Audio Watermark User Positioning via Acoustic Signal Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user positioning methods are inefficient and costly, as they require users to enable Bluetooth on their devices, leading to increased power consumption and operational complexity, especially in large areas like markets with multiple stores.
Innovation Solution
A user positioning method that uses audio signals with watermarks, where an audio signal playing terminal embeds identification information into audio signals, allowing client terminals to collect and parse these signals to determine user location, thereby eliminating the need for Bluetooth scanning and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Bluetooth apparatuses are disposed in each store to enable accurate positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical Bluetooth positioning system with an acoustic-based positioning system. Instead of using Bluetooth apparatuses embedded in each store, the system uses audio signals with watermarks that can be played through existing audio terminals (storefront speakers, music players). Client terminals capture these audio signals and extract positioning information, eliminating the need for complex Bluetooth infrastructure while achieving accurate store-level positioning.
2Reliability
If Bluetooth function is enabled continuously for positioning, then positioning availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic positioning by triggering the client terminal's positioning function only when specific conditions are met (e.g., when the user enters a market area or when positioning is explicitly needed). Instead of continuously enabling Bluetooth and scanning for apparatuses, the system periodically activates the audio capture and processing functions, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining positioning availability when needed.
3Productivity
If Bluetooth scanning is performed frequently to improve positioning efficiency, then positioning speed is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the client terminal to automatically capture audio signals containing watermarks and perform self-service positioning without requiring user intervention. The system automatically extracts identification information from the audio signals, queries the server for position data, and completes the positioning process. This eliminates the need for users to manually enable Bluetooth, scan for apparatuses, or interpret complex positioning operations, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining high positioning efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a user positioning method and an apparatus, to implement accurate positioning of a user by identifying an audio signal having a watermark and collected by a client terminal, and the user does not need to perform operations such as enabling a Bluetooth function of a terminal device associated with the user and scanning a Bluetooth apparatus near a position at which the user is located, thereby improving user positioning efficiency while reducing user positioning costs. In addition, this application further provides an information push method and an apparatus.