AI Sound Source Mapping for High-Resolution Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for obtaining sound source maps using deep learning face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution, short computation time, and high accuracy, particularly when the number of sound sources is unknown or exceeds a predetermined maximum.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that generate a target map for training a neural network, allowing for the generation and synthesis of sound source maps without grid constraints, using a target map inference and analysis process to enhance accuracy and reduce computation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If deconvolution methods are used to improve spatial resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but computation time becomes too long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores point spread functions (PSFs) at different grid positions before actual sound source localization. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly retrieve and apply appropriate PSFs during inference without performing repetitive deconvolution calculations, thus achieving high spatial resolution with reduced computation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-generates target maps with known sound source positions and strengths to train the neural network beforehand. This training phase enables the network to learn the mapping from beamforming maps to accurate sound source parameters, allowing fast and accurate inference without complex real-time calculations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If grid-based deep learning methods are used, then computation time is reduced, but accuracy is reduced when sound sources are not on a grid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputation timeVSAvoidsound source accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from grid-based discrete positioning to continuous spatial positioning by using coordinate-based target map generation. The sound source positions are represented as continuous coordinates rather than discrete grid points, allowing the neural network to accurately localize sound sources at any position in the spatial continuum while maintaining fast computation through efficient target map synthesis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the maximum number of sound sources is predetermined in grid-free methods, then computation time is reduced, but the method cannot handle more sound sources than predetermined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputation timeVSAvoidnumber of sound sources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal target map generation mechanism that can handle any number of sound sources through coordinate-based positioning. The system synthesizes target maps by summing individual source contributions at arbitrary coordinates, allowing the same neural network architecture and training procedure to work for any number of sound sources without requiring predetermined limits or multiple specialized models

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If beamforming methods are used, then robustness against measurement noise is improved, but spatial resolution becomes very low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobustness against noiseVSAvoidspatial resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a neural network as an intermediary between the beamforming map and the final sound source parameters. The beamforming map serves as a robust noise-resistant input, while the neural network acts as a mediator that learns to extract precise sound source positions and strengths from this input, effectively combining the noise robustness of beamforming with the high resolution capabilities of deconvolution methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3992657B1High-resolution sound source map obtaining and analyzing method and system using artificial intelligence neural network
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 KOREA RES INST OF STANDARDS & SCI
  • EP3992657B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3992657B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3992657B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for generating a target map as means for training a neural network and obtaining a sound source map regardless of the maximum number of sound sources, having a short computation time for inference, high spatial resolution and high sound source accuracy, and the method includes a grid generation step of generating grids each having a spacing within a given range at positions where sound sources are present in order to form a sound source map, a calculation step of calculating a result value for each of coordinates of the grids so that the result value is a local maximum at the position of a sound source and the result value decreases depending on the distance from the sound source, a matrix generation step of arranging the result values at positions on matrices corresponding to the respective coordinates of the grids, and a target map generation step of generating a target map having an image form by using the result values arranged in on the matrices.