Wireless Audio Device Location and Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for setting up wireless audio devices, such as home theater systems, lack user-friendly solutions for determining the location and orientation of multiple speakers, making the setup process cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a transmitter and receiver apparatus that uses high-frequency or ultrasonic signaling to determine the distance and orientation of connected devices by measuring latency and time of flight, allowing for automatic configuration of speaker positions within a room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual configuration methods are used for setting up wireless audio devices, then device complexity is reduced, but setup time and user effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic configuration where the audio devices themselves perform the location and orientation determination without requiring manual user input. The devices autonomously exchange signals, calculate latencies, and configure their spatial relationships automatically, eliminating the need for manual setup procedures while reducing setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses measurable physical parameters (signal transmission latency, time of flight) to automatically determine device location and orientation. By converting spatial configuration problems into measurable time-based parameters, the system enables automatic setup without increasing perceived user complexity.
2Extent of automation
If automatic location determination using signal latency measurement is implemented, then setup process is automated and accelerated, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic signal transmission and reception between devices. By sending repeated signal pairs and measuring multiple latency values, the system can average the results to reduce measurement noise and achieve the required precision for automatic configuration without increasing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple receivers are used to determine direction of arrival, then orientation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the orientation determination function across multiple receivers positioned at different locations on the device. Each receiver independently measures signal arrival time, and the processor combines these segmented measurements to calculate the direction of arrival, achieving high orientation accuracy through distributed sensing rather than a single complex receiver.
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 seamless and automatic setup of wireless audio devices by accurately determining the location and orientation of speakers, reducing user interaction and improving system configuration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A first apparatus determines a distance to a second apparatus using acoustic signaling
Implementation Method 2
determine a time of flight based on the determined latencies and the total travel time
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure provide a first apparatus configured to transmit a first signal having a first frequency to a second apparatus, receive, from the second apparatus, a second signal having a second frequency responsive to the first signal, determine a latency associated with the transmitted first signal and received second signal and, determine a distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based, at least in part, on the determined latencies. According to an example, the first apparatus further determines a direction of the second apparatus relative to the first apparatus. According to an example, at least one of the first signal or second signal comprises an ultrasonic or high-frequency signal.