Returned Signal Used For Control Patents (Class 367/95)
  • Patent number: 11733386
    Abstract: Object detection in a scene is based on lidar data and radar data of the scene. The lidar data and the radar data are transformed to a common coordinate system. Different radar point clusters are extracted from the radar data. Different lidar point clusters are extracted from the lidar data and each lidar point cluster is associated with a target object. A target object's velocity is estimated based on the movement of the respective lidar point cluster between consecutive lidar images. The estimated target object's velocity is compared with velocity information of a corresponding radar point cluster to identify corresponding radar and lidar point clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Koyel Banerjee, Sumanth Nirmal Gavarraju, Mingkang He
  • Patent number: 11614529
    Abstract: Techniques for presence-detection devices to emission levels of ultrasonic signals that are used to detect movement in an environment. The presence-detection devices may detect movement of a person by emitting the ultrasonic signals into an environment, and characterizing the change in the frequency, or the Doppler shift, of the reflections of the ultrasonic signals off the person caused by the movement of the person relative to the presence-detection devices. However, presence-detection devices that continuously emit ultrasonic signals may experience reduced battery life, increased likelihood of overheating, etc. To reduce these negative effects, the presence-detection devices may reduce the emission levels of ultrasonic signals. For instance, once motion is detected, the presence-detection devices may, for a period of time, stop emitting ultrasonic signals or reduce the power level at which the ultrasonic signals are emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harsha Inna Kedage Rao, Maziyar Khorasani, Tarun Pruthi, Krishna Kamath Koteshwara
  • Patent number: 11511137
    Abstract: An ultrasound device for facilitating waste clearance of the brain lymphatic system includes: a first frequency-generator generating a predetermined frequency; a first waveform modulator modulating a waveform of the frequency; a first linear amplifier amplifying the waveform; a first resonance circuit portion matching impedance of the amplified waveform; and a first ultrasound transducer coupled to the first resonance circuit portion and irradiating ultrasound toward the area of the brain of mammals, wherein the ultrasound facilitates clearance of lymphatic wastes of the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DEEPSONBIO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woong Park, Gujin Chung, Seungschik Yoo
  • Patent number: 10641650
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motion activity detector is configured to, in each of a series of frames: obtain an ultrasonic signal derived from a transmitted ultrasonic signal; derive an activity signal based on a difference between the obtained signal in a present frame and at least one previous frame; determine a peak value of the activity signal in a first time window of the frame; determine a peak value of the activity signal in a second time window of the frame, wherein the first time window is different from the second time window; calculate a ratio of the peak value of the activity signal in the first time window of the frame to the peak value of the activity signal in the second time window of the frame; and compare the calculated ratio with a threshold value, and, in frames in which the calculated ratio exceeds the threshold value, determine that there is motion of an object relative to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Anil Lal
  • Patent number: 10170011
    Abstract: Techniques for drone device control are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises: meeting, by a drone device operatively coupled to a processor, an aircraft at a first location; and guiding, by the drone device, the aircraft to a second location along a ground movement path selected from a plurality of ground movement paths associated with an airport. The guiding can comprise providing a direction indication to the aircraft; and monitoring a defined region around the aircraft for one or more hazards. The guiding can also comprise, in response to identifying a hazard from the one or more hazards related to the defined region around the aircraft, providing a hazard indication to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vittorio Castelli, Georgiana Dinu, Radu Florian, Avirup Sil
  • Patent number: 10107676
    Abstract: Systems and method for providing an audio output with an acoustic intensity analyzer. The acoustic intensity analyzer includes an acoustic intensity array, a controller, and an orientation sensor. The acoustic intensity array is fixed to the acoustic intensity analyzer. The controller is coupled to the acoustic intensity array to produce the audio output using acoustic holography based on an input from the acoustic intensity array. The controller is configured to set an aim of the acoustic holography in a selected direction. The orientation sensor is coupled to the controller and mechanically fixed to the acoustic intensity analyzer such that there is no relative movement between the orientation sensor and the acoustic intensity array. The orientation sensor detects a change in an orientation of the acoustic intensity array and provides an orientation signal to the controller for adjusting the aim of the acoustic holography to maintain the selected direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Andrew Doller
