# US 12,192,852 B2 · Methods, systems, and apparatuses for presence detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,192,852 B2 - Document ID: US12192852B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/227,389 - Filed: 2023-07-28 - Published: 2023-11-16 - Granted: 2025-01-07 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-28 - Assignees: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC - Applicants: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC - Inventors: Larry Wolcott; Zane Vella; Ken Klaer; Andrew Frederick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12192852B2 ## CPC - H04W 4/021: Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences - H04W 4/029: Location-based management or tracking services - G01S 5/18: using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves - H04H 20/31: using in-band signals, e.g. subsonic or cue signal - H04H 60/45: for identifying users - H04H 60/65: for using the result on users' side - H04L 63/102: {Entity profiles} - H04L 67/306: User profiles - H04L 67/51: Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services - H04L 67/52: specially adapted for the location of the user terminal - H04W 12/08: Access security - H04W 12/63: Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent - H04W 12/71: Hardware identity - H04H 60/46: for recognising users' preferences - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Methods, systems, and apparatuses for presence detection are described herein. A first computing device may emit an inaudible audio signal. A second computing device may detect the inaudible audio signal. The second computing device may send an indication of detecting the inaudible audio signal. The first computing device may cause presentation of content to be modified based on the indication sent by the second computing device and a user profile associated with a user of the second computing device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: causing, by a first computing device, one or more speakers to emit an inaudible audio signal configured to determine one or more other devices proximate to the first computing device; receiving, based on the inaudible audio signal, an indication that a second computing device received the inaudible audio signal; and determining, by the first computing device and based on receiving the indication that the second computing device received the inaudible audio signal, the second computing device is proximate to a geographic location of the first computing device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first computing device comprises a set top box, a smart speaker, or an entertainment system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising encoding a first identifier associated with the first computing device into the inaudible audio signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a vacant acoustic spectrum proximate to the first computing device, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted at one or more frequencies within the vacant acoustic spectrum. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted by the one or more speakers simultaneously with an audible audio signal of a content item. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving an audio sample of sound; and determining, based on the audio sample, a vacant acoustic spectrum, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted at one or more frequencies within the vacant acoustic spectrum. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising causing, based on determining the second computing device is proximate to the geographic location of the first computing device, one or more of a modification of a presentation of a content item, a modification of an audio level for the content item, presentation of secondary content associated with the content item, or a modification of ambient light settings. ### Claim 8 An apparatus comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: cause one or more speakers to emit an inaudible audio signal configured to determine one or more other devices proximate to the apparatus; receive, based on the inaudible audio signal, an indication that a second computing device received the inaudible audio signal; and determine, based on receiving the indication that the second computing device received the inaudible audio signal, the second computing device is proximate to a geographic location of the apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus comprises a set top box, a smart speaker, or an entertainment system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to encode a first identifier associated with the apparatus into the inaudible audio signal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to determine a vacant acoustic spectrum proximate to the apparatus, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted at one or more frequencies within the vacant acoustic spectrum. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted by the one or more speakers simultaneously with an audible audio signal of a content item. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to: receive an audio sample of sound; and determine, based on the audio sample, a vacant acoustic spectrum, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted at one or more frequencies within the vacant acoustic spectrum. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to cause, based on determining the second computing device is proximate to the geographic location of the apparatus, one or more of a modification of a presentation of a content item, a modification of an audio level for the content item, presentation of secondary content associated with the content item, or a modification of ambient light settings. ### Claim 15 One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: cause one or more speakers to emit an inaudible audio signal configured to determine one or more other devices proximate to a first computing device; receive, based on the inaudible audio signal, an indication that a second computing device received the inaudible audio signal; and determine, based on receiving the indication that the second computing device received the inaudible audio signal, the second computing device is proximate to a geographic location of the first computing device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the first computing device comprises a set top box, a smart speaker, or an entertainment system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to encode a first identifier associated with the first computing device into the inaudible audio signal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to determine a vacant acoustic spectrum proximate to the first computing device, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted at one or more frequencies within the vacant acoustic spectrum. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted by the one or more speakers simultaneously with an audible audio signal of a content item. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to: receive an audio sample of sound; and determine, based on the audio sample, a vacant acoustic spectrum, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted at one or more frequencies within the vacant acoustic spectrum. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to cause, based on determining the second computing device is proximate to the geographic location of the first computing device, one or more of a modification of a presentation of a content item, a modification of an audio level for the content item, presentation of secondary content associated with the content item, or a modification of ambient light settings. ### Claim 22 A system comprising: a first computing device configured to: cause one or more speakers to emit an inaudible audio signal configured to determine one or more other devices proximate to the first computing device; receive, based on the inaudible audio signal, an indication that a second computing device received the inaudible audio signal; and determine, based on receiving the indication that the second computing device received the inaudible audio signal, the second computing device is proximate to a geographic location of the first computing device; and the second computing device configured to: receive the inaudible audio signal. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, wherein the first computing device comprises a set top box, a smart speaker, or an entertainment system. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, wherein the first computing device is further configured to encode a first identifier associated with the first computing device into the inaudible audio signal. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, wherein the first computing device is further configured to determine a vacant acoustic spectrum proximate to the first computing device, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted at one or more frequencies within the vacant acoustic spectrum. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted by the one or more speakers simultaneously with an audible audio signal of a content item. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, wherein the first computing device is further configured to: receive an audio sample of sound; and determine, based on the audio sample, a vacant acoustic spectrum, wherein the inaudible audio signal is emitted at one or more frequencies within the vacant acoustic spectrum. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, wherein the first computing device is further configured to cause, based on determining the second computing device is proximate to the geographic location of the first computing device, one or more of a modification of a presentation of a content item, a modification of an audio level for the content item, presentation of secondary content associated with the content item, or a modification of ambient light settings.