Coherent Speckle Imaging for Remote Sound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion detection techniques face challenges in indirectly detecting sounds, especially when sounds are remote, weak, or hindered by environmental barriers, requiring complex calibration and blind source separation methods.
Innovation Solution
A novel optical motion detection technique that utilizes coherent speckle pattern imaging, focusing on planes displaced from the object, allowing for stationary speckle patterns to be formed, enabling the extraction of motion associated with sounds through spatio-temporal trajectories without the need for interferometers or complex calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If interference-based sound detection technique is used, then sound detection capability is improved, but device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical interferometer system with an electrical microphone-based detection system. Instead of using light interference patterns to detect sound-induced vibrations, the invention directly converts acoustic vibrations into electrical signals using microphones, eliminating the need for complex optical components and calibration procedures while maintaining sound detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a signal processing intermediary (digital signal processor or computer) that receives electrical signals from multiple microphones and performs blind source separation to extract individual sound sources. This intermediary handles the complexity of separating mixed sounds mathematically rather than requiring complex physical setup, simplifying the actual detection device while maintaining detection precision
2Measurement precision
If blind source separation procedure is performed, then sound separation capability is improved, but loss of time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing all sound sources simultaneously using multiple microphones positioned at different locations, rather than attempting to separate sounds sequentially. The blind source separation algorithm processes the pre-captured mixed signals in parallel, extracting individual sound sources without requiring time-consuming sequential analysis, thus reducing processing time while maintaining separation capability
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 effective detection of remote or weak sounds, including speech, and reduces the need for blind source separation, providing enhanced sensitivity to tilt motions and allowing for contactless monitoring of heartbeats and other vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
imaging a coherent speckle pattern, propagating from the object
Implementation Method 2
The technique includes imaging of a coherent speckle pattern formed by an object or subject or, generally, a surface of interest
Implementation Method 3
The reflection detection may be performed by an optical interferometer. The sounds then can be extracted (recognized) by processing the interferometer's output electronic signal. The interferometer's output is indicative of sounds produced behind the window because sounds vibrate the latter and phase-modulate the reflection of the laser beam
Implementation Method 4
sounds vibrate the latter and phase-modulate the reflection of the laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A method is presented for imaging an object. The method comprises imaging a coherent speckle pattern propagating from an object, using an imaging system being focused on a plane displaced from the object.