Airborne Shock-wave Detection Patents (Class 367/906)
  • Patent number: 11907757
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling an engine control unit which includes at least two microprocessor cores, including steps of executing a parent subtask and at least one child subtask. The method includes the following steps: —determining the number of executables which remain to be executed in the last child subtask of the first period when the parent subtask of the second period starts; and—determining the number of executables already executed in the parent subtask of the second period when the last child subtask of the first period finishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Nicolas Romea, Denis Claraz, Olivier Spuig
  • Patent number: 11813537
    Abstract: A smart target co-witnessing hit attribution system includes a network, a projectile-firing device that includes a projectile repository and an infrared emitter, a smart target that includes a piezoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, and control circuitry, and an extended-reality gaming application. After confirming a successful hit on the smart target, the application receives target state data and updates gaming metric data to attribute a successful impact on the smart target by the projectile-firing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GEL BLASTER, INC.
    Inventors: Colin Guinn, Ben Godwin, Jay Ramirez, Eric Davis, Obediah Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 11693103
    Abstract: A method providing an estimation of a shooting range with high accuracy by a miss distance estimation and a weapon caliber classification following detection of shooting of firearms with supersonic bullets, and by using novel equations constructed from field shooting data for each caliber in order to ensure a security of a patrol station, a border, troops, a society, a vehicle and a convoy is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ASELSAN ELEKTRONIK SAN. VE TIC. A. S.
    Inventors: Emir Dogan, Alper Bereketli, Mehmet Donus
  • Patent number: 10089845
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting and analyzing a threat in a confined environment is disclosed. An audio board detects and analyzes audio signals. A RF board transmits the signals for emergency response. A battery provides power to the audio board and the RF board. The audio board includes a microcontroller with at least one band-pass filter for distinguishing between a threat and a non-threat event and for measuring or counting pulses if the event is a threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: James R. Skorpik, Michael S. Hughes, Eric G. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9933073
    Abstract: An aircraft including: a penetration member that penetrates an airframe between an inside and an outside via an opening provided in the airframe; a seal that seals a gap set between an opening formation member forming the opening and the penetration member; and a retainer that presses the seal against the penetration member and the opening formation member, wherein each of the penetration member and the opening formation member includes a receiving section that receives the seal, both of the receiving sections are arranged along a direction connecting one side and the other side of the gap with the gap therebetween, and the seal is fixed to only one of the receiving section of the penetration member and the receiving section of the opening formation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Goto, Toshiaki Sugimura
  • Patent number: 9555876
    Abstract: A system for modifying a shock wave formed in a fluid by a body to modify effects of the shock wave on information transferred to or from the body. The system includes an element for heating fluid along a path to form a volume of heated fluid expanding outwardly from the path, the path extending from the body and through the shock wave; an element for transferring the information to or from the body; and an element for timing the transferring of the information relative to the heating of the fluid along the path to modify certain effects of the shock wave on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin Kremeyer
  • Patent number: 8995227
    Abstract: Systems and method of processing information regarding weapon fire are set forth herein. In one exemplary implementation, a method of processing information regarding weapon fire, such as determining weapon fire location using projectile shockwave and muzzle blast time(s) of arrival data is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventor: Murphey L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8861311
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating projectile trajectory and projectile source location are provided. A method for estimating location information associated with a supersonic projectile propelled from a source includes recording sound at a first location using a single microphone during travel of the supersonic projectile to produce an acoustic recording. The method further includes estimating a miss distance between the first location and a trajectory of the projectile based on the shockwave length. Locating a projectile source includes concurrently recording sound at multiple locations and generating data sets associated with the locations, each of the plurality of data sets including a miss distance, a range, a time of arrival of a muzzle blast from the source, and a time of arrival of a shockwave produced by the projectile. Additionally, the method includes calculating an approximate location of the source at each of the locations based on the data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Akos Ledeczi, Peter Volgyesi, Janos Sallai
  • Patent number: 8511145
