Abstract: A system is described that constantly learns the sound characteristics of an indoor environment to detect the presence or absence of humans within that environment. A detection model is constructed and a decision feedback approach is used to constantly learn and update the statistics of the detection features and sound events that are unique to the environment in question. The learning process may not only rely on acoustic signal, but may also make use of signals derived from other sensors such as range sensor, motion sensors, pressure sensors, and video sensors.

Abstract: A pulsed sonar-based wireless rod position indication system that utilizes nuclear radiation and high temperature tolerant hardware. The pulsed sonar-based rod position indication system can precisely locate the rod position by measuring the time of flight of a transmitted signal and by using the phase and amplitude information of the same transmitted signal. Primary and secondary antenna probes located in the interior of the control rod drive rod travel housing and full hardware redundancy provide for improved accuracy. The time of flight, phase and amplitude raw signals are inputted to a wireless data transmitter capable of sending the raw signals to a receiver antenna located elsewhere inside a containment for further processing.

Abstract: A sonar based sensor for localization of a target in air is described. The sensor comprises a wide or ultra-wide band emitter for emitting a wide or ultra-wide band signal, and a set of spatially randomly or irregularly positioned receivers for receiving the wide or ultra-wide band signal after reflection at the target. A corresponding processor and method for localizing also is disclosed.

Abstract: RGB-D imaging system having an ultrasonic array fin generating images that include depth data, and methods fin manufacturing and using same. The RGB-D imaging system includes an ultrasonic sensor array positioned on a housing that includes an ultrasonic emitter and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The RGB-D imaging system also includes an RGB camera assembly positioned on the housing in a parallel plane with, and operably connected to, the ultrasonic sensor. The RGB-D imaging system thereby provides/enables improved imaging in a wide variety of lighting conditions compared to conventional systems.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a vibration unit configured to generate a vibration sound transmitted by vibrating a contacting or pressing body part; and piezoelectric elements stacked on and attached to the vibration unit and vibrating the vibration unit in accordance with an input signal. The piezoelectric elements each have a different capacitance. Voltage of the input signal to the piezoelectric elements is varied in accordance with frequency band, thereby suppressing power consumption.

Abstract: A method for detecting a sensor degradation in distance sensors, having the following: a) sending out at least one transmit pulse; b) acquisition of a sensor signal at least in a decay interval; and c) determination of a degree of degradation based on a frequency response of the acquired sensor signal. Also described is a computer program product, a distance sensor unit, and a driver assistance system for carrying out such methods.

Abstract: Beacon devices transmit wireless beacon messages to alert an application on a mobile phone of the Beacon device's proximity. Contemplated beacon devices may also include an ultrasonic emitter and one or more microphones. The ultrasonic emitter may be used to complement other beacon operations, communicate information to a user mobile device, and monitor the beacon device's environment. Ultrasonic data may also be used to determine if a person or object is in proximity to the beacon device. Short echolocation travel times may be used to indicate that a user is “touching” the beacon device. Inter-beacon device communication may also be accomplished using the ultrasonic emitter.

Abstract: A device for measuring the body height of a person. In the area of an inner border of a building room at least one emitter for emitting a primary signal and at least one sensor for picking up a measuring signal are arranged. The emitter, as well as the sensor, is coupled to a control device. The control device is coupled to a display device.

Abstract: An in-vivo device may allocate a sensing window in a work cycle for sensing and processing localization signals to determine the location/orientation of the in-vivo device. The in-vivo device may use a timing unit to schedule transmission of data frames and the sensing of the localization signals relative to a reference time embedded in work cycles. The timing unit may produce a clock signal based on which the in-vivo device may measure time specifics, which define the sensing window, relative to the reference time. A receiver may use data embedded in data frames to restore the clock signal and the reference time, and, from them, and using identical or similar time specifics, generate a synchronization signal for a localization signals source (LSS) to enable the LSS to generate localization signals in synchronization with the sensing windows.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of multipath and transmit level adaptation thereto in ultrasonic locationing of a mobile device within an environment includes providing fixed ultrasonic emitters for transmitting ultrasonic bursts at predetermined times. A communication device measuring at least a direct signal of each ultrasonic burst and detecting multipath of each ultrasonic burst by comparing an amplitude of the direct signal with other signals related to the ultrasonic burst. If multipath is detected a controller increasing a transmit power level of the ultrasonic burst to insure the direct signal reliably remains above the detection threshold. If multipath is not detected reduce a transmit power level to the point detection is just possible. Results from non-multipath conditions are more heavily weighted when determining position as they are typically more accurate.

Abstract: A device for detecting a parking space includes: a signal pre-processing unit configured to filter ultrasonic signals emitted from ultrasonic sensors attached to a vehicle, and reflected and returned from a corner section of an obstacle; a corner estimating unit configured to extract a crossing point of a plurality of circles each having a measurement distance as a radius, wherein the measurement distances are collected from the received ultrasonic signals according to a movement of the vehicle, estimate a reflection angle between a first line for bisecting a detection region of the ultrasonic sensor, which has an attachment position of the ultrasonic sensor as a reference point, and a second line for connecting the reference point and the crossing point, and estimate the corner section based on the estimated reflection angle; and a parking space detecting unit configured to detect a parking space according to the estimated corner section.

Abstract: A sensor device for a computer system has a transceiver unit and a data processing device connected to the transceiver unit, wherein the data processing device is configured to predefine emission of signals at measuring intervals for the transceiver unit; detect, on the basis of received, reflected signals, signal ranges assignable to objects; define a deviation in intensities of the received signal ranges over a plurality of measuring intervals for associated, detected signal ranges; and decide, on the basis of the defined deviation, whether a change has taken place in the object assigned to the respectively detected signal range.

Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and methods of communicating acoustic information of a distributed microphone array between mobile devices. For example, an audio processor may determine source information of one or more acoustic sources based on acoustic information sensed by a distributed microphone array including a first microphone of a first mobile device and a second microphone of a second mobile device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transducer controller is configured to form an integrated distance measuring and diagnostic cycle that includes measuring a decay time of a transducer and to selectively adjust a period of the transmitted signal responsively to a value of a reverberation period.

Abstract: A fish finder device housing having a watertight shell housing capable of containing an electronic load having a transducer within an interior space, the housing have oppositely opposed extension members, each of the extension members having a keel, the oppositely opposed extension members and keels helping maintain the fish finder device housing and contained transducer in a stable condition such as in a substantially upright vertical position and preventing the housing from rocking back-and-forth and rolling side-to-side during normal fishing conditions including choppy or wavy water, when an angler is fishing in a body of water having a current, or when the angler is pulling the fish finder device housing behind a watercraft during trolling. The fish finder device housing may have an aperture in at least one of the extension members for connecting a fishing line, such as that of a fishing pole, or a line for tethering the fish finder device housing behind a watercraft.

Abstract: In the device and method for generating and evaluating ultrasound signals, particularly for determining the distance of a vehicle from an obstacle, an ultrasound received signal is received by at least one ultrasound receiver subscriber of a data bus, after a burst transmission signal comprising a plurality of ultrasound pulses and having a burst length has been transmitted by at least one ultrasound transmitter subscriber of the data bus. The ultrasound received signal is subdivided into time sections which are substantially equal to half the burst length. The peak value for each time section of the ultrasound received signal is transmitted via the data bus to a central control and evaluation unit.

Abstract: A fill-level measuring device includes a self-learn device that is able to automatically determine the length of the dome shaft of the container. To this effect the self-learn device uses a multiple echo classified as such by a multiple-echo detection device. In this manner the result of fill level measuring may be improved.

Abstract: A vehicle obstacle detection device includes a sensor that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and a controller that instructs the sensor to transmit the ultrasonic waves. The controller compares amplitude of reflected waves received by the sensor with a threshold to determine presence or absence of an obstacle. The controller includes a voltage monitoring unit that detects a power supply voltage. The controller more reduces the threshold as the power supply voltage detected by the voltage monitoring unit is lower.

