UltrasonicSpheres: Localized, Multi-Channel Sound Spheres Using Off-the-Shelf Speakers and Earables

TL;DR

UltrasonicSpheres introduces a system that uses ultrasonic signals and off-the-shelf speakers to deliver localized, multi-channel audio to wearable earphones, enabling personalized sound experiences without extra infrastructure.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel ultrasonic audio delivery system that achieves localized, multi-channel sound using simple hardware and earphones, without tracking or infrastructure.

Findings

Localized multi-channel audio achieved with ultrasonic signals

Users can demodulate personalized streams while remaining aware of ambient sounds

System preserves spatial audio perception and is inaudible to others

Abstract

We present a demo of UltrasonicSpheres, a novel system for location-specific audio delivery using wearable earphones that decode ultrasonic signals into audible sound. Unlike conventional beamforming setups, UltrasonicSpheres relies on single ultrasonic speakers to broadcast localized audio with multiple channels, each encoded on a distinct ultrasonic carrier frequency. Users wearing our acoustically transparent earphones can demodulate their selected stream, such as exhibit narrations in a chosen language, while remaining fully aware of ambient environmental sounds. The experience preserves spatial audio perception, giving the impression that the sound originates directly from the physical location of the source. This enables personalized, localized audio without requiring pairing, tracking, or additional infrastructure. Importantly, visitors not equipped with the earphones are unaffected, as the ultrasonic signals are inaudible to the human ear. Our demo invites participants to explore multiple co-located audio zones and experience how UltrasonicSpheres supports unobtrusive delivery of personalized sound in public spaces.