Patent ID: 8526645
Filing Date: 2013-09-03
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A method for in-ear canal echo suppression control suitable for use in an earpiece, the method comprising the steps of: capturing an ambient acoustic signal from at least one Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) to produce an electronic ambient signal; capturing in an ear canal an internal sound from at least one Ear Canal Microphone (ECM) to produce an electronic internal signal, the electronic internal signal including an echo of a spoken voice generated by a wearer of the earpiece; measuring a background noise signal from the electronic ambient signal and the electronic internal signal; suppressing the echo in the electronic internal signal to produce a modified electronic internal signal containing primarily the spoken voice; generating a voice activity level for the spoken voice based on characteristics of the modified electronic internal signal and a level of the background noise signal; and mixing and adjusting the electronic ambient signal with the electronic internal signal in a ratio dependent on at least one of the voice activity level or the background noise signal to produce a mixed signal that is delivered to the ear canal by way of an Ear Canal Receiver (ECR).