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for discriminating between launch and impact events using acoustic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Sachi Desai, Myron Hohil, Amir Morcos
  • Patent number: 8437223
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to an airborne shooter detection system having a plurality of sensors coupled to the body of an aircraft such as a helicopter. The system includes at least five sensors configured and arranged to disambiguate the location of a shooter. By measuring the arrival times of the shockwaves of projectiles at each of the sensors and determining the differences in the arrival times among sensors, the systems and methods may determine the location of one or more sources of the projectiles. A distance of at least ten meters separates two or more of the sensors. Such a separation is advantageous because it allows the system to disambiguate multiple shooters by resolving the curvature of the shockwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: James E. Barger, Scott E. Ritter
  • Patent number: 8351297
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Mark Lauder, Robert L. Showen, James G. Beldock, Peter C. Sarna, II
  • Patent number: 8325563
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for locating a weapon fire incident such as an acoustic transient from a gunshot, explosion, weapons launch, etc. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of locating the incident from a combination of propagation phenomena including a discharge time of the weapon fire incident. Moreover, the method may include obtaining a first propagation parameter of the incident from one or more first sensors, obtaining the discharge time from another sensor, and processing the data to determine a location using a common time basis among sensor measurements. According to further exemplary implementations, the discharge time may include a transient event that has a different propagation velocity than that of sound in the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Calhoun, Robert L. Showen, James G. Beldock, Scott M. Manderville, Jason W. Dunham
  • Patent number: 8325562
    Abstract: A survey method giving improvements in weapons fire location systems is disclosed. In an urban system with a distributed array in the midst of many buildings that block signal paths or create echoes, methods are provided to measure signal propagation. A survey or tour of the covered region uses a moving signal source to probe propagation inside the region. Survey results may indicate where more or fewer sensors are needed. Survey results plus current measured noise gives prediction of instantaneous system sensitivity. In addition, multipath propagation may be used to determine a location even when only one or two sensors detect the signal. In such exemplary cases, triangulation may be replaced or augmented by pattern recognition. Further, signals of the survey need not be acoustic impulses such as gunfire, but may be RF signals, or coded continuous signals so that gunfire-like sounds would not disturb citizens in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Showen
  • Publication number: 20120082006
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that can be used to detect shooters. The systems and methods described herein use arrival times of a shockwave, produced by a shot, at a plurality of sensors to assign weights to each of the plurality of sensors, and determine a shot trajectory based on the assigned weights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Marshall Seth Brinn, James Edwin Barger, Stephen Douglas Milligan
  • Patent number: 8149649
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that can be used to detect shooters. The systems and methods described herein use arrival times of a shockwave, produced by a shot, at a plurality of sensors to assign weights to each of the plurality of sensors, and determine a shot trajectory based on the assigned weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Marshall Seth Brinn, James E. Barger, Stephen D. Milligan
  • Patent number: 8134889
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Showen, Robert B. Calhoun, Jason W. Dunham
  • Patent number: 8111582
    Abstract: User-wearable sensor arrays for use with projectile-detection systems, and methods of detecting a projectile with user-wearable sensor arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Steven David Beck, Douglas W. Hamm, Eric Charles Hoenes, Jorgen Ernst Harmse, George Andrew Bartlett
  • Patent number: 8050141
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for estimating a trajectory of an incoming bullet based on the acoustics of the shock wave created as the bullet travels through the air. A first auditory signal representing a direct sound from the shock wave is recorded and its azimuthal direction is determined. Based on this azimuthal direction and other assumptions two possible bullet directions that can cause that shock wave are estimated. A second auditory signal representing a reflection of the shock wave as it travels through the air also is recorded and its azimuthal direction determined. The azimuthal direction of the ground reflection will lie between the azimuthal direction of the first auditory signal and the more correct of the two estimated trajectories, and thus can resolve the ambiguity in the estimated direction of the bullet source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas L. Carroll, Graham K. Hubler
  • Patent number: 8009515
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating threats to an aircraft that are located on the ground. Associated bearings are determined from an aircraft for each of a plurality of detected shots from a threat at ground level. A plurality of pairs of bearings are selected, and a weight value is calculated for each selected pair of bearings. An estimated position for the threat is determined from each selected pair of bearings. An improved estimation of the position for the threat is calculated as a weighted combination of the estimated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph F. Cecala, Carl R. Herman, Stephen C. Moraites
  • Patent number: 7990805
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing non-lethal chemical warfare against rampage shooters. A sound detection module detects a sound of a gunshot from at least one of a collection of sensors within a building. A sound location module determines a location of the gunshot by analyzing the sound. At least one emitter releases non-lethal chemical countermeasures from at least one at the location of the gunshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Kumhyr, Ori Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 7855935
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing information associated with weapon fire. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of processing information associated with weapon fire, including identifying a weapon fire incident, determining positional information regarding a source location of the weapon fire, and processing positional information regarding a device within a particular proximity of the source location of the weapon fire. Moreover, exemplary methods may include providing information for displaying the positional information of the source location of the weapon fire and the device together on a display. Other exemplary embodiments may include performing processing that provides one or more of source location of the weapon fire, device location information and/or other information related to the device for various uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lauder, Robert L. Showen, James Beldock
  • Patent number: 7710828
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating the shooter of supersonic projectiles are described. The system uses at least five, preferably seven, spaced acoustic sensors. Sensor signals are detected for shockwaves and muzzle blast, wherein muzzle blast detection can be either incomplete coming from less than 4 sensor channels, or inconclusive due to lack of signal strength. Shooter range can be determined by an iterative computation and/or a genetic algorithm by minimizing a cost function that includes timing information from both shockwave and muzzle signal channels. Disambiguation is significantly improved over shockwave-only measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp
    Inventors: James E. Barger, Stephen D. Milligan, Marshall Seth Brinn, Richard J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 7688679
    Abstract: A system for locating and identifying an acoustic event such as gunfire. The inventive system employs a plurality of man wearable acoustic sensors for detecting gunfire, each acoustic sensor having a display associated therewith for displaying information concerning the acoustic event to a user. In preferred embodiments, the sensor includes a microphone for/receiving acoustic information; an A/D converter; a processor for processing the digitized signal to detect a gunshot and determine a time of arrival; a GPS receiver for determining the position of the acoustic sensor; and a network interface for bidirectional communication with a system server. Preferably the display comprises an LCD; and an electronically readable compass. When the display and acoustic sensor are in separate housings, the acoustic sensor includes a transmitter and the display includes a receiver for transferring the gunshot information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Baxter, Ken Fisher
  • Patent number: 7586812
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting, identifying, and fixing the location of the source of an acoustic event. The inventive system includes: a plurality of sensors dispersed at somewhat regular intervals throughout a monitored area; a communication network adapted to deliver information from the sensors to a host processor; and a process within the host processor for determining, from the absolute times of arrival of an event at two or more sensors, a position of the source of the event. Acoustic events are detected and analyzed at each sensor so that the sensor transmits over the network: an identifier for the sensor; an identifier for the type of event; and a precise absolute time of arrival of the event at the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the system also identifies the type of weapon firing a gunshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Baxter, Fred Holmes, Ken Fisher
  • Patent number: 7558156
    Abstract: A method of locating an acoustic source, the method comprising sampling said acoustic source at a plurality of acoustic receivers having different locations, each acoustic receiver time-stamping a respective received acoustic sample using a system time, each acoustic receiver sending said time-stamped acoustic sample to a central controller, the central controller determining the location of the acoustic source in response to receiving the time-stamped sound source samples from the plurality of receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieterich Vook, Bruce Hamilton, Jefferson Burch, Andrew Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7502279
    Abstract: A method of providing an indication of the direction of a target such as a sniper. A rifle mounted sensor array detects an acoustic pulse originating from the target. The signal is processed to estimate the direction of the target, and an indication is provided when the weapon is aligned with the estimated direction. The direction of arrival of an acoustic pulse is estimated by spectrally decomposing each signal from the sensor so as to generate one or more spectral components for each signal, and processing the spectral components to estimate the direction of arrival.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ultra Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Alan Wignall, John David Martin
