Acoustic Echo Cancellation Unit

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention introduces an acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) unit specially designed for multichannel audio systems like soundbars and other playback devices. The unit utilizes a unique two-stage audio processing approach, where an initial set of spatial audio components, derived from the incoming multichannel audio, is used to generate a reference signal for echo cancellation. By using this intermediate audio data rather than the final speaker outputs, the system improves the quality and efficiency of echo cancellation, particularly in complex multichannel environments.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Soundbars and home theater systems with voice assistant capabilities or hands-free control
• Video conferencing equipment and telepresence systems to eliminate acoustic echo
• Smart speakers and other IoT audio devices with multi-microphone setups
• Professional audio mixing consoles or studio monitors in multi-speaker environments
• Telecommunications equipment requiring clear audio with simultaneous playback and voice capture (full duplex)

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly improves echo cancellation performance in multichannel audio environments, such as modern soundbars or home theaters
• Reduces computational complexity by allowing echo cancellation with fewer reference channels, keeping processing efficient even as the number of speakers increases
• Maintains high audio reproduction fidelity, avoiding signal decorrelation or degradation often seen in current methods
• Adapts well to complex 3D sound and immersive audio formats, enhancing user experience in spatial audio applications
• Enables seamless voice interaction and full-duplex communication even during loud playback, supporting hands-free or far-field voice recognition

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Patent Abstract

SummaryAn acoustic echo cancellation unit, comprising:an audio processor configured to receive a multichannel audio signal andcomprising:a first stage which is configured to process the multichannel audio signal to obtain a first set of spatial audio components; anda second stage which is configured to process the first set of spatial audio components to obtain a second set of spatial audio components;an echo cancellation processor configured to perform echo cancellation by use of the first set of spatial audio components or a deviated version of the first set of spatial audio components as reference signal.