Determining Velocity Patents (Class 342/104)
  • Patent number: 7688255
    Abstract: An electronic scanning radar apparatus has a cutting portion for cutting receiving data which is comprised of N numbers of data for each channel into two more short time data having M (<N) numbers of data in a time direction for each channel, an inverse matrix estimator for computing and estimating an inverse matrix of the time series correlation matrix from the short time data, and a phase information producing portion for computing CAPON phase information out of the estimated inverse matrix of the time series correlation matrix in order to detect a distance, an azimuth and a relative speed of a target on the basis of a computed CAPON phase information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Suzuki, Chiharu Yamano, Gaku Takano, Kazuma Natsume
  • Patent number: 7688252
    Abstract: In a radar system, harmonic excitation of an antenna is carried out in different frequency ranges. The antenna characteristic which varies as a function thereof is used to analyze different solid angle ranges around an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Voigtländer, Matthias Karl
  • Patent number: 7684921
    Abstract: The present invention can realize a vehicle running control apparatus including ACC function and map information data recording medium to obtain effective information for safety driving capable for running control meeting a driver's feeling. The first running speed is decided on the basis of the distance between the vehicles and the relative speed. The position detecting means detects the position of own vehicle on a map. The map information getting means gets road information, the width of the road, the radius of curvature, and slope on the basis of the map information. The visible distance estimating means estimates the visible distance on the basis of the map information, deciding the second running safety speed with the estimated visible distance. The running control means decides the object running speed of smallest one of the set speed, the first running speed, and the second running speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Kazuhiko Satou, Satoru Kuragaki, Shiho Izumi, Toshimichi Minowa
  • Patent number: 7679547
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave direction of travel detector and method of doing the same. The microwave direction of travel detector comprising, a microwave transceiver for transmitting and receiving a microwave signal directed toward a protected area for outputting a Doppler signal when a moving target is detected, an amplifier chain including one or more amplifiers coupled to the microwave transceiver for receiving and amplifying the Doppler signal from the microwave transceiver, wherein at least one amplifier having variable gain and; a controller for sampling an output gain of each variable gain amplifier and for controlling each variable gain amplifier by adjusting a gain of each variable gain amplifier to keep the Doppler signal level constant and to avoid saturation of each said variable gain amplifier. If the output gains of each variable gain amplifier is increasing or decreasing the controller indicates a direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wu, Leslie K. Green, James N. Helland
  • Patent number: 7667637
    Abstract: There is provided a radar system for detection of one or more objects. The radar system comprises a radar wave transmitter for simultaneously transmitting a CW radar signal and a FM-CW or MF radar signal, and a first radar wave receiver for receiving CW and FM-CW or MF radar signals, reflected from one or more objects present in a detection range of the radar system. The system may further comprise a first CW mixer for mixing CW transmission signals and reflected CW signals received by the first receiver, and a first FM-CW or MF mixer for mixing FM-CW or MF transmission signals and corresponding reflected FM-CW or MF signals received by the first receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Weibel Scientific A/S
    Inventors: Peder Richardt Pedersen, Fernando Casanova Galeano
  • Publication number: 20100026559
    Abstract: A method for discrimination of a target from clutter, comprising: providing phase-range data associated with a return pulse of a radar device and second phase-range data associated with a subsequent return pulse; comparing the phase-range data and the second phase-range data to obtain a difference; differentiating the differences with respect to range; and discriminating the target from the clutter by identifying coordinates from the differentiated differences satisfying velocity thresholds associated with the clutter. In one embodiment, the subsequent return pulse is drawn after skipping one or more pulses after the return pulse. In another embodiment, the subsequent return pulse is drawn successive to the return pulse. In other aspects, the invention can be a detection system and/or computer-readable medium adapted implement the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Alan Siegel
  • Publication number: 20100019950
    Abstract: A sampled beat signal RD is split into a plurality of short-time data SD in the time direction, for each of antenna elements. Interference component frequency of an interference wave is detected from a frequency spectrum of the short-time data SD. A digital beam forming process is performed for the interference component frequency of the interference wave to extract a peak of the electrical power of an azimuth direction and estimate an absolute value of an incoming direction of interference components. Based on the absolute value of the incoming direction of the estimated interference components, a filter for suppressing the interference components is operated to suppress the interference components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiharu Yamano, Kazuma Natsume, Yuu Watanabe, Mai Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7652616
    Abstract: A time needed until measurement values are obtained in a two-frequency continuous wave radar systems is reduced. An object detection system that emits transmission signals, as transmission waves, whose frequencies have been modulated successively into a plurality of stepped frequencies, and receives echoes of the transmission waves reflected from target objects, thereby calculating relative velocities of the target objects by frequency-analyzing reception signals obtained from the received echoes. The target object detection system includes: a frequency modulation component that repeatedly executes frequency-modulation processes to successively modulate the transmission signals into those of the stepped frequencies, within a minimum measurement time in which a desired velocity resolution is achieved; and a frequency-analysis component that frequency-analyzes throughout the repeated frequency-modulation processes the reception signals processed by the frequency-modulation component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Inaba
  • Patent number: 7652617
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to methods of improving the performance of a frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) radar system and improving the value of the information provided the FMCW system. In an embodiment, the IF level is monitored while sweeping the frequency of the system through at least a portion of the frequency range of the system and the frequency is set to produce the minimum IF level. Embodiments expedite the adaptation of the comb filter to the signal when the system is turned on. In an embodiment, a method of quickly determining the largest peaks in the RDM is implemented. Embodiments relate to a method for processing a radar signal that classifies two or more targets. An embodiment classifies a human target or other target(s) using amplitude values in time-consecutive range-Doppler maps. An embodiment processes a radar signal for improving the performance of FMCW detection, tracking, and classification algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lynn Kurtz, Philip Russell Carlson, Charles Henry Overman, IV
  • Patent number: 7652618
    Abstract: A data processor applies transform processing to a first group of samples at a primary sampling rate, where the first group of samples is within a data window associated with at least one of the data blocks. A detector detects an estimated frequency shift between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal based on a primary peak frequency determined by the transform processing at the primary sampling rate. The data processor applies transform processing to a second group of samples at a secondary sampling rate, where the data window contains previously read samples and at least one new sample, if the estimated frequency shift falls within a target response frequency band. The detector detects an observed frequency shift between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal based on a secondary peak frequency determined by the transform processing at the secondary sampling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John R. Kearney, Jason J. Wanner
  • Publication number: 20100007545
    Abstract: A method for the detection of at least one moving object in a pre-determined detection zone by way of a speed sensor. The method includes the following steps: determining a detection zone within an illumination region of the speed sensor; detecting a speed signal, particularly a Doppler signal, at least with the entry of a moving object into the illumination region; estimating an entry of the moving object into the detection zone on the basis of a speed of the object, and of a distance between a boundary of the illumination region and the detection zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Martin Nalezinski, Claus Seisenberger
  • Patent number: 7639137
    Abstract: A system for identifying radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices is described. In one embodiment, RFID devices include an antenna and metallic pattern printed on a substrate. A probing platform is used to radiate the RFID devices with an electromagnetic signal (e.g., radio-frequency signal, microwave signal, etc.). Each RFID device generates a quantifiable backscatter depending on the unique impedance of the passive RFID device in response to the electromagnetic signal. The backscatter is employed to uniquely identify the passive RFID device's impendence with respect to the probing platform uniquely characterized at predetermined frequencies of the electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Somnath Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 7640135
    Abstract: A system for determining airtime of a moving sportsman includes at least one accelerometer for detecting vibration or acceleration of the sportsman. A processor in communication with the at least one accelerometer processing signals from the accelerometer to determine free-fall. A pressure sensor may be used to determine change in altitude and the processor may process signals from the pressure sensor with the accelerometer signals to determine airtime and drop distance during free-fall. A method for determining airtime of a moving sportsman includes processing data from one or more accelerometers attached to the sportsman, to determine when the sportsman is in free-fall, and determining a time period corresponding to the free-fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: PhatRat Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Dennis Darcy, Peter Flentov
