Abstract: The position, orientation, velocity and acceleration of remote sensors is determined using magnetic fields. Multiple, arbitrarily oriented magnetic field transmitters are placed in one reference frame (source reference frame), and multiple, arbitrarily oriented magnetic field receivers are placed in a second reference frame (body reference frame). The spatially varying magnetic fields of the transmitters in the source reference frame are sensed by the magnetic field receivers in the body reference frame. The computer algorithm uses a physics-based extended Kalman filter to resolve the position; orientation, velocity and acceleration of the body relative to the source reference frame. The physics-based extended Kalman filter can accommodate the effects of metal in the source and body reference frames and thus allow the system to measure position, orientation, velocity and acceleration under conditions where eddy currents would normally hinder other magnetic position measuring systems.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an audible alarm relay system comprising a microphone for converting environmental sounds to electrical sound signals; processing circuitry for receiving the electrical sound signals, sampling the sound signals, and analyzing the sampled sound signals to determine if the sampled sound signals contain a sound pattern that matches a stored sound pattern; and an output device for notifying a user that the sampled sound signal contains a sound pattern that matches a stored sound pattern.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the alertness of a subject are provided. A Doppler sensor is disposed to sense a parameter pertaining to the subject, the sensor being one of an acoustic sensor and a microwave sensor. Signals from the sensor are processed through an alertness monitoring algorithm for generating processed signals. It is thereafter determined whether an impairment of alertness event pertaining to the subject has occurred based on the processed signals. Feedback is then provided to the subject based on a determination of whether an impairment of alertness event pertaining to the subject has occurred.

Abstract: A unique time-domain electromagnetic system and data processing technique which, using low frequency electromagnetic fields, can localize, in three-dimensions, the position of buried metallic objects is disclosed. The measurement system uses time-domain electromagnetic techniques on a scanning frame similar to a X-Y plotter. The system collects magnetic data over a large area above the buried object. The spatial information of the field detected on the ground is then processed with an unique ‘nearfield holographic’ data processing method to reconstruct the field image of the buried object.

Abstract: A telescoping spar structure designed to be scalable for use with very large floating platforms to relatively small floating platforms includes a platform/hull for supporting a payload; a telescoping spar attached to the platform/hull that includes several interlocking tubes extending from a shallow end to a deep end of the spar, the tubes configured to telescope in and out of adjacent tubes such that the tubes are nestable together in a stowed configuration; a buoyancy chamber attached to the spar between shallow and deep ends of the spar; and, a damping chamber attached to the spar between the buoyancy chamber and the deep end of the spar, the damping chamber including: a first compartment for entraining a volume of water, a second compartment for enclosing deployment ballast, and a release mechanism for jettisoning the deployment ballast from the second compartment after the spar structure is deployed, enabling the platform to rise to an operational height relative to the waterline.

Abstract: A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) system and method for security screening a crowd of people is provided. The system comprises at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG), e.g., a Horizontal Magnetic Field Generator (HMFG) buried below a walking surface for generating a magnetic field, a plurality of magnetic field sensors located within the sensing area of the MFG for sensing a metallic object, based on eddy currents in the magnetic field, and a location indicator for indicating a location of an individual with the metallic object at a position corresponding to that of one of the plurality of magnetic field sensor that sensed the metallic object. At least one video camera is included for identifying the individual at the location indicated by the location indicator and tracking further movements of the individual.

Abstract: A time-domain electromagnetic target discriminator (ETD) sensor system and method are provided capable of measuring a metal target's time decay response based on the physical parameters of the metal target and its environment and for identifying the metal target. The ETD sensor system includes a pulse transmitter connected to a receiver via a data acquisition and control system. The transmitter and receiver include coil configurations for placement in proximity to a visually obscured, e.g., buried, metal target (or underground void) for inducing eddy currents within the metal target. The ETD sensor system measures the eddy current time decay response of the metal target in order to perform target recognition and classification. The identification process entails comparing the metal target's (or, underground void or other object's) time decay response with a library of normalized object signatures, e.g., time decay responses and other characteristics.

Abstract: A metal detector system including a chassis for supporting electromagnetic sensor components above a medium such as soil or water. A transmitter coil and two receiver coils are attached to the chassis. A propulsion system is attached to the chassis between or adjacent to the receiver coils. The location of the propulsion system causes electromagnetic interference signals emanating from the propulsion system to be received at a nominally equal magnitude by each of the receiver coils.

Abstract: A steerable electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor system for measuring the magnetic polarizability tensor of a metal target. Instead of creating a vertical magnetic field from a horizontal loop transmitter configuration used by most prior art EMI metal detectors, the transmitter geometry of the sensor system's antenna is designed especially for creating multiple horizontal and vertical magnetic fields and for steering the same in all directions. The horizontal magnetic field (HMF) antenna has the potential advantage of a relatively uniform magnetic field over a large volume. A second potential advantage of the HMF antenna is that compared to a conventional loop antenna, the magnetic field intensity falls off slowly with distance from the plane of the antenna. Combining two HMF sensor systems creates a sterrable two-dimensional magnetic field sensor. Combining the steerable HMF sensor with a vertical magnetic field antenna forms a three-dimensional steerable magnetic field sensor system.

Abstract: A telescoping spar structure designed to be scalable for use with very large floating platforms to relatively small floating platforms includes a platform/hull for supporting a payload; a telescoping spar attached to the platform/hull that includes several interlocking tubes extending from a shallow end to a deep end of the spar, the tubes configured to telescope in and out of adjacent tubes such that the tubes are nestable together in a stowed configuration; a buoyancy chamber attached to the spar between shallow and deep ends of the spar; and, a damping chamber attached to the spar between the buoyancy chamber and the deep end of the spar, the damping chamber including: a first compartment for entraining a volume of water, a second compartment for enclosing deployment ballast, and a release mechanism for jettisoning the deployment ballast from the second compartment after the spar structure is deployed, enabling the platform to rise to an operational height relative to the waterline.

Abstract: A unique time-domain electromagnetic system and data processing technique which, using low frequency electromagnetic fields, can localize, in three-dimensions, the position of buried metallic objects is disclosed. The measurement system uses time-domain electromagnetic techniques on a scanning frame similar to a X-Y plotter. The system collects magnetic data over a large area above the buried object. The spatial information of the field detected on the ground is then processed with an unique ‘nearfield holographic’ data processing method to reconstruct the field image of the buried object.

Abstract: A unique time-domain electromagnetic system and data processing technique which, using low frequency electromagnetic fields, can localize, in three-dimensions, the position of buried metallic objects is disclosed. The measurement system uses time-domain electromagnetic techniques on a scanning frame similar to a X-Y plotter. The system collects magnetic data over a large area above the buried object. The spatial information of the field detected on the ground is then processed with an unique `nearfield holographic` data processing method to reconstruct the field image of the buried object.