Audio Signal Hashing for Device Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for information exchanges between mobile devices using different operating platforms or systems are inefficient and face challenges in maximizing speed and accuracy, particularly in identifying nearby devices without relying on location services or sound presence.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses an audio capture device to analyze ambient audio signals, generate hashes, and match them with stored hashes on a remote server to identify nearby devices, enabling data transfer without the need for explicit identifiers, even in silent environments by generating random sounds if necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods use location services or sound presence for device identification, then device identification can be achieved, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the core identification feature from complex location services and reduces it to simple audio signal analysis. By focusing only on audio fingerprinting rather than comprehensive location tracking, the system achieves device identification with reduced complexity and energy consumption while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/location-based identification systems with acoustic field-based identification. Instead of using GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, or other location services, the system uses audio signal analysis and fingerprinting to identify devices, substituting a simpler acoustic mechanism for complex location-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If audio signals are captured and analyzed for device identification, then device identification accuracy improves, but the system requires additional audio processing components and energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by analyzing only specific audio frequency ranges and features that are most distinctive for device identification. Rather than processing the entire audio spectrum continuously, the system focuses on relevant audio fingerprints, reducing energy consumption while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic audio signal capture and analysis instead of continuous monitoring. By periodically sampling audio signals and updating device identification, the system reduces energy consumption compared to continuous audio processing, while still maintaining accurate device identification when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the system generates random sounds in silent environments, then device identification can proceed, but the system may cause disturbance or consume additional energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification capability in silent environmentsVSAvoidenvironmental disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the audio signal parameters dynamically based on environmental conditions. In silent environments, the system generates random sounds with controlled amplitude and frequency characteristics to enable identification without causing excessive disturbance. The sound generation parameters are adjusted to minimize harm while maintaining identification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If audio signal hashes are stored and compared on a remote server, then device identification accuracy improves, but network dependency and response time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing audio signals into hashes and preparing identification data before actual device pairing occurs. Audio fingerprints are captured and hashed in advance, and the system maintains local caches of device hashes, reducing the need for real-time server communication and minimizing response time while maintaining accurate identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9940948B2Systems and methods for enabling information exchanges between devices

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 RESONANCE SOFTWARE LLC

AI summary

Described is a computer-implemented method performed in connection with a computerized system incorporating an audio capture device, a central processing unit, a display device and a memory, the computer-implemented method involving: capturing an audio signal using the audio capture device; using the central processing unit to analyze the captured audio signal; when the audio signal satisfies a predetermine criterion, using the central processing unit to generate a hash of the captured audio signal; finding a similar audio signal hash among a plurality of stored audio signal hashes; and identifying a device associated with the captured audio signal using the found similar audio signal hash.