KR20180128884A - Method for cancelling noise of active noise cancelling pillow and active noise cancelling pillow - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for canceling noise of a noise-canceling pillow and a noise-canceling pillow. The method of canceling noise of a noise canceling pillow comprises the steps of: receiving a noise signal from a forward microphone; generating a noise canceling signal based on the noise signal by a noise canceling speaker; receiving the noise canceled signal generated by destructive interference between a noise signal and a noise canceling signal by a feedback microphone; and determining whether a processor changes the noise canceling signal based on the noise canceled signal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a noise cancellation pillow, and more particularly, to a noise cancellation pillow,

The present invention relates to a method for blocking noise in a noise-canceling pillow and a noise-canceling pillow. More particularly, the present invention relates to a noise cancellation method for providing a more comfortable bed for a user by blocking unnecessary noise around the active noise cancellation based on active noise cancellation (ANC), and a noise cancellation pillow for performing such a method.

As mobile devices evolve, the use of earphones or headphones has increased, and more and more people are listening to music in various environments. When users listen to music in noisy environments such as airplanes, buses, and streets, it is difficult to listen to stable music due to high background noise. Accordingly, a noise canceling headphone using active noise cancellation (ANC) has been developed / introduced for the purpose of improving the listening performance by removing background noise.

The active noise control system uses the principle of superposition which is a characteristic of sound. A noise control signal (or a noise cancellation signal) having a phase opposite to the noise is generated, and external noise introduced into the ear pad of the headphone can be canceled by the noise control signal. Active noise control can be divided into feed forward system and feedback system depending on the structure.

The feedforward system generates a control signal based on the noise signal measured from the reference microphone located outside the headphone to minimize the noise signal at the position of the error microphone inside the headphone and to reduce the noise of the wide band without distortion of the music signal have. On the other hand, the feedback system has a structure to control the noise using the reference signal synthesized from the error microphones in the headphone and shows a high noise cancellation rate in the low frequency band.

Active noise control systems can be used for various items as well as headphones. Many people complain of insomnia because they can not sleep properly due to the snore / surrounding noise of the bedbug. Such an active noise control system can be utilized in a sleeping environment. When an active noise control system is applied to the sleeping environment, noise processing should be performed based on ANC technology in an open environment unlike the headphones. Therefore, ANC technology for noise isolation in open environment is needed.

It is an object of the present invention to solve all the problems described above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a comfortable sleeping environment to a user by performing noise processing based on noise cancellation technology in an open environment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a comfortable sleeping environment to a user by performing noise processing based on noise cancellation technology in an open environment, and to transmit sound information necessary for a user to a user.

In order to accomplish the above object, a representative structure of the present invention is as follows.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for blocking noise in a noise canceling pillow includes the steps of: receiving a noise signal from a forward microphone; generating a noise canceling signal based on the noise signal, Receiving a noise canceled signal generated by destructive interference between the noise signal and the noise cancellation signal and determining whether the processor is to change the noise cancellation signal based on the noise cancelled signal Step < / RTI >

According to another aspect of the present invention, a noise canceling pillow for blocking noise includes a forward microphone implemented to receive a noise signal, a noise canceling speaker implemented to generate a noise cancellation signal determined based on the noise signal, A feedback microphone implemented to receive a noise canceled signal generated by destructive interference between noise canceling signals and a processor implemented to determine whether to change the noise canceling signal based on the noise canceled signal can do.

According to the present invention, noise processing is performed based on noise cancellation technology in an open environment, thereby providing a comfortable sleeping environment to a user.

According to the present invention, noise processing is performed based on the noise cancellation technique in an open environment, and sound information necessary for a user can be selectively provided.

