Patents by Inventor Andrew N. Acker

Andrew N. Acker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230314107
    Abstract: Predicting whether objects in an image form a scattered minefield (SMF) is accomplished by a system and method utilizing at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed by a processor, the instructions implement operations to determine whether the objects define a SMF based on an estimation of a distribution process from which the MLOs are positioned on the surface in the image obtained from the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Eric M. Louchard
  • Patent number: 11287244
    Abstract: A shearography a system and method for regularizing phase resolved shearograms with an arctan regularization function to produce regularized phase resolved shearogram outputs is provided. The system and method of the present disclosure optimizes the processing of phase resolved shearography allowing interference fringe analysis techniques to be applied to the regularized phase resolved shearogram output results of the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael J. DeWeert
  • Publication number: 20220011091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing shearography where the shear length and direction can be set in image processing, thus allowing all shear sizes to be computed and tested from a single data set, which can be collected in a single pass over a test surface or test object. The present process assures that a single data set can be processed with optimal shear length for multiple target types, thus reducing or eliminating the chance of missing a target detection while additionally enhancing target shape analysis by allowing the calculation of target response versus shear length and shear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Jacob D. Garan
  • Patent number: 10914573
    Abstract: A system for classifying objects detected in shearographic images identifying via a derivative peaks method, process, or algorithm is accomplished with a CNN (CNN). The system utilized training techniques of the CNN to classify objects as threats or non-threats. The system utilizes extracted clips from the shearographic image that contain the presence of an object so that the extracted clip containing the object is/are evaluated by the CNN to classify the object on or below a surface that has been insonified or otherwise stimulated to generate the shearographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew N. Acker
  • Publication number: 20200378751
    Abstract: A system for classifying objects detected in shearographic images identifying via a derivative peaks method, process, or algorithm is accomplished with a CNN (CNN). The system utilized training techniques of the CNN to classify objects as threats or non-threats. The system utilizes extracted clips from the shearographic image that contain the presence of an object so that the extracted clip containing the object is/are evaluated by the CNN to classify the object on or below a surface that has been insonified or otherwise stimulated to generate the shearographic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew N. Acker
  • Patent number: 10794767
    Abstract: An object detection system uses a change in a linear polarization statistic between a first image at a first time and a second image at a second time to determine the presence or the likelihood of an object beneath a surface. The presence of the object may be determined by regions of anomalously high changes in the polarization statistic. The system may use a polarization change detection detector which may simultaneously capture images in multiple polarization channels. Further, the polarization change detection detector may be coupled with a laser interferometry system. Further, the polarization change detection detector may be used to capture a time series of images to determine the polarization decorrelation time for each pixel in the field of view to provide additional detail regarding an object detected beneath the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew N. Acker
  • Patent number: 10634765
    Abstract: A system and method thereof identifies and locates a submarine or other similar object located in the ocean. The thermocline in the water column is utilized to identify objects based on signals carried by the internal wave (IW) in a mixed layer (ML) of water established between a less-dense and/or warmer upper layer of water and a more-dense and/or cooler lower layer of water. The system can detect objects moving in the ML. Additionally, the system detects non-moving objects in the ML based on shadowing and/or scattering effects established by naturally occurring waves contacting the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael J. Deweert
  • Patent number: 10620051
    Abstract: An object detection system uses a change in a linear polarization statistic between a first image at a first time and a second image at a second time to determine the presence or the likelihood of an object beneath a surface. The presence of the object may be determined by regions of anomalously high changes in the polarization statistic. The system may use a polarization change detection detector which may simultaneously capture images in multiple polarization channels. Further, the polarization change detection detector may be coupled with a laser interferometry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electonic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael J. DeWeert
  • Publication number: 20200088583
    Abstract: An object detection system uses a change in a linear polarization statistic between a first image at a first time and a second image at a second time to determine the presence or the likelihood of an object beneath a surface. The presence of the object may be determined by regions of anomalously high changes in the polarization statistic. The system may use a polarization change detection detector which may simultaneously capture images in multiple polarization channels. Further, the polarization change detection detector may be coupled with a laser interferometry system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael J. DeWeert
  • Patent number: 10234559
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting sea mines is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pulsed laser, a collection optics, a long-pass beam splitter, a short-pass beam splitter, a Laser Imaging, Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) channel imager, a Raman channel imager and a florescence channel imager. After the pulsed laser has sent a laser pulse to an ocean surface, the collection optics collects Rayleigh, Raman and florescence scattering return signals reflected from the ocean surface as a result of the laser pulse laser striking the ocean surface and any objects therein. The long-band beam splitter directs the Rayleigh scattering return signals to the LIDAR channel imager. The short-band beam splitter directs the Raman return signals to the Raman channel imager, and directs the florescence return signals to the florescence channel imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Anupam K. Misra, Andrew N. Acker, Shiv K. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20180120432
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting sea mines is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pulsed laser, a collection optics, a long-pass beam splitter, a short-pass beam splitter, a Laser Imaging, Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) channel imager, a Raman channel imager and a florescence channel imager. After the pulsed laser has sent a laser pulse to an ocean surface, the collection optics collects Rayleigh, Raman and florescence scattering return signals reflected from the ocean surface as a result of the laser pulse laser striking the ocean surface and any objects therein. The long-band beam splitter directs the Rayleigh scattering return signals to the LIDAR channel imager. The short-band beam splitter directs the Raman return signals to the Raman channel imager, and directs the florescence return signals to the florescence channel imager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: ANUPAM K. MISRA, ANDREW N. ACKER, SHIV K. SHARMA
  • Patent number: 9818181
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for generating shearograms from raw specklegram images which may, for example, be collected from airborne or other mobile shearography equipment. The system and method is used to detect and characterize buried mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and underground tunnels, bunkers, and other structures. Amongst other purposes, the system and method may also be used for rapid scanning of ship hulls and aircraft for hidden structural defects, rapid pipeline inspection, and non-contact acoustic sensing for in-water and underground sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael L. Dichner, Michael J. DeWeert, Brian P. Farm, Tamara O'Toole, Clint Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9476700
    Abstract: A shearography system and method provide advances allowing for rapid processing to produce shearograms which provide surface motion information which may be helpful in multiple fields. For instance, amongst virtually endless possibilities, the system and method may allow for detection of underground structures or ordnance and or be used in the medical field to provide non-contact sensing of a person's internal structures or movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. DeWeert, Andrew N. Acker
  • Publication number: 20150338208
    Abstract: A shearography system and method provide advances allowing for rapid processing to produce shearograms which provide surface motion information which may be helpful in multiple fields. For instance, amongst virtually endless possibilities, the system and method may allow for detection of underground structures or ordnance and or be used in the medical field to provide non-contact sensing of a person's internal structures or movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. DeWeert, Andrew N. Acker