Alan Anthony Rakes

US Patent:

20110228099, Sep 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/726191

Inventors:

Alan A. Rakes - Palm Bay FL, US

Assignee:

DRS RSTA, INC - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
H04N 5/225

US Classification:

348169, 382103, 348E05024

Abstract:

A system and method for tracking a cooperative, non-incandescent source may include collecting scene images of a scene that includes the cooperative, non-incandescent source and background clutter. First and second scene images of the scene may be generated over distinct spectral bands. The first and second scene images may be imaged onto respective first and second focal plane arrays. In one embodiment, the imaging may be substantially simultaneous. The first and second scene image frame data respectively generated by the first and second focal plane arrays may be processed to produce resultant scene image frame data. The scene image frame data may result in reducing magnitude of scene image frame data representative of the background clutter more than magnitude of scene image frame data representative of the cooperative, non-incandescent source.

US Patent:

20120211665, Aug 23, 2012

Filed:

Feb 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/029158

Inventors:

Eugene L. Cloud - Orlando FL, US
Alan Rakes - Palm Bay FL, US
John Bailey - Winter Springs FL, US

Assignee:

DRS RSTA, INC. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G01T 1/17

US Classification:

250394, 250395

Abstract:

A system and method for identifying a pulsed radiation source may include an imaging sensor having a frame rate that is less than a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of the pulsed radiation source. A processing unit may be in communication with the imaging sensor, and be configured to (i) process a sequence of image data of a scene captured by the imaging sensor to determine whether radiation of the pulsed radiation source is detected, (ii) determine a PRF code of the pulsed radiation source from possible multiple different PRF codes based on the processed sequence of image data, and (iii) notify a user of the PRF code or information associated with the PRF code.

US Patent:

20140029001, Jan 30, 2014

Filed:

Feb 22, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/774853

Inventors:

DRS RSTA, Inc. - , US
Dharmesh G. Panchal - West Melbourne FL, US
Alan A. Rakes - Palm Bay FL, US

Assignee:

DRS RSTA, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

F41G 1/30

US Classification:

356252

Abstract:

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for testing the boresight of a gimbaled camera and laser system, such as an infrared countermeasures (IRCM) system, in extreme environments. Light simulating a target is reflected through an optics system to the camera, with a portion of the light reflected back from a corner cube reflector through the optics system as a reference. A laser beam from the laser is received through the same optics system, and a position of the corner cube reflected reference and laser beam are compared in order to determine whether the camera and laser are properly aligned. A spherical shell adapted to position the camera at its geometric center keeps misaligned laser pulses from reflecting back into the camera.

US Patent:

8400625, Mar 19, 2013

Filed:

Apr 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/457208

Inventors:

Daniel D. Young - West Melbourne FL, US
Dharmesh G. Panchal - West Melbourne FL, US
Alan A. Rakes - Palm Bay FL, US

Assignee:

DRS RSTA, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G01B 11/26
G01J 5/02

US Classification:

356153, 356 401, 3561521, 3561523, 250342

Abstract:

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for testing the boresight of a gimbaled camera and laser system, such as an infrared countermeasures (IRCM) system, in extreme environments. Light simulating a target is reflected through an optics system to the camera, with a portion of the light reflected back from a corner cube reflector through the optics system as a reference. A laser beam from the laser is received through the same optics system, and a position of the corner cube reflected reference and laser beam are compared in order to determine whether the camera and laser are properly aligned. A spherical shell adapted to position the camera at its geometric center keeps misaligned laser pulses from reflecting back into the camera.