Patent US7298318B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7298318B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for microwave imaging using programmable transmission array
Assignee: Agilent Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2005-06-08
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Granted: 2007-11-20
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Expires: 2025-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A microwave imaging system uses microwave radiation provided by a microwave source to image targets. The system includes an array of antenna elements that are capable of being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient to direct the microwave illumination from the microwave source toward a position on the target. The antenna elements are further capable of being programmed with a respective additional transmission coefficient to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from the position on the target and direct the reflected microwave illumination towards a microwave receiver. A processor is operable to measure an intensity of the reflected microwave illumination to determine a value of a pixel within an image of the target. Multiple beams can be directed towards the target to obtain corresponding pixel values for use by the processor in constructing the image.
Inventors
- 👤 Izhak Baharav
- 👤 Robert C. Taber
- 👤 Gregory S. Lee
- 👤 John Stephen Kofol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 07:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/06; H01Q21/061; H01Q21/065; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/89; G01S13/02; G01S13/04; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/12; G01V8/00; G01V8/005; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A microwave imaging system, comprising: a microwave source configured to provide microwave illumination to illuminate a target; a microwave receiver configured to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from said target; an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements, each of said antenna elements being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient to receive said microwave illumination from said microwave source and direct said microwave illumination towards a position on a target, said antenna elements being further programmed with a respective additional transmission coefficient to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target and direct said reflected microwave illumination towards said microwave receiver; and a processor configured to measure an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a value of a pixel within an image of said target constructed by said processor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A microwave imaging system, comprising: a microwave source configured to provide microwave illumination to illuminate a target; a microwave receiver configured to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from said target; an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements, each of said antenna elements being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient to receive said microwave illumination from said microwave source and direct said microwave illumination towards a position on a target, said antenna elements being further programmed with a respective additional transmission coefficient to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target and direct said reflected microwave illumination towards said microwave receiver; and a processor configured to measure an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a value of a pixel within an image of said target constructed by said processor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array, said first antenna array directing said microwave illumination towards said position on said target and said second antenna array directing said reflected microwave illumination towards said microwave receiver.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for configuring an array of transmissive antenna elements to capture a microwave image of a target, comprising: providing an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements; programming each of said antenna elements with a respective transmission coefficient; receiving microwave illumination at said antenna array from a microwave source; directing said microwave illumination towards a position on said target based on said respective transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements; receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target; measuring an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a pixel; and constructing an image including multiple pixel values associated with multiple positions on said target.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for configuring an array of transmissive antenna elements to capture a microwave image of a target, comprising: providing an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements; programming each of said antenna elements with a respective transmission coefficient; receiving microwave illumination at said antenna array from a microwave source; directing said microwave illumination towards a position on said target based on said respective transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements; receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target; measuring an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a pixel; and constructing an image including multiple pixel values associated with multiple positions on said target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said receiving said reflected microwave illumination further comprises: receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said antenna array; and directing said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target towards a microwave receiver based on a respective additional transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein said antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array, and wherein said receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source further includes receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source at said first antenna array, and wherein said receiving said reflected microwave illumination further includes receiving said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said second antenna array.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for configuring an array of transmissive antenna elements to capture a microwave image of a target, comprising: providing an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements; programming each of said antenna elements with a respective transmission coefficient; illuminating a position on said target with microwave illumination from a microwave source; receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said antenna array; directing said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target towards a microwave receiver based on said respective transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements; measuring an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a pixel; and constructing an image including multiple pixel values associated with multiple positions on said target.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for configuring an array of transmissive antenna elements to capture a microwave image of a target, comprising: providing an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements; programming each of said antenna elements with a respective transmission coefficient; illuminating a position on said target with microwave illumination from a microwave source; receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said antenna array; directing said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target towards a microwave receiver based on said respective transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements; measuring an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a pixel; and constructing an image including multiple pixel values associated with multiple positions on said target.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein said illuminating further comprises: receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source at said antenna array; and directing said microwave illumination towards said position on the target based on a respective additional transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array, and wherein said receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source further includes receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source at said first antenna array, and wherein said receiving said reflected microwave illumination further includes receiving said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said second antenna array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said microwave source and said microwave receiver are co-located.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-11-19 | 2011-05-21 | 2011-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-11-19 | 2015-05-21 | 2015-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-11-19 | 2019-05-21 | 2019-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |