Head-Orientation-Estimation-Integrated Speech Recognition for the Smart-Chair

In this paper, we propose an acoustic-based head orientation estimation method using a microphone array mounted on a chair, and also propose a novel strategy for how to integrate the head orientation estimation with a speech recognition system for improving noise robustness. We apply the proposed system to voice-driven control of home electronics. In the proposed system, the user can indicate a target by facing it. This interface is more intuitive than indicating the target by uttering the target's name. From the experimental results, we can confirm that the proposed head orientation estimation is very stable and reliable irrespective of the mixed noise levels, and the integration of the head orientation estimation with the speech recognition makes the system more robust to noises.