Ultrasonic Echo Compression for Low-Bandwidth Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic sensor systems for vehicle parking aids face challenges in efficiently transmitting data to a central computer system without increasing data rate, which is limited by bandwidth constraints, leading to potential misinformation and accidents.
Innovation Solution
A method using feature extraction and artificial neural networks to compress and decompress sensor signals, allowing for the transmission of only relevant signal objects, which are then reconstructed for obstacle detection in the computer system, thereby reducing data transmission requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the complete measurement signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor to the computer system, then the information content for obstacle detection is maximized, but the data transmission bandwidth requirement increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant signal objects (echoes representing obstacles) from the complete measurement signal before transmission. The sensor identifies and transmits only the extracted signal objects to the computer system, rather than transmitting the entire signal. This extraction process removes unnecessary data while preserving the essential information needed for obstacle detection, thereby reducing bandwidth requirements without significant information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement signal is segmented into individual signal objects (distinct echoes) that represent separate obstacles or reflections. Each signal object is independently identified and transmitted. This segmentation allows the system to transmit only the relevant portions of the signal (the actual obstacles) rather than the complete continuous signal, reducing the overall data transmission volume while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Quantity of substance
If data compression is applied to reduce transmission bandwidth, then the data transmission efficiency is improved, but the measurement precision for obstacle detection may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the measurement signal by representing each signal object with essential parameters (position, amplitude, duration) rather than transmitting the complete original signal waveform. This parameter-based copying approach reduces data transmission volume while preserving the critical information needed for accurate obstacle detection and reconstruction at the receiving end.
3Quantity of substance
If object recognition is performed in the ultrasonic sensor system itself, then the data transmission bandwidth is reduced, but the reliability of detection decreases due to potential data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic sensor performs preliminary identification and extraction of signal objects before transmission, preparing the data in a compressed format that preserves essential information. This preliminary action at the sensor level reduces transmission bandwidth requirements while maintaining the integrity of the detected obstacles, allowing the computer system to perform final recognition with sufficient information for reliable detection.
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
This approach effectively reduces data transmission bandwidth while maintaining accurate obstacle detection, enhancing safety by minimizing misinformation and allowing for data rate reduction, thus supporting functional safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor S1, S2, S3,..., Sn for detecting the surroundings of the vehicle with respect to the existence of obstacle objects, in particular with respect to the position, in particular the distance to the obstacle objects
Implementation Method 2
sensor signals from several sensors S1, S2, S3,..., Sn, in particular from several ultrasonic sensors
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor, the associated sensor, the data transmission to a computer system and the associated decompression method in the computer system that controls the ultrasonic sensor.The compression procedure comprises the steps of acquiring an ultrasound received signal from an ultrasound transducer, providing a signal-free ultrasound echo signal model (610), performing the following steps at least once, optionally multiple times: subtracting a reconstructed ultrasound echo signal model (610) from the ultrasound received signal (1) and generating a residual signal (660); performing a procedure for detecting signal objects in the residual signal (660); supplementing the ultrasound echo signal model (610) with the parameterized signal waveform of a detected signal object (600 to 605); and terminating the repetition of these steps when the magnitude values of the residual signal are below the magnitude values of a predetermined threshold signal.This is followed by the transmission of at least some of the detected signal objects, in the form of symbols for these detected signal objects, to the computer system, where at least some of the detected signal objects are used. Preferably, these are reconstructed in the computer system into a reconstructed ultrasound echo signal model.