Personal Sonar System Ultrasonic Triangulation Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices aiding the visually impaired are often cumbersome and inadequate in providing sufficient environmental information for users to navigate freely.
Innovation Solution
A personal sonar system that includes acoustic transmitters, receivers, and a controller to identify physical objects through ultrasonic signals, providing directional outputs via spatialized audio and haptic feedback, allowing users to triangulate object locations and adjust detection settings for improved navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional devices are used to aid the visually impaired, then the devices can provide basic object detection, but the devices become unwieldy and do not provide sufficient environmental information
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments environmental information detection into multiple ultrasonic receivers positioned at different locations on the user's body, each detecting objects in specific directions. This segmentation allows comprehensive environmental coverage while keeping each receiver simple and the overall system wearable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from basic object detection to three-dimensional spatial mapping by using multiple receivers at different positions and angles on the user's body. This dimensional approach creates a comprehensive environmental model that provides sufficient information for navigation without requiring bulky equipment.
2Measurement precision
If multiple acoustic receivers are used to triangulate object locations, then object detection precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple acoustic receivers into a unified sonar system with a single controller that processes signals from all receivers. This integration achieves precise triangulation of object locations while maintaining a compact, wearable form factor by combining components rather than using separate bulky devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages ultrasonic signal transmission, processes return signals from multiple receivers, performs triangulation calculations, and controls directional indication output. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If directional indication system is added to provide spatialized feedback, then navigation capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary that processes complex ultrasonic signal data and converts it into simplified directional indications through the directional indication system. This mediator approach enables sophisticated navigation assistance while keeping the user interface simple and the overall system wearable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical navigation aids with electronic ultrasonic detection and digital signal processing. The directional indication system uses electronic signals and spatialized audio rather than mechanical components, improving navigation capability while maintaining a compact form factor.
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 the visually impaired user's understanding of their environment by providing comprehensive spatialized feedback, enabling more effective navigation in unfamiliar and dynamic settings compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one acoustic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals into an environment proximate the user; at least two acoustic receivers for receiving return ultrasonic signals from the environment proximate the user
Implementation Method 2
the controller identifies the physical object within the environment by: triangulating a plurality of locations of the physical object using the return ultrasonic signals originating from the same acoustic transmitter and transmitted at the same time
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include a personal sonar system sized to be worn on a body of a user. In some cases, the system includes: at least one acoustic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals into an environment proximate the user; at least two acoustic receivers for receiving return ultrasonic signals from the environment proximate the user; a directional indication system for providing a directional output to the user; and a controller coupled with the at least one transmitter, the at least two acoustic receivers, and the directional indication system, the controller configured to: identify a physical object within the environment proximate the user based on the return ultrasonic signals; and initiate the directional output at the directional indication system based on the identified physical object within the environment.