  • Patent number: 7626538
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for estimating and predicting a target emitter's kinematics, the method including the steps of: (a) passively sampling, at a first sampling rate, an emitter signal to obtain at least one passively measured signal attribute for estimating the target kinematics; (b) inputting the passively measured signal attribute to an estimator at a first sampling rate; (c) determining a radar duty cycle for active radar measurements as a multiple of the first sampling rate, the multiple defining a duration between radar transmissions; (d) directing a radar system to make active target measurements at the determined duty cycle; (e) inputting to the estimator the active target measurements at the determined duty cycle, while continuously inputting the passively measured signal attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Conrad M. Rose
  • Publication number: 20090262007
    Abstract: A portable speed detecting device includes wireless communications capabilities. This allows the portable speed detecting device to obtain information from remote sources via a wireless link. It also facilitates the process of issuing and recording tickets. Further, it can provide an operator with the ability to accomplish a financial transaction so that a driver can pay an assessed fine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: James F. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7589662
    Abstract: A method of determining a radar receiver path, comprising the steps of: obtaining a transmitter position; obtaining a target position and velocity; obtaining a radar receiver position and velocity; determining a transmitter aspect angle gradient, a transmitter aspect angle time derivative and a transmitter co-state vector time derivative; determining a target aspect angle gradient, a target aspect angle time derivative and a target co-state vector time derivative; generating a radar platform heading variable, and a group of differential variables over a defined time span; inputting the group of differential variables into a differential equation solver; receiving a group of possible headings for the radar receiver path; and finding an optimum radar receiver path from the group of possible headings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Douglas S. Hulbert, Ayax D. Ramirez, Stephen D. Russell, Randy L. Shlmabukuro, Mark W. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20090224960
    Abstract: A radar device includes a transmission antenna and a reception antenna having a plurality of antenna elements. The radar device switches the antenna elements in synchronization with a modulation cycle, thereby obtaining a reception signal. At this time, the radar device obtains the reception signal by switching the antenna elements using a first measurement phase and a second measurement phase having different switching cycles as one set. The radar device calculates an azimuth sine value sin ?1 from the reception signal in the first measurement phase and also calculates an azimuth sinusoidal value sin ?2 from the reception signal in the second measurement phase. Then, the radar device calculates a relative velocity V from the azimuth sine value sin ?1, the azimuth sine value sin ?2, an interval time difference ?t between switching cycles, and an inter-antenna element spacing d.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Toru Ishii, Tetsu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7583222
    Abstract: A system and method for processing data related to weather phenomena in a meteorological radar system. The method includes receiving an echo signal generated by transmitting a long pulse and employing a mismatched windowed filter on the echo signal such that the echo signal is compressed in time to achieve fine range resolution without substantially degrading sensitivity and while achieving low range time side lobes for Doppler velocities expected to be measured by the meteorological radar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventors: Fritz O'Hora, Richard E. Passarelli, Jr., Alan D. Siggia, Chandrasekaran Venkatachalam, Nitin Bharadwaj
  • Patent number: 7579977
    Abstract: A method of measuring the speed of air in a zone of the atmosphere by the Doppler effect by means of a radar, the method comprising the steps of transmitting bursts of three pulses at different rates F1, F2, F3; determining respective speeds V1, V2, V3 of the air from the pulses received in return from the pulses in each burst; and calculating the speed V of the air from the speeds V1, V2, V3 determined for the returned pulses received for each burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Mateo-France
    Inventors: Pierre Tabary, Laurant Perier
  • Publication number: 20090207069
