Display Patents (Class 342/176)
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Patent number: 7768447Abstract: Methods and apparatuses process sensing signals. A method for redrawing a sensing image when a range is or has been changed, according to one aspect of the present invention, records the sensing image and outputs the sensing image to a display; records additional information displayed upon a screen and outputs the additional information to the display; computes a new image from the recorded sensing image using an image manipulation computer function, so that the computed image fits a new scale of the changed range, and recording the computed image; and computes changes to the recorded additional information to adjust the additional information to the new scale of the changed range, and records the computed additional information.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignees: MaxSea International S.A.S., Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Brice Pryszo, Iker Pryszo, Mathieu Jacquinot, Olivier Robin, Makoto Obuchi, Koji Tokuda
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Patent number: 7755537Abstract: A direction detection apparatus transmits radar waves, with resultant reflected waves being received as incident waves by elements of an array antenna. Normally the direction of a target object is calculated based on analyzing respective received signals from the antenna elements, in calculations utilizing an estimated total number of incident wave directions. In an antenna direction adjustment mode, an actual number of target objects, and hence actual number of incident wave directions, is utilized in place of the estimated value, thereby enabling direction detection information to be obtained which does not fluctuate with time, thus facilitating the adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Koji Shimizu
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Patent number: 7737877Abstract: A computer system for processing complex synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images includes a database for storing complex SAR images to be processed, and a processor for processing a complex SAR image from the database. The processing includes receiving a complex SAR data set for a SAR image comprising a plurality of pixels, and applying a complex anisotropic diffusion algorithm to the complex SAR data set. The complex SAR data set includes a real and an imaginary part for each pixel.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Kenneth Sartor, Josef Allen, Emile Ganthier
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Patent number: 7737883Abstract: The method generally relates to the field of computer software particularly to an improved method of providing aircrew decision aids for use in determining the optimum placement of an Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft. The core of the method is a software program that will dynamically provide the EA flight crew situational awareness regarding a threat emitter's coverage relative to the position of the EA aircraft and to the position of any number of protected entities (PE). The software program generates information to provide visual cues representing a Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) contour, a Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) and text for display on a number of flexibly configurable display formats posted on display units. The JAR and JAS graphics and text will aid the EA aircrew in rapidly assessing the effectiveness of a given jamming approach.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: James Dark, James Buscemi, Scott Burkholder
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Patent number: 7733264Abstract: A weather radar system can be utilized on-board an aircraft. The weather radar system includes processing electronics for sensing weather. The processing electronics is configured to utilize sensed weather data to generate a vertical weather prediction for a given altitude in response to a range and an azimuth. The system can also include a display. The display provides visual indicia of the vertical weather prediction in response to the processing electronics.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley, Marvin L. Hooker
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Patent number: 7705768Abstract: In a radar image processing device and a radar image processing method which can accurately extract a change of a ground surface, a communication interface unit (10) obtains a plurality of radar image data of a same observation target obtained at different times and stores in a radar image storage unit (12), and a registration processor (14) reads the plurality of radar image data from the radar image storage unit (12) and registrates the radar image data with respect to each other. Then, a characteristic value calculating unit (18) calculates a plurality of characteristic values indicating a state of a ground surface which is the observation target based on the positioned radar image data.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Pasco CorporationInventors: Takashi Nonaka, Takashi Shibayama, Susumu Takagishi, Tadashi Sasakawa
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Patent number: 7705767Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar to provide high resolution in the azimuth direction under the predetermined conditions of wide observation swathwidth in the range direction, stripmap observation and free PRF (Pulse Repetition Frequency) comprises a transmission antenna 102 for a single system and receiving antennae 104a, 104b for two systems. The beam width in the azimuth direction of a transmission beam 103 from the transmission antenna 102 is set equal to twice as wide as the beam width of each of the receiving antennae 104a, 104b. Moreover, a receiving antenna beam 105a is directed to the moving direction, while the other receiving antenna beam 105b is directed to opposite to the moving direction. The transmission antenna 102 and the receiving antennae 104a, 104b for two systems are used in common by dividing a single array antenna in the elevation direction to configure the receiving antennae 104a, 104b.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Takashi Fujimura
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Patent number: 7692576Abstract: A method is provided that facilitates generating a radar image to be displayed by a radar system. The method includes receiving range data and azimuth data carried by a radar signal transmitted from a radar antenna in communication with the radar system, wherein the range data and the azimuth data represent the radar image as a plurality of azimuth segments that collectively form the radar image in a polar coordinate system. The range data and the azimuth data are translated into abscissa data and ordinate data that represent the radar image in a Cartesian coordinate system, and noise is filtered from the radar image, followed by generation of the radar image including the target to be displayed by a display screen to an operator.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gareth Mainds, Andrew Gascoyne-Cecil
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Patent number: 7679546Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining location of an object hidden from view. The apparatus includes an imaging tool for detecting hidden objects. The imaging tool includes a housing including a first end and a second end, a display supported by the first end of the housing, and a tracking device supported by the second end of the housing. The imaging tool also includes a transmitter supported by the housing and operable to transmit electromagnetic radiation toward a hidden target, an analysis module supported by the housing and operable to analyze feedback data related to the interaction between the target and the electromagnetic radiation, and an image module operable to receive data from the analysis module to generate an image on the display.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology LimitedInventors: Scott D. Bublitz, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, John S. Scott, Matthew J. Mergener, David S. Holbrook
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Patent number: 7675461Abstract: A circuit for a display used on an aircraft causes the display to display a composite terrain image. The composite terrain image can be formed from first terrain data from a terrain database and second terrain data from a radar system. A display control circuit can generate a display signal for the composite terrain image. The display signal is received by the display. The composite terrain image can be viewed by a pilot.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Dennis McCusker, Richard Marcel Rademaker, Richard D. Jinkins, Joel Michael Wichgers, Daniel L. Woodell
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Patent number: 7671784Abstract: Techniques for detecting contraband are described, as are techniques for generating an image of living tissue. A location of interest relative to a target space is received, and a radar signal is transmitted in the direction of the location of interest. Portions of the radar signal are detected with multiple receiving structures. The detected portions are processed to generate information corresponding to dielectric or loss properties, the properties corresponding to particular positions within the target space. A determination is made as to whether contraband is present in the target space based on the determined properties.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: L-3 Communications CyTerra CorporationInventors: William Steinway, David H. Fine, Stephen Cole, Ravi K. Konduri, Douglas O. Carlson, Yuriy Pylypenko
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Patent number: 7642949Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of scene illumination for millimeter wave sensing are presented. One embodiment features illuminating a subject with millimeter wave radiation produced by at least one fluorescent light, generating an image with a passive sensor using the millimeter wave radiation reflected from the subject, and analyzing the image to detect representations corresponding to concealed objects associated with the subject. Another embodiment features at least one fluorescent light which illuminates a subject with millimeter wave radiation, and passive millimeter wave sensor which receives the millimeter wave radiation effected from the subject, and generates an image which is analyzed to detect image representations corresponding to concealed objects. Another embodiment features at least one florescent light behind an optically opaque medium which is transparent to millimeter wave radiation, and illuminating a subject with millimeter wave radiation produced by the fluorescent light.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Albert N. Pergande, Lee A. Mirth, Lawrence T. Anderson, Michael A. Tomcsak, William S. McKinley
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Publication number: 20090289836Abstract: A method to improve a system's signal performance may comprise: generating a first signal, transmitting the first signal, receiving the first signal, and generating a second signal. The method may further comprise: identifying signal distortions generated by at least one of, a transmitter hardware that transmits the first signal and a receiver hardware that receives the first signal, modifying the second signal based upon the identified signal distortions, correlating the first signal and the second signal by a correlator to generate a correlated signal, and outputting the correlated signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: MARK S. FRANK, Marty K. Rupp, Devin B. Pratt
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Patent number: 7609200Abstract: An aircraft-based terrain display system includes a radar system configured to measure terrain data in proximity to an aircraft. The system further includes a memory coupled to the radar system and configured to store terrain data associated with the terrain data collected from the radar system. A processor is coupled to the memory and configured to use the terrain data stored in memory to generate a terrain image having a perspective view. An aircraft display coupled to the processor is configured to display the terrain image.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson, Nathanael A. Meyer
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Patent number: 7602478Abstract: A method for providing an observer with an intuitive awareness of a tactical environment is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, the method displays a 360° panoramic view of the environment surrounding a warship, wherein the view is augmented by radar data, infrared imagery, visible imagery, and tactical information about targets within the field-of-view.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: George Raymond Root, Jr.