1 is a conceptual view illustrating a noise cancellation pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a noise canceling procedure of a noise cancellation pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for generating a noise cancellation signal in an open environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a noise cancellation method in an open environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a noise cancellation method in an open environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a differential noise cancellation method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a noise cancellation pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of acquiring positional information of a user's ear according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, the specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented by changing from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention should be construed as encompassing the scope of the appended claims and all equivalents thereof. In the drawings, like reference numbers designate the same or similar components throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

1 is a conceptual view illustrating a noise cancellation pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, a noise canceling pillow for blocking ambient noise based on an ANC (active noise canceling) function is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 1, the noise canceling pillow may include a plurality of noise canceling speakers. Each of the plurality of noise canceling speakers may be implemented to generate a noise canceling signal. The plurality of noise canceling speakers may be located adjacent to both ears when the user is lying down with a pillow. Specifically, when the user looks at the ceiling using the noise-canceling pillow and lies down, the first noise-canceling speaker is located in the vicinity of the user's left ear, and the second noise-canceling speaker is located in the vicinity of the user's right ear. Hereinafter, the expression 'noise canceling speaker' is used for the sake of convenience, but the noise canceling speaker may be also referred to as a noise canceling signal generating unit.

In addition, the noise cancellation pillow may include at least one forward microphone and at least one feedback microphone that perform at least one different function.

The noise cancellation pillow may include a first forward microphone 110 and a second forward microphone 120. The first forward microphone 110 is implemented to obtain a first noise signal coming into the user's left ear and the second forward microphone 120 can be implemented to obtain a second noise signal coming into the user's right ear. If no noise cancellation is performed, only one forward microphone may be implemented on the noise canceling pillow to obtain the sound information that the user is listening to. Hereinafter, the expression "forward microphone" is used for the convenience of explanation, but the forward microphone may be expressed by the term "sound signal input unit".

In addition, the noise cancellation pillow may include a first feedback microphone 130 and a second feedback microphone 140. The first feedback microphone 130 may be implemented to feedback information on a first noise canceled signal. The first noise canceled signal may be a first noise canceling signal that is noise canceled by a first noise canceling signal generated by the first noise canceling speaker 150. The second feedback microphone 140 may be implemented to feed back information on a second noise canceled signal. The second noise canceled signal may be a noise canceled second noise signal by a second noise canceling signal generated by the second noise canceling speaker 160. Hereinafter, the expression feedback microphone is used for the convenience of explanation, but the feedback microphone may be expressed by the term noise canceled signal input part.

In addition, the noise cancellation pillow may include a processor 160. The processor 160 may determine the characteristics of the noise signal input via the forward microphone and determine the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal for noise cancellation on the noise signal. In addition, the processor 160 may be implemented to cause the noise canceling speaker to generate a noise canceling signal of a determined characteristic. In addition, the processor may be implemented to feedback the noise canceled signal input through the feedback microphone to change the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal.

Hereinafter, in the embodiment of the present invention, two noise canceling speakers (first noise canceling speaker 150 and second noise canceling speaker 160), two forward microphones (first forward microphone 110 and second forward microphone (The first feedback microphone 130 and the second feedback microphone 140) are started. However, the number of noise canceling speakers, the number of forward microphones, and the number of feedback microphones are exemplary. The number of noise canceling speakers, the number of forward microphones, and the number of feedback microphones may vary.

2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a noise canceling procedure of a noise cancellation pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, a noise canceling procedure in a noise canceling pillow is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 2, a forward microphone implemented in a noise cancellation pillow receives a noise signal.

As described above, the first forward microphone can receive the first noise signal 210 coming into the user's left ear at a location adjacent to the first noise canceling speaker. The second forward microphone may receive a second noise signal 220 coming into the user's right ear at a location adjacent to the second noise canceling speaker.

The noise signal received via the forward microphone is transmitted to the processor.

The processor may receive the noise signal and determine the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal for canceling the noise signal. The noise cancellation signal may include a first noise cancellation signal 230 for canceling the first noise signal 210 and a second noise cancellation signal 240 for canceling the second noise signal.

The first noise cancellation signal 230 may be generated to have a phase opposite to the first noise signal 210. The first noise cancellation signal 230 may cancel the first noise signal 210 to produce a first noise canned signal 250. The second noise cancellation signal 240 may be generated to have a waveform opposite to that of the second noise signal 220. The second noise cancellation signal 240 may cancel the second noise signal 220 to produce a second noise canned signal 260.

The feedback microphone may receive information about the noise canceled signal and may convey information about the noise canceled signal to the processor.

The first feedback microphone may receive information on the first noise canceled signal 250 and the second feedback microphone may receive information on the second noise canceled signal 260. The first feedback microphone may deliver a first noise canceled signal 250 to the processor and a second feedback microphone may deliver a second noise canceled signal 260 to the processor.

The processor may determine whether to vary the characteristics of the first noise canceling signal 230 and the second noise canceling signal 240 based on the first noise canceled signal 250 and the second noise canceled signal 260 have.

For example, if the magnitude of the first nose canceled signal 250 is less than or equal to the threshold magnitude, the characteristic of the first noise canceling signal 230 for canceling the first noise signal 210 can be maintained unchanged. In contrast, if the magnitude of the first nose canceled signal 230 is greater than the threshold magnitude, the characteristic of the first noise canceling signal 230 for canceling the first noise signal 210 can be changed.

That is, when the size of the noise canceled signal is equal to or less than the threshold size, the processor can determine that there is a canceling effect on the noise signal, thereby maintaining the characteristics of the noise canceled signal. On the contrary, when the size of the node-canceled signal exceeds the critical size, the processor determines that the noise canceling effect of the existing noise canceling signal used to cancel the noise signal is not high and can change the characteristics of the noise canceled signal have. The processor can change the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal by newly determining the phase and amplitude magnitude of the noise cancellation signal based on the feedback result.

That is, the processor determines whether to change the characteristics of the first noise canceling signal 230 and the second noise canceling signal 240 based on the first noise canceled signal 250 and the second noise canceled signal 260 You can decide.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for generating a noise cancellation signal in an open environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 discloses a method for performing noise cancellation in an open environment rather than an airtight environment such as a conventional headphone.

Referring to FIG. 3, noise canceling signals generated by a plurality of noise canceling speakers that generate a noise canceling signal must cause destructive interference with noise signals in an open environment.

The position of the forward microphone 300, the position of the feedback microphone 340, and the noise canceling speaker 320 may be located adjacent to each other in a sealed environment such as a headphone. Specifically, the forward microphone 300 can measure noise in the vicinity of the ear, and the noise-canceling speaker 320 can generate a noise-canceling signal for canceling noise in the vicinity of the ear. The feedback microphone 340 can directly measure the noise canceled signal in the vicinity of the ear.

That is, in the closed environment, the noise introduced into the forward microphone 300 and the noise introduced into the user's ear may have the same / similar characteristics, and the noise canceling signal and the noise signal generated by the noise canceling speaker 320 may be canceled .

However, the noise cancellation procedure of the noise canceling pillow can be performed in an open environment. A position of the noise canceling speaker 320 that generates a noise cancellation signal for noise cancellation of the noise signal, a position of the forward microphone 300 that actually receives the noise signal, a position of the noise canceling speaker 320 that generates a noise canceling signal, 340 may be located relatively apart in the open environment. When the position of the forward microphone 340 and the position of the user's ear are not adjacent to each other, the noise signal input to the forward microphone 300 and the noise signal input to the user's ear are different characteristics (for example, different phases) Lt; / RTI > In addition, when the position of the noise cancellation speaker 320 and the position of the user's ear are not adjacent to each other, the noise cancellation signal generated by the noise cancellation speaker 320 may be different from the noise signal input to the user's ear It may not be able to perform accurate destructive interference.

Therefore, in the open environment, the prediction noise signal can be determined by performing prediction on the noise signal to be input to the user's ear based on the ear position of the user. The noise cancellation signal for the determined predicted noise signal can also be determined. In addition, when the position of the feedback microphone 340 and the position of the ear of the user are equal to or greater than the critical distance, the processor generates a noise signal and a noise cancellation signal in the user's ear based on the noise canceled signal received from the feedback microphone 340, It is possible to determine whether destructive interference occurs between the signals and to change the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a noise canceling method in an open environment.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a noise cancellation method in an open environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4, a method for determining a predictive noise signal for noise cancellation in an open environment is disclosed. The predicted noise signal can be determined by predicting the noise signal input to the user's ear based on the noise signal to be forward-microneed.

Referring to FIG. 4, the predictive noise signal may be determined based on information on the noise signal to be forward-microneed, information on the position of the forward microphone, and the position of the user's ear.

Specifically, the processor may receive the noise signal (step S400).

The first forward microphone may receive a first noise signal coming into the user's left ear at a location adjacent to the first noise canceling speaker. The second forward microphone may receive a second noise signal coming into the user's right ear at a location adjacent to the second noise canceling speaker.