    Abstract: A data processor applies transform processing to a first group of samples at a primary sampling rate, where the first group of samples is within a data window associated with at least one of the data blocks. A detector detects an estimated frequency shift between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal based on a primary peak frequency determined by the transform processing at the primary sampling rate. The data processor applies transform processing to a second group of samples at a secondary sampling rate, where the data window contains previously read samples and at least one new sample, if the estimated frequency shift falls within a target response frequency band. The detector detects an observed frequency shift between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal based on a secondary peak frequency determined by the transform processing at the secondary sampling rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: John R. Kearney, Jason J. Wanner
  • Patent number: 7576679
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously stored geographically referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector includes technology for determining the location of the detector, and comparing this location to the locations of known stationary sources, to improve the handling of such detections. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver will take on a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, Robert Gregory Blair, John Kuhn, Timothy A. Coomer
  • Patent number: 7567206
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for measuring the distance and/or velocity of objects, having: a high-frequency signal generating device for generating a first HF signal having a predefined frequency and a predefined modulation curve from at least one LF signal; a diplex/mixing device, which is coupled to the high-frequency signal generating device for determining a frequency offset between the first HF signal and a reflected second HF signal; a transceiver device, which is coupled to the diplex/mixing device, for sending the first HF signal and simultaneously receiving the reflected second HF signal, which is a function of a predefined modulation curve of the first HF signal and a distance to a reflecting object; and an adapter device, which is coupled between the diplex/mixing device and the transceiver device, for adapting the impedance of the transceiver device as a function of the frequency of the first HF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ewald Schmidt, Klaus Voigtlaender
  • Patent number: 7558695
    Abstract: Sensing vehicle speed is disclosed. A speed sensor is self powered. The speed sensor measures a speed data of multiple vehicles with one Doppler pulse. A sample is taken of speed sensor data from the speed sensor. The sample of speed sensor data is processed to calculate speed. The calculated speed is wirelessly transmitted to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: SpeedInfo, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Calderone, Doug Finlay
  • Patent number: 7548187
    Abstract: In an aircraft-mounted Doppler radar clutter rejection system, a flexible, sharp band pass filter uses Taylor weighting, an FFT and a module for selecting which of the Doppler cells are to be activated, thus to control the band pass characteristic and set the clutter line to the speed of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Laste, Garret E. Murdza
  • Patent number: 7545312
    Abstract: This invention relates to a target detection device and its detection method, comprising: a transmitting unit for transmitting a detecting pulse to detect target which then reflects the detecting pulse to generate a reflected pulse; a plurality of measuring units, located at different positions respectively which receive said reflected pulse and generates measured values of distance and measured values of velocity according to the reflected pulse received; a plurality of two-stage linear Kalman filters, corresponding to said plural measuring units respectively, each of said plural two-stage linear Kalman filters proceeds an operation according to the measured values produced by corresponding measuring unit so as to generate respectively the estimation values of distance, velocity and acceleration; an arithmetic unit connecting to said plural two-stage linear Kalman filters, which proceeds a triangulation operation according to said estimation values so as to generate distance component values, velocity compon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Jean-Fu Kiang, Po-Jen Tu
  • Patent number: 7532153
    Abstract: There is provided a highly accurate velocity sensor having a reduced detection error. A sensor circuit unit generates an electromagnetic wave and emits it from a transmission antenna. Furthermore, a reception antenna receives a reflection wave from the ground and a mixer mixes it with a local signal, thereby generating a low-frequency signal. The electromagnetic wave emitted from the sensor circuit unit shapes a beam by a dielectric lens before emitting it toward the ground. Here, the beam shape is such that the beam width in the vicinity of the sensor is smaller than the beam width in the vicinity of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nagasaku, Hiroshi Kondoh, Hiroshi Shinoda
  • Patent number: 7518543
    Abstract: A method for determining the positions of targets by bistatic measurements using signals scattered by the targets is provided in which the velocities of the targets can also be determined. The range of the transmitters is selected so that a target at an arbitrary point can be measured, by scattering in the target, by at least four cooperating measuring facilities. First the targets are associated by calculating, in two independent ways, two sets of sums of distances between transmission points and targets and, respectively, targets and reception points. Subsequently, the two sums are sorted with respect to distance, compared with each other, and the sums that correspond with each other within a predetermined margin of error are stated to correspond to conceivable targets. The association of targets is improved and completed by corresponding calculations being carried out for Doppler velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Totalforsvarets Forskningsinstitut
