Method and apparatus for detecting concealed weapons
AssigneeBattelle Energy Alliance, LLC
InventorsDale K. Kotter, Frederick D. Fluck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for classifying a ferromagnetic object within a sensing area may include a magnetic field sensor that produces magnetic field data. A signal processing system operatively associated with the magnetic field sensor includes a neural network. The neural network compares the magnetic field data with magnetic field data produced by known ferromagnetic objects to make a probabilistic determination as to the classification of the ferromagnetic object within the sensing area. A user interface operatively associated with the signal processing system produces a user-discernable output indicative of the probabilistic determination of the classification of the ferromagnetic object within a sensing area.
Claims19
Apparatus for classifying a ferromagnetic object within a sensing area, comprising:
- a magnetic field sensor, said magnetic field sensor producing magnetic field data;
- a signal processing system operatively associated with said magnetic field sensor, said signal processing system comprising:
- a three-dimensional target position analyzer, said three-dimensional target position analyzer being responsive to said magnetic field data produced by said magnetic field sensor, said three-dimensional target position analyzer producing an output signal indicative of a location of the ferromagnetic object with respect to a host;
- a neural network responsive to said magnetic field data produced by said magnetic field sensor, said neural network comparing said magnetic field data with magnetic field data produced by known ferromagnetic objects to make a probabilistic determination as to the classification of the ferromagnetic object within the sensing area, said neural network also being operatively connected to said three-dimensional target position analyzer so that said neural network receives the output signal from said three-dimensional target position analyzer, and wherein said neural network uses the output signal from said three-dimensional target position analyzer in making the probabilistic determination of the classification of the ferromagnetic object within the sensing area;
- and
- a user interface operatively associated with said signal processing system, said user interface producing a user-discernable output indicative of the probabilistic determination of the classification of the ferromagnetic object within a sensing area, said user interface also being responsive to the output signal from said three-dimensional target position analyzer to produce a user-discernable output indicative of the location of the ferromagnetic object with respect to the host.
A method for classifying a ferromagnetic object within a sensing area, comprising:
- sensing, during a sample time, a magnetic field in the sensing area;
- producing magnetic field data representative of the sensed magnetic field during the sample time;
- using a neural network to compare said magnetic field data with magnetic field data produced by known ferromagnetic objects to make a probabilistic determination as to the classification of the ferromagnetic object within a sensing area, said using a neural network comprising:
- identifying at least one characteristic of the magnetic field data;
- assigning a weight value to the at least one characteristic of the magnetic field data to produce weighted characteristic magnetic field data;
- and
- comparing the weighted characteristic magnetic field data with a database containing magnetic characteristics of known ferromagnetic objects;
- and
- producing a user-discernable output indicative of the probabilistic determination of the classification of the ferromagnetic object within the sensing area.
Apparatus for classifying a ferromagnetic object within a sensing area, comprising:
- magnetic field sensing means for sensing a magnetic field and for producing magnetic field data;
- signal processing means operatively associated with said magnetic field sensing means, said signal processing means comprising:
- three-dimensional target position analyzer means for producing an output signal indicative of a location of the ferromagnetic object with respect a host;
- neural network means for comparing said magnetic field data with magnetic field data of known ferromagnetic objects to make a probabilistic determination as to the classification of the ferromagnetic object within the sensing area, and for using the output signal from said three-dimensional target position analyzer means in making the probabilistic determination of the classification of the ferromagnetic object within the sensing area;
- and
- user interface means operatively associated with said signal processing means for producing a user-discernable output indicative of the probabilistic determination of the classification of the ferromagnetic object within a sensing area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.