US4103847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Line scan area signature detection method
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1976-02-09
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Granted: 1978-08-01
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Expires: 1996-02-09
Abstract
Abstract An area signature detection system arranged to receive an output from a sensor operative in the electromagnetic spectrum, where the output from the sensor is an amplitude varying electrical signal representing the field-of-view beheld by the sensor, and to utilize this high frequency information in such a manner that low frequency scene content, necessary for area correlation processing, can be extracted and effectively utilized. Our invention involves certain highly advantageous techniques for generating area signatures from line scan sensors, and may be applied to cartesian, circular or polar scan formats. In one particular embodiment of our invention, we describe how orthogonally disposed area signatures can be used to generate area correlation tracking signals that can be used in the derivation of appropriate missile guidance commands. Our teachings are also useful in providing line-of-sight stablization for fire control systems, alignment and position errors for landing and hovering control systems, as well as intrusion detecting systems. In the case of a system using a television camera as the sensor, this invention provides a way of obtaining an operator display and system control signals despite the fact that only a single such sensor is used.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J. Thomas
- 👤 Max W. Farrow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:31
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/66; G01S13/72; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7864; G01S3/7865
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of modifying the flight path of a missile comprising the steps of: (a) scanning a field of view from the missile with a line scan sensor to produce a line scan signal representing sensed variations in scene content along each scan line of the field of view; (b) generating, in response to the line scan signal, a first electronic signature characterizing area variations within selected segments of a field of view from the missile; (c) generating, in response to the line scan signal, a second electronic signature characterizing area variations within corresponding selected segments of the field of view from the missile, the second electronic signature characterizing area variations in the field of view at a time subsequent to the variations characterizing by the first electronic signature; (d) correlating the first electronic signature with the second electronic signature to generate a control signal related to the degree of correlation between the area variations within the selected segments of the first electronic signature and the area variations with the corresponding segments of the second electronic signature; and (e) controlling the flight path of the missile in response to the control signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of modifying the flight path of a missile comprising the steps of: (a) scanning a field of view from the missile with a line scan sensor to produce a line scan signal representing sensed variations in scene content along each scan line of the field of view; (b) generating, in response to the line scan signal, a first electronic signature characterizing area variations within selected segments of a field of view from the missile; (c) generating, in response to the line scan signal, a second electronic signature characterizing area variations within corresponding selected segments of the field of view from the missile, the second electronic signature characterizing area variations in the field of view at a time subsequent to the variations characterizing by the first electronic signature; (d) correlating the first electronic signature with the second electronic signature to generate a control signal related to the degree of correlation between the area variations within the selected segments of the first electronic signature and the area variations with the corresponding segments of the second electronic signature; and (e) controlling the flight path of the missile in response to the control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first electronic signature is generated by: gating the line scan signal to select predetermined segments of the line scan signal corresponding to the selected segments of the field of view characterized by the first electronic signature; and, combining the selected segments of the line scan signal to produce the first electronic signature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the field of view is repetitively scanned by the line scan sensor along the same scan lines and wherein the first and second electronic signatures are generated by: repetitively gating the line scan signal to repetitively select predetermined segments of the line scan signal corresponding to the selected segments of the field of view characterized by the first and second electronic signatures; generating the first electronic signature in response to the gated line scan signal; storing the first electronic signature; and generating the second electronic signature in response to the gated line scan signal subsequent to generating the first electronic signature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selected segments are based upon a Cartesian coordinate system and the selected segments are vertical and horizontal segments of the electronic signature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selected segments are based upon a polar coordinate system and the selected segments are circular segments of the electronic signature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional step of storing the first electronic signature, the second electronic signature being correlated with the stored first electronic signature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the electronic signatures characterize area radiance variations within the field of view.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the selected segments are based upon a Cartesian coordinate system and the selected segments are vertical and horizontal segments of the electronic signature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the selected segments are based upon a polar coordinate system and the selected segments are circular segments of the electronic signature.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of modifying the flight path of a missile comprising the steps of: (a) scanning a field of view from the missile with a line scan sensor to generate a line scan signal representing sensed variations in scene content along scan lines of the field of view from the missile; (b) generating, in response to the line scan signal, a first electronic signature characterizing area variations within selected, related segments of the field of view at a first time; (c) storing the first electronic signature; (d) generating, in response to the line scan signal, a second electronic signature characterizing area variations within corresponding selected, related segments of the field of view at a second time subsequent to the first time; (e) correlating the stored first electronic signature with the second electronic signature to generate a control signal related in value to the degree of correlation between the stored first electronic signature and the second electronic signature; (f) modifying the flight path of the missile in response to the control signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of modifying the flight path of a missile comprising the steps of: (a) scanning a field of view from the missile with a line scan sensor to generate a line scan signal representing sensed variations in scene content along scan lines of the field of view from the missile; (b) generating, in response to the line scan signal, a first electronic signature characterizing area variations within selected, related segments of the field of view at a first time; (c) storing the first electronic signature; (d) generating, in response to the line scan signal, a second electronic signature characterizing area variations within corresponding selected, related segments of the field of view at a second time subsequent to the first time; (e) correlating the stored first electronic signature with the second electronic signature to generate a control signal related in value to the degree of correlation between the stored first electronic signature and the second electronic signature; (f) modifying the flight path of the missile in response to the control signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 including the additional step of updating the stored reference electronic signature responsively to the magnitude of the control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
121 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the correlation of the first electronic signature with the second electronic signature comprises the steps of: (a) converting the electronic signatures into digital form; (b) delaying the digital electronic signatures; (c) detecting the degree of coincidence between pulses in the first electronic signature and delayed pulses in the second electronic signature to provide a first coincidence output signal while simultaneously detecting the degree of coincidence between pulses in the second electronic signature and delayed pulses in the first electronic signature to provide a second coincidence output signal; (d) generating a coincidence difference signal in response to the first and second coincidence output signals; and, (e) integrating the coincidence difference signal to provide said control signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12 including the additional step of selectively algebraically summing said control signal with the concidence difference signal responsively to the first and second coincidence output signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 including the step of varying the amplification of the control signal and said coincidence difference signal as a function of time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-31 | 1982-01-30 | 1982-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-31 | 1986-01-30 | 1986-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-31 | 1990-01-30 | 1990-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |