Multi-signal detection and combination of audio-based data transmissions

Abstract

Methods and systems for detecting and combining audio transmissions containing data are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving multiple audio signals from multiple receivers. An audio transmission may be detected in a first subset of the audio signals and the audio transmission may contain data. A second subset of the audio signals may be identified with the strongest magnitude of the audio transmission. Portions of the second subset of the audio signals may then be combined to generate a combined audio transmission signal and the combined audio transmission signal may be decoded for further processing.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 detecting a first audio transmission in a plurality of audio signals received by a plurality of receivers;   identifying a subset of the plurality of audio signals that correspond to a subset of the plurality of receivers located closest to a source of the first audio transmission;   combining portions the subset of the plurality of audio signals to generate a first combined audio signal; and   decoding at least a portion of the first combined audio signal to process the first audio transmission.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subset of the plurality of audio signals are identified as containing the largest magnitude of the first audio transmission. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subset of the plurality of audio signals are identified based on when the first audio transmission is detected within the plurality of audio signals. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein identifying the subset of the plurality of audio signals comprises:
 determining, for each audio signal of the subset of the audio signals, a detection time of the first audio transmission; and   determining an earliest detection time of the first audio transmission, wherein the earliest detection time occurs within a first audio signal from the plurality of audio signals.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first audio signal is received by a first receiver of the plurality of receivers, and wherein the subset of the plurality of audio signals is selected to include the first audio signal and audio signals from receivers adjacent to the first receiver. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein identifying the subset of the plurality of audio signals further comprises:
 calculating time differences between the earliest detection time of the first audio transmission and the detection times of the first audio transmission within the first subset of the audio signals other than the first audio signal; and   selecting the subset of the plurality of audio signals based on the time differences.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the subset of plurality of audio signals are identified to include audio signals from the plurality of audio signals with time differences less than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the predetermined threshold is less than or equal to 50 milliseconds. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein processing the first audio transmission comprises extracting data contained within the first audio transmission. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein detecting the first audio transmission includes detecting a predetermined audio sequence in each of the plurality of audio signals. 
     
     
         31 . A system comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   detect a first audio transmission in a plurality of audio signals received by a plurality of receivers;   identify a subset of the plurality of audio signals that correspond to a subset of the plurality of receivers located closest to a source of the first audio transmission;   combine portions the subset of the plurality of audio signals to generate a first combined audio signal; and   decode at least a portion of the first combined audio signal to process the first audio transmission.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the subset of the plurality of audio signals are identified as containing the largest magnitude of the first audio transmission. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the subset of the plurality of audio signals are identified based on when the first audio transmission is detected within the plurality of audio signals. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor, while identifying the subset of the plurality of audio signals, to:
 determine, for each audio signal of the subset of the audio signals, a detection time of the first audio transmission; and   determine an earliest detection time of the first audio transmission, wherein the earliest detection time occurs within a first audio signal from the plurality of audio signals.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the first audio signal is received by a first receiver of the plurality of receivers, and wherein the subset of the plurality of audio signals is selected to include the first audio signal and audio signals from receivers adjacent to the first receiver. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor, while identifying the subset of the plurality of audio signals, to:
 calculate time differences between the earliest detection time of the first audio transmission and the detection times of the first audio transmission within the first subset of the audio signals other than the first audio signal; and   select the subset of the plurality of audio signals based on the time differences.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the subset of plurality of audio signals are identified to include audio signals from the plurality of audio signals with time differences less than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the predetermined threshold is less than or equal to 50 milliseconds. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor, while processing the first audio transmission, to extract data contained within the first audio transmission.