Audio Time-Delay Ranging for Locating Wireless Earbuds
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for methods and systems to locate wireless audio-enabled devices such as earbuds and hearing aids that are prone to being lost or misplaced due to their small size and Bluetooth connectivity, which current technologies do not effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing the audio capturing capabilities of audio devices with embedded microphones and Bluetooth connections to determine distance and location by playing audio, capturing it with the microphone, and calculating time delay and distance based on known Bluetooth latency and sound speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If wireless audio apparatuses are made smaller for convenience, then portability and comfort are improved, but the likelihood of loss or misplacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary locating system that uses audio transmission as a mediator between the small wireless apparatus and the user. The apparatus transmits audio signals that can be detected by a locating device, enabling distance and location determination without adding physical size to the apparatus itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical location methods (physical tracking, visual identification) with acoustic field-based detection. By using audio transmission and time-delay measurement, the system determines location without mechanical components, maintaining the small size of the apparatus while enabling locatability.
2Measurement precision
If audio transmission is used for distance determination, then location accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to Bluetooth latency compensation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calibrating and storing the Bluetooth latency constant before actual distance measurements are taken. This initial calibration step eliminates the need for complex real-time latency compensation during measurement, simplifying the operational complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by measuring the time delay of audio transmission and comparing it against the known latency constant. The difference provides accurate distance information, creating a closed-loop measurement system that compensates for systematic delays without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
3Productivity
If iterative distance calculations are performed to track user movement, then location tracking capability is improved, but computational load and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by performing distance calculations at regular intervals rather than continuously. This approach provides sufficient location tracking capability for user movement while reducing computational load and processing time compared to continuous real-time calculation.
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 determination of distance and direction of audio devices, allowing users to locate them effectively, with potential for iterative calculations and compensation for environmental factors affecting accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The locating device plays audio, such as a tone, song, or white noise, via an acoustic transducer
Implementation Method 2
This audio is captured by the microphone of the audio apparatus
Implementation Method 3
The locating device calculates the distance by subtracting the known latency constant from the time delay, and multiplying the result by the speed of sound
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods directed to determining the distance between two devices are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize a Bluetooth connection between a first device, such as a smartphone with an acoustic transducer, and a second device, such as an earbud with an embedded microphone, and the audio capturing capabilities of the second device to determine a distance between the two devices. The first device plays audio via the acoustic transducer. This audio is captured by a microphone of the second device. The second device transmits data including the captured audio back to the first device via the Bluetooth connection. The first device calculates a time delay from the playing of the audio to the reception of the data over the Bluetooth connection. The first device then calculates the distance based on the time delay, the latency constant, and the speed of sound.