Abstract: A system and method simultaneously transmits sound waves through a plurality of sonar elements without interference, such as for the purpose of tracking objects underwater. The system has a pulse generator with a plurality of transceivers connected to the pulse generator. A plurality of sonar elements is connected to the plurality of transceivers, with at least one sonar element per transceiver. A sonar signal is sent from the pulse generator to each sonar element, passing intermediately through a transceiver.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting an object includes: a substrate; a transmission device for transmitting an ultrasonic wave; a plurality of reception devices for receiving the ultrasonic wave; and a circuit for processing received ultrasonic waves, which are received by the reception devices after the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission device is reflected by the object. The transmission device and the reception devices are integrated into the substrate. The dimensions of the sensor are minimized, and detection accuracy of the sensor is improved.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes: a first vibrator for transmitting an ultrasonic wave; multiple second vibrators for outputting a reception signal of a reflection wave; a casing having a bottom for accommodating the vibrators, an outer surface of the bottom providing a vibrating surface; and multiple tubes for guiding the ultrasonic wave. Each tube has a first opening coupled with an outside of a mobile body. An area of the first opening is smaller than an area of the vibrating surface. A distance between two adjacent first openings is smaller than a distance between two adjacent vibrating surfaces. The length of the tubes is determined to equalize a phase difference of the reflection waves at the first openings is equal to that at the vibrating surfaces.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system has multiple ultrasonic sonars. When a threshold value used for determining an existence of an obstacle is compared with a receiving signal having been amplified at a predetermined gain, the sonar having a receiving mode is provided with the gain which is higher than that of the sonar having a sending/receiving mode. Thus, the sensitivity of the sonar having the receiving mode can be improved so that a continuous sound field of the sonar is broadened. Accordingly, the distance of the border of the continuous sound field of the obstacle detection system from the vehicle can become substantially even.

Abstract: A method for determining the positions of targets by bistatic measurements using signals scattered by the targets is provided in which the velocities of the targets can also be determined. The range of the transmitters is selected so that a target at an arbitrary point can be measured, by scattering in the target, by at least four cooperating measuring facilities. First the targets are associated by calculating, in two independent ways, two sets of sums of distances between transmission points and targets and, respectively, targets and reception points. Subsequently, the two sums are sorted with respect to distance, compared with each other, and the sums that correspond with each other within a predetermined margin of error are stated to correspond to conceivable targets. The association of targets is improved and completed by corresponding calculations being carried out for Doppler velocities.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ultrasonic distance sensor that is capable of extending an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a wave transmitter to sense the distance between an object located in a wide region and an installation body having the sensor installed therein and a robot cleaner using the same. The ultrasonic distance sensor includes a wave transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic wave, an ultrasonic wave extender to extend the ultrasonic wave, and a wave receiver to receive the ultrasonic wave reflected from an object.

Abstract: A switch that couples transducer signal to a specific sounder of multiple sounders in response to a sensed signal from the specific sounder. The switch can include a first detection circuit that determines the sounder that is requesting the first transducer signal and a first control circuit that couples the first transducer signal to the requesting sounder. The switch can further include a second detection circuit that determines the sounder that is requesting the second transducer signal and a second control circuit that couples the second transducer signal to the requesting sounder.

Abstract: A sonar system comprises a transmitter adapted to provide pulse sequences, wherein each of the pulse sequences includes pulses that reflect off an object, a receiver adapted to receive the reflected pulses, and a processor. The processor is configured to transmit a first pulse sequence via the transmitter to obtain a first distance to the object in a first distance range and to transmit a second pulse sequence via the transmitter to obtain a second distance to the object in a second distance range. The processor is configured to transmit the second pulse sequence in response to being unable to obtain the first distance to the object in the first distance range.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a sending device and a receiving device. The sending device has a sending surface for sending an ultrasonic wave into a sending area. The receiving device has a receiving surface for receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by an external object from a receiving area. The sending area has an overlapping area with the receiving area. The overlapping area is offset to one of the sending area and the receiving area.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention are aimed at a device for ships, in particular for multihull ships and high-speed multihull ships making it possible to avoid obstacles, in particular obstacles submerged at low depth. In at least one embodiment, the device according to the invention comprising at least: two transmitters of acoustic waves spaced apart from one another and transmitting waves of distinct frequencies or of different waveforms, an acoustic receiver, whose reception band is suitable for the emission frequencies of the transmitters, means of processing of the received signals, these means performing, through the echoes received, a measurement of the difference of the propagation times and a measurement of the differential Doppler frequency of the waves transmitted by each of the transmitters; these processing means thus determining from these measurements the position of and object having returned an echo.

