Jacquelyn Ford Morie - Los Angeles CA, US Corinna Lathan - Wheaton MD, US Matthew Pettersen - Berwyn Heights MD, US Jack Maxwell Vice - Washington DC, US
Assignee:
University of Southern California - Los Angeles CA
International Classification:
B01F 3/04
US Classification:
261 26, 261 30, 261DIG 88, 422124, 239 58, 239 59
Abstract:
A cartridge for releasing scents through a digital trigger mechanism. Also disclosed is a portable, wearable, lightweight necklace or “collar,” capable of holding 1 to 12 cartridges.
Jack M. Vice - Washington DC, US Joli K. Rightmyer - Arlington VA, US
Assignee:
Anthrotronix, Inc. - Silver Spring MD
International Classification:
F41A 17/20
US Classification:
89 142, 42 7001
Abstract:
A method and system are provided to support simultaneous operation of a weapon and communication with a remote apparatus. The system utilizes a control module with a transceiver in communication with a receiver of a remote apparatus and/or output device.
An apparatus equipped with an electronic camera, lensed optics, and a visual display in communication with the optics. An analog or digital video signal is conveyed to an operator of the apparatus through the visual display. The apparatus includes an embedded processor to track the orientation and position of the apparatus. Orientation and position information of the apparatus is used to dynamically recalculate display information. In addition, the apparatus may be in communication with a remote device having digital camera optics. Orientation and position information of the apparatus may be conveyed to the remote device to alter the orientation and position of the associated electronic camera optics. The global position and orientation data is refined through the use of a machine vision algorithm. Accordingly, data conveyed to the operator of the apparatus is in relation to the orientation and position of the apparatus and/or the associated orientation and position of the remote device.
Jack M. Vice - Stafford VA, US Corinna E. Lathan - Silver Spring MD, US James Drane - Washington DC, US Jonathan Farris - Silver Spring MD, US Bryan Hays - Damascus MD, US Joli Rightmyer - Arlington VA, US Anna Skinner - Silver Spring MD, US
Assignee:
Anthrotronix, Inc. - Silver Spring MD
International Classification:
G09G 5/00
US Classification:
345156, 345157, 901 50
Abstract:
A haptic communication system having a range of sensors embedded with an operator's attire. Data collected by the sensors is processed by a computing device local to the operator and is communicated via a haptic modality in real-time to other team members and robotic assets in the system.
Amy Brisben - Baltimore MD, US Corinna Lathan - Wheaton MD, US Anna Lockerd - Washington DC, US Matthew Pettersen - Berwyn Heights MD, US Jack Vice - Washington DC, US
A multi modal communication interface is provided. The interface enables persons with physical or cognitive disabilities to interface with a computing device. The interface provides a plurality of input sensors, input ports for receiving additional input sensors, and logic to enable an additional input sensor to communicate with the interface and the computing device. A serial hub is provided to communicate a signal received from an actuated sensor via a controller in communication with the sensor to an embedded processor in communication with the serial hub.
Methods, Apparatus And Systems For Surface Type Detection In Connection With Locate And Marking Operations
Steven Nielsen - North Palm Beach FL, US Curtis Chambers - Palm Beach Gardens FL, US Jeffrey Farr - Jupiter FL, US Jack M. Vice - Stafford VA, US
International Classification:
G06F 15/00 H04N 7/18 G01J 5/00
US Classification:
702135, 702189, 348128, 348E07085
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatus for performing surface type detection in connection with locate and marking operations. In some embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., radiation sensors, acoustic sensors, color sensors, light sensors, etc.) may be employed to collect information regarding a surface, such as a ground surface on which marking material is to be dispensed to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility. The collected sensor data may be analyzed to provide an estimate of a type of the surface that is being sensed. For example, a still-image or video camera may be used as a sensor that detects visible light reflecting from a surface. One or more images of the surface captured by the camera may be analyzed using some suitable image analysis software to identify one or more characteristics (e.g., color, intensity, randomness, presence/absence of lines, etc.) that may be indicative of a surface type. As another example, one or more radiation sensors may be employed to measure an amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected by the sensed surface one or more selected wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths to identify a spectral signature that may also be indicative of a surface type.
Methods And Apparatus For Tracking Motion And/Or Orientation Of A Marking Device
Steven Nielsen - North Palm Beach FL, US Curtis Chambers - Palm Beach Gardens FL, US Jeffrey Farr - Jupiter FL, US Jack M. Vice - Stafford VA, US
International Classification:
H04N 7/18
US Classification:
348135, 348E07085
Abstract:
Marking material is dispensed onto a target surface using a marking device, and one or more images are captured by one or more camera systems attached to the marking device. The image(s) is/are analyzed to determine tracking information indicative of the a motion or an orientation of the marking device. The tracking information is analyzed to determine marking information relating to the dispensed marking material. In one example, the image(s) is/are analyzed to obtain an optical flow plot indicative of a path on the target surface traversed by the marking device. One or more reference plots respectively representing a plurality of reference marking patterns are compared to one or more portions of the optical flow plot to identify at least one reference marking pattern that substantially matches the portion(s) of the optical flow plot.
Methods, Apparatus And Systems For Marking Material Color Detection In Connection With Locate And Marking Operations
Steven Nielsen - North Palm Beach FL, US Curtis Chambers - Palm Beach Gardens FL, US Jeffrey Farr - Jupiter FL, US Jack M. Vice - Stafford VA, US Tim Montague - , US
International Classification:
H04N 7/18
US Classification:
348 82, 348E07085
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining a color of marking material dispensed by a marking device onto a surface to mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area that is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. In some embodiments, one or more camera systems (e.g., digital video cameras) are mounted on a marking device to capture information (e.g., one or more of image information, color information, motion information and light level information) relating to the surface being marked. The camera system(s) may be mounted near a nozzle of a marking material dispenser, so as to capture information relating to freshly dispensed marking material on the surface being marked. The captured information may be analyzed to determine a color of the freshly dispensed marking material, which may then be correlated with a type of facilities being marked.