The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 11, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 13, 1996
Karl G Wesolowicz, Canton, MI (US);
David S Dilworth, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Randall W Zywicki, McKinney, TX (US);
Keith A More, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
James P Lehotsky, Chelsea, MI (US);
Frederick G Osterwisch, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Daedalus Enterprises, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A laser-based target detection system applicable for search-and-rescue type operations takes into account a plurality of optical attributes in the energy delivered to, and received from, a target-containing area so as to enhance effectiveness. In addition to analyzing the returned optical signature for sufficient energy reflected by a potential target at a primary laser wavelength, the system also senses the target's effect on a supplemental optical attribute, and only when sufficient amplitude at the primary wavelength is detected in conjunction with a substantial effect on the supplemental optical attribute is a valid target confirmed. In one embodiment, the supplemental optical attribute is amplitude at a wavelength other than the primary wavelength, with the system preferably looking for a high degree of attenuation at the non-primary wavelength. In an alternative embodiment, polarization is used as the supplemental optical attribute, with the system preferably looking for change of orientation in the return optical signature.