Sub-audible Signaling via Echo and Power Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current broadcast signaling technologies, such as RDS, require additional frequency resources, are limited in data capacity, and often necessitate expensive receivers, while aesthetics and noise considerations restrict data modulation in analog signals.
Innovation Solution
The method involves encoding sub-audible codes within analog signals using echo and power modulation techniques, allowing multiple codes to be embedded in a single signal, which can identify source and content information, and maintain signal fidelity, enabling efficient transmission without prior coordination between broadcasters or parties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RDS data and broadcast signaling are used to transmit information, then source and content information can be communicated, but additional frequency resources are required and expensive receivers are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an acoustic copy of the signal block and embeds it as an echo within the same signal. This echo copy contains the encoded information and can be detected by simple receivers without requiring complex radio signaling infrastructure or expensive specialized receivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic/radio-based signaling systems (RDS, HD Radio) with an acoustic signal processing approach. By embedding information in the acoustic signal itself through echo and power modulation, the system eliminates the need for complex radio receivers and additional frequency resources.
2Loss of information
If traditional signaling methods are used, then information can be transmitted, but the amount of data that can be carried is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses two independent modulation dimensions: echo modulation (temporal dimension - adding delayed copies of signal blocks) and power modulation (amplitude dimension - varying signal power levels). This multi-dimensional approach allows multiple codes to be embedded simultaneously in the same signal without interfering with each other, greatly expanding data capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the signal into discrete blocks and applies different modulation techniques to different blocks. Each block can carry independent coded information, allowing multiple codes to be transmitted within a single signal stream, thereby increasing overall data capacity.
3Loss of information
If signal modulation is applied to convey information, then data can be embedded, but aesthetics and noise considerations are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the parameters of modulation - using sub-audible echo delays and power variations that are imperceptible to human ears. By adjusting these parameters to be below the threshold of human perception, the system embeds information without degrading audio quality or introducing noticeable noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful noise and distortion into beneficial features by using them as carriers for information. The echo, which could be perceived as unwanted repetition, is instead used as the primary encoding mechanism, while power variations that might seem like distortion are utilized to convey additional data.
4Loss of information
If multiple codes are embedded in a signal, then source and content information can be transmitted simultaneously, but noise and distortion effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information encoding across multiple signal blocks, with each block carrying a portion of the coded information through echo modulation. Power modulation is then applied selectively to specific blocks to convey additional data. This segmentation distributes the information load and allows multiple codes to coexist without excessive interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the echo signal as an intermediary carrier that can transport power modulation metadata. The echo-modulated signal serves as a medium that can simultaneously carry both echo-encoded information and power-modulated information, enabling multiple codes to be embedded without direct interference between them.
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 allows for the efficient embedding of multiple codes in a single signal, maintaining signal fidelity and enabling broadcast without coordination, while minimizing noise and distortion effects, and allowing partial decoding without prior knowledge of encoding parameters.
Implementation Method 1
embedding an echo of the first block of the signal in the second block of the signal
Implementation Method 2
modulating the power of the first modified second block of the signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for a system and method for encoding sub-audible codes within a signal. One exemplary embodiment includes a method that includes receiving a first digital code and a second digital code; receiving a first block and a second block of a signal; embedding an echo of the first block of the signal in the second block of the signal to create a first modified second block of the signal in accordance with the first digital code; modulating the power of the first modified second block of the signal to create a second modified second block of the signal in accordance with the second digital code; and sending a modified signal including the second modified second block of the signal.