Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for providing remote location-based customer service for in-store customers. One such system includes: (a) a central server; (b) wireless transceivers coupled to the central server at different locations within each of multiple different retail shopping sites; and (c) handheld wireless devices, carried by customers at such retail shopping sites and in wireless communication with such wireless transceivers. Each of the handheld wireless devices is configured with a user interface that allows a customer to designate a user-interface element to request a customer-service session. Upon designation of the user-interface element on one of such handheld wireless devices, the request is forwarded to the central server. The central server establishes a two-way real-time communication link between the handheld wireless device and a customer-service representative.

Techniques for cable-free indoor gunshot detection are disclosed. Acoustic information is collected within an indoor environment using a gunshot sensor device which uses cable-free communication to a network. The gunshot sensor device is powered by a battery. Infrared information from the muzzle flash of a firearm is collected using the gunshot sensor device. The infrared information is buffered within the gunshot sensor device. The gunshot sensor device is used to monitor the acoustic information and identify a high-intensity gunshot sound. The gunshot sensor device is used to match the high-intensity gunshot sound to the buffered infrared information. The matching includes making a correspondence between the gunshot sound and an infrared event that occurred in time before the gunshot sound. The gunshot sensor device is used to notify the network of a possible gunshot occurrence, based on an analysis of the high-intensity gunshot sound and the infrared event that was matched.

A detector (110, 1110, 2110) for determining a position of at least one object (112) is proposed. The detector (110, 1110, 2110) comprises: at least one transfer device (128, 1128), wherein the transfer device (128, 1128) has at least one focal length in response to at least one incident light beam (116, 1116) propagating from the object (112, 1112) to the detector (110, 1110, 2110); at least two optical sensors (113, 1118, 1120), wherein each optical sensor (113, 1118, 1120) has at least one light sensitive area (121, 1122, 1124), wherein each optical sensor (113, 1118, 1120) is designed to generate at least one sensor signal in response to an illumination of its respective light-sensitive area by the light beam (116, 1116), at least one evaluation device (132, 1132) being configured for determining at least one longitudinal coordinate z of the object (112, 1112) by evaluating a quotient signal Q from the sensor signals. The detector is adapted to determine the longitudinal coordinate z of the object in at least one measurement range independent from the object size in an object plane.

A rough initial estimate of Line of Sight range (“pseudo-range”) is generated essentially immediately following the detection of an object by a passive sensor on a vehicle. The data are combined with prior detection likelihood and prior performance models for the sensor. These comparisons generate a posterior probability distribution of pseudo-range estimates. A pseudo-range estimate is derived from the probability distribution and output for use in detect and avoid decision-making and action planning. The pseudo-range estimate can be updated to improve its accuracy, such as by using a recursive filter (e.g., a Kalman filter). Other information, such as current atmospheric data, or known (or likely) vehicular activity in the region and at the current time, can be used in addition to the vehicle's spatial and temporal location, to improve accuracy.

A missile warner includes a sensor, a recording device, and an evaluation unit. The sensor is configured to detect a potential missile. The recording device is configured to continuously store detector data generated by the sensor, for a predefined amount of time. The evaluation unit is configured: to recognize within the detector data, a detection signal of the potential missile, and to compare the detection signal with a declaration threshold value, and to generate, after the detection signal has exceeded the declaration threshold value, a warning signal of the potential missile, and to perform, upon the presence of the warning signal, a verification of the potential missile based on a temporal backtracking of the corresponding detection signal, wherein the backtracking includes an analysis of the stored detector data.

One or more electromagnetic radiation sources, such as a light emitting diode, may emit electromagnetic waves into a volume of space. When an object enters the volume of space, the electromagnetic waves may reflect off the object and strike one or more position sensitive detectors after passing through an imaging optical system such as glass, plastic lens, or a pinhole located at known distances from the sources. Mixed signal electronics may process detected signals at the position sensitive detectors to calculate position information as well as total reflected light intensity, which may be used in medical and other applications. A transparent barrier may separate the sources and detectors from the objects entering the volume of space and reflecting emitted waves. Methods and devices are provided.

One or more electromagnetic radiation sources, such as a light emitting diode, may emit electromagnetic waves into a volume of space. When an object enters the volume of space, the electromagnetic waves may reflect off the object and strike one or more position sensitive detectors after passing through an imaging optical system such as glass, plastic lens, or a pinhole located at known distances from the sources. Mixed signal electronics may process detected signals at the position sensitive detectors to calculate position information as well as total reflected light intensity, which may be used in medical and other applications. A transparent barrier may separate the sources and detectors from the objects entering the volume of space and reflecting emitted waves. Methods and devices are provided.

A missile warner includes a sensor, a recording device, and an evaluation unit. The sensor is configured to detect a potential missile. The recording device is configured to continuously store detector data generated by the sensor, for a predefined amount of time. The evaluation unit is configured: to recognize within the detector data, a detection signal of the potential missile, and to compare the detection signal with a declaration threshold value, and to generate, after the detection signal has exceeded the declaration threshold value, a warning signal of the potential missile, and to perform, upon the presence of the warning signal, a verification of the potential missile based on a temporal backtracking of the corresponding detection signal, wherein the backtracking includes an analysis of the stored detector data.

Device for tracking a target, the device comprising an optical system and a quadrant photodetector, wherein the optical system is configured to project a light beam coming from the target at one spot on at least one of the quadrants, and the photodetector is configured to estimate a current position of the spot by weighting of light energies received by the quadrants. The optical system comprises an optical device configured, when the spot is entirely contained in only one of the quadrants, to enlarge the spot. The invention also relates to a tracking method likely to be implemented by this tracking device.

Device for tracking a target, the device comprising an optical system and a quadrant photodetector, wherein the optical system is configured to project a light beam coming from the target at one spot on at least one of the quadrants, and the photodetector is configured to estimate a current position of the spot by weighting of light energies received by the quadrants. The optical system comprises an optical device configured, when the spot is entirely contained in only one of the quadrants, to enlarge the spot. The invention also relates to a tracking method likely to be implemented by this tracking device.