Device and Method for Adaptive Ultrasound Sensing

Abstract

The adaptive system and method for ultrasound sensing comprises re-evaluating over time the detection threshold for predetermined sensing positions along the scanning direction to cope for the static target and environment changes at the sensing positions. The method includes comparing the measured echo value at each sensing position to a reference echo value corresponding to the same sensing position, and to iteratively determine a new reference value whenever the echo value is greater than the reference echo value and that the difference between the measured echo value and the reference echo value is lower than a detection assurance factor. The use of the adaptive ultrasound sensing system and method allows locating the sensor at different location without requiring a new calibration thereof, since the sensor learns the clutter dynamically and the detection thresholds are being built accordingly without being dependent on the environment in which the sensor is located.

1 . An adaptive ultrasound detecting system comprising: 
 an ultrasound pulse generator for generating an ultrasound pulse signal;    at least one transducer coupled to the ultrasound pulse signal generator for receiving said ultrasound pulse signal, for generating and ultrasound pulse, and for receiving echo indicative of targets in response to said pulse;    a controller for receiving said echo from said at least one transducer and for frequently computing a detection threshold by comparing said echo to a reference value and for re-evaluating said reference value; and    a power supply connected to said pulse generator, said at least one transducer and said controller for energizing said pulse generator, said at least one transducer, and said controller.    
   
   
       2 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an analog circuit coupled to both said at least one transducer and said controller for amplifying and filtering said echo received from said at least one transducer.  
   
   
       3 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a memory coupled to said controller for storing said reference echo.  
   
   
       4 . A system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said memory is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).  
   
   
       5 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said controller being further configured to drive said transducer via said pulse generator, to emit ultrasound wave pulses at a selected frequency, and to collect echos at certain period of time.  
   
   
       6 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising Input/Output (I/O) means; said controller being further configured to generate an output signal indicative of a detected target and to output this signal to the I/O means.  
   
   
       7 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising two transducers; a first transducer coupled to said ultrasound pulse signal generator for receiving said ultrasound pulse signal, and for generating and ultrasound pulse, and a second transducer coupled to said controller for receiving echo reflected from targets in response to said pulse.  
   
   
       8 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least two transducers; each of said at least two transducers being coupled to said ultrasound pulse signal generator for receiving a corresponding ultrasound pulse signal, for generating a corresponding ultrasound pulse, and being coupled to said controller for receiving corresponding echo reflected from targets in response to said pulse.  
   
   
       9 . The use of a system as recited in  claim 1  in one of the following: a door control apparatus for automatic doors, a proximity detection system for automation, self check-out system, robotics and machinery security devices.  
   
   
       10 . An ultrasound detecting assembly comprising a plurality of systems as recited in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       11 . An assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein at least two of said plurality of systems are mounted parallel to one another.  
   
   
       12 . An assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said at least two of said plurality of systems are so mounted so as to provide for overlapping fields of view.  
   
   
       13 . An adaptive ultrasound detecting system comprising: 
 first means for generating an ultrasound pulse signal;    second means coupled to said means for generating an ultrasound pulse signal for receiving said ultrasound pulse signal and for generating and ultrasound pulse and for receiving echo reflected from targets in response to said pulse;    third means for receiving said echo from said transducer and for frequently computing a detection threshold by comparing said echo to a reference value and for re-evaluating said reference value; and    fourth means connected to said first, second, and third means for energizing said first, second and third means.