Abstract: A portable data tag method, device and system for identifying a location of a data tag. The method comprises reading the data tag by a portable data tag reader device; determining, by a processor in operative communication with the reader device, a location of the portable data tag reader device; determining, by the processor, a read zone of the portable data tag reader device, relative to the location of the portable data tag reader device; and determining, by the processor, the location of the data tag using the location of the portable data tag reader device and the read zone of the portable data tag reader device.

Abstract: A vehicle obstacle detection device includes a sensor that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and a controller that instructs the sensor to transmit the ultrasonic waves. The controller compares amplitude of reflected waves received by the sensor with a threshold to determine presence or absence of an obstacle. The controller includes a voltage monitoring unit that detects a power supply voltage. The controller more reduces the threshold as the power supply voltage detected by the voltage monitoring unit is lower.

Abstract: A method for pre-determining an underwater objects GPS position using a rotatable scan sonar unit linked to a boat, magnetic compass and GPS receiver. This system determines the underwater objects GPS position using the objects distance, compass heading and a GPS receiver/sonar on a boat. This system will provide real time longitude and latitude positions of underwater objects seen with sonar at a distance from a boat, and will allow for precise autopilot navigation or fixed position fishing. The system can also be used to correct for GPS errors when using previously stored waypoints positions of an object. The computer determines an objects underwater GPS position using a sonar transducer and mounted on a 360 degree movable mechanism such as a trolling motor unit, or phased array of transducers and a compass to provide heading information and formulates the objects position based on the distance and heading of the object in relation to the boats current GPS position.

Abstract: A device for determining a filling level in a container, with a stillwell which has an entry opening and a vent opening, an ultrasonic transducer arranged in the base region of the stillwell and at least one pre-chamber. The pre-chamber has an inlet opening to the container and an outlet opening to the entry opening of the Stillwell. The pre-chamber of the device has a second outlet opening that opens out in a lead-off arrangement. By the lead-off arrangement, foamed medium flowing in quickly and suddenly into the pre-chamber of the device does not arrive into the measurement section of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: The complex movements performed by the various components carrying a bucket that performs earth moving work are monitored by means of ultrasound devices relating lengths and angles obtained during a calibration step and instant measurements in a processing unit in order to output either a visual indication of the position of the bucket or signals for automatic control of a digging or other earth-moving operation.

Abstract: Wireless location identification systems, methods, and devices include a wireless device configured to transmit at least one sonic signal operating on at least one acoustic frequency and to receive at least one echo signal indicative of the at least one sonic signal being reflected by objects in a current location, an audio module configured to measure the received at least one echo signal and process the at least one echo signal to extract attributes of the echo signal and generate at least one echo profile characteristic; and logic configured to compare the at least one profile characteristic with previously-stored sonic characteristics that are correlated with pre-identified locations. The current location is then identified as a pre-identified location correlated to the previously-stored sonic characteristics that match the at least one profile characteristic.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a test signal generator (401) which generates an ultrasonic test signal by modulating an audio band test signal on an ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic test signal is radiated from a parametric loudspeaker (403) and is demodulated by non-linearities in the air. A reflected audio signal may arise from reflections of an object, such as a wall. An audio band sensor (405) generates an audio band captured signal which comprises the demodulated reflected audio band signal. A distance circuit (407) then generates a distance estimate for the distance from the parametric loudspeaker (403) to the object in response to a comparison of the audio band captured signal and the audio band test signal. Specifically two signals may be correlated to determine a delay corresponding to the full path length. Based on the distance estimates an audio environment may be estimated and a sound system may be adapted accordingly.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods for downhole acoustic logging. The tool may be used for generating a guided borehole wave that propagates into the formation as a body wave, reflects from an interface, and is converted back into a guided borehole wave. Guided borehole waves resulting from reflection of the body wave are used to image a reflector. Methods may include processing of acoustic logging signals including: wavefield separation, auto-correlation of wavefield components, filtering using a dip filter, and estimating a distance to the reflective interface.

