WO2019194791A1

WO2019194791A1 - Sound detections via electronic devices

Info

Publication number: WO2019194791A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/025912
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy J. Sutherland
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Current assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 2018-04-03
Filing date: 2018-04-03
Publication date: 2019-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-03

Abstract

An example electronic device includes a transceiver set to a passive mode to disable transceiving of mobile communication signals, a sensor to transmit a first signal upon detecting a first sound, and a processor to receive the first signal from the sensor; switch the transceiver from the passive mode to an active mode that enables transceiving of mobile communication signals; establish a connection with a second electronic device via the transceiver; and determine a location of a source of the first sound based on acoustic data received from the second electronic device.

Description

SOUND DETECTIONS VIA ELECTRONIC DEVICES

BACKGROUND

[0001 ] Sound detection may occur in different types of devices. The type of device may determine the accuracy of the detected sounds. The distance between the sound and the sound detecting device may also affect the accuracy of the sound detection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The following detailed description references the drawings, in which:

[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device for detecting sounds, according to an example.

[0004] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a processor of the electronic device of FIG. 1 identifying location data associated with the source of a first sound, according to an example.

[0005] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a transceiver of the electronic device of FIG. 1 transmitting mobile communication signals, according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a sensor of the electronic device of FIG. 1 detecting a sound and transmitting a signal, according to an example.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a processor of the electronic device of FIG. 1 identifying a sound based on a location of the sound, according to an example.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a processor of the electronic device of FIG. 1 switching an operation mode of a transceiver, according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system for detecting sounds and relaying communication signals to connected electronic devices, according to an example.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the communication system of FIG. 6 transceiving signals to only communicatively linked electronic devices, according to an example.

[0011 ] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication range for transceiving mobile communication signals in the communication system of FIG. 6, according to an example.

[0012] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a mode of operation for various electronic devices in the communication system of FIG. 6, according to an example.

[0013] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating different typos of electronic devices, according to some examples.

[0014] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of gunshot location and detection using an array of microphones for detecting the gunshot sound, according to an example.

[0015] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of gunshot location and detection, according to an example.

[0016] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a system to process acoustic data detected by the electronic devices of FIGS. 1 and 6, according to an example.

[0017] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In sound detection systems, the ability to locate the source of a sound can be challenging, particularly in instances where the sound source and detector are in outdoor areas and other unbounded areas. Locating the source of a sound may be desirable in police and military settings, for example, such as to identify the location of a shooter particularly in situations where the shooter is camouflaged, hidden, or detecting the shooter is difficult due to the surrounding terrain, obstacles, and objects, etc. While sound detection systems are often used for recording sounds and for other data processing requirements such as sound-activation of electronic devices, the ability for such devices to accurately detect and locate the source of the sound may require systems and setups more advanced than current devices provide. Moreover, in the example of a police and/or military setting for identifying the location of a shooter, having a sound detection and location system that is not only capable of identifying the location of a shooter, but also keeping other individuals in the vicinity of the shooting safe duo to return fire from the police and/or soldiers is also important, particularly in case the other individuals in the area of the shooting do not have firearms for protection.

[0019] In order to address this, the examples described below provide a technique to identify sounds, such as gunfire sounds in an example, using a sensor attached to a mobile or wearable electronic device, and identify to other communicatively linked sensors when return friendly fire has occurred. The communicatively linked devices are initially in a passive mode so as to not be detectable. Then, after the initial gunfire occurs, the linked devices switch into an active mode to determine the location of each of the linked devices. As such, the communicatively linked sensors form an ad hoc; e.g., on the spot, communication network. The ad hoc network allows the communicatively connected devices to determine the location of the initial gunfire, the position of all the devices in the network, and if other gunfire occurs, then it allows the sensors in the network to check the position of the sensors to determine if the other gunfire is associated with return friendly fire to allow the users to know that the individual associated with the return fire is friendly; i.e., not hostile. The sensors utilize acoustic data that they receive as a result of the gunfire to identify the location of the sensors and share this information for all electronic devices linked in the ad hoc network. This allows all of the communicatively networked devices to share the information to ensure that the individuals associated with the electronic device do not return gunfire towards one another; i.e., not towards the individuals associated with the electronic devices linked in the ad hoc network. [0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic device 10 comprising a transceiver 15 set to a passive mode Mp to disable transceiving of mobile communication signals 20. The electronic device 10 may be any suitable type of device capable of transmitting, receiving, and/or processing mobile communication signals 20. The transceiver 15 may be any suitable type of device, circuit, or module capable of transmitting and receiving analog and/or digital electrical signals. The transceiver 15 may be capable of transceiving mobile

communication signals 20 to other similarly configured transceiving devices or to receivers having only signal-receiving capabilities. Furthermore, the transceiver 15 may be capable of transceiving mobile communication signals 20 through one or more wireless or wired communication networks, which is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] The mobile communication signals 20 may be signals in accordance with any suitable type of communication standard or protocol such as the 802.1 1 b wireless communication standard, as well as Bluetooth^®, ZigBee^®, and Radio-frequency identification (RFID) standards, for example.

The electronic device 10 includes a sensor 25 to transmit a first signal 30 upon detecting a first sound Si. In some examples, the sensor 25 may be tuned to detect sounds of a predetermined frequency or a range of frequencies in order to detect or filter other sounds that may be in an acoustic range of the sensor 25. In this regard, the sensor 25 may be pre-programmed or may receive real time updates of the frequency or range of frequencies of sounds that it is to detect. Accordingly, the sensor 25 detects the first sound Si such that the first sound Si is at the frequency or within the range of frequencies that the sensor 25 is set to detect. According to an example, the first signal 30 may be an electrical signal that may be either wired or wireless. In other examples, the first signal 30 may be an optical signal that is transmitted by the sensor 25 to the processor 35.

[0022] The electronic device 10 also includes a processor 35 to receive the first signal 30 from the sensor 25, switch the transceiver 15 from the passive mode Mp to an active mode MA that enables transceiving of mobile

communication signals 20, establish a connection 40 with a second electronic device 60 via the transceiver 15, and determine a location 45 of a source 50 of the first sound Si based on acoustic data 55 received from the second electronic device 60. According to an example, the second electronic device 60 may be substantially similar in configuration and operation as electronic device 10, and as such the second electronic device 60 may contain a similar transceiver 15, sensor 25, and processor 35 as the electronic device 10 and providing similar functionality, respectively. In some examples, the processor 35 may include a central processing unit, microprocessors, controllers, hardware engines, hardware pipelines, and/or other hardware-enabled devices suitable for receiving and processing the first signal 30 and running software, firmware, or other computer-executable instructions.

[0023] According to an example, the processor 35 is able to control the operational mode of the transceiver 15 by switching the transceiver 15 between the passive mode MP and the active mode MA. The passive mode Mp of the transceiver 15 prevents, blocks, or otherwise disables the ability of the transceiver 15 to transceive the mobile communications signals 20. The active mode MA of the transceiver 15 allows, opens, or otherwise enables the ability of the transceiver 15 to transceive the mobile communication signals 20. Once the transceiver 15 is switched to the active mode MA, the processor 35 further controls the operation of the transceiver 15 by establishing a communicative connection 40 with the second electronic device 60. The connection 40 may be a wired or wireless connection although in most applications a wireless connection may be better suited to permit the electronic device 10 and second electronic device 60 to be positioned substantially apart from one another or when a wired connection is not practical, such as in outdoor settings or in situations where the electronic device 10 and/or the second electronic device 60 are moving.

[0024] The second electronic device 60 may contain the acoustic data 55 associated with the first sound Si. The processor 35 further determines the location 45 of the source 50 of the first sound Si based on the acoustic data 55 received from the second electronic device 60 by way of the transceiver 15.

The location 45 may be based on global positioning system coordinates deduced by the processor 35 based on the distance of the source 50 from the electronic device 10, which the processor 35 calculates based on the acoustic data 55. In an example, the acoustic data 55 may contain wave propagation data such as pressure and frequency associated with the sound waves provided by the first sound Si and generated by the source 50. According to an example, the source 50 may be a device that emits sound energy through wave propagation.

[0025] By way of example, the electronic device 10 may be part of a police officer’s or soldier's uniform or other equipment used or worn by the officer or soldier. In order to be undetected by other unfriendly devices in the vicinity, the electronic device 10 may be set to radio silence such that the transceiver 15 associated with the electronic device 10 does not transceive mobile communication signals 20. In this regard, the transceiver 15 is set to the passive mode Mp of operation. The source 50 may be a device such as a weapon that fires a bullet. The first sound Si may be the sound emitted by the gunshot from a shooter who is positioned at particular location 45. The sensor 25, which is part of the electronic device 10 in one example, or is operatively connected to the electronic device 10 in another example, detects the gunshot and sends the first signal 30 to the processor 35. Thereafter, the processor 35 switches the operation of the transceiver 15 to the active mode MA of operation, where the transceiver 15 is part of the electronic device 10 in one example, or is operatively connected to the electronic device 10 in another example. When the sensor 25 of the electronic device 10 detects the first sound Si, the first signal 30 that is transmitted to the processor 35 contains location and/or direction data associated with the location 45 of the source 50. This location and/or direction data is based, in part, on the distance between the source 50 where the first sound Si is emitted and the electronic device 10.

[0026] The electronic device 10 transceives mobile communication signals 20 with the second electronic device 60 through connection 40, which may be another communication device associated with another officer or solider, or any other person, etc. The second electronic device 60 also detects the first sound Si and generates acoustic data 55 of the first sound Si based, in part, on the distance between the source 50 where the first sound Si is emitted and the second electronic device 60. The second electronic device 60 transmits the acoustic data 55 through the connection 40 to the transceiver 15 of the electronic device 10. The processor 35 of the electronic device 10 uses the acoustic data 55 together with the information provided by the first signal 30 associated with the first sound Si detected by the sensor 25 to calculate the specific location 45 of the source 50. The electronic device 10 transmits the information pertaining to the location 45 of the source 50 to the second electronic device 60 so that now both the electronic device 10 and the second electronic device 60 are aware of the location 45 of the source 50 of the first sound Si.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2A, with reference to FIG. 1 , in an example, the processor 35 is to identify global positioning system location data 65 of the transceiver 15. The electronic device 10 and the second electronic device 60 may need to become aware of each other’s location in order to assess the positioning of the electronic device 10 and the second electronic device 60 with respect to each other as well as with respect to the source 50. As such, the electronic device 10 and second electronic device 60 may each have a pre programmed communication link to a global positioning system, not shown, that is able to track the positioning of the electronic device 10 and the second electronic device 60 when the electronic device 10 and second electronic device 60 are in the active mode MA of operation. In an example, the global positioning system location data 65 may be generated using global positioning system tracking software and associated satellite system data.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2B, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A, the transceiver 15 is to transmit the mobile communication signals 20 containing the global positioning system location data 65 to the second electronic device 60 upon being switched into the active mode MA. Accordingly, the processor 35 identifies the global positioning system location data 65 of the transceiver 15 in the active mode MA, and thus the electronic device 10 is able to identify its own position and transmit this information to the second electronic device 60.

Furthermore, the same process occurs in the second electronic device 60 whereby the global positioning system location of the second electronic device 60 is generated in a similar manner as described above with respect to the electronic device 10 and is transmitted to the electronic device 10. As such, the electronic device 10 and the second electronic device 60 are positionally aware with respect to one another, and any other communication devices

communicatively linked to the electronic device 10 and the second electronic device 60.

[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 3, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 2B, the sensor 25 is to detect a second sound S2 and transmit a second signal 70 to the processor 35. The processor 35 is to identify a location 51 of a source 52 the second sound S2 based on the acoustic data 56 received in the second electronic device 60 related to the second sound S2. In this regard, by way of example, the source 52 of the second sound S2 may be associated with another officer or solider, etc. that is returning gunfire towards the shooter; i.e., source 50. Accordingly, the sensor 25 of the electronic device 10 may detect this second sound S2 such that the second sound S2 is at the frequency or within the range of frequencies that the sensor 25 is set to detect. In an example, the second signal 70 may be an electrical signal that may be either wired or wireless. In other examples, the second signal 70 may be an optical signal that is transmitted by the sensor 25 to the processor 35.

[0030] The processor 35 determines the location 51 of the source 52 of the second sound S2 based on the acoustic data 56 received from the second electronic device 60 by way of the transceiver 15. The location 51 may be based on global positioning system coordinates deduced by the processor 35 based on the distance of the source 52 from the electronic device 10, which the processor 35 calculates based on the acoustic data 56. In an example, the acoustic data 56 may contain wave propagation data such as pressure and frequency associated with the sound waves provided by the second sound S2 and generated by the source 52. As such, the location 51 of the source 52 of the second sound S2 may be determined by the processor 35 in a manner similar to way the processor 35 determines the location 45 of the source 50 of the first sound Si. According to an example, the source 52 may be a device that emits sound energy through wave propagation, such as a gun or other type of weapon.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, in an example, the processor 35 is to identify the second sound S2 as being associated with the second electronic device 60 based on the identified location

51 of the second sound S2. In this example, the source 52 of the second sound

52 may be associated with the second electronic device 60; i.e. , by way of example, in a situation where the second electronic device 60 is returning gunfire to the source 50 of the first sound Si. Again, the location 51 of the source 52 of the second sound S2; i.e., the second electronic device 60 in this example, may be determined by the processor 35 in a manner similar to way the processor 35 determines the location 45 of the source 50 of the first sound Si.

[0032] According to an example shown in FIG. 5, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, the processor 35 is to switch the transceiver 15 from the active mode MA back to the passive mode MP upon an expiration of a predetermined period of time f. In the active mode MA of operation, the electronic device 10 is radio aware such that the transceiver 15 is enabled to transceive mobile communication signals 20 to the second electronic device 60 or to other communicatively linked devices or systems. However, in such a scenario the location data 65 associated with the electronic device 10 may be accessed through nefarious means by the source 50 of the first sound Si or other devices or systems associated with a user that is unfriendly to the user of the electronic device 10. In order to limit the exposure of being detected by unfriendly users, the processor 35 of the electronic device 10 may be preprogrammed with a clock signal that automatically switches the transceiver 15 from the active mode MA of operation to the passive mode MP of operation upon the expiration of the predetermined period of time t. This predetermined period of time i may be preprogrammed into the processor 35 or may be transmitted to the processor 35 in real time by way of the mobile communication signals 20 received by the transceiver 15. Moreover, the second electronic device 60 may have a similar operation in terms of being switched from the active mode MA back to the passive mode MP upon an expiration of a predetermined period of time t, which may or may not be the same period of time t associated with the electronic device 1 0.

[0033] Another example is shown in FIG. 6, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, which illustrates a block diagram of a communication system 100 comprising a first electronic device 10 set to a first operating mode Mi to disable transceiving of mobile communication signals 20. The first operating mode Mi may be similar in operation to the passive mode MP as described above whereby transceiving of mobile communication signals 20 by the first electronic device 10 is disabled or is otherwise prevented. The communication system 100 also includes a microphone 105 connected to the first electronic device 10 to detect a first sound Si. The microphone 105 may be one or more

microphones arranged in an array, in an example.

[0034] The communication system 100 also includes a processor 35 operatively connected to the microphone 105. The processor 35 is to switch the first electronic device 10 from the first operating mode Mi to a second operating mode M2 that enables transceiving of mobile communication signals 20 to or from the first electronic device 10. In this regard, the second operating mode M2 may be similar in operation to the active mode MA as described above whereby transceiving of mobile communication signals 20 by the first electronic device 10 is enabled or is otherwise permitted. The processor 35 wirelessly connects the first electronic device 10 to a communication network 1 10 that communicatively links with a second electronic device 60 and a third electronic device 1 15. As such, the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 may be communicatively linked to one another and other linked devices through the communication network 1 10.

[0035] The communication network 1 10 may be a wireless

telecommunications network and may be a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual private network (VPN), or an Internet Protocol (IP) network, among other types of communication networks. The second and third electronic devices 60, 1 15 may be similar to the configuration and operation of the first electronic device 10 and may contain their own microphones and processors that are similar in operation to the microphone 105 and processor 35 of the first electronic device 10. The communication network 1 10 may be dormant in terms of facilitating the transfer of the mobile communication signals 20 to/from the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 when the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 are in the first operating mode Mi, and once the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 are switched to the second operating mode M2, the communication network 1 10 becomes active thereby creating an ad hoc communication network 1 10 such that it is activated for the purposes of permitting mobile communications signals 20 to be transferred between the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 and for any other permitted communicatively linked devices and systems. Moreover, additional electronic devices, which are not shown in FIG.

6, may be communicatively linked to the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 and may have a similar configuration and operation as any of the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15.

[0036] The processor 35 of the first electronic device 10 receives acoustic data 55 associated with the first sound Si from the second and third electronic devices 60, 1 15. In this regard, each of the second and third electronic devices 60, 115 detect the first sound Si and transmit the acoustic data 55 to the first electronic device 10. Thereafter, the processor 35 of the first electronic device 10 identifies a location 45 of a source 50 of the first sound Si based on the acoustic data 55 received from the second and third electronic devices 60, 1 15. In this regard, the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 collectively triangulate the location 45 of the source 50 of the first sound Si to achieve greater accuracy in determining the location 45. The processor 35 of the first electronic device 10 identifies a source 52 of a second sound S2 based on predetermined positions 120, 122 of the second and third electronic devices 60, 1 15, respectively. In this regard, the positions 120, 122 of the second and third electronic devices 60, 115, respectively, are established by a predetermined mapping of the second and third electronic devices 60, 115 using a global positioning system, which is not shown in the drawings. This allows the first electronic device 10 to know exactly where the second and third electronic devices 60, 115 are located with respect to one another, with respect to the source 50 of the first sound Si, with respect to the source 52 of the second sound S2, with respect to the first electronic device 10, and with respect to any other electronic devices linked by the communication network 1 10 in the communication system 100.

[0037] In an example, the source 52 of the second sound S2 may be the second electronic device 60 or the third electronic device 1 15. By way of example, the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 may be part of the same battalion of police officers or soldiers, etc., and the source 50 of the first sound Si may be a shooter, while the source 52 of the second sound S2 may be the second or third electronic device 60, 1 15 that is returning gunfire. In the communication system 100, the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 may be mobile devices that may be attached directly or indirectly to a user.

[0038] In an example shown in FIG. 7, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, the mobile communication signals 20 in the communication network 1 10 are only transceived by the first electronic device 10 and the second and third electronic devices 60, 115. For example, there may be other electronic devices 1 1 1 in the vicinity of the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15. However, these other electronic devices 1 1 1 do not have communicative access to the communication network 1 10 and, therefore, do not have access to the mobile communication signals 20. By way of example, these other electronic devices 1 1 1 may be associated with a shooter; i.e., the source 50 of the first sound Si or associated partners of the source 50, and when the communication network 1 10 is activated due to the switching of the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 to the second operating mode M2, the mobile communication signals 20 are encoded using cryptographic techniques that effectively jam signal transmission to these other electronic devices 1 1 1 and/or creates a firewall for accessing the communication network 1 10 by these other electronic devices 1 1 1.

[0039] According to an example, as shown in FIG. 8, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 7, the transceiving of the mobile communication signals 20 has a predetermined range R of the communication network 1 10, where the range may be approximately 100 meters, in an example. In this regard, the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 may be in sufficiently close in proximity with one another to be within this predetermined range R. In such an example, the communication network 1 10 may be in a LAN configuration.

[0040] In an example shown in FIG. 9, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8, any of the second and third electronic devices 60, 1 15 is to remain in a third operating mode M3 that receives the mobile communication signals 20 but does not transmit the mobile communication signals 20. In this regard, in order to prevent detection by other electronic devices 1 1 1 , the second and third electronic devices 60, 115 may have limited communication abilities such that they are enabled to receive the mobile communication signals 20 but do not transmit any mobile communication signals 20. Also, in this scenario, the second and third electronic devices 60, 115 may be passive devices, such as electronic tags, such that they receive the location 45 of the source 50 of the first sound Si from the first electronic device 10 but do not transmit any mobile communication signals 20 by way of the communication network 1 10.