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Patent number: 7598902Abstract: A method of detecting weather using a weather radar onboard an aircraft. A range is selected at which weather is to be detected. A tilt angle of the weather radar is changed to detect weather below an altitude of the aircraft at a selected range when the selected range includes a maritime environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson
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Patent number: 7590475Abstract: A system and method for providing a covert warning notification of a hazard to an aircraft is provided. Generally, the system contains a detection system capable of detecting the hazard, and a transceiver capable of allowing the system to provide the covert warning to a location external from the aircraft. A memory and a processor are also provided within the system, where the processor is configured by the memory to perform the steps of: determining a category of radar system associated with a received signal; determining a modulation scheme, based on the determined category of radar system, for displaying an array of icons on the location external from the aircraft, the array of icons providing the covert warning; and using the received signal to provide the array of icons.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: BAE Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventor: Arnold Kravitz
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Publication number: 20090219196Abstract: A radar information processing system is operable to process high bandwidth radar information received from a radar system into low bandwidth radar information that may be communicated to a low bandwidth connection coupled to an electronic flight bag (EFB). An exemplary embodiment receives radar information from a radar system, the radar information communicated from the radar system at a first bandwidth; processes the received radar information into processed radar information, the processed radar information configured for communication over a connection operable at a second bandwidth, the second bandwidth lower than the first bandwidth; and communicates the radar information from a radar system, the radar information communicated from the radar system at a first bandwidth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Brian Bunch, Roland Szeto, Brad Miller
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Publication number: 20090219197Abstract: An embodiment of the supplemental weather display system presents supplemental weather information on a display in a craft. An exemplary embodiment receives the supplemental weather information from a remote source, determines a location of the supplemental weather information relative to the craft, receives weather information from an on-board radar system, and integrates the supplemental weather information with the weather information received from the on-board radar system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Brian Bunch
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Patent number: 7583222Abstract: A system and method for processing data related to weather phenomena in a meteorological radar system. The method includes receiving an echo signal generated by transmitting a long pulse and employing a mismatched windowed filter on the echo signal such that the echo signal is compressed in time to achieve fine range resolution without substantially degrading sensitivity and while achieving low range time side lobes for Doppler velocities expected to be measured by the meteorological radar system.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Vaisala OyjInventors: Fritz O'Hora, Richard E. Passarelli, Jr., Alan D. Siggia, Chandrasekaran Venkatachalam, Nitin Bharadwaj
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Patent number: 7576684Abstract: An aircraft electronics system is provided that includes a radar system, a display, an embedded global positioning/inertial navigation system (EGI) and a processor. The radar system is configured to generate aircraft operational data. The display is configured to display the aircraft operational data. The EGI is configured to generate aircraft behavior components and the processor configured to override the aircraft operation data displayed on the display when at least one of the aircraft behavior components is beyond a defined limit, wherein potentially incorrect aircraft operational data affected by at least one of the aircraft behavior component is not displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: James B. Oven, Paul Kroonblawd
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Patent number: 7573421Abstract: The video rate processor (10) is made up of an Input Video Stream input (11), at least one Input Processor/Input Devices (12), at least one Most Recent Frame Buffer (14), and at least one Output Processes/Output Device (16). The video rate processor (10) is dynamically tuned to the specific requirements of a user and the capabilities of the user's device. Further, the video rate processor (10) enables to receipt of video images in real time or from archived files while substantially maintaining the integrity of the video information.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Nice Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Israel Safran, Moti Shabtai
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Publication number: 20090167593Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld radar apparatus. The apparatus comprises an antenna (22,23) adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals, a direction sensor (24, 25) that outputs an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the antenna, and a radar (21) coupled to the antenna (22, 23), the radar (21) adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal for transmission via the antenna (22, 23), and adapted to receive a reflected version of the electromagnetic signal via the antenna (22, 23) reflected from an object. The radar (21) comprises a processor (30) for generating location information indicative of the location of the object using the received reflected electromagnetic signal and the orientation of the antenna (22,23) as indicated by the orientation signal, and a screen (4) adapted to display indicia (e.g. 43a to 43c) representing the object and its location based on the location information.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2003Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: NAVMAN NEW ZEALANDInventors: Gregor Wolfgang Storz, Robert Andrew Carr Shepheard
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Patent number: 7548192Abstract: A method of mapping steel reinforcements in an existing concrete foundation. The method includes determining the depth of the concrete foundation. Further the method entails transmitting radar signals into at least one section of the concrete foundation and collecting reflection data in response to the radar signals being transmitted into the concrete foundation. Based on the collected reflection data, determining the general location of at least some of the steel reinforcements in the concrete foundation. Thereafter, surgically cutting into the concrete foundation and exposing at least some of the steel reinforcements in a portion of the concrete foundation. Once some of the steel reinforcements are exposed, the method entails measuring the size and spacing of the steel reinforcements.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: FDH Engineering, Inc.Inventor: J. Darrin Holt
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Patent number: 7541971Abstract: A weather radar system has bright band detection and compensation. The weather radar system determines that high reflectivity in weather is a bright band and reduces an encoded return level from the bright band to compensate for it on a display. The weather radar system detects the presence of the bright band using an inference system that uses outside air temperature, aircraft altitude, and an assumed lapse rate to estimate the bright band location relative to the aircraft and uses antenna elevation to estimate bright band range to reduce the encoded radar return level on the display. The weather radar system may also detect the presence of the bright band using a detection system that uses radar estimates from normal reflectivity scan operation of the system. The weather radar system may also use an active detection process separate from a normal radar sampling process to detect the bright band.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson
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Patent number: 7541973Abstract: A radar apparatus is provided which correctly combines and displays detected data obtained from a plurality of radar antennas. Detected data obtained from a radar antenna 11 is subjected to a correlation process in a correlator 91A. Detected data obtained from a radar antenna 21 is subjected to a correlation process in a correlator 91B. A mask image which designates the same address as that of the correlated data from the radar antenna 21 is set by a mask area generator 32 and is written into a mask image memory 62. For the correlated data from the correlators 91A and 91B, addresses corresponding to installed positions of the radar antennas 11 and 21 are set. For a process image memory 902B of the correlator 91B and the mask image memory 62, a common address is set. Correlated data input in accordance with mask data is stored in a display image memory 61 in accordance with an address set in a display screen and is also output to a display device 10.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Furno Electric Company LimitedInventors: Takumi Fujikawa, Sae (Shibata) Takemoto, Ichiya Ogino, Takashi Inaoka, Motoji Kondo
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Patent number: 7541970Abstract: A weather radar system is capable of mitigating the effects of spurious reflections caused by a reflection lobe. Processing electronics can be used to sense weather and to identify spurious reflections caused by the reflection lobe. The reflection lobe can be caused by antennae or radome characteristics. The weather radar system can include a display that provides visual indicia of the weather with mitigation of the spurious reflections.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Godfrey, Daniel L. Woodell
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Publication number: 20090128399Abstract: A method for providing an observer with an intuitive awareness of a tactical environment is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, the method displays a 360° panoramic view of the environment surrounding a warship, wherein the view is augmented by radar data, infrared imagery, visible imagery, and tactical information about targets within the field-of-view.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: George Raymond Root, JR.
