US Patent 9820042 Stereo separation and directional suppression with omni-directional microphones

Systems and methods for stereo separation and directional suppression are provided. An example method includes receiving a first audio signal, representing sound captured by a first microphone associated with a first location, and a second audio signal, representing sound captured by a second microphone associated with a second location. The microphones comprise omni-directional microphones. The distance between the first and second microphones is limited by the size of a mobile device. A first channel signal of a stereo signal is generated by forming, based on the first and second audio signals, a first beam at the first location. A second channel signal of the stereo signal is generated by forming, based on the first and second audio signals, a second beam at the second location. First and second directions, associated respectively with the first and second beams, are fixed relative to a line between the first and second locations.