Conference Audio Spatial Optimization via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current teleconferencing systems record audio as a single monophonic stream, lacking spatial information and conversational dynamics, which affects the playback experience and regulatory compliance, especially in industries like banking.
Innovation Solution
The method involves processing audio data from multiple endpoints, analyzing conversational dynamics, and applying spatial optimization techniques to assign virtual positions in a virtual acoustic space, considering factors like doubletalk, voice similarity, and speech frequency, to enhance playback experience and compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If audio data is recorded as a single monophonic stream, then the recording system is simple to implement, but the playback experience is degraded and spatial information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single monophonic audio stream into multiple separate audio channels, each corresponding to a different conference participant or endpoint. This segmentation preserves spatial information and allows for independent processing of each participant's audio, thereby improving playback experience while maintaining implementation feasibility through systematic channel separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional monophonic recording to a multi-dimensional spatial audio representation by assigning virtual positions to different participants in a virtual acoustic space. This dimensional expansion restores spatial relationships and conversational dynamics that were lost in the single-channel recording.
2Reliability
If spatial optimization is applied to assign virtual positions, then the playback experience is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic speaker identification and classification systems that autonomously analyze audio characteristics, determine participant roles, and assign virtual positions without requiring manual configuration. The system automatically detects conversational dynamics and adjusts spatial arrangements in real-time, reducing the need for complex manual processing while maintaining high playback quality.
3Reliability
If conversational dynamics analysis is performed, then regulatory compliance is enhanced, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing conversational dynamics analysis and generating transcripts during or immediately after the conference recording, rather than delaying processing until playback is required. This advance processing ensures regulatory compliance is met while allowing for efficient playback reproduction of already-analyzed content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by implementing real-time or near-real-time processing of conversational dynamics during the conference itself, allowing for continuous analysis without interrupting the flow of the meeting. This continuous processing approach minimizes post-processing time while ensuring compliance requirements are continuously met.
Data Source
AI summary
Various disclosed implementations involve processing and/or playback of a recording of a conference involving a plurality of conference participants. Some implementations disclosed herein involve receiving audio data corresponding to a recording of at least one conference involving a plurality of conference participants. In some examples, only a portion of the received audio data will be selected as playback audio data. The selection process may involve a topic selection process, a talkspurt filtering process and/or an acoustic feature selection process. Some examples involve receiving an indication of a target playback time duration. Selecting the portion of audio data may involve making a time duration of the playback audio data within a threshold time difference of the target playback time duration.