Automatic Target Detection Patents (Class 342/90)
  • Patent number: 8766845
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across a surface and that travels down the surface. The detection system converts the return signals from a time domain to a frequency domain, resulting in frequency return signals. The detection system then performs a singular value decomposition for each frequency to identify singular values for each frequency. The detection system then detects the presence of a subsurface object based on a comparison of the identified singular values to expected singular values when no subsurface object is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron T. Hallquist, David H. Chambers
  • Publication number: 20140159943
    Abstract: The present disclosure relate to a receiver system that removes unwanted signal components from a received signal based upon signal information from previous received signals. The receiver system has a signal generator that generates multiple signal patterns. One of the multiple signal patterns is provided to a transmit antenna that wirelessly transmits the signal pattern. A receive antenna port receives a reflected signal comprising a time-shifted version of the signal pattern and provides the reflected signal to a reception path. A feedback path extends from the reception path to a signal correction element, which selectively generates a correction signal that reduces unwanted signal components in the reflected signal. The signal correction element generates the correction signal from compensation parameters stored in a memory, which correspond to previously received reflected signals comprising the signal pattern, so that the correction signal can be used to reduce unwanted signal components in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Herbert Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8730091
    Abstract: The target identification technology described herein includes a method, a system, and a computer program product. In some examples, the system includes a length estimation module configured to determine a length of a target from a radar image based on a range profile, the radar image, and one or more adaptive parameters. The system can include a points of interest module configured to identify at least one point of interest of the target from the radar image based on the length of the target, the range profile, the radar image, the one or more adaptive parameters, and Hough Line processing. The system can include an identification module configured to determine a target identification from a plurality of identification classes based on the length of the target and the at least one point of interest of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Harsha Modur Sathyendra, Bryan D. Stephan
  • Patent number: 8730098
    Abstract: Methods are described for radar detection of persons wearing wires using radar spectra data including the vertical polarization (VV) radar cross section and the horizontal polarization (HH) radar cross section for a person. In one embodiment, the ratio of the vertical polarization (VV) radar cross section to the horizontal polarization (HH) radar cross section for a person is compared to a detection threshold to determine whether the person is wearing wires. In another embodiment, the absolute difference of the vertical polarization (VV) radar cross section and the horizontal polarization (HH) radar cross section for a person is compared to a detection threshold to determine whether the person is wearing wires. To reduce false positives, other additional indicators, such as speed of movement, and or visual features of the person, can be used to further narrow a person suspected of wearing wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William P. Fox
  • Patent number: 8730090
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a signal processing device, which includes a reception signal acquiring module for acquiring reception signals received by a radar antenna, an identifying module for identifying a kind of each reception signal, an extracting module for extracting the reception signal for each kind, and a kind-base signal processing module for performing individual signal processing for each kind of the extracted reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Company, Limited
    Inventor: Masahiro Nakahama
  • Patent number: 8711030
    Abstract: Traditional multi-pass radar techniques are not suitable for missions in which the aerial platform both identifies and prosecutes the target at termination of a single pass. A single pass method running a Barankin Estimator provides target height and variance for 3D target imaging that is suitable for war fighters, missiles, UAV, and other aerial platforms capable of nonlinear flight paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Gene Barry Goldstein, Matthew Paul Rosinski, Michael Wayne Whitt
  • Patent number: 8704702
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating an object motion characteristic from a radar signal. The method comprises the step of receiving radar data of an object from a multiple beam radar system. Further, the method comprises the steps of associating radar data with estimated height and/or cross-range information of object parts causing the corresponding radar data and fitting an object model with radar data being associated with a selected estimated height and/or cross-range information interval. The method also comprises the step of determining an object motion characteristic from the fitted object model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventor: Philip van Dorp
  • Publication number: 20140097979