  • Patent number: 9992568
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one earpiece, at least one hands-free speaker, and a sound reproduction system. The sound reproduction system includes the at least one earpiece and the at least one hands-free speaker. The sound reproduction system is configured to provide a downlink audio signal to the at least one earpiece and a corresponding audio signal associated with the downlink audio signal to the at least one hands-free speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Thomas Benedict Slotte
  • Patent number: 9746416
    Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging apparatus includes a light source portion and a signal processing portion. The signal processing portion is configured to perform imaging processing on the basis of either a first acoustic wave signal or a second acoustic wave signal by performing processing for disabling either the first acoustic wave signal corresponding to a rising edge of a pulse signal of pulsed light or the second acoustic wave signal corresponding to a falling edge of the pulse signal of the pulsed light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: PreXion Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 9287962
    Abstract: A signal reproduction apparatus reproduces, from an input signal containing a weak signal which is a piece of transmission information and noise superimposed thereon, the weak signal through use of a stochastic resonance phenomenon. The apparatus includes N nonlinear elements NL1-NLN (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) which receive N reception signals R (split signals) split to N branch lines L1-LN, and output nonlinear output signals NLO1-NLON; N delay elements D1-DN which delay the nonlinear output signals by different times, respectively; and a combiner which combines delay signals DS1-DSN output from the delay elements D1-DN. The correlation among the noise components contained in the delay signals DS1-DSN obtained by delaying the nonlinear output signal is extremely small, and the correlation of the weak signal is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Seiya Kasai, Yukihiro Tadokoro, Akihisa Ichiki
  • Patent number: 9279766
    Abstract: An information terminal device (100) comprises a light source (171) that directs light at a display face on which a display component (110) is disposed, an object detecting sensor (170) that receives light from the display face, and a controller (300) that determines whether or not a sheet (180) has been affixed to the display face on the basis of the output from the object detecting sensor (170).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Matsuoka, Takashi Watanabe, Tetsuhiro Kaya
  • Patent number: 9223023
    Abstract: Methods, systems and device are provided for improving the range and accuracy of proximity measurement such as in ultrasonic sensing systems. In particular, the blind zone caused by reverberation signals can be reduced or eliminated by attenuating signals received during the time period corresponding to the blind zone without. In an implementation, an attenuator circuit is selected by a switch to process received signals during the blind zone time period and deselected by the switch after the time zone time period. Additionally, the accuracy and range of the measurement can be improved by varying the gain provided to the received signals based on the varying measuring distance. In an implementation, a gain-adjustable amplifier is controlled by a gain control signal to provide incremental gain as time increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Wancheng Zhou, Liming Huang
  • Patent number: 9185199
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting acoustic processing in a communication device, and capturing at least one acoustic signal using acoustic hardware of the communication device, characterizing an acoustic environment external to the communication device using the at least one captured acoustic signal, adapting acoustic processing within the communication device based on the characterized acoustic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Robert A Zurek, Joel A Clark, Joseph C Dwyer, Juan C Garcia, Plamen A Ivanov, Rivanaldo S Oliveira, Snehitha Singaraju, Jincheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20140293747
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to gate an ultrasonic emitter operation includes a housing including the ultrasonic emitter, where the ultrasonic emitter is operable to periodically transmit an ultrasonic pulse of a predefined frequency. A microphone circuit is disposed in the housing, such that the microphone circuit is operable to receive a reflected ultrasonic signal derived from the transmitted ultrasonic pulse. A controller is coupled to the emitter and the microphone circuit, where the controller operable to gate the operation of the emitter to an OFF state based on at least one measured parameter of the reflected ultrasonic signal. The parameters can include a Doppler measurement and a distance measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell E. Calvarese
  • Patent number: 8842494
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing motion of a surface comprises a stabilized platform comprising a support structure and a moveable mass resiliently suspended with respect to the support structure; a transmitter transducer and a receiver transducer mounted on the moveable mass, the transmitter transducer arranged to transmit an acoustic wave towards the surface, and the receiver transducer arranged to receive a reflected wave from the surface, and detection means for measuring motion of the surface based on a Doppler shift in the reflected wave. The detection means may comprise an amplifier arranged to receive a Doppler modulated signal from the receiver transducer, and a phase detector arranged to receive an amplified signal from the amplifier and to provide a demodulated output signal indicative of the motion of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Entec Integrated Technologies
    Inventor: Elio Poggiagliolmi
  • Patent number: 8823578
    Abstract: A driving assist apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The driving assist apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting a transmission wave, a receiver for receiving a reflected wave, an obstacle presence determination section for detecting a presence of an obstacle in the surrounding of the vehicle based on the reflected wave, a measurement section for measuring a frequency of phase delay and advance of the reflected wave with respect to a reference signal, and a detection section for detecting the obstacle having a specific relation with the vehicle based on the presence of the obstacle determined by the obstacle presence determination section and the frequency of delay and the frequency of advance measured by the measurement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hattori, Mitsuyasu Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8824242
    Abstract: Systems, methods, articles of manufacture and apparatus are disclosed to calculate distance from audio sources. An example method disclosed herein includes receiving, at the reference audio collecting device, a first radio frequency (RF) signal from the portable audio collecting device, in response to receiving the RF signal, storing ambient audio to a memory as reference data samples, each of the reference data samples associated with an indication of a respective time of acquisition, and receiving a second RF signal containing portable data samples of the ambient audio, each of the portable data samples associated with an indication of a respective time of acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Morris Lee
  • Patent number: 8767510
    Abstract: A method for controlling ultrasonic transducers of an ultrasonic probe for inspecting an object includes: iterated at least twice, receiving from the transducers new measurement signals; measuring echoes due to reflections of ultrasonic waves on the object, the ultrasonic waves having emission delays with respect to one another, the emission delays having been determined from initial emission delays and all complementary emission delays determined previously; determining new complementary emission delays from the new measurement signals; controlling the transducers so they emit ultrasonic waves to the object, the ultrasonic waves having emission delays with respect to one another, the emission delays having been determined from the initial emission delays and all the complementary emission delays determined previously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Sebastien Robert, Oliver Casula, Arnaud Nadim
  • Publication number: 20140146640
    Abstract: An information terminal device (100) comprises a light source (171) that directs light at a display face on which a display component (110) is disposed, an object detecting sensor (170) that receives light from the display face, and a controller (300) that determines whether or not a sheet (180) has been affixed to the display face on the basis of the output from the object detecting sensor (170).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Matsuoka, Takashi Watanabe, Tetsuhiro Kaya
  • Publication number: 20140140175
    Abstract: An ultrasonic image processing apparatus includes a trackball module configured to receive a control command from a user, and a controller configured to generate a control command for the trackball module and transfers the generated control signal to the trackball module. The trackball module includes a trackball configured to receive a control command from a user, and a lighting device. The lighting device includes a light source, an optical passage bent at least once to provide an optical path through which light emitted from the light source passes while being reflected at least once, and a light exit opening defined at one end of the optical passage from which light passing through the optical passage is emitted to an outside of the lighting device. The light exit opening is defined around the trackball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Sik SONG, Soon Deok KIM, Sung Hyeok WON, Gil-ju JIN
  • Patent number: 8699299
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an acoustic distance measurement system can dynamically adjust its measurement frequency to a frequency that is within a preselected bandwidth of the resonant frequency of an acoustic transducer used in making acoustic distance measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Pavel Horsky, Ivan Koudar, Tomas Suchy
  • Patent number: 8686326
    Abstract: In certain aspects, this invention is a “control system” that detects and minimizes (or otherwise optimizes) an angle between vehicle centerline (or other reference axis) and vehicle velocity vector—as for JDAM penetration. Preferably detection is exclusively by optical flow (which herein encompasses sonic and other imaging), without data influence by navigation. In other aspects, the invention is a “guidance system”, with optical-flow subsystem to detect an angle between the vehicle velocity vector and line of sight to a destination—either a desired or an undesired destination. Here, vehicle trajectory is adjusted in response to detected angle, for optimum angle, e.g. to either home in on a desired destination or avoid an undesired destination (or rendezvous), and follow a path that's ideal for the particular mission—preferably by controlling an autopilot or applying information from navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Arete Associates
    Inventors: John C. Dennison, David C. Campion
  • Publication number: 20140029384
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a transmitter 6 for transmitting ultrasonic signals, a receiver 8 for receiving reflections 20 of said ultrasonic signals, wherein the device is adapted to control a function thereof in dependence on said received reflections, the device further comprising means for providing to a user an indication 14 of the presence of signals or noise which could interfere with said reflections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Tobias Gulden DAHL, Cato SYVERSRUD, Hans Jørgen BANG
  • Patent number: 8593908
    Abstract: A method, which allows, in an acoustic pulse-echo ranging system, the direct use of a digitized raw echo signal for correlation-based echo distance estimation, where an acoustic pulse having a carrier frequency is transmitted, a digital expected echo shape is provided with a time resolution higher than the carrier frequency, an echo is received from the acoustic pulse, the received echo is sampled and digitized at a sampling frequency higher than the carrier frequency, correlation values are created from the digitized received echo and the digital expected echo shape, the correlation values are weighted by emphasizing stronger correlation values, and the echo distance is determined from the center of mass of the weighted values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Edson Ferreira, Jean-René Larocque
  • Patent number: 8576664
    Abstract: A moving object detection system is provided with an existence detection part, an integrating part and an existence judgment part. Based on first and second detection signals, the existence detection part calculates a rotation angle of each transition factor that is obtained from the first and second detection signals and rotates around the origin in a two-dimensional coordinate system. The existence detection part is configured so that the rotation angle becomes less than 90 degrees. The integrating part integrates each rotation angle to obtain an integrated angle. The existence judgment part judges whether or not a moving object approaching or leaving a receiver of the device exists in a detection area based on the integrated angle and a threshold angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiro Kasano, Toshimasa Takagi, Hidehiko Fujikawa, Toru Mugiuda
  • Patent number: 8528408
    Abstract: A passage detection apparatus is configured to detect the change in the properties (propagation state of sound wave, dielectric constant, etc.) of a specific space, which changes according to the passage of an object in the specific space and the size of the object. The passage detection apparatus includes a pair of detection units and configured to transmit and receive signals to and from an external device. The specific space is formed by the space between the detection unit and the detection unit. The detection unit is supported by a first substrate. The detection unit is supported by a second substrate that is parallel to the first substrate, and arranged at the position corresponding to the detection unit supported by the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ohnishi, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Shuhei Fujita
  • Publication number: 20130215721
    Abstract: A positioning system for detecting the position of a cleansing device is provided. The positioning system includes a cleansing device and a base station. The cleansing device includes a controlling unit, a cleaning module, a first emitting unit, and a second emitting unit. The controlling unit controls cleansing operation performed on a cleansing region taken care by the cleaning module, controls the first emitting unit to emit an initial signal, and controls the second emitting unit to emit an ultrasonic signal. The base station includes a first receiving unit, two second receiving units, and a computing unit. The first receiving unit receives the initial signal. The second receiving units receive the ultrasonic signal. The computing unit computes the position of the cleansing device according to the initial signal received and the point in time when the ultrasonic signal is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Gary LI
  • Patent number: 8488411
    Abstract: A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is located away from the handset receiver and serves to pick up voice of a near end user of the device for transmission to the other party during a call. Another microphone is located near the handset receiver and serves to pick up acoustic output of the handset receiver (a far end signal). A signal processor measures the frequency response of the receiver. The signal processor performs spectral analysis of the receiver frequency response to determine whether or not the device is being held at the ear of the user. On that basis, the device automatically changes its operating mode, e.g., turns on or off a touch sensitive display screen during the call. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jae Lee, Chad G. Seguin, Benjamin John Pope
  • Patent number: 8483012
    Abstract: A controlling method for ultra-sound sensor is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring a distance of an obstacle, determining whether the distance is smaller than a distance threshold, and adjusting a driving voltage if the distance is smaller than the distance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lite-On It Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Wen Hu, Yi-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 8451689
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultrasonic apparatus with an adjustable horn. The ultrasonic apparatus comprises a transmission device, a horn and an ultrasonic transceiver device. The horn and the transmission device are geared by a helical gear. The ultrasonic transceiver device is connected to the end of the helical gear. When the transmission device moves the horn to a first position, the ultrasonic transceiver device is applied for on/off control; while the transmission device moves the horn to a second position, the ultrasonic sensor is applied for digital control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Lite-On It Corporation
    Inventors: Tzu-Nan Chen, Yi-Min Lin
  • Patent number: 8451690
    Abstract: A control method for use with a lighting system is provided. The lighting system includes a light source and an ultrasonic transceiver. The control method includes steps of: measuring the time of an ultrasonic signal emitted from the ultrasonic transceiver and reflected by the object to reach the ultrasonic sensor to obtain a time of flight; calculating a distance between the object and the ultrasonic transceiver according to the time of flight; defining at least one control region according to the distance; and moving the object to the control region, thereby performing a controlling operation corresponding to the control region and adjusting an optical characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Lite-On It Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng-Fa Hou, Tzu-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 8432770
    Abstract: A method for detecting the surface character of objects in road traffic or of persons, especially pedestrians, vehicles, obstacles and the like, in which signals are emitted from a vehicle that are reflected by a person or an object, and in which the reflected signals are received and evaluated in the vehicle, wherein the emitted signals are transmit pulses whose echo pulses are received, and based on the signal characteristics of the echo pulses, the surface character is inferred, and from that, it is inferred whether a person or an object is positioned in front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Zott, Soenke Carstens-Behrens, Claudia Zehder, Jacek Kaminski
  • Publication number: 20130094329
    Abstract: A human-machine interface system adapted to track movement of an object in air is disclosed. In one aspect, the human-machine interface includes an acoustic transmitter, an acoustic receiver, and logic configured to apply a calculated inverse matrix of an impulse signal transmitted by the acoustic transmitter to a signal received by the acoustic receiver, wherein movement of the object is used to control the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Elliptic Laboratories AS
    Inventor: Elliptic Laboratories AS
  • Publication number: 20130083629
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling a state of operation of an ultrasound detecting system is provided. The apparatus comprises a first sensor disposed in a probe of the ultrasound detecting system and connected to a device main body, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect if the probe is being operated, and a control unit configured to control the state of operation of the ultrasound detecting system based on the detecting results of the first sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Compan
  • Patent number: 8401513
    Abstract: Proximity sensor, particularly for usage in an electronic mobile device, comprising at least one acoustic transducer adapted for receiving acoustic signals at least in parts of the frequency range of human audible sound and emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals for proximity estimation. The acoustic transducer preferably is a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) microphone. Further, a method in an electronic device comprising an acoustic transducer is provided comprising the steps of generating at least one electric signal in the frequency range of ultrasonic sound, emitting at least one ultrasonic signal by means of the acoustic transducer; receiving at least one ultrasonic signal by means of the acoustic transducer; deducing from the at least one emitted ultrasonic signal and the at least one received ultrasonic signal at least the delay between emission of the emitted ultrasonic signal and reception of the corresponding ultrasonic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Geert Langereis, Twan van Lippen, Peter Dirksen, Frank Pasveer
  • Publication number: 20120218867
