Rotating Camera-Microphone Assembly for Audio-Video Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spatial audio capture devices with rotating cameras face challenges in maintaining alignment between audio and video signals due to fixed microphone configurations, leading to perceptual errors and inefficient audio signal handling.
Innovation Solution
A system where one part of the camera and microphone configuration can move relative to the other, allowing for the determination of parameters associated with the movement to generate output audio signals that align with camera images, using multiple microphones to analyze and modify audio signals based on the relative movement and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera rotates relative to fixed microphones, then the device can be oriented in various ways, but the alignment between audio directions and video images becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the microphone configuration dynamic by rotating the microphones together with the camera. This allows the microphone array to maintain its spatial relationship with the camera regardless of orientation changes, thereby maintaining accurate audio-video alignment while providing versatility in device orientation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the camera and microphones into a single rotating assembly. By merging these components and rotating them together as one unit, the system ensures that the relative positions between cameras and microphones remain constant, preserving alignment accuracy while enabling various device orientations
2Device complexity
If microphones are placed in limited locations, then the device structure is simplified, but the ability to determine audio directions accurately is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By rotating the limited number of microphones together with the camera, the system dynamically changes the absolute positions of microphones while maintaining their relative configuration. This allows accurate audio direction detection relative to the camera view without requiring microphones at all possible locations
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating microphone array configured with cameras enables the same hardware setup to serve multiple functions: capturing spatial audio, determining audio directions, and maintaining alignment with video images across different orientations, maximizing the utility of limited microphone placements
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a first part, the first part having: at least one camera configured to capture images, and at least two microphones configured to capture at least two audio signals; and a second part having at least one microphone configured to capture at least one audio signal, wherein one of the first part or the second part is configured to perform a move relative to the other part, wherein the apparatus is configured to: determine a parameter associated with the move; select at least one of: the at least two audio signals, or the at least one audio signal based, at least partially, on the determined parameter; and generate at least one output audio signal based on the parameter associated with the move and the selected at least one of: the at least two audio signals or, the at least one audio signal.