Patent Document

[0001]     This application hereby claims priority back to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/481,922, filed on Jan. 20, 2004, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/248,511 by Patterson, et al., filed Jan. 24, 2003, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a system and method for detecting and locating an acoustic event. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention provides a highly portable gunshot detection system.  
         [0003]     Gunfire and sniper detection systems are generally known in the art. Such systems can be broadly grouped into three categories: systems which pinpoint the precise location of the source of gunfire; azimuthal sensors which provide an indication of the radial direction to the source of gunfire; and proximity sensors which merely provide an indication that nearby gunfire was detected. While such systems have been demonstrated to perform in both law enforcement and military applications, the entire field is presently an emerging technology.  
         [0004]     In many large cities, gun-related violence has become a plague of epidemic proportions. Urban gunfire, whether crime-related or celebratory in nature, results in thousands of deaths per year in the United States alone. Gunfire location systems, such as those installed in the Redwood City, Calif., Glendale, Ariz., Willowbrook, Calif., City of Industry, Calif., and Charleston, S.C. areas, have proven to be effective in reducing law enforcement response time to detected gunfire, apprehending criminals, collecting evidence, and reducing the occurrence of celebratory gunfire. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,998, issued to Showen, et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0005]     Showen, et al. discloses a system wherein sensors are placed at a density of roughly six to ten sensors per square mile. Audio information is sent to a computer at a central location and processed to: detect a gunshot; determine a time of arrival for the gunshot at each sensor; and calculate a location of the shooter from the differences in the times of arrival at three or more sensors. Showen, et al. takes advantage of the long propagation distance of gunfire to place sensors in a relatively sparse array so that only a few of the sensors can detect the gunfire. This permits the processor to ignore impulsive events which only reach one sensor—a concept called “spatial filtering.” This concept of spatial filtering radically reduces the sensor density compared to predecessor systems, which require as many as 80 sensors per square mile.  
         [0006]     Another gunshot location system is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/248,511 by Patterson, et al., filed Jan. 24, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. Patterson, et al., discloses a system wherein audio information is processed within each sensor to detect a gunshot and determine a time of arrival at the sensor. Time of arrival information, as determined from a synchronized clock, is then transmitted wirelessly by each sensor to a computer at a centralized location where a location of the shooter is calculated in the same manner as in the Showen, et al. system.  
         [0007]     As yet, azimuthal systems have not been as widely accepted as, for example, the Showen, et al. system. Azimuthal sensors typically employ one or more closely-spaced sensors, where each sensor includes several microphones arranged in a small geometric array. A radial direction can be determined by measuring the differences in arrival times at the various microphones at a particular sensor. Presently such systems suffer from somewhat limited accuracy in the determination of the radial angle, which in turn, translates into significant errors in the positional accuracy when a location is found by finding the intersection of two or more radial lines, from corresponding sensors, directed toward the shooter. Since errors in the radial angle result in ever increasing positional error as the distance from the sensor to the source increases, the reported position will be especially suspect toward the outer limits of the sensors&#39; range.  
         [0008]     A concern unaddressed by the present art is a portable system for gunshot detection and location. In particular, an array of portable sensors in combination with individual display devices and a portable server. Patterson, et al. discloses a portable sensor having a belt clip but fails to disclose a portable system.  
         [0009]     For example, in a military environment, merely detecting a gunshot and providing a source location at a central location is ineffective. A soldier must be provided the source location in a meaningful manner and in a meaningful time frame to return fire and/or take cover or the system has failed to attain its goal.  
         [0010]     Similar issues arise in law enforcement applications during tactical operations such as during sniper incidents, hostage situations, and the like. Rapid deployment is only partially addressed by a wireless sensor. Infrastructure for communication with a server and providing meaningful information to the people who need the information requires more than a mere portable sensor.  
         [0011]     Some existing azimuthal sensors are suitable for rapid placement but are not actually portable in the sense that individual soldiers or officers cannot wear or carry the sensors operationally and there is no provision for instantaneous display to the individual solder that is actually being fired upon.  
         [0012]     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a highly portable system for the detection and location of gunfire wherein all components of the system are portable and the system provides near immediate information directly to individuals who are directly in the line of fire.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The present invention provides a highly portable system for detecting and locating the source of gunfire. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive system includes: a plurality of man wearable acoustic sensors, each such sensor having a display device associated therewith; a host processor for receiving information concerning acoustic events and calculating a source location based on such information; and a communication network for bidirectional communication between sensors and the host processor.  
         [0014]     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “man wearable” refers to a sensor which is integrated into a piece of equipment normally carried by a soldier, integrated into an article of clothing, or attached to a piece of equipment or readily attachable to the soldier or an article of clothing via a secure mount such as a latch, loop-and-hook strap, and so on.  
         [0015]     In one preferred embodiment, the sensor and the display are separate but associated so that information provided on the display is relevant based on the position of its associated sensor. In one variation, the sensor is incorporated into body armor and consequently, a soldier is burdened with one less piece of equipment.  
         [0016]     In another preferred embodiment, the sensor and display are integrated into a common housing such that a single unit is maintained in easy view of the soldier. In one variation, the sensor is incorporated into a helmet. A drop down ocular provides information about the soldier&#39;s position and shooter location.  
         [0017]     In still another preferred embodiment, the host processor is incorporated into a piece of equipment, or article of clothing, used by a squad leader providing location fixes for acoustic events, administrative overhead of the system, and communication with command centers and other squads.  
         [0018]     Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following description of the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  depicts a preferred configuration of the inventive gunshot detection system.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  provides a block diagram of a wireless sensor for use in the inventive gunshot detection system.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts a preferred embodiment of a sensor or host as incorporated in a wristwatch housing.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  depicts a preferred embodiment of a sensor or host as incorporated in a helmet.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  depicts a preferred embodiment of a shoulder mounted sensor or host.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  depicts a preferred embodiment of a gun mounted sensor or host.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  depicts a preferred embodiment of a sensor or host incorporated in a walkie-talkie.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  depicts a preferred embodiment of a sensor or host as incorporated into body armor. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.  
         [0028]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a representative gunshot detection system  100  is shown in its general environment in  FIG. 1 . In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of sensors  102 - 106  are dispersed over a monitored area. Sensors  102 - 106  may be any combination fixed sensors and/or portable sensors. Preferably, fixed sensors are placed to have a relatively unobstructed acoustic view around in the immediate area. By way of example and not limitation, suitable sites for fixed sensors include: placed atop a building; placed atop utility or light poles; on towers, etc. Typically sensors  102 - 106  communicate through a communication network  108  with a centralized processor  110  wherein information concerning acoustic events is processed to provide details of the event, such as the source location of a gunshot, time of the gunshot, the number of detected gunshots, the type of event, and the like. It should be noted that sensors  102 - 106  may be any combination of wired or wireless sensors, that communications paths  112 - 116  may carry either analog or digital signals, and that network  108  may comprise any combination of sub-networks, such as, by way of example and not limitation: a telephone network; the internet; a private computer network; a wireless network, or even a collection of dedicated wires routed to the sensor array.  
         [0029]     To ensure that the monitored area is relevant, in a military environment it may be preferable that sensors  102 - 106  are man-wearable. In such a system, the host computer  110  and display devices  120  would likely be carried by a squad leader. Other ancillary display devices are preferably provided with each man-wearable sensors to allow the soldier to quickly return fire, or at least take cover. In such a system, other ancillary systems may use data collected by the gunshot location system as reported in real time, or near real time, to higher levels or command centers.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a preferred embodiment of sensor  102  includes: a microphone for receiving acoustic events; an amplifier  212  and possibly other signal conditioning circuitry; a processor  224 , typically a digital signal processor, having an analog to digital converter  218 ; a GPS receiver  226  and its associated antenna  216 ; and an interface  214  for communicating via a communication network.  
         [0031]     In practice, gunshots are received at microphone  210 , the audio signal is conditioned by circuitry  212 , digitized by A/D converter  218  and processed to detect gunshots in DSP  224 . Upon detecting a gunshot, a time of arrival and sensor position are obtained from GPS receiver  226  and transmitted to a host system via interface  214 .  
         [0032]     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in a law enforcement environment information about a detected acoustic event is typically output to a person of interest such as a police dispatcher or directly to individual officers, as through network  118  to display devices  120  or a computer console. When weapon  122  is fired, the muzzle blast reaches sensors  102 - 106  at different times based on the speed of sound and the distance between a sensor and the shooter. Whether the acoustic information is processed at the sensor, or at computer  110 , a time of arrival is determined for each sensor and the differences of the various times of arrival are processed to determine a location of the source of the gunshot. In response to the gunshot, information is provided at device  120 .  
         [0033]     One preferred embodiment of a sensor  402  is shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the sensor and display  416  are incorporated into a wristwatch housing  500 . Preferably GPS and communication antennae are housed internally or incorporated in watchband  406 . Buttons  424  allow scrolling through screens of information of display  416  or allow the mode of operation to be changed. Windscreen  404  reduces wind noise received by sensor  402  and protects the microphone (not shown) from minor impacts. In a preferred embodiment, sensor  402  has an exterior color which will blend well with the soldier&#39;s uniform and/or the environment.  
         [0034]     The wristwatch housing of  FIG. 3  may alternatively house a host system and, as such, would typically be worn by a squad leader. In such a configuration, display  416  could be used to display the location of any soldier in the squad, historical details, receive messages up and down the chain of command, as well as display current shooter information when the squad is fired upon.  
         [0035]     In addition, the wristwatch of  FIG. 3  could be used as a user interface (e.g., display, user input, etc.) for alternate sensor embodiments described herein, such as when the sensor is incorporated into body armor or is shoulder-worn.  
         [0036]     Turning to  FIG. 4 , optionally the sensor can be mounted in helmet  700 . In such a configuration the components are largely hidden by shell  702 . Preferably if shell  702  is formed of a composite material, a GPS patch antenna or phased array is laminated directly in shell  702 . Sensor  402  (e.g., flip-down visor or wristwatch) provides a display  416  for soldier location, shooter location when a gunshot is detected, messages from the squad leader, etc. Buttons  424  allow scrolling between screens and/or mode changes as the user desires. As with the wristwatch embodiment, helmet  700  may alternatively house the host processor, in which case visor  402  can be used to display administrative information, individual soldier positions, and the like, as well as shooter location when the squad comes under fire. In another configuration, visor sensor  402  can be used to display information from other systems, as a night vision display, or even as a display for gunshot detection sensors incorporated into body armor or otherwise worn by the soldier.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a gunshot detection sensor  710  in a shoulder mounted configuration. Windscreen  712  protects a microphone and preferably GPS and radio antennae. Housing  714  may be rounded to conform to the soldier&#39;s shoulder. Since sensor  710  is not readily viewable by the soldier, it is contemplated that sensor  710  will associate with an external display such as headgear mounted display  716 .  
         [0038]     Turning next to  FIG. 6 , sensor  602  may also be mounted to a rifle or other firearm  606 . In a preferred embodiment, sensor  602  mounts proximate scope  600  for convenience of the soldier. Information is presented on display  608  and switches  610  may be used to scroll through various screens and/or change operating modes of sensor  602 . In one preferred embodiment, scope  600  includes a graphic display which overlays the image seen through ocular  604  such that targeting information is visually provided in the soldier&#39;s scope as a target is sighted. Preferably the housing of sensor  602  is of a color and material to blend well with rifle  606  and has rounded corners so as not to catch on obstructions. Sensor  602  may also provide host functions for other sensors. Scope  600  may also be configured for night vision use.  
         [0039]     Referring next to  FIG. 7 , wherein is shown a walkie-talkie/acoustic sensor combination  620 . Device  620  includes windscreen  622  for protecting a microphone and antennae for the GPS, radio, and sensor communication network. Display  624  provides display of operating information for radio operations, GPS operation, and sensor operation. Buttons  626  and joystick  628  allow navigation through the various information and screens displayed on display  624 . A push-to-talk button  630  provides control of audio transmissions. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a single microphone can be used to monitor environmental sounds to detect gunshots and for receiving voice for walkie-talkie transmissions. Since device  620  can accommodate a relatively large display  624 , device  620  is well suited for use as a host where more information, or simultaneous information may need to be displayed. Device  620  may also receive text messages or even images for output on display  624 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows a sensor for a gunshot detection system integrated into body armor  800 . The components of the sensor are largely hidden within body armor  800 . Windscreen  802  protects the microphone while antennae for the GPS receiver and communication are internal to the vest  800 . The circuitry for the sensor is preferably embedded within vest  800 . Embodiment  800  is particularly well suited for use as a host node since there is considerable area for the added circuitry. Preferably body armor  800  is used with a wristwatch display, helmet-mounted display, or rifle scope display.  
         [0041]     It should be noted that when a sensor, or host, is used with an external or associated display, as opposed to an integrated display, that a communication means is required between the sensor and the display. By way of example and not limitation suitable communication means include: a digital radio link; infrared; wireless Ethernet; Bluetooth; and the like. Preferably suck a link is of minimal power and transmits intermittently to avoid detection by opposing forces.  
         [0042]     It should also be noted that while preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with gunshot location systems, the techniques for providing a convenient means for equipping a soldier or police officer with a wearable gunshot detection sensor can be applied to other types of systems, such as those monitoring health conditions, environmental conditions, and the like.  
         [0043]     Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the scope and spirit of this invention.

Technology Category: 3