Acoustic Holography Patents (Class 367/8)
  • Patent number: 11432806
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an image data acquisition unit and a template data acquisition unit. The image data acquisition unit acquires a plurality of pieces of image data generated by performing a plurality of ultrasonic wave transmission and reception operations on a subject while changing an ultrasonic wave transmission and reception mode. The template data acquisition unit acquires a plurality of pieces of template data corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic wave transmission and reception operations, respectively. The similarity information acquisition unit acquires information indicating a similarity between an image value sequence of the plurality of pieces of image data at a target position and a template data sequence of the plurality of pieces of template data at the target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Baba, Kenichi Nagae, Yukio Furukawa, Kouichi Kato, Hiroshi Abe
  • Patent number: 11118902
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shape measurement device includes a controller, in which the controller starts a process in which a plurality of different phase pattern images is projected by a projector, whenever the phase pattern image is projected by the projector before a rising time elapses, the rising time being a time until the luminance of light does not temporally change after a light source of the projector applies the light, and measures a three-dimensional shape of a target object onto which the phase pattern image is projected on the basis of a captured image obtained by the camera after the process is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kentaro Tsukamoto, Tomoki Harada
  • Patent number: 10775743
    Abstract: An ultrasonic holography imaging system and method are provided. The ultrasonic holography imaging system includes an ultrasonic transducer array coupled to an analog processing section. The analog processing section is coupled to a digital processing section. The digital processing section generates digital signals to be converted by the analog processing section into analog signals that are transmitted to individual transceiver elements within the ultrasonic transducer array to cause separate ones of the individual transceiver elements to emit ultrasonic waveforms that are differentiated from each other by one or more parameters, including amplitude, frequency, and phase or modulation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephan Falter, Dieter Lingenberg
  • Patent number: 10475214
    Abstract: The present approach relates to the use of machine learning and deep learning systems suitable for solving large-scale, space-variant tomographic reconstruction and/or correction problems. In certain embodiments, a tomographic transform of measured data obtained from a tomography scanner is used as an input to a neural network. In accordance with certain aspects of the present approach, the tomographic transform operation(s) is performed separate from or outside the neural network such that the result of the tomographic transform operation is instead provided as an input to the neural network. In addition, in certain embodiments, one or more layers of the neural network may be provided as wavelet filter banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lin Fu, Sathish Ramani, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Xue Rui, Sangtae Ahn
  • Patent number: 10433734
    Abstract: A method for irradiating a medium includes irradiating the medium with an electromagnetic wave which is scattered in the medium and modulated in frequency at a position in the medium; obtaining information corresponding to an interference pattern generated by interference between the modulated electromagnetic wave and a reference wave; and generating a phase conjugate wave, based on the obtained information, which irradiates the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Masumura
  • Patent number: 10319121
    Abstract: The acoustic performance of acoustic materials is readily studied for various values of the material parameters characteristic of acoustic materials. An acoustic performance calculation device is provided with an acoustic performance calculation device that calculates the acoustic performance of acoustic materials for each of a plurality of values in a pre-specified numerical range for each of a plurality of material parameters characteristic of acoustic materials based on a mathematical model for mathematically representing acoustic material, a contour map drawing device for drawing a contour map representing the calculated acoustic performance by contours where the two axes are the values of one material parameter and the frequency, and a plot drawing device for plotting the performance curves showing the relationship between the frequency and the acoustic performance for one value in the numerical range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: NITTOBO ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunikazu Hirosawa
  • Patent number: 9584939
    Abstract: The invention provides an arrangement and a method for measuring the direct sound wrad radiated by an acoustical source under test (e.g. loudspeakers) under the influence of acoustic ambient noise sources Q1 and reflections at acoustical boundaries (e.g. room walls). An acquisition device measures a state variable pt(rm) of the sound field at a plurality of measurement points rm in a scanning range Gm by a sensor and generates a scanned data set pGm,tQ0,Q1. Based on this data set an analyzer determines the coefficients CradQ0 associated with expansion functions which are solutions of the wave equation. An identifier uses the scanned data set pGm,tQ0,Q1 for generating parameter information P for the analyzer which are the basis for separating the direct sound wrad from room reflections wref and other waves wsec scattered at the surface of the source under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Klippel GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Klippel, Daniel Knobloch
  • Patent number: 9256202
