Acoustic Locationing Using Existing Audio Hardware for Smart Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locationing systems in smart environments, such as GPS, Wi-Fi, and cameras, require expensive hardware, line of sight, and raise privacy concerns, making them inefficient and intrusive for determining user location for automated device control.
Innovation Solution
Acoustic locationing using microphones and loudspeakers that emit and sense sound waves, including ultrasonic frequencies, to detect user presence and movement without the need for additional equipment, allowing for device control based on user location without interfering with conventional operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS, Wi-Fi, or camera-based locationing systems are used, then location accuracy can be achieved, but hardware cost increases and privacy concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using existing audio equipment (microphones and loudspeakers) for dual purposes: conventional audio processing and acoustic locationing. The microphones and loudspeakers already present in the environment are leveraged to emit sound waves and detect reflections, eliminating the need for dedicated locationing hardware while achieving accurate user position determination
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by utilizing the environment's existing audio infrastructure without requiring additional specialized devices. The microphones and loudspeakers serve themselves by performing both their conventional audio functions and the locationing function, reducing hardware costs and system complexity
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If cameras are used for locationing, then visual detection capability is improved, but line of sight requirements and privacy intrusiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/mechanical camera-based detection system with an acoustic system using sound waves. Instead of requiring line-of-sight visual detection, the system uses microphones to detect acoustic reflections from users, eliminating privacy concerns associated with visual surveillance while maintaining effective detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium for detection. Rather than directly observing users with cameras, the system emits sound waves that reflect off users and are detected by microphones, providing indirect but effective detection that does not invade visual privacy
3Measurement precision
If additional locationing equipment is deployed, then location detection accuracy improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves accurate location detection without additional equipment by making existing microphones and loudspeakers perform dual functions. The same audio components used for conventional audio processing are utilized to emit locationing sound waves and detect reflections, eliminating the need for separate locationing hardware and reducing system complexity
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
Enables efficient and privacy-friendly location determination and control of smart devices by using existing audio equipment, improving user interaction and reducing the need for costly hardware and line of sight requirements.
Implementation Method 1
one or more loudspeakers configured to emit the sound waves, sensed by the one or more microphones, into the environment
Implementation Method 2
one or more microphones configured to sense sound waves propagating in an environment
Implementation Method 3
determine a location of the object based on the sensed reflections
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for performing operations based on acoustic locationing are described. An example device includes one or more microphones configured to sense sound waves propagating in an environment. The example device also includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memories store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to recover sound wave information from the sensed sound waves, detect a presence of one or more persons in the environment based on the received sound wave information, determine an operation to be performed by one or more smart devices based on the detected presence of one or more persons, and instruct the one or more smart devices to perform the operation.