Acoustic Imaging Alignment Using Distance-Based Parallax Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic imaging devices face limitations in detecting and imaging both high and low frequency ranges due to sensor array configurations and calculation algorithms, requiring expertise and multiple equipment setups, and suffer from parallax errors when combined with other imaging technologies.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic sensor array system integrated with electromagnetic imaging tools and a processor that corrects parallax errors by using distance information to generate combined acoustic and electromagnetic image data, allowing simultaneous imaging and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor array is optimized for lower frequencies with larger sensor spacing, then the device can effectively detect and image low frequency acoustic signals, but it cannot effectively detect or image higher frequencies above approximately 50 kHz
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic sensor array is divided into multiple sub-arrays, where each sub-array is optimized for a specific frequency range. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both low-frequency capability (through sub-arrays with larger sensor spacing) and high-frequency capability (through sub-arrays with smaller sensor spacing), resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor array is optimized for higher frequencies with smaller sensor spacing, then the device can effectively detect and image high frequency acoustic signals, but it cannot effectively detect lower frequencies at or below 20 kHz
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into multiple sub-arrays with different spacing configurations. Sub-arrays with smaller spacing handle high-frequency signals while sub-arrays with larger spacing handle low-frequency signals, enabling the system to achieve both high and low frequency detection capabilities simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple imaging technologies are used in tandem, then comprehensive analysis of the acoustic scene is enabled, but parallax errors occur causing misalignment between images from different modalities
Solution Approach 1:
A registration algorithm acts as an intermediary process that receives images from multiple imaging modalities and computes transformation parameters to align them. This intermediary step corrects for parallax errors and ensures accurate spatial registration between acoustic and electromagnetic images, resolving the alignment contradiction.
4Reliability
If manual selection of hardware and software is required for acoustic analysis, then optimal settings can be chosen, but the process is time-consuming and requires expert intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically selecting appropriate hardware and software settings based on the acoustic scene characteristics. The registration algorithm autonomously aligns images from different modalities without requiring expert manual intervention, thereby maintaining high accuracy while significantly reducing inspection time and eliminating the need for expert operators.
5Measurement precision
If different calculation algorithms are used for acoustic imaging, then optimal imaging results can be achieved for specific frequency ranges and distances, but it becomes difficult to determine which algorithm to use without expert knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically selects and applies the appropriate calculation algorithm based on the detected acoustic scene characteristics, such as frequency range and distance to target. This self-service approach eliminates the need for user expertise in algorithm selection while maintaining optimal imaging quality for each specific application scenario.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient detection and imaging of a wide frequency range without expert intervention, reducing time and cost, and accurately aligns multiple imaging modalities to enhance localization and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic sensor array that includes a plurality of acoustic sensor elements configured to receive acoustic signals from an acoustic scene and output acoustic data based on the received acoustic signals
Implementation Method 2
generate acoustic image data of a scene by back-propagating the received acoustic signals to a target location
Implementation Method 3
combine the generated acoustic image data and the received electromagnetic image data to generate a display image
Implementation Method 4
correcting a parallax error between the acoustic image data and the electromagnetic image data based on the received distance information
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
Systems and methods directed toward acoustic analysis can include an acoustic sensor array (102) comprising a plurality of acoustic sensor elements, an electromagnetic imaging tool (103), a distance measuring tool (104), and a processor (112) in communication with the acoustic sensor array, the electromagnetic imaging tool, and the distance measuring tool. The processor can be configured to generate acoustic image data based on acoustic signals received from the acoustic sensor array and distance information received from the distance measuring tool. The processor can combine the generated acoustic image data and received electromagnetic image data from the electromagnetic imaging tool to create a display image including acoustic image data and electromagnetic image data. The processor can be configured to correct a parallax error between the electromagnetic image data and the acoustic image data based on the received distance information.