Networked Sound System Position Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In microphone array speaker systems, overlapping sound collection areas can lead to unnecessary audio pickup, causing noise issues when multiple devices attempt to capture audio from the same source, necessitating a method to determine the positional relationship between sound devices to manage these overlapping areas effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sound system comprising a first and second sound device, each equipped with a detector, audio acquirer, sound source localizer, position calculator, and position notifier, which communicate via a network to determine and share positional information, allowing them to identify and manage overlapping sound collection areas by calculating and notifying each other of their positions relative to the other device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple sound devices are installed in an open space to expand coverage, then the sound collection area is increased, but overlapping sound collection areas cause noise interference and unnecessary audio pickup
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sound source localization feedback to continuously monitor and identify the positions of sound sources relative to each sound device. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of audio pickup strategies, allowing devices to recognize when a sound source belongs to another device's primary collection area and suppress unnecessary audio capture, thereby resolving the noise interference caused by overlapping coverage zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of audio pickup sensitivity based on the calculated positional relationship between sound devices and sound sources. By adjusting the pickup parameters dynamically according to position information, the system can optimize the sound collection area for each device while minimizing overlap interference, thus expanding overall coverage without proportionally increasing noise interference.
2Productivity
If sound devices capture audio from overlapping areas, then more audio sources can be captured, but unnecessary audio becomes noise for other devices
Solution Approach 1:
Each sound device receives position information from other devices and uses this feedback to determine which audio sources should be captured. The system continuously monitors the positional relationship between sound sources and multiple devices, enabling intelligent decision-making about audio capture priorities. This feedback loop ensures that while multiple devices can operate in overlapping areas, each device captures only the audio sources designated for it, preventing unnecessary audio from becoming noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound devices are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as audio capture devices and as position information providers for the network. Each device not only captures audio but also shares its position data and sound source localization results with other devices, enabling the entire system to coordinate audio capture efforts efficiently. This universal approach allows the system to maintain high productivity across multiple devices while avoiding noise interference through cooperative audio source assignment.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple microphones are used to expand sound collection coverage, then more areas are covered, but determining the correct audio source becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the sound source localization results from multiple microphones and sound devices into a unified position calculation. By combining the detection capabilities of all microphones in the network and using networked position information, the system creates a comprehensive view of sound source positions. This merging approach simplifies sound source identification for each individual device, as the network collectively determines which sound sources belong to which devices, reducing the complexity that would otherwise exist in each device's local detection system.
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
Enables accurate determination of the positional relationship between sound devices, effectively preventing noise interference by allowing each device to identify and manage overlapping sound collection areas, ensuring clear audio capture.
Implementation Method 1
a first audio acquirer that acquires, via the first microphone, first audio output from the second speaker
Implementation Method 2
a first sound source localizer that performs sound source localization with respect to the second speaker based on the first audio acquired by the first audio acquirer
Data Source
AI summary
This sound system includes a first sound device including a plurality of first speakers and a plurality of first microphones, and a second sound device including a plurality of second speakers and a plurality of second microphones. The first sound device includes: a device detector that detects the second sound device connected to a network; a test audio transmitter/receiver that acquires, via the plurality of first microphones, test audio output from the plurality of second speakers; a speaker sound source localizer that performs sound source localization with respect to the plurality of second speakers based on the test audio acquired by the test audio transmitter/receiver; a position calculator that calculates positions of the plurality of second speakers relative to the first sound device; and a position notifier that notifies the second sound device of position information representing the positions calculated by the position calculator.