Mobile Device Orientation-Based Audio Discovery System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for obtaining audio from a remote location using mobile devices require user cooperation and availability, as they necessitate dialing and placing a call, limiting independent access to audio information.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes a mobile device's orientation sensors to detect objects of interest and automatically connect to a remote server for audio alerts, allowing users to obtain audio information without user interaction or cooperation, by using an exploration application that maps device locations and provides audio alerts for nearby points of interest or users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If audio data transmission is performed by sending an audio file or audio streaming from a source mobile device to a destination mobile device, then audio information can be obtained from a remote location, but user cooperation and availability are required which limits independent access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent access to audio informationVSAvoiduser cooperation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A server acts as an intermediary between source and destination mobile devices. The server continuously collects audio data from source devices and makes it available to destination devices, eliminating the need for direct user-to-user communication and call placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic audio transmission where source devices automatically upload audio data to the server without user intervention, and destination devices automatically retrieve and play audio data based on location and orientation, providing self-service functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If a user must dial and place a call to obtain audio from another user, then real-time audio communication is achieved, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of obtaining audio informationVSAvoidcall placement process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Audio data is pre-collected and uploaded to the server by source devices before any destination device needs it. The server maintains a ready pool of audio data that can be immediately transmitted when a destination device requests it based on location and orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The call placement function is extracted from the audio acquisition process. Instead of requiring a phone call, the system separates the audio collection, storage, and transmission functions, allowing audio to be obtained without the complexity of establishing a voice call.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If audio streaming is used to transmit real-time audio from a remote location, then continuous audio information is available, but user availability is required which reduces system reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio availability independenceVSAvoidcontinuous audio transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The server continuously collects and stores audio data from multiple source devices over time, creating a persistent audio database. This allows destination devices to access audio data at any time without requiring the original source device or user to be available, ensuring continuous audio availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2961135B1Method and system for obtaining distanced audio by a portable device
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2961135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2961135B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2961135B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for providing distanced audio from a remote location using mobile devices, according to which a change in the orientation of a destination mobile device to a pointing orientation, aimed to an object of interest, is detected using an exploration application that is installed in advance on the mobile device. The azimuth to which the mobile device is currently pointing is calculated and all point and/or of objects of interest which are within a predetermined range from the pointing device, are detected. Then the exploration application automatically connects to a remote server which continuously collects the current location information of any user of a mobile device and maps its location with respect to stationary object or points of interests, or to moving objects. The server provides via the application, one or more audio alerts to the user of the destination device that one or more object or points of interest are in range. The user may interact with one or more object or points of interest. The user may also scan the surrounding space by obtaining the overall audio from all objects at once.