Patent Abstract:
A method for detecting underground natural resources using synthetic aperture radar includes providing a ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system incorporating a moving platform; sending a plurality of radar signals from a plurality of points along a plurality of paths through an underground volume, the plurality of radar signals producing a plurality of radar returns; collecting the plurality of radar returns along the plurality of paths with the ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system; coherently processing the plurality of radar returns with a processing circuit to determine a characteristic of a sub-surface feature; retrieving information relating to a reference underground volume from a memory; and identifying a potential sub-surface resource by using the processing circuit to compare the characteristic of the sub-surface feature with the information relating to the reference underground volume.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Mining operations often remove and refine aggregate ore from remote locations. This removal and refinement process requires moving heavy machinery and ore processing equipment to the remote location. Moving heavy equipment is costly, labor intensive, time consuming, and can adversely affect the environment. In order to promote efficiency while protecting the environment, mining operations first explore an area to determine the potential for an amount of aggregate ore present. 
         [0002]    A traditional method for exploring an area of land includes sample drilling. This sample drilling technique may include drilling an array of holes and determining the amount of aggregate ore within each sample. From this array of samples, prospectors can determine what may be potentially efficient locations to place the heavy machinery and ore processing equipment. However, drilling an array of holes requires moving the drilling equipment through the mining area and physically removing a ground sample. This process may be harmful to the environment, labor intensive, and provide relatively course results. 
         [0003]    Other traditional methods for exploring an area of land include taking ground conductivity measurements and using surface-level ground penetrating radar. Ground conductivity measurements may be taken from an aerial vehicle by driving a coil into the ground and measuring the response to a low frequency output. This measurement technique may be complicated by variations within the ground water content. Surface-level ground penetrating radar involves searching for aggregate ore by moving a radar device over an area at ground level. These systems often include a narrow sweep angle such that the radar device must pass directly over an area of interest to locate aggregate ore. These traditional systems are labor intensive and may not accurately identify or locate an aggregate ore sample. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One embodiment relates to a method for detecting underground natural resources using synthetic aperture radar. The method includes providing a ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system incorporating a moving platform; sending a plurality of radar signals from a plurality of points along a plurality of paths through an underground volume, the plurality of radar signals producing a plurality of radar returns; collecting the plurality of radar returns along the plurality of paths with the ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system; coherently processing the plurality of radar returns with a processing circuit to determine a characteristic of a sub-surface feature; retrieving information relating to a reference underground volume from a memory; and identifying a potential sub-surface resource by using the processing circuit to compare the characteristic of the sub-surface feature with the information relating to the reference underground volume. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment relates to a method for detecting underground natural resources using synthetic aperture radar. The method includes providing a ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system incorporating a moving platform; sending a plurality of radar signals from a plurality of points along a plurality of paths through an underground volume, the plurality of radar signals producing a plurality of radar returns; collecting the plurality of radar returns along the plurality of paths with the ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system; coherently processing the plurality of radar returns with a processing circuit to produce data relating to a characteristic of a sub-surface feature; retrieving a database of values relating to sub-surface resources from a memory; and identifying a potential sub-surface resource by using the processing circuit to compare the data relating to the characteristic of the sub-surface feature with the database of values. 
         [0006]    Still another embodiment relates to a method for experimentally generating a reference associated with underground natural resources using synthetic aperture radar. The method includes providing a ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system incorporating a moving platform; sending a plurality of radar signals from a plurality of points along a plurality of paths through an underground volume containing a known sub-surface resource, the plurality of radar signals producing a plurality of radar returns; collecting the plurality of radar returns along the plurality of paths with the ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system; coherently processing the plurality of radar returns with a processing circuit to produce processed data values; and generating at least one of a reference underground volume and a database of the processed data values relating an identity of the known sub-surface resource with a characteristic of the known sub-surface resource. 
         [0007]    Still another embodiment relates to a system for detecting underground natural resources using synthetic aperture radar. The system includes a ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system and a processing circuit. The ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a moving platform. The transmitter is configured to send a plurality of radar signals from a plurality of points along a plurality of paths through an underground volume. The plurality of radar signals produce a plurality of radar returns. The receiver is configured to engage the plurality of radar returns. The ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system is configured to collect the plurality of radar returns along the plurality of paths. The processing circuit includes a memory and is coupled to the ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system. The processing circuit is configured to coherently process the plurality of radar returns to determine a characteristic of a sub-surface feature, retrieve information relating to a reference underground volume from the memory, and identify a potential sub-surface resource by comparing the characteristic of the sub-surface feature with the information relating to the reference underground volume. 
         [0008]    Still another embodiment relates to a system for detecting underground natural resources using synthetic aperture radar. The system includes a ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system and a processing circuit. The ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a moving platform. The transmitter is configured to send a plurality of radar signals from a plurality of points along a plurality of paths through an underground volume. The plurality of radar signals produce a plurality of radar returns. The receiver is configured to engage the plurality of radar returns. The ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system is configured to collect the plurality of radar returns along the plurality of paths. The processing circuit includes a memory and is coupled to the ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system. The processing circuit is configured to coherently process the plurality of radar returns to produce data relating to a characteristic of a sub-surface feature, retrieve a database of values relating to sub-surface resources from the memory, and identify a potential sub-surface resource by comparing the data relating to the characteristic of the sub-surface feature with the database of values. 
         [0009]    Still another embodiment relates to a system for experimentally generating a reference associated with underground natural resources. The system includes a ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system and a processing circuit. The ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a moving platform. The transmitter is configured to send a plurality of radar signals from a plurality of points along a plurality of paths through an underground volume containing a known sub-surface resource. The plurality of radar signals produce a plurality of radar returns. The receiver is configured to engage the plurality of radar returns. The ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system is configured to collect the plurality of radar returns along the plurality of paths. The processing circuit is coupled to the ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system and configured to coherently process the plurality of radar returns to produce processed data values, and generate at least one of a reference underground volume and a database of the processed data values relating an identity of the known sub-surface resource with a characteristic of the known sub-surface resource. 
         [0010]    The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]    The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a mineral prospector located above an aggregate ore sample. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a mineral prospector located above an aggregate ore sample surrounded by secondary materials and a layer of overburden. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of a mineral prospector utilizing radar to locate an aggregate ore sample. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of a mineral prospector utilizing radar to locate an aggregate ore sample. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of a mineral prospector utilizing radar to locate an aggregate ore sample. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of waves emitted by a mineral prospector and scattered off the ground surface and the aggregate ore deposit. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a graph showing an electromagnetic wave emitted by a mineral prospector. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a graph showing an electromagnetic wave emitted by a mineral prospector. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of a mineral prospector having a generator and a processor. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of a mineral prospector having a processor configured to transmit data to a central location. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a mineral prospector having a processor configured to transmit data to a user interface. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0024]    Mineral prospecting using synthetic aperture radar (“SAR”) is intended to provide an efficient alternative to traditional exploration techniques. Such equipment utilizes a synthetic aperture system to scan an area. Such scanning may occur without physical contact between the scanning system and the ground surface. This lack of contact limits the environmental impact of the exploration process and reduces the labor required to locate a potential aggregate ore deposit. 
         [0025]    Referring  FIG. 1 , a radar locator is shown as mineral prospector  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment. Mineral prospector  10  may be a radar system that uses coherent aperture synthesis to explore an area. According to an exemplary embodiment, mineral prospector  10  is coupled to a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle is an airplane. In other embodiments, the vehicle is another type of vehicle (e.g., a helicopter, a blimp, an aerial drone, a car, a truck, a crane, a watercraft, etc.). As shown in  FIG. 1 , mineral prospector  10  is located above a fluid-ground interface, shown as base level  20 . Base level  20  may be the interface between a fluid and a soil volume, shown as subterranean ground volume  25 . Subterranean ground volume  25  may have an electrical and magnetic conductivity and include a variety of materials such as a primary material, shown as target material  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, target material  30  may have an electrical conductivity greater than the electrical conductivity of subterranean ground volume  25 . Mineral prospector  10  may detect target material  30  within subterranean ground volume  25  in the form of small particles, veins, or sheets, among other orientations, by comparing the relative conductivities of subterranean ground volume  25  and target material  30 . 
         [0026]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , mineral prospector  10  may interact with target material  30  to differentiate between target material  30  and subterranean ground volume  25 . According to an exemplary embodiment, target material  30  may be any metal ordinarily mined. By way of example, target material  30  may be gold, silver, iron, any other metal, or ores containing such metals. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , target material  30  is gold having an identified conductivity. By way of example, such an identified conductivity value of gold at twenty degrees Celsius may be approximately 4.10×10 7  S/m (Siemens per meter). According to an alternative embodiment, target material  30  may be various alternative substances including, among other materials, nonmetallic ores, oil, and water. 
         [0027]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , mineral prospector  10  may further include a structure, shown as support  40 . Support  40  may be manufactured from any known material sufficient to support the weight of the various components of mineral prospector  10  (e.g., aluminum, titanium, etc.). Support  40  may be a rigid structure capable of maintaining the spacing between the components of mineral prospector  10 . Such rigid structure may include a plurality of cross braces or may include components manufactured using processes designed to control stress transfer through support  40  (e.g., forging, etc.). 
         [0028]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , mineral prospector  10  may further include a wave producer, shown as propagator  50 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , propagator  50  may be coupled to support  40 . Propagator  50  may be any device capable of producing electromagnetic waves. Propagator  50  may be passed over an area of interest, shown as prospecting zone  150 , in order to scan prospecting zone  150  for target material  30 . Such a scan may involve one pass or multiple passes over prospecting zone  150 . According to an exemplary embodiment, propagator  50  may be located at least 20 meters above base level  20 . According to an alternative embodiment, propagator  50  may be located less than 20 meters above base level  20 . The height of propagator  50  above base level  20  may affect the ability of mineral prospector  10  to locate target material  30  within subterranean ground volume  25 . According to still another alternative embodiment, the height of propagator  50  may be varied with respect to base level  20  in order to provide numerous sets of data for each area within prospecting zone  150 . 
         [0029]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , mineral prospector  10  may further include a wave handling device, shown as transceiver  60 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , transceiver  60  may be a bar shaped device coupled with support  40  and propagator  50 . According to an exemplary embodiment, transceiver  60  may further include an internal structure that converts an electrical signal into an electromagnetic wave or an electromagnetic wave into an electrical signal. According to an exemplary embodiment, transceiver  60  is configured to receive an electrical signal from propagator  50  and emit a corresponding electromagnetic wave. 
         [0030]    According to an exemplary embodiment, mineral prospector  10  is a monostatic design having a single transceiver  60  configured to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves. According to an alternative embodiment, mineral prospector  10  is a bistatic design having two transceivers  60 . Such a design includes one transceiver  60  configured to receive and transmit electromagnetic radiation and a second transceiver  60  is configured only to receive electromagnetic radiation. According to still another alternative embodiment, mineral prospector  10  is a multistatic design having three or more transceivers  60 . Such a design includes one transceiver  60  configured to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves and additional transceivers  60  configured only to receive electromagnetic radiation. 
