Microphone Array Adaptive Beam Tracking for 3D Voice Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beamforming systems in microphone arrays for voice conferences are sub-optimal due to their inability to dynamically adjust to changes in the number of speakers and their positions, and they often suffer from feedback issues caused by the presence of noise sources and loudspeakers, as they primarily operate in a single fixed distance and azimuth dimension without effective elevation angle consideration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that initializes a microphone array with a preliminary beamform tracking configuration, detects sound instances, modifies the configuration based on the location of sound sources, and saves the modified configuration, allowing for dynamic adjustment of beamforming zones and minimizing acoustic feedback by incorporating 3D beamforming with azimuth, elevation, and distance coordinates, and using a central controller to manage microphone arrays and loudspeakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed beamforming configurations are used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to changing speaker positions and numbers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming by continuously adjusting beam directions and widths based on real-time detection of speaker positions and acoustic energy distribution. The system transitions from static pre-programmed configurations to adaptive configurations that automatically reconfigure according to environmental changes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through automated control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone array system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting sound sources, determining their locations, and adjusting beamforming parameters without requiring manual reconfiguration. The system monitors acoustic energy across multiple beams and autonomously modifies beam directions and widths to track speakers, eliminating the need for operator intervention while maintaining adaptability.
2Measurement precision
If fixed steering directions and coverage zones are pre-programmed, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of speaker location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring acoustic energy distribution across multiple beams and using this information to dynamically adjust beam directions and widths. The feedback loop compares detected speaker positions with current beam configurations and automatically refines beam parameters to maintain optimal tracking precision, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If beamforming operates at single fixed distance and small number of elevation angles, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to 3D sound source localization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends beamforming from 2D (azimuth only) to 3D by incorporating elevation angle variations and distance-based beamwidth adjustments. The system creates a three-dimensional beam grid spanning multiple elevation angles and radial distances, enabling localization of sound sources in full 3D space. This dimensional expansion is achieved through systematic configuration of beams at different elevations and distances, managed by automated control algorithms that resolve the added complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If mix-minus configurations are used to reduce feedback, then harmful factors from loudspeakers are reduced, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes feedback paths by identifying acoustic coupling between loudspeakers and microphones through the beamforming architecture. By directing beams away from loudspeaker locations and creating acoustic nulls in directions of potential feedback paths, the system extracts harmful feedback signals from the overall acoustic field and eliminates them, reducing feedback without requiring separate mix-minus configuration systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method of operation may include designating sub-regions which collectively provide a defined reception space, receiving audio signals at a controller from the microphone arrays in the defined reception space, configuring the controller with known locations of each of the microphone arrays, assigning each of the sub-regions to at least one of the microphone arrays based on the known locations, and creating beamform tracking configurations for each of the microphone arrays based on their assigned sub-regions.