Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for orienting an antenna in a communications system on a mobile platform to orient a peak of the antenna pattern in a direction associated with a signal source. A signal from a signal source is received at the antenna. A signal strength is measured from the received signal. A signal strength and a misalignment of the antenna along at least one axis are predicted according to a previous estimate of the signal strength, a previous estimate of the misalignment of the antenna, an estimated change in the signal strength, and a known change in the antenna orientation. The predicted signal strength and misalignment of the antenna are updated according to the measured signal strength to provide an estimate of a current misalignment of the antenna. The orientation of the peak of the antenna pattern is adjusted according to the estimated current misalignment of the antenna.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for orienting an antenna in a communications system on a mobile platform to orient a peak of the antenna pattern in a direction associated with a signal source. A signal from a signal source is received at the antenna. A signal strength is measured from the received signal. A signal strength and a misalignment of the antenna along at least one axis are predicted according to a previous estimate of the signal strength, a previous estimate of the misalignment of the antenna, an estimated change in the signal strength, and a known change in the antenna orientation. The predicted signal strength and misalignment of the antenna are updated according to the measured signal strength to provide an estimate of a current misalignment of the antenna. The orientation of the peak of the antenna pattern is adjusted according to the estimated current misalignment of the antenna.

Abstract: An imaging system (50) for providing vehicle security and convenience features that employs face recognition software to identify and track a person. The system (50) employs infrared emitters (30) that emit an infrared signal along a predetermined field-of-view, and an infrared sensor (34), such as a CMOS sensor used as a video signal array, that receives reflected infrared illumination from objects in the field-of-view. A processor (52) including the face recognition software, is employed to detect human faces to identify and track the person. Once a face is detected, it can be compared to a data base to identify the person.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: Direct-path-signal (DPS) detector circuitry includes a standard deviation calculator circuitry configured to determine a standard deviation of a plurality of data values within a data frame. The data frame corresponds to a radio-frequency signal received via a communication link. The DPS detector circuitry also includes a threshold circuitry configured to detect a direct-path signal depending on the relative values of the standard deviation and a threshold signal.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant airbag deployment system (50) that detects, identifies and tracks a person (16) in the passenger seat (18) of a vehicle (12), and provides a signal for no fire, soft fire or hard fire of the airbag (20) depending on the location of the person (16) in a crash event. The airbag deployment system (50) employs infrared emitters (30) that emit an infrared signal towards the passenger seat (18) of the vehicle (12) and an infrared detector (34) that receive reflected radiation from objects in the seat (18). Processing circuitry (52), including face recognition software, is employed to detect human face features to provide the necessary detection and tracking of the person (16).

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: A system for providing the identification and tracking of motor vehicles that includes a probe device that transmits a radio frequency modulated signal to a transponder unit that is located within a vehicle registration tag of a vehicle. The transponder unit responds to the probe unit's request by transmitting its own radio frequency modulated signal containing any information requested by the probe device.

Abstract: A human presence detection system (50) that employs a frame differencing technique for subtracting out background interference from images generated by the system. The system (50) includes an infrared source (28) that generates a beam of infrared radiation, and an infrared detector (72) that receives infrared radiation reflected from objects in the path of the beam. Face recognition software is employed to determine the presence of a person (16) from the reflected radiation. The infrared source (28) is pulsed on and off and the detector (72) is synchronously shuttered to the pulses so that image frames are generated at different times, where one frame includes reflected radiation and background radiation and another frame includes only background radiation. The frames are subtracted to separate out the background radiation.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: A voice-activated microphone and transceiver system includes an interrogator unit for transmitting a signal, receiving a modulated signal, and demodulating the modulated signal such that the difference between the transmitted signal and the modulated signal correspond to a unique sound wave signal. An acoustically driven microphone unit is also included for receiving the signal from the interrogator unit, modulating the signal with the sound wave signal, wherein the sound wave signal contains instructions for controlling an electronic device, and transmitting the modulated signal back to the interrogator unit for analysis by a signal processor.

Abstract: A system and method for determining angular offset of an impulse radio transmitter using an impulse radio receiver coupled to two antennae. The antennae are separated by some known distance, and, in one embodiment, one antennae is coupled to the radio with cable delay. Impulse signals from the antennae are measured to determine the time difference of arrival of one such signal received by one antenna compared to that of the other antenna. Time differential is measured by autocorrelation of the entire impulse radio scan period, by detecting the leading edges of both incoming signals or various combinations of these methods. Using a tracking receiver, the pulses may be continuously tracked thus providing real time position information.

Abstract: An imaging system (50) for providing vehicle safety features that employs face recognition software to identify and track a person. The system (50) employs infrared emitters (30) that emit an infrared signal along a predetermined field-of-view, and an infrared sensor (34), such as a CMOS sensor used as a video signal array, that receives reflected infrared illumination from objects in the field-of-view. A processor (52) including the face recognition software, is employed to detect human faces to identify and track the person. Once a face is detected, it can be compared to a data base to identify the person. Various applications for the imaging system (50) for providing vehicle safety features include identifying the driver or passenger for personalizing the vehicle's airbags, providing pre-crash collision avoidance, providing blind spot detection, providing vehicle crash recording, and providing a warning signal if the driver appears drowsy.

Abstract: A system and method for determining angular offset of an impulse radio transmitter using an impulse radio receiver coupled to two antennae. The antennae are separated by some known distance, and, in one embodiment, one antennae is coupled to the radio with cable delay. Impulse signals from the antennae are measured to determine the time difference of arrival of one such signal received by one antenna compared to that of the other antenna. Time differential is measured by autocorrelation of the entire impulse radio scan period, by detecting the leading edges of both incoming signals or various combinations of these methods. Using a tracking receiver, the pulses may be continuously tracked thus providing real time position information.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment of the present invention, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment of the present invention, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: Direct-path-signal (DPS) detector circuitry includes a standard deviation calculator circuitry configured to determine a standard deviation of a plurality of data values within a data frame. The data frame corresponds to a radio-frequency signal received via a communication link. The DPS detector circuitry also includes a threshold circuitry configured to detect a direct-path signal depending on the relative values of the standard deviation and a threshold signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-way bi-directional wireless-based access communication system that allows a user to access any one of multiple independent secured domain systems from a single handheld remote keyless entry device, whereupon activation of the remote keyless device by the user, an encoded request signal containing a predetermined access code is generated and transmitted by the remote keyless entry device to one of the multiple secure domain systems. And, based on the access code contained within the encoded request signal, the domain system determines the validity of the access code and transmits a corresponding encoded authorization signal to user at the transceiver device.

Abstract: A system for providing the identification and tracking of motor vehicles that includes a probe device that transmits a radio frequency modulated signal to a transponder unit that is located within a vehicle registration tag of a vehicle. The transponder unit responds to the probe unit's request by transmitting its own radio frequency modulated signal containing any information requested by the probe device.