Systems and methods for concealed radar imaging

• US 9,733,354 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2016
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Wood, Jr., Lowell L., Driscoll, Tom, Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Tegreene, Clarence T., Smith, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BYTHROW, PETER M
• Application Number:
  US15/097,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20160223668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 342 22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/86 Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/02 of systems according to group G01S13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/027 Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/04 Display arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/425 comprising a metallic grid
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/02 using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence

Abstract

A concealed radar imaging system includes a visible light mirror, a radar device positioned behind the visible light mirror, and a processing circuit coupled to the radar device. The visible light mirror includes a reflective layer configured to reflect visible light, and allow a radar signal to pass therethrough. The radar device is configured to transmit the radar signal, receive a reflection of the radar signal, and generate reflection data based on the reflected radar signal. The processing circuit is configured to control operation of the radar device, receive the reflection data from the radar device, and generate imaging data based on the transmitted radar signal and the reflection data.

Claims

1. A concealed radar imaging system, comprising:

a visible light mirror comprising a reflective layer, wherein the reflective layer is configured to;

reflect visible light; and

allow a radar signal to pass therethrough;

a radar device positioned behind the reflective layer of the visible light mirror, wherein the radar device is configured to;

originate and transmit the radar signal;

receive a reflection of the radar signal; and

generate reflection data based on the reflected radar signal; and

a processing circuit coupled to the radar device, wherein the processing circuit is configured to;

control operation of the radar device;

receive the reflection data from the radar device; and

generate imaging data based on the transmitted radar signal and the reflection data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the radar signal is a millimeter wave signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the radar device is a non-moving flat panel radar device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the non-moving flat panel radar device is coupled to the visible light mirror.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the flat panel radar device is directly physically coupled to the back of the visible light mirror, and wherein the flat panel radar device cannot be seen by a viewer standing in front of the visible light mirror.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the flat panel radar device includes a phased array of antennas.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the flat panel radar device includes a metamaterial surface antenna.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the radar device is a physically moving radar scanning device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer includes a continuous-film metallic reflector having a thickness that is less than a skin depth of the radar signal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer includes an array of disconnected metallic areas.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the metallic areas are spaced apart such that the spacing between each of the areas subtend less than about 0.1 milliradian of arc.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer includes a multilayer dielectric reflector.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is configured to control the operation of the radar device to facilitate compressive imaging, and wherein generating the imaging data is based on a compressive imaging algorithm.

14. A method of concealed radar imaging, comprising:

transmitting, by a radar device, a radar signal through a visible light mirror comprising a reflective layer, wherein the radar device originates the radar signal and is positioned behind the reflective layer of the visible light mirror, and wherein the reflective layer is configured to;

reflect visible light; and

allow a radar signal to pass therethrough;

receiving a reflection of the radar signal;

generating reflection data based on the reflected radar signal; and

generating imaging data based on the transmitted radar signal and the reflection data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the radar signal is a millimeter wave signal.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the radar device is a non-moving flat panel radar device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the flat panel radar device is directly physically coupled to the visible light mirror.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the flat panel radar device includes a phased array of antennas.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the flat panel radar device includes a metamaterial surface antenna.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the radar device is a physically moving radar scanning device.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the reflective layer includes a continuous-film metallic reflector having a thickness that is less than a skin depth of the radar signal.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the reflective layer includes an array of disconnected metallic areas.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the metallic areas are spaced at a distance such that spacing between each of the areas subtend less than about 0.1 milliradian of arc.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein the reflective layer includes a multilayer dielectric reflector.

25. The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling the operation of the radar device to facilitate compressive imaging, wherein generating the imaging data is based on compressive imaging.

26. A concealed radar imaging system, comprising:

a picture display configured to;

display a static image; and

allow a radar signal to pass therethrough;

a flat panel radar device positioned behind the static picture display, wherein the radar device is configured to;

originate and transmit the radar signal;

receive a reflection of the radar signal; and

generate reflection data based on the reflected radar signal; and

a processing circuit coupled to the radar device, wherein the processing circuit is configured to;

control operation of the radar device;

receive the reflection data from the radar device; and

generate imaging data based on the transmitted radar signal and the reflection data.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the radar signal is a millimeter wave signal.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the flat panel radar device is a non-moving flat panel radar device.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the flat panel radar device is directly physically coupled to the picture display.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the flat panel radar device includes a phased array of antennas.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the flat panel radar device includes a metamaterial surface antenna.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the processing circuit is configured to control the operation of the radar device to facilitate compressive imaging, and wherein generating the imaging data is based on a compressive imaging algorithm.

33. The system of claim 26, wherein the static image includes an advertisement.

34. The system of claim 26, wherein the static image includes a map.

35. The system of claim 26, where static image displayed is based on a gaze of a viewer.