Directional Antenna Signal Visualization System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively visualize and represent electromagnetic radio frequency signals, particularly in scenarios where objects are obscured, such as pallets packed in boxes, due to limitations in detecting signals with varying directional sensitivities and spatial distributions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising an antenna apparatus, a processing apparatus, and a representation apparatus that receives and processes signals with directional characteristics to determine representation data, allowing for the visualization of electromagnetic radio frequency signals by superimposing data onto visual images, using multiple directional characteristics to enhance detection and positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electromagnetic signals are used for communication (RFID tags, transponders), then wireless data transmission is achieved, but the signals become invisible to the human eye and cannot be directly observed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a camera to capture optical images of the scene, a processing apparatus to process received electromagnetic signals and generate representation data, and a representation apparatus (such as a display or HUD) to visualize the data. This intermediary chain translates invisible electromagnetic signals into visible representations that can be observed and interpreted by humans, resolving the visibility issue without requiring direct visual detection of the signals themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct visual observation (optical detection) with electronic detection and processing. Instead of attempting to make electromagnetic signals directly visible through optical means, the system uses electronic receivers to detect the signals, processes them computationally, and generates visual representations through electronic displays. This substitution of mechanical/optical detection with electronic detection and visualization solves the fundamental visibility problem of electromagnetic signals.
2Measurement precision
If directional characteristics with spatially different receive sensitivities are used, then detection accuracy of transmitter positions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna apparatus into multiple antenna elements, each capable of receiving electromagnetic signals with different directional characteristics and spatially different receive sensitivities. By dividing the antenna system into multiple elements with distinct directional patterns, the system can simultaneously capture signal strength information from multiple directions, enabling more accurate determination of transmitter positions through comparative analysis of the received signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality into the detection system by utilizing antenna elements arranged in three-dimensional space with different orientations and receive patterns. This spatial arrangement creates multiple detection dimensions, allowing the system to triangulate and precisely locate transmitters by analyzing the spatial distribution of signal strengths across the different antenna elements, thereby improving position detection accuracy.
3Loss of information
If representation data is superimposed on visual images, then information about electromagnetic signals is visualized, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data streams - optical images captured by the camera and representation data generated from electromagnetic signal processing - into a single integrated visualization. The processing apparatus combines these disparate information sources and outputs them through a unified representation apparatus (such as a display or head-up display), allowing users to simultaneously perceive both the visual scene and the electromagnetic signal information in a cohesive manner, thereby reducing information loss without proportionally increasing processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for representing user information including an antenna apparatus, a processing apparatus and a representation apparatus. The antenna apparatus receives signals of a transmitter in a scene with at least one directional characteristic relating to spatially different receive sensitivities. Alternatively or additionally, the antenna apparatus sends signals with at least one directional characteristic into a scene and receives signals of a transmitter from the scene. The processing apparatus processes the received signals with respect to the scene and determines representation data represented by the representation apparatus. Further, the invention relates to a respective method.