Robotic Audio Localization for Out-of-View Sound Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic systems face challenges in detecting and responding to sound sources that are outside their visible field of view, limiting their ability to control elements in the environment effectively without visual confirmation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize audiovisual data from cameras and microphones to identify the location of sound sources outside the visible field, allowing for the control of controllable elements based on audio data, even if the sound source is not visually detectable, through the use of spatial models and microphone arrays to determine the sound source's location and type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If robotic systems rely solely on visual data from cameras to detect objects, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect sound sources outside the visible field of view is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines visual data from cameras and audio data from microphones into a unified detection system. The system merges multiple data modalities (visual and auditory) to create a more comprehensive environmental awareness, allowing the robotic system to detect both visible and audible objects regardless of whether they are within the camera's field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements multi-functional detection capabilities by integrating both visual and auditory sensing. The same robotic system can perform both visual object detection and audio-based sound source localization, making it universally capable of detecting different types of objects through different sensory modalities depending on what is needed.
2Measurement precision
If robotic systems use only camera-based visual detection, then the device complexity is lower, but the measurement precision for locating sound sources is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely visual-mechanical detection with a hybrid system that incorporates acoustic sensing. Instead of relying only on camera-based visual tracking, the system uses microphone arrays to detect and localize sound sources, providing accurate spatial information about audible objects even when they are not visible to the camera.
3Area of stationary object
If the robotic system expands its field of view to capture all potential sound sources, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic scanning of the audio environment to detect sound sources. Instead of continuously operating high-power cameras at full resolution across the entire field of view, the system periodically activates audio detection and only processes visual data when a sound source is detected or when previously identified objects are expected to be visible, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
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
Enables robotic systems to accurately identify and respond to out-of-view sound sources, enhancing their ability to control environmental parameters and track objects, such as people, without relying solely on visual data, thereby improving their operational efficiency and accuracy in home assistive and other contexts.
Implementation Method 1
identifying, based on the audio data component of the audiovisual data, a location of a sound source that emits sound
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic system is controlled. Audiovisual data representing an environment in which at least part of the robotic system is located is received via at least one camera and at least one microphone. The audiovisual data comprises a visual data component representing a visible part of the environment and an audio data component representing an audible part of the environment. A location of a sound source that emits sound that is represented in the audio data component of the audiovisual data is identified based on the audio data component of the audiovisual data. The sound source is outside the visible part of the environment and is not represented in the visual data component of the audiovisual data. Operation of a controllable element located in the environment is controlled based on the identified location of the sound source.