Audio Beamforming Overlap Control for Multi-Direction Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio beamforming techniques struggle to effectively isolate sounds in specific sound directions when multiple beams are applied, leading to compromised quality and frequency response distortion, especially when sound directions of interest are close to each other, resulting in unnatural or unintelligible audio due to overlapping beam patterns.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for audio processing that determine the overlap between multiple sound direction focus patterns and control emphasis in respective frequency bands to derive a processed audio signal, where sounds in targeted directions are emphasized relative to others, by using multi-channel audio signals and focus patterns to manage emphasis in specific sound direction ranges based on determined overlap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio beams are applied to capture sounds in multiple sound directions, then the coverage of sound directions is improved, but the audio quality deteriorates due to overlapping beam patterns causing frequency response distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio processing by dividing the frequency spectrum into multiple frequency bands. For each frequency band, separate beamforming operations are performed with frequency-dependent beam patterns. This segmentation allows each beam to be optimized for its specific frequency range, preventing the overlapping and interference that occurs when a single beam attempts to cover all frequencies, thereby maintaining audio quality while capturing multiple sound directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam patterns that adapt to frequency. The beam width, shape, and direction are dynamically adjusted based on the frequency being processed. Lower frequencies use wider beams while higher frequencies use narrower beams. This dynamic adaptation prevents overlapping interference by ensuring that beams at different frequencies have complementary rather than conflicting spatial characteristics, resolving the contradiction between multi-directional coverage and audio quality.
2Measurement precision
If a single audio beam is used to capture sounds in a specific sound direction, then the isolation of sounds in that direction is improved, but the coverage of multiple sound directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments both the frequency spectrum and the spatial domain. Multiple beams are created, each dedicated to a specific sound direction and frequency band. This segmentation allows each beam to maintain high isolation precision for its target direction while the collection of beams collectively provides comprehensive multi-directional coverage. The segmented approach eliminates the need for a single beam to compromise between isolation and coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional beamforming system where each frequency band has its own optimized beam pattern. The system universally handles multiple sound directions by processing each direction-frequency combination with a specialized beam, making the overall system capable of both precise isolation and broad coverage simultaneously through coordinated multi-functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio processing technique including obtaining a multi-channel audio signal, a first sound direction of interest and a second sound direction of interest; determining, for one or more frequency bands, a respective first range of sound directions encompassed by a first focus pattern directed to said first sound direction of interest and a respective second range of sound directions encompassed by a second focus pattern directed to said second sound direction of interest; determining, for said one or more frequency bands, respective overlap between the first and second ranges of sound directions; and deriving, based on the multi-channel audio signal and in accordance with said first and second focus patterns, a processed audio signal where sounds in said first and second sound directions of interest are emphasized in relation to sounds in other sound directions, said derivation including controlling emphasis in dependence of the determined overlap.