20240022668. Conferencing Device with Beamforming and Echo Cancellation simplified abstract (ClearOne, Inc.)

Conferencing Device with Beamforming and Echo Cancellation

Organization Name

ClearOne, Inc.

Inventor(s)

Ashutosh Pandey of Irvine CA (US)

Darrin T. Thurston of Liberty UT (US)

David K. Lambert of South Jordan UT (US)

Tracy A. Bathurst of South Jordan UT (US)

Conferencing Device with Beamforming and Echo Cancellation - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240022668 titled 'Conferencing Device with Beamforming and Echo Cancellation

Simplified Explanation

The disclosed patent application describes a conferencing device that utilizes beamforming and echo cancellation technologies. Here is a simplified explanation of the abstract:

• The device includes a microphone array with multiple microphones that capture corresponding microphone signals.
• A processor in the device performs a series of operations, including beamforming to enhance the desired sound source and suppress background noise.
• The processor also performs acoustic echo cancellation to eliminate any echoes or feedback caused by the audio output being picked up by the microphones.
• After the signal processing, the device selects one or more of the post-processed signals for transmission to the far end (remote participant).
• The far end signal is used as information by a signal selector to prevent it from changing the selection of the post-processed signals while only the far end signal is active.

Potential applications of this technology:

• Conference calls and video conferences: The device can improve audio quality by focusing on the desired sound source and reducing background noise, providing clearer communication.
• Teleconferencing systems: The technology can enhance the audio experience in teleconferencing setups, making it easier for participants to hear and understand each other.
• Virtual meetings and webinars: By eliminating echoes and background noise, the device can enhance the audio quality of virtual meetings and webinars, improving the overall experience for participants.

Problems solved by this technology:

• Background noise and echoes: The beamforming and echo cancellation operations help eliminate unwanted noise and echoes, ensuring clearer audio transmission.
• Audio interference: By selecting the appropriate post-processed signals, the technology prevents the signal selector from inadvertently changing the audio source, avoiding interruptions or distortions in the audio transmission.

Benefits of this technology:

• Improved audio quality: The device enhances the audio quality by focusing on the desired sound source and reducing background noise, resulting in clearer and more intelligible communication.
• Enhanced user experience: By eliminating echoes and background noise, the technology provides a more immersive and pleasant audio experience for conference call participants.
• Efficient communication: The signal selector's inhibition based on the far end signal ensures uninterrupted audio transmission, allowing for smooth and efficient communication during conferences and meetings.

Original Abstract Submitted

this disclosure describes a conferencing device with beamforming and echo cancellation that includes: a microphone array that further comprises a plurality of microphones oriented to develop a corresponding plurality of microphone signals; a processor configured to execute the following steps: (1) performing a beamforming operation; (2) performing an acoustic echo cancellation operation; (3) post processing; (4) selecting one or more of the post processed signals for transmission to the far end where a signal selector uses the far end signal as information to inhibit the signal selector from changing the selection of the post processed signals while only the far end signal is active.