Speaker-Microphone Presence Detection Without Dedicated Ultrasonic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses face challenges in accurately recognizing a user's presence while minimizing power consumption and avoiding interference with animals or infants, particularly when using ultrasonic sensors.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus uses a combination of audio signals, including both non-ultrasonic and ultrasonic waves, to identify a user's presence by analyzing sound pressure, phase differences, and filtering noise, allowing it to perform functions like displaying user interfaces without requiring a separate ultrasonic sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an ultrasonic sensor is used to recognize a user, then recognition accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases and animals or infants may be disturbed by ultrasonic waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic sensor (acoustic field-based) with a speaker and microphone system that uses audible frequency sounds. The speaker emits audible tones and the microphone captures reflected sounds to detect user presence, substituting the ultrasonic detection mechanism with an audible frequency-based one that avoids disturbing animals or infants while maintaining user recognition capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the speaker serve dual functions: as an audio output device for audible sounds and as an ultrasonic wave transmitter for user detection. The microphone also serves dual purposes as both an audio input device and a receiver for reflected ultrasonic waves. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ultrasonic sensors while maintaining detection accuracy
2Measurement precision
If ultrasonic waves are output through the ultrasonic sensor, then user recognition accuracy is improved, but harmful factors are generated that may disturb animals or infants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the emitted waves from ultrasonic (above human hearing range) to audible frequency (within human hearing range). This parameter change allows the system to maintain wave-based detection capability while eliminating the harmful effect of disturbing animals or infants, as the audible frequencies are less likely to cause disturbance to these sensitive groups
3Measurement precision
If an image sensor is used to recognize a user, then user recognition is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the image sensor system (optical field-based requiring complex image processing) with an acoustic field-based system using audible frequency waves. The acoustic waves provide direct detection of user presence through sound pressure changes, eliminating the need for time-consuming image capture and analysis while achieving reliable user recognition
4Device complexity
If only audible frequency audio signals are used to recognize users, then device simplicity is maintained, but recognition accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the ultrasonic frequency dimension to the audible frequency dimension. Instead of using only audible frequencies, the system combines audible frequency sounds (for general audio detection) with ultrasonic frequency waves (for precise proximity detection). This dimensional expansion enhances recognition accuracy by providing both general audio context and precise distance information while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
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
This approach enhances user recognition accuracy, reduces power consumption, and minimizes interference with animals or infants, enabling efficient and accurate user detection and interface control.
Implementation Method 1
output ultrasonic waves through the speaker
Implementation Method 2
including reflective waves corresponding to the ultrasonic waves output through the speaker
Implementation Method 3
a first audio signal obtained through the microphone, output ultrasonic waves through the speaker, and based on identifying that a user is present around the electronic apparatus based on a second audio signal obtained through the microphone and including reflective waves
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes memory configured to store instructions, a display, a speaker, a microphone and at least one processor including processing circuitry, and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic apparatus to obtain a first audio signal through the microphone, based on a predetermined sound being identified based on a first audio signal, output ultrasonic waves through the speaker, obtain a second audio signal including reflective waves corresponding to the ultrasonic waves through the microphone, and based on identifying that a user is present around the electronic apparatus based on the second audio signal, perform a predetermined function.