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?=a tan {(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: A plurality of signal transmitters are respectively configured to produce a pulse current by repeatedly switching the connection state of a switching element. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are respectively configured to transmit an ultrasonic pulse to a subject to be examined upon receiving said pulse current, and to produce a receiving current upon receiving the reflected wave. A signal receiver is configured to receive said receiving current. A test signal generator is configured to produce a test signal and to output said test signal to a connection point of said signal transmitter, said ultrasonic transducer, and said signal receiver by switching said connection state of said switching element to a state through which said test signal is conducted.

Abstract: The present invention, as typically embodied, represents a novel methodology for effecting linear processing of output signals that are received from one or more acoustic vector sensors. First, as pertains to each modal beam, the modal beam amplitude response bmn, is calculated as the matrix product of a data vector d and a modal weighting vector wmn, wherein the weighting vector wmn is uniquely defined in terms of three different linear modal weighting vector equations corresponding to wmnx, wmny, and wmnz, respectively. Second, as pertains to all of the modal beams, the directional beam amplitude response bdirMN is calculated as the sum of all of the individual modal beam amplitude responses bmn. Because the inventive processing methodology is linear in nature (as distinguished from non-linear, e.g., quadratic, in nature), inventive practice is highly effective for performing quantitative acoustic measurements of sound fields.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data is disclosed having the following steps: emitting packets of at least two types: pure data (long packets) and acknowledgments of receipt (acknowledgment) (short packets). Each packet is formed of three components: a—an acquisition preamble, (1) for presence detection and the joint determination of the initial values of the time shift and of the frequency shift, and b—the data proper, (2) and c—a set of unmodulated fixed carriers (3) making it possible to permanently estimate the frequency shift.

Abstract: A communication system for use with a motorcycle includes a main unit that has a detector and a transmitter that transmits an alert signal upon the detection of a radar or laser by the detector. The system further includes either a visual indicator or an audio indicator. The visual indicator has a receiver that receives the alert signal from the transmitter, and a display which provides a visual display of the alert signal. The audio indicator has a receiver that receives the alert signal from the transmitter, and a speaker which emits an auditory response of the alert signal. The system can further include a mounting assembly having a connector that is removably connected to a part of a motorcycle, a support bracket to which the main unit is removably coupled, and a link that pivotably couples the support bracket and the connector.

Abstract: A navigation device for navigating a user interface of a processor-controlled device includes an acoustic transmitter adapted to transmit an acoustic signal, an acoustic receiver adapted to receive the acoustic signal and located at a fixed position with respect to the acoustic transmitter, and a measurement circuit coupled to an output of the acoustic receiver and adapted to determine a distance traversed by the navigation device as a function of time.

Abstract: A radar level gauging system for determining a level of a surface of a product in a tank, comprising a propagation device arranged to allow microwave signals to propagate towards the surface, and to return a reflection of the microwave signals from the surface and at least two radar level gauge (RLG) units. Each RLG unit includes transceiver circuitry, processing circuitry connected to the transceiver circuitry and adapted to determine the level based on a relation between transmitted and received signals, and a communication interface. The system further comprises a communication link interconnecting the RLG units, for communicating control data between the RLG units, the communication link comprising an isolating interface, ensuring galvanic isolation between the RLG units. One unit may communicate configuration data to the other RLG units which results in a simplified configuration of the sensor system and thus more cost effective compared to the prior art solutions.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an ultrasonic wave is disclosed. The method includes: selecting a first combination of transmission elements from among multiple transmission elements, wherein the first combination of transmission elements includes at least two transmission elements adjacent to each other; and vibrating the transmission surfaces of the first combination of transmission elements in a substantially same phase to transmit the ultrasonic wave with a first directivity. The first directivity is different from a second directivity of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from single transmission element.

Abstract: A switching circuit for an electromagnetic source for generating acoustic waves has at least one first capacitor connected in parallel with a series circuit formed by a second capacitor and an electronic switch. The switching circuit is connected to a coil of the electromagnetic source, and the first and second capacitors are switched so as to both discharged into the coil, thereby supplying the coil with current.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining the bearings to targets from a remote location are disclosed. The apparatus consists of an array of acoustic sensors that is capable of autonomous flight. The array may be large in diameter, approximately one meter or greater. The apparatus is capable of navigating its flight to arrive at a predetermined location, measuring acoustic sound waves emitted by targets both during flight and after landing. The apparatus may then calculate the bearings to the targets and transmit this information to a remote location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for finding and physically altering underground targets. Multiple nodes are dispersed into the ground and determine their spatial orientation using seismic waves, and then operate as an array to locate and properly time kinetic pulses to focus seismic waves on the target.

Abstract: A radar apparatus includes a DBF process portion for grouping reception signals over plural channels into plural groups and performing DBF on each group, a summing portion for summing amplitudes or power of frequency components obtained by the DBF performed by the DBF process portion on each group, a peak detecting portion for detecting a peak frequency of a signal of the electric wave reflected by a target from results of the summation at the summing portion, a distance/speed calculating portion for calculating the distance and speed of the target based on the peak frequency, and an angle calculating portion for extracting a frequency component of the peak frequency detected by the peak detecting portion to calculate the angle of the electric wave reflected by the target. Thus, the amount of DBF calculation can be reduced, and a highly accurate positional information of the target can be obtained.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly for use in sensing the location of objects in proximity to the transducer. The ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a substrate member, a piezoceramic resonator plate supported on a planar surface of the substrate member adjacent to a peripheral edge of the substrate member, and a coupler connected to a surface of the resonator plate for acoustically coupling the resonator plate to a medium in contact with the coupler.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for finding and physically altering underground targets. Multiple nodes are dispersed into the ground and determine their spatial orientation using seismic waves, and then operate as an array to locate and properly time kinetic pulses to focus seismic waves on the target.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transducer having an array of elements and a beam origin located between two adjacent elements, each of the elements for converting received energy into an echo signal; and a beamformer that includes an initialization controller having initialization controller circuitry for calculating initialization parameters according to a process for calculating initialization parameters from a reduced table; at least one channel having a delay circuit and a delay controller; and a summer for summing phase-aligned signals to form a beamformed signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beamforming method used in an ultrasonic imaging system, the method comprises: receiving the reflected echo signal from the reception my by the transducer elements of the probe; transmit the received reflected echo signal by the transducer element to a receiving and processing channel to be amplified and AD converted to obtain digital echo data; storing the digital echo data into the memory; generating apodization parameters by the apodization parameter real time calculation device based on the digital echo data; and performing beamforming by the receiving and beamforming module by involving the generated apodization parameters. Memory resources of the system can be saved by the technical solution of the present invention, and the speed of parameter loading can be increased when the probe is switched by the system.

Abstract: A method for determining position of a mobile electronic device includes emitting an acoustic pulse from the position of the mobile electronic device. The acoustic pulse is detected at a known position at three spaced apart locations along each of at least two lines extending in different directions. The range and phase difference of the acoustic pulse between each of the detecting locations is determined. A relative position of the device with respect to the known position is obtained from the range and phase differences.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining location of a weapon firing incident. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a system for determining the location of a weapon firing incident in proximate position to a region traversed by vehicles. The system includes a first set of sensors associated with a first sub-region of the region, for detecting the weapon firing incident and for generating an output, and a processing component that determines a location of the weapon firing incident based upon the output. Moreover, the system may also include a second set of sensors arranged to detect the weapon firing incident along the travel path traversed by the vehicles and for generating a second output. Other exemplary embodiments may include arrangements of the sensors in patterns is associated with sub-regions and/or travel path as well as weapon fire location processing features.

Abstract: Electrical power can be generated from impact based energy, such as from a golf ball being struck by a golf club. One or more piezo-electric devices, which are embedded in the core of the golf ball, are stressed by the impact and generate energy. Each piezo-electric device generates energy when stressed, which is then rectified and stored in a capacitor circuit. The stored energy in the capacitor circuit is used to power a transmitter to emit energy via an antenna, including all necessary electronics such as an oscillator, a modulator, and various control and logic circuits. The transmitted signals can be received by a hand held locator device. The described impact generated energy powers the transmitter a sufficiently long amount of time for the golfer to locate the golf ball. The impact based energy generation can also be used for other non-golf applications.

Abstract: A mobile coiled tubing rig for the drilling and workover of wells is designed to have a control room for the coiled tubing rig positioned within a tank at the forward end of the rig during transport. The control room, stored in the empty tank during transit, is selectably elevated out of the tank to its working position during rig operation When the control room is elevated, the operator or operators of the coiled tubing rig can see the coiled tubing storage wheel and the coiled tubing injector.