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US5557397A
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Aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system
Assignee: Airborne Remote Mapping Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-21
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Granted: 1996-09-17
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Expires: 2014-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A system is described for rapidly and accurately determining the topography of land masses as well as individual x,y,z coordinates of discrete targets. The system incorporates a laser altimeter, a laser scanning/steering system with sensor for receiving reflected laser beams, a global positioning system or other non-ground-based reference means, a video camera, computers, and processing software. The system, mounted to an aircraft, selectively scans or steers a pulsed laser altimeter over a swath or point on earth. A Global Positioning System (GPS) or other non-ground-based reference means records the aircraft's position, altitude, and time of position. Concurrently, a computer system records and time tags the laser's range, scanner angles, and airborne platform's roll, pitch, and heading. The processing software correlates all events and measurements using time to determine precise x,y,z coordinates of the ground/targets. Finally, the system post processes the combined data to produce significant terrain, vegetation, and cultural data.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell T. Hyde
- 👤 Michael G. Wise
- 👤 Robert H. Stokes
- 👤 Edward C. Brasher, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C11/00; G01C11/02; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system comprising: (1) a non-ground-based position reference means; (2) a laser beam originating from an aircraft in flight, manipulatable about at least one axis of freedom and directable toward a target; (3) a sensor to register range data from the laser beam reflected back to the aircraft; (4) a means for measuring and time stamping aircraft roll, pitch, and true heading data; and (5) a computer to time stamp, process and collate the aforesaid data to define target position, elevation, and physical and dimensional measurements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system comprising: (1) a non-ground-based position reference means; (2) a laser beam originating from an aircraft in flight, manipulatable about at least one axis of freedom and directable toward a target; (3) a sensor to register range data from the laser beam reflected back to the aircraft; (4) a means for measuring and time stamping aircraft roll, pitch, and true heading data; and (5) a computer to time stamp, process and collate the aforesaid data to define target position, elevation, and physical and dimensional measurements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 1 wherein the non-ground-based position reference means is a global positioning system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 1 wherein the non-ground-based position reference means is an inertial navigation system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 1 wherein the laser beam is electronically and mechanically slaved to a video camera directable about at least one axis by an operator-controlled means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An aircraft based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 4 wherein the operator-controlled means is a joy stick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 4 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer mouse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 4 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer track ball.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 2 wherein the laser beam is electronically and mechanically slaved to a video camera directable about at least one axis by an operator-controlled means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 8 wherein the operator-controlled means is a joy stick.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 8 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer mouse.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 8 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer track ball.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 3 wherein the laser beam is electronically and mechanically slaved to a video camera directable about at least one axis by an operator-controlled means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 12 wherein the operator-controlled means is a joy stick.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 12 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer mouse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 12 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer track ball.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 4 wherein the laser beam is reflected off a mirror which is rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 4 wherein the laser is reflected off a mirror which is rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 4 wherein the laser is reflected off a mirror which is rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and which is also rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 18 wherein the non-ground-based position reference means is a global positioning system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 19 wherein the operator-controlled means is a joy stick.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 18 wherein the non-ground-based position reference means is an inertial navigation system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 21 wherein the operator-controlled means is a joy stick.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 19 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer mouse.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 19 wherein the operator-controlled means is a track ball.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 21 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer mouse.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 21 wherein the operator-controlled means is a track ball.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 16 wherein the non-ground-based position reference means is a global positioning system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 27 wherein the operator-controlled means is a joy stick.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
An aircraft based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 27 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer mouse.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 27 wherein the operator-controlled means is a track ball.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 16 wherein the non-ground-based position reference means is an inertial navigation system.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 31 wherein the operator-controlled means is a joy stick.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 31 wherein the operator-controlled means is a computer mouse.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aircraft-based topographical data collection and processing system as described in claim 31 wherein the operator-controlled means is a track ball.
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) | 1999-09-17 | 2000-03-18 | 2000-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-17 | 2004-03-18 | 2004-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-17 | 2008-03-18 | 2008-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |