Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Hintz

Kenneth J. Hintz 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).

  • Patent number: 10958896
    Abstract: A depth sensor receives depth data indicative of a distance from the depth sensor to a three-dimensional spatial zone. The depth data is based on an in-focus status of a projection of the three-dimensional spatial zone onto a multi-pixel sensing zone of an imaging sensor. The three-dimensional spatial zone is one of at least two distinct three-dimensional spatial zones. The multi-pixel sensing zone is one of at least two distinct multi-pixel sensing zones of the imaging sensor. Object data of an object residing in at least the three-dimensional spatial zone is received. Fused data is generated. The fused data comprises the depth data, and the object data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventors: David G Grossman, Kenneth J Hintz
  • Publication number: 20190191148
    Abstract: A depth sensor receives depth data indicative of a distance from the depth sensor to a three-dimensional spatial zone. The depth data is based on an in-focus status of a projection of the three-dimensional spatial zone onto a multi-pixel sensing zone of an imaging sensor. The three-dimensional spatial zone is one of at least two distinct three-dimensional spatial zones. The multi-pixel sensing zone is one of at least two distinct multi-pixel sensing zones of the imaging sensor. Object data of an object residing in at least the three-dimensional spatial zone is received. Fused data is generated. The fused data comprises the depth data, and the object data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Grossman G. David, Kenneth J. Hintz
  • Patent number: 10257499
    Abstract: An imaging sensor produces spatiotemporal measurement sets of distinct sensing zones of the imaging sensor. A multifocal lens directs electromagnetic radiation from distinct three-dimensional spatial zones to distinct sensing zones. A focus analyzer processes the spatiotemporal measurement sets to determine a sequence of in-focus status of the distinct sensing zones independent of other distinct sensing zones. A displacement processor generates object displacement vector(s) based on a sequence of in-focus status indicative of an object moving between distinct three-dimensional spatial zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth J Hintz, David Grossman
  • Patent number: 10132920
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a dispersive object in non-dispersive clutter comprising a multi-frequency radar, a signal processor which computes the elapsed time between when each frequency is transmitted and that same frequency is received and the dispersion statistics related to the several frequencies. A dispersion analyzer produces a dispersive object discrimination value which is compared with a threshold by which a detection is declared. The apparatus also utilizes dispersion statistics to differentiate between dispersive and non-dispersive radar returns in order to reject the non-dispersive signals and pass the dispersive signals to a signal integrator which increases the signal-to-clutter ratio thereby improving the probability of detection of subsequent target detection processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Kenneth J Hintz
  • Publication number: 20180224357
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure demonstrate cavitating measuring devices. A liquid sample is cavitated to generate bubbles of gas. A frequency-specific radiation is emitted and passes through at least one bubble of gas. The frequency-specific radiation emerges from the bubble of gas as an absorption signal comprising the frequency-specific radiation. The absorption signal is detected and communicated to a system processor. The system processor analyzes the absorption signal data and determines the chemical components present in the liquid sample. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe both static and dynamic liquid samples. The liquid samples can be measured at the sample site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher James Hintz, Kenneth J. Hintz
  • Publication number: 20180103248
    Abstract: An imaging sensor produces spatiotemporal measurement sets of distinct sensing zones of the imaging sensor. A multifocal lens directs electromagnetic radiation from distinct three-dimensional spatial zones to distinct sensing zones. A focus analyzer processes the spatiotemporal measurement sets to determine a sequence of in-focus status of the distinct sensing zones independent of other distinct sensing zones. A displacement processor generates object displacement vector(s) based on a sequence of in-focus status indicative of an object moving between distinct three-dimensional spatial zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth J Hintz, David Grossman
  • Publication number: 20180032878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for entering data for a goal lattice, displaying the graph of goals and edges, and extracting sublattices of goals and edges for detailed data entry, display, and analysis. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for visualizing goals and their relationship in a multidimensional visualization. In preferred embodiments, goal lattices are displayed such that direct human interaction through a graphical user interface and data entry devices allow for the addition, modification, and extraction of goal lattices and their visualization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Hintz, Andrew S. Hintz
  • Patent number: 9854227
    Abstract: A depth sensor comprises at least one imaging sensor, at least one multifocal lens, and a focus analyzer. The depth sensor analyzes the in-focus status of electromagnetic radiation, directed by the multifocal lens(es) onto sensing zone(s) of the imaging sensor(s) from spatial zone(s) in a measurement field, to detect the presence of object(s) in the spatial zone(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: David G Grossman, Kenneth J Hintz
  • Patent number: 9645233
    Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus comprising a frequency selective electromagnetic receiver and a signal analyzing module. The frequency selective electromagnetic receiver is configured to receive a reradiating electromagnetic signal resulting from a cavity induced modulation phenomenon occurring within cavit(ies). The signal analyzing module is configured to: determine a power spectral density of the reradiating electromagnetic signal. Frequencies are observed at which the amplitude modulation of the power spectral density peaks. A cavity length is determined employing the frequencies of the power spectral density peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth J Hintz
  • Publication number: 20160295198
    Abstract: A depth sensor comprises at least one imaging sensor, at least one multifocal lens, and a focus analyzer. The depth sensor analyzes the in-focus status of electromagnetic radiation, directed by the multifocal lens(es) onto sensing zone(s) of the imaging sensor(s) from spatial zone(s) in a measurement field, to detect the presence of object(s) in the spatial zone(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: David G. Grossman, Kenneth J. Hintz
  • Publication number: 20160238696
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a dispersive object in non-dispersive clutter comprising a multi-frequency radar, a signal processor which computes the elapsed time between when each frequency is transmitted and that same frequency is received and the dispersion statistics related to the several frequencies. A dispersion analyzer produces a dispersive object discrimination value which is compared with a threshold by which a detection is declared. The apparatus also utilizes dispersion statistics to differentiate between dispersive and non-dispersive radar returns in order to reject the non-dispersive signals and pass the dispersive signals to a signal integrator which increases the signal-to-clutter ratio thereby improving the probability of detection of subsequent target detection processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Hintz
  • Publication number: 20160223660
    Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus comprising a frequency selective electromagnetic receiver and a signal analyzing module. The frequency selective electromagnetic receiver is configured to receive a reradiating electromagnetic signal resulting from a cavity induced modulation phenomenon occurring within cavit(ies). The signal analyzing module is configured to: determine a power spectral density of the reradiating electromagnetic signal. Frequencies are observed at which the amplitude modulation of the power spectral density peaks. A cavity length is determined employing the frequencies of the power spectral density peaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: George Mason Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Hintz
  • Publication number: 20160203689
    Abstract: A motion sensor comprises sensor(s), focus analyzer(s) and displacement processor(s). The sensor(s) may be configured to acquire at least one set of spatiotemporal measurements of at least two distinct focus zones. The focus analyzer(s) may be configured to process the spatiotemporal measurements set(s) to determine an in-focus status of distinct focus zone(s). The displacement processor(s) may be configured to generate object displacement vector(s), based at least in part, on a sequence of in-focus status indicative of object(s) moving between at least two of the distinct focus zones. An alert module may be employed to activate an alert in response to displacement vector(s) exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Hintz, David G. Grossman
  • Patent number: 9316759
    Abstract: An apparatus may detect an anomaly in a cavity in an object. The apparatus may comprise an array, a signal processor, and a threshold excedent determination processor. The array may receive an intensity reduced transmission beam of energy resulting from an irradiating beam of energy passing through an object having a cavity and a cavity wall. The cavity may be defined by the cavity wall. The array may have sensors. The signal processor may receive a measurement of the intensity reduced transmission beam; determine a thickness of the cavity wall; estimate an absorption rate of cavity wall; compute a predicted measurement employing the thickness and absorption rate; and calculate a cavity anomaly statistic for a cavity anomaly employing the predicted measurement and the measurement. The threshold excedent determination processor may generate a notification when the cavity anomaly statistic exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth J Hintz
  • Publication number: 20150285628
    Abstract: An apparatus may detect an anomaly in a cavity in an object. The apparatus may comprise an array, a signal processor, and a threshold excedent determination processor. The array may receive an intensity reduced transmission beam of energy resulting from an irradiating beam of energy passing through an object having a cavity and a cavity wall. The cavity may be defined by the cavity wall. The array may have sensors. The signal processor may receive a measurement of the intensity reduced transmission beam; determine a thickness of the cavity wall; estimate an absorption rate of cavity wall; compute a predicted measurement employing the thickness and absorption rate; and calculate a cavity anomaly statistic for a cavity anomaly employing the predicted measurement and the measurement. The threshold excedent determination processor may generate a notification when the cavity anomaly statistic exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Hintz
  • Patent number: 8599061
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a cavity comprising a signal receiver, a signal analyzer and a threshold excedent determination processor. The signal receiver receives a reflected signal resulting from an interaction of multi-frequency irradiating signal(s) with at least one cavity. The irradiating signal may include an electromagnetic or acoustic signal above a cavity dependent cutoff frequency with a randomized spectral component. The signal analyzer computes cavity detecting statistic(s) of the reflected signal. The cavity detecting statistic(s) may include an autocorrelation function. The autocorrelation function may be a Fourier transform of the power spectral density of the reflected signal. The threshold excedent determination processor generates a notification when cavity detecting statistic(s) exceed a threshold. The threshold may include a multi-variable function. The cavity may be the bore of a weapon. The apparatus may be configured to determine the bearing from the cavity to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: George Mason Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J Hintz
  • Patent number: 8358809
    Abstract: A pattern recognizer includes a sequential data extractor, a data pairer, and a recognition engine. The sequential data extractor extracts a region of measured data obtained from a measuring device. The measuring device is preferably capable of detecting changes in impedance. The measured data should contain position information of the changes in impedance. The data pairer associates the region of measured data with a priori pattern data that contains expected positions of the changes in impedance. The recognition engine decides whether the associated region of measured data and the a priori pattern data differ within predetermined criteria, the predetermined criteria including: non-expected impedance changes; excessive dither; and missing impedance changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Hintz, James Corey Wright
  • Patent number: 8349614
    Abstract: Alkalinity determination, including an alkalinity determination process and/or alkalinity determinator. An alkalinity determination process may include providing a known value of volume of an acidic fluid, forming a titration system by providing one or more additions of a known value of volume of a relatively alkaline fluid to an acidic fluid, determining a pH value and/or a temperature value for one or more additions and/or determining an alkalinity value of a system by calculating a transformation including one or more determined pH values and/or temperature values of one or more additions. An alkalinity determination process may include modeling, such that an informed determination may be made with reference to relevant and/or irrelevant factors, as well as parameters to maximize likelihood of alkalinity determination. In embodiments, an alkalinity determinator may include one or more titration cells, one or more sensors and/or one or more alkalinity value determinators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: George Mason Intellectual Properties, Inc., University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Christopher Hintz, Kenneth J. Hintz
  • Publication number: 20120075958
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a cavity comprising a signal receiver, a signal analyzer and a threshold excedent determination processor. The signal receiver receives a reflected signal resulting from an interaction of multi-frequency irradiating signal(s) with at least one cavity. The irradiating signal may include an electromagnetic or acoustic signal above a cavity dependent cutoff frequency with a randomized spectral component. The signal analyzer computes cavity detecting statistic(s) of the reflected signal. The cavity detecting statistic(s) may include an autocorrelation function. The autocorrelation function may be a Fourier transform of the power spectral density of the reflected signal. The threshold excedent determination processor generates a notification when cavity detecting statistic(s) exceed a threshold. The threshold may include a multi-variable function. The cavity may be the bore of a weapon. The apparatus may be configured to determine the bearing from the cavity to the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Hintz
  • Patent number: 7991722
    Abstract: A sensor manager comprising: a situation information expected value network and an information instantiator. The situation information expected value network includes a probabilistic network configured to generate situation probabilities using situation data; and an expected information gain determination module configured to generate an information request using expected changes in the situation probabilities. The information instantiator is configured to generate a sensor observation request utilizing the information request and the situation data. The situation data includes at least one of the following: a goal lattice structure data; a goal lattice value; a kinematic state estimate; a non-kinematic state estimate; a search probability mass function; a sensor applicable function table; or any combination of the above. The probabilistic network includes: at least one managed evidence node; at least one unmanaged evidence node; and at least one situation evidence node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: George Mason Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J Hintz