Patents Assigned to ShotSpotter, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11688037
    Abstract: Systems and methods that yield highly-accurate classification of acoustic and other non-image events, involving pre-processing data from one or more transducers and generating a visual representation of the source as well as associated features and processing, are disclosed. According to certain exemplary implementations herein, such pre-processing steps may be utilized in situations where 1) all impulsive acoustic events have many features in common due to their point source origin and impulsive nature, and/or 2) the error rates that are considered acceptable in general purpose image classification are much higher than the acceptable levels in automatic impulsive incident classification. Further, according to some aspects, the data may be pre-processed in various ways, such as to remove extraneous or irrelevant details and/or perform any required rotation, alignment, scaling, etc. tasks, such that these tasks do not need to be “learned” in a less direct and more expensive manner in the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Calhoun, Scott Lamkin, David Rodgers
  • Patent number: 11004175
    Abstract: Systems and methods that yield highly-accurate classification of acoustic and other non-image events, involving pre-processing data from one or more transducers and generating a visual representation of the source as well as associated features and processing, are disclosed. According to certain exemplary implementations herein, such pre-processing steps may be utilized in situations where 1) all impulsive acoustic events have many features in common due to their point source origin and impulsive nature, and/or 2) the error rates that are considered acceptable in general purpose image classification are much higher than the acceptable levels in automatic impulsive incident classification. Further, according to some aspects, the data may be pre-processed in various ways, such as to remove extraneous or irrelevant details and/or perform any required rotation, alignment, scaling, etc. tasks, such that these tasks do not need to be “learned” in a less direct and more expensive manner in the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Calhoun, Scott Lamkin, David Rodgers
  • Patent number: 10637424
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing information present in a digital audio stream to obtain a measure of gain of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) preamplifier are disclosed. In one implementation, a method of processing information present in a digitally sampled stream to obtain a measure of ADC preamplifier gain used to digitize the output of a known transducer comprises transforming time-domain digital samples into the frequency domain through use of a discrete Fourier transform (DFT), and using knowledge of the maximum effective frequency associated with the frequency response of the transducer to process frequency-domain data to obtain a measure of the gain of the ADC preamplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Murphey L. Johnson, Mark A. Sompel, Robert B. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 10424048
    Abstract: Systems and methods that yield highly-accurate classification of acoustic and other non-image events, involving pre-processing data from one or more transducers and generating a visual representation of the source as well as associated features and processing, are disclosed. According to certain exemplary implementations herein, such pre-processing steps may be utilized in situations where 1) all impulsive acoustic events have many features in common due to their point source origin and impulsive nature, and/or 2) the error rates that are considered acceptable in general purpose image classification are much higher than the acceptable levels in automatic impulsive incident classification. Further, according to some aspects, the data may be pre-processed in various ways, such as to remove extraneous or irrelevant details and/or perform any required rotation, alignment, scaling, etc. tasks, such that these tasks do not need to be “learned” in a less direct and more expensive manner in the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Calhoun, Scott Lamkin, David Rodgers
  • Patent number: 10032351
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reliably detecting gunfire in enclosed spaces having significant acoustic reverberation. Implementations are configured to quickly and reliably report the room or portion of a room where gunfire is located. Innovations herein may ensure low false alarm rate by thresholding, pattern recognition and/or detecting the muzzle optical flash. In some embodiments, a review center with trained personnel may evaluate the incident before reporting to local authorities. The indoor system can be incorporated into an outdoor gunshot location system to better protect a local area such as a campus or a transportation hub. Systems and methods herein may involve features and functionality associated with additional resources, such as intercoms, cellphones, and access control, to provide mitigation of harm in case of a shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Showen, James Beldock, Gregory Stone, Murphey Johnson, Robert Calhoun
  • Patent number: 9875643
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for emergency management during threatening events such as gunfire incidents. In some exemplary implementations, systems and methods may provide information to computer-based and mobile-device user interfaces, enabling various features and capabilities such as notifying site-based subscribers and public safety personnel that an emergency has occurred at a specific location. Implementations may also provide users with real-time information that can utilized by on-site personnel and responding public safety personnel to mitigate the emergency. Further, aspects may include configurations and/or capabilities that integrate with external technology platforms such as computer aided dispatch systems, surveillance camera systems, and security systems such as those having electronic lock control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SHOTSPOTTER, INC.
    Inventor: Peter C. Sarna, II
  • Patent number: 9348010
    Abstract: A survey method giving improvements in weapons fire location systems is disclosed. In an urban system with a distributed array in the midst of many buildings that block signal paths or create echoes, methods are provided to measure signal propagation. A survey or tour of the covered region uses a moving signal source to probe propagation inside the region. Survey results may indicate where more or fewer sensors are needed. Survey results plus current measured noise gives prediction of instantaneous system sensitivity. In addition, multipath propagation may be used to determine a location even when only one or two sensors detect the signal. In such exemplary cases, triangulation may be replaced or augmented by pattern recognition. Further, signals of the survey need not be acoustic impulses such as gunfire, but may be RF signals, or coded continuous signals so that gunfire-like sounds would not disturb citizens in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Showen
  • Patent number: 9240114
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reliably detecting gunfire in enclosed spaces having significant acoustic reverberation. Implementations are configured to quickly and reliably report the room or portion of a room where gunfire is located. Innovations herein may ensure low false alarm rate by thresholding, pattern recognition and/or detecting the muzzle optical flash. In some embodiments, a review center with trained personnel may evaluate the incident before reporting to local authorities. The indoor system can be incorporated into an outdoor gunshot location system to better protect a local area such as a campus or a transportation hub. Systems and methods herein may involve features and functionality associated with additional resources, such as intercoms, cellphones, and access control, to provide mitigation of harm in case of a shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Showen, James Beldock, Gregory Stone, Murphey Johnson, Robert Calhoun
  • Patent number: 8995227
    Abstract: Systems and method of processing information regarding weapon fire are set forth herein. In one exemplary implementation, a method of processing information regarding weapon fire, such as determining weapon fire location using projectile shockwave and muzzle blast time(s) of arrival data is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventor: Murphey L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140327543
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reliably detecting gunfire in enclosed spaces having significant acoustic reverberation. Implementations are configured to quickly and reliably report the room or portion of a room where gunfire is located. Innovations herein may ensure low false alarm rate by thresholding, pattern recognition and/or detecting the muzzle optical flash. In some embodiments, a review center with trained personnel may evaluate the incident before reporting to local authorities. The indoor system can be incorporated into an outdoor gunshot location system to better protect a local area such as a campus or a transportation hub. Systems and methods herein may involve features and functionality associated with additional resources, such as intercoms, cellphones, and access control, to provide mitigation of harm in case of a shooting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert SHOWEN, James BELDOCK, Gregory STONE, Murphey JOHNSON, Robert CALHOUN
  • Patent number: 8369184
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed associated with processing origin/location information of a source or event. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of performing improved three-dimensional source location processing including constraint of location solutions to a two-dimensional plane. Moreover, the method includes obtaining a plane of constraint characterized as a plane in which the source is likely to occur, providing one or more virtual sensing elements each characterized as being located on a first side of the plane of constraint in a mirror image/symmetrical position across from a corresponding actual sensing element on an opposite side of the plane, and constraining possible origin locations to be located in the plane of constraint. Other exemplary implementations may include determining the origin location as a function of positions of the sensing elements and the virtual sensing elements as well as time-of-arrival and/or angle-of-arrival information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 8351297
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing information associated with monitoring persons/devices and weapon fire location information. In one exemplary implementation, a weapon fire location system is used to characterize and locate impulsive events and these locations are correlated with the positions of monitoring persons or devices, such as monitoring anklets placed on offenders or other persons of interest. Further, various information can be plotted on map, display, or for other graphical output to assist in the process of handling a weapon fire event. For example, when a monitoring device, whose position can be provided by GPS or alternate methods is found nearby a gunshot location, then associated graphical information can be presented on the output of the weapon fire location system or an associated display used by those monitoring the offenders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Mark Lauder, Robert L. Showen, James G. Beldock, Peter C. Sarna, II
  • Patent number: 8325562
    Abstract: A survey method giving improvements in weapons fire location systems is disclosed. In an urban system with a distributed array in the midst of many buildings that block signal paths or create echoes, methods are provided to measure signal propagation. A survey or tour of the covered region uses a moving signal source to probe propagation inside the region. Survey results may indicate where more or fewer sensors are needed. Survey results plus current measured noise gives prediction of instantaneous system sensitivity. In addition, multipath propagation may be used to determine a location even when only one or two sensors detect the signal. In such exemplary cases, triangulation may be replaced or augmented by pattern recognition. Further, signals of the survey need not be acoustic impulses such as gunfire, but may be RF signals, or coded continuous signals so that gunfire-like sounds would not disturb citizens in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Showen
  • Patent number: 8325563
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for locating a weapon fire incident such as an acoustic transient from a gunshot, explosion, weapons launch, etc. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of locating the incident from a combination of propagation phenomena including a discharge time of the weapon fire incident. Moreover, the method may include obtaining a first propagation parameter of the incident from one or more first sensors, obtaining the discharge time from another sensor, and processing the data to determine a location using a common time basis among sensor measurements. According to further exemplary implementations, the discharge time may include a transient event that has a different propagation velocity than that of sound in the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Calhoun, Robert L. Showen, James G. Beldock, Scott M. Manderville, Jason W. Dunham
  • Publication number: 20120275273
    Abstract: A survey method giving improvements in weapons fire location systems is disclosed. In an urban system with a distributed array in the midst of many buildings that block signal paths or create echoes, methods are provided to measure signal propagation. A survey or tour of the covered region uses a moving signal source to probe propagation inside the region. Survey results may indicate where more or fewer sensors are needed. Survey results plus current measured noise gives prediction of instantaneous system sensitivity. In addition, multipath propagation may be used to determine a location even when only one or two sensors detect the signal. In such exemplary cases, triangulation may be replaced or augmented by pattern recognition. Further, signals of the survey need not be acoustic impulses such as gunfire, but may be RF signals, or coded continuous signals so that gunfire-like sounds would not disturb citizens in the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Showen
  • Patent number: 8134889
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing weapon fire information such as gunfire. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of processing gunshot information to determine source location information involving echo/reflection processing features. Moreover, the method may include processing gunshot information received from a source at a sensor having a reflecting surface at a given distance, processing direct arrival time and echo arrival time information, and determining source location information as a function of a virtual sensor calculated behind the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Showen, Robert B. Calhoun, Jason W. Dunham
  • Patent number: 8063773
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing data associated with an acoustic event. In an exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of data processing including determining a location of an acoustic event and processing information associated with directing a camera towards the location. Moreover, one exemplary method may include processing information from and/or related to one or more sensors in an area to be monitored, processing data associated with the acoustic event, and determining a location of a source of the acoustic event as a function of the information from and/or related to the acoustic event. Further exemplary implementations include performing processing associated with providing instructions to direct a camera towards the determined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Fisher, Kevin Baxter, Fred Holmes
  • Patent number: 8036065
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Baxter, Ken Fisher
  • Patent number: 7961550
    Abstract: Systems and method are disclosed for processing signals. In one exemplary implementation, a method may include transforming initial bullet data associated with one or more sensors into a set of discrete pulses, dividing the discrete pulses into pulse subsets, generating, for the subsets, time domain representations of the pulses, wherein the time domain representations include waveforms having pulse features, and processing the time domain representations to determine alignment between one or more of pulse features, pulses, pairs of channels, and/or pairs of sensors. One or more further implementations may include determining identity of pulses in association with a matching process performed as a function of the alignment, as well as, optionally, other pulse processing features/functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 7855935
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lauder, Robert L. Showen, James Beldock