IP Library Granted Patent US 8,243,952
Granted Patent B2
US 8,243,952 · App. 12/341,777 · Granted Aug 14, 2012

Microphone array calibration method and apparatus

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,243,952
App. No.
12/341,777
Granted
Aug 14, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for providing real-time calibration for two or more microphones. A calibrator for receiving a left microphone signal and a right microphone signal and generating phase difference data. A phase and amplitude correction system for receiving one of the left microphone signal or the right microphone signal the phase difference data and generating calibration data for a beamformer. The beamformer receiving the calibration data, the left microphone signal and the right microphone signal and generating a monaural beamformed signal.

Claims (157)

1. An apparatus for providing real-time calibration for two or more microphones comprising:

a calibrator for receiving a first microphone signal and a second microphone signal and generating phase difference data;

a phase correction system for receiving the phase difference data for one of the first microphone signal or the second microphone signal and generating calibration data for a beamformer; and

the beamformer receiving the calibration data, the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal and generating a signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an amplitude correction system for receiving the other of the first microphone signal or the second microphone signal and generating second calibration data for a beamformer, wherein the beamformer is for receiving the first calibration data, the second calibration data, the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal and generating a signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an amplitude correction system for receiving the other of the first microphone signal or the second microphone signal and gain equalization data from the calibrator and generating second calibration data for a beamformer, wherein the beamformer is for receiving the first calibration data, the second calibration data, the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal and generating a signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the calibrator is for receiving the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal and generating the phase difference data and gain equalization data.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a system for receiving the other of the first microphone signal or the second microphone signal and generating second calibration data for the beamformer, and the beamformer is for generating the signal with compensation for phase offset from the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an amplitude correction system for receiving the other of the first microphone signal or the second microphone signal and generating second calibration data for the beamformer, and the beamformer is for generating the signal with compensation for phase offset and gain equalization from the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an amplitude correction system for receiving the other of the first microphone signal or the second microphone signal and generating second calibration data for the beamformer, and the beamformer is for generating the signal with compensation for phase offset, gain equalization, and to tilt the signal from the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a system for receiving the other of the first microphone signal or the second microphone signal and generating second calibration data for the beamformer, and the beamformer is for generating the signal with compensation for phase offset and to tilt the signal from the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal.

9. The apparatus of claim comprising:

a phase and amplitude correction system for receiving the phase difference data for one or more of the plurality of microphones and generating calibration data for a beamformer in accordance with

f

(

X

L

,

n

,

X

R

,

n

)

j

(

ψ

n

-

ϕ

n

2

+

δ

L

,

n

+

θ

n

,

offset

)

.

10. An apparatus for providing real-time calibration for two or more microphones comprising:

a calibrator for receiving a first microphone signal and a second microphone signal and generating phase difference data;

means for generating calibration data for a beamformer; and

the beamformer receiving the calibration data, the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal and generating a signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for performing gain equalization of the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for performing tilt compensation of the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for performing gain equalization and tilt compensation of the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for determining whether a phase error has stabilized and terminating calibration if the phase error has stabilized.

15. An apparatus for providing real-time calibration for two or more microphones comprising:

a calibrator for receiving a left microphone signal and a right microphone signal and generating phase difference data;

a phase and amplitude correction system for receiving the phase difference data and the left microphone signal and generating a beamformer left microphone signal in accordance with the equation

Y

L

,

n

=

f

(

X

L

,

n

,

X

R

,

n

)

j

(

ψ

n

-

ϕ

n

2

+

δ

L

,

n

+

θ

n

,

offset

)

;

and

the beamformer receiving the beamformer left microphone signal and the right microphone signal and generating an output.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an amplitude correction system for receiving the right microphone signal and generating a beamformer right microphone signal in accordance with the equation

Y

R

,

n

=

f

(

X

L

,

n

,

X

R

,

n

)

j

(

ψ

n

+

ϕ

n

2

+

δ

R

,

n

)

,

wherein the beamformer is for receiving the beamformer right microphone signal and generating the output.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an amplitude correction system for receiving the right microphone signal and gain equalization data from the calibrator and generating calibration data for a beamformer, wherein the beamformer is for receiving the calibration data and generating the output.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the calibrator is for receiving the left microphone signal and the right microphone signal and generating the phase difference data and gain equalization data.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a system for receiving the left microphone signal or the right microphone signal and generating calibration data for the beamformer, and the beamformer is for generating the output with compensation for phase offset from the left microphone signal and the right microphone signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an amplitude correction system for receiving the left microphone signal or the right microphone signal and generating calibration data for the beamformer, and the beamformer is for generating the output with compensation for phase offset and gain equalization from the left microphone signal and the right microphone signal.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2017
From: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 044037/0896 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2017
From: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, LLC
To: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 043786/0267 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 26, 2017
From: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 042986/0613 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2016
From: LAKESTAR SEMI INC.
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038803/0693 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 20, 2016
From: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
To: LAKESTAR SEMI INC.
Reel/Frame 038777/0885 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2016
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.; CONEXANT, INC.; CONEXANT SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE, INC.; BROOKTREE BROADBAND HOLDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038631/0452 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 7, 2010
From: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.; CONEXANT, INC.; CONEXANT SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE, INC.; BROOKTREE BROADBAND HOLDING, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 024492/0339 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2010
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. (FORMERLY, THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.)
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 024009/0269 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2009
From: THORMUNDSSON, TRAUSTI; LAU, HARRY K.; KERNER, YAIR
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022064/0447 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 6, 2009
From: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 022065/0426 →