  • Patent number: 7433266
    Abstract: A system for locating an acoustic source from an acoustic event of the acoustic source. In one embodiment, the system includes a sensor network having a plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes each located in a predetermined position encountering acoustic waves generated by an acoustic event passing proximate to the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes, where the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes are synchronized to a common time base such that when the acoustic event is detected, information of the acoustic waves from each of the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes is obtained and broadcasted through the sensor network. The system further includes a base station for receiving information of the acoustic waves broadcasted from the sensor network and processing the received information of the acoustic waves so as to locate the acoustic source of the acoustic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Ákos Lédeczi, Miklós Maróti, Gyula Simon, György Balogh
  • Patent number: 7408840
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and disambiguating the location of the shooter of supersonic projectiles based on shockwave-only signals are described. Using several spaced sensors, an initial portion of the shockwave-only signals is sensed to determine Time-Differences-Of-Arrival (TDOA) for the sensor pairs. The resulting TDOAs are used to determine the gradient of curvature of the shockwave wavefront on the sensors. The gradient of curvature is then used to determine the disambiguated projectile trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: James E. Barger, Stephen D. Milligan, Marshall Seth Brinn, Richard J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 7372772
    Abstract: Systems and methods for compensation of sensor degradation in multi-shooter detection systems are described. In such systems, shooter position and trajectory can be estimated precisely from the shockwaves produced at the plurality of sensors by the incoming shots. However, sensor positions can shift and the performance of some sensors may degrade for various reasons. To compensate for sensor degradation that may occur over the life of a long-deployed system, the shooter estimation algorithms are dynamically adapted by performing a least-squares regression analysis of the shockwave arrival times to obtain a time residual for each shot, observing multiple shots, and weighting the individual contributions of the sensors as a function of the time residuals for the multiple shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Marshall Seth Brinn, James E. Barger, Stephen D. Milligan
  • Patent number: 7359285
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating the shooter of supersonic projectiles are described. The system uses at least five, preferably seven, spaced acoustic sensors. Sensor signals are detected for shockwaves and muzzle blast, wherein muzzle blast detection can be either incomplete coming from less than 4 sensor channels, or inconclusive due to lack of signal strength. Shooter range can be determined by an iterative computation and/or a genetic algorithm by minimizing a cost function that includes timing information from both shockwave and muzzle signal channels. Disambiguation is significantly improved over shockwave-only measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: James E. Barger, Stephen D. Milligan, Marshall Seth Brinn, Richard J. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20080008044
    Abstract: A system for detecting acoustic events comprising a wearable sensor comprising: a microprocessor; a microphone communicating with the microprocessor; a GPS module; a wireless network system; and a display screen; wherein: the microphone is in communication with the microprocessor allowing the microprocessor to detect the acoustic event; the GPS functions to determine the location of the wearable sensor; the wireless network system allows for the interfacing and sharing of data between the sensor and other components of the system for detecting acoustic events; and the system for detecting acoustic events functions to triangulate the location and time of the acoustic event, may be used to detect gunshots. Other acoustic events such as a patient alarm may also be detected using the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Patterson Research. Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Patterson, Bryan Noland, Reed Jules Oppenheimer, Judson M. Gudgel
  • Patent number: 7292501
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating the shooter of supersonic projectiles are described. Muzzle blast signals are neither sought nor required. The system uses at least two sensors, with each sensor having a 3-axis accelerometer. The sensors are spaced apart at least 1 meter and have each a diameter of about one centimeter. The three accelerometer signals of each sensor represent pressure gradients and are processed to find the shockwave arrival angle unit vector, the shockwave arrival time instant and peak pressure. Noise signals seldom cause false detections with this sensing method because the sensors have maximum sensitivity at the high frequency characteristics of shockwaves, while their sensitivity to the low frequency characteristics of ambient noise is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: James E. Barger
  • Patent number: 7266045
