title: An echolocation visualization and interface system for dolphin research.
abstract: The present study describes the development and testing of a tool for dolphin research. This tool was able to visualize the dolphin echolocation signals as well as function as an acoustically operated "touch screen." The system consisted of a matrix of hydrophones attached to a semitransparent screen, which was lowered in front of an underwater acrylic panel in a dolphin pool. When a dolphin aimed its sonar beam at the screen, the hydrophones measured the received sound pressure levels. These hydrophone signals were then transferred to a computer where they were translated into a video image that corresponds to the dynamic sound pressure variations in the sonar beam and the location of the beam axis. There was a continuous projection of the image back onto the hydrophone matrix screen, giving the dolphin an immediate visual feedback to its sonar output. The system offers a whole new experimental methodology in dolphin research and since it is software-based, many different kinds of scientific questions can be addressed. The results were promising and motivate further development of the system and studies of sonar and cognitive abilities of dolphins.
authors.affiliation: Kolmården Wild Animal Park, Kolmården, Sweden, and Biological Department, Institute of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amundin
authors.forename: Josefin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Starkhammar
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Evander
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almqvist
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: Hans W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Persson
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D016288:Computer Terminals; D003626:Data Display; D004289:Dolphins / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004455:Echolocation / Q000502:physiology*; D005010:Ethology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012984:Software; D013561:Symbolism; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014741:Video Recording