         [0031]    Referring next to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , mineral prospector  10  may further interact with various layers within subterranean ground volume  25 . Such layers may include a layer surrounding target material  30 , shown as aggregate  70  and a layer of soil and rock that must be removed to extract target material  30 , shown as earth  80 . Aggregate  70  and earth  80  may be uniform in composition or may include a variety of materials either layered or dispersed within aggregate  70  and earth  80 . Aggregate  70  and earth  80  may be any material commonly found in mining environments (e.g., rock, sand, clay, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the materials within aggregate  70  and earth  80  may be dielectric materials having an electrical and magnetic conductivity. The electrical or magnetic conductivity of materials within aggregate  70  and earth  80  may be lower than the target material  30 . According to an alternative embodiment, the electrical or magnetic conductivity of materials within aggregate  70  and earth  80  may be greater than target material  30 . 
         [0032]    Referring next to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , mineral prospector  10  includes support  40 , propagator  50 , and transceiver  60 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , mineral prospector  10  may be coupled with a motive device, shown as carrier  190 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , carrier  190  may be a vehicle configured to move mineral prospector  10  with respect to base level  20 . According to an exemplary embodiment, carrier  190  moves mineral prospector  10  within 10 meters above base level  20 . According to an alternative embodiment, carrier  190  moves mineral prospector  10  more than 10 meters above base level  20 . Such movement above base level  20  may occur by carrier  190  transporting mineral prospector  10  through or above a fluid located above base level  20 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the fluid located above base level  20  is air and carrier  190  moves mineral prospector  10  through the air. According to an alternative embodiment, the fluid located above base level  20  is a liquid and carrier  190  moves mineral prospector  10  along an upper surface of the liquid. Such movement may facilitate the scanning operation of mineral prospector  10  or may facilitate transport of mineral prospector  10  from one location to another. As shown in  FIG. 3 , carrier  190  moves mineral prospector  10  with respect to base level  20  to scan prospecting zone  150  more effectively. 
         [0033]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , carrier  190  may include any known type of vehicle. According to an exemplary embodiment, carrier  190  may comprise an aircraft (e.g., helicopter, plane, unmanned aerial vehicle, balloon, etc.). According to various alternative embodiments, carrier  190  may comprise a spacecraft (e.g., satellite, a manned space capsule, etc.), a water vehicle (e.g., hovercraft, boat, buoy, etc.), or a ground vehicle (e.g., truck, autonomous transport, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the movement of carrier  190  is controlled to efficiently scan prospecting zone  150 . By way of example, such efficient movement may involve a single pass or may involve retracing a previously traveled route. By way of another example, such efficient movement may involve a plurality of passes (i.e., multiple paths taken, etc.). In one embodiment, the plurality of paths include a plurality of parallel lines. In another embodiment, the plurality of paths include a plurality of intersecting lines that are skewed relative to one another. In other embodiments, the plurality of paths include a plurality of arcs and/or a plurality of circles. The plurality of paths may be uniformly spaced or non-uniformly spaced. According to an alternative embodiment, a route for most efficiently scanning prospecting zone  150  may not be practical given that the movement of carrier  190  may be limited by various obstacles (e.g., geographical terrain, atmospheric conditions, vegetation, foreign objects, etc.). These obstacles may require an alternate path that allows carrier  190  to safely transport mineral prospector  10  and allow for a practical scan path for prospecting zone  150  given the presence of various obstacles. 
         [0034]    By way of example, carrier  190  may be a ground vehicle that operates along the most efficient path where the surrounding terrain permits (e.g., desert, ice sheet, where cutting roads is practical, etc.). Where the surrounding terrain does not permit movement along the most efficient path, carrier  190  may operate along existing roads or travel routes (e.g., extremely rocky terrain, uninhabitable environments, dense jungle environment, etc.). During such operation, the vehicle may be operated along an existing road or travel route, and the elevation of transceiver  60  may be increased or decreased as necessary to allow mineral prospector  10  to effectively scan prospecting zone  150  to obtain one or more data sets. According to an exemplary embodiment, carrier  190  may further include a crane system to allow for still greater height variation of transceiver  60 . 
         [0035]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , mineral prospector  10  may utilize electromagnetic waves to scan prospecting zone  150 . According to an exemplary embodiment, propagator  50  may be coupled to transceiver  60  and may provide transceiver  60  with generated electromagnetic wave signals. Transceiver  60  may receive generated electromagnetic wave signals from propagator  50  and release an electromagnetic scanning ray, shown as emitted beam  130  toward base level  20 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , emitted beam  130  includes outer beam limit  144  and inner beam limit  142 . Emitted beam  130  may further include swath  140  defined by the lateral distance between outer beam limit  144  and inner beam limit  142 . Swath  140  may be an effective sweep path of mineral prospector  10  along base level  20  within prospecting zone  150 . 
         [0036]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , emitted beam  130  extends outwardly from mineral prospector  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , emitted beam  130  extends outward from mineral prospector  10  along range direction  62 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , mineral prospector  10  may travel along azimuth direction  64 . According to an exemplary embodiment, emitted beam  130  projects downward from mineral prospector  10  toward base level  20 . According to an alternative embodiment, emitted beam  130  may extend upward, in front of, behind, or generally to the side of mineral prospector  10 , among other directions. 
         [0037]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , emitted beam  130  may include a plurality of waves  132 . Emitted beam  130  may release a single wave  132  or may release a plurality of waves  132 . According to an exemplary embodiment, waves  132  may include specified characteristics that affect various performance features of mineral prospector  10 . Such performance features of mineral prospector  10  may include swath  140  and the effectiveness of mineral prospector  10  in locating target material  30 , among other features. 
