Acoustic Object Sensing Using Wide-Frequency Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors for detecting object properties are limited by finite wireless channels, high power consumption, hardware costs, sensitivity, reliability, algorithm complexity, and limited signal transmission distance, making them unsuitable for efficient detection of objects distributed in a space.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device system that uses wide-frequency sound signals, transmitted by sensing devices attached to objects, which are received and analyzed by an analyzing device, utilizing a trigger module and sound module with a crystal oscillator to convert oscillation signals into wide-frequency sound signals, allowing for low-cost, low-power, and flexible detection of object properties without competing with existing wireless communication technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sensors with wireless connections (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) are used to detect object properties, then detection functionality is achieved, but the number of connected devices is limited by finite wireless channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic wireless communication systems (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) with an acoustic communication system using sound waves. The sensing device converts detected object properties into sound signals that can be received by a smartphone's microphone, eliminating wireless channel limitations and enabling unlimited device connections through spatial acoustic propagation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium to transfer information from sensing devices to the analyzing device. Instead of direct electronic wireless communication, the system uses acoustic waves propagating through air as the transmission medium, allowing multiple devices to communicate simultaneously without channel conflicts
2Reliability
If traditional sensors are used for object detection, then detection functionality is achieved, but power consumption and hardware cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive acoustic components (speaker, microphone, crystal oscillator) instead of expensive wireless communication modules. The sensing device uses a simple circuit with a crystal oscillator and speaker to generate sound signals, dramatically reducing hardware cost and power consumption while maintaining reliable detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes power-hungry electronic wireless transmission with low-power acoustic transmission. The sensing device generates sound signals using minimal electrical power to drive a speaker, and the analyzing device uses its built-in microphone (already present for other functions) to receive signals, eliminating the need for additional high-power wireless transmitters
3Measurement precision
If traditional sensors with fixed electronic components are used, then detection is achieved, but spatial flexibility and signal transmission distance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-position wireless sensor system into a dynamic acoustic system. Sound waves naturally propagate through three-dimensional space without requiring line-of-sight or specific geometric arrangements, allowing sensing devices and analyzing devices to move freely while maintaining detection capability and enhancing spatial flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the analyzing device's microphone multi-functional by using it both for its original purpose (audio input) and for receiving detection signals from sensing devices. This universal use of existing components eliminates the need for dedicated reception hardware, increasing spatial flexibility and reducing system complexity
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 of object properties like position, movement, and temperature with reduced interference and increased spatial flexibility, allowing for more devices to be connected without channel limitations, while maintaining low power consumption and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Due to a crystal oscillator may provide an oscillation signal, it is benefit to assembly the trigger module, the crystal oscillator and the sound module as a circuit
Implementation Method 2
transmit a wide-frequency sound signal according to the detecting result of the former
Implementation Method 3
the wide-frequency sound signal just transmitted away the sound module is almost different than the wide-frequency sound signal just received by the analyzing device, due to the Doppler effect that the signal frequency depends on the moving velocity between each other
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device and a determining system for determining the location, the movement or even other properties of one or more objects. A sensing device is attached to one object, and contains at least a trigger module and a sound module. The trigger module is configured to generate a sensing signal, and the sound module is configured to generate and transmit a wide-frequency sound signal correspondingly. The determining system contains at least one such sensing device and an analyzing device configured to receive and analyze the wide-frequency sound signal. Therefore, one or more properties of the object(s) may be monitored. In general, the trigger module is configured to couple electrically one or more crystal oscillators with the sound module, so that the oscillation signal generated thereby may be controllably converted into the wide-frequency sound signal.