With Plurality Of Transducers Patents (Class 367/129)
  • Patent number: 11967057
    Abstract: An autonomous ship bottom inspection method by a ROV(s) based on a ship 3D model in STL format is provided. The ship 3D model is obtained and a surface thereof is spliced by triangular facets. Body 3D coordinate points of the ship 3D model are obtained and then expanded according to a safety distance of ROV and ship to obtain inspection track points of the ROV. The ship 3D model is divided into regions, and the inspection track points in each region are performed with interpolation and smoothing. Smoothed inspection track points of the regions are connected as per a result of the dividing to obtain a ship bottom inspection track, a real-time position of the ROV is obtained, a ship bottom inspection path is generated based on the ship bottom inspection track and the real-time position. The ROV is controlled to move as per the ship bottom inspection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: Guangdong Ocean University, Dalian Maritime University
    Inventors: Baozhu Jia, Kunyang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11927688
    Abstract: Firearm discharge location systems and methods are described. According to one aspect, a firearm discharge location system includes a plurality of microphones spaced from one another, timing circuitry configured to generate a plurality of asynchronous timing references, wherein data capture operations with respect to the microphones of a first pair are synchronized with one another using a first of the timing references and data capture operations with respect to the microphones of a second pair are synchronized with one another using a second of the timing references, and processing circuitry configured to use outputs of the first and second pairs of the microphones to identify a location of a firearm discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Eric G. Gonzalez, Michael S. Hughes, Anton S. Sinkov
  • Patent number: 11761758
    Abstract: This application discloses magnetically coupled integrated probes and probe systems, attachable to the robotic arms of a remotely operated vehicle to perform both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. The integrated probe system can include a spring for coupling to an ROV end effector. An ultrasonic probe is disposed within and extends from the sleeve housing. A magnetic carrier, flux concentrator, and gimbal surround a portion of the ultrasonic probe, and one or more electrically conductive legs extend from the front surface of the gimbal to function as a CP probe. The legs are arranged about the ultrasonic probe, which has a flexible membrane exposed at the front surface of the gimbal, such that during inspection, at least one leg contacts the surface and the ultrasonic probe is sufficiently proximate to provide substantially simultaneous CP and UT measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Fadi Abdellatif, Ayman Amer, Ali Outa, Sahejad Patel, Abdullah Arab
  • Patent number: 11725998
    Abstract: A method includes collecting, at a building opening, air pressure signals from a pressure sensor and sound signals from a sound sensor. The method also includes sensing pressure peaks occurring in the air pressure signals and sensing sound pulses occurring in the sound signals. A joint occurrence of a pressure peak in the air pressure signals and a sound pulse in the sound signals is indicative of an opening/closing event of the building opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Saverio Grutta, Enrico Rosario Alessi
  • Patent number: 11639915
    Abstract: The current disclosure determines if structural faults exist and extracts geometric features of the structural faults from acoustic emission waveforms, such as crack length and orientation, and can evaluate the structural faults online, during normal operation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Victor Giurgiutiu, Jingjing Bao, Banibrata Poddar, Md Yeasin Bhuiyan
  • Patent number: 11532226
    Abstract: A system and method for acoustically detecting the firing of gunshots indoors employs multiple microphones (15, 20) which are utilized individually and in combination to detect sounds inside a building or other structure and, upon sensing a loud impulsive sound which is indicative of a gunshot, processing signals from both microphones (15, 20) to determine if the sound is that of a gunshot. The system and method relies on the acoustic signature of the noise as collected, with the acoustic signature being analyzed to arrive at values which are then compared to adjustable levels that signify a gunshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GMBH
    Inventors: Wesley C. Pirkle, Richard L. Shoaf
  • Patent number: 11385204
    Abstract: An apparatus for automated maintenance of limited-access areas on large structures. The apparatus is a rolling or sliding tool-equipped mobile platform that is adhered to a surface by operation of one or more adherence fans and then propelled across the surface by operation of one or more propulsion fans. The adherence and propulsion fans are coupled to a base made of semi-rigid material. The adherence fans produce suction forces in one or more suction zones to adhere the mobile platform to the surface. The propulsion fans produce thrust to propel the surface-adhered mobile platform in a desired direction across the surface. The tool-equipped mobile platform is capable of adhering to and moving over a non-level surface on a large structure while keeping standoff contact elements in contact with the surface regardless of surface contour. The propulsion fans, adherence fans and maintenance tool (e.g., an NDI sensor unit) are controlled by a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph L. Hafenrichter, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Patent number: 11375265
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a communication interface; a display; an internal speaker; and a processor configured to control the internal speaker to generate a first audio signal and control the communication interface to transmit a signal to control an external audio device to generate a second audio signal that is synchronized with the first audio signal. The processor is configured to: obtain a first processing time regarding the first audio signal and a second processing time regarding the second audio signal; and control the internal speaker and the communication interface based on the first processing time and the second processing time so that a difference between a first output timing of the first audio signal and a second output timing of the second audio signal is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hanki Kim, Haekwang Park, Woojung Lee, Youngsuk Song, Junhyuk Im
  • Patent number: 11346943
    Abstract: An eye tracking unit that includes one or more transmitters that transmit a signal (e.g., a radar signal or an ultrasonic sound) at an eye, one or more receivers that receive a reflection of the signal generated by interaction of the signal with the eye, and an eye orientation estimation module that estimates an orientation of the eye based on the reflected signal received by the one or more ultrasonic receivers and based on a model of the eye. The eye tracking unit may be part of a head-mounted display (HMD) that includes a display element configured to display content to a user wearing the HMD. The model of the eye may be trained by displaying a visual indicator on the electronic element and detecting a reflected signal corresponding to the eye looking at the visual indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Michael Scally, David R. Perek
  • Patent number: 11330368
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a portable microphone array system comprising a computing device and a case having an array of microphones embedded or integrated into the case. A user may position the laptop and case facing the general direction of a target audio source to capture a target acoustic audio input at the microphone array. The microphone array may deliver a first stage of beamformed audio from the acoustic audio input to the computing device via a communications interface or bus. The computing device may comprise an audio processor configured to perform one or more successive audio processing steps to process the audio input and render a digital audio output. The digital audio output may be outputted from the computing device to an audio output device, such as headphones or an earpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Wave Sciences, LLC
    Inventors: James Keith McElveen, Gregory S. Nordlund, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11231905
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for implementing a vehicle with an external speaker and microphone are described herein. A system includes an audio processor to receive audio data, the audio data sensed by a microphone array installed on the vehicle, the audio data generated by a source outside of the vehicle; an audio classification circuit to analyze the audio data using a machine learning technique to determine a sound event; and a vehicle interface to transmit a message to a vehicle control system, the message based on the sound event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Hector Alfonso Cordourier Maruri, Sandra Coello Chavarin, Diego Mauricio Cortés Hernández, Rosa Jacqueline Sanchez Mesa, Lizbeth De la Mora Hernandez, Miquel Tlaxcalteco Matus
  • Patent number: 11210910
    Abstract: A system and method for finding the proximate location of an indoor active shooter including: a plurality of acoustic sensors for receiving acoustic information from a monitored area, the sensors being dispersed in the monitored area, and each sensor having a processor for discriminating gunshot candidates from other sounds; and a host processor/server for receiving the gunshot candidates from the sensor and provide further processing to determine if the gunshot candidate is a gunshot. The server may use the first sensor to report as the proximate location of the shooter. As nearby sensors report the same incident, the server may refine the proximate location to within a few feet of the actual location of the shooter. The host processor includes a program or instructions to determine exit routes from the detected shooter and to activate a warning system which directs people away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Ernest Eugene Williams
  • Patent number: 11170139
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for generating physically accurate auralization of sound propagation in complex environments, while accounting for important wave effects, such as sound absorption, sound scattering, and airborne sound insulation between rooms. According to some embodiments, techniques may be utilized to determine more accurate, e.g., “acoustically-effective” room volumes that account for open windows, open doors, acoustic dead space, and the like. According to other embodiments disclosed herein, techniques may be utilized to perform optimized hybrid acoustical ray tracing, including grouping coherent rays by processing core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Schroeder, Soenke Pelzer
  • Patent number: 11132073
    Abstract: A stylus, a touch electronic device, and a touch system are provided. The touch electronic device includes a touch panel and a haptic actuation device, and the haptic actuation device is connected to the touch panel. The stylus includes a pressure sensor and a pen tip. The touch electronic device encodes transmission information into a vibration signal, determines a vibration force of the vibration signal with respect to at least one synchronization time point, and controls the haptic actuation device to drive the touch panel to output the vibration signal. The pen tip of the stylus receives the vibration signal, and the pressure sensor senses the vibration force of the vibration signal. The stylus decodes the vibration signal according to the vibration force with respect to the synchronization time point to obtain the transmission information, and the stylus performs a function according to the transmission information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Jia-Yu Lin, Chih-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 11093877
    Abstract: A structural object data input unit receives an input of structural data of a target structural object to be inspected, and an attribute information input unit receives an input of attribute information of the target structural object. Next, an inspection location determination unit specifies a location having stress applied thereto in the target structural object, and determines an inspection required location of the target structural object on the basis of a result of the determination. Next, an inspection plan creation unit creates an inspection plan on the basis of the specification result for the inspection required location, and outputs the created inspection plan to a display unit. Thereby, the inspection plan is displayed on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichiro Nonaka, Masayuki Negoro, Satoshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 11049298
    Abstract: A crime prediction server accesses an SNS server, collects submission information, which includes crime-related terms, as crime-related information from the submission information of general citizens, calculates statistical data for each attribute, which includes an occurrence place, a crime occurrence hour, a crime type of a crime, for the crime-related information, and sends crime data and map data, which are extracted from the statistical data of the crime-related information, in response to a request from a center device. The center device superimposes the crime data on the map data for each attribute on a display, and plots and displays the crime data in a position corresponding to the crime occurrence place on a map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Waniguchi, Masahiro Hisayama, Kensuke Ozawa, Youhei Koide
  • Patent number: 11021249
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for responding to an attacker including a shooter who opens fire at a site where people are gathered, including identifying, neutralizing, and restraining the attacker. A system may include a central control unit configured to receive signals indicative of gun fire, to responsively determine an origin of the gun fire, to identify features of a shooter associated with the gun fire and to release a UAV from a shielded UAV housing to engage the shooter. The UAV may be configured to fly towards the shooter, according to the origin of the gun fire and the identifying features of the shooter, and to neutralize the shooter by operating a UAV incapacitating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Itai Raz
  • Patent number: 10989529
    Abstract: This application discloses magnetically coupled integrated probes and probe systems, attachable to the robotic arms of a remotely operated vehicle to perform both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. The integrated probe system can include a spring for coupling to an ROV end effector. An ultrasonic probe is disposed within and extends from the sleeve housing. A magnetic carrier, flux concentrator, and gimbal surround a portion of the ultrasonic probe, and one or more electrically conductive legs extend from the front surface of the gimbal to function as a CP probe. The legs are arranged about the ultrasonic probe, which has a flexible membrane exposed at the front surface of the gimbal, such that during inspection, at least one leg contacts the surface and the ultrasonic probe is sufficiently proximate to provide substantially simultaneous CP and UT measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fadl Abdellatif, Ayman Amer, Ali Outa, Sahejad Patel, Abdullah Arab
  • Patent number: 10908279
    Abstract: An eye tracking unit that includes one or more transmitters that transmit a signal (e.g., a radar signal or an ultrasonic sound) at an eye, one or more receivers that receive a reflection of the signal generated by interaction of the signal with the eye, and an eye orientation estimation module that estimates an orientation of the eye based on the reflected signal received by the one or more ultrasonic receivers and based on a model of the eye. The eye tracking unit may be part of a head-mounted display (HMD) that includes a display element configured to display content to a user wearing the HMD. The model of the eye may be trained by displaying a visual indicator on the electronic element and detecting a reflected signal corresponding to the eye looking at the visual indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Michael Scally, David R. Perek
  • Patent number: 10909827
    Abstract: A method of detecting break-ins in an intrusion-detection barrier which includes an array of sensors in signal communication with one another and connected to a control unit may include: calibrating at least one of the sensors of the array, the calibrating including: applying mechanical stress to the barrier to cause the barrier to resonate at characteristic frequencies; and creating a digital filter, for the at least one of the sensors, configured to identify the characteristic frequencies; and/or detecting external forcing applied to the barrier, the external forcing having oscillation-forcing frequencies, the detecting including: applying the filter to identify the oscillation-forcing frequencies applied to the barrier, and discriminating the oscillation-forcing frequencies from the characteristic frequencies of the barrier; selecting at least one energy threshold value; calculating an energy value for each of the oscillation-forcing frequencies; and comparing each of the energy values with the at least on
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TSEC S.P.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Stefanelli, Alessio Degani, Ugo Bertacchini
  • Patent number: 10726708
    Abstract: The invention automatically detects a gunshot at a plurality of detection and response nodes distributed in an area, determines the location of the active shooter, and deploys a suppression response to the location of the active shooter from each of the plurality of detection and response nodes to prevent the active shooter from firing further gunshots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Phillip E. Pace
  • Patent number: 10310124
    Abstract: A floating vessel based system generates a multidimensional seismic data set for a target area. The floating vessel based system includes a seismic source proximate to a floating vessel, providing a plurality of seismic energy pulses through water to the target area forming a plurality of reflected seismic energy pulses, a non-stationary seismic node configured for being towed from the floating vessel using at least one rope through the water, a non-stationary seismic node, and a second processor with second data storage on the floating vessel. The second data storage instructs the second processor to receive, each digital data series, combines the digital data series for all non-stationary seismic nodes utilized, and automatically generates multidimensional seismic data set for the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventors: Lawrence Scott, Edward Majzlik
  • Patent number: 10083001
    Abstract: An audio signal processor generating an analog audio signal with directional characteristic from at least two 1-bit audio signals of digital microphones comprises a shift register of length n for bit-clocked throughput of at least one 1-bit audio signal and a combiner for combining at least two 1-bit audio signals to an interlaced 1-bit audio signal with doubled bit frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: RUWISCH, Dietmar
    Inventor: Dietmar Ruwisch
  • Patent number: 9519058
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D scanner generates 3D data. A point cloud or 3D model is constructed from the 3D data. The point cloud or 3D model is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Freeman, Roger D. Schmidgall, Patrick H. Boyer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Jonathan D. Maurer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 9503201
    Abstract: A method for transmitting power, data, and instructions using acoustic-electric channels having one or more transducer arrays, and to compensate for imperfect alignment of transducer arrays. Transducer arrays each include multiple transducer elements coupled to a channel barrier. Each element can be independently controlled, and misaligned transducers are selectively deactivated to improve overall channel performance. Arrays are optimized by testing different combinations of elements, and the combinations which are the most effective or efficient are used for transmissions. The system and the optimization features can be used to communicate between surfaces which have relative movement, such as between water craft hulls. Optimization can be periodic or constant to compensate for movement within the channel. The arrays can be used with curved substrates. Methods of designing adaptable arrays are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton
  • Patent number: 9251436
    Abstract: Source signals emitted in a reverberant environment from different locations are processed by first receiving input signals corresponding to the source signals by a set of sensors. Then, a sparsity-based support estimation is applied to the input signals according to a reverberation model to produce estimates of the source signals and locations of a set of sources emitting the source signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Petros T Boufounos, Jonathan Le Roux, Kang Kang, John R Hershey
  • Patent number: 9241155
    Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying a three dimensional image to a rotated viewer are presented. The roll and yaw of a viewer's eyes, with respect to a display, is tracked and used to adjust the orientation of a pair of stereoscopic images so as to maintain a three dimensional image when a viewer is rotated. Adjustment to the orientation of the pair of stereoscopic images may also factor in the orientation of a plurality of viewers, each viewer with a potentially different orientation with respect to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Vlad Stamate, Steven Osman
  • Patent number: 9151855
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a barrier detection system that includes a plurality of sensors that are coupled in series to a seismograph. The seismograph receives a signal from the sensors. The system includes a computer system including computer storage and a processor. The computer system is in communication with the seismograph so that the computer system receives signals from seismograph and stores them in the computer storage. The system can include an object detection system that can process the signals received by the computer system from the seismograph. The object detection system can select a first portion of the signal to analyze based a predetermined time interval, create a baseline value for the first portion, and select a plurality of peaks from the first portion. The object detection can also analyze an amplitude, frequency, and periodicity of the first portion to assess the origin of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventors: Glenn Spencer, Michael S. King
  • Patent number: 9057710
    Abstract: Internal components of power generation machinery, such as gas and steam turbines are inspected with an optical camera inspection system that is capable of automatically positioning the camera field of view (FOV) to an area of interest within the machinery along a pre-designated navigation path and capturing images without human intervention. Automatic camera positioning and image capture can be initiated automatically or after receipt of operator permission. The pre-designated navigation path can be defined by operator manual positioning of an inspection scope within the power machine or a similar one of the same type and recording of positioning steps for future replication. The navigation path can also be defined by virtual simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Hatcher, Forrest R. Ruhge, Dennis H. Lemieux, Himanshu Bhatnagar, Yakup Genc, Richard Hatley
  • Publication number: 20150131411
    Abstract: Security events, such as gunshots may be determined using hybrid sensors. The hybrid sensors have at least two different elements that are sensitive to the security event, such as conventional microphone and a fiber optic microphone, which, in the case of a gunshot, permits a better scanning of the report of the gunshot to better determine its direction, signature features, and time of arrival. Additionally, sensor can be employed having multiple elements that are sensitive to a security event where at least one of the elements is not coplanar with the rest. This displacement along an orthogonal axis may be used to improve the ability of a network of such sensors to determine the direction and origin of a security event in a three dimensional system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Judson Mannon Gudgel, Jonathan Torkelson, Stewart Reed
  • Patent number: 9030917
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system of transferring wireless power using an ultrasonic wave, including: an ultrasonic wave generating device converting and transferring electric energy to an ultrasonic wave; and an ultrasonic wave receiving device receiving the ultrasonic wave to convert the ultrasonic wave to electric energy, wherein the ultrasonic wave generating device includes a radiation plate with a plurality of ultrasonic elements and controls an effective area of the radiation plate by turning on/off the plurality of ultrasonic elements so that the ultrasonic wave receiving device is disposed at a position minimizing dispersion effect due to a circular radiation of the ultrasonic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sung Q Lee, Gunn Hwang
  • Patent number: 9019797
    Abstract: Measurement data is received from first and second seismic sensors, where the first and second seismic sensors are oriented in opposite directions. Each of the first and second seismic sensors has a sensing element responsive to pressure and particle motion. The signals can be combined to remove the particle motion component of the measurement data and obtain pressure-only data. Alternatively, the signals can be combined to deghost the received measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Westerngeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nicolas Goujon
  • Patent number: 9010484
    Abstract: A seismic source array includes a first source and a second source. The first source has a first spectral output and the second source has a second spectral output different than the first spectral output. The first source has a first total volume different than a second total volume of the second source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Coste, Claudio Bagaini, Robert Montgomery Laws, Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad
  • Patent number: 9007871
    Abstract: Techniques and devices are disclosed for utilizing passively received audio signals to determine proximity of devices to other objects. In one embodiment, a method of passive proximity detection is provided that includes sensing a first sound wave using a first audio transducer and generating a first signal representative of the first sound wave. A second sound wave is also sensed and a second signal is generated. The method includes comparing characteristics of the first and second signals using a processor to determine if differences between the first and second signals indicate the first audio transducer is proximately located to another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Armstrong-Muntner
  • Patent number: 8995222
    Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method of seismic exploration that produces improved locations and timings for ocean bottom seismometers. The instant method utilizes linearized inversion in conjunction with a conventionally accurate clock to provide both time and positioning for each OBS unit with high accuracy as compared with the prior art approach. Inversion is one mathematical tool that effectively performs the requisite triangulation. Furthermore, the clock drift can be accounted for in the inversion scheme. The inversion not only determines the OBS position and shot timing errors, but also estimates the accuracy of the position and timing determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Ganyuan Xia, Gerard Beaudoin
  • Publication number: 20150085615
    Abstract: For a motion modified steering vector, a motion module modifies a prior steering vector with a motion vector. A steering module spatially filters audio signals using the modified steering vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: LENOVO (Singapore) PTE, LTD.
    Inventors: Steven Richard Perrin, John Miles Hunt, Jian Li, John Weldon Nicholson, Song Wang, Jianbang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150071038
    Abstract: A system for detecting a discharge of a firearm includes a detection component and a location component. The detection component is configured to detect a discharge of a firearm within a building using microphones associated with two or more telephones. The two or more telephones are communicatively coupled with a central server. The location component determines, based on audio data gathered by the microphones, a location at which the firearm was discharged within the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: EDWARD S. BOYDEN, WILLIAM D. DUNCAN, BRAN FERREN, RODERICK A. HYDE, MURIEL Y. ISHIKAWA, JORDIN T. KARE, STEPHEN L. MALASKA, NATHAN P. MYHRVOLD, DAVID B. TUCKERMAN, LOWELL L. WOOD, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150066297
    Abstract: A multi-sonic sensor having a housing, a removable clamp member, a sonic sensor array, and a magnetically connected temperature bail that operates in three modes—a running average, an outlier average, and a string line steering mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SAUER-DANFOSS INC.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Bloms, Richard J. Wolf, Michael Olson, Scott Lee Kessler, Jack Zeng
  • Patent number: 8971150
    Abstract: A method for measuring sea waves includes: transmitting ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic transmitter 2 provided on a buoy 1 into the sea, and receiving the ultrasonic waves from three transponders 3 on the seabed together with the time signals; detecting distances between the transponders 3 and the ultrasonic transmitter 2 based on the propagation time of the ultrasonic waves; high-pass filtering the distance data to extract a short-term fluctuation component; preparing and solving linear equations to determine the displacement in the height direction of the short-term fluctuation component and obtain a wave height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Hitachi Zosen Corporation, The University of Tokyo, Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan
    Inventors: Teruyuki Kato, Yukihiro Terada, Toshihide Miyake, Haruhiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8958268
    Abstract: Disclosed is a user-interface target motion analysis (TMA) method using two-dimensional parameter control and speed zoom, and the method includes a first step of displaying a user-interface target motion analysis screen capable of selecting an input method; a second step of receiving the input method of a user; a third step of simultaneously calculating a speed and a course by speed zoom or simultaneously calculating a course and an initial range; a fourth step of calculating an initial range or a speed by speed zoom that is not calculated in the third step; and a step of generating a result of the target motion analysis using the parameters inputted through the first to fourth steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Agency for Defense Development
    Inventor: In Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20150003208
    Abstract: The method for instrumenting a container, especially intended to receive an assortment of materials, capable of being set moving in a preset coordinate system, said method comprises the following steps: placing at least one communicating element in the container on an internal surface of the container; and tracking the location of each communicating element over time in the preset coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Mikaël Carmona, Roland Blanpain
  • Publication number: 20140376334
    Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic monitoring system comprising at least two isolated acoustic receivers (101a, 101b), such as hydrophones, for receiving acoustic signals from an acoustic source (16) and capable of spatial displacement, a detector for detecting signals from the said receivers and a processing system (110) for processing the detected signals for determining a spatial position of the said receivers and/or a direction to the acoustic source (16). The invention further relates to a method of acoustic monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Laurent Fillinger, Mario Zampolli
  • Publication number: 20140321236
    Abstract: An underwater base handles an autonomous underwater vehicle. The underwater base includes a storing part configured to store the AUV; a control part configured to control the storing part; and a support part configured to support the control part and the storing part and to prevent a burial of the underwater base into the ocean bottom. The control part is further configured to guide the AUV while approaching a desired target position on the ocean bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: CGG SERVICES SA
    Inventors: Antoine LELAURIN, Thierry BRIZARD
  • Publication number: 20140301166
    Abstract: The invention consists of a method which comprises a plurality of steps for determining difference in distance from a reference point to at least two sensor modules 10, 20 that are located under water. The sensor modules 10, 20 comprise means for sending and receiving acoustic signals to each other and to a hydrophone 30 at the reference point. Connected to the hydrophone 30 is a calculating unit 40 that utilises arrival time of the received signals from the sensor modules to determine difference in distance from the sensor modules 10, 20 to the reference point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: SCANTRAWL AS
