An ultrasound circuit comprising a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) with built-in time gain compensation functionality is described. The TIA is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer to amplify an electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic transducer in response to receiving an ultrasound signal. The TIA is, in some cases, followed by further analog and digital processing circuitry.

A device is provided as part of a system, the device being for capturing vibrations produced by an object such as a musical instrument. Via a fixation element, the device is fixed to a drum. The device has a sensor spaced apart from a surface of the drum, located relative to the drum, and a magnet adjacent the sensor. The fixation element transmits vibrations from its fixation point on the drum to the magnet. Vibrations from the surface of the drum and from the magnet are transmitted to the sensor. A method may further be provided for interpreting an audio input, such as the output of the sensors within the system, the method comprising identifying an audio event or grouping of audio events within audio data, generating a model of the audio event that includes a representation of a timbre characteristic, and comparing that representation to expected representations.

A device is provided as part of a system, the device being for capturing vibrations produced by an object such as a musical instrument. Via a fixation element, the device is fixed to a drum. The device has a sensor spaced apart from a surface of the drum, located relative to the drum, and a magnet adjacent the sensor. The fixation element transmits vibrations from its fixation point on the drum to the magnet. Vibrations from the surface of the drum and from the magnet are transmitted to the sensor. A method may further be provided for interpreting an audio input, such as the output of the sensors within the system, the method comprising identifying an audio event or grouping of audio events within audio data, generating a model of the audio event that includes a representation of a timbre characteristic, and comparing that representation to expected representations.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of vehicle window vibrations for voice-command recognition. An example vehicle includes a window, an outer layer, a vibration sensor coupled to the window to detect audio vibrations, an audio actuator coupled to the outer layer to vibrate the outer layer, and a controller. The controller is to detect a voice command from a user via the vibration sensor, identify an audio response based upon the voice command, and emit the audio response to the user via the audio actuator.

A method of operating a wellbore using a plurality of acoustic emission transducers. The method comprises deploying acoustic emission transducers in association with at least one of a member of a drill string, a bottomhole assembly, and a drill bit coupled to the drill string in a wellbore. The acoustic emission transducers are coupled to a controller comprising a processor and memory. The processor is programmed to determine one or more of a frequency of the acoustic emissions, an amplitude of the acoustic emissions, an energy of the acoustic emissions, a duration of the acoustic emissions, a rise time of the acoustic emissions, and a frequency centroid of the acoustic emissions. The method includes measuring acoustic emissions generated by acoustic events originating within the wellbore with the acoustic emission transducers. Downhole acoustic systems for monitoring drilling operations of a wellbore are also disclosed.

A system for taking a measurement at a connection element. The system has a force sensor having a first side and a second side. The force sensor is configured to provide a measured value representative for a force acting between the first and the second side of the force sensor. The system also has an ultrasonic sensor and a positioning bushing The positioning bushing has a positioning bushing recess, which is configured to receive the ultrasonic sensor, at least in part. The system also has a separate sensor bushing, mechanically coupled to the first side of the force sensor, and having a sensor bushing recess. The sensor bushing recess is configured to receive, at least in part, the positioning bushing and the first end of the connection element. A second end of the connection element can be mechanically coupled to the second side of the force sensor.

A transducer unit includes a substrate, a capacitive transducer provided on the substrate and configured to receive an acoustic wave generated when a subject is irradiated with light from a light source and output an electric signal, a circuit substrate including a current/voltage conversion circuit configured to convert a current output from the capacitive transducer into a voltage, and a flexible printed wiring that electrically connects the capacitive transducer to the current/voltage conversion circuit, in which the circuit substrate is provided on a surface side opposite to a surface where the capacitive transducer is provided among surfaces of the substrate.

A transducer unit includes a substrate, a capacitive transducer provided on the substrate and configured to receive an acoustic wave generated when a subject is irradiated with light from a light source and output an electric signal, a circuit substrate including a current/voltage conversion circuit configured to convert a current output from the capacitive transducer into a voltage, and a flexible printed wiring that electrically connects the capacitive transducer to the current/voltage conversion circuit, in which the circuit substrate is provided on a surface side opposite to a surface where the capacitive transducer is provided among surfaces of the substrate.

A system including a rig site with at least one pollution control system located on the rig site. The pollution control system is configured to modify an output of light, noise, or vibrations from the rig site to an environment surrounding the rig site. Additionally, the pollution control system may include at least one active noise cancellation device, at least one active vibration cancellation device, and/or at least one active light control system to modify the light, noise, or vibrations.

A system including a rig site with at least one pollution control system located on the rig site. The pollution control system is configured to modify an output of light, noise, or vibrations from the rig site to an environment surrounding the rig site. Additionally, the pollution control system may include at least one active noise cancellation device, at least one active vibration cancellation device, and/or at least one active light control system to modify the light, noise, or vibrations.