Sound Event Localization Using Mobile Receiver Trilateration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for locating sound events, such as gunshots or explosions, are complex and expensive, making them unsuitable for easy use by the general public on mobile devices, and there is a need for a reliable, transportable system that can accurately determine the location of such events.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using at least three receivers with known positions, measuring reception times of sound waves to determine the location of a sound event through trilateration, which can be implemented on mobile devices and includes geolocation modules, noise recognition, and data processing to display or store the event's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex systems with multiple acoustic sensors and sophisticated signal processing are used, then location precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the location task into independent modules: receivers collect acoustic data independently, each receiver determines its own position, and a central processor performs trilateration. This segmentation allows simple receivers to achieve precise location through distributed computation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical acoustic sensor arrays with a computational approach using trilateration mathematics. Instead of using sophisticated physical sensors, the system uses simple receivers combined with mathematical processing to achieve precise location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If fixed installation systems with known receiver positions are used, then location reliability is improved, but ease of deployment and mobility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation reliabilityVSAvoiddeployment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receivers serve multiple functions: they collect acoustic signals, determine their own positions via geolocation modules, and participate in the trilateration calculation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for fixed installations while maintaining location reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Each receiver independently determines its own position using its geolocation module, eliminating the need for pre-configured fixed positions. The system automatically establishes reliable location data through self-positioning receivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple receivers with geolocation modules are deployed, then location precision is improved, but device weight and portability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation precisionVSAvoidreceiver weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the location function across multiple simple receivers rather than using one complex system. Each receiver is lightweight and portable, but the collective network achieves precise location through distributed trilateration calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 precise and simple location of sound events, facilitating use on mobile devices and allowing for various deployment scenarios, including use of portable receivers and integration with augmented reality for real-time display and action initiation.

Implementation Method 1

measuring reception times using at least three receivers for receiving signals representing a sound wave emitted during said sound event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

determining the position of the sound event, by trilateration, based on the one or more differences in the computed distances and on the position of the receivers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTrilateration:

Implementation Method 3

signals representing a sound wave emitted during said sound event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS20250347768A1Method for locating a sound event

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 MARBEUF CONSEIL ET RECHERCHE

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for locating a sound event (S) by measuring the reception times at which at least three receivers (2, 3) receive signals representative of a sound wave emitted during the sound event (S), in particular receivers (2, 3) that have a known position or are fitted with a geolocation module configured to provide the position of the receiver (2, 3), the method comprising the steps that consist in: a) determining, for each receiver (2, 3), the reception time of a signal representative of the wave emitted during the sound event (S), referred to as “sound signal”; b) calculating, for at least two pairs of receivers (2, 3), a difference in the distances between the receivers (2, 3) of the pair and the sound event (S) based on the reception times of the sound signals; and c) determining the position of the sound event (S), by trilateration, on the basis of the one or more differences in the calculated distances and the position of the receivers (2, 3) at the corresponding reception times.