Abstract: An acoustic-based Direction of Arrival (DoA) system uses acoustic information to determine the direction of incoming sound, such as a person talking. The direction of the sound is then used to focus a laser-based time of flight (ToF) system to narrow the area of laser illumination, improving the signal to noise ratio because laser illumination is focused on the direction of the sound. The DoA system also provides elevation information pertaining to the source of the sound, to further narrow the required field of view of the laser ToF system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus with vehicle radar control is disclosed. An apparatus with vehicle radar control includes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver including a transmitting antenna array and a receiving antenna array, and at least one processor configured to collect environmental information of the vehicle, determine a radar mode of the vehicle based on the collected environmental information, generate one or more control signal configured to control one or more of the transmitting antenna array and the receiving antenna array based on the determined radar mode, and provide the generated one or more control signals to the RF transceiver, wherein one or more of the transmitting antenna array and the receiving antenna array operate according to the one or more generated control signals.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for animating a display region, windows, or views displayed on a display of a device. The method includes starting at least two animations. The method further includes determining the progress of each animation. The method further includes completing each animation based on a single timer.

Abstract: An extensible mast allows a payload to be supported at a distance from a supporting device. The payload may be connected via a cable to one or more components in the supporting device. A cable rotation apparatus allows a cable to rotate during dispensation of the cable, such as during extension or retraction of the extensible mast, while minimizing strain on the cable. The apparatus comprises a stationary spool, a furling core, and a rotating spool. A beveled gear on each of the spools engages a pair of beveled gears in the furling core. As the rotating spool rotates with respect to the stationary spool, the furling core rotates at one-half the speed and the cable is dispensed from an opening in the rotating spool. The furling core incorporates a guide wheel that maintains an orderly transfer of the cable from one spool to another.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a display portion, an illuminance sensor and a controller. The display portion has a display screen. The illuminance sensor measures an ambient brightness of the display screen at a first interval. The controller shifts the illuminance sensor to a state in which the illuminance sensor measures the ambient brightness at a second interval which is longer than the first interval when a change of the brightness is relatively small.

Abstract: A flight planning system includes one or more flight management system and a flight plan manager that constructs a flight plan according to static information from the flight management system. A flight management system that also constructs flight plans includes a flight plan manager that constructs a flight plan according to information stored in the flight management system. In constructing the flight plan, either flight management system may compute values of flight plan parameters, such as PNR, PET, ETOPS and LROPS, based on dynamic information related to the flight. On the ground, one of either type of flight management system is selected from a plurality thereof for producing a flight plan for a respective aircraft or aircraft model.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus acquires volume data including a negative voxel value and derived from a photoacoustic wave produced by irradiating a subject with light, generates compressed volume data by compressing the volume data to selectively reduce a data amount of voxel data having a voxel value whose absolute value is less than a threshold, and saves the compressed volume data.

Abstract: A determination unit determines, based on a character string contained in an image and a determination condition stored in a storage unit, whether or not it is appropriate to have a viewer to view the image according to a setting in which the information indicated by the character string is not changed or deleted. When the determination unit determines that it is not appropriate to have the viewer to view the image according to the setting in which the information indicated by the character string is not changed or deleted, a processing executing unit executes processing necessary for having the viewer to view the image according to a setting in which the information indicated by the character string is changed or deleted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes emitting, by a light source of a lidar system, multiple optical pulses using multiple alternating pulse repetition intervals (PRIs) that include a first PRI and a second PRI, where the first PRI and the second PRI are not equal. The method also includes detecting, by a receiver of the lidar system, multiple input optical pulses and generating, by a processor of the lidar system, multiple pixels. Each pixel of the multiple pixels corresponds to one of the input optical pulses, and each pixel includes a PRI associated with a most recently emitted optical pulse of the multiple optical pulses. The method also includes determining a group of neighboring pixels for a particular pixel of the multiple pixels and determining whether the particular pixel is range-wrapped based at least in part on the PRI associated with each pixel of the group of neighboring pixels.

