Position-Sensitive Acoustic Echo Cancellation for Stereo Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) processes are less effective with stereo audio, leading to reduced immersion in teleconferencing due to the 'non-uniqueness' problem caused by correlated stereo audio signals, which results in increased computing resource expenditure and quality degradation of audio signals.
Innovation Solution
Enhancing AEC processes by using position information to generate and render stereo audio output signals based on the participant's position within a teleconferencing space, allowing for effective suppression of echo through a linear and non-linear AEC module that processes audio input signals with position-specific performance estimates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional AEC processes are used with stereo audio, then the system can process audio signals, but the non-uniqueness problem causes reduced echo suppression effectiveness and increased computing resource expenditure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter approach by using position information to determine which audio channel(s) to process for AEC. Instead of processing both stereo channels equally (which causes non-uniqueness), the system selects specific channels based on participant position, transforming the AEC problem into a more solvable form while reducing computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the stereo audio signal processing by selectively processing only the relevant audio channel(s) based on participant position. This divides the complex task of processing both channels into a simpler task of processing one or two specific channels, reducing the non-uniqueness problem and computational burden
2Manufacturing precision
If stereo audio is rendered to enhance participant immersion, then audio quality and immersion are improved, but echo suppression becomes less effective due to correlated signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the AEC processing to the specific audio channel(s) relevant to the participant's position. Instead of uniformly processing the entire stereo signal, the system applies position-specific processing to the relevant channel(s), maintaining audio quality while improving echo suppression effectiveness for that location
3Reliability
If position information is used to generate stereo audio output signals, then echo suppression effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the position information serve multiple functions: it is used both for generating the stereo audio output signal and for determining which channel(s) to process for AEC. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate processing systems, thereby improving echo suppression effectiveness without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A stereo audio output signal is obtained based on position information indicative of a position of a participant of a teleconference relative to a plurality of audio output devices, wherein both the participant and the plurality of audio devices are located within a teleconferencing space. Playback of the stereo audio output signal is caused at the plurality of audio output devices located within the teleconferencing space. An audio input signal captured at an audio capture device located within the teleconferencing space is received, wherein at least a portion of the audio input signal comprises audio caused by playback of the stereo audio output signal by the plurality of audio output devices. The position information is used to perform an Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) process to the at least the portion of the audio input signal.