US6856271B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal processing for object detection system
Assignee: Peacock Law Pc
•
Filing: 2003-01-09
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Granted: 2005-02-15
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Expires: 2023-01-09
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for detecting objects. In one embodiment, a person entering a secured or “Safe Zone™” is illuminated with low-power polarized radio waves. Differently polarized waves which are reflected back from the person are collected and measured. In a preferred embodiment, concealed weapons are detected by calculating the difference of a pair of differences (Delta A and B) of different polarized reflected energy (upper and lower curves in the two graphs) in the time domain, and by using signal processing methods and apparatus to improve the reliability of the detection process.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry Hausner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/12; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/024; G01S7/025; G01S7/41; G01S7/411; G01S7/412; G01S7/28; G01S7/285; G01S7/288; G01S7/2883
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of detecting an object comprising the steps of: illuminating a target with polarized radiation over a band of frequencies; collecting first radiation reflected from said target which has a polarization which is the same as the radiation used to Illuminate said target; and collecting second radiation reflected from said target which is oppositely polarized to that of said radiation which is used to illuminate said target; and employing a weighted plurality of criteria of the collected radiation over the band of frequencies converted to a time domain to determine automatically whether the object is present or not.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of detecting an object comprising the steps of: illuminating a target with polarized radiation over a band of frequencies; collecting first radiation reflected from said target which has a polarization which is the same as the radiation used to Illuminate said target; and collecting second radiation reflected from said target which is oppositely polarized to that of said radiation which is used to illuminate said target; and employing a weighted plurality of criteria of the collected radiation over the band of frequencies converted to a time domain to determine automatically whether the object is present or not.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the employing step comprises employing a weighted plurality of criteria of the collected radiation converted to a time domain by a Fast Fourier Transform process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the employing step comprises employing a plurality of criteria selected from the group consisting of magnitude of the second radiation at zero time after conversion to the time domain by a real only Fast Fourier Transform process, magnitude of the first radiation at zero time after conversion to the time domain by a complex Fast Fourier Transform process, and difference between the two magnitudes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the employing step comprises employing a magnitude spread of one or both of the first and second radiations at a plurality of times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the illuminating, collecting, and employing steps are repeated a plurality of times for a single target and the results combined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited In claim 5 , wherein the illuminating, collecting, and employing steps are repeated a plurality of times for a single target, a total duration of which is less than approximately one second, and the results combined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the employing step comprises employing a magnitude spread of one or both of the first and second radiations at a plurality of times.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said target is a person.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 8 , in which said object is a concealed weapon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 9 , in which said concealed weapon is a firearm.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for detecting an object comprising: means for illuminating a target with polarized radiation over a band of frequencies; means for collecting first radiation reflected from said target which has a polarization which is the same as the radiation used to illuminate said target; and means for collecting second radiation reflected from said target which is oppositely polarized to that of said radiation which is used to illuminate said target; and means for employing a weighted plurality of criteria of the collected radiation over the band of frequencies converted to a time domain to determine automatically whether the object is present or not.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for detecting an object comprising: means for illuminating a target with polarized radiation over a band of frequencies; means for collecting first radiation reflected from said target which has a polarization which is the same as the radiation used to illuminate said target; and means for collecting second radiation reflected from said target which is oppositely polarized to that of said radiation which is used to illuminate said target; and means for employing a weighted plurality of criteria of the collected radiation over the band of frequencies converted to a time domain to determine automatically whether the object is present or not.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said employing means comprises means for employing a weighted plurality of criteria of the collected radiation converted to a time domain by a Fast Fourier Transform process.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 12 , wherein said employing means comprises means for employing a plurality of criteria selected from the group consisting of magnitude of the second radiation at zero time after conversion to the time domain by a real only Fast Fourier Transform process, magnitude of the first radiation at zero time after conversion to the time domain by a complex Fast Fourier Transform process, and difference between the two magnitudes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13 , wherein said employing means comprises means for employing a magnitude spread of one or both of the first and second radiations at a plurality of times.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13 , wherein said illuminating, collecting, and employing means are operated a plurality of times for a single target and the results combined.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 , wherein said illuminating, collecting, and employing means are operated a plurality of times for a single target, a total duration of which is less than approximately one second, and the results combined.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 12 , wherein said employing means comprises employing a magnitude spread of one or both of the first and second radiations at a plurality of times.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , in which said target is a person.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 18 , in which said object is a concealed weapon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 19 , in which said concealed weapon is a firearm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-02-15 | 2008-08-16 | 2009-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-02-15 | 2012-08-16 | 2013-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-02-15 | 2016-08-16 | 2017-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |