly larger air volume between the loudspeaker and the ear than at the first acoustic ratio.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first acoustic ratio corresponds to a first extreme value of potential acoustic ratios, and

wherein the second acoustic ratio corresponds to a second extreme value of the potential acoustic ratios.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein compensating step comprises:

detection of the controlled variable of the feedforward control as a disturbance variable by the feedback control.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein making available the feedforward control comprises:

receiving noise interference;

amplifying the received noise interference;

filtering the received noise interference; and

outputting the filtered noise interference,

wherein the filtering is carried out in such a way that a cancellation of the noise interference is at least partially realized in a first range upstream of the loudspeaker with the filtered and amplified noise interference.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein making available the feedback control comprises:

receiving noise interference in the region of the loudspeaker;

amplifying the received noise interference;

filtering the received noise interference in such a way that a cancellation of the noise interference is at least partially realized in a second range upstream of the loudspeaker with the filtered and amplified noise interference; and

outputting the filtered noise interference.