Image Steered Microphone Array Using Camera Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microphone arrays require manual adjustment or physical motion to steer towards sound sources, which is inefficient and lacks precision in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a microphone array, a camera, and a processing device that uses phased array acoustical processing and pattern recognition techniques to automatically steer the microphone array based on captured images, dynamically modifying its effective polar pattern to track sound sources without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment or physical motion is used to steer microphone arrays, then the system structure remains simple, but the steering efficiency and precision deteriorate in dynamic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual adjustment and physical motion mechanisms with an automated image processing and pattern recognition system. The processing device captures images, identifies sound sources, and automatically adjusts microphone array orientation without mechanical steering components, thereby improving steering efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone array system performs self-steering by automatically processing images and identifying sound sources without external intervention. The processing device continuously monitors the environment, detects sound source positions, and autonomously adjusts the array orientation, enabling the system to serve itself in dynamic environments.
2Measurement precision
If automatic image-based steering is implemented, then tracking precision and automation improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device performs multiple functions: capturing images, processing image data, identifying sound sources, determining positions, and controlling microphone array steering. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional processing device, the system achieves high tracking precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image as an intermediary between the sound source and the microphone array steering mechanism. Instead of directly detecting sound sources acoustically, the system captures visual images, processes them to identify sound source positions, and uses this information to steer the array, thereby achieving precise tracking through a mediating visual channel.
3Extent of automation
If physical motion is used for steering, then the system responds to sound sources, but it lacks precision and requires human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the processing device continuously captures images, identifies sound source positions, compares them with current array orientation, and automatically adjusts the steering to maintain optimal alignment. This continuous feedback loop enables automatic tracking without human intervention and reduces response time by eliminating manual adjustment delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a microphone array having a plurality of microphones. The system further includes a camera configured to capture stream video and a processing device configured to steer the microphone array based at least in part on the video acquired by the camera. A method includes receiving video captured by a camera, processing the video, and steering a microphone array using signal processing where the steering direction is defined by the processed video.