3D Microphone Placement for Wind-Resistant Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capture devices experience distorted sound recordings due to wind noise and movement during outdoor or sporting events, complicating beamforming and direction of arrival estimation.
Innovation Solution
An image capture device with three or more microphones positioned on different surfaces of the housing, a processor to monitor and select the microphone with the least wind noise, and perform beamforming and direction of arrival estimation by calculating angles based on timing differences and frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If microphones are positioned on different surfaces of the housing to reduce wind noise impact, then wind noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the microphone array into multiple segments positioned on different surfaces of the housing (front, rear, top, bottom walls). Each surface contains one or more microphones, creating spatially separated recording points that are less susceptible to simultaneous wind noise contamination. This segmentation allows the system to select or combine signals from surfaces least affected by wind during recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar microphone arrangement to a three-dimensional distributed configuration across multiple housing surfaces. By positioning microphones on front, rear, top, and bottom walls, the system utilizes spatial dimensions to create recording paths that are geometrically diverse, reducing correlation of wind noise across all microphones and enabling more effective noise cancellation through spatial processing.
2Measurement precision
If three or more microphones are used for beamforming and direction of arrival estimation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microphone array into multiple pairs or triplets that can independently perform direction of arrival estimation. Each surface or group of surfaces forms a baseline for calculating sound arrival angles. By having multiple such segments, the system can select the most reliable segment for estimation or combine results from multiple segments, improving overall measurement precision while keeping individual segment complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed microphone array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables direction of arrival estimation through time difference of arrival calculations, supports beamforming for spatial filtering, provides wind noise reduction through spatial diversity, and allows for sound source localization. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering comprehensive audio processing capabilities from a single hardware configuration.
3Reliability
If beamforming is applied to improve sound quality, then sound recording clarity is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of time difference of arrival between microphone pairs during the recording setup phase or in advance of actual sound capture. By pre-computing the geometric relationships and expected arrival time differences for known microphone positions, the system reduces real-time processing requirements during actual beamforming operations, maintaining sound recording clarity while minimizing processing time delays.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device includes a housing, a processor, and three or more microphones. The housing includes a forward wall including a sensor, a rearward wall located opposite the forward wall, and a top wall connecting the forward wall and the rearward wall. The three or more microphones are configured to capture sound. The three or more microphones include a first microphone, a second microphone, and a third microphone. The processor is configured to receive the sound from the three or more microphones and to estimate a direction of arrival, reduce or remove wind noise, perform beamforming, or a combination thereof. The first microphone is located on or within the forward wall, the second microphone is located on or within the top wall, and the third microphone is located on or within the top wall and spaced apart from the second microphone.