US6703964B2 — Interrogation of an object for dimensional and to…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 73 words

A method, comprising: interrogating a first object with electromagnetic radiation including one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz for each of a number of different views of the first object; establishing a number of data sets each representative of a corresponding one of the different views; and combining the data sets to generate a topographical representation of the first object corresponding to the different views.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 73 words

A method, comprising: interrogating a first object with electromagnetic radiation including one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz for each of a number of different views of the first object; establishing a number of data sets each representative of a corresponding one of the different views; and combining the data sets to generate a topographical representation of the first object corresponding to the different views.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the object includes a person's body and further comprising adjusting a device to the person's body based on the topographical representation.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 2 , wherein information corresponding to the topographical representation is stored in a portable storage apparatus and the device includes vehicle equipment.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1 , which includes comparing the topographical representation of the first object with a topographical representation of a second object stored in a database.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 4 , which includes controlling access to a restricted area based on said comparing.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 1 , which includes determining one or more dimensions of the first object from the topographical representation.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 6 , which includes determining packaging for the first object in accordance with the one or more dimensions.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 6 , which includes determining shipping cost for the first object in accordance with the one or more dimensions.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the object includes a person and further comprising predicting a change in appearance of the person based on the topographical representation.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 80 words

A method, comprising: scanning an individual attempting to gain access to a restricted area with electromagnetic radiation including one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz; determining a topographical representation of the individual from said scanning; comparing one or more characteristics of the representation to corresponding data for each of a number of different persons; and controlling access to the restricted area by the individual based at least in part on said comparing.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 80 words

A method, comprising: scanning an individual attempting to gain access to a restricted area with electromagnetic radiation including one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz; determining a topographical representation of the individual from said scanning; comparing one or more characteristics of the representation to corresponding data for each of a number of different persons; and controlling access to the restricted area by the individual based at least in part on said comparing.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 10 , wherein said controlling includes selectively activating an access control device.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 10 , wherein the one or more characteristics include one or more relative body dimensions of the individual.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 12 , which includes comparing one or more features of the individual in addition to the one or more characteristics to further determine whether to allow access.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the one or more features include at least one of a fingerprint, a palm print, a retina image, and a vocal pattern.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 10 , which includes updating the corresponding data with the one or more characteristics for each access permitted by said controlling.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 10 , wherein said controlling includes permitting access to the restricted area if the one or more characteristics have an acceptable degree of similarity relative to the corresponding data for one of the different persons.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 10 , wherein said controlling includes taking action to further screen access of the individual to the restricted area in response to said comparing.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 71 words

A method, comprising: scanning an individual with electromagnetic radiation including one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz; determining a topographical representation of the individual from said scanning; comparing one or more characteristics of the representation to corresponding information for each of a number of different parties; and controlling access to an area by the individual based at least in part on said comparing.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 71 words

A method, comprising: scanning an individual with electromagnetic radiation including one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz; determining a topographical representation of the individual from said scanning; comparing one or more characteristics of the representation to corresponding information for each of a number of different parties; and controlling access to an area by the individual based at least in part on said comparing.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 56 words

The method of claim 18 , wherein said controlling includes taking further action to screen access of the individual to the area if said comparing indicates an unacceptable degree of similarity between the one or more characteristics and the corresponding information for one of the different parties for whom access to the area is not desirable.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 18 , wherein the one or more characteristics include one or more relative body dimensions of the individual.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 18 , wherein said controlling includes permitting access to the area if the one or more characteristics have an acceptable degree of similarity to the corresponding information for one of the different parties with permission to access the area.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 52 words

A method, comprising: scanning a number of passengers for a vehicle; determining topographical information representative of each of the passengers from said scanning; and identifying one or more bodies or body parts of the passengers using the topographical information in response to death or injury resulting from an accident involving the vehicle.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 52 words

A method, comprising: scanning a number of passengers for a vehicle; determining topographical information representative of each of the passengers from said scanning; and identifying one or more bodies or body parts of the passengers using the topographical information in response to death or injury resulting from an accident involving the vehicle.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 22 , wherein the vehicle is a commercial aircraft.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 22 , which includes correlating the topographical information to a seating arrangement known for the vehicle to assist with said identifying.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 22 , wherein said scanning includes interrogating each of the passengers with electromagnetic radiation including one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 25 , wherein said scanning is performed during a boarding process for the vehicle.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 45 words

A method, comprising: scanning several pieces of wreckage resulting from an accident of a vehicle; determining a number of topographical representations corresponding to the pieces of wreckage from said scanning; and arranging the representations relative to one another with a computer to analyze the accident.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 45 words

A method, comprising: scanning several pieces of wreckage resulting from an accident of a vehicle; determining a number of topographical representations corresponding to the pieces of wreckage from said scanning; and arranging the representations relative to one another with a computer to analyze the accident.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 27 , which includes orienting the pieces in different spatial relationships relative to one another in a computer domain to at least partially reconstruct the vehicle.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 27 , which includes removing deformities of one or more of the pieces in a computer domain to assist with reconstruction of the vehicle.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 27 , which includes visualizing one or more of the pieces with a computer.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 27 , which includes generating a record in a computer of the time and place of discovery of each of the pieces.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 27 , which includes detecting metal or other radar reflective material at least partially embedded in a radar transparent/translucent material.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 27 , wherein said scanning is performed with electromagnetic radiation having one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 110 words

A system, comprising: at least one array to interrogate an object with electromagnetic radiation at one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz; one or more processors responsive to said array, said one or more processors being operable to establish a number of data sets each representative of a corresponding one of a number of different views of the object relative to the array and combine the data sets to generate a topographical representation of the first object corresponding to the different views; and an output device responsive to the one or more processors to generate an output determined with the topographical representation.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 110 words

A system, comprising: at least one array to interrogate an object with electromagnetic radiation at one or more frequencies in a range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz; one or more processors responsive to said array, said one or more processors being operable to establish a number of data sets each representative of a corresponding one of a number of different views of the object relative to the array and combine the data sets to generate a topographical representation of the first object corresponding to the different views; and an output device responsive to the one or more processors to generate an output determined with the topographical representation.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 34 , wherein the output device is operable to adjust to a person's body based on the topographical representation.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 35 , wherein the output device includes vehicle equipment.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 34 , wherein the array is mounted to translate along a predefined path during interrogation of the object.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system of claim 34 , wherein one of the array and the object is operable to rotate relative to another of the array and the object.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 34 , further comprising a portable storage apparatus, the eq topographical representation being stored therein.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system of claim 34 , wherein the one or more processors are operable to provide a comparison of the topographical representation of the object with stored data to determine a degree of similarity thereto.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 40 , wherein the output device includes an access control device responsive to the comparison.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 34 , wherein the one or more processors are operable to determine a cross-section defining a circumference of the object.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-03-09	2007-09-08	2008-03-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-03-09	2011-09-08	2012-03-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-03-09	2015-09-08	2016-03-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Interrogation of an object for dimensional and topographical information

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