Patents by Inventor Alice M. Chiang
Alice M. Chiang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20020120193Abstract: A hand-held ultrasound system includes integrated electronics within an ergonomic housing. The electronics includes control circuitry, beamforming and circuitry transducer drive circuitry. The electronics communicate with a host computer using an industry standard high speed serial bus. The ultrasonic imaging system is operable on a standard, commercially available, user computing device without specific hardware modifications, and is adapted to interface with an external application without modification to the ultrasonic imaging system to allow a user to gather ultrasonic data on a standard user computing device such as a PC, and employ the data so gathered via an independent external application without requiring a custom system, expensive hardware modifications, or system rebuilds.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Applicant: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Michael P. Litchfield, Michael Brodsky, Eric R. Kischell
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Publication number: 20020080683Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple beamforming processor formed with an integrated circuit in which a plurality of beams can be formed simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Publication number: 20020071345Abstract: The present invention relates to sonar beamforming systems and methods, using a forward-looking sonar having transmit and receive transducer arrays with a beamforming device and at least one side-looking sonar having dynamically range-focused beams. The forward-looking sonar provides for obstacle avoidance and undersea survey. The systems include one-dimensional transmit and receive transducer arrays with beamforming electronics, a computing controller such as, for example, a personal computer host controller. The arrays and beamforming electronics can be packaged in a hermetically sealed housing unit and mounted in Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV). The side-looking sonar system includes for example, 32-element, one-dimensional arrays that are mounted on either side of the UUVs. Further, a downward looking Bathymetric sonar may be mounted on the underside of the vehicle for high-resolution mapping.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Publication number: 20020067359Abstract: Conventional ultrasound imaging systems typically include a hand-held probe coupled to a processing and display unit. Typical controls in an ultrasound imaging system require that the operator continually focus on the controls, rather than the ultrasonic image of the area of interest, and manually manipulate the controls by moving their hand along the control panel. By controlling an ultrasonic imaging system from a unitary operating position, defining ultrasonic imaging operations and defining a ranges of values corresponding to each of the ultrasonic imaging operations, ultrasonic image processing is facilitated. An operator selects, via a first control, one of the ultrasonic imaging operations, and then selects, via a second control, a parameter in the range of values corresponding to the selected ultrasonic imaging operation. The ultrasonic imaging system applies the selected ultrasonic imaging operation employing the selected parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Applicant: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Michael Brodsky, Lois A. Scheffler, Paula J. Hart, Alice M. Chiang
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Publication number: 20020064093Abstract: The need for multiple, cost-effective deployment of an underwater camera has resulted in the development of a low-power high-resolution imaging system using a sparse array. The system can be used for undersea acoustic mine-field reconnaissance and mine-hunting systems for example, this imaging sonar is portable enough for use in a diver's hands or in a remote imaging sonar on an unmanned undersea vehicle in shallow waters. The present system can simultaneously focus many signals using multiple CCD/CMOS, programmable time-delay beamforming circuits connected to a sparsely-populated 2D acoustic array, is being developed. Using this approach, a real-time image can be formed to search for mine-like objects. To make a sparse array, the combination of low insertion loss and wide bandwidth performance is important for realizing acceptable imaging performance with low illumination levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Applicant: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 6379304Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a scan conversion process for converting ultrasound data into a standard display format conversion and can be performed on a personal computer by programming the computer to convert data from polar coordinates to cartesian coordinates suitable for display on a computer monitor. The data is provided from scan head enclosure that houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Publication number: 20020012289Abstract: A multidimensional beamforming device that performs consecutive one-dimensional operations. For example, beamsteering for a two-dimensional array can be include a projection of a beam onto each of the respective axes of the array. In such a device, a first beamforming processing element is used to form multiple beams for each array output along a given row. In a preferred embodiment, sequential output vectors from the first processing element are then applied to a transposing or corner turning memory and the data are reformatted such that all elements on a given column of the array are applied to a second beam forming processing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Applicant: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 6292433Abstract: A multi-dimensional beamforming device that performs consecutive one-dimensional operations. For example, beamsteering for a two-dimensional array can be include a projection of a beam onto each of the respective axes of the array. In such a device, a first beamforming processing element is used to form multiple beams for each array output along a given row. In a preferred embodiment, sequential output vectors from the first processing element are then applied to a transposing or corner turning memory and the data are reformatted such that all elements on a given column of the array are applied to a second beam forming processing element.