US 12,003,948 B1Granted

Multi-device localization

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorSpencer Russell

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A system configured to create a flexible home theater group using a variety of different devices. To enable synchronized audio output, the system performs device localization to generate map data representing locations of the devices. The system may generate the map data based on a listening position and/or location of a television, such that the map data is centered on the listening position with the television along a vertical axis. To generate the map data, the system processes measurement data representing relative directions between the devices and timing information that can be used to determine relative distances between the devices. Using the relative distances, the system determines relative positions of the devices (e.g., optimal arrangement). Knowing the relative directions and the relative positions, the system can determine an orientation of an individual device and use the orientation to determine the listening position and/or the location of the television.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:

receiving, by a first device from a second device, first data, a portion of the first data indicating a first direction of a third device relative to the second device;
receiving, by the first device from the third device, second data, a portion of the second data indicating a second direction of the second device relative to the third device;
determining, using the first data and the second data, third data that includes a first distance value representing a distance from the second device to the third device;
determining, using the third data, fourth data indicating an arrangement of at least the second device and the third device;
determining, using the fourth data, fifth data that indicates a first orientation of the second device and a second orientation of the third device;
receiving, by the first device from the second device, sixth data representing a third direction of a user relative to the first orientation of the second device;
determining, using the sixth data and the first orientation of the second device, a fourth direction of the user relative to a global coordinate system;
determining a first location associated with the user using the fifth data, the fourth direction, and a second location associated with the second device;
and
generating map data using the fourth data, the fifth data, and the first location, the map data indicating the second location associated with the second device and a third location associated with the third device, wherein the second location and the third location are different from the first location.

7 more elements

A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:

receiving, by a first device, first data associated with a second device and a third device, a first portion of the first data indicating a first direction from the second device to the third device;
receiving, by the first device, second data associated with the second device and the third device, a first portion of the second data indicating a first distance between the second device and the third device;
determining, using the second data, third data indicating an arrangement of at least the second device and the third device;
determining, using the first data and the third data, fourth data, a first portion of the fourth data indicating an orientation of the second device;
receiving, by the first device from the second device, fifth data representing a second direction of a user relative to the second device;
determining, using the fifth data and the orientation of the second device, a third direction of the user relative to a first location associated with the second device;
determining, using the first location and the third direction, a second location associated with the user;
and
generating sixth data using the first data, the third data, the fourth data, and the second location, the sixth data including the first location associated with the second device and a third location associated with the third device, wherein the first location and the third location are different from the second location.

6 more elements

A system comprising:

at least one processor;
and
memory including instructions operable to be executed by the at least one processor to cause the system to:
receive, by a first device, first data associated with at least a second device and a third device, a first portion of the first data indicating a first direction from the second device to the third device;
receive, by the first device, second data associated with at least the second device and the third device, a first portion of the second data indicating a first distance between the second device and the third device;
determine, using the second data, third data indicating an arrangement of at least the second device and the third device;
determine, using the first data and the third data, fourth data, a first portion of the fourth data indicating an orientation of the second device;
receive, by the first device from the second device, fifth data representing a second direction associated with speech as detected by the second device;
determine, using the fifth data and the orientation of the second device, a third direction of a user relative to the second device, wherein the third direction is relative to a global coordinate system;
and
determine a first location associated with the user using a second location associated with the second device and the third direction, wherein the first location is different from the second location and a third location associated with the third device.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/546,670Filed 9 Dec 2021
Granted: 4 Jun 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

H04S 7/301
Control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field: automatic calibration of stereophonic sound system, e.g. with test microphone
H04S 7/303
Electronic adaptation of stereophonic sound system to listener position or orientation: tracking of listener position or orientation
G01S 3/802
Using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves: systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
G01S 5/0289
Relative positioning: of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks

Family

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