Abstract: The echo ranging system of the invention comprises circuit means to diffetiate between shadows cast by objects and the period of time prior to the receipt of the first bottom return, as well as the lack of bottom reverberation for other reasons. Additional circuit means determines if the length of the shadow signals in comparison to their range exceeds a predetermined value. Circuit means are also included to produce a first electrical signal when such shadow signals are received. Further circuitry analyzes the shadow signals for which the first electrical signals were provided and produces a second electrical signal when said object shadow signals exceed in number or length a predetermined value. Additional circuit means are provided to convert said first and second electrical signals to suitable audible signals which may be readily distinguished, one from the other.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display depth finder using a sonar transducer is provided with a plurality of input keys interfaced to a microprocessor with each input key being dedicated to a particular function or feature usable with the depth finder. The microprocessor is utilized to control the operation of the transducer and the display of the data generated thereby in accordance with the particular function or set of functions chosen by the operator and to manipulate programming stored within the depth finder which will enable a tutorial mode comprising alphanumeric information and command key indication such that an the user may determine how the machine is to properly function.

Abstract: Signal processing circuitry is disclosed for processing the echo signals of echo sounders to extract the leading edge of bottom echo components of the echo signals and to provide a reading of the average area under successive leading edges. Second and later bottom echo processing is additionally disclosed. Processing is achieved with a sample and hold circuit comprising an integrator (34), a first switch (33) for switching the required echo signal portion to the integrator, storage means (C2) for storing integrated values to be displayed, and a second switch (35) for selectively coupling values from the integrator to the storage means.

Abstract: An ultrasonic vehicle rangefinder having a detecting system for discriminating whether trouble is in transmission or reception side is shown. The discrimination is established by detection of an attenuation vibration at a transmission microphone.

Abstract: An obstacle sensing area ahead of a mobile robot is divided into a plurality of sensing regions. A number of ultrasonic transmitters and plural receivers on the robot cooperate to detect the presence of obstacles in the sensing regions. Coordinates representing four corners of each sensing region, and time data representing a time period from emission of ultrasonic waves from selected transmitters to reception of the waves by each receiver when the waves are reflected by an obstacle at each corner point, are prestored in data ROMs. The data ROMs are retrieved by a CPU in response to obtained time data, and precise position data of the obstacle in the sensing area is determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the position of an object with an ultrasonic wave includes a timing control circuit generating first and second timing signal trains, the interval of the first timing signal trains being set to be shorter than that of the second; an ultrasonic wave pulse generator circuit generating first and second ultrasonic wave pulses in synchronism with the first and second timing signal trains, the first ultrasonic wave pulses covering a short distance range to the object and the second ultrasonic wave pulses covering a long distance range to the object, the width of the first ultrasonic wave pulse being set to be shorter than that of the second. An ultrasonic wave pulse transmitter transmits alternately the first and second ultrasonic wave pulses; a receiver receives the reflected first and second ultrasonic wave pulses from the object; and a discriminator circuit discriminates the reflected first and second ultrasonic wave pulses from the receiver.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for non-contact measurement of the length and height or diameter of geometrically regular objects. The objects enter a first measurement station where horizontally opposed echo ranging transducers make sequential differential measurements to determine the length and transverse position of the object. Position information is sent to a microprocessor. The object is then advanced under a transverse array of downwardly oriented echo ranging transducers. The microprocessor preferrably selects the single transducer located most closely to the mid-length position of the object to make a height or diameter measurement. In the case of cylindrical objects, the object should be oriented with its axis parallel to a line projected between the opposed length measuring transducers. As the object is moved by the diameter sensing transducer, the microprocessor selects the measurement indicating the shortest distance between the object and the transducer.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a load within a preselected bin of an automatic storage rack has a transducer for directing an ultrasonic beam into the bin and for detecting an echo reflected from a load struck by the beam; a digital counter adapted to generate plural bit binary pulses which is started upon initial transmission of the ultrasonic beam; and a programmable memory coupled to the counter and programmed to generate a given bin-ful output signal upon initial transmission of the beam and to subsequently generate the opposite binary bin-empty output signal if no echo has been detected when the pulses from the counter stored in the memory indicate that sufficient time has elapsed after initial transmission for the beam to travel a predetermined distance into the bin and for an echo from a load struck by the beam to return to the transducer.

Abstract: Apparatus utilizing a combination energy transmitting and energy receiving transducer or a transducer set consisting of separate energy transmitting and energy receiving transducers, are employed to detect and subsequently indicate the presence of an object(s) within one or more of a plurality of spaced-apart spacial zones.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rangefinder providing a correct distance measurement and comprising a first transducer for transducing electric signals into ultrasonic waves and transmitting the ultrasonic waves, a second transducer for receiving the ultrasonic waves and transducing the ultrasonic waves into electric signals, a differentiation circuit, and a comparator for comparing a level of a differentiated output signal from the differentiation circuit with an output signal level of the second transducer and detecting a threshold time when the level of the differentiated output signal from the differentiation circuit becomes lower then the output signal level of the second transducer where a threshold signal level of the comparator is automatically varied with respect to a time lapse of the travelling ultrasonic waves coming back to the rangefinder after being reflected by an object, thus overcoming the conventional problems due to the spurious-like direct waves.