Beacon-Based Co-Location Audio Routing to Prevent Meeting Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems experience audio feedback issues when multiple devices in close proximity are used, leading to incomplete meeting records and inefficient resource utilization due to muted microphones, and existing solutions like proximity sensors or microphone disabling are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A system using beacon signals with different protocols based on microphone and speaker states to determine co-location, enabling co-location mode for devices to contribute audio content while mitigating feedback, ensuring complete meeting records and efficient resource use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If microphones are disabled for co-located devices to prevent audio feedback, then audio feedback is reduced, but meeting record accuracy and information completeness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments audio stream routing by device location. Co-located devices are identified through beacon signal detection and placed in a special co-location mode where their audio streams are routed differently from non-co-located devices. This segmentation allows microphones to remain active for all devices while preventing feedback only for co-located devices through selective audio stream restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a server-mediated audio routing mechanism. The server receives audio streams from all devices, identifies co-located devices through beacon signals, and acts as an intermediary to selectively restrict audio stream communication only between co-located devices while maintaining full recording and transmission capabilities to the meeting platform.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If microphones are muted for co-located devices to avoid feedback, then feedback issues are mitigated, but productivity and meeting efficiency deteriorate due to prolonged meetings and additional communication channels
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of co-located devices using beacon signals before the meeting begins or when devices join. By identifying co-located devices in advance and pre-configuring them for co-location mode, the system eliminates the need for post-meeting corrections, extended discussions, or alternative communication channels, thereby maintaining meeting efficiency and productivity.
3Device complexity
If a single beacon protocol is used for all devices, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and co-location detection accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the beacon signal protocol based on device characteristics and meeting context. Different beacon protocols are selected and applied according to the specific operating state of each device, allowing optimal detection accuracy for diverse device types while managing complexity through context-aware protocol selection rather than universal complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed techniques provide enhanced techniques for reducing audio feedback during communication sessions. A system utilizes beacon signals to determine if two or more client devices are co-located. The system uses two different beacon signals communicated from two different devices if one of the devices joins a meeting with an active microphone. However, the system only utilizes one beacon signal from the joining device if the joining device has a muted microphone and speaker. Once two or more client devices are determined to be co-located, the system invokes a co-location mode that activates the microphones of each co-located client devices to allow each device to contribute audio content to a meeting for use in transcripts, recordings, meeting summaries, and verbal commands, while also preventing the co-located devices from sharing audio signals between one another.