PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9301073-B2
Application Number: US-201313790380-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for determining the condition of multiple microphones

Abstract:
Systems and methods for determining the operating condition of multiple microphones of an electronic device are disclosed. A system can include a plurality of microphones operative to receive signals, a microphone condition detector, and a plurality of microphone condition determination sources. The microphone condition detector can determine a condition for each of the plurality of microphones by using the received signals and accessing at least one microphone condition determination source.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for determining the operating conditions of microphones of an electronic device, the method comprising:
 receiving signals from a plurality of microphones; 
 providing a plurality of microphone condition determination sources including (a) a priori database of stored patterns of signals in a free-field state and an interference state, and (b) a pattern recognizer that recognizes patterns in the received signals; 
 recognizing patterns in the received signals using the pattern recognizer; 
 comparing the patterns in the received signals with patterns of signals in the free-field state and the interference state stored in the priori database; and 
 determining an operating condition of at least one of the plurality of microphones based on the comparison, the operating condition being one of the free-field state or the interference state. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patterns of signals in the free field state stored in the priori database includes self-generated noise. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patterns of signals in the interference state stored in the priori database includes a signal response of an occluded microphone. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising
 receiving device centric data; and 
 using the device centric data to determine a likelihood of microphone occlusion. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the device centric data comprises orientation data of the device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the device centric data comprises at least one of ambient light data and proximity data. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microphones comprises three or more microphones located on different planes of the device. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microphone condition determination sources comprises at least one of an internally running process, an echo pattern recognizer, a microphone subset correlator, and device centric data. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microphone condition determination sources comprises a microphone subset correlator, the microphone subset correlator being operative to compare subsets of the received signals. 
     
     
       10. A system comprising:
 a plurality of microphones in an electronic device configured to receive signals; 
 a microphone condition detector; and 
 a plurality of microphone condition determination sources, the microphone condition detector being configured to access the plurality of microphone condition determination sources in conjunction with the received signals to determine an operating condition for each of the plurality of microphones, 
 wherein the plurality of microphone condition determination sources includes (a) a priori database of stored patterns of signals in a free-field state and an interference state, and (b) a pattern recognizer that recognizes patterns in the received signals, 
 wherein the operating condition comprises one of the free-field state and the interference state. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of microphones comprises three microphones. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein a first one of the three microphones is disposed on a first plane of the device, and wherein a second one of the three microphones is disposed on a second plane of the device different from the first plane. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein a third one of the three microphones is disposed on a third plane of the device different from each of the first and second planes. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane, and wherein a third plane is substantially orthogonal to each of the first and second planes. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of microphone condition determination sources comprises at least one of an internally running processes, echo pattern recognizer, a microphone subset correlator, and device centric data. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of microphone condition determination sources comprises a sensor that provides device centric data. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the device centric data comprises at least one of orientation data of the device, ambient light data, and proximity data. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of microphone condition determination sources comprises a microphone subset correlator, the correlator being operative to compare subsets of signals received by the microphones. 
     
     
       19. An electronic device comprising:
 a plurality of microphones; 
 a plurality of microphone condition determination sources including (a) a priori database of stored patterns of signals in a free-field state and an interference state, and (b) a pattern recognizer that recognizes patterns in the received signals; and 
 a microphone condition detector configured to:
 receive signals transmitted from the microphones; 
 access the plurality of microphone determination sources; and 
 in conjunction with the received signals, determine an operating condition for each of the plurality of microphones, 
 
 wherein the operating condition comprises one of the free-field state and the interference state. 
 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 19  wherein the patterns of signals in the free field state stored in the priori database includes self-generated noise and the patterns of signals in the interference state stored in the priori database includes a signal response of an occluded microphone. 
     
     
       21. The device of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of microphones comprises three or more microphones located on different planes of the device. 
     
     
       22. The device of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of microphone condition determination sources comprises at least one of an internally running process, an echo pattern recognizer, a microphone subset correlator, and device centric data. 
     
     
       23. The device of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of microphone condition determination sources comprises a microphone subset correlator, the microphone subset correlator being operative to compare subsets of the received signals.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/657,265 and 61/679,619 filed on Jun. 8, 2012 and Aug. 3, 2012, respectively, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed embodiments relate generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, to electronic devices having multiple microphones. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many electronic devices are equipped with one or more microphones to receive and process sounds. For example, telephones have a microphone for receiving and processing speech. Devices equipped with multiple microphones may employ applications that can utilize signals being received by one or more of the microphones. If one or more of the microphones are subjected to various factors that affect the signals being captured, they may not be reliable or useful for the application. Accordingly, what is needed is the capability to detect the condition of the microphones. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Generally speaking, it is an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for determining the condition of multiple microphones. 
