Ultrasonic Object Tracker Heading Angle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing object tracking systems face challenges such as the need for multiple transmitters, synchronization issues, sensitivity to disturbances, and cumulative errors, particularly in determining the heading angle of an object like a person's head for natural audio experiences.

Innovation Solution

A system using a modulated ultrasonic signal transmitter and multiple receivers to form analysis signals, with a detector providing an indication of differences between these signals to determine the heading angle, allowing for accurate and robust tracking with reduced latency and error resilience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple transmitters are used for triangulation-based location, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and synchronization requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of transmitters

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the transmitter function and assigns it to the object being tracked. Instead of having multiple fixed transmitters, the object itself carries a transmitter that actively participates in the measurement process, eliminating the need for multiple stationary transmitters while maintaining triangulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional role assignment: rather than having fixed transmitters measuring a passive object, the object becomes the active transmitter. This inversion simplifies the system by eliminating the need for multiple stationary transmitters and their synchronization mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If stagging transmission of signals from multiple transmitters is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to synchronization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous measurement by having the object's transmitter operate continuously without requiring stagging or synchronization. The object can be tracked at any moment in time as it passes through the measurement zone, eliminating the time losses associated with coordinated signal transmissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If coherent detection of optical or acoustical signals is used, then measurement precision is improved, but sensitivity to disturbances and cumulative errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidsensitivity to disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex coherent detection systems with a simpler acoustic field-based approach. By using acoustic signals and the acoustic field interaction with the object, the system achieves sufficient measurement precision without the sensitivity to disturbances and cumulative errors characteristic of coherent optical or radio frequency detection systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system achieves accurate and robust object tracking with low latency, is resilient to errors, and does not require synchronization or direct line-of-sight, enabling natural audio experiences by correctly positioning sound sources based on the object's movement.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter for transmitting a modulated signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic signal transmission: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

a first receiving element for receiving the modulated signal from a transmitter to form a first analysis signal on the basis of the received signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic to electrical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS7672809B2Object tracker

Publication Date: 2010.03.02 VLSI SOLUTION

AI summary

Object tracking using ultrasonic signals. A receiver receives a signal transmitted from a transmitter. The receiver uses at least two receiving elements for forming at least two analysis signals on the basis of the received signal. The receiver includes a detector, such as a phase detector, which examines the analysis signals and forms an indication on a difference between the analysis signals. The indication is, for example, indicative of a phase difference between the analysis signals. The transmitted signal is a modulated ultrasonic signal, wherein the receiver demodulates the signal to recover the modulating signal. The indication can be used to determine a heading angle information of the object to be tracked. The heading angle information may be a direction of the object with respect to the transmitter. The heading angle information can be used to make e.g. a corrective action to audio signals to be formed for listening.