Stereophonic and n-phonic energy detector
View Patent ↗An n-phonic energy detection (“NED”) system includes two antenna structures separated by a distance. Each of the two antenna structures includes antenna elements. The NED system also includes radio frequency (“RF”) detectors configured to detect RF energy emitted from a source and received by the two antenna structures, and an amplifier that amplifies signals from the RF detectors and outputs the amplified signals to a computer.
1 . A monitoring system comprising:
an n-phonic energy detection (“NED”) system comprising:
two antenna structures separated by a distance, each of the two antenna structures comprising a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each of the plurality of antenna elements is a directional waveguide antenna, wherein each of the two antenna structures comprises an array of antenna elements arranged in close proximity relative to each other, and wherein the array of antenna elements forms a sphere;
at least two radio frequency (“RF”) detectors configured to detect RF energy that is emitted from a source and received by each of the two antenna structures; and
an amplifier configured to amplify signals from the at least two RF detectors and output the amplified signals to a computer; and
an RF emitter configured to be attached to a person or to an object.
2 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the RF emitter is configured to emit a unique RF energy signal.
3 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the NED system is configured to be mounted periodically to set up a perimeter.
4 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the NED system is configured to monitor an electronic device carried by the person.
5 . The monitoring system according to claim 4 , wherein the NED system is configured to use unique signatures from the electronic device to validate an identity of the person.
6 . The monitoring system according to claim 5 , wherein the unique signatures are obtained from at least one of software applications installed on the electronic device, unique device signature specific to a model of the electronic device, or individual biometric characteristics of the person.
7 . The monitoring system according to claim 4 , wherein the electronic device is one of a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet, or a laptop.
8 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the NED system is configured to be mounted on a wall of a building.
9 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the NED system is configured to detect activity by electronic devices.
10 . The monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the NED system is configured to detect activity by cellular phones or by electronic devices configured to communicate via a short-range communications protocol.
11 . The monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein when the NED system detects activity by the electronic devices, the monitoring system is configured to send an alert to monitoring personnel.
12 . The monitoring system according to claim 11 , wherein the alert is a silent alert.
13 . The monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein when the NED system detects activity by the electronic devices, the monitoring system is configured to trigger an audible alarm or a visual alarm indication.
14 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of antenna elements is arranged on an outer surface of a half-sphere support structure.
15 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the directional waveguide antennas are shaped as a cavity comprising an RF absorbing material.
16 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the directional waveguide antennas are shaped as a cavity with an interior of the cavity being coated with metallic conductive surfaces.
17 . The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the array of antenna elements are arranged on an outer surface of the sphere.
18 . A monitoring system comprising:
an n-phonic energy detection (“NED”) system comprising:
two antenna structures separated by a distance, each of the two antenna structures comprising a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each of the two antenna structures comprises an array of antenna elements arranged in close proximity relative to each other, and wherein the array of antenna elements forms a sphere;
at least two radio frequency (“RF”) detectors configured to detect RF energy that is emitted from a source and received by each of the two antenna structures;
an amplifier configured to amplify signals from the at least two RF detectors and output the amplified signals to a computer; and
an RF absorbing material applied on an outermost surface between at least two antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements; and
an RF emitter configured to be attached to a person or to an object.