Microphone Array Sound Source Localization in Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machines with single microphones struggle to detect the location of a voice source in noisy environments due to the lack of binaural hearing capabilities and reorientation mobility, leading to difficulties in distinguishing the intended voice from ambient noise.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an array of microphones, including both horizontally and vertically aligned sets, and an imaging device that analyzes audio signals and images to determine the direction of arrival and distance of the sound source, using modified Steered Response Power Phase Transform (SRP-PHAT) and voting algorithms to enhance sound source localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single microphone is used for sound detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sound source location detection precision deteriorates in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The single microphone is segmented into multiple microphones arranged in specific spatial configurations (e.g., arrays, grids, or three-dimensional patterns). This segmentation allows the system to capture sound waves from different spatial positions simultaneously, enabling direction-of-arrival estimation and sound source localization through signal processing techniques that compare phase and amplitude differences across the segmented microphone elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point detection (0D) to multi-point spatial distribution (1D, 2D, or 3D arrangements). By distributing microphones across multiple spatial dimensions, the system gains the ability to determine not only the presence of sound but also its directional origin and distance, effectively adding spatial dimensionality to the detection capability.
2Device complexity
If a fixed directional microphone is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different sound source positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed, static microphone orientation to a dynamic configuration where multiple microphones are distributed across space. This dynamic spatial arrangement allows the system to electronically steer and adapt its sensitivity pattern in different directions without mechanical movement, achieving adaptability through signal processing rather than physical reorientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed microphone array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it can detect sound sources from any direction, determine direction of arrival, estimate distance, and filter ambient noise. This multi-functional capability replaces the need for mechanically reorientable microphones, as the array can electronically adapt to any sound source position while maintaining fixed physical structures.
3Measurement precision
If mental filtering mechanism is used by humans, then the sound source location detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases when implementing in machines
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the output of signal processing algorithms (such as beamforming or direction-of-arrival estimation) is used to adjust and refine the detection process. By continuously analyzing the spatial distribution of sound signals and comparing expected versus actual patterns, the system can iteratively improve its ability to identify target sounds and filter ambient noise, mimicking the adaptive nature of human auditory processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate processing stages that act as mediators between the raw microphone signals and the final sound source identification. These intermediaries include spatial filtering algorithms, beamforming techniques, and direction-of-arrival estimation processors that transform complex multi-channel audio data into simplified directional information, making the overall system more manageable while achieving human-like sound source separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting respective source locations of sounds in an audio signal. The method includes receiving the audio signal via a horizontal set of microphones and a vertical set of microphones. The respective source locations of the sounds in the audio signal are determined by analyzing the audio signal. Analysis is conducted with respect to the horizontal set of microphones and with respect to the vertical set of microphones, to determine a respective horizontal direction to the respective source locations of the sounds, and determine a respective vertical direction to the respective source locations of the sounds. The distance is calculated between the respective source locations of the sounds and the horizontal set of microphones and the vertical set of microphones.