WO2017030891A1

WO2017030891A1 - Programmable microphone and utilization of parameters stored at the microphone

Info

Publication number: WO2017030891A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/046524
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sarmad Qutub; Thibault Kassir
Original assignee: Knowles Electronics, Llc
Priority date: 2015-08-14
Filing date: 2016-08-11
Publication date: 2017-02-23

Abstract

A microphone device comprises a transducer configured to convert sound energy into an electrical signal, a memory configured to store operational parameters for the microphone, and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) coupled to the transducer. The microphone is configured to receive a command requesting the operational parameters from a processing device, and transmit the operational parameters to the processing device in response to receiving the command.

Description

PROGRAMMABLE MICROPHONE AND UTILIZATION OF PARAMETERS

STORED AT THE MICROPHONE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 62/205,081, filed August 14, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This application relates to microphones and, more specifically, to the operation of these devices and usage with external processing devices.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Different types of acoustic devices have been used through the years. One type of device is a microphone and one type of microphone is a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) microphone. Microphones are deployed in various types of devices such as personal computers or cellular phones. In a MEMS microphone, a diaphragm moves with incoming sound, and the movement of the diaphragm with respect to the back plate creates an electrical signal. An analog microphone utilizes the analog signals produced by the MEMS device, while and digital microphone converts these signals into a digital format and then utilizes the signals in the digital format.

[0004] Microphones operate according to a sensitivity. In one aspect, sensitivity is the output of the microphone when one Pascal of air pressure is applied to the microphone. Current consumer devices require tight sensitivity specifications for optimal algorithm performance for algorithms that process information from the microphones.

[0005] Previous approaches included some drawbacks. For example, previous approaches typically utilized an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that included trim circuitry, which was utilized to optimize performance. However, the trim circuitry took up additional space making the microphone larger than many consumer applications allowed or preferred. [0006] These and other problems of previous approaches have resulted in some user dissatisfaction with these previous approaches.

SUMMARY

[0007] In general, one aspect of the of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a microphone. The microphone device comprises a transducer configured to convert sound energy into an electrical signal, a memory configured to store operational parameters for the microphone, and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) coupled to the transducer. The microphone is configured to receive a command requesting the operational parameters from a processing device, and transmit the operational parameters to the processing device in response to receiving the command.

[0008] Another aspect of the subject matter can be embodied in a processing device.

The processing device is coupled to a first microphone. The processing device is configured to transmit a first command requesting first operational parameters for the first microphone to the first microphone, receive the first operational parameters from the first microphone, and utilize the first operational parameters to set at least one of hardware and software components of the processing device.

[0009] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the following drawings and the detailed description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings [0011] FIG. 1 comprises a block diagram of a system where an external processor utilizes parameter values stored at microphones according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 comprises a flow chart of an approach where an external processor utilizes parameter values stored at microphones according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.

Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present approaches provide approaches where microphone performance parameters such as sensitivity data, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data, frequency and phase response, or other electro-acoustic or operating parameters, or other types of data or parameters are stored in an internal microphone memory. This memory can be read by (or the microphone can transmit these parameters to) an external processor. Algorithms deployed at the external processor can utilize the parameters that have been read.

[0015] In some aspects, when a command is received by the microphone from an external processor or when the microphone is initialized (started-up) in a predefined manner, the microphone transmits information to be read by a processing device (such as a codec, digital signal processor, or an application processor). If the microphone is an analog microphone, the information may be transmitted at ultrasonic frequencies to the processor. If the microphone is a digital microphone, the microphone can transmit the information in, for example, a pulse density modulation (PDM) or Sound Wire format at ultrasonic frequencies. The data may also be transmitted over or by a data bus such as the I2C protocol. Other examples of formats can also be used for transmission of the parameters.

[0016] The approaches provided herein provide better algorithm performance, and reduce the number of audio artifacts in the signal path.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, one example of a system 100 that utilizes the present approaches is described. The system 100 includes a first microphone 102. The first microphone 102 includes a first transducer 104, a first application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 106, and a first memory 108 (with first parameters 109 stored therein). The components of each of the microphones 102 and 122 are enclosed in a housing. Ports in the respective housings allow sound to impact the transducers 104 and 124.