         [0038]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a specified characteristic of waves  132  may be frequency. As discussed above, the frequency of waves  132  affects various performance features of mineral prospector  10 . By way of example, the frequency of waves  132  may affect the way waves  132  interact with aggregate  70 , earth  80 , and target material  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, waves  132  may have a lower frequency and travel further into aggregate  70 , earth  80 , and target material  30  than waves  132  having a higher frequency. Such additional distance may affect the ability of mineral prospector  10  to scan prospecting zone  150  effectively. The frequency of waves  132  may further affect the quality or clarity of a produced image of mineral prospector  10 . The produced image may be a two-dimensional image or a three dimensional image. According to various alternative embodiments, the specified characteristic of waves  132  may be intensity, release angle, and polarization, among other known features of electromagnetic waves. 
         [0039]    Referring next to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , emitted beam  130  may include wave  132  that interacts with base level  20  and target material  30  to produce a reflected ray, shown as scattered beam  160 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , scattered beam  160  may include surface back scattered waves  164 , surface side scattered waves  166 , and contacting scattered waves  162 . According to an exemplary embodiment, base level  20  may be vegetation, a silica material, or other known materials that scatter electromagnetic wave materials that transmit waves, and materials that reflect waves. When wave  132  interacts with base level  20 , at least a portion of the energy is scattered back towards mineral prospector  10  as surface back scattered waves  164 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , wave  132  interacts with base level  20  and also may reflect a portion of the energy from wave  132  at a variety of angles in the form of surface side scattered wave  166 . The remaining energy from wave  132  is transmitted through base level  20 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , such transmitted energy may travel as contacting wave  134  and interact with target material  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, contacting wave  134  may travel at an angle relative to wave  132  due to a difference between the refractive index of a fluid above base level  20  and the refractive index of subterranean ground volume  25 . Upon interacting with target material  30 , at least a portion of the energy from contacting wave  134  is scattered back along the initial path of contacting wave  134  and towards mineral prospector  10  as contacting scattered wave  162 . 
         [0041]    In an exemplary embodiment, mineral prospector  10  emits a plurality of waves across an emitted beam and receive a plurality of contacting waves, back scattered waves, and side scattered waves. Mineral prospector  10  may then compile various features (e.g., timing data, frequency, intensity, etc.) of the received waves together to determine the lateral distance between the ground level impact point of the emitted waves and transceiver. Mineral prospector  10  may further compare information (e.g., timing data, frequency, intensity, etc.) from backscattered waves and contacting waves to determine the depth or presence of a target material. According to an exemplary embodiment, transceiver  60  may transmit an emitted beam as mineral prospector  10  is moved with respect to the ground. This repeated scanning allows for an effective scan of a larger area of land. 
         [0042]    Referring next to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , waves  132  within emitted beam  130  may travel through base level  20 . Waves  132  having traveled through base level  20  may include contacting waves  134  that interact with target material  30  and errant waves  136  that do not interact with target material  30 . As discussed above, contacting waves  134  interact with target material  30  and may produce contacting scattered waves  162  having a decreased energy relative to contacting waves  134 . Contacting waves  134  and errant waves  136  lose energy as they travel through subterranean ground volume  25 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , contacting waves  134  and errant waves  136  may travel down to a working distance, shown as distance  170 . Distance  170  is a maximum penetration distance for mineral prospector  10  because the remaining energy of a scattered wave may be insufficient to travel back through subterranean ground volume  25 . 
         [0043]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , target material  30  located at a depth below distance  170  from base level  20  may not be identified by mineral prospector  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, mineral prospector  10  may include different values of distance  170 , each corresponding to one of the various tasks performed by mineral prospector  10 . By way of example, mineral prospector  10  may be capable of locating or identifying target material  30  at different maximum depths. According to an exemplary embodiment, distance  170  may reach ten meters in subterranean ground volume  25  that includes conductive materials. According to an alternative embodiment, distance  170  may reach between twenty and thirty meters in subterranean ground volume  25  that includes a silica material (e.g., sand, quartz, etc.). 
         [0044]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , various factors of mineral prospector  10  and subterranean ground volume  25  may affect distance  170 . As discussed above, transceiver  60  transmits emitted beam  130  that interacts with subterranean ground volume  25 . Emitted beam  130  includes a plurality of waves  132  having a specified frequency. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frequency of waves  132  may affect distance  170 . According to an alternative embodiment, the intensity of emitted beam  130  may affect distance  170  because waves  132  having a lower initial intensity may possess less total energy. This lower amount of energy may be lost to subterranean ground volume  25  over a shallower distance  170  than a larger total amount of energy for the same subterranean ground deposit. 
         [0045]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the conductivities of base level  20 , aggregate  70 , and earth  80  within subterranean ground volume  25  may affect distance  170 . Contacting wave  134  and errant wave  136  electromagnetically interact with base level  20 , aggregate  70 , and earth  80  as they travel downward. The electrical conductivity of base level  20 , aggregate  70 , and earth  80  influences the extent that base level  20 , aggregate  70 , and earth  80  affects the intensity or other feature of contacting wave  134  and errant wave  136 . The electrical conductivity of base level  20 , aggregate  70 , and earth  80  may vary widely depending on a variety of factors. By way of example, the conductivity of base level  20 , aggregate  70 , and earth  80  may vary based on salt content, water content, the presence of carbon films, and the degree of cracking or microcracking, among other factors. Such features of base level  20 , aggregate  70 , and earth  80  may change regularly (e.g., each season, month, day, etc.) and require an adjustment of emitted beam  130  by mineral prospector  10  (e.g., increased intensity, lowered frequency, etc.). 
