A method includes transmitting a focused ultrasound wave into a medium to form (i) an ultrasound intensity well within the medium that exhibits a first range of acoustic pressure and (ii) a surrounding region of the medium that surrounds the ultrasound intensity well and exhibits a second range of acoustic pressure that exceeds the first range of acoustic pressure. The method further includes confining an object within the ultrasound intensity well. Additionally, an acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens has a varying longitudinal thickness that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the acoustic lens. Another acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the segment.

A method includes transmitting a focused ultrasound wave into a medium to form (i) an ultrasound intensity well within the medium that exhibits a first range of acoustic pressure and (ii) a surrounding region of the medium that surrounds the ultrasound intensity well and exhibits a second range of acoustic pressure that exceeds the first range of acoustic pressure. The method further includes confining an object within the ultrasound intensity well. Additionally, an acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens has a varying longitudinal thickness that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the acoustic lens. Another acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the segment.

An ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer include at least one emitter made from a piezoelectric material, having first and second emitting surfaces opposite one another provided to emit first and second ultrasound beams. The transducer comprises at least first and second mirrors placed across from the first and second emitting surfaces, respectively, and configured so as to deflect back the first and second ultrasound beams by forming a reflected beam with a predetermined shape.

An ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer include at least one emitter made from a piezoelectric material, having first and second emitting surfaces opposite one another provided to emit first and second ultrasound beams. The transducer comprises at least first and second mirrors placed across from the first and second emitting surfaces, respectively, and configured so as to deflect back the first and second ultrasound beams by forming a reflected beam with a predetermined shape.

An apparatus for re-distributing acoustic energy. The apparatus comprises a first concave surface defined as a surface of revolution of a line or curve. This curve of revolution is rotated beyond 230 degrees and thus defines a rather small opening, which has advantages in the frequency response output. Additionally or alternatively, edges of the concave surface may be rounded to provide advantageous effects in the sound output.

An apparatus for re-distributing acoustic energy. The apparatus comprises a first concave surface defined as a surface of revolution of a line or curve. This curve of revolution is rotated beyond 230 degrees and thus defines a rather small opening, which has advantages in the frequency response output. Additionally or alternatively, edges of the concave surface may be rounded to provide advantageous effects in the sound output.

An in-vehicle device is installed in a moving body. The in-vehicle device includes: a speaker unit configured to emit sound in a first direction; a reflector unit configured to reflect the sound in a second direction different from the first direction; and a mechanical unit configured to change the second direction.

An in-vehicle device is installed in a moving body. The in-vehicle device includes: a speaker unit configured to emit sound in a first direction; a reflector unit configured to reflect the sound in a second direction different from the first direction; and a mechanical unit configured to change the second direction.

Depth of a top (24) and bottom (28) of an under water mud layer (26) are measured as a function of position from acoustical scattering measurement. The measurement involves transmitting sound from a transmitter (12) in a body of water (22) above the mud layer (26), using a higher and lower frequency range, above 100 kHz and below 20 kHz respectively. A higher frequency signal due to scattering of the sound in the higher frequency range from scatter positions along a selected horizontal direction is detected as a function of time from said transmitting, and a first depth, of a top surface (24) of the under water mud layer (26), is computed using this signal. A plurality of received lower frequency signals due to scattering of the sound in the lower frequency range is detected at different height in the body of water (22). A time shift as a function of time between temporal parts of the plurality of received lower frequency signals is determined in the plurality of received lower frequency signals, and a second depth of a bottom surface (28) of the under water mud layer is computed based on the time shifts.

A loudspeaker apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a loudspeaker and a structure. The loudspeaker outputs sounds. The structure is configured with respect to an object that is disposed on a sound output side of the loudspeaker and forms, between the object and the loudspeaker, a gap space communicating with an external space, and includes a connecting portion and one or more plate-like members. The connecting portion is connected to the loudspeaker. The one or more plate-like members have a plate shape, are disposed in the gap space, extend toward an opening portion of the gap space, and guide sounds output from the loudspeaker toward the external space, the opening portion being located on a side communicating with the external space.