| | | |

Computational Video

Beamed Microphone Arrays

The Beamed Microphone Arrays project is a joint project between the NRC Institute for Information Technology Computational Video Group and the Acoustics and Signal Processing Group at the NRC Institute for Microstructural Sciences.

The project aims at demonstrating the combined use of beamforming microphone arrays and video-based face detection and tracking systems to automatically acquire and track the facial image and utterances of a human talker.

A steered microphone array using beamforming refers to a geometric array of microphones, fixed in the environment and located at some distance from the talker whose signals are processed to generate an effective microphone signal equivalent to a highly directional microphone.

Many applications are cited in scientific literature for talker tracking systems. Most address the need for an unencumbered and natural interactive environment using hands-free technology.

The focus of this project will be on videoconferencing and personal workstation applications, although other application areas include virtual environments, multi-modal user interfaces and video gaming.

Research Contact

David Green (Dave)
Research Officer
Computational Video
NRC Institute for Information Technology
1200 Montreal Road
Building M-50, Room C-344
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Telephone: +1 (613) 993-6572
Fax: +1 (613) 952-0215
E-mail: David Green

Business Contact

Dr. George Forester
Business Development Officer
Business Development Office, NCR
NRC Institute for Information Technology
1200 Montreal Road
Building M-50, Room 203
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Telephone: +1 (613) 993-3478
Fax: +1 (613) 952-0074
E-mail: George.Forester@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca