Conference Camera Tracking Using Acoustic Coordinate Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conferencing environments face challenges in accurately correlating camera angles with talker positions, especially when camera and microphone positions are not predefined or co-located, leading to inefficient and labor-intensive manual configuration and inadequate video coverage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a microphone array to detect and convert camera, lobe, and talker locations into a common coordinate system, enabling automatic generation of camera presets and adjustments based on these locations, reducing the need for manual measurements by installers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of camera zones is performed by professional installers, then camera coverage can be configured, but installation time and labor effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs camera zone configuration using acoustic signals from the microphone array to determine camera location and generate appropriate presets, eliminating the need for manual configuration by professional installers. The conferencing system itself configures the camera zones based on detected acoustic environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with acoustic field-based automatic detection. The microphone array uses sound propagation characteristics to automatically determine spatial relationships and configure camera zones, substituting human-installed mechanical preset configuration with acoustic-based automated system.
2Reliability
If pre-configured camera zones are used, then camera coverage can be established, but the system becomes inflexible when seating arrangements change
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts camera zones based on real-time acoustic detection of participant locations. Rather than using fixed pre-configured zones, the microphone array continuously detects sound sources and the system adapts camera presets to match current seating arrangements, making the system flexible and responsive to changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses acoustic feedback from the microphone array to continuously monitor participant positions and automatically adjust camera zones accordingly. The microphone array provides ongoing spatial audio information that feeds back to the camera control system, enabling automatic adaptation to changing seating arrangements without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If multiple cameras and microphones are deployed, then adequate video and audio coverage can be achieved, but correlating camera angles with talker positions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic signal processing as an intermediary mechanism to bridge cameras and microphones. The microphone array detects acoustic signals and determines spatial positions, which then serve as reference information for camera positioning and angle correlation, enabling accurate mapping between audio sources and video frames across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal coordinate reference framework based on acoustic spatial detection that can be applied across multiple cameras and microphones. The microphone array establishes a common spatial reference system that all cameras can use to correlate their angles with talker positions, enabling consistent multi-device coordination.
4Measurement precision
If professional installers manually configure camera zones based on microphone array location information, then accurate correlation can be achieved, but the process is laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the entire configuration process from microphone array location detection to camera zone generation without human intervention. The conferencing system extracts location information from acoustic signals and autonomously configures camera presets, eliminating the need for professional installers to manually perform the configuration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary acoustic environmental detection and camera zone configuration automatically during system initialization or setup phases, preparing the camera-microphone correlation in advance before actual conferencing begins, thereby eliminating the need for manual post-installation configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances camera accuracy in capturing active talkers, reduces installation time and effort, and improves user satisfaction by automating the configuration and usage of conferencing systems.
Implementation Method 1
detecting, using a microphone array and based on an acoustical trigger from or near a camera, a camera location in a first coordinate system
Implementation Method 2
converting, using the microphone array and based on the camera location, the camera location in the first coordinate system into a microphone array location in a second coordinate system
Data Source
AI summary
Conferencing systems and methods configured to generate true talker coordinates for use in camera tracking of talkers and objects in an environment and other room intelligence use cases are disclosed. The initial configuration and ongoing usage of conferencing systems can be improved by detecting and converting the locations of objects and talkers in an environment into a common coordinate system. The amount of time and effort by installers, integrators, and users, can be reduced leading to increased satisfaction with installation and usage of the conferencing system.