Multi-Sensor Training Dictionaries for Acoustic Source Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signal processing methods fail to effectively utilize multi-sensor information and account for time-frequency uncertainty limitations during the training phase of machine learning algorithms, particularly in applications like music separation and audio processing, leading to suboptimal performance and convergence issues.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method generates intelligent training dictionaries by capturing and processing multichannel data from multiple sensors, incorporating the effects of acoustic paths and utilizing multiple time-frequency representations to improve the convergence and accuracy of machine learning algorithms, specifically through non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional single-sensor signal processing methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and information completeness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing accuracyVSAvoidmulti-sensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the training process into distinct phases: single-sensor training for each individual sensor, followed by multi-sensor fusion training. This segmentation allows the system to progressively incorporate multi-sensor information without overwhelming complexity, maintaining measurement precision while managing device complexity through staged implementation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-sensor one-dimensional processing to multi-sensor multi-dimensional processing by introducing sensor fusion in the training phase. This dimensional expansion enables the system to capture spatial and temporal relationships across multiple sensors, improving measurement precision while the structured training approach manages the resulting complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If training data is not used, then device complexity is reduced, but convergence speed and performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgorithm convergence speedVSAvoidtraining data processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing training data to extract relevant features and generate training dictionaries before the main algorithm execution. This preparation work is performed offline, so it improves online convergence speed without adding significant runtime complexity, as the heavy lifting is done in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified copies of training data in the form of training dictionaries that capture essential statistical properties and patterns. These compact dictionary representations serve as compressed knowledge structures that accelerate convergence without requiring the full complexity of raw training datasets during algorithm execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If multiple time-frequency representations are used, then measurement precision improves, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime-frequency analysis accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively applying multiple time-frequency representations only to the training phase and specific critical processing stages, rather than uniformly to all data processing operations. This selective application improves measurement precision where it matters most while limiting computational complexity in less critical paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts time-frequency representation parameters such as window sizes, overlap factors, and transform types based on the specific processing stage and data characteristics. This adaptive parameter selection allows the system to achieve high measurement precision when needed while reducing computational complexity through optimized parameter choices in different contexts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10839309B2Data training in multi-sensor setups
Publication Date: 2020.11.17 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • US10839309B2 patent drawing
  • US10839309B2 patent drawing
  • US10839309B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for constructing training dictionaries with multichannel information. An exemplary method takes into account the effect of the acoustic path while training multichannel acoustic data. A method that uses different time-frequency resolutions in machine learning training is also presented.