Patents Examined by Marcus E Windrich
  • Patent number: 10185030
    Abstract: An automotive radar system includes a radar camera that captures a sequence of frames of radar images of a field of view of the radar. A boundary detector receives the radar data from the radar camera and detects object boundary data in the radar data. An image processor receives the radar data and the object boundary data and performs image analysis including image deblurring and generating response control signals based at least in part on the radar data and the object boundary data. Response equipment implements one or more response actions based on the response control signals. Object boundary detection includes performing pixel-level Doppler analysis to associate pixel velocities to pixels of the radar data and identifying discontinuities in the pixel velocities. Response equipment may include, for example, one or more of a navigation display, collision avoidance warning, automatic cruise control, automatic braking, and automatic steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Inna Stainvas Olshansky, Igal Bilik, Oded Bialer
  • Patent number: 10175348
    Abstract: A target is located and a track is associated with the target in the fusion coordinate system. An estimate/prediction of the target's velocity is developed within the tracker, as well as , a vector representing the distance from the fusion center to the target as estimated by the tracker, and , a vector representing the known distance from the fusion center to the sensor. The sensor's range vector, (the distance from the sensor to the target as predicted by the tracker) is transformed to fusion coordinates. Using the sensor's range vector, normalized to unit length, in fusion coordinates and the estimated target's velocity, an estimate of the target's speed projected in the direction of is derived. The estimated range-rate is compared per update to the sensor's measured range-rate in the form of an error measurement. The error is then used to correct the track's velocity prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SRC, INC.
    Inventors: Barry L. Clark, Andrew D. Keckler, Thomas A. Houman
  • Patent number: 10168419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarimetric radar, consisting of a transmission assembly that emits circularly polarized waves by means of transmission antennas and a receiver assembly that receives the reflected circularly polarized wave components by means of an antenna assembly. A plurality of two-channel receivers are provided as the receiver assembly, which simultaneously receive clockwise-rotating and anti-clockwise-rotating circularly polarized signal components, which are provided for digital beam shaping downstream of the antenna assembly. The invention further relates to a method for object classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: ASTYX GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Trummer
  • Patent number: 10164334
    Abstract: A method for antenna calibration is disclosed, the method including driving calibration signals for antenna array beam calibration to an antenna array feeder line in a transceiver front end unit by using one or more directional couplers and/or radio frequency probes, wherein calibration signal paths are integrated inside the transceiver front end unit. Measurements are carried out on the calibration signals, between different antenna combinations inside the antenna array. Based on collected measurement data, calibration information is calculated for each measurement branch of the antenna array by using a mathematical formula. Active antenna array beam calibration is then performed based on the calculated calibration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Kareisto, Eero Olavi Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 10162052
    Abstract: A pre-warning method utilized in a vehicle radar system includes a first and a second millimeter-wave detection modules detecting dynamic information of a plurality of first targets and a plurality of second targets corresponding to the vehicle radar system in different dimensions of an area and obtaining a first and a second detection results, determining whether there are identical targets within the plurality of first targets and the plurality of second targets according to the first and the second detection results, determining 3-D dynamic information of at least an identical target after determining that the plurality of first targets and the plurality of second targets include the at least an identical target, and determining whether to trigger an alarm signal according to the 3-D dynamic information of the at least an identical target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Wistron NeWeb Corporation
    Inventors: Jeng-Da Li, Hsin-Lung Hsiao, Chi-Cheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 10145837
    Abstract: Systems and methods for ground penetrating radar for determining thickness, density and moisture are therefore provided. According to an embodiment, a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system comprises a system controller configured to produce an electromagnetic signal for signal penetration of a pavement material. Further, the GPR system comprises a frequency modulated continuous wave controller. Further, the GPR system comprises an ultra wide band (UWB) antenna coupled to the system controller, wherein the UWB antenna is configured to transmit the produced electromagnetic signal to the pavement material and receive the electromagnetic signal as a reflection from the pavement material. Further, the system controller is further configured to receive the electromagnetic signal from the UWB antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Ernest Troxler
  • Patent number: 10145954
    Abstract: A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on one or more of a selected range resolution, a selected velocity resolution, and a selected angle of arrival resolution, as defined by memory requirements and processing requirements. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the memory requirements and processing requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Uhnder, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Davis, Monier Maher, Jean P. Bordes, Manju Hegde, Otto A. Schmid, Raghunath K. Rao, Marius Goldenberg, Aria Eshraghi, Vito Giannini, David S. Trager, Nikhilesh Bhagat, Srikanth Gollapudi, Sundar Govindarajan, Steve Borho, Jonathan Preussner, Paul W. Dent, Paul Bassett, Stephen W. Alland, Fred Harris, Wayne E. Stark, Murtaza Ali
  • Patent number: 10132923
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the transmission of power of request-response messages implemented by a system to prevent collisions between a first aircraft and a second aircraft. The method comprises measuring at least the value, referred to as the quality value, of a quantity representative of the reception quality of the transponder of the second aircraft and, implemented by the anti-collision device of the first aircraft, and a control step to control the transmission power of the radio-frequency signals carrying the request-response messages according to the quality value or values contained in the response messages sent by the transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Robin
  • Patent number: 10132922
    Abstract: A proximity sensor for measuring the distance from an object contains a microwave oscillator providing, as an output signal, a transmission wave emitted toward the object as a free space transmission wave reflected by the object, the object being electrically conductive or having at least one electrically conductive surface, as a free space reflection wave and is received by the proximity sensor as a reflection wave. The reflection coefficient is determined from the transmission and reflection waves and is provided by the proximity sensor as a measure of the distance. The transmission wave is guided in a waveguide as a waveguide transmission wave and is injected into the waveguide with a wave mode which results in the waveguide transmission wave being separated at the aperture at the front end of the waveguide into the free space transmission wave and in the free space transmission wave propagating to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Sorin Fericean, Mark Eberspaecher
  • Patent number: 10126418
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments that relate to crossing target dynamics for a radar system. In one aspect, the present application describes a method for use with a radar system. The method includes transmitting at least one signal pulse. The method also includes receiving a signal associated with reflection of the at least one transmitted signal pulse. Further, the method may also include processing the received signal to determine a cross-range rate. The processing may include determining a Doppler bandwidth based on the received signal. Additionally, the processing may include determining a range based on the received signal. Yet further, the processing may include determining a cross-range extent based on the received signal. Additionally, the processing may include determining the cross-range rate for the target object based on the determined Doppler bandwidth, range, and cross-range extent. An autonomous vehicle may be controlled based on the determined cross-range rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLP
    Inventor: Timothy Campbell
  • Patent number: 10120062
    Abstract: A method and apparatus which enables a facility or entity such as ships, airplanes, and land based sites, that transmits and receives radar signals to receive any incoming radar signal, while blocking reception of any signals generated by the facility or entity itself. The method comprises transmitting a primary signal from an rf generator; providing a second signal which is synchronized with the primary signal matching in both phase and amplitude, but with a phase difference of 180 degrees so that the two signals sum to zero. The second signal travels through a voltage controlled attenuator and thru a voltage controlled phase shifter. Combining in a combiner the second signal with a signal radiated by a transmitting antenna and received by a receiving antenna that connects into a transmission enabling mechanism, and then transmitting the combined signal to a detector apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: ANADYNE, INC.
    Inventor: David Elliot Dorfan
  • Patent number: 10114120
    Abstract: A near-field plate is a non-periodically patterned surface that can overcome the diffraction limit and confine electromagnetic fields to subwavelength dimensions. By controlling the interference of the electromagnetic fields radiated by the near-field plate with that of a source, the near-field plate can form a subwavelength near-field pattern in a forward direction, while suppressing fields in other directions, such as those reflected. The resulting unidirectional near-field plate may find utility in many applications such as high resolution imaging and probing, high density data storage, biomedical targeting devices, and wireless power transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Anthony Grbic, Seyedmohammadreza Faghih Imani
  • Patent number: 10101436
    Abstract: A method for optimizing bandwidth selection of a radar transmission in a frequency bandwidth in which the frequency bandwidth is divided into a plurality of sub-bands having a plurality of different bandwidths. The energy level is measured for each sub-band and a range resolution is also determined for each sub-band. Thereafter, a sub-band is selected in the frequency range where the signal to interference plus noise ratio plus the range resolution is maximum. Thereafter, a radar transmission is transmitted in the selected sub-band with a bandwidth corresponding to the bandwidth of the selected sub-band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Anthony F. Martone, Kenneth I. Ranney, Traian V. Dogaru, Kelly D. Sherbondy
  • Patent number: 10101489
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for analyzing underground geophysical properties using the principle of a ground-penetrating radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
    Inventors: Woong Kang, Jung Ho Kim, Myeong Jong Yi, Nikos Papadopoulos
  • Patent number: 10094913
    Abstract: A radar circuit for controlling a radar antenna in a vehicle comprises an antenna connection for connection of a radar antenna, a radar circuit for transmission and reception of a radar signal, wherein the radar circuit is connected to the antenna connection. A test circuit to test the connection of the radar antenna is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technology AG
    Inventors: Herbert Jaeger, Christoph Wagner
  • Patent number: 10083767
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting cooling tower fill pack to detect the presence of fouling, wherein the method comprises using ground penetrating radar (GPR). The method comprises transmitting GPR to the fill pack and detecting reflected radar signals from the fill pack. A method of cleaning fouling from a cooling tower, comprising the steps of: inspecting the cooling tower fill pack with ground penetrating radar (GPR); identifying those parts of the fill pack in which unacceptable levels of fouling are present; and cleaning the parts so identified is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: EPSCO, Ltd.
    Inventor: Stuart Oliver Smith
  • Patent number: 10078130
    Abstract: A method and apparatus which enables a facility or entity such as ships, airplanes, satellites, and land based sites, that transmits and receives radar signals to receive any incoming radar signal, or any electromagnetic signals in the frequency range of 1 Ghz-30 Ghz, while blocking reception of any signals generated by the facility or entity itself. The method comprises transmitting a primary signal from an rf generator; providing a second signal which is synchronized with the primary signal matching in both phase and amplitude, but with a phase difference of 180 degrees so that the two signals sum to zero. The second signal travels through a voltage controlled attenuator and thru a voltage controlled phase shifter. Combining in a combiner the second signal with a signal radiated by a transmitting antenna and received by a receiving antenna that connects into a transmission enabling mechanism, and then transmitting the combined signal to a detector apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: ANADYNE, INC.
    Inventor: David Elliot Dorfan
  • Patent number: 10074907
    Abstract: A radar system and method with reduced multipath effects include a first component of a radar sensor module on which at least one antenna element is formed, the at least one antenna element having a surface at which radar radiation is received or transmitted, the at least one antenna element having a radiation aperture. A second component in proximity to the antenna element such that a portion of the radar radiation impinges on the second component comprises an angled surface forming an angle with the surface of the antenna element. The angled surface of the second component comprises a texture such that when the portion of the radiation impinges on the angled surface, the amount of multipath signal propagating through the radiation aperture of the antenna element is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Veoneer US, Inc.
    Inventors: Xueru Ding, Paula Arinello, Jonathan Williams, Richard Leung, Bernard DeMersseman, Arnaud Amadjikpe
  • Patent number: 10066980
    Abstract: A guided wave radar fluid level measurement system can measure the level of product in a tank. A pulse of RF energy sent along a waveguide in the tank can be reflected where the waveguide enters the product. A time of flight measurement can indicate the product level. The product inside the tank can flow and that flow can push the waveguide and thereby torque and possibly bend the waveguide. A streamlined wave guide is torqued less when the streamlining is aligned with the direction of flow. A rotating connector can provide for the waveguide to rotate and a weathervane effect can align the streamlined waveguide with the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart James Heath, Michael Kon Yew Hughes
  • Patent number: 10061024
    Abstract: A weather radar module for an aircraft is described. The weather radar module includes a weather display and a processor. The processor is configured to control a radar antenna of the aircraft to perform a radar beam sweep and to receive radar returns. The processor is further configured to perform an estimation of a weather vertical location based on the radar returns, the estimation comprising estimating an altitude error correction due to a beam shape of the radar beam and due to weather model parameters of a weather model and correcting for the altitude error correction. The processor is further configured to cause the weather display to display weather based on the received radar returns, and the estimation of the weather vertical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark C. Fersdahl