Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Echo systems – Returned signal used for control
Patent
1990-01-19
1991-08-27
Pihulic, Daniel T.
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Echo systems
Returned signal used for control
367900, 367907, 178 18, G08C 2100
Patent
active
050439502
ABSTRACT:
The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for determining the travel time of acoustic energy over an unknown travel distance between an acoustic transmitter and an acoustic receiver. This information can be used, for example, to determine the position of a moveable element in a data space. A timer is initiated at the time of acoustic transmission from the transmitter. A control signal generator is provided, and is initiated at the time of acoustic transmission from the transmitter, the control signal being a function of the time which elapses after the time of acoustic transmission. The gain of the signal received at the receiver is controlled in accordance with the control signal. The timer is terminated when the gain-controlled received signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. In a preferred embodiment, the terminating means includes a comparator for comparing the gain-controlled received signal to the predetermined threshold. The magnitude of the control signal varies as
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Wells, Physical Principles of Ultrasonic Diagnosis, Academic Press, 1969, title page and pages 77-80.
Butler Robert
Schorum Stanley
Novack Martin
Pihulic Daniel T.
Science Accessories Corp.
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