Ultrasonic Object Detection Using Signal Similarity Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection devices using ultrasonic waves struggle to accurately differentiate between reflected waves from tall objects and those from road surfaces with large unevenness, leading to potential false determinations.
Innovation Solution
An object detection device that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, utilizing multiple receivers to compare reception signals and calculate a degree of similarity between direct and indirect waves, thereby determining the presence of an object based on the similarity metric.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of peaks in reflected sonar signal is used to determine obstacle type, then obstacle classification can be performed, but false determination occurs between tall objects and road surfaces with large unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reflected wave analysis into multiple components by separating direct waves (received by one transducer) from indirect waves (received by other transducers). This segmentation allows independent analysis of different wave paths, enabling distinction between tall objects (which produce both direct and indirect waves with specific characteristics) and road surface unevenness (which produces only indirect waves with different characteristics), thereby resolving the false determination problem while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple receivers are used to compare reception signals, then false determinations are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each ultrasonic transducer multi-functional by enabling it to operate both as a transmitter and as a receiver. This universality allows the system to use the same hardware components for multiple purposes: transducers can transmit probe waves and sequentially receive both direct and indirect reflected waves. This approach achieves reliable obstacle classification through multiple receivers without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same transducers perform multiple roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by sequentially switching each transducer between transmitting and receiving modes in a systematic cycle. Each transducer transmits a probe wave, then sequentially receives waves as different transducers transmit, creating a periodic pattern of transmission and reception. This structured periodic operation enables comprehensive signal comparison across multiple receivers while maintaining manageable system complexity through regular, predictable operation sequences.
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 improves the accuracy of object detection by distinguishing between reflected waves from tall objects and those from complex road surfaces, reducing false determinations and enhancing the reliability of obstacle detection.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter 20A that transmits an ultrasonic wave
Implementation Method 2
two or more receivers 20B, each of which receives an ultrasonic wave and outputs a reception signal according to the received ultrasonic wave
Implementation Method 3
reflected waves from a tall object... reflected waves from an uneven road surface
Data Source
AI summary
An object detection device for detecting an object by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, includes a transmitter that transmits an ultrasonic wave, two or more receivers, each of which receives an ultrasonic wave and outputs an reception signal according to the received ultrasonic wave, a comparator that compares the plurality of reception signals output from the two or more receivers and calculates a degree of similarity between the plurality of reception signals, and a determiner that makes a determination as to whether there is an object to be detected, based on the degree of similarity.