Directional Audio Output for Spatial Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In crowded or busy environments, communication devices like two-way radios fail to indicate the location of the speaker, leading to confusion and decreased efficiency due to ambient noise and structural barriers, making it difficult for multiple people to communicate effectively.
Innovation Solution
The technology provides multi-dimensional audio output by determining the relative physical location and orientation of an audio transmitting device relative to an audio outputting device, processing the audio signal to create an augmented signal that indicates the speaker's direction, allowing users to determine the source of the communication through balanced audio output devices with adjustable cameras and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If two-way radios are used for communication in crowded environments, then communication capability is enabled, but the listener cannot determine the speaker's location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds spatial dimension to audio communication by processing audio signals to indicate directional information. The audio output device determines the relative physical location and orientation of the transmitting device, then processes the audio signal to create an augmented signal that conveys spatial cues, allowing listeners to perceive the speaker's location in addition to the audio content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio processing system as an intermediary between the transmitting and receiving devices. This intermediary determines relative location and orientation, processes the audio signal accordingly, and outputs an augmented signal that encodes spatial information, thereby mediating the transmission of location data without requiring direct line-of-sight or additional communication channels.
2Productivity
If multiple conversations occur simultaneously on two-way radios, then communication coverage increases, but channel conflicts and confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves channel conflicts by adding spatial dimension to single-channel communication. Multiple conversations can occur simultaneously on the same frequency channel because each conversation is spatially differentiated through audio processing that indicates the direction and location of each speaker, allowing listeners to distinguish between concurrent conversations without needing separate communication channels.
3Loss of information
If audio signals are processed to indicate directional information, then location awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio output device performs multiple functions: it receives audio signals, determines relative physical location and orientation of the transmitting device, processes the audio signal to create augmented signals with spatial cues, and outputs the processed signal. By consolidating these functions in a single device, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the capability to provide spatial awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology provides multi-dimensional audio output by providing a relative physical location of an audio transmitting device relative to an audio outputting device in a shared map of physical space shared between the audio transmitting device and the audio outputting device. An orientation of the audio outputting device relative to the audio transmitting device is determined and an audio signal received from the audio transmitting device via a communication network is processed using the determined orientation of the audio outputting device relative to the audio transmitting device and the relative physical location of the audio transmitting device to create an augmented audio signal. The augmented audio signal is output through at least one audio output on the audio outputting device in a manner indicating a relative physical direction of the audio transmitting device to the audio outputting device in the shared map of the physical space.