Patent · US Active

Conferencing apparatus that combines a beamforming microphone array with an acoustic echo canceller

US9866952B2 · kind B2 · utility

44Cited by
18References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 22, 2016
Grant dateJan 9, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 22, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04R2499/11
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a conferencing apparatus for a conference between a local end and a far end that combines a beamforming microphone array with an acoustic echo canceller. The apparatus includes a beamforming microphone array that further comprises a plurality of microphones wherein each microphone is configured to sense acoustic waves and the plurality of microphones are oriented to develop a corresponding plurality of microphone signals. The apparatus further includes a processor, memory, and storage where the processor is configured to execute program instructions. The processor performs a beamforming operation to create a plurality of combined signals. In addition, the processor performs an acoustic echo cancellation operation to generate a plurality of combined echo cancelled signals. Further, the processor performs a direction of arrival determination; and, selects, in response to the direction of arrival determination, one of the combined echo cancelled signals for transmission to the far end.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.