The chief inconvenience faced by many technology users these days is the troublesome interference of wind noise during their audio or video recordings. The users often desire clear, crisp sound without the irritation of wind noise. They might be trying to communicate during a breeze, take a video while on a bike, or undertake any activity where the blowing wind gets recorded alongside the intended sound.
This annoying wind noise occurs owing to the impact of irregular airflow on the gadget, resulting in a time-varying pressure fluctuation. As the wind noise signal gets transmitted to the human ear through the speaker, what the person hears is unpleasant noise.
A particularly disruptive issue here is that the technologies aimed at preventing sudden changes of pressure from affecting the microphone diaphragm are ineffective against the continuous pressure fluctuation caused by the airflow. As a result, currently available tools can’t sufficiently reduce the wind noise.
However, a recent patent could put an end to this widespread problem. Huawei Technologies has come up with a patent to reduce wind noise caused by irregular airflow on gadgets, such as their FreeBuds Pro. The patent, named as "Wind Noise Suppression Device and Design Method," and labeled as US20230336901A1, has proposed an innovative solution.
The patented device includes two unique mesh screens placed over the parts where the sound enters, designed to dampen the harsh effects of wind noise. There’s also a special structure in place to further reduce unwanted sounds, thereby letting the listener hear the sounds they want to listen to, much better.
This new invention, if it comes to fruition, could remarkably change the world of sound design and recording. Imagine a video call with your friend while you're hiking on a windy mountain trail. Your friend would hear your voice clearly instead of the howling wind. Or consider a reporter recording interviews at a stormy outdoor scene, yet the video playback showcases the interviewee's voice loud and clear.
But please note that this is merely a patent application, and it's not certain whether this device will ever hit the market or not. Innovation is always a cycle of triumphs and failures. So we have to wait and watch if this 'de-wind' technology materializes to grace our microphones or it just blows away with the wind!
P.S. - This device is a recently granted patent, and there's no surety whether it will appear in the market or not.