Microphone Array Dynamic Beam Mode Switching for Echo Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conference systems with microphone arrays using dynamic beam forming struggle with quick adaptation of acoustic echo cancellation due to the rapid changes in the steerable beam's direction, leading to suboptimal echo cancellation performance.
Innovation Solution
A microphone array device with two operating modes: dynamic beam mode for focusing on a single speaker and a default beam mode with a broader directivity pattern, allowing for quicker switching between modes and independent echo cancellation, enabling effective echo cancellation even when the beam direction changes rapidly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dynamic beam forming is used to quickly track audio sources, then voice acquisition accuracy is improved, but echo cancellation performance deteriorates due to rapid beam direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing two operable modes (first mode with dynamic beam steering and second mode with static beam) that can switch between different operational states. The system dynamically adapts its beam forming behavior based on whether echo cancellation is prioritized or voice acquisition is prioritized, resolving the contradiction between quick tracking and stable echo cancellation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beam forming parameters by switching between two distinct modes: one mode with rapidly changing beam directions for quick audio source tracking, and another mode with a static beam direction for stable echo cancellation. This parameter switching allows the system to optimize for either voice acquisition accuracy or echo cancellation performance as needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the beam direction changes rapidly to track moving speakers, then adaptability is improved, but echo cancellation adaptation speed becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics through mode switching that allows transitions between rapid beam steering (high adaptability) and static beam configuration (fast echo cancellation adaptation). The two operable modes enable the system to balance adaptability requirements with echo cancellation speed requirements by selecting the appropriate mode based on operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam forming operation into two distinct modes: one segment handling dynamic tracking with rapid beam direction changes, and another segment handling static beam operation for stable echo cancellation. This segmentation allows each mode to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
3Measurement precision
If a focused beam is used to acquire a single speaker's voice, then voice signal quality is improved, but echo cancellation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to switch between a focused beam mode (first mode) that provides high voice signal quality and a broader/static beam mode (second mode) that simplifies echo cancellation. The operational mode is dynamically selected based on whether a single speaker is being tracked or whether echo cancellation stability is the priority.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes beam forming parameters by switching between a narrow, focused beam configuration for single speaker acquisition and a broader, static beam configuration that covers a wider area. This parameter change simplifies the acoustic echo cancellation task while maintaining the ability to achieve high voice signal quality when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for efficient and quick acoustic echo cancellation by switching between dynamic and default beam modes, ensuring continuous voice acquisition and reducing processing power requirements, thereby improving echo cancellation performance in dynamic beam forming systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of microphone capsules (3001-3017) arranged in or on a board (3020)
Implementation Method 2
dynamically steer an audio beam (i.e. a direction of maximum sensitivity) based on the received output signal of the microphone capsules
Data Source
AI summary
A microphone array device including microphone capsules and at least one processing unit configured to receive output signals of the microphone capsules, dynamically steer an audio beam based on the received output signal of the microphone capsules, and generate and provide an audio output signal based on the received output signal of the microphone capsules. The processing unit is configured to operate in a dynamic beam mode where at least one focused audio beam is formed that points towards a detected audio source and in a default beam mode where a broader audio beam is formed that covers substantially a default detection area. The microphone array may be incorporated into a conference system.