33945 results about "Remote sensing" patented technology

An infant is illuminated with heater radiant energy so as to warm the infant. A detector remotely senses infant radiated energy so as to determine the extent of infant warmth, and a controller responsive to the detector regulates the heater radiant energy accordingly. Skin-reflected heater radiant energy is limited at least during measurements of infant radiated energy.

Apparatuses and methods to sense proximity of an object and operate a proximity sensor of a portable device. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving an ambient light sensor (ALS) output, and altering, based on the ALS output, an effect of a proximity sensor output on control of a proximity determination. The ALS sensor and the proximity sensor may be located adjacent to an earpiece of a portable device. In some cases, the proximity determination may be a proximity of an object to the proximity sensor, and altering the effect may include changing the proximity of the object from a proximity greater than a first threshold to a proximity less than the first threshold. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

A system and method for measuring an item's dimensions using a time-of-flight dimensioning system is disclosed. The system and method mitigate multipath distortion and improve the accuracy of the measurements, especially in a mobile environment. To mitigate the multipath distortion, an imager captures an image of an item of interest. This image is processed to determine an illumination region corresponding item-of-interest's size, shape, and position. Using this information, an adjustable aperture's size, shape, and position are controlled so the light beam used in the time-of-flight analysis substantially illuminates the illumination region without first being reflected.

A system and device for harvesting various frequencies and polarizations of ambient radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy for making a passive sensor (tag) into an autonomous passive sensor (tag) adapted to collect and store data with time-stamping and some primitive computation when necessary even when an interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is not present (not transmitting). A specific source of ambient RF EM energy may include wireless fidelity (WiFi) and / or cellular telephone base stations. The system and device may also allow for the recharging of energy storage units in active and battery assisted passive (BAP) devices. The system could be a “smart building” that uses passive sensors with RF EM energy harvesting capability to sense environmental variables, security breaches, as well as information from “smart appliances” that can be used for a variety of controls and can be accessed locally or remotely over the Internet or cellular networks.

A proximity measuring apparatus (70) comprises an interrogator (80) for generating an interrogation signal encoded with a reference signature code comprising concatenated codes and emitting it as interrogating radiation. It also incorporates a transponder (90) for receiving the interrogating radiation, demodulating it to extract its signature code and then remodulating it after a delay period to provide a signal for reemission as return radiation therefrom. The interrogator (80) receives return radiation at its antenna (260) and demodulates it to extract its signature code and then correlates the code with the reference code to determine mutual correlation thereof. The interrogator (80) incorporates a computer (290) for controlling a scan direction of the antenna (260) and for measuring time delay between emission of the interrogating radiation therefrom and receipt of corresponding return radiation. The computer (290) computes distance and relative bearing of a transponder (90) providing the return radiation from the scan direction and the time delay. The apparatus (70) may be used for improving road vehicle safety.

The present invention relates to a system for retrieving data from remote difficult to reach terrain, such as wilderness areas, etc. and in particular to a system comprised of one or more surface based data collectors in communication with one or more wireless transceivers adapted to transmit the collected data to an unmanned aerial vehicle adapted to fly within a predetermined distance from the data collector and receive data collected therefrom. The present invention further relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle adapted to fly a flight pattern relative to a moveable surface object or for controlling the position of a moveable surface object relative to the flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Finally, the present invention relates to an improved unmanned aerial vehicle having airframe structural elements with electrical circuits adhered to the surfaces of the structural elements.

A system for wirelessly locating mobile station / units (MS) and using resulting location determinations for providing a product or service is disclosed. The system is useful for routing an MS user to a plurality of desired locations, alerting an MS user to a nearby desired product or service based on satisfaction of user criteria, and providing enhanced security and 911 response. In one embodiment, the system responds to MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location processing sites. A plurality of locating technologies including those based on: (1) TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) timing advance; (5) GPS and network assisted GPS, (6) angle of arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental information from low cost base stations can be activated, in various combinations, by system embodiments. MS location difficulties resulting from poor location accuracy / reliability and / or poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.

