Google patents earbuds that stop feedback noise based on fit
This patent describes a method for earbuds to automatically stop loud feedback noises, known as howling, in active noise cancellation systems. The device first lowers the noise-canceling power to calm the sound, then checks if the earbud is actually in your ear or sitting outside. It then uses specific settings for either scenario to gradually restore the noise cancellation without the howling returning.
In the filing’s own words
Adaptive howling suppression is provided for active noise control (ANC) systems of wearable audio components (WACs), such as earbuds, based on detecting whether the WACs are presently being worn. Upon first detecting howling, embodiments can pre-suppress the howling audio signature by reducing ANC output. Then, embodiments detect whether the WAC is presently on-ear (worn) or off-ear and attempt to fully suppress the howling using different parameters, based on this detection. For example, if on-ear, embodiments use on-ear tuning settings to cycle through a set of suppression stages until ANC output can be restored without howling; if off-ear, embodiments use off-ear tuning settings to cycle through the set of suppression stages until ANC output can be restored without howling. Once ANC output can be restored without howling, the system can be released to a normal idle state.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method for adaptive howling suppression in an active noise control (ANC) system of a wearable audio component, the method comprising: first detecting, while the ANC system is in an idle state, a howling audio signature being output via a speaker of the wearable audio component; pre-suppressing the howling audio signature by reducing an ANC output gain; second detecting, responsive to the first detecting, whether the wearable audio component is presently in an on-ear condition or in an off-ear condition; and suppressing the howling audio signature by: tuning a set of mode-based parameters to on-ear-mode settings responsive to second detecting that the wearable audio component is presently in the on-ear condition, or to off-ear-mode settings responsive to second detecting that the wearable audio component is presently in the off-ear condition; and cycling through a set of suppression stages according to the set of mode-based parameters until third determining that the ANC output gain is restorable without recurrence of the howling audio signature, the set of suppression stages comprising an ANC gain reduce/detect stage and an ANC gain restore/detect stage.
Facts
- Company
- Google (Google LLC)
- Official title
- Adaptive howling suppression for active noise control systems
- Patent number
- US12763058B2
- Application number
- 18486267
- Filed
- Oct 13, 2023
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G10K 11/175 Physics & computingH04R 1/1083 Electricity & electronicsMore from Google in Audio & voice
- Google patents voice assistant that cuts off its own answer to hear a new question Sep 15, 2026
- Google patents head-worn device that cleans up voice using bone vibration Sep 17, 2026
- Google patents voice assistant that asks before acting on commands Sep 1, 2026
- Google patents ring design to smooth out microphone sound quality Sep 1, 2026
- Google patents earbud part that combines sound and vibration Sep 8, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.