Ultrasonic Signal Frequency Compression With Temporal Dynamics Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for converting ultrasonic signals into audible frequencies often simplify the signal content, losing temporal dynamics and spectral modulation, making them unsuitable for accurate evaluation in complex cases.
Innovation Solution
A method that transforms ultrasonic signals into the audible range while preserving their amplitude profile in the time domain using Fourier transformations and frequency compression, allowing for real-time reproduction and data storage with minimal loss of information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If current methods are used to convert ultrasonic signals into audible frequencies, then the conversion is simple and fast, but the signal content is simplified so much that spectral content and modulation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic signal is divided into overlapping short-time segments (frames), each processed independently through FFT to obtain spectral content. This segmentation allows preservation of spectral information while managing computational complexity through localized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processing is performed periodically by dividing the continuous ultrasonic signal into sequential frames with overlapping windows. This periodic processing maintains temporal dynamics while preserving spectral content through repeated spectral analysis at different time points.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasonic signals are transformed into audible range with high fidelity, then temporal dynamics are preserved, but the transformation complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic windowing functions (Hanning or Hamming windows) that adapt to each frame, and employs overlap-add reconstruction to dynamically reconstruct the time-domain signal. This maintains temporal dynamics while managing complexity through efficient windowing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate frequency domain representation (FFT spectrum) as a mediator between the ultrasonic time-domain signal and the audible output. This intermediate representation preserves spectral content and temporal information while enabling controlled transformation to audible frequencies.
3Loss of information
If the entire ultrasonic frequency range is compressed into audible range, then all spectral content becomes perceivable, but frequency resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the frequency dimension by mapping ultrasonic frequencies to audible frequencies through a non-linear frequency warping function. This dimensional transformation allows the entire ultrasonic spectrum to be compressed into the audible range while using the time domain to preserve temporal resolution and dynamics.
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 the retention of temporal dynamics and spectral content of ultrasonic signals, facilitating accurate evaluation and efficient data storage by compressing signals by a factor of up to 32, effectively making ultrasonic signals perceivable and analyzable in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
A method is described which allows the amplitude profile of an ultrasonic signal recorded in the time domain to remain unchanged
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for making ultrasonic signals audible, which is characterized in that the temporal dynamics of the ultrasonic signal are retained. The amplitude profile of the ultrasonic signal recorded in the time domain remains unchanged. The frequency shift from the ultrasonic range to the audible range is possible up to a factor of 32 with the aid of the present invention.