Dynamic beamformer processing for acoustic echo cancellation in systems with high acoustic coupling
US8942382B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M9/082
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Near-end equipment for a communication channel with far-end equipment. The near-end equipment includes at least one loudspeaker, at least two microphones, a beamformer, and an echo canceller. The communication channel may be in one of a number of communication states including Near-End Only state, Far-End Only state, and Double-Talk state. In one embodiment, when the echo canceller determines that the communication channel is in either the Far-End Only state or the Double-Talk state, the beamformer is configured to generate a nearfield beampattern signal that directs a null towards a loudspeaker. When the echo canceller detects the Near-End Only state, the beamformer is configured to generate a farfield beampattern signal that optimizes reception of acoustic signals from the near-end audio source. Using different beamformer processing for different communication states allows echo cancellation processing to be more successful at reducing echo in the signal transmitted to the far-end equipment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.