Abstract: A system for tracking a vehicle includes a transceiver configured to receive a first signal including first surveillance data from the vehicle at a first time, and receive a second signal from the vehicle at a second time. The system further includes processing circuitry configured to determine a first location and a first course of the vehicle at the first time based on the first surveillance data, and determine a change in power level from the first signal to the second signal. The processing circuitry is further configured to predict a maneuver for the vehicle based on the first location, the first course, and the change in power level from the first signal to the second signal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying weather hazard and other hazard information to aircraft in flight for direct graphical integration into situational awareness and other display components in the cockpit by transmitting the data over a comparatively low bandwidth information and/or data exchange connection with the aircraft. Graphically-displayed hazard information is provided for display on the aircraft cockpit display components in sufficient enough detail to support timely tactical decision making on the part of the pilots for hazard avoidance. The disclosed schemes provide a capacity to transmit higher fidelity hazard data to an aircraft over comparatively lower bandwidth systems by representing the hazard data by polygons to describe images, rather than describing the images on a much more cumbersome pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a data obtaining unit that obtains a plurality of data items each indicating a result of observation from a plurality of radars for observing surroundings, converts the plurality of data items into data items in a polar coordinate format, and stores them in a storage unit, an axial position converting unit that performs conversion on the plurality of data items in the polar coordinate data format stored in the storage unit so that their axial positions will be the same, generates the plurality of data items on which axial position conversion has been performed, and stores them in the storage unit, a data superimposing unit that superimposes the plurality of data items on which the axial position conversion has been performed to generate superimposed data, and a coordinate converting unit that converts the superimposed data into data in a Cartesian coordinate format.

Abstract: A device for assisting with the detection of a sought object on the ground, said object having a first preset height, comprising: a display device configured to display an image (12) generated from echoes measured by a device for imaging reflected waves, the image (12) representing the intensities of echoes generated by the observed zone and extending at least along a distance axis (d) representing the oblique distances separating the reflected-wave imaging device from echo-generating reflectors, the display device allowing a cursor (14) to be displayed superposed on said image on said screen; and a computational module configured to determine an expected length (w), along the distance axis (d), of an expected shadow (19, 20) projected in the image (12) by the sought object assuming that the sought object is positioned at a sighted position on the ground corresponding to the position of the observed zone associated with a position (P) designated by the cursor (14), the cursor (14) comprising at least one g

Abstract: A vertical profile display includes weather information for an aircraft. In some examples, the vertical profile display includes one or more weather icons, each weather icon indicating a weather condition for a volume of space at a particular altitude. Each weather icon is displayed within the vertical profile display at a portion of the vertical profile display corresponding to the altitude of the weather condition indicated by the particular weather icon.

Abstract: A detection system that detects subsurface objects within a medium and estimates various features of the objects is provided. The detection system receives a streaming sequence of image frames of the medium at various along-medium locations. An image frame contains voxel values (intensities) representing characteristics of the medium across the medium and in the depth (range) direction. The detection system depth-compensates the intensities for determining which voxels are part of an object using an unsupervised binary classifier. The detection system then connects object voxels into distinct objects and recursively estimates the features of those objects as the image frames stream based on the locations and intensities of the object voxels.

Abstract: An exemplary computer implemented digital image processing method conveys probabilities of detecting terrestrial targets from an observation aircraft. Input data defining an observation aircraft route relative to the geographical map with lines of communications (LOC) disposed thereon are received and stored as well as input data associated an aircraft sensor's targeting capabilities and attributes related to the capability of targets to be detected. Percentages of time for line-of-sight visibility from the aircraft of segments of LOC segments are determined. Probability percentages that the sensor would detect a terrestrial target on the segments are determined. The segments are color-coded with visibility and sensor detection information. A visual representation of the map with the color-coded segments is provided to enhance the ability to select appropriate observation mission factors to achieve a successful observation mission.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting hydrocarbon spill in an aqueous medium from a plurality of images of the surface of the aqueous medium obtained by an infrared camera comprising analyzing an image of the plurality of images; checking whether at least one region that could be identified as spill is displayed in the image, in case of positive result, assessing whether the point representing a multidimensional vector of characteristics associated with the region is within a reference zone defined in a multidimensional space, this reference zone being representative of multidimensional vectors of characteristics of regions corresponding to real spills; if it is determined that the point representing the multidimensional vector of characteristics is within the multidimensional reference zone, generating a warning signal of spill.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a device and method of use for direct printing and ink or other marking, in conjunction with GPR techniques. In a most basic embodiment of the disclosed technology, a relevant date, time, filename, and other parameters are printed or otherwise physically exhibited on the measurement surface, so that RADAR files can be later attributed to a specific data collection site. In a more advanced embodiment of the disclosed technology, actual RADAR target information is printed, or otherwise physically exhibited, on the measurement surface, such as while measuring, or substantially while measuring, the surface and substrate beneath with GPR.

Abstract: A method of contributing to making safe a synthetic vision display of an aircraft for displaying on viewing means an at least partial view in perspective of the environment of the aircraft together with piloting symbology. During the method, at least one check point (P1, P2, P3) is defined that is situated in the environment and that co-operates with a reference point (Pr) of the aircraft to form a first straight line (DP). Thereafter, a first display function (F1) is used to calculate display coordinates (a1,b2), (a2,b2), (a3,b3) for each check point (P1, P2, P3) on the viewing means, and then the inverse (F2)?1 of a second display function (F2) is used together with the display coordinates (a1,b2), (a2,b2), (a3,b3) to calculate a second straight line (DS) passing through the reference point (Dr). Finally, the first and second lines (DP, DS) corresponding to a common check point (P1, P2, P3) are compared in order to define whether the synthetic vision display is trustworthy.

Abstract: A method for detecting oil at the sea by means of a coherent oil spill radar with a transmitter and a receiver antenna includes the transmitter and receiver antenna being directed towards a sea surface in the near area out to a given distance of 1000-4000 m under a grazing angle of between 0.5 and 30 degrees, the transmitter antenna transmits at a frequency between 2 GHz and 18 GHz, and frequency modulated with an adjustable bandwidth and with a given transmitted effect less than 10 W. The transmitter antenna has a horizontal antenna lobe smaller than its vertical antenna lob. The transmitter and receiver antenna are controlled electronically to transmit and detect vertical polarization and horizontal polarization, with an adjustable modulation time of less than 4 ms between the polarizations.

Abstract: There are provided an ultra-wideband radar imaging system comprising an antenna with at least one receiver and a plurality of transmitters operating in multi-static mode, method of operating thereof and volume visualization unit to be used in conjunction with the multi-static ultra-wideband radar imaging system. The method comprises: receiving by said at least one receiver a plurality of signals, each respectively representing return data in a channel associated with the receiver and one of the transmitters among said plurality of transmitters, thus giving rise to a plurality of spatial data channels; among said plurality of spatial data channels selecting data channels for further processing; and providing volume visualization by processing data corresponding merely to the selected spatial data channels.

Abstract: A signal processing device is provided. The device includes an echo signal input unit for receiving echo signals resulted from transmission signals reflected on an object. The transmission signals are transmitted from a transmission source at transmission timings at predetermined time intervals, at least one of the transmission timings shifted from the other timings in time. The device includes a complex reception signal generator for generating complex reception signals, a phase calculator for calculating a phase change amount of the complex reception signals with respect to a reference phase, a phase corrector for phase-correcting the complex reception signals and outputting the corrected signals, and a Doppler processor for performing Doppler processing on the corrected signals and outputting the Doppler-processed signals as Doppler echo signals of the object.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes, at an electronic device having an input interface and a display, receiving information relating to a current relative location of at least one other electronic device, displaying on the display a representation of the at least one other electronic device and its relative location, and receiving at the input interface user input associated with the displayed representation of the at least one other electronic device for communicating with the at least one other electronic device. The electronic device has up-to-date knowledge of the relative position of the at least one other device and displays this visually. Information may be sent to the at least one other electronic device in response to receiving the user input associated with the displayed representation of the at least one other electronic device.

