Speech Intelligibility Tuning with Multi-Microphone STI Averaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing large-scale audio systems face challenges in accurately tuning multiple speakers and microphones across various environments, such as conference rooms and public spaces, due to the complexity of equipment and the need for expert setup and testing.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for automated tuning of networked audio systems, which involves identifying multiple speakers and microphones, providing test signals, detecting these signals, and automatically adjusting speaker output parameters based on signal analysis to establish optimal tuning settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual tuning by expert teams is used, then audio system setup accuracy is improved, but installation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio system setup accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The audio system performs self-tuning through automated test signal generation and analysis. The system automatically plays test signals through speakers, captures them via microphones, analyzes the acoustic environment, and adjusts audio parameters without requiring expert manual intervention, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automated testing and measurement of the acoustic environment before final system deployment. By conducting test signal playback and analysis in advance, the system determines optimal audio parameters beforehand, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual tuning during installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple speakers are tested simultaneously, then tuning efficiency is improved, but signal detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetuning efficiencyVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the testing process by assigning unique frequency tones to different speakers and detecting them sequentially or with frequency separation. Each speaker receives a distinct test signal at a specific frequency, allowing the system to analyze each speaker's contribution independently while maintaining overall tuning efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different frequency characteristics to test signals for different speakers. By using frequency-specific test signals for each speaker, the system can locally optimize the detection process for each speaker while maintaining the ability to test multiple speakers in a coordinated manner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12316293B2Measuring speech intelligibility of an audio environment

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 BIAMP SYST LLC

AI summary

An example method of operation may include initiating an automated tuning procedure, detecting via one or more microphones a sound measurement associated with an output of one or more speakers at two or more locations, determining a number of speech transmission index (STI) values equal to a number of microphones, and averaging the speech transmission index values to identify a single speech transmission index value.