Audio-Based Automatic Location Registration for Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when manually inputting location information for newly installed or moved electronic devices in a network of multiple devices, as existing technologies lack efficient methods for automatic location registration and updating.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with a microphone, speaker, and processor uses inaudible audio sounds to communicate with external devices to measure distance and automatically register its location by receiving and transmitting specific audio information, allowing for easy location registration and updating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual location input method is used for electronic devices, then location information can be registered, but user operation complexity increases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation registration operationVSAvoidtime for location input

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device automatically measures its own location distance using audio signals and automatically registers location information, eliminating the need for manual user input. The device serves itself by autonomously completing the location registration process through audio-based distance measurement and automatic information registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical input operations with an automated audio-based distance measurement system. Instead of users manually entering location data, the system uses speakers to transmit audio signals, microphones to receive responses, and processors to calculate distances and register locations automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If automatic location registration is implemented, then user effort is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation registration operationVSAvoidaudio transmission and distance measurement system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device utilizes existing multi-functional components (speaker, microphone, processor) that can serve both audio output/input purposes and distance measurement purposes. This allows the system to achieve automatic location registration without adding dedicated specialized hardware, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces audio signals as an intermediary medium to enable distance measurement and location registration. Instead of direct complex communication protocols, the system uses simple audio wave transmission as a mediator to carry distance information, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving automatic location registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 location registration of electronic devices within a network, reducing user effort and improving the management of device locations without the need for manual input.

Implementation Method 1

transmit, through the speaker, a first audio sound including first information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

receive, through the microphone, a second audio sound including second information responding to the first information from a first external electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrophone transduction:

Implementation Method 3

acquire the distance to the first external electronic device on the basis of the third information and/or the fourth information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight measurement: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS11802951B2Electronic device and electronic device control method

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device that includes a display, a communication module, at least one microphone, at least one speaker, a processor operatively coupled to the display, the communication module, the microphone, and the speaker, and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The memory may store instructions, when executed, causing the processor to transmit, through the speaker, a first audio sound including first information, receive, through the microphone, a second audio sound including second information responding to the first information from a first external electronic device, transmit, through the speaker, a third audio sound including third information for acquiring a distance to the first external electronic device after receiving the second audio sound, and receive, through the microphone, a fourth audio sound including fourth information responding to the third information from the first external electronic device.