Operating a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers

A method of operating a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers, the method comprising:

• defining a plurality of array positions comprising pluralities of ultrasonic transducers of the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers;
• for a first array position of the plurality of array positions, activating a first plurality of ultrasonic transducers associated with the first array position, the activating the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers comprising:
• transmitting ultrasonic signals from a first group of ultrasonic transducers of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers, wherein at least some ultrasonic transducers of the first group of ultrasonic transducers of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers are phase delayed with respect to other ultrasonic transducers of the first group of ultrasonic transducers of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the first group of ultrasonic transducers of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers for forming a focused ultrasonic beam;
• and
• receiving reflected ultrasonic signals at a second group of ultrasonic transducers of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers;
• and
• for a second array position of the plurality of array positions, activating a second plurality of ultrasonic transducers associated with the second array position, the activating the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers comprising:
• transmitting ultrasonic signals from a first group of ultrasonic transducers of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers, wherein at least some ultrasonic transducers of the first group of ultrasonic transducers of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers are phase delayed with respect to other ultrasonic transducers of the first group of ultrasonic transducers of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the first group of ultrasonic transducers of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers for forming a focused ultrasonic beam;
• and
• receiving reflected ultrasonic signals at a second group of ultrasonic transducers of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers.

A method of operating a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers, the method comprising:

• for an array position of the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers, the array position comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducers of the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers, activating a plurality of ultrasonic transducers associated with the array position, the activating comprising:
• transmitting first ultrasonic signals from a first group of ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, wherein at least some ultrasonic transducers of the first group of ultrasonic transducers are phase delayed with respect to other ultrasonic transducers of the first group of ultrasonic transducers according to a first phase delay pattern, the first group of ultrasonic transducers for forming a focused ultrasonic beam, wherein the first ultrasonic signals form the focused ultrasonic beam over a first location of the array position;
• receiving first reflected ultrasonic signals at a second group of ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the first reflected ultrasonic signals for sensing a first pixel of an image;
• transmitting second ultrasonic signals from a third group of ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, wherein at least some ultrasonic transducers of the third group of ultrasonic transducers are phase delayed with respect to other ultrasonic transducers of the third group of ultrasonic transducers according to a second phase delay pattern different than the first phase delay pattern, wherein the second ultrasonic signals form the focused ultrasonic beam over a second location of the array position;
• and
• receiving second reflected ultrasonic signals at a fourth group of ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the second reflected ultrasonic signals for sensing a second pixel of the image.