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Sarnoff Microphone Module Improves Sound, Adds Speakerphone & Hands-Free Functions To Cell Phones
Software Plus Multi-Microphone Array Cuts Background Noise, Picks
up Voices Four Feet Away; "Acoustical Zoom" for Camcorders
PRINCETON, N.J.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 28, 2004—
A tiny module from Sarnoff Corporation (www.sarnoff.com),
combining a Sarnoff-designed microphone array with patented voice
processing software, lets cell phone makers offer improved voice
quality and a reduction of up to 10dB in background noise, and allows
clear voice pickup from over four feet (1.5 m) away for hands-free
situations such as car-phone conversations or speakerphone-based
conferences.
The module, which also makes stereo communication possible for
better localization of voices, is available for licensing from
Sarnoff.
Sarnoff has teamed with Star Micronics, a major manufacturer of
miniaturized devices, to supply the finished microphone array. The
module's real-time voice processing software can run on a cell phone's
own processor or on an optional digital signal processor (DSP) built
into the array.
"Everyone complains about the voice quality of cell phones. We've
done something about it," said John Aceti, Senior Director of product
development for Sarnoff. "Our module isolates voices from background
noise. So even if cell phone users aren't talking directly into the
handset, it's easier to hear and understand them.
"It has applications beyond cell phones, too. For example,
camcorders could use our module to zoom in on a subject acoustically
as well as visually."
The module adds little or no size or weight to the phones, and
should have minimal impact on battery life. Star Micronics, Sarnoff's
manufacturing partner, can provide the module in a size and shape that
fits the design of most cell phone handsets or other devices.
Performance Options Available
Sarnoff's basic multiple microphone module includes two
high-quality microphones, each 4mm in diameter, spaced 25mm apart for
effective stereo separation down to 1kHz. It offers a 5dB reduction in
background noise.
A high-performance version adds a third, rear-facing microphone
between the two forward-facing pickups. This improves background noise
reduction to 10dB.
Adding the optional DSP chip does not increase the size of the
module. This chip handles voice-processing functions when the
manufacturer does not want to run them on the device's built-in
processor.
Sarnoff's patented voice processing algorithms are the outgrowth
of nearly 10 years of development. The company also has a long history
of success in the design of integrated circuits and miniature
electronic devices, including the world's first disposable hearing
aid.
Contact:
InterComm Inc.
Tom Lento, phone: 609-734-3178; fax: 609-734-2040
tlento@sarnoff.com
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