Beamforming Microphone Array Guided by Millimeter-Wave User Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beamforming microphone arrays for audio conferencing systems suffer from non-optimized beam forming parameters, leading to issues such as non-optimal beam position and coverage, inability to distinguish between voices and noise, and susceptibility to false positives, especially in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a millimeter wave sensor system to determine user locations and adapt beamforming based on user positions, using a wave sensor system to generate a three-dimensional image of the area, and an adaptive beamforming circuit to modify beams for optimal sound acquisition and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed beam types are used with manual positioning, then setup is simplified, but beam coverage becomes too large leading to lower S/N performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming that automatically adjusts beam positions and widths based on real-time detection of user locations using millimeter wave sensors. This replaces static manual positioning with adaptive dynamic adjustment, allowing beams to be narrow and precisely targeted to individual users, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic beamformers are used to locate speakers, then beam adaptation improves, but false positives increase due to inability to distinguish voice from noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces millimeter wave sensors as an intermediary device that independently detects user locations based on radio wave reflection from human bodies. This separate detection mechanism provides reliable user position information to the beamforming system without relying on audio analysis, thereby eliminating false positives from noise while maintaining adaptive beam adjustment capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If sophisticated software is added to reduce false positives, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex audio-based voice detection software with a simpler system that uses millimeter wave sensor data for user location detection. The sensor-based approach provides reliable user positioning information that directly guides beamforming without requiring sophisticated audio analysis algorithms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving detection accuracy.
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
Enhances the performance of beamforming microphone arrays by optimizing beam positioning and reducing noise, ensuring clear audio capture and minimizing interference from external sources.
Implementation Method 1
a millimeter wave sensor system to determine user locations and adapt beamforming based on user positions, using a wave sensor system to generate a three-dimensional image of the area
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a beamforming microphone array for use in a predetermined area is provided herein, the method comprising: receiving acoustic audio signals at each of a plurality of microphones, converting the same to an electrical mic audio signal, and outputting each of the plurality of electrical mic audio signals; generating a user location data signal by a wave sensor system, and outputting the user location data signal, wherein the user location data signal includes location information of one or more people within the predetermined area; receiving both the user location data signal and plurality of echo-corrected mic audio signals at an adaptive beamforming device; and adapting one or more beams by the adaptive beamforming device based on the user location data signal and plurality of mic audio signals wherein each of the one or more beams acquires sound from one or more specific locations in the predetermined area.