Endpoint device using the precedence effect to improve echo cancellation performance

A method comprising:

• at an endpoint device including a microphone array and spaced-apart loudspeakers including side loudspeakers and center loudspeakers positioned between the side loudspeakers and closer to the microphone array than the side loudspeakers:
• forming at the microphone array an audio receive beam having a main lobe pointing in a direction from which audio is to be received;
• determining which of the center loudspeakers and the side loudspeakers are in the main lobe;
• and
• based on results of the determining, spreading audio energy of input audio associated with, and intended for, the center loudspeakers across only one of the center loudspeakers and at least one of the side loudspeakers, to reduce coupling of sound energy emitted by the one of the center loudspeakers and the at least one of the side loudspeakers to the microphone array based on a precedence effect.

An apparatus comprising:

• a microphone array;
• spaced-apart loudspeakers including an active loudspeaker that is closest to the microphone array among the loudspeakers;
• and
• a controller coupled to the microphone array and the loudspeakers and configured to perform operations for:
• forming at the microphone array an audio receive beam having a main lobe pointed in a direction from which audio is to be received;
• determining which of the loudspeakers are not in the main lobe;
• identifying at least one additional loudspeaker among the loudspeakers determined not to be in the main lobe and that is farther away from the microphone array than the active loudspeaker;
• and
• spreading audio energy of input audio associated with, and intended for, the active loudspeaker across the active loudspeaker and the at least one additional loudspeaker, and no other ones of the loudspeakers, to reduce coupling of sound energy emitted by the active loudspeaker and the at least one additional loudspeaker to the microphone array based on a precedence effect.