In a system facilitating the calibration of a map-point grid for an indoor location determination, the grid includes several map points, each having a radio frequency (RF) data fingerprint being associated therewith. At least one of: (i) RF signal data from several RF sources, (ii) a user specified location indication, and (ii) tracking data from a sensor, the tracking data indicating a user's movement relative to a base map point, are received. The map-point grid is updated based on, at least in part, at least one of (i) adjusted RF data, the received RF data being adjusted using systematic analysis thereof, (ii) the tracking data, and (iii) the location indication. A user's location may be determined based on the fingerprints associated with the map-point grid, and sensor data.

The present invention relates to one- or two-way Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite communications systems which broadcast high bit rate wideband television and multimedia content to user terminals located within a desired coverage area and, more specifically, a single or multi-transponder Direct-To-Home satellite communications system in which a high bit rate wideband data stream is comprised of real-time, statistically multiplexed information and non-real-time information that is transmitted to a subscriber media gateway device for storage and later-use. The user terminal contains a specially designed receiving system and may contain a transmitter for transmission of a return data channel to the Broadcast Center.

An apparatus for generating buoy light signals using a collimated light source. The system provides for communication of system conditions and ambient conditions, and can provide homeland security monitoring. The system senses motion of the buoy and compensates the direction of lighting, and optionally acoustics, being generated out over a body of water. Numerous other transportation related embodiments are described including devices for providing user comfort when flying, automotive signaling, auto parking control, sports bottles, visors, and lures.

A automatic-transport system with scanning and GPS functions for moving people or objects, on platforms or items placed on an automatic-transport system that can be ejected from it and delivered from one location to another and to return automatically or to proceed to other destination(s) by following GPS coordinates, and or by following a line painted or taped to a floor through forward looking scanners built into the automatic-transport system. The automatic-transport system can arrive at a destination and give an alert when it has arrived. Electromechanical system(s) aboard the unit can drop off contents automatically at destinations and load or unload cargo. The transport unit can proceed from one location to another stored in its memory and or it may be redirected by its circuitry or remotely through a wireless port, or directed by GPS or radio control circuits to a further destination.

Cameras can be used to detect if a visitor enters a field of view. Cameras can be mounted in many different areas, including outside buildings, inside buildings, and near other items such as pools. Cameras can send alerts to remote computing devices regarding visitors. Thus, a user of a camera can see and even speak with visitors who are located far away from the user.

Disclosed systems and methods relate to remote sensing, deep learning, and object detection. Some embodiments relate to machine learning for object detection, which includes, for example, identifying a class of pixel in a target image and generating a label image based on a parameter set. Other embodiments relate to machine learning for geometry extraction, which includes, for example, determining heights of one or more regions in a target image and determining a geometric object property in a target image. Yet other embodiments relate to machine learning for alignment, which includes, for example, aligning images via direct or indirect estimation of transformation parameters.

This invention generally relates to automated shade systems that employ one or more algorithms to provide appropriate solar protection from direct solar penetration; reduce solar heat gain; reduce radiant surface temperatures; control penetration of the solar ray, optimize the interior natural daylighting of a structure and optimize the efficiency of interior lighting systems. The invention additionally comprises a motorized window covering, radiometers, and a central control system that uses algorithms to optimize the interior lighting of a structure. These algorithms include information such as: geodesic coordinates of a building; solar position; solar angle solar radiation; solar penetration angles; solar intensity; the measured brightness and veiling glare across a surface; time, solar altitude, solar azimuth, detected sky conditions, ASHRAE sky models, sunrise and sunset times, surface orientations of windows, incidence angles of the sun striking windows, window covering positions, minimum BTU load and solar heat gain.

An image sensor section and a millimeter-wave sensor section separately detect objects. A sensor matching section determines whether the objects detected by the image sensor section and the millimeter-wave sensor section are one and the same object. If the objects are one and the same object, the sensor matching section estimates a position of the obstacle after a certain period. A collision prediction section determined whether there is going to be a collision between the vehicle and the object 50 from the position estimated by the sensor matching section.

The present invention provides a multiple band mobile radio (also referred to as a Wireless Communication Device (WCD)) capable of communicating with both a satellite communication system and a terrestrial communication system. The satellite communication system can be, for example, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system. The terrestrial communication system can be a Personal Communication System (PCS), or a cellular system, including either an analog or a digitally based cellular system. The cellular analog system can be AMPS. The digitally based cellular system can be a CDMA or a TDMA based communication system. The WCD can concurrently receive signals from the terrestrial communication system and the satellite communication system.

A vehicle environment monitoring device identifies objects from an image taken by an infrared camera. Object extraction from images is performed in accordance with the state of the environment as determined by measurements extracted from the images as follows: N1 binarized objects are extracted from a single frame. Height of a grayscale objects corresponding to one of the binarized objects are calculated. If a ratio of the number of binarized objects C, where the absolute value of the height difference is less than the predetermined value ΔH, to the total number N1 of binarized objects, is greater than a predetermined value X1, the image frame is determined to be rainfall-affected. If the ratio is less than the predetermined value X1, the image frame is determined to be a normal frame. A warning is provided if it is determined that the object is a pedestrian and if a collision is likely.

A system for wirelessly locating mobile station / units (MS) and using resulting location determinations for providing a product or service is disclosed. The system is useful for routing an MS user to a plurality of desired locations, alerting an MS user to a nearby desired product or service based on satisfaction of user criteria, and providing enhanced security and 911 response. In one embodiment, the system responds to MS location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location processing sites. A plurality of locating technologies including those based on: (1) TDOA; (2) pattern recognition; (3) timing advance; (5) GPS and network assisted GPS, (6) angle of arrival, (7) super resolution enhancements, and (8) supplemental information from low cost base stations can be activated, in various combinations, by system embodiments. MS location difficulties resulting from poor location accuracy / reliability and / or poor coverage are alleviated via such technologies in combination with automatically adapting and calibrating system performance according to environmental and geographical changes so that the system becomes progressively more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the system can be modularly configured for use in location signaling environments ranging from urban, dense urban, suburban, rural, mountain to low traffic or isolated roadways. Accordingly, the system is useful for 911 emergency calls, tracking, routing, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.

A method for locating a user in a wireless network is disclosed. A mobile computer seeking to determine its location within a building detects the signal strength of one or more wireless base stations placed at known locations throughout the building. The mobile computer uses this measured signal strength to determine its location via a signal-strength-to-location table look-up. A table of known locations within the building and the base station signal strength at those locations is searched to find the most similar stored signal strength to the signal strength detected. The location corresponding to the most similar stored signal strength is determined to be the current location of the mobile computer. Alternatively, a number of signal strengths from the table can be used and the corresponding locations can be spatially averaged to determine the location of the mobile computer. The table can be derived empirically, by placing a mobile computer at the known locations and detecting the signal strength of the wireless base stations at those locations, or the table can be derived mathematically by taking into account a reference signal strength, the distance between the reference point and the known location, and the number of walls between the reference point and the known location. As an alternative, the base stations can detect the signal strength of the mobile computer. In such a case, the table would relate a known position of the mobile computer to the signal strength of the mobile computer at that location as detected by the one or more base stations.

A wireless system and method for determining the location of a fixed or mobile target configured to have a transponder on the target, a transceiver monitoring the target location, communicating between the transponder and transceiver, and a processor for finding the target by virtual triangulation based on values of received position information. The processor is determines virtual triangulation based on successive values of the position information using at least three points P1, P2 and P3 of the transponder respective of the transceiver. The present invention discloses methods for finding with virtual triangulation by: (1) finding with virtual triangulation by generating position information in real-time, in the case of (i) stationary and moving target, and or (ii) in the case of the presence of obstacles; (2) finding with virtual triangulation relating to the average speed of the motion of operator; and or (3) finding with simplified virtual triangulation.

An uplink signal transmitted by a terminal is received by a satellite wireless communications system. The uplink signal includes a known information element, e.g., a reverse access channel (R-ACH) preamble, spread according to a spreading code specific to a component of a satellite wireless communications system, e.g., a pseudonoise (PN) sequence associated with a satellite beam. A correlation of the received uplink signal with the spreading code over a range of time shifts is determined. The known information element is detected from the determined correlation. The satellite wireless communications system is synchronized with the terminal responsive to detection of the known information element. For example, a delay may be assigned to a receiver of the satellite wireless communications system responsive to detection of the known information element.

