Abstract: An apparatus and method that intentionally illuminate a number of target devices with RF energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.) are provided. The target devices, which may comprise a computer system or other electronic circuits, by their fundamental nature as mixed analog and digital devices, act as non-linear mixers and are forced to emit information about the target device behavior, state, and physical characteristics. The apparatus that implements the method receives the forced emissions signals, extracts useful data from noise, and analyzes the data to determine target device characteristics. The target devices may be powered or unpowered. The apparatus and method provided may avoid impacting target device operation.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product that intentionally illuminate at least one target device with electromagnetic energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.). The target device, which may be an unpowered data storage device, acts as a non-linear mixer and is forced to emit radiative signals containing information about the target device behavior, state, and physical characteristics. Embodiments receive the forced emissions, extract useful data, and analyze the data to determine target device characteristics (e.g., a target device type, based on a comparison of data from known types). Embodiments control the illumination so the forced emissions radiate from an enclosure without interfering with tactical communications, and so that stored target device data is not affected. Embodiments can locate a hidden target device via the strength and directionality of the forced emissions.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product that intentionally illuminate at least one target item with electromagnetic energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.). The target item, which may be an unpowered data storage device or secure document, acts as a non-linear mixer and is forced to emit radiative signals containing information about the target item's state and physical characteristics. Embodiments receive the forced emissions, extract useful data, and analyze the data to determine target item characteristics (e.g., a target item type, based on a comparison of data from known types). Embodiments control the illumination so the forced emissions radiate from an enclosure without interfering with tactical communications, and so that stored target item data is not affected. Embodiments can locate a hidden target item via the strength and directionality of the forced emissions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that intentionally illuminate a number of target devices with RF energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.) are provided. The target devices, which may comprise a computer system or other electronic circuits, by their fundamental nature as mixed analog and digital devices, act as non-linear mixers and are forced to emit information about the target device behavior, state, and physical characteristics. The apparatus that implements the method receives the forced emissions signals, extracts useful data from noise, and analyzes the data to determine target device characteristics. The target devices may be powered or unpowered. The apparatus and method provided may avoid impacting target device operation.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product that intentionally illuminate at least one target device with electromagnetic energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.). The target device, which may be an unpowered data storage device, acts as a non-linear mixer and is forced to emit radiative signals containing information about the target device behavior, state, and physical characteristics. Embodiments receive the forced emissions, extract useful data, and analyze the data to determine target device characteristics (e.g., a target device type, based on a comparison of data from known types). Embodiments control the illumination so the forced emissions radiate from an enclosure without interfering with tactical communications, and so that stored target device data is not affected. Embodiments can locate a hidden target device via the strength and directionality of the forced emissions.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining the bearings to targets from a remote location are disclosed. The apparatus consists of an array of acoustic sensors that is capable of autonomous flight. The array may be large in diameter, approximately one meter or greater. The apparatus is capable of navigating its flight to arrive at a predetermined location, measuring acoustic sound waves emitted by targets both during flight and after landing. The apparatus may then calculate the bearings to the targets and transmit this information to a remote location.

Abstract: A dual-modality sensor for detecting a presence of a human intruder within a secure setting includes a seismic sensor for acquiring a seismic signature of a disturbance, and includes an active acoustic sensor to acquire an acoustic signature of the disturbance. A system processor is electrically connected to the seismic and active acoustic sensors to receive and process the seismic and acoustic signatures, and generate an alarm signal when the disturbance is determined to come from a human intruder. Also included is an antenna and/or hard-wire connection arranged for communicating the alarm signal. The dual-modality sensor is arranged in a sensor housing constructed to contact a surface of the secure setting. The sensor may include a battery or other means for providing electrical power.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining the bearings to targets from a remote location are disclosed. The apparatus consists of an array of acoustic sensors that is capable of autonomous flight. The array may be large in diameter, approximately one meter or greater. The apparatus is capable of navigating its flight to arrive at a predetermined location, measuring acoustic sound waves emitted by targets both during flight and after landing. The apparatus may then calculate the bearings to the targets and transmit this information to a remote location.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining the bearings to targets from a remote location are disclosed. The apparatus consists of an array of acoustic sensors that is capable of autonomous flight. The array may be large in diameter, approximately one meter or greater. The apparatus is capable of navigating its flight to arrive at a predetermined location, measuring acoustic sound waves emitted by targets both during flight and after landing. The apparatus may then calculate the bearings to the targets and transmit this information to a remote location.

Abstract: A thermally-directed optical imager and a method of thermally-directing optical processing are described. The thermally-directed imager includes a thermal image sensor, an optical image sensor, and a processor. The thermal and optical sensors respectively generate thermal image and optical image signals. The processor uses the thermal image signal to determine an optical processing region, which the processor uses to derive a compressed-image signal. The optical processing region may be determined by detecting a center of heat-mass associated with the thermal image signal or by performing an edge detection algorithm. In addition, the thermally-directed imager may be focused, zoomed, or centered via the thermal image signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting significant events using neuronal sensor networks is provided. The method includes monitoring an environment surrounding a plurality of sensors for the presence of an event, when one or more events are detected, integrating the detected events over space and time using one or more collectors responsive to the plurality of sensors, determining when the one or more events are significant events and identifying and tracking significant events using processors responsive to the one or more collectors.

Abstract: A dual-modality sensor for detecting a presence of a human intruder within a secure setting includes a seismic sensor for acquiring a seismic signature of a disturbance, and includes an active acoustic sensor to acquire an acoustic signature of the disturbance. A system processor is electrically connected to the seismic and active acoustic sensors to receive and process the seismic and acoustic signatures, and generate an alarm signal when the disturbance is determined to come from a human intruder. Also included is an antenna and/or hard-wire connection arranged for communicating the alarm signal. The dual-modality sensor is arranged in a sensor housing constructed to contact a surface of the secure setting. The sensor may include a battery or other means for providing electrical power.

Abstract: An Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) is accurately placed in a cluttered environment by using a vertical take-off and landing vehicle (VTOL). The VTOL maneuvers to a drop point, and hovers over or lands at the drop point. The VTOL deploys the UGS and provides the UGS with its position. Additionally, the VTOL may monitor the drop point before and after the deployment to verify drop point conditions and UGS functionality.

Abstract: An electronic control system is provided to permit one-person loading and unloading of a vessel from a trailer. The control moves the vessel using bow, stern and fore/aft thrusters that are supplied by the boat manufacturer. Operator inputs to the system controller of the instant invention consist of one or more multi-axis joysticks and a multi-axis foot pedal that are mounted onboard the vessel and a hand-held remote control that permits owner control of the vessel while standing on shore. For one-person unloading and loading of the vessel from and to a trailer, the owner may, using the remote control, drive the vessel off of the trailer to a remote location in the water, park and have the vessel maintain its position with respect to GPS satellites, and call for the vessel to return to the launch point using location data that was previously recorded by the system control.

Abstract: An electronic control system is provided to permit one-person loading and unloading of a vessel from a trailer. The control moves the vessel using bow, stern and fore/aft thrusters that are supplied by the boat manufacturer. Operator inputs to the system controller of the instant invention consist of one or more multi-axis joysticks and a multi-axis foot pedal that are mounted onboard the vessel and a hand-held remote control that permits owner control of the vessel while standing on shore. For one-person unloading and loading of the vessel from and to a trailer, the owner may, using the remote control, drive the vessel off of the trailer to a remote location in the water, park and have the vessel maintain its position with respect to GPS satellites, and call for the vessel to return to the launch point using location data that was previously recorded by the system control.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining the bearings to targets from a remote location are disclosed. The apparatus consists of an array of acoustic sensors that is capable of autonomous flight. The array may be large in diameter, approximately one meter or greater. The apparatus is capable of navigating its flight to arrive at a predetermined location, measuring acoustic sound waves emitted by targets both during flight and after landing. The apparatus may then calculate the bearings to the targets and transmit this information to a remote location.

Abstract: A method for detecting significant events using neuronal sensor networks is provided. The method includes monitoring an environment surrounding a plurality of sensors for the presence of an event, when one or more events are detected, integrating the detected events over space and time using one or more collectors responsive to the plurality of sensors, determining when the one or more events are significant events and identifying and tracking significant events using processors responsive to the one or more collectors.

Abstract: A clear air turbulence (CAT) detection system performs a nowcast algorithm to detect CAT along the flight path of an aircraft. The aircraft stores computer simulation information of key storm features and utilizes the information in combination with returns from an on-board weather detection and ranging sensor and limited additional meteorological data to predict CAT properties, such as intensity, location, time and probability of occurrence. The additional meteorological data is provided by on-board sensors and/or data link from ground sources. A nowcast predicting turbulence along the flight path in the near future alerts the pilot to the likelihood of encountering clear air turbulence.

Abstract: A convection induced turbulence (CIT) detection system performs a nowcast algorithm to detect CIT along the flight path of an aircraft using power returns from an airborne whether radar. Additional meteorological data is optionally provided by onboard sensors and/or data link from ground sources. A nowcast predicting turbulence along the flight path in the near future alerts the pilot to the likelihood of encountering clear air turbulence.

Abstract: The visibility of an image projected onto a background of spatially and temporally varying brightness can be optimized by dynamically adjusting the brightness of the projected image. The brightness of the background is detected on a zone-by-zone basis and the brightnesses of the corresponding portions of the projected image are adjusted accordingly.