Acoustic Imaging Device Panoramic Scene Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic imaging systems struggle to monitor large areas or different regions of an area at different times, as they often have limited field-of-view and are not commercially viable to install multiple systems for various regions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an acoustic imaging device that combines acoustic sensor arrays with electromagnetic imaging tools, allowing for the generation of acoustic image data and visible light image data, which can be combined to provide a comprehensive view of a scene, including the use of beacon acoustic signals to align and stitch together multiple acoustic images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single acoustic imaging system is used, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the field-of-view is limited and cannot cover large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a large area into multiple smaller regions, each monitored by a separate acoustic imaging system. These segmented systems capture acoustic data from their respective fields-of-view, which are then processed and stitched together to form a comprehensive panoramic acoustic image of the entire large area, resolving the contradiction between limited single-system FOV and the need to cover large areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple acoustic imaging systems and their respective acoustic images into a single integrated panoramic view. By merging the data from multiple systems positioned at different locations or orientations, the system achieves coverage of large areas while managing complexity through coordinated operation and unified processing.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple acoustic imaging systems are installed to monitor different regions, then the coverage area increases, but the cost and system complexity become commercially unviable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal acoustic imaging platform that can be deployed in multiple configurations to monitor different regions. The system uses standardized acoustic sensors and processing algorithms that can be replicated and combined, allowing scalable coverage of large areas without proportionally increasing complexity or cost, making multi-region monitoring commercially viable.
3Measurement precision
If the acoustic imaging system optimizes for one frequency range, then the detection precision for that frequency is improved, but the detection of sounds with different acoustic parameters becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different acoustic sensors or sensor configurations optimized for specific frequency ranges in different regions of the panoramic view. Each sensor or sensor array is tailored to detect sounds with particular acoustic parameters appropriate for its monitoring zone, while the unified processing system integrates these specialized detections into a comprehensive acoustic image that maintains high precision across varied frequency ranges.
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic analysis system includes an acoustic sensor array that receives acoustic signals from a target scene and outputs acoustic data based on the one or more acoustic signals. A processor receives a first set of acoustic data representing a first portion of the target scene and having a first field of view (FOV), generates a first acoustic image based on the first set of acoustic data, receives a second set of acoustic data representing a second portion of the target scene and having a second FOV, wherein the second FOV is different than the first FOV, generates a second acoustic image based on the second set of acoustic data, registers the first acoustic image and the second acoustic image to form an aligned first acoustic image and second acoustic image, and generate a panorama comprising the aligned first acoustic image and second acoustic image for presentation on a display.