An object detection device comprises a transmission sound pressure adjustment unit adjusting a sound pressure of the search wave so that the sound pressure of the search wave or a reflected wave based on the search wave is within a predetermined transmission target range. The transmission unit transmits, as the search wave, a first search wave with a first frequency changing with time at a first rate and a second search wave with a second frequency changing with time at a second rate that is different from the first rate. The transmission sound pressure adjustment unit is configured to adjust the sound pressure of each of the first and second search waves so that the sound pressure of the corresponding one of the first and second search waves or the reflected wave based on the corresponding one of the first and second search waves is within the transmission target range.

An object detection device comprises a transmission sound pressure adjustment unit adjusting a sound pressure of the search wave so that the sound pressure of the search wave or a reflected wave based on the search wave is within a predetermined transmission target range. The transmission unit transmits, as the search wave, a first search wave with a first frequency changing with time at a first rate and a second search wave with a second frequency changing with time at a second rate that is different from the first rate. The transmission sound pressure adjustment unit is configured to adjust the sound pressure of each of the first and second search waves so that the sound pressure of the corresponding one of the first and second search waves or the reflected wave based on the corresponding one of the first and second search waves is within the transmission target range.

A method of configuring a touch sensor includes transmitting an ultra-sonic test signal induced by a first excitation signal towards a touch structure that has a first interface with an enclosed interior volume of the touch sensor and a second interface with an external environment; receiving a plurality of ultra-sonic reflected signals produced from the ultra-sonic test signal and the touch structure, including a first ultra-sonic reflected signal internally reflected by the first interface and a last ultra-sonic reflected signal internally reflected by the second interface; determining a last time of flight corresponding to the last ultra-sonic reflected signal; and selectively configuring a second excitation signal based on the last time of flight. The second excitation signal is used for inducing further ultra-sonic signals.

A method of configuring a touch sensor includes transmitting an ultra-sonic test signal induced by a first excitation signal towards a touch structure that has a first interface with an enclosed interior volume of the touch sensor and a second interface with an external environment; receiving a plurality of ultra-sonic reflected signals produced from the ultra-sonic test signal and the touch structure, including a first ultra-sonic reflected signal internally reflected by the first interface and a last ultra-sonic reflected signal internally reflected by the second interface; determining a last time of flight corresponding to the last ultra-sonic reflected signal; and selectively configuring a second excitation signal based on the last time of flight. The second excitation signal is used for inducing further ultra-sonic signals.

An electronic apparatus includes a communication interface, a microphone, and a processor configured to obtain a first expectation value for a first sound to be output from a first external electronic apparatus and a second expectation value for a second sound to be output from a second external electronic apparatus, control the communication interface to transmit a first sound output request signal to the first external electronic apparatus, obtain a first measurement value for the first sound, control the communication interface to transmit a second sound output request signal to the second external electronic apparatus, obtain a second measurement value for the second sound, and obtain a correction value for one or more of the first measurement value and the second measurement value based on the obtained first measurement value, the obtained second measurement value, the obtained first expectation value, and the obtained second expectation value.

An electronic apparatus includes a communication interface, a microphone, and a processor configured to obtain a first expectation value for a first sound to be output from a first external electronic apparatus and a second expectation value for a second sound to be output from a second external electronic apparatus, control the communication interface to transmit a first sound output request signal to the first external electronic apparatus, obtain a first measurement value for the first sound, control the communication interface to transmit a second sound output request signal to the second external electronic apparatus, obtain a second measurement value for the second sound, and obtain a correction value for one or more of the first measurement value and the second measurement value based on the obtained first measurement value, the obtained second measurement value, the obtained first expectation value, and the obtained second expectation value.

A device for detecting obstacles that is wearable by a subject, for example integrated in an item of footwear. The device includes an ultrasound source for emitting an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound receiver for receiving a corresponding ultrasound signal reflected by an obstacle, a control module for measuring a time of flight between emission of the ultrasound transmission signal and reception of the corresponding ultrasound signal reflected by the obstacle and calculating, on the basis of the aforesaid time of flight, the distance at which the obstacle is located. The device comprises an inertial sensor, in particular an acceleration sensor, designed to measure acceleration of the foot along three axes, and a control module configured for enabling operation of the ultrasound source if the aforesaid acceleration values measured by the inertial sensor respect a given condition for enabling measurement of the time of flight.

A device for detecting obstacles that is wearable by a subject, for example integrated in an item of footwear. The device includes an ultrasound source for emitting an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound receiver for receiving a corresponding ultrasound signal reflected by an obstacle, a control module for measuring a time of flight between emission of the ultrasound transmission signal and reception of the corresponding ultrasound signal reflected by the obstacle and calculating, on the basis of the aforesaid time of flight, the distance at which the obstacle is located. The device comprises an inertial sensor, in particular an acceleration sensor, designed to measure acceleration of the foot along three axes, and a control module configured for enabling operation of the ultrasound source if the aforesaid acceleration values measured by the inertial sensor respect a given condition for enabling measurement of the time of flight.

An object detection apparatus includes distance measuring devices and a hardware processor. The distance measuring devices are provided in a vehicle and emit ultrasonic waves. The distance measuring devices detect an object around the vehicle and obtain distance information indicating a distance to the detected object. The hardware processor determines a scene in which the vehicle is placed. The determination is performed on the basis of the distance information, vehicle speed information, an image of surroundings of the vehicle, and/or a location of the vehicle on a map. The hardware processor performs, on the basis of a scene determination result, setting of a high-sensitivity area where sensitivity for detecting the reflected waves is temporarily increased, a change of an emission interval of the ultrasonic waves, and/or a change of an emission sequence of the ultrasonic waves.

An object detection apparatus includes distance measuring devices and a hardware processor. The distance measuring devices are provided in a vehicle and emit ultrasonic waves. The distance measuring devices detect an object around the vehicle and obtain distance information indicating a distance to the detected object. The hardware processor determines a scene in which the vehicle is placed. The determination is performed on the basis of the distance information, vehicle speed information, an image of surroundings of the vehicle, and/or a location of the vehicle on a map. The hardware processor performs, on the basis of a scene determination result, setting of a high-sensitivity area where sensitivity for detecting the reflected waves is temporarily increased, a change of an emission interval of the ultrasonic waves, and/or a change of an emission sequence of the ultrasonic waves.