Walter S Koroljow

US Patent:

6925189, Aug 2, 2005

Filed:

Oct 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/685099

Inventors:

Walter S. Koroljow - Vienna VA, US
Gary L. Gibian - Potomac MD, US

Assignee:

Planning Systems, Inc. - McLean VA

International Classification:

H04R025/00

US Classification:

381313, 381 92, 381 941

Abstract:

The hybrid adaptive beamformer of the present invention includes a plurality of microphones for receiving sound energy from an external environment and for producing a plurality of microphone outputs from the sound energy. A processor produces a plurality of first order beams based on the microphone outputs. The processor determines an amount of reverberation in the external environment and adaptively produces a second order output beam taking into consideration the determined amount of reverberation. The processor may determine the amount of reverberation based on a comparison of the first order beams. The processor may produce the second order output beam by adaptively combining the plurality of first order beams, as further described below, or by adaptively combining the microphone outputs. The adaptation varies taking into consideration the determined amount of reverberation. Alternatively, the adaptation may vary by measuring the signal-to-noise ratio of the first order beams and adaptively combining the first order beams based on the determined signal-to-noise ratios.

US Patent:

6154552, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

May 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/078612

Inventors:

Walter S. Koroljow - Vienna VA
Gary L. Gibian - Potomac MD

Assignee:

Planning Systems Inc. - McLean VA

International Classification:

H04R 2500
H04R 300
H04B 1500
G01S 380

US Classification:

381313

Abstract:

The hybrid adaptive beamformer of the present invention includes a plurality of microphones for receiving sound energy from an external environment and for producing a plurality of microphone outputs from the sound energy. A processor produces a plurality of first order beams based on the microphone outputs. The processor determines an amount of reverberation in the external environment and adaptively produces a second order output beam taking into consideration the determined amount of reverberation. The processor may determine the amount of reverberation based on a comparison of the first order beams. The processor may produce the second order output beam by adaptively combining the plurality of first order beams, as further described below, or by adaptively combining the microphone outputs. The adaptation varies taking into consideration the determined amount of reverberation. Alternatively, the adaptation may vary by measuring the signal-to-noise ratio of the first order beams and adaptively combining the first order beams based on the determined signal-to-noise ratios.