Mobile Ultrasonic Sensing With Haptic Feedback for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collisions between mobile devices and objects or people can cause physical harm, property damage, and psychological consequences for users, and existing systems fail to effectively prevent such collisions.
Innovation Solution
A system using ultrasonic sensors mounted on mobile devices to detect the environment, providing visual and haptic feedback to users about the proximity of objects, allowing for navigation and collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic sensors and feedback modules are added to mobile devices, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the environment into multiple detection zones (e.g., front, rear, left, right) with different risk levels. Each zone can be monitored and反馈 independently, allowing the system to manage complexity through spatial segmentation rather than treating the environment as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where sensor data is continuously processed and immediately communicated back to the user through visual, auditory, or haptic signals. This closed-loop feedback enables dynamic collision avoidance while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular feedback module design.
2Loss of information
If real-time environment sensing is implemented, then user awareness of surroundings is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous sensing, the system uses periodic ultrasonic pulses to detect obstacles. The sensors emit sound waves at intervals and measure the time for echoes to return, providing real-time awareness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates full sensing and feedback only when needed (e.g., when the mobile device is in motion or when obstacles are detected), rather than operating at full capacity continuously. This partial action approach maintains user awareness while optimizing energy usage.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and feedback modules are integrated, then detection precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple sensor inputs and feedback mechanisms into a unified control interface. Data from various ultrasonic sensors is merged and processed centrally, then presented to the user through integrated feedback modules, maintaining operational simplicity despite enhanced detection precision from multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically processes sensor data and generates appropriate feedback without requiring user intervention. The mobile device self-monitors its environment and self-adjusts its feedback output based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for users to manually control multiple sensors and feedback modules while maintaining high detection precision.
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
Enhances user awareness of their surroundings, reducing the risk of collisions by providing real-time, intuitive feedback, enabling safer navigation and interaction with the environment.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors may be ultrasonic sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a system, device, and method for assisting a user to avoid contacting surfaces with their mobile device. An environment is sensed with one or more electronic sensors. The sensor readings are analyzed. Information is then provided to a user based on the analyzed sensor readings. The sensors may be configured so their sensor cones cross at a midpoint. Readings from the sensor(s) may be grouped according detection zone(s) corresponding to one or more areas about a mobile device. A computing module may control a feedback module according to detection zone readings. The feedback module may comprise an indicator for each detection zone. The indicator may be a vibration motor. The indicator may be a light. The computing module may set the colour of a light and/or control the vibrations based on the proximity of surfaces detected within the corresponding detection zone.