Ultrasound communications for low-power biosensor applications
View Patent ↗The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for low-power, data transmission using ultrasound signals. In one implementation, a data transmission system includes an ultrasound transducer configured to generate ultrasound signals in response to power supplied from a power source, and a mechanical ultrasound amplifier coupled to the ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound amplifier having a substrate adapted to function as a soundboard to amplify the ultrasound signals. The range of the data transmission system may be increased with a relay system. The relay system may include one or more detectors and one or more repeaters.
1. A data transmission system, comprising:
an ultrasound transducer configured to generate ultrasound signals in response to power supplied from a power source; and
a mechanical ultrasound amplifier coupled to the ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound amplifier comprising a substrate adapted to function as a soundboard to amplify the ultrasound signals.
2. The data transmission system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board, and one or more solder pads couple the ultrasound transducer to the printed circuit board.
3. The data transmission system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transducer includes a capacitor.
4. The data transmission system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transducer has a resonant frequency.
5. The data transmission system of claim 4 , wherein the substrate is configured to have substantially the same resonant frequency as the ultrasound transducer.
6. The data transmission system of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one of a detector or a repeater adapted to receive the ultrasound signals and re-transmit the received ultrasound signals.
7. A data transmission system for use in a personal hygiene product, comprising:
a moisture sensor coupled to the personal hygiene product;
an ultrasound transducer configured to generate ultrasound signals in response to power supplied from a power source; and
a mechanical ultrasound amplifier coupled to the ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound amplifier comprising a substrate adapted to function as a soundboard to amplify the ultrasound signals.
8. The data transmission system of claim 7 , where the personal hygiene product comprises one or more of a diaper, liner, pad, or tampon.
9. The data transmission system of claim 7 , wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board, and one or more solder pads couple the ultrasound transducer to the printed circuit board.
10. The data transmission system of claim 7 , wherein the ultrasound transducer has a resonant frequency.
11. The data transmission system of claim 7 , wherein the substrate is configured to have substantially the same resonant frequency as the ultrasound transducer.
12. The data transmission system of claim 7 , further comprising:
at least one of a detector or a repeater adapted to receive the ultrasound signals and re-transmit the received ultrasound signals.
13. A data transmission method, comprising:
applying power from a power source to an ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound transducer physically coupled to a substrate and electrically coupled to the power source, the substrate adapted to function as a soundboard to amplify ultrasound signals generated by the ultrasound transducer;
in response to the ultrasound transducer receiving the power from the power source, generating ultrasound signals with the ultrasound transducer; and
amplifying the ultrasound signals using the substrate, the substrate functioning as a soundboard for the ultrasound transducer.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein applying power to the ultrasound transducer comprises:
detecting an environmental level with a sensor; and
controlling power supplied from the power source to the ultrasound transducer in response to detecting the environmental level with the sensor.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the environmental level is at least one of a moisture level or a temperature level.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the sensor is located in an absorption area of a personal hygiene product.
17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
relaying, using a relay device, the ultrasound signals to an external reporting device, the relay device including at least one of a detector or a repeater.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board, and the ultrasound transducer is coupled to the printed circuit board using one or more solder pads.
19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the ultrasound transducer has a resonant frequency, and wherein the ultrasound transducer is driven at the resonant frequency.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the substrate has a resonant frequency substantially having substantially the same resonant frequency as the ultrasound transducer's resonant frequency.