Movable Microphone Array for Acoustic Source Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for acoustic source localization using microphone arrays suffer from spatial undersampling, leading to side lobes and limitations in interpreting acoustic images, inability to determine emitter characteristics, and inaccuracies in calculating sound power due to the fixed number of microphones and the need for extensive 3D-modeling and fitting.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines a microphone array with a device for measuring optical geometry data, allowing for increased spatial sampling points without additional microphones by moving the array and optical data device in a defined relationship to create a 3D-model and sum sound maps from multiple positions, eliminating side lobes and accurately determining sound power and radiation characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of microphones is increased to improve spatial sampling, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the microphone array movable rather than stationary, allowing the same physical microphones to sample multiple spatial positions by moving the entire array through the measurement space. This dynamic approach replaces the need for many fixed microphones with fewer movable ones, resolving the contradiction between sampling precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the temporal dimension of movement to the spatial sampling problem. By moving the microphone array through space and recording positions, the system achieves multi-point spatial sampling equivalent to having microphones at all those positions simultaneously, without actually deploying that many microphones
2Ease of operation
If fixed microphone arrays are used to simplify device structure, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to spatial undersampling
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains operational simplicity by using a fixed relative configuration of microphones within the array, while the entire array moves through space. This combines the simplicity of fixed arrays with the sampling advantages of multiple positions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a positioning system and movement mechanism as intermediaries between the simple fixed array and the complex multi-position sampling requirement. The positioning system tracks array location, enabling accurate acoustic mapping from multiple positions while keeping the microphone array itself simple and fixed in its internal configuration
3Productivity
If a single position measurement is used to reduce measurement time, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision is insufficient for determining emitter characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system efficiently gathers multi-position data by moving the microphone array continuously or in sequence through the measurement space, capturing acoustic information at multiple positions without requiring separate measurement campaigns. This dynamic multi-position approach determines emitter characteristics while maintaining reasonable measurement time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by having the microphone array move through space while continuously recording acoustic data and position information. This continuous multi-position measurement efficiently captures the information needed for emitter characteristic determination without interrupting the measurement process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of acoustic source localization by reducing side lobes, determining correct microphone positions, and calculating sound power, achieving results comparable to more complex systems with increased microphone counts.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic information emitted from an object is detected by a microphone array
Implementation Method 2
the geometry of the object is detected by a device for measuring optical geometry data
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for detecting acoustic and optical information as well as a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which can in particular be used to generate three-dimensional sound maps. The sound maps can be visualized and provided with information about acoustic sources, sound power and emitter characteristics.For this purpose, it is proposed to use for the detection of acoustic and optical information at least one microphone array and at least one device for detecting optical geometry data, wherein the at least one microphone array and the at least one device for detecting optical geometry data are arranged in a defined positional relationship. Acoustic information emitted from an object and the geometry of the object are detected by moving the at least one microphone array, the at least one device for detecting optical geometry data and the object relative to each other.