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Patent number: 7535412Abstract: A single pulse imaging (SPI) radar system for creating a radar image from a plurality of Doppler phase-shifted return radar signals in a radar environment of moving targets includes a transmitter; a receiver for receiving a radar return signal; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the output of the receiver; a processor, coupled to the output of the ADC, that is programmed with an SPI algorithm that includes a bank of range/Doppler-dependent adaptive RMMSE-based filters; and a target detector. The algorithm estimates adaptively a range profile for each of the Doppler phase-shifted return radar signals to create the radar image of the moving targets.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Shannon D Blunt, Aaron K Shackelford, Karl R Gerlach
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Patent number: 7532152Abstract: An automotive radar system having a high frequency radio transmitter which generates a radar signal in a known direction. A high frequency radio receiver receives echoes from the radar signal in which each echo represents a reflection of the radar signal from an object. A processor then identifies animate objects, if any, from the received echoes within a range of interest and generates an alert signal for each such identified animate object.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Serdar H. Yonak
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Patent number: 7525479Abstract: An array antenna includes a first end portion that has a first plurality of antennas arranged with a spacing d therebetween and a second end portion that has a second plurality of antennas arranged with the spacing d therebetween. In the array antenna, a spacing between respective antennas in both the first and second end portions and are closest to a central portion is set to 2d, which is a value obtained from multiplying 2, which is the number of the antennas constituting each of both end portions, by the spacing d for both end portions. The antennas in the antenna array are continuously selected as a transmitting antenna by switching, and continuously emit transmission signals. The antennas in the antenna array are also successively selected as a receiving antenna by switching. In this way, by switching between transmission and reception of the antennas of the antenna array, nine reception channels CH1 through CH9 that are arranged with a uniform phase difference therebetween are obtained.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomohiro Nagai
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Patent number: 7515098Abstract: Described herein is an implementation of the IRAMS processing based upon a multi-delay-resolution framework applied to SAR image data measured at different aspect angles. The power of this new embodiment of IRAMS is that it produces a good separation of immediate response scatterer and delayed response scatterer data for the case of anisotropic scattering events, i.e., those in which the scattering intensity depends upon the aspect angle. Two sources of delayed response scattering include multiple reflection scattering events and delayed responses arising from the physical material composition of the scatterer. That is, this multi-delay-resolution IRAMS processing separates immediate response and delayed response scattering for cases in which there exist delayed response scattering data in the original SAR image data at some aspect angles, but the intensity of these delayed response scattering data is weak or non-existent at different aspect angles.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Science Applications International CorporationInventors: David Alan Garren, Robert R. Greeno
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Patent number: 7515087Abstract: A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a weather hazard for an aircraft. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the hazard in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna and data from a lightning sensor. The system can include a display for showing the hazard and its location.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Kevin M. Kronfeld
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Patent number: 7515096Abstract: The invention generally relates to the field of computer software particularly to an improved method of providing aircrew decision aids for use in determining the optimum placement of an Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft. The core of the invention is a software program that will dynamically provide the EA flight crew situational awareness regarding a threat emitter's coverage relative to the position of the EA aircraft and to the position of any number of protected entities (PE). The software program generates information to provide visual cues representing a Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) contour, a Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) and text for display on a number of flexibly configurable display formats posted on display units. The JAR and JAS graphics and text will aid the EA aircrew in rapidly assessing the effectiveness of a given jamming approach.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: James Dark, James Buscemi, Scott Burkholder
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Patent number: 7511657Abstract: The invention generally relates to the field of computer software particularly to an improved method of providing aircrew decision aids for use in determining the optimum placement of an Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft. The core of the invention is a software program that will dynamically provide the EA flight crew situational awareness regarding a threat emitter's coverage relative to the position of the EA aircraft and to the position of any number of protected entities (PE). The software program generates information to provide visual cues representing a Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) contour, a Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) and text for display on a number of flexibly configurable display formats posted on display units. The JAR and JAS graphics and text will aid the EA aircrew in rapidly assessing the effectiveness of a given jamming approach.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: James Dark, James Buscemi, Scott Burkholder