         [0046]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , emitted beam  130  includes waves  132  having a specified frequency profile. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frequency profile of each wave  132  within emitted beam  130  is uniform along range direction  62  and azimuth direction  64 . Such uniform waves  132  may each include a single frequency. By way of example, the uniform frequency may be a low frequency (e.g., 1 MHz, 10 MHz, etc.) or a high frequency (e.g., 1 GHz, 10 GHz, etc.). According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , waves  132  may have a frequency of approximately 1 MHz and provide distance  170  of approximately ten meters. According to an alternative embodiment, waves  132  may have a frequency of approximately 1 GHz and provide distance  170  of approximately six meters. 
         [0047]    According to an alternative embodiment, the frequency profile of each wave  132  within emitted beam  130  is non-uniform. Such non-uniform frequency profile may occur by each wave  132  having a single, specified frequency that varies along the range direction or each wave  132  having a plurality of frequencies arranged in a varying frequency bandwidth, among other potential variations of frequency among waves  132  within emitted beam  130 . According to an exemplary embodiment, waves  132  proximate to inner beam limit  142  have a lower frequency than waves  132  proximate to outer beam limit  144 . Varying the frequency of waves  132  across emitted beam  130  allows mineral prospector  10  to distinguish between the reflected waves within scattered beam  160  more accurately thereby improving the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10  (i.e. the ability of mineral prospector  10  to identify a particular wave  132  from others released by transceiver  60  and associate that wave with a received scattered wave using various features). 
         [0048]    According to an alternative embodiment, each wave  132  may include a plurality of subwaves having subwave frequencies. The plurality of subwaves may include at least one subwave having a different subwave frequency than the frequency of the remaining waves  132  within emitted beam  130  thereby forming a subwave frequency gradient. Such subwave frequency gradient may take various forms. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frequency of subwaves within wave  132  varies according to an identified bandwidth having a center frequency, an upper band frequency, and a lower band frequency. In some embodiments, the subwaves of wave  132  has at least one of a variable center frequency and a variable bandwidth. A frequency bandwidth further allows for discrimination among waves  132  within emitted beam  130  (i.e., improves signal coherence) and improves the ability of mineral prospector  10  to identify target material  30  actively. The range of frequencies between the upper band frequency and the lower band frequency form a specified bandwidth. By way of example, wave  132  may have subwaves that include a center subwave frequency in the range of at least one of less than 1 MHz, 1-10 MHz, 10-100 MHz, and 100-1000 MHz and a bandwidth to center frequency ratio of between 2:1 and 10:1. By way of another example, wave  132  may have subwaves that have a fractional bandwidth of greater than 0.1. In some embodiments, wave  132  has subwaves that have a fractional bandwidth of greater than 1. 
         [0049]    According to an alternative embodiment, the frequency of waves  132  may vary temporally where emitted beam  130  is released as a plurality of bursts. A frequency profile may occur by varying the frequency of all waves  132  uniformly between each burst of an emitted beam (i.e., sending a first burst at a first frequency and a second burst at a second frequency). Using a single frequency within each burst may provide at least the benefit of simplifying the wave production of propagator  50 . According to an alternative embodiment, the frequency of waves  132  varies directionally and temporally. Such variation may occur by increasing the frequency of waves  132  within each burst and increasing the frequency of waves  132  with distance from propagator  50  along range direction  62  or azimuth direction  64 . According to an alternative embodiment, the frequency of waves  132  decreases with distance along range direction  62 . According to various alternative embodiments, the frequency of waves  132  varies according to a relative angle with respect to propagator  50 , distance along azimuth direction  64 , elevation, or another specified pattern. While the preceding paragraphs describe a specified frequency profile according to an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood that other properties of waves  132  (e.g., intensity, polarization, etc.) may vary according to similar profiles. 
         [0050]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , wave  132  released by transceiver  60  may include a plurality of specified release characteristics. Specifying release characteristics enhances the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10  by providing additional distinguishing features that aid mineral prospector  10  in identifying each specific wave  132  released by transceiver  60 . Tracking each wave  132  enhances the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10  because each wave  132  may be associated with a corresponding contacting scattered wave  162  within scattered beam  160 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the specified release characteristics may include a release angle with respect to a vertical line. By way of example, a release angle of wave  132  corresponds to a specific distance in the range direction and an equal incident angle for contacting scattered wave  162 . Mineral prospector  10  may then associate a particular received contacting scattered wave  162  with a particular location given a specified height of transceiver  60 . According to various alternative embodiments, the specified release characteristics may include release angle with respect to the range dimension, and other features of emitted beam  130 . 
         [0051]    Referring next to  FIGS. 3-8 , waves  132  may include a wave shape. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the wave shape of waves  132  may be created by propagator  50  and designed to maximize a performance characteristic of mineral prospector  10  (e.g., penetration distance, resolution, accuracy, signal coherence, etc.). The wave shape of waves  132  may be uniform within emitted beam  130  or may vary along range direction  62 , azimuth direction  64 , or temporally, among other known dimensions. As shown in  FIG. 5 , waves  132  having a specified wave shape are scattered by base level  20  or target material  30  and produce contacting scattered wave  162 , surface back scattered wave  164 , and surface side scattered wave  166  having the specified wave shape. As discussed above, transceiver  60  may receive scattered beam  160  having the specified wave shapes. Including various wave shapes may allow mineral prospector  10  to further differentiate between waves  132  within emitted beam  130  thereby improving the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10 . 
