Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device is disclosed, comprising: an electronic device housing; a microphone array disposed on the electronic device housing; a speaker disposed on the electronic device housing, the speaker being in a speaker orientation relative to the microphone array; and a beamforming module in signal connection with the microphone array, configured to configure the microphone array to have a sound pickup orientation, the speaker orientation being outside the sound pickup orientation of the microphone array.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to electronic devices, and more specifically to electronic devices having a speaker and a microphone array. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread adoption of smart devices, voice interaction technology has been widely used in various home and portable electronic devices. Products such as smart speakers, smart TVs, and smart air conditioners typically include microphones and speakers. Microphones are used to capture the user's voice commands or conversation sounds, while speakers are used to output sound. However, during the operation of electronic devices, the sound output from the speaker is often picked up by the microphone through airborne or structural conduction, creating "acoustic feedback" or "echo interference." This type of interference affects the microphone's accurate capture of the user's voice commands or conversation sounds, thereby reducing the product's voice recognition accuracy, wake-word recognition rate, and call clarity, especially when the speaker is playing content at high volume.

[0003] Currently, some products utilize Automatic Echo Cancellation (AEC) to address this issue. The AEC algorithm processes the signal picked up by the microphone (including human voice and speaker sound) and suppresses the speaker sound component while preserving the user's voice. However, AEC technology has limitations in practical applications: when the speaker volume is significantly higher than the user's voice, for example, when the volume difference at the microphone exceeds 15dB, the AEC algorithm cannot completely eliminate the sound from the speaker, thus affecting the quality of speech recognition and voice calls.

[0004] Therefore, a new solution or electronic device is needed whose microphone can accurately and clearly pick up human voices while significantly reducing or eliminating interference from speakers, even when the speaker volume is significantly higher than human voices (e.g., more than 15 dB). Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention aims to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems in the prior art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the utility model, an electronic device is provided, comprising: an electronic device housing; a microphone array disposed on the electronic device housing; a speaker disposed on the electronic device housing, the speaker being positioned relative to the microphone array in a speaker orientation; and a beamforming module signal-connected to the microphone array for configuring the microphone array to have a pickup orientation, the speaker being positioned outside the pickup orientation of the microphone array.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the speaker is positioned at least 30 degrees outside the pickup direction of the microphone array.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device has a front and a side, the speaker is arranged on the front of the electronic device, and the microphone array is arranged on the side of the electronic device.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the microphone array is a linear microphone array having 2, 3, 4, 5 or more microphone units.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the microphone array has a pickup axis in its pickup orientation, the pickup axis being parallel to or perpendicular to the linear extension direction of the linear microphone array shown.

[0011] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the microphone array is a ring microphone array having 3, 4, 5, 6 or more microphone units.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the microphone array has an azimuth angle greater than or equal to 90 degrees in the pickup direction.

[0013] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the microphone array and the speaker are spaced apart from each other.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the microphone array and the speaker are spaced at least 20 cm apart.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the microphone array includes a plurality of microphone units, and the beamforming module has a plurality of processing units corresponding to the plurality of microphone units. Each processing unit is connected to the corresponding microphone unit and receives and processes audio signals from the corresponding microphone unit. The beamforming module further includes a combining unit, which is connected to the plurality of processing units, receives the processed audio signals from the plurality of processing units, and combines the received audio signals.

[0016] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device further includes an automatic echo cancellation module arranged in series with the beamforming module.

[0017] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the microphone array is configured such that its pickup direction covers the user's usual location in the electronic device.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device is a smart speaker, a smart TV, or a smart air conditioner. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a microphone array and a beamforming module according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figures 3A-3B A diagram is shown illustrating an electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein... Figure 3A This is a front view of the electronic device. Figure 3B This is a side view of the electronic device;

[0022] Figures 4A-4D yes Figure 3B An enlarged view of the dashed box portion shows a microphone array according to different embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference numerals in the figures denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms “center,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention. Furthermore, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In this document, “orientation” refers to the direction, angle, etc., relative to the microphone array. For example, the speaker orientation or user orientation refers to the direction or angle of the speaker or user relative to the microphone array. The pickup orientation refers to the (enhanced) pickup direction or angle achieved by the microphone array through beamforming.

