Microphone Array Audio Control for Region-of-Interest Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with multiple microphones capture audio from various directions, making it difficult to prioritize and control the audibility of sound sources based on their position relative to the device, particularly when the user is interested in sound sources within a specific region of interest, such as the field of view of a camera.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilizes multiple microphones to determine the loudest sound source and controls its audibility by applying directional amplification or attenuation based on whether it is within the region of interest, using beamformers to maintain the sound's timbre and selectively amplify or attenuate sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If omnidirectional microphones are used to capture audio from all directions, then the electronic device can record sound from any position, but the user cannot easily prioritize sound sources within a specific region of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating directional audio capture zones within the omnidirectional microphone array. Different spatial regions are assigned different quality characteristics - the region of interest receives enhanced amplification while other regions receive attenuation. This allows the system to maintain omnidirectional coverage capability while selectively prioritizing specific sound sources in particular directions.
2Ease of operation
If directional amplification is applied to sound sources in the region of interest, then the audibility of desired sound sources is improved, but the timbre of the sound sources may be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting amplification and attenuation levels based on the identified region of interest. The system modifies audio parameters (gain levels) selectively for different spatial zones - applying amplification to the region of interest while maintaining or attenuating other regions. This allows control of sound source prioritization while managing timbre preservation through controlled parameter modification.
3Reliability
If the loudest sound source is always amplified, then the overall volume is maintained, but sound sources outside the region of interest may be inappropriately emphasized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the spatial distribution and loudness of sound sources, identifying the region of interest, and dynamically adjusting amplification/attenuation parameters accordingly. The system uses feedback from the audio environment to determine which sound sources should be emphasized or attenuated, rather than simply amplifying the loudest source universally. This maintains overall volume stability while achieving spatial selectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure relate to apparatus, methods and computer programs for controlling amplification and/or attenuation of sound sources based on their position relative to an electronic device. The apparatus includes circuitry for obtaining audio signals from a plurality of microphones of an electronic device and determining loudness of sound sources based on the audio signals so as to determine the loudest sound source. The apparatus also includes circuitry for determining whether the loudest sound source is within a region of interest based on the audio signals and controlling audibility of the sound sources in accordance with whether the loudest sound source is within a region of interest. The audibility of the sound sources is controlled so that if the loudest sound source is not within the region of interest the loudest sound source is de-emphasized relative to other sound sources within the region of interest.