The processor may determine the location of the noise source based on the information on the first noise signal and the information on the second noise signal (step S410).

For example, if another user is located in the left side of the user, the position of the noise source may be determined to be the left side of the user based on information on the first noise signal and information on the second noise signal.

The processor determines a predicted noise signal (step S420).

When the position of the noise source is determined, the difference between the position of the forward microphone and the position of the ear of the user can be determined. When the position of the user's ear is fixed, the difference between the position of the forward microphone and the position of the user's ear may be a fixed value. If the position of the ear of the user is not fixed, the difference between the position of the forward microphone and the position of the ear of the user may be a value that is changed. The ear position of the user can be determined in various ways. This will be described later in detail.

The characteristics of the first predictive noise signal input to the user's left ear based on the position of the noise source, the position of the user's left ear, the position of the first forward microphone, and the first noise signal (and / or the second noise signal) . The amplitude and / or phase characteristics of the first noise signal and the first predictive noise signal may be different from each other. For example, it can be assumed that the first forward microphone is closer to the noise source than the left ear. In this case, the amplitude of the first noise signal may be relatively larger than the amplitude of the first predicted noise signal. The phase of the first predictive noise signal may be a value obtained by shifting the phase of the first noise signal in a predetermined direction in consideration of the position of the first forward microphone and the distance between the left ear.

Likewise, the characteristics of the second predictive noise signal input to the user's right ear based on the position of the noise source, the position of the user's right ear, the position of the second forward microphone, and the second noise signal (and / or the first noise signal) . The amplitude and / or phase characteristics of the second noise signal and the second predicted noise signal may be different from each other. For example, it can be assumed that the second forward microphone is further away from the noise source. In this case, the amplitude of the second noise signal may be relatively smaller than the amplitude of the second predicted noise signal. The phase of the second predictive noise signal may be a value obtained by shifting the phase of the second noise signal in a predetermined direction in consideration of the position of the second forward microphone and the distance between the right ear.

The processor may determine the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal so that the noise cancellation signal generated by the noise cancellation speaker noise cancels the predicted noise signal.

That is, the forward microphone may receive the noise signal to block the noise in the noise-canceling pillow, and the noise-canceling speaker may generate the noise-canceling signal determined based on the noise signal. In addition, the feedback microphone may receive a noise canceled signal generated by destructive interference between the noise signal and the noise canceling signal. The processor may determine whether to vary the noise cancellation signal based on the noise canceled signal.

The forward microphone, noise canceling speaker, and feedback speaker operate in an open environment, and each of the forward microphone, noise canceling speaker, and feedback speaker can be located at a distance greater than a critical distance.

Due to the characteristics of the open environment, the features (e.g., phase, amplitude, etc.) of the noise signal received by the forward microphone are different from those of the noise signal input to the user's ear, The characteristics of the de-signal may differ from the characteristics of the noise canceled signal input to the user's ear.

The processor may determine a predicted noise signal by predicting the characteristics of the noise signal input to the user's ear based on the characteristics (e.g., phase) of the noise signal received by the forward microphone. The noise cancellation signal may be determined for destructive interference with the predicted noise signal. In addition, the processor can predict the characteristics of the noise canceled signal input to the user's ear based on the noise canceled signal received by the feedback microphone. The processor can determine whether the noise cancellation signal changes based on the characteristics of the noise canceled signal input to the user's ear.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a noise cancellation method in an open environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, a method for generating a noise canceling signal for a predictive noise signal is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 5, the noise canceling signal and the predictive noise signal generated by the noise canceling speaker should be canceled out at a position adjacent to the user's ear. Thus, the processor may determine the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal to cancel the predicted noise signal at a location adjacent to the user's ear, taking into account the characteristics of the predicted noise signal.

The processor may determine the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal such that the noise cancellation signal generated by the noise cancellation speaker cancels the predicted noise signal at a location adjacent to the user's ear. For example, the characteristics of the noise cancellation signal can be determined such that the phase difference between the noise cancellation signal and the predictive noise signal generated by the noise cancellation speaker at a location adjacent to the user's ear is 180 degrees.

