WO2022233981A1 - Systèmes d'écholocalisation - Google Patents

Systèmes d'écholocalisation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022233981A1
WO2022233981A1 PCT/EP2022/062063 EP2022062063W WO2022233981A1 WO 2022233981 A1 WO2022233981 A1 WO 2022233981A1 EP 2022062063 W EP2022062063 W EP 2022062063W WO 2022233981 A1 WO2022233981 A1 WO 2022233981A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal
controller
frequency
ultrasound
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/062063
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Benny Lo
Saeed AKBARZADEH
Original Assignee
Imperial College Innovations Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Imperial College Innovations Ltd filed Critical Imperial College Innovations Ltd
Publication of WO2022233981A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022233981A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/02—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves
    • G01S15/06—Systems determining the position data of a target
    • G01S15/08—Systems for measuring distance only
    • G01S15/10—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves
    • G01S15/102—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves using transmission of pulses having some particular characteristics
    • G01S15/104—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves using transmission of pulses having some particular characteristics wherein the transmitted pulses use a frequency- or phase-modulated carrier wave
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
    • A61H3/06—Walking aids for blind persons
    • A61H3/061—Walking aids for blind persons with electronic detecting or guiding means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/003—Bistatic sonar systems; Multistatic sonar systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/02—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves
    • G01S15/06—Systems determining the position data of a target
    • G01S15/42—Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S15/93—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/523—Details of pulse systems
    • G01S7/524—Transmitters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
    • A61H2201/0157—Constructive details portable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
    • A61H2201/0173—Means for preventing injuries
    • A61H2201/0184—Means for preventing injuries by raising an alarm
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
    • A61H2201/1602—Physical interface with patient kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
    • A61H2201/1604—Head
    • A61H2201/1607—Holding means therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
    • A61H2201/1602—Physical interface with patient kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
    • A61H2201/165—Wearable interfaces
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
    • A61H2201/5023—Interfaces to the user
    • A61H2201/5048—Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
    • A61H2201/5058—Sensors or detectors
    • A61H2201/5064—Position sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
    • A61H2201/5058—Sensors or detectors
    • A61H2201/5069—Angle sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
    • A61H2201/5058—Sensors or detectors
    • A61H2201/5092—Optical sensor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
    • A61H2201/5097—Control means thereof wireless

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to echolocation systems, and in particular to wearable echolocation systems for use by the visually impaired to aid with navigation.
  • US2010/278012A describes a wearable echolocation system which transmits sounds at varying frequencies, receives the echo signals, and feeds these back to the user as audio signals via earphones. The system processes the signals to increase the delay between the signals fed to the user’s two ears to assist with identifying the direction of an object, and to vary the frequency of the audio signals to indicate the size of the object.
  • US10690771 describes a smart cane for the visually impaired which includes an array of ultrasonic transducers which are arranged to transmit an ultrasonic carrier signal modulated with an audio frequency signal. The ultrasonic carrier signal allows for a high degree of focusing of the beam, but is rapidly attenuated so that the audio frequency signal alone is reflected by any objects and heard by the user.
  • the present invention provides an echolocation system comprising a transducer array, a user input device, and a controller arranged to generate a transmission signal having an audio frequency component and an ultrasound component for input to the transducer array thereby to cause the transducer array to generate a compression wave signal.
  • the controller may be arranged to vary the ultrasound component of the transmission signal, in response to operation of the user input device, thereby to vary the focusing of the compression wave signal.
  • the controller may be arranged to vary the ultrasound component by switching the ultrasound component between two different ultrasound frequencies thereby to vary the focusing of the compression wave signal.
  • the controller may be arranged to vary the ultrasound component by switching the ultrasound component on and off thereby to vary the focusing of the compression wave signal.
  • the controller may be arranged to generate an ultrasound carrier signal and a sonic frequency signal.
  • the controller may be arranged to to modulate the carrier signal using the sonic frequency signal.
  • the controller may be arranged to modulate the carrier signal using frequency-shift keying.
  • the user input device may be arranged to communicate wirelessly with the controller.
  • the echolocation system may further comprise a support arranged to fit onto a user's head.
