Abstract: A personal card and method of transaction validation for the protection of credit card use in malls, restaurants, telephone and Internet orders and use of ATM. The card generates a coded validation number based on a time code, a cardholder's PIN, and the amount of purchase in accordance with a unique code process for that particular personal card. The coded validation number is different for each transaction to prevent fraudulent use of the validation number. The cardholder provides the merchant the coded validation number in place of the usual static three or four digit verification number now in use. The merchant reports the transaction using normal reporting equipment and processes. The bank then validates the transaction by duplicating the time code and using the known PIN to determine the transaction amount. A method is disclosed to generate a time code by periodically rotating the columns and rows of a two dimensional matrix.

Abstract: A long range optical sensor and system for detecting the flame of forest fires or other fires while rejecting false alarms due to solar radiation is described. The sensor utilizes a collector optic that collects energy from a wide field of view and concentrates the energy onto a detector. The collector may be a non-imaging collector and may match to a non-planar sensor. In one embodiment the sensor may be arrayed to achieve larger area coverage. In another, the sensor system may be scanned to increase the encompassed viewing area. Larger areas may be covered by RF radio links or networks interconnecting multiple arrayed sensor modules. UVC reflective coatings may include enhanced aluminum with silicon dioxide, silicon monoxide, or magnesium fluoride, or high phosphorous nickel phosphorous. In one embodiment a UVC sensitive Geiger Mueller tube may be coupled to a non-imaging spherical reflective collector. A catadioptric UVC/infra-red flame sensor is disclosed. Refractive or reflective designs are considered.

Abstract: An unknown location for a transmitter/receiver is determined using a calibration process. An area is established with reference receivers at known locations and a mobile transmitter provides a location signal. An alternative embodiment uses reference transmitters and a mobile receiver. For calibration, the transmitter is placed at multiple measured locations and signal measurements are taken to generate a calibration map. Multiple signal measurements may be taken at each receiver, and multiple receivers may be used. In one embodiment, signal measurements include a near-field phase. In operation, one or more location signals are measured at one or more receivers. The measured signals are compared with the calibration maps to generate a set of comparison maps which are combined to generate a likelihood map. A likely region and most likely location are determined from the likelihood map and may be displayed relative to a map of the environment.

Abstract: A spark plug installation and removal wrench comprising a short socket with a handle pivotally attached to the socket, forming a compact assembly that can access spark plugs in tight spaces. The socket may be rotated on the pivot axis to slip over the spark plug and down to engage and drive the spark plug. Lateral force on the handle may then rotate the socket to install or remove the spark plug. In one embodiment, the handle pivot axis may run through a clearance space for the spark plug, and the handle may have a U shape to avoid interference with the spark plug. An embodiment is disclosed wherein the handle may be attached with roll pins, rivets, screws or other pivot attachment hardware.

Abstract: An ultra wideband system employing a threshold to detect signal quality during acquisition wherein the threshold is adjusted based on signal characteristics such as packet traffic rate, packet loss rate, and packet loss fraction. In one embodiment, the threshold is adjusted by adjusting the gain of a variable gain stage ahead of the threshold. In another embodiment, gain and threshold are adjusted in a coordinated manner wherein gain is adjusted for low signal levels and threshold is adjusted for high signal levels. In one embodiment, packet traffic rate is evaluated over an interval based on maximum packet length, number of monitor packets, and inter-packet delay. In a further embodiment, multiple ramp builders are operated in parallel at multiple code offset values to generate signal statistics to compare with the threshold. Embodiments are disclosed wherein the thresholds are adaptively adjusted based on signal performance characteristics or the multipath environment.

Abstract: A system and method for providing emergency egress path indication by providing a path direction indicator that is hidden from view during normal operation and is exposed to view upon activation by an emergency signal. Upon being exposed to view the indicator may be lighted and may provide light to people seeking exit from the building. In one embodiment the indicator may include a laser pointer further indicating the direction of egress. Visible and Braille text may also be included on the face of the indicator. The indicator device may be located near floor level for better visibility in smoke environments. In the non-visible state, the indicator may present a rugged face to withstand accidental kicks and bumps as may be encountered when mounted near the floor. The indicator may be operated repetitively and nondestructively to allow inclusion of the indicator in fire and other emergency drills.

Abstract: A proximity fuze (proximity fuse) comprising an ultra wideband (UWB) radar transmitter, a UWB radar receiver, an antenna, a timing system, and a signal processor. One embodiment includes an antenna with an annular conical radiation pattern. In another embodiment, a trigger delay is produced that is related to target detection range. In a further embodiment, multiple range shells are utilized to further discriminate target characteristics including velocity. A method is disclosed that utilizes target range, velocity, signal amplitude, and radar signal phase to identify the target and trigger the detonation. A proximity fuze system having a long storage life is disclosed comprising a proximity fuze element powered by a turbine generator and internal gas source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for low frequency asset tracking includes a low frequency transmitter tag associated with a cargo container or other high value commodity, a plurality of receivers that detect low frequency signals, and a microprocessor that uses algorithms and/or data pertaining to the propagation characteristics of the signal to locate the position of the container or high value commodity. The tag may include sensors to monitor container properties or conditions, such as temperature, motion, intrusion, RF fields, or other properties of interest. Sensor data may be modulated on the low frequency transmitter signal.

Abstract: A system and method for probing a specimen to determine one or more components by utilizing a first signal to excite the specimen at a nuclear quadrupole resonant frequency and observing changes in a specimen property. One exemplary property may be dielectric constant. Another exemplary property may be magnetic permeability. In one embodiment, the first signal is unmodulated and a second signal is observed for the presence of modulation at the frequency of the first signal. Alternatively, the first signal may be modulated and the second signal may be observed for the presence of the modulation. A system is disclosed wherein the specimen is excited using the first frequency and a radar at the second frequency is used to observe changes in radar reflectivity of the specimen due to the excitation.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for account transaction validation which may be downloaded or otherwise installed on a networked computing device such as a cell phone or other networked computing device. The networked computing device provides an encrypted validation code to a merchant for each transaction. The validation code is uniquely computed for each transaction and may be based on transaction time and/or other transaction data. The code algorithm is unique for each cardholder. Only the bank transaction center has knowledge of the particular algorithm for each cardholder. When transaction details such as transaction dollar amount are included in the generation of the code, the code may be used to validate the reported transaction dollar amount. An algorithm is disclosed for generating a unique code based on time and/or transaction dollar amount.

Abstract: An ultra wideband radar system for detecting objects where at least one of the radar system or the object is moving. The radar may be scanned in at least one dimension, which may include angle or range. The system includes a scan combiner that combines scan information in accordance with a trajectory characteristic of a moving object and/or of a moving platform on which the radar resides. Scans may be combined by integration or filtering. A fast calculation method is described wherein the scans are combined into subsets and subsets are shifted in accordance with the trajectory characteristics before further combination. The scan information is combined in accordance with trajectory characteristics to enhance the object signal to noise. Further features are described wherein the scan information is combined according to a family of candidate trajectories and/or object positions.

Abstract: Near field signal properties are used to determine a location by utilizing two magnetic antennas arranged so that the null axes are perpendicular and lie in a plane of interest, such as the horizontal plane. The two antennas may be used as transmitting antennas or receiving antennas. The antennas may be driven so as to produce an equivalent of an omnidirectional pattern in the plane of interest by driving the antennas in an orthogonal manner. The orthogonal drive may be time orthogonal or phase orthogonal. A location is determined based on near field response which may include propagation properties, which may include amplitude, phase, relative amplitude, or phase, or other properties. In one embodiment, multiple transmitters are utilized to determine the location of a single receiver. In another embodiment, multiple receivers are utilized to determine the location of a single transmitter. A space efficient magnetic antenna is disclosed.

Abstract: A flight instrument and associated method where vertical speed information is combined with gyro information to produce gyro enhanced vertical speed information that is displayed to a pilot. The gyro information may include a pitch rate gyro and may include an azimuth rate gyro. The pitch rate gyro and azimuth rate gyro may be combined to yield a corrected pitch rate in turns. In one embodiment, the display is an airplane symbol that moves relative to a horizon line responsive to the gyro enhanced vertical speed information. The horizon line may also tilt in response to the azimuth rate gyro.

