Ultrasonic Obstacle Detection via Frequency-Modulated Acoustic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies do not effectively allow visually impaired individuals or others to perceive the importance of recognizing physical bodies in their surroundings, such as obstacles, beyond mere detection.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that generates notification information to convey the hardness and size of obstacles through acoustic effects, using sensors to detect obstacles and digital filters to process sound signals, allowing users to perceive the importance of obstacles through sound localization and hardness perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If obstacle detection is performed using existing technologies (sound or vibration notification), then users can be informed of obstacle presence, but users cannot perceive the importance or characteristics of the obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the notification signal by modifying its frequency characteristics according to the hardness of the obstacle. Hard obstacles generate high-frequency components while soft obstacles generate low-frequency components, allowing users to perceive obstacle characteristics through familiar tactile sensation without increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex visual or cognitive information processing with a simple tactile sensation system. By converting obstacle hardness information into frequency characteristics of vibration or sound notifications, the system allows users to perceive obstacle importance through natural tactile perception rather than complex data interpretation
2Reliability
If notification information is provided to visually impaired users, then they can detect obstacles, but they cannot judge the necessity of avoiding the obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent encodes obstacle hardness information into the frequency parameters of notification signals. By analyzing the frequency characteristics of reflected ultrasonic waves, the system determines obstacle hardness and reflects this information in the notification signal's frequency composition, enabling users to judge obstacle danger level
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users about obstacle characteristics through notifications whose frequency characteristics correspond to the detected obstacle hardness. This feedback mechanism enables users to make informed decisions about obstacle avoidance necessity based on the perceived hardness information
3Ease of operation
If simple obstacle detection is implemented, then the system is easy to operate, but users cannot perceive the hardness or size of physical bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts multiple parameters (hardness, size, distance) from ultrasonic wave reflections and encodes them into different frequency characteristics of notification signals. This allows the system to maintain operational simplicity while conveying rich information about physical body properties through frequency-modulated notifications
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects obstacle presence, determines obstacle hardness, estimates obstacle size, and provides spatial information about distance. All these functions are integrated into a single notification mechanism that uses frequency characteristics to convey different types of information
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 users to judge the necessity of avoiding obstacles by perceiving their hardness and size through natural and non-annoying acoustic notifications, benefiting both visually impaired individuals and sighted persons who may be distracted.
Implementation Method 1
the processing unit determines hardness of the physical body on the basis of a frequency spectrum of a response signal returned from the space in response to a pulse signal in an ultrasonic frequency band radiated to the space
Implementation Method 2
a pulse signal in an ultrasonic frequency band radiated to the space
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that make it possible for a user to perceive the importance of recognition of a physical body existing in the surroundings of the user. Notification information that causes hardness of a physical body existing in a space to be perceived by a user spaced from the physical body is generated.