Audio Identifier Encoding Without Line of Sight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coded identifiers require line of sight for imaging, are susceptible to physical damage, need appropriate lighting, and are unintelligible to humans, limiting their usability and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
Encoding identifiers as audio signals, allowing transmission without line of sight, resistance to physical damage, and user-intelligibility through musical compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical codes are used for identification, then the identifier can be visually displayed and scanned, but line of sight is required and physical damage or obscuring prevents determination of the identifier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical imaging system with an acoustic transmission system. Instead of using light to carry identifier information through visual codes, the invention uses sound waves to transmit the same information auditorily, thereby eliminating the need for line of sight and making the system immune to physical obscuring or damage of the identifier source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of information transmission from optical (light-based visual codes) to acoustic (sound-based audio signals). This parameter change fundamentally alters how the identifier is transmitted and received, allowing reception without direct visual contact and enabling the identifier to be conveyed through air or other media without requiring line of sight
2Ease of operation
If optical codes are used, then the identifier can be displayed on surfaces, but appropriate lighting is required and optical resolution is needed requiring proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the optical detection system with an acoustic detection system. Instead of requiring cameras or optical sensors to capture visual codes under specific lighting conditions, the system uses microphones or acoustic sensors to receive audio signals, eliminating dependency on lighting intensity and optical resolution requirements
3Loss of information
If conventional codes are used, then the identifier can be printed or displayed, but the codes are user-unintelligible being non-readable and unmemorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the informational parameter from visual-spatial code patterns to auditory-temporal sound patterns. By encoding the identifier in audio signals that can be heard and potentially interpreted as music or sound patterns, the system makes the identifier more accessible and memorable to human users, particularly benefiting those who cannot read visual codes
4Adaptability or versatility
If audio identifiers are used, then line of sight is not required and remote reception is possible, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the identifier system multi-functional by enabling it to operate in both visual and acoustic modes. The same identifier can be encoded and transmitted through different media (optical or acoustic), allowing the system to adapt to various reception environments and user needs without requiring entirely separate systems
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer device (100),configured to encode identifiers by providing audio identifiers therefrom, is described. The computer device (100) is configured to provide a set of audio signals as respective bitstreams. Each audio signal of the set of audio signals is defined based, at least in part, on audio signal information including at least one of a type, a fundamental frequency, a time signature and a time. Each audio signal comprises a set of audio segments. Each audio segment of the set of audio segments is defined based, at least in part, on audio segment information including at least one of a frequency, an amplitude, a transform, a time duration and an envelope. The computer device (100) is configured to receive an identifier and select a subset of audio signals from the set of audio signals according to the received identifier based, at least in part, on the audio signal information and/or the audio segment information. The computer device (100) is configured to process the audio selected subset of audio signals by combining the selected subset of audio signals to provide an audio identifier. The computer device (100) is configured to output the audio identifier in an output audio signal as an output bitstream, wherein the audio identifier encodes the identifier. Also described is a method of encoding identifiers by providing audio identifiers therefrom.