Method and device for detecting and monitoring concealed bodies and objects

• US 6,359,597 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yosri Mohamad Taher Haj-Yousef
• Original Assignee: Yosri Mohamad Taher Haj-Yousef
• Inventors: Haj-Yousef, Yosri Mohamad Taher
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US09/882,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 343/703, 343/850, 343/852, 343/860, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/573.7, 600/430, 600/534, 324/160, 324/163, 324/165, 128/204.23, 128/204.21, 128/204.18
• US Class Current: 343/850
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0265 using electromagnetic means, e.g. electromagnetic flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7228 Signal modulation applied to the input signal sent to patient or subject; demodulation to recover the physiological signal modulation H03C
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/12 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005

Abstract

A method and a device for non-invasively and remotely detecting or monitoring visible or invisible concealed moving bodies and objects (9) located in scrutinized media (8), by means of tracking the RF impedance match variations between the inspected media which contains the targeted moving object and a stable RF transmitter (1), through surrounding the inspected media with a power field of HF EM-waves, by one or more transmitting antennas (6) made from metallic sheets or wires.

Claims

1. Apparatus for non-invasively detecting movement of object(s) and/or fluid flow in a body, said apparatus comprising:

radio frequency (RF) transmitter means for generating RF radiation;

at least one RF antenna for directing RF radiation generated by the said transmitter means to the body being monitored;

antenna tuner means for matching the output impedance of the said transmitter means with the equivalent impedance of the said body; and

processor means for equationally processing the forward and reflected transmission-line voltages to provide an output signal representative of impedance match changes to the said body with the said transmitter, whereby to indicate movement of at least one object or fluid flow in the said body.

2. A method of non-invasively detecting movement of object(s) and/or fluid flow in a body;

said method comprising the steps of;

directing radio frequency (RF) radiation to the said body being monitored by RF transmitter means;

matching the output impedance of the said transmitter means with the equivalent impedance of the said body; and

equationally processing the forward and reflected transmission-line voltages to provide an output signal representative of impedance match changes to the said body with the said transmitter, whereby to indicate movement of at least one object or fluid flow in the said body.

3. A device comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for generating EM-radiation for detecting and/or monitoring concealed moving object(s) and/or fluid flow in scrutinized media, the said transmitter having a power range from 0.1 to 10 watts;

means for selecting an RF transmitter frequency to substantially match the resonance frequency of the object(s) or fluid being monitored, the said frequency being in the range of 1 to 800 MHz;

at least one antenna comprising metal sheets or wires, the said antenna being adapted for location in the region of the media containing the object to be monitored;

an antenna tuner means having an imipedance matching means for matching the output impedance of the RF transmitter with the equivalent impedance of the inspected media;

means for processing the forward and/or reflected transmission-line voltages to provide a single voltage signal;

means for extracting variable signals from the forward and/or reflected transmission-line voltages to generate an indicating signal which provides an indication of movement of the targeted object or fluid flow within the inspected media;

band pass filter means for filtering the indication signals to limit the variation range to cover only an expected motion of the targeted object(s) or fluid flow; and

amplifying means for amplifying the indication signal to a level that can drive an indicator circuit.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said single voltage signal comprises the voltage standing wave ratio (VSVWR) of the forward (VF) and reflected (VR) transmission-line voltages, where VSWR=(VF+VR)/(VF−

VR).

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said single voltage signal comprises the reflection coefficient (ρ

) of the forward (VF) and reflected (VR) transmission-line voltages, where ρ

=(VR/VF).

6. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is adapted for detection of early infestation by stem borers or red palm weevils or other pests in all types of trees, hidden deeply within the tree trunks or upper roots.

7. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is adapted for remotely and non-invasively detecting and monitoring human body movements and vital signs.

8. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is adapted for direct sensing of sudden fluctuation in the flow of liquids.

9. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is adapted for use in concealed security systems.

10. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is adapted for the use in automatic access control.

11. A method for detecting and/or monitoring concealed moving objects or fluid flow in scrutinized media by detecting high frequency impedance match variations with the said media at a fixed Radio frequency (RF) by means of a monitoring device;

said method comprising;

surrounding the inspected media with a field of high frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves through at least one transmitting antenna comprising metallic sheets or wires and having a power of 0.1 to 10 Watts;

matching the output impedance of the said monitoring device;

with the equivalent impedance of the inspected media;

selecting the frequency of the EM-waves to closely match the resonance frequency of the targeted moving object or fluid, in the range of 1 to 800 MHz;

extracting variable voltages from the forward and reflected transmission-line voltages; and

equationally processing the said extracted variable voltages, to produce a signal, which indicates movement of the targeted object or fluid within the inspected media.