Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to Bluetooth networking-based Sound Tracking System to find the path of object movement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In various environments, such as security monitoring, sports races, or tracking activities. Forest animal tracking in closed areas, it's often difficult to monitor the precise movement of individuals through sound detection. Traditional systems are expensive, complex, or lack the accuracy to provide real-time tracking using sound input. A low-cost, scalable, and wireless solution is needed for real-time tracking using sound localization, where multiple microphone units can communicate wirelessly to a central unit, allowing for real-time movement detection and visualization.
1. Acoustic Positioning Systems: Many systems use an array of microphones to detect sound and compute the position of a sound source. However, they often require wired connections or specialized equipment, making them expensive and difficult to set up in scalable scenarios.
2. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN): Wireless networks are often used for environmental monitoring but are typically designed for sensing physical parameters like temperature or humidity rather than sound for tracking purposes.
3. Sports Race Monitoring Systems: There are systems for tracking athletes' positions during races, but they mostly rely on vision-based systems or RFID tags instead of sound tracking.
4. Patent US8675184B2: An example of a sound localization system that uses a network of sensors to detect and analyze sound. However, it relies on centralized sound processing rather than distributed wireless sensor nodes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is a low-cost, scalable sound tracking system using a network of Bluetooth-connected Arduino Nano units with microphones. Each microphone unit detects sound levels, and when the sound exceeds a predefined threshold, the unit communicates wirelessly with a main unit using Bluetooth. The main unit receives input from multiple microphone units, processes the data, and visualizes the tracked movement of an individual based on sound localization.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The present invention is a low-cost, scalable sound tracking system using a network of Bluetooth-connected Arduino Nano units with microphones. Each microphone unit detects sound levels, and when the sound exceeds a predefined threshold, the unit communicates wirelessly with a main unit using Bluetooth. The main unit receives input from multiple microphone units, processes the data, and visualizes the tracked movement of an individual based on sound localization.
The proposed invention is a Bluetooth networking-based sound tracking system designed for tracking the movement path of objects. The system comprises a sound sensor that detects sound levels and records the desired sounds. When the sound exceeds a predefined threshold, the sound sensor communicates wirelessly with a central unit via Bluetooth. The system also includes a mobile phone for user interaction. The collected data is transmitted to the central unit, where it observes the sound received from predefined positions. It matches the sound sensor data with these positions to form a path of the object. The main unit receives input from multiple microphone units, processes the data, and visualizes the tracked movement of an individual based on sound localization.
Each microphone detects sound levels and, when the sound exceeds the predefined threshold, communicates wirelessly with the main unit via Bluetooth. The cloud storage component of the system collects and stores historical data for future analysis and tracking. The Bluetooth network enables multiple microphone units to operate independently, each node communicating wirelessly with the central unit, which allows for decentralized sound detection. The system provides real-time updates of object movement, visualizing the tracked path based on the data processed from the multiple sound sensors.
The Bluetooth modules in each microphone unit allow for easy expansion of the system by adding additional microphone units, which increases the tracking range and scalability. The system features configurable sound thresholds in each microphone unit, enabling users to adjust the threshold for detecting relevant sounds based on their specific needs. The system offers a cost-effective and scalable solution, utilizing readily available components like Arduino Nano units and Bluetooth modules. This makes it suitable for various applications, ranging from small-scale to large-scale installations.
The present invention combines sound detection with a network of Bluetooth-enabled microcontrollers for real-time tracking, offering a more accessible and scalable solution compared to existing acoustic positioning or race tracking systems. Unlike prior systems, it uses a decentralized sound detection method with each node operating independently while communicating wirelessly to a central processor.
The present Bluetooth networking-based sound tracking system operates through a network of interconnected components, each playing a crucial role in sound detection, processing, and visualization. The system's components are designed to work cohesively to track the movement of an object in real-time based on sound localization.
Sound Sensors (Microphone Units): The system includes multiple sound sensors, each equipped with microphones that continuously monitor the surrounding environment for sound levels. These microphones detect the sound intensity, and when the detected sound exceeds a predefined threshold, they activate the communication protocol to send data. Each microphone unit operates autonomously but is designed to wirelessly communicate with the central unit through Bluetooth. This setup allows for a distributed, decentralized detection method where each microphone unit is responsible for monitoring sound in its designated area, ensuring that the system can scale with more microphones being added.
Bluetooth Communication: Each sound sensor (microphone unit) is paired with a Bluetooth module, which facilitates wireless communication with the central unit. The Bluetooth module ensures that there is no need for physical wiring, allowing the system to be more flexible and scalable. When a microphone detects sound beyond the predefined threshold, it transmits the relevant sound data to the central unit via Bluetooth. This real-time transmission is essential for tracking object movements without delays.
Central Unit: The central unit receives the data from each microphone unit, processes the incoming sound data, and analyzes it to track the movement of an object. The central unit serves as the primary processor that collects data from multiple microphone units and determines the location of the sound source by localizing the sound based on the data received from different microphone positions. The central unit also integrates the sound localization data to generate a path or trajectory of the moving object, providing real-time feedback about the object's movement.
Sound Localization and Path Formation: The central unit's ability to localize sound and form the object’s movement path is central to the system’s function. It compares the sounds from different microphone units placed at predefined positions, and by analyzing the timing and intensity of the received sound from each microphone, it estimates the object’s position. The system can then visualize this path, creating a representation of the movement across the monitored area. This feature is particularly useful for tracking objects within a defined space.
Cloud Storage: The system also includes cloud storage functionality, where the data collected from the microphone units is uploaded and stored for future analysis. Cloud storage enables long-term tracking and access to historical data, which can be useful for reviewing movement patterns, analyzing past events, or improving system performance. Additionally, this cloud-based storage ensures that data is secure and can be accessed remotely, making it easier to manage large amounts of tracking data.
Mobile Phone Interface: The system can be integrated with a mobile phone application, allowing users to interact with the system and view real-time tracking data. The mobile app can display the tracked movement of objects on an intuitive interface, providing visual feedback on the path, location, and movement of the object being tracked. It can also provide alerts or notifications when specific sound thresholds are detected, allowing users to monitor the system remotely.
Scalability and Customization: One of the key advantages of the system is its scalability. By using Bluetooth-enabled microphone units, the system can be easily expanded by adding more units, which increases the range and coverage of the sound tracking. Each microphone unit has a customizable sound threshold, allowing the user to set the sensitivity based on the environment or specific use case. This makes the system adaptable to a variety of applications, from small-scale use in a single room to large-scale installations in expansive areas like warehouses or open fields.
Real-Time Data Processing and Visualization: The system processes and visualizes sound detection data in real-time. As each microphone unit transmits its data to the central unit, the system continuously updates the movement path of the object being tracked. The data is processed immediately, and the visual representation of the path or movement is displayed in the system interface, providing instant feedback. This feature ensures that the system can be used for dynamic tracking, such as following a moving object across a large area.
Low-Cost and Efficient Components: The system’s use of readily available components, such as Arduino Nano units and Bluetooth modules, makes it a cost-effective solution for sound tracking. The simplicity and affordability of these components contribute to the system’s scalability, as additional microphone units can be added without significantly increasing the overall cost. This allows for the creation of a highly efficient and flexible tracking system that can be expanded as needed.
Overall, the Bluetooth networking-based sound tracking system utilizes a combination of sound sensors, Bluetooth communication, a central processing unit, and cloud storage to deliver real-time tracking and visualization of object movements. By decentralizing the sound detection process, the system offers a scalable and customizable solution that can be adapted to various use cases, making it an effective and accessible tool for tracking in both small and large environments.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
• Existing Solutions: Current sound localization systems are either centralized or require wired connections between microphones and a central processor. This system is decentralized, using wireless communication to allow flexibility in node placement and scalability.
• Cost: Traditional systems for sound localization are expensive and require specialized hardware. The proposed system uses affordable, open-source hardware (Arduino Nano, Bluetooth modules, microphones), making it a low-cost solution for sound tracking.
• Scalability: Unlike fixed, wired systems, this system can easily scale by adding additional mic units without requiring significant rewiring or restructuring of the environment.
• The system can be adapted for various applications, such as security monitoring, industrial worker tracking, forest animal tracking or even race tracking in sporting events.
• The sound data collected can also be logged over time for post-event analysis, providing insights into movement patterns.
, Claims:1. A Bluetooth networking-based Sound Tracking System for tracking the path of object movement, comprising: a sound sensor configured to detect sound levels and record the desired sound; a central unit; a Bluetooth connection for wirelessly transmitting data between the sound sensor and the central unit; a mobile phone; wherein when the sound exceeds a predefined threshold, the sound sensor communicates wirelessly with the central unit using Bluetooth.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collected data is transmitted to the central unit, which observes the sound received from predefined positions, matches the sound sensor with these predefined positions, and forms the path of the object.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main unit receives input from multiple microphone units, processes the data, and visualizes the tracked movement of an individual based on sound localization.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each microphone detects sound levels, and when the sound exceeds a predefined threshold, the unit communicates wirelessly with the main unit using Bluetooth connection.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloud storage collects and stores historical data for future analysis and tracking.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Bluetooth network allows multiple microphone units to operate independently, while wirelessly communicating with the central unit, enabling decentralized sound detection.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system provides real-time updates of object movement, visualizing the tracked path based on data processed from multiple sound sensors.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Bluetooth modules used in each microphone unit allow for easy expansion by adding additional microphone units to increase the system's tracking range and scalability.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each microphone unit is equipped with a configurable sound threshold, allowing users to set the threshold for detecting relevant sounds based on their specific needs.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system offers a cost-effective solution by utilizing readily available components, such as Arduino Nano units and Bluetooth modules, making it scalable for different use cases from small-scale to larger installations.