Automatic Target Detection Patents (Class 342/90)
  • 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: 7126876
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method for resolving harmonic ambiguity and inter-array harmonic tracking. The method allows derivation of a complete set of possible harmonic families given the selection (by an operator) or automatic detection (by an automated algorithm) of a single tone (fselected) from a frequency spectrum using a novel “ambiguity matrix” approach in which a matrix of all N possible harmonic members and M hypothetical fundamentals is constructed. The ambiguity matrix provides an image of all possible harmonic families associated with a selected tone. The selection of the correct fundamental is then made based on simple comparisons between this image and the set of all possible fundamentals. The ambiguity matrix effectively provides a reduced finite solution space (discrete set of possibilities) in which to unambiguously estimate the correct fundamental.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Raymond J. Rowland, Denman E. Sweetman
  • Patent number: 7119734
    Abstract: A target determination apparatus for determining type of a target, includes a transmission unit, a reception unit, and a determination unit. The transmission unit emits an electromagnetic wave. The reception unit receives the electromagnetic wave reflected at the target to obtain reception information. The determination unit determines the type of the target on the basis of radar cross section obtained from the reception information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masao Nakano, Kimihisa Yoneda
  • Patent number: 7119732
    Abstract: Provided is a bistatic and multistatic system for detecting and identifying a target in close proximity to an orbiting satellite. An electromagnetic fence is established to surround the satellite, using a ground-based communication uplink from a gateway antenna. A contact or breach of the electromagnetic fence by the target is detected by the satellite, or at other sensor locations, and an exact position, range and ISAR image of the target is calculated using scattered RF energy from the fence. Identification data is transmitted to satellite system monitors, whereby the data is used to decide on a corrective course of action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Juan F. Lam, Theofanis Mavromatis
  • Patent number: 7116265
    Abstract: A method for classification of a target object having a periphery comprises the steps of: selecting a plurality of random first chords D1 across the periphery of the target object; measuring each of the first chords D1 to obtain a plurality of first dimensions; computing for each of the first chords D1 a second chord D2 across the periphery thus forming a plurality of D1, D2 pairs of chords; measuring the second chords D2 for all pairs to obtain second dimensions; computing for each of the pairs of first chords D1 and second chords D2 the ratio D1/D2 of the first dimension to the second dimension to obtain a plurality of first values; computing the logarithm of the first values to obtain a plurality of logarithmic values; computing difference values by subtracting the second dimension from the first dimension for each of the pairs; recording the first values, logarithmic values and difference values in histograms; extracting a vertex lists from the histograms; combining one or more of the vertex lists to o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: David B. Shu, Cynthia E. Daniell
  • Patent number: 7081849
    Abstract: The subject process accepts the data from a kinematic tracker and maps them to fuzzy set conditions. Then using a multitude of defined membership functions and fuzzy logic gates, generates sensor mode control rules. It does this for every track and each sensor. The Rule with the best score becomes a sensor cue, which is used to place the sensor into one of three operating modes. If there are ambiguities do to one or more vehicles coming in to close proximity to each other process compares radar profiles of vehicle to those stored in an “on the fly” data base to eliminate the ambiguities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Noel Collins, Kirk D. Moore, Donald R. McMillan
  • Patent number: 7079072
    Abstract: A radar processor is disclosed for processing the radar return samples from a Doppler radar receiver to discriminate helicopter targets from fixed-wing targets. The radar processor defines the spectral components of the radar return components due to the helicopter rotor hub as the “signal” component; and the spectral components due to the target skin, ground clutter and white noise as the “noise” component. The radar processor implements the Neyman Pearson criterion to calculate a detection statistic. Whether the calculated detection statistic exceeds a threshold determines whether a “helicopter presents” or a “helicopter absent” target condition is declared. The radar processor utilizes helicopter rotor hub reflected signals, and requires only a few milliseconds on target, and may therefore be readily implemented by scanning surveillance systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Theagenis J. Abatzoglou
  • Patent number: 7075482
    Abstract: A Direction Finding DF Method and System Using Transmission Signature Differentiation is disclosed. Also disclosed is system that is able identify which signal is coming from which transmiitter. Futhermore, the syatem can take each respective transmitter's Line-of-Bearing (LOB) data and process them separately. The system is further capable of being fully automated in order to reduce to processing time and eliminate the necessity of human intervention. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the system can feasibly be remotely controlled by a network such that the information can be collected from other from similar systems. In this way, a far more efficient DF System can be achieved in which multiple transmitters' positions can be determined one quickly from a centralized command facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Network Fab Corporation
    Inventor: Lars Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7071867
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for tracking at least one moving target with a radar device without requiring the use of Doppler information. The invention comprises scanning an area with radar signals at a first time to receive a first plurality of target data signals indicative of a position of the target at the first time and determining the position of the target at the first time by collecting the first plurality of target data signals into a first target data grouping, such that the first target data grouping defines a first reference point. Similarly, a second reference point for the target is determined for a second time, and the position of the first reference point is compared to the position of the second reference point to track the moving target. Advantageously, the tracked positions of the moving target may be used to predict a future position of the target at a subsequent time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter S. Wittenberg, Aaron Y. Mosher
  • Patent number: 7068209
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting emitter signals and for determining a scan strategy for a receiver system that receives such emitter signals. In one embodiment, the scan strategy may be computed to operate in a manner cognizant of on-board active jammers, optimizing the jammer band and intercept band performance. The additional inputs for this task are a jammer band assignment table, and a blanking assignment table. The capability to generate “dry” (no jam) and “wet” (jamming) scan strategies for an emitter set is provided, with separate intercept rules for each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Gounalis
  • Patent number: 7053817
    Abstract: A target determination apparatus includes a reception unit, a judgment unit, and a determination unit. The reception unit receives a reflection wave from a target. The judgment unit judges as to whether or not a fluctuation state of reception intensity of the reflection wave with time corresponds to a distinction state occurring when the target is a predetermined type, on the basis of information concerning the reception intensity of the reflection wave. The determination unit determines type of the target on the basis of judgment result of the judgment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masao Nakano, Etsuo Kakishita
  • Patent number: 7046192
    Abstract: A radar method of classifying generating or identifying helicopters, by generating a one-dimensional distance profile of the helicopter to be classified or to be identified by measuring the radar each of the helicopter fuselage, the radar echo of the rotor head of the main rotor and/or the radar echo of the main axis, and the radar echo of the rear rotor axis; determines the aspect angles in the azimuth and elevation directions relative to the axis of the radar antenna and the method also determines helicopter parameters from the measured radar echoes. The determined helicopter parameters are compared with stored helicopter parameters for different helicopter types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Nagel
  • Patent number: 7040570
    Abstract: Applicants' ATR system is weather-agile because it is comprised of a primary target sensing means that is capable of surveilling the target scene in foul or fair weather, and a secondary target sensing means that is also capable of sensing targets in various weather. The primary and secondary sensing means communicate through a control center so that ultimately, among several weapons available, the most strategically located and equipped weapon is activated for the destruction of a selected target, given the weather. The control center accomplishes the communication by receiving the sensed target signature from the primary sensing means, processing the signature using database already resident in the center and transmitting the processed target signature to the weapon possessing the greatest potential for successfully destroying the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: S. Richard F. Sims, William C. Pittman
  • Patent number: 7038616
    Abstract: A design methodology for jointly optimizing the transmit waveform and receiver filter for multiple target identification is presented in presence of transmit signal dependent clutter like interference and noise. The methodology is applied and illustrated for various multiple ‘target ID’ problems in presence of transmit signal dependent clutter like interference and noise. The resulting correct target classification is significantly better than that achieved by a conventional chirp or any other transmit waveform. Unlike the classical radar case, the choice of transmit pulse shape can be critically important for the detection of extended targets in presence of additive channel noise and signal-dependent clutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: S. Unnikrishna Pillai
  • Patent number: 7032858
    Abstract: A plurality of sensor vehicles collect imaging data from an assigned location of a target region having targets and non-targets. The imaging data may be combined based on its location and the combined data is matched to a threat object map to identify the actual targets from the non-targets. In some embodiments, the sensor vehicles may be redirected to collect velocity and/or range information on the identified targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Darin S. Williams
  • Patent number: 7034738
    Abstract: A system and method for classifying radar emitters includes: (a) receiving a plurality of signals from the radar emitters; (b) generating data components for each signal received from the radar emitters; (c) forming multi-dimensional samples using the generated data components; and (d) sorting the multi-dimensional samples into a plurality of data clusters, based on their respective proximity to the data clusters, each data cluster representing a classification of a radar emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Wang, Charles R. Ward
  • Patent number: 7034742
    Abstract: A first Kalman filter estimates true measures of yaw rate and vehicle speed from associated noisy measures thereof generated by respective sensors in a host vehicle, and a second Kalman filter estimates therefrom parameters of a clothoid model of road curvature. Measures of range, range rate, and azimuth angle from a target state estimation subsystem, e.g. a radar system, are processed by an extended Kalman filter to provide an unconstrained estimate of the state of a target vehicle. Associated road constrained target state estimates are generated for one or more roadway lanes, and are compared—either individually or in combination—with the unconstrained estimate. If a constrained target state estimate corresponds to the unconstrained estimate, then the state of the target vehicle is generated by fusing the unconstrained and constrained estimates; and otherwise is given by the unconstrained estimate alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Shan Cong, Shi Shen, Lang Hong
  • Patent number: 7030808
    Abstract: Nonlinear target detection for the detection of extremely weak signals when buried in very high levels of noise is performed with improvement of the quality of the signals received in the data by the amplification of the signal to noise (S/N) ratio. The S/N ratio increases dramatically after the originally measured signal is passed through a nonlinear stochastic resonance filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Daniel W. Repperger, Eric M. Alderman, M. Seddik Djouadi
  • Patent number: 7026980
    Abstract: Sensors determine the kinematic measurements of a boosting missile, and the information is applied to a plurality of pairs or sets of filters, one of which is matched to the characteristics of a particular target type, and the other of which is general, and not matched to a particular target, for producing from each filter of the set missile position, velocity, acceleration, and specific mass flow rate states, and covariances of those states. From the filtered information, the estimates are made of at least missile mass flow rate, thrust, velocity at stage burnout, and remaining burn time. The likelihood is computed that the states and covariances from the filter sets represent the same target. The largest likelihood is selected as representing the target. In one mode, the estimated parameters are weighted and summed for a composite likelihood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Mavroudakis, Jeffrey B. Boka, Naresh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 7026979
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for joint kinematic and feature tracking are presented. Kinematic measurements and feature/class measurements regarding an object are received from a sensor. A probabilistic argumentation operation is performed on the feature/class measurements using information from a knowledge base and a track file ect to generate feature track likelihood scores regarding likely tracks for the object. Kinematic track likelihood scores are generated based on the kinematic measurements and the track file. Joint track likelihood scores are generated based on the feature track likelihood scores and the kinematic track likelihood scores. Joint track likelihood scores are used to generate a multi-frame track measurement association to determine a most likely track for the object. The track file is continually updated with the most likely track for the object, so that the most likely trajectory of the object is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: HRL Labortories, LLC
    Inventor: Deepak Khosla
  • Patent number: 7019681
    Abstract: The invention is a system and method for verifying the radar signature of a pair of aircraft. The system includes a radar transmitter and receivers located in the leading and trailing edge of the wing at the wing tip of the aircraft such that when flying the aircraft in formation with one aircraft behind the other aircraft, each aircraft can illuminate the other and verify the radar signature of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Larry F. Pellett, Scott Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7019684
    Abstract: An arrangement for reducing the effect of vibration-induced changes in phase of the first local oscillator in a tracking receiver wherein final detection is accomplished by a synchronous detector in a phase lock loop incorporating a voltage-controlled oscillator is shown to include a differentiator providing a control signal whenever a vibration-induced change occurs, such control signal being applied to cause the time taken for the voltage-controlled oscillator to regain proper phase is reduced to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: George R. Spencer, Walter J. Hicks
  • Patent number: 7015855
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of employing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images to automatically classify a target comprising emitting and collecting SAR signals at a plurality of squint angles, forming a plurality of SAR images of the target from the collected signals, the plurality of SAR images substantially having tilt angle diversity, automatically classifying the target from each of the plurality of SAR images, and generating a most probable target classification from the classifications of the plurality of SAR images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Medl, James H. Hughen, Russell N. Van Allen
  • Patent number: 7009554
    Abstract: This invention relates to state estimation after processing measurements with time delays from multiple sensors of systems characterized by state variables and by multidimensional parameters, for which the latter are unknown and may vary arbitrarily in time within known physical bounds. If a measurement is time-late, apply the measurement to an out-of-sequence filter that uses a mean square optimization criterion that accounts for measurement errors and said bounding values, as well as the delay time, to optimally produce estimates of the true states of the system. If the measurement is not time-late, apply the measurements to an in-sequence filter that uses a mean square optimization criterion that accounts for measurement errors and said bounding values, to produce estimates of the true states of the system. The estimates are applied to one of (a) making a decision relating to the system, (b) operating a control system, and (c) controlling a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Purusottam Mookerjee, Frank J. Reifler
  • Patent number: 7002509
    Abstract: A Method and System for Emitter Identification Using Transmission Signatures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system that is able to take in the undemodulated IF of the receiver and perform identification algorithms on that data. The system is further able to perform these functions in real-time and present the operator with an intelligent evaluation as to the identification of an emitter, or the presence of a new emitter. Still further, the system is capable of being fully automated to reduce the processing time to react to the results of the emitter identification. Furthermore, the present invention can feasibly remotely control the emitter identification system over a network and collect the same information from similar systems. In this way, a far more efficient System can be achieved wherein emitters can be determined, tracked, or monitored more quickly from a centralized command facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Networkfab Corporation
    Inventor: Lars Karlsson
  • Patent number: 6999024
    Abstract: An average power value of a peak pair corresponding to a subjective target objective is converted into a radar cross section, to calculate a normalized average power value NP and a standard deviation DP representing a temporal dispersion of a power difference between peak pairs. When the value NP is larger than an automotive vehicle discriminating threshold THnp, the attribute of the subjective target objective is set to “automotive vehicle.” When the value NP is not larger than the threshold THnp and the deviation DP is larger than a human objective discriminating threshold THdp, the attribute of the subjective target objective is set to “non-vehicle objective: human objective.” Furthermore, when the value NP is not larger than the threshold THnp and the deviation DP is not larger than the threshold THdp, the attribute of the subjective target objective is set to “non-vehicle objective: non-human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kumon, Yukimasa Tamatsu
  • Patent number: 6985102
    Abstract: A method of deinterleaving parameter descriptor word (PDW) data includes parallel scoring of pulses in an a posteriori search for associating of pulses based on proximity within a multi-parameter problem space. The a posteriori search includes scoring an oldest pulse against all newer pulses, and then scoring a next oldest pulse against all newer pulses. The associating utilizes at least one of a plurality of parallel computation modes, parallel tasks to operate on separate data fields, and multi-threading or multitasking that can implement one of parallel and configuration-overlaid operation, synchronized by events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Horn, Steven F. Hurt
  • Patent number: 6977610
    Abstract: A mechanism for combining signals of multiple radars to achieve increased range, radar sensitivity and angle accuracy is provided. A first signal beam is radiated from an antenna of a first radar in the direction of a target. A second signal beam is radiated from an antenna of a second radar in the direction of the same target. The echo signals from the first signal beam and the second signal beam are received at both radars. The echo signals received at the first radar are processed to produce first radar processed echo signals and the echoes signals received at the second radar are processed to produce second radar processed echo signals. The first and second radar processed echo signals are combined to form an aggregate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Eli Brookner, David V. Manoogian, Fritz Steudel
  • Patent number: 6970128
    Abstract: A see-through-the-wall (STTW) imaging system uses a plurality of geographically separated positioning transmitters to transmit non-interfering positioning signals. An imaging unit generates a synthetic aperture image of a target by compensating for complex movement of the imaging unit using the positioning signals. The imaging unit includes forward and aft positioning antennas to receive at least three of the positioning signals, an imaging antenna to receive radar return signals from the target, and a signal processor to compensate the return signals for position and orientation of the imaging antenna using the positioning signals. The signal processor may construct the synthetic aperture image of a target from the compensated return signals as the imaging unit is moved with respect to the target. The signal processor may determine the position and the orientation of the imaging unit by measuring a relative phase of the positioning signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Wesley H. Dwelly, Vinh N. Adams, Michael R. Beylor
