Sonic Distance Measurement Using Time Difference of Recording Start Times
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measurement methods using mobile terminals are time-consuming, require synchronization, and are affected by noise, making them inconvenient and inaccurate, especially in noise-exposed environments.
Innovation Solution
A sonic distance measurement system and method utilizing mobile terminals with a reproducing section, recording section, time difference measurement section, and communication section, which calculate distance by measuring the difference in recording start times of distance measurement signals between two mobile terminals, allowing for independent time measurement and noise-immune distance calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sonic distance measurement is conducted using two mobile terminals, then distance measurement can be performed using commonly carried devices, but synchronization and calibration are required making the process time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Each mobile terminal independently measures the recording start time of both its own transmitted signal and the received signal from the other terminal. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external synchronization equipment or manual calibration, as each device autonomously captures the timing information it needs for distance calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the transmitted distance measurement signal itself as an intermediary carrier that conveys timing information. By embedding the transmission time information within the signal and having the receiving terminal record both the transmitted and received signals with their respective start times, the system mediates the synchronization requirement through the signal propagation process itself rather than requiring separate synchronization mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If sonic distance measurement is conducted using mobile terminals, then distance measurement can be performed portably, but measurement accuracy is directly affected by surrounding noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent records not only the received distance measurement signal but also the locally generated transmitted signal with its recording start time. By capturing this additional local reference signal, the system obtains excess timing information that enables precise calculation of the signal propagation time despite the presence of surrounding noise, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy in portable conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distance measurement signal sound is buried in surrounding noise, then measurement can continue in noisy environments, but accurate distance measurement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary recording of the local transmitted signal before the actual distance measurement takes place. By having the recording section already captured the local signal with its precise recording start time stored, the system prepares a reference that can be used to accurately determine propagation time even when the received signal is buried in noise during the measurement phase.
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 simple, convenient, and stable sonic distance measurement without the need for synchronization and improves accuracy by using a chirp signal with a wider frequency spectrum, effectively reducing the impact of noise in noisy environments.
Implementation Method 1
a reproducing section for reproducing a first distance measurement signal
Implementation Method 2
a recording section for recording the first distance measurement signal and a second distance measurement signal output from the other mobile terminal
Implementation Method 3
a time difference measurement section for measuring a first difference between recording start times of the first and second distance measurement signals
Implementation Method 4
The distance calculation section calculates a distance to the other mobile terminal by multiplying the subtraction result between the first and second differences by the speed of sound
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a mobile terminal including: a reproducing section adapted to reproduce a first distance measurement signal; a recording section adapted to record the first distance measurement signal and a second distance measurement signal output from other mobile terminal; a time difference measurement section adapted to measure a first difference between recording start times of the first and second distance measurement signals; a communication section adapted to receive a second difference between recording start times of the first and second distance measurement signals from the other mobile terminal, the second difference being measured by the other mobile terminal; and a distance calculation section adapted to calculate a distance to the other mobile terminal by multiplying the subtraction result between the first and second differences by the speed of sound.