With Beam Forming, Shaping, Steering, Or Scanning Patents (Class 367/138)
  • Patent number: 11994584
    Abstract: One example includes an ultrasonic ranging system. The system includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal and to receive reflected ultrasonic signal paths having been reflected from a plurality of target objects during a ranging operation. The system also includes a ranging processor configured to detect a location associated with the plurality of target objects based on monitoring phase information associated with the reflected ultrasonic signal paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Charles Kasimer Sestok, IV
  • Patent number: 11901977
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for a delay compensated analog beam forming network. A transceiver implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes an array of circuit elements. Each of the circuit elements includes an analog frequency converter to up-convert an analog signal to radio frequency (RF) for transmission and to down-convert an RF signal to an analog signal for reception. The circuit element also includes an analog beam weighting circuit configured to apply a beam weight to both of the analog signals to form a beam for transmission and reception. The circuit element further includes an analog delay element configured to impart a time delay to the analog signals. The time delay is based on the position of the circuit element in the array and is selected to compensate for propagation delay of the analog signals along the electrical path that couples the circuit elements of the array, reducing beam squint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Tareef Al-Mahdawi
  • Patent number: 11798572
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for improving a signal-to-noise ratio of a microphone signal. The method includes: selecting a target microphone to be improved as a first microphone, and selecting a microphone whose signal-to-noise ratio is greater than a signal-to-noise ratio of the first microphone and exceeds a preset first threshold as a second microphone; and adding, by an adder, a voice signal of the first microphone and a voice signal of the second microphone in a case that a same voice signal is inputted, to obtain a first microphone signal whose signal-to-noise ratio has been improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: YEALINK (XIAMEN) NETWORK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lang Wu, Jiaxiang Liao, Chaofan Zeng
  • Patent number: 11726066
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inspection device includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a supporter. The transmitter is configured to transmit a first ultrasonic wave including burst waves having a first period Tp. The receiver on which the first ultrasonic wave is incident is configured to output a signal corresponding to the incident first ultrasonic wave. The supporter is provided between the transmitter and the receiver. The supporter is configured to support an inspection object. The first period Tp (s), a distance Dx (m), and a velocity vx (m/s) satisfy 2Dx/((n+1)·vx)<Tp<2Dx/(n·vx). n is 1 or 2. The distance Dx is a shorter distance of first and second distances. The first distance is a distance along a first direction between the transmitter and the supporter. The second distance is a distance along the first direction between the supporter and the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Nakai, Tomio Ono, Noriko Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Itsumi
  • Patent number: 11671751
    Abstract: Microphone arrays comprise several microphone capsules, the outputs of which being electronically combined for directional recording of sound. The directional and frequency properties of the microphone array depend on the number and positions of the microphone array. In order to obtain the smallest possible microphone array with only few microphone capsules, which, however, has an essentially uniform directional and frequency dependence over a speech frequency range, is scalable and robust against small incorrect positioning of the capsules, fifteen or twenty-one microphone capsules (K15,11-K15,35, K21,11-K21,37) are arranged on a carrier such that they lie on three similar branches, each with the same number of microphone capsules, which are rotated against each other by 120°. Each of the microphone capsules lies on a corner of a triangle of a grid in a flat isometric coordinate system with three axes rotated by 120° against each other and forming the grid of equilateral triangles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SENNHEISER ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marios Athineos, Eugen Rasumow, Alexander Krüger, Alexander Nowak
  • Patent number: 11662248