[0018] The system 100 also includes a second microphone 122. The second microphone 122 includes a second transducer 124, a second application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 126, and a second memory 128 (with second parameters 129 stored therein).

[0019] A processor 130 is coupled to the first microphone 102 and the second microphone 122 via links 132 and 134. The processor 130 may be an application processor, a codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), or any other processing device.

[0020] The first transducer 104 and the second transducer 124 may be micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) devices that convert sound energy into an analog electrical signal. The first application specific integrated circuit 106 and the second ASIC 126 may be processing devices that, for example, perform noise removal or other functions.

[0021] The first memory 108 and the second memory 128 may be any type of memory device such as a one-time programmable (OTP memory), a programmable read only memory (PROM), and an electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). These or other types of memory may be configured as a memory register. Other examples are possible. The memories 108 and 128 may be physically separate from the ASICs 106 and 126, or incorporated into the ASICS 106 and 126.

[0022] First parameters 109 and second parameters 129 may specify the microphone sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio (S R), frequency response, phase response, or other parameter of the microphones 102 and 122. These parameters may be programmed into the memories 108 and 128 during manufacturing, in one example. In other examples, these values may be changed on-the-fly during the operation of the system of FIG. 1. For example, the sensitivity of the microphone may be -26.65 dBFS to take one example. Other values are possible and may change over time, depending in one aspect upon the structure of a particular microphone.

[0023] This value is stored in the memory 108 or 128 of the microphone 102 or 122.

Upon receipt of the invoke command (or some other command or indication) from the processor 130, the microphone 102 or 122 transmits its sensitivity value (stored in the memory 108 or 128) to the processor 130. The processor 130 can then tune its algorithms to the sensitivity of the microphone with fractions of a dB. If the microphone 102 or 122 has an internal DSP, this value can be transmitted to the DSP inside of the microphone 102 or 122.

[0024] In one example of the operation of the system of FIG. 1, the microphones 102 and 122 receive sound energy and the transducers 104 and 124 convert the sound energy into electrical signals. The processor 130 transmits a command (e.g., an invoke command) to the microphones 102 and 122 over the links 132 and 134 requesting the microphone transmit operational parameters to the processor 130. The command may be transmitted to the microphones when they are going to be in use such as for voice calls, recording, or other audio applications where processing occurs. The command can be in any appropriate format and can be transmitted across a wired or wireless connection. The links 132 and 134 may be a wired or wireless connections and transmissions made over these links may be made according to any appropriate protocol.

[0025] The microphones 102 and 122 transmit the requested information to the processor 130. For example, if the microphone 102 or 122 is an analog microphone, an ultrasonic signal may be transmitted from the microphone (e.g., the transducer of the microphone may be utilized to transmit an ultrasonic signal (a signal beyond the range of human hearing usually in excess of approximately 20 kHz), which is received at the external processor). In other examples and if the microphone 102 or 122 is a digital microphone, a PDM (or some other digital signal) may be sent from the microphone. In these regards, it will be appreciated that the microphones 102 and 122 may include other conversion circuitry.

[0026] The processor 130 receives the information, and performs any conversion functions. The received information is utilized by various algorithms or approaches utilized by the processor 130. The processor 130 may be physically separate and distinct from the microphones 102 and 122. The external processor 130 (along with the microphones 102 and 122) can be deployed in a variety of different consumer devices such as cellular phones, laptops, and tablets to mention a few examples. Other examples are possible.

[0027] It will be appreciated that the processor 130 wherein processing is performed may also reside inside of a microphone 102 or 122 and may in one example be a DSP. In this configuration and in one aspect the DSP inside the microphone sends a command to the memory 108 or 128 to read the microphone parameter. The ASIC 106 or 126 of the microphone 102 or 122 then sends the data to the DSP 130 inside of the microphone 102 or 122.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, one example of an approach where microphone sensitivity, S R, frequency response, phase response, and other parameters can be read and utilized by a processing device that is external from the microphones or inside the microphone is described. It will be understood that in a multi -microphone system, the approach of FIG. 2 can be performed between the processor and each of the multiple microphones. This can be accomplished sequentially (e.g., with one microphone, then a next microphone, and so forth) or in parallel (e.g., with each of microphones at the same time or essentially the same time).

