Ultrasonic Spatial Position Measurement for Close-Range Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies, such as GPS and image analysis, are inadequate for accurately measuring the relative positional relation between objects in close proximity in real-time due to limitations in precision and computational load, especially in applications like construction and radiation-controlled areas.
Innovation Solution
A spatial position measuring technology using an ultrasonic wave-based apparatus with transmission and detection units, distance and coordinate calculation units, and modulation techniques to determine the relative position of two objects in close range in real-time, employing multiple sensors and advanced signal processing to achieve high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If GPS using radio waves is used for position measurement, then measurement range is extended, but measurement precision deteriorates in very close range (millimeter or less)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from radio wave propagation time to ultrasonic wave propagation time. Ultrasonic waves have much shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies compared to radio waves, enabling precise measurement of very short distances in the millimeter range while maintaining adequate measurement range through multiple sensor arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic field-based GPS system with an acoustic field-based ultrasonic measurement system. This substitution enables high-precision measurement in close proximity by utilizing the physical properties of ultrasonic waves, which are more suitable for short-range measurement than radio waves.
2Measurement precision
If image analysis technology is used for position measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical image analysis systems with a simpler ultrasonic time-of-flight measurement system. By measuring the propagation time of ultrasonic waves between transmission and reception sensors, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring large-scale optical equipment or complex computer arithmetic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from complex image analysis systems by using ultrasonic wave propagation time measurement. This extraction eliminates the need for large-scale optical equipment and complex computational processing while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If image analysis with CCD camera is used, then position recognition capability is improved, but processing speed decreases due to high arithmetic load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces computationally intensive image processing with direct ultrasonic time-of-flight measurement. The measurement result is obtained simply by calculating the propagation time of ultrasonic waves, enabling real-time position recognition without the high arithmetic processing load associated with image analysis.
4Measurement precision
If ultrasonic wave measurement is used, then measurement precision in close range is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into separate transmission sensor units and reception sensor units that can be independently arranged on different objects. This segmentation allows flexible deployment in various applications while maintaining measurement precision through the identified sensor configurations (three or more transmission sensors, two or more reception sensors).
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 real-time, high-precision measurement of relative positions between objects in close range, reducing the need for large-scale systems and improving operational efficiency in applications like construction and radiation-controlled environments.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave accompanying with a transmission source identifiable from three or more transmission sensors provided on a first object
Implementation Method 2
a detection unit configured to detect the ultrasonic wave received by two or more reception sensors provided on a second object
Implementation Method 3
a distance calculation unit configured to calculate distances between the transmission sensors and the reception sensors based on propagation time of the ultrasonic wave
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a spatial position measurement apparatus, includes: a transmission unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave accompanying with a transmission source identifiable from three or more transmission sensors provided on a first object; a detection unit configured to detect the ultrasonic wave received by two or more reception sensors provided on a second object; a distance calculation unit configured to calculate distances between the transmission sensors and the reception sensors based on propagation time of the ultrasonic wave; and a coordinate calculation unit configured to calculate, in a coordinate system where a position of one group out of a group of the transmission sensors and a group of the reception sensors is fixed, positional coordinates of another group based on the distances.