Signalling method and apparatus for enhancing echo images

Apparatus for enhancing the output indication of a reflective object in an echo-responsive device, comprising:

• transducer means for initiating a signal directed toward a reflective object;
• first circuit means coupled with the transducer means for producing an electrical signal that is expanded in time duration from an echo returned from a reflective object following initiation of said signal;
• second circuit means coupled to receive the electrical signal for successively sampling the levels thereof with time;
• storage means having a plurality of successively addressable memory locations for storing the succession of samples therein;
• output means for producing a visual indication of signals applied thereto at an indication location which is a function of the time of occurrence of a signal applied thereto relative to the start of an operating cycle;
• and
• means responsive to the start of an operating cycle of the output means for successively addressing the samples in memory for successive applications thereof to the output means during the operating cycle to produce an output indication of a reflective object.

In a system for transmitting a signal toward a reflective object and for displaying echoes received back therefrom, the improvement comprising:

• means coupled to selectively expand the duration of a signal representative of a received echo;
• circuit means coupled to receive the signal of selectively expanded duration for producing a plurality of samples thereof at successive intervals;
• means coupled to the circuit means for storing signals at successive memory locations which are representative of the samples;
• and
• means producing output signals in response to the signals stored in successive memory locations to produce a display therefrom of a reflective object.

The method for enhancing the output indication of a reflective object in an echo-responsive device, the method comprising the steps of:

• initiating a transmit pulse directed toward a reflective object;
• receiving an echo of a transmit pulse which is reflected from a reflective object;
• expanding in time duration the echo received from the reflective object;
• displaying a visual marker at a location along one coordinate display axis proportional to time and along another coordinate display axis at a location therealong which is spaced from a reference location by a distance proportional to time;
• and
• selectably expanding the output indication by increasing the proportionality to time along the one coordinate axis in response to expansion of the received echo, the representation of which is displayed along said other coordinate axis.

Apparatus for enhancing the output indication of a reflective object in an echo-responsive device, comprising:

• transducer means for initiating a signal directed toward a reflective object;
• circuit means coupled with the transducer means for producing an electrical signal that is expanded in time duration from an echo returned from a reflective object following initiation of said signal;
• output means for producing a visual display at a location along a first coordinate axis which is proportional to time and at a location along a second coordinate axis which is proportional to time relative to the start of an operating cycle;
• means responsive to the start of an operating cycle of the output means for applying visual marking signals that are representative of said electrical signal to the output means during the operating cycle to produce an output indication of a reflective object;
• and
• means coupled to the circuit means and to the output means for simultaneously expanding the duration of the electrical signal and altering the proportionality to time along the first coordinate axis in order to expand the display of the reflective object.