System and method for steering directional microphones
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorAndre J. Van Schyndel
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Abstract
A system that selects and/or steers a directional steerable microphone system based on input from an optical transducer is described. An optical transducer, such as a video camera, provides video input to a processor that controls a steerable directional microphone (such as a microphone array) in the direction of audience members that exhibit physical cues commonly expressed by persons who are speaking or are about to speak.
Claims28
An audio system for a conference room containing audience members comprising:
- optical transducer means directed at the audience members;
- a processor receiving information from the optical transducer means and determining from that information which audience members are speaking or are about to speak;
- and
- a steerable directional microphone connected to the processor, the processor causing activation of the microphone which is directed towards audience members who are speaking or are about to speak.
A telephone comprising optical transducer means directed at a talker, a processor receiving information from the optical transducer means and determining from that information the physical location of the talker;
- and a steerable directional microphone connected to the processor, the processor causing activation of the microphone which is directed towards the talker.
In a conference room containing audience members, optical transducer means directed at the audience members, a processor, and a steerable directional microphone, a method for broadcasting audio signals throughout said conference room comprising the steps of:
- a. receiving, at said optical transducer means, an image of said audience members;
- b. transferring said image to said processor;
- c. determining from said image which audience members are speaking or are about to speak;
- d. activating said steerable directional microphone towards audience members who are speaking or are about to speak;
- and
- e. broadcasting audio signals received by said steerable directional microphone throughout the conference room.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.