G10K11/34

Methods and systems for processing an ultrasound image

The invention provides methods and systems for generating an ultrasound image. In a method, the generation of an ultrasound image comprises: obtaining channel data, the channel data defining a set of imaged points; for each imaged point: isolating the channel data; performing a spatial spectral estimation on the isolated channel data; and selectively attenuating the spatial spectral estimation channel data, thereby generating filtered channel data; and summing the filtered channel data, thereby forming a filtered ultrasound image. In some examples, the method comprises aperture extrapolation. The aperture extrapolation improves the lateral resolution of the ultrasound image. In other examples, the method comprises transmit extrapolation. The transmit extrapolation improves the contrast of the image. In addition, the transmit extrapolation improves the frame rate and reduces the motion artifacts in the ultrasound image. In further examples, the aperture and transmit extrapolations may be combined.

Haptic effects from focused acoustic fields
11531395 · 2022-12-20 · ·

To resolve an issue related to the calibration of optical cameras in transducer-based mid-air haptic systems, the magnification of the motion induced on an optical camera by an acoustic field modulated at specific frequencies reveals very small temporal variations in video frames. This quantized distortion is used to compare different acoustic fields and to solve the calibration problem in an automatized manner. Further, mechanical resonators may be excited by ultrasound when it is modulated at the resonant frequency. When enough energy is transferred and when operating at the correct frequency, a user in contact with the device can feel vibration near areas of largest displacement. This effect can be exploited to create devices which can produce haptic feedback while not carrying a battery or exciter when in the presence of an ultrasonic source.

Haptic effects from focused acoustic fields
11531395 · 2022-12-20 · ·

To resolve an issue related to the calibration of optical cameras in transducer-based mid-air haptic systems, the magnification of the motion induced on an optical camera by an acoustic field modulated at specific frequencies reveals very small temporal variations in video frames. This quantized distortion is used to compare different acoustic fields and to solve the calibration problem in an automatized manner. Further, mechanical resonators may be excited by ultrasound when it is modulated at the resonant frequency. When enough energy is transferred and when operating at the correct frequency, a user in contact with the device can feel vibration near areas of largest displacement. This effect can be exploited to create devices which can produce haptic feedback while not carrying a battery or exciter when in the presence of an ultrasonic source.

SONAR DEVICE

A sonar device includes a support having negative buoyancy and a linear acoustic reception antenna comprising an elongated body that is elongated from a first end to a second end, the elongated body being connected by the first end at a connection point that is fixed relative to the support, the sonar device being able to be in a reception configuration, wherein the antenna body and the support are fully submerged and wherein the antenna body is able to be in a vertical orientation, wherein it extends substantially vertically from the first end to the second end toward the seabed, the sonar device comprising orientation adjustment means for adjusting, when the sonar device is in the reception configuration and the support is fixed relative to the terrestrial reference frame, an angle of elevation and an azimuth of the second end in the reference frame connected to the support centered on the connection point.

Frequency steered sonar user interface

A marine sonar display device comprises a display, a memory element, and a processing element. The display displays sonar images. The memory element stores sonar data. The processing element is configured to transmit a transmit electronic signal to a frequency steered sonar element which transmits an array of sonar beams into a body of water, each sonar beam transmitted in a different angular direction, receive a receive electronic signal from the frequency steered sonar element, the receive electronic signal including a plurality of frequency components, calculate an array of sonar data slices, one sonar data slice for each frequency component, generate an array of sonar image slices, one sonar image slice for each sonar data slice, and control the display to visually present the array of sonar image slices in near real time and a historical sequence of at least one sonar image slice.

Magnetic coupling for sound transmission

Systems for magnetoacoustically transferring sound across an acoustic barrier include first and second acoustic resonators positioned on opposite sides of the barrier. Each of the first and second resonators includes an attached magnet. Via magnetic coupling between the magnets, an acoustic oscillation at the first resonator induces an oscillation of the same frequency at the second resonator. Thus sound waves absorbed at the first resonator are magnetically transferred across the barrier to the second resonator, from which they are emitted.

Magnetic coupling for sound transmission

Systems for magnetoacoustically transferring sound across an acoustic barrier include first and second acoustic resonators positioned on opposite sides of the barrier. Each of the first and second resonators includes an attached magnet. Via magnetic coupling between the magnets, an acoustic oscillation at the first resonator induces an oscillation of the same frequency at the second resonator. Thus sound waves absorbed at the first resonator are magnetically transferred across the barrier to the second resonator, from which they are emitted.

DEEP FINGER ULTRASONIC SENSOR

A deep finger ultrasonic sensor device includes an array of ultrasonic transducers and an array controller configured to control activation of ultrasonic transducers of the array of ultrasonic transducers during an imaging operation for capturing a depth image of a finger, where the depth image includes a plurality of features inside the finger. The array controller is configured to control transmission of ultrasonic signals and receipt of reflected ultrasonic signals during the imaging operation, where the reflected ultrasonic signals are utilized in generating the depth image of the finger.

Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method of operating the same

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a two-dimensional (2D) transducer array in which a plurality of transducers that transmit/receive an ultrasound signal to/from an object are arranged in two dimensions; an analog beamformer configured to perform analog beamforming in a first direction, and perform analog beamforming in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on signals respectively received by the plurality of transducers; and a digital beamformer configured to perform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the first direction, and perform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the second direction.

Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method of operating the same

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a two-dimensional (2D) transducer array in which a plurality of transducers that transmit/receive an ultrasound signal to/from an object are arranged in two dimensions; an analog beamformer configured to perform analog beamforming in a first direction, and perform analog beamforming in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on signals respectively received by the plurality of transducers; and a digital beamformer configured to perform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the first direction, and perform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the second direction.