US 9,316,732 B1 · Standoff screening apparatus for detection of concealed weapons

Abstract

A walk-through screening station scans individuals to detect contraband such as a concealed weapon or improvised explosive device (IED) using ultra wideband (UWB) radar sensing and imaging systems employing wafer scale active array antennas. UWB radar and advanced imaging technology enable automated threat recognition and display for monitoring personnel. The station may scan subjects passing close to or within an aperture width of an array of radar transceivers. Direct calibration by use of reflectors positioned at known locations in the image may be used to implement scanning and imaging so close to the array. The scanning station may employ an easy-to-set-up pair of panels that may be readily deployed by security providers wherever access control—such as to a meeting place or transportation boarding—is needed. Imaging and display processing may provide an abstract display—such as a stick figure representation of anatomy—to address privacy issues and concerns.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a plurality of radar transceivers disposed in a planar array, wherein:
the planar array comprising the plurality of radar transceivers has an antenna aperture D;
and
the plurality of radar transceivers is configured to scan, by transmitting an ultra wideband (UWB) pulse signal, a subject within a range of at least one antenna of the plurality of radar transceivers, wherein the range is less than the aperture D;
and
a processor in communication with the plurality of radar transceivers, wherein the processor is configured to:
process image data from the plurality of radar transceivers based on synchronized reflections of the UWB pulse signal received at each of the plurality of radar transceivers;
and
combine the image data using the synchronized reflections from the plurality of radar transceivers to construct a single image of the subject.

6 more elements

A walk-through scanning station comprising:

a first panel and a second panel configured for a subject to pass between the first and second panels;
a planar array of radar transceivers disposed behind the first panel;
wherein:
the planar array of radar transceivers has an antenna aperture D;
and
the planar array of radar transceivers is configured to scan, by transmitting an ultra wideband (UWB) pulse signal, the subject within a range of at least one antenna of the array of radar transceivers, wherein the range is less than the aperture D;
an image processor in communication with the array of radar transceivers and configured to:
process image data from the plurality of radar transceivers based on synchronized reflections of the UWB pulse signal received at each of the plurality of radar transceivers;
and
combine the image data using the synchronized reflections from the plurality of radar transceivers to construct a single image of the subject;
and
a display in communication with the image processor for displaying an image of the subject scanned by the array of radar transceivers.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Standoff screening apparatus for detection of concealed weapons

Life of this patent

Standoff screening apparatus for detection of concealed weapons

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20