Distance Measurement Using Dynamic Waveform Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring devices using sound waves face challenges in identifying the reflected wave from the target object when multiple reflected waves are received, making it difficult to accurately measure distance in complex indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device that moves while transmitting sound waves multiple times, acquiring waveform data, and identifying the target wave based on changes in reception timing to distinguish it from other reflected waves, allowing for accurate distance calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the speaker and microphone have low directionality, then the device can be simple and commonly available (e.g., smartphone), but multiple reflected waves from different surfaces are received making target identification impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the relative position between the distance measuring device and the target object by moving the device. This dynamic movement causes the reception timing of the target reflected wave to change relative to other reflected waves, enabling identification of the target wave through timing variation analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary movement of the distance measuring device before conducting the actual distance measurement. This preliminary action changes the spatial relationship between the device and surrounding reflective surfaces, causing the target reflected wave's reception timing to differ from other reflected waves, thereby enabling accurate target identification.
2Ease of operation
If the device remains stationary, then the measurement process is simple, but the reflected wave from the target object cannot be distinguished from other reflected waves
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic movement of the distance measuring device to create temporal changes in the reception timing of reflected waves. This dynamic approach transforms the static measurement process into a dynamic one where the target wave can be identified through its changing timing characteristics relative to other reflected waves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the change in reception timing to identify the target reflected wave. By monitoring how the reception timing varies as the device moves, the system can distinguish the target wave from other reflected waves, using the timing change information as feedback for accurate identification.
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 distance measurement to the target object even in environments with multiple reflective surfaces by effectively identifying the target wave amidst multiple reflected waves, improving measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
a reflected wave caused by reflection of a sound wave (output wave), which has been emitted from the speaker, by the target object is received by the microphone
Implementation Method 2
a reflected wave caused by reflection of a sound wave (output wave), which has been emitted from the speaker, by the target object is received by the microphone
Implementation Method 3
the distance from the distance measuring device to the target object is measured by identifying the time required until the sound wave emitted from the speaker is reflected and reaches the microphone
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measuring device that can identify a reflected wave by a target object as a measurement target from among reflected waves when the reflected waves are observed in response to one output wave. The device transmits an output wave plural times from a speaker while moving, and acquires waveform data of a sound wave that is received by a microphone every time the output wave is transmitted and includes plural reflected waves caused by reflection of the output wave. Furthermore, the distance measuring device identifies a reflected wave by the target object as the measurement target from among the plural reflected waves according to change in the reception timing of each of the plurality of reflected waves included in each of plural pieces of the acquired waveform data, and calculates the distance to the target object on the basis of the reception timing of the identified reflected wave.