[0025] This utility model provides an electronic device, including: an electronic device housing; a microphone array disposed on the electronic device housing; a speaker disposed on the electronic device housing, the speaker being positioned relative to the microphone array in a speaker orientation; and a beamforming module, the beamforming module being signal-connected to the microphone array for configuring the microphone array to have a sound pickup orientation, the speaker being positioned outside the sound pickup orientation of the microphone array.

[0026] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the speaker is positioned at least 30 degrees outside the pickup direction of the microphone array.

[0027] Because the speaker is positioned outside the microphone array's pickup area, the sound picked up by the microphone array from the speaker is attenuated during the operation of the electronic device. Therefore, interference from the speaker to the microphone array is reduced or eliminated, allowing the microphone to accurately and clearly pick up the user's voice.

[0028] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device further includes an automatic echo cancellation module arranged in series with the beamforming module.

[0029] By using a beamforming module, the microphone array's pickup direction is redirected away from the speaker, significantly attenuating the sound waves from the speaker. Therefore, the audio signal entering the AEC module has already significantly reduced the intensity of the audio signal from the speaker. This allows the AEC module to operate under better signal-to-noise ratio conditions, effectively further reducing or eliminating sound from the speaker.

[0030] Figure 1A schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown. The electronic device 100 can be any suitable smart electronic device, such as a smart speaker, smart TV, or smart air conditioner. The electronic device 100 includes an electronic device housing 102, and a speaker 110 and a microphone array 120 mounted on the electronic device housing 102. The electronic device 100 also includes a beamforming module 130 connected to the microphone array 120. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the speaker 100 and microphone array 120 of the electronic device 100 are arranged spaced apart, and the speaker 100 is located at a speaker orientation 112 relative to the microphone array 120. In another one or more embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device 100 may have more than one speaker, such as a multi-channel speaker for outputting multi-channel stereo sound and / or a high-low frequency speaker for outputting treble and bass. In these embodiments, when multiple speakers are arranged adjacent to each other, the speaker orientation of the electronic device 100 can be a single speaker orientation with a relatively large azimuth angle range. These adjacent loudspeakers are arranged within the larger azimuth angle range of the single loudspeaker's location. When the loudspeakers are spaced far apart, the electronic device 100 can have multiple loudspeaker locations, each corresponding to one loudspeaker.

[0031] Beamforming module 130 is connected to microphone array 120 and is used to configure the pickup orientation 120a of microphone array 120. The pickup orientation 120a of microphone array 120 is configured to cover the location (usual orientation) where the user of electronic device 100 is typically located when using its voice functions. For example, as shown, the pickup orientation 120a of microphone array 120 covers the user's location 152. Those skilled in the art will understand that, because the location of the user of electronic device 100 often changes, the pickup orientation 120a of electronic device 100 typically has a relatively large azimuth angle. In one or more embodiments, the pickup orientation 120a of electronic device 100 may have an azimuth angle of approximately 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, or any azimuth angle between these angles. In one or more embodiments, the pickup orientation 120a of electronic device 100 may have the same or different azimuth angles in the horizontal and vertical directions. In one or more embodiments, the azimuth angle 120a of the electronic device 100 in the horizontal direction can be approximately 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, or 225 degrees, or any azimuth angle between these angles. In one or more embodiments, the azimuth angle 120a of the electronic device 100 in the vertical direction can be approximately 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, or 225 degrees, or any azimuth angle between these angles. The azimuth angle 120a of the electronic device can depend on the type of the electronic device 100 and its installation or placement location. For example, when the electronic device 100 is a smart speaker, smart TV, or smart air conditioner, or when the electronic device 100 is installed or placed in a corner of a room, centrally against a wall, or mounted on the ceiling, the electronic device 100 can arrange its azimuth angle 120a according to its actual installation and the user's usual location.