    Inventor: Lars Magnus Herberthson
  • Patent number: 7515902
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating the velocity of a mobile station in Rician fading environments in which a direct wave exists. Cellular mobile communication environments include two environments, Rician fading environments in which a direct wave exists and Rayleigh fading environments in which a direct wave does not exist. Generally, many methods for estimating the velocity of a mobile station have been known in Rayleigh fading environments. However, in Rician fading environments in which a direct wave exists, many errors occurs in estimating the velocity of a mobile station due to difficulty in estimation of a Rician coefficient K and an incident angle ?0. According to the invention, a method is provided wherein error is mostly eliminated in estimating the velocity of a mobile station by obtaining a maximum Doppler frequency of the mobile station, even without directly obtaining a Rician coefficient K and an incident angle ?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Goo-Hyun Park, Dae-Sik Hong, Ye-Hoon Lee, Eung-Sun Kim, Myeon-Gyun Cho, Jong-Hyeuk Lee
  • Patent number: 7498973
    Abstract: A radar transducer has a planar array antenna mounted on a plate portion of a housing with the microwave transceiver mounted on the opposite side of the plate and carrying a PCB defining the processing section for supplying an output to a cable. The plate portion slides into a plastic receptacle defining the radome for the antenna with a potting compound sealing the open face of the receptacle. The electrical processing section is shielded from extraneous electromagnetic waves without additional metallic shielding elements. The processor is programmable in response to signals received through the output cable so as to re-configure the program thereof so as to change the output to the output cable for different end use controllers and for compatibility with communications protocols. The processor is programmed to carry out a test of the operation of the transceiver and to provide a failure output signal to the cable in the event that the operation is found to be outside predetermined parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Vansco Electronics LP
    Inventors: Nikolai Tevs, David George Sokol, Tomasz Jonca, Nelson Yung, Paulo Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 7498972
    Abstract: An obstacle detection system determines a probability distribution of existence of an obstacle object corresponding to a distance in an irradiation direction of a transmission wave based on detected strength data per scanning-angle supplied from a radar device. A peak-value of the strength data becomes a maximum probability of existence of the obstacle. The probability distribution has a range gradually decreasing before and after the peak-value. Even if the position indicated by the maximum probability of existence of the obstacle object is different from an actual distance to the obstacle object, it hardly occurs that the probability of existence at an actual position of the obstacle object becomes zero. This eliminates occurrence of separation/association errors. Primary and secondary existence probability relationships made based on the probability distribution are combined. Using the combined one further decreases the error detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7482970
    Abstract: A method for producing map images of current velocity vectors at the surface sea is described in which beams of electromagnetic waves are emitted towards the surface using a system, towards the left forward and right forward sides of the track of the system, and towards the left aft and right aft sides of the track, from two antennas at a distance from each other along the direction of the track and along a direction perpendicular to the track, and values of roll angle and length of the antenna base connecting the two antennas are determined using differential interferometries applied to the electromagnetic waves reflected by the surface between beams emitted forwards and backwards, the map images being built up using an along-track type differential interferometry, using roll angle and antenna base length values obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
    Inventor: Christopher Hereward Buck
  • Patent number: 7474255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a target tracking method of radar with frequency modulated continuous wave, which transmits a transmitted signal to receive a return wave of the transmitted signal that is used for detecting the target and obtaining the relative distance between the target and the radar. The target tracking method includes transmitting a frequency modulated continuous wave and receiving the reflected wave; getting a reflected wave corresponding to the target by detecting the reflected wave; getting a range gate error by seeking the plurality of the range gates corresponding to the reflected wave; and getting a position and a speed of the target at next time by knowing the position of the target at present time basis of the range gate error. Hence, the relative distance between the radar and the target is got.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Armaments Bureau, M.N.D.
    Inventors: Hung-Tao Hsieh, Feng-Ling Liu, Yao-Hwa Wen
  • Publication number: 20090002221
    Abstract: An enhanced police Doppler direction sensing radar detects possibly dangerous traffic conditions during certain vehicle maneuvers such as U-turns and returns to travel after roadside stops. By monitoring a host or primary vehicle speed, speed transitions, transmission state (e.g. gear selection), and the closing vehicle position, range and speed, a number of selectable conditions are detected, resulting in an alert indication to a primary vehicle operator. User preferences and thresholds allow the traffic alert function to be customized according to a primary vehicle operator's desire to suppress alerts in situations which the user does not deem dangerous. The traffic alert function may be automatically triggered under certain detected conditions, or manually initiated when the primary vehicle operator intends to make a driving maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Alan B. Mead, John L. Aker, Robert S. Gammenthaler, James Kevin McCoy
  • Publication number: 20080309545
    Abstract: A speed measuring device that employs a Fresnel zone plate lens antenna. The Fresnel lens antenna is mounted to one end of a low profile collection housing, typically cylindrical in configuration. An opposite end of the collection housing includes a back plate having an opening. A transceiver unit is mounted to the outside surface of the back plate so that a transmitter and a detector within the transceiver are in communication with the opening. A signal is transmitted from the transceiver unit through the opening, and is directed by the lens antenna. A reflected signal is received and focused by the lens antenna, and collected by the housing to be directed through the opening to the transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: EMAG Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazem F. Sabet, Kamal Sarabandi, Linda P.B. Katehi, Jiyoun Munn
  • Patent number: 7463181
    Abstract: In a method for suppressing interferences while detecting objects in a target area, a transmitter transmits a sequence of pulses into the target area, and a receiver detects the resulting reflection signal of the pulses reflected from the objects, within successive time windows that are referenced to the moment of transmitting an individual pulse and thus represent distance gates. The time spacing between the successive individual pulses is variable and randomized according to the pseudo-noise principle within predetermined limits, and the time windows are adapted accordingly. The received reflection signal may be sampled, digitized, digitally pre-processed and digitally filtered in the individual distance gates. A non-linear digital filter, preferably a sliding median filter, is used for the filtering to suppress transient disturbances. The median is determined from an odd number of consecutive sampled values of a reflection signal detected within a distance gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: A.D.C. Automotive Distance Control Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Wintermantel
  • Publication number: 20080278365
    Abstract: A method of measuring the speed of a vehicle wherein the speed and the distance of the vehicle from a radar system and/or the measuring angle of the vehicle relative to the radar axis is determined by means of a radar measurement so as to characterize or determine the vehicle lane of the vehicle by means of the distance and/or the measuring angle. Knowledge of the vehicle lane makes it possible to unequivocally identify the detected vehicle in a group of vehicles unequivocally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Christoph KLEIN, Andreas Behrens, Bernhard Dohmann, Norbert Terlau
  • Patent number: 7451056
    Abstract: An activity monitor, comprises housing for attachment to a person; at least one accelerometer disposed within the housing; and a processor disposed within the housing, for processing signals from the accelerometer to assess activity of the person. A method assesses activity of a person, including: sensing acceleration at a first location on the person; processing the acceleration, over time, to assess activity of the person; and wirelessly communicating information indicative of the activity to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: PhatRat Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Flentov, Dennis M. Darcy, Curtis A. Vock
  • Publication number: 20080272957
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for determining the relative velocity of objects by using transmitted and received microwave radiation. The transmission signal has a carrier frequency which is increased or decreased in a ramp-like manner, and the transmission signal is additionally modulated using a PN code sequence. The reception signal is mixed using the time-delayed PN code sequence and integrated to form a complex correlation gain. The relative velocity of the objects is determined from the variation over time of the correlation result for the mixed and integrated reception signals, and optionally, the distance of the objects is determined from the time delay of the PN code sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Schoeberl