     In some embodiments, a method for determining the operating conditions of microphones of an electronic device can be provided. The method can include receiving signals from a plurality of microphones, providing at least one microphone condition determination source, providing the signals to a microphone condition detector, and accessing, using the microphone condition detector, at least one of the at least one microphone condition determination source in conjunction with the signals to determine an operating condition for each of the plurality of microphones. 
     In some embodiments, a method for determining the operating condition of microphones of an electronic device can also be provided. The method can include receiving signals from a plurality of microphones, receiving device centric data, and setting a threshold for each of the plurality of microphones based on the device centric data. The method can also include identifying as a different signal a received signal that differs from the other of the received signals, determining a difference factor between the different signal and the other of the received signals, and ceasing to use the different signal when the difference factor exceeds the threshold for a microphone of the plurality of microphones that is a source of the different signal. 
     In some embodiments, a system can include a plurality of microphones in an electronic device configured to receive signals. The system can also include a microphone condition detector and at least one microphone condition determination source. The microphone condition detector can be configured to access at least one of the at least one microphone condition determination source in conjunction with the received signals to determine an operating condition for each of the plurality of microphones. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device can include a plurality of microphones, at least one microphone condition determination source, and a microphone condition detector. The microphone condition detector can be configured to receive signals transmitted from the microphones, access at least one of the at least one microphone determination source, and in conjunction with the received signals, determine an operating condition for each of the plurality of microphones. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  show illustrative top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative schematic diagram of an electronic device including several software and hardware components in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for determining the condition of multiple microphones in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of another illustrative process for determining the condition of multiple microphones in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Systems and methods for determining the condition of multiple microphones are disclosed. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  show illustrative top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of an electronic device  100  in accordance with an embodiment. Electronic device  100  may generally be any suitable electronic device capable of having two or more microphones integrated therein. A more detailed discussion of electronic device  100  can, for example, be found in the description accompanying  FIG. 5 , below. 
     Electronic device  100  can include, among other components, microphones  110 ,  111 , and  112 , buttons  120 , a switch  122 , a connector  130 , a speaker  140 , and a receiver  150 . Microphones  110 - 112  can be any suitable sound processing device such as, for example, a MEMS microphone. The location of microphones  110 - 112  may be in discrete and known locations. As shown, microphone  110  can be located on the front face of device  100 , microphone  111  can be located on the back face of device  100 , and microphone  112  can be located on a side of device  100 . In particular, microphone  112  can be located on the bottom side of device  100 . In geometric terms, microphones  110  and  111  can be on substantially parallel planes with respect to each other and microphone  112  can be on a plane substantially perpendicular thereto. It is to be understood that device  100  can include any suitable number of microphones exceeding two or three in number, and that the microphones can be positioned anywhere on the device. In some embodiments, in order to better determine microphone conditions, at least three microphones, each located in different planes, are included. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an illustrative schematic diagram showing an electronic device  200  having several software and hardware components in accordance with an embodiment is shown. Also shown in  FIG. 2  are generic representations of interference conditions  201  and externally generated audio sources  202 , both of which may represent factors external to device  200  that are imposed on device  200 . Electronic device  200  can include a mixture of hardware and software components that enable device  200  to determine the condition of microphones  210 . As shown, device  200  can include microphones  210 , internally generated audio sources  220 , a microphone conditional state detector  230 , an a priori database  240 , a pattern recognizer  250 , an echo pattern recognizer  260 , a microphone subset correlator  270 , and sensors  280 . 
     Microphones  210  may represent two or more microphones. For example, microphones  210  can represent the same three microphones shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . Microphones  210  can receive signals from externally generated audio sources  202  (e.g., a person&#39;s voice) and can be subject to imposed interference conditions  201  (e.g., an occluded microphone or windy conditions). In addition, microphones  210  can receive internally generated audio sources  220  such as, for example, sounds produced by a loud speaker, a vibration motor, or a combination thereof. Upon receiving inputs from one or more of interference conditions  201  and audio sources  202  and  220 , microphones  210  can provide signals to one or more hardware or software components of device. However, for ease of discussion, and in the sake of the clarity of  FIG. 2 , these signals are shown as being provided to microphone condition detector  230 . 
