Combined With Determining Sense Of Motion (i.e., Approaching Or Receding) Patents (Class 342/114)
  • Patent number: 7898461
    Abstract: Systems and methods of error handling in interferometric signal processing for a ground based slope monitoring system are described. Uncorrected movement data is extracted from interferometric radar measurements of a relatively stable reference. The movement data is corrected for changes in atmospheric conditions as a function of changes in a refractive index of the air and an offset induced at zero range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: GroundProbe Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Glen Stickley, Bryan Reeves
  • Patent number: 7889119
    Abstract: Radial gap measurement on turbines by a microwave measuring method and an evaluation of a Doppler effect which varies according to the size of the radial gap is described. At least one radar sensor embodied as a transmission and reception unit is provided in the wall of a turbine housing which is radially oriented towards the centre of the turbine. The relative speed of an outer end of a turbine blade, dependent on the size of the radial gap, is evaluated many times in relation to the radar sensor during the passage of the blade end past the same, and the course of the relative speed over time on the zero crossing constitutes a measure for the radial gap on the basis of the relation between the absolute value of the relative speed and the incline thereof in the zero crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Evers, Andreas Ziroff
  • Patent number: 7864102
    Abstract: A vehicular traffic surveillance Doppler radar system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a modulation circuit portion for generating modulated FM signals. An antenna circuit portion transmits the modulated FM signals to a target and receives the reflected modulated FM signals therefrom. A ranging circuit portion performs a quadrature demodulation on the reflected modulated FM signals and determines a range measurement based upon phase angle measurements derived therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Aker
  • Patent number: 7835853
    Abstract: A vehicle detection system is provided for detecting vehicles with high precision recognition with less misdetection and less electricity consumption, the installation of the vehicle detection system causing less damage to a town's aesthetic beauty. Vehicle detection is determined by processing an input level value provided from a sensor that detects infrared radiation irradiated from an object to be detected, and the vehicle presence judgment is carried out by calculating a background level value based on an input level value detected from infrared radiation during “absence of a vehicle”, and by comparing the value based on a difference between the input level value (comparative value) by a data processing unit. By using the sensor that passively detects infrared radiation, the system consumes less electricity, and maintains its accuracy of detection even if detection is performed sideways of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Taniguchi, Hideaki Shiranaga
  • Patent number: 7782245
    Abstract: A scanning radar system suitable for detecting and monitoring ground-based targets includes a frequency generator, a frequency scanning antenna, and a receiver arranged to process signals received from a target so as to identify a Doppler frequency associated with the target. The frequency generator generates sets of signals, each set having a different characteristic frequency, and includes a digital synthesiser arranged to modulate a continuous wave signal of a given characteristic frequency by a sequence of modulation patterns to generate one set of signals. The frequency scanning antenna cooperates with the frequency generator to transceive radiation over a region having an angular extent dependent on the generated frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Plextek Limited
    Inventors: Graham Pearson, Steve Greendale, David Spreadbury
  • Patent number: 7768442
    Abstract: A method of error handling in a slope monitoring system that generates slope movement data from interferometric signal processing of radar images of the slope monitoring system. The error handling occurs in two steps. The movement data is corrected for changes in atmospheric conditions and disturbances are identified. It is convenient to mask the regions identified as disturbed in the display of the corrected movement data. Typical disturbances include short term disturbances, such as trucks, and long term disturbances, such as vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Groundprobe Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Glen Stickley, Bryan Reeves
  • Publication number: 20100141504
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one of the distance to and the speed of an object is discussed. The method comprises determining an indication of whether the object is approaching or moving away and generating an interrogation signal comprising a sequence consisting of segments at constant frequency and segments of varying frequency, wherein if the determining step indicates the object is approaching then the varying frequency segments have decreasing frequency and if the determining step indicates that the object is moving away then the varying frequency segments have increasing frequency. The interrogation signal is transmitted and a version of the interrogation signal reflected from the object is detected. At least one of the distance to and speed of the object is then determined using a combination of the interrogation signal and the reflected version of the interrogation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Wieslaw Jerzy SZAJNOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20100131153
