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).
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Publication number: 20230314107Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Eric M. Louchard
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Patent number: 11287244Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael J. DeWeert
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Publication number: 20220011091Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Jacob D. Garan
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Patent number: 10914573Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: BAE Systems Information Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventor: Andrew N. Acker
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Publication number: 20200378751Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventor: Andrew N. Acker
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Patent number: 10794767Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventor: Andrew N. Acker
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Patent number: 10634765Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael J. Deweert
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Patent number: 10620051Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electonic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael J. DeWeert
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Publication number: 20200088583Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.Inventors: Andrew N. Acker, Michael J. DeWeert
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Patent number: 10234559Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Anupam K. Misra, Andrew N. Acker, Shiv K. Sharma
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Publication number: 20180120432Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: ANUPAM K. MISRA, ANDREW N. ACKER, SHIV K. SHARMA
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Patent number: 9818181Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9476700Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Michael J. DeWeert, Andrew N. Acker
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Publication number: 20150338208Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Michael J. DeWeert, Andrew N. Acker