Abstract: The present invention applies model-based processing to a sensor output from a sensor such as a sonar, radar, or laser range finder. In particular, embodiments of the invention use a priori knowledge of a model signal return expected from a particular object to identify the location of the object relative to the sensor (and/or vice versa). In some embodiments the object is augmented with reflectors that return the sensor signal back towards the sensor so that the object can be more easily detected by the sensor. In preferred embodiments the reflectors are arranged in an a priori known pattern on the object, to help identify both the location and the orientation of the object with respect to the sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor is a sonar, mounted on an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

Abstract: The invention relates to a nondestructive testing device for detecting possible thickness anomalies (Ve) of a wall (P), this device comprising a sensor (1) including means (11) for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and acoustic coupling means (2). The sensor according to the invention comprises a rigid enclosure (12, 13) sealingly defining a free internal volume (10), and the coupling means (2) comprise a solid coupling body (21) belonging to the enclosure, and a coupling liquid (L) disposed in the free internal volume (10) and in which the emitting and receiving means (11) soak.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for passive determination of target data (R, K, V) associated with a target from measured and estimated bearing angles. The measured bearing angles (4) are determined by a sonar receiving installation (2) by directionally selective reception of sound waves which are emitted or sent from a target, and the estimated bearing angles are determined from estimated positions of the target. The bearing angle differences from estimated and measured bearing angles are minimized iteratively over a plurality of processing cycles, and a position of the target, on which the minimum is based, is determined as the optimized solution (12). Furthermore, limit values (10) are defined for the target data (R, K, V) to be determined, in order to exclude unrealistic target data as solutions.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device for determination of a position of an object by means ultrasonic waves, comprising at least one ultrasonic sensor for receiving ultrasonic signals from the object and computing means for computing the position of the object based on the received ultrasonic signals. At least one laser unit for generating a pulsed laser beam is provided, wherein said pulsed laser beam being directed to the object and adapted to cause at a surface of the object vibrations, by which the object is excited to generate ultrasonic signals. The invention also relates to a method for determination of a position of an object by means of ultrasonic waves, wherein by at least one ultrasonic sensor ultrasonic signals are received from the object, and based on the received ultrasonic signals, the position of the object is computed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound measurement assembly (10) and an according method for performing an ultrasound measurement. It is intended to drive an ultrasound transmitter element (18) for transmitting ultrasound waves, with a driving signal having a plurality of different driving frequencies simultaneously. Herein a driving least one corresponding ultrasound transmitter element (18): unit (12) is generating at least one driving signal (20) for at As an effect each ultrasound transmitter element (18) will generate a multidirectional ultrasound wave. Additionally it is intended to design a driving signal 20 in a way, that an overall ultrasound beam comprises individual frequency spectra in different spatial directions (22). If a part of overall ultrasound beam is reflected, a sensing signal (30) is generated by a sensing unit (28). The sensing signal (30) is comprised an individual frequency spectrum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining room dimensions and layout. A method includes receiving an audio signal from at least one other detection apparatus. The method includes determining a spatial orientation of a detection apparatus along a substantially planar surface. The method includes calculating at least one dimension along the planar surface based in part on the received audio signal and the determined spatial orientation of the detection apparatus. Methods and apparatus are provided for determining room layout. The method includes detecting a mobile object in a first room. The method includes receiving an indication of detection of the mobile object in a second room subsequent to the detection in the first room. The method includes providing an indication that the first and second rooms are adjacent rooms based on the detection of the mobile object in the second room subsequent to the detection in the first room.

Abstract: An electronics unit and a method for a filling-level measuring device for determining a filling level. The unit including an arithmetic unit determining a functional relationship between a distance between a filling material surface and the filling-level measuring device and an amplitude of a signal component reflected by the filling material surface and received by the filling-level measuring device; an amplitude profiler creating a profile of amplitude values of filling level echoes which have been measured so far; and an amplitude evaluator determining an expected amplitude of the filling level echo at a particular location with help of the profile of amplitude values.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across a surface and that travels down the surface. The detection system converts the return signals from a time domain to a frequency domain, resulting in frequency return signals. The detection system then performs a singular value decomposition for each frequency to identify singular values for each frequency. The detection system then detects the presence of a subsurface object based on a comparison of the identified singular values to expected singular values when no subsurface object is present.

Abstract: A vehicle with an accident prevention system is disclosed. The vehicle also has a foot brake for stopping the vehicle. The system includes a sensor arrangement for sensing an object behind a rear end of the vehicle that generates an object recognition signal when it senses an object within range behind the vehicle. The sensor arrangement includes passive IR sensors or reflected pulse sensors such as sonar or radar sensors on the rear end. A controller generates an accident prevention response signal on receiving an object recognition signal from the sensor arrangement. A brake applicator is operatively coupled to the brake to stop the vehicle when the controller generates a response signal. Conveniently the system includes an alarm for sounding an alarm signal. A method for preventing an accident where a vehicle which is reversing at low speed collides with a person is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the geometry and/or the localisation of an object comprising the steps of: sending one or more signals by using one transmitter; receiving by one or more receivers the transmitted signals and the echoes of the transmitted signals as reflected by one or more reflective surfaces building by a computing module a first Euclidean Distance Matrix (EDM) comprising the mutual positions of the receivers; adding to the EDM matrix a new row and a new column, the new row and a new column comprising time of arrivals of said echoes and computing its rank or distance to an EDM matrix determining the geometry and/or the position of the object based on said rank or distance.

Abstract: A parking space monitoring device that calculates a parking space with higher accuracy. The parking space monitoring device includes an obstacle detection unit (2, 3, 4) that uses a relative distance (Ri) and relative angle (?i) between an obstacle (Cp) near a vehicle (1) and the vehicle to detect a relative position (Pi(R1, ?i)) of the obstacle with respect to the vehicle, a memory (8) that stores the relative position (Pi) detected by the obstacle detection unit in association with movement information of the vehicle, and a parking space calculation unit (7) that calculates a parking space based on the relative information (Pi) and the movement information that are stored in the memory.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for rotational alignment and attachment of ultrasonic transducers to a barrier with one submerged surface uses a temporary transducer assembly to position mounting rings on opposite surfaces of the barrier. Plural permanent transducers are then mounted to each mounting ring and are aligned with each other across the barrier by virtue of the alignment of their mounting rings. The submerged mounting ring is used like a cylinder in combination with a mounting plate for the transducers on the submerged side of the barrier or each submerged side transducer has a suction cup fitting for use to exclude water from between each transducer and the submerged barrier surface to facilitate bonding of the submerged side transducers to the barrier.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring wear in the lining of a vessel in which undirected radiation signals are transmitted by at least two transmitters at known positions to a receiver at the device for measuring wear. The distances between the transmitters and receiver are determined based on the time of flight of the radiation between the transmitters and receiver. The location of the receiver at the measuring device is determined to be at a point on an arc of points at the distance calculated based on the time of flight of the signal from each of the transmitters to the receiver. The receiver is determined to be at the intersection of the two arcs of points at the distance calculated based on the time of flight of the signal from the each of the transmitters.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information about the positions of sources in a marine seismic source array that has N seismic sources, including at least Nunique types of sources that are nominally non-identical to one another, where 1?Nunique?N?1. The method comprises measuring the pressure field at M independent locations of the N sources, where M>Nunique, and obtaining information about the positions of sources from the M pressure measurements and from the constraint that at least two of the sources are nominally identical to one another.

Abstract: An object detection method using ultrasonic waves includes: emitting a plurality of ultrasonic signals sequentially according to a time interval; sensing a sound wave formed by each of the ultrasonic signals to generate a reflected signal; and analyzing the reflected signal to detect at least one reflection object. It can be clearly known whether a reflection object is appearing, moving and the moving direction by the method.

Abstract: Estimating the impulse response of a channel by providing an initial signal (20); applying a time-shift function to the initial signal (20) to produce a transmit signal (36); transmitting the transmit signal (36); receiving a received signal; calculating an impulse response from the received signal as if the received signal had been produced by the initial signal; and using the impulse response to distinguish between received signals arising from reflections from objects (6) at different ranges.

Abstract: Disclosed is a displacement estimating method of iteratively estimating displacement using ultrasound signals, and the method includes: transmitting, to a medium, at least one of the ultrasound signals to scan the medium; receiving the ultrasound signal reflected from the scanned medium; calculating a size of a window; calculating a border of the window based on the calculated window size; estimating displacement for each depth of the ultrasound signal, using the window with the calculated border; warping the ultrasound signal based on the estimated displacement; and guiding convergence of the method using the warped ultrasound signal so that a correlation value of the ultrasound signal is larger.

Abstract: An ultrasound sensor for distance detection includes a transducer external surface and a blockage sensor provided on the transducer external surface. The surface of the blockage sensor terminates flush with the transducer external surface and is sensitive to an electrical characteristic or is sensitive to a temperature present at the blockage sensor surface. In this way, the blockage sensor can determine whether the ultrasound transducer is blocked by a layer of ice or whether the sensor is free of blockage.

Abstract: A device for measuring the body height of a person. In the area of an inner border of a building room at least one emitter for emitting a primary signal and at least one sensor for picking up a measuring signal are arranged. The emitter, as well as the sensor, is coupled to a control device. The control device is coupled to a display device.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for an integrated circuit that is designed to serve as the basis of SONAR sensors that provide high sensitivity, low noise, low cost, and electronically adjustable gain in a small package may incorporate transducer drivers and signal sensing functions. Electronically programmable gain of the circuit may provide flexibility in system designs for gain management, and eliminate a need for manual gain adjustments in production. Power may be supplied to the sensor(s) over a power line of the circuit from a direct current source through a resistor. The same line may also be used for communicating with the sensor(s). Data from the microcontroller may be transmitted to the sensor(s) using an open-drain driver transistor and received through another transistor isolating the micro-controller's input from potentially high voltages present on the power line.

Abstract: A method for measuring a mechanical property of a subject includes using an ultrasonic transducer to apply ultrasonic vibration pulses to a vibration origin in the subject in an on-off time sequence in order to impart a harmonic motion at a prescribed frequency to the subject, and when the vibration pulses are off, preferably using the same transducer to apply ultrasonic detection pulses to a motion detection point and to receive echo signals therefrom in order to sense the harmonic motion on the subject at the motion detection point The ultrasonic detection pulses are interspersed with the vibration pulses and can be applied in a non-uniform manner From the received ultrasonic echo signals, a harmonic signal is detected and a characteristic such as amplitude or phase of the detected harmonic signal is calculated using a Kalman filter or interpolation.

Abstract: A method for detecting a spatial position of an indicator object by using sound waves. The method is adapted to be used with a sound wave transceiver device and a plurality of sound wave receiving devices. The method includes steps of: obtaining a relative position of the sound wave transceiver device to each one of the sound wave receiving devices; obtaining a plurality of reflection times respectively indicating time periods from the sound wave transceiver device emitting the sound wave to the sound wave transceiver device and the sound wave receiving devices receiving the reflected sound wave from the indicator object; and calculating a position of the indicator object according to the relative positions and the reflection times. A system for detecting a spatial position of an indicator object by using sound waves is also provided.

Abstract: A target detection device includes: a sound source which projects a sound pulse; a transducer array disposed in a region for receiving a forward scattered wave from an object in the propagation environment; an addition processing unit which extracts only a signal of the forward scattered wave by applying vector addition processing on a reference signal in a reference sound field received when an obstacle exists in the propagation environment and a mixed signal in a mixed sound field received when the target exists with the obstacle; a phase conjugation determination unit which checks whether a phase conjugacy is established by receiving the signal of the extracted forward scattered wave and employing a passive phase conjugation for determining the reference sound field; and a time reversal processing unit which generates a time reversal signal on condition that the phase conjugation determination unit judges that the phase conjugacy is established.

Abstract: In the use of a backhoe digger an indication of the precise depth of the bucket is required. This may be done by measuring the angles and extensions of the elements of the backhoe and calculating the result. This is commonly done by means of angle resolvers and linear encoders. Retro-fitting and calibration of such equipment is very difficult, and according to the invention the same data may be obtained by means of an inclinometer and length measuring devices based on pulsed ultrasound.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a sonar sensor includes the sonar sensor provided with a detection plane for detecting a distance to an object by sending an ultrasound from the detection plane and receiving a reflective wave reflected by the object, a resin member in which a hole is formed and on which the sonar sensor is mounted, and a holder that has a cover for covering the detection plane and holds the sonar sensor. The sonar sensor is installed in the holder. The holder is attached to the resin member so that the cover is inserted into the hole from an inside of the resin member and an outer surface of the cover is made flush-surfaced with an outer surface of the resin member. At least the cover is made of resin in the holder. According to the mounting structure, painting cost can be reduced by commonalizing painting materials.

Abstract: A method for operating a surroundings detection system of a vehicle having at least two transceiver units, at least one transceiver unit emitting signals, and the at least two transceiver units receiving echo signals of the emitted signals, the echo signals being reflected by reflection sources situated in a detection range of the transceiver units. It is provided that received wave pulses and corresponding amplitude information are ascertained from the received echo signals, and upon receipt of the received wave pulses originating from at least two different reflection sources, an assignment of different received wave pulses of a first transceiver unit to different received wave pulses of a second transceiver unit is performed, taking into account the amplitude information, so that a spatial position of the at least two different reflection sources is ascertainable. Also described is a surroundings detection system and a computer program configured for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention applies model-based processing to a sensor output from a sensor such as a sonar, radar, or laser range finder. In particular, embodiments of the invention use a priori knowledge of a model signal return expected from a particular object to identify the location of the object relative to the sensor (and/or vice versa). In some embodiments the object is augmented with reflectors that return the sensor signal back towards the sensor so that the object can be more easily detected by the sensor. In preferred embodiments the reflectors are arranged in an a priori known pattern on the object, to help identify both the location and the orientation of the object with respect to the sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor is a sonar, mounted on an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

Abstract: A portable sonar imaging system includes a portable electronic device, a sonic transducer, and a portable sonar data preprocessing device. The portable sonar data preprocessing device includes a transducer adapter for connecting to a sonic transducer and further includes a portable sonar data preprocessing device interface for communicating with the portable electronic device. The portable sonar data preprocessing device receives analog sonar data from the sonic transducer, converts the analog sonar data to digital sonar data, and provides the digital sonar data to a portable electronic device interface of the portable electronic device through the portable sonar data preprocessing device interface. In turn, the portable electronic device generates a graphical image based on the digital sonar data and displays the graphical image on a display screen of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a height of an agricultural equipment component is provided. An average crop height is determined. In one embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from a current top of crop level. If a current top of crop level cannot be determined, a virtual top of crop level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from the virtual top of crop level. In another embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from current ground level. If a current ground level cannot be determined, a virtual ground level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from said virtual ground level. An ultrasonic sensor is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an echolocation module configured to determine a distance to the object based on the received sound signal reflected from an object. The echolocation module determines surroundings based on the determined distance. A processor is configured to modify one or more attributes of the apparatus based on the determined surroundings.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sound image localization apparatus includes following units. The first signal generating unit is configured to generate a first acoustic signal. The first speaker is configured to generate a first sound according to the first acoustic signal. The input unit is configured to input a localization magnification n. The first control filter unit is configured to adjust the first acoustic signal with a first control filter G1 calculated based on the input localization magnification n to generate a first adjusted acoustic signal. The second control filter unit is configured to adjust the first acoustic signal with a second control filter G2 calculated based on the input localization magnification n to generate a second adjusted acoustic signal. The second and third speakers are configured to generate second and third sounds according to the first and second adjusted acoustic signals, respectively.

Abstract: A miner communication and locating system is disclosed. Two technologies used in the system include a communicator, and a locator array that may be used with a computer. The communicator portion allows trapped miners to continually signal without physical effort that they have survived a cave-in or explosion in a direct, mechanical, and reliable manner. The locator array receives the communicator signal for use to accurately identify where the survivors are underground, and facilitate their rescue; a computer can be used to calculate the position of the communicator from information provided by a plurality of locators: global positioning system receivers may be used with the locator array.

