Concurrent Multi-Path Audio Demixing for Speech Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic speech recognition systems face significant challenges in noisy environments, such as those found in vehicles, where ambient noise and interference lead to increased word error rates, making them less effective for real-life applications compared to controlled lab conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a real-time blind source separation technique for concurrent multi-path processing of audio signals, which uses a system comprising processors and a memory to demix mixed audio content into source-specific signals, improving recognition accuracy even with a small number of microphones and in the presence of interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If more microphones are used to suppress interference and improve speech recognition robustness, then recognition accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio signal processing into multiple independent paths: a first path for determining demixing parameters and a second path for applying these parameters to demix audio content. This segmentation allows the system to achieve robust speech recognition with fewer microphones by processing signals through specialized parallel pathways rather than requiring more microphones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of demixing parameters in the first signal processing path before applying them in the second path. This preliminary action enables the system to prepare separation parameters in advance, improving recognition robustness without requiring additional microphones during the actual speech recognition process.
2Measurement precision
If blind source separation techniques are applied to demix audio content in real-time, then speech recognition accuracy improves in noisy environments, but algorithm delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time processing through concurrent multi-path signal processing, where demixing parameters are continuously determined and applied without interrupting the audio signal flow. This continuous processing maintains speech recognition accuracy while minimizing algorithm delay by avoiding batch processing interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts demixing parameters in real-time based on changing audio conditions in noisy environments. The first signal processing path continuously updates demixing parameters, which are then immediately applied in the second path, allowing the system to adapt to dynamic noise conditions without significant processing delay.
3Productivity
If concurrent multi-path processing is implemented to reduce algorithm delay, then processing speed improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing system into two distinct but concurrent paths: a first path for determining demixing parameters and a second path for applying them. This segmentation enables parallel processing that improves productivity while keeping each individual path relatively simple, balancing processing speed with manageable system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for concurrent multi-path processing of audio signals for automatic speech recognition is presented. Audio information defining a set of audio signals may be obtained (502). The audio signals may convey mixed audio content produced by multiple audio sources. A set of source-specific audio signals may be determined by demixing the mixed audio content produced by the multiple audio sources. Determining the set of source-specific audio signals may comprises providing the set of audio signals to both a first signal processing path and a second signal processing path (504). The first signal processing path may determine a value of a demixing parameter for demixing the mixed audio content (506). The second signal processing path may apply the value of the demixing parameter to the individual audio signals of the set of audio signals (508) to generate the individual source-specific audio signals (510).