Acoustic Signal Transmitter for Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information providing systems are costly and inconvenient, requiring large broadcast stations and camera functionality in portable devices, making it difficult to transmit digital information to terminals effectively and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An information providing system that uses an acoustic signal transmitter to convert data into sound waves, transmitted through the air to a receiver, utilizing sound codes with error detection and masking to ensure low perceptibility and reliability, even in noisy environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If teletext broadcasting systems are used to transmit digital information, then information can be provided to terminals, but large broadcast stations are required which increases cost and reduces accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation transmission reliabilityVSAvoidbroadcast station infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electromagnetic wave transmission (radio/TV broadcasting) with acoustic wave transmission (sound waves). The acoustic signal transmitter converts data to sound waves that can be transmitted through air to the terminal's microphone, eliminating the need for large broadcast stations and complex electromagnetic transmission infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium for data transmission. Instead of directly transmitting electromagnetic waves from large broadcast stations, the system uses sound waves propagating through air as the intermediary carrier, enabling simple, distributed transmission without requiring large infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If QR codes are used for information transmission, then data can be captured by portable telephones with cameras, but the user must precisely position and focus the camera which is inconvenient and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata capture reliabilityVSAvoidcamera positioning and focusing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical camera-based QR code reading system with an acoustic system. Instead of requiring the user to visually align and focus a camera on a QR code, the system uses the terminal's built-in microphone to automatically receive sound waves containing the data, eliminating the need for manual positioning and focusing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic signal receiver automatically receives and processes sound waves without requiring user intervention for positioning or focusing. The terminal's microphone passively captures the acoustic signal containing the data, making the data reception process automatic and user-friendly without requiring precise manual alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If sound waves are used for data transmission, then cost-effective transmission without large infrastructure is achieved, but the transmission must be imperceptible to humans and resistant to noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission infrastructureVSAvoidnoise interference and perceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the sound waves to the ultrasonic range (above 20kHz), which is inaudible to humans. This frequency selection eliminates perceptibility issues while maintaining transmission capability. The system modulates data onto ultrasonic carrier waves, allowing cost-effective transmission without disturbing human listeners and with reduced susceptibility to ambient noise interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cost-effective and efficient data transmission to portable devices without the need for large infrastructure or camera functionality, allowing for reliable and low-perceptible data reception in various settings.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic signal transmitter that converts data to sound waves and that transmits the sound waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

an acoustic signal receiver (terminal) that receives the sound waves and reproduces the data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustoelectric transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS9344802B2Information providing system

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 RED SUNRISE CO LTD

AI summary

An information providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an acoustic signal transmitter 10 for transmitting data in the form of sound waves, a portable telephone 20 serving as an acoustic signal receiver (terminal) for receiving the sound waves and reproducing the data, and a server 50 connected through the Internet 40 to the acoustic signal transmitter 10. The acoustic signal transmitter 10 may transmit the data as sound waves in one-way fashion at a timing determined by the acoustic signal transmitter 10 without reliance on transmission control signals or the like received from the acoustic signal receiver 20. The data which is transmitted as sound waves may employ data frame(s) which may contain information for error detection.