Alibaba Group has been granted a patent for an audio signal processing apparatus. The apparatus includes multiple microphones arranged in close proximity to each other in a symmetrical structure. The method implemented by the apparatus involves performing a linear combination of audio signals obtained by the microphones to form a combined audio signal. This is done using a matrix with different sine and cosine functions of a beam angle for the desired audio signal and cosine functions of a null angle for the undesired audio signal. The apparatus dynamically selects the direction with the highest signal-to-noise ratio as the pickup direction based on the combined audio signal. GlobalData’s report on Alibaba Group gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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Audio signal processing apparatus with symmetrical structure and beamforming
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11778382B2) describes a method and apparatus for improving audio pickup direction in devices with multiple microphones. The method involves performing a linear combination of audio signals obtained from the microphones to create a combined audio signal. This combination is based on a matrix that includes different sine and cosine functions of a desired audio signal's beam angle and different cosine functions of an undesired audio signal's null angle. The matrix is used to dynamically select the direction with the highest signal-to-noise ratio as the pickup direction.
The patent also mentions the use of a virtual Hyper-cardioid microphone mode and a virtual Cardioid microphone mode. In the Hyper-cardioid mode, the audio signals from the microphones are combined with an angle adjustment of ?n=?m+110*p/180. In the Cardioid mode, the angle adjustment is ?n=?m+p. These modes allow for different directional characteristics in the pickup.
Additionally, the method includes continuously processing the combined audio signal using a short-time Fourier transform and a set sampling time interval of 10-20 ms. This processing helps obtain audio signals in multiple virtual directions, which are then compared to select the direction with the highest signal-to-noise ratio as the pickup direction.
The patent also covers the use of computer-readable media storing executable instructions that perform the same method when executed by processors. This allows for the implementation of the method on various devices.
The apparatus described in the patent includes multiple microphones arranged in a symmetrical structure, with each pair of microphones placed close to each other. The apparatus also includes one or more processors and memory to store the executable instructions. The processors perform the same acts as described in the method, including the linear combination of audio signals, dynamic direction selection, and continuous processing.
Overall, this patent presents a method and apparatus for improving audio pickup direction in devices with multiple microphones. By combining audio signals and dynamically selecting the direction with the highest signal-to-noise ratio, the technology aims to enhance the quality of audio capture in various applications.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