     The condition of microphones  210  can be ascertained using microphone condition detector  230 . Detector  230  can process many different sources of information (e.g., signals provided by microphones  210 , a priori database  240 , pattern recognizer  250 , echo pattern recognizer  250 , echo pattern recognizer  260 , microphone subset correlator  270 , and sensors  280 ) to determine the condition of each microphone in device  200 . The different sources of information are discussed in more detail below. 
     Turning now the discussion turns to the different types of conditions to which the microphones may be subjected, these conditions can be segregated into two general categories: free-field and interference. The free-field condition occurs when all of the microphones are operating in a “NORMAL” state, and is considered to be an ideal use case condition. A device operating in a free-field condition can pick up and process audio signals without any interference, and any audio processing algorithms using the signals received by the microphones will not be confused. Interference conditions occur when one or more of the microphones are affected and are not able to function in a free-field state. When an interference condition is imposed on one or more of the microphones, the device is no longer operating in the free-field condition and the microphone condition detector informs the audio processing algorithms as such so that they can function appropriately. 
     Examples of interference conditions can include occlusion, environmental factors, and microphone failure. The condition of occlusion can occur when an object blocks the pathway to the microphone, thereby preventing the microphone from capturing a reliable signal. The object can be, for example, a person&#39;s hand, finger, or other body part, debris such as dirt, particulate matter, water, or a surface such as a table. 
     Environmental factors can include windy conditions and extreme background noise. Another example of an environmental condition can occur when a microphone is occluded by a relatively solid object (such as a table) through which noises (e.g., scratching, pounding, tapping, or knocking) can reverberate and can be picked up by the microphone. 
     The failure condition can occur when the microphone fails to function properly, resulting in inaccurate signals, or fails to function at all, resulting in a dead signal. A microphone can generate its own noise that may disrupt or affect the signal processed by that microphone. 
     Any one or a combination of the interference conditions can affect one or more microphones and their ability to process signals, and a microphone condition detector can determine whether any of the microphones are being subjected to an interference condition. 
     Microphone condition detector  230  can draw on a multitude of sources to make intelligent decisions as to whether any of the microphones are subjected to any of the interference conditions, and to distinguish among the different conditions. These sources can be generically referred to as microphone condition determination sources. The sources can include a priori information database  240 , pattern recognizer  250 , internally running processes  255 , echo pattern recognizer  260 , microphone subset correlator  270 , and sensors  280 . It will be appreciated that access to all of these sources enables detector  230  to distinguish among the different conditions in a robust and reliable manner to determine the state of each microphone. 
     A priori information database  240  can include already known data points and information about the microphones, as well as other information that is known or can serve as a reference. The absolute location of each microphone within the device and the relative locations with respect to each other are examples of a priori information. Information germane to “NORMAL” operating microphones such as self-generated noise is an example of a priori information. A priori information can include all measurable characteristics of a microphone or combination of microphones subjected to different controlled interference conditions. For example, the signal response of an occluded microphone can be stored in a database. In addition, the signal responses for a microphone occluded with many different types of objects can be stored in the database. 
     Pattern recognizer  250  can recognize patterns in the signals received by microphones  210 . These patterns can be used in real-time to build a database of known patterns, or the patterns can be compared to patterns already stored in a database (e.g., database  240 ). 
     Microphone condition detector  230  can use information obtained from internally running processes  255  or internally generated and known signals. In one embodiment, outputs and internal variables of various running algorithms can provide clues as to the state of the microphones. For example, algorithms that are calculating noise estimates, spectral tilts, centroids, or shapes of the signals received from each of the microphones can be used to determine the condition of each individual microphone. 
     Echo pattern recognizer  260  can provide detector  230  additional cues when a loudspeaker (e.g., an audio source in internally generated audio sources  220 ) is being used. Echo pattern recognizer  260  can analyze echo patterns to provide additional clues as to the state of each microphone. In this embodiment, microphone condition detector  230  may receive data from echo cancellation circuitry (not shown), noise suppression circuitry (not shown), the signal(s) being provided to the loudspeaker, and signals from each of the microphones. 
     Microphone subset correlator  270  can perform a cross-comparison of subsets of all the microphones. The cross-comparison provides additional cues to the detector  230  to determine which, if any, of the microphones are being subjected to an interference condition. Assuming there are only three microphones in a device—MICS 1 - 3 , the subset cross-comparison can include a comparison of MIC 1  to MIC 2 ; MIC 1  to MIC 3 ; MIC 2  to MIC 3 ; MIC 1  to (MICS 2 - 3 ); MIC 2  to (MIC 1  and MIC 3 ); and MIC 3  to (MICS 1 - 2 ). It is to be understood that if there are additional microphones such as four microphones on the device, then a more elaborate set of subsets can be compared, any number of which can be compared to assist microphone condition detector  230  in determining the state of each microphone. 
