Abstract: A hand-held stun gun incapacitates a human target by generating a series of powerful electrical output pulses of pulse energy of from 0.9 Joules to 10 Joules which generate a series of output current pulses have an RMS current flow of from 100 milliamps to 500 milliamps when the first and second output terminals are applied to a human target. A battery power supply includes an electronic switch, an energy storage capacitor and a transformer for converting low voltage, direct current into a series of high voltage output pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via numerous electrodes select particular electrodes to use for the stimulus signal. Subsets of electrodes may be tested by applying a test signal and monitoring the energy or charge delivered during a prescribed time. If the delivered energy or charge using a particular subset of electrodes as indicated by monitoring test pulse amplitude suitably compares to a limit, then the particular subset is selected for applying the stimulus signal. A first stimulus signal may be applied to a first subset of electrodes to prompt movement of the target toward an electrode that, when better coupled to the target as a consequence of movement of the target will provide a more effective subset of electrodes for further stimulus.

Abstract: An apparatus for immobilizing a target includes electrodes deployed after contact is made between the apparatus and the target. Spacing of deployed electrodes may be more accurate and/or more repeatable for more effective delivery of an immobilizing stimulus signal.

Abstract: A method for displaying horizontally aligned characters on a radial display is disclosed. Each range bin for each scan line is associated with a rectangular grid location to determine the character located in the grid location and the background color and foreground color for the grid location. A font matrix corresponding to the appropriate character is then used to determine if the range bin corresponds to one of the pixels that make up the character or if the range bin corresponds to a background pixel. This determines if the range bin is assigned the foreground color or background color. The method is done for each range bin value and for each scan line. The range bin and scan line information is sent to a display.

Abstract: An object identification system includes a monitor and a plurality of transceivers that communicate over a common medium. The monitor includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a processor. Each transceiver includes a resonant circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna coupled to the resonant circuit. The processor performs a method for performing transceiver communication that includes the steps of: (a) transmitting from the first transmitter a first frequency for a first duration; (b) after lapse of the first duration, receiving via the first receiver a response signal from at least one of the resonant circuits; (c) determining a second frequency from the received response signal; and (d) performing transceiver communication using the second frequency.

Abstract: A perimeter monitoring system is arranged to detect passage across a perimeter of an area. The system primarily includes an emitter, a retroreflector, a detector and an alarm. The emitter provides a modulated visible laser beam. The retroreflector is arranged to direct the beam along a segment of the perimeter and return the beam along the segment. The detector includes a device that blocks reception of light outside an angle of less than 5 degrees. One or more local or remote alarms are activated in response to the signal. For example, a remote alarm is located on the inside of a residence window where it is activated by another visible laser beam. Alignment of the peripheral monitoring system is less costly and false alarms are less likely than with known systems.

Abstract: An entertainment center includes a base that expands horizontally to accommodate different width home theater displays; and, a light bridge that rests on top of one or more cabinets placed on either side of the base. The side cabinets provide a vertical column of open space for accommodating wiring among the entertainment system components and ventilation for heat generated by those components. The base includes casters to facilitate moving the base in and out from between the side cabinets. Sliding portions of the base extend horizontally yet continue to transfer all load weight onto the casters. The front woodwork of the base presents a pleasing seam less appearance as a consequence of overlapping trim pieces.

Abstract: A system having replaceable subsystems is operable in a certified configuration after installation of a replacement subsystem. The system includes several subsystems each installed at an interface. For each subsystem, the interface includes memory having a description of the operating environment for that subsystem. The memory stores modules each having a signature, for example, a cyclic redundancy code (CRC). After installation of a replacement subsystem, a processor in the subsystem checks a list of signatures. Each signature corresponds to a module that is certified for use by an application program of the subsystem. If a listed signature corresponds to a module that is available in the memory, is desirable to be used, and the subsystem is not presently configured to use such a module, the subsystem reads the module, integrates the data of the module into an operating configuration, and operates thereafter in accordance with the updated operating configuration.

