Abstract: A system for locating and identifying an acoustic event such as gunfire. The inventive system employs a plurality of man wearable acoustic sensors for detecting gunfire, each acoustic sensor having a display associated therewith for displaying information concerning the acoustic event to a user. In preferred embodiments, the sensor includes a microphone for receiving acoustic information; an A/D converter; a processor for processing the digitized signal to detect a gunshot and determine a time of arrival; a GPS receiver for determining the position of the acoustic sensor; and a network interface for bidirectional communication with a system server. Preferably the display comprises: an LCD; and an electronically readable compass. When the display and acoustic sensor are in separate housings, the acoustic sensor includes a transmitter and the display includes a receiver for transferring the gunshot information.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of an underwater device includes placement of a plurality of station keeping devices on or below the surface of the water in known positions. A device to locate is provided for placement below the surface of the water, and the device to locate and the station keeping devices are provided with a synchronized time base and a common acoustic pulse time schedule. Each station keeping device sends an acoustic pulse at a time according to the common acoustic pulse schedule. The device to locate receives pulses sent by the station keeping devices and calculates a distance between itself and each station keeping device based upon the time that the acoustic pulse is sent and the time that the pulse is received. The device to locate then calculates its position based upon the distances between the device to locate and the station keeping devices.

Abstract: A navigation system extends satellite navigation to divers, underwater vehicles, and surface vessels. The navigation system comprises a location reference unit and a plurality of sub-surface beacon units. The location reference unit includes a receiver to receive navigation signals from earth-orbiting satellites and/or an inertial navigation system. The location reference unit further includes control circuits to communicate with to sub-surface beacon units and to transmit location information to said sub-surface beacon units, and a transceiver to transmit location information to the sub-surface beacon units. The beacon units include control circuits to determine the location of the beacon unit based on location information received from the location reference unit, and a transceiver to receive location information from the location reference unit and to transmit location information to a guided unit to provide navigation assistance to the guided unit.

Abstract: Ultrasonic contact transducer with multiple ultrasonic emitting elements and means of bringing these elements into contact. This transducer is applicable particularly to non-destructive testing and comprises means (8, 10) for bringing elements (2) into contact with an object (6) to be checked and means (26, 28, and 34 to 40) of determining the positions of elements relative to the object, using means bringing elements into contact, to determine delay laws to be applied to excitation pulses of the elements, to generate a focussed ultrasonic beam (F).

Abstract: Provided is a method for recognizing a location to control the location of a moving object, the method including: generating a synchronizing signal for a plurality of ultrasonic satellites; the plurality of the ultrasonic satellites simultaneously transmitting ultrasonic signals respectively comprising different frequencies from each other, the plurality of the ultrasonic satellites fixed on predetermined static positions; a receiver, attached to the moving object, receiving the ultrasonic signal and measuring distances between the receiver of the moving object and each of the plurality of the ultrasonic satellites by classifying the frequencies of the ultrasonic signals; and calculating a current location of the moving object by using the measured distances.

Abstract: A system for locating and identifying an acoustic event such as gunfire. The inventive system employs a plurality of man wearable acoustic sensors for detecting gunfire, each acoustic sensor having a display associated therewith for displaying information concerning the acoustic event to a user. In preferred embodiments, the sensor includes a microphone for receiving acoustic information; an A/D converter; a processor for processing the digitized signal to detect a gunshot and determine a time of arrival; a GPS receiver for determining the position of the acoustic sensor; and a network interface for bidirectional communication with a system server. Preferably the display comprises: an LCD; and an electronically readable compass. When the display and acoustic sensor are in separate housings, the acoustic sensor includes a transmitter and the display includes a receiver for transferring the gunshot information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing information associated with weapon fire. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of processing information associated with weapon fire, including identifying a weapon fire incident, determining positional information regarding a source location of the weapon fire, and processing positional information regarding a device within a particular proximity of the source location of the weapon fire. Moreover, exemplary methods may include providing information for displaying the positional information of the source location of the weapon fire and the device together on a display. Other exemplary embodiments may include performing processing that provides one or more of source location of the weapon fire, device location information and/or other information related to the device for various uses.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating an acoustic detector. The method includes the steps of simultaneously transmitting an acoustic signal and an electromagnetic signal to an acoustic detector, receiving both signals, calculating a timing difference between the reception of the acoustic signal and electromagnetic signal, and setting a first time threshold used to determine if a glass panel is broken using the calculated difference and storing the first time threshold. A sensitivity level is also set based upon the determined timing difference. A unique key signature in the acoustic signal and electromagnetic signal is detected and matched with a stored signature to determine whether the signals are from a calibration signal. The timing difference is only calculated if both signals are calibration signals.

Abstract: Method for removing air wave noise from shallow water controlled source electromagnetic survey data, using only the measured data and conductivity values for sea water (140) and air. The method is a calculation performed numerically on CSEM data and resulting in an estimate of those data that would have been acquired had the water layer extended infinitely upward from the seafloor. No properties of the sub-sea sediments are used. Synthetic electromagnetic field data are generated for (a) an all water model (141) and (b) an air-water model (146-147) of the survey region. These simulated results are then used to calculate (148-150) electromagnetic field values corresponding to a water-sediment model with water replacing the air half space, which represent measured data adjusted to remove air wave noise.

Abstract: A method for determining position of a mobile electronic device includes emitting an acoustic pulse from the position of the mobile electronic device. The acoustic pulse is detected at a known position at three spaced apart locations along each of at least two lines extending in different directions. The range and phase difference of the acoustic pulse between each of the detecting locations is determined. A relative position of the device with respect to the known position is obtained from the range and phase differences.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning an image measuring platform, the apparatus includes a horizontal base (11); a measuring platform (21) movable on the horizontal base; a support arm (12) extending in the Z-axis direction secured to the horizontal base; two parallel sliders (435) extending in the Z-axis direction fixed on the upper ends of the support arm; a first bar (411) for controlling the measuring platform to move in X-axis direction; a second bar (421) for controlling the measuring platform to move in Y-axis direction; a first cantilever (314) and a second cantilever (315) vertically attached on the two parallel sliders; a charge coupled device lens (31) fixed on the first cantilever and the second cantilever through a lens clamp (312) and a locking cap (313); a first screw handle (414) engaged with the holes of both sides of a first bracket (413) secured on the horizontal base, a first male screw thread (415) formed outside the first screw handle, and a first female screw thread (416) corresponding to the f

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a positioning system using ultrasonic waves. The method installs a plurality of ultrasonic satellites generating ultrasonic signals to position a mobile. The method sequentially gives satellite identification numbers to the plurality of ultrasonic satellites, generates a synchronization signal, provides it to the plurality of ultrasonic satellites, and allows the mobile to receive ultrasonic signals, which are generated by the plurality of ultrasonic satellites in the order of the satellite identification numbers when the ultrasonic satellites receive the synchronization signal, to measure distances between the mobile and the ultrasonic satellites.

Abstract: A system and method for providing precision locations for sensors which make up an array of sensors in a gunshot detection system. In a preferred embodiment sensors employ a commercial GPS which reports a sensor position or a group of pseudoranges to GPS satellites. A server collects differential information from a differential node and, in one preferred embodiment, calculates a precision position for each sensor by adjusting the reported position or pseudoranges with the differential information. In another preferred embodiment differential information is sent from the host to individual sensors which calculate their own precision positions. Differential information may be latitude and longitude corrections, pseudorange corrections, ionospheric delay, GPS satellite clock drift, or other corrective term which will improve the accuracy of a sensor position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid ranging method comprising the steps of: transmitting from a first node an ultrasonic signal and a radio signal comprising at least one radio synchronization signal with a predetermined ratio; calculating, at a second node, a ultrasonic transmission time period between the receipt of the radio synchronization signal and the receipt of the ultrasonic signal; calculating, at the second node, an ultrasonic measured result between the first node and the second node by using the ultrasonic transmission time period; calculating, at the second node, the strength of the received radio signal, and obtaining a radio measured result between the first node and the second node from a reference database; calculating, at the second node, the smoothness of the ultrasonic measured result and the radio measured result; and determining at the second node, a final measured result according to the smoothness of the ultrasonic measured result and the radio measured result.

Abstract: A system for locating and identifying an acoustic event such as gunfire. The inventive system employs a plurality of man wearable acoustic sensors for detecting gunfire, each acoustic sensor having a display associated therewith for displaying information concerning the acoustic event to a user. In preferred embodiments, the sensor includes a microphone for/receiving acoustic information; an A/D converter; a processor for processing the digitized signal to detect a gunshot and determine a time of arrival; a GPS receiver for determining the position of the acoustic sensor; and a network interface for bidirectional communication with a system server. Preferably the display comprises an LCD; and an electronically readable compass. When the display and acoustic sensor are in separate housings, the acoustic sensor includes a transmitter and the display includes a receiver for transferring the gunshot information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus estimating a position of a moving robot are provided. The method includes receiving a primary signal and a secondary signal transmitted from a predetermined signal transmitter using a sensor, on a moving robot, that receives the primary signal and three or more sensors that receive the secondary signal; calculating a transmission distance from a sensor that receives the secondary signal using time information extracted from the primary signal; and calculating a position of the signal transmitter from the distance, wherein the secondary signal comprises first and second secondary signals and each sensor that senses the secondary signal determines whether to amplify the second secondary signal based on the result of the measurement of the first secondary signal.

Abstract: Dynamic positioning of a vessel 10 connected to the seafloor 14 by a riser 12 utilizes a measurement of riser 12 bottom angle combined with a measurement of vessel 10 velocity, optionally obtained from a Doppler log 16. These two signals are combined to produce a single position estimate using an algorithm such as a Kalman filter. Using riser bottom angle only would result in an unstable control system, since the bottom angle lags the vessel motion by a considerable amount and the relationship is non-linear. Using the velocity measurement alone would result in a slow drift of position. The combination of the two eliminates the disadvantages of the individual measurements.

Abstract: A distance measuring system comprising: a transmitter that simultaneously emits an infrared radiation and an ultrasonic wave; and a receiver that include a table showing a relationship between an arrival time, indicative of a period from detection of the received infrared radiation to detection of the received ultrasonic wave, and a required received signal strength of the ultrasonic wave corresponding to the arrival time when the ultrasonic wave is directly received, that compares the received signal strength of the ultrasonic wave with a required received signal strength corresponding to the arrival time retrieved from the table, and that calculates the distance to the transmitter based on the arrival time when the received signal strength of the ultrasonic wave is higher than the required received signal strength corresponding to the arrival time retrieved from the table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of tracking and/or avoiding harm to certain devices or humans. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method of tracking individual assets may include obtaining position data of an asset via a GPS receiver in communication with a position sensor associated with the asset, processing position data and sensor data via a processing component associated with the position sensor that receives the position data from the GPS receiver, and communicating sensor data to a host device via a communication interface associated with the position sensor and configured to enable wireless communication between the position sensor and the host device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Positioning on One Device (POD) for locating and tracking objects and an autonomous ultrasound indoor track system (AUITS) and method for locating objects by using the POD. The AUITS can comprise: a tag device installed on a mobile object, which includes radio frequency (RF) and ultrasound transmitters for transmitting RF and ultrasound signals; and a POD for receiving the RF and ultrasound signals transmitted from the tag device to locate the mobile object. The POD can comprise: a plurality of leaf modules, each of the leaf modules including a positioning signal receiver for receiving the positioning signals (e.g. ultrasound signal) transmitted from the tag device, wherein there is a known structural topology relationship between the plurality of leaf modules. Then, the positioning signal detection times from respective positioning signal receivers and the structural topology relationship of the POD can be used for calculation of the position of the object.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a system for recognizing a location to control the location of a moving object by installing an ultrasonic satellite transmitting an ultrasonic signal. The method includes generating a synchronizing signal at a plurality of the ultrasonic satellites. The ultrasonic satellites simultaneously transmit the ultrasonic signals respectively having different frequency from each other. A receiver of the moving object receiving the ultrasonic signal measures a distance between the receiver of the moving object and each ultrasonic satellite by classifying a frequency of the ultrasonic signal, and calculates a current location of the moving object by using the measured distance.

Abstract: A navigation system extends satellite navigation to divers, underwater vehicles, and surface vessels. The navigation system comprises a location reference unit and a plurality of sub-surface beacon units. The location reference unit includes a receiver to receive navigation signals from earth-orbiting satellites and/or an inertial navigation system. The location reference unit further includes control circuits to communicate with to sub-surface beacon units and to transmit location information to said sub-surface beacon units, and a transceiver to transmit location information to the sub-surface beacon units. The beacon units include control circuits to determine the location of the beacon unit based on location information received from the location reference unit, and a transceiver to receive location information from the location reference unit and to transmit location information to a guided unit to provide navigation assistance to the guided unit.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and medium for estimating a location of a remote controller using ultrasonic waves. The method includes receiving a plurality of signals transmitted from the remote controller, measuring time delays between an infrared signal and ultrasonic signals included in each of the received signals, estimating the location of the remote controller with respect to each of the received signals using the measured time delays, and estimating the final location of the remote controller based on the estimated locations of the remote controller.

Abstract: A system and method for providing precision locations for sensors which make up an array of sensors in a gunshot detection system. In a preferred embodiment sensors employ a commercial GPS which reports a sensor position or a group of pseudoranges to GPS satellites. A server collects differential information from a differential node and, in one preferred embodiment, calculates a precision position for each sensor by adjusting the reported position or pseudoranges with the differential information. In another preferred embodiment differential information is sent from the host to individual sensors which calculate their own precision positions. Differential information may be latitude and longitude corrections, pseudorange corrections, ionospheric delay, GPS satellite clock drift, or other corrective term which will improve the accuracy of a sensor position.

Abstract: A system and method automatically maps computer center rooms and locates data center components within computer centers. Radio triangulation is used to determine the locations and, optionally, orientation, of machines within a computer center.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for position awareness that can be used indoors in a large-scale environment and can minimize generation of radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic waves in a wireless sensor network including low-priced sensor nodes capable of precise position measurement, thus improving energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary power consumption. The method includes the steps of: (a) calculating initial position coordinates using beacon information received from adjacent beacons through a broadcast beacon solicitation signal, sending a synchronization signal to the beacons, and synchronizing the beacons; (b) receiving ultrasonic waves generated from the adjacent beacons activated by a broadcast start message, and calculating position coordinates; and (c) when the calculated position coordinates correspond to a predetermined hand-off threshold position, transmitting a hand-off process message to a newly activated beacon, and executing a hand-off process routine.

Abstract: A navigation system extends satellite navigation to divers, underwater vehicles, and surface vessels. The navigation system comprises a location reference unit and a plurality of sub-surface beacon units. The location reference unit includes a receiver to receive navigation signals from earth-orbiting satellites and/or an inertial navigation system. The location reference unit further includes processing circuits to communicate with to sub-surface beacon units and to transmit location information to said sub-surface beacon units, and a sonar transmitter to transmit location information to the sub-surface beacon units. The beacon units include processing circuits to determine the location of the beacon unit based on location information received from the location reference unit, and a sonar transceiver to receive location information from the location reference unit and to transmit location information to a diver unit to provide navigation assistance to the diver unit.

Abstract: Provided are a positioning system using ultrasonic waves and a method for controlling the positioning system. The method for controlling a positioning system installs a plurality of ultrasonic satellites generating ultrasonic signals to position a mobile. The method sequentially gives satellite identification numbers to the plurality of ultrasonic satellites, generates a synchronization signal and providing it to the plurality of ultrasonic satellites, and allows the mobile to receive ultrasonic signals, which are generated by the plurality of ultrasonic satellites in the order of the satellite identification numbers when the ultrasonic satellites receive the synchronization signal, to measure distances between the mobile and the ultrasonic satellites.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a system for locating an object. The system may include, for example, an object electromagnetic receiver, an audio amplifier, an audio transducer, and an object microprocessor coupled to the object electromagnetic receiver and the audio amplifier. The object microprocessor is configured to ascertain whether a valid activation signal has been received by the object electromagnetic receiver, and if so, read a digital sound file, and ascertain whether the signal strength of the received valid activation signal is above a first threshold. If the signal strength is not above the first threshold, the object microprocessor outputs a maximum sound level indicator signal; and if the signal strength is above the first threshold, the object microprocessor outputs a second tier sound level indicator signal.

Abstract: Electrical power can be generated from impact based energy, such as from a golf ball being struck by a golf club. One or more piezo-electric devices, which are embedded in the core of the golf ball, are stressed by the impact and generate energy. Each piezo-electric device generates energy when stressed, which is then rectified and stored in a capacitor circuit. The stored energy in the capacitor circuit is used to power a transmitter to emit energy via an antenna, including all necessary electronics such as an oscillator, a modulator, and various control and logic circuits. The transmitted signals can be received by a hand held locator device. The described impact generated energy powers the transmitter a sufficiently long amount of time for the golfer to locate the golf ball. The impact based energy generation can also be used for other non-golf applications.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are directed to transmission of electromagnetic (EM) pulses in a downhole environment, which is located below a surface of a landform. A sequence of EM energy pulses is generated from a signal generator located at the surface of the landform. The energy pulses are reflected at a ring frequency by one or more downhole transducers. The reflected energy pulse is received at a receiver, which is located at the surface, during a predetermined time interval. The receiver detects the received energy pulses through a time domain or frequency domain technique. The detected ring frequency is correlated to a parameter or condition of the downhole environment.

Abstract: A system and method for providing precision locations for sensors which make up an array of sensors in a gunshot detection system. In a preferred embodiment sensors employ a commercial GPS which reports a sensor position or a group of pseudoranges to GPS satellites. A server collects differential information from a differential node and, in one preferred embodiment, calculates a precision position for each sensor by adjusting the reported position or pseudoranges with the differential information. In another preferred embodiment differential information is sent from the host to individual sensors which calculate their own precision positions. Differential information may be latitude and longitude corrections, pseudorange corrections, ionospheric delay, GPS satellite clock drift, or other corrective term which will improve the accuracy of a sensor position.

Abstract: In a building environment, a distance associated with a building automation device is determined as a function of an inserted time delay between a wireless transmission of a signal and wireless reception of another signal. For example, a two-way communication is provided with a time delay inserted before responding to a received transmission. By using two-way transmissions, the building automation devices may be free of clock synchronization. Acoustic signals may be used in a building environment to determine a distance. The building automation device may also use radio frequency information for communicating with other devices. Communication between devices allows a controller to coordinate the determination of distances associated with different devices within a network, such as through transmission of a test signal and assigning distance measurement operations to devices that receive the test signal with sufficient strength or other characteristics.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a positioning system using ultrasonic waves. The method installs a plurality of ultrasonic satellites generating ultrasonic signals to position a mobile. The method sequentially gives satellite identification numbers to the plurality of ultrasonic satellites, generates a synchronization signal and providing it to the plurality of ultrasonic satellites, and allows the mobile to receive ultrasonic signals, which are generated by the plurality of ultrasonic satellites in the order of the satellite identification numbers when the ultrasonic satellites receive the synchronization signal, to measure distances between the mobile and the ultrasonic satellites.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring surroundings of a vehicle includes an imaging apparatus provided at the vehicle, a plurality of ultrasonic sensors provided around the imaging apparatus as a unit with the imaging apparatus, an object-position-detecting apparatus for detecting a position of an object appearing within an imaging range of the imaging apparatus on the basis of outputs of the plurality of the ultrasonic sensors and a display-controlling apparatus for performing a predetermined image processing for an image obtained by the imaging apparatus at a position corresponding to the position of the object detected by the object-position-detecting apparatus.

Abstract: In a building environment, a distance associated with a building automation device is determined as a function of an inserted time delay between a wireless transmission of a signal and wireless reception of another signal. For example, a two-way communication is provided with a time delay inserted before responding to a received transmission. By using two-way transmissions, the building automation devices may be free of clock synchronization. Acoustic signals may be used in a building environment to determine a distance. The building automation device may also use radio frequency information for communicating with other devices. Communication between devices allows a controller to coordinate the determination of distances associated with different devices within a network, such as through transmission of a test signal and assigning distance measurement operations to devices that receive the test signal with sufficient strength or other characteristics.

Abstract: A portable and convenient electronic distance measuring apparatus using a laser beam and a supersonic wave is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring and position determination of objects and/or living beings within an area, such as, e.g. a room in a building or a road tunnel. The system comprises a plurality of identification tags equipped with an ultrasonic receiver and radio transmitter which is attached to the objects that have to be monitored. The identification tags receive ultrasonic signals whose arrival time they measure. This information together with the identification tags'ID code are transmitted by radio waves to a central unit which calculates the position of each of the identification tags.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring and position determination of objects and/or living beings within an area, such as, e.g. a room in a building. The system comprises a plurality of electronic units, called identification tags, which are attached to the objects that have to be monitored. Each identification tag has its own identification code (ID code) and is equipped with an ultrasonic transmitter, radio transmitter and radio receiver. The ultrasonic signals are received by one or more master and slave units which calculate transit time differences of ultrasonic pulses. This information together with the identification tags' ID code, identification of the room in which it is located, and any additional information are transmitted to a central processing unit which calculates the identification tag's position and presents it to a user of the system.

Abstract: A distance measuring system comprising: a transmitter that simultaneously emits an infrared radiation and an ultrasonic wave; and a receiver that include a table showing a relationship between an arrival time, indicative of a period from detection of the received infrared radiation to detection of the received ultrasonic wave, and a required received signal strength of the ultrasonic wave corresponding to the arrival time when the ultrasonic wave is directly received, that compares the received signal strength of the ultrasonic wave with a required received signal strength corresponding to the arrival time retrieved from the table, and that calculates the distance to the transmitter based on the arrival time when the received signal strength of the ultrasonic wave is higher than the required received signal strength corresponding to the arrival time retrieved from the table.

Abstract: A system for detecting acoustic events comprising a wearable sensor comprising: a microprocessor; a microphone communicating with the microprocessor; a GPS module; a wireless network system; and a display screen; wherein: the microphone is in communication with the microprocessor allowing the microprocessor to detect the acoustic event; the GPS functions to determine the location of the wearable sensor; the wireless network system allows for the interfacing and sharing of data between the sensor and other components of the system for detecting acoustic events; and the system for detecting acoustic events functions to triangulate the location and time of the acoustic event, may be used to detect gunshots. Other acoustic events such as a patient alarm may also be detected using the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus estimating a position of a moving robot are provided. The method includes receiving a primary signal and a secondary signal transmitted from a predetermined signal transmitter using a sensor, on a moving robot, that receives the primary signal and three or more sensors that receive the secondary signal; calculating a transmission distance from a sensor that receives the secondary signal using time information extracted from the primary signal; and calculating a position of the signal transmitter from the distance, wherein the secondary signal comprises first and second secondary signals and each sensor that senses the secondary signal determines whether to amplify the second secondary signal based on the result of the measurement of the first secondary signal.

Abstract: A navigation system extends satellite navigation to divers. The navigation system comprises a surface unit and a plurality of sub-surface beacon units. The surface unit includes a receiver to receive navigation signals from earth-orbiting satellites, processing circuits to communicate with to sub-surface beacon units and to transmit location information to said sub-surface beacon units, and a sonar transmitter to transmit location information to the sub-surface beacon units. The beacon units include a processing circuits to determine the location of the beacon unit based on location information received from the surface unit, and a sonar transceiver to receive location information from the surface unit while the surface unit is floating on the surface; and to transmit location information to a diver unit to provide navigation assistance to the diver unit.