Abstract: A moving object detection apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a detection portion, a binary conversion portion and a judgment portion. The transmitter emits energy waves with a first frequency to a detection area. When receiving incoming energy waves from the detection area, the receiver generates an electric signal corresponding to the incoming energy waves. The detection portion obtains a detection signal from a reference signal with the first frequency and the electric signal. The binary conversion portion compares the detection signal with a conversion threshold signal to obtain a binary signal. The judgment portion judges whether or not a moving object approaching or leaving the receiver exists in the detection area based on the binary signal.

Abstract: In an acoustic wave sensor for detecting a distance to an object and an orientation where the object is located with using acoustic waves, an acoustic wave generating device generating an acoustic wave by applying thermal impact to the air with no mechanical vibration is used as a wave transmitting device, and an electric capacitance microphone converting variation of pressure due to acoustic wave to variation of an electric signal is used as each wave receiving device. Therefore, dead zone caused by reverberation component included in the acoustic wave transmitted from the wave transmitting device and dead zone caused by reverberation component included in wave receiving signals outputted from the wave receiving devices can be shortened and angular sensitivity of the acoustic wave sensor can be increased, in comparison with a conventional acoustic wave sensor using piezoelectric devices as the wave transmitting device and the wave receiving devices.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a cavitating body sonar system and method.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for calculating position of marine seismic acoustic receivers, and for estimating sound velocity profile of a fluid, are disclosed. One position calculation system includes a vessel, two or more vessel hull-mounted transmitters, a plurality of acoustic receivers on a cable being deployed from the vessel into the fluid, and a calculation unit. The calculation unit may be adapted to calculate position of the receivers, and may be used in calculating the sound velocity profile in the fluid and correcting raw seismic data. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: An ultrasonic ranging device for ultrasonic ranging in the near zone. The device may include a transducer for generating an ultrasonic signal and for detecting an echo signal. The device may also include a processor for calculating the distance to a target object based on a first time period defined by a first set of ultrasonic signals when the target object is located outside the near zone and a second time period defined by a second set of ultrasonic signals when the target object is located within the near zone. The processor may also adjust the amplitude of the generated ultrasonic signal until the first set of ultrasonic signals is detected at the transducer.

Abstract: A reflection-point estimation section constituting an object detection apparatus first calculates a rotational correction angle for each estimated reflection point Pn by using the following equation, using the fact that the ratio of the amount of change in a detected distance dn to a movement amount In of a sonar is nearly equal to a tangent with respect to the direction normal to the surface of an object: Rotational correction angle?=atan{(dn+1?dn)/In} in which n is a natural number. Subsequently, the reflection-point estimation section obtains estimated reflection points Pn? after correction, by rotating each estimated reflection point Pn based on the calculation result.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes: a first vibrator for transmitting an ultrasonic wave; multiple second vibrators for outputting a reception signal of a reflection wave; a casing having a bottom for accommodating the vibrators, an outer surface of the bottom providing a vibrating surface; and multiple tubes for guiding the ultrasonic wave. Each tube has a first opening coupled with an outside of a mobile body. An area of the first opening is smaller than an area of the vibrating surface. A distance between two adjacent first openings is smaller than a distance between two adjacent vibrating surfaces. The length of the tubes is determined to equalize a phase difference of the reflection waves at the first openings is equal to that at the vibrating surfaces.

Abstract: An obstacle sensor includes: a supersonic sensor for detecting an obstacle in a first range, the supersonic sensor including a substrate, a transmission device and a reception device disposed on the substrate; a detection element for detecting the obstacle in a second range; and a case. The reception device includes multiple reception elements. At least a part of the first range of the supersonic sensor is different from the second range of the detection element. The supersonic sensor and the detection element are disposed in the case.

Abstract: In a method for processing an echo profile generated by a pulse-echo ranging system, the echo profile is compared with a time-varying threshold function to identify valid echoes in those portions of the echo profile which exceed the TVT function. Based on the amplitude and/or area above the TVT function, each echo is rated and attributed a level of confidence. The echo with the highest level of confidence is selected as the echo of interest, and the level of confidence is reported. To provide an improved echo processing with increased accuracy in determining the confidence level of the selected echo of interest, it is furthermore determined whether the portion of the threshold function which timely corresponds to the selected echo of interest is part of a hump-shaped section of the threshold function. If so, said section is reshaped to reduced hump amplitude, and the confidence level of the echo of interest is redetermined based on the amplitude and/or area above the reshaped TVT function.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device includes a transmitting portion for sending ultrasonic wave, a plurality of receiving portions provided at different positions and receiving reflected waves of the ultrasonic wave, a plurality of envelope wave acquiring portions for acquiring envelope waves corresponding to the reflected waves, on the basis of the reflected waves received by the receiving portions, determining portions for determining a peak of each of the envelope waves, storing portions for storing a partial data of the each of the envelope waves, whose peak is determined by the determining portions, estimating portions for estimating a starting point of the each of the envelope waves by using the partial and location determining portions for determining a location of an obstacle on the basis of the starting point of the each of the envelope waves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of and an apparatus for measuring a distance using an ultrasonic wave. The method comprises steps of receiving through an ultrasonic sensor a signal generated from an ultrasonic transmitter according to a signal of ultrasonic transmission time, amplifying the received signal, filtering a high-frequency wave from the amplified signal, outputting only a signal corresponding to a predetermined signal size from the signal in which the high-frequency wave is filtered, and computing a distance value by calculating the period of the output signal.

Abstract: A planimeter includes a movable housing in which are mounted orthogonally aimed x- and y-position sensors. Each position sensor comprises a piezoelectric ultrasound transmitter and receiver for sending ultrasound to a reflector disposed on a drawing and sensing resultant echoes. Circuitry in the housing computes from the sensor outputs the housing's position for each of a sequence of locations on a drawing at which a user positions the housing, and from those it computes scaled distances between those positions as well as quantities that can be derived from those distances. The transmitter's and receiver's respective positions with respect to positioning crosshairs are such as to suppress the results of orientation errors. The planimeter's handle is angled at 45° to the directions in which the sensors are aimed so that it lends itself to both right- and left-handed operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and device to enlarge the scope of ultrasonic measurement. It adopts two-way or more than two-way ultrasonic, and measures the distance in two or more than two directions, especially it can measure the sum distance of two directions directly. Thus the distance value could reach 30 m at one time. Therefore it can enlarge the scope of ultrasonic measuring without changing the performance of ultrasonic transceiver head.

Abstract: An obstacle sensor includes: a supersonic sensor for detecting an obstacle in a first range, the supersonic sensor including a substrate, a transmission device and a reception device disposed on the substrate; a detection element for detecting the obstacle in a second range; and a case. The reception device includes multiple reception elements. At least a part of the first range of the supersonic sensor is different from the second range of the detection element. The supersonic sensor and the detection element are disposed in the case.

Abstract: The lateral position of a web or fabric edge 11 in a paper machine is determined using an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor has a detector head 42, with an air channel system which opens to the vicinity of the head for forming an air knife which prevents accumulation of dirt on the head. The protective cover 35 has an air guide 43 extending further than the detector head 42, with air flowing thereabove from inside the protective cover 35 through an opening 36. The end component is on top of the protective cover allowing air to flow from the opening between the air guide and the end component to a detent, which turns the direction of the air flow. This provides efficient cleaning without disturbing, however, the operation of the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus comprises an illumination system, a support constructed to support a patterning device, and a projection system. In pixel grid imaging, a large number of small optical spots are imaged onto the substrate surface using a micro-lens array (MLA). The z position of the MLA is adjustable in order to focus the spots on the substrate surface and/or to compensate for differences in height of the substrate surface. The focusing adjustment is based on an output of an ultrasonic distance sensor provided in the vicinity of the substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid-state range sensing system. As with previous solid-state range sensing systems, an energy source is activated and deactivated in a cyclic pattern with a selected source frequency. A receiver is adapted to sense the reflection of emitted energy from the target. The receiver includes a shielding system to block the sensing of the reflected energy from the target in a cyclic pattern with a selected receiver frequency. Unlike the prior art, the frequency of the source and receiver are offset by a small frequency. The resulting output signal of the receiver is a further cyclic pattern beat signal of frequency equal to the difference between the source activation and receiver shielding modulation frequencies. The best signal is effectively a down-converted version of the source modulation frequency and, unlike the prior art, is compared with a reference beat signal whereby the phase difference between the two beat signals is used to determine a range value.

Abstract: A sonar device for determining the locations of all sound-reflective objects in all directions within a desired range in a body of water comprises a transmitting transducer and at least three receiving transducers. During operation of the sonar device, the transmitting transducer generates a single omnidirectional pulse which is reflected by the objects and the receiving transducers receive a plurality of echoes from the objects. The sonar device also includes a processor for grouping the echoes received by each receiving transducer into distinct echo sets, mathematically constructing an ellipsoid corresponding to each echo set, and determining the intersections of the ellipsoids to thereby determine the locations of the objects.

Abstract: A system for measuring distance in a gas or liquid operating medium has an even number of ultrasonic signal transmitters (12, 14), and a single ultrasonic signal receiver (16). The ultrasonic signal transmitters are adapted to transmit ultrasonic signals to a target (18) in the operating medium. Each of the transmitters and receiver are so spaced apart in a geometrically symmetrical planar array within an acoustically attenuating substrate medium, and each of the transmitted ultrasonic signals are so pulse driven in an acoustically symmetrical relationship, that opposing ultrasonic signals transmitted through the substrate medium by symmetrically opposed transmitters are cancelled at the receiver and a signal for measuring distance to the target is formed at the receiver by combination of the transmitted signals through the operating medium.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system, particularly for assisting car parking that comprises a control unit and a plurality of sensors, which comprise emitters-receivers for emitting an ultrasonic signal and for receiving an echo signal reflected by at least one obstacle and an evaluator for the parametric evaluation of the received echo signals, the evaluator comprising a polling module suitable to determine, for each sensing, the number of times for which the received signals are repeated and to reject the signals that are repeated for a number of times that is lower than a preset number.

Abstract: A distance measuring system comprises first and second transducers, and an ultrasound ranging subsystem coupled to the first and second transducers for performing a plurality of distance measurements between the first and second transducers. The distance measurement system can have various applications, including medical applications, in which case, the first and second transducers can be mounted on a catheter. The distance measuring system further comprises a filter coupled to the ultrasound ranging subsystem for filtering ultrasound interference from the plurality of distance measurements (such as, e.g., eight), and outputting a distance based on the filtered distance measurements. The filter filters the ultrasound interference by selecting one of the plurality distance measurements, in which case, the outputted distance is the selected distance measurement.

Abstract: A vehicle-surroundings monitor apparatus according is provided with a sensor having a transmission/reception means for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to surroundings of a vehicle and receiving a reflected ultrasonic wave from the surroundings, a transmission circuit for generating an ultrasonic wave to be transmitted from the transmission/reception means, and a reception-processing means for processing an ultrasonic wave received by the transmission/reception means, and a control means for supplying a power-supply voltage to the sensor. A power-supply voltage supplied by the control means to the sensor is split into a power-supply voltage to be supplied to the transmission circuit and a power-supply voltage to be supplied to the reception-processing means.

Abstract: A portable and convenient electronic distance measuring apparatus using a laser beam and a supersonic wave is provided.

Abstract: An obstacle detection method and system, particularly for car parking systems comprising emitting ultrasound signals at a plurality of sensors, receiving echo signals returned by at least one obstacle, performing a parametric evaluation of the received signals, determining, for each sensor, the distance between the sensor and an obstacle detected by it, associating with each sensor a value of the distance from the obstacle detected by it; determining a value corresponding to the minimum detected distance and replacing it with the sum value between a minimum distance and a priority threshold value; assigning to the sensor that detected the minimum distance a priority status; and defining a sensor polling cycle that polls more frequently a priority status sensor than non-prioritized sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic sensor used, for example, in the form of an ultrasonic vehicle parking aid provided with a sensor having an ultrasonic membrane and optionally a board provided with mounted required electronics and a coupling for an electric plug-in connection which are arranged therein, wherein said coupling is placed on a separate coupling housing and the sensor housing is combinable with different coupling housings.

Abstract: A sonar system and method of use capable of discriminating a direct acoustic signal present at 60 dB or more above the acoustic echo signal.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an ultrasonic range finder to measure a distance quickly and precisely under different environments. The ultrasonic range finder comprises a casing, an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving unit, a signal processing circuit connected electrically with the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving unit in the casing, a group of operation buttons on the casing and a display unit. The ultrasonic range finder further comprises a calibration rod to provide a constant reference distance. The calibration rod includes a first end connected to the casing. The calibration rod further includes a second end extendable outwardly relative to the casing and a body between the first and the second ends. By measuring a propagation time of an ultrasonic signal within the constant reference distance an ultrasonic propagation speed can be determined quickly and precisely and thereby perform the distance measurement quickly and precisely without being affected by changes in the environment.

Abstract: Method for adjusting the output of a phased array ultrasonic transducer using surface mapping. The transducer surface is mapped using a sensor, such as a hydrophone, to determine the actual location of each transducer element relative to the expected location of each transducer element. Mapping can be performed by measuring a distance between a hydrophone and each transducer element. At least one of the hydrophone and the transducer are moveable relative to each other to map the transducer surface. A determination is made whether the actual location of a transducer element differs from the expected location. Drive signals of certain transducer elements having actual locations that differ from expected locations are adjusted to control the output of the transducer.

Abstract: A method for filtering an object by a vehicular sensor system, including emitting a first signal, detecting a first echo, the first echo including at least a portion of the first signal reflected by the object, filtering a first time value of the first echo, emitting a second signal, detecting a second echo, the second echo including at least a portion of the second signal reflected by the object, and filtering a second time value of the second echo.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for conducting a bathymetric survey across a seismic spread includes the steps of emitting a signal from a pinger positioned within the seismic spread, measuring the arrival time of a bottom reflection of the signal at a receiver positioned within the seismic spread, measuring the arrival time of a direct arrival of the signal at the receiver, and determining the water depth utilizing the measured arrival times of the signal.

Abstract: Remotely operable electronic apparatus are applied to distance measurement and picture/sound recording wherein, for example, a remote unit may be equipped with a microphone and an active range finder coupled to an auto-focussing capability. In one embodiment a camera is adapted to transmit a signal to the remote unit which returns a signal enabling the camera to accurately calculate distance and adjust focus in accordance with time-of-flight. The transponder preferably forms part of a wireless microphone, with the signal transmitted by the camera being preferably acoustical in nature. The acoustical signal transmitted by the camera is preferably modulated onto a return RF signal, enabling at least a portion of the audio circuitry associated with voice modulation to be used for the purpose of modulating the ranging signal, thereby realizing a very efficient and economical approach to remote sound detection and active ranging finding.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly includes an ultrasonic sensor apparatus, a holding member and a spring arrangement. The spring arrangement includes two spring portions, which are connected together by a connecting portion. The spring portions are partially secured to a housing of the ultrasonic sensor apparatus and are resiliently deformed between the housing and a rear surface of a bumper. The spring portions and a flange portion of the holding member cooperate together to clamp the bumper therebetween.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system has multiple ultrasonic sonars. When a threshold value used for determining an existence of an obstacle is compared with a receiving signal having been amplified at a predetermined gain, the sonar having a receiving mode is provided with the gain which is higher than that of the sonar having a sending/receiving mode. Thus, the sensitivity of the sonar having the receiving mode can be improved so that a continuous sound field of the sonar is broadened. Accordingly, the distance of the border of the continuous sound field of the obstacle detection system from the vehicle can become substantially even.