  • Patent number: 6967612
    Abstract: The system and method for standoff detection of human carried explosives (HCE) is a portable system that automatically detects HCE up to a range of 200 meters and within seconds alerts an operator to HCE threats. The system has radar only, or both radar and video sensors, a multi-sensor processor, an operator console, handheld displays, and a wideband wireless communications link. The processor receives radar and video feeds and automatically tracks and detects all humans in the field of view. Track data continuously cues the narrow beam radar to a subject of interest, the radar repeatedly interrogating cued objects, producing a multi-polarity radar range profile for each interrogation event. Range profiles and associated features are automatically fused over time until sufficient evidence is accrued to support a threat/non-threat declaration hypothesis. Once a determination is made, the system alerts operators through a handheld display and mitigates the threat if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventors: John D. Gorman, Robert J. Douglass, Thomas J. Burns, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6950054
    Abstract: A handheld radar frequency scanner system for detecting objects concealed on a person, the system includes a radar transmitter coupled to a transmit antenna that is configured and positioned to direct a radar signal at a person, a radar receiver coupled to a receive antenna that is configured to detect a portion of the radar signal reflected by the person, and a processor connected to the radar receiver and operable to process the portions of the radar signals detected by the radar receiver to determine whether the person is carrying a concealed object. The system may produce a real-time alert, such as an audible alert, when a concealed object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: CyTerra Corporation
    Inventors: William Steinway, Gregory Stilwell, Herbert Duvoisin, III, David H. Fine
  • Patent number: 6943724
    Abstract: A method of tracking a moving object in an image created by use of a synthetic aperture includes identifying a plurality of receive phase centers for an image collector, obtaining a synthetic aperture image using the plurality of receive phase centers, and reading a signature of the moving object based on the synthetic aperture image, where the reading of the signature includes identifying, in the synthetic aperture image, as a function of image collection time, a presence of the moving object. The reading of the signature may also include identifying a changing position of the moving object, and may include associating a plurality of range difference values with respective ones of the plurality of phase centers. A signature of a scatterer may be formed using only its associated ?R-versus-time profile. The presence of a mover in the image may be determined by filtering the image to detect all or part of a signature, or by using one or more signatures to train a neural network to observe the mover directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Brace, Joe V. Petty
  • Patent number: 6911933
    Abstract: The present invention includes an application of a dynamic logic algorithm to detect slow moving targets. Show moving targets are going to be moving in the range from 0-5 mph. This could encompass troop movements and vehicles or convoys under rough terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Christopher W. Mutz, Leonid I. Perlovsky, Robert J. Linnehan
  • Patent number: 6897802
    Abstract: A plurality of image chips (202) (over 100), each of the chips containing the same, known target of interest, such as, for example an M109 tank are presented to the system for training. Each image chip of the known target is slightly different than the next, showing the known target at different aspect angles and rotation with respect to the moving platform acquiring the image chip. The system extract multiple features of the known target from the plurality of image chips (202) presented for storage and analysis, or training. These features distinguish a known target of interest from the nearest similar target to the M109 tank, for example a Caterpillar D7 bulldozer. These features are stored for use during unknown target identification. When an unknown target chip is presented, the recognition algorithm relies on the features stored during training to attempt to identify the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Cynthia Daniell, Narayan Srinivasa
  • Patent number: 6894635
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting emitter signals and for determining a scan strategy for a receiver system that receives such emitter signals. When revisit times are computed for each receiver detecting method for an emitter, these revisit times may not be monotonically increasing or decreasing as expected due to discontinuities in the antenna model. A system and method are provided for detection and correction of such discontinuities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Gounalis
  • Patent number: 6894634
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting emitter signals and for determining a scan strategy for a receiver system that receives such emitter signals. Data is provided that specifies one or more emitters or emitter types desired for detection. An algorithm evaluates the cost, in terms of receiver resources, of using one or more different detecting methods to create a receiver scan strategy for the desired emitters or emitter types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Gounalis
  • Patent number: 6894639
    Abstract: This application discloses a method for distinguishing targets from clutter, comprising the steps inputting data, calculating data statistics from said data and using said data statistics to select target specific feature information to distinguish specific targets from background clutter, generating said target specific feature information from said data statistics, extracting said target specific feature information from said data, using said target specific feature information to distinguish specific targets from background clutter, and outputting target and background clutter information. Classification systems, including hardware and software embodiments, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Alan Jerry Katz
  • Patent number: 6894636
    Abstract: A system for imaging the contents of containers includes an imager arranged to receive millimetre wave radiation from a reception volume through a receive antenna wherein, in use, the container is moving relative to the receive antenna, the reception volume is positioned such that the relative movement causes the reception volume to move through the container; data from the antenna is recorded as the reception volume moves through the container, and an image of the contents of the container is built up from the recorded data. The system is particularly suitable for imaging containers mounted on vehicles. The imager may advantageously be mounted in a portal, allowing convenient and controllable relative positioning of the container, and allowing the relative speed to be controlled or measured easily. The invention allows 3D or pseudo 3D images to be produced to aid identification of container contents. The invention also includes a method for imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Rupert N Anderton, Peter R Coward, Roger Appleby
  • Patent number: 6888492
    Abstract: A radar for a terminally-guided sub-munition is capable of differentiating between spatial depositions of target scatterers and clutter. The radar frequency f is swept, in stepwise manner, over a frequency range F, the frequency of 2N successive batches of M pulses being incremented in steps of f = F 2 ? N . To minimise variability of hybrid spectrum with relative target velocity, v, a duplexer transmits the 2 NM pulses with a monotonic frequency sequence derived from control circuit and the returns being reordered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Thorn Emi Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Roger Voles
  • Patent number: 6873284
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting emitter signals and for determining a scan strategy for a receiver system that receives such emitter signals. Typically, the minimum dwell duration of a dwell is the maximum pulse repetition interval (PRI) of the emitters that the dwell is intended to cover. However, it may be possible to reduce the minimum dwell duration when the overall probability of intercept of a particular dwell may be met with a shorter dwell duration. A system and method are provided to detect this condition and reduce the dwell duration of the dwell if appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Gounalis
  • Patent number: 6864826
    Abstract: Radar apparatus and methods of use thereof for imaging and/or spectrometric analysis. The invention employs pulsed radar signals for magnifying, imaging, scale measuring, identifying and/or typecasting the composition of substances by radargrammetric imaging and/or statistical analysis of energy/frequency spectrums. The invention may be used to locate and/or distinguish a substance from other substances, to image a substance/feature and to monitor the movement of an imaged substance/feature. The systems and methods can be adapted for a variety of applications at a wide range of scales and distances, from large scale, long range applications such as geophysical imaging/analysis, to the small scale such as material typecasting applications and small scale (including microscopic) imaging/analysis, including biological and medical imaging and diagnostic applications. The invention includes novel antenna assemblies and novel data processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: George Colin Stove
  • Patent number: 6864831
    Abstract: A radar detection process includes computing a derivative of an FFT output signal to detect an object within a specified detection zone. In one embodiment, a zero crossing in the second derivative of the FFT output signal indicates the presence of an object. The range of the object is determined as a function of the frequency at which the zero crossing occurs. Also described is a detection table containing indicators of the presence or absence of an object within a respective radar beam and processing cycle. At least two such indicators are combined in order to detect the presence of an object within the detection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Walter Gordon Woodington, Michael Joseph Delcheccolo, Joseph S. Pleva, Mark E. Russell, H. Barteld Van Rees
  • Patent number: 6859546
    Abstract: An image detection apparatus for detecting a target in an input image includes a database storing a target data unit, which includes information specifying the target to be detected, used color data, representative color data, and a cluster image; a representative color area extraction section for extracting an area having substantially the same color as the representative color from the input image as a representative color area; a candidate area extraction section for obtaining a candidate area possibly including the target from the representative color area, using relative positions of an area having the representative color and a frame of the cluster image; and a comparison section for comparing the cluster image and the candidate area and detecting the candidate area as an area including the target based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Matsukawa, Tsuyoshi Mekata
  • Patent number: 6856272
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for early detection and identification of a threat such as individuals carrying hidden explosive materials, land mines on roads, etc. are disclosed. Methods comprise transmitting radar signals in the direction of a potential threat, measuring the energy in reflected signals, dynamically generating a threat threshold value from signals received from multiple areas and comparing the energy in the reflected signals corresponding to different areas to the generated threat threshold value. The threat threshold value may be generated by averaging the weighted reflected energy measured from different areas during a single scan of a region including the different areas. The contribution to the threshold from different areas is weighted in some embodiments as a function of the distance from the transmitter and/or receiver to the particular area. Analysis of areas and treating different areas as segments facilitates accurate analysis and display of threat information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Personnel Protection Technoloties LLC
    Inventors: Arthur C. Levitan, Lester Kosowsky
  • Patent number: 6850186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for using signals scattered by targets to determine position and velocity for each of the targets and comprises a set of transmitters and receivers of electromagnetic or acoustic signals, said transmitters and receivers dispersed to known points. Each pair of transmitter and receiver, monostatic or bistatic, is named a measuring facility. The ranges of the transmitters are chosen so that a target at an arbitrary point within the position space can be measured via scattering in the target by at least four measuring facilities. For each measuring facility, target detection occurs with constant false alarm rate in the form of probabilities over resolution cells with regards to range and Doppler velocity and conceivable targets are placed in a 2-dimensional linear space belonging to the measuring facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Totalforsvarets Forskningsinstitut
    Inventor: Hans Hellsten
  • Publication number: 20040263379
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices, and apparatus to interrogate a clothed individual with electromagnetic radiation to determine if a concealed weapon is being carried. This determination includes establishing data corresponding to an image of the individual and processing data sets corresponding to a number of spatial frequency representations of different image portions to evaluate if the concealed weapon is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Paul E. Keller
  • Patent number: 6831590
    Abstract: A concealed object detection system for detecting objects concealed on a person includes radar transponders that are each configured and positioned to direct a radar signal at a person and to detect a portion of the radar signal reflected by the person. A processor connected to the radar transponders processes the portions of the radar signals detected by the radar transponders to determine whether the person is carrying a concealed object. The system may produce a real-time alert, such as an audible alert, when a concealed object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: CyTerra Corporation
    Inventors: William Steinway, Gregory Stilwell, Herbert Duvoisin, III, David H. Fine
  • Publication number: 20040246169
    Abstract: A target determination apparatus for determining type of a target, includes a transmission unit, a reception unit, and a determination unit. The transmission unit emits an electromagnetic wave. The reception unit receives the electromagnetic wave reflected at the target to obtain reception information. The determination unit determines the type of the target on the basis of radar cross section obtained from the reception information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicants: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Masao Nakano, Kimihisa Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20040246167
    Abstract: An average power value of a peak pair corresponding to a subjective target objective is converted into a radar cross section, to calculate a normalized average power value NP and a standard deviation DP representing a temporal dispersion of a power difference between peak pairs. When the value NP is larger than an automotive vehicle discriminating threshold THnp, the attribute of the subjective target objective is set to “automotive vehicle.” When the value NP is not larger than the threshold THnp and the deviation DP is larger than a human objective discriminating threshold THdp, the attribute of the subjective target objective is set to “non-vehicle objective: human objective.” Furthermore, when the value NP is not larger than the threshold THnp and the deviation DP is not larger than the threshold THdp, the attribute of the subjective target objective is set to “non-vehicle objective: non-human.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kumon, Yukimasa Tamatsu
  • Publication number: 20040239556
    Abstract: A radar method of classifying generating or identifying helicopters, by generating a one-dimensional distance profile of the helicopter to be classified or to be identified by measuring the radar each of the helicopter fuselage, the radar echo of the rotor head of the main rotor and/or the radar echo of the main axis, and the radar echo of the rear rotor axis; determines the aspect angles in the azimuth and elevation directions relative to the axis of the radar antenna and the method also determines helicopter parameters from the measured radar echoes. The determined helicopter parameters and are compared with stored helicopter parameters for different helicopter types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Nagel