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an object detecting device and an object detecting method capable of performing appropriate object detection by distinguishing an approaching moving object from a stationary object accurately. The relative velocity of an object, which exists in the lateral direction of a vehicle, with respect to the vehicle is detected, the absolute velocity of the object in the horizontal direction of the vehicle is calculated on the basis of the detection signal, and it is determined whether or not the object is an approaching moving object on the basis of the absolute velocity of the object in the horizontal direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, since it is possible to accurately distinguish whether an object existing in the lateral or oblique direction of the vehicle is an approaching moving object or a stationary object, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the object is an approaching moving object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7705772
    Abstract: A traffic radar utilizes digital signal processing (DSP) to determine targets based on signal strength histories. From these histories, a target vehicle having the strongest Doppler return signal is identified and its speed is displayed, and a target vehicle having the highest frequency return signal is identified and its speed is displayed. The traffic radar may also display the relative strength of the strongest return signal and the relative strength of the highest frequency return signal, thereby showing a comparison of the strengths of the return signals from the target vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Kustom Signals, Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice E. Shelton
  • Patent number: 7683824
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Kai
  • Patent number: 7679545
    Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for suppressing motion interference in a radar detection system. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a signal generator that transmits microwave signals toward a target area. Also, the system includes a data control system to collect data from reflected microwave signals from the target area and to analyze the data in order to suppress unwanted motion interference generated by movement of the radar detection system. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ekkehart O. Rausch, Eugene F. Greneker, III, John Michael Baden
  • Patent number: 7663530
    Abstract: A system comprising a moving radar, a processing device, and a phase difference determination device is used to monitor a target. The moving radar has first and second phase centers that transmit and receive signals normal to a direction of movement of the radar. The processing device receives first and second ones of the received signals from the first and second phase centers, respectively, and performs a target motion compensation and target acceleration correction for each of the first and second received signals to produce first and second images. The phase difference determination device determines a phase difference image from a comparison of the first and second images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: The MITRE Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Perry, Probal K. Sanyal, David Matthew Zasada
  • Publication number: 20100013699
    Abstract: A vehicular traffic surveillance Doppler radar system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a modulation circuit portion for generating modulated FM signals. An antenna circuit portion transmits the modulated FM signals to a target and receives the reflected modulated FM signals therefrom. A ranging circuit portion performs a quadrature demodulation on the reflected modulated FM signals and determines a range measurement based upon phase angle measurements derived therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: John L. Aker
  • 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: 7639173
    Abstract: A microwave planar sensor for detecting the presence and movement of a target in a detection area, including a microwave board and a support board. The microwave board includes an oscillator/mixer layer, an antenna layer and a ground layer sandwiched between the oscillator/mixer layer and the antenna layer, when the oscillator/mixer layer and the antenna layer are bonded together. The oscillator/mixer layer includes an oscillator configured to generate at least one microwave signal and a signal mixer electrically coupled to the oscillator. The signal mixer is configured to combine a microwave signal generated by the oscillator and a reflected signal reflected by the target in the detection area, thereby generating an intermediate frequency signal having a Doppler frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Wang, Shixiong Fan
  • Patent number: 7633426
    Abstract: In a CW radar system for detecting motion behind a wall (12) involving modulation of the radar transmission, means (34) are provided to interrupt the CW wave when motion is detected and to use the same radar transmitter (30) to transmit a serial digital message to a remote monitoring receiver (34). The encoding can include a receiver wakeup message to turn on the receive only when motion has been detected. In one embodiment, a microprocessor (28) is used to detect when motion exists behind a wall and to provide a tailorable message to modulate the radar's transmitter in the period when the CW signal from the radar is turned off after the motion detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon M. Sutphin
  • Patent number: 7633433
    Abstract: A method for detecting and documenting red-light violations and/or speeding violations in which a radar beam is directed across all lanes of a roadway of interest and in which the speed and the position of a vehicle which passes through the radar beam are determined from the radar signals so as to be able to predict the probability of a red-light violation from the speed and the determined distance of the measured vehicle from a stop line and to trigger the recording of images of the violating vehicle at predetermined distances from the stop line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Robot Visual Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Behrens, Bernhard Dohmann, Norbert Terlau
  • Patent number: 7616148
    Abstract: A dual mode motion sensor for detecting both motion of a moving target and a range of the moving target. The dual mode motion sensor normally operates in a pulse transmission mode. If motion is detected, the sensor automatically switches to a frequency modulated continuous wave transmission mode. This will allow the sensor to determine the range of the moving target. The sensor includes a microcontroller that compares the determined range of the moving target with a predetermined maximum detection range. If the determined range is outside or exceeds the predetermined maximum detection range the sensor will ignore the motion. If the determined range is within the predetermined maximum detection range, an alarm will be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wu, Harold L. Holvick, Leslie K. Green, James N. Helland
  • Patent number: 7598904
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for determining a relative velocity between a host (100) and a target (102). The present invention relates in particular to a method of the type that can be used in motor vehicle radar systems and specifically in radar systems of the type that detect obstacles in a blind spot of a motor vehicle. In the method according to the invention the following steps are carried out: substantially simultaneously determining a value for a radial velocity and a bearing with regard to a predefined spatial direction for a large number of measurement points (106) on the target (102); calculating a large number of quotients from the radial velocity and the cosine of the associated bearing, a quotient being calculated for each of the measurement points (106); determining an estimated relative velocity between the host (100) and the target (102) by forming an average of the large number of quotients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Klotzbuecher, Wolfgang Lauer
  • Patent number: 7592944
    Abstract: A system and method for highly selective intrusion detection using a sparse array of ultra wideband (UWB) radars. Two or more UWB radars are arranged in a sparse array around an area to be protected. Each UWB radar transmits ultra wideband pulses that illuminate the area to be protected. Signal return data is processed to determine, among other things, whether an alarm condition has been triggered. High resolution radar images are formed that give an accurate picture of the area to be protected. This image is used to detect motion in a highly selective manner and to track moving objects within the protected area. Motion can be distinguished based on criteria appropriate to the environment in which the intrusion detection system operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Time Domain Corporation
    Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton, James L. Richards, Mark D. Roberts, Brandon S. Dewberry
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7576688
    Abstract: Moving objects are detected with a radar by collecting samples of a received signal over an integration period. The terms of a match function contain a product of a sample of said received signal and a delayed-in-time, Doppler-shifted replica of a transmission and depend on parameters that describe an object that caused a reflection of the transmission. The most probable values of the parameters are found by maximizing the match function through Fourier transforming a vector consisting of terms of the match function. Those of said products that contain a non-zero contribution of said delayed-in-time, Doppler-shifted replica of a transmission are actually computed while the others of said products are zero Only non-zero blocks of the products count as final terms to the vector to be Fourier transformed that have nonzero value while intermittent blocks that have zero value are left out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Eigenor Oy
    Inventor: Markku Sakari Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 7567202
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a radar system, and relates specifically to scanning radar systems that are suitable for detecting and monitoring ground-based targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Plextek Limited
    Inventors: Graham Pearson, Steve Greendale, David Spreadbury
  • Patent number: 7564400
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent the sensitivity of radar apparatus from falling. A spread spectrum radar apparatus which detects an object, includes a carrier wave oscillator which generates a carrier wave, transmission unit which transmits a spread signal which is the carrier wave spread using a first PN code, an intermediate demodulated signal generating unit which receives a reflected wave which is the spread signal reflected from the object, and despreads the reflected wave using a delayed second PN code that has a cyclically reversed logical value of the first PN code, to generate an intermediate demodulated signal, a low-pass filter through which a specific frequency component of the intermediate demodulated signal passes, and a sampling unit which samples an output signal from the low-pass filter, and the sampling unit samples the output signal in synchronization with the cycle of the reversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Fukuda
  • 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: 7515090
    Abstract: A high-frequency position/path sensor for detecting the approach of an object, with a detection range in a near field, which comprises a high-frequency transmitter and a high-frequency receiver, is proposed. The high-frequency transmitter and the high-frequency receiver are arranged and configured such that a main transmitting direction and a main receiving direction lie at an angle to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: BALLUFF GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Jagiella, Sorin Fericean
  • Patent number: 7463182
    Abstract: An inexpensive surveillance radar apparatus capable of identifying the kind of an object by using a monopulse radar that performs wide-angle two-dimensional surveillance. The radar apparatus receives reflected waves from a plurality of points on a moving object within a monitoring area, using a monopulse radar apparatus for measuring of angles, and determines the reflection point for each reflected wave, and then calculates the position and the width in the measuring angle of the surveillance radar of a moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Morinaga, Toshiyuki Nagasaku
  • Patent number: 7456740
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector device and, more particularly, to a detector device comprising a self-diagnosis means for monitoring the correct performance or otherwise of the device. During testing, the device, which normally operates using the Doppler shift principle, is arranged to influence the phase and/or amplitude of the received signal in response to an applied test signal. The received signal may be a Doppler shifted version of a transmitted signal. Combining the phase and/or amplitude shifted version of the received signal and the signal from the local oscillator produces an IF signal that is indicative of the phase and/or amplitude shift. If the device is operating correctly, that signal should have a predetermined range of characteristics. If the self-diagnosis means determines that the produced signal falls outside of the predetermined range of characteristics, an alarm is raised to alert, for example, maintenance personnel to the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Microwave Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Ian Richard Aldred
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7417581
    Abstract: A system and method for highly selective intrusion detection using a sparse array of time modulated ultra wideband (TM-UWB) radars. Two or more TM-UWB radars are arranged in a sparse array around the perimeter of a building. Each TM-UWB radar transmits ultra wideband pulses that illuminate the building and the surrounding area. Signal return data is processed to determine, among other things, whether an alarm condition has been triggered. High resolution radar images are formed that give an accurate picture of the inside of the building and the surrounding area. This image is used to detect motion in a highly selective manner and to track moving objects within the building and the surrounding area. Motion can be distinguished based on criteria appropriate to the environment in which the intrusion detection system operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Time Domain Corporation
    Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton, James L. Richards
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20080169960
    Abstract: The present invention is a radar platform that detects intruders and wirelessly reports to a key-fob. The entire radar platform is water-resistant and two banks of batteries are included for convenience or extended operation time. The device consists of a MicroPower Radar (MPR), a data acquisition (DAQ) element and a processor. Radar sends a short, low-amplitude signal of radio-frequency (RF) energy toward the target. This signal reflects from the target and is received as a Doppler change in signal amplitude. The radar's RF energy is in the radio frequency band and operates at much lower powers than many mobile devices such as cell phones. This Doppler System change in signal amplitude is filtered, amplified and presented to the DAQ. The DAQ converts the analog Doppler signal into a digital bit-stream and passed to the radar processor. Proprietary software analysis is performed to further filter and to make an alarm determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Erwin T. Rosenbury
  • Patent number: 7382310
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for independently setting the range resolution, Doppler resolution, and pulse compression processing gain of a Doppler radar system. Higher Doppler resolution is achieved by segmenting and spreading apart a pseudo-random code (PRC) to increase the processing dwell time on a target. Simultaneous high and low range resolution is obtained by interleaving a second segmented low resolution PRC into the time gaps between a first segmented high resolution PRC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Gregory Hubert Piesinger
  • Patent number: 7362261
    Abstract: A linear frequency-modulated pulse radar system is provided in which the echo signal is mixed with a de-ramp signal, in order to reduce the bandwidth. The transmission signal of the pulse radar and the de-ramp signal are generated with the same reference oscillator, whereby the transmission signal and the de-ramp signal are generated as the upper and lower side band of an upward mixing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Flacke
  • Patent number: 7358888
    Abstract: A system and method for highly selective intrusion detection using a sparse array of time modulated ultra wideband (TM-UWB) radars. Two or more TM-UWB radars are arranged in a sparse array around the perimeter of a building. Each TM-UWB radar transmits ultra wideband pulses that illuminate the building and the surrounding area. Signal return data is processed to determine, among other things, whether an alarm condition has been triggered. High resolution radar images are formed that give an accurate picture of the inside of the building and the surrounding area. This image is used to detect motion in a highly selective manner and to track moving objects within the building and the surrounding area. Motion can be distinguished based on criteria appropriate to the environment in which the intrusion detection system operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Time Domain
    Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton, James L. Richards
  • Patent number: 7359713
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide power management for a mobile communication device having a location determination function. The frequency of the location determination function may be adjusted based on whether the mobile communication device is moving and may be further adjusted based on battery voltage or expected battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Anil Tiwari
  • Patent number: 7333047
    Abstract: An ultra wideband radar system for detecting objects where at least one of the radar system or the object is moving. The radar may be scanned in at least one dimension, which may include angle or range. The system includes a scan combiner that combines scan information in accordance with a trajectory characteristic of a moving object and/or of a moving platform on which the radar resides. Scans may be combined by integration or filtering. A fast calculation method is described wherein the scans are combined into subsets and subsets are shifted in accordance with the trajectory characteristics before further combination. The scan information is combined in accordance with trajectory characteristics to enhance the object signal to noise. Further features are described wherein the scan information is combined according to a family of candidate trajectories and/or object positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Time Domain Corporation
    Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton, James Richards
  • Patent number: 7286213
    Abstract: A process to detect the entry of a target into a zone, such process wherein it has the following stages: an illuminating beam is projected in the direction of the target by at least one source, the beam reflected on the target after its projection by one or more sources is received by at least two detectors placed in proximity to the zone and whose fields of detection incorporate a common part, each detector being synchronized to at least one of the sources, each travel distance separating the source and each detector via the target is computed or else only one of these distances is computed and then associated with a target presence criterion supplied by another detector, a target detection signal is delivered when the distance or distances thus computed, as well as qany presence criterion or criteria supplied, allow a point located geometrically in the zone under surveillance to be defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Thierry Bredy
  • Patent number: 7274323
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronized clocking between a radar receiver and a radar transmitter includes sharing a reference signal between the transmitter and receiver, dividing the common reference into a transmit clock signal in the transmitter and a receive clock signal in the receiver. The receive clock signal and the transmit clock signal are synchronized using a trigger pulse. The synchronization is performed to achieve a 180 degree phase shift between the transmit and receive clocks. Radar pulse transmissions occur on an edge of the transmit clock coinciding with the trigger pulse. A signal recorder is activated on the edge of the receive clock each time the trigger pulse is received. The signal recorder is deactivated after a fixed interval based upon the receiver clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Hester, William C. Weist
  • Patent number: 7227494
    Abstract: A vehicular traffic surveillance Doppler radar system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a modulation circuit portion for generating modulated FM signals. An antenna circuit portion transmits the modulated FM signals to a target and receives the reflected modulated FM signals therefrom. A ranging circuit portion performs a quadrature demodulation on the reflected modulated FM signals and determines a range measurement based upon phase angle measurements derived therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Aker
  • Patent number: 7218271
    Abstract: A system for processing vehicle speed data for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a front antenna assembly of the vehicle generating a front digital signal, and a rear antenna assembly of the vehicle generating a rear digital signal. A fast Fourier transform system converts the front digital signal into front frequency shift data and the rear digital signal into rear frequency shift data. A patrol speed system matches the front frequency shift data and the rear frequency shift data and generates a vehicle speed for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Aker, Alan B. Mead, Robert S. Gammenthaler, Robert V. Vanman
  • Patent number: 7199749
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a respiration signal in a target area are disclosed. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a scanning antenna configured to transmit a microwave signal across a horizontal axis in the target area. Also, the system includes a control system that tracks the position of the scanning antenna along the horizontal axis. A signal processing system then detects a respiration signal of a living subject in the target area from reflected microwave signals from the target area and the positional data. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene F. Greneker, III, Oscar David Asbell, Jonathan L. Geisheimer
  • Patent number: 7190306
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the passage by a vehicle of a determined point for monitoring on a road, wherein from a remotely situated location a radar beam is transmitted continuously to the point for monitoring, reflections from the transmitted radar beam are received at the remotely situated location, and it is determined from the received reflections that the vehicle is passing the point for monitoring. The radar beam can herein be transmitted at an acute angle to the travel direction of the passing vehicle. The detection can be used to activate a red-light camera, to measure the speed of the vehicle or measure the traffic intensity, without sensors, for instance induction loops, having to be arranged in the road for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Gatsometer B.V.