  • Patent number: 7443335
    Abstract: To obtain a radar system capable of obtaining an appropriate angular precision by calculating an angle error based on distributions of relative speeds and angles of reflecting points, and of obtaining the appropriate angular precision including an axis deviation angle by simultaneously calculating the angle error and the axis deviation angle. A radar system mounted on a movable body is provided with a radar device that calculates relative speeds and azimuth angles of plural reflecting points; an azimuth angle error estimating device that estimates an error of the azimuth angle calculated by the radar device based on the relative speeds and the azimuth angles of the plural reflecting points; and a correcting device that corrects the azimuth angle calculated by the radar device by using the azimuth angle error estimated by the azimuth angle error estimating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Kai, Atsushi Okamura, Rokuzou Hara
  • Publication number: 20080258962
    Abstract: A radar apparatus includes a sending unit for sending a transmission wave, a plurality of receiving parts for receiving a reflected wave from a reflecting object in a parallel manner, beat signal generation parts for acquiring beat signals at the receiving parts, respectively, from the transmission wave and the wave received at the receiving parts, a beat signal processing part for individually processing the beat signals of the receiving parts, a DBF processing part for DBF processing a beat signal processing result, and an object detection part for acquiring information on the reflecting object from frequency components of a DBF processing result or the beat signal processing result. Amounts of phase lag of the receiving parts are set to different-values. The beat signal processing part includes a phase correction part that corrects the phase lag amounts corresponding to the individual receiving parts so as to make them equal to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi KAI
  • Publication number: 20080252512
    Abstract: Abstract: A method of estimating a Doppler maximum frequency fd and/or a local oscillator frequency offset f0, the method comprising the steps of: computing a power density spectrum of a received radio signal over a whole frequency range, scanning the computed power density spectrum to determine a frequency sub-range [fmin; fmax] which is not necessarily centered on 0 Hz, the signal power over the sub-range [fmin; fmax] being equal to a predetermined percentage of the signal power over the whole frequency range, and estimating frequency fd and/or offset f0 from frequencies fmin and fmax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Pierre Demaj
  • Patent number: 7433805
    Abstract: A system determines athletic performance. A pressure sensor senses change in elevation. A microprocessor processes signals from the pressure sensor to determine speed corresponding to the change in elevation. A display reports the speed to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Dennis Darcy, Peter Flentov
  • Patent number: 7425917
    Abstract: A radar including a target measurement component, a differential velocity calculator and an overall velocity determination portion. The target measurement component transmits and receives an electromagnetic wave over a detection range repeatedly at measurement intervals to measure a position of a target in the detection range and measure a Doppler velocity of the target based on a Doppler shift of the electromagnetic wave reflected from the target. The differential velocity calculator determines a differential velocity of the target based on a change in position of the target during consecutive measurement intervals. The overall velocity determination portion determines a current overall velocity by calculating a weighted average of the Doppler velocity, the differential velocity, and a previously determined overall velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoi Nakanishi, Toru Ishii
  • Publication number: 20080211710
    Abstract: It is proposed to use the gun barrel or launcher tube or the muzzle brake as a waveguide, which, however, is operated at a frequency that is below the cutoff frequency of the relevant waveguide mode. The transmit coupler excites the relevant waveguide mode. An oscillator generates the signal, which is then sent to the transmit coupler. The waveguide and the projectile form a system in which the electromagnetic field at the receive coupler is influenced by the position of the projectile. The characteristic change over time of the strength of the electromagnetic field at the location of the receive coupler that results from the change in the distance between the projectile and the receive coupler is measured and used to determine the muzzle velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Henry Frick