         [0052]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , waves  132  may have a specified wave form. As shown in  FIG. 7 , waves  132  may have first wave form  90 . First wave form  90  comprises an electromagnetic energy curve that first increases and then decreases with respect to time. While a specific pattern of increasing and decreasing intensity is shown in  FIG. 7 , an ordinary artisan in the relevant art will understand that various patterns of intensity are possible. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , waves  132  may have second wave form  100 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , second wave form  100  may include a continuous wave having a frequency that increases with respect to time. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the profile of the increase in frequency may be varied to increase or decrease distance  170  or as needed to most efficiently identify target material  30 . According to an alternative embodiment, second wave form  100  may include a multiple chirp design. Such a multiple chirp design may include a plurality of wave forms each having a frequency that increases over time. According to still another alternative embodiment, second wave from 100 may include a stepped frequency continuous wave form having a frequency that may increase with respect to time at several identified steps. 
         [0053]    According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , waves  132  within emitted beam  130  include a specified linear polarization. According to an exemplary embodiment, the specified linear polarization of waves  132  within emitted beam  130  may be a single, uniform polarization. Such polarization may be vertical, horizontal, or at an angle to a vertical polarization axis. In other embodiments, the polarization of waves  132  within emitted beam  130  may be a dual-polarization or a quad-polarization. According to various alternative embodiments, waves  132  within emitted beam  130  may include a linear polarization having two polarization directions, a linear polarization having more than two polarization directions, or a circular polarization, among other known variations of polarization for electromagnetic waves. According to still another alternative embodiment, the polarization of waves  132  may vary along range direction  62 , azimuth direction  64 , or according to another known dimension. 
         [0054]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , mineral prospector  10  may identify target material  30  using various techniques that employ distinguishing characteristics of target. As discussed above, emitted beam  130  interacts with target material  30  and reflects back towards transceiver  60  as scattered beam  160 . Various target materials  30  may interact with emitted beam  130  differently. This interaction may produce scattered beam  160  having distinguishing characteristics based on the identity (i.e. composition, make-up, constituent materials, etc.) of target material  30 . By way of example, emitted beam  130  having various patterns of reflectivity, frequency, multiple wavebands, polarization, intensity, variations of these features with a changing angle, etc. interact with gold to produce scattered beam  160  having a unique reflectivity, frequency, waveband, polarization, intensity, or variation of these features with a changing angle, etc. 
         [0055]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , variation of intensity with respect to the angle of waves  132  may be a distinguishing characteristic of a gold deposit having a flake structure. Such a flake structure may produce scattered beam  160  having an increased intensity over a certain range of angles that fades across other angles because of the orientation of the gold flakes. Target materials  30  may include further distinguishing characteristics including a characteristic structure thickness. These distinguishable characteristics may vary according to the type, quantity, and depth of target material  30 . Scattered beam  160  having a random orientation of distinguishable features may require additional processing. By way of example, random scattering may occur within metallic gold particles having a diameter approximately equal to the wavelength of emitted beam  130 . Such random scattering may require the Mie solution to gain information from scattered radiation. 
         [0056]    Referring next to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , mineral prospector  10  may further include a signal coherence augmentation system, shown as booster  110 . Booster  110  is configured to improve the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10  by reducing the errors introduced by at least one limiting factor. Such limiting factors may include determining the position of transceiver  60 , quantifying the time between when propagator sends emitted beam  130  to the time transceiver  60  receives scattered beam  160 , and the azimuthal accuracy, among other factors that may introduce error. 
         [0057]    According to an exemplary embodiment, booster  110  is a global positioning system capable of determining the location and timing of at least one of propagator  50  and transceiver  60 . Booster  110  may be coupled to support  40  proximate to at least one of propagator  50  and transceiver  60  or may be mounted apart from the other components of mineral prospector  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, booster  110  tracks the movement at least one of propagator  50  and transceiver  60 . Tracking may be possible by booster  110  determining the position of at least one of propagator  50  and transceiver  60  at various times and incorporating the plurality of position measurements together to form a recorded path. Such movement may be recorded independently within booster  110 , transmitted to a remote location, or transmitted to another component within mineral prospector  10  for further processing. According to an alternative embodiment, booster  110  associates a time with the position of at least one of the propagator  50  and transceiver  60 . Such timing information allows booster  110  to provide both spatial and timing data and may increase the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, booster  110  utilizes an augmented global positioning system (e.g., differential global positioning system, wide area augmentation system, etc.) to further enhance the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10 . 
         [0058]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , mineral prospector  10  may be interfaced with carrier  190  to reduce Doppler shift associated with scattered beam  160 . Doppler shift describes a change in the phase of contacting scattered wave  162 , surface back scattered wave  164 , and surface side scattered wave  166  with respect to the phase of waves  132 . Compensating for Doppler shift involves readjusting the phase of waves within scattered beam  160 . Such compensation improves the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10  and requires a measurement of the relative velocity of carrier  190  with respect to base level  20 . Computing the velocity of carrier  190  may be accomplished according to various known means (e.g., airspeed measurement, physical measurement, global positioning system, etc.). According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , mineral prospector  10  may be configured to interact with a signal indicating the velocity of carrier  190  from booster  110 . According to various alternative embodiments, mineral prospector  10  may be configured to interact with a velocity signal received from carrier  190  or obtained by another suitable means. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , Doppler shift may occur even among waves within scattered beam  160 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , carrier  190  may move relative to base level  20  at a velocity as discussed above. According to an exemplary embodiment, inner beam limit  142  is located closer to carrier  190  than outer beam limit  144  along range direction  62 . This distance between inner beam limit  142  and outer beam limit  144  results in a different relative velocity of carrier  190  with respect to inner beam limit  142  and carrier  190  with respect to outer beam limit  144 . The difference in relative velocities may cause a Doppler shift between the scattered beam  160  reflected from portions of swath  140  that are further from carrier  190 . According to an exemplary embodiment, mineral prospector  10  may adjust the phase of phase-shifted waves within scattered beam  160  to further improve the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10 . For mineral prospector  10  to compensate for Doppler shifted waves, mineral prospector  10  may interface with the velocity of carrier  190  according to a method disclosed above. As discussed above, transceiver  60  is configured to receive contacting scattered waves  162 , surface back scattered waves  164 , and surface side scattered waves  166 . 
