Tone-Emitting Device for Inaudible Data Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face inefficiencies in communicating data related to products, individuals, and objects, particularly in retail, healthcare, and payment systems, such as difficulties in locating products, managing inventory, and authenticating payments, due to limitations in existing bar code technologies.
Innovation Solution
A tone-emitting device system that encodes inaudible tones representing data related to objects or individuals, using non-naturally occurring frequencies above 15 kHz, allowing for unique encoding and decoding of information, enabling efficient communication and authentication through tone-emitting devices such as shelf labels, payment cards, and bracelets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bar code technology is used for product identification and payment, then data can be communicated about products, but the system is inefficient for locating products and processing payments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical bar code scanning with an acoustic tone-based communication system. Instead of using optical sensors to read visual bar codes, the system uses speakers to emit inaudible tones that encode product data, which are then detected by microphones in consumer devices. This substitution of the detection mechanism enables faster, contactless data transmission and eliminates the need for manual product location and scanning.
2Loss of information
If bar code technology is used for tracking products and individuals, then some data can be captured, but inventory management and participation tracking remain difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal acoustic communication platform that can track and identify multiple types of objects (products, individuals, pets) using the same tone-emitting and tone-detecting mechanism. The system uses standardized inaudible tones that can be emitted by various devices (shelf labels, wristbands, tags) and detected by any consumer device with a microphone, enabling consistent tracking across diverse applications without requiring different systems for different tracking needs.
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 system enhances data communication and authentication processes, improving inventory management, retail checkout efficiency, patient management, and payment verification by providing a unique and efficient means of data transmission and verification.
Implementation Method 1
A tone-emitting device includes a tone-emitting speaker for emitting an inaudible tone
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to systems and methods for communicating data with a tone-emitting device. A system for communicating an inaudible tone includes a tone-emitting device. The tone-emitting device includes a tone-emitting speaker for emitting an inaudible tone and a tone-determining computing device communicatively coupled to the tone-emitting speaker. The tone-determining computing device includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores logic that, when executed by the tone-determining computing device, causes the tone-determining computing device to receive data related to a characteristic of an object, encode an inaudible tone that represents at least a portion of the data and send instructions to the tone-emitting speaker for outputting the inaudible tone.