[0029] At step 202, the processor (e.g., a system on chip (SoC)), transmits a command to one or more microphones requesting the microphone to transmit operational parameters to the processor. The command may be transmitted to the microphones periodically and/or when a specific event (e.g., phone wake up, audio application turns-on or activation) occurs.

[0030] At step 204, the microphone transmits the requested information to the processor. For example, if the microphone is an analog microphone, an ultrasonic signal may be transmitted from the microphone (e.g., the transducer of the microphone may be utilized to transmit an ultrasonic signal (a signal beyond the range of human hearing in excess of approximately 20kHz), which is received at the external processor). In other examples and if the microphone is a digital microphone, a PDM (or some other digital signal) may be sent from the microphone. [0031] At step 206, the processor receives the information, and performs any conversion functions. At step 208, the received information is utilized by various algorithms or approaches utilized by the processor. In one example, the values are utilized by a single algorithm. In another example, the values are utilized by multiple algorithms. It will be appreciated that the values may also be utilized for other purposes. For instance, the values may be utilized to set hardware components such as setting switches. The values can be also utilized to set both hardware and software components.

[0032] In one example and when two microphones are used, sensitivity parameters are read from each of the microphones and plugged or inserted into operational procedures, algorithms, software, and so forth that is being utilized by the external processor. In one specific example, the algorithm at the processor is for noise suppression and the values entered or plugged into the algorithm are used to tune the performance of the algorithm precisely to the sensitivity of the microphone within fractions of a dB. In one advantage, the processor receives a signal representing sound energy from the microphones, and these approaches achieve a better sound quality because of the ability to utilize the parameter values in the microphone(s).

[0033] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable," to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. [0034] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0035] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.).

[0036] It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0037] Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B." Further, unless otherwise noted, the use of the words "approximate," "about," "around," "substantially," etc., mean plus or minus ten percent.

[0038] The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A microphone comprising:

a transducer configured to convert sound energy into an electrical signal;

a memory configured to store operational parameters for the microphone; and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) coupled to the transducer, wherein the microphone is configured to:

receive a command requesting the operational parameters from a processing device; and

transmit the operational parameters to the processing device in response to receiving the command.

2. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the transducer is a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device.

3. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the operational parameters for the microphone includes at least one of sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frequency response, and phase response of the microphone.

4. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the operational parameters are programmed into the memory during manufacturing.

5. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the operational parameters are determined during operation of the microphone.

6. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the memory includes an one-time programmable (OTP) memory, a programmable read only memory (PROM), or an electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).

7. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the ASIC is configured to perform noise removal from the electrical signal.

8. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the processing device includes an application processor, a codec, or a digital signal processor (DSP).

9. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the microphone is an analog microphone, and wherein the microphone is configured to transmit the operational parameters to the processing device at ultrasonic frequencies.

10. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the microphone is a digital microphone, and wherein the microphone is configured to transmit the operational parameters to the processing device using a pulse density modulation (PDM).

11. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the microphone is a digital microphone, and wherein the microphone is configured to transmit the operational parameters to the processing device using a sound wire format at ultrasonic frequencies.

12. A processing device coupled to a first microphone, wherein the processing device is configured to:

transmit a first command requesting first operational parameters for the first microphone to the first microphone;

receive the first operational parameters from the first microphone; and

utilize the first operational parameters to set at least one of hardware and software components of the processing device.

13. The processing device of claim 12, wherein the processing device includes an application processor, a codec, or a digital signal processor (DSP).

14. The processing device of claim 12, wherein the processing device is configured to transmit the command periodically.

15. The processing device of claim 12, wherein the processing device is configured to transmit the command in response to an event.

16. The processing device of claim 15, wherein the event includes occurrence of phone wake up, audio application turns-on, or audio application activation.

17. The processing device of claim 12, wherein the operational parameters for the first microphone includes at least one of sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frequency response, and phase response.

18. The processing device of claim 12, wherein the processing device is coupled to a second microphone and further configured to:

transmit a command requesting first operational parameters for the first microphone to the first microphone;

receive the first operational parameters from the first microphone; and

utilize the first operational parameters.

19. The processing device of claim 18, wherein communication with the first microphone and communication with the second microphone are performed sequentially.

20. The processing device of claim 18, wherein communication with the first microphone and communication with the second microphone are performed in parallel.