352results about "Beacon systems using ultrasonic/sonic/infrasonic waves" patented technology

A GPS-based underwater cable positioning system for use in determining the shape and position of hydrophone streamers towed underwater behind survey vessels involved in marine seismic prospecting. The system includes a plurality of surface units towed behind the vessel. Each surface unit includes a GPS receiver to receive radio frequency GPS signals and to determine its positions. Each surface unit also has an acoustic transmitter to transmit an acoustic message signal representing its position and an optional time stamp into the water. Acoustic receiver units, attached spaced apart locations along one or more streamer cables, each include an acoustic receiver to receive the acoustic message signals from the surface units and to determine its position from the message signals. To augment the message signals from the surface units at locations distant from the surface units, acoustic transceiver units may be used. The acoustic transceiver units are attached to the streamer cables at ranges between the surface units and distant acoustic receiver units. The acoustic transceiver units each include an acoustic receiver that performs as the receivers in the acoustic receiver units and an acoustic transmitter to transmit acoustic message signals representing its position and an optional time stamp into the water to be received by the acoustic receiver units. In this way, the positions and shapes of towed streamer cables can be determined.

A system and method for providing entry-point, boundary-line, and presence intrusion detection by means of an intelligent controller process capable of driving both field alert / alarm systems and security station monitoring devices and for providing occupancy warnings and critical status alerts, one embodiment providing runway occupancy warnings and critical runway status alerts to both flight crew approaching an airfield and air traffic controllers managing ground traffic, the system including: a detection system, airfield output devices (including all FAROS, GAROS and CTAF Runway Occupancy Radio Signals (RORS)), an airfield communications network, a centralized data processing unit that contains all of the algorithms to drive light control, logging, and an optional administrative network layer that hosts a graphical user interface.

A method for improving vibratory source seismic data uses a filter which converts a recorded seismic groundforce signal (including harmonic distortion therein) into a desired short-duration wavelet. A plurality of surveys may be carried out using a plurality of sweeps from plurality of vibrators that have their relative phases encoded, the groundforce signal of each vibrator being measured. The recorded seismic reflection signals are then processed to separate out the signals from each vibrator. In another aspect, harmonics of upto any desired order may be canceled while carrying out multiple surveys with a plurality of vibrators. In a marine environment, the recorded signal from a vibrator towed by a moving vessel is used to derive a Doppler shift correction filter that is applied to reflection seismic data.

A system that provides a means for blind or visually impaired people to navigate through a complex environment using auditory cues. Two-way transceiver devices, held by the person, connect through a communications network to a computer system. The computer system activates appropriate auditory signals that are output from audio beacons located throughout the environment based on input provided through the transceiver. Additional interactivity can be incorporated into the system by means of the computer system.

A navigation system extends satellite navigation to divers, underwater vehicles, and surface vessels. The navigation system comprises a location reference unit and a plurality of sub-surface beacon units. The location reference unit includes a receiver to receive navigation signals from earth-orbiting satellites and / or an inertial navigation system. The location reference unit further includes control circuits to communicate with to sub-surface beacon units and to transmit location information to said sub-surface beacon units, and a transceiver to transmit location information to the sub-surface beacon units. The beacon units include control circuits to determine the location of the beacon unit based on location information received from the location reference unit, and a transceiver to receive location information from the location reference unit and to transmit location information to a guided unit to provide navigation assistance to the guided unit.

A process for producing a capacitive electromechanical conversion device by bonding together a substrate and a membrane member to form a cavity sealed between the substrate and the membrane member, the process for producing a capacitive electromechanical conversion device comprises the steps of: providing a gas release path penetrating from a bonded interface between the substrate and the membrane member to the outside, and forming the cavity by bonding the membrane member with the substrate with the gas release path provided; the gas release path being provided at a location where the path does not communicate with the cavity.

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. An alternate received signal strength indicator based localization technique allows less accurate localization at the benefit of sparser transmission infrastructure.

A zone location system with ultrasound US transmitters S1, S2, S3 located in respective zones Z1, Z2, Z3 such as rooms of a building B. Preferably, the US transmitters are time-multiplexed so that each of them in turn transmits a US signal US with a unique ID code USID represented therein. The portable tag PT includes an ultrasound receiver USR arranged to receive the US signal. Based on the received US signal, the portable tag PT measures a strength of the received US signal. The portable tag PT also measures a parameter related to a movement of the portable tag PT, e.g. a Doppler shift based on the received US signal. Further, the portable tag extracts the USID. Then it transmits a wireless Radio Frequency signal RFS with its own ID PTID, the USID and first and second data values D1, D2 representing the signal strength and the movement related parameters. A processor P connected to a Radio Frequency receiver RFR receives the data from the portable tag PT and determines a connection between PTID and the zone Z2 in which it is present based on the USID. Further, the processor utilizes data D1 and D2 to calculate an estimated position POS within the zone Z2. Especially, estimated distance between US transmitter S2 and portable tag PT and velocity of the portable tag may be estimated based on D1 and D2, thus assisting in estimating the position POS of the portable tag PT. The system may further be combined with a Radio Frequency based positioning system, e.g. an RF signal strength based system, thereby enhancing the resolution of the estimated position POS of the portable tag PT. Further, such combined system help location in complicated and changing environments and in situations where the portable tag PT may be out of reach for US signals, e.g. when attached to a paper file enclosed in a box.

A location system and method for determining the location of a tagged item in a facility. In one embodiment, the location system includes a plurality of room transmitters designed to be located throughout the facility. Each room transmitter has a unique signature. The system also includes at least one item or location tag affixed or otherwise associated with an item. Each tag is operable to send a signal having information related to the signature of a room transmitter within the reception range of the tag and information related to the identity of the tag. Signals from the tags are received by one or more locating receivers. Each locating receiver is operable to determine the identity of an item tag and the likely location of the item tag within the facility based upon the signal from that tag. The invention also provides a method of locating an item in a facility. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning room transmitters in multiple areas within a facility; configuring each room transmitter to generate a unique signature; fitting items with a tag; configuring each tag to generate a signal having a location portion and a signature portion; positioning a locating receiver within the facility; and determining the likely location and identity of that tag based on the tag's signal.

A navigation system extends satellite navigation to divers. The navigation system comprises a surface unit and a plurality of sub-surface beacon units. The surface unit includes a receiver to receive navigation signals from earth-orbiting satellites, processing circuits to communicate with to sub-surface beacon units and to transmit location information to said sub-surface beacon units, and a sonar transmitter to transmit location information to the sub-surface beacon units. The beacon units include a processing circuits to determine the location of the beacon unit based on location information received from the surface unit, and a sonar transceiver to receive location information from the surface unit while the surface unit is floating on the surface; and to transmit location information to a diver unit to provide navigation assistance to the diver unit.

A system and method for archiving and retrieving information from an array of remote sensors. In a preferred embodiment the invention is incorporated in a gunshot detection and location system to preserve audio information surrounding a gunshot event for later review or analysis. In a preferred embodiment the system includes a plurality of acoustic sensors deployed in an array, a computer for processing gunshot information from the sensors, and a mass storage device for temporary archival of audio information. When a gunshot event is detected, the location of the audio information of the data within the spool is stored in an index to facilitate later retrieval of the information.

A system that provides a means for blind or visually impaired people to navigate through a complex environment using auditory cues. Two-way transceiver devices, held by the person, connect through a communications network to a computer system. The computer system activates appropriate auditory signals that are output from audio beacons located throughout the environment based on input provided through the transceiver. Additional interactivity can be incorporated into the system by means of the computer system.

To improve efficient use of robots in human-centric environments, robots have to overcome a number of challenges, including mobility challenges, physical interface challenges, self-maintenance challenges, security challenges, and safety challenges. These challenges can be overcome either by adding technology to a robot or by adding infrastructure to a robot's environment.

A system and method for archiving and retrieving information from an array of remote sensors. In a preferred embodiment the invention is incorporated in a gunshot detection and location system to preserve audio information surrounding a gunshot event for later review or analysis. In a preferred embodiment the system includes a plurality of acoustic sensors deployed in an array, a computer for processing gunshot information from the sensors, and a mass storage device for temporary archival of audio information. When a gunshot event is detected, the location of the audio information of the data within the spool is stored in an index to facilitate later retrieval of the information.

A system for locating an acoustic source from an acoustic event of the acoustic source. In one embodiment, the system includes a sensor network having a plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes each located in a predetermined position encountering acoustic waves generated by an acoustic event passing proximate to the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes, where the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes are synchronized to a common time base such that when the acoustic event is detected, information of the acoustic waves from each of the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes is obtained and broadcasted through the sensor network. The system further includes a base station for receiving information of the acoustic waves broadcasted from the sensor network and processing the received information of the acoustic waves so as to locate the acoustic source of the acoustic event.

Disclosed is a moving object and a location measuring device and method thereof that may transmit an ultrasound signal to the moving object through a plurality of ultrasound transmitting units, and may estimate a location of the moving object at a current time based on distance information of distances between the moving object and the plurality of ultrasound transmitting units measured based on the transmitted ultrasound, inertia information, and location information of the moving object at a time prior to the current time.

An improved method for fabricating a three dimensional monolithic memory with increased density. The method includes forming conductors preferably comprising tungsten, then filling and planarizing; above the conductors forming semiconductor elements preferably comprising two diode portions and an antifuse, then filling and planarizing; and continuing to form conductors and semiconductor elements in multiple stories of memories. The arrangement of processing steps and the choice of materials decreases aspect ratio of each memory cell, improving the reliability of gap fill and preventing etch undercut.

A method and apparatus for distance measurement is disclosed in which first and second signals having different propagation speeds are transmitted between a transmitter (2) at a first location and a receiver (3) at a second location. The distance between the first and second locations is determined from the difference in propagation time between the first and second signals.

A system for locating an acoustic source from an acoustic event of the acoustic source. In one embodiment, the system includes a sensor network having a plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes each located in a predetermined position encountering acoustic waves generated by an acoustic event passing proximate to the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes, where the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes are synchronized to a common time base such that when the acoustic event is detected, information of the acoustic waves from each of the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes is obtained and broadcasted through the sensor network. The system further includes a base station for receiving information of the acoustic waves broadcasted from the sensor network and processing the received information of the acoustic waves so as to locate the acoustic source of the acoustic event.

An inexpensive acoustic beacon-type system suitable for the self-localization of one or more submergable secondary vehicles such as AUVs. A single beacon in a primary system periodically transmits an acoustic signal to the secondary vehicle. The acoustic signal is passively received by at least two receivers such as an AUV-mounted ultra-short baseline (USBL) array, which enables multiple vehicles to localize using just a single beacon. A controller (i) maintains time-synchronization with the primary system, (ii) develops a range estimate signal from measurements of received signals from at least two receivers and (iii) develops an azimuth-inclination estimation of likeliest angle-of-arrival of the primary signals, wherein the controller utilizes a plurality of coordinate frames to provide an estimate of secondary system location.

In an audio processing device, a target sound emphasizer generates a target sound emphasized component by emphasizing a target sound component contained in a plurality of audio signals generated by a plurality of sound receiving devices. A stereo processor generates a stereo component of a plurality of channels from the plurality of audio signals. A first adjuster adjusts a sound pressure level of the target sound emphasized component according to a first adjustment value, and a second adjuster adjusts a sound pressure level of the stereo component according to a second adjustment value. A variable setter variably sets a zoom value which is changeable between a wide angle side and a telephoto side relative to a target. An adjustment controller controls the first adjustment value according to the zoom value such that the sound pressure level of the target sound emphasized component exponentially decreases as the zoom value changes toward the wide-angle side and controls the second adjustment value according to the zoom value such that the sound pressure level of the stereo component increases as the zoom value changes toward the wide-angle side.

The invention provides a localizer for tracking and locating an object as well as a self-government ultrasonic locating system and a method using the localizer. The self-government ultrasonic locating system comprises label equipment and the localizer, wherein the label equipment is installed on a moving object, comprises an RF and ultrasonic emitter, and is used for emitting RF and ultrasonic signals; and the localizer is used for receiving the RF and ultrasonic signals emitted by the label equipment so as to locate and track the position of the object. The localizer comprises a plurality of blade modules; each blade module comprises a locating signal receiver for receiving locating signals from the label equipment; known structural topotaxy exists among the blade modules; and the locating signal detecting time of the locating signal receiver and the known structural topotaxy are subsequently used for calculating the position of the object. Compared with the prior art, the localizer has the characteristics of high precision, easy disposing, no need of calibration, low cost, easy coordination, and the like.

A wireless instrument and methods for the remote monitoring of a plurality of biological parameters is described. The instrument includes a means of receiving data from a plurality of sensors, a means for converting the sensor data to a digital format, a means for collating the digitised sensor data into a single digital data stream, a transmitter for modulating a carrier signal with the digital data stream to create a modulated signal suitable for wireless transmission, an antenna for generating a radiating electromagnetic field to be received by a remote receiver, and an electrical power source. In a further embodiment, an additional means is provided for including an identification code in the transmitted digital data stream. In a further embodiment, an additional means is provided for monitoring operational parameters of the instrument and the inclusion of the monitored operational parameters in the transmitted digital data stream. In a further embodiment, an additional means is provided that allows for receiving signals from a remote transmitter for the remote manipulation of the instrument. In a further embodiment, the electrical power source is rechargeable and a recharging means is provided. A method is described for encapsulating the instrument in a one-piece housing that may include additional materials for increasing the mass of the instrument.

The invention relates to a subaqueous multi-cable positioning system and a method thereof. The system comprises a data collection card, a main control machine and a plurality of dragging cables, wherein the data collection card and the main control machine are positioned on a water surface cable dragging ship, and the dragging cables are dragged by the cable dragging ship. Array elements comprising an acoustic energy transducer, a bathometer and a compass and a data transmission system comprising a data transmission packet are arranged in the dragging cables. The main control machine transmitsa positioning command to each array element, the array elements measure the required positioning information, and the main control machine resolves each section of concrete position of the dragging cables. The invention adopts the hydroacoustic positioning of an optimized acoustic array and combines a GPS drogue, the compass and the bathometer to position a plurality of cables. The method comprises the following steps: firstly, determining the geodetic coordinates of the front end and the back end of each dragging cable by a GPS; measuring the depth information of each section of the draggingcables by the bathometer, resolving the transverse and longitudinal coordinates of each section on the dragging cables relative to the navigation direction of the dragging ship by acoustic positioning primarily and retaining the value of the transverse coordinates; and recalculating the longitudinal coordinates of each section on the dragging cables by the value of the transverse coordinates obtained by compass data and acoustic positioning.

The present invention relates to a system for using signals scattered by targets to determine position and velocity for each of the targets and comprises a set of transmitters and receivers of electromagnetic or acoustic signals, said transmitters and receivers dispersed to known points. Each pair of transmitter and receiver, monostatic or bistatic, is named a measuring facility. The ranges of the transmitters are chosen so that a target at an arbitrary point within the position space can be measured via scattering in the target by at least four measuring facilities. For each measuring facility, target detection occurs with constant false alarm rate in the form of probabilities over resolution cells with regards to range and Doppler velocity and conceivable targets are placed in a 2-dimensional linear space belonging to the measuring facility. The 3-dimensional positions and 3-dimensional Doppler velocities are represented as a 6-dimensional linear position and velocity space subdivided into resolution cells with the same resolution of range and Doppler velocity that is found at the measuring facilities. For each intersection representing detections at at least four measuring facilities the probability is calculated that the intersection is a false alarm emanating intersections between subsets from different targets and when the probability falls below a predefined value, it is given that the intersection contains at least one target. The target positions and target velocities are extracted in this way.”

A target detection apparatus that includes a transmission / reception device for generating a transmission signal for detection of a target, and extracting distance information about the target from a received signal; a number of sensors each of which transmits the transmission signal to respective different angle ranges, receives a signal reflected by the target, and transfers the received signal to the transmission / reception device; and a switch device for switching in a time division manner a connection between the transmission / reception device and one of the sensors to a connection between the transmission / reception device and another one of the sensors, where the switch device selects a first of the sensors for transmitting the transmission signal in a time slot and a second of the sensors for receiving the signal reflected by the target in the time slot.