Audio Signal Combination for Reliable Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for data transmission between computing devices without a shared network require specialized hardware and cumbersome pairing processes, and audio transmissions are susceptible to interference and signal degradation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using multiple receivers to detect and combine audio signals with the strongest magnitudes to generate a combined audio transmission signal, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio by aligning and decoding the audio signals to extract data without the need for specialized hardware or pairing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple receivers are used to detect audio signals, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines audio signals from multiple receivers to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The processor receives audio signals from multiple receivers, identifies signals with the strongest magnitudes, combines these signals, and decodes them to extract data. This merging approach enhances reliability by leveraging the collective signal strength across multiple receivers while managing the complexity through systematic signal processing.
2Reliability
If audio signals are combined from multiple receivers, then the signal quality is enhanced, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and pre-combining audio signals with the strongest magnitudes before decoding. The processor identifies which receivers have the strongest signal magnitudes and combines these specific signals in advance, which streamlines the subsequent decoding process and reduces overall processing time while maintaining enhanced signal quality.
3Ease of operation
If conventional hardware is used instead of specialized hardware, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of data transmission decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables conventional hardware (microphones, speakers, processors) to perform the specialized function of reliable data transmission. By using universal components that are already present in most computing devices, the system achieves ease of operation without requiring specialized hardware. The multi-functionality of conventional hardware is leveraged to accomplish both audio processing and data transmission tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple audio signals from conventional hardware receivers to enhance transmission reliability. By merging signals from multiple sources, the system compensates for the limitations of individual conventional hardware components, achieving reliable data transmission using only standard, widely-available hardware without specialized equipment.
4Productivity
If audio transmissions are used for data transfer, then the speed of data transmission is improved, but the susceptibility to interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of noise and interference into a benefit by using signal combination techniques. Instead of simply filtering out noise, the system combines multiple audio signals in a way that the desired data transmission reinforces each other while noise and interference tend to cancel out. This transforms the presence of multiple signal sources, which could potentially increase interference, into a mechanism for noise reduction and signal enhancement.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for detecting and combining audio transmissions containing data are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving multiple audio signals from multiple receivers. An audio transmission may be detected in a first subset of the audio signals and the audio transmission may contain data. A second subset of the audio signals may be identified with the strongest magnitude of the audio transmission. Portions of the second subset of the audio signals may then be combined to generate a combined audio transmission signal and the combined audio transmission signal may be decoded for further processing.