RF Acoustic Sensing for Low-Power Sound Source Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and noise interference during voice command processing, leading to reduced battery life and ineffective sound source localization.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing radio frequency (RF) sensing techniques to collect data for acoustic mapping, identify sound sources, and configure acoustic settings, including low-, mid-, and high-resolution algorithms to detect user presence and motion, and implement spatial sound filters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If acoustic sensors are used to monitor baby conditions, then safety and comfort monitoring is improved, but the device size and integration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaby monitoring reliabilityVSAvoiddevice integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines acoustic sensors, RF sensors, processors, and communication modules into a single integrated baby monitor device. The acoustic sensor captures sound waves while the RF sensor simultaneously monitors environmental conditions, with a processor analyzing both data streams to provide comprehensive baby care information through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs multiple functions including acoustic monitoring, RF sensing, temperature monitoring, humidity monitoring, and communication capabilities within a single unit. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate devices for each monitoring task, reducing overall system complexity while improving comprehensive baby care.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are integrated into a single device, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsensor integration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed with modular sensor modules that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. Each sensor (acoustic, RF, temperature, humidity) is housed in its own module with dedicated signal processing circuits, allowing for standardized manufacturing processes and reducing the precision requirements for integrating multiple different sensor types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If acoustic sensors are made smaller, then device portability is improved, but measurement precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor sizeVSAvoidacoustic measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical acoustic sensor designs with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. This substitution enables significantly reduced sensor size while maintaining or improving measurement precision through advanced micro-fabrication techniques and integrated signal processing circuits that compensate for the smaller sensing element size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Reduces power consumption, improves speech recognition latency, and enhances sound source localization by accurately identifying and filtering noise sources.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic sensor may be used to detect sound waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 2

a radio frequency (RF) sensor may be used to detect environmental conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency sensing: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP4338434B1Acoustic configuration based on radio frequency sensing
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4338434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4338434B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4338434B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are systems and techniques for detecting audio sources and configuring acoustic device settings. For instance, a wireless device can obtain a first set of radio frequency (RF) sensing data associated with a first plurality of received waveforms corresponding to a first transmitted waveform reflected off of a plurality of reflectors. Based on the first set of RF sensing data, the wireless device can determine a classification of a first reflector from the plurality of reflectors. The wireless device can determine at least one acoustic setting based on the classification of the at least one reflector.