    Abstract: In cognitive radar information networks (CRINs) human-like cognitive abilities of attention and intelligence are built into radar systems and radar information networks (RINS) to assist operators with information overload. A CRIN comprises a plurality of radar sensing nodes monitoring an environment, a repository or memory, and a cognitive radar controller. Each radar sensing node includes a radio frequency transmitter, a transmitting antenna, and a receiver and receiving antenna. The receiver includes a digital radar processor for generating receiver information from the received echoes about the environment. The repository is configured for receiving and storing the receiver information generated by the digital radar processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Accipiter Radar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Accipiter Radar Technologies, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140097980
    Abstract: A system and method for discrimination and identification of a target including: receiving a radar return signal including target information and clutter information; determining a two-fold forward or forward-backward data matrix from the received signal, using a multi-dimensional folding (MDF) process; computing singular values of the two-fold forward or forward-backward data matrix; using the computed singular values to determine a noise power level of the radar return signal; determining the number of scatterers in the radar return signal according to a predetermined threshold value above the noise power; estimating complex Doppler and azimuth frequencies of each scatterer from the determined number of scatterers using the MDF process; determining dispersive scatterers and non-dispersive scatterers using the estimated Doppler and azimuth complex frequencies of each scatterer; and distinguishing the target information from the clutter information, according to the determined dispersive scatterers and non-di
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Campbell, Theagenis J. Abatzoglou
  • Patent number: 8674871
    Abstract: The invention relates to environmental characterization on the basis of an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radiofrequency communication network. Pulses are emitted and the waveform received is compared with predicted waveforms corresponding to well determined interactions between the wave and its environment. The comparison is done by searching for maximum temporal correlation. The interactions can be notably reflections of the wave on walls or obstacles. The deformations are very dependent on the nature of the materials and directions in which the pulses are emitted and received. If predicted waveforms are stored for various pairs of direction of emission and of reception, it is possible through these correlation operations to find where a wall which gave rise to a reflection is situated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: BenoƮt Denis, Vincenzo La Tosa, Bernard Uguen, Friedman Tchoffo-Talom
  • Publication number: 20140062757
    Abstract: A land-based Smart-Sensor System and several system architectures for detection, tracking, and classification of people and vehicles automatically and in real time for border, property, and facility security surveillance is described. The preferred embodiment of the proposed Smart-Sensor System is comprised of (1) a low-cost, non-coherent radar, whose function is to detect and track people, singly or in groups, and various means of transportation, which may include vehicles, animals, or aircraft, singly or in groups, and cue (2) an optical sensor such as a long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor, whose function is to classify the identified targets and produce movie clips for operator validation and use, and (3) an IBM CELL supercomputer to process the collected data in real-time. The Smart Sensor System can be implemented in a tower-based or a mobile-based, or combination system architecture. The radar can also be operated as a stand-alone system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Vista Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Fox, Joseph W. Maresca, JR.
  • Patent number: 8655079
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method to reduce false alarms in identifying whether a candidate image is from an object class includes projecting the candidate image onto an object class subspace and projecting the candidate image onto a non-object class subspace. The method also includes determining whether the candidate image is from the object class using a Bayesian decision function based on the projections on the object class subspace and the non-object class subspace. In another aspect, a method to reduce false alarms in identifying whether a candidate mine image is from a mine class includes projecting the candidate mine image onto a mine subspace and projecting the candidate mine image onto a non-mine subspace. The method also includes determining whether the candidate mine image represents a mine using a Bayesian decision function based on the projections on the mine class subspace and the non-mine class subspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Payam Saisan
  • Patent number: 8620082
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sonar image feature extraction, which fit a parameterized statistical model to sonar image data to extract features that describe image textures for follow-on pattern classification tasks. The systems and methods estimate the parameters of an assumed statistical model from the pixel values in the sonar images. The parameters of the distribution can then be used as features in a discriminant classifier to perform tasks such as texture segmentation or environmental characterization. The systems and methods divide a sonar image into separate overlapping cells. The ACF parameters of each cell are sequentially estimated using various methods. Based on the ACF parameters obtained, each cell is assigned a label via a pattern classification algorithm. The labeled image can be used in target recognition, environmental characterization and texture segmentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James T. Cobb, Gerald J. Dobeck
  • Publication number: 20130342380
    Abstract: A real-time radar surveillance system comprises at least one land-based non-coherent radar sensor apparatus adapted for detecting maneuvering targets and targets of small or low radar cross-section. The radar sensor apparatus includes a marine radar device, a digitizer connected to the marine radar device for receiving therefrom samples of radar video echo signals, and computer programmed to implement a software-configurable radar processor generating target data including detection data and track data, the computer being connectable to a computer network including a database. The processor is figured to transmit at least a portion of the target data over the network to the database, the database being accessible via the network by at least one user application that receives target data from the database, the user application providing a user interface for at least one user of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Accipiter Radar Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Accipiter Radar Technologies Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130342381
    Abstract: A signal processing device is provided. The device includes a signal input unit for receiving reception signals obtained from transmission signals reflecting on one or more objects, a pulse compressor for pulse compressing the reception signals, an interference detector for detecting a reception signal caused by interference, from the pulse-compressed reception signals, a signal level controlling module for controlling a level of the detected reception signal, and an interpolation processing module for interpolating the level-controlled reception signal in an azimuth direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Kazuya Nakagawa, Yasunobu Asada
  • Patent number: 8610622
    Abstract: An aimed or aiming firearm can be detected before it is able to shoot. Wideband radar signals can be used to identify the barrel of a firearm when the radar antenna and barrel are aiming at or near each other. Signal processing correlates reflected signals to the characteristics of specific firearms of interest, and alerts the user when someone is pointing such a firearm at them. Modern wideband radar systems with fast signal processing speed can enable real-time detection of firearm threats in crowded and cluttered areas before they shoot, which has never before been possible. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Flex Force Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Ryan Sullivan, Daniel J. Hyman
  • Patent number: 8604971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is devised for detecting objects of interest in which frequency-scanned RF in the HF region of the electromagnetic spectrum is projected out across a given area and returns are detected and converted into image data in which phase, amplitude, range and frequency associated with the incoming data is correlated with frequency-dependent range templates to determine the existence of, the range of and the direction of the objects of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Richard J. Millard
  • Patent number: 8604969
    Abstract: A sensor is used to identify detections of discrete objects in a search grid. An image grid of the detections is created. The image grid is analyzed to identify a pattern of detections. The pattern of detections is used to identify objects of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Wood, Douglas W. Arent, Charles M. Ciany, Clifford M Curtis, Thomas B. Pederson
  • Patent number: 8599061
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a cavity comprising a signal receiver, a signal analyzer and a threshold excedent determination processor. The signal receiver receives a reflected signal resulting from an interaction of multi-frequency irradiating signal(s) with at least one cavity. The irradiating signal may include an electromagnetic or acoustic signal above a cavity dependent cutoff frequency with a randomized spectral component. The signal analyzer computes cavity detecting statistic(s) of the reflected signal. The cavity detecting statistic(s) may include an autocorrelation function. The autocorrelation function may be a Fourier transform of the power spectral density of the reflected signal. The threshold excedent determination processor generates a notification when cavity detecting statistic(s) exceed a threshold. The threshold may include a multi-variable function. The cavity may be the bore of a weapon. The apparatus may be configured to determine the bearing from the cavity to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: George Mason Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J Hintz
  • Patent number: 8601401
    Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing cursor events may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive an indication of a cursor event of a cursor presented within and associated with a sourcing window of a user interface that also includes a sourced window, wherein the cursor of the sourcing window indicates a geographical location within the geographical area presented by the sourcing window. Additionally, the processor may be configured to communicate information reflecting the cursor event to the sourced window. The processor may further be configured to subject the cursor of the sourced window to the cursor event reflected by the information to thereby synchronize a cursor event of the cursor of the sourced window with the cursor event of the cursor of the sourcing window, wherein the cursor of the sourced window indicates the geographical location indicated by the cursor of the sourcing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Navico Holding AS
    Inventors: Aaron Coleman, Lance Lybarger, Kevin Brown
  • Publication number: 20130314274
    Abstract: A target object detection device is provided. The device includes an antenna unit for transmitting a detection signal in an observing direction at a predetermined detection cycle and receiving a reflection signal of the detection signal, a receiver for outputting reception data obtained by sampling the reception signal that is received by the antenna unit, a detection data generator for outputting detection data obtained by correlating current reception data with previous detection data, and a detection cycle adjuster for adjusting the detection cycle based on the detection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Nakagawa, Koji Nishiyama, Akira Okunishi
  • Publication number: 20130314273
    Abstract: The following are disclosed and claimed: A micro-radar adapted to generate an antenna output of less than or equal to 10 milli-Watt (mW) through an antenna to an object and receive a Radio Frequency (RF) reflection off of said object, and adapted to respond to a first Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) output and a second DAC output. A wireless sensor node and/or a processor for use in said wireless sensor node. A wireline sensor node and/or a processor for use in said wireline sensor node configured operate said micro-radar by control of said first and said second DAC output. A second apparatus configured to receive an improved sensor report from at least two of the wireless sensor nodes. A processor for use with the second apparatus. A third apparatus adapted to respond to vibrations in pavement. Several integrated circuits and systems. Installation devices, servers and/or computer readable memories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: SENSYS NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Kavaler, Akhila Raman, Ravneet Bajwa, Ram Rajagopal, Pravin Varaiya
  • Patent number: 8594457
    Abstract: A correlation image detection method is provided that co-registers sonar images by finding peaks in correlation images. To obtain the peaks, the mean of the absolute values of the correlation coefficients in the correlation image is found and the Rayleigh parameter is determined from the mean. Based on the Rayleigh parameter, an appropriate threshold can be determined using a desired probability of false detection. The threshold can be chosen such that the probability of a single false detection over the expected life of the mission for which correlation detection is being performed is extremely low. The peak value in the image is determined and a correlation is considered detected when the peak value is greater than the product of the threshold and the Rayleigh parameter. If a detection occurs, the correlation image detector returns the transformation that co-registers the two images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Rikoski Richard
  • Publication number: 20130285847
    Abstract: A component is disclosed for a radar system that comprises a main antenna operable to move azimuthally to sweep an area, a transmitter for transmitting pulses from the antenna and a receiver for receiving return signals. The component is operable to enable the radar system to detect a target in the presence of a wind turbine located in the area. The component comprises a plurality of auxiliary antennas and a processor for processing the return signals, the processor being operable to generate a signature of the wind turbine from return signals received by the main and auxiliary antennas in a training process, to generate model data of a target or to receive model data of the target from memory, and to test returned data for the presence of a target, and, if a target is detected, to generate data representing a detected target. A method of detecting the position of a target in the presence of a wind turbine using the radar system is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TMD Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Keith Douglas Ward
  • Patent number: 8571261
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to cause a processor to smooth a current image of a scene to produce a smoothed image and subtract pixel values of a background image of the scene from corresponding pixel values of the smoothed image to produce an altitude difference image. Pixel values of the altitude difference image are weighted to produce a weighted difference image. The weighted difference image is convolved to produce a convoluted difference image. A threshold is applied to each pixel of the convoluted difference image to produce a thresholded difference image. Pixels having a value less than the threshold are removed from the thresholded difference image and classified as background pixels. Foreground pixels are determined based on the thresholded difference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: CheckVideo LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil Gagvani, Alexei Gritai
  • Patent number: 8558891
    Abstract: A method for detecting an object in a scene situated in a sector and capable of comprising one or more artifacts, includes_a step of scanning the sector at an angular velocity ??, a step of acquiring digital images of the scene at a rate f by means of a matrix detector, these images comprising pixels and covering an instantaneous field of angular width ā€œaā€.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Dufour, Michel Prenat, NadĆØge Lemperiere
  • Patent number: 8558730
    Abstract: A method for detecting precipitation in a region monitored by radar beams includes ascertaining a first average power of a first backscattered radar signal, ascertaining a second average power of a second backscattered radar signal, and detecting an existence of a homogenous medium when the average powers conform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alebel Arage Hassen
  • Publication number: 20130257641
    Abstract: The system and method of detection of low flying animals, such as birds, bats, and insects, and more particularly the detection of low flying animals using a radar system to detect the animals in three-dimensional airspace. The radar system produces narrowly focused radar pulses. The radar system comprises a single radar unit, an A/D proceeding apparatus, an A/D conversion apparatus, and a pan/tilt controlled base platform. The system and method further producing an avoidance response in an animal, and more particularly, producing an avoidance response by illuminating the animal with ultraviolet light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Donald Ronning