Abstract: A cargo handling vehicle comprising a mast and a lifting device movable along said mast. The cargo handling vehicle comprises a range sensor located on said cargo handling vehicle at a position suitable for measuring the distance to the top of a piece of cargo. The cargo handling vehicle also comprises means for calculating a calculated height of said piece of cargo with respect based on said distance to the top of the piece of cargo, and means for calculating the estimated volume of said piece of cargo based on said known length and width and said calculated height. The cargo handling vehicle is used in a method for calculating the estimated volume of said piece of cargo.

Abstract: A sensor for a fill level measuring device for determining the fill level in a container by determining the delay time of high-frequency signals, comprising a main reflector having an edge region and an inner region, a sub reflector, which is connected to the edge region of the main reflector via a radome, an inner space, which is encompassed by the radome and the main reflector, and a hollow waveguide which is connected to the main reflector and has a front end, which is oriented toward the sub reflector for coupling electromagnetic waves in and/or out, wherein the radome and the sub reflector are embodied as integral or unitary in formation.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for automatically verifying stored item dimension values and package utilization at packing. In some implementations, an image(s) of a package that includes items of a shipment set is captured at a pack station and analyzed to determine an actual package utilization. The actual package utilization is compared to an expected package utilization. If a difference between the expected package utilization and the actual package utilization is identified, it may be determined that the stored item dimension values may be inaccurate.

Abstract: A level gauge carries out a tracking method with consideration of the mobility of the echoes. For this purpose, mobility values of echoes of an echo curve are determined and the expectancy function, by means of which it is determined whether a certain echo needs to be assigned to a certain track, is determined with consideration of at least one of the mobility values. In this way, the correct allocation of an echo to a certain track may be realized with high reliability.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for measuring borehole conditions, in particular for verification of a final diameter of a borehole. The system includes a drill string with a drill bit and a drilling mud circulation device, an underreamer attached to the drill string above the drill bit, and a tool body attached to the drill string, having a sensor for detecting downhole conditions, such as borehole diameter. The tool body is mounted above the underreamer and has a diameter smaller than the underreamer and drill bit. The sensor can be an ultrasonic transducer with adjustable signal amplitude and can be fixed in positions along the tool body. The system may also include a calibrator for sensor data, and an auxiliary tool body with another sensor between the drill bit and the underreamer. The method of the present invention is use of the system for final borehole verification.

Abstract: Provided is a parking assisting device capable of appropriately setting a target parking space for parking a self vehicle. This parking assisting device includes an object detecting section transmitting, from a self vehicle, oscillatory waves in different directions on one lateral side of the self vehicle during traveling of the self vehicle and receiving reflected waves of the respective transmitted oscillatory waves transmitted in the different directions, a corner-portion identifying section identifying a corner portion of a non-self vehicle present on the one lateral side, based on the reflected waves obtained by the object detecting section, and a target parking space setting section setting a target parking space for the self vehicle, based on the corner portion of the non-self vehicle identified by the corner-portion identifying section.

Abstract: A rugged hand-held mobile computing device for a forester to collect and use dendrometric data from trees and tree stands is claimed. The device includes a processor which operates in connection with a memory, a user interface, a GPS receiver, a sound sensor capable of emitting an ultra-sonic pulse and a computer readable code embodied on the memory. The device communicates with a transponder by way of the ultra-sonic pulse emitted by the sound sensor. The transponder also emits an ultra-sonic pulse back to device. The device calculates the distance traveled based on the knowledge of the speed of the pulses. The memory, which also includes basic mapping software, uses the data to update a map in real time with the location of the trees and other information collected.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device includes one or more emitter ultrasonic sensors, each emitting an ultrasonic wave toward an obstacle, and one or more detection ultrasonic sensors for reception, each detecting a reflected wave from the obstacle. A control unit drives a specific one of the emitter ultrasonic sensors to cause it to emit an ultrasonic wave, stops the emission of the ultrasonic wave by the specific emitter ultrasonic sensor at the time that one of the detection ultrasonic sensors detects a reflected wave from the obstacle, and carries out detection of the obstacle and measurement of the distance to the obstacle from the time that the control unit stops the emission of the ultrasonic wave by the emitter ultrasonic sensor and the time that the reflected wave cannot be detected anymore.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a housing having a peripheral side wall and a base surface, i.e., it is configured as essentially pot-shaped. The base surface is configured as a diaphragm. A transducer element, which is configured as a piezoelectric element, for example, and is used for generating and detecting ultrasonic oscillations, is situated on the base surface. At least one mass element is situated on the base surface so that the resistance of the mass element against an oscillation of the diaphragm increases with rising oscillation frequency.

