Abstract: A millimeter wave energy sensing wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator. A number of sensors may be coupled with the housing and include comprising at least one millimeter or terahertz wave energy sensor. A controller coupled with the housing and electrically coupled with the sensors receives signals from the sensors in two or more sensing modes, including an active sending mode and a passive sensing mode, and generates feedback when an anomaly is detected in the received signals. The sensors may also operate in a metal detection sensing mode, and the controller may further generate feedback based on the metal detection sensing mode. The sensors may further be configured to operate in a proximity sensing mode. One or more LEDs may illuminate a portion of a scanning area.

Abstract: A millimeter wave energy sensing wand is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator, at least one pixel contained within the housing, where the at least one pixel adapted to detect millimeter or terahertz wave energy emissions, and an alarm, where the alarm is activated when an anomaly of the millimeter wave energy emissions is detected. In addition, the wand may include a digital signal processor for processing millimeter wave emissions detected by the at least one pixel to determine millimeter wave energy values and a memory device for storing the millimeter wave energy values. A comparison module or other similar means may be used for comparing the millimeter wave energy values detected by the at least one pixel to a background millimeter wave energy value that may be a moving average or an absolute value.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomous concealed object detection and threat assessment. Image data is received from a millimeter wave imaging device comprising at least one scan of a scene. The image data is enhanced thereby creating enhanced image data comprising a plurality of enhanced image pixels. The enhanced image data is evaluated thereby identifying at least one subject within the enhanced image data. The subject is separated from a background within the enhanced image data. The contrast of the subject is enhanced within the enhanced image data. Concealed physical objects associated with the subject within the enhanced contrast image data are detected, thereby detecting at least one concealed object associated with the subject. A representation of the subject and the concealed physical object is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A millimeter wave energy sensing wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator. A number of sensors may be coupled with the housing and include comprising at least one millimeter or terahertz wave energy sensor. A controller coupled with the housing and electrically coupled with the sensors receives signals from the sensors in two or more sensing modes, including an active sending mode and a passive sensing mode, and generates feedback when an anomaly is detected in the received signals. The sensors may also operate in a metal detection sensing mode, and the controller may further generate feedback based on the metal detection sensing mode. The sensors may further be configured to operate in a proximity sensing mode. One or more LEDs may illuminate a portion of a scanning area.

Abstract: A millimeter wave energy sensing wand is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator, at least one pixel contained within the housing, where the at least one pixel adapted to detect millimeter or terahertz wave energy emissions, and an alarm, where the alarm is activated when an anomaly of the millimeter wave energy emissions is detected. In addition, the wand may include a digital signal processor for processing millimeter wave emissions detected by the at least one pixel to determine millimeter wave energy values and a memory device for storing the millimeter wave energy values. A comparison module or other similar means may be used for comparing the millimeter wave energy values detected by the at least one pixel to a background millimeter wave energy value that may be a moving average or an absolute value.

Abstract: A handheld terahertz wave imaging system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a housing adapted to be carried by an operator, a terahertz wave camera configured to process terahertz wave energy to detect concealed objects hidden on a target subject, and a hand operated control device to control the terahertz wave camera based on an operator input. Optics are mounted to the housing and configured to adjust a focus of the terahertz wave energy. The terahertz wave camera may have a three axis stage and a laser rangefinder to determine a distance to the target subject to assist in focusing the terahertz wave camera. Further, the handheld terahertz wave imaging system may include video goggles to display terahertz wave imagery generated from the terahertz wave energy.

Abstract: A structural system for optimizing the performance of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a shell is provided to house and protect the millimeter wave concealed object detection system so that the detection system can operate optimally in a controlled and managed environment by eliminating or mitigating spurious millimeter wave emissions or reflections from outside or inside the shell. The shell can be free-standing or attached to a parent structure. The entry and exit to the system is controlled by entry and exit barriers. In addition, an inspection lane is configured according to each particular application to guide a subject through the detection system.

Abstract: A passive outdoor millimeter wave illuminator for use with a concealed object detection system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the illuminator includes a panel having a plurality of horizontal louvers each having reflective properties for reflecting millimeter wave energy from the sky to a target and a pair of rear support arms for biasing the panel upwards. The illuminator further includes a base wherein a lower portion of the panel is rotatably mounted to a front edge of the base and the rear edge of the base is fixed to a lower end of the rear support so that the panel is capable of rotatable motion in a horizontal plane relative to the base. In addition, a slidable bushing engaged with a portion of the rear support arms is frictionally operable as to maintain the panel at the desired angle.

Abstract: A concealed object detection system using pre-engineered and pre-manufactured components to effectively control the deployment surroundings and provide a known environment in which the equipment can operate. The system provides inherent background/peripheral motion and optical clutter mitigation by virtue of its booth-like design. The system can additionally include x-ray baggage machines, iris scanners, biometrics, finger readers, palm readers, metal detectors, backscatter x-ray, nuclear quadrupole resonance, explosives-trace detectors (“sniffers”), and access control cards.

Abstract: A variable range millimeter wave method and system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a primary mirror having an aperture to reflect millimeter wave energy to a secondary mirror, where the secondary mirror is disposed in front of the primary mirror and adapted to redirect the millimeter wave energy to a millimeter wave sensor/detector of a millimeter wave camera. The millimeter wave camera is configured to process the millimeter wave energy to visually detect concealed objects hidden on a target and an operating frequency of the millimeter wave camera is between 225 GHz and 275 GHz. In addition, the system includes a laser rangefinder, GPS and altimeter to determine a location of the target and to optimize a focus of the millimeter wave camera. A video monitor displays millimeter wave imagery and video images spatially and temporally relative to the millimeter wave imagery to aid targeting.

Abstract: A system for deployment of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system using an outdoor passively illuminated structure is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the structure includes at least one sidewall with at least one louvered panel within the sidewall. The louvered panel is orientated to reflect millimeter energy into the structure that is used in part by a concealed object detection system for detecting concealed objects. The louvered panel includes a plurality of adjustable parallel slats for obtaining an optimum deployment angle. The structure further includes at least one detection lane for guiding a subject through the structure and is configured between a controlled entry barrier and an exit barrier of the structure.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomous concealed object detection and threat assessment. Image data is received from a millimeter wave imaging device comprising at least one scan of a scene. The image data is enhanced thereby creating enhanced image data comprising a plurality of enhanced image pixels. The enhanced image data is evaluated thereby identifying at least one subject within the enhanced image data. The subject is separated from a background within the enhanced image data. The contrast of the subject is enhanced within the enhanced image data. Concealed physical objects associated with the subject within the enhanced contrast image data are detected, thereby detecting at least one concealed object associated with the subject. A representation of the subject and the concealed physical object is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A system for deployment of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system using an outdoor passively illuminated structure is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the structure includes at least one sidewall with at least one louvered panel within the sidewall. The louvered panel is orientated to reflect millimeter energy into the structure that is used in part by a concealed object detection system for detecting concealed objects. The louvered panel includes a plurality of adjustable parallel slats for obtaining an optimum deployment angle. The structure further includes at least one detection lane for guiding a subject through the structure and is configured between a controlled entry barrier and an exit barrier of the structure.

Abstract: A system for the rapid deployment of a concealed object detection system (CODS) is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a base having side walls about its periphery extending upwards are adapted to secure CODS camera and equipment within the base. The base includes a rolling means disposed along a rear edge so that the CODS equipment is easily transported to the desired location. A removable cover is adapted to slide over the CODS camera and equipment and abut the periphery of the base. Flexible planar material having blast mitigation properties is stored with the removable cover and is deployed to form an inspection area for the CODS camera. The system provides a standard platform for deployments of concealed object detection systems across extremely variable environments.

Abstract: A passive outdoor millimeter wave illuminator for use with a concealed object detection system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the illuminator includes a panel having a plurality of horizontal louvers each having reflective properties for reflecting millimeter wave energy from the sky to a target and a pair of rear support arms for biasing the panel upwards. The illuminator further includes a base wherein a lower portion of the panel is rotatably mounted to a front edge of the base and the rear edge of the base is fixed to a lower end of the rear support so that the panel is capable of rotatable motion in a horizontal plane relative to the base. In addition, a slidable bushing engaged with a portion of the rear support arms is frictionally operable as to maintain the panel at the desired angle.

Abstract: A structural system for optimizing the performance of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a shell is provided to house and protect the millimeter wave concealed object detection system so that the detection system can operate optimally in a controlled and managed environment by eliminating or mitigating spurious millimeter wave emissions or reflections from outside or inside the shell. The shell can be free-standing or attached to a parent structure. The entry and exit to the system is controlled by entry and exit barriers. In addition, an inspection lane is configured according to each particular application to guide a subject through the detection system.

Abstract: A system of calibrating a millimeter wave radiometer using an optical chopper is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a scanning mirror for reflecting millimeter wave energy from a scene and an optical chopper that is adapted to periodically interrupt the flow of the millimeter wave energy. The system further includes a synchronization processor for synchronizing oscillations of the scanning mirror with the movement of the optical chopper. In addition, a calibration processor calibrates the millimeter wave radiometer using a reference target of the optical chopper that has predetermined constant millimeter wave energy.

Abstract: A system for deployment of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a storage container modified as a security check point includes an entry point disposed at a first end of the container and an exit point disposed at an opposing second end of the container. A detection area is disposed within the container and between the entry point and exit point. The detection area is isolated from the entry point and exit point so that an explosive blast is substantially contained within the detection area of the container. The system provides a standard platform for deployments of concealed object detection systems across extremely variable environments.