Audio Watermarking for Co-located Terminal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In group communication sessions, echo and howling occur due to multiple users in close proximity with their microphones turned on, degrading the session quality, as existing technologies fail to accurately determine which terminals are in the same physical space to prevent repeated audio acquisition.
Innovation Solution
An audio watermarking method is implemented, where a session identifier and device identifier are added to audio data, allowing terminals to detect if they are in the same physical space and prompting users to mute their microphones or use headphones, thereby preventing echo and howling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple users in close proximity have their microphones turned on during group communication sessions, then audio acquisition capability is improved, but echo and howling occur degrading session quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by adding audio watermarks containing device identifiers to audio data before transmission. This allows terminals to pre-identify potential echo sources before actual communication occurs, enabling proactive prevention of echo and howling by prompting users to mute or use headphones when terminals are detected in the same physical space
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where terminals detect audio watermarks in received audio data, identify co-located devices, and provide feedback to users through prompts. This feedback loop enables real-time detection and prevention of echo conditions by informing users when their microphone should be muted or they should use headphones, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining audio acquisition capability and preventing harmful echo effects
2Ease of operation
If existing technologies are used to manage group communication sessions, then basic communication functionality is maintained, but accurate determination of terminals in same physical space cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces audio watermarks as an intermediary mechanism that carries device identifier information within audio data. This intermediary allows terminals to indirectly determine their physical space relationships by detecting and analyzing the watermarks in audio transmissions, achieving accurate location identification without requiring complex direct measurement systems while maintaining basic communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical or direct physical detection methods with an information-based approach using audio watermarks. Instead of using complex sensors or direct measurement systems to determine terminal locations, the patent substitutes this with embedding and detecting identifier information within audio signals, achieving the same measurement precision with simpler, more practical technology
Data Source
AI summary
An audio playing method is performed by a first terminal participating in a group communication session. The method includes obtaining first audio data of the group communication session, and adding an audio watermark to the first audio data to obtain second audio data. The audio watermark includes on a session identifier of the group communication session and a device identifier of the first terminal. The method also includes playing the second audio data.