Method for robust directed source separation
An apparatus includes an interface for microphones, a separated source processor configured to analyze channels from the microphones, and a voice activity detector (VAD) circuit. The VAD circuit is configured to generate a voice estimate (VE) value. The VE value is to indicate a likelihood of human speech received by the microphones. Generating the VE value includes adjusting the VE value based upon a delay between two of the microphones. The VAD circuit is configured to provide the VE value to the separated source processor.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of interfaces for communicatively coupling with a plurality of microphones;
a separated source processor configured to analyze a plurality of channels from the plurality of microphones; and
a voice activity detector (VAD) circuit, connected to the separated source processor; the voice activity detector (VAD) circuit being configured to:
generate a voice estimate (VE) value, the VE value to indicate a likelihood of human speech received by one or more microphones of the plurality of microphones, wherein generating the VE value includes adjusting the VE value based upon evaluating a range of possible values of a delay between two microphones of the plurality of microphones; and
provide the VE value to the separated source processor.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the VAD circuit is further configured to adjust the VE value by selecting a lowest candidate VE value given a range of possible values of the delay.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the VAD circuit is further configured to adjust the VE value based upon adjustment of a physical position of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the VAD circuit is further configured to adjust the VE value based upon a frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the VAD circuit is further configured to adjust the VE value by evaluating a range of possible values of characteristics representing the frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the VAD circuit is further configured to adjust the VE value by selecting a lowest candidate VE value given a range of possible values of characteristics representing a frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
7. A method, comprising:
receiving input signals from a plurality of microphones;
generating a voice estimate (VE) value, the VE value to indicate a likelihood of human speech received by one or more microphones of the plurality of microphones, wherein generating the VE value includes adjusting the VE value based upon evaluating a range of possible values of a delay between two microphones of the plurality of microphones; and
providing the VE value to a separated source processor.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising adjusting the VE value by selecting a lowest candidate VE value given a range of possible values of the delay.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising adjusting the VE value based upon adjustment of a physical position of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising adjusting the VE value based upon a frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising adjusting the VE value by evaluating a range of possible values of characteristics representing the frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising adjusting the VE value by selecting a lowest candidate VE value given a range of possible values of characteristics representing a frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
13. An article of manufacture, comprising a non-transitory medium, the medium including instructions, the instructions, when loaded and executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
receive input signals from a plurality of microphones;
generate a voice estimate (VE) value, the VE value to indicate a likelihood of human speech received by one or more microphones of the plurality of microphones, wherein generating the VE value includes adjusting the VE value based upon evaluating a range of possible values of a delay between two microphones of the plurality of microphones; and
provide the VE value to a separated source processor.
14. The article of claim 13 , further comprising instructions to adjust the VE value by selecting a lowest candidate VE value given a range of possible values of the delay.
15. The article of claim 13 , further comprising instructions to adjust the VE value based upon a frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
16. The article of claim 15 , further comprising instructions to adjust the VE value by evaluating a range of possible values of characteristics representing the frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
17. The article of claim 13 , further comprising instructions to adjust the VE value by selecting a lowest candidate VE value given a range of possible values of characteristics representing a frequency response of at least one of the plurality of microphones.
18. An apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of interfaces for communicatively coupling with a plurality of microphones;
a separated source processor configured to analyze a plurality of channels from the plurality of microphones; and
a voice activity detector (VAD) circuit, connected to the separated source processor; the voice activity detector (VAD) circuit being configured to:
generate a voice estimate (VE) value, the VE value to indicate a likelihood of human speech received by one or more microphones of the plurality of microphones, wherein generating the VE value includes adjusting the VE value based upon a delay between two microphones of the plurality of microphones and adjusting the VE value based upon a frequency response of one or more of the plurality of microphones; and
provide the VE value to the separated source processor.
19. A method, comprising:
receiving input signals from a plurality of microphones;
generating a voice estimate (VE) value, the VE value to indicate a likelihood of human speech received by one or more microphones of the plurality of microphones, wherein generating the VE value includes adjusting the VE value based upon a delay between two microphones of the plurality of microphones and adjusting the VE value based upon a frequency response of one or more of the plurality of microphones; and
providing the VE value to a separated source processor.
20. An article of manufacture, comprising a non-transitory medium, the medium including instructions, the instructions, when loaded and executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
receive input signals from a plurality of microphones;
generate a voice estimate (VE) value, the VE value to indicate a likelihood of human speech received by one or more microphones of the plurality of microphones, wherein generating the VE value includes adjusting the VE value based upon a delay between two microphones of the plurality of microphones and adjusting the VE value based upon a frequency response of one or more of the plurality of microphones; and
provide the VE value to a separated source processor.