  • Publication number: 20080197668
    Abstract: A traffic control trailer is provided. The traffic control trailer includes a three-dimensional patrol car body section, which appears to an approaching motorist to be a patrol car regardless of naturally-occurring terrain and road conditions. A plurality of systems simulate actions performed by a law enforcement patrol car, such as turning on a light bar or activating a speed detection radar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: John M. Allovio
  • Patent number: 7411544
    Abstract: A system for processing radar data from two or more areas of interest is provided, such as for simultaneously processing vehicle speeds in the opposite lane in front of the patrol vehicle and in the opposite lane behind the patrol vehicle. The system includes an antenna signal processor that receives radar data from one or more radar antennae and generates speed data for a first vehicle travelling in a first direction relative to a radar observation point and a second vehicle travelling in a second direction relative to the radar observation point. A display generator system receives the speed data and user-entered display control data, and generates user-readable display data based on the speed data and the user-entered display control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Aker, Alan B. Mead, Robert S. Gammenthaler, Robert Vanman
  • Patent number: 7409294
    Abstract: An enhanced police Doppler direction sensing radar detects possibly dangerous traffic conditions during certain vehicle maneuvers such as U-turns and returns to travel after roadside stops. By monitoring a host or primary vehicle speed, speed transitions, transmission state (e.g. gear selection), and the closing vehicle position, range and speed, a number of selectable conditions are detected, resulting in an alert indication to a primary vehicle operator. User preferences and thresholds allow the traffic alert function to be customized according to a primary vehicle operator's desire to suppress alerts in situations which the user does not deem dangerous. The traffic alert function may be automatically triggered under certain detected conditions, or manually initiated when the primary vehicle operator intends to make a driving maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan B. Mead, John L. Aker, Robert S. Gammenthaler, James Kevin McCoy
  • Patent number: 7400946
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the velocity of a vehicle are provided. An acceleration measurement received from an accelerator and RGI data received from an external information server are stored and an irregularity constant of the accelerator is determined. It is determined whether the vehicle is in a stationary state by analyzing the acceleration measurement. If the vehicle is not in the stationary state, the inclination angle of a road on which the vehicle is traveling is calculated using a plurality of three-dimensional shape points included in the RGI data. A gravity acceleration component is compensated for from the acceleration measurement using the road inclination angle. The velocity of the vehicle is calculated using the compensated acceleration measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kook-Yeon Lee, Hyun-Suk Min, Hyun-Su Hong
  • Patent number: 7397416
    Abstract: Calibration of an acceleration detector is initiated by a user depressable button such as a button indicating a vehicle is at rest and/or by the detector reading an OBDII vehicle communication protocol to determine the condition of the vehicle. Calibration permits more accurate measurements in a vehicle performance test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeffrey J. Clawson
  • Patent number: RE41153
    Abstract: A field unit for warning of a danger of collision between an aircraft and an obstacle, in particular a topographical ground obstacle or an obstacle formed by a mast, building or aerial cable structure, comprises a multi-part tubular mast having devices for fixing a solar panel and a radar antenna; an elongate radar antenna in an environment-protective casing, which, with an electronics unit, forms a radar system for synthesized radar detection of an aircraft in a radar coverage area; a central processing unit for identifying on the basis of information from the radar system an aircraft which is in a zone of the radar coverage area and which on the basis of radar information such as direction, distance and/or speed computes a collision danger area; and a high-intensity light system and radio transmitter system that can be activated by the central processing unit upon detection of an aircraft in a collision danger area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: OCAS AS
    Inventors: Morten Mork, Rolf Bakken