Abstract: A traffic collision avoidance system has a transponder with an interrogation monitoring engine for receiving interrogations and an interrogation response engine for inhibiting responses to the interrogations if the interrogations are air traffic control interrogations and the transponder is in a quiet mode. Typically the transponder enters quiet mode during military formation flight if the aircraft in which the transponder is installed is not a tail or lead member of the formation.

Abstract: A surveillance and collision avoidance system provides a presentation of situational awareness information for display that includes a compound symbol for each target spaced at a distance and bearing relative to a host symbol. The target compound symbol includes indicia of (a) whether the target is airborne or on the ground; (b) whether the target is a civil aircraft, a military aircraft identified as a formation member with the host aircraft, or a military aircraft not identified as a formation member with the host aircraft; (c) whether a ground track for the target is unknown, known by passive surveillance, or known by active surveillance; (d) for civil aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no advisory, a traffic advisory, or a resolution advisory; and (e) for a military aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no encroachment advisory, an unintended encroachment advisory, or an intended encroachment advisory. Subsystems selectively use an active or a passive mode of surveillance.

Abstract: A lightning detection system provides an estimated location of a lightning stroke. The system includes sensors and an analyzer. Each sensor within range of a lightning event provides messages to the analyzer. Each sensor includes a waveform engine that converts a signal received from the lightning event to a series of frequency domain components having respective magnitude and phase. The waveform engine adjusts magnitudes and phases of the frequency components, for example, to mitigate the effects of terrain conductivity where the received signal traveled across terrain. The adjusted frequency components are then converted by the waveform engine into a second time domain signal that is described in a message to the analyzer. Each message includes sensor identification, peak amplitude, and time of detecting the lightning event. The analyzer provides an estimated location of the lightning stroke and an estimated peak current of the lightning stroke in accordance with messages received from sensors.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed for displaying air traffic symbology from a plurality of different types of air traffic surveillance systems on a single monitor. A display device includes a processor for generating display symbology from TCAS, SKE and ADS-B information, and a monitor for displaying the generated symbology in a uniform format.

Abstract: A midair collision avoidance system (MCAS) employs an existing design of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) as a module and seamlessly integrates it with a customized tactical module which is capable of providing unique tactical avoidance guidance control and display. The tactical module handles all phases of a tactical mission, including formation flight (e.g., formation fall-in, arming formation flight, engaging formation flight following, and formation brake-away), and an air-refueling sequence (e.g., rendezvous, linkup, re-fueling, and disengaging air-refueling). The tactical module divides the air space around the aircraft into advisory, caution, and warning zones and for each provides display, tone and voice alerts to facilitate pop-up avoidance guidance commands. Military aircraft can thus effectively avoid mid air and near mid air collision situations in all three different operation modes: air traffic control (ATC) management mode, tactical mode, and a mixed mode.

Abstract: A system includes an identification circuit, a grid antenna, a receiver, and a processor. The identification circuit includes resonant circuits formed on a substrate within a perimeter. Identification may be based on a quantity or physical arrangement of detected resonant circuits within the perimeter. One resonant circuit provides a reference signal. Any resonant circuit may be tuned in accordance with the reference signal by the addition or subtraction of reactance formed on the substrate. A capacitance of a first group of capacitors located outside a turn of an inductor is roughly equal to a capacitance of a second group of capacitors located inside the turn. Any resonant circuit may also be tuned by affixing a resonance modifying element, for example a sticker, to the identification circuit. The grid antenna provides antenna field patterns, one for each cell location. The receiver communicates with the identification circuit via the grid antenna.

Abstract: An aircraft system and method for determining when to attempt acquisition of an intruder for active tracking. A link reliability score associated with the intruder is adjusted based upon the signal strength of transmissions, the frequency of the transmissions, and the number of previous attempts to acquire the intruder for active tracking.