University of California

Bell + Howell Company

Other

Polaroid Corporation

Leonard A Ferrari

Joseph H Lancor, Jr, Deceased

Kenyon A Hapke

Erwin E Figge

John P Bagby

Jason Taite

A method and apparatus is disclosed which improves the image quality obtained in a system for displaying frequency demodulated acoustic images of an object. A squelch signal is added to the input of a frequency demodulator. When the 'echo signal' represents merely high frequency noise input to the demodulator, the squelch signal overrides the noise. A uniform level is thereby provided to the image display devices of the system which substantially improves output image quality.

Acoustical imaging system

A system determines the attenuation of sound in a media supporting acoustic pulse propogation. The system includes a pulse circuit generating a reference pulse, which is then transformed into an ultrasonic acoustic pressure signal by a transducer. The transducer projects the pressure signal against the media and receives acoustic pressure signals reflected therefrom in response to the projected signal. A delay circuit, coupled to the pulse circuit generates a delayed pulse with an adjustable delay relative to the reference pulse. The duration of the delayed pulse defines a reference frame to examine reflected acoustic pressure signals reflected from a depth in the media defined by the delay of the pulse. A frequency circuit counts the number of zero crossings in the reflected acoustic pressure signal during the interval defined by the duration of the delayed pulse and determines the mean frequency of those reflections at the depth defined by the delay. The attenuation is proportional to the slope of a line fit to an arbitrary number of mean frequencies plotted against the depths corresponding thereto.

Sound attenuation measurement system

Acoustical images are generated by frequency demodulating an electrical signal having frequency deviations corresponding to the scattering properties of a media supporting acoustic pulse propagation against which the signal is projected. The system includes a transmitter which generates a signal at a defined frequency, which signal is then transformed into an acoustic pressure signal and projected against the media by a transducer. The transducer also receives acoustic pressure signals reflected from the media. A receiver coupled to the transducer transforms the reflected acoustic pressure signals into electrical signals which are then frequency demodulated. The demodulated signal contains instantaneous frequency deviations responsive to the scattering properties of the media. The frequency demodulated signal may be processed by circuitry to generate a video signal, which is then algorithmically processed by a scan converter and displayed on a video screen. The frequency demodulation may be done by a conventional frequency demodulator, by a V-demodulator, or any other frequency demodulation process. The frequency demodulated signal may also be combined with an amplitude demodulated signal to produce linear or nonlinear combinations of frequency demodulated and amplitude demodulated images. Frequency demodulated and amplitude demodulated signals may be used to provide color images of the media.

Ultrasonic acoustic imaging apparatus

The subject display systems are of particular utility in assisting interior decorators and homemakers in selecting appropriate color and fabric combinations. In particular, the subject display systems provide a luminance image of an interior decor including components, such as furniture, drapes and carpets. The system picks up colors from different samples, each of which typically has an area smaller than the area of any displayed component. These picked-up colors are selectively filled in the displayed components when the image is displayed and color arrangements are changed by substituting other picked-up colors in the display of particular components.

Interior decor composition and display systems

A system for initiating operating mode change in a film handling apparatus in response to cessation of film movement incident to an end-of-film condition.

Film drive mode change actuator

Image display from a continuously moving image carrier with the aid of a repeatedly advanced and reset optical compensator is improved by omitting the traditional compensator bias spring and resetting the compensator with electric power pulse doublets. A substantially constant driving torque may be provided for the compensator in proportion to a damping term of the compensator equation of motion. An electric bias may alternatively or additionally be provided for biasing the compensator during image display against the direction of advance motion. Decelerating power may selectively be applied to the compensator to prevent or correct overshooting in the advance direction.

Image display from continuously moving image carrier

Methods and apparatus for recording and subsequently reproducing video information at a display scan rate record image fields or other video signal quanta on a recording medium at a first relative recording medium velocity and in accordance with a predetermined arithmetic progression. The recorded image fields or other video signal quanta are reproduced at a second relative velocity being higher than the first velocity so that the reproduced video signal quanta are synchronized at the display scan rate. The reproduction of recorded image field or video signal quanta is repeated in the same reproducing operation at the second relative velocity. The repeated reproduction of any recorded image field or other video signal quantum in the same reproducing operation is completed before commencement of the reproduction of any recorded image field or other video signal quantum whose number in the predetermined arithmetic progression occurs more than one term after the number of the particular image field or other video signal quantum. Each occurring image field or other video signal quantum may be recorded by this method or apparatus. On the other hand, skip field techniques may be realized by the methods and apparatus of the subject invention.

Growing community of inventors

San Clemente, CA, United States of America

Leonard A Ferrari