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Proximity detection via audio

  • US 9,148,742 B1
  • Filed: 02/29/2012
  • Issued: 09/29/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

  • receiving, by a first mobile device, a request from a first user of the first mobile device to activate a first proximity detection service of the first mobile device;

    identifying a first coarse location associated with the first mobile device, and generating a first coarse location signal based on the first coarse location;

    receiving, by a second mobile device, a request from a second user of the second mobile device to activate a second proximity detection service of the second mobile device;

    identifying a second coarse location associated with the second mobile device, and generating a second coarse location signal based on the second coarse location;

    comparing the first and the second coarse location signals, and in response, determining that the first and the second mobile devices are within a predetermined coarse geographic proximity;

    in response to determining that the first and the second mobile devices are within a predetermined coarse geographic proximity, performing a proximity detection between the first and the second mobile devices, including;

    capturing, by a first audio sensor of the first mobile device, first audio signals;

    generating, by the first mobile device, first audio data based on the first audio signals;

    generating one or more first audio fingerprints based upon the first audio data;

    capturing, by a second audio sensor of the second mobile device, second audio signals;

    generating, by the second mobile device, second audio data based on the second audio signals;

    generating one or more second audio fingerprints based upon the second audio data;

    generating, using the one or more first and second audio fingerprints, a similarity score that indicates a similarity between the first audio signals and the second audio signals;

    determining that the similarity score exceeds a threshold similarity score;

    based on the determining, generating a proximity signal usable to indicate that the first mobile device is proximate to the second mobile device; and

    providing, by the first mobile device, the second mobile device, or both the first and second mobile devices, an indication that the first user is proximate to the second user.

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