    Abstract: Provided is an electromechanical transducer which is capable of correcting or compensating a fluctuation in the transmission/reception characteristics of an elastic wave transmitting/receiving unit due to applied pressure. The electromechanical transducer (102) which transmits/receives elastic waves such as ultrasound includes the elastic wave transmitting/receiving unit (201) for transmitting/receiving elastic waves, a pressure detecting unit (203) for detecting pressure that is applied to the elastic wave transmitting/receiving unit, and a correcting unit (204). Based on pressure information which is detected by the pressure detecting unit, the correcting unit performs at least one of a correction of elastic wave transmitted/received signals relevant to the elastic wave transmitting/receiving unit and a correction of the transmission/reception characteristics of the elastic wave transmitting/receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Kandori, Masao Majima
  • Patent number: 8189429
    Abstract: A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is located away from the handset receiver and serves to pick up voice of a near end user of the device for transmission to the other party during a call. Another microphone is located near the handset receiver and serves to pick up acoustic output of the handset receiver (a far end signal). A signal processor measures the frequency response of the receiver. The signal processor performs spectral analysis of the receiver frequency response to determine whether or not the device is being held at the ear of the user. On that basis, the device automatically changes its operating mode, e.g., turns on or off a touch sensitive display screen during the call. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jae Lee, Chad G. Seguin, Benjamin John Pope
  • Patent number: 8164437
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a range reduction detection apparatus that is able to detect blocking of its field of view. Detection of an event, due to movement or intrusion within the field of view, is arranged to start a timer, which will time-out thereby providing an indication of such blocking unless a subsequent event is detected within the time-period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Pyronix Limited
    Inventor: Glyn Cooper
  • Publication number: 20120069711
    Abstract: A terminal device includes an orientation calculating unit that calculates the orientation of a device with respect to the target. Furthermore, the terminal device also includes a degree-of-processing determining unit that determines the degree of processing related to an attribute of a sound that indicates the target in accordance with the orientation calculated by the orientation calculating unit. Furthermore, the terminal device also includes an output control unit that controls an output of a sound in accordance with the degree of processing determined by the degree-of-processing determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kaori ENDO, Yoshiteru TSUCHINAGA
  • Patent number: 8100013
    Abstract: A passage detection apparatus is configured to detect the change in the properties (propagation state of sound wave, dielectric constant, etc.) of a specific space, which changes according to the passage of an object in the specific space and the size of the object. The passage detection apparatus includes a pair of detection units and configured to transmit and receive signals to and from an external device. The specific space is formed by the space between the detection unit and the detection unit. The detection unit is supported by a first substrate. The detection unit is supported by a second substrate that is parallel to the first substrate, and arranged at the position corresponding to the detection unit supported by the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ohnishi, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Shuhei Fujita
  • Patent number: 8089393
    Abstract: An exemplary system and method are for tracking a target in a decentralised network having a plurality of sensing nodes. Each node makes observations of a target, performs a multiple models tracking algorithm based on the observations, and updates tracking information stored therein. Each node communicates the updated track information to selected other nodes in the network. In response to receiving track information from another node, each node fuses the receiving track information with local track information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventors: Eric William Nettleton, Christopher Mark Lloyd
  • Patent number: 8018793
    Abstract: An edge detecting apparatus for using in an automatic device and configured for detecting edges of a surface on which the automatic device moves is provided. The edge detecting apparatus includes an emitter, a guiding member, and a receiver. The emitter is configured for emitting projecting signal. The guiding member is around the automatic device. The guiding member and the surface define a signal channel, and the signal channel is configured for guiding the projecting signal to travel around the automatic device, if no edge of the surface exists under the signal channel. The receiver is configured for receiving the projecting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kim-Yeung Sip
  • Publication number: 20110122728
    Abstract: An operating method adapted in an ultra-sound sensor is provided. The method includes the steps of emitting an ultra-sound wave, receiving a crosstalk signal within a crosstalk measuring window, determining whether the crosstalk signal is larger than a crosstalk threshold and triggering a crosstalk application if the crosstalk signal is smaller than the crosstalk threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: LITE-ON IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuan-Hung LIAO, Chao-Wen Hu, Tzu-Nan Chen
  • Publication number: 20110032799
