Microphone Array Power Routing for Camera Monitoring Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems face challenges in efficiently installing microphone arrays to capture directional voice data, as existing non-directional microphones often get overwhelmed by noise, and the installation process is cumbersome, especially when adding voice monitoring to existing camera systems, which requires precise alignment and can be labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system that includes a microphone array with multiple sound pickup elements, a sound source detection unit, a display unit, and an operation unit to detect and display the sound source direction, allowing for easier installation and alignment by associating camera and microphone array coordinates, and providing a method to switch between power sources for efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-directional microphones are used in monitoring systems, then the installation is simple, but the voice capture is overwhelmed by noise and directional accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone is divided into multiple sound pickup elements (first, second, third, and fourth microphones) arranged in specific spatial positions. Each element captures sound from different directions, and through signal processing, the system achieves directional voice detection while maintaining installation simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a microphone array is additionally installed to an existing camera system, then voice monitoring capability is added, but the installation workload increases due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone array and camera are combined into an integrated monitoring system where the camera housing serves as the mounting structure for the microphone array. The camera's power supply and signal processing resources are shared with the microphone array, eliminating the need for separate installation and alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the camera, houses the microphone array elements, and acts as the mounting interface for ceiling installation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall installation process.
3Measurement precision
If precise alignment between camera and microphone array is performed during installation, then directional accuracy is improved, but the installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone array elements are pre-positioned within the camera housing at specific orientations and locations during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that the sound pickup directions are correctly aligned with the camera's field of view, eliminating the need for field alignment and reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical alignment procedures are replaced with electronic calibration methods. The system uses the camera's existing position and orientation data to automatically configure the microphone array's directional characteristics through signal processing, rather than requiring physical realignment of the hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera and a microphone array configuring a monitoring system are capable of receiving electric power from a PoE apparatus through a LAN cable. In a case where a first switching operation is performed on a microphone array side, an output terminal of an input switch is connected to an input terminal of a PoE electric power reception circuit side. An input terminal of an output switch is connected to an output terminal of a PoE electric power transmission circuit side. On a camera side, an output terminal of the input switch is connected to an input terminal of a PoE electric power receptor side. The microphone array receives electric power that is supplied from the PoE apparatus for operation and transmits the electric power towards the camera. The camera receives the supplied electric power from the PoE apparatus through the microphone array and the LAN cable for operation.