3D Standoff Detection Using Segmented Millimeter Wave Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current standoff weapon/contraband detection systems require subject cooperation and are limited to scanning one person at a time, failing to effectively detect hidden weapons in three-dimensional spaces without specific positioning.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multiple transmitters and receivers to produce uniform millimeter wave illumination and process coherent signals for 3D imaging, enabling detection of objects within a volume without subject cooperation, with the ability to overlay additional imaging techniques for enhanced detection and privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current standoff detection systems scan one person at a time with specific positioning requirements, then detection accuracy is improved, but scanning speed and area coverage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the scanning task into multiple independent transmitter-receiver pairs, each responsible for a specific spatial sector. Multiple transmitters illuminate different regions of the three-dimensional space simultaneously, while multiple receivers detect reflections from different directions. This segmentation enables parallel processing of multiple targets without sacrificing detection accuracy, thereby improving scanning speed and area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional planar scanning to three-dimensional volumetric imaging by adding spatial depth as a new dimension. Multiple transmitters and receivers are positioned at different heights and angles to capture reflections from all three spatial dimensions. This enables simultaneous detection of multiple individuals at various positions and orientations within the scanned volume, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and productivity.
2Reliability
If current systems require specific positioning and cooperation of the subject, then detection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing three-dimensional volumetric scanning with transmitters and receivers positioned at multiple heights and angles, the system can detect objects regardless of the subject's position or orientation within the scanned volume. This eliminates the need for specific positioning and subject cooperation while maintaining detection reliability through multi-angle signal acquisition and processing.
3Area of stationary object
If uniform millimeter wave illumination is produced across three-dimensional space, then area coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the large three-dimensional scanning area into multiple smaller sub-volumes, each illuminated by a specific transmitter-receiver pair. Each transmitter is responsible for illuminating a particular spatial sector, and each receiver detects reflections from its corresponding direction. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide area coverage while managing device complexity by distributing the illumination and detection tasks across multiple simpler units rather than requiring a single complex system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the detection of hidden weapons in a larger area with multiple individuals in dynamic conditions, providing high-resolution 3D images and reducing false positives, allowing for near real-time scanning and improved target discrimination without requiring subject cooperation.
Implementation Method 1
Some of these current systems detect weapons by using millimeter wave radiation. These frequencies penetrate clothing and reflect more strongly from metal and ceramic objects than from human body surfaces.
Implementation Method 2
These frequencies penetrate clothing and reflect more strongly from metal and ceramic objects than from human body surfaces.
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of receivers configured to determine object data including a direction, a phase, and a timing of signals reflected from one or more objects within the three-dimensional space
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for detecting objects in a three-dimensional space. The method includes emitting, by a plurality of transmitters oriented in a respective plurality of directions, signals to produce uniform millimeter wave illumination of the three-dimensional space. The method includes determining object data including a direction, a phase, and a timing of signals reflected from one or more objects within the three-dimensional space. The method includes detecting, by a processor, the one or more objects in the three-dimensional space based on the object data. The method includes rendering, by the processor, an image corresponding to the one or more detected objects.