Smart Audio Device Localization Using DOA and TOA Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for locating audio devices, particularly smart audio devices, face challenges in accurately determining their positions and orientations due to irregular distributions and asynchronous operation, requiring synchronized microphones and known test stimuli, and are not robust to measurement errors.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing direction of arrival (DOA) and time of arrival (TOA) data to minimize a non-linear optimization problem for estimating the positions and orientations of audio devices, allowing for automatic localization without synchronized microphones or known test stimuli, using beamforming and steered power response methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If synchronized microphones and known test stimuli are used for localization, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio devices perform self-localization by emitting sounds and listening for reflections from other devices. Each device uses its own microphones to capture acoustic signals and processes the data independently to determine relative positions, eliminating the need for external synchronization hardware or coordinated test stimuli.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/electronic synchronization mechanisms with acoustic field-based localization. Instead of synchronizing digital audio streams mechanically, the system uses the physical propagation of sound waves and acoustic reflections to encode spatial information, which is then decoded through signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If traditional localization methods are used, then positioning can be achieved, but robustness to measurement errors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition estimation accuracyVSAvoidrobustness to measurement errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs iterative optimization where initial position estimates are refined through feedback loops. The cost function continuously compares predicted acoustic measurements with actual measurements, adjusting position estimates until convergence. This feedback mechanism naturally compensates for measurement errors and noise in the acoustic signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates regularization terms in the cost function that penalize physically impossible configurations before optimization begins. Constraints are built into the optimization framework to prevent convergence to erroneous solutions, cushioning against the effects of measurement errors and providing more reliable estimates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If irregular device distributions are accommodated, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling irregular distributionsVSAvoidlocalization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optimization framework uses adjustable parameters including weighting factors for different acoustic measurements, regularization strengths, and convergence thresholds. These parameters can be adapted to the specific spatial arrangement and acoustic characteristics of the device distribution, allowing the system to maintain precision across irregular configurations through parameter tuning.

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 accurate and robust localization of audio devices in complex environments, overcoming the limitations of existing methods by providing precise positioning and orientation estimation even in asynchronous and irregularly distributed setups.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining, by the control system, direction of arrival (DOA) data corresponding to sound emitted by at least a first smart audio device of the audio environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS20260012743A1Automatic localization of audio devices

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP

AI summary

A method may involve: receiving direction of arrival (DOA) data corresponding to sound emitted by at least a first smart audio device of the audio environment that includes a first audio transmitter and a first audio receiver, the DOA data corresponding to sound received by at least a second smart audio device of the audio environment that includes a second audio transmitter and a second audio receiver, the DOA data corresponding to sound emitted by at least the second smart audio device and received by at least the first smart audio device; receiving one or more configuration parameters corresponding to the audio environment, to one or more audio devices, or both; and minimizing a cost function based at least in part on the DOA data and the configuration parameter(s), to estimate a position and an orientation of at least the first smart audio device and the second smart audio device.