Specifically, the processor determines the signal characteristics of the first noise cancellation signal 570 generated by the first noise cancellation loudspeaker in consideration of the position 530 of the first noise cancellation speaker and the position 550 of the left ear of the user, The phase and amplitude of the first noise cancellation signal 570 may be determined so as to cancel the first predicted noise signal 510 near the ear.

Likewise, the processor may determine that the signal characteristics of the second noise cancellation signal 560 generated by the second noise cancellation loudspeaker take into account the position 520 of the second noise canceling speaker and the position 540 of the user's right ear, The phase and amplitude of the second noise cancellation signal 560 can be determined so that the second predicted noise signal 500 can be canceled nearby.

6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a differential noise cancellation method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, a noise cancellation method for selectively transmitting sound information required by a user is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 6, among the sound information coming into the user's ear, a sound interfering with a sleeping state such as a snoring sound needs to be blocked as noise. However, in the case of parents who raise a baby, when a baby crying sound, a set alarm sound, or the like is blocked as a noise signal, the noise canceling pillow 600 may cause inconvenience to the user's daily life.

Therefore, a method for blocking only unnecessary sounds to the user is disclosed.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the noise signal of the frequency band below the threshold value is improved by using the noise cancellation method, and the noise signal of the frequency band (relative high frequency band) Can be used.

Alternatively, the noise cancellation pillow 600 may be configured to block unnecessary noise signals to the user according to user settings. For example, the noise cancellation pillow 600 itself, or in conjunction with other user devices (e.g., a smartphone) 620, may select information about noise that the user does not want to hear among the noise signals. Selective noise cancellation can be performed on the selected noise.

A noise signal input to the noise cancellation pillow 600 for a predetermined period can be collected for the initial setting of the noise cancellation pillow 600 and the user can confirm the collected noise signal. For example, the noise cancellation pillow 600 may send information about the collected sound signal to the user device 620. The user device 620 may provide information about the collected noise signal to the user. Specifically, information on noise signals classified and classified in the user device 620 may be provided to the user in various forms such as text, icons, graphics, and the like. The user can select a specific sound among the classified noise signals and set it as a noise signal that he / she does not want to hear when sleeping. The user device 620 may transmit information about the noise signal set by the user to the noise cancellation pillow 600. [ When a set noise signal is generated, the noise cancellation pillow 600 can generate and transmit a noise cancellation signal for the set noise signal.

The above embodiment is an example in which a separate user device 620 and a noise cancellation pillow 600 are interlocked to selectively set noise. The noise cancellation pillow 600 may not be interlocked with the user device 620 and the noise cancellation pillow 600, and the noise cancellation pillow 600 itself may set a noise signal so that only the noise signal is selectively noise canceled.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the noise cancellation pillow 600 can automatically cancel the noise cancellation by determining whether the sound is similar to the noise set by the user in consideration of the sound characteristics. For example, when the snoring sound is set to noise by a user, a sound having characteristics (frequency, amplitude, occurrence pattern, etc.) similar to the snoring sound set as noise may be noise-canceled as judged as noise.

In addition, the noise cancellation pillow 600 may be connected to the noise cancellation pillow management server 640, and the noise cancellation pillow 600 may transmit information about the noise signal set as the received noise signal / noise cancellation object to the noise cancellation pillow To the management server 640. The noise cancellation pillow management server 640 can classify and determine information that users perceive as noise based on the information about the noise signal set as the noise signal / noise cancellation target received from the plurality of noise cancellation pillows. For example, the noise cancellation pillow server 640 may classify information about various snore sounds among the collected sounds and determine noise cancellation signals for noise cancellation for various snooze sounds. Information about the determined noise cancellation signal may be transmitted to the noise cancellation pillow 600. [ The noise cancellation pillow 600 may generate a noise cancellation signal based on information on the received noise cancellation signal.

7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a noise cancellation pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 7, the shape and structure of the noise canceling pillow are disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the noise cancellation pillow may be provided with a groove 700 for the user's face to be positioned at an intermediate portion thereof. The groove 700 may be implemented to prevent the user's face from moving significantly on the pillow to enhance the noise canceling effect. For example, the face of the user may be positioned in the groove 700 in a view of the ceiling.

