Patent ID: 8210043

Claim:
An ultrasonic measurement method using a two-dimensional array sensor that has a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements two-dimensionally arranged and using a wave reflected from an inner portion of an object that is to be measured, comprising the steps of: selecting a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmission from among the ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute the two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements selected for transmission are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a first line symmetric axis and setting the group selected for transmission, and selecting a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for reception from among the ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute the two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements selected for reception are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a second line symmetric axis that is perpendicular to the first line symmetric axis and passes through a rotationally symmetric axis and setting the group selected for reception; transmitting an ultrasonic wave in the direction of the first line symmetric axis; receiving an ultrasonic wave from the direction of the second line symmetric axis to store a signal reflected from the inner portion of the object; and processing the reflected signal to inspect the object.