Patent · US Active

Method for processing an echo profile

US7420877B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
8References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 2007
Grant dateSep 2, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S367/908
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In a method for processing an echo profile generated by a pulse-echo ranging system, the echo profile is compared with a time-varying threshold function to identify valid echoes in those portions of the echo profile which exceed the TVT function. Based on the amplitude and/or area above the TVT function, each echo is rated and attributed a level of confidence. The echo with the highest level of confidence is selected as the echo of interest, and the level of confidence is reported. To provide an improved echo processing with increased accuracy in determining the confidence level of the selected echo of interest, it is furthermore determined whether the portion of the threshold function which timely corresponds to the selected echo of interest is part of a hump-shaped section of the threshold function. If so, said section is reshaped to reduced hump amplitude, and the confidence level of the echo of interest is redetermined based on the amplitude and/or area above the reshaped TVT function.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.