Ultrasonic Motion Detection for Collaboration Endpoint Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collaboration endpoints, such as video conferencing equipment, take a perceivably long time to wake up from standby mode, delaying user interaction.
Innovation Solution
The collaboration endpoint transmits ultrasonic signals and processes reflected signals to detect potential users, determining their distance and initiating a wake-up sequence based on their presence, using a frequency sweep and random time intervals to minimize interference with other endpoints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If collaboration endpoints enter standby mode to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but wake-up time increases and user perception of responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence using ultrasonic signals before the user actually interacts with the endpoint. When motion is detected, the endpoint proactively initiates its wake-up sequence in advance, so that by the time the user reaches the endpoint, it is already awake and ready for use. This eliminates the perceived wait time while maintaining standby power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual wake-up triggers (such as button presses or proximity sensors) with ultrasonic acoustic signals. The endpoint emits ultrasonic waves and processes reflected signals to detect user presence, substituting physical interaction mechanisms with acoustic field-based detection.
2Ease of operation
If collaboration endpoints use traditional wake-up triggers like touch or voice commands, then user interaction is simple, but wake-up speed is slow and perceived as unresponsive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of waiting for the user to initiate wake-up through touch or voice, the system performs preliminary detection of user presence using ultrasonic motion detection. The endpoint automatically starts its wake-up sequence when it detects that a user is approaching, making the interaction feel instantaneous and responsive without requiring any additional user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waves as an intermediary between the user and the endpoint. Rather than direct user interaction (touch/voice), the ultrasonic signals serve as a mediator to detect user presence and trigger the wake-up sequence, creating an invisible bridge that speeds up the response time.
3Measurement precision
If collaboration endpoints transmit ultrasonic signals continuously to detect users, then user detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous ultrasonic transmission, the system uses periodic pulsed transmission. Ultrasonic signals are sent at specific intervals rather than continuously, reducing overall energy consumption while still maintaining accurate user detection capability. The periodic nature allows the system to balance between detection accuracy and power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic transmission operates dynamically - the system adjusts its detection activity based on conditions. When a user is detected or suspected of being nearby, the system increases detection frequency; when no users are present, it reduces or pauses transmission to conserve energy, making the energy consumption adaptive rather than static.
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 method allows collaboration endpoints to initiate their wake-up sequence before user interaction, reducing the perceived delay and enabling faster readiness for use.
Implementation Method 1
The collaboration endpoint transmits an ultrasonic signal into an area. The collaboration endpoint receives a reflected signal that comprises the ultrasonic signal reflected off an object located in the area.
Implementation Method 2
The collaboration endpoint determines, based on the reflected signal, a distance from the collaboration endpoint to the object
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a collaboration endpoint transmits an ultrasonic signal into an area based on a frequency sweep. The collaboration endpoint receives a reflected signal that comprises the ultrasonic signal reflected off an object located in the area. The collaboration endpoint detects, based on the reflected signal, the object as being a potential user. The collaboration endpoint determines, based on the reflected signal, a distance from the collaboration endpoint to the potential user. The collaboration endpoint initiates, based on the distance from the collaboration endpoint to the potential user, a wake-up sequence of the collaboration endpoint to exit a standby mode.