Provided are methods for detecting objects within a vehicle. The methods can include emitting at least one auditory signal within the vehicle during at least one first time interval; measuring a second auditory signal emitted by an object within the vehicle during the second time interval subsequent to the at least one first time interval, where the emission of the second auditory signal is caused by the emission of the least one first auditory signal; determining a location of the object within the vehicle based on the measurement of the second auditory signal; and generating an alert to a user indicating the location of that object. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

An acoustic-based Direction of Arrival (DoA) system uses acoustic information to determine the direction of incoming sound, such as a person talking. The direction of the sound is then used to focus a laser-based time of flight (ToF) system to narrow the area of laser illumination, improving the signal to noise ratio because laser illumination is focused on the direction of the sound. The DoA system also provides elevation information pertaining to the source of the sound, to further narrow the required field of view of the laser ToF system.

The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

An object detection device that detects a corner of an object includes: a transmitter that transmits a search wave; receivers that receive a reflected wave reflected off the corner. The device determines a first path length of the search wave from the transmitter to a first receiver, and uses the positions of the transmitter and the first receiver as focal points to find a first ellipse whose distances from the transmitter and the first receiver add up to the first path length. The device determines a second path length of the search wave from the transmitter to a second receiver, and uses the positions of the transmitter and the second receiver as focal points to find a second ellipse whose distances from the transmitter and the second receiver add up to the second path length. The device finds an intersection point between the first and second ellipses as the corner.

The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Time of flight between two or more ultrasonic transceivers is measured using known delays. First and second transceivers are duty cycled, each having a respective receive period that is less than a measurement period during which the transceivers are configured to receive transmissions. An ultrasonic trigger pulse is transmitted by the first transceiver. The second transceiver, upon receiving the trigger pulse, transmits an ultrasonic response pulse after a first predefined delay time that is known to the first transceiver and greater than the receive period of the second transceiver. Subsequently, the first transceiver receives the ultrasonic response pulse and determines a receive time. The first transceiver determines the distance between the first transceiver and the second transceiver from a speed of sound, an elapsed time between the time of transmission of the trigger pulse and the receive time, and the first predetermine delay time.

A wearable device is described that is configured to alert a subject prior to encountering an obstacle. The subject may be visually-impaired. The device includes: a mobile transceiver tag adapted to be worn by a subject within a designated area (e.g., a swimming pool); three or more stationary transceiver beacons in spaced apart, fixed positions; a wearable signal output device (e.g., headset); and a processor with software that can calculate the subject's position relative to one or more obstacles (e.g., end of swimming lane) and sends a left, right, or reverse signal to the signal output device.

An obstacle positioning method, device and terminal are provided. The method includes determining installation positions of at least two detectors on a vehicle, and respective detection areas of the detectors, determining an overlapping area of the detection areas of the detectors, and if determining that an obstacle is located in the overlapping area, determining a position of the obstacle according to the installation positions of the detectors forming the overlapping area. By changing the number and positions of detectors installed on an unmanned vehicle, a plurality of overlapping areas of the detection areas of the detectors are obtained, the distribution of obstacles around the vehicle are optimally identified, so that the unmanned vehicle makes reasonable driving plans based on an accurate surrounding obstacle environment.

A method for classifying objects in the environment of a vehicle with the aid of ultrasonic sensors. In the method, ultrasonic signals are emitted, ultrasonic echoes are received from objects in the environment, and the position of a reflection point relative to the ultrasonic sensors is determined using lateration, reflection points being continuously determined and the reflection points being allocated to objects in the environment. Dispersion parameters relating to the position of the reflection points allocated to an object are determined and used as a classification criterion with regard to the type of object. A driver assistance system and a vehicle including such a driver assistance system, are also described.

A system and method is disclosed for classifying one or more objects within a vicinity of a vehicle. Ultra-sonic data may be received from a plurality of ultra-sonic sensors and may comprise echo signals indicating one or more objects that are proximally located within a vicinity of a vehicle. One or more features may be calculated from the ultra-sonic data using one or more signal processing algorithms unique to each of the plurality of ultra-sonic sensors. The one more features may be combined using a second-level signal processing algorithm to determine geometric relations for the one or more objects. The one or more features may then be statistically aggregated at an object level. The one or more objects may then be classified using a machine learning algorithm that compares an input of each of the one or more features to a trained classifier.