Acoustic Proximity Detection Using Wireless Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for devices and systems that effectively monitor and manage social distancing to reduce the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 by detecting proximity between individuals.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing an acoustic emitter, receiver, and short-range wireless radio frequency transceiver to calculate distance between devices and broadcast proximity information, employing ultrasonic signals to avoid interference from inanimate objects and using a controller to process and transmit distance data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic signals are used to detect proximity, then the system can detect distance between devices, but the system may be interfered with by inanimate objects that reflect or absorb acoustic signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a wireless communication protocol as an intermediary to coordinate acoustic signal exchanges between devices. The controller first establishes a communication protocol with remote devices before emitting acoustic signals, ensuring that only authorized devices participate in the ranging process. This intermediary coordination layer prevents misidentification of acoustic responses from inanimate objects or unauthorized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller monitors acoustic responses and verifies them against expected patterns. By analyzing the timing, frequency, and characteristics of returned acoustic signals, the system can distinguish between valid responses from human devices and spurious responses from inanimate objects, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy despite environmental interference.
2Productivity
If the acoustic receiver monitors for a long duration to capture all possible acoustic responses, then the system can detect all nearby devices, but the system increases the time required to complete distance measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary actions by first establishing wireless communication protocols with potential remote devices before initiating acoustic signal emission. This pre-coordination phase allows the system to identify which devices are likely to respond to acoustic signals based on their communication status, enabling the acoustic receiver to monitor for more targeted and shorter durations, thus reducing overall measurement time while maintaining detection completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic acoustic signal emission in alternating transmit and receive modes. Rather than continuously monitoring, the controller emits acoustic signals at periodic intervals, allowing the acoustic receiver to monitor only during designated receive periods. This periodic operation reduces the total monitoring duration required while still capturing all possible acoustic responses from nearby devices.
3Device complexity
If the system uses only acoustic signals for distance measurement, then the system is simple in structure, but the system cannot reliably distinguish between devices and inanimate objects
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single system: the short-range wireless radio frequency transceiver handles both communication protocol establishment and acoustic signal coordination, while the controller performs both device identification and distance calculation. This multi-functional design maintains relative structural simplicity while achieving reliable device distinction through protocol-based coordination and acoustic signal analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication protocol serves as an intermediary layer that mediates between the acoustic signal emission and the acoustic response analysis. By first establishing communication protocols with potential remote devices, the system creates a coordinated environment where acoustic responses can be reliably attributed to specific devices, enabling accurate device identification without adding complex separate identification systems.
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 accurate detection of proximity between individuals, facilitating appropriate measures to minimize exposure to infectious agents by providing reliable distance measurements and alerts.
Implementation Method 1
cause the acoustic emitter to emit a first acoustic signal at a first frequency
Implementation Method 2
monitor, via the acoustic receiver and for a first predetermined amount of time following an emission of the first acoustic signal by the acoustic emitter, for a first acoustic response signal generated by the remote device
Implementation Method 3
calculate a first distance between the device and the remote device based on a duration between emitting the first acoustic signal and receiving the first acoustic response signal
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, the present invention is a method for ranging which includes emitting an acoustic signal at a first frequency, monitoring for a first acoustic response signal at a second frequency, and responsive to receiving the first acoustic response signal within a predetermined amount of time, (1) calculating a first distance between a first device and a second device based on a duration between emitting the first acoustic signal and receiving the first acoustic response signal, and (2) broadcast a first message including the distance and an identifier.