    Inventor: Henning Skjold-Larsen
  • Patent number: 8842495
    Abstract: Movements of objects within a space are adaptively detected by emitting ultrasound waves into the space and detecting reflections of the ultrasound waves, determining locations of objects within the space based on the ultrasound reflections, and determining real-time movements of the objects based on, in certain embodiments, (i) amplitude differences between amplitudes of echoes in a current wave cycle and an average amplitude over a plurality of wave cycles and (ii) elapsed times of the ultrasound reflections associated with the amplitude differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rethink Robotics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hersey
  • Publication number: 20140269200
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a passive bearing detector is disclosed. The passive bearing detector comprises a plurality of hydrophones. The plurality of hydrophones is arranged in a three-dimensional geometry. The three-dimensional geometry exposes each of the plurality of hydrophones to an ambient aquatic acoustic environment. The passive bearing detector further comprises a processor electrically coupled to the plurality of hydrophones. The processor is configured to determine a direction of arrival of an unknown broadband acoustic signal received by the plurality of hydrophones based on the phase difference of the unknown broadband acoustic signal at each of the plurality of hydrophones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Maurice D. Green, Steven J. McManus
  • Publication number: 20140241126
    Abstract: A sound source detection system for detecting a sound source (e.g., running sound of a vehicle) based on sound collected by microphones extracts characteristic amounts from the sound collected by the microphones, sets a plurality of classes according to the position of the sound source by a multi-class pattern recognition method (e.g., multi-class SVM) using the characteristic amounts, extracts characteristic amounts from sound collected by the microphones for detection of a sound source, determines a class to which the extracted characteristic amounts belong, from the preset plurality of classes, and estimates the sound source based on the class.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: MEIJO UNIVERSITY, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuji Funayama, Jun Sato, Osami Yamamoto, Kensaku Asahi, Hideki Banno, Keiichi Yamada, Akira Ogawa, Yuichi Tanaka, Hiroyuki Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8817578
    Abstract: There is provided a sonic wave output device comprising, a receiving unit to receive wireless signals transmitted from a certain signal source, a determination unit to determine a parameter value depending on a location of the signal source using the wireless signals received by the receiving unit and a sonic wave output unit to output sonic waves with directionality toward a direction of the signal source based on the parameter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichi Izumi, Hiroyuki Fukada
  • Publication number: 20140169137
    Abstract: A measuring method of touch sensitive area size of a SAW sensor module is provided. The SAW sensor module comprises a substrate configured for propagating SAW, a first transmitter and a first receiver corresponding to a first axis, a second transmitter and a second receiver corresponding to a second axis. The SAWs emitted by the first transmitter at least pass through a first initial distance xi, propagate through a second axis length y after reflected by a first SAW reflecting bar, and enter the first receiver after reflected by a second SAW reflecting bar. The SAWs emitted by the second transmitter at least pass through a second initial distance yi, propagate through a first axis length x after reflected by a third SAW reflecting bar, and enter the second receiver after reflected by a fourth SAW reflecting bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: SHANG-TAI YEH, TENG-WEI HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20140092711
    Abstract: A method for identifying a seismic even makes it possible to determine the direction to a source of a seismic disturbance both on the surface and in a three-dimensional space and increases the probability of correct identification of a seismic event and the accuracy of the determination of the direction to the source. A compact seismic detector for implementing the method reduces the cost of scanning and servicing a perimeter protection system constructed on the basis of such detectors. In the method, two or three pairs of seismic sensors which are divided by a distance and are oriented at an angle with respect to one another, for example mutually perpendicularly along the axes X, Y or along the axes X, Y, Z, respectively, are combined to form one seismic detector. The resultant seismic data are processed to determine the direction to the source of the seismic disturbance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: ANGRYMOLE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Nodari V. BAGRATASHVILI