IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,342,148
Granted Patent B2
US 12,342,148 · App. 18/119,322 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Software and microphone device

Inventors: Tomokazu Mitsui (Tokyo, JP); Yudai Shinkai (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: ZOOM CORPORATION
H04S5/02H04R5/027H04R5/04H04S2420/11
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,342,148
App. No.
18/119,322
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A software of the present invention causes a processor to execute a process including converting an A format signal applicable to ambisonics to a B format signal; distinguishing a specific direction from a plurality of directions based on the B format signal; and generating and outputting an audio signal corresponding to the specific direction. Also disclosed is a microphone including the software.

Claims (30)

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium, storing a software causing a processor to execute a process comprising:

converting A format signals from four or more microphone elements applicable to ambisonics to B format signals W, X, Y, and Z;

distinguishing a direction of a specific sound source from a plurality of directions contained within a peripheral 360° of the microphone elements based on at least the B format signals W, X, and Y; and

generating and outputting an audio signal corresponding to the direction of the specific sound source based on at least the B format signals W, X, and Y.

2. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein the software causes the processor to execute:

a first process of converting the A format signals to the B format signals W, X, Y, and Z, where the A format signals are converted to digital signals in advance;

a second process of generating a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of directions based on at least the B format signals W, X, and Y;

a third process of distinguishing the direction of the specific sound source corresponding to a largest signal having a largest signal strength of the plurality of signals; and

a fourth process of generating and outputting the audio signal corresponding to the direction of the specific sound source based on at least the B format signals, W, X, and Y.

3. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 2 , wherein the software causes the processor to execute:

in the second process, a process of calculating an envelope of each of the plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of directions; and

in the third process, a process of distinguishing the direction of the specific sound source corresponding to the signal having the largest signal strength based on the envelope.

4. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 2 , wherein the software causes the processor to execute:

in the first process, a process of memorizing the B format signals W, X, Y, and Z converted from the A format signals; and

in the fourth process, a process of generating the audio signal corresponding to the direction of the specific sound source based on at least the memorized B format signals W, X, and Y.

5. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 3 , wherein the software causes the processor to execute:

in the first process, a process of memorizing the B format signals W, X, Y, and Z converted from the A format signals; and

in the fourth process, a process of generating the audio signal corresponding to the direction of the specific sound source based on at least the memorized B format signals W, X, and Y.

6. A microphone device including the non-transitory computer readable medium according to any one of claims 1 through 4 installed therein, the device comprising:

a body of the microphone;

the four or more microphone elements provided facing sound pickup directions different from each other in the body and configured to output the A format signals;

an amplifier configured to amplify the A format signals outputted from the four or more microphone elements;

an A/D converter configured to convert the A format signals amplified by the amplifier to digital signals; and

the processor configured to process the A format signals converted to the digital signals by the A/D converter in accordance with the software.

7. A microphone device including the non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 5 installed therein, the device comprising:

a body of the microphone;

the four or more microphone elements provided facing sound pickup directions different from each other in the body and configured to output the A format signals;

an amplifier configured to amplify the A format signals outputted from the four or more microphone elements;

an A/D converter configured to convert the A format signals amplified by the amplifier to digital signals; and

the processor configured to process the A format signals converted to the digital signals by the A/D converter in accordance with the software.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2023
From: MITSUI, TOMOKAZU; SHINKAI, YUDAI
To: ZOOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 062928/0082 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-036923 · Mar 10, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230292072A1 · Sep 14, 2023
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