Robert Glen Calhoun

US Patent:

7474589, Jan 6, 2009

Filed:

Oct 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/546529

Inventors:

Robert L. Showen - Los Altos CA, US
Robert B. Calhoun - Oberlin OH, US
Jason W. Dunham - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Shotspotter, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01S 3/80

US Classification:

367127

Abstract:

A gunshot location system computes candidate gunshot locations [ from angle-of-arrival information [ and time-of-arrival information [ provided by acoustic sensors [. In addition to an angle, each sensor calculates an angular uncertainty [ from impulses received at four or more microphones having rotational symmetry. An intersection of one or more time-of-arrival hyperbolas with one or more angle-of-arrival beams [ is used to determine a candidate gunshot location. In simple environments, a location can be confirmed with just two sensors allowing sensor density to be significantly reduced, while in complex environments including reflections, blocking, and interfering acoustic events, the additional angle-of-arrival information improves location accuracy and confidence, allowing elimination of candidate locations inconsistent with the combined time-of-arrival and angle-of-arrival information.

US Patent:

7599252, Oct 6, 2009

Filed:

Jul 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/172163

Inventors:

Robert L Showen - Los Altos CA, US
Robert B. Calhoun - Oberlin OH, US
Jason W. Dunham - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

ShotSpotter, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01S 3/80

US Classification:

367127

Abstract:

A gunshot location system computes candidate gunshot locations [] from angle-of-arrival information [] and time-of-arrival information [] provided by acoustic sensors []. In addition to an angle, each sensor calculates an angular uncertainty [] from impulses received at four or more microphones having rotational symmetry. An intersection of one or more time-of-arrival hyperbolas with one or more angle-of-arrival beams [] is used to determine a candidate gunshot location. In simple environments, a location can be confirmed with just two sensors allowing sensor density to be significantly reduced, while in complex environments including reflections, blocking, and interfering acoustic events, the additional angle-of-arrival information improves location accuracy and confidence, allowing elimination of candidate locations inconsistent with the combined time-of-arrival and angle-of-arrival information.

US Patent:

8134889, Mar 13, 2012

Filed:

Jan 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/012781

Inventors:

Robert L. Showen - Los Altos CA, US
Robert B. Calhoun - Oberlin OH, US
Jason W. Dunham - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

ShotSpotter, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01S 3/80

US Classification:

367127, 367128, 367906

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for processing weapon fire information such as gunfire. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of processing gunshot information to determine source location information involving echo/reflection processing features. Moreover, the method may include processing gunshot information received from a source at a sensor having a reflecting surface at a given distance, processing direct arrival time and echo arrival time information, and determining source location information as a function of a virtual sensor calculated behind the surface.

US Patent:

20100118658, May 13, 2010

Filed:

Oct 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/573775

Inventors:

Robert L. Showen - Los Altos CA, US
Robert B. Calhoun - Oberlin OH, US
Jason W. Dunham - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 3/80

US Classification:

367127

Abstract:

A gunshot location system computes candidate gunshot locations from angle-of-arrival information and time-of-arrival information provided by acoustic sensors. In addition to an angle, each sensor calculates an angular uncertainty from impulses received at four or more microphones having rotational symmetry. An intersection of one or more time-of-arrival hyperbolas with one or more angle-of-arrival beams is used to determine a candidate gunshot location. In simple environments, a location can be confirmed with just two sensors allowing sensor density to be significantly reduced, while in complex environments including reflections, blocking, and interfering acoustic events, the additional angle-of-arrival information improves location accuracy and confidence, allowing elimination of candidate locations inconsistent with the combined time-of-arrival and angle-of-arrival information.

US Patent:

20160133107, May 12, 2016

Filed:

Jan 18, 2016

Appl. No.:

14/997893

Inventors:

- Newark CA, US
James BELDOCK - Hillsborough CA, US
Gregory STONE - Santa Clara CA, US
Murphey JOHNSON - Austin TX, US
Robert CALHOUN - Oberlin OH, US

International Classification:

G08B 17/08
G08B 29/18
G08B 13/16

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for reliably detecting gunfire in enclosed spaces having significant acoustic reverberation. Implementations are configured to quickly and reliably report the room or portion of a room where gunfire is located. Innovations herein may ensure low false alarm rate by thresholding, pattern recognition and/or detecting the muzzle optical flash. In some embodiments, a review center with trained personnel may evaluate the incident before reporting to local authorities. The indoor system can be incorporated into an outdoor gunshot location system to better protect a local area such as a campus or a transportation hub. Systems and methods herein may involve features and functionality associated with additional resources, such as intercoms, cellphones, and access control, to provide mitigation of harm in case of a shooting.

US Patent:

20140327543, Nov 6, 2014

Filed:

Mar 31, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/231604

Inventors:

- Newark CA, US
James BELDOCK - Hillsborough CA, US
Gregory STONE - Santa Clara CA, US
Murphey JOHNSON - Austin TX, US
Robert CALHOUN - Oberlin OH, US

Assignee:

Shotspotter, Inc. - Newark CA

International Classification:

G08B 17/08

US Classification:

340540

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for reliably detecting gunfire in enclosed spaces having significant acoustic reverberation. Implementations are configured to quickly and reliably report the room or portion of a room where gunfire is located. Innovations herein may ensure low false alarm rate by thresholding, pattern recognition and/or detecting the muzzle optical flash. In some embodiments, a review center with trained personnel may evaluate the incident before reporting to local authorities. The indoor system can be incorporated into an outdoor gunshot location system to better protect a local area such as a campus or a transportation hub. Systems and methods herein may involve features and functionality associated with additional resources, such as intercoms, cellphones, and access control, to provide mitigation of harm in case of a shooting.