Virtual speaker tracking by camera using a sound source localisation with two microphones. (1st January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sayoud, Halim; Khennouf, Salah; Ouamour, Siham
• Is Part Of: International journal of networking and virtual organisations. Volume 12:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2013-01-01
• Subjects: virtual speaker tracking -- automatic speaker localisation -- virtual camera control -- artificial vision and perception -- signal processing -- artificial intelligence; Computer networks -- Periodicals; Information networks -- Periodicals; Virtual corporations -- Periodicals; Electronic commerce -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Management -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 004.65
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-9503

Abstract

Our research work deals with the problem of automatic speaker tracking by camera. Such tracking systems do exist nowadays, but they suffer from a number of mechanical problems. To overcome these problems, we thought of employing a virtual tracking system using a fixed camera that does not require any mechanical part. But, is it possible to track a moving speaker with a fixed camera? If the task is already difficult enough with a mobile camera, how difficult would it be with a fixed camera? Trying to find a solution to the problem, we have proposed and conceived a virtual tracking system, which is able to ensure the required task by using only two cardioid microphones and a classic video camera. In this virtual tracking system, the task of speaker tracking is ensured by the orientation of the region of interest (ROI) of the camera towards the active speaker; we have called this method the virtual region of interest (VROI) based technique. Experiments show the good performance of the new virtual technique.