US5479526A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pixel designator for small objects
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1993-03-23
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Granted: 1995-12-26
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Expires: 2013-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A targeting system which receives input data from two sources having different video characteristics. The apparatus includes a multiple-pass centroid eroder, which operates at a multiple of the video input rate. The apparatus identifies "hot spots," i.e., potential targets, and uses the identified potential targets from the two video sources to correlate targeting of submodules producing the two video signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Benton
- 👤 Richard M. Rudy
- 👤 James R. Yde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for detecting and identifying potential target data in video data images, comprising: means for receiving alternating first and second video data images from ones of a first and a second video source; means for performing a multiple-pass erosion function on the received video data images, using a plurality of masks, each mask having a size of at least 5×5 pixels, and yielding centroid data indicating a location of a potential target in the video data images; means for storing the centroid data indicating the location of the potential target as an entry in hot spot lists; correlation means for determining whether the first and second video data images are aligned in accordance with said hot spot lists; and correcting means for sending course correcting signals to the second video data source until the correlation means determines that the first and second video data images are aligned.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for detecting and identifying potential target data in video data images, comprising: means for receiving alternating first and second video data images from ones of a first and a second video source; means for performing a multiple-pass erosion function on the received video data images, using a plurality of masks, each mask having a size of at least 5×5 pixels, and yielding centroid data indicating a location of a potential target in the video data images; means for storing the centroid data indicating the location of the potential target as an entry in hot spot lists; correlation means for determining whether the first and second video data images are aligned in accordance with said hot spot lists; and correcting means for sending course correcting signals to the second video data source until the correlation means determines that the first and second video data images are aligned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including scaling means for scaling the first and second video data images to have substantially the same scale.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
144 words
A method performed by a computer for detecting and identifying potential target data in video data images, the method comprising the steps of: receiving alternating first and second video data images from ones of a first and a second video source; performing a multiple-pass erosion function on the received video data images, using a plurality of masks, each mask having a size of at least 5×5 pixels, to yield centroid data indicating a location of a potential target in the video data images; storing the centroid data indicating the location of the potential target as an entry in hot spot lists; determining whether the first and second video data images are aligned in accordance with said hot spot lists; and sending course correcting signals to the second video data source until it is determined that the first and second video data images are aligned.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
144 words
A method performed by a computer for detecting and identifying potential target data in video data images, the method comprising the steps of: receiving alternating first and second video data images from ones of a first and a second video source; performing a multiple-pass erosion function on the received video data images, using a plurality of masks, each mask having a size of at least 5×5 pixels, to yield centroid data indicating a location of a potential target in the video data images; storing the centroid data indicating the location of the potential target as an entry in hot spot lists; determining whether the first and second video data images are aligned in accordance with said hot spot lists; and sending course correcting signals to the second video data source until it is determined that the first and second video data images are aligned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of: scaling the first and second video data images to have substantially the same scale.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-25 | 1999-06-26 | 1999-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-25 | 2003-06-26 | 2003-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-25 | 2007-06-26 | 2007-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |