Vibration Control Signal Sharing for Cable-Free Apparatus Coordination

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication methods for vibration control apparatuses, such as wired and wireless connections, are either cumbersome or costly, and do not effectively enable communication between multiple apparatuses for improved vibration suppression and fault protection.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that includes a sensor for detecting vibration, an actuator for controlling vibration, a vibration control circuit for generating drive signals, a transmission circuit for modulating and synthesizing signals for communication, and a reception circuit for demodulating signals, allowing for vibration-based communication between apparatuses without the need for dedicated communication hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connection is used for communication between apparatuses, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cable requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcable connection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a vibration-based communication system. The actuator generates vibrations that encode communication signals, and the sensor detects these vibrations to receive signals, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining communication reliability between apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the actuator serve dual functions: vibration control for noise suppression and signal transmission for communication. By modulating the actuator's vibration characteristics to encode communication signals, the same component performs both noise control and data transmission, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If wireless communication hardware is added for communication between apparatuses, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and cost worsen due to additional hardware

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication setup easeVSAvoidcommunication hardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the actuator serve dual functions: vibration control for noise suppression and signal transmission for communication. By modulating the actuator's vibration characteristics to encode communication signals, the same component performs both noise control and data transmission, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus uses its own vibration control components (actuator and sensor) for both noise suppression and communication purposes. The system serves itself by utilizing the necessary vibration generation and detection capabilities already present for noise control, eliminating the need for external communication hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If vibration control is applied to multiple apparatuses for improved noise suppression, then noise reduction performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to communication requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration suppression performanceVSAvoidcommunication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a vibration-based communication system. The actuator generates vibrations that encode communication signals, and the sensor detects these vibrations to receive signals, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining communication reliability between apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the communication function with the vibration control system by using the actuator's vibration signals for both noise suppression and data transmission. This merging of functions allows multiple apparatuses to communicate and coordinate their vibration control actions without requiring separate communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables efficient vibration suppression and fault protection by allowing multiple apparatuses to communicate effectively, reducing noise and improving performance without the costs and complexities of traditional communication methods.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator that provides vibration control of the control target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a transmission circuit that modulates transmission data to produce a transmission signal and synthesizes the modulated transmission signal to produce the drive signal for the vibration control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal modulation and synthesis:

Implementation Method 3

a sensor that detects vibration of a control target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 4

a reception circuit that extracts a reception signal from the output signal of the sensor and demodulates the extracted reception signal to produce reception data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal demodulation:

Data Source

PatentUS12148412B2Information processing apparatus and information processing method

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Provided is an information processing apparatus including a sensor, an actuator, a vibration control circuit, a transmission circuit, and a reception circuit. The sensor detects vibration of a control target. The actuator provides vibration control of the control target. The vibration control circuit generates a drive signal for the vibration control for the actuator according to an output signal of the sensor, and outputs the generated drive signal to the actuator. The transmission circuit modulates transmission data to produce a transmission signal, and synthesizes the modulated transmission signal to produce the drive signal for the vibration control that is to be outputted to the actuator. The reception circuit extracts a reception signal from the output signal of the sensor, and demodulates the extracted reception signal to produce reception data.