Audible Signal Localization Cues for Misplaced Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audible signal technologies do not effectively aid in locating misplaced portable devices due to frequency characteristics that do not efficiently interact with human hearing mechanisms and psychoacoustic phenomena, particularly in environments with background noise and acoustic distortions.
Innovation Solution
The development of location-aiding audible signals that utilize specific frequency bands and psychoacoustic principles, such as Intra Level Differential, Intra Time Differential, and Anatomical Transfer Function, to enhance sound localization cues, avoiding the 1 kHz to 3 kHz band and incorporating broadband noise and harmonically rich tones to improve directional perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If notification tones are designed to alert human users efficiently, then the alerting function is improved, but the ability to aid in location of the device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The audible signal is segmented into multiple frequency components, including a first frequency component and a second frequency component. The first component is designed for alerting effectiveness, while the second component is specifically optimized for location capability by exploiting human directional sensitivity at certain frequencies. This segmentation allows the single notification tone to simultaneously fulfill both alerting and location functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different frequency components within the notification tone are assigned different functional qualities. The first frequency component (1-3 kHz) provides efficient alerting by matching human hearing sensitivity, while the second frequency component (above 3 kHz or below 1 kHz) provides directional localization cues by exploiting anatomical transfer function characteristics. Each frequency band serves its specialized purpose while contributing to the overall signal effectiveness.
2Productivity
If audible signals use frequency bands efficient for human hearing sensitivity, then alerting effectiveness is improved, but directional localization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The notification tone is divided into frequency segments with distinct functional roles. The 1-3 kHz segment captures human hearing sensitivity for efficient alerting, while additional segments above 3 kHz or below 1 kHz provide directional cues. This frequency segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each segment to optimize for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal parameters are changed by introducing multiple frequency components with different characteristics. The first component uses frequencies optimized for alerting (1-3 kHz), while the second component uses frequencies optimized for localization (above 3 kHz or below 1 kHz). This parameter change enables the signal to achieve both alerting effectiveness and directional perception simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If broadband noise and harmonically rich tones are incorporated, then localization cues are improved, but signal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex signal is segmented into two main frequency components, each with specific characteristics. The first component provides alerting functionality, while the second component provides localization functionality. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing the signal into manageable frequency bands rather than using unstructured broadband noise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the frequency spectrum are assigned different qualities and functions. The lower frequency portion (1-3 kHz) is optimized for alerting, while specific higher or lower frequency portions are optimized for localization. This local quality assignment creates localization cues without requiring the full complexity of broadband noise across the entire audible spectrum.
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
The location-aiding audible signals significantly improve a user's ability to quickly and efficiently locate devices by leveraging human directional sensitivity, providing enhanced localization cues even in noisy and distorted environments.
Implementation Method 1
The location-aiding audible signals that utilize specific frequency bands and psychoacoustic principles, such as Intra Level Differential, Intra Time Differential, and Anatomical Transfer_function
Implementation Method 2
The location-aiding audible signals that utilize specific frequency bands and psychoacoustic principles, such as Intra Level Differential, Intra Time Differential, and Anatomical Transfer_function
Implementation Method 3
The location-aiding audible signals that utilize specific frequency bands and psychoacoustic principles, such as Intra Level Differential, Intra Time Differential, and Anatomical Transfer_function
Implementation Method 4
incorporating broadband noise and harmonically rich tones to improve directional perception
Implementation Method 5
incorporating broadband noise and harmonically rich tones to improve directional perception
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Audible signals (108, 112, 500, 600, 700) are created (800, 900, 1000) and emitted (1406) that provide a human user with improved sound localization cues to quickly and efficiently find the emitting device (102). Different emitted audible signals are sequentially emitted (400) in response to receiving an activation signal (120, 122). The different audible signals have been observed to efficiently help a human locate emitting devices that are 1) inside a sealed enclosure (112), such as a box; 2) in close proximity to the user; and 3) that is a large distance from the user.