    Abstract: A volume holographic imaging system enables the projection of a two-dimensional (2D) slice of a four-dimensional (4D) object. The 4D source object is illuminated to emit or scatter an optical field. A holographic element having one or more recorded holograms receives and diffracts the optical field into a diffracted plane beam. A phase mask is encoded in one or more multiplexed holographic gratings of the holographic element using a spatial filter. A collector lens focuses the diffracted plane beam to a 2D slice of the 4D probing source object. The focused 2D slice is projected onto a 2D imaging plane. The holographic element may have multiple multiplexed holograms that are arranged to diffract light from a corresponding slice of the 4D probing source object to a non-overlapping region of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: George Barbastathis, Yuan Luo
  • Patent number: 9229087
    Abstract: A targeting system comprising a plurality of directional sensors (11) to monitor a spatial area. Each sensor (11) transmits time series information about possible targets to a remote receiver (13), the time series information is processed by processor (14) to select at least one frequency line track (23). Various target parameters associated with each frequency line track are processed by processor (15) to derive tonal association information about possible targets which is displayed on display (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Christopher Rossiter
  • Patent number: 9197962
    Abstract: A microphone array-based audio system that supports representations of auditory scenes using second-order (or higher) harmonic expansions based on the audio signals generated by the microphone array. In one embodiment, a plurality of audio sensors are mounted on the surface of an acoustically rigid polyhedron that approximates a sphere. The number and location of the audio sensors on the polyhedron are designed to enable the audio signals generated by those sensors to be decomposed into a set of eigenbeams having at least one eigenbeam of order two (or higher). Beamforming (e.g., steering, weighting, and summing) can then be applied to the resulting eigenbeam outputs to generate one or more channels of audio signals that can be utilized to accurately render an auditory scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MH Acoustics LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Elko, Jens M. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9036452
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to systems and methods for synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) or radar including seismic surveying. The systems may include a first number of a plurality of acoustic transmitter elements mounted on one or more vehicles, and a second number of a plurality of acoustic receiver elements mounted on one or more vehicles. Each of the vehicles may include a processor having a synthetic aperture image of a portion of the underwater terrain. The synthetic aperture image may include acoustic data obtained from prior synthetic aperture sonar imaging of the underwater terrain. The plurality of vehicles are arranged to form a planar synthetic aperture sonar array having a third number of phase centers. The third number of phase centers is equal to the first number multiplied by the second number. The transmitters in such systems may be configured to generate orthogonal acoustic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Hadal, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Rikoski
  • Publication number: 20150078125
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein in which multi-level square wave excitation signals are used instead of or in addition to fully-analog excitation signals to drive an array of transceiver elements to create a sound field. Use of multi-level square wave excitation signals produces acceptable transceiver output with reduced complexity, cost, and/or power consumption as compared with use of fully-analog excitation signals. In addition, use of such signals facilitates system implementation using application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and is not as restricted in voltage level and speed. At the same time, the benefits and applications of fully-analog excitation signals (e.g., acoustic holography, beam superposition, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvements, suppression of parasitic modes, increased material penetration, potential for coded pulsing algorithms and suppression of side lobes in ultrasonic field) can still be achieved with multi-level square wave excitation signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Stephan Falter, James Norman Barshinger, Dirk Lange, Mark Howard Feydo, Werner Lammerich
  • Patent number: 8952936
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for position detection. For detection of a touch position, a segment of surface acoustic wave (SAW) is provided multiple times to be propagated on a SAW touch panel, and the multiple SAW segments are received by the SAW touch panel. In addition, during or after reception, partial output electrical signals are provided based on different portions of each received SAW segment to construct a complete output electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Egalax—Empia Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Shang-Tai Yeh, Teng-Wei Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8923893
    Abstract: Generating a planogram of a facility in real-time, includes positioning a wireless mobile device at a plurality of geometric positions within the facility. A location of the mobile device at each position is then established using a location mechanism. Each geometric position is then associated with that location of the mobile device. The planogram is then updated with information about the geometric position. The geometric positions are associated with physical objects modeled in the planogram. Non-geometric information can also be obtained at the location of the mobile device, and this non-geometric information can be overlaid onto the planogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Austin, Russell Calvarese
  • Publication number: 20140211588
