Distance detection system

• US 8,314,619 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2004
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Takiguchi, Kiyoaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Natalini, Jeff
• Application Number:
  US10/558,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20070040545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,107 Days
• Field of Search: 324/527, 324/530, 324/662
• US Class Current: 324/530
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/06 using intensity measurements

Abstract

A distance detection system is disclosed. The distance detection system includes an electric-field forming apparatus and an electric-field receiving apparatus. Quasi-electrostatic-field forming means is included in the electric-field forming apparatus. The quasi-electrostatic-field forming means is for forming quasi-electrostatic fields for a plurality of frequencies. The intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field for each frequency falls below a predetermined threshold intensity at a different distance from the quasi-electrostatic-field forming means. Distance detection means is included in either one of the electric-field forming apparatus and the electric-field receiving apparatus. The distance detection means is for detecting a distance between the electric-field forming apparatus and the electric-field receiving apparatus, based on the frequency of a quasi-electrostatic field received by the electric-field receiving apparatus.

Claims

1. A distance detection system configured of an electric-field forming apparatus and an electric-field receiving apparatus, comprising:

a quasi-electrostatic-field forming unit included in the electric-field forming apparatus, for forming quasi-electrostatic fields for a plurality of frequencies, an intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field for each frequency falling below a predetermined threshold intensity at a different distance from the quasi-electrostatic-field forming unit; and

a distance detection unit included in either one of the electric-field forming apparatus and the electric-field receiving apparatus, for;

storing a frequency/distance conversion table; and

by referring to the frequency/distance conversion table, detecting a distance between the electric-field forming apparatus and the electric-field receiving apparatus, based on which frequencies of the quasi-electrostatic fields are received by the electric-field receiving apparatus.

2. The distance detection system according to claim 1, wherein the electric-field receiving apparatus comprises a speed estimation unit provided on a moving subject, for estimating a speed of the moving subject, and a notification unit for notifying the speed, of the moving subject, that is estimated through the speed estimation unit, and wherein the electric-field forming apparatus comprises a moving-condition estimation unit for estimating a moving condition of the moving subject, based on the distance detected through the distance detection unit and on the speed, of the moving subject, that is notified through the notification unit.

3. The distance detection system according to claim 2, wherein the electric-field forming apparatus comprises a controlling unit connected to a predetermined control subject, for switching control items for the control subject, in accordance with the moving condition estimated through the moving-condition estimation unit.

4. An electric-field forming apparatus comprising:

a quasi-electrostatic-field forming unit for forming quasi-electrostatic fields for a plurality of frequencies, an intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field for each frequency falling below a predetermined threshold intensity at a different distance from the quasi-electrostatic-field forming unit; and

a distance detection unit for;

storing a frequency/distance conversion table; and

by referring to the frequency/distance conversion table, detecting a distance between the electric-field forming apparatus and an electric-field receiving apparatus provided on a moving subject, based on which frequencies of the quasi-electrostatic fields are received by the electric-field receiving apparatus.

5. The electric-field forming apparatus according to claim 4, comprising an output power controlling unit for controlling output power of the quasi-electrostatic field for each frequency.

6. The electric-field forming apparatus according to claim 4, comprising a selection unit for selecting the plurality of frequencies, based on which frequencies of the quasi-electrostatic fields are received by the electric-field receiving apparatus.

7. The electric-field forming apparatus according to claim 4, comprising a moving-condition estimation unit for estimating a moving condition of the moving subject, based on the distance detected through the distance detection unit and on a speed, of the moving subject, that is estimated in the electric-field receiving apparatus.

8. The electric-field forming apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a controlling unit for switching control items for a predetermined control subject, in accordance with a moving condition, of the moving subject, that is estimated through the moving-condition estimation unit.

9. An electric-field forming method comprising:

a quasi-electrostatic-field forming step of forming, with an electric-field forming apparatus, quasi-electrostatic fields for a plurality of frequencies, an intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field for each frequency falling below a predetermined threshold intensity at a different distance from the electric-field forming apparatus; and

a distance detection step of, by referring to a frequency/distance conversion table, detecting a distance between the electric-field forming apparatus and an electric-field receiving apparatus provided on a moving subject, based on which frequencies of the quasi-electrostatic fields are received by the electric-field receiving apparatus.

10. The electric-field forming method according to claim 9, comprising an output power controlling step of controlling output power of the quasi-electrostatic field for each frequency.

11. The electric-field forming method according to claim 9, comprising a selection step of selecting the plurality of frequencies, based on which frequencies of the quasi-electrostatic fields are received by the electric-field receiving apparatus.

12. The electric-field forming method according to claim 9, comprising a moving-condition estimation step of estimating a moving condition of the moving subject, based on the distance detected through the distance detection step and on a speed, of the moving subject, that is estimated in the electric-field receiving apparatus.

13. The electric-field forming apparatus according to claim 12, comprising a controlling step of switching control items for a predetermined control subject, in accordance with a moving condition, of the moving subject, that is estimated in the moving-condition estimation step.

14. An electric-field receiving apparatus provided on a moving subject, comprising:

a receiving unit for receiving from an electric-field forming apparatus quasi-electrostatic fields for a plurality of frequencies, an intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field for each frequency falling below a predetermined threshold intensity at a different distance from the electric-field forming apparatus; and

a distance detection unit for;

storing a frequency/distance conversion table; and

by referring to the frequency/distance conversion table, detecting a distance, based on which frequencies of the quasi-electrostatic fields are received by the receiving unit.

15. The electric-field receiving apparatus according to claim 14, comprising a speed estimation unit for estimating a speed of the moving subject and a notification unit for notifying the speed, of the moving subject, that is estimated through the speed estimation unit.

16. An electric-field receiving method for an electric-field receiving apparatus provided on a moving subject, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from an electric-field forming apparatus quasi-electrostatic fields for a plurality of frequencies, an intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field for each frequency falling below a predetermined threshold intensity at a different distance from the electric-field forming apparatus; and

a distance detection step of, by referring to a frequency/distance conversion table, detecting a distance, based on which frequencies of the quasi-electrostatic fields are received in the receiving step.

17. The electric-field receiving method according to claim 16, comprising a speed estimation step of estimating a speed of the moving subject and a notification step of notifying the speed, of the moving subject, that is estimated in the speed estimation step.