    Abstract: A system for locating and identifying an acoustic event such as gunfire. The inventive system employs a plurality of man wearable acoustic sensors for detecting gunfire, each acoustic sensor having a display associated therewith for displaying information concerning the acoustic event to a user. In preferred embodiments, the sensor includes a microphone for receiving acoustic information; an A/D converter; a processor for processing the digitized signal to detect a gunshot and determine a time of arrival; a GPS receiver for determining the position of the acoustic sensor; and a network interface for bidirectional communication with a system server. Preferably the display comprises: an LCD; and an electronically readable compass. When the display and acoustic sensor are in separate housings, the acoustic sensor includes a transmitter and the display includes a receiver for transferring the gunshot information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: ShotSpotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Baxter, Ken Fisher
  • Patent number: 7203132
    Abstract: An acoustic event location and classification system comprising an array of at least two acoustic transducers arranged spaced from one another; a central data processing unit for receiving signals from the acoustic transducers and processing the signals to determine a event type and location; and an internet or LAN connection for transmitting event type and location data to a third party, wherein the central data processing unit uses a DSNN to determine the event type and generalized cross correlation functions between microphone pairs to determine the event location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Safety Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore W. Berger
  • Patent number: 7190633
    Abstract: Shockwave-only solutions that estimate shooter position and shot trajectory are extremely sensitive to the quality and precision of the shock time-of-arrival (TOA) measurements as well as the accuracy to which relative sensor positions in space are known. Over the life of a long-deployed system, the sensor positions can shift and the performance of some sensors may degrade for various reasons. Such changes can degrade the performance of deployed shooter estimation systems. Disclosed are systems and methods that can be used to calibrate sensor positions based on shock and muzzle measurements processed from a series of shots fired from a known location and in a known direction, as well as an approach for dynamically adapting shock-only shooter estimation algorithms to compensate for sensor degradation and/or loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Marshall Seth Brinn, James Edwin Barger, Stephen Douglas Milligan
  • Patent number: 7181356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device that is used to analyse the structure of a material. The inventive device comprises: probe elements (5) which are used to (i) emit a wave, in the material, with emission delay laws that correspond to several simultaneous deviations and (ii) receive, on the different probe elements (5), signals from the refraction of said wave by the material; detection channels, each detection channel being connected to a probe element (5), in order to collect the refraction signals and to transmit same to data processing means (4); and delay circuits that apply a delay on each detection channel according to the reception delay laws which are predetermined and which correspond to the different deviations of the wave emitted. The invention also relates to an analysis method which can be used, in particular, on said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Socomate International
    Inventor: Philippe Coperet
  • Patent number: 7139222
    Abstract: A system and method for protecting sensor positions in an array of acoustic sensors which make up a gunfire locator system. The inventive system includes a purity of sensors and a host computer. Each sensor includes: a microphone for receiving acoustic information; a processor for processing acoustic information to detect an acoustic event and determine a time of arrival; a GPS receiver; an encryption module for encrypting transmitted sensor positions; and a network interface for transmitting sensor positions and times of arrival. The host computer includes: a network interface for receiving sensor transmissions; an encryption module for deciphering sensor positions; and a CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Baxter, Ken Fisher, Fred Holmes
  • Patent number: 7126877
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating the shooter of supersonic projectiles based on shockwave-only measurements are described. Muzzle blast signals are neither sought nor required. The system uses at least five, preferably seven, acoustic sensors that are spaced apart at least 1 meter. The sensor signals are acquired with a time resolution in the order of microseconds and processed to find and disambiguate the shockwave arrival angle unit vector. Two different Time-Difference-Of-Arrival (TDOA) measurement techniques are described, with one technique using counters in each signal channel and the other technique using cross-correlation between signal channels. A genetic algorithm can be used to efficiently disambiguate the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: James Edwin Barger, Stephen Douglas Milligan, Marshall Seth Brinn, Richard J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 6847587
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting, identifying, and fixing the location of the source of an acoustic event. The inventive system includes: a plurality of sensors dispersed at somewhat regular intervals throughout a monitored area; a communication network adapted to deliver information from the sensors to a host processor; and a process within the host processor for determining, from the absolute times of arrival of an event at two or more sensors, a position of the source of the event. Acoustic events are detected and analyzed at each sensor so that the sensor transmits over the network: an identifier for the sensor; an identifier for the type of event; and a precise absolute time of arrival of the event at the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the system also identifies the type of weapon firing a gunshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventors: Frank K. Patterson, Kevin C. Baxter, Fred H. Holmes