Abstract: In a mobile phone 1, when displaying content received from a television broadcast receiving section 17 or the like in a display section 19 capable of three-dimensional display, a central controlling section 11 judges the suitability in 3D display of the content based on the reception condition at the time of the content reception, and displays the content in the display section 19 in accordance with display control determined based on the suitability in 3D display. As a result, a suitable display ranging from an easy-to-view 2D display to a realistic 3D display is actualized based on a reception condition of content.

Abstract: A land-based Smart-Sensor System and several system architectures for detection, tracking, and classification of people and vehicles automatically and in real time for border, property, and facility security surveillance is described. The preferred embodiment of the proposed Smart-Sensor System is comprised of (1) a low-cost, non-coherent radar, whose function is to detect and track people, singly or in groups, and various means of transportation, which may include vehicles, animals, or aircraft, singly or in groups, and cue (2) an optical sensor such as a long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor, whose function is to classify the identified targets and produce movie clips for operator validation and use, and (3) an IBM CELL supercomputer to process the collected data in real-time. The Smart Sensor System can be implemented in a tower-based or a mobile-based, or combination system architecture. The radar can also be operated as a stand-alone system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an information display device. The information display device includes an acquirer for acquiring positional information on one or more display targets including at least one of a landmark serving as a reference mark used when a movable body is in move, another movable body, and a location registered by an operator, and a controller for displaying positional information and circumferential information on the movable body in an information display area, associating at least one of the one or more display targets of which a position is outside the information display area with a direction to which the at least one of the one or more display targets is located centering on the movable body, and displaying the at least one of the one or more display targets in an outer circumferential area of the information display area.

Abstract: One or more micro-impulse radars (MIRs) are configured to determine the movement of at least one person. Media can be output to the person responsive to the movement.

Abstract: A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for displaying vertical weather information on an aviation display aboard an aircraft, the aircraft including an aircraft radar system for scanning a target, is provided. The system includes processing electronics configured to receive a target selection from a user input device, to receive an altitude value of an echo top of the target based on radar return data, and to cause the altitude value to be displayed on plan view of weather images on an aviation display in response to the received target selection.

Abstract: A radar assembly for linear and nonlinear radar transmission and reception comprising a signal generator; at least one filter operatively connected to the signal generator; a transmitter operatively connected to the at least one filter for transmitting radar signals; a receiver operative to receiving received signals comprising linear and nonlinear responses from the reflected transmitted signals; the receiver comprising a first channel for processing the linear response of the received signal; a second channel for the processing the nonlinear response of the received signal; at least one switch operative to select one of the first or second channels; at least one high pass filter operatively connected to the second channel to attenuate the linear response; at least one amplifier to amplify the nonlinear response; and at least one display operatively connected to both the first and second channels for displaying both linear and nonlinear responses.

Abstract: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) collect and transmit information about ice floe thickness; this is combined with SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR images from satellites to identify and track dangerously thick regions of ice. The overlayed data is presented graphically to allow tracking of the thick ice regions over time. This information is used to alert drilling platforms in icy ocean conditions of pending ice floe dangers.

Abstract: An echo signal processing device is provided. The device includes an image generating module configured to generate an echo image at a plurality of timings, the echo image generated based on echo signals received by an antenna installed in a movable body. The device also includes a positional information acquiring module configured to acquire absolute positional information of the movable body. The device also includes an analytic area specifying module configured to specify an analytic area in the echo image by an absolute position, based on the absolute positional information. The device also includes a storage configured to store analytic area images, each analytic area images being a part of each echo image, the part corresponding to the analytic area. The device also includes a calculating module configured to calculate echo signal information regarding the echo signals from the analytic area, based on the stored analytic area images.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a visual output of data from a ground-penetrating radar is displayed on a visual medium. The display has a first exhibition of output from a higher frequency range antenna, a second exhibition of output from a lower frequency range antenna (compared to the other antenna; see definition in the “detailed description”), and a transition area between the first and second exhibition having merged data from the lower frequency antenna and the higher frequency antenna. The depth range of the transition area may be varied based on optimal depth range of each antenna, such as manually by a viewer viewing the visual output, which may occur in real-time, that is, while operating the radar and viewing the visual output thereof. Or, the transition depth range and/or width of the transition region may be varied as part of post-processing.

Abstract: One aspect relates to determining a position of at least one positional display element that can be used to display at least an image portion; and displaying the at least the image portion with the at least one positional display element based at least in part on the determining the position of the at least one positional display element. Another aspect relates to determining a position of at least one positional display element, in which the position can be used to affect a visual presentation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic body scanning system may include a measuring system for measuring data of radio waves scattered by a body in two distinct subbands; and a computer system. The computer system is arranged for constructing a first image of the body using the measured data, generating synthetic scattered data of the body in a frequency range outside the subbands, and constructing a second image of the body using both the measured data and the synthetic data. The step of constructing a first image includes matching an image to a human model.

Abstract: A presence detector unit (PDU) of the type relying on microwave radiation provides a signal indicating movement within a defined space when such movement occurs. A source of microwave radiation within a housing projects a beam of microwave radiation directed through a side of the housing to suffuse at least a portion of the defined space. A detector within the housing senses changes in microwave radiation reflected back toward the detector. An adjustable beam occlusion structure is supported by the housing and blocks a portion of the microwave radiation emanating from the source and through the side of the housing.

Abstract: A radar device is provided, which includes an extractor configured to extract a representative point of a target from a radar echo, a representative point memory configured to store the representative points extracted by the extractor, for a plurality of scans, an estimator configured to estimate movement information on the target indicated by the representative points based on the information stored in the representative point memory, a determinator configured to determine a possibility of a collision based on the movement information on the target estimated by the estimator, and an acquisition-and-tracking module configured to acquire and track the target determined to have the possibility of a collision by the determinator.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with an aircraft radar system having a radar antenna. The apparatus comprises processing electronics configured to provide image data associated with an image associated with radar return data from the radar system. The radar return data is updated at a first frequency. The processing electronics are configured to update the image data at a second frequency greater than the first frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for pseudo real time collection of receive signal data in a single- or multi-channel ground penetrating radar. Each channel transmits electromagnetic impulses into a medium under test during each of a plurality of runs over the medium. Run receive signals are received in response to the transmitted impulses. Each run receive signal is sampled multiple times at a run sample rate. The sample points of each run are delayed by delay sequences with respect to the sample points of the other runs. The sample points of the individual runs are stored as a composite set of sample points representative of a receive signal sampled at an effective sample rate equal to a multiple of the run sample rate where the multiple is the number of runs.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects. Objects such as aircraft, ground vehicles, or vessels may be sensed with various sensors, including an Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) (220), an Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) (225), a network (230) of airborne radar sensors, a network (235) of aircraft each reporting its own position, a Blue Force Tracker (BFT) (240), and a network (245) of ground-based mobile radar sensors. Data from each sensor or network of sensors may also be fed, via a display interface layer (250), to a display. A tracker which may be referred to as a coherent aggregator (120) receives input from sensors or other trackers and also from an operator. The operator monitors the display and provides input to the coherent aggregator (120) to assist the coherent aggregator (120) in inferring tracks from measurement reports. Multiple coherent aggregators, in communication with each other and loosely coupled, may be operated simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the imaging and detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across the surface and that travels down the surface. The imaging and detection system pre-processes the return signal to suppress certain undesirable effects. The imaging and detection system then generates synthetic aperture radar images from real aperture radar images generated from the pre-processed return signal. The imaging and detection system then post-processes the synthetic aperture radar images to improve detection of subsurface objects. The imaging and detection system identifies peaks in the energy levels of the post-processed image frame, which indicates the presence of a subsurface object.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the imaging and detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across the surface and that travels down the surface. The imaging and detection system pre-processes the return signal to suppress certain undesirable effects. The imaging and detection system then generates synthetic aperture radar images from real aperture radar images generated from the pre-processed return signal. The imaging and detection system then post-processes the synthetic aperture radar images to improve detection of subsurface objects. The imaging and detection system identifies peaks in the energy levels of the post-processed image frame, which indicates the presence of a subsurface object.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting dangerous objects and substances are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method comprises generating a microwave signal that is reflected by a target to render one or more reflected signals. The one or more reflected signals are received at an antenna array. The one or more reflected signals are converted into digital reflected signals. The microwave signal is converted into a digital signal. The digital reflected signals and the digital signal are processed to determine the three dimensional position of the target. The digital reflected signals and the digital signal are processed to identify the target. The digital reflected signals and the digital signal are processed to determine a state of the target; and determine whether the target a dangerous object.

Abstract: A standoff range, sense-through-obstruction radar system is capable of detecting micro-Doppler, or life form signatures, and movements through obstructions at stand-off ranges and displaying the target information over a live video feed of the area under surveillance. The sense-through-obstruction radar system comprises an antenna assembly that includes a horn antenna and a reflector configured to reflect radio frequency (RF) energy to/from the horn antenna. An antenna pointing assembly supports the antenna assembly. The antenna pointing assembly is configured to move the antenna assembly to point the antenna assembly toward an obstruction. A sensor assembly is mounted to the antenna assembly so that the sensor assembly is aligned with the RF beam formed from the RF energy reflected from the reflector to the horn antenna. The sensor assembly is configured to detect the location of the obstruction and to provide information to assist pointing of the antenna assembly toward the obstruction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media relating to providing weather data generated by a weather radar system of an aircraft are provided. A method comprises transmitting scan status data indicating that a weather cell is currently being scanned by the weather radar system to a display device. The display device is configured to display an indication that the weather cell is currently being scanned after receiving the scan status data.

Abstract: Wireless and other external connectivity technology is used in various ways to enhance or improve upon existing radar detector and police activity detection systems. External memory interfaces, such as SD cards or USB, provide external storage. Wireless interfaces such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, 802.11, and wireless personal area network communication protocols, allow a detector processor to interact wirelessly with external devices, such as a Bluetooth headset, a cellular network device providing a server connection, or toggle buttons used to indicate the presence of police activity at a current position. Further, radar detectors are upgraded to provide GPS capabilities, using the existing power/data connector of the radar detector.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.

Abstract: An adaptive sensing system including a passive sensor that receives electromagnetic radiation, an active sensor that emits and receives electromagnetic radiation, a detection unit that detects the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings in a region of observation, and a control unit that controls the active sensor and the passive sensor based on a result of the detection by the detection unit.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for generating an image of a flight route corridor displayed an aircraft display unit. A processor generates an image data set using navigation data and object data, where object data includes terrain and obstacle data. The image data set is determined using the object data and flight route corridor data, wherein the flight route corridor data is determined by applying navigation and object data to flight route corridor design criteria. The image data set is provided to a display unit to display a flight route corridor and at least one “offending” object against the background of the scene outside the aircraft, where offending objects include those objects penetrating an obstacle clearance surface and those objects penetrating the flight route corridor. The depiction of the flight route corridor and offending objects may be enhanced with the use of highlighters.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of detecting a target object by receiving reflection echoes of detection signals transmitted sequentially from a revolving antenna, and by detecting a target object based on detection data resulted from sampling reception signals at a predetermined time interval. The method comprises temporarily storing the detection data within a predetermined geographical range, and identifying the type of the reflection echo based on a change between values of the detection data at physically-close locations within the predetermined geographical range.