Audio Device Location Estimation via Direction of Arrival
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for automatically locating audio devices and sound sources in complex environments face challenges due to the need for synchronized microphones and loudspeakers, errors from echoes and reverberation, and the requirement for known test stimuli, which limits their effectiveness in irregular and asymmetric layouts.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a moving sound source to emit sound at multiple locations, collecting location control data and direction of arrival data from microphone arrays, and employing Kalman filters or Maximum Likelihood solvers to estimate audio device and sound source locations, orientations, and acoustic properties, allowing for improved audio processing and echo cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If synchronized microphones and loudspeakers are used for automatic location, then location estimation can be performed, but the system becomes complex and requires precise synchronization which is difficult to maintain in complex environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location estimation function from the synchronized microphone-loudspeaker system and implements it using independent direction-of-arrival measurements from multiple audio devices. Each device independently measures the direction to the sound source using its microphone array, eliminating the need for complex synchronization while maintaining location estimation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces direction-of-arrival data as an intermediary measurement that bridges the gap between sound source location and audio device positions. Instead of directly synchronizing microphones and loudspeakers, the system uses directional information from multiple devices as a mediator to calculate locations through geometric relationships.
2Measurement precision
If known test stimuli are used for location estimation, then measurement can be performed, but the system cannot adapt to irregular and asymmetric layouts without additional calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the audio system to self-calibrate by having audio devices emit sounds at multiple locations and have these sounds captured by microphone arrays. The system automatically extracts geometric relationships from the captured directional data, eliminating the need for external test stimuli or manual calibration while adapting to any layout configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary location estimation using direction-of-arrival data from multiple audio devices before finalizing the audio processing. This preliminary action allows the system to adapt to irregular layouts by first establishing geometric relationships through natural sound emissions, then using these relationships for subsequent audio processing tasks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If echoes and reverberation are present in complex environments, then audio processing can be performed, but location estimation errors increase due to environmental effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having each audio device independently measure the direction of arrival of sound sources using its local microphone array. This localized measurement approach allows each device to capture directional information without being significantly affected by global environmental effects like echoes and reverberation, improving robustness in complex environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of echoes and reverberation into a beneficial feature by using multiple audio devices emitting sounds at multiple locations to create a rich set of directional measurements. The environmental reflections, while present, are compensated for by the geometric relationships established through multiple independent measurements, allowing the system to maintain accuracy despite environmental complexity.
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
This approach enhances the accuracy and reliability of audio device and sound source location estimation, even in irregular layouts, by leveraging multiple observations over time and reducing errors from environmental effects, thereby improving audio processing and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a sound source is configured to emit sound in a plurality of sound source locations within the audio environment
Implementation Method 2
collecting direction of arrival data from microphone arrays
Data Source
AI summary
Some disclosed methods involve receiving, by a control system, location control data from a sound source as the sound source emits sound in a plurality of sound source locations within an audio environment. Some such methods involve receiving, by the control system, direction of arrival data from each audio device of a plurality of audio devices in the audio environment. In some examples, each audio device of the plurality of audio devices includes a microphone array and the direction of arrival data corresponding to microphone signals from microphone arrays responsive to sound emitted by the sound source in the plurality of sound source locations. Some such methods involve estimating, by the control system, sound source locations and audio device locations based, at least in part, on the location control data and the direction of arrival data.