System and method for measuring short distances
First Claim
1. A short-distance measuring system operable for measuring short distances in the range of twenty meters or less within an environment, comprising:
- a plurality of moveable objects moveable independently of each other within said environment, each of said plurality of moveable objects having a transponder mounted thereto operable for receiving a query signal and producing a response signal;
a synchronized clock system, said synchronized clock system being operable for producing synchronized timing signals to said plurality of moveable objects, each of said transponders being operable for producing said response signal in response to said query signal at a start time based on said synchronized timing signals from said synchronized clock system; and
a response signal detector for each of said plurality of moveable objects, said response signal detector being operable to measure a transit time for said response signal beginning at said start time and ending upon detection of said response signal, said response signal detector being operable for measuring a magnitude of a separation vector between a first of said plurality of moveable objects and one or more of said plurality of moveable objects based on said transit time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided to measure relatively short distances between one or more moveable objects and with respect to an environment. The transponders may be affixed to other moveable objects and/or may be affixed in position within the environment. The transponders detect the query signal and respond with an acoustic response signal. A synchronized clock system establishes common timing between the transponders and the moveable objects such that the start time at which the acoustic response signal is sent is known. The moveable object detects a receipt time when the acoustic response signal is received. Knowing the start time and the receipt time, a transit time for the acoustic signal can be determined whereby a separation vector may be calculated. The system may be used to determine and transmit a table that contains the relative positions of all moveable objects in the environment.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A short-distance measuring system operable for measuring short distances in the range of twenty meters or less within an environment, comprising:
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a plurality of moveable objects moveable independently of each other within said environment, each of said plurality of moveable objects having a transponder mounted thereto operable for receiving a query signal and producing a response signal;
a synchronized clock system, said synchronized clock system being operable for producing synchronized timing signals to said plurality of moveable objects, each of said transponders being operable for producing said response signal in response to said query signal at a start time based on said synchronized timing signals from said synchronized clock system; and
a response signal detector for each of said plurality of moveable objects, said response signal detector being operable to measure a transit time for said response signal beginning at said start time and ending upon detection of said response signal, said response signal detector being operable for measuring a magnitude of a separation vector between a first of said plurality of moveable objects and one or more of said plurality of moveable objects based on said transit time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for measuring short distances in the range of twenty meters or less with respect to one or more moveable objects within an environment, said method comprising:
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providing synchronized timing signals to a plurality of locations within said environment;
generating at least one acoustic signal such that said at least one acoustic signal is transmitted at a start time based on said synchronized timing signals;
measuring a transit time of said at least one acoustic signal to said one or more moveable objects by measuring a time beginning at said start time and ending upon receipt of said at least one acoustic signal; and
determining a distance to said one or more moveable objects based on said transit time. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A short distance measuring system for an environment, comprising:
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one or more moveable objects within said environment;
a transmitter for said one or more moveable objects operable for transmitting location information regarding a position of said one or more moveable objects within said environment;
a synchronized clock system operable for producing timing signals;
an acoustic signal generator operable for producing an acoustic signal at a start time based upon said timing signals of said synchronized clock system; and
a transit-time measurement detector, said transit-time measurement detector being operable to measure a transit time of said acoustic signal beginning at said start time and ending upon detection of said acoustic signal by said one or more objects. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification