Abstract: An object information acquisition apparatus includes: a plurality of acoustic wave detecting elements configured to detect an photoacoustic wave generated when an object is irradiated with light and output time-series detection signals; a member disposed outside the object; and a signal processing unit configured to acquire optical property information inside the object by performing image reconstruction through iterative reconstruction method in accordance with the time-series detection signals and an operand for which a response of the photoacoustic wave deriving from the member has been considered.

Abstract: A system and method for an arrayed sensor to resolve ambiguity in received signals, improve direction of arrival accuracy and estimate a location of one or more targets in an environment including signal interference.

Abstract: Sound based navigation using a portable communications device is presented herein. A portable communications device can include a speaker for generating a sound, and microphone(s) for receiving a reflection of the sound—the reflection including an acoustic wave that has been reflected from an object. Further, the portable communications device can include a timing component configured to determine a time of propagation of the acoustic wave from the speaker to the microphone(s), and a distance component configured to determine a distance of the object from the portable communications device based on the time of propagation of the acoustic wave. Furthermore, the portable communications device can include a mapping component configured to: determine a geographic location of the portable communications device, and create, based on the geographic location and the distance of the object from the portable communications device, a map, indoor map, etc. of objects, structures, etc. comprising the object.

Abstract: A multi-spectral detection device is provided that includes a housing, a bezel spacer, a microphone, an end cap and electro-optical sensors mounted to the end cap. The housing has an inner chamber that holds sensor components. The bezel spacer has a first end and an opposed, second end. The first end of the bezel spacer extends from a first end of the housing. The bezel spacer has a central bezel passage leading to the inner chamber of the housing. The bezel spacer further has at least four side walls. Each side wall is positioned 90 degrees away from an adjacent side wall. A microphone is coupled to each side wall of the bezel spacer in such a manner that each microphone is faced 90 degrees with respect to an adjacent microphone to form a compact acoustic array. The end cap is coupled to the second end of the bezel spacer and the electro-optical sensors are mounted to the end cap.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include receiving speech data correlated to one or more words spoken by a particular party, receiving adaptation data that is at least partly based on at least one speech interaction of a particular party that is discrete from the received speech data, wherein at least a portion of the adaptation data has been stored on a particular device associated with the particular party, obtaining target data regarding a target configured to process at least a portion of the received speech data, and determining whether to apply the adaptation data for processing at least a portion of the received speech data, at least partly based on the acquired target data. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reliably detecting gunfire in enclosed spaces having significant acoustic reverberation. Implementations are configured to quickly and reliably report the room or portion of a room where gunfire is located. Innovations herein may ensure low false alarm rate by thresholding, pattern recognition and/or detecting the muzzle optical flash. In some embodiments, a review center with trained personnel may evaluate the incident before reporting to local authorities. The indoor system can be incorporated into an outdoor gunshot location system to better protect a local area such as a campus or a transportation hub. Systems and methods herein may involve features and functionality associated with additional resources, such as intercoms, cellphones, and access control, to provide mitigation of harm in case of a shooting.

Abstract: A ranging system includes a time of flight subsystem including circuitry incorporated in a mobile node and a base station for generating a TOF signal between the mobile node and the base station, measuring the time taken for transmission of the TOF signal, and generating a TOF distance signal based on the measured time. An accelerometer, mounted in the mobile node, generates an accelerometer signal. A distance filter generates the distance estimate. The filter is configured to (i) initialize the value of a distance estimate signal based on the TOF distance signal, (ii) detect a human step based on variances in the accelerometer signal, and (iii) change the value of the distance estimate signal by a predetermined quantum only upon detection of the human step, the change being positive or negative depending on a direction of the TOF distance signal relative to the distance estimate signal.

Abstract: A method for generating an extended underwater plasma. A first laser pulse is fired into a body of water to form an underwater optical filament coinciding with a low-energy plasma. A second laser pulse is fired into the water, targeted at the plasma. The second pulse heats the plasma, causing the formation of an extended superheated plasma volume in the water. The two laser pulses can be simultaneous or can be sequential, with the second pulse following the first pulse by up to the filament plasma lifetime. The extended superheated plasma creates an underwater acoustic pulse, wherein the duration, waveform and directivity of the pulse can be tailored by controlling the shape of the underwater laser-generated plasma.

Abstract: A quantity that falls within a defined continuum defined by first and second end points of a gauge is communicated. Non-visual notifications indicate where on the continuum a current gauge value associated with a function of an electronic device resides relative to at least one end point of the first and second end points of the continuum. The non-visual notifications include a non-visual notification of the at least one end point of the continuum and a non-visual notification of the current gauge value.

Abstract: A multi-sensor device for detecting events, comprises first acquisition means comprising at least a first sensor, operating in a first frequency band and second acquisition means comprising at least a second sensor, operating in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, means for processing raw data originating from the acquisition means and comprising means for the detection of events in the raw data and for determining the geographic location of said events, means for transmitting an alert if an event is detected by the processing means, means for storing the raw data, said storage means being suitable for restoring the stored raw data in a synchronized manner, and monitoring means which, following detection of an event in the raw data of one of said acquisition means, enables said processing means to be adapted to detect events in said stored raw data originating from said other acquisition means.

Abstract: To detect the positions of the respective mobiles correctly without being affected by the ultrasonic waves from other mobile(s) in a case where plural mobiles are used simultaneously. The mobile comprises a unit that transmits a trigger signal of requesting transmitting ultrasonic wave that is capable of identifying the mobile, a unit that receives a trigger signal of allowing transmitting ultrasonic wave from the receiver, and a unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave immediately upon receipt of the trigger signal of allowing transmitting ultrasonic wave.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determining a position of a submersible vehicle within a body of water are provided. A method comprises determining an initial position of the vehicle while the vehicle is at or near a water surface. The method further comprises coupling the vehicle and a base node to a weight and determining a position of the base node once the base node and vehicle have reached the floor of the body of water using acoustic modems of the vehicle and a surface vessel to aid in calculating the position as they descend, and acoustically transferring the at rest position on the seafloor from the vehicle to the node. The method further comprises decoupling the vehicle from the node and weight and determining a position of the vehicle based on the position of the base node and acoustic signals exchanged between acoustic modems of the vehicle and the base node.

Abstract: Disclosed is a user-interface target motion analysis (TMA) method using two-dimensional parameter control and speed zoom, and the method includes a first step of displaying a user-interface target motion analysis screen capable of selecting an input method; a second step of receiving the input method of a user; a third step of simultaneously calculating a speed and a course by speed zoom or simultaneously calculating a course and an initial range; a fourth step of calculating an initial range or a speed by speed zoom that is not calculated in the third step; and a step of generating a result of the target motion analysis using the parameters inputted through the first to fourth steps.

Abstract: A multi-sensor device for detecting events, comprises first acquisition means comprising at least a first sensor, operating in a first frequency band and second acquisition means comprising at least a second sensor, operating in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, means for processing raw data originating from the acquisition means and comprising means for the detection of events in the raw data and for determining the geographic location of said events, means for transmitting an alert if an event is detected by the processing means, means for storing the raw data, said storage means being suitable for restoring the stored raw data in a synchronized manner, and monitoring means which, following detection of an event in the raw data of one of said acquisition means, enables said processing means to be adapted to detect events in said stored raw data originating from said other acquisition means.

Abstract: Providing indoor location, position, or tracking of a mobile computer is disclosed. Outdoor location, indoor location, and determined motion information is used to track the mobile computer indoors.

Abstract: A standard EM wave field generator, includes a first tapered region configured to have a first port formed on its one side and be supplied with a source to generate EM field through the first port; and a first untapered region configured to have at least one or more slits in the form of a hole. Further, the standard EM wave field generator includes a second tapered region configured to have a third port formed on its one side and output the EM field generated from the first port through the third port.

Abstract: Electromagnetic proximity detection method for a buried structure executed with a mobile detection device, including sensing an electromagnetic field emitted from the structure as an analog electrical signal and digitalizing the analog electrical signal as a digital signal, performed after or while filtering the analog and/or digital signal. The proximity of the buried structure is determined by analyzing the digital signal, wherein the detection method can be alternatively executed in at least two of the following modes of detection: Power-Mode of detection, Radio-Mode of detection or Active-Mode of detection. An additional Switching-Mode of operation includes a repeated sequential detection in at least two of the mentioned modes of detection and is done by automatic subsequent alternating of the mode of detection with a minimum rate of alternation that an area of detection is coverable by the at least two modes of detection in a single execution of the detection method.

Abstract: A method for the global acoustic positioning of the USBL or SBL type of a marine or submarine target is more accurate than the method used by known USBL or SBL systems, while applying a network of sensors having the same material dimensions as those of these known systems. The method makes use of the movements of the network of sensors to apply principles of the processings by synthetic antenna. The principle of the synthetic antenna transposed to the present problem consists in using the signals received by the hydrophones of a physical antenna placed on a moveable platform at K different moments in succession, and therefore at K locations in succession in order to provide an estimate of the position of the beacon by virtue of an antenna of virtually greater dimensions.

Abstract: To enable precise calculation of a propagation time of a direct wave which arrives the earliest from an ultrasonic emission source without being affected by a reflected wave. A plurality of ultrasonic signals generated based on a plurality of M sequences different from each other are propagated from a transmission side to a reception side, whereby the reception side executes processing of correlation between each model waveform of the plurality of M sequences and a waveform of each ultrasonic signal and detects a subsidiary peak of a correlation value appearing when both waveforms partly coincide with each other to, starting with the smallest one of subsidiary peaks detected by all the correlation processing, determine a plurality of corresponding M sequences.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for acoustically and optically characterizing an immersed object of interest by generating a serial plurality of acoustic and optical illumination pulses through a liquid. In addition to the spectral analysis/imaging of objects/environment made possible by the white-light illumination, a target material can be ablated, generating an ionized plume to spectrally identify the target's constituent atoms.

Abstract: An acoustical receiver for detecting an acoustical signal characterized by a wavelength and a pen transcription system utilizing the same are disclosed. The receiver includes a detector that generates an electrical signal in response to acoustical signals in a predetermined frequency range including that wavelength, a housing surrounding the detector, and a receiving horn. The housing has a housing aperture having a maximum dimension less than the acoustical signal wavelength. The receiving horn has a first opening that is adjacent to the housing aperture and a second aperture having a dimension that is greater than the acoustical signal wavelength.

Abstract: A method of identifying and tracking a target is described, in which seismic data relating to a target is passively detected and processed using statistical means. The statistical manipulation of the data includes frequency information extraction, dynamical mixture model construction based on existing known data and identification of an unknown target by the convergence of this model to a state characteristic of that target.

Abstract: An apparatus for wirelessly transmitting electric currents walls. The walls may be bulkhead compartment walls of a fixed structure or a vehicle or the like. The apparatus includes a wireless electric power transmission arrangement that includes an electronic device on one side of a wall, which is powered by a power source on another side of the wall. The electronic device may be a sensor arrangement having one or more sensors, a battery charging device, a through-the-bulkhead repeater device or other electronic device requiring power.

Abstract: A top drive assembly may comprise a drive motor that provides rotational torque to a drill string for driving the drill string into the earth. A sensor and a transmitter may be located on a section of the drill string or on a device that can be incorporated into a drill string. The sensor may take measurements of the drill string that is rotating during the drilling operation. If the sensor is located near the top drive assembly, the sensor may take measurements of an upper portion of the rotating drill string during the drilling operation. The transmitter may wirelessly transmit the sensor information in real-time to a coordinator or main radio. The transmitter may also be located near the top drive assembly and during the drilling operation, may transmit from the rotating drill string while located in a position above the earth's surface.

Abstract: Provided is a radio communication device for performing radio communication with another radio communication device includes a control unit that controls to prepare for data loss during radio communication of transmission data and a transmission unit that transmits the transmission data by radio according to the control of the control unit. One of the radio communication device and the other radio communication device estimates a distance from the other based on a field intensity of a radio signal which is judged to satisfy a certain requirement regarding noise component among received radio signals received from the other of the radio communication device and the other radio communication device. The control unit performs a control of a content according to the distance estimation result.

Abstract: A distributed sensor network has a base station and clusters of sensor nodes. In a method of locating and classifying signal sources, at each node divides a received signal into blocks, performs Fourier-based transform on the blocks, selects peaks from the transformed blocks, selects subbands with features of interest based on the frequency of occurrence of the peaks across the blocks, collaborates with other nodes in the cluster to make a final selection of the subbands, encodes the subband features of the signal, and transmits the subband features to the base station. The base station processes the received subband features to locate and classify the signal sources.

Abstract: To enable precise calculation of a propagation time of a direct wave which arrives fastest from an ultrasonic generation source without being affected by a reflected wave of an ultrasonic signal. A plurality of ultrasonic signals generated based on a plurality of M sequences different from each other are propagated from a transmission side to a reception side, whereby the reception side generates model waveforms of the plurality of M sequences, executes correlation processing between each model waveform and a waveform of each ultrasonic signal and detects a secondary peak of a correlation value which appears when both waveforms partly coincide with each other to determine an M sequence which generates a smallest secondary peak among secondary peaks detected by all the correlation processing as an optimum M sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for managing a transmission of photons. The number of parameters for transmitting the photons as a beam in a liquid are identified using a number of characteristics of the liquid to form a number of selected parameters. The photons are transmitted in the liquid as the beam to a target using the number of selected parameters to form the transmission of the photons.

Abstract: An apparatus for allocating a current measurement value for a geographical position to a map object of a geographical map, wherein the current measurement value originates from a series of adjacent measurement values for adjacent geographical positions, having a processor for determining a first probability measure indicating whether the current measurement value can be allocated to a first map object to which at least one adjacent measurement value of the series has already been allocated previously, and for determining a second probability measure indicating whether the current measurement value can be allocated to a second map object having an intersection with the first map object, if the first probability measure indicates that an allocation of the current measurement value to the first map object is unlikely.

Abstract: Compressive Sensing (CS) is an emerging area which uses a relatively small number of non-traditional samples in the form of randomized projections to reconstruct sparse or compressible signals. Direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation is performed with an array of sensors using CS. Using random projections of the sensor data, along with a full waveform recording on one reference sensor, a sparse angle space scenario can be reconstructed, giving the number of sources and their DOA's. Signal processing algorithms are also developed and described herein for randomly deployable wireless sensor arrays that are severely constrained in communication bandwidth. There is a focus on the acoustic bearing estimation problem and it is shown that when the target bearings are modeled as a sparse vector in the angle space, functions of the low dimensional random projections of the microphone signals can be used to determine multiple source bearings as a solution of an l]-norm minimization problem.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing information associated with monitoring persons/devices and weapon fire location information. In one exemplary implementation, a weapon fire location system is used to characterize and locate impulsive events and these locations are correlated with the positions of monitoring persons or devices, such as monitoring anklets placed on offenders or other persons of interest. Further, various information can be plotted on map, display, or for other graphical output to assist in the process of handling a weapon fire event. For example, when a monitoring device, whose position can be provided by GPS or alternate methods is found nearby a gunshot location, then associated graphical information can be presented on the output of the weapon fire location system or an associated display used by those monitoring the offenders.

Abstract: A pen transcription system and method for locating a moveable signal source are disclosed. The transcription system includes a base having a planar base surface, first and second acoustical sensors that detect an acoustical signal emitted by a moveable signal source, the acoustical sensors being mounted on the base and separated from one another. The difference in time of detection between an EM signal and the acoustical signals is measured to determine the position of the moveable source. The acoustical sensors include a housing surrounding a detector. The housing has an aperture having a width that is less than the wavelength of said acoustical signal divided by 6.28 and a height that is substantially equal to an integer multiple of a wavelength of an interfering acoustical signal.

Abstract: A fill-level measuring device includes a self-learn device that is able to automatically determine the length of the dome shaft of the container. To this effect the self-learn device uses a multiple echo classified as such by a multiple-echo detection device. In this manner the result of fill level measuring may be improved.

Abstract: The invention involves one or more radio markers (1) being located on or buried in the seabed with a suitable tool at a location where a geographical point requires to be retrieved. Radio markers may be deployed, for example, by means of a subsea vehicle (2). The subsea vehicle (2) is equipped with a positioning system and gyro (6) when the radio markers (1) are deployed, thereby enabling the approximate position of each individual radio marker (1) to be recorded with global map position. A subsea vehicle equipped with a radio antenna detects radio markers after returning to the approximate position by means of the coordinates.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using acoustical pulses generated from an airborne laser source to locate objects under water. An array of acoustic sensors, such as passive sonobuoys at the ocean surface, is deployed in known or determinable locations by aircraft. Each area surrounded by acoustic sensors comprises a search cell, within which sonar scattering data can be used to locate objects. Following sonobuoy deployment, the aircraft uses the laser to rapidly generate many laser-acoustic pulse sources within each search cell, which in turn generate spherical acoustic pulses traveling through the water. The acoustic sensors receive the acoustic pulses, either on a direct path or on a scattered path after the pulse strikes an underwater object. The sensors record the acoustic signatures of the received pulses and transmit data of the recorded acoustic pulses to a processor such as processor on a nearby ship.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using acoustical pulses generated from an airborne laser source to locate objects under water. An array of acoustic sensors, such as passive sonobuoys at the ocean surface, is deployed in known or determinable locations by aircraft. Each area surrounded by acoustic sensors comprises a search cell, within which sonar scattering data can be used to locate objects. Following sonobuoy deployment, the aircraft uses the laser to rapidly generate many laser-acoustic pulse sources within each search cell, which in turn generate spherical acoustic pulses traveling through the water. The acoustic sensors receive the acoustic pulses, either on a direct path or on a scattered path after the pulse strikes an underwater object. The sensors record the acoustic signatures of the received pulses and transmit data of the recorded acoustic pulses to a processor such as processor on a nearby ship.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for acoustically and optically characterizing an immersed object of interest by generating a serial plurality of acoustic and optical illumination pulses through a liquid. In addition to the spectral analyses/imaging of objects/environment made possible by the white-light illumination, a target material can be ablated, generating an ionized plume to spectrally identify the target's constituent atoms.

Abstract: An autonomous ultrasonic indoor location system includes a location beacon transmitting apparatus and a location beacon receiving apparatus. The location beacon transmitting apparatus is configured to sequentially transmit US signals at a predetermined time interval upon transmission of a signal containing synchronization information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is executable by a first computing device to perform functions including retrieving, from the first computing device, sound information for the first computing device; receiving sound information from one or more second computing devices located in an area within a communication range of first computing device; generating a characterization of the sound information from (i) the first computing device, and (ii) the one or more second computing devices; and determining, based on the characterization, an attribute of one or more third computing devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing indoor location, position, or tracking of a mobile computer using building information. The mobile computer determines the dimensions of a room in a building using a range finder in the mobile computer. The determined dimensions of the room are compared to the building information to locate, position, or track the mobile computer in the building.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is executable by a first computing device to perform functions including retrieving, from the first computing device, sound information for the first computing device; receiving sound information from one or more second computing devices located in an area within a communication range of first computing device; generating a characterization of the sound information from (i) the first computing device, and (ii) the one or more second computing devices; and determining, based on the characterization, an attribute of one or more third computing devices.

Abstract: A system for estimating a location of the source of a projectile includes a radar system for transmitting a wave and detecting and providing an indication of a wave reflection from the projectile, an acoustic detection system for detecting and providing an indication of at least one sound associated with the projectile, and circuitry for estimating the location in response to the indication of a wave reflection and the indication of at least one sound.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing weapon fire information such as gunfire. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of processing gunshot information to determine source location information involving echo/reflection processing features. Moreover, the method may include processing gunshot information received from a source at a sensor having a reflecting surface at a given distance, processing direct arrival time and echo arrival time information, and determining source location information as a function of a virtual sensor calculated behind the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of location tracking. The location tracking apparatus may calculate a location of an object using an ultrasound. In this instance, an intensity of the used ultrasound may be determined based on a distance to the object, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.

Abstract: A pen transcription system and method for using the same are disclosed. The pen transcription system includes a receiver having first and second acoustical sensors mounted on a planar base and separated from one another, an EM detector, and a controller. The first and second acoustical sensors detect an acoustical signal emitted by a moveable signal source. The EM detector detects an EM signal that is synchronized with the acoustical signal. The controller measures the difference in time of detection between the EM signal and the acoustical signals detected by the first and second acoustical sensors. The acoustical sensors include a detector and a housing surrounding the detector, the housing having an aperture defined by an axis. The acoustical sensor has a reception function that is symmetrical about the axis and the axis is substantially perpendicular to the base surface.

Abstract: A method of detecting a submerged vessel in or near the wake of a ship in which a plurality of optical fiber sensors are trailed from said ship and in which at least one of said sensors which is located in the ship's wake comprises a magnetically-responsive optical fiber sensor.

Abstract: Localization of remote devices by: the emission of pulses from acoustic transmitters, whose wavefronts propagate in the space region occupied by the remote devices and finally reach them; the emission of radiofrequency pulses from each remote device at the time of detection of the wavefront by an on-board microphone; the acquisition, by a radio base, of the radiofrequency signals propagating from the remote devices, to evaluate the arrival time delays proportional to the distance between the i-th acoustic source and the j-th remote device; the formation of a reception vector for each emission by the i-th source, this vector having a maximum length M equal to the number of remote devices and consisting of the sequence of distances obtained as the product of the reception times and the estimated sound velocity. These steps are repeated for all acoustic sources, to form N+1 reception vectors, to calculate the position of the device by solving derived matrix equations.

Abstract: A pen transcription system and method for using the same are disclosed. The pen transcription system includes a receiver having first and second acoustical sensors mounted on a planar base and separated from one another, an EM detector, and a controller. The first and second acoustical sensors detect an acoustical signal at a first wavelength emitted by a moveable signal source. The EM detector detects an EM signal that is synchronized with the acoustical signal. The controller measures the difference in time of detection between the EM signal and the acoustical signals detected by the first and second acoustical sensors. The acoustical sensors include a detector and a housing surrounding the detector, the housing having an aperture having a maximum dimension that is less than the first wavelength divided by 6.28.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus allowing a moving robot to localize a user, or localizing the moving robot from a fixed location, and a method and medium thereof. The apparatus includes a motion controller to control the moving robot such that the sensor passes a plurality of measurement points by rotating the moving robot, a distance measuring unit, which includes the sensor that senses predetermined waves generated from the transmitter, to measure distances between the sensor and the transmitter at the plurality of measurement points, a rotational angle measuring unit to measure rotational angles of the moving robot at the measurement points, and a location calculator to calculate relative locations using input values of the measured distances, the measured rotational angles, and the radius of a circle determined by the sensor resulting from the rotation of the moving robot.

Abstract: An autonomous hydrophone position locating and target tracking system employing a string or array of acoustic hydrophone equipped apparatuses that are easily and rapidly deployed over the ocean bottom within a preselected volume of water. For each bottom residing hydrophone, a dedicated cable provides surface location based on satellite generated GPS positioning data. Special real time cable deflection algorithms resident in the base unit electronic processor are continuously updated using the velocity gradient inputs from several in-line velocimeters positioned at different depths along the cable. The shape of the tether cable and the resulting position of the bottom unit mounted hydrophone is then back calculated in real time in three dimensions from the known global position of the surface buoy.