Ultrasonic Object Tracking via Impulse Response Matrix Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic object tracking systems require a large number of sensors to achieve accurate tracking of multiple objects, leading to high system complexity and costs, and struggle with noise, ambiguities, and errors in resolving overlapping or closely spaced objects.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, determining channel impulse responses, and constructing a matrix of impulse responses to analyze patterns corresponding to object movement, allowing for motion recognition and tracking without high imaging resolution, using multi-frame motion estimation and impulse response images to separate overlapping objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of sensors are used to achieve accurate tracking of multiple objects, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple impulse responses from fewer sensors into a composite impulse response that represents multiple objects. By merging the information from sequential transmit signals and multiple receiver channels into a single composite response, the system achieves multi-object tracking capability without requiring a large number of simultaneous sensors, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the time dimension by using sequential transmit signals and analyzing impulse responses across multiple time frames. Instead of relying solely on spatial distribution of many sensors, the system uses temporal sequencing and multi-frame analysis to resolve overlapping objects, effectively trading spatial complexity for temporal processing.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of sensors are used to achieve accurate tracking of multiple objects, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from a limited number of sensors across multiple time frames and receiver channels to create a composite impulse response. This combining approach allows the system to extract information about multiple objects using fewer physical sensors, directly reducing the quantity of sensors required while maintaining the ability to accurately track multiple objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous transmission of ultrasonic signals and continuous reception across multiple channels, processing the data stream continuously to track objects over time. This continuous action allows the system to accumulate information about multiple objects over time, reducing the need for a large number of sensors to capture all objects simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If traditional ultrasonic tracking is used with limited sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to separate overlapping objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the time dimension by analyzing impulse responses across multiple sequential time frames. By examining how the composite impulse response evolves over time and comparing patterns across frames, the system can separate overlapping objects even with limited sensors, achieving better object separation without increasing spatial sensor density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the dynamic nature of object movement by analyzing changes in the composite impulse response over time. By detecting motion patterns and temporal variations in the reflected signals, the system can distinguish between overlapping objects based on their different movement characteristics, improving separation capability without requiring more 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
This approach enables accurate tracking of multiple objects with fewer sensors, reduces noise and ambiguity, and effectively separates overlapping objects by exploiting motion patterns in the impulse response images, enhancing resolution in the time domain.
Implementation Method 1
receiving means arranged to receive a plurality of receive signals at least some of said receive signals being reflected from said hand
Implementation Method 2
track one or more objects with an ultrasonic transmitter and an array of receivers
Implementation Method 3
track one or more objects with an ultrasonic transmitter and an array of receivers using time-of-flight measurements
Data Source
AI summary
Motions, positions or configurations off, for example a human hand can be recognized by transmitting a plurality of transmit signals in respective time frames; receiving a plurality of receive signals; determining a plurality of channel impulse responses using the transmit and receive signals; defining a matrix of impulse responses, with impulse responses for adjacent time frames adjacent each other; and analyzing the matrix for patterns (22) corresponding to the motion position or configuration.