    Abstract: An ultrasonic holography imaging system and method are provided. The ultrasonic holography imaging system includes an ultrasonic transducer array coupled to an analog processing section. The analog processing section is coupled to a digital processing section. The digital processing section generates digital signals to be converted by the analog processing section into analog signals that are transmitted to individual transceiver elements within the ultrasonic transducer array to cause separate ones of the individual transceiver elements to emit ultrasonic waveforms that are differentiated from each other by one or more parameters, including amplitude, frequency, and phase or modulation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephan Falter, Dieter Lingenberg
  • Publication number: 20140204702
    Abstract: Various approaches are described for visualizing one-dimensional A-scan data samples in a three-dimensional space. Each of the data samples represents ultrasonic signals received from a test material. The data samples are transformed into the three-dimensional space as a geometric shape corresponding to a relative amount of ultrasonic energy reflected back from the test material. The data samples as transformed into the three-dimensional space with the geometric shapes rendered therein can be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Ralf Ratering
  • Publication number: 20130336088
    Abstract: Provided is an object information acquiring apparatus generating image data inside an object on the basis of an acoustic wave propagating inside the object, which uses an object information acquiring apparatus having an acoustic detector receiving the acoustic wave, an object information distribution processor generating an object information distribution representing a property of inside of the object by using the acoustic wave, a reliability distribution generator generating a reliability distribution by using the object information distribution, a similarity distribution generator generating a similarity distribution indicating similarity between template data indicating a relation between a real image and an artifact in the image data, and the object information distribution, and a combination processor performing combination processing of the reliability distribution and the similarity distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohtaro Umezawa, Takuji Oishi
  • Publication number: 20130336089
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for reading matrix codes comprising an ultrasound transducer 20 which comprises transmitter and receiver electrodes, a receiver unit 24 connected to the receiver electrodes for processing the signals received by the receiver electrodes, and a transmitter module 21 connected to the transmitter electrodes, the transmitter module transferring an electronic signal to the transducer, where the signal shape is selected between a number of signal shapes according to the characteristics of the matrix code to be read.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Frank MELANDSO, Tore Baarstad, Arnt-Borre Salberg, Terje Melandso, Eskil Skoglund
  • Publication number: 20130301383
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally to portable acoustic holography systems for therapeutic ultrasound sources, and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, a method of characterizing an ultrasound source by acoustic holography includes the use of a transducer geometry characteristic, a transducer operation characteristic, and a holography system measurement characteristic. A control computer can be instructed to determine holography measurement parameters. Based on the holography measurement parameters, the method can include scanning a target surface to obtain a hologram. Waveform measurements at a plurality of points on the target surface can be captured. Finally, the method can include processing the measurements to reconstruct at least one characteristic of the ultrasound source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Oleg A. Sapozhnikov, Michael R. Bailey, Peter J. Kaczkowski, Vera A. Khokhlova, Wayne Kreider
  • Publication number: 20130258805
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing compounded ultrasound images by beamforming a first and a second low-resolution image using data from a first ultrasound emission, beamforming a third and a fourth low-resolution image using data from a second ultrasound emission, summing said first and said third low-resolution image creating a first high-resolution image and said second and said fourth low-resolution image creating a second high-resolution image, wherein the method further comprises computing a first envelope image for said first high-resolution image and a second envelope image for said second high-resolution image, and processing said first envelope image and said second envelope image creating in a first compounded high-resolution image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: B-K Medical ApS
    Inventors: Jens Munk Hansen, Svetoslav Ivanov Nikolov, Jacob Kortbek, Jørgen Arendt Jensen
  • Publication number: 20130223185
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to high frequency piezoelectric crystal composites, devices, and method for manufacturing the same. In adaptive embodiments an improved imaging device, particularly a medical imaging device or a distance imaging device, for high frequency (>20 MHz) applications involving an imaging transducer assembly is coupled to a signal imagery processor. Additionally, the proposed invention presents a system for photolithography based micro-machined piezoelectric crystal composites and their uses resulting in improved performance parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: H.C. MATERIALS CORPORATION a Illinois Corporation
    Inventors: Pengdi Han, Jian Tian, Kevin Meneou, Brandon Stone
  • Patent number: 8371172
    Abstract: A method and system for predicting acoustic fields based on generalized moving frame acoustic holography are disclosed. The method includes acquiring a first wavenumber spectrum on a measurement plane according to a moving coordinate system, converting the first wavenumber spectrum to a second wavenumber spectrum on a reference coordinate system using a relative velocity between the measurement plane and a medium, converting the second wavenumber spectrum to a third wavenumber spectrum on a prediction plane using an acoustic wave propagation theory, converting the third wavenumber spectrum to a fourth wavenumber spectrum on a moving coordinate system using a relative velocity between the medium and the prediction plane, and computing acoustic fields on the prediction plane using the fourth wavenumber spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventor: Hyu-Sang Kwon
  • Publication number: 20120275261
    Abstract: A beamformer for forming a reception beam using a multichannel signal reflected from a subject is provided. The beamformer includes a signal generator that may generate a plurality of signals to which different apodization functions are applied, with respect to the multichannel signal, an estimator that may estimate a signal predominant component and a noise predominant component from the plurality of signals, a weight calculator that may calculate a weight to be applied to the signal predominant component according to each of channels, using the estimated signal predominant component and the estimated noise predominant component, and a weight applier that may apply the calculated weight to the estimated signal predominant component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Kyu-hong KIM, Jung-ho Kim, Sung-chan Park
  • Patent number: 8174925
    Abstract: An acoustic camera comprises a first sound pick-up device, a second sound pick-up device, and a switch. The switch is respectively connected to the first sound pick-up device and the second pick-up device and used to select the first sound pick-up device or the second sound pick-up device to reconstruct the sound field of the sound source of a detected object. The first sound pick-up device has a first microphone array, and the first microphone array is a near-field uniform microphone array. The second sound pick-up device has a second microphone array, and the second microphone array is a far-field non-uniform microphone array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Mingsian R. Bai, Jia-Hong Lin, Kuan-Liang Liu
  • Patent number: 8077540
    Abstract: A system and computer implemented method for determining and displaying vector acoustic intensity fields based on signals from a rigid spherical array of acoustic sensors within a volume external to the array. The method includes a propagator with a ratio of Green's functions for the location within the volume and for the spherical array radius, and a Tikhonov regularization filter that uses the Morozov discrepancy principle on the measured noise variance and Fourier coefficients of the measured partial pressures with respect to reference accelerometer or microphone measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Earl G Williams
  • Patent number: 8009507
    Abstract: A system for an adaptable aperture planar array for maintaining source resolution is provided. The system includes a first nested array defining a first aperture responsive to a first range of frequencies. The first aperture is sized based on an angle between the array and the source, and includes a first subset of sensor elements. The system includes a second nested array defining a second aperture responsive to a second range of frequencies that is less than the first range of frequencies. The second aperture is sized based on the angle between the array and the source, and includes a second subset of sensor elements. The first aperture and second aperture change in size as the angle changes, which results in a change in the sensor elements within the first subset and the second subset to maintain the source resolution for the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James R. Underbrink
  • Publication number: 20110164466
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reconstructing a sound field. The method comprises receiving measured values of a first acoustic quantity measured at a set of measurement locations; computing a second acoustic quantity for a target location from a superposition of plane waves. The method comprises storing a set of representations of interpolations of respective functions, each function being a function of two or less input parameters; and computing comprises computing each of a set of correlation functions, each correlation function being indicative of a correlation of the plane waves at a first one of said measurement locations with the plane waves at a second location, as a linear combination of values obtained from the set of representations of interpolations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Bruel & Kjaer Sound & Vibration Measurement A/S
    Inventor: Jorgen Hald
  • Patent number: 7966147
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, generating images according to intersection points includes obtaining samples of signals from transmitter-receiver pairs. A transmitter-receiver pair is configured to transmit a signal and receive the signal reflected by an object. Intersection points are determined, where an intersection point indicates an intersection for integer multiples of a sample-time distance. A subset of samples corresponding to the intersection points is selected. Image data is generated from the selected subset of samples, where the image data is used to generate an image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William T. Jennings, Dache′ P. Barnhart
  • Publication number: 20110100880
    Abstract: Method for producing a stationary wave field of arbitrary shape comprising the steps of defining at least one volume being limited in the direction of the axis of propagation of a beam, of the type 0?z?L; defining an intensity pattern within the said region 0?z?L by a function F(z), describing the said localized and stationary intensity pattern, which is approximated by means of a Fourier expansion or by a similar expansion in terms of (trigonometric) orthogonal functions; providing a generic superposition of Bessel or other beams highly transversally confined; calculating the maximum number of superimposed Bessel beams the amplitudes, the phase velocities and the relative phases of each Bessel beam of the superposition, and the transverse and longitudinal wavenumbers of each Bessel beam of the superposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Bracco Imaging S.p.A.
    Inventors: Erasmo Recami, Michel Zamboni Rached, Hugo Enrique Hernandez Figueroa, Valerio Abate, Cesar Augusto Dartora, Kleber Zuza Nobrega, Marco Mattiuzzi
  • Patent number: 7903500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for localizing acoustic sources and measuring their intensity comprising an antenna having at least two sub-antennas, each sub-antenna having at least two branches disposed in a cross or star shape, each branch being equipped with a plurality of microphones, and a system for processing the signals coming from the microphones, the device being designed to establish, for a frequency higher than a given value fc, an acoustic source hologram, i.e. a distribution of acoustic pressures or intensities at different computation points on a given surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Bernard Beguet, Lucille Lamotte
  • Publication number: 20110050845
    Abstract: A miniaturized Holographic Fourier transform imaging spectrometer HFTIS, made from simple all-reflective components and with no moving parts, is provided. This HFTIS includes an all-reflective two beam interferometer, which provides two interfering beams; a two-dimensional detector array to detect the interference pattern created by the beams; a computing machine for correcting the distortions in the pattern and calculating the spectrum from the corrected interferogram. The same principle can be used to build spot spectrometers, line-scan imaging spectrometers (also called array spectrometers or line-scan hyperspectral cameras) as well as two-dimensional instantaneous imaging spectrometers (also called staring hyperspectral cameras). In all variants of HFTIS that can be built using this invention, the wave-signal collecting element can also be built of all-reflective components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Hamed Hamid Muhammed
  • Patent number: 7756503
    Abstract: Heretofore, a plurality of packages were used in a high frequency module in which a plurality of waveguide terminals were positioned resulting in problems, such as degradation of characteristics in the connection lines between packages, lower ease of assembly when mounting and connecting the connection lines, increased cost, and so forth. To solve these problems, a plurality of cavities having a part or the entire side metallized is formed in a multi-layer dielectric substrate. The multi-layer dielectric substrate is provided with a plurality of waveguide terminals, microstrip line-waveguide converters, RF lines, bias and control signal wiring, and bias and control signal pads. A high frequency circuit is mounted within the cavity and sealed with a seal and cover. This is intended to reduce the number of package, improve performance, improve fabrication, and lower the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tamaki, Takuya Suzuki, Koichi Matsuo, Hiroshi Kai
  • Patent number: 7599248
    Abstract: A system and method for determining vector acoustic intensity fields using a spherical array of acoustic sensors, and a regularization technique. A mobile spherical array of a number of microphones that image the acoustic intensity vector throughout a large volume internal and external to the spherical array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Earl G Williams
  • Publication number: 20080232192
    Abstract: A system and method for determining vector acoustic intensity fields using a spherical array of acoustic sensors, and a regularization technique. A mobile spherical array of a number of microphones that image the acoustic intensity vector throughout a large volume internal and external to the spherical array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Earl G. Williams
  • Patent number: 7379384
    Abstract: The present invention is a new technology for producing images which uses echoes of a single brief signal, or “click”. A “click” is transduced by multiple sensors and then digitally sampled. Digitized signals are computer analyzed for fine details of each rise and fall. The signal details, based on individual instants of time, from the various sensors of a set are referenced to points in space, producing 3D models of echoing objects from set-based entities of information. Mathematical methods of correlation and of Fourier analysis are thus avoided. Many of the methods may also apply to passive sonar as well as multiple other types of waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas Moreman
  • Patent number: 7289633
    Abstract: A sound system for capturing and reproducing sounds produced by a plurality of sound sources. The system comprises a device for receiving sounds produced by the plurality of sound sources and converting the separately received sounds to a plurality of separate audio signals without mixing the audio signals. The system may further comprise a device for separately storing the plurality of separate audio signals on a recording medium without mixing the audio signals and a device for reading the stored audio signals from the recording medium. A sound system and method for modeling a sound field generated by a sound source and creating a sound event based on the modeled sound field is also disclosed. The system and method captures a sound field over an enclosing surface, models the sound field and enables reproduction of the modeled sound field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Verax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 7259897
    Abstract: An acoustical holographic imaging method and apparatus for introducing a reference wave into a hologram surface such that the reference wave does not interfere with an object placed adjacent to or in close proximity to the hologram surface. More particularly, the ultrasonic holographic imaging system may use a reference wave introduced on the side of a thin (3 element) detector that acts as a wave guide; to introduce the reference wave to a liquid-to-gas interface or alternatively, from the topside of the detecting surface through a liquid-to-liquid interface. The system eliminates the acoustic lens system, thereby reducing the size and cost of the system. Further, an object may be placed at the detecting surface, increasing the depth of field of the resultant image and reducing the energy needed from the object source. The system may additionally utilize multiple reference sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Holographic Engineering LLC
    Inventors: George F. Garlick, Todd F. Garlick
  • Patent number: 6958950
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of visualizing the sound fields of sound sources using acoustic holography, which discriminates the sound fields of individual sound sources having the same frequency component and visualizes the sound fields thereof. In the method, sound pressures are calculated on a sound source plane using sound pressures measured on a hologram plane. A single sound source having a position of a maximum sound pressure on the sound source plane is extracted, and a value of the sound pressure at the position is evaluated as a signal coherent to the sound source. A sound field of the extracted sound source is obtained using the coherent signal. The sound field is eliminated from sound fields of all sound sources, and it is determined whether any remaining sound field exists. The process returns to the sound field obtaining operation if any remaining sound field exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yang Hann Kim, Kyoung Uk Nam
  • Patent number: 6876322
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices, and apparatus to interrogate a clothed individual with electromagnetic radiation to determine if a concealed weapon is being carried. This determination includes establishing data corresponding to an image of the individual and processing data sets corresponding to a number of spatial frequency representations of different image portions to evaluate if the concealed weapon is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Paul E. Keller
  • Patent number: 6831874
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved ultrasonic hologram or other ultrasonic imaging process that accurately forms phase and amplitude information of the hologram in a manner that renders the unit relatively insensitive to environment vibrations, and provides long maintenance free functioning lifetime. Specifically, there is disclosed an improved ultrasonic hologram detector component that forms an ultrasonic hologram on the surface of a detection deformable detector material, resulting from the deformation of the surface. The surface deformation is due to the reflection of an ultrasound (ultrasonic) energy profile of the combination of an “object wave” that passes through an object and that of a “reference wave” that is directed to the surface at an off axis angle from the “object wave”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Imaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Garlick, Jerod O. Shelby
  • Publication number: 20040151066
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of visualizing the sound fields of sound sources using acoustic holography, and more particularly to a method, which discriminates the sound fields of individual sound sources having the same frequency component and visualizes the sound fields thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Yang Hann Kim, Kyoung Uk Nam
  • Patent number: 6757215
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an acoustic holographic image having a plurality of pulses with different characteristic parameters from each other. More particularly, a sequence contains a plurality of pulses which have different characteristic parameters from each other. An image is created for each sequence and the effect of each pulse in creating the image is varied based on the variation of the characteristic parameter for each pulse. A selectively enhanced acoustic image is thereby obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Imaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Garlick, Jerod O. Shelby, Ronald L. Shelby
  • Publication number: 20040037164
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an acoustic holographic image having a plurality of pulses with different characteristic parameters from each other. More particularly, a sequence contains a plurality of pulses which have different characteristic parameters from each other. An image is created for each sequence and the effect of each pulse in creating the image is varied based on the variation of the characteristic parameter for each pulse. A selectively enhanced acoustic image is thereby obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Advanced Imaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Garlick, Jerod O. Shelby, Ronald L. Shelby
  • Patent number: 6672165
    Abstract: An acoustoelectronic method and apparatus for generating real-time three-dimensional images of an object and characterizing such object are provided. The object is insonified with an incident acoustic signal derived from an electrical signal. Acoustic signals scattered from the object are collected by an acoustic receiver, which generates analog electrical signals that are subsequently converted to digital electronic signals. The digital electronic signals are used in both direct-imaging and holographic methods to produce a three-dimensional representation of the object from which images and characterizations can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center
    Inventors: John D. G. Rather, H. John Caulfield, Richard D. Doolittle, Glenn W. Zeiders, Gregory W. Auner
  • Patent number: 6615143
    Abstract: Acoustic field reconstruction is performed by expanding basis function which represent outgoing and incoming waves, without prior knowledge of the source geometry and dimensions. The reconstruction is based on acoustic pressures measured in the field only, and can be accomplished on a piece-wise basis. There are no restrictions on the locations of measurements. Moreover, the present invention can be used to reconstruct acoustic radiation from a plurality of sources or from a single source surrounded by multiple reflecting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Wayne State University
    Inventor: Sean F. Wu
  • Patent number: 6590830
    Abstract: There is disclosed a series of process and apparatus modifications to ultrasonic holography imaging systems that each or together function to enhance image quality of ultrasonic holography images. Specifically, there is disclosed a process and apparatus for generating multiple exposure ultrasonic holography images generated from selected orientations, each of which insures multiple images, multiple intensities (amplitudes) and multiple frequencies from each orientation. The inventive process and apparatus for providing multiple view, multiple angle, and multiple frequency or intensity transmissive ultrasound imaging of the internal structures of an object provides an object sound intensity of equal or near equal intensity across the entire field of the object, such as a human breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Imaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Garlick, Ronald L. Shelby, Jerod O. Shelby
  • Patent number: 6466891
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides. a sonar operator with the most likely range to a target of interest. The system generates and displays a contour based on ship's parameters, target parameters, environmental data, and operator parameters. The sonar operator can vary many of the parameters in “what if” scenarios so as to generate groups of contours for preselected probabilities of detection. Contours can be used to show the actions that should be taken to ensure a favorable outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: G. Clifford Carter, Harold J. Teller
  • Publication number: 20020075758
    Abstract: The temperature distribution in water is measured by two thermocouples to obtain a temperature compensating parameter. Under measurement conditions where the temperature distribution in water varies, a measured V(Z) curve is used to monitor a change in the wave number of a longitudinal wave in an ultrasonic wave propagation region in water to thereby detect variations in the water temperature and the longitudinal wave velocity with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Jun-ichi Kushibiki, Yuu Ono
  • Patent number: 6353576
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved ultrasonic hologram or other ultrasonic imaging process that accurately forms phase and amplitude information of the hologram in a manner that renders the unit relatively insensitive to environment vibrations, and provides long maintenance free functioning lifetime. Specifically, there is disclosed an improved ultrasonic hologram detector component that forms an ultrasonic hologram on the surface of a detection fluid, resulting from the deformation of the surface. The surface deformation is due to the reflection of an ultrasound (ultrasonic) energy profile of the combination of an “object wave” that passes through an object and that of a “reference wave” that is directed to the surface at an off axis angle from the “object wave”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Diagnostics Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Garlick, Jerod O. Shelby
  • Patent number: RE44611
    Abstract: A sound system for capturing and reproducing sounds produced by a plurality of sound sources. The system comprises a device for receiving sounds produced by the plurality of sound sources and converting the separately received sounds to a plurality of separate audio signals without mixing the audio signals. The system may further comprise a device for separately storing the plurality of separate audio signals on a recording medium without mixing the audio signals and a device for reading the stored audio signals from the recording medium. A sound system and method for modeling a sound field generated by a sound source and creating a sound event based on the modeled sound field is also disclosed. The system and method captures a sound field over an enclosing surface, models the sound field and enables reproduction of the modeled sound field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Verax Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Metcalf