Handheld Device Microphone Array for Audio Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio applications face challenges in improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of audio signals, particularly in noisy environments, as they often rely on single microphones which are ineffective in capturing and processing multiple audio sources efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an ad-hoc network of handheld devices with microphones to form a microphone array, where audio signals are distributed, combined, and processed to enhance SNR through beamforming and alignment techniques, allowing for improved audio signal capture and reproduction, especially focusing on target locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single microphone is used for audio signal capture, then the device complexity is low, but the signal-to-noise ratio is insufficient in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple handheld devices with microphones are combined to form a microphone array, merging their audio capture capabilities to achieve improved signal-to-noise ratio through spatial diversity and beamforming techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld devices serve multiple functions: they act as both communication devices for the user and as microphone array elements for audio signal processing, eliminating the need for dedicated microphones and reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If multiple handheld devices are used to form a microphone array, then the signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld devices automatically determine their positions using sensors and self-organize to form the microphone array without requiring manual configuration or complex external setup procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone array configuration is dynamic and adapts to the user's environment, allowing devices to be added or removed from the array while maintaining optimal audio capture performance through continuous position tracking and beamforming adjustment
3Reliability
If audio signals are combined from multiple sources, then the audio quality is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical audio processing is replaced by software-based beamforming and signal combination algorithms running on the handheld devices, leveraging computational power to achieve high-quality audio processing with minimal hardware complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a processed audio signal, comprising: establishing an ad-hoc network between a plurality of handheld devices, each handheld device having a microphone; picking up a plurality of audio signals with each microphone of the plurality of handheld devices; distributing the plurality of audio signals within the ad-hoc network such that in at least one handheld device at least two of the plurality of audio signals are available; combining, in said at least one handheld device, the at least two of the plurality of audio signals to obtain said processed audio signal.