Abstract: An accurate measure of normally operating noise is required for a useful noise measurement system. A device is needed to make a representative measure of the boat's acoustic power using measured boat sound level with integrated corrections for sensed distance to the boat and measured ambient sound level. This device needs to make this measurement process invisible, automatic, and accurate from a law enforcement point of view.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device includes a transmitting portion for sending ultrasonic wave, a plurality of receiving portions provided at different positions and receiving reflected waves of the ultrasonic wave, a plurality of envelope wave acquiring portions for acquiring envelope waves corresponding to the reflected waves, on the basis of the reflected waves received by the receiving portions, determining portions for determining a peak of each of the envelope waves, storing portions for storing a partial data of the each of the envelope waves, whose peak is determined by the determining portions, estimating portions for estimating a starting point of the each of the envelope waves by using the partial and location determining portions for determining a location of an obstacle on the basis of the starting point of the each of the envelope waves.

Abstract: A tubular measuring device, comprising an electronic distance measuring device, a first tubular end locator attached to the electronic distance measuring device, a target for the electronic distance measuring device; and a second tubular end locator attached to the target. The locators may be rods with hooks on them for catching opposed ends of the tubular. The tubular measuring device may also comprise calipers attached to the electronic distance measuring device for measuring internal and external dimensions of tubulars.

Abstract: The invention starts with a range finder with a measuring device and at least one measuring limit stop body (12), which can be moved out of a housing (10) and features at least one measuring limit stop (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) in a reference plane (14) for range finding between the reference plane (14) and an object that is to be measured. It is proposed that a first side (16) of the measuring limit stop body (12) form a first and a second measuring limit stop (22, 24).

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the SNR in a sonar environment and for determining the effect of the estimated SNR on sonar ranging accuracy. The system includes a sensor, a transmitter, a receiver, a plurality of band-pass filters, a cross correlator, and a data analyzer. The transmitter transmits a first signal having a predetermined frequency range through a transmission medium. The sensor generates a second signal corresponding to an echo signal reflected from an object. The first and second signals are provided to the band-pass filters, each operative to pass a respective sub-band of frequencies. The filters provide filtered versions of the first and second signals to the cross correlator, which performs cross correlation operations on the filtered signals. A data analyzer analyzes the cross correlator output data to determine the variability of cross correlation peaks within each frequency sub-band, thereby allowing more accurate SNR estimations in noisy environments.

Abstract: A method and a system (400) for detection and position determination of chips (100), which transmit ultrasound signals in a room. The system (400) comprises electronic identification chips (100), which are attached to objects that have to be monitored. Each chip (100) is equipped with a transmitter (179) and a receiver (180). The signals are received by a plurality of detector units (290), which are connected to a detector base unit (200) that registers and interprets the signals transmitted form the identification chips (100). Detector base units (200) located in different rooms are interconnected in a network (215) and transmit processed information to one or more central units (410) for further interpretation and sorting. The special feature of the invention is that line interference is substantially removed, and it is possible to determine position even though the identification chips (100) are in motion.

Abstract: A system estimates flow parameters associated with a fluid flow encountering a bluff body. The system includes multiple sensors distributed on a surface of a bluff body. The system further includes input circuitry and a sensor processing unit. The input circuitry receives a signal from each of the multiple sensors. The sensor processing unit determines noise levels associated with each of the multiple sensors due to the fluid flow encountering the bluff body. The sensor processing unit further assigns weights to each of the multiple sensors based on the determined noise levels and estimates the fluid flow direction based on the assigned weights.