Single-Channel Audio Components for Multi-Channel Echo Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for low-complexity processing of multi-channel audio streams using traditional single-channel components, particularly for acoustic echo control (AEC), automatic gain control (AGC), and noise suppression (NS), in non-dedicated devices that typically handle mono audio streams.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where single-channel audio components at near-end channels receive signal-processing inputs from far-end channels, process audio signals, and send the processed signals to other single-channel components, with optional averaging of signal-processing inputs from multiple far-end channels, enabling multi-channel audio stream processing without requiring dedicated multi-channel components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-channel audio processing is implemented using dedicated multi-channel components, then processing capability and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-channel audio processing function into multiple independent single-channel processing components. Each single-channel component processes one channel independently, and the results are combined to achieve overall multi-channel processing. This segmentation allows the system to handle multi-channel audio using simpler, more widely available single-channel components rather than requiring complex dedicated multi-channel components.
2Device complexity
If traditional single-channel components are used for multi-channel processing, then device complexity is reduced and compatibility is improved, but processing performance and quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outputs from multiple single-channel processing components to form the final multi-channel audio signal. By combining the processed signals from each single-channel component in a coordinated manner, the system achieves effective multi-channel audio processing quality comparable to dedicated multi-channel components, while maintaining lower system complexity and better compatibility with existing single-channel audio processing technology.
Data Source
AI summary
Processing multi-channel audio streams using one or more arrangements of single-channel components. Components that only process the near-end, or capture stream, such as noise suppression (NS) components, are limited in how they can be suitably arranged for processing multi-channel streams. However, components that process the near-end stream using one or more inputs from the far-end, or render stream, such as acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) and automatic gain control (AGC) components, are arranged in one or more of the ways suitable for use with multiple channels.