Patents by Inventor Nicholas C. Nicholas

Nicholas C. Nicholas 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).

  • System and method for detecting, localizing, or classifying a disturbance using a waveguide sensor system
    Patent number: 6731210
    Abstract: A vibration detection and classification system and associated methods are disclosed. The system includes a waveguide in operative contact with a boundary, such as a security fence. At least one sensor for sensing vibrations such as acoustic waves is operatively connected to the waveguide, the waveguide extending the range of the sensor. At least one control circuit is operatively connected to the one or more sensors and is adapted for detecting and classifying vibrations. The method includes securing an area protected by a boundary by mechanically transmitting a vibration from a portion of the boundary to a waveguide, transmitting the vibration along the waveguide to a sensor, sensing the vibration at the sensor, determining at least one characteristic associated with the vibration, and using the at least one characteristic associated with the vibration to determine if the vibration is indicative of an intrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: David C. Swanson, Nicholas C. Nicholas, David Rigsby
  • System and method for detecting, localizing, or classifying a disturbance using a waveguide sensor system
    Publication number: 20030020610
    Abstract: A vibration detection and classification system and associated methods are disclosed. The system includes a waveguide in operative contact with a boundary, such as a security fence. At least one sensor for sensing vibrations such as acoustic waves is operatively connected to the waveguide, the waveguide extending the range of the sensor. At least one control circuit is operatively connected to the one or more sensors and is adapted for detecting and classifying vibrations. The method includes securing an area protected by a boundary by mechanically transmitting a vibration from a portion of the boundary to a waveguide, transmitting the vibration along the waveguide to a sensor, sensing the vibration at the sensor, determining at least one characteristic associated with the vibration, and using the at least one characteristic associated with the vibration to determine if the vibration is indicative of an intrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: David C. Swanson, Nicholas C. Nicholas, David Rigsby