Proximity Detection Using Acoustic Fingerprinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for controlling devices in IoT systems, such as those described in U.S.20140106735 A1 and EP 2731371 A1, are complex and require multiple RF beacons or active sound emitters, which are not efficient for determining user device proximity to controllable devices across different rooms.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that uses sound signals recorded by both a first and second sound sensor to determine the similarity between the two, allowing the user input device to control the controllable device only if a sufficient level of similarity is found, thereby establishing a control space based on the characteristics and location of the sound sensors, without the need for active emitters or multiple beacons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF beacons are distributed throughout the environment to determine proximity, then proximity detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active emitter from the system and replaces it with passive sound sensing. Instead of deploying RF beacons throughout the environment, the system uses the user device's existing microphone to capture sound signals. This eliminates the need for complex infrastructure while maintaining proximity detection capability through acoustic fingerprinting of the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The user device performs self-service by using its own sound sensor (microphone) to capture and analyze environmental sounds. The device independently determines proximity by comparing acoustic characteristics of the environment with pre-stored acoustic fingerprints, without requiring external RF beacons or additional infrastructure.
2Reliability
If multiple sound sensors and active emitters are deployed to establish control spaces, then control accuracy is improved, but hardware requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the user device (portable device) perform the active comparison function rather than requiring fixed infrastructure to actively emit and monitor sounds. The portable device captures sound signals and compares them against stored acoustic fingerprints to determine whether it is within the control space of a controllable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound sensor in the user device serves multiple functions: it captures environmental sounds for proximity detection, identifies control spaces, and enables control decisions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated active emitters and multiple specialized sensors, reducing hardware requirements while maintaining control accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the control process by using sound signals to determine device proximity, reducing complexity and hardware requirements, while ensuring accurate control only when the user input device is in the same space as the controllable device, thus enhancing usability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver arranged for receiving a first sound signal recorded within a first time frame by a first sound sensor and a second sound signal recorded within a second time frame by a second sound sensor located at the user input device
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for granting a user input device control of a controllable device including a receiver arranged for receiving a first sound signal recorded within a first time frame by a first sound sensor and receiving a second sound signal recorded within a second time frame by a second sound sensor located at the user input device. The controller further includes a processor arranged for determining a level of similarity between the first sound signal and the second sound signal. The processor is further arranged for granting the user input device control of the controllable device if a sufficient level of similarity has been determined. This enables the controller to determine if the user input device is in the same space as the first sound sensor, and it allows the creation of a control space of the controllable device based on the characteristics of the first sound sensor.