Abstract: During transmission, speed of ultrasound pulses gradually reduces due to their energy loss from acoustic impedance. So, calculating a detecting depth with fixed speed of the ultrasound pulses will distort ultrasound images. Correction of the detecting depth will rectify a depth registration and improve the imaging quality. The thickness and density of piezoelectric elements (PZT) decide a quantity of the ultrasound pulses, which affect their detecting depth. The density and sound speed in PZT elements decide the frequency of the ultrasound pulses, which can be used to increase the detecting depth for a high frequency ultrasound. Moving objects can change speed of reflected ultrasound pulses, which change their TOF and TOF shift. Therefore the TOF shift can be used to calculate the velocity of the moving objects in a continuous and a pulsed wave and a color ultrasound, and correct aliasing of the pulsed wave and the color ultrasound.

Abstract: A method and a system for evaluating a content of a bin, the method may include: transmitting by multiple acoustic transceiver arrays, a plurality of acoustics pulses in an at least partially overlapping manner towards an expected location of the content to generate an acoustic interference pattern that comprises multiple fringes; detecting by an acoustic transceiver array a first fringe of the acoustic interference pattern and providing a fringe detection signal; and processing the first fringe detection signal to assist in a provision of a first estimate related to the content. A distance between a pair of acoustic transceiver arrays is at least ten times a distance between transducers of a same acoustic transceiver array.

Abstract: A trawl sensor device for monitoring trawl doors and the distance of the trawl to the boom during trawling operations comprises at least one acoustic transmitter and receiver, the transmitter being adapted to be positioned such that an acoustic signal is transmitted towards the seabed at a forward-pointing angle, and means for communication between the sensor device and a vessel. The transmitted acoustic signal is reflected from the seabed and is received at this position and the distance between the acoustic transmitter and the seabed is calculated based on the difference in time between transmission and reception of the acoustic signal and the forward-pointing angle.

Abstract: A multi dynamic environment and location based active augmented reality (AR) system is described. The system uses dynamic scanning, active reference marker positioning, inertial measurement, imaging, mapping and rendering to generate an AR for a physical environment. The scanning and imaging are performed from the perspective of a user wearing a head mounted or wearable display in the physical environment.

Abstract: In a pulse-echo ranging system an energy pulse is transmitted to a target, echo pulses are received and converted into an echo signal that is processed to identify an echo from the target and to determine the distance from the propagation time of the identified echo, where the advanced stage of the processing is performed digitally. Instead of storing and processing the echo signal, the first derivative of the whole echo signal is stored in digital form and then processed to allow for storing as large a number of samples possible in a limited memory without reducing the resolution and without complicating the processing.

Abstract: A driver assistance system and method for operating a driver assistance system, the driver assistance system provides a plurality of distance sensors, in particular ultrasonic sensors, which are spatially distributed and communicate with each other with the aid of a data bus. The sensors have an identical design and may be initialized by themselves using a method without a control unit and may synchronize the distance detection among themselves. The overall result of a measurement of the sensors is supplied to an output unit and displayed to the driver.

Abstract: There is provided a method and associated apparatus for measurement. Specifically, a method for determining a distance travelled by a signal in a medium, or the time of flight of a signal travelled. The method comprises considering an unambiguous range wherein the unambiguous range greater than a distance to be travelled by a signal. A signal is then transmitted across the distance to be determined, the signal comprising at least two frequency components, the frequency components based on the unambiguous range and the speed of the signal in the medium. The distance travelled (or the time of flight) is determined by using the variance of the received phase characteristics, such as phase angle) of one frequency component of the received signal with the received phase characteristics of another frequency component of the received signal.

