Ultrasonic Peripheral Positioning Without Camera Tracking Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera-based methods for locating peripheral devices and users in audiovisual entertainment systems are ineffective in scenarios with multiple users or varying lighting conditions, necessitating an alternative approach.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing ultrasonic audio signals transmitted or received by peripheral devices to determine their position without requiring cameras, employing multiple audio sources and detectors for triangulation and accounting for temperature and signal amplitude to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If camera-based methods are used to locate peripheral devices and users, then positioning can be achieved in normal lighting conditions, but the method becomes ineffective in low light conditions and when multiple users or devices interact concurrently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical camera-based positioning system with an acoustic time-of-flight measurement system. Instead of using cameras to detect visual features, the system uses audio sources to emit sound waves and audio detectors to measure the time it takes for sound to travel to the peripheral device, thereby determining position through acoustic measurements rather than optical detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from visual detection (camera-based) to acoustic time-of-flight measurement. By measuring the time difference between sound emission and reception, and using temperature-compensated speed of sound calculations, the system achieves reliable positioning that is independent of lighting conditions and effective for multiple concurrent users and devices.
2Measurement precision
If camera-based methods are used for positioning, then the system works in controlled environments, but fails when lighting conditions differ from expected conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the camera-based optical measurement system with an acoustic measurement system that is immune to lighting variations. The audio source emits sound waves and the audio detector measures the time-of-flight, providing positioning accuracy that is completely independent of ambient lighting conditions, including complete darkness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium for position measurement. Instead of relying on light reflection and camera detection, the system uses acoustic waves that propagate through air, with the time-of-flight measurement serving as an intermediary parameter that accurately reflects distance without being affected by visual environmental factors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras and processing resources are used to handle multiple users and devices, then positioning coverage is improved, but system complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex camera-based tracking systems with simpler acoustic time-of-flight measurement. Each peripheral device with an audio detector can independently measure its position by timing the arrival of sound waves from known audio sources, eliminating the need for complex computer vision algorithms and multiple cameras to track multiple users and devices simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables each peripheral device to independently determine its own position through local audio detection and time-stamping of received sound waves. The devices self-service their positioning needs without requiring centralized complex processing, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to handle multiple concurrent users and devices.
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 precise positioning of peripheral devices and users in various conditions, improving estimation accuracy and reliability without relying on cameras.
Implementation Method 1
controlling an audio source to output an audio signal at a first time; determining a second time at which the audio signal arrives at an audio detector
Implementation Method 2
estimating a position of the peripheral device based on an acoustic time-of-flight between the first time and the second time
Implementation Method 3
the acoustic signal undergoes a reflection between the audio source and the audio detector
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for obtaining a position of a peripheral device for an audiovisual entertainment system , the method comprising: controlling an audio source to output an audio signal at a first time; determining a second time at which the audio signal arrives at an audio detector, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one of the audio source and audio detector; and estimating a position of the peripheral device based on an acoustic time-of-flight between the first time and the second time