US5103484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Target aimpoint location
Assignee: Matra Bae Dynamics UK Ltd
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Filing: 1991-05-08
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Granted: 1992-04-07
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Expires: 2011-05-08
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method for analyzing a viewed scene containing a target. The scene is digitized forming a binary image in which the target is distinguished from the background. The image is then processed to form a contoured representation of the target, and a target skeleton. Finally a contoured skeleton is produced and the target aimpoint is determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond J. P. Stafford
- 👤 Enoch James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:18
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2226; F41G7/2253; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293; G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of determining a target aimpoint in a missile guidance tracking system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming an image of a viewed scene; (b) determining the presence of a target in the image; (c) digitizing said image to form a binary image; said binary image comprising a two-dimensional array of pixels distinguishing a target image from other elements of the image; (d) forming a contoured image of the target image from said binary image by assigning weights to said pixels based on a location of a pixel relative to edges of the target image; (e) forming a skeleton image of the target image from said binary image by selecting pixels based on a location of a pixel relative to said edges of the target image; (f) forming a contoured skeleton image by assigning the assigned weights of pixels in said contoured image to the corresponding pixels in said skeleton image; and (g) processing the assigned weights of the pixels in said contoured skeleton image to determine the target aimpoint.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of determining a target aimpoint in a missile guidance tracking system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming an image of a viewed scene; (b) determining the presence of a target in the image; (c) digitizing said image to form a binary image; said binary image comprising a two-dimensional array of pixels distinguishing a target image from other elements of the image; (d) forming a contoured image of the target image from said binary image by assigning weights to said pixels based on a location of a pixel relative to edges of the target image; (e) forming a skeleton image of the target image from said binary image by selecting pixels based on a location of a pixel relative to said edges of the target image; (f) forming a contoured skeleton image by assigning the assigned weights of pixels in said contoured image to the corresponding pixels in said skeleton image; and (g) processing the assigned weights of the pixels in said contoured skeleton image to determine the target aimpoint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in said target aimpoint is determined as the centroid of said contoured skeleton image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the centroid is determined based on a chosen pixel of said contoured skeleton image, the weights of the respective pixels of said contoured skeleton image, and a distance of each pixel in said contoured skeleton image from said chosen pixel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said chosen pixel is the pixel in said contoured skeleton image with the highest pixel weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said contoured image is formed by assigning each pixel in the target image a value according to the distance of a pixel from said edges of the target image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said skeleton image is formed by applying a set of predetermined test conditions to said binary image.
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) | 1995-04-07 | 1995-10-07 | 1996-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-07 | 1999-10-07 | 2000-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-10-07 | 2004-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |