Acoustic Localization for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the location of a counterpart user during a call on portable devices are not intuitive, requiring users to stop talking or ask the counterpart to confirm their location, as they rely on visual cues from the device's screen.
Innovation Solution
A localization control method for portable devices that adjusts sound pressure between left and right speakers based on the relative location of the user and their counterpart, using collected location information such as latitude, longitude, and azimuth angles to intuitively convey the counterpart's location through sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual display methods are used to show location information, then location information can be presented to the user, but the user must stop talking or divert attention from the conversation to view the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual display mechanism with an acoustic localization mechanism. Instead of requiring users to visually check a screen to determine location, the system uses sound output from speakers combined with head-tracking technology to create directional audio cues that indicate the counterpart's location. This substitution allows users to perceive location information through their sense of hearing while maintaining normal conversation and visual attention on the screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces head-tracking technology as an intermediary system that bridges the gap between visual display and auditory perception. The head tracker monitors user head orientation and uses this information to dynamically adjust the localization of sound output, creating an intermediary layer that translates visual location data into directional acoustic signals that adapt to the user's head position.
2Measurement precision
If the user needs to confirm the counterpart's location during a call, then accurate location information can be obtained, but the conversation flow is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous head-tracking during the call to maintain uninterrupted location perception. The head tracker continuously monitors head orientation and dynamically adjusts sound localization in real-time, allowing users to perceive location information continuously without needing to pause or interrupt the conversation to check location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual action of checking location on screen with automatic acoustic localization. The sound system automatically adjusts the directional characteristics based on head position, eliminating the need for users to manually intervene or interrupt the conversation to confirm location.
3Ease of operation
If sound localization is implemented based on head position, then intuitive location perception is achieved, but additional sensors and processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing head-tracking functionality that is already integrated into modern smartphones for other purposes (such as camera orientation and display rotation). By reusing this existing sensor system for sound localization, the patent adds the location perception feature without requiring completely new hardware, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound output system, which is already a core component of the smartphone, is repurposed to serve dual functions: normal audio output and directional location indication. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to provide intuitive location perception without adding dedicated location-indication hardware, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A localization control method of a sound for a portable device and a portable device thereof is provided. The localization control method of a sound for a portable device includes collecting location information of the portable device and location information of a counterpart portable device when an event for communicating with the counterpart portable device by the portable device is generated, determining localization of the sound based on the location information, and outputting the sound according to the determined localization.