Microphone Array State Switching for Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microphone array systems face challenges in selectively switching between microphones based on varying audio signal power levels, leading to inefficiencies in noise suppression and echo cancellation, particularly in multi-user scenarios where power differences between microphones are significant.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that calculate the average power of input signals from multiple microphones, select a subset based on these powers, and transition between states by comparing the average powers against predetermined conditions, allowing for dynamic selection and combination of microphone signals to optimize output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all microphones in the array are used for signal processing, then the system maintains high reliability and coverage, but noise suppression and echo cancellation performance deteriorate when power differences between microphones are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the microphone array into multiple states, where each state contains a specific subset of microphones. The system segments the full array into different operational configurations based on power levels, allowing selective activation of microphones that meet predetermined power thresholds while keeping others inactive. This segmentation enables the system to maintain reliability through multiple available states while suppressing noise and echo by excluding low-power microphones from active processing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If microphones are selectively switched based on power levels, then noise suppression and echo cancellation are improved, but the system complexity increases due to state management and switching logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic state switching mechanism where the active microphone subset changes based on real-time power level assessments. The system dynamically transitions between different microphone states by comparing current power levels against predetermined thresholds and switching to appropriate pre-defined states. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying acoustic conditions while managing complexity through structured state definitions and threshold-based decision logic.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system transitions between different microphone states frequently, then the output signal quality is optimized for varying conditions, but processing time and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-defines multiple microphone states with specific subsets of microphones configured for different operating conditions. By establishing these states in advance with predetermined power thresholds and microphone combinations, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time optimization calculations during state transitions. When switching is needed, the system simply transitions to a pre-configured state that matches current conditions, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining optimized signal quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for selectively switching between microphones in a plurality of microphones are disclosed, including providing a first state that corresponds to one or more microphones selected from the plurality of microphones. A subset of microphones may be selected from the plurality of microphones in response to determining an average power of an input signal for each of the plurality of microphones. A second state may be identified that includes at least one of the subset of microphones in response to evaluating the average powers of the input signals for the subset of microphones against a predetermined condition. A transition from the first state to the second state may be delayed in response to determining a transition delay time corresponding to the first state.