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure may disclose a vibration sensor, including: an acoustic transducer and a vibration assembly connected with the acoustic transducer. The vibration assembly may be configured to transmit an external vibration signal to the acoustic transducer to generate an electric signal, the vibration assembly includes one or more groups of vibration diaphragms and mass blocks, and the mass blocks may be physically connected with the vibration diaphragms. The vibration assembly may be configured to make a sensitivity degree of the vibration sensor greater than a sensitivity degree of the acoustic transducer in one or more target frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongshuai Yuan, Wenjun Deng, Wenbing Zhou, Yujia Huang, Fengyun Liao, Xin Qi
  • Patent number: 11521500
    Abstract: Techniques for range finding for an unmanned aerial system are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos Parodi
  • Patent number: 11413012
    Abstract: An ultrasound signal processing device includes a transmitter that causes transducers to transmit an ultrasound beam, a receiver that, based on reflected waves received by reception transducers, generates reception signal sequences corresponding to the reception transducers, and a delay-and-sum section that, for a reference observation point in a region of interest, calculates delay times of reflected wave arrival to each of the reception transducers from the reference observation point as reference delay times and generates acoustic line signals by using the reference delay times corresponding to the reception transducers. For one or more dependent observation points in the region of interest that are contiguous in a depth direction from the reference observation point, the delay-and-sum section generates acoustic line signals by applying the reference delay times corresponding to the reception transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yasuhito Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11346929
    Abstract: A method in accordance with the present disclosure may include transmitting a plurality of ultrasound pulses toward a medium from a transducer array, wherein the plurality of ultrasound pulses includes a sequence of a Doppler burst (10-1, 10-2) comprising a plurality of unfocused first pulses (12) and a B-mode burst comprising one or more second pulses (13). The method may further include detecting echoes responsive to the transmitted sequence, wherein the detecting includes simultaneously detecting, within a field of view, FOV, of the array, a set (14-1, 14-2) of first echoes responsive to the plurality of unfocused first pulses (12), generating Doppler data from signals representative of the set (14-1, 14-2) of first echoes, generating B-mode image data from signals representative of echoes responsive to the one or more second pulses (13), and simultaneously displaying the Doppler data and B-mode image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon, Bo Zhang, Jean-Luc Francois-Marie Robert
  • Patent number: 11333755
    Abstract: An acoustic detection system for detecting at least partly submerged targets in a sensitive area defined with respect to an infrastructure, the detection system includes at least one multistatic detection group, each multistatic detection group defining a detection area, and comprising: a submerged transmitter emitting at low frequencies; a plurality of submerged receivers comprising at least two receivers, each receiver of a given group forming, with the transmitter of the group, a bistatic pair, each bistatic pair generating an elementary detection area surrounding a blind zone, the detection area of the group being formed by all of the elementary detection areas of the receivers of the group, the receivers being arranged in at least one layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventor: Louis Raillon
  • Patent number: 11253226
    Abstract: In performing aperture synthesis according to an ultrasound imaging apparatus, the amount of spatial change of amplification factors of phasing signals at respective receive phasing points are reduced, and a high-quality image is obtained. In a receive beamformer that generates an inter-transmission weight in accordance with a phasing range, and performs aperture synthesis processing, the inter-transmission weight being generated is applied to the receive phasing points within the phasing range obtained through transmission and reception, and the inter-transmission synthesis is performed. The inter-transmission weight is generated in such a manner that a variation form of the amplification factor between adjacent receive phasing points is smoothed and a difference of the amplification factor is reduced, as to each receive phasing point after the inter-transmission synthesis is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mayumi Suzuki, Teiichiro Ikeda, Hiroshi Masuzawa, Chizue Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11237258
    Abstract: A method for optimization of a parametric array shallow profile difference frequency conversion performance, comprising the following steps: building a three-layer parametric array shallow profile emission acoustic wave propagation path model, and establishing a detection horizontal position DL equation capable of detecting a detection performance of the parametric array shallow profile; and building a model for optimization of the parametric array shallow profile difference frequency conversion performance. A parametric receiving array includes the receiving hydrophone and a pump transducer, comprising: a silicone rubber column is added between the receiving hydrophone and the pump transducer to improve the conversion efficiency of the parametric receiving array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HUNAN GUOTIAN ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shijian Guo, Qinglin Zhai, Zhiwei Xiao, Xin Chen, Lu Chen, Luan Jiang
  • Patent number: 11194046
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydroacoustic equipment and can be used in constructing hydroacoustic systems. Multifrequency sonar side viewer comprising display unit, control unit, n-input adder, connected in series radio-frequency pulse generator, switch, multielement transceiving interference antenna, differs because of antenna aperture is made as cylinder-shaped bay, convex towards echo search, with radius of curvature R, that has generatrix l in azimuth plane and that is way longer than a chord, that draws together uttermost symmetric, relatively to the acoustic axe, points of arc with L length. The invention expands operational capabilities of sonar side viewer, reducing dead zone and increasing dimension of explored bottom surface swath in echo search direction, due to the using of non-linear self-action soundwaves effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: OOO “GIDROMARINN”
    Inventors: Vadim Yu. Voloshchenko, Sergey P. Tarasov, Anton Yu. Pleshkov, Vasiliy A. Voronin, Petr P. Pivnev, Aleksandr P. Voloshchenko
  • Patent number: 11154279
    Abstract: Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multi-level pulser is described, which can support time-domain and spatial apodization. The multi-level pulser may be controlled through a software-defined waveform generator. In response to the execution of a computer code, the waveform generator may access master segments from a memory, and generate a stream of packets directed to pulsing circuits. The stream of packets may be serialized. A plurality of decoding circuits may modulate the streams of packets to obtain spatial apodization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: BFLY Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Liewei Bao, Kailiang Chen, Tyler S. Ralston, Nevada J. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 10887003
    Abstract: Embodiments provide ground-based beamforming with mutually synchronized spatially multiplexed gateways in a wireless communications system. Some embodiments operate in context of a satellite having a focused-beam feeder antenna that communicates with multiple, geographically distributed gateway terminals (e.g., single gateway per beam), and a user antenna that provides communications with user terminals via formed user beams. The gateway terminals can communicate feeder signals that are beam-weighted and mutually phase-synchronized (e.g., according to satellite and/or loopback beacons). For example, the synchronization can enable forward uplink signals to be phase-synchronously received by the satellite, and the beam weighting can enable the forward downlink signals to spatially combine to form forward user beams. Embodiments can achieve extensive bandwidth reuse through mutually synchronized spatial multiplexing of the feeder-link communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Buer, Charles Pateros, William Ralston
  • Patent number: 10801885
    Abstract: A plasmonic transducer includes a fluidic network layer, a carbon-based substrate, a liquid metal and an electromagnetic system. The fluidic network layer has a fluidic network layer front, a fluidic network layer back, a first through-hole passing from the fluidic network layer front to the fluidic network layer back. The carbon-based substrate is disposed on the fluidic network layer back. The liquid metal is disposed in the first through-hole. The electromagnetic system is operable to change the liquid metal from a first liquid metal state to a second liquid metal state. The transducer is operable to provide a first output signal when the liquid metal is in the first liquid metal state. The transducer is operable to provide a second output signal when the liquid metal is in the second liquid metal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Cody K. Hayashi, Richard C. Ordonez, Nackieb M. Kamin, David Garmire
  • Patent number: 10743099
    Abstract: Provided is an area reproduction system including a reproduction unit including a speaker array, a processing unit that processes a reproduction sound to be output from each of a plurality of speakers included the speaker array, based on a control line including a reproduction line that strengthens a sound wave radiated from the speaker array and a non-reproduction line that weakens the sound wave, so that an audio beam of a predetermined sound pressure or more is radiated only to the reproduction line, the control line being substantially parallel with the speaker array and being set in a position separated from the speaker array, and a directional angle control unit that adjusts a phase of the reproduction sound so that a radiating direction of the audio beam is deflected by a specified angle, in which each of the plurality of speakers outputs the processed and adjusted reproduction sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakaguchi, Toshiyuki Matsumura
  • Patent number: 10735106
    Abstract: Mobile devices with ultrasound ranging are disclosed. A mobile device with ultrasound ranging can include a multifunctional component capable of performing multiple functions in the device, where the component can function as an ultrasound transmitter capable of transmitting an ultrasound signal to a proximate device. In some examples, the component can also function as a power button capable of powering the device up and down. In some examples, the component can also function as a home button capable of causing a home page to display on the device. The mobile device can further include an ultrasound receiver capable of receiving an ultrasound signal from the proximate device, where the device can calculate a range of the proximate device based on a time lapse associated with the received ultrasound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David Amm, Brian Michael King, Steven P. Hotelling, Michael B. Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 10561399
    Abstract: A connection component for array elements in an ultrasonic probe comprises a first-layer body and a second-layer body, wherein the second-layer body is connected with the first-layer body, and an area of the second-layer body is smaller than an area of the first-layer body. A region in the first-layer body that extends beyond the second-layer body is provided with at least one first-layer conductive element penetrating through the first-layer body. A lower surface of the second-layer body is provided with at least one second-layer conductive element penetrating through the second-layer body and the first-layer body. A signal transmission line is connected to the array elements by the first-layer conductive elements and the second-layer conductive elements. The connection component for array elements is in a stepped shape. The signal transmission line is connected to an array element assembly through the stepped connection component for array elements to provide sufficient space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenyu Chen, Ming Tang
  • Patent number: 10414235
    Abstract: A system for use in a vehicle, the system comprising sensors located on the front and back fascia of the vehicle; processors coupled to the sensors; and a memory including instructions, which when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform a method. The method comprising detecting a change in first acoustic impedance at a first sensor while detecting a change in second acoustic impedance at a second sensor. In accordance with a determination that the change in first acoustic impedance and the second acoustic impedance are between a threshold range for at least a threshold period of time, the method executing a precautionary measure. In accordance with a determination that the change in first acoustic impedance and the change in second acoustic impedance are not between the threshold range for at least the threshold period of time, the method forgoing executing the precautionary measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FARADY & FUTURE INC.
    Inventor: Mohammadreza Yassan
  • Patent number: 10401210
    Abstract: A portable device for orienting a level measuring instrument on a container is provided. The device can be placed on a surface of the instrument. The device includes a tilt sensor configured to determine an inclination of the device and an inclination of the instrument; a processor configured to determine an alteration that is required in an orientation of the instrument on the basis of the inclination of the instrument, a dimension of the container, and a position of the instrument relative to the container, or on the basis of an angle of inclination to be set for the instrument on the container. The alteration in the orientation of the instrument can be displayed on a display device of the device. A level measuring system and a method for using a portable device to orient a level measuring instrument on a container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
    Inventor: Juergen Skowaisa
  • Patent number: 10381743
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing an angular resolution across a field-of view for an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements positioned along a curved surface. The method includes selecting a position along the curved surface for a first antenna element in the plurality of antenna elements and calculating subsequent positions for each of the remaining plurality of antenna elements on the antenna array, wherein the subsequent positions are determined relative to the position of the first antenna element and wherein the subsequent positions represent positions at which a maximum angular resolution is achieved for all angles in the field-of-view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Oded Bialer, Igal Bilik
  • Patent number: 10330781
    Abstract: A transducer array (802) includes at least one 1D array of transducing elements (804). The at least one 1D array of transducing elements includes a plurality of transducing elements (904). A first of the plurality of transducing elements has a first apodization and a second of the plurality of transducing elements has a second apodization. The first apodization and the second apodization are different. The transducer array further includes at least one electrically conductive element (910) in electrical communication with each of the plurality of transducing elements. The transducer array further includes at least one electrical contact (906) in electrical communication with the at least one electrically conductive element. The at least one electrical contact concurrently addresses the plurality of transducing elements through the at least one electrically conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: B-K Medical Aps
    Inventors: Thomas Lehrmann Christiansen, Morten Fischer Rasmussen, Erik Vilain Thomsen, Jorgen Jensen
  • Patent number: 10280395
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for transmitting acoustic energy to a sample for treatment by employing a phase change couplant at least adjacent a sample vessel. The phase change couplant may be solid before and after treatment, but liquid during treatment to improve acoustic energy transmission charactersitics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Covaris, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Laugharn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10241200
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. A modular sonar system includes one or more sonar transducer assemblies and at least two transducer modules disposed substantially within the sonar transducer assemblies. Each transducer module includes a transducer element and a module frame. The module frame is configured to support the transducer element, to physically couple to other transducer modules, and/or to physically couple to a sonar transducer assembly to secure the transducer module. The system may additionally include an actuator configured to adjust an orientation of the transducer module. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Sayer, Paul Stokes, Paul W. Muller, Gordon Pope
  • Patent number: 10145946
    Abstract: An image processing device for capturing an ultrasonic image is provided with a probe to generate an ultrasonic wave and receives a reflective wave reflected at an object. A detection unit to detect one or more physical quantities of the probe. A display unit to display a tomographic image showing a cross-section of a predetermined position of the object, out of the ultrasonic image of the object. A sensor information acquisition unit to acquire a detection result by a sensor unit as sensor information. In a tomographic image generation unit, regarding the sensor information as a parameter, a reference tomographic image is transformed according to a change of the parameter, to generate the tomographic image. A display control unit to control the display unit to display the generated tomographic image. The present technique can be applied to an ultrasonic examination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kashima, Tatsumi Sakaguchi, Takeshi Miyai, Hiroshi Kajihata
  • Patent number: 10128692
    Abstract: A signal generator generates an electrical signal that is sent to an amplifier, which increases the power of the signal using power from a power source. The amplified signal is fed to a sender transducer to generate ultrasonic waves that can be focused and sent to a receiver. The receiver transducer converts the ultrasonic waves back into electrical energy and stores it in an energy storage device, such as a battery, or uses the electrical energy to power a device. In this way, a device can be remotely charged or powered without having to be tethered to an electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: uBeam Inc.
    Inventor: Meredith Perry
  • Patent number: 10097048
    Abstract: A signal generator generates an electrical signal that is sent to an amplifier, which increases the power of the signal using power from a power source. The amplified signal is fed to a sender transducer to generate ultrasonic waves that can be focused and sent to a receiver. The receiver transducer converts the ultrasonic waves back into electrical energy and stores it in an energy storage device, such as a battery, or uses the electrical energy to power a device. In this way, a device can be remotely charged or powered without having to be tethered to an electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: uBeam Inc.
    Inventor: Meredith Perry
  • Patent number: 10018719
    Abstract: Provided are a sonar system and transducer assembly for producing a 3D image of an underwater environment. The sonar system may include a housing having a transmit transducer that may transmit sonar pulses into the water. The system may include at least one transducer array in the housing that receives first, second, and third sonar returns with first, second, and third transducer elements and converts the first, second, and third returns into first, second, and third sonar return data. A sonar signal processor may then generate a first and second set of 2D sonar data based on the sonar return data, generate a third set of 2D sonar data based on a correlation of the first and second set of 2D sonar data, and generate a 3D mesh data based on the third set of 2D sonar data. An associated method of using the sonar system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING AS
    Inventors: Alan Lee Proctor, David Austin Parks, Ronald Joe Horner
  • Patent number: 9973859
    Abstract: Systems and methods of audio processing and control for improved audibility and performance in a parametric loudspeaker system. The parametric loudspeaker system includes a parametric loudspeaker providing a capacitive load, an output stage having a plurality of switches interconnected in a bridge configuration and connected to the capacitive load of the parametric loudspeaker, and a controller operative to generate a series of pulse width modulation (PWM) pulses, and to generate a plurality of control signals synchronized with the series of PWM pulses for switchingly controlling the plurality of switches in the bridge configuration, thereby driving the capacitive load of the parametric loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Frank Joseph Pompei
  • Patent number: 9927512
    Abstract: An indoor ultrasonic location tracking system that can utilize standard audio speakers to provide indoor ranging information to modern mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The method uses a communication scheme based on linearly increasing frequency modulated chirps in the audio bandwidth just above the human hearing frequency range where mobile devices are still sensitive. The method uses gradual frequency and amplitude changes that minimize human perceivable (psychoacoustic) artifacts derived from the non-ideal impulse response of audio speakers. Chirps also benefit from Pulse Compression, which improves ranging resolution and resilience to both Doppler shifts and multi-path propagation that plague indoor environments. The method supports the decoding of multiple unique identifier packets simultaneously. A Time-Difference-of-Arrival pseudo-ranging technique allows for localization without explicit synchronization with the broadcasting infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University, a Pennsylvania Non-Profit Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Rowe, Patrick Lazik
  • Patent number: 9918321
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-band wireless base station to optimize traffic management on the multiple frequency bands. The wireless base station determines Upper Side Lobe Suppression (USLS) levels and network loads on the frequency bands. The wireless base station receives a request from a User Equipment (UE) attachment. When the network loads on the frequency bands exceed corresponding network thresholds, then the wireless base station selects one of the frequency bands having a best one of the USLS levels, and attaches the UE to the selected one of the frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Sreekar Marupaduga, Andrew Mark Wurtenberger
  • Patent number: 9883852
    Abstract: An ultrasound system for estimating tissue deformation in ultrasound elasticity imaging includes a controller configured to deliver a plurality of tracking pulses and to obtain a plurality of data sets for a region of interest from an ultrasound transducer array; a harmonic data analyzing circuit configured to receive the plurality of data sets and to extract one or more harmonic data sets including harmonic signals from the plurality of image data sets; and a displacement estimator circuit configured to estimate tissue deformation in the region of interest responsive to the one or more harmonic data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Joshua Doherty, Jeremy J. Dahl, Kathryn R. Nightingale, Gregg E. Trahey
  • Patent number: 9872667
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for ultrasound diagnostics using spread spectrum, coherent, frequency- and/or phase-coded waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Decision Sciences International Corporation
    Inventor: Allan Wegner
  • Patent number: 9787142
    Abstract: A signal generator generates an electrical signal that is sent to an amplifier, which increases the power of the signal using power from a power source. The amplified signal is fed to a sender transducer to generate ultrasonic waves that can be focused and sent to a receiver. The receiver transducer converts the ultrasonic waves back into electrical energy and stores it in an energy storage device, such as a battery, or uses the electrical energy to power a device. In this way, a device can be remotely charged or powered without having to be tethered to an electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: uBeam Inc.
    Inventor: Meredith Perry
  • Patent number: 9775336
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an acoustic projector includes an acoustic transmit transducer capable of producing a sound pressure radiation in response to a driver signal received from a transmit source, an acoustic receive transducer capable of producing a source level signal in response to receiving at least a portion of the sound pressure radiation, and a controller configured to monitor the source level signal and report the source level signal monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: AIRMAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederic S. Boericke, II, Kenneth D. Rolt, Danny J. Fladung
  • Patent number: 9763645
    Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus according to the present embodiments includes a receiving unit and a probe controlling unit. The receiving unit receives settings in relation to the aperture of the ultrasound probe and the region of interest of the subject with a contrast agent injected. The probe controlling unit controls the ultrasound probe based on the settings received by the receiving unit in such a manner as to transmit an ultrasound wave from the vibrator arranged in the aperture to the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Yoshiara, Naohisa Kamiyama, Tetsuya Yoshida, Yoko Okamura, Yuko Kanayama
  • Patent number: 9762999
    Abstract: A directivity pattern generator for producing sound patterns using a modal architecture is described. The directivity pattern generator may include a beam pattern mixing unit, which defines sound patterns to be emitted by an audio system in terms of a set of frequency invariant modes or modal patterns. The beam pattern mixing unit produces a set of modal gains representing the level or degree each of the predefined modal patterns is to be applied to a set of audio streams. Modal filters may be used to modal amplitudes that compensate for inefficiencies of the each modal pattern at low frequencies. The directivity pattern generator may include a modal decomposition unit for generating driving signals for each transducer in one or more loudspeaker arrays based on weighted values for the modal gains/amplitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Vijay G. Prabakaran, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Patent number: 9681854
    Abstract: Preceding decoders each convolve a corresponding one of a plurality of transducer elements constituting a transducer element array of an ultrasound probe with an impulse response waveform, while varying a filter coefficient corresponding to time side lobes for each transmission event. A succeeding decoder stores, in a memory, a reception beam signal that is output from a reception beam former. When a new reception beam signal is output, the succeeding decoder performs delay-and-sum on the new reception beam signal and the reception beam signal, which has been output immediately before the new reception beam signal and is stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Susumu
  • Patent number: 9541354
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, apparatus, assemblies and systems for generating and directing acoustic energy (e.g. sound). According to some embodiments, there may be provided a cyclical acoustic apparatus or generator comprising a cyclical combustions chamber adapted to cyclically generate acoustic energy. There may be provided an acoustic energy collection and guiding assembly adapted to channel sounds energy generated by said cyclical combustion chamber to an aiming and release apparatus, which aiming and release apparatus directs the acoustic energy towards a target zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: PSYCHOSONIC SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: David Cohen
  • Patent number: 9488727
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor arrangement (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a trim element (3), in particular a bumper, comprising a radiator grill (4), and at least one first and one second ultrasonic sensor (5, 6) each comprising a membrane (11) for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals, wherein the first ultrasonic sensor (5) with its membrane (11) is arranged on a back side of the trim element (3) so that the membrane (11) of the first ultrasonic sensor (5) is configured for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic sensor signals through the trim element (3) and the second ultrasonic sensor (6) is arranged on the radiator grill (4). By detuning means (7, 9) the second ultrasonic sensor (6) is detuned and hereby its emission and/or receiving behavior adapted to the emission and/or receiving behavior of the first ultrasonic sensor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Wilhelm Wehling, Joerg Weyland, Natalie Weber, Stephan Max
  • Patent number: 9491763
    Abstract: There is provided a computer-implemented method for selecting an electrical tilt angle for at least one cellular antenna comprising: receiving at least one parameter indicative of mobile client resource use associated with at least one cellular antenna, the at least one cellular antenna being part of a plurality of antennas arranged in at least one cluster as part of a cellular network; and iteratively adjusting an electrical tilt angle of the at least one antenna so that the at least one parameter indicative of client resource use is maintained within at least one predefined threshold, thereby providing users of the mobile clients of the at least one cellular antenna with at least a level of service within the at least one predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Cellwize Wireless Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Dribinski, Sasi Geva
  • Patent number: 9476861
    Abstract: In order to reduce the variation of transmitting and receiving sensitivity among a plurality of CMUT cells, an ultrasound diagnostic device comprises: a plurality of CMUT cells each having a vibrating membrane that vibrates when ultrasound is transmitted to or received from a subject; an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed facing each other on mutually opposite sides of each of the CMUT cells to apply a bias voltage to each of the CMUT cells by a bias power supply; and transmitting and receiving correction units for each correcting the voltage supplied from the bias power supply by using a function using at least one parameter of the thickness and resonance frequency of the vibrating membrane of each of the CMUT cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoko Takenaka, Mikio Izumi, Kazunari Ishida
  • Patent number: 9429666
    Abstract: A method is provided for automatically detecting marine animals, carried out by a detection device. The method includes obtaining acoustic signal measurements collected by at least one acoustic sensor in a underwater environment; and at least one of a first branch for detecting frequency modulated sounds and a second branch for detecting impulsive sounds; each branch comprising a step of detecting sounds by: implementing in parallel several detection channels each having a different and fixed value for at least one degree of freedom; selecting the detection channel having a maximum signal to noise ratio; and comparing the signal to noise ratio of the selected detection channel to a determined threshold. The method further includes taking an alarm decision, indicating the presence of at least one marine animal, as a function of an output of the first branch and/or an output of the second branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventor: Cédric Gervaise
  • Patent number: 9420999
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for ultrasound diagnostics using spread spectrum, coherent, frequency- and/or phase-coded waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Decision Sciences International Corporation
    Inventor: Allan Wegner
  • Patent number: 9335302
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly detects a characteristic in a test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to a peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer elements of the phased array probe transmit a sound beam into the test object. The sound beam is movable by the phased array probe within the test object to detect the characteristic. A method of detecting a characteristic in the test object with the ultrasonic detection assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
  • Patent number: 9320497
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a transducer array having a plurality of transducers arranged in an array, a transmission circuit which supplies an actuation signal to each transducer of the transducer array to transmit an ultrasonic wave toward a subject, a reception circuit which corrects a reception signal output from each transducer having received an ultrasonic echo from the subject in accordance with an angle between a reflection point in the subject and an acoustic radiation surface in each transducer to produce sample data, and an image producer which produces an ultrasound image on the basis of a sound ray signal obtained through phasing addition of sample data produced by the reception circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Osawa
  • Patent number: 9291634
    Abstract: Chemical analysis apparatus for inserting a sample serving as an analyzable substance and a reagent into a reaction container and agitating by irradiating sound waves to the reaction container, the chemical analysis apparatus including: a piezoelectric element generating sound waves; and a driver for driving the piezoelectric element, and including: a wave form producing device for producing an oscillation waveform having a fundamental frequency of the sound waves to be irradiated; an auxiliary waveform producing device for producing an oscillation wave form having a frequency lower than that of the oscillation waveform; a multiplying circuit creating a multiplied waveform between the waveform and the wave form; and, a power amplifier for power-amplifying the multiplied waveform, wherein it is intermittently irradiated with the sound wave in the reaction container, and further, the wave form producing device has a function capable of frequency-modulation with a prescribed frequency width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Katou, Ryo Miyake, Hiroyasu Uchida, Katsuhiro Kambara, Takenori Okusa, Shigenori Watari, Yoichiro Suzuki, Tomonori Mimura, Miki Taki, Akira Inagaki
  • Patent number: 9189083
    Abstract: A portable measurement system is provided comprising a probe, two trackers, a receiver and a pod. A user interface control captures a location and position of the probe in a three-dimensional sensing space with respect to a coordinate system of the receiver from time of flight waveform analysis. The system suppresses a ringing portion of the received ultrasonic and minimizes distortion associated with ultrasonic transducer ring-down during high-resolution position tracking of the probe and the two trackers. Media is presented according to a customized use of the probe and two trackers during an operation workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ORTHOSENSOR INC.
    Inventors: Martin Roche, Jason McIntosh, Marc Boillot, Carlos Gil
  • Patent number: 9148729
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus automatically cancel or attenuate an unwanted signal (such as low frequencies from wind buffets) from, and/or control frequency response of, a condenser microphone, or control the effective condenser microphone sensitivity before the signal reaches an ASIC or other processing circuit. As a result, the maximum amplitude signal seen by the processing circuit is limited, thereby preventing overloading the input of the processing circuit. Remaining (wanted) frequencies can be appropriately amplified to reduce the noise burden on further processing circuits. A corrective signal is applied to a bias terminal of the condenser microphone to cancel the unwanted signal. Optionally or alternatively, a controllable impedance is connected to a line that carries the signal generated by the MEMS microphone, so as to attenuate unwanted portions of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: INVENSENCE, INC.
    Inventor: Olafur Mar Josefsson