Patent KR-20090012069-A (KR)
Title: Noise suppression system, sound acquisition apparatus, sound output apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium recording a program
Inventor: KOIKE ATSUSHI
IPC: G10L21/02
Filed: 2008-07-08
Abstract: A noise suppression system, a sound acquisition apparatus, a sound output apparatus and a computer-readable medium are provided effectively to suppress acoustic echo occurring as a result of sound outputted by external equipment from acquired sound and to synchronize a signal of acquired sound and a signal acquired by a microphone, in order to effectively suppress noise, even in cases where the sound signal supplied to the speaker cannot be directly acquired. A control unit(110) includes major elements for computing such as a CPU(Central Processing Unit) and a memory unit including a register, RAM(Random Access Memory) and the like. Thus the control unit executes programs to control other components in a sound acquisition apparatus(100). A sound acquisition unit(120) includes a microphone, an ADC(Analog-Digital Converter), and the like. Thus the sound acquisition unit converts analog audio signals representing sounds acquired through the microphone to digital audio data. A communication unit(130) is a communication unit that is an interface for connecting to other apparatuses via the communication network(NW1). If the sound acquisition apparatus employs wired communication to establish connection to the communication network, the communication unit is an NIC(Network Interface Card) confirming to a typical LAN standard such as IEEE802.3. If the sound acquisition apparatus employs wireless communication to establish connection to the communication network, the communication unit is a WLAN module conforming to a typical WLAN standard such as IEEE802.11 series. A broadcasting receiver(140) incorporates the case where the sound acquisition apparatus has a broadcasting receiving function. In this case, the broadcasting receiver includes an antenna, a tuner unit, a decoder unit, and the like necessary for receiving and reproducing digital television broadcastings, digital radio broadcastings, or the like. An operation unit(150) includes keys and buttons arranged to fit the type of sound acquisition apparatus, to generate input signals in response to user operations to be inputted to the control unit. A display unit(160) includes a display panel such as an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) panel, a driver circuit, and the like, and displays images based on image signals given by the control unit. A sound output unit(170) includes a DAC(Digital-Analog Converter), a speaker, and the like. Thus the sound output unit modulates digital audio data obtained by the communication unit via the communication network or broadcasted digital sound data received by the broadcasting receiver, and output sounds based on the modulated sound data. A storage unit(180) includes a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory or a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive to save various data for the operations of the sound acquisition apparatus. Operation programs necessary for operations of the present invention and information relating to the sound acquisition apparatus are stored in the storage unit. A bus(190) comprises typical connectors and cables to deliver signals and data among the above components in the sound acquisition apparatus.