Method and apparatus for acoustic sensing

An ultrasonic examination system for examining an object, comprising:

• a microprocessor configured to generate frequency signals;
• a first transducer coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to generate acoustic energy waves into the object in response to the frequency signals;
• a second transducer coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive acoustic energy waves from the object and to generate corresponding acoustic energy signals, the microprocessor configured to adjust the frequency signal in response to the acoustic energy signals to the frequency signal associated with the highest acoustic energy signal;
• and
• wherein the microprocessor is configured to adjust a prior frequency to a successive frequency such that the successive frequency is equal to:
• (5529600+2d)/d,
• where:
• d=256−(n+92),
• and n=the incremental number of the successive frequency on a scale of frequencies.

A method for acoustic sensing of an object in a computer-controlled system, comprising:

• performing a plurality of acoustic energy measurements of the object at a nominal frequency and at different successive frequencies, including adjusting a prior frequency to a successive frequency such that the successive frequency is equal to:
• (5529600+2d)/d,
• where:
• d=256−(n+92),
• and n=the incremental number of the successive frequency on a scale of frequencies;
• determining the frequency associated with the highest measured acoustic energy and changing the nominal frequency to the determined frequency;
• and
• repeatedly performing the plurality of acoustic measurements and determining the frequency associated with the highest measured acoustic energy.

A method for acoustic sensing of an object in a computer-controlled system, comprising:

• performing a first acoustic measurement at a nominal frequency;
• performing a second acoustic measurement at a second frequency that is increased from the nominal frequency by an incremental value;
• performing a third measurement at the nominal frequency;
• performing a fourth measurement at a third frequency that is reduced from the nominal frequency by the incremental value;
• performing a fifth measurement at the nominal frequency;
• performing a sixth measurement at a frequency that is increased by a second incremental value;
• performing a seventh measurement at the nominal frequency;
• performing an eighth measurement at a frequency that is reduced by the second incremental value;
• determining the acoustic measurements having the highest acoustic energy;
• and
• changing the nominal frequency to the frequency associated with the acoustic measurement having the highest acoustic energy.

A method for acoustic sensing of an object in a computer-controlled system, comprising:

• performing a first acoustic measurement at a nominal frequency;
• performing a second acoustic measurement at a second frequency that is increased from the nominal frequency by an incremental value;
• performing a third measurement at the nominal frequency;
• performing a fourth measurement at a third frequency that is reduced from the nominal frequency by the first incremental value;
• performing a fifth measurement at the nominal value;
• performing a sixth measurement at a frequency that is increased by a second incremental value;
• performing a seventh measurement at the nominal frequency;
• performing an eighth measurement at a frequency that is reduced by the second incremental value;
• repeating the first through the eighth measurements a predetermined number of times;
• determining the acoustic measurements having the highest acoustic energy;
• and
• changing the nominal frequency to the frequency associated with the acoustic measurement having the highest acoustic energy.

An acoustic sensing method, comprising:

• generating an initial acoustic energy wave at a nominal frequency and successive acoustic energy waves through an object, each successive acoustic energy wave generated at a different frequency than the previous acoustic energy wave by adjusting a prior frequency to a successive frequency such that the successive frequency is equal to:
• (5529600+2d)/d,
• where:
• d=256−(n+92),
• and n+the incremental number of the successive frequency on a scale of frequencies;
• sensing the initial and successive acoustic energy waves from the object and determining the frequency of the sensed acoustic energy wave having the highest energy level;
• and
• changing the nominal frequency to the determined frequency.