Ultrasonic Time of Flight for External Display Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring multiple external displays for computer devices, such as laptops or desktops, often requires significant user interaction and can be time-consuming and confusing, as existing methods like radio or infrared ranging require specialized equipment and synchronized clocks, which are not typically available on consumer devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of ultrasonic signaling between a computer device and external displays, where ultrasonic signals are emitted and received by speakers and microphones, allowing for distance and orientation detection without the need for synchronized clocks, using time differences calculated by each device to estimate their relative positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radio or infrared ranging is used to detect external display position, then distance measurement capability is provided, but specialized equipment and synchronized clocks are required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex radio/infrared ranging systems with a simpler ultrasonic acoustic system. Instead of using electromagnetic waves requiring specialized transmitters and synchronized clocks, the invention uses sound waves transmitted through speakers and received by microphones, which are standard components in consumer devices. This substitution eliminates the need for complex synchronization mechanisms while maintaining distance measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components (speakers and microphones) that are already present in consumer devices, rather than requiring expensive specialized ranging equipment. These standard audio components can be easily integrated into existing devices without adding significant complexity or cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration of external displays is performed, then display layout can be customized, but user interaction time increases making the process time-consuming and confusing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic detection of external display position and orientation before the user needs to configure anything. By using ultrasonic signals to measure distance and calculate orientation angles, the system gathers all necessary spatial information in advance, then automatically configures the display layout without requiring user input. This eliminates the time-consuming manual configuration process while maintaining full customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and configures external display settings without requiring user intervention. The ultrasonic ranging and orientation detection mechanisms enable the system to self-configure display layouts, orientations, and positions, freeing the user from manual setup tasks while still achieving customized display configurations.
3Device complexity
If ultrasonic signaling is used for distance and orientation detection, then standard device components can be used eliminating need for specialized equipment, but measurement accuracy must be maintained without clock synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses bidirectional ultrasonic signaling where each device transmits signals and measures the time of flight to determine distance. By exchanging signals and measuring round-trip times, the system can accurately calculate distances without requiring synchronized clocks at both ends. The feedback mechanism of signal transmission and reception timing enables accurate measurements using only local clocks.
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 method simplifies the process of configuring external displays by enabling accurate distance and orientation determination using standard device components, eliminating the need for specialized equipment and clock synchronization, thus reducing user interaction and improving efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A speaker of the apparatus may be equipped to transmit a first ultrasonic signal
Implementation Method 2
measuring, by the apparatus, a time difference between a first time and a second time, wherein the first time is an elapsed time between transmission of a first ultrasonic signal by the apparatus and a receipt of a second ultrasonic signal by the microphone
Implementation Method 3
a microphone; and circuitry to measure a time difference between a first time and a second time, wherein the first time is an elapsed time between transmission of a first ultrasonic signal by the apparatus and a receipt of a second ultrasonic signal by the microphone
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with identifying a physical distance using audio channels are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one speaker and microphone associated with an audio channel, which may be of a plurality of audio channels. The apparatus may include circuitry to identify an amount of time between times of transmission of a first ultrasonic signal, and receipt of a second ultrasonic signal received via the microphone. The second ultrasonic signal may be transmitted by an external device, which also may provide a time between receipt of the first signal and transmission of the second signal. The amount of time may be usable to determine a physical distance between the apparatus and the external device. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.