Microphone Array Dynamic Cluster Control for Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microphone arrays in portable devices consume high energy due to the activation of multiple microphones, which is inefficient for capturing three-dimensional sound fields, especially when not all microphones are necessary for effective audio capture.
Innovation Solution
A microphone device with a processor-controlled array that dynamically adjusts the configuration of microphone clusters based on directionality information, deactivating unnecessary microphone elements to reduce energy consumption and improve data throughput while maintaining sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple microphone elements are activated in a microphone array, then the sound field capture quality is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic microphone element configuration where the processor selectively activates or deactivates microphone elements based on real-time directionality information and capture conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high sound field capture quality when needed while reducing energy consumption during normal operation by keeping only essential microphone elements active.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the operational state of individual microphone elements within the array. Instead of uniformly activating all microphones, the system selectively activates only those elements necessary for effective three-dimensional sound field capture based on directionality information, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining capture quality.
2Productivity
If all microphone elements are activated, then the data throughput is increased, but the processing complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by activating only the subset of microphone elements necessary for effective sound field capture rather than all available elements. The processor determines the minimum required configuration based on directionality information, thereby maintaining adequate data throughput for three-dimensional audio while reducing processing complexity and energy consumption associated with handling data from all microphone elements.
3Loss of energy
If microphone clusters are deactivated to reduce power consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the sound quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously monitors directionality information and capture conditions to dynamically adjust microphone element activation. This feedback loop ensures that microphone clusters are deactivated only when capture conditions permit, maintaining energy efficiency while preventing sound quality deterioration by reactivating clusters when directional audio capture becomes necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A microphone device includes a microphone array configured to capture one or more audio objects associated with a three-dimensional sound field. The microphone array includes clusters of two or more microphone elements. Each cluster includes one or more acoustic port openings and two or more microphone elements coupled to the one or more acoustic port openings via corresponding acoustic ports. The microphone device also includes a processor coupled to the microphone array.