Audio Localization Using Audio Signal Encoding and Recognition
First Claim
1. A method of determining position of a mobile device comprising:
- receiving audio signals from two or more different audio sources in a microphone of the mobile device, wherein the audio signals sound substantially similar to a human listener, yet have different characteristics to distinguish among the different audio sources;
distinguishing the audio signals from each other based on two or more layers of distinguishing characteristics determined from the audio signals, wherein a first layer provides information to identify a group of audio sources, and a second layer provides information to identify a particular audio source within the group;
based on identifying particular audio sources, determining location of the particular audio sources;
determining position of the mobile device a based on the locations of the particular audio sources.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A positioning network comprises an array of signal sources that transmit signals with unique characteristics that are detectable in signals captured through a sensor on a mobile device, such as a microphone of a mobile phone handset. Through signal processing of the captured signal, the positioning system distinguishes these characteristics to identify distinct sources and their corresponding coordinates. A position calculator takes these coordinates together with other attributes derived from the received signals from distinct sources, such as time of arrival or signal strength, to calculate coordinates of the mobile device. A layered protocol is used to introduce distinguishing characteristics in the source signals. This approach enables the use of low cost components to integrate a positioning network on equipment used for other functions, such as audio playback equipment at shopping malls and other venues where location based services are desired.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of determining position of a mobile device comprising:
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receiving audio signals from two or more different audio sources in a microphone of the mobile device, wherein the audio signals sound substantially similar to a human listener, yet have different characteristics to distinguish among the different audio sources; distinguishing the audio signals from each other based on two or more layers of distinguishing characteristics determined from the audio signals, wherein a first layer provides information to identify a group of audio sources, and a second layer provides information to identify a particular audio source within the group; based on identifying particular audio sources, determining location of the particular audio sources; determining position of the mobile device a based on the locations of the particular audio sources. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A position system comprising:
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a microphone for receiving audio source signals in an audible range and converting to an electronic signal, wherein the audio signals sound substantially similar to a human listener, yet have different characteristics to distinguish among the different audio sources; and one or more processors for accessing the electronic signal corresponding to received audio signals and distinguishing the audio signals from each other based on two or more layers of distinguishing characteristics determined from the audio signals, wherein a first layer provides information to identify a group of audio sources, and a second layer provides information to identify a particular audio source within the group, and for determining location of the particular audio sources based on identifying the particular audio sources and determining position of the mobile device a based on the locations of the particular audio sources.
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14. An audio signal generation system comprising:
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a controller for controlling an audio signal output by an audio playback device, the audio signal comprising a first layer of characteristics for identifying a group of loudspeakers connected to the audio playback device; and a signal processor connected between the audio playback device and a first loudspeaker to introduce a second layer of signal characteristics into the audio signal to distinguish the audio signal from the first loudspeaker to which the signal processor is connected; and a database storing an association between layers of unique characteristics of the audio signals and position of the loudspeakers, the database being responsive to queries to provide position of a loudspeaker corresponding to unique characteristics derived from audio signals from the loudspeakers. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 19, 20)
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17. A method of determining position of a mobile device comprising:
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receiving source signals from two or more different sources in a sensor of the mobile device; distinguishing the source signals from each other based on two or more layers of distinguishing characteristics determined from the source signals, wherein a first layer provides information to identify a group of sources, and a second layer provides information to identify a particular source within the group; based on identifying particular sources, determining location of the particular sources; determining position of the mobile device a based on the locations of the particular sources and relative attributes of the received source signals.
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18. A method of determining position of a mobile device comprising:
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receiving audio signals from two or more different audio sources in a microphone of the mobile device, wherein the audio signals sound substantially similar to a human listener, yet have different characteristics to distinguish among the different audio sources; distinguishing the audio signals from each other based on distinguishing characteristics determined from the audio signals, wherein the distinguishing characteristics provides information to identify a particular audio source; based on identifying particular audio sources, determining location of the particular audio sources; determining position of the mobile device a based on the locations of the particular audio sources and a relative attribute of the received audio signals.
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Specification