Automatic call muting and apparatus using sound localization

A method for operating a voice communication apparatus, comprising:

• receiving instructions from a user of the voice communication apparatus, to make a call;
• upon receiving the instructions to make the call, determining whether the call is to be subjected to automatic muting;
• upon determining that the call is to be subjected to automatic muting, ascertaining whether the call is a conference call comprising a plurality of individual speakers, the plurality of individual speakers include the user of the voice communication apparatus;
• based on ascertaining that the call is the conference call comprising the plurality of individual speakers, sensing a position and a voice identity of each of the plurality of individual speakers, based on a sound component associated with each of the plurality of individual speakers;
• wherein sensing the position of each individual speaker comprises:
• determining a distance of a respective individual speaker along a longitudinal axis normal to a lateral axis of an audio sensor of the voice communication apparatus;
• and
• determining an angle formed between the longitudinal axis passing through the respective individual speaker and a straight line joining the respective individual speaker with the audio sensor,
• wherein the distance and the angle are determined based on loudness, phase, and arrival time of the sound component associated with the respective individual speaker;
• receiving voice signals pertaining to an individual speaker from the plurality of individual speakers, when the individual speaker speaks during the conference call;
• automatically selecting the individual speaker as an accepted individual speaker based on the respective position and voice identity associated with the individual speaker;
• and
• automatically unmuting the voice communication apparatus to provide audio signals to the conference call when the accepted individual speaker is speaking and automatically muting the voice communication apparatus to block audio signals when the accepted individual speaker is not speaking.

A voice communication apparatus, comprising an audio sensor and a processor configured to:

• receive instructions from a user of the voice communication apparatus, to make a call;
• upon receipt of the instructions to make the call, determine whether the call is to be subjected to automatic muting;
• upon determining that the call is to be subjected to automatic muting, ascertain whether the call is a conference call comprising a plurality of individual speakers, the plurality of individual speakers include the user of the voice communication apparatus;
• based on ascertaining that the call is the conference call comprising the plurality of individual speakers, determine, a position and a voice identity of each of the plurality of individual speakers based on a sound component associated with each of the plurality of individual speakers;
• determine a distance of a respective individual speaker along a longitudinal axis normal to a lateral axis of an audio sensor of the voice communication apparatus;
• determine an angle formed between the longitudinal axis passing through the respective individual speaker and a straight line joining the respective individual speaker with the audio sensor,
• wherein the distance and the angle are determined by comparing loudness, phase, and arrival time of the sound component associated with the respective individual speaker;
• receive voice signals pertaining to an individual speaker from the plurality of individual speakers, when the individual speaker speaks during the conference call;
• automatically select an individual speaker from amongst the plurality of individual speakers as an accepted individual speaker based on the respective position and voice identity associated with the individual speaker;
• automatically unmute the voice communication apparatus to provide audio signals to the conference call when the accepted individual speaker is speaking and to automatically mute the voice communication apparatus to block audio signals when the accepted individual speaker is not speaking,
• detect presence of a new individual speaker in addition to the plurality of individual speakers in vicinity of the voice communication apparatus;
• based on detecting the presence of the new individual speaker, determine whether the user of the voice communication apparatus accepts the new individual speaker to speak in the conference call;
• based on determining the acceptance of the new individual speaker, sense the position and voice identity associated with the new individual speaker;
• and
• upon sensing the position and voice identity of the new individual speaker, automatically unmute the voice communication apparatus to provide audio signals to the conference call when the new individual speaker is speaking and automatically mute the voice communication apparatus to block audio signals when the new individual speaker is not speaking.