     Coupling the cross-comparison of microphone subsets with their known absolute placement, and their relative placement to each other may can be used by microphone condition detector  230  to determine the condition of each microphone. Because each microphone is located in a different location on the device, each microphone may process the same external sound differently depending on whether it is subjected to an interference condition. For example, if one microphone is occluded, its signal will be different than the other microphones receiving the same external sound. When the microphone condition detector cross-correlates the signals, it can determine that the signal corresponding to the occluded microphone is significantly different than the signal received by the other microphones. Based on this comparison, the condition detector may decide that the occluded microphone is not accurately receiving and processing the external sound and is operating in a “COMPROMISED” state, and that the other microphones are operating in a “NORMAL” state. 
     As another example, if the device has two microphones that can be relatively easily occluded, and a third one that is not easily occluded, a cross-comparison of all the microphones can result in a robust idea of the system state. Even if the third microphone is not needed for processing algorithms, it can be used as a guide for determining the state of each microphone. 
     The condition or state of the microphones can be determined by having microphone condition detector  230  use any one or a combination of database  240 , pattern recognizer  250 , internally running processes  255 , echo pattern recognizer  260 , subset correlator  270 , and sensors  280  in conjunction with signals provided by microphones  210 . In one embodiment, detector  230  can use subset correlator  270  in conjunction with database  240  to determine the state of each microphone. In another embodiment, detector  230  can use subset correlator  270  and pattern recognizer  250  to determine the state of each microphone. In yet another embodiment, detector  230  can use database  240  and pattern recognizer  250  to determine the state of each microphone. 
     Sensors  280  can include any suitable number of sensors that are included within device  200 . Data obtained by sensors  280  can be provided to microphone condition detector  230 . Data obtained by sensors  280  is referred to herein as device centric data. Sensors  280  can include one or more of the following: a proximity sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and an ambient light sensor. Accelerometer and gyroscope sensors can provide orientation information of the device. For example, if the device is placed on a table, one or more of these sensors can determine which side of the device is face down on the table. The proximity sensor may indicate whether an object is within close proximity of the device. For example, if the device is placed near a user&#39;s cheek, the proximity sensor can detect the cheek. The ambient light sensor can provide data relating to ambient light conditions near the device. 
     Microphone condition detector  230  can use data supplied by sensors  280  to determine the condition of the microphones. Detector  230  can correlate data received from sensors  280  with data received from other sources (e.g., microphones  210 , a priori database  240 , or pattern recognizer  260 ). For example, microphone condition detector  230  can analyze power signal(s) received on each microphone  210 , and may conclude that one of the microphones may possibly be occluded. To verify whether that microphone is actually occluded, detector  230  can use data (e.g., orientation data) from sensors  280  to verify that that microphone is occluded. For example, if the device is face down on the table, the microphone abutting the table would be occluded, and the orientation information could verify this. 
     Microphone condition detector  230 , after determining the condition of each microphone, can provide state information (indicative of each microphone&#39;s condition) to another software or hardware block that may require or that may benefit from the state information. For example, the state information can be provided to an audio processing algorithm for a particular application. The audio processing algorithm can use the state information, and thus can know how to process signals received from the microphones. Continuing with the example, if the state information indicates one of the microphones is occluded, but the other two microphones are operating in the free-field state, the algorithm may choose to ignore the signal of the occluded microphone. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a flowchart of an exemplary process for determining the condition of multiple microphones is shown. This process can be executed by one or more components of an electronic device (e.g., device  100  of  FIG. 1  or device  200  of  FIG. 2 ). Beginning at step  310 , the process can include receiving signals from a plurality of microphones. For example, microphones  110 - 112  may each produce a signal in response to audio sources picked up by the microphones. At step  320 , the process can include providing at least one microphone condition determination source. For example, the priori database, the pattern recognizer, the internally running processes, the echo pattern recognizer, or the microphone subset correlator can be accessed. 
     At step  330 , the process can include providing the signals to a microphone condition detector. For example, the received signals can be provided to microphone condition detector  230 . At step  340 , process can include accessing, using the microphone condition detector, at least one of the at least one microphone condition determination source in conjunction with the signals to determine an operating condition for each of the plurality of microphones. For example, microphone condition detector  230  can use any one or a combination of the plurality of microphone condition determination sources (e.g., a priori information database  240 , pattern recognizer  250 , internally running processes  255 , echo pattern recognizer  260 , microphone subset correlator  270 , and sensors  280 ) in conjunction with the received signals to determine a condition for each of microphones  210 . 
