Interference suppression techniques

US7613309B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Douglas L. Jones · Champaign, US
• Michael Lockwood · Champaign, US
• Robert C. Bilger · Champaign, US
• Albert S. Feng · Champaign, US
• Charissa R. Lansing · Champaign, US
• William D. O'Brien, Jr. · Champaign, US
• Bruce C. Wheeler · Scotch Plains, US
• Mark Elledge · Austin, US
• Chen Liu · Tianjin, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 2002
• Grant date: Nov 3, 2009
• Expiry date: Apr 13, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04R2430/20
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

System (10) is disclosed including an acoustic sensor array (20) coupled to processor (42). System (10) processes inputs from array (20) to extract a desired acoustic signal through the suppression of interfering signals. The extraction/suppression is performed by modifying the array (20) inputs in the frequency domain with weights selected to minimize variance of the resulting output signal while maintaining unity gain of signals received in the direction of the desired acoustic signal. System (10) may be utilized in hearing aids, voice input devices, surveillance devices, and other applications.