# US 2014/0152970 A1 · Distance detecting apparatus, distance detecting method, computer program, and computer-readable recording medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152970 A1 - Document ID: US20140152970A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/131,719 - Filed: 2012-06-28 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-03 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Seiji Wada; Takeshi Asakawa; Naoya Sazuka; Toshimitsu Tsuboi; Akichika Tanaka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152970A1 ## CPC - G01B 11/14: for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00) - A61B 5/1075: {for measuring dimensions by non-invasive methods, e.g. for determining thickness of tissue layer (A61B8/0858 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/1076: {for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters (A61B3/1005 takes precedence)} - G01J 5/0011: {Ear thermometers (G01J5/021 and G01J5/049 take precedence)} - G01J 5/0205: {Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements} - G01J 5/025: {Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface} - G01J 5/026: {Control of working procedures of a pyrometer, other than calibration; Bandwidth calculation; Gain control} - G01J 5/0275: {Control or determination of height or distance or angle information for sensors or receivers} - G01J 5/07: Arrangements for adjusting the solid angle of collected radiation, e.g. adjusting or orienting field of view, tracking position or encoding angular position (optical collimating elements G01J5/0806) - G01J 5/12: using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples - G01J 5/20: using resistors, thermistors or semiconductors sensitive to radiation, e.g. photoconductive devices - G01S 17/88: Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications - G01J 5/064: {Ambient temperature sensor; Housing temperature sensor; Constructional details thereof} - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## Abstract Provided is a distance detecting apparatus including a detecting unit that is inserted in an external auditory canal and includes a light emitting unit that emits light onto an eardrum and a plurality of light receiving units that each receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by a light cone of the eardrum, and a distance estimating unit configured to estimate a distance from a target inserted in the external auditory canal together with the detecting unit to the eardrum based on light intensity and distribution detected by each of the light receiving units. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A distance detecting apparatus comprising: a detecting unit that is inserted in an external auditory canal and includes a light emitting unit that emits light onto an eardrum and a plurality of light receiving units that each receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by a light cone of the eardrum; and a distance estimating unit configured to estimate a distance from a target inserted in the external auditory canal together with the detecting unit to the eardrum based on light intensity and distribution detected by each of the light receiving units. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The distance detecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determining unit configured to determine whether it is possible to insert the target toward the eardrum based on the distance estimated by the distance estimating unit; and a notifying unit configured to notify a user of a determination result of the determining unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The distance detecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the notifying unit notifies the user of the determination result by using sound. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The distance detecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the notifying unit notifies the user of the determination result by using vibration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The distance detecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the notifying unit notifies the user of the determination result by outputting visual information. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The distance detecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixing mechanism control unit configured to control operation of a fixing mechanism that obstructs movement of the target inside the external auditory canal based on a determination result of the determining unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The distance detecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a rod portion covering a wire that is connected to the target and extends toward an entrance of the external auditory canal, the rod portion being provided with a plurality of support hairs on an outer side surface around an outer circumference at at least one location along a direction of the external auditory canal, the support hairs being bent back and upward toward the eardrum and being erected toward a wall surface of the external auditory canal; and an adjusting unit configured to adjust an erect state of the support hairs provided on the rod portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The distance detecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the fixing mechanism is an expanding member provided on a wire that is connected to the target and extends toward an entrance of the external auditory canal, the expanding member expanding inside the external auditory canal and applying pressure to a wall surface of the external auditory canal. ### Claim 9 A distance detecting method comprising: a step for being inserted in an external auditory canal and emitting light onto an eardrum; a step for receiving, by a plurality of light receiving units, light reflected by a light cone of the eardrum; and a step for estimating a distance from a target inserted in the external auditory canal together with the light receiving units to the eardrum based on light intensity and distribution detected by each of the light receiving units. ### Claim 10 A computer program for causing a computer to function as a distance detecting apparatus including a detection control unit configured to control a detecting unit that is inserted in an external auditory canal and includes a light emitting unit that emits light onto an eardrum and a plurality of light receiving units that each receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by a light cone of the eardrum, and a distance estimating unit configured to estimate a distance from a target inserted in the external auditory canal together with the detecting unit to the eardrum based on light intensity and distribution detected by each of the light receiving units. ### Claim 11 A computer-readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon, the computer program causing a computer to function as a distance detecting apparatus including a detection control unit configured to control a detecting unit that is inserted in an external auditory canal and includes a light emitting unit that emits light onto an eardrum and a plurality of light receiving units that each receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by a light cone of the eardrum, and a distance estimating unit configured to estimate a distance from a target inserted in the external auditory canal together with the detecting unit to the eardrum based on light intensity and distribution detected by each of the light receiving units.