         [0060]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , an operator, shown as user  210  may interact with at least one of carrier  190  and mineral prospector  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, user  210  may monitor the various components of mineral prospector  10 . By way of example, such monitoring may include evaluating whether transceiver  60  is receiving scattered beam  160  and determining whether mineral prospector  10  indicates the presence of target material  30 . According to an alternative embodiment, user  210  may direct the motion of carrier  190 . By way of example, such directing may include steering carrier  190  to ensure that swath  140  passes over prospecting zone  150 , directing carrier  190  along a specified path, performing maintenance on various components of mineral prospector  10 , and operating at least one of propagator  50  and transceiver  60 , among other operations. 
         [0061]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , user  210  may be located remotely from carrier  190 . By way of example, user  210  may be in radio communication with carrier  190  using radio waves at a specified frequency. Remote operation of carrier  190  by user  210  may allow user  210  to remain in a safe location while allowing carrier  190  to scan prospecting zone  150 . By way of example, carrier  190  may be operating in a hostile environment (e.g., due to heat, humidity, elevation, combat, etc.) and remote operation of carrier  190  by user  210  may allow user  210  to remain outside the hostile environment. According to an alternative embodiment, user  210  maintains long-range communication with carrier  190 . By way of example, long-range communication may include satellite communication, Ethernet network communication, and various other known techniques capable of transmitting information over a long distance. Such long-range communication may still further separate user  210  from a hostile operating environment of mineral prospector  10 . 
         [0062]    According to an alternative embodiment, user  210  may be located proximate to carrier  190  (e.g., onboard, within, above, on, etc.). User  210  located proximate to carrier  190  may visually inspect the various components of carrier  190  and mineral prospector  10  for a condition (e.g., wear, damage, operation condition, etc.) and promote the efficient and continuous operation mineral prospector  10 . According to an alternative embodiment, user  210  may operate at least one of carrier  190 , propagator  50 , and transceiver  60  from carrier  190 . Onboard operation of carrier  190  may allow user  210  to obtain surrounding information and adapt the operation of carrier  190  or mineral prospector  10  accordingly. Such surrounding information may include surface characteristics of prospecting zone  150 , weather conditions, and potential movements that could affect the signal coherence of mineral prospector  10 , among other conditions of surfaces or environments surrounding carrier  190 . 
         [0063]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , mineral prospector  10  may further include a data management system, shown as analyzer  180 . According to an exemplary embodiment, analyzer  180  utilizes coherent aperture synthesis to process various characteristics emitted and received electromagnetic waves (e.g., a plurality of radar returns, etc.). Such coherent aperture synthesis may rely on a horizon to horizon aperture technique to accomplish the exploration process of mineral prospector  10 . 
         [0064]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , analyzer  180  may identify a deposit by relying on previously collected characteristic signatures. Such previously collected characteristic signatures may be obtained by operating mineral prospector  10  over a known deposit and analyzing the spatial structure; reflectivity; variation of reflectivity with angle, polarization, or wavelength; variation frequency; variation of frequency with angle, polarization, wavelength, waveband, and intensity; and other features of emitted and scattered beams. Such features of emitted and scattered beams may result from interaction between the emitted beams and a target material or a surrounding material. According to an exemplary embodiment, analyzer  180  may then compare information gathered from the distinguishable features of the emitted and scattered beams with the previously collected characteristic signature. Analyzer  180  may then return an identification signal if the distinguishable features of the emitted and scattered beams are approximately equal to the previously collected characteristic signature. 
         [0065]    According to an alternative embodiment, mineral prospector  10  may locate a target material using a conductivity differences between the target material and surrounding earth. Scattered beams that interact with a target material may include different properties than scattered beams that did not interact with a target material and produce scattered beams having distinguishable features. By way of example, emitted beams having various patterns of reflectivity, frequency, multiple wavebands, polarization, intensity, variations of these features with a changing angle, etc. may interact with gold to produce scattered beams having a unique reflectivity frequency, waveband, polarization, and intensity, or variations of these features with a changing angle, etc. than scattered beams that did not interact with gold and instead interacted only with earth. Analyzer  180  may then compare these characteristics of various scattered beams to find differences among the scattered beams. These differences may allow analyzer  180  to locate a target material. 
         [0066]    According to an alternative embodiment, analyzer  180  may identify or locate a target material by relying on a characteristic signature generated using known electromagnetic properties of the target material. Relying on a theoretically constructed characteristic signature may be advantageous for at least the reason of reducing cost by eliminating the necessary step of acquiring sufficient data to construct an experimental characteristic signature. By way of example, a target material may have a known conductance greater than the surrounding earth. A characteristic signature may be generated using the ratio of conductance of the target material to the surrounding earth. Mineral prospector  10  may then identify or locate the target material by comparing the observed ratio between the conductance of a prospective target material to the conductance of the surrounding earth with a theoretical ratio between the conductance of the target material to the conductance of the surrounding earth. 
