Mobile Audio Signaling for Low-Latency Information Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mobile device communication, such as using networks or short-range radio signals, suffer from latency, interference, and high power consumption, while optical methods require significant processing resources.

Innovation Solution

Mobile devices use audio to transmit information by modifying digital representations of audio clips to embed indicators, with a remote server mapping these indicators to the actual information, reducing the need for direct encoding and conserving processing resources and power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If network or short-range radio signals are used for mobile device communication, then information exchange is enabled, but latency and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation exchange speedVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses audio signals as an intermediary medium for direct device-to-device communication. Instead of relying on network infrastructure or radio signals, the system embeds information within audio clips that are played through speakers and captured by microphones, creating a direct communication channel that bypasses traditional communication pathways and reduces latency and interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the audio clip with embedded information indicators. The audio signal serves as a portable carrier that can be transmitted directly between devices without requiring network transmission, enabling fast and reliable information exchange through local playback and recording

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If network communication is used for information exchange, then devices can communicate, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation exchange capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses audio signals as an energy-efficient intermediary for direct communication. By embedding information in audio clips that are played locally and recorded by nearby devices, the system eliminates the need for continuous network connectivity and high-power radio transmissions, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining communication capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The audio-based communication system enables devices to exchange information autonomously without requiring network infrastructure. Devices play audio clips and record signals independently, creating a self-sufficient communication mechanism that consumes minimal power compared to network-dependent methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If optical methods are used for information transmission, then data exchange speed increases, but processing resources are significantly consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange speedVSAvoidprocessing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses audio signals as a low-complexity intermediary for information transmission. Instead of employing complex optical encoding and decoding systems, the system embeds information indicators within audio clips and uses simple playback and recording mechanisms, achieving fast data exchange with minimal processing overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates audio clip copies with embedded information that can be directly played and recorded. This approach avoids the complex real-time processing required by optical methods, as the information is pre-encoded in the audio signal and can be transmitted through simple analog playback and recording operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12469508B2Information exchange on mobile devices using audio
Publication Date: 2025.11.11 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC
  • US12469508B2 patent drawing
  • US12469508B2 patent drawing
  • US12469508B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In some implementations, a user device may receive input that triggers transmission of information via sound. The user device may select an audio clip based on a setting associated with the device, and may modify a digital representation of the selected audio clip using an encoding algorithm and based on data associated with a user of the device. The user device may transmit, to a remote server, an indication of the selected audio clip, an indication of the encoding algorithm, and the data associated with the user. The user device may use a speaker to play audio, based on the modified digital representation, for recording by other devices. Accordingly, the user device may receive, from the remote server and based on the speaker playing the audio, a confirmation that users associated with the other devices have performed an action based on the data associated with the user of the device.