Audio Capture Device Directivity Mode Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users wearing audio capture devices, such as hearing aids or earphones, do not receive an optimal user experience when listening to audio signals output by multiple physical loudspeakers due to the devices operating in a directivity mode that steers sound capture beams away from the loudspeaker locations, leading to sub-optimal amplification and potential masking of audio signals.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method to control audio capture devices by transmitting control data to disable or modify their directivity mode, enhancing sensitivity to audio signals from the direction of the loudspeakers, either by widening the sound capture beam or steering it towards the loudspeakers based on spatial metadata and position data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the audio capture device operates in directivity mode to steer sound capture beam towards perceived sound sources, then the device can focus on capturing specific sound directions, but the sensitivity to audio signals from loudspeaker directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The audio capture device dynamically switches between directivity mode and omnidirectional mode based on the audio signal format being processed. The controller receives format information indicating whether the audio is stereo/multichannel/immersive or mono/binaural, and accordingly adjusts the microphone array configuration to optimize performance for each mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the audio capture device by modifying the beamforming characteristics of the microphone array. When processing stereo/multichannel/immersive audio, the device transitions from a focused directional beam to a wider or omnidirectional capture pattern, effectively changing the spatial sensitivity parameters to match the requirements of the audio format
2Ease of operation
If the sound capture beam is steered towards a perceived sound direction, then the capture device can focus on that direction, but the sensitivity to audio signals from other directions including loudspeaker directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The audio capture device dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on the detected audio signal format. The controller continuously monitors format information and switches the microphone array configuration between focused and omnidirectional patterns, ensuring the device adapts its focus behavior to match the requirements of the current audio content
Solution Approach 2:
The audio capture device is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both directivity mode and omnidirectional mode within a single system. The microphone array can be reconfigured to provide either focused directional capture or comprehensive omnidirectional capture, making the device universally applicable to different audio scenarios without requiring separate hardware configurations
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to an apparatus, method and computer program for audio signal capture. The method may for example comprise receiving audio data representing audio signals for output by two or more physical loudspeakers, and determining that at least some of the audio signals, representing a first sound source, are for output by two or more particular physical loudspeakers such that the first sound source will be perceived as having a first direction with respect to a user which is other than a physical loudspeaker direction. The method may for example also comprise, responsive to the determining, transmitting control data to an audio capture device of the user which operates in a directivity mode for steering a sound capture beam towards the first direction, wherein the control data is for causing the audio capture device to disable its directivity mode or to modify the sound capture beam such that the audio capture device has greater sensitivity to audio signals from the direction of at least one of the two or more particular physical loudspeakers.