Multi-Directional Camera Audio Mapping for Sound Direction Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cameras with microphones lack the capability to provide accurate audio direction and clip information, as well as classify and map audio types effectively.

Innovation Solution

A multi-directional microphone system integrated with a processor that determines geo-orientation and classifies audio types, mapping audio clip information to metadata using a camera and server configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a multi-directional microphone system with geo-orientation calculation is implemented, then audio direction determination precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio direction determination precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio processing function is segmented into multiple independent modules: audio information extraction module, direction information calculation module, audio type classification module, and metadata mapping module. Each module handles a specific task, making the complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving high precision audio direction determination through coordinated module operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The camera device is designed with multi-functionality by integrating not only audio reception through multi-directional microphones but also geo-orientation calculation, audio type classification, and metadata generation capabilities. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple audio-related functions, improving measurement precision without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function

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

2Loss of information

If audio type classification and metadata mapping functions are added, then information completeness is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of audio types (voice, music, noise, other) and extracts relevant features before complete processing. By pre-categorizing audio and identifying key characteristics early in the processing pipeline, the system prepares data structures and metadata frameworks in advance, reducing the time required for complete information processing and mapping while ensuring comprehensive information capture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple microphones are used for multi-directional audio reception, then audio direction accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio direction accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs asymmetric microphone arrangement with different numbers of microphones along different spatial axes (e.g., different counts in horizontal versus vertical directions). This asymmetric configuration optimizes audio direction detection accuracy for specific application scenarios while managing the overall device complexity by concentrating sensing capability where most needed rather than using uniform distributed arrays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4686222A1Camera for providing audio information and method and system for providing audio information
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HANWHA VISION CO LTD
  • EP4686222A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686222A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686222A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A camera includes: a multi-directional microphone configured to receive audio; a processor configured to extract audio information about the audio from the multi-directional microphone; and a memory configured to store instructions executable by the processor, where, by executing the instructions stored on the memory, the processor is configured to control: a direction information calculation module to determine geo-orientation information about the audio based on the audio information, and an audio information providing module to map information to metadata including audio clip information about an audio clip from the audio, and the geo-orientation information.