Small array microphone for beam-forming and noise suppression
US7174022B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R3/005
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques are provided to suppress noise and interference using an array microphone and a combination of time-domain and frequency-domain signal processing. In one design, a noise suppression system includes an array microphone, at least one voice activity detector (VAD), a reference generator, a beam-former, and a multi-channel noise suppressor. The array microphone includes multiple microphones—at least one omni-directional microphone and at least one uni-directional microphone. Each microphone provides a respective received signal. The VAD provides at least one voice detection signal used to control the operation of the reference generator, beam-former, and noise suppressor. The reference generator provides a reference signal based on a first set of received signals and having desired voice signal suppressed. The beam-former provides a beam-formed signal based on a second set of received signals and having noise and interference suppressed. The noise suppressor further suppresses noise and interference in the beam-formed signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.