  • Patent number: 6563763
    Abstract: Given a trajectory and unit pointing vectors determined based on a planar or other approximation of a shock wave, a method and apparatus are provided to calculate times the sensors should have detected, based on a conical geometry of the shock wave. A difference between the calculated times and the actual times measured by the sensors may be minimized. The minimization may be performed by perturbing the unit vectors. When the perturbation of the unit vectors results in an acceptable difference between the calculated times and the measured times, an accurate trajectory of the projectile can be generated from the perturbed unit pointing vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventor: Niall B. McNelis
  • Patent number: 6552963
    Abstract: A firearm discharge detection device and alarm system featuring a plurality of detector units placed inside a structure which communicate with a central monitoring unit. Each detection unit will detect the discharge of a firearm in its proximity from decibel levels and duration using on board filters and timers and thereon signal the central monitoring unit. A digitized embodiment may also be used to determine the sound of a firearm using a digitized fingerprint of the sound compared to an library of firearm sounds in onboard memory by a microprocessor. The central monitoring unit will thereupon communicate with all the other detection devices installed to sound an audible and/or visible alarm to occupants to exit. Concurrently the central monitoring unit will communicate the firearm discharge and location to police. An optional directional exit alarm or warning to hide may also be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventors: John Baranek, James Russell
  • Patent number: 6400647
    Abstract: A remote acoustic detection system includes at least one detection unit delivered to a remote or inaccessible location by a missile or other aircraft. The detection unit monitors acoustic events at the location such as aircraft takeoffs and landings and preferably is provided the capability of classifying the events, for example, as to the event or type of aircraft. A sleep mode can be provided to conserve power such that the unit is activated only in the presence of threshold acoustic levels. The unit also includes a wireless transceiver for relaying data to a central monitoring authority, which may be a passing or loitering aircraft. Each detection unit may be provided with an address for allowing monitoring of a network of detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Gary B. Huntress
  • Patent number: 6185153
    Abstract: A system for detecting gunshots includes an input device including a microphone for converting acoustic noises into signals and amplifiers for amplifying the input signals, a threshold detector for receiving the amplified signals and comparing the signals with a predetermined threshold value and for producing an output signal when the threshold value is exceeded. A pulse width detector is connected to the threshold detector for producing an output signal only if the width of the threshold detector output signal is within a predetermined range of values. A pulse count detector is also connected to the threshold detector for producing an output signal when the level of the threshold output signal is above a peak threshold level or the number of threshold level output signals that exceed a threshold level are less than a preset limit. An output device indicates that a gunshot has occurred only when signals are received from the pulse width detector and the pulse count detector during a sampling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Mark William Hynes, James Lee Cole
  • Patent number: 6178141
    Abstract: A low cost and highly accurate sniper detection and localization system uses observations of the shock wave from supersonic bullets to estimate the bullet trajectory, Mach number, and caliber. If available, muzzle blast observations from an unsilenced firearm is used to estimate the exact sniper location along the trajectory. The system may be fixed or portable and may be wearable on a user's body. The system utilizes a distributed array of acoustic sensors to detect the projectile's shock wave and the muzzle blast from a firearm. The detection of the shock wave and muzzle blast is used to measure the wave arrival times of each waveform type at the sensors. This time of arrival (TOA) information for the shock wave and blast wave are used to determine the projectile's trajectory and a line of bearing to the origin of the projectile. A very accurate model of the bullet ballistics and acoustic radiation is used which includes bullet deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: GTE Internetworking Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory L. Duckworth, James E. Barger, Douglas C. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 6115327
    Abstract: A system for detecting gunshots includes an input device including a microne for converting acoustic noises into signals and amplifiers for amplifying the input signals, a threshold detector for receiving the amplified signals and comparing the signals with a predetermined threshold value and for producing an output signal when the threshold value is exceeded. A pulse width detector is connected to the threshold detector for producing an output signal only if the width of the threshold detector output signal is within a predetermined range of values. A pulse count detector is also connected to the threshold detector for producing an output signal when the level of the threshold output signal is above a peak threshold level or the number of threshold level output signals that exceed a threshold level are less than a preset limit. An output device indicates that a gunshot has occurred only when signals are received from the pulse width detector and the pulse count detector during a sampling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Mark William Hynes
