Acoustic Device Arbitration via Inter-Device Attenuation Matrix
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speech recognition systems face challenges in accurately determining the source of audio inputs from multiple devices in a household, leading to inefficient processing and potential misinterpretation of user commands due to variations in audio signal attenuation and microphone gain ratios.
Innovation Solution
A device arbitration system that generates a characteristic matrix based on inter-device attenuation values and microphone gain ratios to select the most appropriate device for further processing, reducing the need for calibration and normalization, and allowing for detection of changes in device locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If audio signals are processed from multiple devices without calibration, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of audio source location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by generating a characteristic matrix during an initial setup phase. This matrix captures the acoustic relationships between all devices in the environment, storing attenuation values and microphone gain ratios that are determined beforehand. During actual audio source localization, this pre-computed matrix is used directly without requiring real-time calibration, thus eliminating the need for complex calibration procedures while maintaining high measurement precision through the stored acoustic characteristics.
2Stability of the object's composition
If device locations are fixed, then system stability is improved, but adaptability to changes in device layouts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors audio signals from multiple devices and compares the observed acoustic characteristics against the stored characteristic matrix. When discrepancies exceed a threshold, indicating that device locations have changed, the system automatically triggers an update to the characteristic matrix. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to layout changes while maintaining stability during normal operation, as the matrix is only updated when necessary based on actual environmental changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a system for device arbitration using acoustic characteristics of a physical space, such as a user's household. The system generates a matrix of inter-device attenuation factors. The inter-device attenuation factors are determined using the attenuation experienced by a first device versus the attenuation experienced by a second device. Once the matrix is generated, an attenuation vector representing the attenuation corresponding to an input audio signal is determined and compared to the matrix. Based on the comparison, the system selects a device for further processing.