Wireless Accessory Localization with Beamformed Sound Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote location-tracking services are unable to track lost or stolen wireless accessory devices such as earbuds, headphones, and other wearable devices due to their inability to determine location and communicate over wide area networks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving playing a sound at a specified frequency through the accessory device's loudspeaker, using beamforming and filtering to enhance sound detection, combined with inertial sensor data for orientation, is employed by a companion device to locate the accessory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless accessory devices are made compact and wireless for portability, then ease of operation and adaptability improve, but the ability to determine location and communicate over wide area networks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a companion device (such as a smartphone) and a server that mediates between the wireless accessory device and the user. The accessory device communicates its location to the companion device via short-range wireless communication, and the companion device communicates with the server over a wide area network. This intermediary system enables location tracking of compact wireless accessories without requiring them to have built-in wide area network communication capabilities.
2Reliability
If remote location tracking services are implemented for wireless devices, then reliability of device recovery improves, but device complexity increases due to required positioning technology and network communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the location tracking system into separate functional segments: the wireless accessory device contains only simple positioning technology (such as GPS receiver or Wi-Fi positioning), while the companion device handles complex network communication and server interaction. This segmentation allows the accessory device to remain simple and low-cost while still providing reliable location tracking through the distributed system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If sound detection is performed in noisy environments, then localization accuracy improves, but sound detectability deteriorates due to ambient noise masking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs vibration analysis of the wireless accessory device, detecting characteristic vibration patterns generated by the device's motor or actuator components. These vibrations are distinct from ambient noise and can be detected by the companion device's sensors. By analyzing these mechanical vibrations rather than acoustic signals, the system achieves accurate localization even in noisy environments where acoustic detection would fail.
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 effective localization of lost or stolen wireless accessories by enhancing sound detectability and providing directional guidance through graphical user interfaces, even in noisy environments.
Implementation Method 1
playing, or initiating the playing of, a sound through a loudspeaker of an accessory device via a communication link. The sound is played at a specified frequency that utilizes a frequency response of the loudspeaker
Implementation Method 2
The sound is received through two or more microphones of the electronic device (configured for beamforming)
Implementation Method 3
The sound is received through two or more microphones of the electronic device (configured for beamforming). A beamforming signal is generated from outputs of the two or more microphones
Implementation Method 4
The one or more filters are configured to pass the sound at or around the specified frequency and to reduce masking of the sound by ambient noise
Implementation Method 5
associating the filtered sound with a compass heading for the electronic device generated from sensor data provided by one or more inertial sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, devices and non-transitory, computer-readable storage mediums are disclosed for location-tracking wireless devices. In an embodiment, a method performed by an electronic device comprises: playing, or initiating the playing of, a sound through a loudspeaker of an accessory device via a communication link. The sound is played at a specified frequency that utilizes a frequency response of the loudspeaker (or loudspeaker plus speaker enclosure). The sound is received through two or more microphones of the electronic device and filtered by one or more filters. The one or more filters are configured to pass the sound at or around the specified frequency and to reduce masking of the sound by ambient noise. The filtered sound is associated with direction data generated from sensor data provided by one or more inertial sensors of the electronic device. In another embodiment, the specified frequency is higher than the maximum human hearing range.