Ultrasonic Sensor Coexistence Through Collision-Avoiding Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic sensors in devices often experience interference and false object detection due to overlapping or closely matched operating frequencies and timing, leading to unnecessary actions or evasive maneuvers when multiple devices share the same environment.
Innovation Solution
Implementing techniques for ultrasonic device coexistence that adjust listening windows and transmission timing to avoid interference, including adjusting listening periods based on received signals and changing transmission frequencies when interference is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ultrasonic devices operate in the same environment with overlapping frequencies and timing, then ultrasonic sensing coverage is improved, but false object detection and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sensing cycles with distinct transmit periods and receive periods. Each device operates in alternating phases where it transmits ultrasonic signals during transmit periods and listens for echoes during receive periods. This periodic structure allows multiple devices to share the same environment by coordinating their transmission and reception timing, preventing simultaneous transmission conflicts and reducing false detections caused by overlapping signals.
2Device complexity
If ultrasonic devices use free-running mode with drift, then device simplicity is maintained, but ultrasonic collision and interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where each ultrasonic device monitors the environment for signals from other devices and adjusts its own transmission timing accordingly. By listening during receive periods and detecting other devices' transmit signals, devices can synchronize their operation to avoid collisions. This feedback-based coordination allows devices to maintain relative simplicity while eliminating the interference problems caused by uncoordinated free-running operation.
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
Prevents false object detection and interference by optimizing ultrasonic sensor operation to coexist with other devices, ensuring accurate sensing in shared environments.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor 150 configured to repeatedly emit ultrasonic signals during transmit periods and receive returned ultrasonic signals corresponding to the emitted ultrasonic signals during receive periods
Implementation Method 2
returned ultrasonic signals corresponding to the emitted ultrasonic signals
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprises a processor communicatively coupled with an ultrasonic sensor which is configured to repeatedly emit ultrasonic pulses during transmit periods which are interspersed with receive periods. Returned ultrasonic signals corresponding to the emitted ultrasonic pulses are received by the ultrasonic sensor during the receive periods. The processor is configured to direct the ultrasonic sensor to listen, during a listening window, for a potentially interfering ultrasonic signal from a second ultrasonic sensor. The listening window is prior to a transmit period of the transmit periods. In response to detecting the potentially interfering ultrasonic signal during the listening window, the processor is configured to adjust operation of the ultrasonic sensor to avoid an ultrasonic collision with the second ultrasonic sensor to facilitate coexistence of the ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor in an operating environment shared by the ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor.