Sound Source Localization Codebook Clustering for Computational Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices face inefficiencies in sound source localization (SSL) processing due to the computational expense of handling large delay-direction codebooks, which are necessary for distinguishing desired speech from undesired noise and ambient sounds.
Innovation Solution
The system reduces the number of direction vectors in the delay-direction codebook by clustering and grouping them into direction cells with a regular structure, allowing for dynamic selection or adjustment of codebooks based on changes in the microphone array, such as tilt angles, to simplify SSL processing and reduce computational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large delay-direction codebook is used for sound source localization, then the accuracy of distinguishing desired speech from noise is improved, but the computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The codebook is segmented into multiple sub-codebooks, each handling a specific spatial region or directional sector. This segmentation allows the system to process only relevant sub-codebooks for each sound source, reducing overall computational cost while maintaining localization accuracy through distributed processing across multiple codebook segments
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the codebook size and complexity based on operational conditions such as noise levels, number of active sound sources, and computational resource availability. During low-noise periods or when few sources are present, a smaller codebook is used to reduce processing load, while larger codebooks are activated when higher precision is needed, creating a dynamic adaptation between accuracy and computational cost
2Productivity
If the codebook is reduced in size to lower computational costs, then processing efficiency is improved, but the accuracy of sound source localization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from processing a single large codebook in one dimension to processing multiple smaller sub-codebooks across multiple dimensions (spatial sectors, frequency bands, or time frames). This dimensional transformation allows efficient parallel processing of reduced-size codebooks while collectively maintaining the localization precision that would require a single large codebook
Solution Approach 2:
The codebook is pre-processed and organized into structured sub-codebooks with predetermined spatial or directional assignments before runtime processing. This preliminary organization enables the system to quickly select and process only the relevant sub-codebooks needed for current acoustic conditions, achieving both reduced computational cost and maintained accuracy through advance preparation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the codebook is dynamically adjusted to adapt to microphone array changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The codebook structure is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing automatic adjustment when microphone array configuration changes (such as tilt angle modifications). The system monitors array state and automatically regenerates or selects appropriate sub-codebooks, providing adaptability through dynamic restructuring without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pre-configured codebooks are prepared in advance for different microphone array configurations (e.g., various tilt angles or orientations). When the array configuration changes, the system simply switches between pre-computed codebooks rather than generating new ones in real-time, reducing system complexity by replacing dynamic generation with pre-computed lookup tables for different array states
Data Source
AI summary
A system configured to improve sound source localization (SSL) processing by reducing a number of direction vectors and grouping the direction vectors into direction cells is provided. The system performs clustering to generate a smaller set of direction vectors included in a delay-direction codebook, reducing a size of the codebook to the number of unique delay vectors. In addition, the system groups the direction vectors into direction cells having a regular structure (e.g., predetermined uniformity and/or symmetry), which simplifies SSL processing and results in a substantial reduction in computational cost. The system may also select between multiple codebooks and/or dynamically adjust the codebook to compensate for changes to the microphone array. For example, a device with a microphone array fixed to a display that can tilt may adjust the codebook based on a tilt angle of the display to improve accuracy.