[0032] The beamforming module 130 further configures the microphone array 120 with a pickup orientation 120a, such that the speaker orientation 112 is outside the pickup orientation 120a of the microphone array 120. In the embodiment shown, the speaker orientation 112 is separated from the microphone array 120a by an angle α. In one or more embodiments, the angle α between the speaker orientation 112 and the microphone array 120a can be greater than 30 degrees, greater than 45 degrees, greater than 60 degrees, or greater.

[0033] Since the speaker 112 is located outside the pickup position 120a of the microphone array 120, while the user 150 is located within the pickup position 120a of the microphone array 120, during the operation of the electronic device 100, the speech from the user 150 picked up by the microphone array 120 is amplified, while the sound from the speaker 110 is attenuated. Therefore, the microphones of the microphone array 120 of the electronic device 100 can accurately and clearly pick up the user 150's voice, while significantly reducing or eliminating interference from the speaker 110.

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a microphone array 220 and a beamforming module 230 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown. As shown, the microphone array 220 includes a plurality of microphone units 222A, 222B to 222N, each for picking up sound signals from space and generating corresponding audio signals. The microphone array 220 according to the present invention can have any suitable number of microphone units, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more microphone units.

[0035] Beamforming module 230 is signal-connected to microphone array 220 and is used to configure the pickup direction of microphone array 220. As shown in the figure, beamforming module 230 has multiple processing units 232A, 232B to 232N, which receive audio signals from corresponding microphone units and process the received audio signals. Processing units 232A, 232B to 232N can perform any suitable processing on the received audio signals, including but not limited to phase delay, amplitude adjustment and / or filtering.

[0036] The beamforming module 230 also includes a combining unit 234. The combining unit 234 receives processed audio signals from processing units 232A, 232B to 232N, performs a combining operation on the received audio signals, and outputs the combined audio signal 242. In one or more embodiments, the combining operation performed by the combining unit 234 may be signal addition. In another one or more embodiments, the combining operation performed by the combining unit 234 may be signal subtraction or other combining operations.

[0037] The beamforming module 230 of this invention processes audio signals received from each microphone unit by performing phase delay, amplitude adjustment, and / or filtering, and then combines the processed audio signals. This enhances audio signals received by the microphone array from one or more directions and suppresses audio signals received by the microphone array from one or more directions. Therefore, the audio signal 242 processed by the beamforming module 230 can be directional. In other words, the beamforming module 230 configures the microphone array to be directional or have a specific pickup direction. The specific principles and operation of beamforming are known in the art and will not be described further here.

[0038] Figure 2 The beamforming module 230 shown is schematic. In other embodiments according to the present invention, the beamforming module may employ any suitable processing or algorithm, such as delaysum, delaysub, or adaptive differential beamforming (BF). Figure 2 The microphone array 220 and beamforming module 230 shown can be applied to the above-described... Figure 1 The embodiments described herein, in conjunction with the microphone array 220 and the beamforming module 230, are also applicable. Figure 1 The microphone array 120 and beamforming module 130 in the embodiments.

[0039] Figures 3A-3B A diagram is shown illustrating an electronic device 300 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein... Figure 3A This is a front view of electronic device 300. Figure 3B This is a side view of electronic device 300. In the embodiment shown, electronic device 300 is a vertical air conditioner. In one or more embodiments according to this utility model, electronic device 300 is not limited to... Figures 3A-3B The illustrated structure and configuration of the air conditioner can be any suitable structure and configuration of a standing air conditioner, wall-mounted air conditioner, or other type of air conditioner. In one or more other embodiments according to this utility model, the electronic device 300 can be any suitable electronic device, such as a smart speaker, smart TV, or smart air conditioner.

