Impact localization in solid surfaces using acoustic waves

The acoustic wave propagation in solid structures has a specific impulse response pattern, that allows to identify the impact location over a structure. By using piezoelectric transducers, the vibration on the surface is translated into a voltage signal which is later analyzed to determine the position of the impact. This technique has the potential to transform any solid object into an interactive interface. However further studies are yet to be done, in particular, position detection algorithms have to be developed, analysis of the signal and the relation with the position, the space resolution of this technique, and more. In this letter, the development of a lab instrument for the study of the mentioned technique is described and the results of several experiments are shown. Furthermore, in order to show how the technique could be used, an application of it is presented.