Efficient near-field communication based on audio signals

Abstract

The present disclosure describes an efficient computer-implemented near-field communication system and method based on broadcasting audio signals for dynamically providing context-related additional content to a mobile device. In embodiments of the present invention, the additional content is mapped to specific audio watermarks and / or triggering commands which are encoded together into a digital signal. Based on continuously scanning the received background noise, an exactly defined frequency range and volume is dynamically selected for broadcasting the signal. Hence, the encoded digital signal is further modulated into an audio signal in the exactly defined frequency range. In embodiments of the present invention, the selected exactly defined frequency range for transmitting the audio signal may preferably be located in the ultrasound and / or infrasound frequency range. In case of transmitting infrasound signals, gyrosensors of the mobile device may be employed as audio signal receivers in embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, in further embodiments of the present invention, audio signal receiver of a mobile device such as gyrosensors or microphones may be switched on bytransmitting a command via a wireless network such as Wifi or Bluetooth. Also the information about the selected frequency range and volume for broadcasting the audio signal may be provided to the mobile device via a wireless network in embodiments of the present invention. In response, an audio signal receiver of the mobile device may be tuned to the selected frequency range. The received audio signal is further processed on the mobile device so that the context-related additional content may be displayed and / or rendered.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for dynamically providing context-related additional content to mobile devices via broadcast audio signals. Background technique [0002] Near field communication based on the transmission and reception of encoded acoustic audio signals in audible and inaudible frequency ranges has been used in the art to provide additional customized content. In the method, an audio signal including an audio watermark that unambiguously identifies a piece of content is broadcast to mobile devices located in immediate proximity. The mobile device receives the audio signal through its microphone and may also retrieve additional information from a database located on the server based on identifying the audio watermark. It is to be noted that throughout the specification, the term "audio signal" specifically refers to an "acoustic audio signal". [0003] Suppliers and service providers in particular have taken advant...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Likewise, in prior art systems, a large amount of battery power is consumed by many sensors, such as audio signal receivers of mobile devices waiting to detect audio signals containing audio watermarks

Also, the process of generating and broadcasting audio signals requires a lot of energy

[0005] Furthermore, most audio signal-based NFC systems described in the prior art are limited to a rather small local area around the audio signal transmitter

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