A digital transmit beamformer for an ultrasound system has a waveform sample memory which stores sequences of samples of different pulse transmit waveforms of differing pulse widths. The memory is shared by a plurality of transmit channels, each of which can access its own selected sample sequence, independent of the selections by other channels. Waveform sample readout by the channels occurs substantially simultaneously during a transmit event, producing a transmit beam from a transmit aperture with different pulse waveforms applied to different elements of the transmit aperture. Higher energy waveforms with wider pulse widths are applied to central elements of the aperture and lower energy waveforms with narrower pulse widths are applied to lateral elements of the aperture to produce an apodized transmit beam.

An acoustic levitation system contains an acoustic transducer array emitting acoustic energy of periodically varying intensity. The acoustic transducer array includes a set of transducer elements arranged on a surface extending in at least two dimensions. The transducer elements are controllable in response to a control signal so as to emit the acoustic energy at a wavelength and a phase delay determined by the control signal. A controller generates the control signal such that an acoustic channel comprising one or more high-pressure region enclosing a continuous pressure minimum region that extends along a defined channel path from a start position to an end position. The continuous pressure minimum region enclosed by the one or more high-pressure region represents a trap volume suitable for carrying, levitating and translating matter in a contactless manner.

An acoustic assembly may include acoustic emitting devices attached to an enclosure. The acoustic assembly may further include an acoustic horn for influencing sound emitted by one or more of the acoustic emitting devices. For example, the acoustic horn may influence a beamwidth of sound emitted by one of the acoustic emitting devices. As a further example, the acoustic horn may influence a first beamwidth of a first acoustic emitting device and a second beamwidth of a second acoustic emitting device in a crossover region between the first acoustic emitting device and the second acoustic emitting device. The acoustic horn may include a waveguide attached to at least one integrator. The at least one integrator may include at least one plug and at least one lens.

To provide a system for implementing a three-dimensional measurement apparatus based on ultrasonic signals that have high applicability and high resolution with a simple configuration. The present invention provides a high-resolution apparatus with high applicability with a simple configuration by using low-resolution, wide field-of-view display and high-resolution region-limited display in parallel in a configuration that separates a one-dimensional direction by frequency.

Sonar systems and related methods are provided. A sonar system includes a transducer array having a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis disposed perpendicularly thereto. A processor is operative to associate signals with a plurality of transducers in the transducer array so as to form a first acoustic beam, which propagates in a beam first direction and has a first beam width in a first transverse plane. The first transverse plane extends along the beam first direction and contains the transverse axis of the transducer array. A beam directing and/or spreading device is positioned relative to the transducer array such that the first acoustic beam impinges on a surface of the beam directing and/or spreading device. Following impingement on the surface, the first acoustic beam propagates in a beam second direction.

A maximum noise suppression level (G.sub.min) is not a single constant value for an entire frequency range, but is allowed to vary across frequencies. The amount of variation is dynamically computed based on the input noise characteristics. For example, if there is excess noise in the lower frequency region, the maximum noise suppression level in that region will increase to suppress the noise in that frequency region. This feature can be enabled all the time, and will be active when the input conditions warrant extra noise suppression in a particular frequency region. Thus, the effort involved in manually tuning an audio system (e.g., hands-free telephony, voice-controlled automotive head unit, etc.) can be significantly reduced or eliminated.

An ultrasound system (100) for providing an ultrasound image of a volumetric region comprising a region of interest (12) comprising: a probe (10) having an array of CMUT transducers (14); a beamformer (64) coupled to the array and adapted to control the ultrasound beam steering and provide an ultrasound image data of the volumetric region; a transducer frequency controller (62) coupled to the beamformer and adapted to vary operation frequencies of the CMUT transducers within the frequency range, which frequency controller is arranged to set the operation frequency to a first frequency for the ultrasound beam steered in the volumetric region and to set the operation frequency to a second frequency for the ultrasound beams steered within the region of interest, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency; wherein the system further comprises an interferer analyzer (69) coupled to the transducer frequency controller (62), said interferer analyzer is adapted to vary at least one of beam steering parameters when the second frequency is above a threshold frequency value so as to mitigate a quality reduction of the ultrasound image due to the use of frequencies above the threshold.

Improved algorithm techniques may be used for superior operation of haptic-based systems. An eigensystem may be used to determine for a given spatial distribution of control points with specified output the set of wave phases that are the most efficiently realizable. Reconstructing a modulated pressure field may use emitters firing at different frequencies. An acoustic phased-array device uses a comprehensive reflexive simulation technique. There may be an exchange of information between the users and the transducer control processors having the ability to use that information for optimal haptic generation shadows and the like. Applying mid-air haptic sensations to objects of arbitrary 3D geometry requires that sensation of the object on the user's hand is as close as possible to a realistic depiction of that object. Ultrasonic haptics with multiple and/or large aperture arrays have high-frequency update rates required by the spatio-temporal modulation. More efficient haptic systems require the prevention of a channel of audio unintentionally encoding phase information that may distort its perception.

As control points in haptic systems move around, the phase offsets for each transducer change at discrete points in time. These are each expressed as a phase offset combined with a monochromatic carrier frequency. To prevent sharp frequency changes, an algorithm that maintains smooth transitions is used. Further, non-idealities in the implementation of haptic array modulation can create spurs in the frequency response of audio output from the array. Adjusting the signal carrier frequency and the signal modulating frequency may substantially reduce audio noise via a notch filter centered at an interpolation frequency.

Apparatus and methods for powering micron-scale implantable and injectable integrated circuit (IC) chips for in-vivo sensing and acquisition of various physiological signals are provided. The disclosed subject matter includes the integration of piezoelectric transducers, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or lead zirconate titanate (PZT), onto implantable and injectable IC chips for power transfer and data transmission using ultrasound waves generated from commercial ultrasound imaging equipment.