Audio-Based Proximity Detection for Echo Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the proximity of users and devices are limited by high latency and reliance on active communication from the second user's device, which can result in an unpleasant echo effect during audio communication.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving an audio signal and determining a measure of correlation between the microphone signal and the audio signal, allowing the device to attenuate the audio signal when the users are within an audible range, thereby reducing echo.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth methods are used to detect proximity, then device location can be determined, but high latency and reliance on active communication from the second user's device occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic communication-based proximity detection (GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) with acoustic-based detection using microphones and audio signal analysis. The first user's device listens for audio signals from the second user's device and determines proximity based on audio presence rather than electronic handshaking, eliminating the latency associated with active communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the audio signals that the second user's device is already transmitting for communication purposes. Instead of requiring the second device to actively report its location or availability, the first device passively detects the second device's proximity through the audio signals the second device is already sending, making the second device serve its own proximity detection function.
2Ease of operation
If audio signals are played through speakers when users are close, then communication is maintained, but an unpleasant echo effect occurs due to network latency
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors audio signals captured by the first user's device microphone and compares them with the audio being played through speakers. When the microphone detects the second user's voice directly in the physical space, the system provides feedback to adjust or disable speaker output, preventing the echo effect while maintaining communication continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processing system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time proximity detection. When users are far apart, normal audio playback occurs. When users come within audible range, the system automatically modifies the audio signal processing (attenuating or disabling speaker output) to eliminate echo, creating a dynamic adaptation to changing physical conditions.
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
This approach effectively reduces the echo effect by automatically adjusting audio processing based on the proximity of users, without relying on active communication from the second device, thereby enhancing the audio communication experience.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone that detects sound
Implementation Method 2
one or more speakers that convert an electrical signal to sound
Data Source
AI summary
A device can receive an audio signal and determine a measure of correlation between the audio signal and a microphone signal. The audio signal can be attenuated based on the measure of correlation. The audio signal can be used to drive one or more speakers of the device. Other aspects are described and claimed.