초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for ultrasonically communicating information from a source to a destination and for acknowledging receipt of that information by the destination. The apparatus includes at least one processor, at least one transceiver, and at least one display device, each display device havi

An apparatus and method for ultrasonically communicating information from a source to a destination and for acknowledging receipt of that information by the destination. The apparatus includes at least one processor, at least one transceiver, and at least one display device, each display device having a unique identifier. The processor communicates information for broadcast to the transceiver. The processor also performs digital signal processing for detecting an acknowledgement signal within a narrow bandwidth. The transceiver ultrasonically broadcasts an identifier and associated data to display devices within the broadcast area, and also receives ultrasonic signals. A display device includes a transducer, a comparator, a memory, a display panel, and logic. In the communication method, a processor, a transceivers, and a display device communicate by initially associating data with a unique display device identifier. The processor communicates the identifier/data pair to the transceiver, which in turn ultrasonically broadcasts the identifier and associated data to display devices within the broadcast range. If the received identifier matches the unique identifier of the display device, then an acknowledgement signal is generated and the data is displayed at the display device. The processor determines whether the acknowledgement signal was generated within a defined bandwidth by performing digital signal processing.

대표청구항 ▼

Ultrasonic communication method between means for processing data, means for transceiving ultrasonic signals, and means for displaying data, wherein each displaying means has a unique identifier, comprising the steps of: (a) associating data with an identifier at said processing means; (b) communica

Ultrasonic communication method between means for processing data, means for transceiving ultrasonic signals, and means for displaying data, wherein each displaying means has a unique identifier, comprising the steps of: (a) associating data with an identifier at said processing means; (b) communicating the identifier and the associated data to said transceiving means; (c) ultrasonically broadcasting the identifier and the associated data at said transceiving means; (d) receiving the broadcast identifier and the associated data at said displaying means; (e) ultrasonically generating an acknowledgment signal at said displaying means if the received identifier matches the unique identifier of said displaying means; (f) displaying the received data at said displaying means; and (g) determining at said processing means whether the acknowledgment signal was generated, wherein step (g) includes (i) prior to step (d), determining a first indicator of the amount of sound within an acknowledgment signal bandwidth; (ii) for a time window after step (c), determining a second indicator of the amount of sound within the acknowledgment signal bandwidth; and (iii) determining the acknowledgment signal to have been generated if the second indicator exceeds the first indicator by a defined amount.