    Inventor: Theodorus Maria Janssen
  • Patent number: 7176828
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for extracting coherent information from in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals. In a form, signals from an antenna array are mixed to form a plurality of I and Q signals that combined to form respective complex vectors. Each vector is adjusted in phase and magnitude to compensate for variations in field signal patterns, summed with other vectors, spatially and temporally filtered, and processed using spectral analysis algorithms to extract coherent spatial information. The coherent spatial information may be used to detect the presence, number and activity of insects within a structure in the near field of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: J.I. Peston Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Anatol Zygmunt Tirkel, Jerzy Fryderyk Gadek
  • Patent number: 7132975
    Abstract: An ultra wideband radar system for detecting moving objects comprising an antenna, which may be scanned in at least one dimension, and a signal processor wherein the signal processor includes a scan combiner that combines scan information in accordance with a candidate trajectory for the moving object. Scans may be combined by integration or filtering. A fast calculation method is described wherein the scans are combined into subsets and subsets are shifted in accordance with the candidate trajectory before further combination. A method is described wherein a region is scanned with an ultra wideband radar, the scan information is combined in accordance with an expected trajectory to enhance the object signal to noise. Further features are described wherein the scan information is combined according to a family of trajectories. A trajectory yielding a potential object detection initiates a further scan combination step wherein the family of trajectories is further resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Time Domain Corporation
    Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton, James Richards
  • Patent number: 7098844
    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: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeffrey J. Clawson
  • Patent number: 7091901
    Abstract: A traffic radar captures the patrol vehicle return signal by saving the patrol return when the radar system is placed in a standby state. If the radar is in standby for more than a predetermined period of time before reentering a transmitting mode, the system searches for a new patrol signal within a speed window around the saved patrol signal speed. If the radar is in standby for less than the predetermined period of time, the system initially searches for a new patrol signal over a range that excludes an interval around the saved patrol signal speed. If the new patrol signal is not found, then in a subsequent search the interval is included in the searched spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Kustom Signals, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice E. Shelton, Steven F. Hocker
  • Patent number: 7084806
    Abstract: Provided are an intruding object detecting apparatus (a radio wave sensor) capable of setting an arbitrary detection region, an apparatus for setting the detection region and a setting processe. An intruding object detecting apparatus 51 is installed in a corner of a room 53, a coordinate system is defined in which a location of the intruding object detecting apparatus 51 is an origin thereof, and coordinates are a distance r from the intruding object detecting apparatus and a scanning angle ? of a transmission antenna/reception antenna of the intruding object detecting apparatus, and a state corresponding to the coordinate system is stored (b) in a storage means; thereby enabling the detection region 52 of the intruding object detecting apparatus can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, the setting can be performed with ease using a reflector or a transmitter, or alternatively, using a setting apparatus constituted of the reflector and the transmitter, combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Toguchi, Yui Tada, Shinichiro Okamura
  • Patent number: 7079030
    Abstract: A microwave sensor transmits a plurality of microwaves having different frequencies to a detection area and performs an object detecting operation based on reflected waves of the microwaves of an object present in the detection area. The microwave sensor includes object determining means that determines whether or not the object present in the detection area is an object to be detected, based on a moving direction of the object in the detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Optex Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7068212
    Abstract: A series of police Doppler single mode radars and a multimode police Doppler radar, all with direction sensing capability are disclosed. A quadrature front end which mixes received RF with a local oscillator to generate two channels of Doppler signals, one channel being shifted by an integer multiple of 90 degrees in phase relative to the other by shifting either the RF or the local oscillator signal being fed to one mixer but not the other. The two Doppler signals are digitized and the samples are processed by a digital signal processor programmed to find one or more selected target speeds. Single modes disclosed are: stationary strongest target; stationary, fastest target; stationary, strongest and fastest targets; moving, strongest, opposite lane; moving, strongest, same lane; moving, fastest, opposite lane; moving, fastest and strongest, opposite lane; moving, fastest, same lane; moving fastest and strongest, same lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Aker, Robert S. Gammenthaler