  • Publication number: 20130187806
    Abstract: A signal selecting device is provided. The signal selecting device includes a transceiver for repeatedly transceiving electromagnetic waves, a target candidate detecting module for detecting a plurality of objects based on echo signals received by the transceiver, a phase change amount calculating module for calculating a phase change amount between two echo signals from two positions of which distances from the transceiver are substantially the same but azimuths from the transceiver are different, and an object selecting module for selecting a predetermined object among the plurality of objects detected by the target candidate detecting module in a first scan based on a phase change amount of the object, the predetermined object being the same object as an object selected by the object selecting module in a second scan that is performed before the first scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8477063
    Abstract: A obstacle detection system comprises a transmission antenna operable to radiate a radio frequency (RF) signal and a transmitter operable to control transmission of the RF signal from the antenna. The obstacle detection system also comprises a receiver antenna operable to receive a reflection of the RF signal; and processing circuitry operable to analyze a plurality of characteristics of a radar cross section (RCS) of the received reflection to identify an obstacle and one or more physical attributes of the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Meyers, Long Bui, Yi-Chi Shih, Alan G. Cornett
  • Patent number: 8466833
    Abstract: A monitoring system for an inner area of a machine includes a radar source radiating or injecting radar radiation into the inner area and a radar receiver receiving radar radiation reflected in the inner area and emitting the reflected radar radiation as a received signal. A control and evaluation unit determines an actual signature from the received signal and compares the actual signature to a stored nominal signature representing a fault-free machine. An output unit outputs a fault error signal when a discrepancy between the actual signature and the nominal signature exceeds a tolerance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Areva GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Kluczewski
  • Patent number: 8462042
    Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention, a kinematic indicator generator may receive tracking data describing the position and velocity of a target. The tracking data may be used to identify an event describing an action of the target that may have occurred. The probability that the event occurred may be calculated and indicated by a confidence. The kinematic indicator generator may generate a kinematic indicator that includes the event and the confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Richard P. DeLong, Barbara J. Blyth
  • Publication number: 20130099958
    Abstract: The invention consists of a method that makes it possible to produce an association of bistatic blips, formed by the different bistatic bases of a multistatic radar system comprising a plurality of transmitters and receivers remote from one another, this association making it possible to transmit to the tracking means only bistatic blips that probably correspond to one and the same target so as to facilitate the work of the tracking means. The association of blips that is produced takes into account the parameters defining, in three dimensions, the bistatic measurements (distance and speed), as well as the azimuth measurement, relating to the corresponding target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Nicolas Millet, SĆ©bastien Allam, Mathieu Klein, Thierry Malherbe
  • Patent number: 8405540
    Abstract: A method detects a target in a sequence of radar images, wherein each image is partitioned into a grid of cells, and wherein each cell has a corresponding position in an image coordinate system associated with a location in a world coordinate system. For each most recent image in a sliding temporal window of images, intensities of each cell are determined, and the subset of the cells having highest intensities is stored as a set of current needles. A set of hypotheses, obtained by using a state transition model and corresponding maximum limits, is determined for the current set of needles and appended to a set of queues. The hypotheses for the previous sets of needles to the corresponding set of queues are updated, and a maximum likelihood in the set of queues are selected to detect the location of targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Fatih M. Porikli
  • Patent number: 8395541
    Abstract: A method of providing weather radar images to a flight crew of an aircraft includes obtaining raw volumetric radar data corresponding to at least one signal reflected off of a weather system. Based on the radar data, the weather system is computationally classified as being of a first type of a plurality of weather-system types. After classifying the weather system, the radar data is image processed, the image processing yielding an image representing the weather system and corresponding to the first weather-system type. The image is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ratan Khatwa, Santosh Mathan
  • Patent number: 8390508
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method to generate radar cross section (RCS) signatures, includes determining a spectrum of an object and using the spectrum of the object to generate RCS signatures of a plurality of objects. In another aspect, an apparatus to generate radar cross section (RCS) signatures includes circuitry to determine a spectrum of an object; and use the spectrum of the object to generate RCS signatures of a plurality of objects. In a further aspect, an article includes a machine-readable medium that stores executable instructions to generate radar cross section signatures (RCS). The executable instructions cause a machine to determine a spectrum of an object and use the spectrum of the object to generate RCS signatures of a plurality of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chul J. Lee, Richard A. Gilstrap
