Abstract:
Circuits, systems and methods that utilize two transducers, of which at least one is a piezoelectric transducer, adapted and coupled to receive and/or generate signals in the forms of sound waves, mechanical vibrations, and/or electromagnetic energy. In one version, two transducers each receive and/or generate separate vibrational energy signals that bear information. Two or more transducers coupled to a switching circuit may send or receive piezo-electrical circuit output signals that include a carrier wave having different frequencies that are within separate frequency ranges. Two or more transducers may generate output signals that are simultaneously processed by or multiplexed by a switching circuit.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to communication circuits, systems and methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to circuits that employ sound wave, mechanical vibration, and/or electromagnetic wave energy to transfer information. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Electromagnetic wave energy, such as radio frequency (RF) waves and light, has been widely used to transmit information-bearing signals, but can be easily intercepted. The prior art further includes the transmission of information bearing signals in the mode of sound waves (such as acoustic waves and ultrasonic waves), pressure waves, or other types of mechanical vibrations with piezoelectric transducers. Compared to electromagnetic wave energy, sound wave energy is optimal for signal transmission in certain environments. For example, sound wave can pass through a Faraday cage. Also, certain types of sound waves, such as ultrasonic waves and acoustic waves, have a very limited propagation range, and thus make the interception of signal outside such a short propagation range impossible. However, no optimal combination of both forms of communications has been established. Therefore, there is a long-felt need for circuits, systems and methods that utilize both electromagnetic wave and sound wave to receive and/or generate signals. 
         [0003]    In addition, different sound wave transducing media have different characteristics. There is also a long-felt need for circuits, systems and methods that enable transmission of signals in the form of sound wave energy in a complex environment that is composed of multiple sound wave transducing media. The present invention is offered to meet these two stated objects and other objects that are made obvious in light of the present disclosure. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0004]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0005]    Described embodiments provide hybrid communicator circuits, systems, and methods. In one embodiment, such a communicator circuit is adapted to couple with an output target circuit to which it transmits an output signal. Such a communicator circuit may include a first signal front end adapted for coupling with the first piezoelectric transducer; a second signal front end adapted for coupling with the second transducer; and/or a switching circuit coupled to the first signal front end, the second signal front end, and a processing circuit. The switching circuit is adapted to enable a transmission of a switching circuit output signal to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is disposed between the switching circuit and the output target circuit and adapted to receive the switching circuit output signal and transmit an output signal to the output target circuit. The switching circuit output signal is substantively derived from a first signal received from the first piezoelectric transducer and a second signal received from the second transducer. The output signal substantively derived from the switching output signal. 
         [0006]    Various alternate preferred embodiments of the invented method employ more than one transducer to simultaneously or near-simultaneously send and/or receive information bearing pressure wave signals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the invented communicator circuit; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the invented communicator circuit; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a block diagram of a first version of the front-end circuit of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a block diagram of a second version of the front-end circuit of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a block diagram of a first version of the processing circuit of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a block diagram of a second version of the processing circuit of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 4C  is a block diagram of a third version of the processing circuit of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0016]    Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events, which are logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. 
         [0017]    Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
         [0018]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described. 
         [0019]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first communicator circuit  100  according to one embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first communicator circuit  100  includes a front-end circuit  101 , a first signal front end  110 , and a second signal front end  112 . The first signal front end  110  is adapted for electrically coupling with a first piezoelectric transducer  114 . The piezoelectric transducer  114  is a device that is capable of converting a piezo-signal  115  to electric signals. According to several embodiments, the piezo-signal  115  can be sonic waves, ultrasonic waves, pressure waves, or other types of mechanical vibrations. Conversely, such piezoelectric transducer may also be capable of converting electric signals to the piezo-signal  115 . In one embodiment, the piezoelectric transducer  114  is or comprises an ultrasonic transducer, such as a ceramic transducer APC International, Ltd. with an address at 46 Heckman Gap Road, Mill Hall, Pa. 17751, USA, or other suitable piezoelectric transducer known in the art. The second signal front end  112  is adapted for electronic coupling with a second transducer  116  that is adapted for converting a second signal  117  to electric signals or vice versa. In one embodiment, the second transducer  116  is a second piezoelectric transducer. According to a yet further embodiment of the invention, the second transducer  116  is an electromagnetic transducer. The electromagnetic transducer  116  is a device capable of converting electric signals to electromagnetic signals. The electromagnetic signals may be either electric signals, or magnetic signals, or electromagnetic signals. Conversely, the electromagnetic transducer  116  may also be capable of converting electromagnetic signals to electric signals. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic transducer  116  is a radio frequency transmitter and/or receiver. In another embodiment, the electromagnetic transducer  116  is an optical transmitter and/or receiver. In yet another embodiment, the electromagnetic transducer  116  is an infrared transmitter and/or receiver. The front-end circuit  101  is electrically coupled with both the first signal front end  110  and the second signal front end  112 . The front-end circuit  101  is adapted for electrically coupling with, and transmitting a switching circuit output signal  131  to a processing circuit  140 . The processing circuit  140  is electrically coupled with and disposed between the frond-end circuit  101  and the output target circuit  150 , and is adapted to receive the switching circuit output signal  131  and transmit an output signal  151  to the output target circuit  150 . The switching circuit output signal  131  derives from the piezo-signal  115  that is received from the first piezoelectric transducer  114  and/or a second signal  117  that is received from the second transducer  116 . The output signal  151  is substantively derived from the switching circuit output signal  131 . In one embodiment, the piezo-signal  115  and the second signal  117  are the same signal. Besides the first signal front end  110  and the second signal front end  112 , other embodiments may further include one or more signal front ends that are electronically coupled with the front-end circuit  101  and adapted for electronically coupling with other transducers, either electromagnetic or piezoelectric. 
         [0021]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first piezoelectric transducer  114  can receive and/or transmit the piezo-signal  115  through a first piezo-conducting medium  120 , which is capable of transporting pressure waves, vibrations, or other types of mechanical energy. The piezo-conducting medium  120  can be a solid material (for example, wood, metal, water pipes, drywall, electrical wires, or optical fibers), liquid material (for example, water), gaseous material (for example, air), or composite material (for example, human body). The second transducer  116  can receive and/or transmit the second signal  117  through a second communication medium  122 . The second communication medium  122  can be a second piezo-conduction medium or an electromagnetic medium that is capable of transporting electric or electromagnetic energy. In one embodiment, the first piezo-conducting medium  120  and the second communication medium  122  are the same medium. Yet in another embodiment, the first piezo-conducting medium  120  and the second communication medium  122  are different and segregated mediums, and therefore, the piezo-signal  115  that is received and/or transmitted through the first piezo-electric transducer  114  do not interfere with the second signal  117  that is received and/or transmitted through the second transducer  116 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second communicator circuit  200  according to another embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the first communicator circuit  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 , the second communicator circuit  200  includes a first piezo-electric transducer  214  and a second transducer  216  both of which may be electrically coupled with the front-end circuit  101 . The first peizo-electric transducer  214  is capable of receiving and/or transmitting a piezo-signal  215  through a first piezo-conducting medium  220 . The second transducer  216  can be a second piezoelectric transducer or an electromagnetic transducer. The second transducer  216  is capable of receiving and/or transmitting a second signal  217  (being a piezo-signal or an electromagnetic signal) through a second communication medium  222 . In one embodiment the piezo-signal  215  and the second signal  217  are components of a same signal energy. The first piezo-conducting medium  220  and the second communication medium  222  may be the same medium or different and segregated mediums according to various embodiments. The front-end circuit  101  is adapted for electrically coupling with, and transmitting a switching circuit output signal  131  to a processing circuit  140 . The processing circuit  140  is electrically coupled with and disposed between the front-end circuit  101  and the output target circuit  150 , and is adapted to receive the switching circuit output signal  131  and transmit an output signal  151  to the output target circuit  150 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  further illustrate the internal modules  310  and  320 , as well as the operating mechanism of the front-end circuit  101  that is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  according to several embodiments. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 1 , the front-end circuit  101  includes a switching circuit  310  that is electrically coupled to both the first signal end  110  and the second signal end  112 . The switching circuit  310  is adapted to selectively enable a transmission of the piezo-signal  115  that is substantively received from the first piezoelectric transducer  114  or the second signal  117  that is substantively received from the second transducer  116  as the switching circuit output signal  131  to the processing circuit  140 . According to several embodiments, such selection is based on certain conditions. In one embodiment, the switching circuit  310  will transmit the second signal  117  as the switching circuit output signal  131  to the processing circuit  140 , if the first piezo-signal  115  is unavailable. According to another embodiment, the switching circuit  310  shown in  FIG. 3A  can transmit a multiplex signal that is derived from the piezo-signal  115  and the second signal  117  as the switching circuit output signal  131  to the processing circuit  140 . Yet according to another embodiment, the switching circuit  310  shown in  FIG. 3A  can transmit a summed signal that is composed of the piezo-signal  115  and the second signal  117  as the switching circuit output signal  131  to the processing circuit  140 . 
         [0025]    According to one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 1 , the front-end circuit  101  includes a switching circuit  310  that is electrically coupled to both the first signal end  110  and the second signal end  112 , and a processor  320  that is electrically coupled to the switching circuit  310 . According to several embodiments, the processor  320  is adapted to direct the switching circuit  310  to transmit one of the following signal as the switching circuit output signal  131  to the output target circuit  140 : the piezo-signal  115 , the second signal  117 , the multiplex signal that is derived from the piezo-signal  115  and the second signal  117 , the summed signal that is composed of the piezo-signal  115  and the second signal  117 . Yet in another embodiment, the processor  320  is adapted to direct the switching circuit  310  to transmit no signal to the output target circuit  140 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4A  through  FIG. 4C  further illustrate the internal modules  410 ,  420  and  430 , as well as the operating mechanism of the processing circuit  140  that is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  according to several embodiments. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 1 , the processing circuit  140  includes a memory storage module  410  that is electrically coupled to the switching circuit  310  and adapted to receive from the switching circuit  310  and record the switching circuit output signal  131 . 
         [0028]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 1 , the processing circuit  140  includes a communications module  420  that is electrically coupled to the switching circuit  310  and adapted to receive and transmit the switching circuit output circuit  131  to the output target circuit  150 . In one embodiment, the communications module  420  shown in  FIG. 4B  is further adapted to generate a pressure-wave output signal that is substantively derived from the switching circuit output signal  131 . In another embodiment, the communications module  420  shown in  FIG. 4B  is further adapted to generate an electromagnetic output signal that is substantively derived from the switching circuit output signal  131 . In yet another embodiment the communications module  420  shown in  FIG. 4B  is adapted to generate a pressure-wave output signal and/or an electromagnetic output signal. According to several embodiments, the pressure-wave output signal can be redirected directly, through the switching circuit  310 , or through other circuits, to the first piezoelectric transducer  114 , while the electromagnetic output signal can be redirected directly, through the switching circuit  310 , or through other circuits, to the second transducer. As a result, the pressure-wave output signal can be converted to pressure waves that are transmitted through the first piezo-conducting medium  120 , while the electromagnetic output signal can be converted to electromagnetic energy that is transmitted through the second communication medium  122 . According to several other embodiments, the pressure-wave output signal and the electromagnetic output signal that are generated by the communications module  420  can be redirected to other transducers. 
         [0029]    According to another embodiment that is illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the processing circuit  140  can further include a transmission logic module  430 . The transmission logic module  430  is electrically coupled with the communications module  420 . According to several embodiments, the transmission logic module  430  is adapted to direct the communications module  420  to transmit one of the following signals as the output signal  151  to the output target circuit  150 : the pressure-wave output signal generated by the communications module  420 , the electromagnetic output signal generated by the communications module  420 , a multiplex signal derived from the pressure-wave output signal and the electromagnetic output signal, and a summed signal substantively composed of a combination of the pressure-wave output signal and the electromagnetic output signal. In one embodiment, the transmission logic module  430  shown in  FIG. 4C  is electrically coupled with the processor  320  shown in  FIG. 3B . In another embodiment, a single processor can function as both the transmission logic module  430  shown in  FIG. 4C  and the processor  320  shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0030]    The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended to be illustrative only of certain possible configurations or aspects of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred configurations or aspects of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.