# US 8,453,928 B2 · Ultrasonic imaging apparatus for reading and decoding machine-readable matrix symbols > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,453,928 B2 - Document ID: US8453928B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/124,200 - Filed: 2009-10-14 - Published: 2011-10-20 - Granted: 2013-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2008-10-14 - Assignees: DolphiTech AS - Applicants: Frank Melandsø; Tore Baarstad; Arnt-Børre Salberg; Terje Melandsø; Eskil Skoglund - Inventors: Frank Melandsø; Tore Baarstad; Arnt-Børre Salberg; Terje Melandsø; Eskil Skoglund - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8453928B2 ## CPC - G01S 15/8906: {Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques} - G06K 7/02: by pneumatic or hydraulic means, e.g. sensing punched holes with compressed air; by sonic means {; by ultrasonic means} - G06K 2019/06271: {Relief-type marking} - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract There is provided an apparatus and method for reading matrix codes comprising an ultrasound transducer 20 which comprises transmitter and receiver electrodes, a receiver unit 24 connected to the receiver electrodes for processing the signals received by the receiver electrodes, and a transmitter module 21 connected to the transmitter electrodes, the transmitter module transferring an electronic signal to the transducer, where the signal shape is selected between a number of signal shapes according to the characteristics of the matrix code to be read. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Matrix code reading apparatus comprising an ultrasound transducer which comprises transmitter and receiver electrodes, and a receiver unit connected to the receiver electrodes for processing the signals received by the receiver electrodes, a transmitter module connected to the transmitter electrodes, a pulse selection module comprising a number of pulse shapes and a number of features corresponding to the pulse shapes, the transmitter module being connected to the pulse selection module, and is transferring an electronic signal to the transducer, where the signal shape is selected based on the features of the matrix code to be read, and a pulse evaluation unit connected to a memory device, the pulse evaluation unit evaluating a number of pulse shapes against N criterions to save the best pulse shape for each criterion in the memory device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pulse selection module connected to the transmitter module for selecting one of N pulse shapes for supplying to the transmitter module, the N pulse shapes being stored in a memory device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a multiplexer selects one of the N pulse shapes from the memory device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising it comprises a strategy selector for choosing a strategy for selecting the pulse shape from the memory device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the strategy is to select pulse shape automatically or by a user, according to part type. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a feature database comprising a number of image features provided from images generated with a number of different pulse shapes, and information on the pulse shapes associated with the image features in the database. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising it comprises an extract features module for extracting image features from the images produced by the image construction module, and a compare module, the compare module comparing the features extracted by the extract features module to the features of feature database and providing the pulse shape associated with the feature of the feature database having the best match to the extracted feature. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the signal processing module is connected to the pulse selection module in order to use information regarding the signal shapes in the signal processing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image construction module connected to the receiver unit, and that the pulse selection module is arranged to select signal shapes which provides enhanced images produced by the image construction module. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pulse selection module is arranged to select the pulses which provides images with best contrast. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the signal processing module is arranged to process the signals from the receiver module and comprises time gating means, averaging means and feature extraction means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter and receiver electrodes form a matrix. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pulse selection module is incorporated in the transmitter module. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pulse selection module is connected to the receiver unit for transmitting information on the transmitted pulse. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver unit comprises a receiver module comprising at least one multiplexer, an amplifier, and an analogue to digital converter, a receiver control module controlling the multiplexer(s) and a signal processing module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image enhancement unit. ### Claim 17 Matrix code reading method by means of an ultrasound transducer which comprises transmitter and receiver electrodes, wherein the method comprises transferring an electronic signal to the transmitter electrodes of transducer, where the signal shape is selected between a number of signal shapes according to the characteristics of the matrix code to be read, processing signals received by the receiver electrodes in a receiver unit, and evaluating a number of pulse shapes against N criterions to save the best pulse shape for each criterion in a memory device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) Method according to claim 17, further comprising selecting one of N pulse shapes for supplying to the transmitter module, the N pulse shapes being stored in a memory device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) Method according to claim 18, wherein a multiplexer selects one of the N pulse shapes from the memory device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) Method according to claim 18, wherein a strategy selector chooses a strategy for selecting the pulse shape from the memory device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) Method according to claim 20, wherein the strategy is to select pulse shape automatically or by a user, according to part type. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) Method according to claim 18, further comprising selecting signal shapes which provides enhanced images produced by an image construction module. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) Method according to claim 22, further comprising selecting the pulses which provides images with best contrast. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) Method according to claim 18, further comprising providing a feature database comprising a number of image features provided from images generated with a number of different pulse shapes, and information on the pulse shapes associated with the image features in the database. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) Method according to claim 24, further comprising extracting image features from the images produced by the image construction module, comparing the features extracted by the extract features module to the features of feature database, and providing the pulse shape associated with the feature of the feature database having the best match to the extracted feature.