Dynamic Microphone Selection for Clear Audio Conferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio conferencing systems often use a default microphone that may not provide optimal audio quality due to factors like distance or background noise, leading to less than ideal audio conferencing experiences.
Innovation Solution
A device or method that dynamically selects the best microphone based on audio characteristics such as volume and clarity levels, and can aggregate multiple microphones into an array for improved audio quality and noise cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a default microphone is used for audio conferencing, then the system operation is simple, but the audio quality deteriorates due to distance or background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between microphones based on real-time audio characteristics. The processor continuously monitors volume levels and clarity metrics from multiple microphones, automatically selecting the optimal microphone for each speaking instance rather than using a fixed default microphone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-evaluation by automatically analyzing audio characteristics from multiple microphones and selecting the best one without user intervention. The processor independently determines which microphone provides superior audio quality based on volume and clarity metrics.
2Reliability
If multiple microphones are monitored and selected dynamically, then the audio quality improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical microphone switching mechanisms with software-based audio processing. The processor uses digital signal processing to analyze audio characteristics and generate noise cancellation signals, substituting physical complexity with computational intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting which microphone is active based on audio characteristics. The processor monitors parameters such as volume level and clarity, and switches microphones when these parameters indicate superior performance from an alternative microphone.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If noise cancellation signals are generated from non-selected microphones, then background noise is reduced, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful background noise captured by non-selected microphones into a beneficial resource. By analyzing audio from microphones not currently in use, the processor generates noise cancellation signals that actively reduce background noise in the selected microphone's output, turning a waste resource into a useful function.
4Reliability
If the system continuously monitors audio characteristics to select microphones, then the audio quality improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial monitoring by focusing computational resources on key audio characteristics rather than analyzing all possible parameters. The processor monitors essential metrics such as volume level and clarity to determine microphone selection, performing sufficient analysis to ensure quality without excessive processing that would waste energy.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a first device includes at least one processor and storage accessible to the at least one processor. The storage includes instructions executable by the at least one processor to receive first input from a first microphone and to receive second input from a second, different microphone. The instructions are also executable to, based on one or more identified audio characteristics of the first and second inputs, select one of the first and second microphones as an operative microphone from which third input of a person speaking is provided to a second device as part of an audio conference. The instructions are then executable to provide the third input of the person speaking to the second device as part of the audio conference.