     It should be understood that the process of  FIG. 3  is merely illustrative. Any of the steps may be removed, modified, or combined, and any additional steps may be added, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of another illustrative process for determining the condition of multiple microphones in accordance with an embodiment. This process takes into account device centric data obtained from one or more sensors (e.g., sensors  280 ) within the device. Since the device may be handled by a user in any number of different ways, some of which may result in interference with a microphone&#39;s ability to process received sounds in a free-field manner, the device centric data can provide hints, which can be tempered by adjustable thresholds, to better enable the microphone condition detector to determine whether one or more of the microphones are affected by an external source. If the microphone condition detector determines that one of the microphones is producing a signal dissimilar to the other microphones, the detector can correlate that microphone with the device centric data to determine whether it is being handled or positioned in a manner that it more likely than not causing occlusion. For example, if the device is laying on a table, then the microphone facing the table may produce a sound that is substantially different than the other microphones. The microphone condition detector can detect this difference and verify that this microphone should produce a different signal based on the device centric data. 
     The physical handling of a device is not necessarily always discrete (e.g., such as being placed on a table) but is often non-discrete because it is jostled about or has objects (e.g., hand, cheek, or fingers) placed in the vicinity of a microphone that may at least partially occlude the microphone. To account for such non-discrete circumstances, signal thresholds of varying degrees can be assigned to each microphone based on the device centric data. The thresholds can change when the device is moved or an object is placed near the device, and the device centric data indicates such a change in condition(s). 
     Beginning at step  410 , the process can include receiving signals from a plurality of microphones. For example, a device can have two or more microphones (e.g., microphones  210 ), each of which can be operative to receive and process sounds. The received signals can be provided to a microphone condition detector (e.g., microphone condition detector  230 ) in accordance with an embodiment. At step  420 , the process can include receiving device centric data. As described above, device centric data is any data generated internally by the device itself and can include orientation, environmental, or object proximity data. This data may also be provided to the microphone condition detector. 
     At step  430 , the process can include setting a threshold for each of the plurality of microphones based on the device centric data. For example, the thresholds can be set to indicate a probability of occlusion for a particular microphone. 
     At step  440 , the process can include identifying as a different signal a received signal that differs from the other of the received signals. For example, the process can include identifying that one of the signals of one of the microphones is different from the other signals of the other microphones. At step  450 , the process can include determining a difference factor between the different signal and the other of the received signals. For example, the process can include determining a difference factor between the one of the signals of one of the microphones and the other signals of the other microphones. The condition detector can infer, from this determined difference factor, that the different signal is attributable to an occluded microphone. The difference in the signals represented by the difference factor can be normalized for use in connection with the thresholds set for each microphone. 
     At step  460 , the process can include ceasing to use the different signal when the difference factor exceeds the threshold for a microphone of the plurality of microphones that is a source of the different signal. In this step, the microphone condition detector can correlate the different signal to the received device centric data to determine whether it should use the different signal. For example, when the difference factor exceeds the threshold, then the different signal may no longer be used. As another example, when the difference factor does not exceed the threshold, then the different signal can be used. 
     It should be understood that the process of  FIG. 4  is merely illustrative. Any of the steps may be removed, modified, or combined, and any additional steps may be added, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the comparison of the difference factor and threshold can be reversed; that is, the different signal can be used if it exceeds the threshold. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device in accordance with an embodiment. Electronic device  500  may correspond to or be the same as any one of devices  100  and  200 . Electronic device  500  may be any portable, mobile, or hand-held electronic device configured to present visible information on a display assembly wherever the user travels. Alternatively, electronic device  500  may not be portable at all, but may instead be generally stationary. Electronic device  500  can include, but is not limited to, a music player, video player, still image player, game player, other media player, music recorder, movie or video camera or recorder, still camera, other media recorder, radio, medical equipment, domestic appliance, transportation vehicle instrument, musical instrument, calculator, cellular telephone, other wireless communication device, personal digital assistant, remote control, pager, computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, tablet, server, etc.), monitor, television, stereo equipment, set up box, set-top box, boom box, modem, router, keyboard, mouse, speaker, printer, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, electronic device  500  may perform a single function (e.g., a device dedicated to displaying image content) and, in other embodiments, electronic device  500  may perform multiple functions (e.g., a device that displays image content, plays music, and receives and transmits telephone calls). 