A system and device for harvesting various frequencies and polarizations of ambient radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy for making a passive sensor (tag) into an autonomous passive sensor (tag) adapted to collect and store data with time-stamping and some primitive computation when necessary even when an interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is not present (not transmitting). A specific source of ambient RF EM energy may include wireless fidelity (WiFi) and / or cellular telephone base stations. The system and device may also allow for the recharging of energy storage units in active and battery assisted passive (BAP) devices. The system could be a “smart building” that uses passive sensors with RF EM energy harvesting capability to sense environmental variables, security breaches, as well as information from “smart appliances” that can be used for a variety of controls and can be accessed locally or remotely over the Internet or cellular networks.

An apparatus and method for paging a user terminal (UT) using a satellite communications system having a gateway and one or more satellites, wherein each satellite produces a plurality of beams and each beam includes a plurality of channels. The method of the present invention includes the step of recalling a location of the UT, wherein the recalled location corresponds to a location of the UT at a time t1. In one embodiment this is accomplished by performing a lookup in a table that includes location information for user terminals at different points in time. The method also includes the step of determining an area, based on the recalled location, within which the UT is assumed to be located at a time t2, where time t2 is later in time than time t1. The next step is to determine a time t3, where t3 is equal to or later in time than time t2, when the following two criteria are satisfied. First a satellite of the one or more satellites has an elevation angle between theta1 and theta2. Second, all locations within the area are located within a footprint of the satellite (that has an elevation angle between theta1 and theta2). The elevation angles theta1 and theta2 can be determined from the perspective of the recalled location. Alternatively, the elevation angle can be determined from the perspective of all locations within the area. This ensures that the UT is in the "sweet spot" of the satellite (where the gain of signals sent from the satellite are highest) when the UT is paged. A page is then sent from the gateway to the UT on a channel of a beam of the satellite at time t3. The page can be sent on a channel of every beam of a plurality of beams that make up the footprint of the satellite at time t3. Alternatively, the page can be sent on a channel of selected beams of the footprint. By waiting until the UT is within the "sweet spot" to page the UT, less power can be used by the satellite. In addition, this type of operation allows the UT to use an antenna that has a substantial gain only when the UT is within the "sweet spot". This allows the use of satellite power to be reduced further.

Methods and apparatuses for improved position determination of a device using multiple pseudo range measurements from transmitting sources at known locations, such as GPS satellites. A plurality of pseudo range measurements for each transmitting source are processed together to obtain a simplified maximum likelihood estimate for the pseudo range for that transmitting source at a common reference time. The processed pseudo range estimates for all transmitting sources are then combined using conventional position determination algorithms. This technique facilitates removal of raw measurement outliers prior to position determination, which results in improved (i.e., more accurate) position fixes of the device. In addition, improved measurement integrity monitoring of the pseudo range measurements is a feature of this invention.

A system and method of operation for efficiently reusing and / or sharing at least a portion of the frequency spectrum between a first satellite spot beam and a second satellite spot beam, and / or an underlay terrestrial network associated with a second satellite spot beam. The spectrum is efficiently reused and / or shared between respective spot beams and / or associated underlay terrestrial systems in a manner minimizes interference between the respective satellite and terrestrial systems.

A radioterminal communications system includes an ancillary terrestrial component configured to receive from at least some of a plurality of radioterminals using frequencies from a first satellite frequency band (e.g., an L-band) and to transmit to at least some of the plurality of radioterminals using frequencies from a second satellite frequency band (e.g., an S-band). The system further includes a space-based component configured to communicate with the plurality of radioterminals using at least some of the frequencies from the first satellite frequency band and / or at least some of the frequencies from the second satellite frequency band. In some embodiments the ancillary terrestrial component communicates with radioterminals using a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode and the space-based component communicates with the same or other radioterminals using a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and / or a TDD mode.

A system for measuring distance between a first locus and a second locus includes: (a) at least one beacon device; a respective beacon device of the at least one beacon device being situated at the first locus and transmitting a respective electromagnetic signal; and (b) at least one locator device; a respective locator device of the at least one locator device being situated at the second locus and receiving the respective electromagnetic signal. The respective locator device is situated at a distance from the respective beacon device within near-field range of the respective electromagnetic signal. The respective locator device distinguishes at least two characteristics of the respective electromagnetic signal. The respective locator device employs the at least two characteristics to effect the measuring.