Abstract: Devices and methods for placing sensors underground are described. A preferred device has a first structure and a second structure that are placed into the ground. A third structure is connected to a portion of the first structure. The second structure is removed from the ground, leaving sensors or other equipment underground.

Abstract: Methods and systems detect objects of interest in a spatio-temporal signal. According to one embodiment, a system processes a digital spatio-temporal input signal containing zero or more foreground objects of interest superimposed on a background. The system comprises a foreground/background separation module, a foreground object grouping module, an object classification module, and a feedback connection. The foreground/background separation module receives the spatio-temporal input signal and, according to one or more adaptable parameters, produces foreground/background labels designating elements of the spatio-temporal input signal as either foreground or background. The foreground object grouping module is connected to the foreground/background separation module and identifies groups of selected foreground-labeled elements as foreground objects. The object classification module is connected to the foreground object grouping module and generates object-level information related to the foreground object.

Abstract: Devices and methods for placing sensors underground are described. A preferred device has a first structure and a second structure that are placed into the ground. A third structure is connected to a portion of the first structure. The second structure is removed from the ground, leaving sensors or other equipment underground.

Abstract: Methods and systems detect objects of interest in a spatio-temporal signal. According to one embodiment, a system processes a digital spatio-temporal input signal containing zero or more foreground objects of interest superimposed on a background. The system comprises a foreground/background separation module, a foreground object grouping module, an object classification module, and a feedback connection. The foreground/background separation module receives the spatio-temporal input signal and, according to one or more adaptable parameters, produces foreground/background labels designating elements of the spatio-temporal input signal as either foreground or background. The foreground object grouping module is connected to the foreground/background separation module and identifies groups of selected foreground-labeled elements as foreground objects. The object classification module is connected to the foreground object grouping module and generates object-level information related to the foreground object.

Abstract: Methods and systems detect objects of interest in a spatio-temporal signal. According to one embodiment, a system processes a digital spatio-temporal input signal containing zero or more foreground objects of interest superimposed on a background. The system comprises a foreground/background separation module, a foreground object grouping module, an object classification module, and a feedback connection. The foreground/background separation module receives the spatio-temporal input signal as an input and, according to one or more adaptable parameters, produces as outputs foreground/background labels designating elements of the spatio-temporal input signal as either foreground or background. The foreground object grouping module is connected to the foreground/background separation module and identifies groups of selected foreground-labeled elements as foreground objects.

Abstract: A method senses electromagnetic energy associated with a source over an area in N frequency bands and generates color image data representing at least a portion of the area. The data are arranged as pixels, and the data for a given pixel comprise chroma, hue, and intensity values. The N frequency bands constitute a mathematical basis in N-dimensional space, and one band establishes a first reference vector in the space. Equal parts of all bands establish a second reference vector. A reference plane contains the first and second reference vectors. The data for the pixel correspond to a point in the space, and that point and the second reference vector define a plane of interest. Hue is an angle between the reference plane and the plane of interest. Chroma is an angle between the point and the second reference vector. Intensity is the point's Euclidean norm.