[0041 ] According to various examples shown in FIG. 10, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9, the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 may comprise a mobile communication device 124. As such, the mobile communication device 124 may be a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, or may be a vehicle containing telecommunication software and hardware. Moreover, the first, second, and third electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 may comprise a wearable electronic device 125. In some examples, the wearable electronic device 125 may be a watch, bracelet, necklace, patch, flexible sleeve, fabric, an article of clothing, or any other type of electronic device that may be worn by a user.

[0042] FIG. 1 1 , with reference to FIGS. 1 through 10, provides an illustration of an example of how gunshot location detection may operate within the context of the communication system 100. Accordingly, the communication system 100 may be utilized for a gunshot location and detection application in urban, suburban, and battlefield settings, for example. The gunshot location and detection application may work by triangulating the sound of a gunshot as well as the supersonic boom of the travelling bullet. All military and police rifles shoot supersonic rounds. As the rounds travel through the air they trail a distinctive sonic boom that can be discerned by a microphone. For example, to locate the shooter 150; i.e., source 50 of the sound, and the bullet’s path 151 , an array of microphones 105a...105c is synchronized to be on at the same time. By measuring when the microphones 105a...105c detect an acoustic signal 155 generated by the shot, the distance to the sound can be calculated. More specifically, each microphone 105a...105c is able to measure its distance Di ,

D2, D3, respectively, to the shooter 150 where the sound is emitted, and by using a number of microphones 105a...105c, the location of the shooter 150 and shot direction or path 151 is known. Accordingly, the larger the array of microphones 105a...105c, the more accurate the calculation of the location of the shooter 150.

[0043] FIG. 12, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 1 1 , illustrates an example of detecting the location of a shooter 150 and shot direction; i.e., the bullet’s path 151. For example, the electronic device 10 incorporated into the communication system 100 can include one or more microphones 105a...150c that could be used to determine the origin of enemy gunfire while disregarding friendly fire. Such a communication system 100 can also transmit mobile communication signals 20; i.e., not be radio silent, only while an individual or individuals; e.g., Riflemen, are under attack.

[0044] In conjunction with location detection technologies such as a global positioning system, enemy combatants can be quickly located and mapped. In addition, friendly units returning fire can be identified to prevent friendly fire incidents. A sequence of how this particular example may be practiced is described below:

[0045] Initially, a friendly squad 160 of Riflemen #1 through #8 may be on patrol and are maintaining radio silence with their respective electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15. Since their electronic devices 10, which may be configured as mobile communication devices 124 or wearable electronic devices 125 are in the passive mode MP or the first mode of operation Mi, they only have access to their own location data and preloaded maps on their own electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15.

[0046] Next, an enemy combatant; e.g., shooter 150, discharges a weapon near the squad 160. As shown in FIG. 12, since the round passes near Rifleman #1 through #4, their electronic devices 10 switch from the passive mode MP or the first mode of operation Mi to the active mode MA or the second mode of operation M2, and form an ad hoc communication network 1 10. The electronic devices 10 of Rifleman #5 through #8 may remain in the passive mode Mp or the first mode of operation Mi in this scenario.

[0047] Thereafter, the electronic device 10 of Rifleman #1 through #4 receive the acoustic signal 155 containing acoustic data 55 from the electronic devices 10 of Rifleman #1 through #4 and is used to calculate the location 45 of the shooter 150 such as the geographic coordinates 46 of the shooter 150. This information is shared with the entire squad 160, including Rifleman #5 through #8 who remain may in the passive mode Mp or first mode of operation Mi, where they may receive the mobile communication signals 20 from the electronic devices 10 of Rifleman #1 through #4, but do not transmit these signals 20 themselves.

[0048] Then, Rifleman #6 may return fire 165 towards the shooter 150. The proximate discharge of the rounds activates the electronic device 10 of Rifleman #6 and his corresponding global positioning system position is shared in the communication network 1 10. The location of each of the members of the friendly squad 160 are preloaded in the electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 of each of the members; i.e., Rifleman #1 through #8. Because the discharge of the return fire 165 occurs at the same location as a known friendly combatant; i.e., Rifleman #6, he/she is not identified as another hostile shooter by the other members; i.e., Rifleman #1 through #5 and Rifleman #7 through #8 of the friendly squad 160.