  • the transducer array may be mounted on the support.
  • the system may further comprise, in any workable combination, any one or more features of the embodiments of the invention, shown in the accompanying drawings, as will now be described.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an echolocation transmitter system of an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a user input device forming part of the embodiment of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the transmitter system of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is schematic functional block diagram of the ultrasound system of Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 is a diagram of the system of Figure 1 in operation;
  • Figures 6a to 6c are plots of the components of the signals generated by the system of Figure 1;
  • Figures 7a and 7b show the effects of the position of an object on the travel paths of the reflected signal to the two ears of a user;
  • Figures 8a and 8b show the effect of the different positions of the object on the arrival times of reflected signals at the two ears of the user;
  • Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the effect of carrier frequency on the focusing of the transmitted beam and Figure 10 is a plot showing the effect of carrier frequency on the attenuation of the transmitted beam.
  • an echolocation transmitter system 10 comprises a transducer module 12 mounted on a wearable support 14.
  • the support 14 may comprise a rigid base 16 to which the transducer module 12 is attached, and a flexible structure 18 configured to be worn, for example on the head 19 of a user.
  • the flexible structure may comprise a flexible band 20 arranged to fit around a user's head. It may further comprise a further flexible band 22 arranged to extend over the top of the user’s head so that the flexible structure can be worn on the head like a cap.
  • the flexible structure 18 is preferably arranged to support the transducer module 12 on the centreline of the user's head so that it is equally spaced from the two ears 24 of the user, and so that the transducer array faces forward and will transmit sound in the direction in which the user is facing.
  • the transducer module 12 comprises a transducer, or a transducer array 25, arranged to generate a beam of pressure waves.
  • the transducer module 12 may further comprise a horn 26 arranged to focus the pressure wave beam generated by the transducer array.
  • the transducer elements of the array 25 may comprise piezoelectric elements. Alternatively high frequency inductive speakers may be used.
  • the echolocation system further comprises a user input device 30, which may be in the form of a trigger unit, and may include a trigger button 32 which can be pressed to cause the user input device to emit a wireless trigger signal.
  • a user input device 30 which may be in the form of a trigger unit, and may include a trigger button 32 which can be pressed to cause the user input device to emit a wireless trigger signal.
  • the transducer module 12 may be configured in various forms, but may for example comprise a controller 34 arranged to perform various functions including the generation of a transmission signal having audio frequency and ultrasound components, an amplifier 36, a power supply 38, a wireless communication module 40, and a speaker 42 comprising the transducers 25 and horn 26.
  • the controller 34 is connected to the wireless communications module 40.
  • the wireless communications module 40 is arranged to receive the wireless trigger signal from the trigger unit 30 and in response to output an electrical trigger signal which is input to the controller 34.
  • the controller 34 is arranged in response to receiving the electrical trigger signal to generate an electrical transmission signal, which is amplified by the amplifier 36 and input to the speaker 42 which then generate a compression wave signal having components corresponding to those of the electrical transmission signal.
  • the transmission signal is generated as a series of short pulses, with a pulse frequency well below the audio frequency component of the signal, for example lHz or 2Hz or 5 Hz, so that the audio frequency echo is heard as a series of clicks.
  • the trigger unit 30 comprises a wireless communication module 44, a power source 46 and a controller 48 which is connected to the trigger button 32.
  • the trigger button 32 is connected to a switch in the controller 48 which is arranged to generate a trigger signal when the trigger button 32 is pressed.
  • the controller 48 is connected to the wireless communications module 44 which is arranged to transmit the trigger signal wirelessly.
  • the trigger signal can be in any suitable format for the short range communication between the trigger unit 30 and the transducer module 12.
  • the transducer module 12 uses the system of Figures 1 to 4 to transmit a pressure wave signal 50. If that signal hits an object 52, such as a wall, it is reflected as a reflected or echo signal 54 and assuming the reflection is at least partly back towards the user, who can hear the reflected signal, provided it includes a component at an audible frequency. The difference in the time of arrival of the echo signal 54 at the two ears of the user gives an indication of the direction of the object. The frequency composition or tone of the echo may also give information to the user about the nature of the object.
  • Figure 7a shows the echo signal arriving at both ears at the same time
  • Figure 7b shows the echo signals arriving at the right ear 24R before the left ear 24L. It will also be noted that, because of the greater distance travelled by the echo signal to the left ear 24L, the signal is weaker when it reaches the left ear than when it reaches the right ear 24R because the signal is attenuated more when travelling over a greater distance.
  • the controller 34 of the transducer module 12 is arranged to generate the transmission signal so that it has two components: a data or audio component and a carrier component. These may be generated by the controller 34. They may be generated separately and then the carrier component may be modulated by the audio component to produce the modulated transmission signal.
  • the carrier signal is at an ultrasonic frequency for example 40 kHz.
  • the data or audio component is at an audible frequency.
  • the modulation may use various methods. In the example shown in Figures 8a to 8c, frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation is used in which the frequency of the carrier signal is alternated between two different frequencies, with the switching between frequencies occurring at the audio frequency, for example 1kHz.
  • FSK frequency-shift keying
  • amplitude modulation may be used.
  • the resulting modulated transmission signal has frequency components at or around the audible modulation frequency as well as components at the ultrasound carrier frequency. This has the advantage that the transmitted beam of compression waves remains well focused because of the ultrasound frequency component, but the user can still hear the echo signals because of the audio frequency component.
  • the degree of focusing may also be controlled by the design of the transducer module 12. For example if an array of transducers is used, these may be shaped in a concave dished shape to improve focusing. Also the timing of the transmission signal to each of the elements of the array may be controlled so that it operates as a phased array to improve focusing.
  • the controller is therefore arranged to generate transmission signals using two different carrier frequencies. These include a lower ultrasound carrier frequency and a higher ultrasound carrier frequency.
  • the higher carrier frequency provides a more focused beam than the lower frequency.
  • the lower ultrasound carrier frequency may be 40kHz and the higher ultrasound carrier frequency may be 100kHz.
  • Other frequencies may of course be used.
  • the lower frequency may be 20kHz or 30kHz or 50kHz.
  • the higher frequency may be 60kHz or 80kHz or 150kHz. It will be understood that the lower the ultrasound carrier frequency the less focused the beam will be, but the further the carrier frequency will travel. Therefore specific frequencies chosen will depend on the performance characteristics required of the system.
  • the transducer module 12 may be arranged to transmit the transmission signal using the two different carrier frequencies in a predetermined order, for example alternating between the two.
  • the trigger unit 30 may be arranged to transmit two different trigger signals, one associated with each of the two carrier frequencies, in response to two different user inputs, and the transducer module 12 may be arranged to transmit using the carrier frequency associated with whichever of the two trigger signals it receives.
  • the trigger unit 30 may have two separate trigger buttons 32 and may be arranged to transmit one of the two trigger signals depending on which of the trigger buttons is pressed.
  • the trigger unit 30 may only have one trigger button, but may be arranged to detect two different user inputs as different operations of the trigger button, for example a single press producing a first trigger signal and a double press producing a second trigger signal, or a short press producing the first trigger signal and a long press producing the second trigger signal.
  • the transducer module 12 may further be arranged to transmit a pure sonic frequency compression wave, i.e. a pure sound wave. This can be achieved by inputting just the audio frequency signal of Figure 8a, as an audio frequency transmission signal, to the speaker 42 without the ultrasound carrier signal.
  • This type of transmission may be the default transmission of the transducer module 12 if it receives no trigger signal from the trigger unit 30, or the trigger unit 30 may be arranged to transmit a third type of trigger signal in response to which the transducer module 12 may be arranged to generate the pure sonic frequency transmission signal.
  • the third type of trigger signal may be generated by the trigger unit 30 in response to a third user input, for example pressing a third trigger button on the trigger unit 30 or performing a triple press on the one trigger button 32.
  • the effect of the different ultrasound carrier frequencies will now be discussed. If a pure audible frequency signal is used with no ultrasonic carrier frequency, then the sound propagates in all forward directions as shown by the wavefront 60, and though not shown in Figure 9, in most backward directions also, typically at lower intensity, depending on the structure of the speaker. If an ultrasound frequency carrier signal is used, then the combined ultrasound and sonic compression wave signal forms a beam which is propagated in the forward direction and much more focused than the pure sonic transmission. The beam is wider 62 for the lower carrier frequency and narrower 64 for the higher carrier frequency. If the user wants to locate an object, and the object 66 is narrow, then the broader beam 62 is useful to approximately locate the object.
  • the use of the higher frequency, narrower beam 64 enables the user to locate the object 66 more accurately for example by scanning the beam 64 horizontally until an echo is detected. If the pure sonic signal is used, then the user may choose to operate the system in that mode until an object is detected. The user may then approximately locate the object purely by sensing the direction of the object using the basic echolocation technique based on the different echo arrival times at the users' ears. Once an object is detected, the user can switch to one of the ultrasound carrier frequencies, for example the lower ultrasound frequency, with audio frequency, modulation so as to produce a focused beam which the user can direct at the object or scan over a small angular range for the object. Once the object is again located the user may select the higher frequency ultrasound carrier frequency to produce a narrower beam which they can then use to locate the object more accurately.
  • the ultrasound carrier frequencies for example the lower ultrasound frequency, with audio frequency, modulation
  • the carrier frequency also affects the attenuation of the compression wave signal. As the carrier frequency increases, the attenuation in air increases also. Therefore while higher frequency carrier waves are more effective at accurate location of small objects, they are also only useful over shorter ranges. However this is acceptable because small objects are typically only of concern when they are close to the user, where they may represent a hazard or a specific target that the user wants to interact with. It will be appreciated that the number of different ultrasound carrier frequencies that the system can generate may vary depending on the system. There may only be one carrier frequency so that the user can switch between the pure audio signal and the modulated ultrasound carrier signal, or there may be two or three ultrasound carrier frequencies which the user can switch between as required.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système d'écholocalisation comprenant un réseau de transducteurs (235), un dispositif d'entrée utilisateur (30), et un dispositif de commande (34) agencé pour générer un signal de transmission comportant une composante de fréquence audio et une composante ultrasonore pour l'entrée dans le réseau de transducteurs afin d'amener le réseau de transducteurs à générer un signal d'onde de compression. Le dispositif de commande (34) est conçu pour faire varier la composante ultrasonore du signal de transmission, en réponse au fonctionnement du dispositif d'entrée de l'utilisateur (30), afin de faire varier la focalisation du signal d'onde de compression.
PCT/EP2022/062063 2021-05-04 2022-05-04 Systèmes d'écholocalisation WO2022233981A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB2106346.6A GB202106346D0 (en) 2021-05-04 2021-05-04 Echolocation systems
GB2106346.6 2021-05-04

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WO2022233981A1 true WO2022233981A1 (fr) 2022-11-10

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100278012A1 (en) 2009-04-29 2010-11-04 Douglas Tremper Human echolocation system
US20180113213A1 (en) * 2016-10-21 2018-04-26 Sondare Acoustics Group LLC Method and apparatus for object detection using human echolocation for the visually impaired
US20190274001A1 (en) * 2017-04-19 2019-09-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Emulating spatial perception using virtual echolocation

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100278012A1 (en) 2009-04-29 2010-11-04 Douglas Tremper Human echolocation system
US20180113213A1 (en) * 2016-10-21 2018-04-26 Sondare Acoustics Group LLC Method and apparatus for object detection using human echolocation for the visually impaired
US10690771B2 (en) 2016-10-21 2020-06-23 Sondare Acoustics Group LLC Method and apparatus for object detection using human echolocation for the visually impaired
US20190274001A1 (en) * 2017-04-19 2019-09-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Emulating spatial perception using virtual echolocation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ZABIENSKY FLORIAN VON ET AL: "Ultrasonic Waves to Support Human Echolocation", 5 June 2018, ADVANCES IN BIOMETRICS : INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, ICB 2007, SEOUL, KOREA, AUGUST 27 - 29, 2007 ; PROCEEDINGS; [LECTURE NOTES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE; LECT.NOTES COMPUTER], SPRINGER, BERLIN, HEIDELBERG, PAGE(S) 433 - 449, ISBN: 978-3-540-74549-5, XP047478432 *

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