[0040] Electronic device 300 includes an electronic device housing 302, and a speaker 310 and a microphone array 320 mounted on the electronic device housing 302. As shown, the speaker 310 is arranged on the front of the electronic device 300, while the microphone array 320 is arranged on the side of the electronic device 300. Although Figures 3A-3B As not shown, those skilled in the art will understand that the electronic device 300 also includes a beamforming module connected to the microphone array 320 for configuring the pickup orientation of the microphone array 320. Figures 3A-3BThe speaker 310, microphone array 320, and beamforming module (not shown) in the embodiments are... Figure 1 The illustrated embodiments are similar. The above description, in conjunction with... Figure 1 The description of the embodiments can also be applied to Figures 3A-3B The electronic device 300 shown will not be described in detail here. Similarly, the above text combined with Figure 2 The description of the embodiments can also be applied to Figures 3A-3B The microphone array 320 and beamforming module of the electronic device 300 shown will not be described in detail here.

[0041] Figures 4A-4D yes Figure 3B An enlarged view of the dashed box 328 shows microphone arrays 420, 420', 420”, 420”' according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4A As shown, microphone array 420 is a linear microphone array comprising two microphone units 422. Microphone array 420 has a pickup orientation 420a. Pickup orientation 420a has an azimuth angle α. In one or more embodiments, the azimuth angle α of pickup orientation 420a can be approximately 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, or any angle between these angles. In one or more other embodiments, the azimuth angle α of pickup orientation 420a can be any suitable angle. Pickup orientation 420 has a pickup axis 420b, which is perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the linear extension direction of the linear microphone array.

[0042] like Figure 4B As shown, microphone array 420' is a linear microphone array comprising two microphone units 422'. Microphone array 420' has a pickup orientation 420a'. The pickup orientation 420a' has an azimuth angle α. In one or more embodiments, the azimuth angle α of the pickup orientation 420a' can be approximately 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, or any angle between these angles. In one or more other embodiments, the azimuth angle α of the pickup orientation 420a' can be any suitable angle. The pickup orientation 420' has a pickup axis 420b', which is parallel to or substantially parallel to the linear extension direction of the linear microphone array.

[0043] like Figure 4CAs shown, microphone array 420” is a linear microphone array comprising four microphone units 422”. Microphone array 420” has a pickup orientation 420a”. The pickup orientation 420a” has an azimuth angle α. In one or more embodiments, the azimuth angle α of the pickup orientation 420a” can be approximately 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, or any angle between these angles. In one or more other embodiments, the azimuth angle α of the pickup orientation 420a” can be any suitable angle. The pickup orientation 420” has a pickup axis 420b”, which is perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the linear extension direction of the linear microphone array.

[0044] like Figure 4D As shown, microphone array 420”' is a circular microphone array comprising four microphone units 422”'. Microphone array 420”' has a pickup orientation 420a”'. The pickup orientation 420a”' has an azimuth angle α. In one or more embodiments, the azimuth angle α of the pickup orientation 420a”' can be approximately 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, or any angle between these angles. In one or more other embodiments, the azimuth angle α of the pickup orientation 420a”' can be any suitable angle. The pickup orientation 420”' has a pickup axis 420b”'.

[0045] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device may further include an automatic echo cancellation (AEC) module for further reducing interference from speaker sound on microphone array pickup. The AEC module may be configured in series with a beamforming module for receiving beamformed audio signals and performing AEC processing on the received audio signals. For example, in one or more embodiments, the AEC module may be connected to... Figure 1 The beamforming module 130 of the embodiment or Figures 3A-3B In one embodiment, the beamforming module 330 is configured in series to receive beamformed audio signals from or through the beamforming module 130, and to perform AEC processing on the received audio signals. In one or more embodiments, the AEC module may be connected to... Figure 2 In the embodiment, the beamforming module 230 is arranged in series to receive the beamformed audio signal (combined audio signal 242) from the beamforming module 230 and to perform AEC processing on the received audio signal.

[0046] As mentioned above, this invention uses a beamforming module to direct the microphone array away from the speaker, significantly attenuating the sound waves from the speaker. Therefore, the audio signal entering the AEC module has already significantly reduced the intensity of the audio signal from the speaker. This allows the AEC module to operate under better signal-to-noise ratio conditions, effectively further reducing or eliminating sound from the speaker. In one or more embodiments according to this invention, the AEC module employs AEC processing known in the art, which will not be described further here.

[0047] It should be understood that the beamforming module and / or AEC module of this utility model can be implemented in various ways, including by software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the beamforming module 230 can be implemented by a dedicated digital signal processor (DSP), a general-purpose processor (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller (MCU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any combination thereof. It can also be implemented by a software algorithm running on the aforementioned processor, or by an audio processing module integrated into an embedded system.

[0048] In one embodiment, the relevant algorithms of the beamforming module 230 can be stored in a storage medium as an instruction set and executed by a processor to process the audio signals picked up by the microphone array 220 to form a directionally selective beam output. In another embodiment, the beamforming module 230 can be implemented entirely or partially in hardware circuitry.

[0049] In a specific example, an electronic device according to this invention, such as a voice-activated speaker, is equipped with a microphone array and a beamforming module, and also integrates an automatic echo cancellation (AEC) module. When a user speaks a wake-up word at a normal voice volume from 3 meters away from the speaker, the voice intensity at the mouth reference point (MRP) is 89 dB, and the sound intensity transmitted to the microphone array location is approximately 52 dB.

[0050] When the speaker plays music at maximum volume, its sound pressure level at the output is 105 dB. Without beamforming and relying solely on conventional AEC (Average Echo Control) to process this signal, the signal-to-return ratio (SPR) between the microphone and the speaker is 52 dB - 105 dB = -53 dB. This far exceeds the AEC's processing threshold (typically -15 dB). Therefore, the speaker's echo cannot be effectively eliminated.

[0051] By employing the beamforming module of this invention, the speaker's sound waves are directionally attenuated because they are outside the pickup area, with an attenuation of over 40dB. Under these conditions, the effective sound intensity of the speaker at the microphone array is reduced to 105dB - 40dB = 65dB, and the corresponding signal-to-return ratio at the microphone is improved to 52dB - 65dB = -13dB, returning to the effective processing range of AEC processing.

[0052] Subsequently, the AEC module performs echo suppression processing on the beam-processed signal, which can further reduce the residual speaker sound components, thereby achieving accurate recognition of the wake-up word and clear voice pickup.

[0053] Therefore, in this example, the combined application of beamforming module and AEC module breaks through the sound intensity limitation of traditional AEC and significantly improves the voice interaction performance of the pickup system in complex acoustic environments.

[0054] In addition, to verify the beamforming module's effect on suppressing speaker sound, the inventors conducted the following tests:

[0055] Test conditions:

[0056] Microphone array: Circular four-microphone structure, array diameter 35mm;

[0057] Beamforming pickup angle: 135°;

[0058] Speaker output sound intensity: 96dB (measured at the speaker output port);

[0059] Placement: The microphone array is placed horizontally, and the speaker is placed horizontally to its direct left.

[0060] Comparative test: The beamforming pickup angle of the microphone array was switched between 135° (directional) and 360° (omnidirectional), and the difference in speaker volume attenuation between the two modes was measured;

[0061] Distance variable: The attenuation effect was tested when the distance between the microphone array and the speaker was 0.2m, 0.6m and 1m respectively.

[0062] Test results:

[0063] The distance between the speaker and the microphone array, beamforming, affects the speaker volume attenuation.

[0064] 1m >25dB

[0065] 0.6m >20dB

[0066] 0.2m >15dB

[0067] Test results show that the beamforming module effectively reduces the sound intensity from speakers located outside the pickup area through its spatial directivity configuration. In 135° directional beam mode, compared to 360° omnidirectional mode, the microphone system significantly attenuates the sound from side speakers, and the attenuation effect further increases with the distance between the microphone and the speaker. Especially at a distance of 1 meter, the attenuation exceeds 25dB.

[0068] This utility model can be implemented in the following ways:

[0069] Project 1: An electronic device comprising:

[0070] Electronic device casing;

[0071] A microphone array disposed on the housing of the electronic device;

[0072] A speaker is disposed on the housing of the electronic device, the speaker being positioned relative to the microphone array in a speaker orientation; and

[0073] A beamforming module, which is signal-connected to the microphone array, is used to configure the microphone array to have a pickup direction, wherein the speaker is located outside the pickup direction of the microphone array.

[0074] Item 2: The electronic device according to Item 1, characterized in that the speaker is located at least 30 degrees outside the pickup direction of the microphone array.

[0075] Item 3: An electronic device according to any one of Items 1-2, characterized in that the electronic device has a front and a side, the speaker is arranged on the front of the electronic device, and the microphone array is arranged on the side of the electronic device.

[0076] Item 4: An electronic device according to any one of Items 1-3, characterized in that the microphone array is a linear microphone array having 2, 3, 4, 5 or more microphone units.

[0077] Item 5: An electronic device according to any one of Items 1-4, characterized in that the microphone array has a pickup axis in the pickup orientation, the pickup axis being parallel to or perpendicular to the linear extension direction of the linear microphone array shown.

[0078] Item 6: An electronic device according to any one of Items 1-5, characterized in that the microphone array is a ring microphone array having 3, 4, 5, 6 or more microphone units.

[0079] Item 7: The electronic device according to any one of Items 1-6, characterized in that the pickup direction of the microphone array has an azimuth angle greater than or equal to 90 degrees.

[0080] Item 8: An electronic device according to any one of items 1-7, characterized in that the microphone array and the speaker are spaced apart from each other.

[0081] Item 9: An electronic device according to any one of Items 1-8, characterized in that the microphone array and the speaker are spaced apart from each other by at least 20 cm.

[0082] Item 10: An electronic device according to any one of Items 1-9, characterized in that the microphone array comprises a plurality of microphone units, the beamforming module has a plurality of processing units corresponding to the plurality of microphone units, each of the processing units being connected to and receiving audio signals from and processing the corresponding microphone units, and the beamforming module further comprising a combining unit, the combining unit being connected to and receiving the processed audio signals from and combining the received audio signals.

[0083] Item 11: An electronic device according to any one of items 1-10, characterized in that the electronic device further includes an automatic echo cancellation module arranged in series with the beamforming module.

[0084] Item 12: An electronic device according to any one of items 1-11, characterized in that the microphone array is configured such that its pickup direction covers the user's usual location of the electronic device.

[0085] Item 13: An electronic device according to any one of Items 1-12, characterized in that the electronic device is a smart speaker, a smart TV, or a smart air conditioner.

[0086] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment used to illustrate the principle of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of this utility model, and these modifications and improvements are also within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that... include: Electronic device casing; A microphone array disposed on the housing of the electronic device; A speaker is disposed on the housing of the electronic device, and the speaker is positioned relative to the microphone array in a speaker orientation. and A beamforming module, which is signal-connected to the microphone array, is used to configure the microphone array to have a pickup direction, wherein the speaker is located outside the pickup direction of the microphone array.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that... The speaker is positioned at least 30 degrees outside the pickup direction of the microphone array.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that... The electronic device has a front and a side, the speaker is arranged on the front of the electronic device, and the microphone array is arranged on the side of the electronic device.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that... The microphone array is a linear microphone array with 2, 3, 4, 5 or more microphone units.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that... The microphone array has a pickup axis that is parallel to or perpendicular to the linear extension direction of the linear microphone array.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that... The microphone array is a ring microphone array having 3, 4, 5, 6 or more microphone units.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that... The microphone array has an azimuth angle of 90 degrees or greater.

8. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that... The microphone array is spaced apart from the speaker.

9. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that... The microphone array and the speaker are spaced at least 20 cm apart.

10. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that... The microphone array includes multiple microphone units, and the beamforming module has multiple processing units corresponding to the multiple microphone units. Each processing unit is connected to the corresponding microphone unit and receives and processes audio signals from the corresponding microphone unit. The beamforming module also includes a combining unit, which is connected to the multiple processing units, receives the processed audio signals from the multiple processing units, and combines the received audio signals.

11. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that... The electronic device also includes an automatic echo cancellation module arranged in series with the beamforming module.

12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that... The microphone array is configured to pick up sound in directions that cover the user's usual location for the electronic device.

13. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that... The electronic device is a smart speaker, a smart TV, or a smart air conditioner.

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