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, a method for testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device coupled with the acoustic system via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. The signal can include a pattern of pulses. At least one pulse from the pattern of pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device. A response to the signal from the acoustic system can be provided by generating an echo pulse with the testing device based on the detected at least one pulse. The echo pulse can mimic a response to the detected at least one pulse for a selected acoustic probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Sonora Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Wayne Moore, James M. Gessert, John G. Timms, Matthew Fitzgibbons
  • Patent number: 7805247
    Abstract: Systems and methods in which data compression techniques are utilized to fill a predetermined channel capacity are shown. According to one configuration, event data points within test data are selected for communication via the data communication channel and a data decimator is utilized to identify other data points within the test data to fill or substantially fill the predetermined channel capacity. The foregoing data decimator may employ one or more variables for selecting data for communication, wherein one or more of the variables are preferably adjusted in decimator iterations to select an optimum or otherwise desirable subset of data for communication. Data decimators may additionally or alternatively implement a suitable “growth” function to select the particular data for communication and/or the amount of data communicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kai Hsu, Julian J. Pop
  • Patent number: 7764782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus route telecommunication calls depending on a detected approach of a user towards a telecommunication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Marc William Joseph Coughlan, Alexander Quentin Forbes, Julian James Orbach, Peter Donald Runcie, Alexander Martin Scholte, Ralph Warta
  • Patent number: 7707887
    Abstract: A passage detection apparatus is configured to detect the change in the properties (propagation state of sound wave, dielectric constant, etc.) of a specific space, which changes according to the passage of an object in the specific space and the size of the object. The passage detection apparatus includes a pair of detection units configured to transmit and receive signals to and from an external device. The specific space is formed by the space between the first detection unit and the second detection unit. The first detection unit is supported by a first substrate. The second detection unit is supported by a second substrate that is parallel to the first substrate, and arranged at the position corresponding to the first detection unit supported by the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ohnishi, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Shuhei Fujita
  • Publication number: 20090213694
    Abstract: A method for detecting the surface character of objects in road traffic or of persons, especially pedestrians, vehicles, obstacles and the like, in which signals are emitted from a vehicle that are reflected by a person or an object, and in which the reflected signals are received and evaluated in the vehicle, wherein the emitted signals are transmit pulses whose echo pulses are received, and based on the signal characteristics of the echo pulses, the surface character is inferred, and from that, it is inferred whether a person or an object is positioned in front of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Christian Zott, Soenke Carstens-Behrens, Claudia Zehder, Jacek Kaminski
  • Patent number: 7525875
    Abstract: Methods for mitigating errors in velocity estimates obtained from correlation SONARs when the SONARs are operated over irregular ocean-bottom terrain are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony L. Scoca, James G. Huber, Jerry Gabriel Klein
  • Patent number: 7502712
    Abstract: A preventive defect detection and control process for a mass produced composite material parts automatically obtains representative parameters of backwall and intermediate echo signal results in each cell of a mesh predefined on the parts, stores the parameters in a database and statistically analyzes the stored parameters for detecting isolated and significant alterations in the parts manufacturing process generating porosity defects, detecting slow and permanent alterations in the parts manufacturing process generating porosity defects or detecting areas with a negligible defect generation probability in order to identify areas susceptible of inspection by sampling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Airbus Espana S.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Maria Mateo Martinez
  • Publication number: 20080262351
    Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging utilizes microbeamforming within a transducer probe in electrical communication with a base ultrasound system. The transducer elements are arranged in sub-arrays or subsets, and the transducer includes a cross-point/summation switch in communication with each sub-array, and the base ultrasound system. In the microbeamforming operation, the signals received at the receiving elements comprising a sub-array are summed to generate a composite sub-array signal for same sub-array, and a set of composite sub-array signals corresponding to a particular receive beamforming pattern is defined using a signal controlling the output of the cross-point switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventor: Steven A. Scampini