Vehicle Acoustic Object Detection Using Direct and Reflected Sound Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems face limitations in identifying objects due to obstacles and environmental conditions like darkness, which can lead to reduced accuracy in object detection using cameras and radar, increasing the risk of collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with multiple microphones that receive sound waves to determine the position, velocity, and type of objects by analyzing direct and reflected sound waves, using map information and sound wave characteristics to calculate object location and velocity, and outputting this information through a speaker and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If camera and radar are used for object identification, then the system can detect objects in the surrounding environment, but the identification accuracy is reduced when objects are obstructed by obstacles or in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical-based detection systems (camera) and electromagnetic wave-based systems (radar) with an acoustic-based detection system using microphones and sound wave analysis. This substitution allows the system to detect objects through sound waves that can penetrate obstacles and operate independently of lighting conditions, thereby resolving the limitation of reduced accuracy in obstructed or dark environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sound waves are used for object identification, then objects can be detected outside the driver's field of view and through obstacles, but the system complexity increases due to multiple microphones and sound wave analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the acoustic detection system serve multiple functions: detecting objects outside the driver's field of view, identifying objects through obstacles, determining object position and velocity, and providing warnings to the driver. By consolidating these detection capabilities into a single acoustic-based system, the patent achieves environmental versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing structure and components (microphones already present in vehicles for other purposes) to perform object detection functions. The sound wave analysis leverages natural acoustic phenomena (direct waves and reflected waves) without requiring additional active emission devices, allowing the system to serve itself using ambient resources already available in the vehicle environment.
3Measurement precision
If direct wave and reflected wave analysis is performed to determine object position and velocity, then accurate object identification is achieved, but the calculation complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives sound waves from microphones, analyzes the direct and reflected waves to determine object position and velocity, and provides real-time feedback to the driver through warnings. This continuous feedback loop allows the system to maintain accurate tracking of moving objects while using efficient algorithms that process sound wave data in real-time rather than requiring complex offline analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-determines the sound wave characteristics of the terrain around the road based on map information before actual object detection is needed. By having this terrain acoustic profile prepared in advance, the system can quickly match incoming sound waves against known terrain characteristics during detection, significantly reducing the calculation complexity and processing time required for real-time object identification.
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 method allows for accurate identification of objects even when they are outside the driver's field of view, overcoming obstacles and environmental limitations, thereby reducing collision risks.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of microphones configured to receive sound waves outside the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
to determine a direct wave and a reflected wave of the received sound waves based on the terrain, the determined sound wave characteristics of the terrain
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle may include a speaker; a display; a plurality of microphones configured to receive sound waves outside the vehicle; and a controller connected to the speaker, the display, and the plurality of microphones, and configured to determine sound wave characteristics of a terrain around a road on which the vehicle travels, based on map information, to determine a direct wave and a reflected wave of the received sound waves based on the terrain, the determined sound wave characteristics of the terrain, and the received sound waves, to determine a position and a velocity of an object that has generated the received sound waves based on the direct wave and the reflected wave, and to control at least one of the speaker and the display to output information on the position and the velocity of the object.