  • Publication number: 20130033394
    Abstract: A method of reducing cross-range streaking in a radar image includes determining a number of on-pixels in each line of at least a portion of the radar image, determining which lines have a determined number of on-pixels that exceeds a threshold number, and removing the on-pixels of lines having the determined number of on-pixels exceeding the threshold number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Brent McCleary
  • Patent number: 8368586
    Abstract: A system includes a multi-system approach to detecting concealed weapons and person borne improvised explosive devices (PBIED). A first and second radar system operate at different center frequencies to provide, respectively, isolation of a target of interest from clutter and fine detail information on the target, such as whether the target is a living person, whether a concealed object may be present, material composition of the object, and shape, size, and position of the target relative to the system. Circular polarized radar beam may be used to distinguish a suspect object from within a crowd of people. Radar image of the object may be overlaid on visual image of a person carrying the object. Radar tracking of the object is coordinated with visual tracking of the target provided by a camera system, with visual display and tracking of the target overlaid with the radar information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tialinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Farrokh Mohamadi, Mikko Oijala, Mohsen Zolghadri, Paul Strauch
  • Patent number: 8368585
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a navigation assisting device, which includes a TT information acquiring module for acquiring target object data by performing target tracking based on an echo received by a radar antenna, an AIS information acquiring module for acquiring target object data based on a Universal Shipborne Automatic Identification System, a maximum-number-of-output-data determination module for determining a maximum number of output data that is the number of target object data that is outputable while the radar antenna revolves once, a priority determination module for performing a priority determination according to a predetermined rule, for the target object data acquired by the TT information acquiring module and the target object data acquired by the AIS information acquiring module, and an output control module for outputting the target object data fewer than the maximum number of output data according to the priorities while the radar antenna revolves once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Company Limited
    Inventors: Motoji Kondo, Yoshihito Hayashi, Takatsugu Kubo
  • Patent number: 8362945
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and tracking a gun using millimeter waves are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for detecting and tracking a gun using radio frequency waves at millimeter wavelengths, the method including storing empirical data, for up to N types of guns, including information indicative of a resonant frequency of a barrel of each of the N guns, generating pulse energy including at least one sequence of pulses at millimeter wave frequencies for each of the N guns, transmitting the pulse energy, receiving reflected pulse energy, filtering the reflected pulse energy to a preselected bandwidth for each of the N guns, determining a first maximum value of the filtered reflected pulse energy in each of the preselected bandwidths that exceeds a preselected threshold, determining a second maximum value among the first maximum values, and correlating a frequency of the second maximum value with the stored resonant frequencies of the N guns to identify a gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Tien M. Nguyen, John J. Wootan
  • Patent number: 8350749
    Abstract: A method for testing and/or validating the suitability of a multi-radar signature database to be used on radar systems having automatic target recognition. The database may include measured field data and/or modeled synthetic data. The technique allows field data to be compared to the synthetic data using modal mutual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: John Malas, Krishna Pasala, Usha M. Pasala, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8344937
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a first radar; identifying a blind spot in coverage of the first radar; providing a second radar to illuminate the blind spot, and merging data from the first and second radars using target classification prior to tracking to reduce false targets. In one embodiment, polarimetric data is used to classify targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Peter R. Drake, Yuchoi F. Lok
  • Publication number: 20120313808
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a reflection of Radio Frequency (RF) radar energy, mapping the RF radar energy by Doppler frequency and range, analyzing the RF radar energy for a highest return, aligning the highest return with a Doppler notch over a range of interest, and searching for targets within the RF radar energy only outside of the Doppler notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Kerry D. Frohling
  • Patent number: 8330643
    Abstract: A surveillance system for detecting targets with high cross-range resolution between targets. The system includes at least two radar antennae mounted on blades of a windmill and is configured to apply a compressive sensing technique when the blades do not rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Thales Nederlands B.V.
