Abstract: Continuous, multiple-point surveying or measurement is performed on large areas or objects. The results may be coordinated or combined with 3D localization systems or methods employing GPS, manual theodolites, range finders, laser radars or pseudolites. One disclosed example describes the use of the invention as applied to the problem of routine and repeated inspection of large aircraft, though the system and method are equally applicable to other objects with large surfaces including ships, bridges and large storage structures like tanks, buildings, and roadways.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (an AV, or manual vehicle in an autonomous or semi-autonomous mode) includes the ability to sense a command from a source external to the vehicle and modify the behavior of the vehicle in accordance with the command. For example, the vehicle may visualize a police officer or other person associated with traffic control and interpret gestures made by the person causing the vehicle to stop, slow down, pull over, change lanes, back up or take a different route due to unplanned traffic patterns such as accidents, harsh weather, road closings or other situations. The system and method may also be used for non-emergency purposes, including external guidance for load pick-up/placement, hailing a vehicle used as a cab, and so forth. The command may further be spoken or may include a radio frequency (RF) light or other energy component.

Abstract: A system and method accepts data from direct fault and parameters measurements and historical data in formatted and unformatted form organized by device or system class, specific unit and unit subsystems, and by operation to learn how to predict or correct specified maintenance or other operations. Disclosed examples use known data and learned information historical data to correct or elaborate service requests based on specified and likely (based on learned information) needed maintenance operations. The system and method are applicable to any device requiring prognostic maintenance or other service based on service orders and direct measurement of operating parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-implemented method for assessing risks associated with an audit. A user is presented with a plurality of audit items and a set of risk levels associated with the audit items and may also be presented with a plurality of prompts designed to elicit a set of responses from the user. The set of user responses being associated with a set of risks associated with the audit. The set of risk levels being associated with a set of assertions associated with the audit items and may include first and second risk levels of different degrees. The method further includes processing a set of responses received from the user in response to the items presented. The method includes automatically generating a suggested audit approach that is based at least in part on the processed responses. The method may also determine a set of procedures that are based on the responses. The set of procedures are presented to the user based on the suggested audit approach.

Abstract: A system for recognizing various human and creature motion gaits and behaviors is presented. These behaviors are defined as combinations of “gestures” identified on various parts of a body in motion. For example, the leg gestures generated when a person runs are different than when a person walks. The system described here can identify such differences and categorize these behaviors. Gestures, as previously defined, are motions generated by humans, animals, or machines. Multiple gestures on a body (or bodies) are recognized simultaneously and used in determining behaviors. If multiple bodies are tracked by the system, then overall formations and behaviors (such as military goals) can be determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-implemented method for assessing risks associated with an audit. A user is presented with a plurality of audit items and a set of risk levels associated with the audit items and may also be presented with a plurality of prompts designed to elicit a set of responses from the user. The set of user responses being associated with a set of risks associated with the audit. The set of risk levels being associated with a set of assertions associated with the audit items and may include first and second risk levels of different degrees. The method further includes processing a set of responses received from the user in response to the items presented. The method includes automatically generating a suggested audit approach that is based at least in part on the processed responses. The method may also determine a set of procedures that are based on the responses. The set of procedures are presented to the user based on the suggested audit approach.

Abstract: A system and method tracks the movements of a driver or passenger in a vehicle (ground, water, air, or other) and controls devices in accordance with position, motion, and/or body or hand gestures or movements. According to one embodiment, an operator or passenger uses the invention to control comfort or entertainment features such the heater, air conditioner, lights, mirror positions or the radio/CD player using hand gestures. An alternative embodiment facilitates the automatic adjustment of car seating restraints based on head position. Yet another embodiment is used to determine when to fire an airbag (and at what velocity or orientation) based on the position of a person in a vehicle seat. The invention may also be used to control systems outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A real-time computer vision system tracks the head of a computer user to implement real-time control of games or other applications. The imaging hardware includes a color camera, frame grabber, and processor. The software consists of the low-level image grabbing software and a tracking algorithm. The system tracks objects based on the color, motion and/or shape of the object in the image. A color matching function is used to compute three measures of the target's probable location based on the target color, shape and motion. The method then computes the most probable location of the target using a weighting technique. Once the system is running, a graphical user interface displays the live image from the color camera on the computer screen. The operator can then use the mouse to select a target for tracking. The system will then keep track of the moving target in the scene in real-time.

Abstract: A system for recognizing various human and creature motion gaits and behaviors is presented. These behaviors are defined as combinations of “gestures” identified on various parts of a body in motion. For example, the leg gestures generated when a person runs are different than when a person walks. The system described here can identify such differences and categorize these behaviors. Gestures, as previously defined, are motions generated by humans, animals, or machines. Multiple gestures on a body (or bodies) are recognized simultaneously and used in determining behaviors. If multiple bodies are tracked by the system, then overall formations and behaviors (such as military goals) can be determined.

Abstract: A general-purpose, low-cost system provides comprehensive physiological data collection, with extensive data object oriented programmability and configurability for a variety of medical as well as other analog data collection applications. In a preferred embodiment, programmable input signal acquisition and processing circuits are used so that virtually any analog and/or medical signal can be digitized from a common point of contact to a plurality of sensors. A general-purpose data routing and encapsulation architecture supports input tagging and standardized routing through modern packet switch networks, including the Internet; from one of multiple points of origin or patients, to one or multiple points of data analysis for physician review. The preferred architecture further supports multiple-site data buffering for redundancy and reliability, and real-time data collection, routing, and viewing (or slower than real-time processes when communications infrastructure is slower than the data collection rate).

Abstract: A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description.

Abstract: A machine vision system for automatically identifying and inspecting objects is disclosed, including composable vision-based recognition modules and a decision algorithm to perform the final determination on object type and quality. This vision system has been used to develop a Projectile Identification System and an Automated Tactical Ammunition Classification System. The technology can be used to create numerous other inspection and automated identification systems.

Abstract: Medical records, clinical observations, and medical imagery are organized and aggregated into a common database, enabling the data to be viewed and/or updated by medical practitioners world-wide. The information may also be viewed and monitored by patients or their relatives for accuracy, also regardless of their location. The invention further allows the records to be updated by manually controlled or automated instrumentation which measures medical parameters whether located in a doctors office, in a hospital setting, in the patient's home, or worn by the patient. Common access and point-to-point data transmission is via the global grid, or over public access common data networks supporting TCP/IP, most often referred to as the Internet. The same approach can be using insider an organization over an internal network or Intranet.

Abstract: An electronic automatic reserve or primary parachute activation device incorporates partial or complete capture of freefaller or tethered parachute jumper kinematics to rapidly and reliable determine when to automatically activate deployment of the primary or reserve chute. This device uses means for directly measuring acceleration, velocity and/or position in addition to air pressure change to enable reliable detection of chute deployment conditions earlier than is possible with conventional pressure change activated automated activations devices. This is important when the activation decision must be made within 5-10 seconds of the initiation of the jump as is the case for military low altitude parachuting.

Abstract: An optical system tracks the motion of objects, including the human body or portions thereof using a plurality of three-dimensional active markers based upon triangulation from data read via multiple linear CCDs through cylindrical lenses. Each marker is lit in sequence so that it is in sync with a frame capture using the imaging system positioned and oriented so as to provide a basis for computing three-dimensional location. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging system detects an infrared signal which is sent out by the tag controller as part of the tag/marker illumination sequence at the beginning of the first tag position capture time. The controller then traverses through the tags in time sync with each imaging system frame capture cycle. Thus, only one unique tag will be lit during each image capture of the cameras, thereby simplifying identification. Using linear CCD sensors, the frame time (i.e.