Abstract: A system for locating and identifying an acoustic event such as gunfire. The inventive system employs a plurality of man wearable acoustic sensors for detecting gunfire, each acoustic sensor having a display associated therewith for displaying information concerning the acoustic event to a user. In preferred embodiments, the sensor includes a microphone for receiving acoustic information; an A/D converter; a processor for processing the digitized signal to detect a gunshot and determine a time of arrival; a GPS receiver for determining the position of the acoustic sensor; and a network interface for bidirectional communication with a system server. Preferably the display comprises: an LCD; and an electronically readable compass. When the display and acoustic sensor are in separate housings, the acoustic sensor includes a transmitter and the display includes a receiver for transferring the gunshot information.

Abstract: A system for identifying flash events including an optical imaging module with one or more optical imaging array, the optical imaging module configured for monitoring a region of interest to identify a tentative flash event. The system further includes a ranging module associated with the optical imaging module and configured to derive an estimated range to a location of the tentative flash event, and an acoustic verification module associated with the ranging module and with one or more acoustic sensor. The acoustic verification module is configured to determine whether an acoustic event corresponding to the tentative flash event is detected within a time window derived from the estimated range, thereby classifying the tentative flash event as either a verified flash event or a rejected flash event.

Abstract: The system and method in accordance with the present invention provides a non-contact detection and location of acoustic sources, which will be useful for locating signaling humans and will assist in the structural analysis of damaged building based upon structural movement. In accordance an embodiment of the present invention is provided a multi-beam, non-contact, laser vibrometer adapted to locate, via triangulation, an acoustic source buried underground.

Abstract: A GPS-based underwater cable positioning system for use in determining the shape and position of hydrophone streamers towed underwater behind survey vessels involved in marine seismic prospecting. The system includes a plurality of surface units towed behind the vessel. Each surface unit includes a GPS receiver to receive radio frequency GPS signals and to determine its positions. Each surface unit also has an acoustic transmitter to transmit an acoustic message signal representing its position and an optional time stamp into the water. Acoustic receiver units, attached spaced apart locations along one or more streamer cables, each include an acoustic receiver to receive the acoustic message signals from the surface units and to determine its position from the message signals. To augment the message signals from the surface units at locations distant from the surface units, acoustic transceiver units may be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device that is used to analyse the structure of a material. The inventive device comprises: probe elements (5) which are used to (i) emit a wave, in the material, with emission delay laws that correspond to several simultaneous deviations and (ii) receive, on the different probe elements (5), signals from the refraction of said wave by the material; detection channels, each detection channel being connected to a probe element (5), in order to collect the refraction signals and to transmit same to data processing means (4); and delay circuits that apply a delay on each detection channel according to the reception delay laws which are predetermined and which correspond to the different deviations of the wave emitted. The invention also relates to an analysis method which can be used, in particular, on said device.

Abstract: An arithmetic unit detects difference ? (=X?Y) between a sound source arrival azimuth X° of a sound wave, which is transmitted from a sound source buoy and is directly received in a wave receiving buoy, to a reference axis of the wave receiving buoy, and a target arrival azimuth Y° of a reflective sound, which is reflected by a target, to the reference axis of the wave receiving buoy. The arithmetic unit detects an azimuth angle ? of the sound source buoy on the basis of position information (latitude and longitude) of the sound source buoy and wave receiving buoy that is obtained by using GPS. Then, the arithmetic unit detects the azimuth (target azimuth) of the target to a magnetic north azimuth by the operation of (???).

Abstract: A system and method for issuing an alarm when the separation distance between a monitoring module associated with an object (animate or inanimate) and an alert module exceeds a preset threshold distance thereby forming a leadless electronic tether between the object and the object owner. A monitoring module comprises a portable transmitter provides a signal to an alert module comprising a receiver and a processor. The alert module is adapted to determine a separation distance between the monitoring module and the alert module based on an attribute of the signal. When the separation distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, the alert module issues an alert.