Abstract: A method for calculating the change in percent voids between a reference location and a second location in a medium. The method includes obtaining a reference reflection coefficient of an electromagnetic wave reflection at the reference location, and a second reflection coefficient of an electromagnetic wave reflection at the second location. The obtained reflection coefficients are used to calculate a percent change in reflection coefficient. A reflection conversion factor correlating the change in the reflection coefficient to a change in percent voids in the medium is calculated and is used to calculate a change in percent voids between the reference and second locations based on the calculated percent change in reflection coefficients.

Abstract: A method for generating a calibration curve of asphalt concrete of a known mix. Initially, a single sample of the known asphalt concrete mix is obtained. The single sample has a known percent voids. A dielectric measurement of the single sample is obtained. Using only the dielectric measurement of the single sample, the sample's known percent voids, and a dielectric of air, a theoretical ideal dielectric for the asphalt concrete mix at 0% voids is computed. A dielectric vs. percent voids calibration curve is generated based on the computed ideal dielectric.

Abstract: A method for calculating the change in percent voids between a reference location and a second location in a medium. The method includes obtaining a reference reflection coefficient of an electromagnetic wave reflection at the reference location, and a second reflection coefficient of an electromagnetic wave reflection at the second location. The obtained reflection coefficients are used to calculate a percent change in reflection coefficient. A reflection conversion factor correlating the change in the reflection coefficient to a change in percent voids in the medium is calculated and is used to calculate a change in percent voids between the reference and second locations based on the calculated percent change in reflection coefficients.

Abstract: A ground penetrating radar device and/or other sensor such as LIDAR, pressure, or temperature sensors is mounted on a mobile device, and is adapted, during motion of the mobile device, to sense characteristics of asphalt pavement on which the mobile device is moving, prior to compaction of the asphalt pavement by rollers. A processor, functionally associated with at least one sensor, receives from the sensor signals relating to characteristics of the asphalt pavement on which the mobile device is moving, and computes, based on the received signals, at least one compaction characteristic of the asphalt pavement. The processor provides a mapping of computed desired change in compaction characteristics to regions of the asphalt pavement during the rolling process. During rolling, at least one sensor measures the change in compaction and assesses when the change in compaction matches the desired optimal compaction based on the pre-generated map.

Abstract: A method for generating a calibration curve of asphalt concrete of a known mix. Initially, a single sample of the known asphalt concrete mix is obtained. The single sample has a known percent voids. A dielectric measurement of the single sample is obtained. Using only the dielectric measurement of the single sample, the sample's known percent voids, and a dielectric of air, a theoretical ideal dielectric for the asphalt concrete mix at 0% voids is computed. A dielectric vs. percent voids calibration curve is generated based on the computed ideal dielectric.

Abstract: A method for generating a calibration curve of asphalt concrete of a known mix. Initially, a single sample of the known asphalt concrete mix is obtained. The single sample has a known percent voids. A dielectric measurement of the single sample is obtained. Using only the dielectric measurement of the single sample, the sample's known percent voids, and a dielectric of air, a theoretical ideal dielectric for the asphalt concrete mix at 0% voids is computed. A dielectric vs. percent voids calibration curve is generated based on the computed ideal dielectric.

Abstract: A device implementing antennas transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves for measuring the bulk dielectric properties of a material under test having over a pre-defined surface area. The sample of the material under test might be cylindrical in shape. The device includes a spacer of known dielectric properties and geometries, placed between the material under test and the transmitting and receiving antennas, as well as at least one plate of a material having known electromagnetic properties placed below the material under test.

Abstract: A device implementing antennas transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves for measuring the surface dielectric of a pre-defined surface area is disclosed herein. This area can be a small portion of a large surface, or a surface of a sample extracted from a larger volume. The sample might be cylindrical in shape. The device includes a dielectric spacer of known dielectric properties and geometries, placed between the material under test and the transmitting and receiving antennas. The dielectric value and thickness of the dielectric spacer are selected so as to control the effective area over which the dielectric is measured.

Abstract: A ground penetrating radar device and/or other sensor such as LIDAR, pressure, or temperature sensors is mounted on a mobile device, and is adapted, during motion of the mobile device, to sense characteristics of asphalt pavement on which the mobile device is moving, prior to compaction of the asphalt pavement by rollers. A processor, functionally associated with at least one sensor, receives from the sensor signals relating to characteristics of the asphalt pavement on which the mobile device is moving, and computes, based on the received signals, at least one compaction characteristic of the asphalt pavement. The processor provides a mapping of computed desired change in compaction characteristics to regions of the asphalt pavement during the rolling process. During rolling, at least one sensor measures the change in compaction and assesses when the change in compaction matches the desired optimal compaction based on the pre-generated map.

Abstract: A device implementing antennas transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves for measuring the bulk dielectric properties of a material under test having over a pre-defined surface area. The sample of the material under test might be cylindrical in shape. The device includes a spacer of known dielectric properties and geometries, placed between the material under test and the transmitting and receiving antennas, as well as at least one plate of a material having known electromagnetic properties placed below the material under test.

