A survey system including a multibeam echo sounder having a single projector array and a single hydrophone array constructs a multi-signal message and deconstructs a corresponding multi-signal echo to substantially simultaneously perform multiple survey missions.

The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

A marine electronic device is provided including a user interface comprising a display, a marine electronic device processor, and a memory. The memory includes computer program code configured to cause the marine electronic device to receive sonar return data from at least one transducer element configured to transmit sound waves into a body of water, receive the sonar return signals from the body of water, and convert the sonar return signals into sonar return data. The computer program code is further configured to cause the marine electronic device to generate one or more sonar images based on the sonar return data, identify one or more degraded performance characteristics associated with the sonar return data or the one or more sonar images, and cause an alert based on identification of the one or more degraded performance characteristics.

Improved two-dimensional planar array transducer and beamformer apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, the two-dimensional planar array transducer is capable of simultaneously or sequentially forming multiple acoustic beams in two axes and at two or more widely separated acoustic frequencies from a single flat planar array transducer. The transducer planar array consists of two or more electrically and acoustically independent two dimensional planar transducer array structures operating at different frequencies that are physically integrated onto a single multi frequency configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, a second higher frequency transducer array is positioned within the aperture area of a lower frequency planar array transducer. Methods of using the aforementioned two-dimensional planar array transducer and beamformer are also disclosed.

An object detection device includes an acquisition unit that acquires intensity of a direct wave at a second transmission and reception unit among a plurality of transmission and reception units that allow transmission and reception of an ultrasonic wave, the direct wave directly received by the second transmission and reception unit and being an ultrasonic wave transmitted by a first transmission and reception unit among the plurality of transmission and reception units. An intensity of a reflected wave received by the transmission and reception unit, the reflected wave being a reflected wave obtained by the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the first transmission and reception unit reflected on an object, and a detection unit that calculates an air-absorption attenuation coefficient of the ultrasonic wave on the basis of the intensity of the direct wave to detects the object on the basis of the air-absorption attenuation coefficient and the intensity of the reflected wave.

Multiplexed phased array sonar systems and methods for consumer fishfinders are described herein. A transducer unit for such a system includes a transmit (TX) element that generates a sonar ping, a receive (RX) array configured to receive sonar echoes resulting from the sonar ping contacting targets, a digital signal processor (DSP) that processes the sonar echoes into sonar display information, and multiplexers (MUXs) coupled between the RX array and the DSP. The MUXs are configured to couple a portion of the RX array to the DSP during a first time and a second portion of the RX array during a second time such that the of MUXs couple an entirety of the RX array to the DSP during each transmit-receive cycle. A method of preventing distortions in the sonar display information selects the elements of the RX array to be sampled in accordance with a predetermined multiplexing pattern.

Examples described herein include an acoustic system for the imaging of underwater objects, comprising an underwater transceiver antenna of electro-acoustic type, and control and processing means configured to carry out an imaging step.

A device for monitoring the local orientation or position of an object by sound waves, with a sensor part positioned at a distance from the object with at least one sound wave emitter, at least one sound wave receiver, and a computing unit. The computing unit controls the at sound wave emitter and the sound wave receiver and determines the distance between the sensor part and the object, based on the echoes of a sound wave emitted by the sound wave emitter in the direction of the object. An identification reflector separate from the sensor part comprises a three-dimensional pattern. The sensor part has an array of sound wave receivers and sound wave emitters, wherein for identifying the identification reflector and for measuring the distance between the sensor part and the identification reflector, a plurality of echoes between different emitter/receiver-combinations is evaluated.

An echo sounding apparatus which is attached to a moving object and detects a measurement target in the water, including: a transmission signal forming unit that generates a pseudo noise sequence signal and forms a transmission signal by modulating a carrier signal by the pseudo noise sequence signal of transmission timing; a transmitting unit that transmits the transmission signal as an ultrasonic wave into the water; a receiving unit that receives a reception signal including a true echo, a ghost of the transmission signal, and a ghost of the reception signal; a correlator that measures a distance to the measurement target based on a time difference between the transmission signal and the true echo by executing a correlating process to the reception signal by the pseudo noise sequence signal; and a ghost eliminating circuit that eliminates the ghost of the transmission signal and/or the ghost of the reception signal.

A parking track generation system and method of a smart parking system may include: detecting, by a control unit, an obstacle through a camera and an ultrasonic sensor; applying, by the control unit, weights to the camera and the ultrasonic sensor, and determining a characteristic of the obstacle, when the obstacle is detected; generating, by the control unit, a straight parking track to a final destination when the determined characteristic indicates that the obstacle can be ignored, or generating a primary parking track by setting a primary destination to around the obstacle, when the determined characteristic indicates that the obstacle cannot be ignored; and generating, by the control unit, a secondary parking track to the final destination when the vehicle reaches the primary destination along the primary parking track.