         [0067]    According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , mineral prospector  10  may spatially locate a target material in one dimension. Such one-dimensional identification may take the form of a locator point. A locator point is preferable for at least the reason that it may require less computational power to identify than a two- or three-dimensional model. By way of example, analyzer  180  may generate the locator point by determining the location of each scattered wave within a scattered beam and evaluating the reflectivity of the corresponding point. The locator point may be the position where the reflectivity is greatest. Mineral prospector  10  may then indicate this position as the locator point. 
         [0068]    According to an alternative embodiment, mineral prospector  10  may locate a target material in two dimensions. Mineral prospector  10  may produce a two-dimensional location as a flat planar surface. To generate the two-dimensional surface, analyzer  180  may examine characteristics of scattered beams discussed above to determine which waves within the scattered beams interacted with the target material. The outlying locations where analyzer  180  determines waves within the scattered beams did not interact with the target material may form the edge of the planar surface locating target material  30 . 
         [0069]    According to an alternative embodiment, mineral prospector  10  may locate a target material in three dimensions. Scattered beams having interacted with a target material may have different characteristics than scattered beams that did not interact with a target material. Such a three dimensional location may be limited only by the object contrast and the number of photons detected. As such, the use of high power and long integration times may be needed to ensure an appropriately high resolution. Scattered radiation having interacted with a thicker layer of a target material may have different characteristics than scattered beams having interacted with a thinner layer of a target material. Differentiation between scattered beams that interacted with a thicker layer of a target material and scattered beams that interacted with a thinner layer of a target material allows analyzer  180  to produce a depth sensitive location of a target material. This third dimension of depth may allow for three-dimensional imaging of a target material with a specified sub-wavelength resolution. 
         [0070]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , analyzer  180  may employ a resolution enhancing technique to further improve the signal coherence and precision of mineral prospector  10 . Such resolution enhancing techniques may include successive approximation, back projection, superresolution, or another known technique. Analyzer  180  employing a resolution enhancing technique may achieve a greater three-dimensional resolution in the presence of surrounding media of unknown electromagnetic properties. 
         [0071]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10-11 , analyzer  180  may provide information about target material to another device. As shown in  FIGS. 10-11 , analyzer  180  may be coupled to transceiver  60 . According to an exemplary embodiment, analyzer  180  may receive characteristic  185  from transceiver  60  or propagator  50  (e.g., angle relative to a vertical line, polarity, wavelength, intensity, the time the transceiver  60  emitted the wave, the time transceiver  60  received the scattered wave, etc.). As shown in  FIG. 10 , analyzer  180  may provide the characteristic to a storage area, shown as data repository  220 . 
         [0072]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , analyzer  180  may further include logic element  230 . Logic element  230  may receive characteristic  185  from analyzer  180 , execute a program to determine the presence, identity, nature, or location, among other features, of a target material deposit disposed within an underground volume. Such program may compare a sample value with a previously obtained or theoretically derived reference value of reflectivity, spatial structure, and variation in reflectivity with a changing angle, among other electromagnetic properties of a target material deposit, as discussed above. Analyzer  180 , logic element  230 , and related elements having a computational function use a processing circuit (e.g., processor, memory, computer readable instructions, etc.) to execute the computational function. 
         [0073]    According to an exemplary embodiment, logic element  230  may associate such presence, identity, nature, or location of a target material deposit with indicator signal  240  as a one dimensional point source identifier, a volume identifier, a series of points forming a two dimensional plane and, a series of points forming a three dimensional surface, among other known configurations. Logic element  230  may then provide indicator signal  240  to analyzer  180 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , analyzer  180  may transmit indicator signal  240  to an interface (e.g., LED, LCD, etc.) as a one, two, or three dimensional representation of indicator signal  240 . According to an alternative embodiment, analyzer  180  may transmit indicator signal  240  to a data storage system as a one-, two-, or three-dimensional representation of indicator signal  240 . 
         [0074]    According to an exemplary embodiment, mineral prospector  10  is configured to coherently process the plurality of radar returns to form an image including a target material deposit. The image may include a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional image. The image may include a spatial representation of the target material deposit. Mineral prospector  10  may convert or transform coherent phase information received by the radar to create a spatial representation of some form. In some embodiments, the image includes coherently processed radar data that does not include a correction for subsurface electromagnetic force (emf) properties (i.e., an uncorrected plot of reflected intensity associated with the plurality of radar returns, etc.). 
         [0075]    According to another exemplary embodiment, mineral prospector  10  is configured to coherently process the plurality of radar returns to form a model including a target material deposit. The model may include a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional model. In one embodiment, the model includes a plot that is corrected for surface and subsurface index effects (e.g., dielectric properties, refractive index effects, etc.) and/or based on a composition of the underground volume. The index effects may be assumed dielectric properties, measured dielectric properties (e.g., radar measured, measure by drilling a hole and taking a sample, etc.), or iteratively estimated dielectric properties (e.g., autofocus, etc.). The model may be created by performing a plurality of passes of the underground volume to improve the clarity of the model and the determinations of what the mediums (e.g., materials, etc.) the waves are propagating through are composed of (e.g., self-consistent modeling, etc.). 
         [0076]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment, mineral prospector  10  is configured to coherently process the plurality of radar returns to form a feature map including a feature (e.g., a target material deposit, etc.) disposed within an underground volume. The feature map may include a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional map. In one embodiment, the feature map includes at least one of a location and a nature of the feature disposed within the underground volume. The feature disposed within the underground volume may include at least one of a glint and a boundary between regions having different dielectric constants (e.g., electrical conductivity, magnetic conductivity, etc.). 
         [0077]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the systems and methods as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the enclosure may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims. 
         [0078]    The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 
         [0079]    Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6