Distributed Microphone System Priority Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of microphone devices in voice-controlled systems increases, so does network traffic and computing resources, making it challenging to scale these systems effectively in environments like offices or outdoors.
Innovation Solution
A method that analyzes historical audio data from multiple microphone devices to identify differences and assign priority levels, optimizing network traffic and computing resources by determining which devices should process or communicate audio data first and how much data to share.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of microphone devices is increased to cover larger areas like offices or outdoor environments, then the system coverage and voice control capability are improved, but the network traffic and computing resources required for processing audio data from all devices significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distributed microphone system into multiple zones or regions, each managed independently. Instead of processing audio data from all microphones uniformly, the system divides the coverage area into segments and processes audio data based on spatial segmentation, reducing the overall network traffic by handling only relevant segments at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different processing priorities and resource allocations to different microphone devices based on their specific locations, historical audio activity, and current system needs. High-priority devices in active zones receive more computing resources and network bandwidth, while low-priority devices in inactive zones consume fewer resources, optimizing the balance between coverage and resource utilization.
2Reliability
If audio data from all microphone devices is processed uniformly, then comprehensive audio monitoring is achieved, but the computing resources and processing time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing priority levels for each microphone device based on historical audio data analysis. Before new audio data arrives, the system has already determined the processing priority of each device, enabling rapid triage and efficient processing of incoming audio streams without requiring real-time analysis of all devices equally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors audio processing outcomes and adjusts the priority levels of microphone devices based on actual usage patterns and system performance. This feedback loop ensures that the most relevant audio sources receive appropriate processing attention while maintaining overall monitoring reliability.
3Measurement precision
If historical audio data from multiple microphone devices is analyzed to determine usage patterns, then priority assignment accuracy is improved, but the initial processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of historical audio data during system setup or off-peak periods to establish baseline priority levels for each microphone device. This advance preparation allows the system to have pre-computed priority assignments ready before operational audio processing begins, reducing the time penalty during active operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic updates of priority assignments rather than continuous re-analysis of historical data. The system recalculates priority levels at scheduled intervals or based on significant changes in usage patterns, balancing the need for accurate priority assignment with the cost of repeated analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (400) for configuring a distributed microphone system is disclosed. The distributed microphone system comprises a plurality of microphone devices connected via a network. The method (400) comprises: analyzing (402) first historical audio data (112) received from a first microphone device (110) of the plurality of microphone devices, analyzing (404) second historical audio data (122) received from a second microphone device (120) of the plurality of microphone devices, comparing (406) the first historical audio data (112) to the second historical audio data (122) to identify (408) differences between the first historical audio data (112) and the second historical audio data (122), and assigning (410) a priority level to the first and/or second microphone device based on the differences between the first historical audio data (112) and the second historical audio data (122), wherein the priority level is indicative of a priority rule for analyzing future audio data recorded by the first and/or second microphone device, respectively, and/or wherein the priority level is indicative of a communication rule for communicating future audio data from the first and/or second microphone device, respectively, via the network.