Sound-Based Device Location and Content Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices rely on GPS and geolocation circuitry for location determination, which may not be effective in all scenarios, particularly for misplaced or lost devices, and do not facilitate efficient content sharing between devices based on location.
Innovation Solution
Implementing sound-based location detection using audio outputs from electronic devices, where the emitting device encodes location information into its audio signals, allowing receiving devices to determine the location using multiple microphones and time synchronization, enabling content sharing and directional transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS and geolocation circuitry are used for location determination, then location can be obtained in open sky conditions, but the method becomes ineffective in indoor or urban canyon environments where GPS signals are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces audio signals as an intermediary medium for location determination. Instead of relying directly on GPS satellites, the system uses audible sound waves that can penetrate indoor environments and urban canyons, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between devices when traditional satellite-based positioning fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic wave-based GPS system with an acoustic wave-based location determination system. By substituting the mechanical/acoustic domain for the electromagnetic domain, the system achieves reliable location tracking in environments where electromagnetic signals are blocked but sound waves can propagate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sound-based location detection is implemented, then location can be determined in indoor and urban environments, but the device complexity increases due to multiple microphones and audio processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the audio system multi-functional by using the same microphones and audio processing circuitry for both location determination and standard audio functions (voice calls, media playback, etc.). This eliminates the need for dedicated location-specific hardware, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining environmental versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the device's existing audio infrastructure to serve the additional function of location determination. The microphones, speakers, and audio processing pipelines that already exist for communication purposes are leveraged to calculate position, allowing the system to self-serve multiple functions without adding proportional complexity.
3Productivity
If location information is encoded into audio outputs, then content sharing between devices can be facilitated, but the audio signal quality may be degraded due to encoding overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial encoding where only essential location metadata is embedded in the audio signal rather than the entire data set. By selectively encoding only the necessary position information and device identifiers, the system achieves content sharing functionality while minimizing the impact on audio quality through reduced encoding overhead.
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 accurate location determination of electronic devices without relying on GPS, facilitates content sharing, and provides a method for directional transmission of data, improving device connectivity and usability in various scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
determine, based on the audio output, a location of the electronic device
Implementation Method 2
content sharing using sound-based locations of electronic devices
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology relate to determining a location of a device using sound that is output from the device. For example, an audio output from one or more speakers of an electronic device may be received at one or more microphones of another electronic device, and used by the other electronic device to determine the location of the electronic device.