Client Device Pose Localization with Audio Echo and Visual Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing localization methods relying solely on visual data face challenges in low-light conditions and scenarios where matching visual data to a 3D map is difficult.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing echolocation data generated by emitting sounds and detecting reflections to supplement or replace visual data for localization, incorporating audio and visual information to determine the pose of a device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual data alone is used for localization, then the system is simple to implement, but localization accuracy deteriorates in low-light conditions and challenging scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines visual data from cameras with audio data from microphones to create a multi-sensory localization system. The camera captures images while microphones capture audio signals, and both data streams are processed together to determine device pose, thereby improving localization accuracy in conditions where visual data alone is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The localization system is designed to handle multiple types of environmental conditions using a unified approach that processes both visual and audio data. The system can adaptively rely more on audio data in low-light conditions or complex visual environments, making the localization function universally applicable across diverse scenarios.
2Loss of information
If visual data is used for localization, then the system operates passively without additional energy consumption, but information capture is limited to the camera's field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges visual information from the camera with audio information from microphones to create a more complete environmental representation. Audio data captures sounds from all directions including areas outside the camera's field of view, thereby reducing information loss without requiring additional active sensing beyond the existing sensor suite.
3Reliability
If echolocation data is added to supplement visual data, then localization reliability improves in challenging scenarios, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses audio signals as an intermediary to probe the environment and gather additional spatial information. The device emits audio signals that reflect off surfaces, and the returned echoes provide information about surrounding geometry and device position, serving as a mediator between the device and the environment to improve localization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces purely visual mechanical/optical localization with a hybrid approach that incorporates acoustic field interactions. Instead of relying solely on visual feature matching, the system uses audio signal propagation and reflection patterns to determine spatial relationships, substituting acoustic physics for visual processing in certain aspects of localization.
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
Enhances localization accuracy by capturing information outside the camera's field of view, particularly in low-light conditions, and improves localization reliability in challenging scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The echolocation data may be generated by the device emitting a sound (e.g., a chirp or audio pulse) and detecting reflections of the sound from surrounding surfaces using one or more microphones.
Data Source
AI summary
A reference image and recorded sound of an environment of a client device are obtained. The recorded sound may be captured by a microphone of the client device in a period of time after generation of a localization sound by the client device. The location of the client device in the environment may be determined using the reference image and the recorded sound.