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 6248073Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a scan conversion process for converting ultrasound data into a standard display format conversion and can be performed on a personal computer by programming the computer to convert data from polar coordinates to cartesian coordinates suitable for display on a computer monitor. The data is provided from scan head enclosure that houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1998Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Publication number: 20010003443Abstract: A wireless communication system employs directive antenna arrays and knowledge of position of users to form narrow antenna beams to and from desired users and away from undesired users to reduce co-channel interference. By reducing co-channel interference coming from different directions, spatial filtering with antenna arrays improves the call capacity of the system. A space division multiple access (SDMA) system allocates a narrow antenna beam pattern to each user in the system so that each user has its own communication channel free from co-channel interference. The position of the users is determined using geo-location techniques. Geo-location can be derived via triangulation between cellular base stations or via a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The system can be optimized by applying partially adaptive processing algorithms, which are seeded by geo-location data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 1998Publication date: June 14, 2001Inventors: SCOTT R. VELAZQUEZ, STEVEN R. BROADSTONE, ALICE M. CHIANG
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Patent number: 6111816Abstract: A multi-dimensional beamforming device that performs consecutive one-dimensional operations. For example, beamsteering for a two-dimensional array can be include a projection of a beam onto each of the respective axes of the array. In such a device, a first beamforming processing element is used to form multiple beams for each array output along a given row. In a preferred embodiment, sequential output vectors from the first processing element are then applied to a transposing or corner turning memory and the data are reformatted such that all elements on a given column of the array are applied to a second beam forming processing element.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 6106472Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Teratech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 5964709Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system (10) includes a scan head (12) coupled by a cable (16) to a portable battery-powered data processor (14) and display unit. The scan head enclosure (12) houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 5957846Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 5904652Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a scan conversion process for converting ultrasound data into a standard display format conversion and can be performed on a personal computer by programming the computer to convert data from polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates suitable for display on a computer monitor. The data is provided from scan head enclosure that houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1996Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 5839442Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a hand-held scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit, preferably in the form of a lap-top computer. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode to time transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged. Because the pulse synchronizer and beam forming circuits are integrated on small chips, they can be included in the scan head, resulting in a portable low-power system. Also, since the beam forming and summation functions are performed in the scan head in proximity to the transducer elements, signal loss is substantially reduced, resulting in much higher image quality.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1995Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 5763785Abstract: A beam forming and focusing processing circuit for use in an ultrasound imaging system. The system incorporates a plurality of the processing circuits which differentially delay imaging signals in order to generate an output in which the imaging signals from each circuit implement the desired differential delay. Each of the processing circuits include a first delay line having a plurality of delay units operable for receiving the imaging signals and converting same into sampled data. A selection control circuit is operable for reading the sampled data from a selected first delay unit of the first delay line so as to correspond to a selected first time delay to accommodate fine delay resolution of the imaging signals. A second delay line having a plurality of delay units is operable for sensing the sampled data from the selected first delay unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1995Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Alice M. Chiang
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Patent number: 5690114Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a hand-held scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit, preferably in the form of a lap-top computer. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode to time transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged. Because the pulse synchronizer and beam forming circuits are integrated on small chips, they can be included in the scan head, resulting in a portable low-power system. Also, since the beam forming and summation functions are performed in the scan head in proximity to the transducer elements, signal loss is substantially reduced, resulting in much higher image quality.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 5590658Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a handheld scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit, preferably in the form of a lap-top computer. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode to time transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged. Because the pulse synchronizer and beam forming circuits are integrated on small chips, they can be included in the scan head, resulting in a portable low-power system. Also, since the beam forming and summation functions are performed in the scan head in proximity to the transducer elements, signal loss is substantially reduced, resulting in much higher image quality.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: TeraTech CorporationInventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
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Patent number: 5555200Abstract: A single chip adaptive filtering system including an FIR filter and circuitry for calculating updated weighting coefficients for use in associated multiplying digital-to-analog converters. The adaptive FIR filter performs the convolution of a delayed and sampled input sequence to produce a filter output. Thereafter, an error term is determined by calculating the difference between the filter output and a reference signal which corresponds to a predetermined anticipated output of the filter. The error term is then applied to a least mean square (LMS) estimation algorithm for computing updated weighting coefficients to be used by the adaptive FIR filter.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Alice M. Chiang