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Patent number: 7504993Abstract: A coaxial bi-modal imaging system is produced by aligning a microwave transceiver, an optical camera and an antenna array in a coaxial configuration. The microwave transceiver is operable to emit microwave radiation to illuminate an object and to receive reflected microwave radiation reflected from the object to capture a microwave image of the object. The antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements, each programmable with a respective transmit direction coefficient to direct the microwave radiation emitted from said microwave transceiver toward a target on the object, and each programmable with a respective receive direction coefficient to direct the reflected microwave radiation reflected from said target towards said microwave transceiver. The optical camera is configured to capture an optical image of said object.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Agilent Technolgoies, Inc.Inventors: James E. Young, Gregory S. Lee, William Weems
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Patent number: 7486219Abstract: A method of detecting weather on an aircraft uses a weather radar system. The method adapts the weather radar system in accordance with a seasonal parameter, a time-of-day parameter, or a location parameter. The method includes determining the particular parameter and automatically adjusting the weather radar system to display the weather in response to the parameter. The system can be implemented in hardware or software and advantageously can more precisely predict and identify weather and/or weather hazards.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson
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Patent number: 7479920Abstract: A method and apparatus for terrain mapping and/or obstacle detection for aircraft, including (a) transmitting a non-scanning beam that illuminates the terrain and/or obstacles; (b) receiving a Doppler shifted signal that is Doppler frequency shifted by an amount dependent on an angle between a line of flight of the aircraft and scatterers that reflect the transmitted beam; (c) determining the angle from the Doppler frequency; (d) determining the range of at least some of said scatterers; and (e) determining the azimuth and elevation of the scatterers.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Inventor: Haim Niv
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Publication number: 20090009378Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of analyzing radar information of a radar system. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the method comprises: providing radar information including at least a portion modified in response to an EWE (electronic-warfare) action; obtaining position data corresponding to at least a position of a target associated with the EW action with respect to the radar system; and analyzing the radar information for comparing it with the position data, thereby allowing to determine at least one effect of the EW action on the radar information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventor: Jacob Ilan
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Patent number: 7474251Abstract: Systems and methods relate to an aircraft with a CAS that may be employed to enhance pilot awareness. The CAS may be employed on a formation member aircraft to provide a TA that is distinctive for an intruding formation member aircraft, as opposed to a TA provided as a result of an intruding nonmember aircraft. The CAS may also provide a plurality of status indications for aircraft engaged in airborne refueling, as well as aural indications of the present mode of operation for the CAS.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLCInventor: Stacey R. Rowlan
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Patent number: 7460060Abstract: An electric wave transmitting/receiving module includes: a waveguide including a conductive member and an opening facing a transmitting side and/or a receiving side; a dielectric substrate disposed on a side opposite to the opening of the waveguide; and transmitting/receiving means. The transmitting/receiving means includes a core line, a transmitting/receiving element, and a wire. The core line and the transmitting/receiving element are horizontally disposed on the dielectric substrate. The core line transmits the transmitting electric wave and/or receives the receiving electric wave. The transmitting/receiving element outputs a transmitting/receiving signal corresponding to the transmitting electric wave and/or the receiving electric wave. The wire sends the transmitting/receiving signal from the transmitting/receiving element to an external circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Yutaka Aoki
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Publication number: 20080291080Abstract: A system for providing signal trigger pulses comprises an equivalent time sampling unit providing transmit and receive trigger pairs, and a control unit controlling the equivalent time sampling unit to provide pseudorandom delay length variations between the trigger pairs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: NIITEK, INCInventors: David Wilens, Mark Hibbard, William Cummings
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Publication number: 20080291081Abstract: In a radar image processing device and a radar image processing method which can accurately extract a change of a ground surface, a communication interface unit (10) obtains a plurality of radar image data of a same observation target obtained at different times and stores in a radar image storage unit (12), and a registration processor (14) reads the plurality of radar image data from the radar image storage unit (12) and registrates the radar image data with respect to each other. Then, a characteristic value calculating unit (18) calculates a plurality of characteristic values indicating a state of a ground surface which is the observation target based on the positioned radar image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: PASCO CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Nonaka, Takashi Shibayama, Susumu Takagishi, Tadashi Sasakawa
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Patent number: 7436406Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly displaying air traffic control (ATC) information on an ATC display provides a two-dimensional (2D) scene graph and associated 2D scene graph display commands in conjunction with a thee-dimensional graphic card. In other embodiments, any desktop application software can make use of a 2D scene graph and associated 2D scene graph display commands in order to rapidly render a 2D display.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Jean-Marie R. Dautelle
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Patent number: 7427947Abstract: The invention generally relates to the field of computer software particularly to an improved method of providing aircrew decision aids for use in determining the optimum placement of an Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft. The core of the invention is a software program that will dynamically provide the EA flight crew situational awareness regarding a threat emitter's coverage relative to the position of the EA aircraft and to the position of protected entities (PE). The software program generates information to provide visual cues representing a Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) contour and a Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) for display via designated aircraft cockpit processors and devices. The JAR and JAS will aid the EA aircrew in assessing the effectiveness of a given jamming approach.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: James Dark, James Buscemi, Scott Burkholder
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Patent number: 7427943Abstract: A method of displaying real-time, three-dimensional weather information is disclosed. A first representation of a weather event along a first plane is generated from data obtained from a first radar scan. A second representation of the weather event along a second plane is generated from data obtained from a second radar scan. The first and second planes are non-coplanar. The first and second representations are combined to form a three-dimensional model of the weather event. A three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional model is constructed. The three-dimensional shape is displayed on an avionics display.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Kronfeld, Mathew S. Chackalackal
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Publication number: 20080224918Abstract: A direction detection apparatus transmits radar waves, with resultant reflected waves being received as incident waves by elements of an array antenna. Normally the direction of a target object is calculated based on analyzing respective received signals from the antenna elements, in calculations utilizing an estimated total number of incident wave directions. In an antenna direction adjustment mode, an actual number of target objects, and hence actual number of incident wave directions, is utilized in place of the estimated value, thereby enabling direction detection information to be obtained which does not fluctuate with time, thus facilitating the adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: Denso CorporationInventor: Koji Shimizu
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Publication number: 20080218401Abstract: A digital camera for providing a short burst of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal samples in a picture data file with an approximate time for reading by a computer apparatus some time later for determining the geographical location and an accurate time of the picture. An apparatus and method for determining a GNSS position of an event where an event capture device writes a short burst of GNSS signal samples with an approximate time into an event data file and a GNSS sample processor reads the event data file some time later for determining the geographical location and an accurate time of the event.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Peter Van Wyck Loomis, Carl Jacob Norda
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Patent number: 7420504Abstract: A method of operating a multibeam radar carried on a platform flying a mission over a prescribed flight path to obtain images of a plurality of target areas, the beams of said radar being the result of respective transmit pulses and beam returns being received by respective receive windows. A range of pulse repetition frequencies and pulse repetition frequency change rates are used in an iterative process to determine non-collision alignments of any combination of transmit pulses and receive windows. When a non-collision alignment is determined the particular arrangement producing that non-collision alignment is used in a simulated flight of the platform to determine dwell time before a collision occurs. An arrangement that produces sufficient dwell time to accomplish a mission is then used in an actual flight of the platform.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Daniel N. Held, Elbert L. Cole, Jr., Martin J. Decker, Charles Y. Chen
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Patent number: 7417577Abstract: A method of estimating precipitation characteristics including acquiring a radar image including at least a vertical plane of a precipitation zone; processing a vertical profile to generate digital signals representative of reflectivity in vertical direction z; integrating the signals representative of reflectivity by assimilation of a reflectivity vertical profile in an aggregation model to generate a signal representative of the profile in the vertical plane of a mean particle diameter weighted by mass of each particle; and determining concentration of the solid particles on the basis of signals previously determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRSInventors: Jacques Testud, Richard Ney, Erwan LeBouar