Abstract: A method in a driver assistance system of a vehicle for detecting an object in the surroundings of the vehicle. The method has the following steps: emission of at least one measuring pulse by a transmitter; reception of a reflection of the measuring pulse by at least one receiver; determination of a Doppler shift between the emitted measuring pulse and the received reflection in an analysis unit; and determination of a direction toward the object based on the determined Doppler shift.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information about the positions of sources in a marine seismic source array, comprises: determining respective notional signatures for m selected seismic sources, where m<n, where n is the number of sources of the array actuated to generate an output; and obtaining information about the travel between one of the m selected seismic sources and one of the n?m unselected seismic sources from the determined notional signatures. The m seismic sources are selected as sources whose positions, relative to one another, are expected to be close to their nominal positions. The effect of the n?m unselected seismic sources is ignored in the calculation of the nominal signatures for the m sources, and this gives rise to anomalies in the nominal signatures for the m sources. The determined travel time may be converted to a distance, so that information about the positions of the n?m unselected seismic sources may be obtained from the anomalies.

Abstract: A motion sensing method for an object includes: receiving a distance detection result which is used for indicating distance detection information of the object in a neighborhood of a motion sensing apparatus; and determining whether to perform optical motion sensing upon the object of the neighborhood according to the distance detection result.

Abstract: The method comprises: a) the emission of an ultrasound burst repeated at a predetermined recurrence frequency; and b) after each emission and for the duration of a time frame (n?1, n, n+1, . . . ) separating two consecutive emissions, the reception of a plurality of successive signal spikes appearing in the course of the same frame. These spikes include spurious spikes (E?n?1, E?n, E?n+1, . . . ) originating from the emitter of another drone, and a useful spike (En?1, En, En+1, . . . ) corresponding to the distance to be estimated. To discriminate these spikes, the following steps are executed: c) for two consecutive frames, comparison of the instants of arrival of the p spikes of the current frame with the instants of arrival of the q spikes of the previous frame and determination, for each of the p.q pairs of spikes, of a corresponding relative time gap; d) application to the p.

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.

Abstract: An object detection device includes: an ultrasonic sensor for transmitting a signal and further receiving reflected signals of the transmitted signal; a delay-sum processing unit for generating two-dimensional distance information in which the reflected signals received by the ultrasonic sensor are delay-summed in a plurality of reference planes set in advance; a distance information integration unit for generating integrated distance information in which the two-dimensional distance information in the plurality of reference planes generated by the delay-sum processing unit is summed in a vertical direction to the reference planes; and an object detection unit for detecting an object at a position where an intensity in the vertical direction is equal to or larger than a threshold value by referring to an intensity in the vertical direction of the integrated distance information generated by the distance information integration unit.

Abstract: A system for small space positioning comprises a transmitting element at a fixed and known location, which transmitting a modulated continuous wave, for example an ultrasonic wave, having a continuous carrier signal part and a base-band signal modulated thereon. The transmitting element transmits the modulated continuous wave over a range in which an object to be positioned may appear. A receiving element receives signals transmitted by the transmitting device and reflected by the object, and a position detection element determines a position of the object from analysis of both the carrier signal part and the base-band signal received from the reflected signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring gauge includes a probe configured to be moved along a surface of a material to be measured, transmit ultrasonic waves to the material, and receive ultrasonic waves reflected from the material. The gauge also includes a processing unit and an input unit. The processing unit is configured to operate according to one of two different modes of operation based on an input received by the input unit. In a first mode of operation, the probe determines the thickness at portions between the first and second locations on the surface of the material at which the probe is coupled to the material regardless of whether the probe is continuously physically coupled between the two locations. In a second mode of operation, the processing unit determines a corresponding thickness of the material at each portion between two locations when the probe is continuously physically coupled between the two locations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for relative localization that provides an orientation signal and a position signal between at least two vehicles. The present invention also provides for vehicle formation, such that there is a leading vehicle and a follower vehicle that maintain a specific formation relative to one another. The orientation, relative position and identity signals are utilized to control that formation. Each vehicle has at least three ultrasonic sensors, at least one ultrasonic source and an optional pair of FM receiver/transmitter. By installing several acoustic sensors whose relative position are known and by measuring the difference in the time of arrival of the same signal from the various sensors on the same vehicle, the difference in time can be converted into a difference of distance and then into relative position of the sensors from the source based on the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA).