Abstract: A round-trip, spread-spectrum navigation and locating system achieves high capacity and large processing gains in one-to-many and many-to-one configurations using round-trip signaling with frequency division based upon precise responding device carrier frequency offsets. Reduced cross-correlation is achieved by assigning these very small disparate frequency offsets to replies from interrogated devices so that the long-term correlation between disparate reply sequences is reduced almost to that of random noise of equivalent energy. The invention supports simultaneous interrogation of multiple responding devices, which responding devices respond essentially simultaneously at a fixed delay after receiving the query. The originating and/or responding devices may be fixed or mobile, permanently or temporarily deployed, terrestrial, airbourne or space-based with any source of power including batteries and solar without limitation.

Abstract: A round-trip, spread-spectrum navigation and locating system achieves high capacity and large processing gains in one-to-many and many-to-one configurations using round-trip signaling with frequency division based upon precise responding device carrier frequency offsets. Reduced cross-correlation is achieved by assigning these very small disparate frequency offsets to replies from interrogated devices so that the long-term correlation between disparate reply sequences is reduced almost to that of random noise of equivalent energy. The invention supports simultaneous interrogation of multiple responding devices, which responding devices respond essentially simultaneously at a fixed delay after receiving the query. The originating and/or responding devices may be fixed or mobile, permanently or temporarily deployed, terrestrial, airbourne or space-based with any source of power including batteries and solar without limitation.

Abstract: An improved two-way tagging tracking and locating system uses time of arrival (TOA), Doppler, and angle of arrival (AOA) in conjunction with remote tags and a locator. The locator's antenna is tethered to a central point, and moved in a constrained motion so that it describes a roughly circular horizontal path. The locator transmits and receives sets of complex radio sequences to/from the tag(s) so that the tag(s) emit signals which are phase, chip, and symbol coherent with the received locator signals. This enables the locator to determine the distances and Doppler shifts between itself and the tag(s) at various positions in its path such that, by post correlation processing of complex captured signal sequences, aims a virtual phased array antenna at the tag(s), resulting in enhanced distance and direction measurements. The angular position of the orbiting locator's antenna may be measured using an electronic compass packaged with the antenna.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is related to providing sensing functions that are similar to “human touch” when located in a prosthetic device such as a BION microstimulator that is implanted in a patient. The apparatus includes a power circuit, a communication circuit and a sensor circuit. The power circuit provides power to the communication circuit and the sensor circuit. The sensor cooperates with the communication circuit, which communicates to the brain. The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity, return signal spectrum, return signal rate and return signal phase to name a few. For example, the impedance observed by the sensor changes when: the skin tissue is deformed around the sensor, or when the skin is surrounded by water. The sensory information is interpreted by the brain as an analog of touch or feel.

Abstract: A system for locating a debris field resulting from a plane crash comprises a plurality of low-power, battery operated electronic transponder tags, and at least one locator operative to the interrogate the tags to determine the location thereof. The tags are placed on or in an airplane in multiple locations, thereby enabling the locator to determine the location of a debris field in the event of a crash. The locator, which may be airborne, preferably reports tag positions for map display. The tags may be hermetically sealed to prevent water infiltration, and may be triggered to an active state in response to a large acceleration or always in an ON state. Tags placed on or in the airplane may be mounted in a manner to intentionally detach. The tags may further include a barometric pressure sensor, a shock sensor and/or an accurate time base to record the time of a crash.

Abstract: Systems and method utilizing microelectronic devices for determining relative positions such as distances and/or angles between at least two points is described. The points may be locations of parts of the body such as the fingers on a person's hand. A first microelectronic device is adapted to emit magnetic signals and at least one second microelectronic device is adapted to receive the magnetic signals, wherein a controller is adapted to communicate with the first and second microelectronic devices. The second microelectronic device and/or the controller are adapted to determine a distance and angle between the first and the second microelectronic devices based on the strength of the magnetic signals received by the second microelectronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to location and communication systems that can be utilized for locating people, pets and other objects with a software defined radio set. A personal electronic device (PED) such as a cellular telephone, personal data assistant (PDA) or other device that include a software defined radio set can be configured for operation as a locator device. The PED transmits a signal A transponder or micro-transponder (MT) that is tagged to an object is arranged to reply to a transmission received from the PED. The PED based locator is arranged to calculate a distance between the PED and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission and the receipt of a reply. The absolute geographic position of the PED can be determined using satellite navigation information, while the position of the MT relative to the PED can be determined from the TOF information.

Abstract: With respect to electronic tag location and tracking, this invention solves moving target and two-fold angle ambiguity without the use of bulky antenna arrays. A multi-element antenna system with fore and aft placement of the elements separated by about ¼ to ½ wave provides an angle of arrival. Antenna selection treats the multiple elements as a single electronically translatable element with an omnidirectional pattern. The elements may be oriented to line up with the fuselage of an aircraft. The antenna elements may be skewed from fore to aft to resolve ambiguity observed with static targets. The apparatus uses successive packets whose content is known at the platform's receiver so that the signal correlation functions are directly comparable. Identical successive packets or different packets of the same length and from the same sequence family may be used. The system may be rapidly calibrated with existing system components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to location and communication systems that can be utilized for locating people, pets and other objects with a software defined radio set. A personal electronic device (PED) such as a cellular telephone, personal data assistant (PDA) or other device that include a software defined radio set can be configured for operation as a locator device. The PED transmits a signal A transponder or micro-transponder (MT) that is tagged to an object is arranged to reply to a transmission received from the PED. The PED based locator is arranged to calculate a distance between the PED and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission and the receipt of a reply. The absolute geographic position of the PED can be determined using satellite navigation information, while the position of the MT relative to the PED can be determined from the TOF information.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to location and communication systems that can be utilized for locating people, pets and other objects with a software defined radio set. A personal electronic device (PED) such as a cellular telephone, personal data assistant (PDA) or other device that include a software defined radio set can be configured for operation as a locator device. The PED transmits a signal A transponder or micro-transponder (MT) that is tagged to an object is arranged to reply to a transmission received from the PED. The PED based locator is arranged to calculate a distance between the PED and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission and the receipt of a reply. The absolute geographic position of the PED can be determined using satellite navigation information, while the position of the MT relative to the PED can be determined from the TOF information.

Abstract: An improved two-way tagging tracking and locating system uses time of arrival (TOA), Doppler, and angle of arrival (AOA) in conjunction with remote tags and a locator. The locator's antenna is tethered to a central point, and moved in a constrained motion so that it describes a roughly circular horizontal path. The locator transmits and receives sets of complex radio sequences to/from the tag(s) so that the tag(s) emit signals which are phase, chip, and symbol coherent with the received locator signals. This enables the locator to determine the distances and Doppler shifts between itself and the tag(s) at various positions in its path such that, by post correlation processing of complex captured signal sequences, aims a virtual phased array antenna at the tag(s), resulting in enhanced distance and direction measurements. The angular position of the orbiting locator's antenna may be measured using an electronic compass packaged with the antenna.

Abstract: A wireless remote control system provides very low power operation and automatic addressing. In one disclosed example, the remote-control transmitter is battery operated, the receiver is powered from the AC line, and the system functions as a remotely operated switch to control lights or other devices or appliances. Battery life is extremely long, limited only by corrosion and other shelf-life issues. The transmitter is automatically programmed by a receiver using a very short range auxiliary signaling system when the transmitter is brought into close proximity to a receiver. The auxiliary signaling system transfers operational parameters from the receiver to the transmitter, enabling the transmitter to operate with the correct codes and on the correct frequency. Multiple switch transmitters may control a single operating device, and so that remotes can be added arbitrarily. Once programmed, the transmitter sends out a repetitive, unitized message in a continuous sequence to control the receiver.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of detecting the presence of an organism in a medium. In some embodiments, the method includes: obtaining a series of optical coherence tomography measurements of a region of the medium; processing the series of optical coherence tomography measurements to determine information indicative of translational and rotational motion of an object in the region of the medium; identifying the object as organism based on the information indicative of translational and rotational motion of the object; and outputting information indication of the presence of the organism.

Abstract: A computer implemented method to locate an object is described. A first transmission is obtained from a transmitter. The first transmission received at a first receiver. Tuning instructions are determined for a second receiver based at least in part on frequency information of the first transmission. The second is instructed to tune into a second transmission from the transmitter according to the tuning instructions. Arrival information for the arrival of the second transmission is obtained at each of the first receiver and the second receiver. A location of the transmitter is determined based on the arrival information.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to location and communication systems that can be utilized for locating people, pets and other objects with a software defined radio set. A personal electronic device (PED) such as a cellular telephone, personal data assistant (PDA) or other device that include a software defined radio set can be configured for operation as a locator device. The PED transmits a signal A transponder or micro-transponder (MT) that is tagged to an object is arranged to reply to a transmission received from the PED. The PED based locator is arranged to calculate a distance between the PED and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission and the receipt of a reply. The absolute geographic position of the PED can be determined using satellite navigation information, while the position of the MT relative to the PED can be determined from the TOF information.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to location and communication systems that can be utilized for locating people, pets and other objects with a software defined radio set. A personal electronic device (PED) such as a cellular telephone, personal data assistant (PDA) or other device that include a software defined radio set can be configured for operation as a locator device. The PED transmits a signal A transponder or micro-transponder (MT) that is tagged to an object is arranged to reply to a transmission received from the PED. The PED based locator is arranged to calculate a distance between the PED and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission and the receipt of a reply. The absolute geographic position of the PED can be determined using satellite navigation information, while the position of the MT relative to the PED can be determined from the TOF information.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for automatically managing noise profile in a predefined area by determining a desired noise profile within the predefined area, monitoring noise levels and/or frequencies within the predefined area, and adjusting operational aspects of one or more noise emitting devices in order to achieve the desired noise profile within the predefined area. A noise management system according to embodiments may be centrally controlled or organized in a distributed manner with control modules on individual noise emitting devices interacting through wired or wireless media. Furthermore, the adjustment of the operations of the noise emitting devices in order to achieve the desired noise profile may be accomplished through computing an acoustic transfer function or measuring actual noise levels/frequencies.

Abstract: Systems and method utilizing microelectronic devices for determining relative positions such as distances and/or angles between at least two points is described. The points may be locations of parts of the body such as the fingers on a person's hand. A first microelectronic device is adapted to emit magnetic signals and at least one second microelectronic device is adapted to receive the magnetic signals, wherein a controller is adapted to communicate with the first and second microelectronic devices. The second microelectronic device and/or the controller are adapted to determine a distance and angle between the first and the second microelectronic devices based on the strength of the magnetic signals received by the second microelectronic device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is related to providing sensing functions that are similar to “human touch” when located in a prosthetic device such as a BION microstimulator that is implanted in a patient. The apparatus includes a power circuit, a communication circuit and a sensor circuit. The power circuit provides power to the communication circuit and the sensor circuit. The sensor cooperates with the communication circuit, which communicates to the brain. The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity, return signal spectrum, return signal rate and return signal phase to name a few. For example, the impedance observed by the sensor changes when: the skin tissue is deformed around the sensor, or when the skin is surrounded by water. The sensory information is interpreted by the brain as an analog of touch or feel.

Abstract: Communication between a remote locator and a transponder is used to determine the relative position of the transponder. The transponder and locator each include a transmitter and a receiver. The locator transmits an inquiry in the form of a relatively powerful cyclically encoded signal with repetitive elements, uniquely associated with a target transponder. Periodically, each transponder correlates its coded ID against a possible inquiry signal, determining frequency, phase and framing in the process. Upon a match, the transponder transmits a synthesized response coherent with the received signal. The locator integrates multiple cyclical response elements, allowing low-power transmissions from the transponder. The locator correlates the integrated response, determines round-trip Doppler shift, time-of-flight, and then computes the distance and angle to the transponder. The transponder can be wearable, bionically implanted, or attached to, or embedded in, some object.