Abstract: A system for measuring the position of a rod element as, for example, a hydraulically or pneumatically operated piston rod. Unlike the prior art, the system according to the present invention employs a measuring principle that does not require preparatory treatment of the rod element as is required in the known solutions. The system employs direct time of flight measurements with the aid of acoustic surface waves that are introduced into the rod element. The instrument is retrofittable on existing cylinders without any modification/ reconstruction thereof An EMAT principle is employed to introduce the surface waves into the measurement in a non-contact manner.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a fish finding sonar system. Specifically, this invention relates to a sonar device pairing with a remote computing device to provide information to an angler about what is under the surface of the water. Embodiments of the present invention include a sonar device and a remote computing device configured to allow the sonar device to wirelessly communicate with the remote computing device and the remote computing device to connect to a database to register and receive information about real-time fishing hotspots.

Abstract: In a method for determining the position and/or the movement of at least one object in the surroundings of a vehicle with the aid of at least one transmitted acoustic signal, the time behavior of at least one electrical signal of an electroacoustic transducer during the transmission of the acoustic signal and/or during a decay of the electroacoustic transducer following the transmission and/or during the reception of the acoustic signal reflected on the object is analyzed at least during a suitable fraction of a signal period in such a way that changes of the electrical signal of the electroacoustic transducer is detected.

Abstract: A sonar type object detection system and its implementing method are provided, whereby a physical object within a certain range can be detected after implementing by an operator. The present invention is mainly formed by a sonar application program unit, a voiceprint data base, and a mobile electronic device combined therewith. The present invention employs the principle of active sonar, in which a sonar module is used to transmit detective soundwaves and simultaneously to collect the reflective soundwaves of the detective soundwaves bouncing from physical object. Then, the reflective soundwaves are compared with the voiceprint data stored in the voiceprint data base, and the relative position of the object to be found is displayed directly on the screen of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A sonar type object detection system and its implementing method are provided, whereby a physical object within a certain range can be detected after implementing by an operator. The present invention is mainly formed by a sonar application program unit, a voiceprint data base, and a mobile electronic device combined therewith. The present invention employs the principle of active sonar, in which a sonar module is used to transmit detective soundwaves and simultaneously to collect the reflective soundwaves of the detective soundwaves bouncing from physical object. Then, the reflective soundwaves are compared with the voiceprint data stored in the voiceprint data base, and the relative position of the object to be found is displayed directly on the screen of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: In a method for detecting objects, at least one sensor emits a transmitting pulse as a wave, particularly as an acoustic or an electromagnetic wave, which wave is reflected at least partially by objects in the propagation space, and the reflected wave being detected by at least one receiver as a received signal. The received signal of the reflected wave is divided up into segments, and from the individual segments, data are gathered that are drawn upon for the determination of an object hypothesis.

Abstract: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) collect and transmit information about ice floe thickness; this is combined with SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR images from satellites to identify and track dangerously thick regions of ice. The overlayed data is presented graphically to allow tracking of the thick ice regions over time. This information is used to alert drilling platforms in icy ocean conditions of pending ice floe dangers.

Abstract: A sensing device and a positioning method are disclosed. The sensing device is mounted around a display module to detect an object. The display module includes a display screen for displaying an image. The sensing device includes a first sonic wave transceiver, a second sonic wave transceiver, and a control module. The first and second sonic wave transceivers are respectively configured for transmitting a first sonic wave and a second sonic wave, and receiving a first reflected sonic wave and a second reflected sonic wave generated based on the first and second sonic waves, respectively. A frequency of the first and second sonic waves is between 50 KHz and 70 KHz. The control module is configured for controlling the first and second sonic wave transceivers, and for calculating a position of the object relative to the display module based on the first and second reflected sonic waves.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor is provided at a bumper 31 of a vehicle 3 and used in a vehicle obstacle detector 1 that detects the presence of an obstacle within a detection area by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric element 21 configured to transmit and receive the ultrasonic waves by using vibrations of a piezoelectric substrate and a plate-shaped acoustic matching layer 22 on one surface 22a of which the piezoelectric element is attached. The ultrasonic sensor is inserted in a mounting hole formed through the mounting surface. Another surface 22b of the acoustic matching layer 22 opposite to the one surface 22a is inclined with respect to the one surface 22a on which the piezoelectric element is attached, and is formed to be parallel with the outer surface of the bumper 31.

Abstract: A sonar based sensor for localization of a target in air is described. The sensor comprises a wide or ultra-wide band emitter for emitting a wide or ultra-wide band signal, and a set of spatially randomly or irregularly positioned receivers for receiving the wide or ultra-wide band signal after reflection at the target. A corresponding processor and method for localizing also is disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a spatial position measurement apparatus, includes: a transmission unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave accompanying with a transmission source identifiable from three or more transmission sensors provided on a first object; a detection unit configured to detect the ultrasonic wave received by two or more reception sensors provided on a second object; a distance calculation unit configured to calculate distances between the transmission sensors and the reception sensors based on propagation time of the ultrasonic wave; and a coordinate calculation unit configured to calculate, in a coordinate system where a position of one group out of a group of the transmission sensors and a group of the reception sensors is fixed, positional coordinates of another group based on the distances.

Abstract: An ultrasonic range sensor comprises at least one transducer adapted to generate an ultrasonic pulse having a first axis of transmission and detect a reflected signal that is associated with the ultrasonic pulse and propagates along the first axis of transmission. The ultrasonic range sensor also comprises a deflecting region adapted to reflect the reflected signal along a second axis different from the first axis of transmission. In one embodiment, the second axis is deflected from the first axis by a non-zero angle determined by a characteristic of the deflecting region.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus includes a first transmission and reception unit having a first transmitter and a first receiver, a second transmission and reception unit having a second transmitter and a second receiver, and a failure judging section. The first receiver produces a first output signal corresponding to a transmission wave, which is transmitted directly from the second transmitter to the first receiver. The second receiver produces a second output signal corresponding to a transmission wave, which is transmitted directly from the first transmitter to the second receiver. Using at least one of the first output signal and the second output signal, the failure judging section judges whether a failure of the first transmitter or the second receiver has occurred, or judges whether a failure of the first transmission and reception unit or the second transmission and reception unit has occurred.

Abstract: In a method for logging the location of a fluid depth in a wellbore, an acoustic event is allowed to take place in a specific manner at the ground surface. This acoustic event generates pressure waves. The pressure waves travel in the wellbore downward. The pressure waves traveling in the wellbore are reflected at least also at the fluid depth. At the ground surface, the pressure waves traveling there out of the wellbore are picked up and the time of travel since the acoustic event is measured. The picked-up and measured pressure waves are analyzed and, together with the associated time of travel, the location of the fluid depth is deduced. The acoustic event generates a signal pattern having a predetermined, time-variable frequency spectrum. The signal pattern is emitted as vibration event into the wellbore, travels downward, and is reflected. At the ground surface, the picked-up signals originating from the wellbore are analyzed.

Abstract: A position measurement device that measures three-dimensional coordinates of an object using ultrasound. The position measurement device includes a transmitter that emits an ultrasonic wave; three receivers that receive an ultrasonic wave; a time determination unit that determines an arrival time candidate for each of the receivers wherein the arrival time candidate is a time period from emission to arrival of the ultrasonic wave after being reflected from an object, and determines a plurality of the arrival time candidates for at least one of the receivers; a coordinate calculation unit that calculates a plurality of candidates of three-dimensional coordinates indicative of positions of the object based on the arrival time candidates determined by the time determination unit and relative positions of the transmitter and the receivers; and a coordinate determination unit that determines the three-dimensional coordinates of the object based on the plurality of candidates of three-dimensional coordinates.

Abstract: An elastic vibration plate (110) is divided into a plurality of elastic vibrating regions (112) through slits (111) having a predetermined shape, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators (120) which are individually mounted on at least some of the plurality of elastic vibrating regions (112) on the elastic vibration plate (110) undergo elastic vibration due to application of an electric field. Therefore, it is possible to vibrate the plurality of elastic vibrating regions (112) on a single elastic vibration plate (110) using the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators (120). Therefore, it is possible to adjust the peak value and the like of the oscillation frequency at will in each of the plurality of elastic vibrating regions.