Device, method and software for measuring distance to a sound generator by using an audible impulse signal
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for measuring a distance between a sound generator and a point remote from the sound generator comprising a computing device with a processor, an audio output and an audio input, wherein the apparatus:
- a. commands the audio output to cause the sound generator to emit a first impulse signal when the computing device is placed next to the sound generator;
b. measures the time from the command to emit a first impulse signal to the time the first impulse signal is detected by the audio input;
c. stores said first impulse signal time with the computing device;
d. commands the audio output to cause the sound generator to emit a second impulse signal when the computing device is placed at a point remote from the sound generator;
e. measures the time from the command to emit the second impulse signal to the time the second impulse signal is detected by the audio input and store said second impulse signal with the computing device; and
f. transforms the impulse signals to distance via computer processor programming which retrieves the first and second impulse signal times, deducts the first impulse signal time from the second impulse signal time and multiplies the result by the speed of sound.
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Abstract
A device method and software for measuring distance to a sound generator, such as a loudspeaker, by using an audible impulse signal is disclosed. This invention provides a significant improvement over past systems for measuring distance with, for example, a smartphone or tablet device, with measurable accuracy within a fraction of an inch, making it suitable for even the most demanding professional applications.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring a distance between a sound generator and a point remote from the sound generator comprising a computing device with a processor, an audio output and an audio input, wherein the apparatus:
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a. commands the audio output to cause the sound generator to emit a first impulse signal when the computing device is placed next to the sound generator; b. measures the time from the command to emit a first impulse signal to the time the first impulse signal is detected by the audio input; c. stores said first impulse signal time with the computing device; d. commands the audio output to cause the sound generator to emit a second impulse signal when the computing device is placed at a point remote from the sound generator; e. measures the time from the command to emit the second impulse signal to the time the second impulse signal is detected by the audio input and store said second impulse signal with the computing device; and f. transforms the impulse signals to distance via computer processor programming which retrieves the first and second impulse signal times, deducts the first impulse signal time from the second impulse signal time and multiplies the result by the speed of sound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. The apparatus of claim wherein the computing device is a smartphone or a tablet.
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12. A method for measuring a distance between a sound generator and a point remote from the sound generator using a computing device with a processor, an audio output and an audio input, comprising:
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a. commanding the audio output to cause the sound generator to emit a first impulse signal when the computing device is placed next to the sound generator; b. measuring the time from the command to emit a first impulse signal to the time the first impulse signal is detected by the audio input; c. storing said first impulse signal time with the computing device; d. commanding the audio output to cause the sound generator to emit a second impulse signal when the computing device is placed at a point remote from the sound generator; e. measuring the time from the command to emit the second impulse signal to the time the second impulse signal is detected by the audio input and storing said second impulse signal with the computing device; and f. transforming the impulse signals to distance via computer processor programming which retrieves the first and second impulse signal times, deducts the first impulse signal time from the second impulse signal time and multiplies the result by the speed of sound. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for measuring a distance between a loudspeaker and a point remote from the loudspeaker comprising a portable computing device with a processor, an audio output, an audio input and a display screen, wherein the apparatus:
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a. commands the audio output to cause the loudspeaker to emit a first impulse signal when the computing device is placed next to the loudspeaker; b. measures the time from the command to emit a first impulse signal to the time the first impulse signal is detected by the audio input; c. stores said first impulse signal time with the computing device; d. commands the audio output to cause the loudspeaker to emit a second impulse signal when the computing device is placed at a point remote from the loudspeaker; e. measures the time from the command to emit the second impulse signal to the time the second impulse signal is detected by the audio input and storing said second impulse signal with the computing device; f. transforms the impulse signals to distance via computer processor programming which retrieves the first and second impulse signal times, deducts the first impulse signal time from the second impulse signal time and multiplies the result by the speed of sound; and g. displays the distance so measured on the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method for measuring a distance between a loudspeaker and a point remote from the loudspeaker using a portable computing device with a processor, an audio output, an audio input and a display screen, comprising:
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a. commanding the audio output to cause the loudspeaker to emit a first impulse signal when the computing device is placed next to the loudspeaker; b. measuring the time from the command to emit a first impulse signal to the time the first impulse signal is detected by the audio input; c. storing said first impulse signal time with the computing device; d. commanding the audio output to cause the loudspeaker to emit a second impulse signal when the computing device is placed at a point remote from the loudspeaker; e. measuring the time from the command to emit the second impulse signal to the time the second impulse signal is detected by the audio input and storing said second impulse signal with the computing device; f. transforming the impulse signals to distance via computer processor programming which retrieves the first and second impulse signal times, deducts the first impulse signal time from the second impulse signal time and multiplies the result by the speed of sound; and g. displaying the distance so measured on the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification