Smart Audio Device Coordination by Acoustic User Location Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio devices lack a unified system for seamless connectivity and management across multiple devices, failing to effectively utilize the multitude of devices around a user for seamless capture, connectivity, and communications, and there is a need for better location, context, content, and user preference management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for coordinating multiple smart audio devices by estimating user location through sound detection, controlling audio activities based on user location, and adapting microphone and loudspeaker settings to enhance user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio devices are deployed to provide comprehensive audio coverage and services, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the complexity of coordinating and managing these devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple audio devices into a unified system by establishing a centralized controller that coordinates all audio devices. The controller aggregates audio inputs from multiple microphones across different devices and manages audio outputs through multiple loudspeakers, treating the distributed devices as a single coordinated system rather than independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal audio processing platform where the same controller and processing architecture can manage diverse audio devices performing various functions (music playback, voice commands, notifications, calls). The system provides multi-functional capabilities including spatial audio rendering, voice-activated operations, and adaptive audio routing across different device configurations.
2Reliability
If audio devices operate independently without unified management, then device simplicity and reliability are maintained, but the ability to provide seamless audio experiences and coordinated services is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors audio inputs from multiple microphones, processes spatial information about sound sources, and dynamically adjusts audio routing and device activation. This feedback loop enables seamless transitions between devices and maintains coherent audio experiences without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller serves as an intermediary between multiple audio devices, coordinating their operations to provide seamless experiences. The controller mediates communication between devices, manages audio streams, and coordinates spatial rendering without requiring direct interaction between individual devices, thereby maintaining simplicity while enabling complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system tracks user location and adapts audio delivery accordingly, then user experience and relevance are improved, but the complexity of location management and context awareness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical or sensor-based location tracking with acoustic field analysis. By processing audio signals from multiple microphones to determine sound source locations and user positioning, the system infers spatial information without requiring additional hardware or complex tracking mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes audio delivery parameters such as spatial rendering, volume distribution, and device selection based on inferred user location and context. By adjusting these parameters in real-time according to acoustic field analysis, the system provides personalized experiences without requiring explicit location data or complex management systems.
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 seamless audio activity management across multiple devices by optimizing microphone and loudspeaker usage based on user location and preferences, improving user experience and device connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
determining an estimated location of a user in the environment in response to sound uttered by the user, wherein the sound uttered by the user is detected by at least one of the microphones of the system
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for performing at least one audio activity (e.g., conducting a phone call or playing music or other audio content) in an environment including by determining an estimated location of a user in the environment in response to sound uttered by the user (e.g., a voice command), and controlling the audio activity in response to determining the estimated user location. The environment may have zones which are indicated by a zone map and estimation of the user location may include estimating in which of the zones the user is located. The audio activity may be performed using microphones and loudspeakers which are implemented in or coupled to smart audio devices.