Michael F Mercier

US Patent:

7765083, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Jun 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/593922

Inventors:

Paul A. Zank - Brookline NH, US
Michael Mercier - Nashua NH, US

Assignee:

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc. - Nashua NH

International Classification:

G01C 17/00

US Classification:

702150

Abstract:

What is provided is the use of an array of E-field sensors to detect the closest approach of incoming projectiles and to determine through time difference of arrival the bearing of the incoming projectile, thus to identify the bearing of the source of the projectile. dE/dT processing of the individual outputs of the E-field sensors indicates by the zero crossing the peak of the E-field disturbance and thus the instance of time of the closest approach of the projectiles to a sensor.

US Patent:

20130016909, Jan 17, 2013

Filed:

Jul 6, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/542683

Inventors:

MICHAEL MERCIER - Nashua NH, US
Joseph M. Schlupf - Newburyport MA, US

Assignee:

BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC. - Nashua NH

International Classification:

G06K 9/46

US Classification:

382191

Abstract:

A method of spectral-spatial-temporal image detection is disclosed. In one embodiment, a spectrally differenced image is obtained by computing a difference of at least two intensity values in at least two spectral bands of an image. Further, a spatially filtered spectral image is obtained by applying a spatial median filter to the obtained spectrally differenced image. Furthermore, a temporal image is obtained by determining a temporal pixel value difference using a computed predictive frame difference. In addition, a spectral-spatial-temporal filtered image for detection is obtained by using the obtained spatially filtered spectral image and the temporal image.

US Patent:

20140010406, Jan 9, 2014

Filed:

Jul 6, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/542681

Inventors:

MICHAEL MERCIER - Nashua NH, US
Joseph M. Schlupf - Newburyport MA, US

Assignee:

BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC. - Nashua NH

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382103

Abstract:

A method of point source target detection for multispectral imaging is disclosed. In one embodiment, a background source spectral ratio is determined using at least one radiant source, such as baseline intensities, camera optics sensitivity properties and atmospheric transmission properties. Further, a spectral difference is computed for each pixel in an incoming frame by applying the background source spectral ratio to a spectral band-specific radiant intensity value of each pixel. Furthermore, offset biasing in the incoming frame is removed by applying spatial median filtering to each computed spectral difference in the incoming frame.

US Patent:

20210262801, Aug 26, 2021

Filed:

Apr 27, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/241833

Inventors:

- Nashua NH, US
Austin J. Dionne - Chester NH, US
Michael N. Mercier - Nashua NH, US

International Classification:

G01C 21/18
G01C 23/00
G01C 21/20

Abstract:

An alignment system for sensor or other electrical device filters rate data from gyroscopes and integrates the same to determine an alignment error state that is populated into a direction cosine matrix that pre-rotates measurement from a first electrical device into an estimated coordinate frame to determine a static alignment between first and second electrical devices or sensors. The system may be part of a countermeasure system on an aircraft. A first electrical device may be an inertial navigation system (INS), and a second electrical device may be an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The attitude of the IMU is used to translate the detected threats from the countermeasure system into a common reference frame of the INS.

US Patent:

20200408886, Dec 31, 2020

Filed:

Apr 25, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/325980

Inventors:

Michael N. Mercier - Nashua NH, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/495
G01S 3/781
H04K 3/00
G01S 3/786

Abstract:

A passive altimeter system comprising an angle between a point and a central boresight that is determined from distortion parameters of a lens in an infrared sensor in a countermeasure system on a mobile platform wherein the infrared sensor captures a first image for determining a distance between the platform and one of (i) a ground surface and (ii) a target, and the passive altimeter system further comprising a dimensional distance between two points in the first image that is determined from a secondary source external to the countermeasure system, and a processor to triangulate the distance between the platform and one of (i) the ground surface and (ii) the target based on the dimensional distance and the angle.

US Patent:

20200124385, Apr 23, 2020

Filed:

Oct 19, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/164894

Inventors:

- Nashua NH, US
Michael N. Mercier - Nashua NH, US

International Classification:

F41H 11/02
F42B 12/22
F41H 13/00

Abstract:

A projectile round for intercepting an incoming threat to a vehicle or the like is provided. The projectile round may include an explosive layer, which upon detonation, may cause a the fracturing of one or more material layers into one or both of shrapnel and chaff while simultaneously causing the distortion and/or destruction of a piezoelectric material contained within the projectile round. The distortion and/or destruction of this piezoelectric material may further cause the release of an electromagnetic pulse. The projectile round may be part of a countermeasure system against guided munition threats, including those posed by man-portable air defense systems.

US Patent:

20190331470, Oct 31, 2019

Filed:

Apr 25, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/962002

Inventors:

- Nashua NH, US
Michael N. Mercier - Nashua NH, US

International Classification:

F42C 13/08
F42C 11/06
G01S 17/46
F42C 13/02

Abstract:

A proximity fuse includes an electric-field (E-field) sensor to detect electrical disturbances from an object that is external and distinct from a device carrying the proximity fuse. The E-field sensor detects or senses E-fields versus time in order to provide omnidirectional coverage of the device carrying the proximity fuse. When the device carrying the fuse is a missile having warhead, the proximity fuse is connected with detonation logic that detonates the warhead at a desired time to destroy or neutralize the object, which is typically a threat, such as another missile.

US Patent:

20160371856, Dec 22, 2016

Filed:

Oct 20, 2015

Appl. No.:

15/108605

Inventors:

- Nashua NH, US
Michael N. MERCIER - Nashua NH, US
Joseph M. SCHLUPF - Newburyport MA, US
Joseph SU - Amherst NH, US
Aaron STARK - Merrimack NH, US

International Classification:

G06T 7/60
G01S 11/12

Abstract:

An mechanism for range estimation mapping that includes creation of a world map on an azimuth/elevation (AZ/EL) grid, relation of the grid to an earth-fixed north, east, and down (NED) coordinate system through an address table, and association of each pixel in each frame, by a programmable device, with an entry from the address table in order to determine a range is discussed. The associations may be repeated for each frame while an updated world map and address table are generated. When an updated address table is complete, the process may begin anew using the updated data.