Abstract: A system and method for electromagnetic position determination utilizing a calibration process. For calibration, a transmitter is positioned at multiple locations in an area of interest and multiple receivers receive and record signal characteristics from the transmitter to generate a calibration data set. The unknown position of a transmitter may be determined by receiving signals from the transmitter by multiple receivers. A locator data set is generated based on the comparison between two received signal characteristics determined for each receiver. The locator data set is compared with the calibration data set to determine the unknown position. In one embodiment, the signal comparisons are the differences between electric and magnetic field phase. Further embodiments utilize signal amplitude differences. A reciprocal method utilizing a single receiver and multiple transmitter locations is disclosed.

Abstract: A flight instrument displays azimuth information in combination with horizon information and other optional information such as altitude and/or airspeed. Azimuth information is displayed using an elliptical pattern placed below a horizon line displaying horizon information. The horizon information may be based on gyro enhanced vertical speed and/or vertical axis information. The elliptical pattern may be representative of a horizontal circular heading indicator viewed from above and behind the circular indicator. In one embodiment, the elliptical azimuth pattern moves in response to movement of the horizon line to maintain position below the horizon line. Airspeed and/or altitude information may be displayed at the sides of the screen area using a circular arc display pattern.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an impulse radio distance measuring system comprising an impulse radio transceiver by conducting a pulse through a transmit receive switch to an antenna, receiving return energy which has been discharged across the transmit receive switch, determining a time of arrival of the return energy. The return energy is comprised of two distinct pulses, one of which represents discharge of the transmit switch as the original pulse travels to the antenna, the second represents energy reflected from the antenna and again discharged across the transmit receive switch while the switch is in the transmit position. The timing of the un-reflected energy is determined then the timing of the reflected energy relative to the un-reflected energy is determined through auto-correlation of the time domain scan of the received composite waveforms.

Abstract: A system and method for probing a specimen to determine one or more components by utilizing a first signal to excite the specimen at a nuclear quadrupole resonant frequency and observing changes in a specimen property. One exemplary property may be dielectric constant. Another exemplary property may be magnetic permeability. In one embodiment, the first signal is unmodulated and a second signal is observed for the presence of modulation at the frequency of the first signal. Alternatively, the first signal may be modulated and the second signal may be observed for the presence of the modulation. A system is disclosed wherein the specimen is excited using the first frequency and a radar at the second frequency is used to observe changes in radar reflectivity of the specimen due to the excitation.

Abstract: An ultra wideband radar system for detecting moving objects comprising an antenna, which may be scanned in at least one dimension, and a signal processor wherein the signal processor includes a scan combiner that combines scan information in accordance with a candidate trajectory for the moving object. Scans may be combined by integration or filtering. A fast calculation method is described wherein the scans are combined into subsets and subsets are shifted in accordance with the candidate trajectory before further combination. A method is described wherein a region is scanned with an ultra wideband radar, the scan information is combined in accordance with an expected trajectory to enhance the object signal to noise. Further features are described wherein the scan information is combined according to a family of trajectories. A trajectory yielding a potential object detection initiates a further scan combination step wherein the family of trajectories is further resolved.

Abstract: An active protection system comprising an ultrawideband radar for threat detection, an optical tracker for precision threat position measurement, and a high powered laser for threat kill or mitigation. The uwb radar may use a sparse array antenna and may also utilize Doppler radar information. The high powered laser may be of the optically pumped solid state type and in one embodiment may share optics with the optical tracker. In one embodiment, the UWB radar is used to focus the high power laser. Alternative interceptor type kill mechanisms are disclosed. In a further embodiment, the kill mechanism may be directed to the source of the threat.

Abstract: Autopilot control of an aircraft is accomplished using a servo wherein the input shaft and output shaft are collinear. In one embodiment, the output shaft is supported, in part, by the input shaft. In further embodiments an engage clutch mechanism is provided to allow decoupling of the motor from the output shaft, and a slip clutch mechanism is provided to limit the torque output of the servo to enhance the safety of operation. The collinear shaft arrangement enables the engage clutch mechanism and slip clutch mechanism to synergistically utilize components for multiple functions.