Acoustic Web Monitoring Using Interference Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring systems require multiple sensing devices for various situations in indoor spaces, leading to high costs and power consumption, with single acoustic emitters having low detection ability due to insufficient changes in sound fields, and multiple emitters struggling to effectively manage interference between acoustic waves.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using a three-dimensional acoustic web formed by interference between multiple acoustic waves, with adjustable emission parameters to enhance detection efficiency, including the use of multiple acoustic emitters and controlled signal emission to maximize changes in acoustic signals for situation recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single acoustic emitter is used to detect sound field changes, then device complexity is reduced, but detection ability is insufficient due to small sound field changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of acoustic emittersVSAvoiddetection ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the acoustic field into multiple frequency bands and uses multiple acoustic emitters to create segmented acoustic waves that interfere constructively and destructively to form detectable patterns, thereby improving detection ability while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-frequency to multi-frequency acoustic waves, adding the frequency dimension to the acoustic field. This creates a three-dimensional acoustic web (space + frequency + time) that significantly enhances detection capability without requiring a proportional increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple acoustic emitters are used to increase sound field changes, then detection ability is improved, but interference between acoustic waves becomes difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection abilityVSAvoidinterference management

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful interference between acoustic waves into a beneficial phenomenon by deliberately designing the interference pattern to form a three-dimensional acoustic web. The interference, rather than being eliminated, is harnessed to create detectable spatial patterns that enhance measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters including frequency, phase, and amplitude of acoustic waves from multiple emitters to create controlled interference patterns. By adjusting these parameters, the system forms a three-dimensional acoustic web that improves detection while managing the complexity of interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensing devices are used for various situations, then detection coverage is improved, but cost and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single acoustic emitter and receiver system multi-functional by using multi-frequency acoustic waves to detect various situations (intrusion, fire, gas leakage, temperature changes). This universal system replaces multiple specialized sensors, reducing power consumption while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic system serves multiple detection functions simultaneously through the interference patterns created by multi-frequency waves. The same acoustic web that detects intrusion also detects environmental changes, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Improves detection ability by maximizing changes in acoustic signals, optimizing detection efficiency for various situations, and reducing the need for multiple devices, thereby addressing the limitations of single emitters and interference management in existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

forming a three-dimensional acoustic web in a monitoring target space based on interference between acoustic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS11589177B2Apparatus for monitoring a space by using acoustic web

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 KIM JAE WHAN

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring a space using a three-dimensional acoustic web, and to a method of emitting a plurality of acoustic signals, forming a three-dimensional acoustic web in a monitoring target space based on interference between acoustic waves, and recognizing a situation of the monitoring target space based on a change in measured acoustic signals.