| Cubic Corporation Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120112878 | AUTOMATIC INTEGRATED SENSING AND ACCESS CONTROL - An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120057741 | SECURITY POLYMER THREAT DETECTION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - Embodiments disclosed enable the detection of the presence of chemical, biological, and/or explosive (CBE) substance or other items of interest on individuals handling tickets, fobs, passes, smartcards, or other media. Embodiments generally contemplate issuing media at a first location and analyzing the media at a second location. Material sensitive to CBE substance can be applied to the media at the first and/or second location. An adhesive also may be used to attract and/or retain particles to the media for analysis and/or adhere the detection material to the media. Such embodiments can be utilized in airports, transit stations, and other applications where security against threats posed by CBE substance may be a concern. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20110289810 | SCOUT SNIPER OBSERVATION SCOPE - A method and system for an observation system for use in weapon aiming is disclosed. An observation scope displays azimuth and elevation adjustments. Meteorological information is gathered by one or more weather stations, which use weather sensors. A range finder determines a distance between the observation scope and a target. A ballistics processor determines a ballistic solution based on the distance and the meteorological information. The ballistic solution is provided to the observation scope. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110220718 | ASSOCIATION OF CONTACTLESS PAYMENT CARD PRIMARY ACCOUNT NUMBER - Embodiments of methods and machines are disclosed for enabling contactless devices, such as contactless payment cards and other devices having near-field communication (NFC) capabilities, for use as fare media in a transit and/or transportation system. Embodiments include reading contactless data from a contactless device and associating it with information received from another source on the device. For example, associating a primary account number (PAN) and/or other information received from a contactless payment card's contactless interface with a PAN obtained from a magnetic stripe of the contactless payment card. The information can then be further associated with one or more products and/or a transit user account. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110215155 | VARIABLE THICKNESS DATA CARD BODY - According to the invention, a fare card for storing information in a plurality of different ways for use in a transit system is disclosed. The fare card includes a card body that has at least a first region and a second region. The first region is located adjacent to an edge of the card body and has a first thickness. The second region has a second thickness that is different than the first thickness. A first data storage element for storing fare information is included in the first region, and a second data storage element is included in the second region. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110208645 | VIRTUAL FARE CARD AND VIRTUAL FARE DEVICE - Embodiments of systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for enabling a uniquely-identifiable item as fare media in a transit system. Embodiments generally include collecting a unique identifier from the item, and sending the unique identifier, and other data, to a virtual fare device. The virtual fare device can use the unique identifier to access historical and/or other information associated with the unique identifier, calculate a fare, and/or update the information in a manner similar to how a physical fare device updates information on physical fare media, such as a stored-value card. The virtual fare device then can send data, such as priced transaction data including fare information, to other systems and/or servers of the transit system for further processing. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110205140 | VARIABLE PITCH MANDREL WOUND ANTENNAS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - A system and method for fabricating a mandrel wound antenna are provided. The method includes securing a first end of a wire to a first portion of a mandrel tool, where the mandrel tool includes a faceplate supporting a plurality of posts, and the posts arranged and disposed to define non-overlapping circumferential patterns. The method also includes wrapping the wire around outer peripheries of the plurality of posts to form non-overlapping wire coils around the plurality of circumferential patterns to provide an antenna. The method further includes securing a second end of the wire to a second portion of the mandrel tool, cutting the wire in proximity to the second end, attaching the antenna to a substrate separate from the faceplate, and detaching the antenna from the faceplate. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110204147 | SMARTCARD INTERCONNECT - A smart card inlay and method for assembling the same are provided. The method includes attaching a first trace to a substrate, attaching a second trace to the substrate, attaching an antenna wire to the substrate, coupling a first end of the antenna wire to a first area of the first trace, and coupling a second end of the antenna wire to a first area of the second trace. A second area of the first trace and a second area of the second trace are configured to be coupled to an integrated circuit (IC) or IC module, and the first area of the first trace is located away from the second area of the first trace and the first area of the second trace is located away from the second area of the second trace. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110166997 | PROXY-BASED PAYMENT SYSTEM - A system, method, and apparatus for accepting account-based contactless smartcards at offline terminals are disclosed. The contactless smartcards may be branded bank cards which have a prepaid account balance. Each card may include an integrated circuit with a payment application, a proxy application, and a proxy data store. A proxy-enabled card reader can read and write the proxy data and may use the proxy data to determine whether to proceed with a card-based transaction absent an online authorization. Updated proxy information may be periodically distributed throughout a payment system and used to update various lists maintained at the card readers. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110166936 | PREDICTIVE TECHNIQUES IN TRANSIT ALERTING - Embodiments of systems and methods are disclosed for providing messages based on an identified ridership pattern of a user of a transit system. Embodiments can include receiving information associated with a plurality of transactions of the user of the transit system, and identifying a ridership pattern of the user of the transit system. A predicted time and duration that the user of the transit system will be at a predicted location can be determined based, at least in part, on the identified ridership pattern. A message can be formulated using this information, and the message can be sent to the user or other message subscriber. Messages can include a variety of information, including advertisements, transit status updates, and more. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110166914 | RELOADABLE PREPAID CARD DISTRIBUTION, RELOAD, AND REGISTRATION IN TRANSIT - Embodiments of systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed providing for the concurrent distribution of reloadable prepaid cards and enablement of the reloadable prepaid cards for use at access control points of a transit system. Embodiments enabling of the reloadable prepaid cards for use at access control points of the transit system can include obtaining user information, payment, and communicating card information to a card issuer for activation of the first reloadable prepaid card. A transit user account for managing transactional information of the user of the transit system is also created, reloadable prepaid card is enabled for use as fare media at access control points of the transit system. Thus, once distributed, the prepaid reloadable cards may be used as fare media in the transit system as payment for transit fare, as well as for purchases at locations outside the transit system. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110165866 | TRANSIT ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT WITH TEXT MESSAGING - Embodiments of systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for enabling the management of a transit user account of a transit system with a mobile device. Embodiments of a transit system utilizing such transit user accounts are also disclosed. Embodiments for enabling a mobile device to manage a transit user account can include receiving an identification code of a fare media and receiving contact information of the mobile device. The transit user account, which can be used in transactions of the transit system associated with the fare media, can be created using user information and a passcode. Additionally, the mobile device can be authenticated by sending at least one message to the mobile device and receiving at least one message from the mobile device. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110165836 | ID APPLICATION FOR NFC PHONE - Embodiments of systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for enabling a mobile device having near-field communication (NFC) capabilities to be used as fare media at access control points of a transit system. Embodiments can include receiving a request for activation information from the mobile device to enable the device to transmit an identification code using NFC capabilities. Embodiments further include associating a funding source with the identification code and transmitting the activation information to the mobile device. The identification code can then be transmitted from the mobile device to an access control point, and a determination of whether to allow or deny passage of a user at the access control point can be made. The determination can be based, at least in part, on whether the identification code is included on a list. A transaction can then be associated with the identification code; and a value of the transaction can be reconciled with the funding source. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110153495 | MOBILE WIRELESS PAYMENT AND ACCESS - Embodiments of systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for enabling wireless mobile devices to be automatically detected and used as fare media on vehicles in a transit and/or transportation system. Embodiments include detecting a wireless mobile device and utilizing a unique identifier of the wireless mobile device to track a transit user's entry to and exit from a transit vehicle. Embodiments further include causing the wireless mobile device to display a fare payment indicator, allowing the transit user to use the wireless mobile device to show proof of payment if so solicited by a fare inspector. A corresponding fare can be calculated and paid for in a variety of ways. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110115464 | CHEMICAL-SELECTIVE DEVICE - A smartcard or other media that detects the presence of chemical and/or biological compounds or other items of interest on individuals handling by using chemical-selective devices. These chemical-selective devices can include non-linear (e.g., diode and/or transistor) and/or time non-linear (e.g., controlled resistor) electrical components and can indicate exposure to an item of interest through a change in one or more electrical characteristics. The exposure of the chemical-selective devices to items of interest is stored such that, when the smartcard or other media is presented to a card reader, the detection data can be transmitted to the card reader for appropriate processing by the system. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110005282 | SENSING A SIGNAL TO SENSE SECUIRTY OF A CONTAINER - A system for sensing the security of a container includes a housing, at least two lock members coupled to the housing, the lock members configured to couple to first and second portions of the container to lock at least one container door in a closed position, a signal generator configured to generate a first signal and couple the first signal to the first portion of the container, the generated first signal having a known profile, and a lock controller configured to cause the signal generator to generate the first signal upon occurrence of a trigger event. The system further includes a signal detector configured to receive a second signal, the second signal resulting from the first signal, and a signal analyzer configured to analyze the second signal to determine a profile of the second signal, retrieve stored data representing a signal profile indicative of the lock mechanism being coupled to the first and second portions of the container, compare the profile of the second signal to the stored signal profile, and determine that a relationship between the lock mechanism and the container has changed based on the comparison. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100332359 | ACTIVE CONTAINER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A system for monitoring chain of custody of contents of a container includes a lock mechanism configured to lock at least one door of the container in a closed position, a housing enclosing at least a portion of the lock mechanism, and a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing. The lock circuit includes a memory, a lock controller, a wireless module configured to receive information from at least one sensor associated with the container, the information regarding at least one property of the contents of the container, wherein the wireless module is configured to store the information in memory, wherein at least one of the wireless module or the sensor is powered wirelessly, and a lock controller configured to receive commands related to operation of the lock mechanism, to monitor the stored information to identify a change of state of the at least one sensor, and to generate chain of custody data to be transmitted to a remote location via the wireless module. The chain of custody data includes at least two of sensor data, an authentication code associated with the sensor, and/or an authentication code associated with the lock mechanism. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100328031 | GLOBAL ASSET TRACKING ENTERPRISE SYSTEM - A system for operating a container lock mechanism includes a housing, at least two lock members, the two lock members including a first lock member configured to engage a first portion of a container and a second lock member configured to engage a second portion of the container to mount the container lock mechanism outside of the container and lock at least one container door in a closed position. The system further includes a latching mechanism coupled to the first and second lock members, a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing. The lock circuit includes a first memory, a wireless module configured to receive a wireless signal and a lock controller coupled to the first memory, the wireless module and the latching mechanism and configured to receive commands related to operation of the lock mechanism, at least a portion of the commands being part of the wireless signal, to cause the latching mechanism to resist having the first and second lock members be disengaged from the first and second portions of the container when the first and second lock members are engaged to the first and second portions of the container, thereby locking the at least one container door in response to the received commands, and a battery coupled to the lock circuit and configured to provide electrical power to at least a portion of the lock circuit. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100326147 | LOCK MECHANISM USING ONE-WAY VALVE TO LOCK PISTON - A lock mechanism for locking at least one door of a container in a closed position includes a housing, at least one lock member at least partially enclosed within the housing, the at least one lock member comprising a first lock member configured to engage a first portion of a container to lock at least one container door in a closed position, and a latching mechanism coupled to the at least one lock member. The latching mechanism includes a fluid chamber configured to hold a fluid, a piston slidably housed within the fluid chamber, and a valve coupled to the fluid chamber and configured to be in one of two states, the two states including an open state where fluid can flow through the valve in two directions to allow the piston to be moved in two directions, and a closed state where fluid is inhibited from flowing through the valve in at least one direction to prevent the piston from moving in at least one direction. The lock mechanism further includes a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing, the lock circuit including memory, and a lock controller coupled to the memory and the latching mechanism and configured to receive commands related to the operation of the lock mechanism, wherein the lock controller is configured to cause the latching mechanism to be in one of the two states in response to the received commands. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100326146 | SHIPPING CONTAINER ACTIVE LOCK RELEASE FAILSAFE - A lock mechanism to lock at least one door of a container in a closed position includes a housing enclosing at least a portion of the lock mechanism, and a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing. The lock circuit includes a main power supply, a backup power supply, a plurality of subsystems, and a lock controller coupled to the main power supply and the backup power supply. The lock controller is configured to receive commands related to operation of the lock mechanism, determine a battery level remaining in the main power supply, determine if the remaining battery level is below a threshold level, and cause the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upon determining that the remaining battery level is below the threshold level. When in the lower power mode, at least a portion of the subsystems of the lock circuit are not powered, the lock controller receives power from the main power supply, and the lock controller monitors an interface to detect a command to unlock the lock mechanism. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100326145 | FLOATING J-HOOKS BETWEEN TWO BUSHINGS IN HOUSING WITH A SINGLE PISTON - A lock mechanism for locking at least one door of a container in a closed position includes first and second members slidably coupled to each other to move relative to each other, a latching mechanism configured to prevent the two members from moving relative to each other in at least one direction when the latching mechanism is in a locked state, and first and second lock members, each of the lock members including a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first and second lock members protrude through the body. The second end of the first lock member is coupled to the first member of the locking mechanism and the second end of the second lock member being coupled to the second member of the locking mechanism. The first ends of the first and second lock members are configured to engage portions of the container to lock the at least one container door in a closed position. The body is sized and disposed to support the first and second lock members to prevent rotation of the first and second lock members about points where the first and second lock members are attached to the first and second members of the latching mechanism. The lock mechanism further includes a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the body. The lock circuit includes a lock controller coupled to the latching mechanism and configured to receive commands related to the operation of the lock mechanism, wherein the lock controller is configured to cause the latching mechanism to be in the locked state in response to the received commands. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100302542 | SOLID STATE FLEXURE FOR POINTING DEVICE - A system for achieving multi-axis angular alignment of devices includes a monolithic mount. The mount includes three sections arranged along a longitudinal axis. The first two sections are connected by two flexures that constrain the second section to rotate in relation to the first section in a first rotational degree of freedom. The second and third sections are connected by flexures that constrain the third section to rotate in relation to the second section in a second rotational degree of freedom. The first and second rotational degrees of freedom are different. Actuating screws contact bearing surfaces on the mount to actuate the rotations. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100295942 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING WEAPON POINTING ANGLES - A weapon orientation measuring device in accordance with the disclosure includes a processor configured to receive first location information indicative of locations of a first point and a second point on a weapon, the first and second points being a known distance apart in a direction parallel to a pointing axis of the weapon, and to receive second location information indicative of the locations of the first and second points on the weapon. The processor is further configured to receive information indicative of a first earth orientation, and determine a second earth orientation corresponding to the weapon based on the first and second location information and the information indicative of the first earth orientation. The first location information represents location relative to a first sensor at a first location and the second location information represents location relative to a second sensor at a second location, and the first and second sensors are separated by a given distance. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100224682 | CONTACTLESS SMARTCARD AUTHENTICATION - Techniques for authenticating a contactless smartcard in a card processing system are disclosed. A card reader measures an impulse response associated with the contactless smartcard during outbound modulation of an RF carrier and compares measured impulse data to reference impulse data. The reference impulse data can be stored at the card reader or obtained from the contactless smartcard in an encrypted form. Optionally, the card reader issues one or more challenges to the contactless smartcard in connection with a card transaction and verifies a response to the one or more challenges using calibration data. The card reader can determine the card's authenticity based on the impulse data, the response to one or more challenges, or a combination thereof. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100219932 | AUTOMATIC INTEGRATED SENSING AND ACCESS CONTROL - An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100214650 | BUTTERFLY LASER - Systems and devices enabling a highly compact design for a fiber-based lasing and/or amplifying system are disclosed. In some instances, a tightly-coiled active optical fiber may be coupled with a seed source and a pump source for optical amplification and other applications. Such systems can be disposed in a small footprint package such as a butterfly package or a high heat load package. In some instances, the tightly-wound active optical fiber may further include a fiber Bragg grating adapted to accommodate bends in the active optical fiber. The active optical fiber may further utilize a cladding shaped to maintain an orientation of the active optical fiber in relation to a bend in the fiber. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100201534 | SMARTCARD PROTECTION DEVICE - A card protection device and method of protecting data stored on a contactless smartcard are disclosed. The card protection device may include an antenna, a detector circuit, and an alerting circuit. The antenna may include a magnetic loop that is coupled to a tuning circuit responsive to magnetic field emissions in a frequency band associated with contactless smartcard communications. The detector circuit is coupled to the antenna and may include control logic for attenuating the magnetic field emissions based on smartcard operating characteristics. The detector circuit can store energy associated with the magnetic field emissions and the alerting circuit can provide an audible and/or visual alert using the stored energy. Optionally, the card protection device may be integrated with other smartcard communication functions and/or it may share components with a contactless smartcard. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100188195 | Smartcard Protocol Transmitter - Techniques for protecting communication between a card reader and a contactless smartcard are disclosed. In one embodiment, a protocol transmitter includes a transmit circuit and a processor. The transmit circuit is configured to generate a blocking signal having a frequency used by the card reader to communicate with the contactless smartcard. The processor is coupled to the transmit circuit and configured to modulate the blocking signal according to a communication protocol of the contactless smartcard. A first antenna of the protocol transmitter is disposed a predetermined distance from the card reader and is coupled to the transmit circuit to radiate the blocking signal. Optionally, the processor modulates the blocking signal so as to simulate a data exchange between the card reader and the contactless smartcard. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100187308 | CARD READER - A card reader system, method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed. The card reader can include a transmitter that modulates a radio frequency carrier with a transmit data signal and a receiver that detects a modulation of the radio frequency carrier by a contactless smartcard. A processor can be coupled to the transmitter and the receiver. The processor can generate the transmit data signal so as to simulate a data exchange according to a protocol of the contactless smartcard. The processor can determine a timing for reading data from or writing data to the contactless smartcard and can discontinue the simulated data exchange based on the timing. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100135670 | PHASE-MODULATING COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system, method, and communication device are disclosed. The system can include an optical interrogator and a phase-modulating communication device. The communication device can include a retro-optimized lens, a phase modulator, and a processor. The retro-optimized lens can be a non-imaging optical arrangement configured to minimize deviation between an incoming signal and a reflected signal used for return link communications. The processor can be configured to calibrate a modulation path length of the communication device based on a wavelength of the communication signal and can control an operation of the phase-modulator to send phase-coded messages to the interrogator. Optionally, the processor can perform a real-time phase calibration of the communication device using feedback from the interrogator. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135668 | COMPACT WIDE-ANGLE PIXELLATED ACTIVE OPTICAL LINK - A system, method, and optical communication device are disclosed. The system can include a plurality of optically coupled nodes forming an optical communication network. Each node may include an array of pixel elements, each pixel element having an optical detector and an active optical source. The pixel array may be disposed in a backplane of a lens that is configured to map incoming optical signals to pixel locations in the backplane according to their respective angles of incidence and to minimize a deviation at each pixel location between incoming optical signals arriving at the optical detector and emissions from the optical source. The node may include a processor and memory. The processor can register senders in the optical network at locations in the pixel array and can generate routing information by which to route communications from the registered senders to other pixel elements for transmission to their respective destinations. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20090279903 | Modulating Retro-Reflector Optical Communication Using Polarization Differential Signaling - A retroreflector coupled with a polarization rotator is provided according to some embodiments. The polarization rotator can be designed and/or configured to introduce a fraction of a wavelength phase difference in a received beam of light prior to reflecting the beam of light back toward the source of the light. By switching the state of the polarization rotator a communication signal can be modulated on the return beam of light. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090245788 | INTEGRATED OPTICAL COMMUNICATION AND RANGE FINDING SYSTEM AND APPLICATION THEREOF - The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090231197 | DIGITAL BEAMFORMING ANTENNA AND DATALINK ARRAY - A method and system for beamforming a multi-element array using time delays is provided. The array includes transmit array elements and receive array elements. Each of the array elements includes a processor. Modulation and demodulation functions are performed at the processors of each array element. The modulation and demodulation functions utilize receive time offsets and phase shifts, and transmit time offsets and phase shifts, respectively. The receive time offsets and phase shifts, and the transmit time offsets and phase shifts are determined by a central processing unit in order to beamform received signals and transmitted signals, respectively. The array elements are arranged in a daisy chain fashion in order to facilitate communication of control parameters, communication of bits to be transmitted and distributed combining of demodulated baseband samples from one array element to another and communicating the combined samples to the central processing unit. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090166412 | AUTOMATIC INTEGRATED SENSING AND ACCESS CONTROL - An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090142053 | INTEGRATED OPTICAL COMMUNICATION AND RANGE FINDING SYSTEM AND APPLICATION THEREOF - The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090122391 | BEAM DEFLECTION USING PZT RESONANCE - Beam deflection devices and methods using piezoelectric tube resonance. A beam deflection device may include a laser that produces a beam of light. The beam of light may then be directed through a piezoelectric tube that includes a light guide and one or more piezoelectric elements. The device may also have an optical tip that extends axially from the end of the piezoelectric tube. The piezoelectric tube is coupled with the light source, such that the beam of light is conducted through the light guide and optionally the optical tip. A controller may be communicatively coupled with the light source and the piezoelectric tube. The controller may include instructions to activate the piezoelectric tube at a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric tube, the light guide, and/or the optical tip. The controller may include instructions to activate one or more of the piezoelectric elements at a different power level. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090116850 | RESONANT QUANTUM WELL MODULATOR DRIVER - A drive circuit and method of controlling a quantum well modulator are disclosed. The drive circuit can be disposed in an optical transceiver having a quantum well modulator configured to retro-modulate an incoming optical signal. The drive circuit can include separate modulating and bias voltage sources. A level of the modulating voltage and the bias voltage can be determined based on an ambient temperature of the optical transceiver and can be adjusted to compensate for variations in the optical performance of the quantum well modulator. The quantum well modulator can be controlled in intervals. The modulating voltage can be applied to the quantum well modulator during a first interval. A current associated with the modulating voltage can be returned to the modulation voltage source during a second interval. A timing of the first and second intervals can be based on electrical properties of the quantum well modulator. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090116025 | FIELD TEST OF A RETRO-REFLECTOR AND DETECTOR ASSEMBLY - An opto-electronic assembly and testing method are disclosed. A housing of the opto-electronic assembly is coupled to a window to form an optical chamber. A retro-reflector can be coupled to the housing. A radiation source can be disposed on or about the retro-reflector. The radiation source can emit radiation into the optical chamber through at least a portion of the retro-reflector. A detector can sense a level of the radiation in the optical chamber. A controller coupled to the detector can signal an error condition when the level of the radiation exceeds a threshold associated with the presence of obscurants on the window. Optionally, the controller can be coupled to the radiation source for selectively emitting pulses of radiation into the optical chamber and detecting data bits corresponding to the pulses of radiation. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090115605 | Smart card detectors - A smartcard or other media detects the presence of chemical, biological, radiation, and/or explosive (CBRE) compounds or other items of interest on individuals handling the smartcard or other media. The exposure is stored such that, when the card is presented to a reader, the detection data is transmitted to the reader for appropriate processing by the system. In one embodiment, this invention provides a detection methodology which captures the fact that the holder of the detection device has been in contact with an item of interest without external power. The detector card is then able to alert appropriate authorities of that exposure when the device is presented to a reader in the normal course of the holder's business. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090080712 | Eye Detection System - An eye detection system, method, and apparatus are disclosed. The eye detection apparatus includes illuminator, receiver, processor, and memory elements. The illuminator emits radiation at predetermined wavelengths from the eye detection apparatus toward an area of interest. Radiation from the area of interest is detected at the receiver which, in turn, provides sensor data to the processor. The processor is coupled to the illuminator and receiver and controls their respective operations. The processor detects a pattern representative of a human eye in the sensor data and determines coordinates of an object corresponding to the pattern. The memory stores the coordinates of the object. Optionally, the eye detection apparatus communicates the coordinates of the object to a wireless device and directs countermeasures to the object's coordinates in response to commands from the wireless device. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090072024 | TRANSIT SECURITY DETECTION SYSTEM - A method and system for processing exposure to an item of interest in a transit system is disclosed. Detectors are sensitive to the item of interest such as chemicals, biologic compound, radiation, nuclear, and/or explosives to produce detector or other information. A threat assessment value is determined periodically. The fare media is read for card information, which can be used in addition to detector or other information. The assessment value along with the card information, detector information and/or other information is used in determining if an action is taken, for example, if a user can pass a portal to get access to the transit system. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090064514 | Compact Multifunction Sight - A multifunction sight is disclosed. The multifunction sight includes an body, a receiving aperture, an emitting aperture, a parabolic reflector, and an optical detector. The receiving aperture passes radiation in a first band and a second band into the body where the first band is different from the second band. The emitting aperture that passes the radiation in the first band out of the body. The parabolic reflector displays a point source such that the point source is visible from the emitting aperture. The point source appears aligned with where the multifunction sight is aimed irrespective of a visual alignment with the emitting aperture. The optical detector is affixed to the body and coupled to the radiation in the second band, and receives coded radiation with the second band. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090058712 | Secure covert combat identification friend-or-foe (IFF) system for the dismounted soldier - A combat IFF system, for use in a combat exercise or on the battlefield, including a helmet-mounted passive IFF response unit and a weapon-mounted IFF interrogatory unit for each soldier. Infrared (IR) signals are employed for both challenge and response. The IR response signal is a very narrowly-targeted reflection of the relatively narrow IR transmit signal, thereby minimizing interception opportunities. The transmit and response signals are encoded in a transaction that cannot be compromised even when either or both signals are intercepted and decoded by the enemy. The combat IFF system includes biometric anti-spoofing features that prevent any use by an enemy in possession of captured units. Military radio-frequency (RF) spectrum is not required so there are no bandwidth limitations on simultaneous IFF transactions in the battlefield. A combat IFF transaction is completed in milliseconds. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090034049 | Flip Chip Quantum Well Modulator - A quantum well modulator configured to absorb or transmit light depending on an applied voltage is provided according to various embodiments. The quantum well modulator may include a substrate, a p-type and n-type semiconductor layers as well as a quantum well layer, each of which are deposited above the substrate. The substrate may be configured to filter light incident thereon, wherein the substrate does not include a reflective surface. The flip-chip quantum well modulator may be configured to substantially absorb light received through the substrate when a first voltage is applied. The flip-chip quantum well modulator may be configured to substantially transmit light received through the substrate when a second voltage is applied. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034047 | Integrated Modulating Retro-Reflector - A novel package that integrates components for a modulating retro reflector into a single package is disclosed according to various embodiments. According to some embodiments the package is configured to secure a retro reflector, a quantum well modulator and photodiode. In some embodiments, the package may include interconnects to surface mount to a circuit board. Such interconnects may be coupled with the photodiode and/or the quantum well modulator. In some embodiments, the package may be constructed of liquid crystal polymers and/or may include one or more windows. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090032894 | Flip-Chip Photodiode - A photodiode is provided according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the photodiode includes a substrate and an active region. The active region is configured to receive light through the substrate. In such a configuration, the substrate not only participates in the photodiode operation acts as a light filter depending on the substrate material. In some embodiments, the active region may include solder balls that may be used to couple the photodiode to a printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the active region is coupled face-to-face with the printed circuit board. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20080316586 | Combinational PZT And MEMS Beam Steering - Beam steering systems and methods are disclosed according to various embodiments. A beam steering system may include a laser that produces a beam of light. The beam of light may then be directed through a piezoelectric tube that includes a light guide and one or more piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric tube is coupled with the light source, such that the beam of light is conducted through the light guide. The piezoelectric tube is coupled with a scanning optical element that includes an optical element and a steering device. A controller may be communicatively coupled with the light source, the piezoelectric tube and the scanning optical element. The controller may include instructions to dither the beam of light with the piezoelectric tube and/or instructions to steer the beam of light with the scanning optical element. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080212833 | ENHANCEMENT OF AIMPOINT IN SIMULATED TRAINING SYSTEMS - Embodiments of the invention, therefore, provide improved systems and methods for tracking targets in a simulation environment. Merely by way of example, an exemplary embodiment provides a reflected laser target tracking system that tracks a target with a video camera and associated computational logic. In certain embodiments, a closed loop algorithm may be used to predict future positions of targets based on formulas derived from prior tracking points. Hence, the target's next position may be predicted. In some cases, targets may be filtered and/or sorted based on predicted positions. In certain embodiments, equations (including without limitation, first order equations and second order equations) may be derived from one or more video frames. Such equations may also be applied to one or more successive frames of video received and/or produced by the system. In certain embodiments, these formulas also may be used to compute predicted positions for targets; this prediction may, in some cases, compensate for inherent delays in the processing pipeline. | 09-04-2008 |
