Method and apparatus for optimizing speakerphone performance based on tilt angle

• US 20050201549A1
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Moquin, Philippe, Dedieu, Stephane
• Granted Patent: US 7,724,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/420.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0297 Telephone sets adapted to be mounted on a desk or on a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/509 Microphone arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

According to the present invention, a tilt sensor is used to determine the tilt angle of a speakerphone and the surface on which it rests. This information is used to optimize both the receive and transmit signals for the chosen tilt angle. The information can also be used to adjust performance of any beamformer(s) where the speakerphone incorporates a microphone array or loudspeaker array. In one embodiment, vibrational data is provided by the tilt sensor for enhancing the receive signal and acoustic echo cancellation.

Claims

1. For use in a speakerphone resting on a surface, the improvement comprising a sensor for generating a signal indicative of the angle of tilt between said speakerphone and said surface, a processor for receiving said signal and in response adjusting at least one operational parameter affecting performance of said speakerphone and wherein said sensor is selected from a group consisting of at least one mechanical switch, an inclination meter, and a dual axis solid-state accelerometer.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said operational parameter is loudspeaker equalisation and volume adjustment.

3. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said operational parameter is microphone equalisation and volume adjustment.

4. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said operational parameter is acoustic echo canceller initial coefficients.

5. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said operational parameter is beamforming coefficients for a microphone array.

6. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said operational parameter is beamforming coefficients for a loudspeaker array.

7. (canceled)

8. A method of optimizing speakerphone performance, comprising:

detecting the angle of tilt between said speakerphone and a surface on which said speakerphone rests;

adjusting at least one operational parameter in accordance with said angle of tilt so as to affect performance of said speakerphone; and

determining from said angle of tilt the vibrational response of the speakerphone and in response controlling at least one adaptive filter within said speakerphone to either linearise the loudspeaker response or enhance the performance of an acoustic echo canceller within said speakerphone.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said operational parameter is loudspeaker equalisation and volume adjustment.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said operational parameter is microphone equalisation and volume adjustment.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said operational parameter is acoustic echo canceller initial coefficients.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said operational parameter is beamforming coefficients for a microphone array.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said operational parameter is beamforming coefficients for a loudspeaker array.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. For use in a speakerphone resting on a surface, the improvement comprising a sensor for generating a signal indicative of the angle of tilt between said speakerphone and said surface, a processor for receiving said signal and in response adjusting at least one operational parameter affecting performance of said speakerphone and wherein said operational parameter is beamforming coefficients for one of either a microphone array or loudspeaker.