HIGHLY PORTABLE SYSTEM FOR ACOUSTIC EVENT DETECTION

• US 20050237186A1
• Filed: 01/20/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shotspotter Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Shotspotter Incorporated
• Inventors: Fisher, Ken S, Baxter, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,750,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.220
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/00 Defence installations; Defence devices constructional aspects see Section E, e.g. air-raid shelters E04H9/04; protective arrangements for buildings E04B1/92; extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire from, incendiary bombs A62C3/06; dynamic armour F41H5/007; ballistically deployed systems for restraining persons or animals F41H13/0006; electronic countermeasures G01S
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/18 Military applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/18 using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/22 Position of source determined by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements G01S5/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/30 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/001 Acoustic presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/40 Synchronising a generator for connection to a network or to another generator

Abstract

A man wearable acoustic sensor for use with a gunshot detection system. In a preferred embodiment the inventive sensor includes: a housing configured to be man wearable, a microphone; a processor housed within the housing and in communication with the microphone to detect an acoustic event and determine a time of arrival for the acoustic event; a GPS receiver for providing position information to said processor; a network; and a display for displaying information concerning acoustic events to a user. Man wearable describes a sensor which is either integrated into a piece of equipment normally carried by a soldier or integrated into an article of clothing or configured to securely attach to such equipment or clothing.

Claims

1. A man wearable acoustic sensor comprising:

a housing configured to be man wearable;

a microphone;

a processor housed in said housing, said processor in communication with said microphone to detect an acoustic event and determine a time of arrival for said acoustic event;

a GPS receiver in communication with said processor for providing position information to said processor;

a network interface; and

a display for displaying information concerning said acoustic event to a user.

2. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a wristwatch housing.

3. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a helmet.

4. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a vest.

5. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 4 wherein said display is not housed in said housing and said display is associated with a particular sensor to display information relevant to said particular sensor.

6. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 5 wherein said display comprises a wristwatch.

7. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 1 wherein said network interface is housed in or attached to said housing.

8. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing is configured for attachment to a weapon.

9. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a rifle scope.

10. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a two-way radio.

11. The man wearable acoustic sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises body armor.

12. A portable sensor for detecting and providing a time of arrival of an acoustic event produced in the environment comprising:

a housing configured to be man wearable;

a microphone acoustically coupled to the environment, such that said microphone provides a signal representative of acoustic waves received at said sensor;

a microprocessor housed in said housing, said microprocessor being in electrical communication with said microphone such that a digital representation of said signal is present in said microprocessor;

an absolute time clock in digital communication with said microprocessor such that said microprocessor can obtain synchronized time from said absolute time clock;

a network interface in digital communication with said microprocessor such that said microprocessor can communicate over a wireless network,

wherein when a predetermined event is received at said microphone, said microprocessor obtains a time of arrival from said absolute time clock and transmits said time of arrival over said wireless network.

13. The sensor of claim 12 wherein said absolute time clock comprises a GPS receiver.

14. The sensor of claim 12 wherein said GPS receiver also communicates a position of said sensor to said microprocessor.

15. The sensor of claim 12 further comprising an integrated power supply for supplying electrical power to said sensor.

16. The sensor of claim 15 wherein said power supply comprises a battery.

17. The sensor of claim 12 wherein said network interface comprises a radio frequency transceiver.

18. The sensor of claim 12 wherein said network interface is configured to connect to an ethernet network.