초록 ▼

A system for measuring the height of bin content includes a transmitter for transmitting an acoustic pulse towards the upper surface of the content, a non-collinear receiver array for receiving an echo of the pulse and producing signals in response to the echo, and a processing apparatus for computi

A system for measuring the height of bin content includes a transmitter for transmitting an acoustic pulse towards the upper surface of the content, a non-collinear receiver array for receiving an echo of the pulse and producing signals in response to the echo, and a processing apparatus for computing one or more directions of arrival of the signals from the upper surface to the array along with corresponding measured distances. Preferably, the receivers are transducers that also serve as transmitters. Two or more such measured distances constitute a map of the upper surface for estimating the quantity of the bin content. Preferably, the system includes a pulse shaper and repeater for optimizing the pulse shape relative to the signals.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for measuring a height of a content of a bin, comprising: (a) an array of at least three non-collinear transceivers for transmitting, substantially simultaneously, respective pulses of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content and receiving an echo of each said pulse, each

1. A system for measuring a height of a content of a bin, comprising: (a) an array of at least three non-collinear transceivers for transmitting, substantially simultaneously, respective pulses of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content and receiving an echo of each said pulse, each said transceiver producing a respective signal in response to each said echo; and(b) a processing apparatus, for jointly transforming said signals into at least one measured distance from said array to said upper surface, that includes: for each said transceiver, a correlator for correlating a waveform of each said pulse with said respective signal, thereby producing a correlated signal, and(ii) a beamformer for computing at least one direction of arrival of said correlated signals from said upper surface to said array. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing apparatus is operative to compute, for each said direction of arrival, a corresponding said measured distance. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: (c) a thermometer for measuring an interior temperature of the bin, said processing apparatus basing said transforming, of said signals into said at least one measured distance, on said measured interior temperature. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing apparatus is operative to calibrate said transceivers by transmitting calibration pulses among said transceivers. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said processing apparatus is operative to transform said measured distances into an estimate of a quantity of the content. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing apparatus transforms said signals into a plurality of said measured distances. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said beamformer computes said at least one direction of arrival independently in each of a plurality of time slices having a common duration that is related to a bandwidth of said pulses. 8. A method of measuring a height of content in a bin, comprising the steps of: (a) using an array of at least three non-collinear transceivers: (i) substantially simultaneously transmitting a plurality of pulses of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content, and(ii) receiving an echo of each said pulse, each said transceiver producing a respective signal in response to said echo; and(b) transforming said signals into at least one measured distance from said array to said upper surface by steps including: (i) for each said transceiver, correlating a waveform of each said pulse with said respective signal to produce a correlated signal,(ii) computing at least one direction of arrival of said correlated signals from said upper surface to said array, and(iii) for each said direction of arrival, computing a corresponding said measured distance. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: (c) measuring an interior temperature of the bin, said transforming of said signals to said at least one measured distance being based on said measured interior temperature. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said signals are transformed into a plurality of said measured distances, the method further comprising the step of: (c) transforming said measured distances into an estimate of a quantity of the content. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one direction of arrival is computed independently in each of a plurality of time slices having a common duration that is related to a bandwidth of said pulses. 12. A system for measuring a height of a content of a bin, comprising: (a) an array of at least three non-collinear transceivers for transmitting sequential respective pulses of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content and receiving an echo of each said pulse, each said transceiver producing a respective signal in response to each said echo; and(c) a processing apparatus, for jointly transforming said signals into at least one measured distance from said array to said upper surface, that includes: (i) for each said transceiver, a correlator for correlating a waveform of each said pulse with said respective signal, thereby producing a correlated signal, and(ii) a beamformer for computing at least one direction of arrival of said correlated signals from said upper surface to said array; wherein, subsequent to said transmission of one of said pulses, said transmission of a next said pulse is delayed until said echo of said one pulse has been received. 13. A method of measuring a height of content in a bin, comprising the steps of: (a) using an array of at least three non-collinear transceivers: (i) sequentially transmitting a plurality of pulses of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content, and(ii) receiving an echo of each said pulse, each said transceiver producing a respective signal in response to said echo; and(b) transforming said signals into at least one measured distance from said array to said upper surface by steps including: (i) for each said transceiver, correlating a waveform of each said pulse with said respective signal to produce a correlated signal,(ii) computing at least one direction of arrival of said correlated signals from said upper surface to said array, and(iii) for each said direction of arrival, computing a corresponding said measured distance; wherein, subsequent to said transmission of one of said pulse, said transmission of a next said pulse is delayed until said echo of said one pulse has been received. 14. A system for measuring a height of a content of a bin, comprising: (a) at least one transmitter for transmitting a pulse of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content;(b) an array of at least three non-collinear receivers for receiving an echo of said pulse, each said receiver producing a respective signal in response to said echo;(c) a processing apparatus, for jointly transforming said signals into at least one measured distance from said array to said upper surface, that includes: (i) for each said receiver, a correlator for correlating a waveform of said pulse with said respective signal, thereby producing a correlated signal, and(ii) a beamformer for computing at least one direction of arrival of said correlated signals from said upper surface to said array; and(d) a pulse shaper and repeater operative to repeatedly transmit said pulse, using said at least one transmitter, while adjusting a shape of said pulse, responsive to said signals, until said signals are suitable for said transforming by said processing apparatus of said signals into said at least one measured distance. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said pulse shaper and repeater adjusts said shape of said pulse by adjusting a parameter of said shape selected from the group consisting of a length of said pulse and a frequency of said pulse. 16. A method of measuring a height of content in a bin, comprising the steps of (a) transmitting a pulse of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content;(b) receiving an echo of the pulse, using an array of at least three non-collinear receivers, each said receiver producing a respective signal in response to said echo;(c) transforming said signals into at least one measured distance from said array to said upper surface by steps including: (i) for each said receiver, correlating a waveform of said pulse with said respective signal to produce a correlated signal,(ii) computing at least one direction of arrival of said correlated signals from said upper surface to said array, and(iii) for each said direction of arrival, computing a corresponding said measured distance; and(d) repeating said transmitting of said pulse while adjusting respective shape of said pulse, responsive to said signals, until said signals are suitable for said transforming of said signals into said at least one measured distance. 17. A system for measuring a height of a content of a bin, comprising: (a) at least one transmitter for transmitting a pulse of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content;(b) an array of at least three non-collinear receivers for receiving an echo of said pulse, each said receiver producing a respective signal in response to said echo; and(c) a processing apparatus, for jointly transforming said signals into a plurality of measured distances from said array to a plurality of locations on said upper surface, that includes: (i) for each said receiver, a correlator for correlating a waveform of said pulse with said respective signal, thereby producing a correlated signal, and(ii) a beamformer for computing a plurality of directions of arrival of said correlated signals from said upper surface to said array. 18. A method of measuring a height of content in a bin, comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a pulse of acoustic energy towards an upper surface of the content;(b) receiving an echo of the pulse, using an array of at least three non-collinear receivers, each said receiver producing a respective signal in response to said echo; and(c) transforming said signals into a plurality of measured distances from said array to a plurality of locations on said upper surface by steps including: (i) for each said receiver, correlating a waveform of said pulse with said respective signal to produce a correlated signal,(ii) computing a plurality of directions of arrival of said correlated signals from said upper surface to said array, and(iii) for each said direction of arrival, computing a corresponding said measured distance.