    Inventors: Radmila Erkocevic-Pribic, Willem Andries Hol, Ton Peerdeman
  • Patent number: 8326081
    Abstract: A correlation image detector is provided that co-registers sonar images by finding peaks in correlation images. To obtain the peaks, the mean of the absolute values of the correlation coefficients in the correlation image is found and the Rayleigh parameter is determined from the mean. Based on the Rayleigh parameter, an appropriate threshold can be determined using a desired probability of false detection. The threshold can be chosen such that the probability of a single false detection over the expected life of the mission for which correlation detection is being performed is extremely low, e.g., one in a million. The peak value in the image is determined and a correlation is considered detected when the peak value is greater than the product of the threshold and the Rayleigh parameter. If a detection occurs, the correlation image detector returns the transformation that co-registers the two images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Richard Rikoski
  • Patent number: 8321070
    Abstract: In order to target and intercept a desired object within a number of objects detected in an environment, detection data is received from two different sensors, where the detection data includes spatial coordinates. A set of four-point subsets (tetrahedra) are selected from each set of spatial coordinates. A number of correlation maps are determined between the first set of spatial coordinates and the second set of spatial coordinates based on the plurality of four-point subsets. The mean sphericity for each corresponding plurality of four-point subsets in the plurality of correlation maps is determined, and a threat object map based on the correlation map having the greatest mean sphericity is created. The desired object is targeted based on the correlation map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Steven J. Manson
  • Patent number: 8314732
    Abstract: A method of classifying items from reflected signals returned from said items is disclosed, the method comprising: processing said return signals to discriminate between a first set of signals indicative of items of interest and a further set of signals indicative of clutter; identifying items from said first set of signals and classifying them as a first class of item; processing said further set of signals to identify a second set of signals indicative of further items of interest; identifying items from said second set of signals and classifying them as a second class of item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cambridge Consultants Ltd.
    Inventors: Gordon Kenneth Andrew Oswald, Edwin Christopher Carter, Per Arne Vincent Utsi, Samuel Julius Pumphrey, Desmond Keith Phillips, Michael Hugh Burchett, Allan Geoffrey Smithson, Jonathan Peter Edgecombe
  • Patent number: 8310392
    Abstract: A radar device includes an antenna, from which a detection signal is transmitted while the antenna being rotated and by which a reflective wave of the transmitted detection signal is received to detect echo data, wherein image data is generated based on the detected echo data, a continuity detecting module for detecting a planar continuity of the currently detected echo data with respect to a pixel concerned in the image data, a behavior data generating module for generating behavior data indicative of a behavior of the echo data for a predetermined number of scans of the past in the pixel concerned based on behavior determination data, and an echo kind determining module for determining a kind of the echo data of the pixel concerned based on the planar continuity and the behavior data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kojima, Takumi Fujikawa, Hidetoshi Kaida, Yu Morita, Toshiaki Takaki, Katsunori Okamatu
  • Patent number: 8299957
    Abstract: A method for detecting a vehicle type, a vehicle speed and width of a detecting area by a vehicle radar sensor is disclosed. A radio wave is transmitted to a tracked vehicle. Subsequently, the reflective radio wave from the vehicle is received. The Doppler frequency versus time distribution is generated from the reflective radio wave. Because the reflective radio wave is influenced by the Doppler Effect, a parallelogram or a shape close to a parallelogram of a consecutive motion diagram is shown in the Doppler frequency versus time distribution of the vehicle. According to the consecutive motion diagram, certain information, such as the length and speed of the tracked vehicle and the width of the detecting area, can be acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Chien Cheng Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Te Tseng
  • Patent number: 8294609
    Abstract: A method of using a discriminant analysis and Kalman filter cascade to improve the accuracy of point of origin solutions. Tracking information about a potential target is utilized by an initial discrimination function to classify the target as a projectile. Using that information, the output of a first Kalman filter is fed into an additional discrimination function to further classify the type or sub-class of the projectile. A second Kalman filter can employ type-specific information to obtain a point of origin solution with increased efficiency and accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: SRC, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy David Graham