[0049] Finally, after some predetermined period of time t without gunfire the communication network 110 returns to a passive mode by each of the electronic devices 10 being automatically switched from the active mode MA or the second mode of operation M2 to the passive mode MP or the first mode of operation Mi , unless manually overridden by a particular member of the friendly squad 160.

[0050] In an example the members of the friendly squad 160 remain in radio silent; i.e., in the passive mode MP or first mode of operation Mi except during a brief period where the electronic devices 10 locate the shooter 150 and bullet path 151 in order to keep the members of the squad 160 undetectable by enemy combatants. In an example, the communication signals 20 that are transmitted between electronic devices 10 of the respective members of the squad 160 may occur using Bluetooth^® transmission; e.g., approximately in a 100m range R, which would be very hard to detect for anyone beyond this range R.

[0051 ] Various examples described herein may include both hardware and software elements. The examples that are implemented in software may include firmware, resident software, microcode, etc. Other examples may include a computer program product configured to include a pre-configured set of instructions, which when performed, may result in actions as stated in conjunction with the methods described above. In an example, the

preconfigured set of instructions may be stored on a tangible non-transitory computer readable medium or a program storage device containing software code.

[0052] FIG. 13, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 12, illustrates an example system 200 to process acoustic data 55. In the example of FIG. 13, the electronic device 10 includes the processor 35 and a machine-readable storage medium 205. Processor 35 may include a central processing unit, microprocessors, hardware engines, and/or other hardware devices suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium 205. Processor 35 may fetch, decode, and execute computer- executable instructions 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, and 235 to enable execution of locally-hosted or remotely-hosted applications for controlling action of the electronic device 10. The remotely-hosted applications may be accessible on one or more remotely-located devices; for example, device 1 1 . For example, the device 1 1 may be a computer, tablet, smartphone, or remote server. As an alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, processor 35 may include one or more electronic circuits including a number of electronic components for performing the functionality of one or more of the instructions 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, and 235.

[0053] The machine-readable storage medium 205 may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. Thus, the machine-readable storage medium 205 may be, for example, Random Access Memory, an Electrically-Erasable

Programmable Read-Only Memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, flash memory, a storage drive (e.g., a hard drive), a solid-state drive, optical drive, any type of storage disc (e.g., a compact disc, a DVD, etc.), and the like, or a combination thereof. In one example, the machine-readable storage medium 205 may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The machine-readable storage medium 205 may be encoded with executable instructions for enabling execution of remotely-hosted applications accessed on the one or more remotely-located devices 1 1.

[0054] In an example, the processor 35 of the electronic device 10 executes the computer-executable instructions 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, and 235. For example, disabling instructions 210 may disable the electronic device 10 from transceiving mobile communication signals 20 during a first mode of operation Mi of the electronic device 10. Identifying instructions 215 may identify an acoustic signal 155 from a first sound Si detected by the electronic device 10. T riggering instructions 220 may trigger the electronic device 10 to transceive mobile communication signals 20 upon identifying the acoustic signal 155 as being the first sound Si during a second mode of operation M2 of the electronic device 10. Linking instructions 225 may communicatively link the electronic device 10 to a mobile communication network 110 containing communicatively linked electronic devices 60, 1 15. Processing instructions 230 may process acoustic data 55 associated with the first sound Si from the communicatively linked electronic devices 60, 1 15. Calculating instructions 235 may calculate geographic coordinates 46 of the location 45 of the source 50 of the first sound Si based on the acoustic data 55 received from the communicatively linked electronic devices 60, 1 15.

[0055] In an example, the computer-executable instructions 210, 215,

220, 225, 230, and 235, when executed, may further cause the processor 35 to transmit global positioning system coordinates; i.e., geographic coordinates 46, of the electronic device 10 to the communicatively linked electronic devices 60,

1 15 during the second mode of operation M2 of the electronic device 10. In another example, the computer-executable instructions 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, and 235, when executed, may further cause the processor 35 to trigger the electronic device 10 to transmit the geographic coordinates 46 of the source 50 of the first sound Si to the communicatively linked electronic devices 60, 115. According to an example, the computer-executable instructions 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, and 235, when executed, may further cause the processor 35 to identify a location 51 of the source 52 of a second sound S2 based on the predetermined positions 120, 122 of the communicatively linked electronic devices 60, 1 15.

[0056] The examples described herein provide a communication system 100 that enables sound detection and sound source location, which allows one or more communicatively linked electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 that are linked by a communication network 1 10 to become positionally aware of one another as well as identify the location 45 of the source 50 of the first sound Si , to identify the location 51 of the source 52 of a second sound S2, and to identify whether the source 52 of the second sound S2 is considered friendly with respect to the communicatively linked electronic devices 10, 60, 1 15 based on the

predetermined locations of the communicatively linked electronic devices 10,

60, 115; i.e., location data 65 associated with the first electronic device 10, and the predetermined positions 120, 122 of the second and third electronic devices 60, 1 15, respectively, without comprising the detection of the location data 65 or predetermined positions 120, 122 by the source 50 of the first sound Si or by other electronic devices 1 1 1 that do not have communicative access to the communication network 1 10.

[0057] The present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing exemplary implementations. Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein it is manifestly intended that the scope of the claimed subject matter be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. It is to be understood, however, that other forms, details, and examples may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure that is defined in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic device comprising:

a transceiver set to a passive mode to disable transceiving of mobile communication signals;

a sensor to transmit a first signal upon detecting a first sound; and a processor to:

receive the first signal from the sensor;

switch the transceiver from the passive mode to an active mode that enables transceiving of mobile communication signals;

establish a connection with a second electronic device via the transceiver; and

determine a location of a source of the first sound based on acoustic data received from the second electronic device.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is to identify global positioning system location data of the transceiver, and wherein the transceiver is to transmit the mobile communication signals containing the global positioning system location data to the second electronic device upon being switched into the active mode.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is to detect a second sound and transmit a second signal to the processor, and wherein the processor is to identify a location of a source of the second sound based on the acoustic data received in the second electronic device related to the second sound.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the processor is to identify the second sound as being associated with the second electronic device based on the identified location of the second sound.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is to switch the transceiver from the active mode back to the passive mode upon an expiration of a predetermined period of time.

6. A communication system comprising:

a first electronic device set to a first operating mode to disable transceiving of mobile communication signals;

a microphone connected to the first electronic device to detect a first sound; and

a processor operatively connected to the microphone, wherein the processor is to:

switch the first electronic device from the first operating mode to a second operating mode that enables transceiving of mobile communication signals to or from the first electronic device;

wirelessly connect the first electronic device to a communication network that communicatively links with a second electronic device and a third electronic device;

receive acoustic data associated with the first sound from the second and third electronic devices;

identify a location of a source of the first sound based on the acoustic data received from the second and third electronic devices; and

identify a source of a second sound based on predetermined positions of the second and third electronic devices.

7. The communication system of claim 6, wherein the mobile

communication signals in the communication network are only transceived by the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the third electronic device.

8. The communication system of claim 6, wherein the transceiving of the mobile communication signals has a range of approximately 100 meters.

9. The communication system of claim 6, wherein any of the second and third electronic devices is to remain in a third operating mode that receives the mobile communication signals but does not transmit the mobile communication signals.

10. The communication system of claim 6, wherein the first, second, and third electronic devices comprise a mobile communication device.

1 1. The communication system of claim 6, wherein the first, second, and third electronic devices comprise a wearable electronic device.

12. A machine-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed cause a processor of an electronic device to: disable the electronic device from transceiving mobile communication signals during a first mode of operation of the electronic device;

identify an acoustic signal from a first sound detected by the electronic device;

trigger the electronic device to transceive mobile communication signals upon identifying the acoustic signal as being the first sound during a second mode of operation of the electronic device;

communicatively link the electronic device to a mobile communication network containing communicatively linked electronic devices;

process acoustic data associated with the first sound from the communicatively linked electronic devices; and

calculate geographic coordinates of a source of the first sound based on the acoustic data received from the communicatively linked electronic devices.

13. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to transmit global positioning system coordinates of the electronic device to the communicatively linked electronic devices during the second mode of operation of the electronic device.

14. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to trigger the electronic device to transmit the geographic coordinates of the source of the first sound to the communicatively linked electronic devices.

15. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to identify a source of a second sound based on predetermined positions of the communicatively linked electronic devices.