  • Patent number: 6041654
    Abstract: An aerial towed hit detector used together with a sleeve target can obtain an oscillatory movement in the roll angular direction because of the small aerodynamic stability of the target. For determining the path or the miss distance of a projectile passing by the target and the hit detector, the position of the hit detector in the air is measured for allowing a compensation to be made in the determination of hit parameters of the projectile. In the determination of the position of the hit indicator tow accelerometers are used measuring the acceleration laterally or in a tangential direction. One accelerometer is attached to the hit detector and one to the tow rod. By forming the difference of the signals from the accelerometers and integrating the difference signal in two steps information of the angular position of the hit indicator is obtained. This calculation is made in a microprocessor for those times when pressure waves from projectiles hit the hit detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Air Target Sweden AB
    Inventor: Robert Stake
  • Patent number: 5973998
    Abstract: A system to accurately and rapidly present the location of gunfire or other explosive events to dispatchers uses a sparse set of distributed acoustic sensors mounted on rooftops or utility poles to allow triangulation of the gunfire sounds. If a fourth signal confirms that an explosive event occurs at a position triangulated from three other signal, then the system announces an event to dispatchers. The system tests various sensor triads against various criteria and selects the best triad for making the triangulation calculation. In the case where multiple gunshots are present, the system can automatically determine a velocity, thus helping identify and respond to drive-by shootings. The system presents a confirmed location on a computer map of the protected community showing where on a specific property the gunfire occurred. The dispatchers can listen to the event and can view wave forms or spectra to assist in discriminating gunshots from other explosive events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Trilon Technology, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Showen, Jason W. Dunham
  • Patent number: 5944317
    Abstract: This invention is an automatic gunnery system, responsive to airborne acoustic shock waves produced by a projectile passing through a target area. The invention relates specifically to the "hit" location of the said projectile for the condition when the flight path of the projectile is not perpendicular to the target area. Two pairs of concentric curved elongated acoustic energy conductors (curved sensor rods) are located adjacent to one side of said target area with acoustic transducers attached to the end portions thereof. Said transducers produce an electrical signal when a shock wave from the projectile reaches them through said energy conductors. Electrical signals from the transducers are connected to electronic circuitry and a calculating computer which calculates the intersection of two circles and determines the location of each "hit" on or near the target with each "hit" registered on a graphical display means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: George Wilson Rohrbaugh
  • Patent number: 5930202
    Abstract: A low cost and highly accurate sniper detection and localization system uses observations of the shock wave from supersonic bullets to estimate the bullet trajectory, Mach number, and caliber. If available, muzzle blast observations from an unsilenced firearm is used to estimate the exact sniper location along the trajectory. The system utilizes a distributed array of acoustic sensors to detect the leading edge of a projectile's shock wave and the muzzle blast from a firearm. The detection of the shock wave and muzzle blast is used to measure the wave arrival times of each waveform type at the sensors. This time of arrival (TOA) information for the shock wave and blast wave are used to determine the projectile's trajectory and a line of bearing to the origin of the projectile. A very accurate model of the bullet ballistics and acoustic radiation is used which includes bullet deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: GTE Internetworking Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory L. Duckworth, James E. Barger, Douglas C. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5920522
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method of indicating information related to the trajectory of a projectile traveling at a supersonic velocity, the trajectory intersecting a predefined target plane at a point of incidence and having an angle of incidence with the target plane, the method including sensing a shock wave generated by the projectile at a plurality of fixed locations in a vicinity of the target plane, not all of which locations lie on a single straight line, and providing a plurality of outputs responsive, respectively, to the shock wave sensed at the plurality of locations determining a time-delay for each of the plurality of locations, relative to a predefined, common, reference time, based on the plurality of outputs and determining at least one of the point of incidence, the angle of incidence and the supersonic velocity by at least estimating a solution to a set of time-delay equations, each equation providing an independent representation of only one of the time-delays as a function of the point o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Nadav Levanon