Ultrasonic Signal Segmentation for Moving Object Range Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic transducers face challenges in accurately estimating the range of moving objects in crowded indoor environments due to interference from stationary objects and multipath echoes.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with an ultrasonic transducer that emits and receives ultrasonic pulses, with a processor configured to separate returned signals into stationary and moving object signals, determine a gain based on the stationary object signal, combine and filter these signals to estimate the range of a moving object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasonic transducers are used to detect moving objects in crowded indoor environments, then presence detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from stationary objects and multipath echoes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the returned ultrasonic signal into two distinct components: a stationary object signal component and a moving object signal component. This segmentation is achieved through signal processing techniques that separate the composite echo signal into parts originating from stationary surfaces and parts originating from moving objects, allowing independent analysis of each component to improve range estimation accuracy for moving objects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the moving object signal component from the composite returned signal by removing or suppressing the stationary object signal component. This extraction process isolates the signal portion containing information about moving objects, eliminating interference from stationary objects and multipath echoes to enable precise range measurement
2Area of stationary object
If conventional ultrasonic ranging methods are used in environments with multiple objects and surfaces, then object detection coverage is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to outliers misinterpreted as motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection space and signal sources into stationary and moving categories, processing each category separately. By identifying and isolating the moving object signal component from the composite echo, the system reliably distinguishes true moving object detections from artifacts caused by stationary objects, eliminating outliers while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to detect moving objects directly from the composite signal, the patent inverts the approach by first identifying and removing the stationary object signal component. This inversion strategy allows the moving object signal to be extracted with high reliability, as stationary objects form the dominant and more predictable portion of the acoustic environment
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 solution effectively separates stationary and moving object signals, reduces interference from stationary objects, and provides accurate range estimation for moving objects even in complex indoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer configured to emit an ultrasonic pulse and receive returned signals corresponding to the emitted ultrasonic pulse
Implementation Method 2
receive returned signals corresponding to the emitted ultrasonic pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for employing an ultrasonic sensor to estimate a range for a moving object. At least one processor separates returned signals received by an ultrasonic transducer into a stationary object signal and a moving object signal. A gain is determined based at least in part on the stationary object signal. The stationary object signal is combined with the moving object signal using the gain and then filtered. The range for the moving object is estimated using the filtered combined stationary and moving object signal.