Abstract: Dielectric values of cooling asphalt are obtained despite the presence of water on the surface thereof which effects the measured dielectric. The temperature of the surface of the asphalt is measured simultaneous or contemporaneous to a measurement of the dielectric, the former by way of an infrared camera and the latter by way of a ground penetrating radar transceiver, in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The ground penetrating radar moves with a roller on the surface of the asphalt and the camera can also move with and be mounted on the housing or can be separate, such as in a drone flying at a higher altitude than the asphalt and housing. Using a reference measurement for the mix design of the asphalt without water or with varying degrees of water, the changed dielectric due to the presence of water can be corrected to reveal the dielectric of the asphalt alone.

Abstract: Dielectric values of cooling asphalt are obtained despite the presence of water on the surface thereof which effects the measured dielectric. The temperature of the surface of the asphalt is measured simultaneous or contemporaneous to a measurement of the dielectric, the former by way of an infrared camera and the latter by way of a ground penetrating radar transceiver, in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The ground penetrating radar moves with a roller on the surface of the asphalt and the camera can also move with and be mounted on the housing or can be separate, such as in a drone flying at a higher altitude than the asphalt and housing. Using a reference measurement for the mix design of the asphalt without water or with varying degrees of water, the changed dielectric due to the presence of water can be corrected to reveal the dielectric of the asphalt alone.

Abstract: An audio input device is provided which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, the audio input device includes a housing, a microphone carried by the housing, and a processor carried by the housing and configured to modify an input sound signal so as to amplify frequencies corresponding to a target human voice and diminish frequencies not corresponding to the target human voice. In another embodiment, an audio input device is configured to treat an auditory gap condition of a user by extending gaps in continuous speech and outputting the modified speech to the user. In another embodiment, the audio input device is configured to treat a dichotic hearing condition of a user. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: An audio input device is provided which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, the audio input device includes a housing, a microphone carried by the housing, and a processor carried by the housing and configured to modify an input sound signal so as to amplify frequencies corresponding to a target human voice and diminish frequencies not corresponding to the target human voice. In another embodiment, an audio input device is configured to treat an auditory gap condition of a user by extending gaps in continuous speech and outputting the modified speech to the user. In another embodiment, the audio input device is configured to treat a dichotic hearing condition of a user. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: A band, bracelet, strip or patch to be worn around the wrist or ankle or removably attached to the back of the wearer's hand. Each article is treated with an anti-microbial agent (e.g., tea tree oil) that is capable of killing germs and potentially harmful bacteria. The band, bracelet, strip or patch is impregnated with the anti-microbial agent during manufacture or saturated with the agent by the wearer following manufacture. The agent is delivered to the skin (e.g., the hands) of the wearer by way of either dispersion (exudation) and migration (mixed with the wearer's normal body oil) or by direct touch contact with and transmission to the wearer's fingers so as to reduce the spread of illness and disease.

Abstract: An audio input device is provided which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, the audio input device includes a housing, a microphone carried by the housing, and a processor carried by the housing and configured to modify an input sound signal so as to amplify frequencies corresponding to a target human voice and diminish frequencies not corresponding to the target human voice. In another embodiment, an audio input device is configured to treat an auditory gap condition of a user by extending gaps in continuous speech and outputting the modified speech to the user. In another embodiment, the audio input device is configured to treat a dichotic hearing condition of a user. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining accurately a coordinate of a transmitting/receiving antenna pair relative to a predetermined reference position. The method includes placing a transmitting antenna in proximity to a reflective strip, transmitting a first signal from the transmitting antenna and detecting a reflection of the first signal received from the reflective strip at the receiving antenna located at a fixed distance from the transmitting antenna. The method further comprises determining a coordinate of the antennas relative to the reflective strip based on a parameter of the reflection. The method may further comprise detecting a second signal received by the receiving antenna from a conductive strip located proximate to the reflective strip, and determining a second coordinate of the antennas based at least on a time difference between transmitting the first signal from the transmitting antenna and receiving the second signal at the receiving antenna.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining the propagation velocity of an electromagnetic signal in a subsurface medium which can then be utilized as a parameter in the calculations of various properties of a subsurface medium, including thickness, compaction and water content variation, and subsurface target depth. Propagation velocity is obtained by taking measurements in free space, resulting in air-launched waveforms, and at the medium surface, known as surface-coupled waveforms. The air-launched waveforms are subtracted from the surface-coupled waveforms resulting in a surface-coupled residual waveform. Comparison of the residual waveform amplitude to a calibrated amplitude scale obtained from measurements of media with known propagation velocities results in a velocity measurement comparable in regards to accuracy to a measurement obtained using the prior art.

Abstract: A computer readable memory operable with a computer having a display screen to cause the computer to store problems and solutions and permit various different kinds of hints and suggestions to be accessed during the solution of the problems.