Directional Microphone Array for Object Location Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for multiple computerized devices to determine the location of independently movable devices on a platform require two-way communication and self-localization, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses sound sensors to receive and identify unique sound signals from movable objects, determining their bearing and range without the need for each device to communicate directly with a central control system, employing techniques like time of flight and triangulation with directional microphone arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two-way communication and self-localization are used to determine device locations, then location information can be obtained, but system complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central station as an intermediary that receives sound signals from multiple movable devices and performs location calculations centrally. This eliminates the need for complex two-way communication between devices and self-localization algorithms in each device, while still achieving accurate location determination through centralized processing of sound signal data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/communication-based self-localization system with an acoustic-based passive detection system. Instead of devices actively communicating their positions through complex protocols, the system uses sound sensors to passively detect and analyze sound signals emitted by devices, converting acoustic information into location data through central processing
2Loss of time
If each movable device performs self-localization, then location data can be obtained, but computational burden and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The central station acts as an intermediary that performs all computationally intensive location calculations. Movable devices only need to emit simple sound signals and receive location results, offloading the heavy computational burden of processing sound signals and calculating positions from individual devices to the centralized system, thereby reducing both time and energy consumption at the device level
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the location determination function from individual devices into a single centralized system. Instead of each device independently performing computations to determine its own location, all devices share a common central station that processes sound signals from all devices and provides location information to all, consolidating computational resources and improving overall system efficiency
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 location determination of movable devices on a platform without the need for two-way communication, allowing them to take evasive actions to avoid collisions, while reducing complexity and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
determine a range to each movable object based at least in part on time of flight (TOF) information. In such an embodiment, each sound signal can include a respective time stamp indicating time of transmission, and the TOF information can include a time period from the time of transmission to a time of reception of the respective sound signal by the sound sensor
Implementation Method 2
the instructions may be executable to determine range and bearing from a reference location to each of the movable objects using triangulation of the respective sound signals detected by plural of the microphones
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple independently movable devices are located upon a platform. On the platform is a directional microphone array. Each of the movable devices is assigned a unique audio signature, which may be a pulse train of chirps or a pseudo random signal or some other audio sequence that is unique to the respective device. Each movable device announces itself with its unique audio signature, and the platform's directional microphone system determines the location from which the unique audio signature comes from. For range, a difference between the time of flight (TOF) of the light relative to the sound signature is used. As another technique a unique audio signature may be an audio water mark concealed in normal audio which may be emitted by the movable device. The watermark provides the identifying information of each movable device.