Microphone Array Beam Steering Using Beacon-Based User Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microphone systems struggle to accurately direct acoustic beams in dynamic environments, limiting user control and signal quality due to their reliance on audio inputs for beam direction adjustment, which can be inadequate in noisy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a microphone array and a control system that uses beacon devices or directional controllers to pre-select and adjust the beam direction based on user inputs or noise source sampling, allowing for adaptive beam steering and noise filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional microphone systems rely on audio inputs for beam direction adjustment, then the system can operate without additional components, but the signal quality and beam directionality deteriorate in noisy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary beam steering by processing beacon device signals to identify physical locations and pre-position the acoustic beam in the desired direction before actual audio input is received. This preliminary action ensures the beam is already optimized for the expected signal source, improving directionality and reducing noise interference from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
A beacon device serves as an intermediary element that provides location information to the control system. The beacon acts as a mediator between the user and the microphone array, enabling the system to determine beam direction through the beacon's signal rather than relying solely on audio input processing, thereby improving signal quality in noisy environments.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses beacon devices for pre-beam steering, then signal quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon device serves multiple functions: it provides location information for beam steering, acts as a spatial reference point, and enables the control system to determine orientation without requiring complex audio processing. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the beacon component by delivering multiple benefits from a single element.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the microphone array continuously adapts to moving users, then the user experience improves, but the system requires more complex real-time tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from beacon device signals to continuously update beam direction. The beacon provides ongoing spatial information that the control system processes to adjust the acoustic beam in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to moving users while maintaining a relatively simple tracking mechanism based on beacon position updates.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects include approaches for controlling acoustic beams. In some particular aspects, a system includes: a microphone array; and a control system coupled with the microphone array, the control system programmed to control the microphone array by: processing a signal from a beacon device to identify a physical location of the beacon device relative to the microphone array; and focusing the microphone array in a direction based upon the physical location of the beacon device prior to receiving an audio input at the microphone array.