The forward microphone 710, the noise canceling speaker 730, and the feedback microphone 720 may be located at various locations on the noise canceling placement. For example, a forward microphone 710, a noise canceling speaker 730, and a feedback microphone 720 may be located adjacent to the user's ear. However, the forward microphone 710, the noise canceling speaker 730, and the feedback microphone 720 are not located adjacent to the user's ear, and the forward microphone 710, the noise canceling speaker 730, and the feedback microphone 720 are not positioned. May be spaced apart from each other. In the case of the distance between the forward microphone 710, the noise canceling speaker 730 and the feedback microphone 720, the noise canceling pillow according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the forward microphone 710, the noise canceling speaker 730, The predicted noise signal may be determined in consideration of the position of the microphone 720, and a noise canceling signal may be generated according to the predicted noise signal.

For example, the first forward microphone may be positioned on the left protruding portion with respect to the face of the user located in the groove, and the second forward microphone may be positioned on the right protruding portion with respect to the groove 700. The first feedback microphone and the first noise canceling speaker may be located at an inclined portion between the left protrusion and the groove 700 close to the user's left ear. The second feedback microphone and the second noise canceling speaker may be located at an inclined portion between the right protrusion and the groove 700 close to the user's right ear.

When the groove 700 is implemented in the noise canceling pillow, the face of the user is fixed, and the position of the user's ear can be fixed. In this case, since the position of the user's ear is fixed, the predicted noise signal can be determined without considering the motion of the user. However, since the position of the user's ear is not fixed when the groove 700 is not present on the noise cancellation pillow or the face of the user continuously moves while sleeping, the predicted noise signal is calculated in consideration of the movement of the user And generate a noise cancellation signal.

8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of acquiring positional information of a user's ear according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 discloses a method for sensing a position of a user's ear to determine a predicted noise signal and for generating a noise cancellation signal.

Referring to FIG. 8, the position of the user's face (or the position of the ear) can be continuously changed at the time of going to bed, the change of the position of the user's face (or the position of the ear) is determined to determine the predicted noise signal, Signal can be generated.

Various methods can be used to determine the ear position of the user. For example, the noise cancellation pillow may be implemented with a plurality of weight sensors 800 each capable of sensing the weight at each of a plurality of positions. The current sleep state of the user can be determined based on the sensing results of the plurality of weight sensors 800. [ For example, when the user looks at the ceiling and sleeps, the part corresponding to the back of the user is brought into close contact with the pillow, and the weight sensor 800 of the noise-canceling pillow can detect the weight in the area corresponding to the back of the user have. The sensing values of a plurality of weight sensors may differ from each other in the area corresponding to the back of the head. The noise cancellation pillow may determine that the user looks at the ceiling and sleeps based on the detection result of the weight sensor 800. [

When the user turns to the side and looks to the left direction or the right direction and sleeps, a portion corresponding to the user's left face or right face can be brought into close contact with the pillow. The weight sensor 800 of the noise cancellation pillow can detect different weight values in the area corresponding to the left face face or the right face face of the user. The noise cancellation pillow may determine that the user looks at the left or right side and sleeps based on the detection result of the weight sensor 800. [

That is, based on the results of sensing by the plurality of weight sensors 800 implemented in the noise-canceling pillow, the user's sleeping state can be predicted and the user's ear position can be predicted. A predicted noise signal is determined in consideration of the estimated ear position, and a noise cancellation signal according to the predicted noise signal may also be generated.

Alternatively, a separate image sensing unit 850 may be implemented on the noise canceling pillow and a determination of the current user's position may be performed. For example, the image capturing unit 850 can be implemented on one side of the noise cancellation pillow, and the image capturing unit 850 can capture the user's face. Information about the captured user's face can be communicated to the processor. The processor may determine a predicted noise signal based on information about the user's face, a position of the user's ear, a position of the user's ear, and a noise cancellation signal for the predicted noise signal.

The embodiments of the present invention described above can be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer components and recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the computer-readable recording medium may be those specifically designed and configured for the present invention or may be those known and used by those skilled in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape, optical recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, medium, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include machine language code, such as those generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device may be modified into one or more software modules for performing the processing according to the present invention, and vice versa.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and all ranges that are equivalent to or equivalent to the claims of the present invention as well as the claims .

Claims (1)

Noise Cancellation How to block noise from a pillow.

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