     Electronic device  500  may include a housing  501 , a processor or control circuitry  502 , memory  504 , communications circuitry  506 , power supply  508 , input component  510 , display assembly  512 , microphones  514 , and microphone condition detection module  516 . Electronic device  500  may also include a bus  503  that may provide a data transfer path for transferring data and/or power, to, from, or between various other components of device  500 . In some embodiments, one or more components of electronic device  500  may be combined or omitted. Moreover, electronic device  500  may include other components not combined or included in  FIG. 5 . For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Memory  504  may include one or more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Memory  504  may include cache memory, which may be one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data for electronic device applications. Memory  504  may store media data (e.g., music, image, and video files), software (e.g., for implementing functions on device  500 ), firmware, preference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable device  500  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), contact information (e.g., telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), calendar information, any other suitable data, or any combination thereof. 
     Communications circuitry  506  may be provided to allow device  500  to communicate with one or more other electronic devices or servers using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry  506  may support Wi-Fi™ (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, file transfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”), real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”), any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. Communications circuitry  506  may also include circuitry that can enable device  500  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device, either wirelessly or via a wired connection. 
     Power supply  508  may provide power to one or more of the components of device  500 . In some embodiments, power supply  508  can be coupled to a power grid (e.g., when device  500  is not a portable device, such as a desktop computer). In some embodiments, power supply  508  can include one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device  500  is a portable device, such as a cellular telephone). As another example, power supply  508  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using one or more solar cells). 
     One or more input components  510  may be provided to permit a user to interact or interface with device  500 . For example, input component  510  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, a track pad, dial, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen, one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball, and combinations thereof. For example, input component  510  may include a multi-touch screen. Each input component  510  can be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  500 . 
     Electronic device  500  may also include one or more output components that may present information (e.g., textual, graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to a user of device  500 . An output component of electronic device  500  may take various forms, including, but not limited, to audio speakers, headphones, audio line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers, vibrators, or combinations thereof. 
     For example, electronic device  500  may include display assembly  512  as an output component. Display  512  may include any suitable type of display or interface for presenting visible information to a user of device  500 . In some embodiments, display  512  may include a display embedded in device  500  or coupled to device  500  (e.g., a removable display). Display  512  may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (“SED”), a carbon nanotube display, a nanocrystal display, any other suitable type of display, or combination thereof. Alternatively, display  512  can include a movable display or a projecting system for providing a display of content on a surface remote from electronic device  500 , such as, for example, a video projector, a head-up display, or a three-dimensional (e.g., holographic) display. As another example, display  512  may include a digital or mechanical viewfinder. In some embodiments, display  512  may include a viewfinder of the type found in compact digital cameras, reflex cameras, or any other suitable still or video camera. 
     It should be noted that one or more input components and one or more output components may sometimes be referred to collectively as an I/O interface (e.g., input component  510  and display  512  as I/O interface  511 ). It should also be noted that input component  510  and display  512  may sometimes be a single I/O component, such as a touch screen that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Processor  502  of device  500  may control the operation of many functions and other circuitry provided by device  500 . For example, processor  502  may receive input signals from input component  510  and/or drive output signals to display assembly  512 . Processor  502  may load a user interface program (e.g., a program stored in memory  504  or another device or server) to determine how instructions or data received via an input component  510  may manipulate the way in which information is provided to the user via an output component (e.g., display  512 ). For example, processor  502  may control the viewing angle of the visible information presented to the user by display  512  or may otherwise instruct display  512  to alter the viewing angle. 
     Microphones  514  can include any suitable number of microphones integrated within device  500 . The number of microphones can be three or more. Microphone condition detection module  516  can include any combination of hardware or software components, such as those discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1-4 , to determine the state of each of microphones  514 . 
     Electronic device  500  may also be provided with a housing  501  that may at least partially enclose one or more of the components of device  500  for protecting them from debris and other degrading forces external to device  500 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be provided within its own housing (e.g., input component  510  may be an independent keyboard or mouse within its own housing that may wirelessly or through a wire communicate with processor  502 , which may be provided within its own housing). 
     The described embodiments are presented for the purpose of illustration and not of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20130308
Publication Date: 20160329
Grant Date: 20160329
Priority Date: 20120608
Inventors: KRISHNASWAMY ARVINDH
YEH DAVID T.
MERIMAA JUHA O.
RAMPRASHAD SEAN A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R29/004", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R29/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R29/004", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R29/004", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R29/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49715324